Transcript Highlights:

• but it might necessitate an additional staff person, and it would definitely necessitate a system upgrade
• We've been quoted $40,000 per new tax credit program this year for those system upgrades.
• but it might necessitate an additional staff person, and it would definitely necessitate a system upgrade
• </c><01:35:24.719><c> within</c> necessitate a system upgrade within necessitate a system upgrade within
• Um, last thing I'll say system upgrades.

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• They also slow the need for expensive utility infrastructure upgrades as well. and even if you lose power
• </c><00:15:51.600><c> Um</c><00:15:52.000><c> see</c> infrastructure upgrades as well.
• Um see infrastructure upgrades as well.
• </c><00:31:05.200><c> to</c><00:31:05.600><c> more</c><00:31:05.919><c> efficient</c> people to upgrade
• to more efficient people to upgrade to more efficient equipment, equipment, equipment, &gt;&gt; we<00

Bills: HF3545 , HF4004

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: energy efficiency, construction standards, building codes, environment, sustainability

Transcript Highlights:

• This can only occur if the costs of grid upgrades and generation assets to serve these data centers are
• This can only occur if the costs of grid upgrades and generation assets to serve these data centers are
• This can only occur if the costs of grid upgrades and generation assets to serve these data centers are
• This can only occur if the costs of grid upgrades and generation assets to serve these data centers are
• </c> efforts, equipment and systems upgrades efforts, equipment and systems upgrades and<00:58:32.880

Bills: HF2928 , HF2912 , HF2297

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The added cost of system upgrades and administration impacts operations, bottom line, and are ultimately
• </c><00:28:12.960><c> and</c> added cost of system upgrades and added cost of system upgrades and administration
• tax, and so what we really want to do is break that cycle of our only impact being to improve or upgrade
• to use our public<00:50:47.880><c> infrastructure</c><00:50:48.599><c> with</c><00:50:48.760><c> upgraded
• </c> public infrastructure with upgraded public infrastructure with upgraded electric<00:50:49.799><c

Bills: HF5

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: tax modification, transportation funding, electric vehicle tax, Social Security subtraction, retail delivery fee, motor vehicle registration, state budget, transportation policy

Transcript Highlights:

• they want their garage to be, how many trees they want in their yard, and whether or not they need upgraded
• Um, uh, when we do that, and don't get me wrong, many consumers want that upgrade, and we're happy to
• 31.800><c> happy</c><00:16:32.000><c> to</c><00:16:32.160><c> do</c><00:16:32.319><c> it</c> that upgrade
• and we're happy to do it that upgrade and we're happy to do it but<00:16:32.600><c> to</c><00:16:32.759
• You know, honestly, if you want to help our cities, you know, that haven't been upgrading their zoning

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• These technical evaluations aim to determine current constraints and inform strategic upgrades necessary
• The exemption includes purchases of upgrades or replacement equipment or software.
• going to use stranded wind, self-generated power, or are they going to have developer-funded grid upgrades
• the electric grid, but that can be positive as long as you're making the data center pay for the upgrades
• And if sales tax exemptions go away, that will absolutely impact their calculus on whether they upgrade

Summary: The committee met to continue its study of artificial intelligence and data center development, beginning with approval of the August 13 minutes and a staff memorandum on data center types, growth, energy demand, tax incentives, and North Dakota economic impacts. The memo noted rapid national growth in data centers, the state’s existing sales and use tax exemption for qualified data centers, and recent North Dakota employment, wage, and tax contribution figures tied to the industry. The first major presentation came from Dr. Robert Mayo of NDSU’s Challey Institute, who argued that public concerns should be separated into grid-connected facilities and large behind-the-meter hyperscale projects. He said the effects on electric bills, water use, and noise depend largely on project design, siting, cooling method, and community engagement, and he cited examples from North Dakota and other states to support his view that well-planned projects can bring investment, jobs, and tax base without shifting costs to residents. Members questioned him about wastewater, long-term decommissioning, transparency, tax incentives, and whether other states have regained public trust; he repeatedly emphasized that he had not studied some issues in depth and that openness is key. James Dickey, a Texas-based industry consultant, then testified that data centers are ordinary industrial projects that should be regulated through existing local and state tools for zoning, water, roads, and environmental controls. He described Texas practices such as large deposits, curtailment requirements, and behind-the-meter generation, and said data centers can lower rates or support grid reliability when structured properly. He also said North Dakota’s climate, wind, and natural gas resources make it well positioned for development, while cautioning that incentives alone are not decisive and that local residents must see direct benefits. Aaron Burst of the North Dakota Association of Counties closed the discussion by stressing local control and transparency. He said counties generally already have zoning authority and should retain it, opposed broad NDAs, and described three approaches counties are using: highly specific ordinances, a short model ordinance, or treating data centers like other industrial users. He said most counties already have baseline industrial zoning, that public buy-in is essential, and that counties need flexibility to decide whether and where large projects should be allowed.

Transcript Highlights:

• So contribution and aid of construction, or CAOC, is an attempt to have the customer pay for the upgrades
• If we upgrade the 4CP methodology, this might be less of a concern, but right now, if we continue to
• If we upgrade the 4CP methodology, this might be less of a concern, but right now, if we continue to
• the U.S., typically when a generator is going to connect into the grid, if there's transmission upgrades
• required to bring all that generation into the system, those network upgrades on the transmission system

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Other times it's making sure that the school buses can get upgraded so they can keep going out in the
• so they can keep going out in upgraded so they can keep going out in the<01:04:34.640><c> cold.
• Other times it's making sure that the school buses can get upgraded so they can keep going out in the
• Other times it's making sure that the school buses can get upgraded so they can keep going out in the
• Other times it's making sure that the school buses can get upgraded so they can keep going out in the

Bills: HF3900

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• by what date the cess flow<01:46:37.840><c> should</c><01:46:38.080><c> be</c><01:46:38.960><c> upgraded
• </c><01:46:39.679><c> convert</c><01:46:40.320><c> a</c><01:46:40.719><c> one</c> flow should be upgraded
• or convert a one flow should be upgraded or convert a one number<01:46:41.119><c> one</c><01:46:42.080
• ><c> upgraded</c><01:46:42.639><c> or</c><01:46:42.880><c> converted</c><01:46:43.360><c> to</c><01:46
• :44.800><c> a</c> number one upgraded or converted to a number one upgraded or converted to a director

Bills: HB1881 , HB2218 , HB1956 , HB2151 , HB1845 , HB1844 , HB2103 , HB2424 , HB1650 , HB376 , HB2599 , HB1861

Committee: House Water & Land

Summary: The committee on Water and Land met on February 10, 2026, with Chair Mark Hashem outlining strict testimony rules and noting a time constraint because of later hearings and floor session obligations. The committee then took up several bills, hearing mostly supportive testimony on HB 1881 relating to land use, HB 2218 relating to DLNR/community management, and HB 1956 relating to freshwater waves, while HB 1845 relating to the Land Use Commission drew legal concerns and opposition. HB 2151 relating to building materials had no substantive testimony presented in the excerpt, and the committee moved through it quickly. On HB 1881, testimony focused on protecting North Shore lands from overdevelopment. A supporter described the area as valuable precisely because it remains largely undeveloped, and a member asked whether the bill’s restrictions on “finculars” would affect existing or future private residential installations; the response suggested the bill was aimed at future commercial uses and that grandfathering or personal-use exceptions might be possible, but the exact wording would need legal refinement. HB 2218 received broad support from OHA, DLNR, Kua, Sierra Club, Hui Maka Aana, the Honlay Initiative, and others, who said the measure would expand community-based co-management across DLNR divisions, build on existing park partnerships, and produce real benefits such as better stewardship, safer access, local jobs, and stronger community trust. Members asked about the bill’s five-year review structure, how multiple community groups would be handled, and whether the model could apply to ocean or nearshore areas; DLNR said the board would retain authority, agreements would be non-exclusive and subject to review, and the department was still working through how the approach would function across different divisions and marine settings. For HB 1956, the Attorney General offered technical comments, urging clearer definitions of “residing” and “freshwater way,” clearer timing for citations and arrests, and more explicit procedural safeguards and agency roles. On HB 1845, the Attorney General and Land Use Commission raised concerns that the bill could conflict with constitutional protections for important agricultural lands and could not be reconciled with existing voting requirements; the LUC also said commissioners cannot vote by proxy under sunshine law and warned that the bill could allow too few commissioners to approve major boundary changes. Members questioned how the bill would work in counties without designated important agricultural lands, and the LUC explained that Kauai is the only county to have completed the IAL process, while the broader statutory process remains county-driven and has been the subject of litigation. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some really brief examples of recent grants: Representative Burkel, upgrading the refrigerator equipment
• We had upgrading recycling and composting facilities in Ramsey County.
• So the Department of Ag, for example, is getting $26 million for the upgrading of equipment for farmers
• There's money for upgrading refrigerants, like we talked about, major improvements in our food waste
• refrigerants like we talked upgrading refrigerants like we talked about<00:38:25.640><c> major</c><00

Bills: HF276 , HF413 , HF411

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: human services, Medical Assistance, Medicaid, long-term services and supports, LTSS, public assistance, application process, eligibility determination, customer service survey, wait times, form complexity, lead agencies, Department of Human Services, Department of Children Youth and Families, streamlining, administrative reform, case management, reassessment, intake system, adaptive eligibility form

Transcript Highlights:

• So the BOE has identified a need to upgrade their existing processes to make more efficient use of their
• staff. ...a need to upgrade their existing processes to make more efficient use of their staff, as you've
• of $3.8 million from this fiscal year 2025–26 to next fiscal year 2026–27 to deploy a significant upgrade
• The upgrade will do a few things. One, it will enhance taxpayer services.
• I just don't want to be in a position where we're upgrading, we're paying for the servers, and then the

Summary: The subcommittee first heard an informational overview from the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement (GoServe), including California Volunteers, the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications, and the Youth Empowerment Commission. GoServe reported strong participation in programs such as California Service Corps, College Corps, Youth Service Corps, Climate Action Corps, and the new men’s service challenge. Testimony emphasized enrollment, retention, and completion outcomes, outreach results, and efforts to reduce administrative costs. The Department of Finance said the administration supports the programs but has already made reductions to help address the budget deficit, while the LAO said it had no new recommendations on the informational item. Committee members raised questions about program scale, demographics, and effectiveness, especially for Climate Action Corps and whether the programs are duplicative of existing volunteer opportunities. One member criticized the programs as too fragmented and costly, while others asked for more data on who is being served and whether the programs increase actual participation in state services. GoServe said it would follow up with demographic and regional impact information. The committee also discussed the men’s service challenge, which GoServe said has formed partnerships with organizations such as YMCAs and Big Brothers Big Sisters and has already attracted more than 2,000 participants. The item was informational only. The committee then heard a BOE overview and a budget request to implement SB 293, which gives wildfire-affected families additional time to claim intergenerational Prop. 13 property tax transfers. BOE requested $154,000 for guidance, public materials, and inquiry response, explaining that the work is urgent and tied to disaster relief in Los Angeles County, especially Altadena. The LAO had no concerns, and Finance had no comment. Members asked how many cases might be affected and whether more funding would be needed later; BOE said the full number is not yet known and that future requests are possible. The committee also heard BOE’s IT modernization proposal for the state-assessed property tax system, a 30-year-old mainframe replacement costing $3.2 million in 2026-27 and $3.1 million in 2027-28. BOE and Finance supported the project as necessary, while the LAO said it had no concerns but urged a high bar for new IT spending. Members generally supported modernization but cautioned about implementation risk. Finally, CDTFA presented an overview and two policy proposals. The department described administering 42 tax and fee programs, collecting $98 billion in FY 2024, and improving administrative efficiency. Members then discussed local sales tax tools and revenue-sharing agreements, with concerns raised about transparency, consultant-driven tax allocation disputes, and the impact on local communities. CDTFA and the LAO explained that local jurisdictions control how district sales tax revenues are spent and noted the Legislature could revisit the statutory cap on local add-on sales taxes. The committee then heard CDTFA’s proposal to treat all delivery network companies as marketplace facilitators so they must collect and remit sales tax on delivery-app orders. CDTFA said the change would resolve confusion, shift compliance from thousands of small restaurants to a few large platforms, and raise about $44 million annually. Several members questioned whether the proposal would effectively raise consumer costs and whether it would create a competitive advantage or disadvantage among delivery platforms. The item remained under discussion, with no vote taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• When routine home improvements like electrical upgrades, solar installs, and minor repairs are delayed
• for weeks or months, projects become more expensive, efficiency upgrades are postponed, and homeowners
• Home improvements like electrical upgrades, solar installs, and minor repairs are delayed for weeks or
• Projects become more expensive, efficiency upgrades are postponed, and homeowners lose the ability to
• In roughly half, you can do a like-for-like roof upgrade or replacement without a permit; in half, you

Bills: SB1108 , SB1205 , SB1241 , SB1286 , SB1366 , SB1431 , SB1473 , SB1477 , SB1478 , SB1479 , SB1492 , SB1517 , SB1563 , SB1586 , SB1665 , SB1671

Committee: Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency

Keywords: cash transactions, mandatory rounding, swedish rounding, public notice, Arizona Revised Statutes, motor vehicle booting, private property, fees, dispute process, regulations, SB1241, private permitting provider, private permit, private certificate of completion, building permit, building plan review, inspection, single-trade residential construction, residential construction, municipal permitting

Transcript Highlights:

• For the past three years, we've made funds Available through the PSAPs for any software upgrades that
• So we've been willing to pay for those upgrades.
• There's also a gap in system upgrades for HR1.
• So last year we also asked for some funding to help invest in some upgrades to unlicensed boarding homes
• On the line of the upgrade, I'm sorry, the high level on line 123, and there is in the executive recommendation

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• knowing that most of them are still leaving the state while also trying to reduce our utility cost by upgrading
• knowing that most of them are still leaving the state, while also trying to reduce our utility cost by upgrading
• knowing that most of them are still leaving the state, while also trying to reduce our utility cost by upgrading
• knowing that most of them are still leaving the state, while also trying to reduce our utility cost by upgrading
• knowing that most of them are still leaving the state, while also trying to reduce our utility cost by upgrading

Summary: The work session focused on HB 54, which would allow New Hampshire’s alternative treatment centers to operate for profit. Chair David Nagel opened by identifying the main concerns: whether members agreed with the bill conceptually, whether the proposal could be shaped to avoid a gubernatorial veto, and whether it could lead to “big cannabis” taking over. He also emphasized that the bill would not change the existing oversight structure, which remained under RSA 126-X. Representative Wendy Thomas said the governor’s objections in past sessions appeared to center on the state’s preference for a state-run model and broader policy concerns, but no one present knew the current governor’s position. Several speakers argued the bill was primarily about financing and access, not expanding the number of dispensaries. Matt Simon of Granite Leaf Cannabis said the current nonprofit structure makes it difficult to raise capital, pay down debt, and open additional access points, and that the bill would be a corporate restructuring rather than a change in day-to-day regulation. Brandon Pollock of TASCAL Wellness said medical cannabis programs in most other states are for-profit, and that New Hampshire’s nonprofit requirement has left ATCs burdened with high-interest debt and higher prices that push patients to Maine, Vermont, or the street market. He said converting to for-profit status could allow conventional financing, lower prices, and help keep patients in the regulated program. Members also discussed whether for-profit ownership would invite outside corporate control. Witnesses said the bill would not open the market to new operators, would not change advertising rules, and would include restrictions on ownership transfers for a period of time; “foreign corporation” was explained as an out-of-state entity. One speaker noted that the bill is similar to earlier versions that passed both chambers with strong support but never became law. No vote was taken during the work session; the discussion was informational and aimed at addressing concerns before the bill moved forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• We feel the need to upgrade our vital records system and just to modernize it.
• need</c><04:22:35.560><c> to</c> process um we uh feel the need to process um we uh feel the need to upgrade
• 36.920><c> record</c><04:22:37.399><c> system</c><04:22:38.399><c> uh</c><04:22:38.680><c> and</c> upgrade
• our Vital record system uh and upgrade our Vital record system uh and just<04:22:39.040><c> to</c><04

Transcript Highlights:

• of bringing new energy resources onto the grid and pay for all new power delivery infrastructure upgrades
• Delaware families should not be asked to subsidize infrastructure, upgrades, utility investments, transmission
• trampled by the data centers or we'll put guardrails so that they have to pay for the infrastructure upgrades
• developed and are in the process of being studied by Delmarva for Delmarva to do the infrastructure upgrades

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Transportation

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on energy, public safety, and environmental cleanup. House Bill 455 would create a historic preservation license plate to raise funds and awareness for Delaware preservation efforts, and House Bill 471 would tighten rules and penalties for off-highway vehicles on shared private roads, with golf carts excluded. House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill 439, the Truth in E-Bike Marketing Act, would require clearer disclosures when selling electric mopeds and electric motorcycles so consumers understand classification, power, and licensing/insurance requirements. House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill 407, related to the Hazardous Substance Cleanup Act and brownfields, would shift funding for brownfield cleanup from the original realty transfer tax approach to a dedicated share of the hazardous substance cleanup fund and raise civil penalties for fraudulent acts. The committee also approved the June 18, 2026 minutes once quorum was reached. Most of the meeting centered on House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill 233, as amended, a large-load/data center bill intended to protect ratepayers from costs tied to massive new electricity users. The sponsor and Public Advocate said PJM’s warnings about a coming reliability backstop auction made it urgent to establish a Delaware framework now, requiring large energy users to sign utility agreements, cover their share of transmission, distribution, and capacity costs, and comply with curtailment and other protections. Supporters from environmental groups and some labor and business voices said the bill was needed to prevent cost shifts to households and small businesses, while opponents argued it was being rushed, could deter investment, and might unintentionally affect other industries; several asked for more time and clearer definitions. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee also took up House Bill 470, which would authorize Delmarva Power, with PSC approval, to build and operate utility-owned battery storage and spread costs across the customer base. The sponsor and Delmarva said the bill would improve reliability quickly and help avoid outages, while the chair expressed concern that the state had not yet fully studied whether utility-owned or competitively procured storage is the best model, noting a recent SEU storage study and broader policy questions. Supporters said utility storage could be deployed faster and help with peak shaving, while others urged a competitive process; the transcript cuts off before any final action on HB 470.

Transcript Highlights:

• about how our armor radio, our emergency communication radio network system, really needs to be upgraded
• 00:12:39.279><c> be</c> network system uh really needs to be network system uh really needs to be upgraded
• 40.320><c> one</c><00:12:40.480><c> of</c><00:12:40.560><c> those</c><00:12:40.800><c> things</c> upgraded
• And it's one of those things upgraded.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Leader upgrade.
• &gt;&gt; Leader<00:14:42.800><c> upgrade.
• /c><00:14:44.079><c> looking</c><00:14:44.320><c> at</c><00:14:44.639><c> the</c> &gt;&gt; Leader upgrade
• I'm looking at the &gt;&gt; Leader upgrade.

Transcript Highlights:

• The revenues have been upgraded since the Budget Act as a result of strong performance in the stock market
• It's precariously balanced in our view, even with a $42 billion upgrade to the revenue estimates through
• The $42 billion upgrade is, as Ms.
• The $42 billion upgrade is, as Ms.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee opened its hearing on the Governor’s 2026-27 budget with remarks emphasizing the start of a months-long process, the need for fiscal responsibility, and concerns about structural deficits, federal funding losses, housing and homelessness, and oversight. The vice chair echoed those concerns, warning against budgets built on short-term fixes and urging accountability. The Department of Finance presented a balanced budget year proposal of about $349 billion in total expenditures, including $248 billion General Fund, while acknowledging a structural imbalance in the out years and proposing a workload budget with limited new spending or cuts. Finance said the budget relies on stronger-than-expected revenues, but also on constitutional obligations such as Proposition 98 and Proposition 2, and on suspending a rainy-day fund true-up deposit to cover a projected $2.9 billion budget-year deficit. The administration highlighted higher education funding, climate and wildfire resilience investments, a new ZEV incentive, added Health and Human Services costs tied to H.R. 1, child care funding, and three tax proposals: third-party delivery tax compliance, a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit, and an extension of the California Competes tax credit. The LAO, by contrast, warned that the budget is “precariously balanced,” cited downside risk from stock market-driven revenues, and urged the Legislature to use reserves, avoid suspending rainy-day deposits, and begin shrinking multi-year deficits sooner rather than later. Member questions focused on wildfire mitigation and insurance, transit and GGRF funding, federal cuts affecting CalFresh and Medi-Cal, the proposed tax credits, homelessness accountability language, and education funding. Several members pressed for earlier partnership on deficit solutions and for more scrutiny of budget choices. The committee also discussed declining enrollment in K-12, community colleges, and CSU, with concerns about whether funding formulas are aligned with actual student demand. No formal votes or final actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• break on the charitable gaming tax, and veterans would have been able to use that money to just do upgrades
• been able to use that money to just have been able to use that money to just do<00:25:10.240><c> upgrades
• 11.200><c> their</c><00:25:11.760><c> uh</c><00:25:12.240><c> legions</c><00:25:12.720><c> and</c> do upgrades
• to their uh legions and do upgrades to their uh legions and their<00:25:13.559><c> VFWs</c><00:25:14.559