Transcript Highlights:

• saying the state doesn't prevent or...
• Our state board of the AIA, we represent around 5,200 licensed architects across the state.
• of Washington bills as well.
• Well, in many of these states, they're also home-rule states, so we don't know what their adopted local
• There has been an enormous migration of business across the state line into the state of Kansas.

Committee: House Commerce

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Following this senseless tragedy, our leadership publicly stated that the responders were, and I quote
• We do not recognize EMS as an essential service in the state.
• And they don't just cover Hennepin County; they cover the whole state.
• of EMS in the state as a whole.<00:28:17.600><c> John,</c> whole.
• If Washington wants to do something, this is what they can do. issue is the wheels moving means that

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Washington.
• I was teaching at the best university in the state of California before I came to the legislature.
• for state facilities.
• By the state for state facilities.
• incur, because the state isn't the state.

Summary: The committee began without a quorum and heard several bills in subcommittee format. AB 1546, which would increase penalties for repeat DUI offenders by allowing a third DUI within 10 years to be charged as a wobbler, requiring a fifth DUI to be a felony, and lengthening ignition interlock and license revocation periods, drew strong support from law enforcement and district attorney groups and opposition from public defenders and reform advocates who argued the bill would further criminalize substance use and mental health issues. No vote was taken because there was no quorum at the time. AB 1595, aimed at standardizing post-conviction procedures for wrongful conviction claims and clarifying courts’ authority to consider new evidence, was supported by innocence and public defender organizations and opposed by district attorneys, who said existing habeas law is already clear and that the bill would add complexity and burden courts. AB 292, which would impose mandatory jail time for repeat felony domestic violence offenders within seven years, was supported by sheriffs, prosecutors, probation officers, and local governments, but opposed by domestic violence survivor advocates and public defender groups who warned it would not deter abuse and could criminalize survivors and divert resources from services. AB 1816, allowing courts to extend probation up to one additional year for sex offenders who have not completed required treatment, drew support from probation and law enforcement groups and opposition from public defenders and civil liberties advocates concerned about longer supervision, technical violations, and barriers such as poverty and treatment access; the committee later took a roll call and passed the bill 3-1, with one member not voting, sending it to Appropriations. After quorum was established, the committee also passed AB 1627, which would bar people with misconduct in immigration enforcement from becoming California peace officers, and AB 1927, which would create a misdemeanor for falsely impersonating a bail agent to solicit bail, both on due pass motions to Judiciary/Appropriations as amended. AB 1854, a shield-law measure expanding protections for reproductive and gender-affirming health care providers, patients, and related businesses from out-of-state legal process, was supported by the Attorney General’s office and reproductive rights groups and opposed by anti-abortion and family policy organizations; it was moved on a due pass motion to Judiciary. The committee then heard AB 1872, which would make repeat adult swatting offenses a felony/wobbler and require restitution for property damage, with support from law enforcement, prosecutors, and civil liberties advocates and opposition from public defenders and justice reform groups who argued the bill would not deter conduct and could disproportionately affect people with mental illness or undocumented status. A motion to advance AB 1872 was made, but the transcript cuts off before any final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• But under the current state of affairs, because it's not actual pending litigation—this is pre-litigation—a
• That is set by the state, and those prices for that fee for service as we were last updated in 2008.
• So does the state still continue to set the fees? Chair: You're recognized.
• Reilly Washington, Madison Clerk of Court and Comptroller waiving in support.
• Representative Nixon: Can you tell me when the first trust in the state of Florida was established?

Transcript Highlights:

• , and state auditor-elect.
• </c><00:04:27.759><c> elect,</c> for the Secretary of State elect, for the Secretary of State elect,
• </c> attorney general elect, and state attorney general elect, and state auditor- auditor- auditor- elect
• </c> conjunction with state elections. conjunction with state elections.
• So just we appreciate the state.

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's call this Missouri State Capitol Commission meeting to order.
• Washington. Wassinger? Present. Witzel? Here. Zellers. Here. There are seven members present.
• department went around and identified 200-year-old trees, or possibly 200-year-old trees, around the state
• What's been made has seconded that we received as stated. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye.
• Motion has been made, seconded, and passed that we proceed with a motion as stated.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Missouri State Capitol Commission met with a quorum present and approved the minutes from its November 3, 2025 meeting. Members also discussed tentative meeting dates for 2026, including May 4, August 3, and November 2, all at noon. A representative from the Missouri Department of Conservation then provided an update on the America 250 “Liberty Tree” effort, explaining plans to plant a heritage white oak-family tree at the Capitol Complex in late March and to identify and map surviving historic Liberty Trees across the state. The main substantive discussion focused on the Capitol restoration project and the need to hire an owner’s representative. Members reviewed the construction subcommittee’s work, Parsons Engineering’s review, and the goal of keeping the project within the $595 million budget while addressing restoration, ADA, HVAC, mezzanines, fiber optics, and parking needs. After clarifying the procurement process, the commission voted to authorize the Office of Administration and FMDC to prepare an RFQ/RFP for an owner’s representative, subject to appropriations, with the understanding that the commission will later review and approve the selection process and candidate recommendations. Commission staff also explained that the owner’s representative selection would use the state’s qualification-based process, including an open solicitation, scoring, a shortlist of three, interviews, and a final recommendation, with the process expected to take about 19 weeks. Near the end of the meeting, a member moved to approve planting the Show-Me 250 Liberty Tree on the Capitol grounds, and the commission unanimously approved that motion before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• He has a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Iowa State." it's dispatched.
• This is absolutely distinct among the lower 48 states.
• </c> provided to the state right now. provided to the state right now.
• </c> natural gas within its state borders. natural gas within its state borders.
• </c> state faces compared to other states. state faces compared to other states.

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:

• </c> certainly is shared across our state. certainly is shared across our state.
• Uh, state patrol. So the state trooper has a take-home car.
• Uh, state patrol. So the state trooper has a take-home car.
• Uh, state patrol. So the state trooper has a take-home car.
• State patrol. So the state trooper has a take-home car.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> office of state lands and not state office of state lands and not state parks. parks. parks.
• Uh it's on university uh state aid.
• </c> States of America's US dollar. States of America's US dollar.
• Hot Springs State Parks is one of our hidden gems within the state.
• State Hot Springs State Parks is one of State Hot Springs State Parks is one of our<03:18:36.319><c>

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• State Pipe Trades Council in opposition.
• In-state fuel production for some time.
• Other states have that.
• Washington state, where we're building a plant right now, has such a measure in place on the books.
• Martin Vindial, on behalf of the California State Association of Electrical Workers, the California State

Summary: The committee hearing centered first on AB 1243, the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025, which would direct CalEPA to identify major fossil fuel companies, study California’s climate damages, and assess fees on the largest polluters to fund resilience, recovery, and related projects. The author and supporters argued the bill would make polluters help pay for climate harms, protect taxpayers, create jobs in construction and clean energy, and dedicate at least 40% of funds to disadvantaged communities. Support testimony came from environmental justice groups, labor, youth advocates, health organizations, and many individual witnesses, while opponents from the building trades, chambers of commerce, petroleum, and business groups warned it would raise fuel and consumer costs, threaten refinery jobs, and create legal and economic uncertainty. Committee members debated the bill’s impact on affordability, jobs, refinery closures, and whether cap-and-trade already addresses climate funding needs. The committee ultimately voted to give AB 1243 a due pass recommendation to the Judiciary Committee, with the roll left open. After AB 1243, the committee moved to another bill on wildfire mitigation and related resilience work. The author said the measure addresses a long-running wildfire problem and accepted committee amendments, describing the bill as a response to increasingly severe wildfire seasons and the need to help communities stay safe and rebuild after disasters. The transcript cuts off as that presentation begins, so no final action on the second bill is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe it is part of the State Department. Yes. So, state again committee.
• But normally that's what we do with a state in state law.
• But normally that's what we do with a state in state law.
• But normally that's what we do with a state in state law.
• But normally that's what we do with a state in state law.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up an amended bill, sponsored by Rep. Lily Walsh, aimed at requiring certain foreign principals involved in New Hampshire real estate transactions to file an affidavit electronically with the Department of Justice. Walsh explained that she revised the proposal after the first hearing by limiting it to leases longer than 14 days, removing notarization, allowing electronic filing, shortening notification timelines, and clarifying that lessors or agents would not have to verify the affidavit’s truthfulness. She asked the committee to recommend the bill ought to pass with amendment and also noted a technical correction to use “real estate licensee” rather than “realtor.” The main opposition came from a real estate practitioner on the committee, who argued the bill was burdensome, could create discrimination concerns, and would place real estate professionals in an improper enforcement role. He also questioned the bill’s practical effect and pointed to existing federal CFIUS procedures as a better mechanism for handling foreign investment concerns. Several members echoed concerns about whether the state had authority to regulate in this area, whether the bill would actually stop bad actors, and whether it could be enforced without discriminatory impacts. Representatives from New Boston Space Force Station testified in support, saying the legislation was critical to national security because proximity to the installation could allow adversaries to observe operations or interfere with radio frequency communications. They argued federal processes were too slow or ineffective and that state action could better push hostile actors away from the base. Committee members questioned the technical basis for the 10-mile buffer, whether it would really help, and why federal agencies were not handling the issue. No vote was taken during the exchange shown in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> now requires all agencies in the state now requires all agencies in the state to<00:17:15.600><c
• And so, the state of New Hampshire.
• </c> state and local permits for approvals. state and local permits for approvals.
• </c> the state. the state. Okay.<00:53:21.599><c> Representative</c><00:53:22.160><c> Germana.
• </c><00:56:26.079><c> I</c> state-of-the-art. I I like going too. I state-of-the-art.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held a hearing on a non-germane amendment to SB 302, a Senate bill originally requiring background checks for solid waste and hazardous waste facility owners. Representative Patenza explained that the amendment was intended to preserve and separate out language developed for the governor’s budget proposal and HB 2 concerning a solid waste facility site evaluation committee, a moratorium, and related public-benefit/site-benefit provisions, so the policy would still have a vehicle if the budget language did not advance. He said the proposal reflects extensive work by the House, the governor’s office, and DES, and he was open to further changes to align with any budget conference committee outcome. Dr. Adam Finkele testified in support of the amendment and the underlying site evaluation concept, arguing that landfill siting decisions should be based on cost-benefit analysis that includes public harms, local impacts, and regional impacts rather than only private benefits. He praised the committee process and prior legislation requiring agencies to respond substantively to public comments, and said the new language improves on the governor’s version by moving the committee’s review earlier in the process and requiring more complete application information, including alternatives and impacts on nearby wells and aquifers. He also supported a three-year moratorium on new landfill applications, saying it would give the state time to address leachate, PFAS, waste reduction, and weak siting rules. Members asked about possible conference committee changes, the value of having a separate review body, and whether the new rules would invite litigation. Dr. Finkele said he would likely sue over the rules because he считает them too weak, but also said the legislature could fix the problems through other bills such as HB 77. He acknowledged that the site evaluation committee is not a perfect solution, but said it is a useful intermediate step between the agency and the courts and likely would meet only rarely if capacity need remains the main trigger for future landfill decisions. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• the state.
• ><c> on</c><00:38:37.560><c> investment</c> of our state so the return on investment of our state so
• It is only state employees, and they must meet years of state service requirements.
• </c> everything the business of state everything the business of state government<01:26:06.920><c> HR
• What does the state pay for? We pay for the state employee benefit that is on the slide on page 10.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on the Department of Business and Economic Affairs’ budget, with testimony from division leadership on staffing, funding sources, and program changes. Early discussion focused on vacant positions in the agency, including a senior planner tied to FEMA requirements, a federally funded program assistant, a program specialist to be reclassified during a planning reorganization, and two Housing Champions positions that were authorized but not funded in the current biennium and are requested for 2026-27. The witnesses also explained that temporary welcome center positions are filled as funds allow, and that the agency’s requested general fund increase is driven largely by the Division of Travel and Tourism Development and its formula-based funding. Members then reviewed rest areas, welcome centers, outdoor recreation, economic development, procurement, and workforce opportunity lines. The department said there are 12 rest areas, with 5.8 million foot counts in FY 24, and that welcome centers are generally open year-round, though Sutton is currently closed and staffing relies on a mix of full-time and temporary employees. The outdoor recreation position is federally funded through USDA and supports business outreach, trade shows, and industry promotion. In economic development, the agency said increased dues reflect participation in the Northern Borders Regional Commission, and that a marketing line item is intended to support recruitment and promotion of growth industries such as advanced manufacturing and life sciences. The Apex Accelerator Program was described as a state-federal partnership requiring a state match and providing government contracting assistance to businesses, while the Office of Workforce Opportunity was explained as a federally funded WIOA-related effort administered through multiple agencies and subrecipients. A major point of discussion was the proposed reduction to the Small Business Development Center, which members said had generated significant public concern. The department described SBDC as a highly effective technical assistance program for new and small businesses, but said the cut was one of the few places it felt it had room to reduce funding. Members asked about federal support and matching requirements for various programs, and the department said less than half of its overall budget is generally funded by the state and that some programs require state match. The committee also discussed travel and tourism marketing and the Joint Promotional Program, with the department saying those funds support broader advertising campaigns and grants to chambers and trade associations for events such as Bike Week, Restaurant Week, and the Seafood Festival. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• within various other locations around the state, like at our headquarters, state park and state forest
• </c> the state like at our headquarters State the state like at our headquarters State Park<03:54:26.040
• </c><04:40:10.480><c> no</c><04:40:11.040><c> Sol</c> from state to state um there's no Sol from state
• /c><05:19:24.000><c> University</c><05:19:24.480><c> of</c> State Keane State and the University of State
• Keane State and the University of New New New Hampshire<05:19:27.200><c> and</c><05:19:28.200><c> you'll

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a Department of Corrections capital budget presentation on HB 25, focused largely on urgent maintenance and security needs at the New Hampshire State Prison for Men and other DOC facilities. DOC officials described the governor’s proposed priorities: boiler surge and radiator tank replacements, electronic controls and camera upgrades, and replacement of HVAC units using R22 refrigerant. They also outlined additional requested projects totaling $15.4 million, including a body alarm/man-down system at Northern New Hampshire Correctional Facility, steam line and trap repairs, fire alarm replacements, and removal of an underground diesel tank in favor of above-ground storage. DOC testified that many systems are well beyond their expected service life, including 40-year-old boilers, outdated analog cameras, and HVAC equipment using discontinued R22 refrigerant. They said the men’s prison is relying on a leased temporary boiler, has significant steam leaks causing major water loss and reduced boiler efficiency, and is dealing with frequent fire alarm faults and deteriorating wiring. On the body alarm system, they said the vendor no longer supports the equipment and replacement parts are no longer available. On the diesel tank, members questioned whether it could be abandoned in place or whether fuel could be reused; DOC said it had not explored all alternatives and would follow up, while noting the tank is underground and tied into the warehouse system. Members also asked whether some current investments could be reused in the planned new men’s prison. DOC said some items, such as air handlers, might potentially be moved, but most projects are needed to keep the current facility operational and would not be practical to transfer. Questions were also raised about the leased boiler arrangement, the use of the man-down system by staff and visitors, and whether the kitchen project could be converted to a modular unit. DOC said the modular kitchen approach is necessary because the existing kitchen cannot remain fully operational during repairs. The committee then moved to lapse extensions, and DOC identified several projects no longer needing extensions, including items numbered 64, 65, and 66 in HB 25, with the chair noting those balances would be deleted and that the lapse amount was $550,500.

Transcript Highlights:

• that work in other states?
• of Washington and the state of Texas.
• ," and then reinsert on line 23, "who's resident of the state and employed by an employer in the state
• If I have employees in California that aren't in state, the employer is still in the state, but the employee
• provides early childhood services with bordering states, neighboring states.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The conference committee discussed a child care tax credit bill and focused mainly on narrowing the eligibility language. Members agreed to remove a proposed 10-mile limitation tied to the state line at first, then revisited the issue after concerns from the Tax Department and Legislative Council about remote workers, border communities, and out-of-state daycare use. Testimony from the Greater North Dakota Chamber supported the credit as a more flexible version of a prior grant program, while committee members debated whether the credit should apply only to North Dakota residents, employees working in North Dakota, or child care providers located in North Dakota or border cities. After extended discussion, the committee settled on keeping the 10-mile language and striking the resident requirement from the definition of “qualified employee,” with the intent of better capturing border-area workers while avoiding broader unintended coverage. Members noted the bill is aimed at workforce and child care access, especially in Fargo, Grand Forks, and other border areas, and acknowledged that the language may still need adjustment in the future. The Tax Department and Legislative Council indicated the revised language would be workable. Representative Foss moved the final amendment to the conference committee report, Senator Powers seconded, and the motion passed on a roll call vote with all members voting yes: Chairman Rummel, Senator Marseille, Senator Powers, Representative Doctor, Representative Foss, and Representative Anderson. The committee then adjourned, with House and Senate members designated to carry the report forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's even harder now And if New Mexico, this state, passes this, it's gonna open the door for other states
• The commission as a state entity is required to file annual reports.
• And then some of us had different state-specific interests.
• So there has never been a state that's issued a formal apology.
• There's never been a state mechanism.

Bills: SM14

Committee: Senate Senate Indian, Rural & Cultural Affairs

Keywords: forced sterilization, coerced sterilization, Indigenous women, Native American women, women of color, reproductive justice, reproductive sovereignty, truth and reconciliation commission, memorial, trauma-informed care, reparative justice, human rights, bodily autonomy, Indian Health Service, Indian affairs, Commission on the Status of Women, survivor testimony, reproductive health access, genocide, transitional justice

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Texas state lead for climate cabinet.
• After that it was Congressman Craig Washington.
• We are watching what the leadership of the state does.
• And to protect the state.
• Protect every person in this state because if the leadership of the state does not care about the lives

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, please state your name and..."
• Then we have our state-supported business line, which is involved..."
• "Then we have our state-supported business line, which involves 24 states around the country that support
• Three of those serve the state of Louisiana. This is what our network map looks like.
• The Mardi Gras service is a state-supported operation.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation, Highways, and Public Works met on March 9, 2026, with a quorum present and approved the March 3 minutes without objection. The committee welcomed new members and then took up four priority program items: the statewide flood control program, the airport construction and development priority program, the port construction and development priority program, and the state highway priority program. Department of Transportation and Development staff explained that the highway packet reflected about $1.2 billion in total investment, including roughly $913 million scheduled for construction in the coming fiscal year, and included written justifications for projects discussed at road show hearings but not included in the program. Each of the four programs was approved without objection. The committee then heard a presentation from Amtrak on Louisiana service and the Mardi Gras route between New Orleans and Mobile. Amtrak reported that the new state-supported service, launched in August 2025, had exceeded its first-year ridership projection of 76,000 and had already carried more than 78,000 riders by late February, with strong customer satisfaction and high load factors. The presentation also described Louisiana’s broader Amtrak network, station ridership patterns, fares, and planned capital improvements funded through state matches and federal CRISI grants to improve rail fluidity and shorten travel times over time. Members focused heavily on rail crossing safety, asking about recent accidents and what was being done to reduce them. Amtrak said the crossings involved were generally equipped with gates and lights and that it was working with Operation Lifesaver, Norfolk Southern, and CSX on additional public safety messaging. Members also discussed the practical appeal of the service and asked a follow-up question about an emergency notification app used for railroad crossings. The meeting concluded with a motion by Vice Chair Carter to adjourn, adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Hurtell offers Senate Bill 1062, a bill to amend the State License Fee Act.
• Senator Hurtell offers Senate Bill 1062, a bill to amend the State License Fee Act.
• House Bill 5712, a bill to amend the law concerning certain state officers.
• House Bill 5712, a bill to amend the law concerning certain state officers.
• , but here, born out of a movement built by the people of this state.

Summary: The Senate met with 29 members present and a quorum, opened with invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved several temporary and full excusals for absent senators. During introduction and referral, the chamber received a large number of new Senate bills and House bills, covering election law, public health, occupational and skilled trades regulation, school code and school aid issues, child protection, cemetery and funeral regulation, insurance, estates, food law, political activity, credit unions, social welfare, transportation, natural resources, and a veterans hyperbaric oxygen therapy grant/fund proposal. All of these measures were read and referred to the appropriate committees; no substantive debate occurred at this stage. The Senate then moved into the Committee of the Whole and considered Senate Bills 480, 517, and 278. SB 480, dealing with child care organization licensing and regulation, received and adopted a committee substitute and advanced. SB 517, a Revised School Code bill, received and adopted a floor substitute and advanced. SB 278, amending the State Housing Development Authority Act, was reported without amendment and advanced. The Committee of the Whole reported SBs 480 and 517 with amendments and SB 278 without amendment, and the Senate concurred in those recommendations. On third reading, the Senate took up Senate Bill 49, amending the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act, and Senate Bill 50, amending the Code of Criminal Procedure. Senator Albert offered an amendment to SB 49 to require citations within six months of a violation, arguing it would align with federal standards and provide certainty; the amendment failed. Both SB 49 and SB 50 then passed by votes of 20-15, with three senators excused. The Senate also suspended the rules to immediately consider Senate Resolution 134, which recognized June 23-29, 2026 as Grassroots Week; Senator Kavanaugh spoke in support, citing civil rights history and modern grassroots organizing, and the resolution was adopted. The chamber then proceeded to statements and adjourned until Wednesday, June 24 at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We’ve done quite a bit of analysis through Plymouth State University to try to quantify, you know, kind
• </c><01:16:28.600><c> to</c> State University to to try to State University to to try to quantify<01:
• at the state overhaul and the state at the state level<02:57:25.720><c> leading</c><02:57:26.000><c>
• </c><03:13:04.880><c> we</c><03:13:05.000><c> would</c> state it would cost the state we would state
• It's been brought up numerous times to try to show that states that don't have universal purchasing have

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 224, which would redirect most money from New Hampshire’s renewable energy fund back to electric ratepayers. The bill sponsor argued the measure would lower energy costs, noting recent utility rate increases and estimating annual savings of roughly $2.5 million to $7.3 million for ratepayers. Supporters said the fund has accumulated money that should be returned to customers rather than used for subsidies, and they emphasized that the state has already rebated similar funds from RGGI for years. Opponents, including Rep. Kat McGee, argued the renewable energy fund is a successful, nonlapsing dedicated fund that supports local clean-energy projects, energy resilience, emissions reductions, and private investment. McGee said the fiscal note overstated the benefit of rebates and understated the loss of investment, claiming the average annual rebate would amount to less than $10 per customer while the program has helped leverage significant private dollars and nearly 10,000 projects. She urged the committee to reject the bill as a poor deal for the state and ratepayers. Committee members questioned the fiscal note, the size of the rebate, whether the bill would set a precedent for other dedicated funds, and whether the program’s incentives amount to picking winners and losers. The Department of Energy testified neutrally, explaining how the renewable energy fund works, including renewable energy credits, alternative compliance payments, and the fund’s use for renewable energy initiatives. No vote was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.