Transcript Highlights:

• candidates, and administrators in our city, is something that we really could have spent that time and energy
• This created energy, competition, and legitimacy. This is not an isolated story.
• And not only that, I'm sure you might appreciate not having the extra wasted energy of having to go through

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Election Laws

Summary: The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a public hearing focused primarily on ranked choice voting (RCV) legislation and several local home rule petitions, along with one petition to authorize remote participation in Concord town meetings. Chairs Keenan and Hunt outlined hearing procedures and noted the committee would hear both in-person and virtual testimony. The committee also took testimony on Concord’s request for remote participation in open and special town meetings, with supporters arguing it would make town meeting more accessible to residents with childcare, mobility, work, or disability barriers while preserving direct democracy. A large portion of the hearing centered on RCV local-option bills and municipal petitions from communities including Concord, East Hampton, Salem, Chelsea, Arlington, Revere, Amherst, and others. Supporters—among them local officials, legislators, election advocates, educators, veterans, and nonprofit leaders—said RCV would reduce vote-splitting, encourage more candidates, promote more positive campaigning, improve representation, and increase turnout. East Hampton officials described their existing use of RCV, saying it produced record turnout, was easy for voters to understand with education, and could be expanded to multi-winner races without major added cost. Concord and Amherst witnesses said their voters had already approved local steps toward RCV and urged the committee to let municipalities implement the system without further delay. Testimony in favor of the local-option RCV bill emphasized home rule and local control, with several witnesses arguing the state should not block communities that have already voted to adopt RCV. Speakers from MassVOTE, the AFT Massachusetts, Voter Choice Massachusetts, Progressive Massachusetts, the Boston Teachers Union, and Veterans for All Voters said the reform would strengthen democracy, broaden participation, and save money by avoiding low-turnout preliminary elections. Some witnesses also referenced examples from Cambridge, Maine, and Utah to argue that RCV is workable, nonpartisan, and familiar to voters. The hearing ended with no votes or final committee action taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• With recent spikes in energy prices, the rising cost of living continues to impact our most vulnerable
• With recent spikes in energy prices, the rising cost of living continues to impact our most vulnerable
• over time because of the new requirements, and where you would like the state to really focus our energy

Summary: The committee held its second hearing on CalFresh enrollment and nutrition, focused on the effects of H.R. 1 on eligibility, administration, and food access in California. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Department of Social Services outlined major federal changes: expanded work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents, narrowed eligibility for certain lawfully present non-citizens, and new state and county cost-sharing for both administrative and benefit costs. Officials said about 665,000 Californians could lose benefits under the work requirement, roughly 72,000 non-citizens could lose eligibility, and California could face hundreds of millions to billions in new costs depending on error rates and implementation details. DSS described its mitigation efforts, including county guidance, trainings, automation, outreach materials, and coordination with workforce programs, while county representatives argued the workload is larger than current funding assumptions and that staffing and training needs are urgent. Members also heard from a CalFresh recipient, Lauren Keltz, who described how benefits helped her family during her daughter’s medical crisis and how a clerical error led to the loss of food, health, and cash assistance, contributing to homelessness and food insecurity. Her testimony was used to underscore the consequences of administrative errors and benefit disruptions. Grocery and agriculture representatives said CalFresh is not only an anti-hunger program but also a major economic driver, with benefits spent locally at grocery stores, farmers markets, and farm stands. They warned that cuts would reduce demand for fresh food, hurt independent grocers and small farmers, and increase reliance on food banks, while urging continued support for market match and farm-to-food-bank programs. In the second panel, advocates and local administrators emphasized the human and operational impacts of the federal changes. The California Immigrant Policy Center called for expanding the state-funded California Food Assistance Program to cover more immigrants excluded by H.R. 1. A San Francisco eligibility worker and a San Diego county administrator said the new rules will add substantial casework, require more client outreach and exemption screening, and strain already limited staffing. Justice in Aging stressed that CalFresh is a key anti-hunger tool for older adults and people with disabilities, especially as housing and health costs rise, and supported outreach funding for seniors. Throughout the hearing, members discussed the need for state funding, better automation, and stronger county and community partnerships to reduce disenrollment and protect access to food.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know you work in the nuclear energy field, so... Thank you, Senator. I'm curious.
• I know you work in the nuclear energy field. You work with science.
• There's energy in numbers. It's true.

Transcript Highlights:

• So let's just make sure that we are taking heed to this and have this same energy on a lot of other topics
• So let's just make sure that we are taking heed to this and have this same energy on a lot of other topics
• I ask that this entirety of the body have the same energy today, moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• and a Senate to have two chambers that would basically work against each other, burn up a lot of energy
• , create a lot of friction, because they thought without that friction, Burn up a lot of energy, create
• So that's why we have two chambers, to burn up the energy, I guess, of this branch of government so that

Transcript Highlights:

• Public Service Commission under energy and environment.
• We have added language to identify funding for siting and construction of nuclear energy facilities,
• Added language to identify funding for the Energy Planning and Inventory Commission.

Committee: House Appropriations & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• So in the conversations that I've heard, people say you can't, from the energy standpoint, ship wheat
• So if you went back 50 years ago, river would have been far, far, far greater energy efficiency.
• So their energy utilization efficiency for rail has gotten closer to what river is.

Committee: Joint Joint Transportation Committee

Summary: The committee first heard an update on the Joint Transportation Committee study of transportation impacts if the Lower Snake River dams were removed. WSDOT and Jacobs described the study’s phases, including current work on geology, infrastructure risk, and a total logistics cost model. They explained that the study is examining how freight now moved by barge—especially wheat, fertilizer, and wood—could shift to rail and roads, and they outlined several scenarios ranging from no-dam future conditions to new unit-train terminals, short-line rail options, and a combined “many solutions” scenario. Members asked about irrigation, impacts in Idaho and Oregon, port capacity, emissions, competition, EV trucks, and whether the model could estimate transportation effects if grain volumes decline. The presenters said the study assumes current production levels continue, does not model irrigation changes or broader farm-economics impacts, but does account for transloading costs and can estimate transportation impacts under different volume assumptions. WSU’s independent review team said the model has improved substantially but still needed refinement, especially in routing, road data, and spatial detail, and that stakeholder engagement had been strong though delayed by model development. No votes were taken. The committee then received a presentation on the alternative sidewalk funding study. Staff and consultants said the study is exploring ways local governments could sustainably fund sidewalk maintenance, repair, and new construction, using a statewide survey, interviews, national research, and case studies in eight jurisdictions. They noted sidewalks are important for pedestrian safety and connectivity, but there is no dedicated funding source in Washington, and existing grants and local revenue tools are highly competitive or limited. The consultants highlighted sidewalk fees or utility-style charges as the most promising option to study, while a parcel tax was largely set aside because of state property-tax uniformity concerns. Members asked whether the study would duplicate existing funding or add to current taxes, and how a sidewalk fee would be collected; the consultants said the goal is to expand local options, not mandate adoption, and that fees would likely be billed through utilities rather than property taxes. A preliminary draft report is due December 15, with a final report due in mid-June. Next, staff gave a brief update on the ocean-going vessels study, which is examining shore power and emissions rules for vessels at berth. The presenter explained that federal Clean Air Act rules and California waiver authority create legal limits on how far Washington can go if it wants to adopt similar standards, and that deviations from California’s approach can increase litigation risk. The report will summarize stakeholder outreach and will be presented in draft form at the next JTC meeting. Finally, county engineers from Chelan and Douglas counties began a presentation on county transportation challenges, with the association’s director emphasizing collaboration with state agencies and local partners on issues such as fish passage barriers and infrastructure needs. The county presentation was only beginning when the transcript ended, and no committee action or votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the Energy, Mineral, and Natural Resources Department, you will see a number of statewide 2023
• no activity and then extending the time for a project that may not be viable or just not have any energy
• Not have any energy behind it.

Transcript Highlights:

• visited, uh, some of the stuff that they're doing is exactly in the areas such as, you know, clean energy
• they are utilizing some of their land to, uh, you know, develop wind turbines that actually produce energy
• recently, which, you know, a lot of NSF, a lot of, I mean, we we know USDA, um, some Department of Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• I always looked at it as being energy stuff. That's an energy thing.
• I don't want nothing with energy.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are everyday Floridians who give their time and energy to ensure we as citizens have a voice in
• formally known as the Gulf of Mexico is Important, our great nation is vital to reestablishing American energy
• Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, we understand how much we rely on the Gulf for food, energy

Bills: HB 9 , HB 22 , HB 908 , HB 1392

Transcript Highlights:

• lower everyday and support efforts to lower everyday costs<00:15:52.000><c> of</c><00:15:52.240><c> energy
• </c><00:15:54.720><c> This</c> costs of energy, housing, and food.
• This costs of energy, housing, and food.

Transcript Highlights:

• And thank you all, committee, for being here to be able to listen, take your time and energy, and pay
• And thank you all, committee, for being here to be able to listen, take your time and energy, and pay
• And the reality was we went right into the veteran resource centers, and we spent our energy looking

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Military and Veteran Affairs held an informational hearing focused on the effects of federal budget cuts and policy changes on veterans, military readiness, and California’s veteran support systems. The chair and members emphasized that federal reductions to the VA, Medicaid/Medi-Cal, SNAP, and the federal workforce are disproportionately harming veterans by threatening health care, employment, housing, crisis lines, and suicide prevention services. The chair also highlighted California’s progress on veteran homelessness and the importance of preserving state programs that leverage federal dollars. Major General Matthew Beavers of the California Military Department described the department’s structure, its response to the Los Angeles fire emergency, and concerns that federal cuts could reduce readiness through less training, older equipment, and fewer resources. He also discussed state programs such as Work for Warriors, STARBASE, youth and community schools, and the counterdrug task force, saying they are valuable but vulnerable if funding is redirected away from readiness. Members asked about the impact of federal changes on the Guard and how the Legislature could help, and Beavers said the state should advocate for recapitalized equipment and continued support for key programs. A second panel focused on veterans’ benefits and claims support. CalVet, Los Angeles County, and Swords to Plowshares testified that county veteran service officers, legal aid, and community-based partnerships are essential to helping veterans access VA benefits, especially after the PACT Act expanded eligibility and increased claims volume. Witnesses said these services bring substantial federal dollars back to California, but county offices and legal providers are underfunded and overburdened. Members discussed data sharing, staffing shortages, and the need for more resources to reach veterans who are not connected to VA care. In the final panel on mental health and suicide prevention, CalVet and nonprofit providers described state-funded programs such as the Veterans Support Self-Reliance program and the California Veterans Health Initiative, which place services in permanent supportive housing and provide no-cost counseling statewide. Witnesses said these programs are showing measurable improvements in health, medication adherence, and emergency room use, but they depend on sustained funding and are vulnerable to step-down grants and federal instability. Committee members expressed support for the programs and raised questions about access, staffing, and the role of non-veteran family members in Vet Center services.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, let's move on to HB 338, HD1, relating to renewable energy. First up, we've got DCCA.
• Next up, we have the Hawaii State Energy Office in support. Thank you.
• Members, next up is HB 338 HD1, relating to renewable energy.

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 818 HD1, which would establish the Waiawa Community Development District. The Attorney General’s office said the bill may not comply with requirements for a special fund, and DLNR asked for further amendments so lease revenues would remain with DLNR while it continues managing the lands. DLNR cited ongoing costs, including the Uncle Billy’s demolition debt and management needs at Banyan Drive/Banyan Country Club. HCDA/Waiawa representatives supported the bill, agreed that DLNR should keep lease revenues while it remains the land manager, and said a future transfer of land management would change where revenues should go. Members focused on whether removing lease revenue would undercut the bill and on how existing and future revenues should be allocated. The committee then took up HB 338 HD1 and HB 339 HD1 on renewable energy-related utility transactions and procurement. Testimony came from the Consumer Advocate, the State Energy Office, the Public Utilities Commission, Hawaiian Electric, IBEW Local 1260, Ulupono Initiative, and Life of the Land. Supporters generally backed the measures, while some asked for labor-related strengthening language. Discussion centered on how the PUC should handle competing bids or offers in utility merger or acquisition situations, with concerns raised about NDAs, timing, and whether the original version or amended language better allowed public and intervenor participation. A witness from Life of the Land argued that utilities should not negotiate under NDA in a way that blocks later public competition, and a PUC-related witness said the current language was changed from the original to address PUC testimony. Finally, the committee heard HB 1467 HD1 on housing resiliency. OIP was not present, while B&F raised concerns about placing federal funds into a special fund, saying federal grant money should remain in a separate P fund for transparency, accountability, and single-audit compliance. State agencies and groups including OPSD, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, the Climate Advisory Team, and Hawaii Realtors supported the measure. Testimony emphasized that many older roofs lack hurricane clips and that strengthening homes could reduce disaster sheltering and temporary housing costs. IBEW Local 1260 supported the bill but argued that building to current standards upfront is preferable to retrofitting later. Members questioned funding structure, eligibility, and whether the program should be needs-based; the bill was described as limited to households under 140% AMI. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can power clean energy, it.
• And is it is it energy intensive?
• And is it is it energy intensive?
• And is it is it energy intensive?
• And is it is it energy intensive?

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, batteries are growing and evolving part of day-to-day life, providing energy for everything
• We received a Department of Energy grant to help provide some of those safety pieces that were talked
• We received a Department of Energy<00:43:08.440><c> grant</c><00:43:08.920><c> to</c><00:43:09.040><c
• > help</c><00:43:09.280><c> provide</c><00:43:09.680><c> some</c><00:43:09.800><c> of</c> Energy grant
• to help provide some of Energy grant to help provide some of those<00:43:10.080><c> safety</c><00:43

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> What we're trying to do with the energy stuff, and here it is.
• to</c><01:51:37.040><c> do</c><01:51:37.119><c> with</c><01:51:37.280><c> the</c><01:51:37.360><c> energy
• </c> &gt;&gt; What we're trying to do with the energy &gt;&gt; What we're trying to do with the energy
• It has to do with energy volatility, energy price hedging, and so on.
• And these procurement agreements, when they have been established for these energy purposes, have tended

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• And you should see the amount of energy and effort that is going into that work and that learning and
• And you should see the amount<01:20:41.120><c> of</c><01:20:41.440><c> energy</c><01:20:41.920><c> and
• effort that is amount of energy and effort that is going<01:20:43.760><c> into</c><01:20:44.159><c>
• </c><01:21:59.440><c> is</c><01:21:59.760><c> best</c> So, I wonder if our energy is best So, I wonder
• if our energy is best placed<01:22:00.480><c> at</c><01:22:00.960><c> how</c><01:22:01.360><c> could

Transcript Highlights:

• What I've been hearing from our members is that the three largest areas are labor, energy, and the overall
• increase in the cost of labor, probably a quarter per—or, excuse me, a 25% increase in the cost of energy
• ><01:50:44.920><c> of</c> report missing meals due to lack of report missing meals due to lack of energy
• to prepare food Studies have also energy to prepare food Studies have also shown<01:50:48.239><c> the
• or postpartum individuals—conditions that are known to lead to decreased mobility, dexterity, and energy

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• And then for an anaerobic digester, it's a waste-energy thing. I'm not sure.
• And then for an anaerobic digester, it's a waste-energy thing. I'm not sure.
• <00:52:57.480><c> for</c> and flaring or burning that gas for and flaring or burning that gas for energy
• :58.559><c> some</c><00:52:58.799><c> cases</c><00:52:59.680><c> but</c><00:52:59.839><c> the</c> energy
• recovery in some cases but the energy recovery in some cases but the reality<00:53:00.400><c> is</c>

Summary: The Finance Committee held a hearing on House Bill 619, which would appropriate $1 million to the Solid Waste Management Fund for matching grants to municipalities and businesses for waste diversion projects, with 50% of the money prioritized for food waste diversion. Representative Karen Ebel, the sponsor, said the fund would help New Hampshire meet its solid waste diversion goals, preserve landfill capacity, and support composting, recycling, and related local business activity. She cited New London’s composting program as an example, saying 172 families participated and 32 tons of food waste were diverted in 2024, reducing tipping and trucking costs. Committee members asked about possible alternative funding sources, including a surcharge on landfill tipping fees. Ebel said many other states use such surcharges to fund recycling and solid waste programs, while New Hampshire relies on general funds. She also said the current fund balance was about $900,000 because some money had been used for staffing, and that the grant program was still in rulemaking. Questions also focused on how household composting works and whether municipalities could generate revenue from compost; Ebel said participation is optional, most programs use buckets and transfer stations, and the main benefit is cost savings from reduced disposal rather than compost sales. Testimony in support came from the New Hampshire Municipal Association and the Northeast Resource Recovery Association. Both said municipalities are interested in food waste diversion and composting, that these programs can reduce long-term disposal costs and property tax pressure, and that there is growing demand for technical assistance and grant support. The Northeast Resource Recovery Association said food waste makes up about 24% of municipal and business waste, that fewer than two dozen communities and fewer than two dozen businesses currently offer such services, and that a City of Lebanon pilot program saw about 30% savings by composting on site. The Department of Environmental Services said it was not taking a position but is working on rulemaking for the grant program and expects strong interest from municipalities, private composters, farmers, and anaerobic digester operators. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.