Transcript Highlights:

• in future wildfire risk mitigation capital expenditure, so using securitized debt rather than equity
• The electric utilities' rate base has almost doubled in the last decade, as they invest in wildfire mitigation
• There are lots of different inputs to be used in terms of determining a fair, reasonable ROE.
• wildfire mitigation capital expenditures, but last minute, $15 billion in wildfire mitigation capital
• Of the $40 billion spent in the past five years, 60% of that has been on mitigation efforts.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications held an oversight hearing focused on electric rates, utility regulation, affordability, reliability, and wildfire-related costs. The chair framed the discussion around the challenge of transitioning to a cleaner grid while keeping bills affordable and the system reliable, and noted the hearing also served as the annual update from the CPUC and Public Advocates Office. Professor Severin Borenstein gave a primer on utility regulation, explaining the split between deregulated generation and regulated transmission/distribution, the basics of cost-of-service regulation, and the role of return on equity. He argued that high allowed returns can encourage capital-intensive spending and that many public policy costs now embedded in rates would be better funded through the state budget, while warning that price caps or performance-based regulation are not silver bullets. CPUC President-designate Alice Reynolds described the commission’s role as economic regulator of investor-owned utilities and said affordability is being addressed through rate case scrutiny, reasonableness reviews, and legislative direction. She said wildfire mitigation and insurance costs have been major drivers of rate increases, but some wildfire-related costs are time-limited and will roll off rates over time. She also highlighted progress on clean energy procurement, battery storage growth, and integrated resource planning to meet climate goals while maintaining reliability. Reynolds said the CPUC is reviewing utility spending, disallowing imprudent costs where appropriate, and litigating at FERC to challenge transmission costs. Members pressed both witnesses on several issues, including whether rates are being inflated by legislative mandates and balancing accounts, whether utility returns are too high, and whether the state should shift more public-policy costs off electric bills and into the General Fund. Senators also raised concerns about load growth from data centers and ports, gas-system stranded assets as electrification advances, and whether the CPUC is over-regulating or discouraging innovation. Reynolds said the CPUC is working with the Energy Commission, CAISO, and the Air Resources Board on a holistic planning process, and pointed to tools such as interconnection reforms and demand flexibility. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with several follow-up requests for reports and data.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Agriculture in particular—but would it be fair to say that rural communities, particularly
• No, we were first formed in 2022 after passage in 2021. Got it. Okay, so three or four years in.
• Consistent with the HEAL Act, we recognize that economic fairness plays a critical role in reducing cumulative
• burdens on overburdened... ...that economic fairness plays a critical role in reducing cumulative burdens
• And in order to successfully mitigate for those, we have to work with communities to understand their

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• David Azevedo on behalf of 3.2 million AARP members in California. We're in strong support.
• Just because we did something in 2018 doesn't make it right today in 2026.
• I think it's very fair to say that people who can demonstrate to their insurer that they had damage in
• company in my whole area in Southern California...
• But in some cases, I believe the industry has overreacted in some of these non-renewals in these areas

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I added that in and basically 035 so I added that in and basically that's<00:01:20.280><c> why</c><00
• </c> increasing part of the vehicles in increasing part of the vehicles in Minnesota<00:03:54.360><c>
• </c> policy that will play a big part in policy that will play a big part in helping<00:04:11.519><c>
• </c> could use to hold funds for Mitigation could use to hold funds for Mitigation Of<00:05:09.840><c
• The purpose of this account is to be used to mitigate road projects when they need mitigation because

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We began significant local appropriations for PFAS mitigation in 2020.
• We began significant local appropriations for PFAS mitigation in 2020, and it took until summer of this
• I have big GAC filters in my basement to mitigate this poison from the drinking water for my family.
• I serve as executive director of South Coast Fair Housing, based in New Bedford and primarily serving
• The current law requires landlords to mitigate lead in homes built before 1978 only when a child under

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a lengthy hearing to take testimony on a wide range of bills related to environmental health, PFAS, medical device chemicals, food access, lead poisoning, air quality, oral health, and school food additives. Chair Driscoll and Chair Decker emphasized that the hearing was for testimony only, no decisions would be made that day, and that written testimony could still be submitted. They also noted the high volume of speakers and asked witnesses to keep remarks brief. A major portion of the hearing focused on PFAS-related legislation, including bills to restrict PFAS in products and food packaging and to create a PFAS remediation trust fund. Municipal officials and advocates described the high costs of PFAS cleanup, especially for drinking water systems, citing Easton’s multimillion-dollar treatment investments and rate increases. Testimony from legislators and advocates argued that Massachusetts should act despite federal uncertainty, and that the state should stop PFAS at the source rather than leaving municipalities and residents to pay for remediation. The committee also heard strong support for a bill banning DEHP in medical devices, with physicians, nurses, and a bill sponsor saying the chemical can leach from IV bags and tubing and that safer alternatives already exist. The committee also heard testimony on bills to establish statewide food truck permitting, with food truck owners and a senator describing the current system as costly, duplicative, and inconsistent across municipalities. Another set of witnesses supported the “Bean New Deal,” which would expand plant-based food options in public institutions, senior nutrition programs, and WIC, citing health, equity, and cost savings. On lead poisoning, housing advocates and a representative backed bills to expand lead-safe housing requirements to all rental units, arguing the current law contributes to discrimination against families with children and leaves too much pre-1978 housing uncertified. The committee also heard support for an outdoor air pollution bill that would create an advisory committee, identify pollution hotspots, expand monitoring, and set reduction targets, with testimony from environmental justice groups, pediatricians, and legislators describing disproportionate asthma and other health harms in overburdened communities. Later testimony addressed oral health bills to create dental therapists and allow dental hygienists to administer nitrous oxide, with supporters saying the measures would expand access, reduce costs, and help underserved patients. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to prohibit harmful food dyes in competitive school foods, with parents describing behavioral and health concerns tied to synthetic dyes. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, a bear living in a basement in Los Angeles and wolves preying on livestock in Northern California
• Such conflict mitigation efforts should have been put in place well before nearly 90 livestock losses
• up in my district and in Senator Dolly's district.
• I understand that we do have a fair amount of people who would like to add on here, so in the room and
• But it's estimated that the annual need for mitigation alone is between $4 billion and $7 billion in

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1135, which would reestablish the California Wildlife Coexistence Program to promote nonlethal human-wildlife conflict reduction and support coexistence efforts for species such as wolves, bears, and mountain lions. Supporters, including wildlife groups and local government representatives, said the prior program was effective and that proactive tools like fladry, guardian animals, deterrents, reporting, and outreach reduce conflicts and costs. Ranching and agricultural groups were opposed unless amended, saying they supported the concept but wanted changes to the wolf-livestock compensation program, including clearer practicability standards, protection of compensation funds, and more flexibility on nonlethal requirements. The bill was moved to Appropriations on a 2-0 vote, with the measure left on call. The committee then took up SB 1085, which would preserve water supply assessments for large development projects even when those projects are exempt from CEQA, so local agencies still receive information about whether sufficient water exists for the project. The author and sponsor argued the bill would keep water planning and land use planning linked and prevent “paper water” problems, while the California Building Industry Association opposed it, warning it could add delay, uncertainty, and litigation risk for housing projects already subject to other water-supply safeguards. Members discussed how the bill would affect different local structures, especially cities that also operate their own water systems, and whether the assessment adds value in those cases. The bill passed 4-1 to Local Government and was left on call. SB 1270 was next, expanding the California wildfire mitigation home-hardening pilot beyond the original six counties to include four additional high-risk counties identified by Cal OES and Cal Fire, and directing future funding toward those areas. Supporters said the recent Los Angeles fires showed the need to broaden access to home-hardening assistance, while members discussed whether the program should remain geographically targeted or be made available statewide based on need. The bill was amended in committee and passed 5-0 to Emergency Management, left on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 895, a major proposal to place a $23 billion bond on the ballot to create a California Foundation for Science and Health Research and stabilize scientific research funding in the state. The author, UC, UAW, and many research, labor, health, and university groups supported the measure, arguing that federal cuts and instability threaten California’s research workforce, innovation, and economy. Some members raised concerns about the size of the bond and about political issues involving one sponsor, but the author said the foundation would operate under California law and the bill is intended to keep science funding open and collaborative. The bill was moved out of committee on a 5-0 vote and left on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do have an underlying concern that not enough is being done in mitigation on projects that don't take
• Are the persons in the room in support of this measure?
• I live rural in the northern Sierras, very much in support of wildfire mitigation.
• the northern Sierra's very much in support of wildfire mitigation know the issue well and like most
• In all fairness, I think that the amendments that were taken initially, the bill had to do with land

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2021, Families in the U.S. spent approximately $31 billion in child mental health services in 2021
• In California, online advertising generated $48 billion in revenue in 2024, with a large amount of that
• Anyone else in the room wishing to speak in opposition?
• is stuck in court.
• in digital advertising, social media advertising in this jurisdiction.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation heard two bills. AB 796 by Assembly Member Lowenthal proposed a California Social Media Accountability Act that would impose a recovery fee on social media platforms’ advertising revenue and direct the proceeds to a Social Media Safety Trust Fund for education, mental health care, research, and social services related to youth harms from social media. The author and supporters, including a Long Beach Unified School District administrator and a pediatric emergency physician, argued that social media is contributing to youth mental health crises, cyberbullying, self-harm, and related school and health system costs, and that platforms should help pay for mitigation. Opponents, including taxpayer, business, and industry groups, argued the fee would raise costs for businesses and consumers, especially small businesses that rely on targeted digital ads, and warned of likely legal challenges under federal law, including the Internet Tax Freedom Act. Committee members discussed the bill’s legal distinctions from Maryland’s digital advertising tax, the potential pass-through of costs to advertisers, and whether the proposal would meaningfully address youth harms. Several members expressed support for the bill’s goal and concern about social media’s effects on children, while others raised questions about how the revenue would be allocated and whether the tax burden would fall on small businesses. After testimony and debate, AB 796 was held in committee and referred to the suspense file. The committee also took up AB 1265 by Assembly Member Haney, which was already on the suspense file. The chair recommended an aye vote on the bill as amended, with a clarification to reporting requirements, and the committee approved it 5-0, sending it to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2021, families in the U.S. spent approximately $31 billion in child mental health services, accounting
• In California, online advertising generated $48 billion in revenue in 2024, with a large amount of that
• Anyone else in the room wishing to speak in opposition? Thank you very much.
• Anyone else in the room wishing to speak in opposition?
• is stuck in court.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation heard two bills. AB 796 by Assembly Member Lowenthal would create the California Social Media Accountability Act, imposing a recovery fee on social media platforms’ advertising revenue and directing the proceeds to a Social Media Safety Trust Fund for education, mental health care, research, and social services tied to youth harms from social media. The author and supporters, including a school district administrator and a pediatric emergency physician, argued that social media is contributing to youth mental health crises, cyberbullying, self-harm, and other harms, and that platforms should help pay for mitigation costs. Opponents, including taxpayer, business, and industry groups, argued the measure would raise costs for businesses and consumers and likely face federal legal challenges under the Internet Tax Freedom Act. Committee members discussed the bill’s legal structure, the scope of social media harms, and impacts on small businesses, and the bill was held in committee and sent to suspense. AB 1265 by Assembly Member Haney was taken up from the suspense file and considered with an amendment clarifying Section 41 reporting requirements. The committee recommended a do pass as amended motion to Appropriations, and the bill passed on a 5-0 roll call vote. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• session, but it is a 1% interest in a property transfer in Bojure Parish that LSU is in full agreement
• We allow this gear in the state. They don't in Texas.
• in 2008.
• in areas.
• kicks in?”

Summary: The committee first considered several local property-transfer and wildlife/fisheries bills, including SB 229 (Bojeur Parish property transfer), SB 71 (Lafayette Parish property transfer), and a series of Department of Wildlife and Fisheries measures. SB 203 simplified possession rules for fish on multi-day trips and remote camps; SB 429 created an administrative path to register “orphan” boats with lapsed registrations; SB 204 removed a residency-based restriction on certain commercial fishing gear licenses; SB 205 reduced duplicate registration requirements for federally documented boats; SB 213 clarified titling rules for vessels and outboard motors; and SB 257 removed Social Security number requirements from certain commercial fishing tags. Each of these bills was reported favorable, generally without objection, after brief explanations from sponsors and department counsel about reducing red tape, improving enforcement, or modernizing records. The committee also heard SB 214, which would allow the Teche-Vermilion Fresh Water District to stop pumping during an imminent flood threat identified by the National Weather Service or GOSEP, addressing liability concerns and giving local officials more flexibility in emergencies. SB 274, as amended, required lead hazard risk assessments for certain child care, early learning, and pre-kindergarten facilities and required hazards found in assessments to be addressed before licensing. Both bills were reported favorable. SB 379, a technical reorganization bill for the Department of Conservation and Energy, received two amendment sets: one changing investment language and another standardizing judicial-review procedures and online notice requirements; it was reported favorable after those amendments. The committee then adopted HCR 62, urging FEMA to review flood maps every five years instead of every ten and to better account for local flood-protection projects, with members discussing the burden of flood insurance and the need for FEMA to recognize levees, pump stations, and elevated homes. HCR 78 was also reported favorable, memorializing Congress to pass the American Seafood Competitiveness Act of 2026 in support of Louisiana’s seafood industry. HB 662, as substituted, was reported favorable after being rewritten to codify the department’s internal protocol for seized sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife, prioritizing release, rehabilitation, placement, and euthanasia as a last resort. Finally, the committee considered two more contentious items. HR 216, which urged repudiation of the Louisiana Climate Action Plan of 2022, drew extended debate over whether the plan had been adopted without legislative input and whether it could affect permits or future policy; after discussion, the sponsor voluntarily deferred the resolution to return with a revised approach focused on a legislative hearing or review. SCR 24, dealing with chronic wasting disease rules, was introduced with amendments that would raise the prevalence threshold, cap samples, allow zone removal after three years without new detections, and lift baiting/feed prohibitions above a higher prevalence level; the transcript cuts off before final action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• We drive past in our EVs. We drive past in our EVs.
• forest to come in.
• As you noted, payment in lieu of taxes program in state land is something that we heard about in the
• We needed to level the playing field and give these communities a fair shake in relation to these big
• light of the threats that climate change poses to them and their roles in adaptation and mitigation.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on natural and working lands, carbon sequestration, and related provisions in Governor Healey’s $3 billion Mass Ready Act. EEA officials described the bill’s investments in flooding, land protection, tree planting, wetlands restoration, biodiversity, dams, seawalls, and coastal resilience, along with permitting reforms intended to speed ecological restoration projects. They also outlined current programs on resilient lands, healthy soils, forest climate solutions, forest reserves, and urban tree planting, and said the administration expects natural and working lands to offset up to 7 million metric tons of residual emissions by 2050, while acknowledging that additional strategies will be needed to close the gap to the state’s 10-million-ton offset target. Committee members pressed EEA on the cost of reaching the 30% conservation-by-2030 goal, the loss of a federal USDA grant of about $22 million, the adequacy of current sequestration estimates, and whether the state should consider regional approaches or statutory changes. EEA said current state conservation spending has been about $35 million to $40 million annually, that the Mass Ready Act is intended to help double the pace of conservation, and that federal funding remains uncertain. Senators also raised concerns about PILOT payments for state-owned land, the management of state forests, and the proposed Chapter 91 general license for restoration projects. EEA said the bill’s forest reserve language is meant to create a more durable designation process while still allowing limited active management. Advocates from The Nature Conservancy and Mass Audubon supported stronger investment in land conservation and restoration, saying natural and working lands are a cost-effective climate strategy that also provides biodiversity, water quality, and public health benefits. They urged passage of legislation to increase funding, improve PILOT equity, and strengthen land-use planning and mitigation requirements. They also backed removing Chapter 91 licensing requirements for ecological restoration, arguing that the current process adds cost and delay. In a later panel, a forest scientist and an urban forestry advocate emphasized the carbon and cooling benefits of mature trees, called for greater protection of older forests, and supported bills to expand municipal reforestation and modernize public shade tree law. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• You did sign in, right? You did sign in, right? Yes, he did sign in? Yes, I did. Oh, great.
• legislation, in rulemaking, or in procurement.
• But nevertheless, we will put in the bill a mitigating factor if there's a medical issue, like you have
• But nevertheless, we will put in the bill a mitigating factor if there's a medical issue, like you have
• And when you're involved in a domestic violence, ...of what's fair for the parents.

Bills: SB1004, SB1012, SB1100, SB1110, SB1170, SB1213, SB1317, SB1402, SB1413, SB1416, SB1476, SB1511, SB1573, SB1655, SB1656, SB1709, SB1720, SB1723, SB1725, SCR1040

Keywords: sex offender registration, sex offender registry, A.R.S. 13-3821, sexual offenses, public safety, GPS monitoring, electronic monitoring, transient offender, homeless registrant, online identifiers, internet identifiers, sheriff notification, Department of Public Safety, DPS, DNA collection, juvenile adjudication, kidnapping of a minor, unlawful imprisonment of a minor, lifetime registration, community notification

Transcript Highlights:

• In Column E, you have fire recovery and mitigation.
• In Column F, you have anything related to flooding and efforts to mitigate that or respond to previous
• in the wildfire mitigation space.
• We are investing in mitigating the risk.
• Utilities that are in compliance with the wildfire mitigation plan.

Transcript Highlights:

• in 2026 and the jurisdictions in 2027 that are either in the middle of the process or just getting ready
• My colleague... ...permits in a timely and fair manner to ensure predictability.
• So really the commonality in all of these provisions that are attempting to increase a timely, fair,
• It was defined in 1963 in planning enabling practice.
• It was defined in 1963 in the Planning Enabling Act as follows.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee held a work session on implementation of recent housing, planning, and climate-related laws. Department of Commerce staff reviewed the 2023 climate planning law, explaining that all jurisdictions must adopt a climate resiliency sub-element addressing natural hazards, use scientifically credible climate projections, and prioritize actions that benefit overburdened communities. They described Commerce’s guidance, the Resilient Washington tool, and the climate policy explorer, and noted that climate planning grants are being drawn down over time, with 2029 as the key deadline for remaining Puget Sound jurisdictions. Local government witnesses then described comprehensive plan updates and implementation challenges. Pierce County said its adopted plan retracted some urban growth area acreage, added substantial housing capacity, focused growth near transit, streamlined development rules, and set goals for greenhouse gas reduction, forest conservation, and tree canopy expansion, while asking for more technical assistance and clearer state guidance. Redmond said its update emphasized transit-oriented development, housing, climate resilience, and inclusive engagement, but that mid-course legislative changes forced costly supplemental work and created problems with regulatory stability, clarity, and overlapping accountability requirements. Snohomish County said it is now in early implementation, translating its adopted plan into zoning and development regulations, and emphasized the need for clearer statutory language, realistic timelines, and ongoing coordination across agencies and jurisdictions. The American Planning Association of Washington identified three statutory inconsistencies in recent planning laws: the use of undefined “guidelines” in design review provisions, the use of “variance” where planners believe “departure” better fits middle housing and design flexibility, and the lack of a clear definition of “administrative design review” in the subdivision statute. APA said these ambiguities can create delay and undermine timely, fair, and predictable permitting, and asked the committee to consider minor statutory fixes. No votes were taken; the committee adjourned after hearing testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 6075 is regarding fairness and mitigation requirements.
• of the sale, publish lists in pamphlet form, post a copy of the notice in the Olympia office, and in
• In addition, notice of land sales no longer have to be posted in DNR's Olympia office or in the appropriate
• over in the House.
• appraisal and for at least fair market value, and only if such transaction is in the best interest of

Summary: The Washington State Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee heard public testimony on several bills. Senate Bill 5930 would create a new conflict-of-interest exception allowing spouses of irrigation district directors to be employed by the district if they were already employed before the director’s election, with disclosure and recusal requirements. The sponsor and a representative of the Washington State Water Resources Association said the bill would help rural irrigation districts recruit and retain workers while keeping safeguards in place. Written testimony was reported as 58 pro and 1 con, and the public hearing was closed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6075, which would expand use of the Habitat Conservation Account to help landowners when mitigation requirements from Ecology or Fish and Wildlife are unusually costly or reduce the financial benefit of property by more than half. The sponsor said the bill is intended to provide relief to landowners facing expensive mitigation obligations. No one testified in person, though 296 people signed in pro and 2 con, and the hearing was closed. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 6216, a DNR efficiency bill that would modernize timber and land sale notice requirements by moving publication to the agency website, eliminating pamphlet and certain physical posting requirements, and allowing more flexible methods for smaller sales. DNR and forest industry representatives supported the bill as a cost-saving and efficiency measure, and testimony noted that state trust land sales generate significant revenue for public services. Written testimony was reported as 60 pro and 1 con, and the hearing was closed. Finally, after waiving the five-day notice rule, the committee heard Senate Bill 6233, which would increase criminal wildlife penalty assessments for trafficking in covered animal species and direct half of the penalty revenue to the University of Washington’s Center for Environmental Forensic Science. Committee members asked about the scope of “trade,” the treatment of legally harvested animals, and the center’s role. The center’s director testified that the funding would support wildlife forensic research used to combat illegal wildlife trafficking. Written testimony was reported as 6 pro and 62 con, and the committee concluded its business for the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2023, our insurer stopped writing landlord policies in California and dropped us.
• I am here in support of SB 1301.
• I lost our home in the fire.
• We still rank 23rd in the country, even though the risk in California is the fourth largest.
• the system that families depend on in their worst moments in life.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met to consider several insurance-related bills, with SB 1301 by Senator Allen and SB 876 by Senator Padilla receiving the most discussion. SB 1301 would reform residential property insurance non-renewals by requiring clearer written explanations, giving policyholders a chance to fix identified issues, and limiting non-renewals based on unreasonable grounds. The bill was supported by consumer advocates, fire survivors, local officials, and several organizations, while insurers said they had worked extensively with the author and were moving to neutral, though they still raised implementation and proprietary-information concerns. The committee voted to pass SB 1301 as amended to Appropriations, with the roll left open briefly before the bill was declared out. SB 876 would overhaul wildfire and disaster claims handling by requiring updated replacement-cost estimates, stronger extended replacement-cost and building-code coverage options, faster status updates when adjusters change, and other consumer protections. Supporters included the Department of Insurance, United Policyholders, consumer groups, and local representatives, who argued the bill addresses underinsurance, delays, and inconsistent claims handling exposed by recent wildfires. Several industry groups said recent amendments resolved major concerns and moved them to neutral, while the California Fair Plan remained respectfully opposed pending further review. The committee approved SB 876 as amended to Judiciary, again leaving the roll open briefly before finalizing the vote. The committee also took up a consent item, SB 536 by Senator Archuleta, which was approved unanimously to Appropriations. Other bills listed at the start of the hearing, SB 555 and SB 795, were pulled at the request of the authors and were not heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• The change in this section is to broaden the types of offsets that can be used as part of the mitigation
• The change in this section is to broaden the types of offsets that can be used as part of the mitigation
• region in mitigating congestion and reducing transportation pollution.
• We are a labor and grassroots coalition united in support of a fair tax code and a budget sufficient
• for greenhouse gas mitigation that will be available to our counties in order for them to be able to

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think you've seen an industry who's more than willing To pay their fair share in the state.
• Issue number two is cattle fever tick mitigation. 383 Recommendations provide $7.3 million in all funds
• in the rider because those have been rolled into the base. 410 Writer 9 cattle fever tick mitigation
• We could do better in terms of paying people fair and livable wages, sorry. Thank you.
• We could 572 do better in terms of paying people fair and livable wages, sorry. Thank you.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present to hear Article VI Natural Resources agency budget recommendations, beginning with the Railroad Commission. LBB staff summarized the commission’s 2026-27 base recommendation at $458.7 million, down from the prior biennium, with an increased FTE cap. The presentation highlighted reduced federal IIJA funding, volatility in oil and gas regulation account 5155, continued support for IT modernization, and rider changes. The commission’s major exceptional items were then presented, including requests for produced water and injection data reporting, an authorized pit registration system, regulatory filing/permitting upgrades, an underground injection well investigation team, site remediation support, and especially $100 million for orphan well plugging. Members asked about biennium-to-biennium comparisons, salary biennialization, the scale of orphan well risks, federal funding delays, bonding, and whether the state should rely more on industry or general revenue for plugging costs. Commission leadership explained that orphan wells can threaten water and public safety, that plugging costs have risen sharply, and that current funding is insufficient to keep up with emergency wells and the backlog; they also said the agency is moving to cloud-based systems with cybersecurity protections and that the proposed performance measure may need adjustment if funding does not increase. The Railroad Commission testimony was followed by LBB and agency testimony for the Texas Animal Health Commission. LBB described a $42 million recommendation for 2026-27, an increase overall, but with a reduced FTE cap due to turnover and salary reallocation. The recommendation maintained funding for cattle fever tick work, chronic wasting disease, lab testing through an MOU with Texas A&M’s veterinary diagnostic lab, and a new $5 million spay-and-neuter pilot program, while deleting a capital budget rider and adjusting riders tied to entry point inspection stations and clinical trials. Agency leadership then outlined the commission’s mission to protect livestock health and the state’s $22 billion animal industry, and described major disease threats including highly pathogenic avian influenza, cattle fever ticks, New World screwworm, and chronic wasting disease. Their exceptional items focused on recruiting and retaining veterinarians, replacing fleet vehicles, creating an ectoparasite identification lab, adding field staff and IT support, improving records and epidemiology reporting, strengthening central administration, supporting secure food supply planning, expanding chronic wasting disease work, and staffing the new spay-and-neuter program. Members asked about field identification of ticks, the use of disinfectants and PPE, fleet management, the scale of cattle fever tick risk, and chronic wasting disease; the agency explained its current inspection and lab-confirmation process, its reliance on field disinfecting and biosecurity, and the need for more staff and better data systems to keep pace with growing workloads and disease threats.

Transcript Highlights:

• rounds in the past.
• got that in front?
• In fairness, a lot of stakeholders have raised issues.
• In all fairness, on our end, our data systems had not caught up to the new fee system, so we had incomplete
• Measure in 2022.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The ways are now in the hundreds of millions of dollars with no end in sight.
• Climate mitigation actions in the United States have resulted in $5.8 trillion in economic losses.
• Investment in active transit is also critical in reducing greenhouse gases.
• So it's gotten a little bit more attention in the Taxes Committee for sure, but in the In the Legislature
• Fair enough, Madam Chair. We did, as I said, have this discussion in the Transportation Committee.

Bills: HF2438

Keywords: transportation finance, transportation policy, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Metropolitan Council, highway funding, trunk highway fund, county state-aid highway fund, municipal state-aid street fund, state aid roads, local roads, bridge funding, road construction, transit funding, passenger rail, freight rail, aviation, airport development, safe routes to school