Transcript Highlights:

• We didn't just choose one, but they all had very competitive rates.
• </c><00:42:43.200><c> We</c><00:42:43.400><c> had</c><00:42:43.880><c> two</c><00:42:44.120><c> bids,
• We had two bids, one from We did an RFP.
• We had two bids, one from Dinsmore.<00:42:46.320><c> So,</c><00:42:46.440><c> we'll</c><00:42:46.520>
• The other bid was from a approved.

Summary: The committee first approved the August 12 minutes and then handled a large agenda of 355 contracts totaling about $278.7 million. It agreed to defer three Office of Energy Policy items to the October 2025 meeting and reviewed a deferred Kentucky Educational Television contract without objection. The main substantive discussion centered on two University of Louisville legal services PSC amendments and a Seven Counties Services MOA item. For the University of Louisville items, members questioned a large increase in hourly rates and the scope of the legal services, especially complex litigation work and a Colorado estate matter. University officials said the contracts followed an RFP, involved specialized litigation, included local counsel where required, and were expected to be offset by savings in other PSCs and by a potential financial recovery in the Colorado matter. The committee also discussed whether the $125 hourly rate was a statutory requirement or committee policy; the chair later said staff would verify whether it was an executive-branch regulation or statutory rate. Both University of Louisville items were ultimately approved, though Senator Meredith voted no on one and Senator Douglas explained his support while urging future adjustments and more information sharing. The Seven Counties Services contract drew questions about how the $18.7 million would be used and whether federal changes could affect future funding. Cabinet officials described 988 crisis response, outpatient mental health and substance use treatment, prevention, recovery, and harm-reduction services, and said they were monitoring federal developments daily. Representative Petrie and Senator Thomas pressed the cabinet on the long-running Seven Counties bankruptcy and the need to push for resolution; officials said the matter was pending on a motion for reconsideration and that they would try to help move it along. The contract was approved. At the end of the meeting, the committee approved the remaining agenda items as reviewed without objection, but Senator Meredith voted no on the blanket approval motion because of numerous retroactive contract requests and what she said were insufficient explanations such as administrative error or staff being on conference. She said retroactive approvals should be rare and supported stronger internal controls.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, bidding for DelDOT projects must include an in-person option in addition to electronic bid
• submission, including limiting a project's bidding solely to electronic submissions.
• Also, this legislation removes the requirement for newspaper advertisement of bid openings.
• Please note, however, that if the RFP ...is under $500,000, DelDOT must accept paper bid submissions
• in addition to electronic bid submissions.

Bills: HB89 , HB328 , HB344 , HB365 , HB283 , HB89 , HB328 , HB344 , HB365 , HB283

Committee: Senate Elections & Government Affairs

Summary: The Senate Elections and Government Affairs Committee met in hybrid format, approved the June 10 draft minutes, and then heard a long agenda of bills. HB 89 (home improvement fraud dispute resolution) was presented as a consumer protection measure developed with DOJ to address contractor fraud, especially against vulnerable homeowners; members voiced support and asked to be added as sponsors. HB 283 updated realty transfer tax exemptions to use gender-neutral “spouses” language and add a direct grandparent-to-grandchild transfer exemption; it drew supportive public comment. HS1 for HB 390 would let DelDOT choose electronic-only bidding for projects, remove newspaper bid-opening notices, and clarify bidding records, with no opposition raised. HB 328/H.A. 2 modernizes the Register of Regulations statute, keeps newspaper distribution requirements, and delays some effective dates to 2027; it was described as a technical update. HB 365 would create the Delaware Indigenous Affairs Commission, prompting supportive testimony from Indigenous community members and some discussion about representation and internal tribal اختلافs, but no formal opposition. HB 423 would automatically enroll new state employees in the 457B deferred compensation plan unless they opt out, with exclusions for collective bargaining units and implementation tied to payroll readiness; it was presented as a retirement-savings measure. SS1 for SB 342 would modernize the Delaware Motion Picture and Television Development Commission to support a broader film/media incentive package, with support from the Delaware Arts Alliance and a request to help attract productions to Delaware. The committee also heard SB 331, a cleanup bill on garagekeeper liens for manufactured housing and related assets. The sponsor and an attorney explained it as clarifying who can recover funds and attorney’s fees in lien sales, but the Chief Magistrate and the manufactured housing association said the issue should be addressed more carefully and possibly in another section of code; they were open to further work. HB 436 would update the Smyrna charter, including school impact fees, election challenge procedures, vacancy rules, domicile standards, Board of Elections terms, and meeting schedules. HS1 for HB 376 made technical and organizational changes to the Millville charter, including a tiebreaker for municipal elections and a property tax cap, with the town solicitor saying there was little substantive change. HB 460 would require New Castle County municipalities to submit permit data monthly rather than on a much slower schedule, limited to closed permits with certificates of occupancy, to improve property assessment data; it was presented as part of broader reassessment/data-quality efforts. Public comment was heard on several items, especially HB 365 and SS1 for SB 342. Indigenous speakers supported the commission as a way to preserve heritage, improve representation, and create a formal seat at the table. The Delaware Arts Alliance supported the film commission modernization bill as part of a broader creative-economy plan. No recorded votes were taken on the individual bills in the transcript, and the meeting ended with a unanimous motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• for materials for certain highway projects from giving preference to bids.
• So in the project, in the low bid, uh, the contractor has the option to go out and select a wide variety
• Our specifications for that durability, uh, but they get to select the material that they bid on the
• So in that process and in your bid package, do you take into account what this legislation addresses
• Um, In your bid. Proposal whenever it goes out there.

Bills: HB408 , HB787 , HB 1029 , HB 1126 , HB 1136 , HB1607

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Close to 60% of what it spent last program year came from competitive grants rather than the federal
• One program that some of those competitive funds support prepares women for construction trades that
• and supporting that upward equitable economic mobility and strengthening the region's long-term competitiveness
• I know state dollars are... there's a lot of competition for limited resources, but we're really in this
• Because of the advantages they had from decreased transportation costs, they could bid lower than many

Summary: The select committee on Community Economic Mobility and Investment heard testimony on how California can support inclusive economic development through coordinated workforce, education, nonprofit, and industry partnerships. Chair Arambula opened by emphasizing that rural, low-income, and historically underinvested communities often face the greatest barriers to accessing state resources, and that the hearing would focus on successful collaboration models, the role of training and higher education, and future opportunities tied to economic mobility and social determinants of health. Witnesses from the California Workforce Association, Fresno State, and NextGen Policy described local and regional workforce systems in the Central Valley and beyond. They highlighted examples such as apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, employer-led partnerships, on-the-job training, support for women entering construction, programs for justice-involved and opportunity youth, and the need to braid federal, state, philanthropic, and private funding. Several speakers stressed that local workforce boards, community colleges, adult education, labor organizations, and community-based groups are best positioned to identify regional labor needs and that California should fund systems, not just individual grants, especially as federal workforce funding has declined and new work requirements tied to HR 1 and AI-related labor shifts create added pressure. A second panel focused on the Community Economic Mobility Initiative as a statewide model. Sierra Health Foundation and its partners said CME has helped community organizations build capacity, pursue more than $400 million in grants and contracts, and attract about $178 million back into California communities. Speakers from Siskiyou Economic Development Council, Fresno EDC, Edge Collaborative, and Líderes Campesinas gave examples of place-based projects in rural and urban regions, including business innovation centers, community-owned development, bioeconomy and restoration projects, subsidized employment, and farmworker-led cooperatives. They argued that long-term, locally driven investment produces stronger regional economies and better health outcomes, and urged the Legislature to provide durable funding and policy support rather than short-term extensions. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• becomes uncertain, the consequences are real: project delays, higher construction costs, reduced competitiveness
• Metro works closely with cities to secure competitive funding and build transit projects throughout the
• ...access to state competitive funding for pre-development activities.
• accept, they have to provide residents or their designated representative the opportunity to offer a competitive
• bid to purchase the park.

Summary: The committee heard AB 736, the Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026, which would place a $10 billion housing bond on the ballot to fund multifamily housing, supportive housing, homeownership, preservation of deed-restricted units, acquisition/rehabilitation of naturally affordable housing, farmworker housing, and tribal housing. The author and supporters said the bond is needed because existing housing bond funds are exhausted and California still faces a severe affordability and homelessness crisis. Support was broad, with many local governments, housing groups, labor, and business organizations testifying in favor; Habitat for Humanity opposed unless 10% of proceeds were reserved for CalHome. Committee members raised the CalHome issue and other priorities, but the bill passed on a do-pass motion to Senate Appropriations with a roll-call vote, with some members voting aye and the measure held on call for absent members. The committee then took up SB 1361, which would limit how SB 79 transit-oriented housing rules can be used to interfere with planned transit stops and routes. The author and supporters from L.A. Metro and the building trades argued the bill would prevent local governments from stalling transit projects out of concern that future density requirements could apply, while preserving existing housing standards. Several groups that had initially opposed or had concerns, including the League of California Cities, Streets for All, Greenbelt Alliance, California YIMBY, and Bay Area Council, withdrew opposition or moved to neutral after amendments. The bill was approved as amended to Senate Local Government and placed on call. Senator Grayson presented SB 1003, creating a pro-housing infrastructure financing program to help local governments and developers fund infrastructure needed for infill housing, and SB 1014, requiring local agencies to provide early good-faith estimates and itemized lists of on-site and off-site improvements so projects are not hit with late surprise costs. Both bills were supported by housing advocates, Habitat for Humanity, and other groups, with limited opposition or concerns from some cities about implementation details. Each measure received a do-pass-as-amended motion to Senate Appropriations and was held on call. The committee also heard SB 908 on window replacement streamlining, which would ease permitting for energy-efficient residential window replacements statewide and limit certain new-construction provisions to San Francisco; it passed as amended to Appropriations and was held on call. Later, Senator Allen presented SB 1092 and SB 1093 on mobile home park preservation and post-disaster protections. SB 1092 would require park owners who intend to sell to give residents or their representatives an opportunity to make a competitive bid to buy the park, with supporters citing wildfire losses and the need to preserve unsubsidized affordable housing; opponents argued it would devalue property and create litigation risk. SB 1093 would require clearer communication, access, and compensation protections for residents after disasters, and would require owners to consider rebuilding versus closure. Supporters emphasized the uncertainty faced by displaced residents in the Palisades and other fire areas, while opponents said the bill could impose onerous obligations, liability, and valuation requirements. Both bills were moved do pass as amended to Appropriations and held on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> going to be ready to get the bid out. going to be ready to get the bid out.
• Are those, um, are they all those contracts, are they bid? >> Is there a bidding process for them?
• Um, I just think that's a good process and even though the federal statute says you don't have to bid
• Um, I just think that's a good process and even though the federal statute says you don't have to bid
• </c> extension to prevent the having to bid extension to prevent the having to bid for<00:53:00.720><

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee for Transportation met without a quorum at first, then later approved the July 15 minutes by voice vote after quorum was reached. The committee heard an update from the Transportation Cabinet on the road fund for FY 2024-25. Cabinet staff reported road fund revenue came in $38.5 million above the enacted estimate, with motor vehicle usage tax receipts setting an all-time high for the fifth straight year. Motor fuels tax revenue was below estimate and down from the prior year, while overall road fund collections totaled $1.86 billion, essentially flat year over year. Staff said the road fund ended FY25 with a $61.6 million surplus, which under the budget bill must be appropriated to state construction. Members discussed the gas tax formula, with Senator Higdon arguing it no longer works well because revenues fall when fuel prices fall, and the chair noting the committee may need to revisit the formula. The committee then received an update on High Growth County projects in the 2024 highway plan. KYTC said $16 million in HGC authorizations had been made, nine projects already had construction funds authorized or were otherwise underway, 12 more were scheduled to be let by the end of 2025 with estimated construction costs above $250 million, and one additional project was expected to be awarded through alternative delivery. The cabinet said it anticipated authorizing the full $450 million appropriated by the General Assembly. Members praised the effort and emphasized the need to get projects to market before the next budget cycle. Jason Sala of KYTC also explained why transportation projects take time, citing planning, design, right-of-way acquisition, and utility relocation as major steps that can delay delivery. He said these processes are complex and require coordination with property owners, utilities, consultants, contractors, and local governments. Eric Pelfrey then briefed the committee on professional and personal service contracts, saying they are used to expand cabinet capacity for design, inspections, right-of-way appraisal, safety, and related work. He reported that authorizations and payments for these contracts have trended upward over the past decade, and that the number of contracts has also increased. In response to questions, Pelfrey said design-build can speed some projects by overlapping steps, but it does not eliminate right-of-way or utility work when those are required; he said KYTC has been using alternative delivery more often, but project complexity still limits how quickly work can move.

Transcript Highlights:

• needed to attract investment, strengthen the local supply chain, and ensure the Commonwealth remains competitive
• resource will obtain a contract through the RFP, the broader participation will support the most competitive
• The proposal to enable a competitive bidding process for clean energy requirements and services, subject

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of energy bills, with much of the discussion focused on offshore wind, battery storage, solar, nuclear study proposals, and a bill to redefine clean energy. Several Barnstable-area legislators and witnesses raised concerns about offshore wind transmission infrastructure near neighborhoods, beaches, and drinking water supplies, and supported bills to create a special commission and increase local input and oversight. In contrast, environmental, consumer, labor, and clean energy groups strongly backed offshore wind expansion bills, arguing that offshore wind lowers long-term costs, improves winter reliability, reduces fossil fuel dependence, supports jobs and local supply chains, and should include wildlife protections, labor standards, and community benefits. Some witnesses and committee members noted that parts of the offshore wind legislation overlap with the Governor’s energy affordability bill, and asked for clarification on which provisions were new versus duplicative. The committee also heard testimony on battery storage and solar legislation. Two student witnesses and several industry representatives supported a bill to study grid battery storage, saying storage can reduce outages, lower peak prices, and improve grid resilience during extreme weather. Witnesses from solar and storage companies supported a broader clean energy transition bill that would expand storage procurement, create a retail-style storage program for distributed batteries, set a 10-gigawatt solar target by 2035, and streamline siting and interconnection. Committee members pressed witnesses on whether these provisions were already included in the Governor’s affordability bill and asked for a section-by-section breakdown of what was new. One witness also urged allowing developers to bond interconnection payments to reduce financing costs. Another major topic was a bill defining clean energy, especially whether existing pumped-storage hydropower should qualify for subsidies or be excluded. Supporters of the bill argued that existing pumped storage should not receive additional ratepayer subsidies because it is already built, can have environmental impacts on rivers and ecosystems, and could cost ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars. Opponents said pumped storage is an important reliability resource and should remain eligible. The committee also heard testimony on nuclear-energy study bills: some witnesses supported creating a commission to examine nuclear power as a reliable, carbon-free option, while others opposed nuclear study bills and argued that nuclear is costly, unsafe, and inconsistent with the state’s clean energy goals. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then they also face strong competition from out-of-state and international businesses, and that's
• electricity, and their big concern actually is just the cost, the continued cost, and remaining competitive
• electricity, and their big concern actually is just the cost, the continued cost, and remaining competitive
• if you know what that company over there is going to do, then maybe you can sort of place a lot of bids

Summary: The committee held a work session covering PFAS regulation and impacts, no-cost allowance allocation for emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries (EITEs), and regional resource adequacy and data center load growth. Senator Victoria Hunt was welcomed as a new member. The Department of Ecology reviewed Washington’s Safer Products for Washington PFAS work, including completed restrictions on PFAS in outdoor furniture, carpets, rugs, stain/water-resistant treatments, and newer rules adopted in November restricting PFAS in most apparel, cleaning products, and automotive washes, with reporting requirements for some other products such as cookware and firefighting gear. Ecology also described Cycle 2 PFAS reviews now underway, including artificial turf and paints, and answered questions about compliance, online sales, sell-through periods, and how Washington’s approach differs from broader bans in states like Maine and Minnesota. The Department of Ecology also presented on PFAS in biosolids, describing a 2024 sampling study, limitations in testing methods, and a 2025 statutory amendment requiring additional sampling between 2027 and 2028 and a report to the legislature in 2029. The Department of Health then updated the committee on PFAS in drinking water, reporting that most Group A public water systems have completed sampling, that 317 sources and 188 systems are expected to exceed new contaminant levels, and that treatment costs for public systems are estimated at about $970 million, leaving a large funding gap; members also asked about private wells, health effects, bathing exposure, and home filters. The Board of Health’s new state action levels are being aligned with federal MCLs, and the department said it expects to continue monitoring and notification under state rules. Ecology also briefed the committee on no-cost allowance allocations to EITEs under the Climate Commitment Act, explaining the leakage-mitigation rationale, the current allocation schedule through 2034, and a forthcoming report on policy options for 2035-2050; members asked about industry barriers, competitiveness, and whether facilities might leave the state. Finally, E3 presented a regional resource adequacy study showing rising load, retirements outpacing additions, limited winter reliability value from wind, solar, and batteries, and a projected shortfall beginning in 2026 that could grow to about 9,000 MW by 2030 if planned projects are not built. The presentation emphasized winter cold-weather events, hydro variability, the importance of permitting and transmission, and longer-term options including nuclear, geothermal, hydrogen, carbon capture, and long-duration storage. EPRI then introduced its DC Flex initiative, which is studying how data centers can provide flexible load through workload shifting, cooling optimization, and on-site backup or bridging resources to reduce grid stress and protect ratepayers.

Transcript Highlights:

• up costing us quite a bit more, and so we had to get really innovative, right, Charlie, with how we bid
• 00:23:20.960><c> price</c><00:23:21.200><c> is</c><00:23:21.600><c> very</c> Their price is very competitive
• weren't dropped out of contention, but again, the consultant that we chose, I think, offered a really competitive
• weren't dropped out of contention, but again, the consultant that we chose, I think, offered a really competitive

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on Friday, November 21st and first approved the October 17th minutes, with one member abstaining because she was not present. The committee then adopted the remainder of the consent calendar after removing two items for separate consideration. On tab four, members discussed item 25282 with the Commissioner of Administrative Services and Public Works staff; the project had been delayed after testing revealed design errors and flaws, and the committee was told the work would restart with test piles the following week and was projected for completion in fall 2027. The item was approved. On tab five, item 25279 concerned a Health and Human Services facility project and a federally required element added late in the process. Commissioners explained that the project had originally been funded at $21 million, later required additional financing, and that the legislature had recently lifted a restriction so non-ARPA funds could be used. They also said the sale of the existing Manchester property would not be needed to complete the build, that a broker RFP was about to be issued, and that any sale would require further approvals. The committee approved the item. The committee then approved item 25280 after a brief exchange about rainy day fund estimates and prior budget assumptions, and approved item 25278 without discussion. Item 25272 drew questions about the consumer advocate’s RFP for outside utility-rate-case assistance; the office said it eliminated proposals focused only on return on equity work after the Eversource decision, selected a Michigan firm for spreadsheet and operating-cost analysis, and noted there were no in-state firms doing this specialized work. The committee approved the item, with one member recorded in opposition. On tab nine, item 25261 concerned a new judicial council budget obligation tied to legislation and public defense staffing needs. The presenter said the request reflected a late-added obligation from the judicial branch, that more requests may still be needed, and that public defense staffing was strained by vacancies and competition from Massachusetts. The committee approved the item. Under informational items, members received an update on 529 plan distributions and on interest and dividends tax refunds, with Revenue Administration saying roughly $21 million more in refunds remained and that the repeal-related refunds were nearly finished. The committee also noted an environmental services item for which questions would be submitted separately. The next meeting was set for December 19th at 11:00 a.m., and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was happy that through our last RFP, though, we did receive a very competitive bid from one of our
• the state, as there continues to be a shortage of providers, It really leads to a little bit more competition
• However, we also want that competition where they're wanting to give us their best rates.

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So is the OA going to go out and get bids for owners' representatives?
• Is the OA going to go out and get bids for owners and bring the potential bids, and we're going to select
• I'm not opposed to OA going out and getting three bids for an owner's representative, bringing them back
• But I hesitate to say it has to be three because we might not even get three people who bid.
• Who bid that? That might work. How can we... I think Bridger just said what I was trying to say.

Summary: The Missouri State Capitol Commission met with a quorum present and approved the minutes from the November 3, 2025 meeting. Members also discussed tentative future meeting dates for 2026 and received an update from the Missouri Department of Conservation on a Show-Me 250/Liberty Tree planting planned for the Capitol Complex at the end of March, along with a broader effort to identify and map historic Liberty Trees across the state. The main substantive discussion focused on the Capitol restoration and improvement project. The commission reviewed the construction subcommittee’s work, including multiple concepts for addressing restoration, ADA access, HVAC, mezzanines, fiber optics, interior restoration, and parking needs, all within the $595 million budget. After discussion about how to structure the procurement process, the commission approved a motion authorizing the Office of Administration and FMDC to prepare an RFP for an owner’s representative, subject to appropriations by the legislature and governor. Staff then explained that the owner’s representative selection would use the state’s qualification-based process, with an open solicitation, scoring, shortlisting, interviews, and a final recommendation, with the timeline estimated at about 19 weeks. The commission also approved the planting of the Show-Me 250 Liberty Tree on Capitol Complex grounds, after being told the location would not interfere with the proposed master plan footprint.

Transcript Highlights:

• one-time, show us the plan that prevents a multi-year slip, and what contracts designs are ready to bid
• “And so we've actually bid the removal of the hazmat. It was initially estimated to be $8 million.
• The bid came in extremely well. It was actually a little less than $1 million.
• the first thing that needed to get addressed within that, which she stated, which was, I think the bid
• It's all bid and contracted. Representative Pesky. Thank you, Chairman. Thank you, Director.

Summary: The committee heard a budget presentation on the Idaho Transportation Department from Legislative Services analyst Brooke Dupree and then from Director Scott Stokes. The presentation outlined ITD’s four divisions and major funding sources, including the State Highway Fund, Aeronautics Fund, and the Transportation Expansion Congestion Mitigation (TECK) and Garvey bonding programs. The analyst also reviewed appropriation trends, noting the effect of reappropriations and the continuous appropriation of the Strategic Initiatives Program Fund, and compared the department’s request with the governor’s recommendation. ITD’s requested enhancements included $15.5 million for deferred maintenance on state buildings, funding for State Highway 16 operations and maintenance, $4.9 million for roadside tree removal, $4.7 million for new equipment, a $275 million general fund transfer for safety, capacity, road, and bridge work, and smaller requests for airport improvements and aeronautics maintenance. Members asked about the Highway 16 funding, the continuous appropriation language, the impact of the governor’s decision not to recommend the $275 million transfer, and the department’s equipment and maintenance priorities. The director explained that much of the work is contracted, that the agency is prioritizing pavement and bridge condition, and that the department is prepared to move projects quickly if funding returns. In questioning, legislators also raised concerns about the reduction in strategic initiatives funding, the department’s workforce retention, the State Street property project, and why ITD remains on its existing finance system rather than fully transitioning to LUMA. Stokes said the State Street project has had modest spending so far, with about $41 million appropriated and an estimated total cost of $60 million to $70 million, and that the agency is still housed at the Chinden campus. He also said workforce retention has improved somewhat after prior pay adjustments, and that the LUMA decision was driven by federal reimbursement and system integration concerns. The committee took no vote on the budget in this segment and adjourned with notice that rescissions, cash transfers, and statewide decisions would be taken up the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• competitiveness than Bob Buchanan.<00:04:04.080><c> We</c><00:04:04.280><c> are</c><00:04:04.440><c>
• And those costs are added to the electricity bids. The highest cost plant sets the market price.
• </c> bid of all energy. bid of all energy.
• competition competition in<02:22:21.880><c> the</c><02:22:22.040><c> retail</c><02:22:22.800><c> energy
• </c> the officials are now looking for bids the officials are now looking for bids to<03:32:41.200><c

Transcript Highlights:

• compromising competitive positions?
• > reconciliation for competitive reconciliation for competitive electricity<03:28:26.640><c> supply</
• </c> &gt;&gt; And so that creates a anti-competitive &gt;&gt; And so that creates a anti-competitive
• </c> PUC policy on the competitive market. PUC policy on the competitive market. Mhm. Mhm. Mhm.
• </c> make the entire market a competitive make the entire market a competitive market?

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• bidding processes to ensure that there's, you know, market forces at work and that customers are being
• bidding processes to ensure that there's, you know, market forces at work and that customers are being
• bidding processes to ensure that there's, you know, market forces at work and that customers are being
• <01:31:04.920><c> regionally</c><01:31:05.920><c> nationally</c><01:31:06.639><c> and</c> competitive
• regionally nationally and competitive regionally nationally and globally<01:31:08.159><c> while</c><

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• And so in order to be able to use them to make SAF, you're going to have to bid up the prices.
• And you bid up the prices, and that's going to be raising costs.
• And then TSEP, the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program, that's a competitive program.
• California is not a competitive market at this time for the allocation of modest amounts of SAF that
• In my experience, increased fuel supply in the market provides more competition and downward pressure

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

Transcript Highlights:

• So, relative to budget today, we've bid and awarded about 90% of the project.
• and see where we are, that's not instructive as to how much we've put out on the street and received bids
• We've bid about 90% of the work, and today we're about $5 million under budget.
• So the remaining 10% is yet to bid, and we expect that in about five to six weeks we would know that.
• So we try to create a system where anybody and everybody that's qualified can bid, and we hope that the

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we continue to monitor our competition in the community, whether it be a county facility or
• No, no, but we are still competitive.
• </c><04:18:04.920><c> gotcha</c> we are still competitive gotcha we are still competitive gotcha thank
• </c><04:18:11.000><c> if</c> tax we might be more competitive if tax we might be more competitive if
• That $40 million will result in actual construction documents that can then be put out to bid to get

Summary: The committee heard an overview from the Agriculture Commissioner on the department’s major divisions and staffing. He described the Office of the Commissioner, Agricultural Development, Pesticides, Regulatory Services, Weights and Measures, Animal Industry, Plant Industry, and Soil Conservation, noting that many programs are federally funded or supported by dedicated fees and fines. He said the department has 44 full-time positions plus one DoIT employee shared with other agencies, and that HR services are now contracted through Administrative Services. He also explained that Soil Conservation is administratively attached to the department and funded through Moose Plate grants and county contributions, not direct state funding. Members asked about specific program functions and issues, including weights and measures inspections, animal health, bird flu response, internships, invasive species, and the Big E/New Hampshire building. The commissioner said weights and measures covers nearly all commercial measuring devices and products sold by weight, and that inspectors are currently part-time police officers, though the department is discussing removing that requirement. He said the department is actively involved in bird flu monitoring, including regular calls with USDA and the state veterinarian and collecting milk samples from dairy farms. On invasive species, he focused on Japanese knotweed and bittersweet, saying the department has only one staff person working on the issue, mainly as a coordinator with DOT and towns, and that eradication is extremely difficult. He also said the department does not run student internships and refers inquiries to UNH Cooperative Extension. The committee discussed budget and revenue issues, including three new general fund positions, one of which is the assistant commissioner and another a biological scientist for invasive species. The commissioner said the department had been in “triage mode,” that an assistant commissioner was needed because of workload, and that the department is a net positive to the General Fund each year. He said some fees and fines have not been updated in decades and would require legislation to change, including a proposed $5 fee for each animal database certificate to help fund a system that costs about $250,000 annually to maintain. In response to questions about budget reductions, he said the department protected personnel, reduced the cost-of-care fund, fair grants, and land preservation funding to about $25,000 each, and did not plan to buy new vehicles or computers. He also said he could not support including the $50,000 Conservation District resilience grant program in his budget under the current reduction targets, though he remained hopeful it might be funded another way.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do issue the RFPs, and thankfully they bid on it, so we're able to provide services.
• We do issue the RFPs, and thankfully they bid on it, so we're able to provide services.
• So we put the actuarial study out to bid for folks to, you know, bid on that, and it was essentially,
• I mean, you've put it out, and no one's willing to take the bid for the amount of money offered.
• </c><00:17:55.520><c> on</c><00:17:55.799><c> that</c> bid for folks to you know bid on that bid for

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Judiciary heard the Judiciary’s budget presentation from Brandon Kimura and other court administrators. The Judiciary outlined its mission and access-to-justice programs, including specialty courts, self-help centers, online small claims dispute resolution, and e-reminders. It requested an operating budget of $6.17 million in FY 2026 and $6.25 million in FY 2027, along with 17 permanent and one temporary position, and described a series of staffing and program requests tied to specialty courts, district court operations, technology, and public guardianship. Major program requests included making women’s court permanent by converting seven temporary positions to permanent and adding a substance use counselor; expanding truancy court and the Early Education Intervention Program on Oahu; and making the driving while impaired court permanent. The Judiciary also sought staffing and funding for the new Wahiawa District Court, including security, janitorial, IT, clerical, bailiff, and social worker support, plus an additional district court judge and staff in Kona. Technology requests included cybersecurity tools and a cybersecurity unit, enhanced email protection, and replacement of aging network switches. Other operating requests included continued funding for the Criminal Justice Research Institute, restoration of 12 positions cut during the pandemic, and added support for the Office of the Public Guardian. For capital improvement projects, the Judiciary’s top priorities were $4 million to design a new South Kohala District Court, $900,000 to replace an aging AC chiller on Kauai, and $5 million for lump-sum facility preservation work. Members asked questions about purchase-of-service contract rates, implementation of court-appointed fee increases, federal grant dependence, specialty court effectiveness, truancy court outcomes, and the condition of the Ewa District Court site. Judiciary witnesses said they were working to raise provider rates through contracts and a separate bill, cited low recidivism and reduced petitions as evidence that specialty courts and truancy efforts are working, and said the Ewa site has significant foundation issues that may require further assessment or a different location.

Transcript Highlights:

• One happily is because bids came in lower and they're able to do more work, so they need to bid out the
• </c> parts so they can get good bidding parts so they can get good bidding environments<00:58:00.320>
• Uh, when bidding happens, and you don't want to be bidding a project in the middle of summer because
• ><c> the</c> want to be bidding a project in the want to be bidding a project in the middle<01:12:46.360
• </c> get a bad bidding environment. get a bad bidding environment.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy