Video & Transcript : 'Arizona Long Term Care System' :
Page 499 of 500
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Farewells - 05/18/26
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And to be sure, this is a very well-crafted long-term plan. The gerrymandering started within days.
- And to be sure, this is a very well-crafted<00:10:11.560><c> long-term</c><00:10:12.120><c> plan.
- </c><00:10:12.800><c> The</c> well-crafted long-term plan. The well-crafted long-term plan.
- </c> goes a long way. goes a long way.
- </c> long way to drive. long way to drive.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Committee on Water Supply During Drought Nov 10th, 2025
Joint Legislative Committee on Water Supply During Drought
Transcript Highlights:
- But in terms of understanding our Earth system, this is a pretty great correlation for us to have some
- Of course, a very long-term projection, but we expect incremental declines as we march towards the 2080s
- Of course, a very long-term projection, but we expect incremental declines as we march towards the 2080s
- want to For that water supply data, I also want to highlight that we rely on our federal partners for long-term
- want to For that water supply data, I also want to highlight that we rely on our federal partners for long-term
Summary:
The committee heard first from Deputy State Climatologist Karen Bumbacco, who reviewed the weather and snowpack conditions that contributed to Washington’s 2025 drought. She said the state had a very warm and dry water year, with April through September ranking among the warmest and driest periods on record, and that three straight years of below-normal snowpack and precipitation had compounded drought impacts, especially in the Yakima Basin. She also explained that a weak La Niña could bring a wetter-than-normal winter, though temperature forecasts were less certain, and noted that long-term climate projections point to continued snowpack decline and earlier runoff timing.
Department of Ecology staff Rea Burns and Caroline Melor then described the state’s drought declaration process and response. They said Washington’s statutory drought threshold is less than 75% of normal water supply plus a hardship finding, and that Ecology extended the Yakima drought declaration in April and expanded it statewide in June. They discussed reliance on federal monitoring data and staffing at NRCS, USGS, Reclamation, and NOAA, and said federal staffing and funding instability has created concerns for snowpack and water data. They also reviewed drought response funding, noting that grants have supported projects in the Yakima and Dungeness basins and that the drought emergency account still has a balance available for current needs.
Burns gave a detailed update on the Yakima Basin, saying it experienced unprecedented conditions this year, including nearly empty reservoirs, curtailment orders sent to about 1,500 water users, and the first time even the most senior 1855 surface water rights were turned off. She said widespread compliance occurred, though the process exposed areas for improvement, especially coordination with federal partners. Committee members asked about the long-term basis for climate projections, the 75% drought threshold, federal impacts, drought insurance, reservoir storage, and whether the state should consider more drought funding or new storage projects. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Agriculture Apr 27th, 2026
Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- So not just obesity, diabetes, heart disease, increasing the cost of long-term health care.
- But what is the long-term plan? Because... Products. But what is the long-term plan?
- So talk to me about the long-term plan.
- You were asked about long-term success.
- As a long-term success.
Committees:
House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development , House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture & Rural Development
Keywords:
crawfish, agricultural labor, H-2A program, seasonal workforce, Louisiana economy, Healthy Food Retail Act, food access, food deserts, economic opportunity, public health, Louisiana agriculture, community development, fresh food, agriculture, national security, food production, supply chain, security task force, farm labor, Chinese investments
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Sale and possession of ghost guns prohibited 3/24/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Criminals do not care. Criminals do not care what laws we put in place.
- Criminals do not care.
- Criminals do not care. Criminals do not care what laws we put in place.
- Criminals do not care.
- And criminals don't care what laws we want to put in place because they haven't cared yet, nor they care
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Fifty Five - Tuesday, April 21
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- for the people of Missouri, especially when we consider what is at stake for our health care system.
- And the long-term consequences it poses for the people of Missouri, especially when we consider what
- is at stake for our health care system.
- Missouri's health care system is already under strain.
- And the bill sponsor has been very careful with his words today, very sort of evasive in terms of that
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the House Journal by roll call vote (117-5), and a long series of special guest introductions, including YouthBuild students, school groups, family members, former legislators, and a Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Day recognition. The chamber then moved to third-reading business and reconsideration motions on House Committee Substitute for House Bills 3283 and 3306. Members explained the bills needed to be sent back to Legislative Review to address possible conflicts with current case law and to tighten the language, especially around arbitration and municipal/court jurisdiction issues. The reconsideration motions and the motion to commit the bills to Legislative Review all passed by roll call votes in the 98-43 range.
The House then took up House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 982, which would revise Missouri’s sex offender registry system. The sponsor said the bill responds to concerns from an advocacy group and registry administrators, converting Missouri from a hybrid offense-based system to a true tier-based system aligned with federal SORNA standards, clarifying who must register, reducing litigation exposure, and adding related language on civil commitment housing, name changes, and carnival employees. Members asked about whether offenders could eventually petition off the registry; the sponsor said the bill would streamline removal where allowed under the tier system. House Amendment 1, correcting a typo, was adopted, the committee substitute was adopted, and the bill was third read and passed 141-4.
The House also debated House Joint Resolutions 173 and 174, a proposal to amend the constitution to phase out the state income tax and shift more of the tax burden toward sales and use taxes over time. Supporters argued the current income tax hurts the middle class, discourages growth, and places Missouri at a disadvantage compared with no-income-tax states like Tennessee; they said the measure would let voters decide and could improve economic development, population growth, and fairness by making taxes more visible and consumption-based. Opponents argued the plan would raise taxes on most Missourians, especially low- and middle-income families, seniors on fixed incomes, and people who spend more of their income on necessities, and that it would shift costs onto consumers while weakening funding for schools, health care, and other services. The debate was extensive and included questions about constitutional tax limits, revenue neutrality, and comparisons to Tennessee and Washington, but no final vote on the resolutions was shown in the transcript.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
CPC Public Hearing - Wed Mar 19, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Consumer Protection & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, are you thinking about using the energy and moving that energy to other islands long term?
- Um, are you thinking about using the energy and moving that energy to other islands long term?
- Um, are you thinking about using the energy and moving that energy to other islands long term?
- Um, are you thinking about using the energy and moving that energy to other islands long term?
- </c><01:22:07.320><c> term</c> that energy to other Islands long term that energy to other Islands long
Committee:
House Consumer Protection & Commerce
Summary:
The committee met on March 19, 2025, and first heard SB 137 SD2 HD1 relating to electric utilities. The Division of Consumer Advocacy and the Public Utilities Commission said they stood on their written comments, IBEW Local 1260 supported the bill, and Ulupono Initiative also supported it. Hawaiian Electric supported the intent but asked for an amendment, saying the bill’s definition of “acquiring entity” was too broad and could unintentionally cover purely local utility transactions. A later witness from Life of the Land supported the bill only if the merger/acquisition language were removed, arguing the PUC would not have a workable mechanism to let a cooperative intervene in a utility sale process. Committee members questioned whether the bill could still work without that section, and Ulupono said it was open to clarifying language but did not seek to remove the provision; the discussion ended without a vote in the excerpt provided.
The committee then took up SB 1220 SD2 relating to a renewable gas tariff. The Division of Consumer Advocacy and the PUC again stood on written comments. HGas strongly supported the measure, saying it would create a faster, more cost-effective path for a voluntary renewable gas tariff without requiring a full rate case, while preserving PUC oversight and consumer protections. The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas also supported the bill, emphasizing that it would expand consumer choice and help Hawaii’s clean energy goals while keeping the program voluntary and shielding non-participating customers from costs.
Henry Curtis of Life of the Land opposed the bill, arguing that HGas already had an active rate case and could have raised the issue there, and that the proposal did not increase renewable gas supply or speed up acquisition; he called it a gimmick. In response, HGas said the bill was mainly a mechanism to speed filing and that the details would be worked out in a PUC docket. Committee members pressed HGas on whether the measure would actually add renewable gas, what source would be used, and whether customers would simply be paying more for the same gas; HGas said it had two projects in development, including banagrass and hydrogen-related work, and that the tariff would be a voluntary opt-in rate for customers seeking renewable natural gas to meet sustainability goals. No vote was taken in the excerpt provided.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I just would like to see what, you know, what the law says. long-term differential is.
- All of this money comes from the school finance system so the school finance system the first funding
- term.
- If 1,200. govern school systems.
- students for statewide and regional high-demand jobs, further ensuring that credential attainment is a long-term
Committee:
House Public Education
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Emerging Issues Feb 25th, 2026
Emerging Issues and Professional Registration
Transcript Highlights:
- The system of reimbursing? I don't think that they're...
- proposal may initially appear to benefit dealers, frankly, we're concerned that it will ultimately create long-term
- And he's also a decades-long veteran.
- Of course, all that research takes a long time.
- I can't take care of my family with this.
Summary:
The committee first met in executive session and adopted House Committee Substitutes, then passed several bills by roll call vote. HCS for House Bills 1746 and 1769 was adopted and then voted do pass by 10-0. HCS for House Bill 3005 was adopted and passed 10-0 after the sponsor explained it removed a sentence requiring specific local review boards in library appeals processes. HCS for House Bills 1717 and 1643, dealing with alternative therapies, passed 7-2 with two present. HCS for House Bills 2817 and 2961 passed 8-1 with two present. HCS for House Bills 2035 and 2350 passed 10-0 with one present after a brief question about statutory citations. HCS for House Bills 1887, 2361, 1913, 2862, and 2321, a combined bill package, also passed 10-0 after members discussed digital depiction language and written victim request provisions.
The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 1914, which would change Missouri’s franchise law on warranty and recall reimbursement for auto dealers. Rep. David Castile presented the bill as a fairness measure, arguing manufacturers should pay dealers market-rate labor and parts reimbursement and that current warranty work often loses money for dealers and hurts service access. Supporters, including several dealers and technicians, said manufacturer time guides underpay warranty work, that the bill would help retain technicians, and that current appeal processes are cumbersome and time-consuming. They described large gaps between warranty and customer-pay labor times and said technicians often invest heavily in tools and training.
Opponents, including the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Toyota, General Motors, Ford, and business groups, argued the bill would raise costs for consumers, amount to a large increase in dealer compensation, and interfere with existing contracts. They said manufacturers already provide a process for requesting additional time, that most requests are approved, and that warranty work remains a profitable captive source of business for dealers. Several witnesses also argued the bill would not directly raise technician wages because technicians are employed by dealers, not manufacturers, and suggested broader competition or allowing independent repair shops instead. The hearing featured extensive questioning about recall versus warranty work, labor time guides, documentation requirements, and whether the legislature should be involved in these franchise disputes.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding Sep 2nd, 2025
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Banking and Insurance Mar 17th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- When you use the term beginning in your bill, does that mean that the report has to be available and
- Bennett Napier, speaking for New York, and you were with Florida Life Care Residents Association?
- The average age of residents in continuing care retirement communities is around 85 years old.
- But it's also equally important that we approach the protection in a way that preserves the long-term
- It's been a long, long day.
Summary:
The committee heard and advanced several insurance, financial regulation, and public safety bills. SB 1656, a large Office of Insurance Regulation bill, was taken up with a delete-all amendment and extensive discussion. The bill would increase transparency in insurance rates and mitigation data, update reciprocal insurer rules, limit use-and-file rate filings, expand cybersecurity breach notification, and strengthen oversight of continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). Residents and senior advocates generally supported stronger oversight to prevent bankruptcies like the Unison case, while CCRC operators and industry groups warned that lien authority, reserve requirements, and other provisions could raise borrowing costs and burden well-run communities. The committee adopted the delete-all amendment and then reported the bill favorably after debate and public testimony.
The committee also passed SB 1658 on the public records database for uniform mitigation verification forms, with a clarifying amendment protecting policyholders’ personal information. SB 1612 on financial institutions was reported favorably after an amendment and substitute amendment dealing with credit union investment limits and reimbursement rules for board members. SB 1740, an insurance bill aimed at reducing premiums and insolvency risk, was amended to prioritize rate-decrease filings and prohibit AI as the sole basis for claim denials; it was then reported favorably. SB 1212 on firefighter health and safety was amended to add occupational disease language and other firefighter protections, including safer gear, cancer prevention, and possible telehealth mental health services, and was also reported favorably.
Finally, SB 1184 on residual market insurers was amended to preserve existing excess-and-surplus line standards, strengthen consumer disclosures, and clarify Citizens-related appointment rules before being reported favorably. Throughout the meeting, committee members repeatedly noted that several bills were still being refined with stakeholders, and multiple public witnesses testified in support of or opposition to the CCRC and insurance provisions, focusing on resident protection, financial stability, and unintended cost impacts.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- There's just three of us, and we've been here a long time.
- , is there a way to discern through There's kratom in their system.
- If it's in your system at all, it's going to come up, just like if you had caffeine in your system, it's
- This long-term perspective gives me confidence in the benefits of traditional kratom when it is handled
- back in 2007, and I had a Fulbright to Malaysia to study pharmacophysiologic effects of kratom in long-term
Committee:
Senate Agricultural Affairs
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 40 Apr 29th, 2026
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- today doesn't mean we should put it out of mind and not take on the necessary reforms to ensure the long-term
- The burden then shifts to municipalities, to health care systems, and more importantly, to our children
- We care about our neighbors, we care about our residents, we care about our friends and our families.
- The justice system can act.
- Now, that doesn't mean that no one cares about it.
Summary:
The House first adopted several ceremonial resolutions congratulating three Eagle Scouts, then concurred in Senate amendments to House bills affecting the town of Milford’s alcohol licensing law and the town of Middleton’s charter. It also passed to enact a Senate bill on maintenance of private roads in Gloucester and engrossed a House bill allowing Plymouth to create a special revenue account for land acquisition. The chamber later observed moments of silence for former Lynn City Councilor Richard “Rick” Ford, Portuguese American community leader Louis Pedroso, and Quincy veteran Mildred “Millie” Cox, and welcomed several guest groups and dignitaries, including students from Fall River, D.A.R. Good Citizen award recipients, and a British minister visiting the State House.
Most of the floor session centered on FY27 budget amendments, especially housing and shelter policy. Members debated and rejected multiple Republican amendments that would have tightened eligibility for the HomeBASE and emergency shelter programs by requiring citizenship or limiting access to U.S. citizens with Massachusetts residency, with supporters arguing the changes would reduce costs and opponents saying the programs already have strict eligibility rules and that the proposals would exclude lawful residents and vulnerable families. The House also rejected an amendment to block Housing and Livable Communities grants from being conditioned on MBTA Communities Act compliance, with supporters calling it a reprieve for noncompliant towns and opponents saying the law is helping address the housing shortage. A consolidated housing/environment amendment was then adopted 154-0, funding major housing, shelter, clean water, climate, and food assistance accounts.
The chamber also defeated amendments to create a data center commission and to eliminate the vocational-technical school admissions lottery, though the latter was withdrawn after debate. Another rejected amendment would have suspended public policy and public benefit charges on electric and gas bills; opponents said that would eliminate low-income and senior bill relief. The House then turned to education-related amendments, rejecting proposals to change special education reimbursement formulas and to raise the reimbursement rate from 75% to 80%, with opponents arguing the ideas needed committee review and cost analysis. Finally, the House began debating an amendment to fully fund regional school transportation by removing “subject to appropriation,” but the transcript ends before any final vote on that item.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Sep 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- care share...
- In terms of working with law enforcement for part of the safe systems approach to reducing traffic fatalities
- responders have closed the bridge to pedestrian traffic right now, but I know that there are also some long-term
- Authority for immediate care.
- Most counties have sufficient short-term assets to cover their short-term liabilities.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
JLCAR Administrative Rules (12/18/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- And Senator Long, would you lead us, please? [Senator Long leads the Pledge of Allegiance.]
- </c> um if it is an existing septic system um if it is an existing septic system that<00:14:38.000><c
- And I was a little septic system.
- </c> potentially happen to the septic system. potentially happen to the septic system.
- </c> these ethic systems um uh and going on. these ethic systems um uh and going on.
Summary:
The committee began with routine business, including the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the minutes, seating of an alternate member, and approval of the consent agenda. It then took up Department of Health and Human Services Rule 25188 on New Hampshire Early Childhood and Out-of-School Time Credentials. Staff explained that the rule adopts two new parts to implement RSA 170E:50, which had long required rules. The main issue was an unclear comment created by changes in the department’s amended conditional approval request: language defining out-of-school-time basics and a requirement tied to the New Hampshire Professional Registry training transcript had been removed, creating a mismatch between the form and the rule text. The department said it revised the language so the form and rule now match. A member also asked about the fee schedule, and the department said the fees are sufficient and supported in part by federal funds. The committee then approved Rule 25188 as amended, with oral edits, on a voice vote.
The committee next considered Department of Environmental Services Rule 25206, dealing with subsurface wastewater rules and an administrative fine schedule. Staff said most comments had been addressed, but one remaining issue concerned the fine schedule because the prior interim rule had expired years ago. Staff also noted public concerns about septic tank replacement sizes, but pointed to waiver provisions and replacement-in-kind language that would still allow smaller existing systems to be replaced under certain conditions. DES officials explained that the rule package adds the fine schedule into the program rules and that no fines have been brought under these expired provisions for many years. They also described the waiver and grandfathering provisions as intended to protect existing systems and seasonal campgrounds from unnecessary upgrades.
A public witness, Christopher Albert, testified that two sections of the rule would harm manufactured home parks and cooperatives. He argued that the new “two people per bedroom” assumption and the minimum bedroom threshold for using water-meter data would inflate design flows, make water-meter data unusable, and increase costs for low-income residents. Committee members questioned both the witness and the agency about the assumptions. DES staff responded that the two-person-per-bedroom standard is meant for individual on-site system design, not citywide planning, and that water-meter data is only useful in larger or unusual facilities. They said the rule still allows flexibility through waivers and grandfathering for existing uses, and that the drinking-water rule cited by the witness was not the correct comparison. No final vote on Rule 25206 was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- up in a long-term return of firearms for folks.
- up in a long-term return of firearms for folks.
- up in a long-term return of firearms for folks.
- up in a long-term return of firearms for folks.
- up in a long-term return of firearms for folks.
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Law & Justice Jan 26th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm living proof of what DNA testing can do when the system allows it to move forward.
- After the issue's been resolved, has long since been destroyed and put away.
- That when our system gets it wrong, it responds with fairness, dignity, and accountability.
- Stabilizing funding now and in the long term is essential if we are to meet the emerging survivor needs
- SB 6017 fixes a significant flaw in Washington's justice system.
Summary:
The committee heard several public hearings on criminal justice and victim-related bills. SB 6087 would expand existing liability protections for donations of children’s items to include religious organizations and add strollers and car seats to the definition of children’s items; the sponsor said it would make it easier to donate usable baby equipment, and the Washington State Board of Health said it supported the goal but noted rulemaking and funding concerns under the original version. SB 5934 would change the standard for post-conviction DNA testing so courts must grant testing unless the state shows by clear and convincing evidence that the results could not demonstrate a likelihood of innocence; the Innocence Project and a DNA exoneree supported it as a way to reduce years of litigation, while prosecutors and sheriffs/police chiefs opposed it as a burden shift that could increase frivolous motions and strain lab and attorney resources. SB 5520 would revise Washington’s wrongful-conviction compensation law by broadening definitions, extending filing deadlines, removing the waiver requirement, and making other process changes; the sponsor and Innocence Project said it would reduce barriers and better fulfill the state’s promise to exonerees, and a DNA exoneree described years of litigation just to access compensation.
The committee also heard SB 6017, which would expand victim-centered and trauma-informed protections. The bill would allow a court to appoint a representative to ask questions of victims when a defendant represents themself, extend forensic exam consent to minors 13 and older in non-fatal strangulation cases, add female genital mutilation survivors to protections similar to the Sexual Assault Survivors Bill of Rights, and reauthorize and broaden the Safe Advisory Group’s mandate. Survivors, advocates, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy strongly supported the bill, describing courtroom questioning by self-represented defendants as retraumatizing and urging broader access to services for FGM survivors; defense advocates raised constitutional concerns about limiting a pro se defendant’s right to personally question witnesses and said the bill could be vulnerable to challenge without narrower guardrails. The hearing drew extensive survivor testimony, and the chair noted 108 people signed in support and one opposed.
Finally, the committee heard SB 5890, which would create an alternative reckless-driving offense for driving more than 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. The sponsor, a former firefighter, framed the bill as an accountability measure aimed at preventing severe crashes caused by extreme speeding. A committee member asked about officer discretion in emergencies, and the sponsor said the bill targets excessive speed while acknowledging that some situations may still be problematic. A preliminary fiscal note had been received.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Judiciary (02/05/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- New Hampshire has long stood for personal freedoms and access to quality health care.
- New Hampshire has long stood for personal freedoms and access to quality health care.
- New Hampshire has long stood for personal freedoms and access to quality health care.
- systems, the narrower and narrower access to care becomes.
- And that is the, I guess, the last comment I'll make is in terms of rural care.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House Bill 232 from prime sponsor Representative Mark Pearson, who said the bill is intended to protect conscience rights for health care professionals and students, especially in relation to abortion and sterilization-related procedures. He argued that protecting ethical objections would help retain and recruit medical workers in New Hampshire, reduce moral injury, and preserve patient access to care. Pearson said the bill is not meant to allow discrimination based on protected characteristics and emphasized that it is limited to objections to specific procedures, with an amendment added to address concerns raised by Chairman Lynn.
Members questioned Pearson closely about the scope of the bill and amendment, including whether it could apply to non-physician staff such as schedulers or receptionists, whether a provider could refuse emergency care, and who would determine when an emergency exists. Pearson said the bill does not apply to emergency situations or to treatment after an abortion has already occurred, and he stated that emergency triage would control in obvious emergencies. He also said the intent was not to allow a person to take a job and then unexpectedly refuse duties, and he suggested the amendment could be tweaked to clarify its application to facilities and staff.
Additional questions focused on whether the bill should be broader than the procedures listed, how it would interact with federal conscience protections, and whether it could affect contraception-related services, including pharmacies. Pearson responded that the bill addresses the specific issues raised by people he and his wife had spoken with, and he was open to revising the amendment to reduce ambiguity. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine bipartisan legislative frameworks for digital assets. Feb 26th, 2025 at 01:30 pm
Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Digital Assets
Transcript Highlights:
- This has been a long time coming, so I'm delighted.
- We sure have come a long way since I first arrived in the Senate.
- I'm still in the catch-up with these guys in terms of learning this stuff.
- And decentralization is a broad term. Absolutely.
- The McHenry Waters proposal, I think, has that in terms of vetting.
Keywords:
Digital Assets, Bitcoin, Stablecoins, Legislation, Bipartisan, Consumer Protection, Regulatory Framework, Financial Innovation, Testimony
Summary:
The inaugural meeting of the Digital Assets Subcommittee brought a wave of excitement and anticipation regarding the future of digital assets, including Bitcoin and stablecoins. Chair Lummis expressed gratitude towards Senator Scott for establishing the subcommittee, indicating a commitment to promote responsible innovation while safeguarding consumers. Members discussed the necessity for a bipartisan legislative framework to regulate digital asset markets effectively while outlining the potential benefits such legislation could have on enhancing financial inclusion and streamlining payments. The meeting featured expert testimonies from key figures in the digital asset industry, highlighting the importance of creating clear regulatory guidance for digital assets to foster innovation without compromising consumer protections.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee Mar 3rd, 2026
Energy, Utilities and Communications
Transcript Highlights:
- That is a long-term investment that goes into the capital base.
- Undergrounding, even though it involves a lot of labor, the terms can be confusing, it's a long-term
- and long-term relief.
- This is essential to improving long-term affordability.
- Californians cannot afford to wait years for long-term structural fixes to reduce rates.
Committee:
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications held an oversight hearing focused on electric rates, utility regulation, affordability, wildfire costs, and the California Public Utilities Commission’s role. Chair and members framed the discussion around the challenge of transitioning to a cleaner grid while maintaining reliability and keeping bills affordable. The hearing also served as the annual update from the CPUC and the Public Advocates Office, with testimony from Professor Severin Borenstein and CPUC President-designate Alice Reynolds.
Borenstein gave a primer on utility regulation, explaining that generation is largely deregulated while transmission and distribution remain regulated, and that most rate-setting follows cost-of-service regulation. He emphasized that the hardest issue is setting the allowed return on equity: too high can raise bills and encourage capital-heavy spending, while too low can deter investment and harm reliability. He argued there is no silver bullet, said performance-based regulation and price caps have limits, and suggested some costs now charged through electric bills—such as climate programs, low-income subsidies, and wildfire-related public policy costs—might more appropriately be paid through the state budget.
Reynolds described the CPUC’s oversight role, saying the commission reviews utility spending through general rate cases, balancing accounts, and other proceedings, and that affordability is addressed through front-end scrutiny, post-spend accountability, and legislative direction. She highlighted wildfire mitigation as a major driver of rate increases, noted recent progress on clean energy procurement and battery storage, and said the CPUC is working on return-on-equity decisions, FERC advocacy on transmission costs, and implementation of SB 254 and other statutes. Members pressed on a range of issues, including wildfire securitization, load growth from EVs and data centers, gas-system stranded assets, balancing accounts, and a water-service dispute in Keene involving Union Pacific. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with several follow-up commitments from the CPUC to provide data and updates.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Revenue Stabilization and Tax Policy Dec 15th, 2025 at 09:14 am
Revenue Stabilization & Tax Policy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- a trend analysis does is look at how something changes over time and it compares it to its typical long-term
- This is a very short presentation of the tax system.
- There are a set That are aimed towards health care, reducing the cost of health care, or increasing access
- to care.
- On slide 26, our next highest category of, in terms of the volume of expenditures, health care.
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