Transcript Highlights:

• This is SB 818, Utility Relocation. You are recognized. Yes. This is SB 818, Utility Relocation.
• SB 818 is utility relocation.
• It aims to streamline utility relocation for public road and rail corridor projects, and ensure utility
• So it just shifts costs of relocating broadband, cable, and video utilities.
• I think this is the utilities. Utilities, and I would like to do it afterwards.

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard and advanced several bills dealing with roadway safety, utility relocation, emergency vehicles, motor vehicle services, charter school siting, and specialty license plates. SB 1782 by Senator Pizzo, as amended, would expand reckless driving per se to include certain extreme speeding behaviors and retain mandatory court appearance while removing impound language; it was supported by AARP and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and reported favorably. SB 818 by Senator McLean would streamline utility relocation for road and rail projects and shift certain relocation costs to the authority in some cases; county groups opposed it as an unfunded mandate, while Charter Communications supported it, and the bill was reported favorably after amendment. SB 1644 by Senator Rodriguez, as amended, would expand warning-signal privileges for volunteer firefighters, medical staff, and related vehicles responding to emergencies; it was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1348 by Senator Trumbull, which revises Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and tax collector processes for title/document delivery, driver licensing, disabled parking permits, and related services; a strike-all removed penalties and some CDL retesting provisions, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 636 by Senator Martin would restrict use of the far-left lane on high-speed roads except for passing, exiting, move-over compliance, or traffic/environmental conditions, with a civil fine and DOT signage requirements; it was reported favorably. SB 1152 by Senator Arrington would raise the cost of the Florida Wildflower specialty license plate from $15 to $25 to generate more funding for wildflower research, education, and habitat programs; it was reported favorably. SB 1188 by Senator McLean, which would limit local government authority over charter school siting and concurrency-related restrictions, drew the most debate. Supporters argued local ordinances were being used to block or delay charter schools, while opponents said the bill would tie the hands of local governments and could create traffic and public-safety concerns. After extensive discussion, the bill was reported favorably, with recorded no votes from Senators Arrington and Davis. The committee also unanimously recommended confirmation of multiple appointments to transportation-related boards and authorities, including the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Central Florida Expressway Authority, Jacksonville Port Authority, Jacksonville Transportation Authority, and Florida Transportation Commission.

Transcript Highlights:

• Slide the Medicaid members utilizing Slide the Medicaid members utilizing Behavioral<00:07:40.680
• 421,000 individuals in 2023 utilizing 421,000 individuals in 2023 utilizing Behavioral<00:07:54.520
• So in a sense, we are using the utilization and are paying just for the utilization, but, like you said
• , there could be some that’s not utilizing.”
• So in a sense, we are using the utilization and are paying just for the utilization, but, like you said

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services held its first meeting and received an overview from the Department for Medicaid Services on Medicaid’s behavioral health and substance use disorder services. Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Beal said Kentucky Medicaid serves about 1.4 million members, including over half of Kentucky children, with 485,000 expansion members, more than 69,000 enrolled providers, and total fiscal year 2024 expenditures of $18.5 billion. They said Kentucky covers a broad range of behavioral health services, and behavioral health provider enrollment has grown from a little over 4,500 in 2019 to nearly 8,000 in 2024. They also described how Medicaid spending and utilization are tracked through claims and encounter data, with most members served through managed care organizations. Members focused on sharp increases in certain behavioral health billing codes, especially peer-to-peer services, and asked about reimbursement, utilization review, and whether the growth reflected increased need or expanded coverage. DMS said the rise was partly tied to combining facility and nonfacility behavioral health fee schedules in 2023, choosing the higher reimbursement rate to avoid cuts, and that the department has seen an uptick in peer-to-peer services. In response to concerns about overutilization, DMS said it mailed a letter to behavioral health providers, is considering limits and prior authorizations for some services, and plans to create a standardized monthly behavioral health report to monitor trends consistently and identify when controls may be needed. Lawmakers also asked whether the provider network is sufficient and whether access is adequate, especially for children. DMS said provider enrollment has expanded because behavioral health services were added to Medicaid in 2014 and because demand increased after COVID, but acknowledged studies showing children have less access than adults and said that would be an area of focus. The department said managed care organizations are required to ensure access to needed services and that current trends indicate access is available, though one member disagreed and said workforce shortages remain a major concern. Another member asked about non-emergency medical transportation spending, and DMS explained that it is handled through a capitated arrangement administered by the Transportation Cabinet rather than directly by the managed care organizations.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:06:31.600> the interested in is how we utilize the interested in is how we utilize the
• I do believe there has been separate appropriations for parks for utility upgrades.
• utilize their funding for other projects. appropriations for parks for utility appropriations for parks
• utilize their funding for other projects. >> Okay.
• We said we would utilize some of our funding so that they could utilize their funding for other projects

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee heard testimony from the Energy and Environment Cabinet on the state-owned dam repair program and Kentucky’s electric grid resilience program. On dams, Commissioner Tony Hatton explained the legal definition and hazard classifications for Kentucky dams, noting there are 975 regulated dams statewide, including 76 state-owned dams, and that hazard ratings are based on potential loss of life or property damage if a dam fails. He described the cabinet’s screening criteria, including inundation mapping, engineering condition, and compliance status, and said the cabinet uses a design-bid-build procurement process to manage public funds responsibly. Hatton outlined current and planned dam projects funded from the prior biennium, including Willisburg Lake in Washington County, where work will address hydraulic capacity, unstable downstream slopes, and likely require a coffer dam, flood wall, auxiliary spillway, and raw water line replacement. He also said Big Bone Lake State Park Dam will be decommissioned, Clemens Lake Dam at Morehead State University is in design for a major rehabilitation, and additional projects include Marion County Sportsman’s Dam, Chenoa Lake Creek/Canning Creek Dam, and a rehabilitation study for the Mud River at Lake Malone. The cabinet also requested $500,000 for routine repairs and maintenance. Members questioned cost estimates, inflation, and whether it would be better to fund design separately; cabinet officials said estimates are current best engineering estimates, costs have generally stayed within about 10%, and the current funding flow requires all funds to be available before bidding. The committee then received a status update on the electric grid resilience program, a five-year federal formula grant under Section 40101(d) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Officials said Kentucky has received years one through three of funding, which has been allocated to state park facilities and municipal electric utilities, while years four and five have not yet been received and would go to distribution cooperatives and remaining municipal utilities. Projects discussed included upgrades at Ken Lake State Park and Kentucky Dam Village, plus municipal projects in Owensboro, Princeton, Williamstown, and Hopkinsville. The cabinet said the selected projects focus on hardening infrastructure, replacing poles, wires, conductors, and transformers, improving vegetation management, and adding or upgrading outage management systems. Officials reported that all projects are under contract and moving into subcontracting and construction, while the Department of Parks is finalizing an agreement with Western Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative for the park-related work.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is SB 818, Utility Relocation. You are recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Senate Bill 818 is utility relocation.
• It aims to streamline utility relocation for public road and rail corridor projects, ensure utility owners
• So it just shifts costs of relocating broadband, cable, and video utilities.
• I think this is the utilities... Utilities, and I would like to do it afterwards.

Summary: The Transportation Committee took up several bills and amendments related to traffic safety, utilities, schools, and motor vehicle administration. Senator Pizzo’s SB 1782, as amended, expanded reckless driving per se to include certain high-speed behaviors; the late amendment removed impound language but kept mandatory court appearance, and the bill was reported favorably. Senator McLean’s SB 818 on utility relocation was amended to include an important state interest finding; after testimony from county groups opposing the cost shift to local governments and Charter Communications supporting the bill, it was also reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1644 on emergency vehicles, after a delete-all amendment broadened warning-signal use for volunteer firefighters, medical staff, and related vehicles. Senator Trumbull’s SB 1348 on DHSMV services was amended to streamline local delivery of motor vehicle services and remove certain fines, waiting periods, and CDL retesting provisions; it passed favorably with support from Florida Tax Collectors. Senator McLean’s SB 1188 on local governing authorities and charter schools drew the most debate, with supporters arguing local governments were using traffic and site-plan rules to block charter schools and opponents warning the bill would tie the hands of local governments and create a blanket preemption; it was reported favorably. The committee then passed SB 636, which limits use of the far-left lane on high-speed roads except for passing, exiting, move-over compliance, or traffic conditions, and requires FDOT signage. Senator Arrington’s SB 1152 increased the Florida Wildflower specialty plate fee from $15 to $25 to raise more money for wildflower research and habitat programs; it was reported favorably. Finally, the committee unanimously recommended confirmation of multiple appointments to the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Central Florida Expressway Authority, Jacksonville Port Authority, Jacksonville Transportation Authority, and Florida Transportation Commission, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Dan Diorio: Yes, utility tariffs in Texas. Mr. Raymond: I know, I know the utility.
• You have data centers utilizing recycled wastewater.
• Should we allow anybody else other than utilities to own generation?
• I think for the transmission and distribution utility, Oncor is a utility that we have been adding employees
• And so our budget is fully approved by the Public Utility Commission.

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs convened to discuss data centers and their impact on Texas's energy infrastructure. The meeting featured testimony from key representatives of the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and ERCOT, who outlined the evolving landscape of energy generation and the challenges posed by the rapid growth of data centers. Notably, ERCOT reported over 450,000 MW of generation resources planned for connection, with a significant portion attributed to data centers, which now represent around 87% of new large load interconnection requests. The committee explored proposed changes to the interconnection process, including a new 'batch study' approach aimed at streamlining the approval of multiple projects simultaneously. This change is intended to address the challenges of managing numerous simultaneous requests and to provide more certainty for developers regarding their energy needs. Testimonies emphasized the importance of ensuring that the costs of infrastructure upgrades are borne by the data centers rather than residential ratepayers, with discussions around the financial commitments required from developers. Several data center developers also provided testimony, highlighting the economic benefits of their projects, including job creation and increased local revenues. They expressed concerns about the potential for a moratorium on future growth due to the new interconnection rules and emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to address water usage and environmental impacts. The committee plans to continue discussions on these topics in future hearings, with a focus on balancing economic growth with energy reliability and resource management.

Transcript Highlights:

• Dan Diorio: Yes, utility tariffs in Texas. Mr. Raymond: I know, I know the utility.
• Diorio: You have data centers utilizing recycled wastewater.
• Looking at larger scale utility scale battery storage systems as well.
• I think for the transmission and distribution utility, Oncor is a utility that we have been adding employees
• And so our budget is fully approved by the Public Utility Commission.

Transcript Highlights:

• One is from your utility company showing your discount as a result of being a community solar subscriber
• . and estro counts Passed on to other utility customers.
• An escrow account set up by the utility specific to the community solar subscribers assures that this
• That's a challenging thing to provide for somebody who pays your utility bill in cash.
• Being one of the utilities of Maryland, has implemented this as of the beginning of the year, and we

Bills: SB9

Keywords: wetlands protection, nontidal wetlands, Delaware, environmental sustainability, climate change, carbon sink, permitting process

Summary: The House Natural Resources and Energy Committee met and first considered SB 321 with Senate Amendment 1, the community solar utility billing bill. The sponsor explained that it would consolidate the two-bill system for community solar subscribers into one utility bill, with the utility forwarding the subscriber fee to the solar facility through an escrow mechanism so costs are not shifted to other ratepayers. Testimony from the solar industry, the Public Advocate, and environmental advocates supported the measure, emphasizing easier enrollment, fewer barriers for low-income customers, and guaranteed savings. The committee initially lacked enough members present to release the bill, but after a roll call vote it was released from committee. The committee then heard SB 9 with Senate Amendment 1, a wetlands protection bill creating a state non-tidal freshwater wetlands permitting program. The sponsor and DNREC described a framework of exemptions, general permits, and individual permits based on wetland type and value, with an advisory committee to develop regulations. Witnesses explained that “exceptional value” wetlands would include unique wetland communities and high-functioning wetlands, and that the bill was intended to preserve important habitat while allowing farming, drainage, and other exempt activities to continue. Some members raised concerns about flooding, land classification, and the balance of the advisory committee, while supporters said the bill was the product of broad stakeholder consensus and would protect wetlands without unduly harming agriculture or development. Public comment on SB 9 was strongly supportive from environmental groups, the Delaware Native Species Commission, the Home Builders Association, the Farm Bureau, The Nature Conservancy, and affordable housing advocates, who said the bill balanced conservation with practical land use concerns. After remote testimony, the committee took a roll call vote and SB 9 was released from committee. The meeting concluded with remarks thanking the chair for her service and instructions for members to sign the backers before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:34.880> custodial not limited to utilities custodial not limited to utilities custodial
• Could say additional expenses including but not limited to utilities and... sentence and that kind of
• <00:08:59.200> C Insurance utilities C Insurance utilities C custodial<00:09:01.240> Etc
• <00:12:15.040> and But not limited to utilities and custodial services.
• and custodial Services shall utilities and custodial Services shall be<00:15:13.639> negotiated

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee discussed HB 694, focusing on how to set fair market rates for lease renewals involving state agencies and political subdivisions. Members and the New Hampshire Association of Counties worked through draft language defining fair market value, including how appraisals, depreciation, and building deficiencies should be considered. Testimony emphasized that market value and appraised value can differ significantly, and that the bill should allow flexibility rather than require a rigid formula. The group also debated what expenses should be included in lease terms. After discussion of examples such as utilities, custodial services, insurance, maintenance, and newer needs like communications or internet service, members agreed not to create an overly specific list. They settled on language stating that additional expenses, including but not limited to utilities and custodial services, would be negotiated separately. The final amendment was revised to apply to lease renewals for land, buildings, or space between a political subdivision and the State of New Hampshire, with renewals at fair market rate unless otherwise agreed by the lessor. The subcommittee agreed to have the amendment drafted at OLS and then closed the public subcommittee meeting on HB 694.

Transcript Highlights:

• So think of 100% of how we generate energy: wind is now close to a quarter for some of the utilities.
• What we've done for Xcel Energy, which is the only utility that uses nuclear, is we've allowed them to
• to buy more of it down causing utilities to buy more of it the<00:03:26.400> cost<00:03:26.599
• <00:04:25.759> that<00:04:25.919> uses which is the only utility that uses which is
• the only utility that uses nuclear<00:04:27.360> is<00:04:27.520> we've<00:04:27.720><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It just adds utility improvements serving an industrial site. Thank you.
• House Bill 1404, fraudulent utility conversion; create crime when landlord fails to pay utilities and
• tenants' utilities are interrupted.
• And so, they uh those uh utility bills.
• Funds not utilized in local and private. Funds not utilized in local and private.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 9 March, 2026; 4:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then handled a series of introductions and announcements. Members welcomed guests in the gallery, recognized the doctor of the day, and later made several announcements about memorials, committee meeting times, and calendar deadlines. The chamber also agreed to dispense with the reading of the journal and the titles of bills and resolutions. The body then took up multiple measures, mostly on the appropriations, rules, and general bills calendars. Among the bills discussed and passed were House Bill 941 on the Mississippi Healthcare Industry Zone Act, with an amendment changing the repealer date to 2028; House Bill 1633 on the Site Development Grant Program, with a strike-all clarifying eligible utility and site-improvement expenditures; House Bill 1404 on fraudulent utility conversion, with a substitute strike-all adding protections and criminal penalties related to landlords failing to pay tenant-funded utilities; House Bill 907 revising the timing for sample ballots from the Secretary of State; House Bill 867 allowing Ross Barnett Reservoir funds to be used for shoreline maintenance and erosion prevention; House Bill 1558 revising compensation and reimbursement for the Tishomingo County Water District; and House Bill 514 revising the Veterinary Practice Act to protect certified veterinary technicians and update board membership and fees. Several other measures were also addressed, including Senate Bill 2648, which would let the MSU Extension Service assist poultry farmers with comprehensive nutrient management plans and was amended by the House to add Alcorn State University; Senate Bill 2637, on flexibility for the Northeast District livestock show location, on which the Senate voted not to concur and invite conference; House Bill 1069, the Mississippi Agriculture and Farmland Wind Tower Protection Act of 2026, which was amended to shift review of a waterfowl impact assessment to the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks and impose a one-year moratorium with a study committee; House Bill 1073, a consumer choice bill restricting bans on gas-powered farm equipment and lawn tools; House Bill 942 extending the chiropractic licensure repealer and allowing certain animal chiropractic work under veterinarian supervision; and House Bill 479, which extended temporary licensing timeframes for psychology and marriage and family therapy and added safeguards tied to background checks and qualifications. Most of these measures were adopted and passed by voice vote or by afternoon or morning roll call, with a few items retained on the calendar and several motions to reconsider or hold bills for later action.

Transcript Highlights:

• These data centers are designed and utilize closed-loop systems.
• We're definitely interested in healthy utilities because without a healthy utility, we don't get power
• So it's really important that we have healthy utilities.
• There is a cost causation principle in utilities, and so when utilities are building out, let's say,
• Are you a high-tech utility?

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, Thomas Gleason, Chairman of the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
• And you pay down an industrial system by having it utilized.
• You have data centers utilizing recycled wastewater.
• I think for the transmission and distribution utility, Oncor is a utility that we have been adding employees
• And so our budget is fully approved by the Public Utility Commission.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, we utilize tax increment financing and tax abatement as development tools.
• In addition, we utilize tax increment financing and tax abatement as development tools.
• <00:36:09.680> and to make sure that those are utilized and to make sure that those are utilized
• <00:37:22.600> creative our community, we've utilized creative our community, we've utilized
• our zoning ordinances, and utility our zoning ordinances, and utility plans. plans. plans.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:46:05.920> costs without bonding support utility costs without bonding support utility
• million that are needed for utility million that are needed for utility infrastructure<00:53:10.839
• taking the time to hear this uh utility taking the time to hear this uh utility infrastructure<01
• <01:12:37.040> leaving without Municipal Utilities leaving without Municipal Utilities leaving
• Public Utilities Public Utilities director<01:20:11.239> the<01:20:11.360> city<01:20:11.679

Bills: HF343, HF446, HF448, HF674, HF811, HF832, HF1661, HF1528, HF1536, HF1541, HF1670, HF1438, HF1714, HF1748, HF1835, HF1904, HF1929, HF1942

Keywords: HF343, Chisago County, Shorewood Park Sanitary Sewer District, Rush Lake, sewer extension, wastewater infrastructure, sanitary sewer, treatment pond, sewage treatment, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, Public Facilities Authority, local infrastructure, municipal utilities, water quality, sanitation, bond proceeds fund, Minnesota bonding, HF446

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:14:20.880> property longer be subject to utility property longer be subject to utility
• tax there no longer a regulated utility tax there no longer a regulated utility as<01:14:23.320>
• regarding the assessment of utility regarding the assessment of utility properties<01:18:30.880>
• Power plants are taxed as if they're the utilities, and utilities can recover their costs and guarantee
• Power plants are taxed as if they're the utilities, and utilities can recover their costs and guarantee

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• CS for House Bill 1075 improves how essential Representative Alvarez: utility services are delivered
• All of these have tiny towns with tiny water utilities to serve the residents.
• The bill would force these tiny utilities to risk becoming large regional-type utilities to support massive
• And yes, the bill does offer a way for utilities to recover the initial upfront cost of extending the
• But here's the reality: municipal utilities operate beyond their municipal boundary.

Transcript Highlights:

• We, uh, are municipal owned utility and co op reporting.
• , the utility, the utility cost goes down and you take that delta between your baseline, which is what
• they established in the utility budget.
• An online gas utility annual reports today we get 10,000 pages annually.
• Again, from residential to the utility scale level.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I want to say we are working with stakeholders to make sure that all types of utility workers are
• TPPA represents the 72 municipally owned electric utilities and other publicly-owned electric systems
• Um, similarly to the other utilities that are represented in this bill and probably in this room.
• they were utility workers, um, and we even had utility workers from other parts of the state, out of
• They were harassed, assaulted specifically for being utility workers, and I do want to say that.

Bills: HB316

Keywords: Medicaid, healthcare, affordable care act, medical assistance, federal funding

Transcript Highlights:

• of as leading to some overbilling of utilities by landlord owners.
• are separately charged, especially preventing overbilling of utilities.
• exceeds the expense to that community for that utility.
• Because utility bills often come through the landlord instead of directly from the utility, people often
• Charges imposed on the landlord by the utility provider. How are those charges recovered?

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1167, which would let municipalities and counties satisfy certain public notice requirements by posting notices on their official websites instead of only in newspapers. The sponsor argued the bill is permissive, meant to modernize notice practices, reduce costs, and help governments meet deadlines, while a Blackman amendment added a six-month transition period requiring continued newspaper publication and a notice to the public about the change. Media representatives, tribal advocates, and others opposed the bill, warning that moving away from print could reduce access for rural, tribal, and older residents and weaken transparency; county and local government representatives supported it as a flexible, efficient option. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed SB 1167 as amended on a 4-3 vote. The committee then heard SB 1021, which after a strike-everything amendment would require the Auditor General to refer possible criminal conduct involving health profession regulatory boards to the Attorney General and outline how such investigations should proceed. The sponsor and supporters said the measure would create a mechanism for accountability when audits uncover criminal activity and address conflicts of interest in enforcement. With no opposition testimony, the committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and passed SB 1021 as amended on a 4-3 vote. Next was SB 1011, a bill directing county medical examiners or forensic pathologists to review an infant’s immunization and vaccination history and any countermeasures given in the 90 days before a sudden unexplained infant death. The sponsor said the bill was intended to improve data collection, align Arizona with best practices, and help identify correlations without implying causation. Opponents, including vaccine advocacy groups and a disability advocate, argued the state already collects much of this information, that the bill could fuel misinformation about vaccines, and that it failed to address the main known risk factors for SIDS such as unsafe sleep. The committee passed SB 1011 on a 4-3 vote. The committee also considered SB 1013, an original merit-based public hiring bill that was not amended after a proposed strike-everything was defeated. The sponsor framed it as ensuring public employees are hired based on qualifications rather than identity-based preferences, while opponents from the ACLU and others argued existing law already prohibits discrimination and that the bill could create new liability and hinder outreach to diverse communities. Supporters said it would clarify merit hiring and prevent quota-based practices. The committee passed SB 1013 on a 4-3 vote. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1015, which the sponsor said would create accountability and data collection around detransition care for minors, while the proposed strike-everything would instead establish a family and medical leave insurance program through Medicaid beginning in 2029; testimony on that bill and the striker was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then utilities or this or that.
• And that really sort of underlies everything in utility regulation.
• And that really sort of underlies everything in utility regulation.
• And that really sort of underlies everything in utility regulation.
• And that really sort of underlies everything in utility regulation.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all