Video & Transcript Research : 'cost efficiency'

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HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

EEP Public Hearing - Fri Apr 17, 2026 @ 10:05 AM HST

Energy & Environmental Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • best path comprehensive analysis on the best path to<00:11:01.839> maximize<00:11:02.520> cost
  • <00:11:02.920> reduction<00:11:03.440> and<00:11:03.600> minimize to maximize cost
  • reduction and minimize to maximize cost reduction and minimize financial<00:11:04.560> risk<00
Summary: The Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection held its final hearing of the session on April 17, 2026, and took up a series of Senate concurrent resolutions focused on environmental protection, waste reduction, and energy policy. Measures discussed included SCR 142 on dust monitoring near Waimanalo Gulch, SCR 39 on a mattress stewardship program, SCR 40 on banning disposable bodyboards, SCR 83 on a lithium-ion battery disposal facility, SCR 168 on a demolition waste reduction working group, SCR 96 on reporting on the Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, SCR 166 on PUC considerations for a generational energy commitment, and SCR 172 on a comprehensive analysis to reduce costs and financial risk while meeting state goals. Testimony was generally supportive of the environmental and waste-management measures. The Department of Health supported SCR 39 and provided comments on SCR 142; Climate Protectors Hawaii supported SCR 39, SCR 83, SCR 168, and SCR 172; the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and Hawaii Reef and Ocean's Coalition submitted comments or support on SCR 168; and the Public Utilities Commission provided comments on SCR 96 and SCR 166. On SCR 166, Greenpeace Hawaii testified in opposition to LNG, arguing it would worsen pollution and climate impacts, while Earthjustice supported the intent but suggested amendments. Earthjustice also supported SCR 172 and offered friendly amendments to improve the study language. In decision-making, the chair recommended deferral of SCR 142 because an existing regulatory framework already addresses the issue. The committee then voted to pass SCR 39, SCR 40, SCR 83, SCR 96, and SCR 166 unamended. SCR 168 was passed with amendments to reflect OPSD's requested changes and to make the working group temporary, with a two-year term and annual reports due before session. SCR 172 was passed with amendments accepted from Earthjustice. Rep. Quinlan was noted as excused for the votes, and the committee adjourned after adopting the final recommendation.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Insurance May 6th, 2026

Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
  • As far as the net cost, where do I go to see what that net cost is?
  • that net cost, or are you reporting that net cost?
  • , it falls back to the invoice cost or WAC, which is a wholesale acquisition cost.
  • members' costs low.
  • Every seizure costs.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • It causes costs for homeowners, limits access to energy-efficient materials, and after major storms,
  • The proposed bill offers a much more efficient and cost-effective remedy for victims. able to file an
  • This is a good cost benefit for consumers. Why administer energy efficiency?
  • Beginning on the first page of my testimony, you can see a cost comparison of energy efficiency investments
  • Energy efficiency remains the most cost-effective way to reduce demand in the state, with a three-to-one
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Business and Commerce Apr 15th, 2025

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • It causes costs for homeowners. It limits access for energy-efficient materials.
  • The proposed bill offers a much more efficient and cost-effective remedy for victims.
  • This bill’s about energy efficiency. We do have existing energy efficiency in the state of Texas.
  • Beginning on the first page of my testimony, you can see a cost comparison of energy efficiency investments
  • Energy efficiency remains the most cost-effective way to reduce demand in the state, with a three-to-one
Summary: The committee took up a long list of pending bills before moving to several bills on the day’s posting. It reported favorably SB 438, SB 512, SB 647, SB 648, SB 715, SB 758, SB 1964, SB 2121, SB 2145, SB 2167, SB 2330, SB 2349, SB 2443, SB 2629, SB 2702, SB 1495, and SB 2268, with several of those adopted from committee substitutes. Some measures were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while others were reported to the full Senate. Votes on the pending-business bills were generally strong, though SB 715 and SB 2330 drew recorded opposition; SB 647 and SB 648 had one member present not voting because of confusion over the deed-related bills. A major discussion centered on SB 715, which would establish a reliability standard and penalties/incentives for generation resources. Senator Sparks said the committee substitute would avoid unfairly penalizing existing dispatchable generation, allow wind and solar to qualify through storage or backup power, give the PUC flexibility to set standards and phase in the program, and exempt switchable units. Critics raised concerns that it could raise consumer costs and destabilize the market, while supporters argued it would improve reliability. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported out 6-4. The committee also heard testimony on SB 2330, dealing with payroll deduction for association dues, where the author said the bill would end state involvement in dues collection except for first responders covered by meet-and-confer agreements. Members questioned why teachers and other employees were treated differently, and the bill was reported out 6-5. Other notable bills included SB 2864 on building-integrated photovoltaics, SB 1012 on sale of surplus state property, SB 2221 on fraudulent UCC filings, SB 1705 regulating cryptocurrency kiosks with licensing, transaction limits, fee caps, and a 72-hour hold, SB 1181 on combative sports licensing, SB 2586 on HOA transparency, SB 2075 as a TDLR cleanup bill, and SB 383 restricting offshore wind interconnection based on impacts to shipping, wildlife, and coastal interests. Several of these were left pending after testimony, with SB 1705 drawing both law enforcement support and industry concerns over the fee caps and limits.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/11/2026 - House Ways & Means

Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • us millions, and it would have cost us lives, and it would have cost us economic recovery and development
  • us millions and it would have cost us lives and it would have cost us economic recovery and development
  • And with that comes increased costs.
  • My own prescription costs...
  • My own prescription costs. prescription costs this is not hypothetical my own prescription costs were
Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2780, a technical cleanup measure related to Arizona’s judicial tax lien foreclosure and excess proceeds process. The sponsor and a witness said the bill clarifies when a court should order a public sale, standardizes distribution of sale proceeds, and corrects inconsistencies left from prior reforms. No opposition was raised, and the committee approved HB 2780 unanimously on a 9-0 do pass vote. The committee then took up House Bill 4029, which would require the Governor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee to evaluate the revenue impact of federal tax conformity changes earlier in the process, and would require the Department of Revenue to issue tax forms consistent with statute. An amendment was adopted to have OSPB and JLBC each make the evaluation and to require a governor’s report if the impact is $100 million or more, along with new reporting deadlines for DOR. Supporters argued the bill would force earlier action on conformity and prevent tax forms from diverging from statute; opponents said it added bureaucracy and could delay filing. The committee approved HB 4029 as amended by a 5-4 vote. The committee also heard House Bill 4030 and the related HCR 2052, both aimed at limiting local tax and fee increases. HB 4030 would bar municipalities and counties from adopting, imposing, or collecting increased fees, transaction privilege taxes, and utility rates from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030. The sponsor said the measure was intended to protect taxpayers from inflation and rising local costs. Cities, counties, and utility representatives opposed the bills, warning they would hinder infrastructure financing, water and wastewater projects, road improvements, and public safety services, and could force general fund subsidies or delayed maintenance. Supporters argued local governments have seen substantial revenue growth and should be restrained from further increases. The committee did not reach a final vote on HB 4030 or HCR 2052 in the portion provided.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • But really, it's the PPA costs, the PRA costs are known once MISO will— the PRA costs are known.
  • We additionally have energy efficiency cost recovery riders.
  • We additionally have energy efficiency cost recovery riders.
  • We additionally have energy efficiency cost recovery riders.
  • So the most, I would say, one of the similar riders that we have is the energy efficiency cost recovery
Summary: The Senate Business and Commerce Committee met with a quorum and first took up pending business, voting out several bills. Senate Bills 1697, 1569, 1202 as substituted, 1029, 1364, 1185, 924, 1008 as substituted, 264, 1376, and 1358 as substituted were reported favorably, with some sent to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted a substitute for SB 1202 and later corrected votes on several measures. SB 924 and SB 1376 drew some opposition, while the rest of the pending bills were reported without dissent or with limited nays. The committee then heard testimony on SB 1856, which would create an annual capacity-cost recovery rider for Entergy Texas customers in the MISO region. The author and Entergy argued the bill would better match rates to actual capacity costs and improve transparency, while the Texas Association of Manufacturers and the Public Utility Commission raised concerns about the short 10-day review period, rider proliferation, and the preference for full rate cases over piecemeal adjustments. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard and left pending SB 522 on CPA reciprocity, SB 1664 requiring TDUs to provide clearer, standalone rate-change disclosures, SB 1877 expanding OPUC’s access to market data, SB 1254 and SB 1255 as TDLR cleanup bills on professional employer organizations and mold assessors, SB 1341 updating manufactured housing rules, SB 1239 on sovereign debt and Texas governing law, and SB 1259 streamlining the surveyor-in-training licensing process. Additional bills discussed included SB 1977, which would cap recoverable legal expenses in electric, water, and sewer rate cases; OPUC and some consumer advocates supported the idea as a way to reduce ratepayer costs, while utility representatives warned it could discourage participation and increase rate shock. The committee also heard SB 1762 clarifying that geothermal energy conservation wells are not battery resources, and SB 783 allowing SECO to proceed with future energy-code rulemaking for state-funded buildings. Both drew supportive testimony from industry and environmental groups. All remaining bills heard during the meeting were left pending, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Delivery of Government Efficiency Apr 9th, 2025

Delivery of Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:
  • Do you do you have a cost?
  • It actually, whereas some people think it costs more money and sometimes they say oh it's gonna cost
  • Within that section, an agency is entitled to... ...cost estimate and then charge for programming costs
  • As of current law, programming costs can be assessed in the cost estimate. the cost to take all that
  • the entire cost estimate.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • the employers pay, and maybe encourage the employers to drop vision care because of the additional cost
  • And identify the cost and where they're being utilized.
  • If we can help that, so we can avoid having to see them in the ER where it costs more and those kind
  • It's a new board and has there been a fiscal analysis done with regard to what it's going to cost?
  • Then you've just done away with cost-sharing plans altogether. Would you agree with that?
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 2/20/25

Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Avoided cost? It doesn't work. Avoided cost at 2 cents a kilowatt hour is not fair.
  • to consider is the cooperative stated that they can purchase utility-scale solar, which is the most cost-efficient
  • We need to talk about the cost on consumers, the cost on business, and the cost around the communities
  • cost on business the cost around the cost on business the cost around the communities<01:17:31.400>
  • > that costs transmission capacity costs that costs transmission capacity costs that are<01:42
Bills: HF845
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Delivery of Government Efficiency Apr 2nd, 2025

Delivery of Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:
  • that cost us money.
  • Will these sections deal with cost and cost estimates, and as I said, will be removed.
  • hard dollar costs and drive cost out that we know of And then, based upon your paper, Dr.
  • efficient.
  • Beyond what we award for a grant and how much NOx we reduce from that, which gives us our cost efficiency
AL

Alabama 2026 1st Special Session

Alabama House Health Committee Feb 11th, 2026

Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • The cost of the study, we said, not to exceed $50,000.
  • So my question is, what will be the cost to the consumer?
  • <00:10:22.240> you<00:10:22.399> know, end up costing the consumer?
  • you know, end up costing the consumer?
  • cost to the<00:10:36.959> consumer?
Bills: SB9, HB400, SB9, HB400
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/18/2026 - House International Trade

International Trade

Transcript Highlights:
  • When borders harden, costs rise, speed slows, and talent migrates elsewhere.
  • How efficient, more importantly, what are best practices to have such a study committee today.
  • For example, people may be concerned about the cost of testing raw ingredients.
  • It would limit access, increase cost, and delay care for Arizona citizens.
  • And for us to not embrace that, especially with your excessive cost, with access in health care, and
Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Berthold Barak Karlich of Benor Capital on investment, innovation, and trade from a European perspective. He argued that legacy is about enabling future generations through open, connected systems rather than isolation, highlighted Austria’s “hidden champion” SMEs and strong education/research base, and said innovation thrives through international collaboration. He also discussed AI and deep tech investment, emphasizing photonic computing and the need to support hardware that enables future AI systems. In response to questions, he said Arizona appears friendly and strong in deep tech and that he will explore opportunities there. The committee then considered HB 2746, which creates a study committee on trade offices under the Arizona Commerce Authority to review existing trade offices, gather stakeholder input, and make recommendations. Members discussed oversight of Arizona’s trade offices in several countries and the need to evaluate effectiveness. The bill passed with a due pass recommendation by a 7-0 vote. HB 2750, which establishes the Arizona-Sonora Trade Commission to improve trade, commerce, and tourism ties with Sonora, Mexico, also passed, with some members expressing interest in further discussion about its relationship to the Arizona-Mexico Commission; it received a 5-1-1 recommendation. The committee next took up HB 4036, a bill regulating compounded GLP-1 weight-loss drugs and related bulk drug substances, including restrictions on sale and distribution, testing and sourcing requirements, advertising disclosures, penalties, and pharmacy board inspection authority. Supporters, including representatives from Novo Nordisk and the Partnership for Safe Medicines, argued the bill addresses unsafe imported ingredients, misleading advertising, and a surge in unregulated compounded weight-loss products. Opponents from the Arizona Pharmacy Association, a compounding pharmacist, and a physician said the bill would burden lawful compounders, raise costs, reduce access, and could affect other legitimate compounded medications. After extensive debate, the motion for a due pass recommendation failed on a 5-5 tie. Finally, the committee heard a strike-everything amendment to HB 2765 creating a vapor product manufacturer licensing framework, fees, penalties, and Department of Revenue oversight aimed at stopping smuggled vape products. The sponsor said the measure was intended to target illegal imports and protect children, while opponents from the Vapor Technology Association and Arizona Innovates argued it would burden lawful businesses and that the real problem is illegal actors and targeted enforcement. The discussion continued with questions about federal law, flavored vape products, and whether the bill would affect compliant manufacturers, but the transcript ends before any final vote on HB 2765.