Transcript Highlights:

• Money that I had set aside to upgrade the corporation system, I had to give away.
• sweep from the Corporation Charities Fund, again, I was kind of hoping I would use that money to upgrade
• sweep from the Corporation Charities Fund, again, I was kind of hoping I would use that money to upgrade
• another massive cyberattack because we're very vulnerable for that. ...and I would use that money to upgrade
• Examples include supporting people with home heating and cooling upgrades that will offer bill savings

Bills: SB5998

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: fiscal appropriations, budget, state funding, financial management, operating expenses

Transcript Highlights:

• Money that I had set aside to upgrade the corporation system, I had to give away.
• million sweep from the Corporation Charities Fund—again, I was kind of hoping I would use that money to upgrade
• And I would use that money to upgrade our system so we don't receive another massive cyberattack because
• Examples include supporting people with home heating and cooling upgrades that will offer bill savings
• Examples include supporting people with home heating and cooling upgrades that will offer bill savings

Summary: The Senate Ways and Means Committee heard an overview from OFM Director Katie Chapman See on Governor Ferguson’s 2026 supplemental budget proposal. She said the budget was built in response to higher caseloads and inflation, a roughly $390 million revenue forecast drop, new federal costs tied to H.R. 1, and a relatively small ending fund balance. The proposal would increase near general fund spending by about $1.1 billion and solve an estimated $2.3 billion two-year gap through about $800 million in reductions, revenue shifts and tax preference changes, use of other funds, and about $1 billion from the budget stabilization account. She also noted the budget is balanced over two years but not fully over four years under the state’s outlook rules. Chapman See highlighted reductions in Working Connections Child Care, including a soft cap on enrollment and holding subsidy rates at the 75th percentile, delays to long-term care and developmental disability-related changes, and across-the-board reductions to higher education and administrative spending. She also described investments in wildfire suppression and preparedness, affordability programs like utility rebates and home energy assistance, housing-related planning and permitting support, One Washington IT replacement, behavioral health workforce programs, and continued support for some K-12 initiatives such as ninth grade success and homeless student stability. In response to questions, she said some proposed cuts were based on the governor’s subjective judgment about what was critically necessary, that current child care enrollees would not be cut off immediately, and that the budget would maintain services for about 500 highest-acuity Medicaid clients who lost eligibility under federal changes. Public testimony was largely critical of the proposed cuts in K-12, early learning, and higher education. School officials, educators, nurses, and advocacy groups opposed reductions to Transition to Kindergarten, Local Effort Assistance, Running Start, MSOC, school leadership and support grants, and higher education funding, arguing the cuts would worsen existing funding gaps and harm student outcomes. Several witnesses supported restoring or maintaining funding for ninth grade success, Treehouse’s foster youth graduation program, homeless student stability, and Science on Wheels. In early learning, child care providers and advocates opposed the Working Connections cap and subsidy-rate reduction, warning it would reduce access and destabilize providers. In higher education, campus leaders and labor representatives opposed across-the-board cuts and fund shifts, while some institutions and advocates supported targeted investments such as behavioral health workforce programs and DigiPen aid restoration. In human services, Planned Parenthood advocates praised restored abortion access funding and Medicaid reimbursements. The committee took no votes or final action in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• going to, I can replace it with an in-kind tank, also a 750-gallon tank, without requiring them to upgrade
• 750galon tank without requiring<00:19:00.960><c> them</c><00:19:01.200><c> to</c><00:19:01.440><c> upgrade
• c><00:19:02.160><c> and</c><00:19:02.400><c> you</c><00:19:02.640><c> again</c> requiring them to upgrade
• and you again requiring them to upgrade and you again highlighted<00:19:03.520><c> that</c><00:19:03.760
• So there'd be no need for any of these manufactured housing parts to upgrade their systems.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• tools to promote efficiency and consistency, and giving USDA the ability to invest in technological upgrades
• And one of them received a grant to help upgrade its water treatment plant, and its water infrastructure
• And they got a resiliency grant from FEMA to help upgrade that infrastructure so that they would know
• AND ONE OF THEM RECEIVED A GRANT TO HELP UPGRADE ITS WATER TREATMENT PLANT AND ITS WATER INFRASTRUCTURE
• AND THEY GOT A RESILIENCY GRANT FROM FEMA TO HELP UPGRADE THAT INFRASTRUCTURE SO THAT THEY WOULD KNOW

Bills: HB2181 , HB1510 , HR1000 , HB3425 , HB3424 , HB3428 , HB3423 , HB3055 , HB2591 , HB4550

Keywords: Inspectors General, removal standard, government oversight, accountability, transparency, IG, watchdogs, federal oversight, executive branch, presidential removal, for-cause removal, independent oversight, anti-corruption, waste fraud and abuse, malfeasance, gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, inefficiency, neglect of duty

Transcript Highlights:

• to improve facilities at community colleges and universities by providing bond funding for safety upgrades
• to improve facilities at community colleges and universities by providing bond funding for safety upgrades
• My support would emphasize prioritizing, because you have a long list of ideas to upgrade public school
• housing, but certainly the other amenities that need to be and the infrastructure that needs to be upgraded
• housing, but certainly the other amenities that need to be and the infrastructure that needs to be upgraded

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development heard a long agenda focused mainly on housing production, higher education facilities, homelessness, and permitting reform. Early items included AB 6, which would direct HCD to convene a working group on allowing three- to ten-unit “missing middle” housing to be built under the Residential Code rather than the Building Code; AB 48, a higher education bond proposal that would fund campus repairs, modernization, disaster recovery, and student/employee housing; and AB 76, which would clarify a Chula Vista university innovation district exemption so the project can include academic buildings and housing without conflicting with surplus land rules. Supporters emphasized affordability, cost savings, student housing needs, and access to education, while members raised questions about implementation, affordability requirements, and project scope. The committee later took votes on these items, with AB 6, AB 48, and AB 76 all moving forward on unanimous or near-unanimous votes to Appropriations. Members also heard AB 595, which would create a state homeownership tax credit pilot to support affordable for-sale housing. The author and supporters argued that California’s homeownership rate is at historic lows and that the bill would help close racial wealth gaps by financing homes working families can buy. The committee approved AB 595 and sent it to Appropriations. The consent calendar, including several other housing-related bills, was also approved unanimously. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to AB 1165, the California Housing Justice Act of 2025, which would require ongoing state investment and a financing plan to address homelessness and housing affordability. The author and witnesses described the scale of homelessness, the limits of one-time funding, and the need for sustained, accountable funding streams. After testimony from housing advocates and people with lived experience, the committee passed AB 1165 on a 10-0 vote to Appropriations. Finally, the committee heard AB 609, a CEQA reform bill that would create a simplified exemption for qualifying infill housing projects in already developed areas. Supporters framed it as a targeted way to reduce delays and costs for housing near jobs and transit, while opponents from environmental justice, labor, and tribal groups warned it could reduce public participation, weaken protections for disadvantaged communities, and create consultation concerns for tribal cultural resources. The author said the bill would not change zoning or affordability tools and would continue to work with opponents on amendments. The bill was moved forward after extensive discussion, with members noting ongoing negotiations on tribal consultation and labor concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recommendations, remove one-time funding related to IT upgrades.
• So what we're seeking is a significant upgrade in their capability.
• To upgrade our data analytics function. So this exceptional item would address funding shortfall.
• Upgrade our enforcement efforts and return more dollars to taxpayers.
• slide we are also asking for funding for an electronic discovery tool, an e-discovery tool for our upgraded

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Article II

Transcript Highlights:

• and individual utilities are facing, because for a lot of them the distribution system needs to be upgraded
• system<00:24:08.120><c> needs</c><00:24:08.360><c> to</c><00:24:08.480><c> be</c><00:24:08.600><c> upgraded
• /c><00:24:09.120><c> to</c><00:24:09.240><c> be</c><00:24:09.360><c> able</c> system needs to be upgraded
• to be able system needs to be upgraded to be able to<00:24:09.960><c> handle</c><00:24:10.320><c> the
• and individual utilities are facing, because for a lot of them the distribution system needs to be upgraded

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, your testimony, you mentioned modern facilities and upgrade in management efficiencies, and I was
• to be really careful about what kind of water we're using in our nurseries, and so there are some upgrades
• 42:01.120><c> modern</c><00:42:01.720><c> facilities</c><00:42:02.680><c> and</c><00:42:02.880><c> upgrade
• </c><00:42:03.520><c> in</c> um modern facilities and upgrade in um modern facilities and upgrade in
• needed in our nurseries to make upgrades needed in our nurseries to make sure<00:42:43.200><c> we're

Bills: HCR13 , HCR61 , HCR136 , HCR185 , HCR155 , HCR68 , HCR174 , HCR178 , HCR179 , HCR91 , HCR103 , HCR115 , HCR199 , HR15 , HR128 , HR175 , HR147 , HR62 , HR164 , HR168 , HR169 , HR83 , HR95 , HR107 , HR189

Committee: House Water & Land

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land met on March 31, 2026, and heard testimony on several resolutions. HCR 13/HR 50, which asks DLNR to work with DOE and the Public Charter School Commission on a student coral stewardship program, drew comments from DLNR, which said it stood on written testimony and had proposed amendments, and from supporters in the room. HCR 61, urging investment in reforestation policies, workforce, nursery capacity, and related support for public and private lands, received strong support from DLNR and multiple testifiers, including members of a reforestation policy hui, a resident, and others who emphasized watershed protection, flood and fire resilience, and the need to upgrade nursery infrastructure and staffing. Committee members asked questions about nursery modernization, staffing, island-specific needs, and whether reforestation could reduce wildfire impacts; the DLNR witness said all islands need investment, with especially large opportunities on Hawaiʻi Island, and that healthier forests improve resilience though they cannot eliminate climate-related risks. The committee then heard HCR 136/HR 128 on wildland-urban interface safety standards for Maui plantation towns, but no one testified. It also heard HCR 185/HR 175, which urges denial of permits for ICE detention-related warehouses; Chris Coffey of Immua Alliance testified in support, saying migrant survivors of exploitation are harmed when ICE detains people and that Hawaii would not be the first place to take such action, citing examples from other states and cities. In questioning, members explored whether a local facility would keep people closer to families and services or instead increase local detention; Coffey said detention generally cuts off access to services and can intensify fear, and that a local facility could incentivize more detention and make survivors less likely to come forward. Finally, the committee heard HCR 155/HR 147 supporting the Hawaii Water Safety Coalition’s Hawaii Water Safety Act. Testifiers included Allison Shapera, who described the statewide water safety plan, Hawaii’s high drowning rate, the economic and human costs of drownings, and her personal loss of her daughter in a preventable drowning; Kirsten Hermstead and Kalani Vierra of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association said the plan’s recommendations need legislative recognition to help with implementation and grant funding; and Jessamine Town Horner testified by Zoom as a co-founder and bereaved family advocate. The transcript provided does not show any votes or final committee actions on the measures discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's a 3.1 million request for the city of Beulah citywide wastewater and infrastructure upgrades
• . ...city of Beulah citywide wastewater and infrastructure upgrades.
• Our citywide wastewater and infrastructure upgrade project is focused on modernizing our wastewater and
• And thirdly, uh citywide stormwater upgrades including streets and alleys.
• </c> upgrades including streets and alleys. upgrades including streets and alleys.

Bills: HF4156 , HF3835 , HF3995 , HF4383 , HF4091 , HF4084 , HF4311 , HF198 , HF4486 , HF4302 , HF4309 , HF4032 , HF3855 , HF3673 , HF4265 , HF4012 , HF4339 , HF4298 , HF3852

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• The rec mill monies have been used to upgrade some of our newer playgrounds in town.
• Larry County School District 1 used it generally for upgrading sports facilities and equipment.
• Larry County School District 1 used it generally for upgrading sports facilities and equipment.
• School district, most of that money went to upgrade or maintenance of sports facilities.
• Larry County School District 1 used it generally for upgrading sports facilities and equipment.

Bills: HB0147 , HB0127

Committee: Senate Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• 60% for energy assistance, weatherization, low-income home electrification, and related readiness upgrades
• This shifts costs for obtaining, upgrading, and developing tabulation system components necessary for
• This includes necessary upgrades and development to voting systems and voting devices within these costs
• This amendment shifts costs for obtaining, upgrading, and developing the tabulation systems components
• And I think that if this is being forced on them and they do have to upgrade and they don't have the

Bills: HB2104 , HB1903 , HB1909 , HB1982 , HB2034 , HB2105 , HB2210 , HB2215 , HB2271 , HB2345 , HB2355 , HB2384 , HB2389 , HB2397 , HB2418 , HB2429 , HB2442 , HB2479 , HB2481 , HB2681 , HB2688 , HB2714

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: aviation, wildland fires, funding, disaster relief, emergency response, energy assistance, low-income, utility costs, state program, energy affordability, court unification, task force, Washington courts, judicial administration, court reform, access to justice, local court rules, uniformity, centralization, rural courts

Transcript Highlights:

• When you upgrade because of fraud going on all the time, I've had to upgrade my tills, my pumps.
• Visa Mastercard sector we talk about Visa Mastercard when<00:57:09.680><c> you</c><00:57:09.799><c> upgrade
• because</c><00:57:10.319><c> of</c><00:57:10.440><c> fraud</c><00:57:10.720><c> going</c> when you upgrade
• because of fraud going when you upgrade because of fraud going on<00:57:11.200><c> all</c><00:57:11.400
• </c><00:57:12.960><c> my</c> on all the time I've had to upgrade my on all the time I've had to upgrade

Bills: HF1470 , HF1310 , HF1837

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• But those upgrades now have to be moved forward to serve this large load.
• Anybody ever gone in and taken existing 345 routes and just upgraded them into 765s? Yes, sir.
• So it was upgrading the existing facility. That was part of the 345 versus 765 comparison.
• It was upgrading the existing facility. So that was part of the 345 versus 765 comparison.
• And then the system upgrade costs, the minimum kind of...

Summary: The Senate Business and Commerce Committee held its third interim hearing on Texas electric grid reliability and 765 kV transmission lines/private property rights. Chair Schwertner opened by noting record ERCOT summer demand of 91,089 MW and emphasized the committee’s focus on managing rapid load growth, ensuring adequate generation, and protecting homeowners, businesses, landowners, and ratepayers. The committee also adopted strict two-minute limits for public testimony and planned to hear invited witnesses first, then public testimony. PUC Chairman Thomas Gleeson, ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas, and OPUC Chief Counsel Benjamin Barclay testified on Senate Bill 6 implementation, large-load interconnection, transmission cost allocation, and market design. Gleeson said the PUC has adopted or is finalizing rules on net metering/co-location, large load interconnection standards, and a transmission cost recovery rule that would move from 4CP to 12CP, lengthen the interval to 30 minutes, and add a minimum demand charge to better allocate costs to large loads. Vegas explained ERCOT’s new batch process for large loads, saying it provides year-by-year capacity allocations, clearer financial obligations, and a transmission plan; he reported 205 GW eligible for Batch Zero, with 65 GW classified as baseload, 25 GW in an intermediate category, and 114 GW as allocated load. Barclay supported the changes as better protection for residential and small commercial customers, while warning that the minimum demand charge may need an exit-fee concept to address stranded costs if large loads leave. Members pressed witnesses on whether additional market changes are needed to attract dispatchable thermal generation and whether DRS/DRRS Plus could become a capacity-market substitute. Gleeson and Vegas said the current market still favors solar, batteries, and other low-variable-cost resources, and that more incentives may be needed for gas and other thermal generation; Gleeson said the commission’s reliability standard assessment will begin this year and conclude next year with a 2029 outlook. They described DRS as an ancillary service for intraday reliability and DRS Plus as a proposed real-time revenue mechanism for thermal resources during scarcity, not a forward capacity market. Senators also questioned whether 12CP could still be gamed, whether curtailment authority under SB 6 should be expanded from EEA 2 to earlier stages, and whether the batch process should be bifurcated so traditional industrial loads are handled differently from data centers. Witnesses said the batch process is intended to prevent speculative projects from driving transmission costs, that most large-load projects are data centers, and that future rules may need to better distinguish among types of large loads.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the major upgrade. When we purchased it, I think they were called Lawson at the time.
• Drove Sher away from state government, but she came back, and this is the major upgrade.
• I think there's some system in state government where that's literally the case. we're upgrading it's
• uh the the major we're upgrading it's uh the the major upgrade<01:26:20.320><c> when</c><01:26:20.480
• when we when we purchased it I upgrade when we when we purchased it I think<01:26:21.760><c> they</c

Summary: The committee held a work session on the Department of Business and Economic Affairs budget, with testimony from Chase Hegman and Kathy Frederickson. Early discussion focused on staffing and vacancies, including a senior planner position tied to FEMA requirements, a program assistant funded by federal ORID dollars, a program specialist being considered for reclassification, two Housing Champions positions to be funded in the next biennium, and temporary welcome center positions. Members also reviewed the commissioner’s office, indirect cost recoveries tied to federal program administration, and the structure and staffing of rest areas and welcome centers, including the Turnpike-funded locations and seasonal staffing patterns. Members then moved through economic development and federal grant-related accounts. Hegman explained that a large share of the agency’s funding is federal, with some programs requiring state match, including the Apex Accelerator, which supports government contracting assistance for businesses. He described Apex as a small team that helps businesses with DOD and other contracting opportunities through webinars, matchmaking, and one-on-one support. The Office of Workforce Opportunity was described as largely federally funded through Commerce-related workforce programs and subrecipients, with some general fund support for agency-wide needs. The Northern Borders Regional Commission dues and capacity grant were also discussed, with officials explaining the state’s required contribution and the federal funds used to administer the program. A major point of discussion was the proposed reduction to the Small Business Development Center, which officials said provides one-on-one technical assistance to new and small businesses and has a strong return on investment. Members questioned the cut, the federal funding sources, and whether there was a waiting list for services; officials said they would provide more detail on matching requirements and funding. The committee also reviewed travel and tourism accounts, including the joint promotional grant program and tourism advertising funds, both of which are proposed to increase. Officials said the tourism marketing formula is based on a percentage of meals and rooms tax revenue and argued that the spending generates significant visitor spending and tax revenue, citing an outside ROI study and examples of advertising in test markets. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• the feasibility and desirability of establishing a wastewater project fund to provide grants for upgrading
• the feasibility and desirability of establishing a wastewater project fund to provide grants for upgrading
• , constructing, or replacing... ...project fund to provide grants for upgrading, constructing, or replacing
• So one of their options was to upgrade their existing facility and then purchase water from Walsh Rural
• So it would have to be upgraded and/or properly protected. I just wanted to add that.

Committee: Joint Water Topics Overview Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you see this in any way connected to the needs that the state has to significantly upgrade the IT
• <c> to</c> needs that the state has to needs that the state has to significantly<00:56:48.400><c> upgrade
• </c><00:56:48.799><c> the</c><00:56:49.040><c> IT</c><00:56:49.520><c> systems</c> significantly upgrade
• the IT systems significantly upgrade the IT systems that<00:56:50.240><c> DHS</c><00:56:50.799><c> is
• </c> IT upgrades. So, thank you. IT upgrades. So, thank you. &gt;&gt; Thank<00:58:34.240><c> you.

Transcript Highlights:

• On our capital request here, All of C is recommending that we do the tabulator monitor upgrades of 2.6
• all of the mapping to make sure that we know exactly what needs to be in the new system or in the upgraded
• And that was for upgrades to tabulators that weren't part of that purchase that also need to be upgraded
• And that was for upgrades to tabulators that weren't part of that. and that was for upgrades to tabulators
• that weren't part of that purchase that also need to be upgraded in order to meet those federal standards

Bills: HB1

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: feed bill, legislative appropriations, legislative branch, New Mexico Legislature, general fund, legislative council service, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, house chief clerk, senate chief clerk, per diem, mileage, session expenses, interim committees, district staff, capitol complex, capital outlay data system, legislative processing system, redistricting, census redistricting

Transcript Highlights:

• of life has been because of grants that have been received through different agencies to provide upgrades
• That is a diamond in our community and would not have been possible without grants to make those upgrades
• also have the largest infrastructure project in Madisonville's history, with a $25 million sewer upgrade
• So about 10 years ago, they decided they needed to either upgrade the current one, which was not feasible
• </c><00:42:33.040><c> the</c><00:42:33.280><c> current</c> to build uh either upgrade the current to

Summary: The committee first heard an update from representatives of the Kentucky County Clerk’s Association on the transition to electronic recording and land records modernization. They reviewed the 2021 task force work, the legislation and budget funding that followed, and the requirements for county clerks to provide online search portals and complete 30-year property record searches, with a 60-year standard expected next summer. Speakers said most counties are still working through scanning and verification, with only a small number fully complete, and emphasized that verification of records is the main bottleneck because it requires staff time and careful matching of indexes to deeds. They also noted limited vendor availability, differences among counties in what records are already digitized, and that the association and land title attorneys are now working more closely on future “continuous improvement” legislation. The clerks also raised related issues, including concerns about deed fraud as more records become searchable online. They said some counties already offer notification services that alert property owners when a document is recorded, which can help owners respond quickly to suspicious filings. They also discussed the filing document storage fee and KDLA digitization grants, saying the funding structure has generally worked but that two grant cycles have been missed. Another topic was whether, once records are fully digitized and searchable, some permanent records should remain publicly accessible or be moved to a safer archive. In response to committee questions, the witnesses said the remaining delays are less about money than staffing shortages and the need for more manpower to complete verification, and they said they would follow up on the balance in the KDLA fund and other details. The committee then received a presentation from an Area Development District representative, who described the districts as regional, nonpartisan service organizations that help cities and counties pool resources, provide technical assistance, and leverage public and private partnerships. He highlighted examples of regional cooperation, including veterans-directed care and other shared programs, and argued that the districts create efficiencies and economies of scale for local governments and the state. No votes or formal actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• have room for about 500 megawatts, so you can build maybe a 300-megawatt reactor there before you upgrade
• But if you go over that, you're going to have to spend money upgrading the transmission.
• How much is it going to cost to upgrade the transmission if that's needed?

Committee: All ENERGY - JOINT

Summary: The Joint Committee on Energy received a presentation on the final report of the nuclear energy feasibility study authorized by Act 707 of 2025. The study, prepared by Brian Meadors of Excel Services with input from Paul Murphy and Natalie Rogers, concluded that new nuclear generation is feasible and advisable in Arkansas because of rising electricity demand, available sites, favorable federal policy, and the state’s lack of a nuclear moratorium. The presenters emphasized nuclear’s high capacity factor, small land footprint, fuel security, safety record, and potential economic benefits, including jobs, tax base growth, supply-chain development, and industrial competitiveness. They also discussed candidate siting areas in south, west, and northeast Arkansas, noting transmission limits at some sites, water constraints at others, and seismic concerns in the Mississippi County/New Madrid area. A major focus of the discussion was financing and what state policy changes might help early projects. The witnesses said nuclear projects are difficult to finance in development and construction, especially before a construction permit is issued, and suggested targeted public support rather than a large subsidy fund. Ideas discussed included bridge loans for early development, possible cost-overrun backstops, tax incentives, assistance finding long-term power buyers, and continued use of construction work in progress (CWIP) under existing law. Meadors also recommended defining nuclear as clean energy, expanding the atomic coordinator role, considering a nuclear development fund, and removing a low-level radioactive waste restriction on non-government land. Several members raised concerns about taxpayer exposure, cost overruns, and whether the state should take on too much risk. Members also asked about workforce and supply-chain readiness, and the witnesses said Arkansas could help local firms obtain nuclear certifications such as NQA1 or an N stamp, and could support university and technical training programs. They noted that other states, including Texas and Tennessee, are already funding nuclear-related development and that Arkansas risks losing investment if it does nothing. The committee did not take substantive action on the report; it accepted the Department of Energy and Environment’s letter report to satisfy the statutory reporting requirement, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• In many of our municipal buildings, repairs and upgrades are needed to address structural, safety, and
• Small towns would be enabled to make strategic, cost-effective upgrades that support Commonwealth-wide
• and around the state, though, have significant infrastructure needs when it comes to building or upgrading

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security heard testimony on several bills, with strong support expressed for a proposed municipal and public safety building authority (H. 2571/S. 1650). Municipal officials, fire chiefs, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, regional planning leaders, and Senator Comerford described aging town halls, fire stations, DPW facilities, and other local buildings, especially in small towns and gateway cities, and argued that local budgets and Proposition 2 1/2 make major capital projects difficult to fund. Testimony emphasized the need for a dedicated revenue stream, with the bill proposing a share of marijuana excise tax revenue and a rural funding set-aside. Committee members asked about prioritization and funding levels, and witnesses said even a modest start would help address a large statewide backlog. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee later adjourned unanimously. The committee also heard testimony on H. 2689, requiring fuel gas alarms/detectors in residential dwellings using explosive gases. Representative Jeff Roy, Susan Brown, Jason Cohn, and representatives from NEMA and Kidde supported the bill, describing it as a life-saving measure similar to carbon monoxide detector requirements. Witnesses cited the 2015 Franklin propane explosion that killed Nancy and Robert Brown, the Merrimack Valley gas explosions, and national fire data showing fatalities and property damage from gas leaks. They said detectors are affordable, commercially available, and should be required where gas is used; one witness noted battery-backed or battery-operated options exist. Committee questions focused on cost, battery power, outdoor propane setups, and whether the bill would cover private databases or only residential safety devices. Another major topic was S. 1755 on missing and abducted children. Senator Pavel Payano testified in favor, citing the case of Lee Manuel Villoria Paolino and arguing that misclassification of missing children as runaways can delay urgent response and worsen outcomes, especially for Black and brown youth. He said the bill would set minimum law enforcement response standards, require training, and expand multilingual intake forms. The committee also heard support for expanding the state DNA database through familial DNA searching, with Dr. Amory Myers explaining that the technology could help solve long-unsolved cases while including guardrails to prevent use of private consumer DNA databases. Finally, the committee heard extensive testimony on H. 2740, “Colby’s Law,” establishing safety standards for BMX and motocross tracks. Colby Lippincott’s family, community members, and industry representatives described his fatal crash and urged requirements for medical staff, insurance, inspections, warning systems, barriers, and access roads. Witnesses said the bill would not end the sport but would create basic protections, and the committee heard that Massachusetts would join a number of other states with similar standards. The hearing ended with a motion to adjourn, which passed unanimously.