Transcript Highlights:

• affordable loans and grants to finance roads, bridges, wastewater, drinking water, stormwater, and solid waste
• Funding for this project is critical because it will immediately reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4,600

Bills: HB2295

Committee: House Capital Budget

Keywords: Washington capital budget, supplemental capital budget, capital appropriations, state building construction account, taxable building construction account, climate commitment account, natural climate solutions, housing trust fund, affordable housing, supportive housing, homelessness, manufactured home communities, mobile home parks, school construction, school modernization, school seismic safety, healthy schools, school electrification, SCAP, behavioral health facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• affordable loans and grants to finance roads, bridges, wastewater, drinking water, stormwater, and solid waste
• Funding for this project is critical because it will immediately reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4,600

Summary: The House Capital Budget Committee opened its first hearing of the session on HB 2295 and briefly heard a presentation from OFM Senior Budget Advisor Jen Masterson on Governor Ferguson’s proposed supplemental capital budget. She said the proposal uses about $396 million in new appropriations, leaving roughly $5.4 million in remaining bond authority, and includes major investments in housing, urgent state facility needs, climate-related projects, K-12 school safety and modernization, and higher education minor works. The housing package was the largest share, with $225 million for the Housing Trust Fund, plus funding for homeownership, preservation, manufactured housing communities, and flood-impacted home repair. Committee members asked follow-up questions about Rainier School and juvenile rehabilitation projects, and staff said Rainier School was on the plan and that juvenile rehabilitation funding included flexible capacity funding and facility improvements. Public testimony was largely supportive of the governor’s housing, education, climate, and natural resources proposals, while several speakers urged changes. Housing advocates, Habitat for Humanity, community land trusts, and service providers backed the Housing Trust Fund and homeownership funding, including support for manufactured housing preservation and transit-oriented affordable housing. School and college representatives supported small district modernization, seismic safety, lead remediation, and minor works funding, while some asked for additional support for specific projects such as Cascadia College’s new building, Central Washington University’s feeder line replacement, and WSU Spokane health education renovations. Natural resource and tribal witnesses supported salmon recovery and community forest investments, but asked for more funding for RCO community forest and estuary programs. A major recurring concern was the proposed $75 million transfer from the Public Works Assistance Account, which cities, counties, sewer and water districts, and the Public Works Board said would jeopardize low-interest loans already awarded for local infrastructure projects and shift costs onto distressed communities. Other testimony opposed the budget’s omission of certain projects, including the University of Washington’s power plant decarbonization work and a Spokane cultural hub, while some local governments requested funding for wastewater and flood-control projects. No votes were taken; the chair closed the public hearing after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• I fully believe that we need to cut our budget and cut the waste.
• lead to increased risk of adverse climate-related outcomes, including via increased greenhouse gas emissions

Summary: The Assembly met with a quorum present after a roll call and prayer, then proceeded through routine journal, procedural, and guest-introduction business. Members recognized several guests, including local district officials, Japanese business leaders, and students/interns, and the chamber also observed remarks about the Texas flooding tragedy during the prayer. The body then moved through the daily file, including second-reading items and concurrence votes on AB 390, which expands the slow-down/move-over law to stationary vehicles, and AB 1478, which allows retailers to absorb mattress recycling fees; both measures had Senate amendments concurred in by recorded vote. The Assembly adopted AJR 12, a bipartisan resolution recognizing Head Start Month and urging Congress and the President to protect and increase Head Start funding. Multiple members spoke in support, emphasizing the program’s role in early education, health, nutrition, and family support, especially in rural and low-income communities; the resolution received 70 ayes and no noes after 69 co-authors were added. The chamber also adopted ACR 96, designating a portion of Highway 101 in Humboldt County as the Patty Berg Memorial Highway, and SCR 50, which calls for state review of climate adaptation and maladaptation criteria to improve climate resilience planning; both measures passed without opposition. On the consent calendar, the Assembly added co-authors to ACR 81 and adopted the second-day consent calendar and remaining consent items, all by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The body also approved a motion to return AB 529 from engrossing and enrolling to the Senate for further action. The session concluded with numerous adjournment-in-memory tributes, most notably for Rincon Tribal Council Chairman Bo Mazzetti and former legislative secretary George Steffes, followed by a moment of silence for each and adjournment until Monday, July 14 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a waste of resources for the Department of Transportation for them to manage that grant as they
• But I am proud of the fact that we were able to stop the From repealing the greenhouse gas emissions

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3297, which eliminates safety. inspections in all counties but the 17 non-attainment emissions
• We don't want to waste people's time, but what I will tell you, operation energy sector during the last

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1033 is about farm vehicles and emission inspection requirements.
• This legislation would exempt certain farm vehicles from emission inspection requirements.
• This legislation would exempt certain farm vehicles from emission inspection requirements.
• Other examples of vehicles exempted from emission inspection requirements include school buses and heavy-duty
• We certainly want to go on record that soybean farmers do more on the emission side, but we think there's

Committees: House Agriculture , House Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• And by way of brief background, Switch is a developer of zero-emissions vessels.
• Without the diesel generators running, the only emissions from the vessel are water vapor.
• The only emissions from the vessel are water vapor.
• It uses climate emissions reduction funding.
• And it is currently funded by the climate emissions reduction account.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met for a work session and public hearing on February 19, 2026. In the work session, Switch Maritime presented a proposal for hydrogen fuel cell ferries for Washington State, including a budget proviso directing the Joint Transportation Committee to study hydrogen propulsion and a lease model for future Washington State Ferries procurement. The company described its Sea Change vessel, said the design could be adapted for Washington routes such as San Juan Islands–Anacortes, and emphasized that hydrogen fueling could be delivered through a mobile supply chain without new charging infrastructure. Senators asked about vessel flexibility, size, hydrogen availability, and terminal compatibility. The committee also received an update from WSDOT on the new public-private partnership program authorized in 2025. Staff said the agency is developing a four-phase implementation process, including consultant selection, a steering committee, a program manual, stakeholder engagement, and candidate project identification, with a report due to the transportation committees on September 1, 2026 and program launch targeted for January 1, 2027. The presentation stressed that the program manual will provide flexibility within the statute and that legislative input is being sought on engagement and project timing. The public hearing was on Senate Bill 6352, an omnibus transportation resources bill that revises and expands provisions from last year’s ESSB 5801. Staff outlined sections covering a mobile driver’s license and ID card program, a reduced-fee ID card for older drivers, changes to alternative fuel and aviation taxes and fees, revised sales tax distributions for ferry and multimodal funding, transit and bicycle education grants, fish passage permitting, clean energy siting on WSDOT right-of-way, toll notice procedures, older driver safety outreach, traffic safety camera revenue sharing, and a delay to the tow-truck indigent impound reimbursement program. The prime sponsor highlighted two priorities: digital driver’s licenses and dedicated ferry funding. Testimony was mixed. Supporters included airlines and aviation groups backing mobile ID and repeal of the luxury aircraft tax, transit and bicycle safety advocates supporting grant flexibility and continued bike education funding, and ferry advocates supporting dedicated ferry revenue. Local governments, including Bellevue, Kenmore, and Tacoma, raised concerns about the traffic camera revenue change, saying the shift from net to gross revenue would reduce local safety funding and could discourage new camera programs. The Association of Washington Cities also warned about unintended consequences in the fish passage and traffic camera provisions. RV dealers sought a delay to the luxury vehicle tax, and peer-to-peer car-sharing platform Turo asked for clarification on documentation requirements. The committee took no final vote and announced it would consider executive action the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Receipts are known to generate millions of pounds of waste and billions of pounds of carbon dioxide per
• California Against Waste. Thank you. Thanks so much. Is this on? It's good.
• My name is Tony Hackett with Californians Against Waste, and we are a proud co-sponsor of AB 1604.
• The Last Plastic Straw, Plastic Pollution Coalition; Zero Waste San Diego; Zero Waste Ithaca; 350 Sacramento
• Currently, the project... ...mobility and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with testimony largely focused on transparency, public health, labor enforcement, health privacy, high-speed rail oversight, and antitrust policy. AB 1544, by Assemblymember Crowell, would strengthen transparency and access to courthouses; the author said it was aimed at protecting press and public access, and the bill was pulled pending quorum. AB 1604, by Assemblymember Stephanie, would ban BPA and other bisphenols in thermal receipt paper by 2027-2028; supporters from Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Californians Against Waste, and a broad coalition argued receipts are a major source of toxic exposure and recycling contamination, while the author said she would continue working with opposition. AB 1859, by Assemblymember Jackson, would let Joint Labor Management Committees visit public works sites to help identify wage and safety violations; labor groups supported it as a low-cost enforcement tool amid a large wage-theft backlog, while contractors and local government groups opposed it as creating private enforcement, liability, and safety concerns. The committee later took up AB 1930, by Assemblymember Burr and sponsored by Attorney General Bonta and Equality California, which would require notice to the Attorney General before certain entities respond to subpoenas or inquiries involving legally protected reproductive or gender-affirming care; supporters framed it as a patient privacy and anti-intimidation measure, while opponents said it would shield providers from scrutiny and interfere with lawful investigations. The bill was approved on a 6-2 vote and placed on call. The consent calendar, including several unrelated bills, was also approved. The committee also heard AB 1584, by Assemblymember Jackson, which would create an Office of Civil Rights within the California Air Resources Board to provide training, language access, and compliance oversight. Supporters said CARB needs a stronger legal framework and dedicated office to enforce civil rights commitments, while an opponent argued CARB already has a civil rights office and should expand existing structures instead of creating a new one. The bill was moved to Appropriations after a roll call vote. AB 1608, by Assemblymember Wilson, would expand the powers and staffing tools of the High-Speed Rail Office of the Inspector General, including public reporting requirements and authority over classifications and purchasing; supporters said stronger independent oversight is needed for the costly project, while opponents criticized the project itself and raised concerns about confidentiality and who should receive reports. The bill was also passed to Appropriations after extended discussion. Finally, AB 1776, by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry, would revise California antitrust law to address single-firm conduct under the Cartwright Act. Supporters, including small business and labor advocates, argued dominant firms can harm competition and that the bill would protect small businesses and workers; opponents from business, biotech, retail, housing, and other sectors warned it would create legal uncertainty, expand litigation, and chill investment. The transcript ended during that bill’s testimony and debate, before a final vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• distributors under the bill to be based on meeting the 80% reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions
• and increase proportionate to lifecycle emissions beyond that 80%.
• distributors under the bill to be based on meeting the 80% reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions
• and increase proportionate to lifecycle emissions beyond that 80%.
• we can to be good partners and work with the private sector and pragmatic approaches to reducing emissions

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• distributors under the bill to be based on meeting the 80% reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions
• and increase proportionate to lifecycle emissions beyond that 80%.
• distributors under the bill to be based on meeting the 80% reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions
• and increase proportionate to lifecycle emissions beyond that 80%.
• we can to be good partners and work with the private sector and pragmatic approaches to reducing emissions

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee met on February 25 and received briefings on two bills before taking a short caucus break and reconvening in executive session. Substitute Senate Bill 5971 would create a green fertilizer incentive program for low-carbon nitrogen fertilizer production and use in Washington. The committee also reviewed amendment H-3672.1, which shifts the greenhouse gas emissions calculation role to the Department of Ecology, aligns the calculation with the Clean Fuels Program, and ties incentive payments to an 80% lifecycle emissions reduction standard. Members and the chair described the amendment as agreed-to language, and the bill was supported as a pragmatic, bipartisan step to reduce emissions and support jobs. The committee adopted amendment H-3672.1 and then voted to report Substitute Senate Bill 5971 out of committee with a due pass as amended recommendation by voice vote, with 11 ayes and 0 nays. The committee then considered Substitute Senate Bill 6097, which would add federally recognized Indian tribes as eligible participants in the Conservation Futures Program. Supporters said the change would strengthen conservation partnerships and help preserve open space, farmland, and forests, while one member noted concerns about the scope of land involved but said he would vote yes after discussions with the prime sponsor. Substitute Senate Bill 6097 was reported out of committee with a due pass recommendation on a roll call vote of 7 ayes and 4 nays. The chair then announced that this was the committee’s last policy meeting of the short session, previewed a final interim-planning meeting, thanked members and staff, and recognized Chairman Leonard Forsman of the Suquamish Tribe before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are solid waste permits and then watershed or feed lot permits. Okay. Uh, Mr.
• Those are solid waste permits and then watershed or feed lot permits. Okay. Uh, Mr.
• Those are solid waste permits division.
• and they're doing multiple different manufacturing and emission types, and the sources are different
• and they're doing multiple different manufacturing and emission types, and the sources are different

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1424 will allow zero-emission vehicle refueling equipment, including charging and hydrogen
• California's transportation sector accounts for roughly 50% of the state's greenhouse gas emissions and
• To this end, California has established ambitious zero-emission vehicle deployment targets through both
• We in California have ambitious zero-emission vehicle goals, as you are all intimately aware, but those
• So this zero-emission vehicle initiative is a priority.

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• They are responsible for nearly a quarter of the state's greenhouse gas emissions.
• AB 1280 offers a solution by encouraging the adoption of zero-emission clean energy technologies for
• Data from the California Air Resources Board shows that over the last three years, emissions reductions
• My team works to advance zero-emission solutions that improve air quality.
• My team works to advance zero-emission solutions that improve air quality.

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard a lengthy agenda, with AB 222 on data centers, AB 941 on CPUC permitting timelines for priority electrical infrastructure, AB 1191 on large hydroelectric resources and the RPS, AB 1280 on thermal energy storage for industrial decarbonization, and AB 1117 on dynamic electricity rate tariffs among the main items discussed. The committee also dispensed with a consent calendar of several other bills, which passed unanimously. Members repeatedly emphasized California’s clean energy goals, grid reliability, affordability, and the need to balance faster infrastructure buildout with environmental review and ratepayer protections. AB 222, by Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan, would require better reporting on data center energy use and aim to protect residential ratepayers from costs tied to data center growth. Supporters said the bill would improve grid planning and prevent blackouts, while environmental groups backed it. Opponents from the Data Center Coalition and business groups warned about privacy, security, trade-secret, and feasibility concerns, and argued the bill could discourage critical infrastructure. The committee approved the bill 11-3 and sent it to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 941, by Assembly Member Zbur, would impose a 270-day timeline for CPUC review of certain priority transmission and electrical infrastructure projects. Supporters said the bill would speed clean energy transmission without weakening CEQA, while opponents raised staffing and process concerns. The committee passed the bill 15-0 to Natural Resources. AB 1191, by Assembly Member Tangipa, would make large hydroelectric facilities RPS-eligible; supporters framed it as an affordability measure, but opponents said it would undermine the purpose of the RPS and raise costs. The committee rejected the bill 4-11, though the author requested reconsideration. AB 1280, by Assembly Member Garcia, would expand grant programs to include thermal energy storage for industrial decarbonization; it drew broad support and passed 15-0. AB 1117, by Assembly Member Schultz, would require utilities to offer optional dynamic rate tariffs to all ratepayers; supporters said it would lower bills and shift demand to cheaper, cleaner periods, while utilities said they supported the concept but wanted more flexibility in implementation. The hearing continued with discussion of that bill after the point shown in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• By way of brief background, Switch is a developer of zero-emissions vessels.
• Without the diesel generators running, the only emissions from the vessel are water vapor.
• The only emissions from the vessel are water vapor.
• It uses climate emissions reduction funding.
• And it is currently funded by the climate emissions reduction account.

Bills: SB6352

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: transportation, infrastructure, resources, funding, state law

Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment changes the bill's title to waste management.
• means of solid waste disposal.
• means of solid waste disposal.
• Waste to energy is critical infrastructure for Florida.
• He concluded that waste-to-energy technology is proven, safe, and reliable, and that modern waste-to-energy

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The committee heard and acted on a long agenda of local, housing, education, construction, and claims bills. It first took up SB 1730 on affordable housing/Live Local changes, adopting an amendment that narrowed and clarified several provisions, including density, height, parking, attorney fees, and exclusions for certain protected areas, then reported the bill favorably. It also approved SB 1674, which clarifies that local investment restrictions cannot block Israel bonds, after a clarifying amendment. SB 140 on charter schools was reported favorably after significant debate over school conversion, teacher contracts, local control, and the use of surplus school property for housing or other public purposes; several speakers opposed it as harmful to public schools, while the sponsor said it preserved district authority and added options for municipalities and job creation. The committee also passed SB 96 and SB 4, two local claims bills, and SB 1714, which allows SHIP funds to help mobile home owners with lot rent and requires local housing plans to address mobile home park closures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Emission reduction credits started accumulating this coming January.
• I'm just looking for further clarity on the emission reductions provision.
• I don't... ...on the emission reductions provision, what is going to be eligible?
• There is, for the determination of value of the emissions... ...opportunity to ask questions.
• emissions in a verifiable way start now.

Committee: Senate Insurance

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several insurance-related bills. SB 1209 by Senator Allen, sponsored by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, would give the Department of Insurance stronger enforcement tools when insurers fail to implement corrective actions identified in market conduct or financial examinations. Supporters said the bill would close gaps that allow repeated violations, improve solvency oversight, and protect policyholders; opponents argued CDI already has broad authority and raised concerns about duplicative penalties, due process, and the bill’s scope. Members discussed amendments to limit the bill to legal violations rather than recommendations, apply penalties per exam rather than per policy, and clarify accounting language. The committee voted to send SB 1209 to Appropriations, with the bill placed on call after a roll vote that included one no vote from Senator Niello. The committee also considered SB 1301, which would require more detailed non-renewal notices for residential property insurance, give policyholders time and information to address correctable issues, and restrict certain non-renewal reasons such as claims below deductible or not covered by the policy. Support came from homeowners, fire survivors, and consumer groups who said notices are often vague and leave families unable to keep coverage; insurers opposed the bill, warning that California’s notice period is already among the longest in the country and that the bill could worsen availability and add burdensome reporting requirements. The author said he was willing to reduce the notice period from 180 days to about three months and work on a mitigation-based process. The committee passed the bill to Appropriations, with Senator Niello voting no and the item placed on call. SB 1026 by Senator Gonzalez would tighten regulation of bail fugitive recovery agents by allowing the Department of Insurance to suspend or revoke licenses without a criminal conviction, adding conduct restrictions, and requiring continuous liability coverage and proper appointment notices. Supporters, including Commissioner Lara, said the bill addresses serious misconduct and loopholes that have led to unsafe conduct and weak oversight. Bail industry representatives and crime victims’ advocates opposed the measure, arguing that the required insurance coverage is unavailable or unlawful as written, that the bill would be hard to comply with, and that it could reduce the number of recovery agents and delay justice. The committee moved SB 1026 to Appropriations, with Senator Niello voting no and the bill placed on call. The committee then heard SB 982 by Senator Wiener, the Affordable Insurance and Recovery Act, which would authorize the Attorney General to sue fossil fuel companies to recover costs tied to climate disasters and insurance losses, with supporters framing it as a way to shift some climate-related costs away from policyholders and taxpayers. The author said amendments would remove retroactivity and delay liability until 2032, while supporters from flood and wildfire survivor groups and climate organizations said the bill would help fund recovery and stabilize insurance costs. Opponents from industry and building trades argued the bill was legally vulnerable, would create a de facto tax or liability scheme, and could harm jobs, energy production, and affordability. Testimony on SB 982 was extensive, but the transcript ends before any committee vote or final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• California has set ambitious zero-emission goals for our public transit systems, which transit agencies
• can continue to provide reliable and quality public transportation while working toward our zero-emission
• CARB adopted the ICT regulation, requiring transit agencies to convert their bus fleets to zero-emission
• Technology continues to advance quickly, and though zero-emission transit bus weights have not declined
• I appreciate that this bill provides flexibility for transit agencies to acquire zero-emission transit

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard six bills. AB 1837 (Gonzalez) would remove the sunset on transit agencies’ authority to use forward-facing cameras to enforce parking violations in bus lanes and at bus stops. The author and supporters from transit agencies, Streets for All, and the California Police Chiefs Association said the program improves bus reliability, safety, and access for riders, especially seniors and people with disabilities. Some members raised concerns about automated enforcement error rates and due process, but the bill was advanced on a due pass motion to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 1944 (Lee), presented by Assemblymember Arreguín, would delay implementation of declining axle-weight limits for zero-emission buses while keeping the existing final cap in place. Supporters, including the California Transit Association and several transit agencies, said heavier batteries are needed for longer-range zero-emission buses and the delay would help agencies comply with clean transit goals. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1599 (Arreguín) would require Caltrans to create a centralized statewide transit stop registry with standardized stop information. Move LA, AARP, Streets for All, and others supported the measure, saying it would improve trip planning, data consistency, and accessibility for riders; the bill also passed to Appropriations. AB 1608 (Wilson) would expand the California High-Speed Rail Office of the Inspector General’s authority, including hiring and contracting flexibility and a requirement to publish reports with limited confidentiality protections. The author, the Inspector General, and the First Amendment Coalition said the bill would improve oversight and transparency while protecting sensitive information; it passed to Judiciary. AB 1613 (Wilson) would create a mandatory off-highway vehicle safety and stewardship course for access to off-highway lands starting in 2029. Supporters from the off-road community said the bill was developed through stakeholder safety summits and would reduce accidents and protect public lands; it passed to Water, Parks, and Wildlife. AB 1662 (Wilson) would require DMV points for certain offenses that are dismissed through diversion programs, which supporters framed as a needed accountability measure for dangerous driving and opponents from ACLU Cal Action criticized as undermining diversion and harming low-income drivers. The bill passed to Appropriations. Final roll calls showed each bill advancing, with AB 1662 receiving the strongest support and the other measures also moving forward despite some no votes on AB 1837, AB 1944, AB 1608, and AB 1613.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a support-if-amended position due to remaining concerns about the requirements for zero-emission
• We have a support-if-amended position due to remaining concerns about the requirements for zero-emission
• Statewide public health costs associated with emissions from these generators are estimated to reach
• up to $266 million by 2028, and even modest emissions. $166 million by 2028, and even modest emissions
• Most of these emissions are caused by generating heat, often in the form of high-temperature steam that

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on SB 868, the Plug and Play Solar Act, which would streamline approvals for portable plug-in solar devices while setting safety standards. The author and supporters argued the bill would help renters and homeowners with high electricity bills by allowing low-cost balcony solar systems to reduce monthly costs, and they emphasized that the devices would not feed power back to the grid. Supporters included environmental and consumer groups, solar advocates, and many members of the public. Opponents, including electrical workers, firefighters, utilities, and PG&E, raised concerns about shock, fire, overloading, and the need for California-specific building standards. After discussion, the author agreed to committee amendments and later to add compliance with the California Electrical Code in addition to the National Electrical Code; several opponents said that change would move them to neutral. The committee then voted to pass SB 868 out as amended to Senate Judiciary, with some members expressing support while reserving concerns about safety as the bill moves forward. The committee then took up SB 886, dealing with data center electricity use and ratepayer protections. The author said the bill is intended to prevent large data centers from shifting grid and infrastructure costs onto other customers, citing rapid growth in data center demand and examples from other states. Supporters, including TURN and climate groups, said the bill would require data centers to pay for their own grid impacts, pre-fund long-term clean energy resources, participate in demand response, and cover related costs. Opponents from the data center industry, tech and business groups, utilities, and some energy users argued the bill was unnecessary, could duplicate CPUC processes, and could create discriminatory rate treatment or operational problems, especially around mandatory demand response and limits on backup generation. Committee staff described amendments narrowing the bill to large data centers, clarifying tariff and cost-allocation provisions, replacing a storage requirement with a long-term zero-carbon procurement mechanism, and exempting certain public and utility facilities. Members discussed the balance between affordability, reliability, and clean energy, with the bill framed as a way to protect ratepayers while allowing data center growth.

Transcript Highlights:

• Research and Development Authority to determine the feasibility of converting school buses to zero-emission
• we can do it in certain concentrated population areas where there's probably a bigger issue with emissions
• Where there's probably a bigger issue with emissions, quite frankly, and let those electric school buses
• An act to amend the Education Law in relation to delaying the zero-emission school bus mandate.
• An act to amend the Education Law in relation to delaying the zero-emission school bus mandate.

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met on May 5, 2026, and considered a series of bills, several of them brought up through motions for committee consideration. Chair Shelley Mayer said she would allow brief remarks but stated her opposition to those motioned bills, emphasizing her general practice of giving minority members’ bills consideration. The committee first took up S-16 (Jacob’s Law, on bullying and related school safety issues), which was moved out of committee on a majority vote, with Senators Jackson and Bynoe recorded without recommendation. The committee then debated S-717, a local bill by Senator Rose to exempt the Wantagh Union Free School District from the state’s indigenous mascots/logos restrictions. Senator Rose argued Wantagh’s mascot and name are tied to local history and not intended to denigrate anyone. The bill was moved, but the committee vote was not favorable enough to advance it, and it was referred onward to the Investigations Committee. S-4496, Senator White’s bill to protect women’s sports from what supporters described as unfair competition by biological males, drew strong support from the sponsor and strong opposition from Chair Mayer, who said she opposed it as mean-spirited and unnecessary; the bill did not advance. The committee also considered several school bus and transportation bills. S-4748, by Senator Borrello, would repeal the electric school bus mandate and replace it with a feasibility study; he cited safety, cost, and operational problems with early adopters. S-8847, by Senator White, similarly sought to remove electric bus mandates and leave decisions to local districts, and S-9667, by Senator Ryan, would delay the zero-emission school bus mandate by five years. The committee advanced some of these measures to other committees or the floor, while others did not move. In addition, the committee approved S-7788 on special education reserve funds, S-8288A on reasonable rates for public school room use, S-8368 on records retention for Education Department proceedings, S-8370 on temporary resident placement of children with disabilities, S-8370 on release of student records to juvenile detention facilities, and S-1049 on updating the Dignity for All Students Act’s cyberbullying definition to include AI-related harassment.

Transcript Highlights:

• section shall be construed to permit the Department of Motor Vehicles to amend the rules relating to emissions
• <00:12:58.520><c> compliance</c><00:12:59.160><c> requirements,</c><00:13:00.000><c> unless</c> emission
• compliance requirements, unless emission compliance requirements, unless and<00:13:00.560><c> until<
• </c> for Vermonters while preserving emission for Vermonters while preserving emission oversight<00:13
• </c> federal approval for bi-annual emissions federal approval for bi-annual emissions inspection.<00