Transcript Highlights:

• I'm just trying to calculate out how much transmission we would need.
• Uh, so as part of that, we're leaving out transmission and distribution losses.
• </c> much transmission we would need. much transmission we would need.
• </c><00:54:08.160><c> and</c><00:54:08.400><c> distribution</c> out, uh, transmission and distribution
• out, uh, transmission and distribution losses.<00:54:09.440><c> Uh,</c><00:54:09.599><c> that</c><00

Bills: HF4770

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: biomass, anaerobic digester, renewable energy, sustainability, energy generation

Summary: The committee approved the March 26 minutes and then took up House File 4770, as amended by an A1 technical amendment. The bill was presented as a proposal to help Liberty Diversified International and Liberty Paper in Becker plan for replacement steam and energy supply as the Shuro facility closure approaches in 2030. Testimony described Liberty Paper’s current closed-loop steam arrangement with Shuro, the need to study future fuel and technology options, and the potential use of anaerobic digestion, biomass, construction and demolition waste, and food waste to produce steam and possibly power. Members asked about feedstock availability, the need for a feasibility study, possible backup natural gas use, and whether waste heat or wastewater heat could be useful. The bill was laid over as amended. The committee then heard a presentation from CenterPoint Energy on Minnesota heating demand and electrification. CenterPoint staff said affordability and reliability are central concerns and outlined how the utility manages customer costs through energy efficiency, contracting, storage, peak shaving, and conservation. Dr. Joel Lynch presented research on peak heating with natural gas and the “missing piece” in Minnesota’s electrification puzzle, explaining that Minnesota’s cold climate makes winter heating demand especially challenging and that replacing natural gas would require substantial new electric capacity and renewable resources. He compared his work with prior national and state studies and said the analysis used Minnesota-specific gas throughput, COP assumptions across several electrification scenarios, and January renewable capacity data. Lynch summarized preliminary findings that Minnesota’s peak gas heating throughput could be up to 40 gigawatts, with electric resistance heating implying roughly 36 gigawatts of new demand, and lower but still substantial demand under heat-pump scenarios. The presentation was informational only; no vote was taken on the CenterPoint presentation. The meeting ended with House File 4770 laid over and the energy demand presentation continuing.

Transcript Highlights:

• utilities to be able to uh to generate their own in and um uh that might help save some on the transmission
• </c><00:06:52.400><c> I</c> transmission end of it, you know. I transmission end of it, you know.
• That seems to me to be related to an awful lot of our issues around transmission, grid upgrades, and
• That seems to me to be related to an awful lot of our issues around transmission, grid upgrades, and
• That seems to me to be related to an awful lot of our issues around transmission, grid upgrades, and

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• protect our natural resources, protect ratepayers from footing the bill for the new energy and transmission
• 45.600><c> and</c> footing the bill for the new energy and footing the bill for the new energy and transmission
• needs and ensure that transmission needs and ensure that facilities<00:05:49.840><c> will</c><00:05:
• We could have localized power so we don't have the transmission loss.
• We could have localized power so we don't have the transmission loss.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are the over-the-road combination trucks designed for interstate travel and typically have bigger
• On the interstate freeway, there were zero fatalities in the urban areas where the speed limit was lower
• , and when it opened up, we had... ...along the interstate system everywhere, and when it opened up,
• And if a truck runs into somebody on the interstate... ...time as well.
• If a truck runs into somebody on the interstate, it is always the truck's fault.

Committee: House Transportation and Defense

Transcript Highlights:

• off the exit obviously if one is right off the exit of<01:04:44.680><c> an</c><01:04:44.799><c> interstate
• <c> the</c><01:04:45.520><c> other</c><01:04:45.680><c> one's</c><01:04:46.000><c> on</c> of an interstate
• and the other one's on of an interstate and the other one's on a<01:04:46.279><c> dirt</c><01:04:46.599
• owned by utilities, despite that very similar generator facilities that are both attached to the transmission
• If there's interstate commerce involved, you know, a transmission play here, FERC would be involved.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• We had district-wide striping and sign replacement projects on I-25 and more interstate work.
• We have a lot of interstate, so we have a lot of projects throughout the district.
• resources to the interstate.
• We're trying to keep our interstates together with these projects.
• So that's why we're dedicating those resources to the interstate.

Summary: The committee first received a detailed New Mexico DOT District 5 presentation from Rhonda Lopez. She reviewed District 5’s budget, staffing vacancies, completed and ongoing special appropriations from 2020 through 2025, active construction projects, maintenance work, STIP and local government funding, and equipment needs. Members asked about a guardrail issue near U.S. 64, the status of the 5% local match for Transportation Project Fund projects, and the New Mexico 371/Navajo Route 36 intersection; DOT said the match agreements were in place or waived where eligible, and that the Navajo Nation funding agreement was nearly finalized. The chair then moved the agenda to bills before finishing the remaining presentations later. House Bill 270, dealing with contributions to apprenticeship and training programs on public works projects, was presented by Rep. Borrego as a follow-up to the 2024 workforce development and apprenticeship trust fund law. The bill would remove an exclusion for street, highway, bridge, road, utility, and maintenance contracts and require contributions unless a trade classification has no approved apprenticeship program. Associated Contractors and the Asphalt Pavement Association opposed the bill, arguing it would raise road project costs and duplicate existing training programs. Members raised concerns about notice, added costs, and whether contractors with existing programs would be paying twice. A motion to table failed on a tie vote, and a later motion to pass also failed on a tie vote, leaving the bill in committee and available for reconsideration. Ranking Member Brown then presented House Bill 322, which would create a transportation trust fund and transportation program fund, with a planned distribution beginning in 2029, including a 5% use for federal matching funds. The bill would also dedicate a portion of the gross receipts tax on electricity and redirect part of the motor vehicle excise tax to grow the fund. Associated Contractors and the Asphalt Pavement Association supported the concept, saying it would help sustain DOT and address the state’s road maintenance gap. Members questioned the electricity tax component, its effect on ratepayers and data centers, the interaction with SB 2 and bond financing, and how projects would be prioritized. A motion to pass failed on a tie vote, and the ranking member suggested the bill could be reconsidered with an amendment removing the electricity portion. The committee then heard a District 4 DOT presentation from assistant district engineer Cruz Sudoste, covering the district’s geography, budget, staffing, completed and active projects, STIP and local government programs, and equipment replacement needs. Members asked about school district uses of transportation project funds and the impact of aging equipment on repair costs. The presentation concluded without any vote or other action on the district report.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:37.040><c> 35,</c> Foley and Interstate 35, Foley and Interstate 35, completing<00:10:38.960
• </c><00:34:52.840><c> 694</c> on the overpass from Interstate 694 on the overpass from Interstate 694
• </c> cannot safely cross Interstate 694. cannot safely cross Interstate 694.
• </c> that has become a norm in Interstate that has become a norm in Interstate overpasses.<00:35:32.040
• Interstate. Interstate.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• A bill enacting the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, providing for the appointment of New Mexico
• Compact Commissioners, requiring the public posting of Interstate Commission bylaws, rules, and minutes
• enacting new sections of the Medical Practice Act, and providing for a contingent repeal of the Interstate
• An act relating to licensure, enacting the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. of New Mexico Compact
• for a contingent repeal of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact: Senate Bill 1.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you talk a little bit about what happened on the Senate floor yesterday evening with the transmission
• Was the expectation that transmission would move in tandem with the Cultural Resources Bill, and did
• desire to move both a cultural resource bill that would protect those interests for tribes and the transmission

Summary: Senate and House Democratic leaders said they were pleased with progress before cutoff, highlighting work on immigration/federal-overreach protections and affordability measures. They cited bills such as restrictions on ICE activity in private spaces, employer notice requirements for ICE worksite actions, housing expansion in commercial and mixed-use zones, limits on medical debt interest, senior property tax relief, grocery-store covenant restrictions, preventive health care access, energy relief for low-income households, and the proposed millionaire’s tax, which they said would support tax credits and long-term fiscal sustainability. They also noted strong bipartisan movement on many bills and said they were now focused on processing House bills in the Senate and vice versa. Several stalled or controversial measures were discussed. Leaders said the JR bill did not advance in the House because it lacked votes, though support had grown and stakeholder engagement continued. Child welfare and controlled-substance/endangerment bills were described as still under discussion, with lawmakers saying there were differing views on the best way to protect children and that some proposals were paused for further work. The Senate-side transmission and cultural resources package also ran into procedural and timing problems, with one bill ultimately not moving after a request for a full reading delayed the plan. The governor’s comments on the millionaire’s tax and the updated revenue forecast were a major topic. Democrats said they welcomed the governor’s tax ideas, were aiming to balance meaningful tax relief with a sustainable budget, and saw the forecast as providing some breathing room and more reserve capacity, though much of the new revenue would be absorbed by caseload growth and maintenance costs. They also discussed a proposed employer assessment tied to Medicaid-funded health coverage, saying it was intended to address federal cuts and shifting costs, while acknowledging concerns from employers and nonprofits. Other items included the tort-liability/survivor claims bill, which leaders said would preserve jury trials and damages while creating a claims process, the 0.05 BAC impaired-driving bill, and a pension-related proposal to terminate and restate LEOFF Plan 1, with some related transfer ideas still unresolved.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> dealt uh inter interstate horse racing. dealt uh inter interstate horse racing.
• Uh the first interstate remote races.
• <00:15:43.839><c> allows</c><00:15:44.160><c> for</c> Interstate Horse Racing Act allows for Interstate
• Under the Interstate Horse Racing Act, which I said authorizes interstate wagers on horse racing, it
• Under the Interstate Horse resides.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on SB 60, which would expressly authorize advanced deposit wagering for horse racing in New Hampshire and set the online tax rate at 1.25%, matching the existing rate for in-person horse betting at Seabrook and Belmont. Senator Tim Lang said the bill is intended to clarify that online horse betting is permitted, regulate the activity, and create a revenue stream while keeping the tax rate consistent with brick-and-mortar wagering. Members asked about the rate compared with other states, whether the bill was really about casino front money, and whether geofencing would apply; Lang and later witnesses said the bill is narrowly limited to parimutuel horse racing and would use geofencing to keep wagering within New Hampshire. Peter Bragdon, speaking for Churchill Downs, supported the bill and described advanced deposit wagering as remote betting on horse races under the Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978. He said Churchill Downs and other operators have long been active in New Hampshire, but the state’s lack of a specific statute has created a gray area. Bragdon said Churchill Downs stopped its own New Hampshire online operations in 2022 after discussions with the Lottery Commission and attorney general, while competitors continued operating, and he framed the bill as a fairness and consumer-protection measure that would clarify the law going forward. He also said the bill would not affect historic horse racing machines and would not create cannibalization of charitable gaming. Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre said the Lottery Commission and attorney general had identified the issue as similar to the earlier fantasy sports situation, where legislation was used to regulate an activity rather than pursue enforcement. He said the commission requested the bill, would serve as the regulator, and would address violations through rulemaking and penalties. McIntyre said operators would maintain customer and transaction records, with the commission reviewing them as needed, and he noted that three operators are currently active in the state and not paying the proposed 1.25% rate. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• so today is our day of compacts, and we will start off with House Bill 10, Physician Assistant Interstate
• And we will start off with House Bill 10, Physician Assistant Interstate Compact.
• So moving on to the next one, we have social work licensure interstate compact.
• We have Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact. Representative Herndon, or Sadia Lopez.
• House Bill 31, which is the EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact. And she has come armed.

Committee: House House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• and uh potentially cutting<00:40:13.680><c> costs</c><00:40:14.200><c> for</c><00:40:14.480><c> transmission
• </c><00:40:15.200><c> and</c><00:40:15.680><c> other</c> cutting costs for transmission and other cutting
• costs for transmission and other things<00:40:16.520><c> uh</c><00:40:17.160><c> and</c><00:40:17.280
• Now, as a strategy for minimizing transmission and distribution costs, what these units can do, the modular
• </c><00:45:36.839><c> distribution</c> minimizing transmission distribution minimizing transmission distribution

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you want to replace it with just have it say in basic transmission Do you want to replace it with
• anything, or just have it say, in basic transmission prevention?

Summary: The H.R. 322 task force on public health outcomes of incurable STIs in Louisiana met on January 7 with a quorum present and approved the November 19 minutes. Members then reviewed the draft final report and discussed final edits before approving it for submission. The main substantive changes involved recommendations in the report: Rep. Spell’s emailed suggestion to remove the term “cultural competency” from recommendation 6 was accepted, and members discussed but ultimately kept the reference to LDOE in recommendation 2, with some members noting it was only a recommendation and did not impose any requirement. The group also agreed to make stylistic changes so that “State Fiscal Impact” appears as a standalone, emphasized item wherever it is referenced in the recommendations and body of the report. Before approval, members expressed appreciation for the work of the task force and the report’s preparation. The motion to approve the draft report as amended passed, with Rep. Moore noting an abstention from the approval motion. The task force then reviewed next steps for submitting the final report to the legislature and legislative library and distributing digital copies to members, and adjourned after no public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you want to replace it with just have it say in basic transmission Do you want to replace it with
• anything, or just have it say, in basic transmission prevention?

Summary: The H.R. 322 task force on public health outcomes of incurable STIs in Louisiana met on January 7, established quorum, and approved the November 19 minutes. Members then reviewed the draft final report and incorporated final edits. One change removed the term “cultural competency” from recommendation 6 after concerns it could imply stigma; another discussion centered on whether to keep a reference to LDOE in recommendation 2, and the task force ultimately left it in as a nonbinding recommendation for review and cooperation. Members also made formatting and wording changes to recommendations 2, 4, 5, and 6, including clarifying the presentation of “State Fiscal Impact” and related stylistic edits. After discussion, the task force moved to approve the draft report as amended. One member abstained because of educational recommendations in the report, but there were no votes in opposition, and the report was accepted by majority vote. The task force was told the final report would be submitted to the Legislature and the Legislative Library, and each member would receive a digital PDF copy. No public comment was offered, and the meeting adjourned after brief closing remarks thanking members and staff for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, members, Senate Bill 24 by Senator Connick designates Interstate 49 as Senator Jay Bennett
• “Naming Interstate 49 to honor Senator Johnson is particularly meaningful because the north-south highway
• urges and requests the Department of Transportation and Development make certain improvements to Interstate
• The Department of Transportation and Development make certain improvements to Interstate 12 and Livingston
• Of the $829 million, $829 million, Particularly interstates and evacuation routes, of the $829 million

Bills: HCR63 , HCR69 , SCR6 , SCR18 , SB2 , SB19 , SB24 , SB50 , SB70 , SB96 , SB101 , SB103 , SB104 , SB114 , SB122 , SB159 , SB160 , SB182 , SB412 , SB418 , SB460

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on Monday, April 27, with a quorum present and took up a series of Senate bills and one House concurrent resolution, most of them related to transportation infrastructure, memorial highway designations, and prestige license plates. Early action centered on Senate Bill 122, which would direct the Department of Transportation and Development to be more proactive about bridge maintenance, inspection, reporting, and public meetings on bridge conditions; the committee adopted a large amendment package before reporting the bill with amendments. The committee also reported favorably SCR 6 supporting an LNG facility at Port Fourchon and SCR 18 directing a study of commercial driver’s license privileges compared with neighboring states. Several bills designated memorial highways or bridges, including SB 50 for the Elwood T. Brady Jr. Memorial Bridge, SB 70 for the Officer Mark Brock Memorial Highway, SB 460 for the Hayden Lane Mangum Memorial Highway, SB 101 for the Daniel Edward Didillo Memorial Highway and Bill Blue Evans Memorial Highway, SB 160 for the Speaker Joe R. Salter Memorial Highway, SB 418 for the Dick and Jacques Schuford Memorial Highway, SB 103 for the Gladys Edwards Highway, SB 159 for the Surgeon Roelio Roy Gonzalez Jr. Memorial Highway, SB 182 for the Mayor Billy Cobb Memorial Highway, SB 104 for the Ernest J. Gaines Memorial Highway, and SB 2 for the Falcons Band Highway. The committee also approved SB 114 creating a prestige plate for the Foundation for Moral Law and SB 96 creating a Fallen Heroes prestige plate. One of the more substantive policy items was HCR 63, which creates a task force to study whether certain active-duty military personnel without civilian driver’s licenses should be allowed to operate federally owned vehicles on state highways; it was reported favorably after discussion of military training and licensing differences. Another major item was HCR 69, urging DOTD to improve Interstate 12 in Livingston Parish; the committee adopted amendments adding findings about flooding, drainage, and evacuation concerns, and then reported the resolution with amendments. The committee also considered SB 19 on the state employee retired prestige plate; after objections about whether proceeds should continue supporting LASERS, the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote, 13-1, with Representative Schamberhorn voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our transmission authority director, Claire Vigasa, also could not be here... and that funding will be
• Our transmission authority director, Claire Vigasa, also could not be here.
• Our transmission authority director, Claire Vigasa, also could not be here with us today, so I am presenting
• Chairman, and I brought this up at Energy Transmission...
• Claire Vigasa is the executive director of the Transmission Authority.

Summary: The committee received a compliance and budget update on Industrial Commission agencies and programs, including the Industrial Commission administrative office, the Oil and Gas Research Program, the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority, the State Energy Research Center, the Research Technology Park grant program, and related funds. Staff reviewed spending and balances for items such as electric grid resiliency grants, lignite research, enhanced oil recovery, the salt cavern business case study, and the new NDSU research and technology park grant. Members also discussed timing, carryover balances, matching requirements, and how some programs are structured to reimburse projects over several years rather than spend funds immediately. Karen Tyler of the Industrial Commission described the agency’s administrative budget, the grant management system nearing completion, and the transition to standalone audits and staffing after separating from other agencies. She also outlined the status of active grant rounds across lignite, oil and gas, renewable energy, outdoor heritage, and clean sustainable energy programs. Members asked about the length of active grants, demand for clean energy funding, and the possibility of future grant rounds. Tyler and members also discussed the salt cavern study, the need to better define its commercial value, and the research technology park grant’s cash-match requirement. Ron Ness then testified on enhanced oil recovery and broader oil and gas market conditions. He said North Dakota production remained steady, but future growth depends on infrastructure, longer laterals, and better use of natural gas and carbon dioxide for EOR. He described the state’s EOR grant round, the use of federal DOE funding to replace part of a state-funded project, and the expectation of additional grant rounds. Members asked about CO2 supply, storage, and the economics of using legacy fields and pipelines to extend oil production and support agriculture and industrial uses. The committee also heard from Bank of North Dakota President Don Morgan, who reviewed the bank’s mission, governance, lending verticals, disaster programs, and new initiatives. He said the bank is seeing deposit growth flatten and is responding to fintech competition by focusing on liquidity, risk management, and a new payment infrastructure initiative called Rough Rider Coin, which he emphasized is not crypto and not a public coin, but a banking payment rail for North Dakota institutions. Members asked about student loan rates, disaster lending, and how the bank’s lines of credit and balance sheet capacity are affected by deposit trends. Morgan said the bank remains profitable and continues to support agriculture, commerce, and industry through participation loans, student lending, and state-directed programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our transmission authority director, Claire Vigasa, also could not be here.
• Our transmission authority director, Claire Vigasa, also could not be here.
• Our transmission authority director, Claire Vigasa, also could not be here with us today, so I am presenting
• Chairman, and I brought this up at Energy Transmission Meeting up in Grand Forks, and Tyler Hammond was
• Claire Vigasa is the executive director of the Transmission Authority.

Summary: The committee took roll, approved the March 18 minutes, and then received a compliance-report update on the Industrial Commission and related funds and programs. Staff reviewed the status of one-time appropriations and grant programs, including electric grid resiliency, lignite research, enhanced oil recovery, the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority, the salt cavern business-case study, and the new NDSU research and technology park grant. Members asked about funding balances, reimbursement timing, matching requirements, and how some commitments would affect the State Investment Fund and future biennia. Industrial Commission staff then gave a broader update on the agency’s administrative office, grant management system, leadership transitions at several commission agencies, and active grant rounds. They reported that the grant management system is nearing completion, that several agency leadership searches have concluded, and that the commission’s grant programs currently have 108 active grants totaling more than $165 million. They also described the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority round, the oil and gas research program’s enhanced oil recovery awards, the grid resiliency grants, the salt cavern study, and the research technology park program, noting that some projects are awaiting federal funds or additional matching cash. Ron Ness, speaking for the Oil and Gas Research Council, focused on the state of the oil industry and the enhanced oil recovery “Bakken 2.0” effort. He said production remains steady, but future growth depends on better infrastructure, longer laterals, and new EOR methods such as CO2, natural gas, and surfactants. He emphasized the importance of the Bakkeneast pipeline and related gas-utilization projects, the recent DOE funding that will return some money to the research council, and the need to modernize tax and incentive rules for CO2-based recovery. Members discussed the potential economic benefits for oil, agriculture, and manufacturing. The Bank of North Dakota then presented its compliance report and a broader strategic update. Bank leadership reviewed the bank’s mission, governance, participation lending, student lending, disaster programs, and legislatively directed programs, and said the bank is managing for a flatter deposit base and stronger liquidity because of fintech competition and changing market conditions. They reported improved earnings, with net income rising to about $231 million, and described Rough Rider Coin as a new internal payment rail for North Dakota banks and credit unions, not a public cryptocurrency. Members asked about student loan eligibility, disaster lending, and the bank’s capacity to support state programs while maintaining its balance-sheet and liquidity requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• So Nextera was building a transmission line, and they were going through, unfortunately, core lesser
• wanted to build a line where it was because there was already disturbance on another existing transmission
• And we said, OK, well, we'll agree to do this because we needed the energy and the transmission capacity
• in terms of turnaround times, because we have such diversity, it might take six months to do a transmission
• So transmission lines, wind turbines, and those types of things are problematic for the birds.

Transcript Highlights:

• regional jet had been equipped with this ADBS. it would have been able to receive the Blackhawks' transmission
• I asked you specifically, how frequently does the Army turn off ADS-B out transmission?
• Chairwoman Ahmadi said doesn't make sense to me, that you wouldn't know there were problems with the transmission
• to get back to you and take it for the record on what the protocol is to ensure that ADS-B out transmissions
• First of all, the fact that ADS-B out, there's evidence that the transmissions were not received.

Committees: Senate Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation , Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Keywords: aviation safety, midair collision, American Airlines Flight 5342, Army Black Hawk helicopter, NTSB, FAA, ADS-B technology, safety protocols

Summary: The meeting focused on the discussions surrounding the tragic midair collision involving American Airlines Flight 5342 and an Army Black Hawk helicopter, which resulted in the loss of 67 lives. Testimonies were provided by key figures including NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy and FAA Acting Administrator Chris Richelieu. The committee expressed grave concerns regarding the existing safety protocols, questioning why the FAA failed to act on numerous warnings and data indicating potential collision risks. Members emphasized the need for urgent reforms in aviation safety to prevent such tragedies in the future. Specific highlights included the recognition of the importance of ADS-B out technology and concerns about the operational practices of military helicopters in controlled airspaces.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so they were focused on the transmission system, but they essentially said something that's very
• And so they were focused on the transmission system, but they essentially said something that's very
• That was both transmission and some distribution pieces.
• And then there was, for the transmission system, a very recent major connection reform in 2023.

Bills: SB6271 , SB6174

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: mattress stewardship, producer responsibility, extended producer responsibility, EPR, mattress recycling, solid waste, landfill diversion, illegal dumping, recycling program, Department of Ecology, producer responsibility organization, PRO, renovator, retailer obligations, collection sites, bulk pickup, drop-off locations, waste management, environmental compliance, circular economy