Transcript Highlights:

• power.
• power.
• It wasn't running on solar power, but it was a solar power company truck.
• They get their power from Associated Electric, but Associated Electric gets power from...
• They get their power from Associated Electric, but Associated Electric gets power from...

Committee: House Special Committee on Rural Issues

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, right now there is no power to be shared.
• </c><00:04:23.759><c> sharing</c> pass something like a power sharing pass something like a power sharing
• </c> agreement um right now there is no power agreement um right now there is no power to<00:04:26.240
• </c><00:04:30.479><c> all</c> that there could be be equal power all that there could be be equal power
• </c><00:04:57.680><c> sharing</c> maybe rephrase maybe not power sharing maybe rephrase maybe not power

Transcript Highlights:

• They're both consuming the same, taking the same amount of power off the grid.
• My name is Greg Thurner, and I'm representing Liberty Power Innovations.
• Double grid is the most important goal for Powering Texans.
• Taylor Kilroy, Texas Public Power Association, in support.
• My name is Stacy Bennett, and I'm testifying on behalf of LS Power.

Bills: SB6 , SB11 , SB33

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, critics of aid also claim that such a policy will create a vacuum of power.
• That the Chinese will happily fill, thus eating our lunch in great power competition.
• And foreign aid is not going to win or lose today's great power competition.
• on at USAID doesn't matter, that it's only about material military power.
• If it's part of soft power, then it should be done through the State Department.

Committee: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

Keywords: fiscal responsibility, government waste, foreign aid, funding resolution, legislative oversight

Summary: The committee meeting addressed government spending and foreign aid, with a particular emphasis on perceived wasteful expenditures. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing a funding resolution for the committee, which received unanimous support from the members present. The chair noted a quorum at the beginning of the meeting, signaling that the committee was ready to conduct its business. Discussions highlighted ongoing debates concerning fiscal responsibility and the necessity of legislative oversight, notably regarding foreign aid allocations and their implications for domestic fiscal health.

Transcript Highlights:

• The power is inevitably shut off when wildfires hit now. That's always the case.
• The power is inevitably shut off when wildfires hit now. That's always the case.
• We want them to be more thoughtful about what happens if the power goes out.
• Assembly Bill 615, Davies, regarding emergency response plans for power facilities.
• A lithium battery fire at the Moss Landing Power Plant led to its evacuation in January.

Summary: The Emergency Management Committee met to adopt its rules and hear a series of disaster- and public safety-related bills. Several measures were placed on consent and approved, including bills sending items to Appropriations, Natural Resources, Judiciary, Labor and Employment, and Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. AB 262, by Assembly Member Caloza, proposed a California Individual Assistance Act to create a state grant program for disaster-related costs when federal aid is unavailable; supporters cited Rio Dell’s earthquake recovery as an example, while some members raised concerns about eligibility, cost, and whether the bill could aid undocumented residents. The bill passed to Appropriations on a 4-2 vote. AB 549, by Assembly Member Gabriel, would create an interagency coordination framework for major sporting events such as the 2026 World Cup, 2027 Super Bowl, and 2028 Olympics, with supporters emphasizing public safety and anti-trafficking planning. An opposition witness argued the bill could be used to justify prostitution arrests and misuse trafficking funds, but the committee members largely supported the coordination concept, and the bill passed 6-0 to Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism. AB 270, by Assembly Member Petrie-Norris, would establish a three-year pilot for autonomous aerial firefighting helicopters overseen by the Orange County Fire Authority; supporters described it as a way to extend wildfire response into conditions where crewed aircraft are limited, and the bill passed 6-0 to Privacy and Consumer Protection. Later, AB 367, by Assembly Member Bennett, sought to require Ventura County water districts in high fire-risk areas to top off tanks during red flag warnings, maintain backup generators, and harden critical water infrastructure. Water agencies opposed the bill unless amended, citing cost, flexibility, and liability concerns, while the author argued the requirements were necessary after failures during the Thomas Fire; it passed 6-1 to Utilities and Energy. AB 615, by Assembly Member Davies, required emergency response plans to be submitted with initial applications for battery energy storage and other energy facilities and to be reviewed with local responders; it passed 7-0 to Utilities and Energy. AB 1075, concerning privately contracted firefighters, also passed on consent to Natural Resources. Finally, AB 1143, by Assembly Member Bennett, would create a voluntary statewide home hardening certification program through the State Fire Marshal; supporters called it a best-practices approach to reduce wildfire losses and insurance risk, and it passed to Natural Resources. The committee then completed roll calls for absent members and adjourned after all bills were moved out.

Transcript Highlights:

• supply, regulated power companies.
• supply, regulated power companies.
• The bill modifies the Commission's Correct. power supply regulated power companies.
• the scope of that power of the power companies' acts and operations.
• The legislature has power to adopt policy. The commission adopts the rates.

Summary: The committee considered a series of bills and resolutions for constitutional and proper-form review, with Tim Fleming from the Rules Attorney’s Office flagging potential issues and suggesting floor amendments in several cases. House Bill 2313, dealing with teachers’ strikes and work stoppages, was found to raise a pension-rights problem under the state constitution because it could diminish retirement benefits; the suggested fix was to remove the words “or former employment.” The committee also reviewed House Bill 2697 on opioid overdose emergencies and related immunity provisions, House Bill 2912 concerning Corporation Commission review of integrated resource plans for electric utilities, House Bill 2991 on parental consent for minors’ social media accounts, House Bill 4010 regulating genetic counselors and conscience protections, and House Bill 4115 and HCR 2051 regarding petition circulator identification requirements. In each of those measures, the rules attorney identified constitutional concerns tied to anti-abrogation, separation of powers/rate-making authority, First Amendment issues, or lawsuit-threat language, but indicated proposed amendments could resolve them. Members asked questions and debated the constitutional analysis, especially on HB 2912 and HB 2991. On HB 2912, one member argued the bill concerned policy and modeling rather than rate-setting, while others noted the complexity of the commission’s authority. On HB 2991, the sponsor said the measure had been under negotiation for months and was intended to avoid constitutional conflict, though the rules attorney said the First Amendment case law was not yet well developed. For HB 4010, the committee focused on a provision that could prohibit threatening a lawsuit against a genetic counselor, which the attorney said should be removed. For HB 4115 and HCR 2051, the attorney cited Buckley v. American Constitutional Law Foundation as a reason to delete the petition-circulator name-disclosure requirement. The committee voted to recommend each of the individually discussed measures as constitutional and in proper form, generally by 4-2 votes with two absent, including HB 2313, HB 2697, HB 2912, HB 2991, HB 4010, and HB 4115/HCR 2051. At the end of the meeting, the committee approved a large mass motion covering many additional bills and resolutions, and that package was recommended by a 6-0 vote with two absent. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Employers maintain significant power over workers.
• Employers maintain significant power over workers.
• Employers maintain significant power over workers.
• </c><00:28:00.720><c> and</c> references to um to corporate power and references to um to corporate power
• </c> we can do to try to rectify the power we can do to try to rectify the power and<00:31:00.440><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:49.200><c> to</c> we must do everything in our power to we must do everything in our power
• If, in fact, the legislature, for example, which is not a military power, it's a civil power, or a city
• If, in fact, the legislature, for example, which is not a military power, it's a civil power, or a city
• If, in fact, the legislature, for example, which is not a military power, it's a civil power, or a city
• If, in fact, the legislature, for example, which is not a military power, it's a civil power, or a city

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• He later worked as a press assistant to Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe.
• </c><03:33:16.560><c> idea</c> reflects that simple but powerful idea reflects that simple but powerful
• </c> words of Frederick Douglas, power words of Frederick Douglas, power conceds<05:29:18.638><c> nothing
• to China or any other not seed power to China or any other world<05:29:28.638><c> power</c><05:29:29.280
• I urge this vital soft power tool.

Transcript Highlights:

• The university currently operates a co-generation power plant that generates electrical power and provides
• steam to the The university operates a co-generation power plant that generates electrical power and
• And so we're planning to get out of our, basically, out of our power plant distribution business and
• connect with the city for our power.
• Senator Bass asked whether the power generation will also go to the LTRI building in Bossier. Dr.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget met on March 19, 2006, and first received a fiscal status statement and five-year baseline budget from the Office of Planning and Budget, with no changes reported. The committee then approved several BA-7 budget adjustments, including additional funding for the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism’s Cultural Development Program, a $24.4 million federal funds increase for the Louisiana Department of Health’s Rural Health Transformation Program grant, and a $1 million statutory dedication for reimbursement related to the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. All of these items were recommended for approval by both OPB and the Legislative Fiscal Office. The committee also approved a Facility Planning and Control request for the Louisiana Military Department to add $9.1 million to the Jackson Barracks cyber warfare operations project to incorporate a SCIF, bringing total authority to $29.7 million. Members then approved several interpretations of legislative intent to correct or clarify prior appropriations, including parish and local-government recipients and purposes in St. Mary Parish, Catahoula Parish, Lafourche Parish, East Feliciana, and the Wind Foundation of Louisiana. In addition, the committee approved one-year extensions and added funding for Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism tourism advertising contracts, and approved a final extension of the Office of Risk Management’s contract with Sedgwick Claims Management Services. Later, the committee reviewed but did not require action on a change-order report and heard presentations on two university-related agreements. Louisiana Tech University described a plan to shift campus utility service from its aging cogeneration system to local utility providers, requiring new chillers and boilers but projected to save more than $1.6 million annually in operating costs, with estimated debt service of about $1.2 million. The committee also heard an extension request from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette for consulting services supporting its Banner ERP system. The meeting concluded with adjournment after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• costs for running shore power programs.
• So what is shore power?
• So what is shore power?
• They show what emissions would look like with no shore power, with the current adoption of shore power
• is the power usage?

Committee: Joint Joint Transportation Committee

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from WSDOT on balancing uncertainty in capital program estimates and cash flow management. WSDOT explained the differences between design-bid-build and design-build delivery, its tiered risk-assessment process by project size, and how it uses base estimates, inflation, and risk modeling to set budgets. Staff said design-bid-build estimates are generally accurate within about 1% across the program, while design-build projects carry much wider uncertainty and are better communicated as ranges; they cited a P85 budget approach and noted that large, complex projects can be affected by market competition and long procurement timelines. Members asked about the Columbia River Bridge cost growth and about value engineering, and WSDOT said it uses value engineering but has limited scope to cut costs because of project requirements and policy mandates. Troy Swing also discussed cash flow, noting that a few large projects can significantly affect biennial funding needs, and said a risk pool would not reduce overall program risk but could help manage timing if paired with appropriation and cash-flow controls. The committee then received the final presentation in the WSDOT Project Delivery and Innovative Practices study from HKA Global. The consultant said WSDOT’s estimating practices are generally robust and recommended improving transparency by presenting budget authorizations as ranges or estimate classes, better tracking estimate growth over time, and adjusting advertisement timing to avoid competing lettings. The report also discussed surety bonding, suggesting the legislature consider restoring authority for reduced bonding on select large design-build projects or using phased bonding and alternative securities. On indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracting, the consultant said current job order contract rules are restrictive and recommended legislative changes to make such tools more usable, especially for smaller tasks and to help use unspent funds more flexibly. The committee also heard a follow-up presentation on transit-oriented development policy recommendations tied to HB 1491. The Urban Institute’s Yona Freemark said Washington has been a national leader on TOD but that housing construction, especially in the Puget Sound, has slowed sharply since 2022. He said rising construction costs, high financing costs, and local tax and rent conditions are making many TOD projects infeasible, and recommended that the state fill infrastructure funding gaps around stations, revisit MFTE affordability requirements, consider minimum rather than average density requirements near transit, and create a statewide system to track TOD outcomes such as affordability, gentrification, and transit access. Members questioned the study’s developer interviews, the role of rent control and crime, property tax assumptions, and parking needs; the presenter said the study included five private developers, that rent control was not part of the study scope, and that parking was included in the model assumptions. Finally, the committee began a presentation on regulating emissions from ocean-going vessels at berth. Staff and consultants described California-style at-berth rules, which require shore power or equivalent emissions controls so ships can shut off diesel auxiliary engines while docked. The study is examining vessel traffic, emissions reductions, implementation costs, labor and operational needs, and possible effects on port competitiveness and cargo diversion. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• There were real concerns about nuclear power, but I would say that's antiquated power and, you know,
• There were real concerns about nuclear power, but I would say that's antiquated power and, you know,
• and affordable power.
• I started my career at Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory.
• And that was a monumental turning point for me, where I realized that nuclear power was going to power

Summary: The committee heard several bills and one resolution focused on recycling, housing affordability, air quality, coastal protection, wildfire resilience, and nuclear policy. AB 2559, by Assembly Member Ward, would require local governments to return refundable construction and demolition permit deposits if compliance documentation is submitted within three years of final inspection; supporters said it would prevent homeowners and developers from losing deposits due to mismatched local deadlines, and it passed unanimously as amended to Appropriations. AB 1704, by Assembly Member Gonzalez, would require CARB to assess the cost of lower-embodied-carbon building materials and pause the embodied-carbon program if cost parity is not reached; supporters framed it as a housing affordability safeguard, while environmental groups argued it would delay implementation of a key climate law. The bill passed on a party-line vote to Appropriations. AB 2349, by Assembly Member Solache, would create regional air quality incident response centers for emergency monitoring and coordination; it drew strong support from air district and local government representatives and passed unanimously to Appropriations. ACR 149, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the California Coastal Act and Coastal Conservancy, highlighted coastal access, habitat protection, and climate adaptation; it passed the committee, though some members voted no. AB 1960, by Assembly Member Bennett, would let Cal Fire fund community-level wildfire hardening projects through the Wildfire Prevention Grants Fund; members raised questions about funding and implementation, but it passed to Appropriations. AB 2254, the Coastal Monarchs Protection Act, would require coastal local governments to add monarch overwintering protections when updating local coastal plans; supporters cited steep monarch declines and economic benefits, while local government groups opposed the mandate as duplicative and burdensome, and it passed to Water, Parks and Wildlife. AB 2253 would restrict deceptive recycled-content claims and mass-balance accounting practices; supporters said it would protect consumers and real recyclers, while business groups argued it would conflict with recognized accounting systems and EPR programs. The transcript also included AB 1757, which would create a limited carve-out from California’s nuclear moratorium for microreactors; supporters said it could provide clean, local power and support data centers, while opponents warned of cost, waste, and safety risks. The committee ultimately rejected AB 1757 on a divided vote, then granted reconsideration, and the discussion continued without a final action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• There were real concerns about nuclear power, but I would say that's antiquated power and, you know,
• and affordable power.
• I started my career at Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory.
• Navy's aircraft carriers and submarines that are powered by nuclear.
• ..where I realized that nuclear power was going to power this behemoth of a ship and defend my country

Committee: House Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• And one of our member cities is a member of the Clean Power Alliance, which is a joint powers authority
• And so we're hoping that with the Clean Power Alliance...
• And one of our member cities is a member of the Clean Power Alliance, which is a joint powers authority
• And so we're hoping that with the Clean Power Alliance... ...for other joint powers authorities, as you
• And one of our member cities is a member of the Clean Power Alliance, which is a joint powers authority

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard six bills. SB 828 by Senator Cabaldon would require fireworks license applicants to disclose storage locations and prove they have local permits, with the state fire marshal notifying local agencies when permits are denied or revoked. Supporters, including fire chiefs and fire marshals, said it would close dangerous enforcement gaps exposed by recent fireworks explosions; there was no opposition, and the bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 799 by Senator Allen would make technical and governance changes to the South Bay Regional Housing Trust, including more flexibility on board leadership and allowing non-elected alternates under certain conditions. Supporters said the changes would help the new housing trust function more effectively; questions focused on accountability for non-elected alternates, and the bill passed 6-0 to the Senate Floor. SB 762 by Senator Arreguín would authorize the city of Hercules to ask voters to approve up to a 1% sales tax increase to fund local services and infrastructure. Supporters said Hercules has limited revenue options, while some senators cautioned about how such measures are presented to voters; the bill passed 5-2 to the Senate Floor. SB 722 by Senator Wahab would add protections for mobile home residents from displacement tied to transit-oriented development and redevelopment, with supporters describing it as an urgent cleanup to protect vulnerable seniors, veterans, and low-income residents. There was broad support and no opposition, and it passed 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 222 by Senator Wiener would streamline permitting for heat pump water heaters and HVAC systems, with supporters arguing it would reduce costs and speed electrification, and opponents raising concerns about local control, fees, liability, and HOA authority. After extended debate, it passed 4-1 to Appropriations. SB 677 by Senator Wiener would make technical clarifications to SB 79’s transit-oriented housing provisions; local government groups opposed or opposed unless amended, warning it could expand SB 79’s scope, but the bill passed 5-2 to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:51.080><c> and</c> have to have the the the power and have to have the the the power and ability
• </c> that person has not been given the power that person has not been given the power to<00:04:13.159
• Sure, so from the aspect of is this a power grab by the legislature?
• So in my committee, we have the power to find a regulation deficient.
• We have the power to ask for a deferral.

Summary: The Licensing and Occupations committee met for its first meeting under Chair Rocky Adams, who opened by announcing a more flexible approach to committee procedure, including no egg timer, less emphasis on interim vetting, and a collaborative process with the House chair on amendments. The committee then took up its only agenda item, Senate Bill 23, sponsored by Senator Steve West, which would allow the Administrative Regulations Committee to conduct preliminary review of non-enacted regulations and require cabinet representatives to appear, provide information, and have authority to respond to deficiencies. West said the bill is intended to increase transparency earlier in the regulatory process and address past problems with cabinet participation. Members generally supported the bill and emphasized the importance of transparency and oversight in the regulatory process. Several questions focused on a possible notice requirement for committee review; West said the administration had requested five days’ notice, and he was open to that idea so long as no loopholes were created, including whether the same notice should apply to deferral requests. He also explained that the bill does not create strong enforcement teeth beyond existing committee powers to find a regulation deficient or request deferral, and that any stronger response would still come through separate legislation. Before the vote, members explained their support while noting concerns about notice and fairness. Senator Berg warned against surprise agenda changes and wanted a level playing field, while Senator Douglas said the bill would help constituents better understand regulations. The committee then voted to pass Senate Bill 23 with favorable expression and sent it to the Senate floor. The meeting adjourned afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• supply, regulated power companies.
• supply, regulated power companies.
• The bill modifies the Commission's Correct. power supply regulated power companies.
• the scope of that power of the power companies' acts and operations.
• The Legislature has power to adopt policy. The Commission adopts the rates.

Committee: House Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• The governor of New York vetoed the bill based on the litigation in Maryland.
• </c><00:39:54.320><c> The</c><00:39:54.480><c> governor</c><00:39:54.720><c> of</c><00:39:54.880><c>
• Our on-site solar electricity has a power purchase agreement of 15 years.
• Our on-site solar electricity<01:34:14.400><c> has</c><01:34:14.560><c> a</c><01:34:14.800><c> power<
• /c><01:34:15.040><c> purchase</c> electricity has a power purchase electricity has a power purchase agreement

Bills: HF3698 , HF3067 , HF3730

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Oz himself, have been part of for governors, secretaries, and others.
• Oz himself, have been part of for governors, secretaries, and others.
• Done right, peer support is one of the most powerful tools in recovery.
• Done right, peer support is one of the<01:54:09.599><c> most</c><01:54:09.760><c> powerful</c><01:54:
• </c> of the most powerful tools in recovery. of the most powerful tools in recovery.

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board’s fourth meeting focused primarily on a presentation from University of Kentucky and University of Louisville health leaders about the state university directed payment program. Mark Birdwhistle and Ken Marshall described the program as a long-running, value-based Medicaid arrangement that began in 2019, uses university-provided matching funds rather than provider taxes, and ties a portion of payments to quality outcomes. They said the program has improved measures such as tobacco cessation, diabetes control, depression screening, and cancer screening, while supporting access to specialty care, medical education, and workforce training. They also emphasized that Kentucky’s model is nationally notable and has helped improve health rankings and generate cost savings. A major topic was the federal reconciliation bill signed July 4, which the presenters said will reduce directed payments by 10% annually for 10 years beginning in 2028. UL Health estimated a first-year loss of about $75 million and a cumulative loss of about $600 million over the decade; UK estimated about $100 million in the first year, for a combined first-year impact of roughly $175 million. Both speakers warned the cuts could affect access to care, training capacity, and the sustainability of Kentucky’s value-based model, though they expressed hope that congressional action could alter or delay the changes. They also noted that 340B drug pricing changes could further strain already thin operating margins, but did not provide exact figures during the meeting. Committee members responded positively to the program’s reported outcomes and the institutions’ role in Kentucky health care. Senator Berg praised the quality of care and shared a personal example of being advised to stay at UofL for breast cancer treatment. Representative Moer highlighted Kentucky’s strong cancer-control score and asked for more explanation of the value-based payment structure; the presenters said the system is built around ongoing measurement, accountability, and collaboration with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the amended August 27 minutes by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• That chapter, chapter three, we call it, was just signed by the governor not too long ago.
• </c> is just was just signed by the governor is just was just signed by the governor not<01:39:53.800
• Our schooling system was a lot simpler back in the day, and it allowed us to become a world power in
• Very good information. us to become us to become a<02:40:14.560><c> world</c><02:40:15.040><c> power<
• /c> a world power a world power in<02:40:16.840><c> 200</c><02:40:17.320><c> years.

Committee: Joint Education

Transcript Highlights:

• of</c><02:30:02.240><c> uh</c><02:30:02.960><c> the</c><02:30:03.120><c> the</c><02:30:03.520><c> power
• </c><02:30:03.840><c> ball</c> period of of uh the the power ball period of of uh the the power ball
• So I have put data together for John Hicks and for the governor on this topic, and I have looked, you
• on this topic and I have looked governor on this topic and I have looked you<03:07:05.439><c> know</
• The governor issued an executive order to freeze the rate.

Summary: The meeting focused on preliminary fiscal 2026 revenue estimates and the governor’s office request for an official revision to fiscal 2026, with members reminded that any estimate adopted now would not bind the December official estimates. Staff from S&P Global walked through three forecast scenarios—control, optimistic, and pessimistic—based on recent federal tax changes, tariffs, and other policy developments, emphasizing that the outlook remains highly uncertain. Under the control scenario, the presentation projected below-trend real GDP growth of 1.8% in fiscal 2026, slowing to 1.5% by fiscal 2028, with unemployment peaking around 4.5% and the Federal Reserve cutting rates three times to a long-run range of about 2.75% to 3%. The optimistic scenario assumed lower effective tariffs, stronger growth, and better labor and housing outcomes, while the pessimistic scenario assumed a broader trade war, higher effective tariffs, faster deportations, weaker employment and consumer spending, and unemployment rising to about 6.3%. Speakers also noted that the forecast was prepared before later BLS revisions and that recent data on inventories and AI-related investment made the recent quarters look unusually volatile. Members discussed how the current fiscal 2026 outlook compared with earlier assumptions and noted that the eventual revenue revision may be smaller than the spread between the optimistic and pessimistic economic scenarios. The governor’s office and committee members also reviewed sector-specific impacts, including manufacturing, housing, light vehicle production, exports, and consumer sentiment, with particular concern about Kentucky’s auto and housing-related industries. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.