Transcript Highlights:

• projects, tax credits for residential clean energy improvements like heat pumps and solar panels.
• Like heat pumps and solar panels.
• We also come up with smart solar permitting so that there's not 351 separate permitting processes across
• Solar augmenting it and having a serious plan to look at nuclear going down the road.
• In my district alone, there have been multiple large-scale solar arrays that have cleared significant

Summary: The House opened with routine formalities and then adopted a resolution recognizing the work of Ukraine Forward after suspending the rules. Members also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow several petitions to proceed, including proposals related to a poverty-reduction grant program, an unemployment insurance study commission, and a local police-exam age waiver. The House then took up a major energy bill, House No. 4744/5151, reported by Ways and Means and scheduled by Steering, Policy and Scheduling, and advanced it through second reading and to third reading after adopting the committee amendment. The main floor debate centered on the energy affordability, clean power, and economic competitiveness bill. Supporters argued it would lower rates through reforms to Mass Save, changes to procurement and interconnection, returning a share of alternative compliance payments to ratepayers, and other consumer protections, while preserving long-term clean energy goals. Opponents said the bill’s relief was too delayed and that it added costs and bureaucracy without immediate help for households facing high bills. Several amendments were offered and rejected, including proposals to suspend public benefit charges for a year, change utility rate-filing disclosure rules, and alter propane delivery protections; one amendment on solar siting in forested areas was also defeated. The House adopted a consolidated amendment to the energy bill by a roll call vote of 127-27, and earlier adopted the Ways and Means substitute version of the bill. The chamber also passed several other bills to be engrossed or enacted, including measures on unemployment insurance for fluctuating schedules, the Medical Society mission statement, a youth training wage, bridge and intersection designations, handicapped parking fines, public way safety, excavation restoration, and a Newton police age requirement. The House observed multiple moments of silence honoring deceased veterans, public servants, and community figures, including Navy Petty Officer Joden Booker, coach Thomas Skip Karam, former Police Chief Carlton Abbott, and former legislator William Q. Biff McLean, Jr.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have added, uh, wind and solar to the generation mix and of course wind and solar are intermittent
• They're cloudy days we don't have solar and windy days and days when we don't have so much wind.
• Which means that in order to serve the load on some days you had to have some wind or some solar online
• Solar and wind during winter storms are, uh, usually not at their top performance for icing, snow on
• Solar is also in that time range as well. Are there any policies that you'd like to see changed?

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it more wind and solar? Where are we, and what is actually coming online?
• Nearly half of that is storage, and the rest of the majority is solar.
• Is it more wind and solar? Where are we and what is actually coming online?
• Nearly half of that is storage, and the rest of the majority is solar.
• The Coalition for Community Solar Access, with strong, strong support.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules first handled several routine actions, including approving three governor’s appointments not required to appear: Anthony Surich as Executive Director of the California Housing Finance Agency, Craig Snelling J.D. to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, and Nicholas Mueller to the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission. The committee also approved referral of bills to committees, all by 4-0 votes. It then took up appointments requiring testimony, beginning with Jereen DiAdamo to the State Water Resources Control Board. DiAdamo focused her remarks on safe drinking water, groundwater sustainability, conservation, and Bay-Delta restoration. She said the number of Californians without safe drinking water has fallen from 1.6 million to 800,000 since 2019, credited the SAFER program, technical assistance, and mandatory consolidation authority, and described ongoing work on failing and at-risk systems, domestic well mitigation, SGMA implementation, and the Bay-Delta Plan. Senators pressed her on audit follow-up, measurable goals for reducing the remaining unsafe systems, funding uncertainty, and concerns from environmental and tribal groups that the board has favored water users over ecosystem protections. Supporters from water, agriculture, business, and local agencies praised her collaborative style and consensus-building, while opponents argued she had not done enough to protect the Delta and called for new leadership. The committee ultimately voted 4-0 to advance her appointment to the full Senate. The committee then heard from Sivagunda Gunda for reappointment to the California Energy Commission. He highlighted progress on grid reliability, zero-carbon generation, and planning for California’s energy transition, including transportation fuels, building electrification, and the eventual retirement of Diablo Canyon. Senators questioned him about the future of Kern Energy and small refineries, the state’s transportation fuels plan, fuel imports and costs, and whether California can retire Diablo Canyon by 2030 without harming reliability. Gunda said the state is planning as if Diablo Canyon retires in 2030, that current resource additions make reliability manageable, and that affordability and market coordination remain key issues. The committee then voted 4-0 to advance his appointment to the full Senate, and the hearing recessed afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can build solar here. We can do wind.
• data center industry, and our members are leading data center owners and operators and companies that lease

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Summary: The committee heard several labor-related bills focused on workplace technology, data centers, staffing agencies, and environmental health. SB 947, the “No Robo Bosses Act,” would require human review before automated systems can be used in discipline, termination, or deactivation decisions and would ban predictive behavior analysis; labor groups and worker advocates supported it, while business and industry groups opposed it as overbroad and litigation-prone. After extended discussion about due process, human oversight, and private rights of action, the bill passed 3-1 and was sent to the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee. SB 978, the Data Center Community Accountability Act, would require data centers to pay for new infrastructure costs, create a separate rate structure to protect other ratepayers, and impose skilled-and-trained labor standards for construction. Supporters said it would prevent cost shifts to households and ensure good jobs, while opponents argued the CPUC already has ongoing proceedings and that the bill unfairly singles out one industry. The committee discussed balancing economic growth with labor and ratepayer protections, and the bill passed 3-1 to Senate Appropriations. SB 951, the California Worker Technological Displacement Act, would expand WARN-style notice requirements for AI-related layoffs and require reporting on displaced jobs and first consideration for openings; supporters said it would improve transparency and help policymakers respond to AI-driven job loss, while opponents warned it was too broad and conflicted with existing WARN law. It passed 3-1 to Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection. The committee also considered SB 1032, which would create a licensing and registration framework for temporary staffing agencies. Supporters said it would curb fraud and protect workers from illicit staffing operators, while opponents—many from the staffing industry—said the bill was vague, burdensome, and could hinder small and minority-owned businesses. The bill passed 3-1 to Senate Judiciary. Finally, SB 1046, dealing with protections for lifeguards and park rangers exposed to transboundary pollution in the Tijuana River Valley, would direct Cal/OSHA to develop standards for exposure, PPE, training, and incident reporting. With support from park workers and community groups and no opposition, it passed unanimously 4-0 to Senate Appropriations. The committee also approved a consent calendar item and adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sometimes you own the machines and the software, and sometimes you lease it because the upgrades and
• Solars? Yes, I apologize. Not here, not here. Oh. Sorry, then okay, that's all I have.

Summary: The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee heard several transportation-related measures, with SB 1010 and SB 1552 held at the outset. SB 1024, dealing with licensing and registration rules for roadable aircraft, was discussed briefly; members raised questions about vehicle license tax revenue and the sponsor was absent, but the bill was still advanced on a do pass recommendation by a 3-2 vote. SB 1205, which creates statewide rules for motor vehicle booting on private property, received testimony from industry and Sen. Kavanagh in support and was approved 5-0. SB 1366, creating a study committee on public property towing and impound practices, also passed 5-0 after supporters described it as a bipartisan, data-gathering measure. The committee then took up SB 1624 on photo enforcement violations. The bill would cap civil penalties at $75 and limit the use of photo enforcement violations for license, insurance, and court-record purposes, while an amendment added a class three misdemeanor for excessive speed and directed $15 of the penalty to the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund. The measure drew extensive debate, with supporters arguing it would simplify enforcement and keep penalties manageable, and opponents including insurers and local governments warning it would mask risk, reduce revenue for state and local funds, and interfere with school-zone safety. After adopting the amendment, the committee advanced the bill 4-2. SB 1232, a technical bill concerning billboard placement near military airport and facility districts, was amended to clarify local approval and public hearing requirements and then passed unanimously. SCR 1004, the companion measure to a House resolution, would send to voters a proposal limiting photo enforcement unless a local government had a contract in place by December 31, 2026; after testimony describing it as a negotiated compromise that preserves local control, it passed 4-2. The committee also approved two memorials, SCM 1002 renaming a portion of SR 77 as the L.F. Quinn Memorial Highway and SCM 1006 renaming a portion of US 70 as the PFC Michael A. Nolene Memorial Highway, both by unanimous votes, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, we heard in committee yesterday about all of the... or at least many of the solar companies
• We have the labs where you can work in a secure space and lease it through UNM and put your stuff in

Bills: HB2 , SB152

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion

Transcript Highlights:

• They are actually leasing space at the spaceport.
• 10, a memorial to evaluate the potential economic, safety, and grid impacts of installing portable solar

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They asked for this so they could have some of their own equipment and stop leasing things for disaster
• So, they have installed solar. I know in a lot of places.

Bills: HB1

Committee: Senate Senate 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:

• ><c> solar</c><01:40:06.719><c> systems</c><01:40:07.119><c> are</c> battery storage solar systems are
• ><c> targeting</c> Solar system companies are targeting Solar system companies are targeting home<01:
• </c> Experts warn that taking out a solar Experts warn that taking out a solar loan<01:41:16.320><c>
• </c> proactively send a notice to all solar proactively send a notice to all solar panel<01:47:58.960
• </c> are you looking at getting a solar are you looking at getting a solar system<01:51:32.639><c> or

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee held an informational briefing on fraud in the community, with presenters from ARP, CoinFlip, HPD, the Hawaii Bankers Association, DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection, and the Department of Law Enforcement. The chair described widespread scams targeting kupuna and other residents, including impersonation of grandchildren, lottery/inheritance schemes, romance scams, online shopping fraud, investment scams, and tech-support scams. Members emphasized the emotional manipulation used by scammers, the difficulty of getting victims to report losses, and the need to educate the public on warning signs and available resources. ARP said scams are an epidemic and highlighted national data showing major losses among older adults, including $4.8 billion lost by people age 60 and over in 2024. ARP focused especially on cryptocurrency kiosks as a growing scam channel in Hawaii, citing 64 complaints totaling $922,000 in 2024 and noting that complaints nearly doubled from the prior year. ARP urged stronger safeguards such as limits on transactions, refunds, live customer support, and a law-enforcement contact for operators, and said its Fraud Watch Network can help victims freeze credit, identify next steps, and track current scams. The chair said he intends to introduce legislation to lower and ultimately eliminate the amount of Bitcoin that can be purchased through ATMs. CoinFlip said it supports consumer-protection regulation and described its compliance practices, including scam warning screens, anti-money-laundering controls, blockchain analytics, wallet pinning, transaction monitoring, and cooperation with law enforcement. The company said it is registered as a money services business, files suspicious activity and currency transaction reports, and holds money transmitter licenses in many jurisdictions. It also pointed to Illinois-style refund protections for new users and said it refunds fees to scam victims, though not the underlying funds. In response to committee questions, members and the company discussed whether crypto kiosks are necessary, how scams can be traced, and whether banks and kiosks can better intervene when suspicious activity is detected.

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of Walmarts that might have rooftop solar and other things.
• We have lots of investment in Louisiana in solar panel production, a large sector that's growing.
• we also build utility-scale solar systems that provide energy directly to the grid.
• We've drilled down in a lot of detail on the proper rates for rooftop solar for residential.
• started coming around in Louisiana had some solar credits to install solar panels on roofs, and at one

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on May 11, 2026, with a quorum present and took up a series of Senate bills, a resolution, and one House bill. The committee reported favorably Senate Bill 79 to recreate Louisiana Economic Development, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5 to establish the Louisiana-Ireland Trade Commission, Senate Bill 375 on firefighting foam with amendments clarifying use in declared emergencies, Senate Bill 398 moving manufactured and modular housing oversight under the Contractors Licensing Board with technical and substantive amendments, Senate Bill 163 on virtual currency business licensing with an amendment providing for federal preemption if Congress enacts a national licensing regime, and Senate Bill 287 on virtual currency kiosks with consumer-protection provisions and technical amendments. The committee also reported favorably House Resolution 197, as amended, urging the Public Service Commission to study distributed energy generation and storage resources with LSU involvement, and Senate Bill 54, which would allow estheticians to blow-dry hair after certain services; that bill drew extensive testimony from supporters and opponents in the cosmetology and aesthetics industries before being reported favorably. Several bills prompted detailed discussion and testimony. On Senate Bill 398, the sponsor and Contractors Licensing Board representatives said the change would improve enforcement and consumer safety for manufactured-home installation, especially tie-downs, leveling, and foundation blocking, while not affecting HUD-regulated construction. On the virtual currency bills, OFI said it currently licenses 37 virtual currency businesses with 33 pending applications, and supporters described the kiosk bill as a response to fraud complaints by requiring clearer disclosures, refund procedures, live customer support, and reporting to OFI. For House Resolution 197, the sponsor, PSC officials, and energy stakeholders said the study would examine the value of distributed energy resources, including rooftop solar and battery storage, in light of rising demand and grid reliability concerns; PSC staff and LSU energy experts described the study as focused on market value and avoided-cost benefits. House Bill 744, which would have shifted regulation of certain New Orleans utilities from the city council to the PSC, generated discussion about constitutional history, rate impacts, and utility consolidation. PSC officials and the sponsor said the current city-council regulation is a constitutional exception dating back to 1921, and they argued that PSC regulation could reduce costs and simplify oversight, but the sponsor ultimately moved to defer the bill rather than force a floor fight, and the committee agreed. The committee then began consideration of Senate Bill 386, the Louisiana Data Privacy Act, adopting technical amendments and then a larger amendment package that revised definitions and compliance provisions; the transcript ends while that bill’s amendment process is still underway, with no final action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of Walmarts that might have rooftop solar and other things.
• We have lots of investment in Louisiana in solar panel production, a large sector that's growing.
• We think that information will help other companies in the supply chain, like Tesla, First Solar, and
• we also build utility-scale solar systems that provide energy directly to the grid.
• started coming around in Louisiana had some solar credits to install solar panels on roofs, and at one

Bills: HB744 , HR197 , SB54 , SB79 , SB163 , SB287 , SB375 , SB386 , SB398 , SB469 , SCR5

Committee: House Commerce

Keywords: public utility, common carrier, regulation, Public Service Commission, New Orleans, constitutional amendment, distributed energy, energy storage, electricity demand, virtual power plants, reliability, hurricane resilience, esthetics, cosmetology, hair services, beauty industry, Louisiana regulation, Louisiana Economic Development, sunset law, legislative authority

Transcript Highlights:

• senators are considering the options, such as investing in renewable energy sources like wind and solar
• </c> of our renewable energy wind and solar of our renewable energy wind and solar we're<00:05:00.880
• I'm fine with solar.
• Would it best be with some gas and maybe some more wind and solar mixed in?
• more wind and solar mixed in it gives more wind and solar mixed in it gives them<00:10:24.200><c> more

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> general fund for this Casper Arm lease general fund for this Casper Arm lease budget<01:18:25.120
• Senator Solar, Mr. Chairman, extremely good point. Um I have the same concern.
• Senator Solar, Mr. Chairman, extremely good point. Um I have the same concern.
• Senator Solar, Mr. Chairman, extremely good point. Um I have the same concern.
• Senator Solar, &gt;&gt; Thank you, Senator Scott.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Take the blue and subtract all the renewables, solar and wind, on the grid.
• than solar and wind?
• You don't have the same level of solar output, and the resource mix needed would be different.
• Solar, you want to put it in the best place, cheapest place. Thank you very much. Thank you.
• There's also interest in doing more solar development. And it was... ...contracts, we know.

Summary: The committee first heard AB 1026 by Assembly Member Wilson, which would require investor-owned utilities to provide clearer front-end information and follow more consistent timelines for post-entitlement energization applications tied to housing projects. The author and supporters from the Housing Action Coalition and Mission Housing said utility delays can hold up approved housing, add costs, and create uncertainty, and they argued the bill would align utility processes with recent state efforts to streamline local permitting. PG&E and Southern California Edison opposed the bill, saying existing CPUC timelines and the ongoing energization rulemaking already address the issue, that the bill could be duplicative or premature, and that some proposed timelines were too short. The committee discussed the bill’s relationship to the CPUC’s September 2024 decision, and AB 1026 was ultimately approved on a 15-0 vote, with the consent calendar also passing. The second half of the hearing was the committee’s annual oversight hearing on electric reliability. Representatives from the CPUC, CEC, CAISO, and DWR reviewed lessons from the 2020 and 2022 heat emergencies, emphasizing that California has since added significant resources, improved planning, and created backstop programs such as the strategic reliability reserve. They said the summer 2025 outlook is cautiously optimistic, with no expected shortfalls under traditional planning conditions and a projected surplus, though wildfire and extreme heat remain risks. The agencies also described major changes in planning and operations, including more battery storage, updated resource adequacy rules, expanded transmission planning, and reforms to the interconnection queue. Members asked about data center load, Diablo Canyon’s future, the strategic reliability reserve, demand response, wildfire mitigation costs, affordability, and regional market expansion. Witnesses said data center demand is a major variable but can be managed through better forecasting, flexible service arrangements, and siting in areas with existing capacity; they also said firm clean resources remain valuable while planning continues around Diablo Canyon’s scheduled retirement. On affordability, they said the agencies try to balance reliability with least-cost procurement, and that new resources can lower market prices even as they require upfront investment. CAISO also highlighted the value of the Western Energy Imbalance Market and the planned day-ahead market, saying regional coordination improves both reliability and cost savings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Solar has come more into vogue on the utility side.
• And you'll see from this, the vast majority of it is solar.
• You had mentioned solar.
• Now, that slide I had up there is just utility-owned solar. That does not include home solar.
• Those are primarily located at solar sites, but that does not mean that they're charged solely by solar

Summary: The committee heard introductory remarks from Chair LaMarca and members, then received presentations on electric utility planning, transportation infrastructure, and broadband deployment. Public Service Commission staff explained how Florida’s utilities plan for reliability and cost through 10-year site plans, demand forecasting, and economic dispatch. The presentation emphasized Florida’s residential-heavy load, growing EV demand, expanding solar and battery storage, continued reliance on natural gas combined-cycle plants, and the role of nuclear power. Members asked about energy efficiency, rates, renewable options beyond solar, cybersecurity, grid resilience, data centers, and small modular nuclear reactors; the witness said efficiency programs are reviewed every five years, utilities must balance reliability and affordability, and large new loads like data centers generally must pay for their own infrastructure needs. Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue described FDOT’s five-year work program, decentralized district structure, and funding mix, noting that the agency is predominantly state-funded and prioritizes maintenance and preservation before expansion. He highlighted record investment levels, major congestion-relief projects, toll-road revenues, seaport and airport partnerships, spaceport investments, workforce and equipment needs, and emerging technology such as advanced air mobility. Members asked about project timing, MPO planning, rail and ferry funding, airport governance, winter storm preparedness, and flooding/sea-level rise; Perdue said faster delivery depends on resources, local governments lead transit operations with FDOT as a capital partner, and coastal and drainage projects are designed around storm surge and resiliency. The Office of Broadband reported on six grant programs supporting infrastructure, community facilities, digital connectivity, and future digital capacity and broadband expansion. Director Leo Garcia said the office has awarded hundreds of millions of dollars across most counties, leveraged significant private investment, and focused heavily on rural areas. He noted that broadband efforts are intended to support telehealth, education, workforce development, and economic growth, and said the state has reduced the number of unserved locations from more than 400,000 to a projected 170,000 after current awards are completed. He also said the office needs additional budget authority for the upcoming digital capacity program and that the larger federal/state broadband deployment program will be used to reach remaining unserved and underserved areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• A contractor pitches a no-cost upgrade or rebate-backed improvement, sometimes solar panels.
• Chair and members, Delaney Hunter on behalf of the Solar Energy Industries Association.
• Kim Stone of Stone Advocacy on behalf of the California Solar and Storage Association.
• That's the moment the solar panels can turn on.
• That's the moment the solar panels can turn on and get the benefit of the bargain.

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met to hear several bills focused on consumer and small business financial protections. SB 97, by Senator Grayson, would update and clarify California’s digital financial assets law; supporters from the blockchain industry and consumer groups said it would improve compliance clarity while preserving room to align with possible federal action. The committee passed SB 97 on a due-pass motion to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee, with the roll left open for absent members. The committee also heard SB 362, which would strengthen disclosure rules for small business financing by requiring clearer pricing information throughout the marketing process. Supporters said the bill would help small businesses compare offers and avoid harmful financing, while some industry groups objected to the bill’s treatment of communications and APR disclosures during negotiations. After discussion, the committee passed SB 362 to the Judiciary Committee, with several members voting aye and the roll left open. SB 784, a bill addressing predatory home-improvement and solar financing practices, drew extensive testimony. The author and supporters described scams targeting seniors, low-income homeowners, and non-English speakers, and said the bill would add safeguards such as confirmation calls, document access, fee transparency, and longer cancellation periods. Solar industry groups moved to neutral after amendments, while banks and other lenders raised concerns about overbreadth and impacts on legitimate lending. The committee passed SB 784 to Judiciary, with some members not voting or changing votes during the roll call. Finally, SB 825 sought to give the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation clearer authority to enforce existing consumer financial protection laws against its licensees, especially in light of reduced federal CFPB enforcement. Supporters argued California needs independent state enforcement tools, while banking and mortgage groups opposed the bill as duplicative and unnecessary, urging coordination with federal regulators and proposing narrower amendments. The committee passed SB 825 to Appropriations on a due-pass vote, and then adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome, Assemblymember Ward, this is AB 864, dealing with hazardous waste and solar panels.
• As you know, California has the largest solar market in the United States.
• As California is currently listing one of the top three states for annual solar capacity additions.
• There are limited opportunities for solar panel owners dropping unwanted panels at a. collection site
• But that also means we have more solar waste. than any state in the Union.

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• volcano would erupt and the ash would go up, you'd have tremendous cooling to the earth because of the solar
• A solar... Stratospheric aerosol injection is a solar radiation management geoengineering approach.
• Stratospheric aerosol injection is a solar radiation management geoengineering or climate engineering
• Research Service entitled "Geoengineering Governance and Technology Policy" specifically addressed solar
• radiation management as a way to... ...solar radiation management as a way to combat climate change.

Bills: HB248 , HB311

Committees: House Tourism , House Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: weather modification, atmospheric pollution, chemical dispersion, environmental law, public health, improvement districts, assessment collection, property taxes, local governance, foreclosure procedures, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For instance, they might say, "Hey, I'm going to build a thousand megawatts of solar this year.
• Executive Director of the Texas Solar and Storage Association.
• Solar power is a predictable source of affordable generation.
• from solar.
• Claire, I'm not anti-solar at all. I think that's good.

Bills: SB388 , SB455 , SB917 , SB925 , SB1006

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: dispatchable generation, electricity, natural gas, ERCOT, energy credits, utilities regulation, renewable energy, arbitration, insurance contracts, surplus lines, Texas law, insurance policy, boiler inspection, boiler safety, inspection report deadline, certificate inspection, authorized inspector, inspection agency, Health and Safety Code, board of boiler rules

Transcript Highlights:

• And we've had a lot of those come into the market because of the lease requirement. A new vehicle.
• And we've had a lot of those come into the market because of the lease requirement.
• buyers by providing incentives that are at the point of sale, focused on first-time purchases or leases
• And the best way to do that is through an incentive for new EVs that supports leases and can help to
• And the best way to do that is through an incentive for new EVs that supports leases and can help to

Summary: The meeting began with a budget subcommittee hearing on a proposed sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit trailer bill. Assembly Members Ávila Farías and another member spoke in support, emphasizing union jobs, refinery investments, and the need to decarbonize aviation. The Department of Finance said the Governor’s proposal would provide a $1 to $2 per gallon credit against the diesel excise tax for SAF sold in California from 2026 to 2036. The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended rejecting the proposal, arguing it is a relatively expensive way to reduce emissions, has uncertain environmental benefits, could significantly reduce transportation revenues, and conflicts with the spirit of voter restrictions on transportation taxes. Committee members questioned whether the credit would mainly benefit out-of-state producers, whether firms would have diesel tax liability to use the credit, and whether the proposal would shift production away from renewable diesel and raise fuel prices. Administration and CARB staff said the credit is intended to support aviation decarbonization, preserve jobs, and help keep California on track toward its 2045 climate goals. LAO and UC Berkeley testimony countered that the policy could mostly subsidize existing technologies, that feedstock supply is limited, and that the net emissions benefit may be small relative to the cost. Members also asked about the effect on local streets and roads, SHOP, and trade corridor funding; Finance estimated a $165 million annual revenue impact would reduce those programs, while LAO said the reductions would mean fewer projects over time. No vote was taken, and the chair said the issue would remain open for further discussion. The committee then moved to a zero-emission vehicle incentive trailer bill proposing a one-time $200 million appropriation to CARB for a new point-of-sale incentive program focused on first-time buyers and leases of new and used light-duty ZEVs. Supporters said the program would help offset the loss of the federal EV tax credit, maintain momentum in California’s ZEV transition, and use a one-to-one match with participating automakers to double the state’s investment. LAO recommended rejection, saying the proposal does not meet the high budget bar this year, lacks enough program detail to evaluate, is unlikely to move sales significantly given the size of the appropriation, and could duplicate existing state and utility programs. Members asked about current incentives across light-, medium-, and heavy-duty sectors, the recent decline in ZEV sales, and whether the program would help lower-income buyers rather than subsidize purchases that would have happened anyway. CARB said the proposal is meant to fill a gap in the light-duty market, where sales fell sharply after the federal credit expired, and noted existing programs for other vehicle classes. The Department of Finance also addressed a separate question about the Motor Vehicle Account, saying a previously planned GGRF transfer was no longer needed because updated forecasts showed the fund had sufficient balances, though LAO said the account still has a structural long-term imbalance. The discussion ended before any vote or action on the ZEV proposal.