Video & Transcript Research : 'commodity assessment'
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Mar 24th, 2025
Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact
Transcript Highlights:
- Today on how we've been assessing Californians concerns about the economy over the short and long term
- eye towards options the legislature has that won't create new budgetary costs because our current assessment
- diabetes treatments like insulin so it's and the National Academy of Sciences has done a couple assessments
- So, these kinds of supply chain analyses, I think, can be really helpful to try to assess what. may be
- So if your view of prosperity is impacted not just by the rising cost of housing, commodities, utilities
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nominations of Michael Kratsios, of South Carolina, to be Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Mark Meador, of Virginia, to be a Federal Trade Commissioner. Feb 25th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- greatest threat to free speech and free and fair elections in this country, do you agree with that assessment
- think it's very important when you enter into a new administration to have the opportunity to... assess
- Do you see a role for the national labs in using AI for national security risk assessment?
- given anti-manipulation authority to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission I gave it to the Commodities
- I'm glad that the FTC has taken the first step to start collecting that information so we can assess
Keywords:
Senate Committee, Commerce, Science, Technology, Quantum Computing, Artificial Intelligence, FTC, Consumer Protection, Innovation, Emerging Technologies
Summary:
The meeting of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation featured significant discussions regarding technological advancements and their implications for the future. Notably, nominations were made for key positions in the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Federal Trade Commission. Committee members expressed the importance of leading in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing, emphasizing that the pace of innovation is crucial for maintaining the United States' global position as a leader in technology. The discussions also highlighted the role of the FTC in protecting consumers from deceptive business practices and ensuring fair competition in the marketplace.
Attendees underscored the urgency of advancing research and development in areas such as quantum computing, as evidenced by a demonstration of a new quantum chip anticipated to redefine computing capabilities across industries. Various members engaged in vibrant exchanges, showing support for initiatives aimed at bolstering innovation through public and private collaboration. Overall, the meeting set a strong agenda for pursuing future science and technology policies that ensure the U.S. remains at the forefront of global advancements.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hied Committee Meeting - 2026-04-09
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- think this is a realistic number that we can all live with for a starting point and then kind of assess
- think this is a realistic number that we can all live with for a starting point and then kind of assess
- think this is a realistic number that we can all live with for a starting point and then kind of assess
- think this is a realistic number that we can all live with for a starting point and then kind of assess
- swings in in our commodity crop markets. swings in in our commodity crop markets.
Keywords:
higher education, identity verification, enrollment fraud, funding, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, postsecondary education, community college, university, developmental education, remedial education, remediation, corequisite, co-requisite, English composition, college readiness, adult basic education, ABE, student placement, credit-bearing courses, noncredit courses
Summary:
The committee first approved the March 26 minutes after Representative Coulter pointed out and moved a technical correction to add a missing “T” in “Regents.” The committee then took up HF 4698, which Representative Duran said would address enrollment fraud at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities by funding an automated identity-proofing system. Testimony from Chief Information Security Officer Craig Munson described a commercial software system that would verify student identities using a selfie and a state ID image, reduce ghost students and fraud, speed enrollment, and lessen staff time spent on manual investigations.
Members focused heavily on privacy, data retention, and biometric concerns. Representative Cleveland asked what biometric data would be collected, and Munson said it would be limited to a selfie and ID images, not fingerprints or retinal scans. Chair Klippert and others urged stronger Chapter 13 protections and clearer data practices, while Chair Scott asked how long images would be stored; Munson said they should be deleted as soon as identity is validated, with possible revalidation later. Members also raised concerns about racial bias in biometric matching and the need for alternate verification methods. The bill was laid over, and Duran said he would work on the data practices with committee members.
The committee then heard HF 4608, presented by Representative Allen for Representative Koznick, on developmental education reform. Allen said too many students are placed into remedial courses that do not count toward a degree, costing time and money and reducing completion rates. Jane Groatman of the International Institute of Minnesota supported the bill, describing students who spent years in noncredit remedial coursework and arguing for a one-semester cap on remedial classes and clearer notice that such credits do not count toward a degree. Mark Grant of Minnesota State College faculty opposed the bill’s approach, saying it imposed a one-size-fits-all model, could undermine open admissions, and should not limit colleges’ flexibility to meet diverse student needs. The bill was laid over for further consideration.
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session - 2026-05-15 - 10:00AM
Vermont Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh when you want to manage roads and be able to assess who's using our roadways, we issue license plates
- Uh when you want to manage roads and be able to assess who's using our roadways, we issue license plates
- are precious commodities are precious commodities um<01:48:18.920>
and <01:48:19.680>um - <01:50:28.240>
impacts <01:50:28.680>such <01:50:28.880>as agency will assess - impacts such as agency will assess impacts such as impacts<01:50:29.480>
on <01:50:29.560>
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Energy panel OKs bill to exempt electricity generated outside MN from clean energy standards 3/11/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- the grid and, um, again, it's used by MISO, bought and sold on the MISO market, and it becomes a commodity
- market and it and sold on the myo market and it becomes<00:15:03.000>
a <00:15:03.240>commodity - among<00:15:04.279>
all <00:15:04.480>13 <00:15:05.000>states becomes a commodity - among all 13 states becomes a commodity among all 13 states and<00:15:05.800>
a <00:15:06.079>
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Juvenile Justice Oversight Council. (2-6-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- It sets up a process for that child to be evaluated by each cabinet to assess the evaluation and the
- There would be a report on that assessment. A representative from DJJ, CHFS, would review that.
- are we looking most precious commodity are we looking at<01:01:56.240>
that <01:01:56.480> - uh that would would fit this assessed uh that would would fit this definition<01:04:26.640>
and - So when a student is expelled, the school board makes an assessment of whether they can still provide
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00:00
Agency Updates: 00:01:45
26RS SB 125: 00:02:10
26RS SB 101: 01:14:58, 958, all
Summary:
The Juvenile Justice Oversight Council met on February 6, 2026, took roll, approved a motion to convene, and heard agency updates from materials in the packet. The council then took up Senate Bill 125 out of order because Senator Carol was present. The bill was presented as a collaborative effort focused on creating a secure, state-run high-acuity mental health facility for justice-involved youth who need specialized psychiatric care and cannot be appropriately served in detention or by private hospitals. Speakers said the facility would fill a gap in services, improve safety and treatment outcomes, and be designed with trauma-informed, medically equipped spaces rather than a jail-like setting.
The presenters also outlined other parts of the bill, including a placement process in which DJJ and CHFS would evaluate youth and provide recommendations before the judge makes the final decision, with certain hospital-declination provisions to be delayed until the new facility is operating. They described payment incentives for hospitals treating high-acuity youth, confidentiality and escape-related disclosure provisions, and contracts with a public teaching university for clinical services. The proposed facility was described as a 24-bed center at Central State, with staffing to include mental health professionals and juvenile detention staff receiving enhanced training. Dr. Clark Lester said staffing needs would vary by youth and could include one-to-one supervision for some patients.
The bill also addressed female juvenile detention capacity. Speakers said the number of detained girls has risen sharply since 2024, peaking at 51 in 2025, and that current facilities cannot meet the separation requirements for boys and girls or high- and low-level youth. The proposal would build two female detention centers, with possible locations discussed in central Kentucky and western Kentucky, and a third or fourth center could be added if population data show the need. Members asked about hospital placement authority, staffing, and average length of stay for girls; the presenters said the current court-order process would remain until the new facility is built and that they would provide additional data later. No vote was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
CPC Public Hearing - Thu Apr 9, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Consumer Protection & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm Young Kim manager I'm Young Kim manager for<01:00:08.080>
commodities <01:00:08.640>branch - <01:00:08.960>
with <01:00:09.080>the for commodities branch with the for commodities - :23:13.560>
to individual to maybe make it easier to individual to maybe make it easier to assess - 14.440>
rate <01:23:14.600>increase <01:23:14.960>should <01:23:15.120>be assess - what the rate increase should be assess what the rate increase should be on<01:23:15.600>
an <
Keywords:
SB3302, homemade food products, farm kitchens, home kitchens, Department of Health, DOH, food safety, food labeling, value-added agriculture, small farms, agricultural land, commercial food establishment permit, cottage food, direct-to-consumer sales, local food systems, Hawaii Revised Statutes, chapter 91, farm-to-table, food processing, public health regulation
Summary:
The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on April 9, 2026, and heard testimony on several measures. SB 3302 SD1 HD1, dealing with homemade food products, would require the Department of Health to adopt rules for farm kitchens producing homemade food products that are no more stringent than rules for home kitchens. The Department of Health said it supported the bill with technical amendments, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association and Grassroot Institute of Hawaii also supported it. No opposition was heard.
A lengthy discussion focused on SB 2061 SD2 HD1, which concerns a 99-year leasehold residential condominium project and HCDA’s rules for sales, income restrictions, and buyback pricing. HCDA supported the bill and said the House draft clarified unclear provisions and would help move the project to pre-sales. Testimony and committee questions centered on whether the project should remain owner-occupied in perpetuity or allow investor purchases after an initial sales period. HCDA explained that the bill was revised to make the project feasible in the market, that 60% of units would be income-restricted for buyers at or below 140% of area median income, and that the remaining units could be sold without owner-occupancy restrictions. Some members and testifiers expressed concern that the bill had shifted away from the original owner-occupancy vision and could become an investment property model, while others argued the changes were necessary for the project to pencil out and compete with fee-simple developments. No vote was taken during the discussion shown.
The committee also heard SB 2050 SD1 HD1, which would allow chiropractic students in accredited programs to engage in clinical practice beginning July 1, 2028. The Hawaii Board of Chiropractic and the Hawaii State Chiropractic Association supported the measure, and one testifier described personal experience with student chiropractic care in California. Members questioned why the board requested delaying implementation until 2030, and the board said it needed more time to develop rules because it meets only a few times a year and rulemaking is lengthy. Finally, SB 2102 SD2 HD1, on industrial hemp in commercial feed, was introduced; the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity offered comments, the Department of Health raised concerns about regulating pet food and possible jurisdictional conflict, and a farmer testifying in support suggested narrowing the bill to federally approved livestock feed rather than pet food.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (02/12/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- It's essentially turning our civil justice system into another commodity for investors to make exorbitant
- I'm sorry, by turning the civil justice system into a money-making machine. commodity for investors to
- make commodity for investors to make exorbitant exorbitant exorbitant profits<00:10:24.880>
to - The disclosure of third-party litigation can enhance transparency, support better risk assessment and
- <00:28:24.200>
and <00:28:24.640>management <00:28:25.640>Foster assessment and
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 733-FN, a bill concerning third-party litigation financing (TPLF). Representative Cole, the prime sponsor, described TPLF as outside investors funding lawsuits in which they have no personal stake, arguing that the practice is largely unregulated, can involve foreign entities, increases litigation abuse, and contributes to higher insurance and consumer costs. He said the bill is modeled on an NCOIL proposal and would require disclosure of TPLF agreements, with guardrails and reporting requirements on specified pages of the bill. He also noted a couple of drafting fixes, including adding the word “knowingly” and incorporating a missing section later.
Members raised questions about the bill’s foreign-entity language, especially the provision allowing a governor or the Department of Safety to designate a country as a threat to critical infrastructure. Representative Cole said he would have lawyers review that issue. Another member asked whether the bill would prohibit a party from obtaining outside funding for a lawsuit; Cole clarified that the bill is intended as a reporting measure, not a ban, and that disclosure would be required. He also said the bill is aimed at American citizens rather than foreign-backed financing, and that some states had considered caps on such arrangements, though this bill does not.
Brandon Gratz of the Attorney General’s office testified that the enforcement language appears too limited, because it would allow only civil penalties and not broader Consumer Protection Act remedies such as injunctions or restitution. He suggested the Attorney General may not have meaningful authority under the bill as written and raised possible insurance-law issues. Commissioner D.J. Benton-Court of the Insurance Department said the disclosure could help insurers better assess risk and potentially soften the hard insurance market by improving transparency, competition, underwriting, innovation, and claims management. He also said the bill likely needs further work on jurisdiction and enforcement, and that the committee may need to coordinate with the Attorney General, Insurance Department, and possibly banking regulators. No vote was taken in the portion provided.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- It's people with some creative folks who decided they could use the futures market, commodity futures
- use the uh futures um use the uh futures um market<01:10:25.360>
uh <01:10:25.560>commodity - <01:10:26.080>
futures <01:10:26.480>trading market uh commodity futures trading market - uh commodity futures trading commission<01:10:27.240>
type <01:10:27.520>products <01:10 - changing is on page two, line 15, a contract for purchase or sale of future dated securities or other commodities
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment & Energy Sep 29th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- In addition to assessing the...
- Part of that is the necessity of having SEPA as an assessment tool.
- On the honest assessment, a couple thoughts on improving coordination and tribal input.
- On the honest assessment, a couple thoughts on improving coordination and tribal input.
- On the honest assessment, a couple thoughts on improving coordination and tribal input.
Summary:
The committee held a work session on state environmental policy act (SEPA) implementation and carryout bags. Ecology staff Diane Buterak described the Clean Energy Programmatic Environmental Impact Statements (PEISs) completed for utility-scale solar, onshore wind, and green hydrogen, plus a new PEIS underway for sustainable aviation fuel. She explained that PEISs provide broad planning-level analysis to help developers and agencies avoid or mitigate impacts, but do not replace project-level review. Members asked about permitting timelines, greenhouse gas emissions from different hydrogen production methods, water use, agricultural land conversion, battery fire risk, and tribal consultation. Buterak said the PEISs identify potentially significant impacts and mitigation measures, including fire response planning, early tribal outreach, and agrovoltaics as an option for solar projects.
EFSEC’s Amy Hofkimer then presented the transmission-facility programmatic EIS required by SB 5165 for 230 kV and higher transmission projects. She said the statewide review covers new lines and certain upgrades/modifications, analyzes impacts to water, cultural and tribal resources, habitat, and other areas, and uses general measures, design considerations, avoidance criteria, and sensitivity maps to guide siting and corridor planning. She said the final document would be issued in early October. Questions focused on reconductoring, tribal lands, scenic areas, and whether the review could affect existing lines crossing tribal lands. A Grant County planning director, Jim Anderson Cook, said Ecology’s PEIS would help with cumulative impacts for clustered solar projects, but noted tight local review timelines and the need for strong pre-application coordination, especially on cultural resource studies and decommissioning plans. Yakama Nation attorney Shona Leverett argued SEPA is only an assessment tool and said tribes face barriers from short comment periods, limited confidential tribal input, weak cumulative impact analysis, and challenges in the FSEC process; she urged better upfront developer diligence and more effective tribal coordination.
Puget Sound Energy’s Sarah Leverett said the utility needs efficient and predictable permitting to meet clean energy mandates while maintaining reliable service and aging infrastructure. She described the scale of needed clean energy and transmission buildout, including a 10-year process for the Energize Eastside transmission rebuild, and said more consistent SEPA and PEIS processes could help. Members asked about future generation sources, reliability, and hydropower as a firming resource; she said PSE is pursuing an “all of the above” approach and would welcome more firm, dispatchable clean energy options. The committee then shifted to carryout bags. Staff Jacob Lipson and Tracy Taylor reviewed Washington’s bag law, its preemption of local ordinances, the current 8-cent charge, the scheduled increase to 12 cents, and the 2025 change delaying the 4-mil thickness requirement until 2028 while adding a temporary 4-cent penalty for thicker bags. Ecology’s Peter Lyon said the agency emphasizes education and complaint-based enforcement, has received 872 reports, and has not yet imposed any fines. Commerce’s Kirk Esmond summarized a WSU study finding fewer plastic bags distributed but more plastic by weight, and said Commerce and Ecology support keeping the 2.25-mil standard and not allowing thinner single-use bags again. Retail industry testimony from Brandon Housekeeper said grocers comply with the law but oppose the added 4-cent penalty and thicker-bag requirement, citing higher costs and confusion in the policy changes.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Resources, Recreation and Development (02/04/2026)
Resources, Recreation and Development
Transcript Highlights:
- It clarifies that when we're assessing a proposed new community water supply well, we can address if
- It clarifies that when we're assessing a proposed new community water supply well, that we can address
- Well, we certainly have the ability when there's a new source proposed to assess it and make sure the
- Um, those that would go into the commodity market and um some engineer in some other state would not
- um those that would go into the commodity<05:34:42.558>
market <05:34:42.958>and <05:34:
Summary:
The committee first took up HB 163FN, dealing with requiring current, verifiable evidence of a species’ presence before land-use restrictions are imposed for habitat protection. Members discussed an amendment that had been worked on with agencies and stakeholder groups. Fish and Game testified that, while the amendment improved the bill, the agency still opposed it because of concerns about citizen science, how the proposal would apply to public versus private property, and how the transition to DES would work. Representative Darby argued the amendment was ambiguous, lacked a full hearing, and did not clearly address record verification or private-property access issues. The amendment passed 8-7, and the committee then voted OTPA 8-7, with a minority report noted.
The committee then moved to HB 1752FN, which would create a chain of custody for timber and carbon credits. Representative Davis presented an amendment saying it would help law enforcement investigate timber theft and add transparency to New Hampshire’s carbon registry by identifying buyers of carbon credits. Supporters said the change would impose little burden and align with practices in other states. Opponents, including Representative Darby, Representative Vale, and the state forester from DNCR, said the carbon market is complex, the amendment was not fully vetted, and a hearing with all stakeholders was needed; they also raised fiscal-note concerns. The amendment passed 8-7, and the committee then voted OTPA 8-7, again with a minority report.
Finally, the committee opened a hearing on HB 1019, which would add an active water treatment professional to the state water well board. Representative Peter Petrino and Representative Wendy Thomas said the board should include expertise on contamination risks and treatment technologies, citing concerns about arsenic, radon, and PFAS in private wells. The chairman of the Water Well Board testified in opposition to the bill as drafted, saying the board supports the general idea of licensing water filtration work but does not currently have authority or rules to oversee that field and believes the proposal would put “the cart before the horse.” Members questioned whether the board’s current mandate even covers filtration systems, and the discussion ended with those concerns unresolved.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations - Room 210; 22 January, 2026: 1:30 PM
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- Those maintenance fees are generated by an assessment on the production and sales of oil and gas.
- That's for our staff, wages, contractual services, travel, commodities, and a vehicle.
- Our maintenance fees are generated by an assessment on the production and sales of oil and gas.
- Our maintenance fees are generated by an assessment on the production and sales of oil and gas.
- That's for our staff, wages, contractual services, travel, commodities, and a vehicle.
Summary:
The meeting began with a budget presentation from the insurance commissioner’s office. The commissioner said most of the request was for personnel costs, including an increase above LBO and two additional IT positions tied to a possible conversion to a state-based system and cybersecurity needs. The office also discussed travel costs, contractual expenses, vehicle replacement, and hurricane mitigation funds, noting that some funds are in trust accounts and require legislative authority to spend. The commissioner also briefed members on possible policy changes affecting the ACA exchange and a proposed low-cost plan for the high-risk pool, warning that if coverage options are not developed, more people could shift into uncompensated care. Members asked about the budget request, the IT positions, and a constituent question about propane meter regulation, which the commissioner said falls under the Department of Agriculture and Commerce, though his office sometimes checks related issues informally.
The committee then moved to the State Fire Academy hearing. The academy director described a workforce stabilization proposal focused on retaining and recruiting fire instructors, citing competition from local fire departments that pay more, a shrinking applicant pool, and a growing number of retirement-eligible staff. He said the academy’s instructors are being recruited away by municipalities, that recent applicant pools have produced very few qualified candidates, and that the academy may soon have to cut advanced courses if staffing does not improve. He referenced a State Personnel Board review that supported the need for compensation changes and said the academy is trying to remain competitive while continuing to train firefighters, hazmat responders, EMS personnel, and fire officers statewide.
No formal votes or legislative actions were taken in the portion provided. Members mainly asked questions, requested written follow-up on some budget items, and indicated they would work with the agencies later in the session if pending bills or funding needs changed.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Friday, May 15, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- After learning that a woman remained trapped inside, he quickly assessed the situation, forced entry
- have access to the capital that they need in order to navigate ongoing challenges like volatile commodity
- <01:48:50.639>
volatile ongoing challenges like volatile ongoing challenges like volatile commodity - c> prices<01:48:51.840>
and <01:48:52.080>extreme <01:48:52.400>weather commodity - prices and extreme weather commodity prices and extreme weather events<01:48:53.040>
going <01
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Jul 21st, 2025
Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- And next, we have the statewide housing needs assessment. With Stephanie Gonzalez and Sonia Umrao.
- Today, we are here to present the 2025 New Mexico Housing Needs Assessment.
- The four topics are disability relief, needs assessment, homeownership, building and permitting, and
- Please see the full housing needs assessment on the Housing New Mexico website for a complete breakout
- So the 2025 Housing Needs Assessment. is based on the American Census survey, and that trails behind
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Banking and Insurance Mar 25th, 2025
MI
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair, count item 174, Senate Bill 1042, a bill to prohibit excessive pricing for certain commodities
- count the right of Item 174, Senate Bill 1042, a bill to prohibit excessive pricing for certain commodities
Summary:
The Senate convened with an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and attendance showing a quorum. Several senators were excused, and the chamber received communications including House Concurrent Resolution 8, which was referred to the Committee on Government Operations. The Senate also took up introductions and referrals of several bills, including Senate Bills 1078-1082 and House Bills 4727, 4728, 4729, 4959, 1545, 5254, 5255, 6071, 6072, and 6073, with most being referred to committees or, for some medical-debt and consumer-protection bills, sent to the Committee of the Whole by suspension of the rules.
In Committee of the Whole, the Senate considered Senate Bills 535, 536, 1011, 1041, 1042, and 1043. SB 535, 1041, 1042, and 1043 were amended, while SB 536 and 1011 were reported without amendment; all were recommended for passage. The Senate then concurred in the amendments and advanced the bills to third reading. On final passage, SB 433 passed 35-0; SB 535, 536, and 1011 each passed 35-0; and SB 1041, 1042, and 1043 each passed 20-15. Floor remarks focused on SB 1011 as a way to lower small-business health insurance premiums, and SBs 1041-1043 as anti-price-gouging measures during emergencies.
Later, the Senate discharged Senate Bill 913 from the Appropriations Committee, suspended the rules, and moved it through Committee of the Whole and to final passage the same day. SB 913, which amends the Michigan Trust Fund Act, passed 20-12 with 6 excused after Senator Albert argued in opposition that it would continue $75 million annual funding to the MEDC and amount to corporate welfare. The Senate then adjourned until Tuesday, June 30 at 10:00 a.m.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill is built on a simple principle: that energy is a right and not a commodity.
- This bill is built on a simple principle: that energy is a right and not a commodity.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy held a hearing on grid transmission and distribution, green financing, environmental justice, renewable portfolio standards, and clean energy workforce policy. Testimony on H. 352/S. 2268 focused on eliminating or scaling back the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, with Green Energy Consumers Alliance arguing it costs ratepayers about $30 million annually and largely subsidizes fossil-fuel combined heat and power, biodiesel blending, and woody biomass. Committee members raised concerns that a full repeal could affect heat pumps and solar thermal projects that currently receive APS credits, and the witness acknowledged those technologies are the strongest part of the program but said Mass Save would be a better home for them.
Renew Northeast supported H. 3497 on renewable portfolio standard review and clean energy procurements, but urged an indexed renewable energy credit model like New York’s rather than an attribute-only arrangement, arguing it would reduce financing risk and consumer costs. Vote Solar and Senator Liz Miranda testified in support of H. 3540/S. 2303 on clean energy equity, saying environmental justice communities and renters receive too few benefits from clean energy spending and need stronger tracking, tenant protections, and measurable benefit allocation. Miranda described long-standing environmental harms in Roxbury and called for data and accountability to ensure benefits reach environmental justice communities.
A major portion of the hearing was devoted to H. 3475/S. 2276 on just transition and clean energy workforce standards. Labor representatives from the pile drivers, building trades, electrical contractors, SEIU, United Steelworkers, the AFL-CIO, and Climate Jobs Massachusetts Action backed the bill, emphasizing prevailing wage, project labor agreements, apprenticeship requirements, workforce transition plans, and protections for gas workers and other fossil-fuel employees as the state shifts to clean energy. They argued the bill would create family-sustaining jobs, support training, and prevent workers from being left behind during the transition. The hearing concluded after all sign-ups were heard, and the committee voted to close the hearing.
AR
KY
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce (Part I) Feb 18th, 2025
Business & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- though Texas is a big oil and gas state, we don't have a significant position in oil and gas or commodities
- You know, we don't hold a big position in commodities, but we firmly believe in the oil and gas sector
Keywords:
emergency alerts, weather alerts, public safety, local government, municipality, county, website posting, online notice, emergency management, disaster preparedness, evacuation, National Weather Service, NOAA, Texas Division of Emergency Management, TDEM, localized alerts, hazard warnings, severe weather, watch warning advisory, public information