Transcript Highlights:

• I think it would be good, Chairman, if everybody understands the DROP program.
• Okay, anybody... yeah, just say if I retired right and I enter into the DROP program.
• Would I continue to be in the program or...
• Would I continue to be in the program, or how does that work? Dr.
• I mean, I'm willing to work on other things other than adding people to the program.

Bills: SB45 , SB73 , SB169 , HB243 , SB177

Committee: House Fiscal Responsibility

Keywords: athlete agents, commission, state regulation, Alabama, higher education, athletics, membership diversity, catastrophe savings account, catastrophe fund, storm savings, disaster savings, hurricane, windstorm, floodwaters, hail, tornado, property insurance, homeowners insurance, insurance deductible, FORTIFIED

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:50:44.880><c> based</c> previously had a similar program based previously had a similar program
• program.
• Voting stations are open for 30 seconds. affordable housing programs, programs we affordable housing
• programs, programs we have<02:50:33.600><c> recently</c><02:50:34.080><c> defunded</c><02:50:35.279><
• Well, we to administer the program?

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 2624 expands California's Safe at Home program, administered by the Secretary of State for nearly
• The program has been extended to health care workers facing similar threats.
• The Safe at Home program makes the addresses of qualified California residents confidential.
• with traditional nuclear generation.
• with traditional nuclear generation.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. After routine procedural announcements and motions, members moved through a long concurrence and third-reading file, with many bills passing on largely bipartisan or unanimous votes. Early actions included rejecting a motion to strike SB 958 from the file, concurring in AJR 9 on national parks, and approving AB 1647 on juvenile transfer hearings, AB 1656 on human trafficking, AB 1660 on probate procedures, AB 1875 on marriage cooling-off period procedures, AB 1892 on common interest developments, AB 1908 on civil actions and urgency, AB 1954 on business reservations, AB 1957 on post-foreclosure home acquisition, AB 1977 on notaries public, AB 2001 and AB 2052 on criminal procedure, AB 2107 on pupil instruction, AB 2263 on housing, AB 2346 and AB 2595 on e-bike/vehicle issues, AB 1562 on elections, AB 2180 on local government finance, and AB 2624 on privacy protections for immigration support service providers. AB 2624 drew the most extensive debate, with supporters saying it expands Safe at Home protections for workers facing doxxing and threats, and opponents arguing it could chill speech and journalism; it ultimately passed 49-13 and was immediately transmitted to the Governor. The Assembly also adopted H.R. 134 designating November as California’s First-Generation College Celebration Month after supportive remarks about access to higher education and first-generation students. On the Senate side, the Assembly concurred in or passed measures including SB 932 on transparency in civil proceedings, SB 1400 on health authorities, SB 1154 on community college best-value procurement, SB 1264 on probate and child support notice, SB 599 on atmospheric river forecasting, SB 692 on emergency abatement of abandoned vehicles, SB 1263 on contractor accountability, and SB 1371 on solid waste service during labor disputes; SB 1371 prompted opposition over labor leverage and potential cost impacts but passed 41-14. Other notable Senate bills approved included SB 401 on emergency extensions for political reform filings, SB 945 on CPR/AED training in schools, SB 977 requiring healthier children’s meals at chain restaurants, SB 1192 on protections against abusive litigation by domestic violence abusers, SB 1194 on immigration legal services, SB 872 on water, SB 925 on a fusion energy roadmap, SB 934 strengthening conversion therapy protections, SB 1030 repealing the CalWORKs “man-in-the-house” rule, SB 1056 on protective orders for adult sexual assault materials, SB 1069 streamlining CARB approval for aftermarket auto parts, and SB 1135 creating a statewide wildlife coexistence program. The session ended with several items passed or retained on file and multiple procedural announcements, including guest permissions and adjournment-memory requests.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I would just say, you know, my background coming from the nuclear industry, that's really how we
• Coming from the nuclear industry, that's really how we function there.
• The better you performed as a facility, a nuclear power plant, the less oversight and direction you had
• You had to go up and bring up the nuclear scientist part, right?
• Parents could use this law to keep social studies programs from teaching how different cultures...

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• And to shut those out or say we don't want those with an existing program wouldn't be very beneficial
• to run alongside it, and there's been a lot of also federal dollars handed down to enhance those programs
• The example of that would be the nuclear power plant in Callaway.
• ...and as the country's focus returns to dependable baseload energy sources such as nuclear.
• I would say beyond that, we have programs that are I would say beyond that, we have programs that are

Committee: House Utilities

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Through you, Madam President, There is no cap-and-invest program right now.
• program, is there Will be a cap on the cap price.
• That is the intent of a cap-and-invest program.
• That is the intent of a cap-and-invest program.
• Nuclear will be 15 to 20 years down the road. That is not doing it.

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and then moved through a series of budget-related and ceremonial items. The chamber accepted Rules and Finance Committee reports and took up several budget extender and budget implementation bills, including the main appropriations extender and later a transportation, economic development, and environmental conservation budget bill. Senators questioned the sponsor extensively about the status of the remaining budget bills, the use of messages of necessity, and the absence of joint budget conference committees. The extender bill passed 59-2, and later budget-related measures were advanced after reconsideration and amendment. A major portion of the session focused on the environmental and energy provisions in the budget bill, especially changes to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Senators debated extending emissions targets, the role of cap-and-invest, utility affordability, ratepayer impacts, and the structure of a proposed blue-ribbon commission. Supporters said the changes were needed to give the state more time to implement the law and to protect affordability, while opponents argued the bill was a political delay that would not lower energy costs and relied too heavily on subsidies and future planning. The bill also drew questions about electric vehicle rebates, thermostat control programs, emergency diesel generation for Micron, and how imported electricity and out-of-state emissions would be treated. The Senate also adopted several previously adopted resolutions honoring the 50th anniversary of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, India Independence Day, the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame, and the 50th anniversary of Interfaith Works of Central New York. Senators spoke in support of each resolution, highlighting the contributions of Black legislators, Indian-American communities, veterans, and refugee and interfaith service organizations. The Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony was specifically noted as a chamber event, and guests were recognized from the floor and gallery. In addition, the Senate restored recalled bills to the third reading calendar through reconsideration votes and amendments, including a highway law bill and another recalled bill, and then stood at ease for scheduled conferences and a Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony before resuming session. The transcript ended with discussion of a separate bill affecting automobile insurance serious-injury standards, with questions about what claims would remain available and whether the change would improve affordability.

Transcript Highlights:

• . program. program.
• </c> solar program since the day it opened. solar program since the day it opened.
• There was the ARR version of the program, the VOS version of the program.
• There was the ARR version of the program, the VOS version of the program.
• > started</c> program, green energy program started program, green energy program started with<01:31:

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• Awarding a nuclear-ready community designation to communities that meet listed requirements, and with
• Madam Wip, members, as passed the House, awarding a nuclear-ready community designation to communities
• passed the House House Bill 2594 requires Arizona family courts to use an address confidentiality program
• District that fails to correct a USFR deficiency a list of approved training programs and providers,
• The Senate amended the bill by requiring a governing board member to complete a training program within

Summary: The Republican caucus reviewed a long list of House bills returned from the Senate with amendments, generally asking staff to describe the changes and then confirming whether the sponsor concurred. Many measures were accepted with little or no debate, including bills on tax filing penalties (HB 2016), court-ordered restitution for homeless or indigent defendants (HB 2028), vaccination and mask restrictions (HB 286), bullion investments by the state treasurer (HB 2140), nursing care complaint timelines (HB 2195), privacy protections for county records (HB 2327), cold plunge regulation (HB 2439), medical records access timelines (HB 2557), licensing board procedures (HB 2660), school and public records provisions, AI governance (HB 2592), fingerprint clearance temporary work authorization (HB 2916), development fees (HB 2946), affordability infrastructure districts (HB 2999), distracted driving penalties (HB 2109), health aide scope of practice (HB 2189), eviction record sealing (HB 2244), backyard structure rules in planned communities (HB 2342), inmate transition services (HB 2440), nuclear-ready community designation criteria (HB 2456), address confidentiality protections (HB 2594), groundwater/medical reimbursement changes (HB 2932), traffic citation signature authority (HB 2369), advanced math enrollment (HB 2423), school district training and intervention requirements (HB 2435), job order contracting limits (HB 2482), special education and placement rules (HB 2621), DCS parent rights notice changes (HB 2661), domestic violence expert testimony standards (HB 2662), inmate mental health study committee provisions (HB 2673), legislative subpoena enforcement (HB 2745), ACA trade office oversight (HB 2752), utility reporting changes (HB 2756), Native American language proficiency credit (HB 2895), mental health judicial review timelines (HB 2923), mobile food vendor licensing (HB 2118), medical intervention/school attendance rules (HB 2248), school board finance training (HB 2379), and school board meeting access/video requirements (HB 2380). Sponsors repeatedly stated they concurred with the Senate amendments, and no roll-call votes were taken in the transcript. A few items were set aside or sent back, including HB 2035 and HB 2249, and one bill (HB 2594) was left pending because the sponsor had not yet responded.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> suggest it's much like the nuclear suggest it's much like the nuclear moratorium<00:10:45.160><c
• There are no plants or any nuclear discussions or plants because we can't right now in Minnesota.
• Representative Anderson, you said that the nuclear moratorium is very similar and that nobody's looking
• at building nuclear because we have a moratorium.
• Representative Aum: There has been expressed interest in nuclear, and as I look at the hydro and a list

Transcript Highlights:

• Rising nuclear verdicts further compound the risk.
• Nuclear verdicts. You know what I hear when I hear nuclear verdict? I hear gross negligence.
• That's why you have a nuclear verdict.
• That's why we have nuclear verdicts, not because people's mentality is changing.
• You sit here and say nuclear verdicts, that jury heard the evidence.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met to consider HB 6003, a bill to repeal Florida’s “free kill” law that limits certain survivors’ ability to recover non-economic damages in medical negligence wrongful death cases. The sponsor, Rep. Trabulsy, said the bill would restore access to the courts for a small class of families and noted the measure passed both chambers last year before being vetoed by the governor. She and supporters framed the bill as a fairness and constitutional issue, while opponents argued repeal would increase malpractice exposure, insurance costs, and pressure on physician access, especially in high-risk specialties and rural areas. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters included family members who described deaths they said were caused by medical negligence and who argued the current law denies accountability and equal treatment based on marital status or whether a decedent had minor children. Opponents included the Florida Hospital Association, Florida Medical Association, Florida Chamber, U.S. Chamber, Florida Insurance Council, and other health care and business groups, who warned that repeal could worsen already high malpractice premiums, contribute to physician shortages, and destabilize access to care. Several speakers on both sides discussed possible caps on non-economic damages as a compromise, though the bill itself was presented as a clean repealer with no amendments. During debate, several members spoke in support, emphasizing equal access to the courts and rejecting the idea that the law should treat some families differently from others. Opponents of the bill argued that the current system helps preserve market stability and that liability concerns, not the free kill law, are driving provider departures. After closing remarks from the sponsor, the committee voted 15 yeas and 1 nay to report HB 6003 favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• The biggest programs they run are the federal energy assistance program and the federal weatherization
• 00:06:46.160><c> assistance</c><00:06:46.639><c> program</c> the federal energy assistance program the
• like the Xcel PowerOn program, Minnesota's CARE program, CenterPoint's Gas Affordability Program, and
• like the Xcel PowerOn program, Minnesota's CARE program, CenterPoint's Gas Affordability Program, and
• </c> program, Centerpoint's Gas Affordability program, Centerpoint's Gas Affordability Program,<01:19

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So this requires that training programs will articulate to credit and/or be stackable towards other programs
• This is taxpayer dollars, and we need to make sure that these programs are resulting in programs that
• we could easily move some of those non-credit programs over to some of the credit programs without requiring
• program sponsor to apply for this fund.
• So we've had discussions with Arkansas Tech about developing a nuclear program for technicians.

Summary: The committee approved the November 3 minutes and then received an extensive presentation from officials with the Arkansas Division of Higher Education and the Division of Career and Technical Education on how the LEARNS and ACCESS Acts are expanding “success-ready” pathways for students. They described the state’s focus on enlistment, enrollment, and employment after high school, including 22 identified high-wage, high-demand pathways, merit and distinction diplomas, and the role of concurrent credit, AP, IB, technical certificates, and work-based learning in school accountability and student readiness. Officials reported large enrollment increases in K-12 CTE and concurrent credit, and said the changes are already affecting participation and school grades. The discussion also covered scholarships and workforce training. Officials explained that ACCESS expanded concurrent enrollment funding, increased the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship’s freshman award, and added diploma of merit/distinction as eligibility criteria for certain scholarships, including the Governor’s Scholar program. Members asked about impacts on homeschool and private school students, and officials said implementation details are still being worked out but that the intent is to preserve eligibility and provide additional pathways. They also outlined changes to the state Workforce Challenge scholarship, now framed as “professional skills training,” with higher awards and broader provider eligibility, and discussed how the state is aligning funding with stackable credentials and labor market needs. A major portion of the meeting focused on apprenticeships and the new federal American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund. Arkansas will administer the $35.8 million cooperative agreement for the nation, with a pay-for-performance model supporting advanced manufacturing apprenticeships in sectors such as aerospace, automotive, biotech, shipbuilding, nuclear, and semiconductors. Members asked about administration, eligible entities, and whether the funds could be concentrated in a few states; officials said Arkansas will run the program, keep administrative costs under about 8–9%, and use a first-come, first-served process with caps to avoid concentration. Officials also said Arkansas has more than 10,000 active apprentices, up from about 4,000 in 2017, and that they can provide members with lists and data on apprenticeships, scholarship recipients, and programs removed from secondary career centers. At the end, the committee moved on to consider an interim study proposal on the four-day school week as a fact-finding issue.

Transcript Highlights:

• carbon emissions reduction program in Washington.
• Cap and Invest Program is the broadest carbon emissions reduction program in Washington.
• Okay, so now let's dive into EITEs in the cap-and-invest program.
• So you've got the program cap here in black.
• , as well as other programs across the state.

Bills: HB2272 , HB2285 , HB2296

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Keywords: ski areas, winter sports, terminology update, recreation, regulatory changes, carbon capture, clean energy, environmental regulation, sustainability, green technology, distributed energy, renewable energy, energy resources, energy policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the program manager for the Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program of the Department of Ecology
• I'm the program manager at the Department of Ecology Solid Waste Program.
• That's our threshold for being covered by the program at all.
• They're subject to the program cap.
• programs have been running for longer than a decade.

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Summary: The committee held a work session focused on PFAS, no-cost allowance allocation for emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries (EITEs), and regional resource adequacy. Department of Ecology staff outlined Washington’s Safer Products for Washington PFAS program, including completed restrictions on intentionally added PFAS in outdoor furniture, carpets, stain/water-resistant treatments, and newer rules adopted in November restricting PFAS in most apparel, cleaners, and automotive washes, with reporting required for some remaining products such as cookware and firefighting gear. Ecology also reviewed a 2024 biosolids PFAS sampling study showing PFOS and PFOA levels in Washington biosolids were comparable to other states, and the Department of Health reported that PFAS monitoring of Group A public water systems is nearly complete, with 317 sources and 188 systems expected to exceed contaminant levels under the new federal-aligned state standards. Members asked about consumer sales, compliance, private wells, health impacts, and the cost of treatment, which DOH estimated at roughly $970 million for public water system treatment alone, with a remaining funding gap after state and federal support. Ecology then presented its analysis of no-cost allowance allocation to EITEs under the Climate Commitment Act. Staff explained that EITEs receive allowances to reduce emissions leakage and protect competitiveness, with allocations based on 2015–2019 production and emissions data and phased reductions from 100% in the first compliance period to 94% in 2031–2034. Ecology said it is preparing a report due by the end of 2025 on policy options for 2035–2050, after extensive engagement with industry, labor, environmental, utility, port, and tribal stakeholders. Senators asked about leakage, comparisons with California and Quebec, whether specific industries such as Boeing or semiconductor manufacturers are included, and whether EITEs are banking or selling allowances; Ecology said the report will address benchmarking, leakage mitigation, decarbonization barriers, and economic and environmental justice impacts. E3 then presented a regional resource adequacy study for the Pacific Northwest, warning that electricity demand is rising faster than in years past, retirements are outpacing replacements, and the region could face supply shortfalls beginning in 2026, especially during extended winter cold events. The study found that wind, solar, and batteries provide limited reliability value in the Northwest’s winter-peaking, hydro-dependent system, while firm gas and emerging technologies such as geothermal, nuclear, hydrogen, carbon capture, and long-duration storage may play larger roles. E3 estimated a near-term gap of about 9,000 megawatts by 2030, with roughly 3,000 megawatts of advanced-development resources and a remaining gap of about 6,000 megawatts if planned projects do not materialize. Members asked about Energy Northwest, hydro, data centers, battery storage, transmission, and whether neighboring states’ coal use affects Washington; E3 emphasized the need to accelerate permitting, interconnection, and project development. Finally, EPRI briefed the committee on its DC Flex initiative, which is studying how data centers can operate more flexibly to reduce strain on the grid and protect ratepayers. The presentation described work streams on flexible data center design, utility programs and tariffs, operational forecasting and interconnection, and on-site energy supply options, along with demonstrations in the U.S. and abroad. The speaker said the goal is to make data centers more responsive to grid conditions without compromising uptime, and noted that the initiative has a public forum and website for broader participation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Relating to tax credit programs, the bill extends the child care tax credit program championed by Representative
• So my next question is regarding the structure of the court program.
• It is a voluntary specialty court program.
• It is a voluntary specialty court program.
• It is a voluntary specialty court program.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for two fallen service members, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and several recognitions, including law enforcement officers and visiting students and advocates. Members then adopted the special order report and moved into the special-order calendar. The first major item was HB 7031, the annual tax package, which was explained as a broad measure covering sales tax holidays, property tax changes, tax credits, pari-mutuel tax reductions, vacation-rental tax collection, and decoupling from federal tax changes. Members asked about the fiscal impact of decoupling and the firearm-accessories holiday; supporters emphasized fiscal caution and the package’s mix of consumer and housing provisions, while opponents objected to the gun-related tax holiday. The bill passed 105-2. The House then passed CS/CS/CS HB 1177 on Space Florida and spaceport operations 107-0, with supporters saying it would strengthen Florida’s competitiveness in commercial aerospace. CS for SB 246 on specialty license plates also passed unanimously after a strike-all amendment that added several new plates, revised the Fraternal Order of Police plate, and tightened specialty-plate financial and nonprofit requirements. CS HB 697 on drug prices and coverage passed 100-0 after supporters said it built on prior PBM reforms by requiring fairer pharmacy reimbursement and limiting forced losses on drugs. CS/CS HB 1263 on the Office of Insurance Regulation passed 109-0 after an amendment clarifying fingerprinting requirements, and CS/CS HB 527 on insurance claim denials passed 100-0 with a requirement for human review before claims are denied or reduced solely by AI. The House also passed CS HB 1449 on the statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program 100-0 after narrowing the bill to out-of-network emergency services and claims at or below $50,000. CS HB 93 on protection from surgical smoke passed 178-0 after extensive emotional debate, with supporters describing it as a long-sought patient and worker safety measure requiring smoke evacuation systems in hospitals and surgical centers. Later, CS HB 1217 on prohibited governmental greenhouse-gas policies passed 29-0 after questions clarified that it would bar net-zero policies and related funding arrangements but not general energy efficiency or incidental emissions reductions; opponents argued it would preempt local climate and resilience efforts, while supporters said it protected energy reliability and affordability. The House then began debate on CS/CS HB 1461 on advanced nuclear reactors, with sponsors describing a framework for licensing and oversight of small modular and microreactors and supporters arguing it would help meet future energy demand and improve reliability.

Transcript Highlights:

• A nuclear facility is a quiet operation.
• , oil and gas research program, and renewable energy programs.
• That's typically what the Lignite Research Program, Oil and Gas Research Program, and Renewable Energy
• Program... ...typically what the Lignite Research Program, Oil and Gas Research Program, and Renewable
• So this program has been very successful.

Committee: Joint Energy Development and Transmission Committee

Summary: The committee met in Grand Forks, approved the February 26 minutes by voice vote, and recessed for a tour of the Mincota Power Cooperative headquarters before returning for presentations on large energy consumers, especially data centers. The first presentations focused on how North Dakota should respond to rapid growth in energy-intensive projects, with speakers emphasizing the need for reliable transmission, local decision-making tools, and factual information for county and township officials who are being asked to weigh major projects with limited staff and technical support. The North Dakota Transmission Authority director said local governments are being asked to make high-impact decisions on pipelines, transmission lines, large agriculture, wind, solar, carbon dioxide pipelines, direct-air capture, and data centers, and urged development of simple statewide decision tools and support from the League of Cities and Association of Counties. The Department of Environmental Quality’s air division director said North Dakota’s air remains among the cleanest in the nation, but large data centers can create air-quality concerns because of diesel backup generation; he said the department is requiring air monitors at some facilities and expects grid power and, potentially, cleaner natural gas backup to reduce emissions. Members asked about emissions standards, misinformation, monitoring costs, and staffing succession at DEQ. The Department of Water Resources director said North Dakota’s water law is based on common ownership and prior appropriation, and that data centers generally use relatively small amounts of water, often in closed-loop systems. He said the Missouri River and groundwater supplies are ample for projected needs, that the department’s permitting process protects senior water rights, and that even a worst-case data center scenario would use a very small share of Missouri River flow. Members asked about downstream impacts and compared data center water use with fracking. Later, McLean County State’s Attorney Ladd Erickson urged the committee to study how other states regulate data centers, warned against litigation-driven delays and overly broad local ordinances, argued reclamation bonding should be handled at the state level if at all, and said data centers can bring jobs and tax base but should remain subject to local zoning. The committee ended the morning session for lunch and later heard an EERC update from CEO Charles Gorecki on the center’s 75 years of work in energy and environmental technologies, especially oil and gas development and related research.

Transcript Highlights:

• programs and to expand their curricula to offer courses and degree paths to train the workforce that
• will construct and operate the next generation of nuclear energy facilities, Senator West.
• </c> nuclear-related programs and to expand nuclear-related programs and to expand their<00:07:45.520
• , generation of nuclear energy facilities, Senator<00:07:57.040><c> West.
• , Senator Funke program eligibility, Senator Funke Frommeyer.<00:10:09.800><c> Senate</c><00:10:10.040

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and excused absent members. The chamber received second readings of several bills and resolutions, including measures on ad valorem taxes, planning and zoning, tax-dollar restrictions, provisional medical licensing, Medicaid oversight, environmental regulations, municipal financial reporting, nuclear workforce development, and county law libraries. Committee reports advanced bills on economic development, education, judiciary, and veterans/public protection, and the body also received a list of newly filed bills and resolutions covering topics such as rural revitalization, athletics, SNAP eligibility, diaper tax exemption, domestic violence, middle school math, pedestrian bridges, constitutional amendments, education, and several honorary resolutions. The Senate then took up House Bill 314, which would reorganize the Kentucky Communications Network Authority (Kentucky Wired) by moving it under the Commonwealth Office of Technology, restructuring its board, and adding members representing cities and counties. Supporters said the bill was an administrative change, not a funding measure, intended to focus the network on students, teachers, and public users while awaiting an audit. Critics argued the project has been a costly taxpayer burden and called for stronger oversight. The bill passed final passage 32-6. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 157, which aligns Kentucky law with federal mortgage rules so that certain rate buy-down payments do not count against borrower fee caps, with supporters saying it would help housing affordability and reduce costs for borrowers. Senate Bill 214 also passed unanimously; it allows the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to accept non-federal funding for grants without routing those funds through the Department of Finance. The Senate later adopted several resolutions, including Senate Resolution 61 recognizing Links Incorporated Day, Senate Resolution 114 commemorating the 80th Southern Legislative Conference, and Senate Resolution 118 honoring Joseph H. Mattingly Jr. Additional remarks highlighted a Black History Celebration event and a lengthy floor speech criticizing the Kentucky Hospital Association’s reserves and urging investigation, followed by consideration of Senate Resolution 55 on Profound Autism Day in Kentucky.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a section supervisor for our forest health program.
• forest</c> section super visor for our forest section super visor for our forest health health health program
• 34.599><c> yes</c><00:02:34.800><c> please</c><00:02:35.599><c> good</c><00:02:35.760><c> morning</c> program
• ready yes please good morning program ready yes please good morning and<00:02:36.360><c> I</c><00:02
• uh update and what's going their nuclear uh update and what's going on<00:15:55.959><c> with</c><00:

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up House Bills 640, 641, and 790. HB 640 would authorize the Energy and Environment Cabinet to adopt regulations to control invasive non-native plant species, with testimony focusing on the threat posed by species such as callery pear/Bradford pear to native plants, forest health, and the economy. Members asked whether the bill itself would ban Bradford pears; the sponsor clarified that it would not directly ban them, but would give the cabinet regulatory authority. The bill received a favorable expression by roll call. HB 641 addressed coal combustion byproducts, explaining that the bill would help preserve landfill space by allowing these materials to be reused as special waste in places such as abandoned strip mines or underground mines, and would clarify that reclaimed land could qualify for agricultural use such as pasture, hay, or crop production. Members raised concerns about groundwater and runoff; the sponsor and another member argued that placing the material under cover would reduce exposure compared with open piles currently sitting at power plants. After discussion, the bill passed with favorable expression, with a few members passing on the vote. HB 790, as amended by committee substitute, was described as substantially narrowed from its original form. The substitute removed setback requirements and instead required construction certificate holders for solar merchant electric generating facilities to report federal and state incentives used for siting, construction, and operation, with the cabinet compiling and submitting an annual report to the General Assembly. The committee approved the substitute and the bill passed with favorable expression. At the end of the meeting, members were also reminded of a later TVA energy update meeting and the chair noted ongoing work on Senate Bill 89, with possible future action and a special meeting if revised language is ready.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recommendations also include $1.6 million for eight additional FTEs to support the programs within the
• PUC is currently appropriated $5 billion to implement the four programs within the TEF.
• Of the four programs, only two, the ERCOT loan program and the completion bonus program have been set
• Page 4 of the packet gives an overview of all the programs within the TEF.
• Item 4, the Texas Nuclear Energy Fund and Texas Nuclear Energy Supply Chain Fund.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met to review Article 8, regulatory agencies, and began Article 9, general provisions, before recessing for floor action. The committee first heard budget presentations from the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and the Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC). The PUC budget recommendation was about $5.07 billion in all funds, including an additional $5 billion for the Texas Energy Fund, plus funding for staffing and technology needs tied to contested cases, infrastructure resiliency, and outage mapping. PUC witnesses emphasized the agency’s growing workload, the need for more staff and modern systems, and oversight of the Texas Energy Fund. OPUC’s recommendation was about $6.9 million, with a reduction in authorized FTEs to better match actual staffing; the agency requested additional funding for salaries, expert witnesses, and budget flexibility, and members highlighted OPUC’s role representing residential and small commercial consumers in utility proceedings. The committee then heard from the Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC), whose recommendation was just over $11.2 million. BHEC’s main requests included funding to fill vacant positions, money for continuous National Practitioner Data Bank queries, and a proposed Texas-owned psychology licensing exam in response to concerns about changes to the national exam. Agency leaders also discussed a rider request that would shift responsibility for certain judgments or settlements to the comptroller. Members asked about prior complaint backlogs, and BHEC said those backlogs had been cleared. The Board of Chiropractic Examiners followed, with a recommendation of just under $2.4 million; the board sought support for staffing, training, broadband, and salary retention, and described its work regulating chiropractors and workers’ compensation-related doctors. The Board of Dental Examiners was the last agency heard before the committee recessed. Its recommendation was just under $10 million, and it requested a 10% salary increase for eligible staff, three additional licensing staff, one staff member to handle required background checks, an additional attorney, and an executive director salary adjustment. Dental board witnesses said licensure growth, increased complaints, and low salaries were straining licensing and enforcement operations, even though the agency reported strong performance and high case completion rates. The chair ended the hearing early because the Senate had to return to the floor, and the committee remained in recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we look at the Healthy Foods Financing Program, the Trails Plus Grant Program, they're always recurring
• The Trails Plus Grant Program, they're always recurring in the budget.
• because that's the cleanest and safest energy in the world right. ...nuclear energy, because that's
• , where a gem polisher and a jewelry store making about $40,000 a year completed the program and then
• Some were a gem polisher and a jewelry store making about $40,000 a year, completed the program, and

Committee: Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Summary: The committee first discussed the state budget and employee compensation, focusing on the 1% pay increase proposal and the broader cost of state employee raises and benefits. Members noted that over the past several years the state has invested heavily in payroll, pension contributions, pay studies, and band realignments, and several senators argued that the 80/20 health insurance change and other benefit improvements amount to significant compensation increases even without an additional raise. Others cautioned that recurring revenue is limited, that recent revenue collections were weaker than expected, and that the state should be careful about committing to ongoing costs given possible economic slowdown, federal uncertainty, drought, wildfire risk, and the possibility of future budget pressure. The committee then heard extensive testimony on SB 177, a major economic development proposal centered on quantum computing, advanced energy, robotics, synthetic biology, and related technologies. Supporters described the bill as a large strategic investment intended to leverage New Mexico’s national laboratories, universities, and existing quantum workforce to attract companies, create high-wage jobs, and diversify the economy. Testimony emphasized that much of the quantum workforce would be skilled trades and technicians rather than Ph.D.-level researchers, and members asked detailed questions about whether the state would receive long-term returns, how intellectual property and clawbacks would be handled, and whether the package included recurring costs. Witnesses also explained the bill’s trade association and workforce-development components, and several senators raised concerns about energy use, water use, guardrails, and ensuring the state does not subsidize outside interests without benefits returning to New Mexico. After debate, the committee moved to table SB 177 indefinitely, with members noting that the funding and structure were already incorporated into House Bill 2. The motion passed on an 8-0 vote, with several members excused. The meeting then adjourned.