Transcript Highlights:

• So utility may say, look, I need one megawatt of power for an hour later today.
• Or I'm going to reduce energy usage by one megawatt for that next hour by doing a mix of 10,000 customer
• of power for an hour later megawatt of power for an hour later today.<00:03:04.560><c> Goes</c><00:03
• The dominant driver of costs to operate.
• hours to divide our costs across, it helps all of our customers in lowering the upward pressure on rates

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Craft presented House File 2986, as amended with the DE6, and asked that it be laid over for possible inclusion. He described the bill as an affordability measure centered on virtual power plants, explaining that aggregating distributed energy resources such as solar panels, batteries, EVs, smart thermostats, heat pumps, and water heaters can help utilities reduce peak demand and avoid costly generation and distribution investments. He said the bill would require utilities to reduce system peak through a virtual power plant program by 5% by the end of 2028 and 10% by the end of 2032, using an independent third-party RFP process, with plans incorporated into integrated resource planning and a savings clause if requirements prove infeasible. Testimony in support came from the Department of Commerce, Vote Solar, Solar United Neighbors, Kite Rocket, and Mincia. Supporters said virtual power plants can function like grid-scale resources, lower spot-market and peak costs, improve reliability and resilience, and make better use of existing distribution infrastructure. Commerce said the approach fits an all-of-the-above strategy and noted consumer protections in the bill, including standards for contracts, disclosures, dispatch frequency, notice, opt-out, and compensation. Several supporters cited estimates of significant savings, including a national DOE estimate of 10% to 20% of peak load by 2030 and a Minnesota-specific estimate from Solar United Neighbors of about $63.5 million in savings if 10% of peak demand were met with VPPs in 2030. Committee members raised questions about how much cheaper VPPs are than peaker plants and whether utilities, especially Xcel Energy, are already implementing similar programs. Representative Baker expressed concern that the bill could move faster than the technology or market would naturally develop and asked about the risk of forcing utilities into a mandate before the economics are fully proven. In response, a Solar United Neighbors witness pointed to a fact sheet and Brattle Group-based analysis comparing VPP costs and benefits in Xcel territory, while an Xcel representative said the company has been discussing the bill with Representative Craft for months. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion, and no final vote on the bill itself was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• of California Environmental Quality Act documents to support the cost of operating, maintaining, and
• We've heard hundreds of hours of budget hearings where we heard...
• We've heard hundreds of hours of budget hearings where we heard policy experts and we heard from the
• They're projected to leave operating deficits in the range of $8 billion to $10 billion annually.
• It also has an unsustainable record high of projected operating costs, which I just talked about.

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:06.080><c> these</c> of Highway 61, the purpose of these of Highway 61, the purpose of these
• It addresses all three of the proposals today: the vehicle miles traveled, the kilowatt-hour charge,
• So, do we have anybody that knows the number or the amount of hours that are charged at home versus a
• of all of these bills, the independence of all of these bills, this<00:57:52.720><c> bill</c><00:57:
• </c> that knows the number or the amount of that knows the number or the amount of hours<00:58:53.440

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That it's just too far to be in front of four hours a day. Thank you.
• And I just want to also acknowledge the efficiency of the operations.
• Currently, almost 60% of Townsend's operating budget is for the school budgets.
• towns coming together to operate a very small number of schools.
• I could talk for hours about them. I'm incredibly proud of them. They do so much.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Ways and Means Committee held its final public hearing on the FY26 state budget, with chairs and members emphasizing that public testimony would help shape the budget and asking speakers to keep remarks brief. Committee leaders introduced members, explained the hearing process, and repeatedly thanked residents, students, and advocates for participating. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony focused heavily on education funding and the Chapter 70 formula. Students from Amherst, Northampton, Gateway Regional, Chester Elementary, and other districts described budget-driven cuts to electives, special education supports, paraprofessionals, counselors, transportation, and building maintenance. They urged higher Chapter 70 aid, increased minimum aid, rural school aid, and a reopening or restructuring of the funding formula, arguing that current formulas leave many districts unable to meet student needs and force local layoffs and overrides. Other speakers urged funding or protection for a range of programs and facilities, including the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute for homicide survivor services, the Museum of African American History, the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and CART/interpreter services, the Access to Counsel housing legal aid program, the Department of Mental Health and Pocasset Mental Health Center, and Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children. One speaker opposed offshore wind-related spending and urged a reset of the state’s energy approach, while another advocated ending the aircraft sales tax exemption. Committee members responded sympathetically to many speakers, asked a few follow-up questions, and several expressed support for maintaining or expanding the programs discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• time needed for the reduction in the hours on the regular part of the class.
• But, you know, I think reducing the number of hours may actually cut out the amount of time that people
• One is you mentioned the number of hours and whether the hours are excessive or not.
• The hour and the renewal number of years are matters for the committee to weigh in on.
• We'll leave it to your experience in doing so, whether the number of years and the number of hours are

Committee: House House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Beacon owns and operates 24 affordable housing buildings, most of which are supportive housing.
• I believe you have a document that identifies proposed costs of facility operations.
• </c><01:08:53.440><c> of</c> the signs and symptoms of of the signs and symptoms of of discinesia<01:
• As I was driving down on Tuesday afternoon, I got a phone call from one of my staffers about an hour
• my staffers about an call from one of my staffers about an hour<01:52:42.119><c> before</c><01:52:42.440

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, since 2010, Mass Save has delivered more than 160 million megawatt-hours of lifetime electric
• Let me repeat that: we've saved 160 million megawatt-hours of electric savings in 10 years.
• Businesses of every size face pressure from high operating costs.
• The project now operates at roughly one-third the energy use of a typical K-12 school in Massachusetts
• and avoids approximately 328 tons of operational carbon emissions annually.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming

Summary: The hearing focused on the value of Mass Save, with committee members and witnesses largely emphasizing that the program lowers energy bills, reduces peak demand, supports climate goals, and delivers benefits beyond direct participants. The chair opened by noting Mass Save’s long-term savings, its role in weatherization and heat pump deployment, and recent statutory changes directing the program toward emissions reductions, low- and moderate-income households, and fossil-fuel restrictions. Elizabeth Mahoney of the Department of Energy Resources said the program has evolved to broaden access and control costs, citing large weatherization totals, heat pump installations, avoided emissions, and budget controls that removed $500 million from the approved plan. She also said the governor’s proposal to have only electric utilities administer Mass Save was intended to reduce administrative and procurement costs, and she explained that outreach to low- and moderate-income communities is counted within marketing spending. Several witnesses addressed the program’s workforce and business impacts. Dave Betcher of Abode Energy Management and Rick Taglienti of Rogers Insulation said Mass Save sustains small businesses, contractors, and thousands of jobs by creating stable demand for energy-efficiency work, while warning that sharp budget cuts would lead to layoffs and discourage investment in training, equipment, and hiring. Committee members pressed them on who administers the program, and both said the program administrators and utilities collaborate, with day-to-day contractor oversight and customer work largely delegated to private vendors and community partners. Other witnesses, including Brian Biot and James Collins of the low-income network, described the “quarterbacking” model used for income-eligible customers, where community action agencies provide full project management, technical support, and wraparound services to help households access fuel assistance, discount rates, weatherization, and electrification measures. A major theme was cost-effectiveness and system-wide savings. Anna Johnson of ACEEE and Kyle Murray of Acadia Center said Mass Save returns more than it costs, reduces peak demand, and lowers prices for all ratepayers, including those who do not participate directly. They cited avoided costs in the billions, strong state rankings, and examples of peak-hour savings that avoid expensive generation and infrastructure. Amy Boyd-Rabin of the Environmental League of Massachusetts argued that energy efficiency is the cheapest way to achieve greenhouse gas reductions and that cutting the program would force more expensive power plants to run. Bronte Payne of Sunrun and Ben Sondaga of Highland Electric Fleets highlighted Connected Solutions, a Mass Save-funded virtual power plant program, saying it saves ratepayers money and can use home batteries and electric school buses to reduce peak demand and support grid reliability. Equity and affordable housing witnesses, including Mary Wampo and Barney Heath, said Mass Save has become more responsive to renters, low-income households, and designated equity communities, while also helping affordable housing projects meet passive house and electrification standards; no votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• people of Massachusetts stepped up to the mic for over two hours and shared their stories.
• hours, stories of injury and harm.
• And by the way, I know of a fellow musician who died suddenly and unexpectedly within 24 hours of getting
• And by the way, I know of a fellow musician who died suddenly and unexpectedly within 24 hours of getting
• his first COVID vaccine in March of 2021. ...within 24 hours of getting his first COVID vaccine in March

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Management

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Management held a hearing on several emergency management bills, with most of the testimony focused on Senate Bill 539, which would prohibit COVID-19 mRNA vaccination or gene-altering procedures as a condition of entry, employment, school attendance, or access to public venues. Senator Durant and many public witnesses supported the bill, arguing that COVID-era mandates were coercive, ineffective, and harmful, and that the state should not require proof of vaccination in future emergencies. One witness, Joanne Tuller, testified in opposition, saying the government should retain authority to impose public health measures in emergencies and warning against permanently limiting that power based on the COVID experience. The committee also heard testimony on Senate Bill 540, concerning the prevention of radioactive material discharge, with a Sierra Club representative and local residents opposing Holtec’s disposal of wastewater from the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant and citing health, environmental, and economic concerns in Plymouth and nearby communities. Senator Driscoll testified in support of Senate Bills 537 and 538, describing them as measures to strengthen the Commonwealth’s strategic preparedness stockpile and to create a framework for emergency response during surges in hospitalizations, including temporary waivers of prior authorization when hospitals are over capacity. In addition, Dr. Jennifer Carlson testified in support of H.885, a resolve creating a special commission on the field of emergency management, arguing that the profession should be more fully professionalized and staffed by dedicated experts rather than part-time “second hat” officials. Several other bills on the docket, including H.883 and H.84, had no sign-ups. The chair closed each bill’s testimony section as the list was exhausted, and the hearing was adjourned without any votes taken during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is one of the solutions of providing high-performance high student outcome operator access to
• agreement that's established beforehand on the operation of the schools.
• You know, this is a new you have to have a new operation and get all the pay growing pains of the co-location
• Do some Ten's operating in environments? Create more drama foot. Okay. Is a lot of it ago problems.
• to get in to the state of Florida and to operate within as a school hope operator, but continue.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But after a full year of implementation, through the start of this year, January of 2026, California
• , of NAMI.
• My observation of the multiple people who we saw in the several-hour period is that everybody was tremendously
• In practice, that means many of these facilities operate with little to no meaningful oversight.
• It applies to any facility that meets objective criteria, regardless of who operates it or why individuals

Committee: House Health

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The determination of the allocation of the money for that .25, which is based on hours of instruction—another
• is a... ...with the operation and running of that district.
• attention to the operations and lack of confiscation, lack of follow-through on that.
• that, or is this outside of the contract hours?
• that or is this outside of the contract hours this is outside of contract hours although i would like

Committee: House House Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 4043, which would require each school district and charter school, beginning in 2027, to ensure at least one employee at each school is trained in CPR, first aid, and AED use. The sponsor said he intended to amend the bill on the floor to ensure someone is trained at all times and to clarify AED language. The American Heart Association testified neutral with concerns, supporting CPR training but warning the bill could leave gaps if only one person is trained and noting the need for AED access and emergency planning. Parents whose son died in an Arizona kindergarten classroom urged support, saying school staff should be prepared to respond to emergencies. The committee recommended the bill do pass by a vote of 7-1 with four present. The committee then took up House Concurrent Resolution 2015, as amended by a strike-everything amendment supporting at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity for students and prominent display of federal dietary guidelines. A representative of End Chronic Disease testified in favor, arguing schools should help prevent chronic disease through health education and physical activity. The committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and then gave the resolution a due pass recommendation on a 12-0 roll call. House Bill 2621, in its strike-everything form and with a Garcia amendment, addressed enrollment and special education procedures for students in unorganized territory, students using certificates of educational convenience, and children of active-duty military parents. The sponsor explained the bill was meant to clarify confusing law, speed enrollment and evaluations, and reduce delays in services. Champions for Kids supported the measure and the amendments, and the committee adopted both amendments before recommending the bill do pass 11-0. The committee also approved House Bill 2385, which limits superintendent contracts to one-year terms for the first three years unless the superintendent has already been employed three consecutive years; the sponsor framed it as a way to reduce costly early buyouts. That bill passed 7-4. Later, the committee approved House Bill 4106, creating the One Arizona Service Fellowship Program to provide service opportunities, stipends, and tuition awards for young adults, with an amendment changing the stipend contribution formula. The sponsor and supporters described it as a state-based service model inspired by Utah and aimed at education, military families, parks, hunger, and homelessness work; some members opposed it as an unnecessary state mandate or questioned the need for a new program. The committee also passed House Bill 2992, as amended, establishing a pilot program on child sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention, expanded to K-12 and including grooming/exploitation content. A survivor advocate strongly supported the bill, while some members raised concerns about the funding source and possible unintended consequences. Finally, the committee passed House Bill 2370, which would require school leaders to notify governing boards before modifying weapons detection systems and to report changes within 24 hours; the sponsor cited a fatal school stabbing and other weapons incidents, while opponents argued the bill was too vague and could create operational problems. The committee also adopted a strike-everything amendment to House Bill 4056, allowing legislators making public records requests in their official capacity to avoid fees and requiring electronic production; the sponsor said it was needed after districts sought large fees, while opponents warned it could burden public agencies. The committee then began discussion of House Bill 2478, which would create an Arizona Commission on Student Outcomes to study K-12 accountability, finance, graduation requirements, and related issues, with proposed amendments to add early childhood study and change commission membership, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• As the House is operating on the 2026-2027 rules of the House of Delegates during special session one
• The Clerk shall announce the first morning hour order of business, including any clerk's announcements
• Second portion of the morning hour, I'm not aware of any requests, sir.
• Third portion of the morning hour reserved for member requests for legislation.
• Fourth portion of the morning hour in Special Session 1 is reserved for points of personal privilege.

Keywords: April 22, 2026 - Special Session 1, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• than 1.5%, or 100 hours of the time, as a power plant.
• of the time as a power plant this hours of the time as a power plant this bill<00:35:48.440><c> has<
• international Union of both the international Union of operating<00:45:38.119><c> engineers</c><00:45
• utility resources, particularly intermittent solar and wind resources, thousands of hours of work for
• </c><00:57:47.319><c> other</c> thousands of hours of work for other thousands of hours of work for other

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2024, I believe we did about 35,000 hours of community service work to the communities, and those
• work</c><00:15:43.920><c> to</c><00:15:44.160><c> the</c> hours of community service work to the hours
• bill</c><00:36:01.920><c> and</c> the operational aspects of this bill and the operational aspects of
• , of um of forestry, of other farming, of um of forestry, of other types<00:39:14.480><c> of</c><00:39
• purpose to support our operations as a whole. ...be different than once we get them out of that uh mental

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The public hearing was on an SP 15 replace-all, non-germane amendment to Senate Bill 15, a proposal to require hard labor for certain serious offenses in the New Hampshire prison system. Representative Jennifer Rhodess, the co-sponsor, said the bill is intended to make incarcerated people productive, help reduce costs, and serve as a deterrent; she also noted a two-year effective date for implementation and said anyone who refuses hard labor would receive a 50% sentence increase. She framed the work as ordinary labor already done by many people in the state and said the committee would later hear related testimony and possible amendments. Committee members questioned how the proposal would work in practice, especially for people already incarcerated, the difference between current prison work and the bill’s “hard labor,” and the impact on prison security and staffing. Rhodess said the bill only applies going forward, not retroactively, and that the Department of Corrections could better address operational details. Members also discussed the terminology, noting that “capital murder” is not a current New Hampshire charge and that the relevant offense is first-degree murder with mandatory life without parole. Department of Corrections officials Jane Graham and Nicholas Duffy testified in a neutral position but raised significant implementation concerns. They said the department would need more resources, vehicles, security equipment, and possibly armed supervision for higher-risk crews, and noted a 47% corrections officer vacancy rate. Duffy described current work programs inside prisons and in the community, including correctional industries, kitchen and education jobs, transitional work crews, and community service projects such as road work and landscaping. He explained that current community crews are limited by custody level, court approval, staffing, and safety, and said C1 and C2 inmates are already in transitional or work-release settings, while C3 and higher inmates would pose greater risks if taken outside the walls. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• In statute, clients who qualify for more than 10 hours of service get 12 and a half% higher rate.
• In statute, clients who qualify for more than 10 hours of service get 12 and a half% higher rate.
• In statute, clients who qualify for more than 10 hours of service get 12 and a half% higher rate.
• In statute, clients who qualify for more than 10 hours of service get 12 and a half% higher rate.
• But nothing protects hours of care.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:13:53.920><c> by</c> the operation of our state agencies by the operation of our state agencies
• And this peak of Operation Metro Surge.
• <01:38:20.719><c> justice</c><01:38:21.280><c> in</c> operation of our system of justice in operation
• So that's far in excess of 48 hours.
• </c> operation as an act of retribution. operation as an act of retribution.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You mentioned 10,000 hours of training and all of this, but I have a question about how many hours of
• A 32-hour course is less time than most of us spend in a single call session. Keep that in mind.
• an ophthalmologist, and nearly 100% live within an hour of an ophthalmologist.
• One hour of that is didactic, one hour of that is to use the laser on an inanimate object.
• to work a minimum of 35 hours a week.

Committee: House Professional Registration and Licensing

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and adopted a House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2300 by a unanimous roll call vote of 18-0. The substitute combined a number of previously approved professional registration items, including emergency suspension authority, chiropractic and massage therapy provisions, accountant regulations, the athletic trainer compact, social worker regulations, a speech-language pathologist fix, telehealth, nonprofit pharmacies, and the physician assistant compact. Members noted that work was still ongoing on bell bondsman language before the committee moved into public hearing. The main public hearing was on House Bill 2897, which would expand optometrists’ authority to perform certain laser and in-office procedures. Representative Farnan and optometry supporters argued the bill is about patient access, especially in rural areas, and said it would allow three laser procedures—YAG capsulotomy, laser trabeculoplasty, and laser iridotomy—plus clarify other already-performed office procedures, while still excluding major surgeries such as cataract surgery, LASIK, and corneal transplants. Supporters said optometrists already receive relevant training, that a 32-hour certification course would serve as a safeguard, and that patients often face long waits or long travel times for care. Opponents, including ophthalmologists, argued the bill would blur the line between optometry and surgery, create safety risks, and rely on insufficient training and ambiguous language. They cited complications from laser procedures, questioned emergency care claims, and said optometrists should not be regulated as surgeons unless placed under the State Board of Healing Arts. No vote was taken on HB 2897, and the chair recessed the hearing for later continuation. The Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education then took up House Bill 3239 and adopted Amendment 0.01H, which capped the program at $4 million to keep it from becoming an open-ended cost. The committee then adopted the House Committee Substitute and voted the bill do pass by 11-7. The committee also combined House Bills 2913 and 3228 into one substitute and voted that combined measure do pass by 19-0. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2195, which would create the Missouri Integrated Safe Driving Program and encourage school districts to incorporate driver-safety content into existing courses without adding a fiscal note or mandating a standalone driver’s ed class. Sponsor Representative Reedy and supporters from AAA Missouri and the Missouri Driver Education Coalition said the bill would address teen crash rates, improve access to driver education, and help schools use existing curriculum time more flexibly. The hearing remained in discussion with testimony continuing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Scenario one: an operating room nurse calls in sick 20 minutes before the start of a shift.
• The lack of expanded hours is linked to a delayed patient case with a negative outcome.
• The lack of expanded hours is linked to a delayed patient case with a negative outcome.
• </c><00:32:03.120><c> hours</c><00:32:03.360><c> a</c> been reducing the number of hours a been reducing
• the number of hours a nurse<00:32:03.919><c> needs</c><00:32:04.159><c> to</c><00:32:04.320><c> work

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you imagine the size of the operation and how that has to be complied with and paid for and all of
• So the cost of operation is only increasing.
• Madam Chair, members of the committee, Eric Jennings, on behalf of the Judicial Conference of Missouri
• hour.
• I would like to reiterate this was one of our legislative proposals, and we are strongly in favor of

Committee: House Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met with a quorum, announced that House Bills 3304, 2777, and 3054 would not be heard that day, and then moved into executive session. In executive session, the committee considered House Bill 1910, which concerns child maintenance/child support obligations for certain persons convicted of DWIs. Representative Davis offered an amendment changing mandatory language from “shall” to “may” to preserve judicial discretion; the amendment was adopted 5-2 with one present. The committee then adopted a substitute and voted the House Committee substitute for HB 1910 do pass 7-0 with one present. The committee next took up House Bill 3116, a civil jurisprudence bill. An amendment was adopted to incorporate provisions from three previously heard bills: HB 1711 (Uniform Deposition Act), HB 1713 (allowing circuit courts to dissolve LLCs), and HB 3072 (workers’ compensation changes). The committee rolled the amendment into a substitute and voted the House Committee substitute for HB 3116 do pass 8-0. The committee also considered House Bill 3289 on court operations. An amendment was adopted to add treatment court administrators in certain circuits, subject to appropriations, then rolled into a substitute. The House Committee substitute for HB 3289 was voted do pass 8-0. In public hearing, Representative Dolan presented House Bill 3443, which would raise the court automation fee from $7 to $10 and add a CPI-based annual adjustment. Supporters from the Judicial Conference of Missouri said the fee has not been updated since the 1990s, that court automation costs continue to rise, and that the surcharge covers only a portion of the system’s expenses; they also noted that salaries are generally funded through general revenue rather than fees. Committee members asked about the new fee amount, what the revenue would support, and the collection-rate assumptions in the fiscal note. No opposition testimony was offered. Representative Parker then presented House Bill 2865, which would remove the statutory cap of $75 per hour for attorney’s fees in certain agency/licensure proceedings and replace it with “reasonable” fees. He and supporters said the current rate has not been updated since 1989 and is too low to attract attorneys for cases involving licensed professionals defending their licenses. Testimony in favor came from a private attorney who practices in this area, the Missouri Bar, and another supporter who said the bill would improve representation for Missouri licensees. No opposition testimony was presented, and the hearing on HB 2865 was concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the state critical to the operations of the state that<00:09:52.279><c> we</c><00:09:52.440><c> maintain
• I'm Jade Bai, Director of Operations for the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
• </c> operations of our electronic case operations of our electronic case management management management
• </c><02:27:34.520><c> M</c> this 48 hour lockdown of M for M this 48 hour lockdown of M for M Mai<02:
• ><c> of</c> efficiency of the overall operations of efficiency of the overall operations of our<03:59

Keywords: 912, senate, all