Transcript Highlights:

• projects, with a maximum amount of $25 million awarded to each project.
• </c> more months to get these projects more months to get these projects started.<00:10:38.000><c> But
• So that is another tool that we're utilizing with these projects to help spur these projects on and to
• </c> any other uh energy producing project any other uh energy producing project would<00:13:36.720><
• </c> license application and project plans. license application and project plans.

Committee: Senate Natural Resources & Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• So in closing, by streamlining CEQA for public higher ed projects, we can accelerate the construction
• This project is also tied to Sutter's new medical school partnership with Santa Clara.
• Since then, over 400 wildfire projects have been approved statewide, with projects being approved in
• Fuel reduction projects.
• then the actual project.

Summary: The committee heard AB 1603, which would restrict new PFAS pesticides from being registered in California and add transparency requirements for pesticide use reporting. The author and supporters argued PFAS are persistent, harmful chemicals that contaminate water, soil, and food, and said the bill would reduce future contamination and public health costs. Supporters included environmental and public health groups, water agencies, nurses, teachers, and local governments. Agricultural and chemical industry groups opposed the bill’s registration ban, arguing California already has strong pesticide review, that the measure could limit future safer formulations, and that it could raise costs and reduce farmers’ access to pest-control tools. Committee members raised questions about affordability, water contamination, and the role of state versus federal regulators; the author said the bill was needed because existing regulation is too slow and incomplete. No vote was taken because the committee lacked a quorum. The committee then heard AB 2635, the Just Transition for Landscapers Act, which would create voucher programs and other support for landscapers transitioning from gas-powered to electric equipment, while limiting penalties and adding privacy protections. The author and supporters said many landscapers are low-wage immigrant workers who cannot afford the upfront cost of electric equipment and should not be punished for complying with local air-quality rules. Air district representatives and other opponents said the bill could be too prescriptive, could divert limited air district resources, and could create administrative and language-assistance burdens; one air district moved to neutral after amendments. Committee members discussed the health benefits of electric equipment and the need to avoid placing penalties on workers. The bill was held pending a quorum. The committee also heard AB 1732, which would extend CEQA streamlining to public university and community college housing projects. The author, UC student representatives, and the University of California said the bill would help address student housing insecurity and speed construction on already planned campus sites. There was no opposition. The committee then took up AB 1744, the Clear Labels, Clear Seas Act, which would prohibit sunscreen products marketed as reef safe or reef friendly from containing certain chemicals that harm marine ecosystems. The author said the bill is a transparency measure, not a ban, and the committee expressed support; no opposition appeared. Additional bills discussed included AB 2152, which would streamline CEQA review for fire station projects and was supported by firefighters and local governments but opposed by contractors over a project labor agreement requirement; AB 2231, which would streamline two hospital projects in Santa Clara and Emeryville and drew broad support with no opposition; AB 2410, which would create temporary CEQA and Coastal Act exemptions for wildfire fuel-reduction projects and drew support from counties, cities, utilities, and fire officials but opposition from Sierra Club California over the breadth of the exemptions; and AB 2234, which would update geothermal exploratory project rules to reflect newer technologies, supported by clean power advocates and opposed or opposed-unless-amended by utility groups concerned about impacts on existing geothermal operations. Several of these measures were discussed with amendments, but votes were deferred where a quorum was not yet present.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, project review.
• We don't have any set or specific timelines for projects.
• And the timelines can vary so much from project to project.
• I know it varies project by project, but I was curious to know whether a developer is provided information
• I think for us, it really is customized to each type of project.

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Regulatory Authority held its first hearing to examine how California’s regulatory framework affects housing production, affordability, and timelines. Chair Pacheco and Assemblymember Haney framed the discussion around the state’s housing shortage and the need to reduce costs while maintaining environmental, safety, and community protections. The first panel featured housing experts and industry representatives who argued that state regulations, code complexity, utility constraints, and agency review processes add substantial cost and delay to development. Bill Fulton described overlapping state and local land-use authorities and the tension among housing, coastal protection, climate, and wildfire goals. CBIA’s Chris Ochoa and California Apartment Association representative Bob Raymer said building codes, energy mandates, and agency processes have materially increased per-home costs, and they urged more centralized affordability analysis and greater scrutiny of regulatory impacts. The Bay Area Council’s Louis Marante called for a statewide cost target for housing and stronger timelines and accountability for state agency reviews. The second panel brought in state agencies to explain their roles. HCD said its housing element enforcement, streamlining laws, and technical assistance have helped increase production, shorten entitlement timelines, and improve compliance by local governments. CARB said SB 375 is a planning law that does not directly regulate land use, and argued that regional housing assumptions in sustainable communities strategies are not being fully implemented on the ground. The Coastal Commission said it works with local governments to balance coastal protection, sea-level-rise risk, and housing, and noted recent guidance and pilot efforts to streamline housing approvals in the coastal zone. The Energy Commission said its building energy standards are designed to be cost-effective and save consumers money over time, though they can add some design and documentation complexity. Fish and Wildlife and DTSC both emphasized early engagement and collaboration to reduce delays while protecting natural resources and public health; DTSC said it is refining vapor intrusion guidance and using brownfield grants to support redevelopment. The State Water Resources Control Board said it uses general orders and basin planning to provide predictable permitting while balancing water quality, water rights, and housing needs, and noted billions in grants and loans for water infrastructure and site remediation that can support housing affordability. In response to questions from Assemblymember Haney, several agencies described ongoing coordination across departments, including regular meetings among HCD, CARB, the Coastal Commission, and transportation agencies, as well as broader interagency efforts to reduce redundancies and identify pinch points in project delivery. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing; the main outcome was informational testimony and discussion of possible future reforms to improve coordination, predictability, and affordability in state regulatory processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Southwest Pipeline Project is, again, a state-owned project.
• Southwest Pipeline Project is, again, a state-owned project, and that, substantially, the House had $131
• Projects and how we go forward.
• So again, it's not a criticism of any project.
• project is an example of that.

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present and handled a mix of conference committee appointments, appropriations bills, policy bills, and House amendments. Early in the session, the chamber appointed conference committees for SB 2399 and for House-amended SBs 2213 and 2354, and also named conference committees for HB 103, HB 1308, and HB 1169. The Senate then took up several appropriations measures, including HB 1612, which creates the North Dakota Center for Aerospace Medicine at UND; the Senate adopted an amendment shifting the funding to a one-time $250,000 Community Health Trust Fund appropriation with a required $250,000 match from other sources, and the bill passed 39-7. HB 1193, the “Back the Blue” grant, was amended to make the funding one-time and focus on officer retention, then passed 41-5. HB 1329, a government spending database proposal for school districts, was amended into a legislative study and passed 42-4. HB 1020, the water budget, received extensive amendments reducing and reallocating funding across major water projects, adding studies and oversight changes, and passed 45-0 with the emergency clause. HB 1581, a tribal tourism grant, also passed 40-6. The Senate rejected HB 1330, which would have authorized divestment from direct investments in Chinese companies; after debate over the prudent investor rule, trade impacts, and whether the bill singled out one nation in law, it failed 20-26. HB 1534, limiting property valuation increases, and HB 1266, adjusting the disabled veterans property tax credit, both failed unanimously or nearly so after committee recommendations against them. HB 1566, which would have created a regulatory framework for a product discussed as kratom, was amended on the floor to convert it into a study and then passed 31-15. The chamber also passed HB 2241 on charter schools after a House amendment changed the funding formula to the statewide average from the prior year, and HB 2022, the indigent legal counsel budget, after House changes added funding flexibility, offset lost fee revenue, and included a study on a public defender office. The Senate concurred in several House amendments and then passed a number of Senate bills. SB 2375, allowing joint negotiations between dental providers and insurers under Attorney General oversight, passed 44-2. SB 2251, clarifying that open records requests during state audits should be referred to the audited agency, passed 46-0. SB 2159, related to nuclear energy research, passed 43-3 after House amendments required Industrial Commission approval and consultation with the radioactive waste advisory council. SB 2155, changing gratis antelope license rules, passed 30-16 after debate over landowner rights and tag distribution. SB 251, setting fees and an audit for the Private Investigative and Security Board, passed 44-2. SB 2280, the prior authorization health insurance bill, passed 43-3 with a House-added study and consumer protections. SB 2023, the Racing Commission budget, passed 41-5 after a House change made internship funding one-time. SB 2232, changing prenatal substance exposure reporting requirements and related toxicology rules, passed 44-2. SB 2241, authorizing public charter schools, passed 39-7. The session ended while the Senate was still processing SB 2022’s final passage vote, but the bill had already cleared concurrence on House amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:10.480><c> Go</c> this project. Thank you, Madam Chair. Go this project.
• </c> would be the timeline for this project. would be the timeline for this project.
• </c> projects for quite a quite some time. projects for quite a quite some time.
• </c> road projects separately. road projects separately.
• </c> this project briefly. this project briefly.

Bills: HF3599 , HF3761 , HF3523 , HF3515 , HF573

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: water treatment, infrastructure, municipal funding, bond issuance, Becker, sewer improvements, sanitation, Hibbing, state bonds, infrastructure funding, capital investment, safety improvements, mobility, U.S. Highway 12, bonds, transportation funding, trails, Prior Lake, bond funding, recreational improvements

Transcript Highlights:

• SO, FROM A PROJECT OVERVIEW, IT IS A SIX YEAR PROJECT. CURRENTLY THE BUDGET STANDS AT 205 MILLION.
• FOR PROJECT ACCOMPLISHMENTS, WHAT IS TAKING PLACE SO FAR ON THE PROJECT.
• TO PROVIDE PROJECT OVERSIGHT.
• JUST STARTING OFF AS A PROJECT OVERVIEW, THE PROJECT IS A FOUR-YEAR PROJECT.
• AS FAR AS THE PHASE 1 ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE THUS FAR THE PROJECT, THE PROJECT STARTED

Transcript Highlights:

• the high-speed rail project, but provide benefits now.
• That project is ultimately needed for the high-speed rail project, but it is an example of how we can
• Those riderships today are in those bookend projects.
• This is a project. That was supposed to be $33 billion. It's projected $128 billion.
• And if we're bringing private capital into Southern California projects and Northern California projects

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard a series of bills focused on driver accountability, curb management, privacy, illegal dumping enforcement, rail coordination, billboard signage, and high-speed rail development. SB 953 by Senator Nilo would add DMV points for misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter cases dismissed through diversion; the author and supporters, including a victim’s mother and CHP representatives, argued it would ensure fatal conduct is reflected in driving records, while no opposition testified. SB 1292 by Senator Richardson would let certain cities use stationary cameras or sensors to enforce curb use in designated zones with human review of citations; supporters said it would help manage modern delivery and loading activity, while one privacy group remained cautious but noted the committee amendments improved the bill. SB 1228 by Senator Rubio would create a permanent compliance path for a small number of existing redevelopment-era LED advertising displays; supporters said it preserves local revenue and existing signs, while the outdoor advertising industry opposed it over federal compliance and fairness concerns. SB 1013 by Senator Cervantes would tighten ALPR privacy and security rules, require DOJ audits, training, and a 30-day retention limit; privacy advocates supported it as a needed enforcement measure, while law enforcement groups opposed the retention cap and hot-list limits as too restrictive. SB 1218 by Senator Arreguín would block DMV registration renewal for vehicles with unpaid illegal dumping fines, modeled on parking citation enforcement; local officials and city representatives strongly supported it as a deterrent, and no opposition was heard. SB 1136 by Senator Blakespear would require rail agencies to better coordinate service to major events and integrate fares and schedules; transit and rail advocates supported it, with some agencies taking a work-with-author or neutral position. SB 1425 by the committee chair would create a permit process for new encroachments on high-speed rail right-of-way; supporters said it would help protect and manage the corridor, while utilities and a city raised concerns about rights-of-way and enforcement language. SB 1411 by Senator Stern would expand high-speed rail authority to pursue public-private partnerships and early works, removing a project cap; supporters from Metro, labor, and rail groups said it would help leverage funding and advance the project, while Merced-area agencies remained cautious but noted amendments. Most bills were moved on committee votes, generally along party lines or with broad support, and several were left on call after roll calls.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:31:14.519><c> might</c> there's large uh large projects might there's large uh large projects
• </c> project the max construction projects project the max construction projects can<00:37:24.000><c>
• </c> good chunk of my career as a project good chunk of my career as a project manager<00:43:04.720><
• It is far worse on private construction projects.
• </c> hundreds of million dollar projects hundreds of million dollar projects right<00:54:00.200><c> it's

Bills: HF1234 , HF1956 , HF1025 , HF1172 , HF791

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So the variability in the frequency changes and the. projection of load, our ability to project that,
• Is there any other state in the United States that has as many solar projects projected? By volume?
• Just project. Well, it is Marshall Springs project.
• Gigawatt project. And so Orr 150 megawatt project. Gigawatt project.
• If there were three projects vying for capacity, we would then pro rata split that across those projects

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce convened to discuss critical infrastructure and supply chain integrity, particularly focusing on Texas's power grid and associated vulnerabilities. The meeting highlighted Texas's recent ranking as 10th in electricity affordability, emphasizing the state's commitment to maintaining a reliable and resilient electric grid. New committee members introduced themselves, and the agenda included testimony from ERCOT and the Public Utility Commission regarding the implementation of the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act, which aims to mitigate risks posed by foreign entities to the power grid. Chad Sealy from ERCOT presented updates on the attestation process for market participants, revealing that over 1,500 entities had submitted attestations regarding their corporate structures and affiliations with designated foreign countries. Concerns were raised about the adequacy of the current vetting process, particularly regarding indirect relationships with foreign adversaries. Testimonies from the PUC and the Attorney General's office underscored the challenges of enforcing compliance and the need for improved legislative measures to enhance oversight and security. The committee also heard from experts, including Dr. Emma Stewart from Idaho National Laboratory, who discussed the evolving threats to the grid from foreign adversaries and the importance of securing communication systems. Recommendations included prioritizing inspections of critical components and enhancing collaboration with national laboratories to address vulnerabilities. The discussion concluded with an acknowledgment of the balance needed between ensuring grid security and maintaining affordability for consumers.

Transcript Highlights:

• There might have been one or two projects.
• But I looked at every single project and made judgment calls.
• And look, there were actually several projects.
• But there’s several projects that moved into 17 and 26.
• So now it’s, you know, an $18 million project.

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The committee took up a series of capital and reappropriation bills, with the chair explaining proposed reductions or removals of funding that had not been spent or were no longer expected to be needed. Discussion focused on projects such as railroad grade crossing work, Mississippi levee stabilization, strategic mining, the Missouri Housing Trust Fund, tornado-related reappropriations, the Kansas City Behavioral Health Hospital, Camp Avery, and a Columbia-area highway/interchange project. Members asked for clarification on several items, including the strategic mining line item, the Columbia/Highway 63 project, and the treatment of older projects that had been appropriated in 2023 but had little or no expenditure. The chair said his general approach was to pull back funds that had not been used unless there was a clear, imminent need, and noted that some projects had grown significantly beyond original estimates. House Bill 2017 was amended and advanced after discussion of moving storm-related funding into reappropriations and concerns about taking large amounts out of the operating budget. The committee then adopted substitutes and voted House Bill 2017 do pass by a 28-1 vote, House Bill 2018 do pass by a 28-0 vote, House Bill 2019 do pass by a 29-0 vote, and House Bill 2020 do pass by a 28-0 vote. House Bill 2019 included a $10.7 million increase for a DSS youth services facility in the St. Louis area, described as a new treatment-oriented youth center in Bellefontaine, with members noting the project had risen from an earlier estimate of about $7 million to roughly $18 million total. House Bill 2020 involved final ARPA-related adjustments, including a small reduction and moving FTE language back to another bill, with the chair explaining that remaining unspent ARPA dollars would ultimately be directed to the foundation formula if not otherwise obligated and spent before the deadline.

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:04:46.400><c> The</c> projects.
• The projects.
• A project like our project in Duluth, Zenith Apartments, already comes with many, many challenges.
• A project like our project in Duluth, Zenith Apartments, already comes with many, many challenges.
• And it was a project looking to ft.

Bills: HF1833 , HF148 , HF1127 , HF1227 , HF1681 , HF1974 , HF1106 , HF1016 , HF2197

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: sales tax, education funding, construction, Aitkin Public Schools, tax exemption, refundable credit, HF148, use of force training, deadly force, peace officer training, police training, law enforcement, POST Board, Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training, scenario-based training, de-escalation, defensive tactics, force-on-force training, stress management, officer wellness

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> communities don't on simple projects communities don't on simple projects that<01:44:08.800><c>
• </c><01:48:10.199><c> impossible</c> will make the project impossible will make the project impossible
• 53:51.920><c> of</c><01:53:52.040><c> that</c><01:53:52.199><c> project</c><01:53:52.480><c> project<
• </c> they've now moved on to another project they've now moved on to another project and<01:59:37.960
• ><c> in</c> doing a series of projects that come in doing a series of projects that come in at<02:08:

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• The project delivery lifecycle prioritizes an iterative, value-driven approach to generative AI project
• on those approval letters, and the status of these projects will be added to our project portfolio.
• That oversight requires periodic reporting of project activities and project costs.
• That's convenient for the project.
• And our project had a pilot study.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the other projects, we have a tremendous load of projects in the highway plan.
• </c> just waiting for projects to spend down. just waiting for projects to spend down.
• or a state-funded project.
• . projects. projects.
• </c> Few projects on the horizon. Few projects on the horizon.

Summary: The committee received an update from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet on the FY 2025 road fund. Officials reported road fund revenues came in $38.5 million above the enacted estimate, but were down about $11 million from FY 2024, largely because a motor fuels tax rate reduction took effect at the start of FY 2025. Motor vehicle usage tax receipts were stronger than expected, and the cabinet said the road fund ended the year with a $61.6 million surplus, which the budget bill directs to state highway construction. Members also discussed how the motor fuels decline affects formula distributions to cities, counties, and rural/secondary roads, with officials saying about $122.8 million had been planned for revenue sharing but was not distributed because receipts were lower than forecast. Members asked about broader revenue trends, including fuel efficiency, electric vehicles, and the removal of a hybrid fee. Cabinet officials said improved fuel efficiency and CAFE standards reduce gasoline consumption and therefore fuel tax receipts, while EVs and plug-in hybrids are subject to a user fee. They also said toll revenues from the Louisville bridges are covering bills and commitments, though they did not have detailed figures at hand. On project delivery, officials said delays are often caused by right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, and the large volume of projects in the highway plan, and that much of the work happens behind the scenes before construction begins. The committee also reviewed the cabinet’s cash management approach, which was adopted after 2000 to avoid setting aside full project costs all at once and to keep the road fund cash balance above a required minimum. Officials said the balance typically rises in winter and falls in summer as project bills come due, and that the current balance was about $166 million. They also reported that project awards for the year were nearing $998 million and expected to exceed last year’s total. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken beyond approving the prior meeting minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• projects here.
• and water storage projects.
• </c><01:24:12.880><c> up</c><01:24:13.000><c> in</c> projects uh we do have one project up in projects
• If you're asking me about a specific project, I'm not aware of a specific project.
• If you're asking me about a specific project, I'm not aware of a specific project.

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• One of them was the fusion project.
• This is a very large project.
• This project will generate jobs.
• the length of the project, so we will not only be improving the... ...through the length of the project
• , then those future projects are CEQA exempt.

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Summary: The committee heard presentations on several energy, environmental, and consumer protection bills while operating at times without a quorum. Senator McNerney presented SB 925, which would direct the California Energy Commission to develop a statewide roadmap for fusion energy, and SB 1350, which would expand the use of green hydrogen in the power sector by allowing renewable portfolio standard credit for power plants using hydrogen. Supporters said both bills would help California maintain leadership in emerging clean-energy industries, attract investment, and create jobs. Opponents of SB 1350 raised concerns about greenwashing, resource shuffling, and increased NOx emissions from hydrogen combustion, while supporters said committee amendments added guardrails against those outcomes. Senator Ashby presented SB 1010, a manufacturer-funded extended producer responsibility program for refrigerants in appliances; supporters said it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve recovery, while opponents argued existing laws already regulate refrigerants and that the bill could raise costs and disrupt recycling markets. Senator Grayson presented SB 1145 to streamline CEQA and federal reuse procedures for qualifying projects in the Concord Reuse Project Area, which supporters said would help deliver long-planned housing, jobs, and open space, while one housing group sought stronger affordable-housing guarantees. Senator Cabaldon presented SB 1341, which would give CalRecycle authority to reduce processing fees for wine and spirits bag-in-a-box containers when fee collections exceed program needs; supporters said the current fee increase was abrupt and excessive, while opponents warned against giving the agency too much discretion. Senator Padilla presented SGR 13, urging the U.S. to secure enforceable commitments to eliminate transboundary sewage pollution in the Tijuana and New River watersheds during the 2026 USMCA review, and SB 1033, which would require testing and disclosure of heavy metals in protein products; SGR 13 drew strong support from border and environmental justice advocates, while SB 1033 drew support from consumer and health groups and opposition from industry groups concerned about labeling burdens and scope. Senator Caballero presented SB 1183, requiring a state study of the environmental, land-use, and economic impacts of industrial solar in the Central Valley; farm and land-use advocates supported the bill, while solar industry groups opposed unless amended, saying it should better reflect solar’s benefits and existing state analysis. After testimony, the committee took roll and adopted several measures on a 4-0 or 3-0 basis, with bills including SJR 13, SB 925, SB 1350, SB 1145, SB 1341, SB 1033, and SB 1010 advanced on call to Appropriations or, in the case of SB 1010, already voted with a 3-1 result before being held on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• That was a directed project, right? That was a directed project, right?
• This was a silly project then. It's a silly project now, but it's not your silliness.
• I have a little project in here that we've talked about before, and all these projects that have been
• projects we don't agree with.
• We can provide you a list of all of the projects and the anticipated payouts of those projects and the

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 4 testimony on the Missouri Department of Transportation’s FY 2027 budget request. Director Ed Hassinger said MoDOT’s priorities are delivering projects on time and under budget, restoring maintenance capability, improving roadway safety, and being more customer responsive. He highlighted progress on legislatively designated projects, declining fatalities over the last three years, and the need to continue the pay plan and add 100 maintenance employees to address “windshield issues” such as litter, potholes, signs, deer removal, and mowing. He also warned that eliminating general revenue transit funding would severely hurt rural transit agencies that rely on it to match federal dollars. Members raised concerns about MoDOT’s customer service, staffing, overtime, turnover, and the agency’s relationship with local governments and constituents. Several representatives described frustrating interactions with MoDOT and pressed the director to change the agency’s culture and improve responsiveness. Hassinger said the department is trying to do that, that it has made progress, and that it is hiring more workers; he reported about 15-16% turnover, about 119 maintenance vacancies, and roughly 80 new hires in January. He also said MoDOT inspects county bridges every two years, has increased funding for off-system bridge programs, and reduced the local match requirement for those programs. The committee then moved through the budget book line by line. MoDOT staff explained that some appropriations were being restored because prior reductions were made in anticipation of a federal road fund proposal that did not pass, and that the supplemental and FY 2027 budget would restore core administration, program delivery, and safety/operations authority. Members questioned large lapses and unspent balances, and staff said those reflected reserves, vacancies, multi-year contractor payments, and local reimbursements that had not yet been submitted. The committee also discussed debt service for the I-70, I-44, and Focus on Bridges programs, the status of I-44 improvements and environmental work, the I-44/I-49 design-build project near Springfield, the remaining balance in cost-share funding, and a Springfield pedestrian bridge project that several members criticized as low priority but said would be completed because it had already been funded. No final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The agency can reject the project. They can modify the project.
• And the board of supervisors can reject the project.
• , its regulatory role over these projects, and in effectuating student housing projects.
• If a project is known, if a project proponent knows, and this is what I know...
• If a project is known, if a project proponent knows, and this is what I know from speaking to folks who

Committee: House Natural Resources

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on environmental protection, climate policy, public health, and housing. AB 1425 would prohibit pit dewatering near the San Joaquin River Parkway where groundwater is shallow, with the author and supporters arguing it is needed to protect the river, groundwater, flood safety, tribal and cultural resources, and a nearby restoration area. Supporters included environmental groups, local residents, and Indigenous speakers, while CEMEX, labor representatives, and industry groups opposed the bill as an improper circumvention of the CEQA process that could threaten an existing mine and about 100 jobs. After extensive questioning about hydrology, blasting, and the CEQA record, the committee voted the bill out on a due pass as amended recommendation, with some members not voting and the roll left open for absent members. AB 881 would lift California’s moratorium on carbon dioxide pipeline regulation and direct the State Fire Marshal to develop safety standards for carbon capture and sequestration pipelines. The author and supporters, including SMUD, Calpine, utilities, labor, and industry groups, said the bill is needed to advance carbon removal goals, preserve federal funding, and support clean energy and jobs. Environmental justice and conservation groups opposed or opposed unless amended, warning that CO2 pipelines pose serious safety risks and that state authority and standards need to be stronger. The bill received a due pass as amended recommendation to Appropriations. AB 1207 would tie California’s cap-and-trade price ceiling to the federal social cost of carbon. The author and EDF said the measure would keep the program science-based and protect it from federal political interference, while no opposition was heard in the room. The committee approved the bill on a due pass recommendation. AB 1106, sponsored by air quality agencies, would create a network of regional air quality incident response centers to improve monitoring and public health response during wildfires and other disasters; it also received a due pass recommendation after testimony on mobile monitoring, VOCs, metals, PM, and asbestos sampling. The committee also heard AB 28, the Landfill Fire Safety Act, prompted by the long-running Chiquita Canyon landfill subsurface fire. The author and residents described serious health impacts and argued the bill would require monitoring, reporting, corrective action, and stronger enforcement when landfill temperatures rise. Waste and county representatives opposed the bill as drafted, saying the cause of the event is still unclear and the proposal could impose broad costs on landfills statewide, though they said amendments improved the framework. Members discussed the scale of the fire, possible medical impacts, and whether the bill would punish compliant operators; the bill was sent out on a due pass as amended recommendation. The committee also heard AB 357, which would require the Coastal Commission to act within 90 days on student and faculty housing projects in the coastal zone; supporters said it would help address student homelessness and housing costs, while coastal and planning advocates raised concerns about the amendment and the role of coastal review.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> projects while I'll get to in a minute. projects while I'll get to in a minute.
• This project consists of a project.
• Total project itself? Yes, it's $49 million. The total project is 92. Okay.
• The total project<01:21:48.640><c> is</c><01:21:48.880><c> 92.</c> project is 92. project is 92.
• </c> normal a normal project? normal a normal project?

Summary: The meeting began with routine business, including welcoming new committee member Senator Reginald Thomas, approving the minutes, and receiving a correspondence report on several information items. Those items included University of Kentucky research equipment funding, UK capital project funding using federal/private funds, debt issues from McGoffin County and Owen County school districts, lease modifications by the Division of Real Properties, asset preservation project revisions at Eastern Kentucky University and Northern Kentucky University, and Kentucky Communications Network Authority (KCNA) information on Kentucky Wired critical infrastructure. The main discussion focused on a dispute over the Kentucky Wired communication shelters, or “huts,” and related payments under KCNA’s agreement with Asellicom/Excel. Brad Kilby of Asellicom testified that KCNA had not paid for the huts, that Asellicom had not received the alleged $8 million or any later payment, and that Asellicom remained the legal owner. Committee members pressed him on whether payment had been received, whether anyone else might have received it, and whether the lawsuit or dispute resolution process clarified the issue. Kilby said no payment had been received and that the matter was part of ongoing litigation. KCNA Executive Director Doug Hendricks and General Counsel Adam Atkins then testified. They said a certified check for $8.5 million was mailed in July, based on the Finance and Administration Cabinet secretary’s determination that $8.5 million was due under the model procurement code, even though KCNA had initially requested about $12 million to cover a worst-case estimate. They said the contract allowed payment in full or in tranches, that the huts were completed and operational, and that KCNA had not received documentation supporting Asellicom’s higher $10.1 million claim. Members expressed frustration over the missing check and the broader implications for Kentucky Wired, and one member requested that the committee obtain all agency requests related to KCNA/Kentucky Wired since inception; the co-chairs said they would look into making that information available. No formal vote was taken on the dispute during the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first came forward, which is the arts project on the northeast corner, that project had demolition
• That project went forward and started building.
• That project went forward and started building.
• and how the city approved one project and denied another project because the one project needed a bunch
• and how the city approved one project and denied another project because the one project needed a bunch

Committee: House House Ways & Means Committee of Reference

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee first took up Senate Bill 1293, which would limit Government Property Lease Excise Tax (GPLET) abatements so they cannot reduce the portion of property taxes that would otherwise go to school districts. The sponsor and supporters, including the Arizona Tax Research Association and the National Federation of Independent Business, argued that GPLET shifts costs to the state general fund and other taxpayers through school finance backfilling, while city representatives from Phoenix and Mesa and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council said GPLET is an important redevelopment tool that helps projects move forward in difficult urban areas and eventually returns properties to the tax rolls at much higher values. After extended questioning about tax shifts, school district impacts, and whether cities could act without affecting other jurisdictions, the committee voted 5-3 to return SB 1293 with a do pass recommendation. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1294, a clarifying measure concerning property classification after destruction by fire, flood, or other verifiable accident. The sponsor said the bill was intended to refine language adopted the previous year and to reflect discussions with assessors and ATRA. With little opposition, the committee approved SB 1294 on a 6-1 vote, with one member present and one absent. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 1430, the annual technical corrections bill for tax statutes administered by the Department of Revenue. The sponsor offered an amendment to remove a disputed unclaimed-property provision after concerns were raised, and the department supported the bill as amended. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed SB 1430 as amended on a 7-0 vote, with one member present and one absent, before adjourning.