Transcript Highlights:

• Our grid, our electrical system, is working currently with that.
• They only come on when they can sell the electricity at a relatively high price.
• I think we average, we import 60% of our electricity. Wow. I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm...
• I think we import 60% of our electricity. Wow. I've not heard that at all.
• I think we average, we import 60% of our electricity. Wow.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2374 modifies the definition of electric-assisted bicycle to exclude any vehicle capable of
• exceeding 20 miles per hour using only an electric motor and any vehicle that is designed, manufactured
• It provides for a definition of electric motorcycle that includes a vehicle.
• evaluate steps that could be taken to facilitate adherence to the laws applicable to e-bikes and electric
• jurisdictions on juveniles between the ages of 12 and 16 and civil penalties for adults who provide electric

Summary: The committee took up a series of transportation-related bills and proposed substitutes, with most measures advancing after discussion and roll-call or voice votes. House Bill 2092, creating a Washington State Amtrak Cascades Passenger Rail Advisory Committee, was amended by a proposed substitute that broadened membership and duties, and it passed 20-6. House Bill 2114, allowing fee waivers for replacement defective license plates, passed unanimously. House Bill 2172, clarifying route jurisdiction transfers and abandonments for highways and local roads, also passed unanimously after a substitute requiring agreements or legislative action for longer highway abandonments or those involving bridges. House Bill 2251, which restructures Climate Commitment Act accounts and revenue distribution, drew the most amendment activity. Two amendments were adopted to adjust forest carbon language and clarify Ecology administration funding, while amendments to redirect revenue to transportation infrastructure and to split excess revenue differently failed. The bill then passed 18-8 as amended. House Bill 2374, which redefines e-bikes and electric motorcycles and creates a work group on enforcement and safety, passed unanimously after a substitute added stakeholder representation and asked the work group to explore civil infractions and penalties. House Bill 2410, creating a Commercial Truck Safety and Education Council and increasing a safety fee, passed 25-1 after a substitute changed appointment authority, membership, and other council provisions. House Bill 2552, authorizing WSDOT and a regional transit authority to use MATOC contracting, was amended to add apprenticeship, prevailing wage, and notification requirements and then passed 16-10. House Bill 2588, expanding ferry district authority beyond passenger-only ferries, passed 16-10 amid concerns about taxing authority and voter input. House Bill 2718, setting timelines and processes for permit streamlining and originally including contractor ratings, had the contractor-rating section removed by amendment and then passed unanimously. House Bill 2722, increasing the vehicle weight threshold for transportation benefit district fees from 6,000 to 10,000 pounds, passed 17-9. House Bill 2727, creating an educational transit access grant program for community and technical college students, passed 21-5 after supporters emphasized student access and equity, while some members raised rural access concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• renewable energy tax on personal property related to renewable energy generating systems and battery electric
• renewable energy tax on personal property related to renewable energy generating systems and battery electric
• renewable energy excise tax rates apply for the life of the renewable energy facility or battery electric
• clarifies that the county assessor determines if a renewable energy generating system or battery electric
• adjustment to all applicable property tax levies when the renewable energy generating system or battery electric

Bills: HB1717 , HB2133 , HB2135 , HB2140 , HB2442 , HB2559

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: affordable housing, sales tax, housing programs, tax incentives, economic development, property tax, senior citizens, tax exemption, local government funding, permanent legislation, adaptive housing, disabled veterans, tax preferences, housing affordability, retail sales tax, governmental transfer, agriculture, land use, local government, tax authority

Transcript Highlights:

• And now we will move to tab 5, SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives by Senator Rodriguez.
• Electric cooperatives serve approximately 2.7 million Floridians in 57 counties and must balance growing
• electricity needs with affordability and reliability.
• submitted by a plans reviewer for projects under 15,000 for structural accessory structures, alarm, electrical
• Again, on the $7,500 exemption, that only applies if it's not structural, electrical, or plumbing.

Bills: S0014 , S0016 , S0024 , S0168 , S0288 , S0548 , S0686 , S0830 , S1138 , S1234

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and took up a series of local claims, public records, growth management, permitting, and nuisance bills. It first heard and approved SB 16, SB 14, and SB 24, all uncontested claims bills providing relief related to injuries or settlements involving the City of St. Petersburg and Miami-Dade County. The committee also approved SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives, which narrows statutory language to protect co-op decisions on generation and power purchases while preserving consumer protections, and SB 830, which creates a public records exemption for certain personal information of county and city managers and their families due to reported threats against local officials. Members then considered SB 1138 on qualified contractors and development review, which would create a registry of licensed professionals to help local governments process pre-application reviews and plats more quickly. Local government groups raised concerns about preemption and preserving quasi-judicial authority, while private-provider supporters backed the bill; Senator Sharief voted no, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 168, expanding public nuisance law to include gambling houses and increasing penalties, and SB 686 on agricultural enclaves, which revises the enclave process, adds a public hearing path, limits it to certain residential projects in urban service areas, and was amended to change a date to June 30, 2026 before being reported favorably. The committee next approved CS for SB 548 on growth management and impact fees, which clarifies plan-based methodology, extraordinary circumstances, interlocal agreements, and refund procedures for improper fee collections. Testimony reflected support for clearer standards but also concerns about fee increases and refund administration. Finally, SB 1234 on building permits and inspections was reported favorably; it would extend permit validity, exempt some low-value work from permitting, create a statewide residential permit form, speed review timelines, and expand private-provider use, drawing opposition from a Miami-Dade building official who argued for continued local oversight and support from private-provider advocates. Senator Jones requested to be recorded as voting affirmatively on several tabs and negatively on tab 9, and the committee adjourned after all bills were disposed of.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is Amendment One to an existing contract, and this is to revise a contract to increase the electrical
• Yes, just a clarification here, but the electrical contract originally was budgeted at $10,000 and it
• But was that just an oversight, or was there new equipment bought that required three-phase electricity
• MSA representative lademan if you would ask your question yes just a clarification here but the electrical
• But was that just an oversight or was there new equipment bought that required three-phase electricity

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, next measure is SB 500 SD2 HD1, relating to electric utilities. this room later today. Okay.
• </c> SB500 SD2 HD1 relating to electric SB500 SD2 HD1 relating to electric utilities.<00:05:25.919><c
• Next bill is Senate Bill 1500, relating to electric utilities.
• Next bill is Senate Bill 1500, relating to electric utilities.
• We're convening on Senate Bill 1500, relating to electric utilities.

Summary: The committee considered several conference measures on April 25, 2025, mostly waiting on FIN or Ways and Means releases before taking action. SB 25 on eviction mediation was agreed to and passed with amendments, with members voting aye except for one no vote recorded from Representative Pirk and several excused members. SB 1367 on installment loans was also taken up later in the meeting; a revised conference draft was noted to include a five-year timeframe, a $1 convenience fee, and a corrected effective date, and it passed unanimously among those voting. Other measures were repeatedly rolled to later times in Room 224 or 225 because releases were still pending, including SB 1044 on property insurance stabilization, SB 1220 on a renewable gas tariff, SB 500 on electric utilities, HB 1370 on liquor tax/draft beer definitions, HB 939 on alcohol/liquor tax changes, HB 1052 on the universal service program, and SB 1500 on electric utilities. When SB 1220 and SB 500 were eventually heard, both were described as creating or adjusting utility-related processes and both passed with amendments. HB 1370 also passed with amendments after the committee noted it would redefine draft beer for liquor tax purposes. SB 1044 drew the most detailed discussion: the conferees described major funding provisions, including a $30 million reimbursable general obligation bond appropriation for the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, a $20 million reimbursable GO bond appropriation to the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority for a condominium loan program, and a $5 million appropriation for GAP reserves, along with 36-month assessment periods and a temporary recording fee up to $44. The bill passed with amendments. HB 1052 on the universal service program was described as allowing the Public Utilities Commission to use program funds to provide free telecommunications access for individuals with print disabilities, with a $150,000 cap, and it also passed with a conference draft.

Transcript Highlights:

• amendment, modeled from legislation sponsored by Senator Mario Mattera, would repeal the costly all-electric
• As everyone knows, the all-electric building mandate is currently tied up in the courts.
• Developers have estimated that the all-electric building mandate will increase the cost of a typical
• On top of the additional $20,000 in costs to comply with the all-electric building mandate, the 2025
• The 2025 energy code, which includes the all-electric buildings mandate, would only increase the cost

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation focused on memory, gratitude, and recognizing the unseen people who sustain public life, then approved the prior day’s journal and moved through introductions of guests, including domestic violence advocates, medical scholars, and student advocates. Senator Webb’s Resolution 1633, designating February 23, 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Day, was adopted after remarks describing the scope of domestic violence in New York and the need for more survivor services. The chamber also adopted memorial Resolution 1558 honoring Margaret D. Williams, a vocalist, public servant, and community leader, and Resolution 1630 marking the 20th anniversary of Park and Public Lands Advocacy Day, with comments emphasizing the health and community benefits of parks and green space. The Senate then took up a series of bills on the calendar, passing measures including amendments to the Environmental Conservation Law, Labor Law, Education Law, Administrative Code of New York City, General Municipal Law, Tax Law, Cannabis Law, and Executive Law. Senator Ramos explained her support for the labor bill as the Anti-Waiver of Employment Rights Act, which would prevent employers from forcing workers to waive labor and human rights protections in applications or onboarding documents. Several bills were passed by wide margins, while some were laid aside for the day. The chamber also restored Senate Print 438 to the third reading calendar after reconsideration. A contested amendment to Calendar 234, Senator Comrie’s Executive Law bill, was ruled non-germane by the chair; Senator Walczyk appealed, arguing the amendment addressing the state energy code and all-electric building mandate was relevant to housing costs, but the Senate voted 20 to sustain the chair’s ruling. The underlying bill was then returned to the non-controversial calendar and passed. Finally, the Senate adopted a concurrent resolution electing two members to the Board of Regents, with supporters praising the nominees’ experience and critics objecting to the limited vetting time; the resolution passed 42-15. The Senate then adjourned until Thursday, February 26 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I also know that if I wanted to be an electrician and I go to Joe's Electric Company and I say, "
• It expands a special method of valuation for electric plant property that has been in use for a while
• to explicitly include the storage of electric power or energy.
• On this bill, I am representing the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 611.
• is critically important, not just for the common good, but also for the safety and well-being of electrical

Committee: Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• We also buy a lot of products and services from electrical supply houses, equipment rental places, and
• engineering services. ...by a lot of products and services from electrical supply houses, equipment
• I'm the owner of Okotillo Solar Electric, another solar installation company in Albuquerque.
• These solar investments would also help with the rising costs and usage of electricity.
• Solar investments would also help with the rising costs and usage of electricity.

Summary: The committee began with roll call, noting several members present and others absent, and then announced that HB 338 had been rolled. The first bill taken up was HB 332, a committee substitute authorizing or reauthorizing 376 previously approved capital projects, with changes that could extend reversion dates, alter purposes, or change administering agencies. After no public comment, members asked about the reauthorization period, project listings, and how HB 332 would interact with HB 247, which had been passed earlier in the session. The committee clarified that HB 332’s projects would be grandfathered in and that the standard extension is two years. The committee then voted 12-0 to do pass the committee substitute and do not pass the original HB 332. The committee next heard SB 55, which would increase a state solar tax credit from 10% to 30% while keeping the existing $30 million cap and sunset date. Legislative Finance Committee staff explained that the credit had been scored at about $9 million in recent years, so the bill would create an estimated $21 million general fund impact. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill would help New Mexico’s solar industry after the federal credit changed, preserve jobs, support small businesses, farmers, tribal communities, and lower-income households, and promote clean energy. Public testimony was strongly in favor, including from industry representatives, tribal advocates, and individual homeowners, while no opposition testified. Committee members raised concerns about fiscal impact, whether the credit should be part of the tax package, and whether an income test should be added. Some members also described consumer-protection concerns involving solar contracts, liens, and misunderstandings about credits and installation costs. The sponsor said the bill was intended to stand alone but acknowledged the fiscal issue and said it could be considered in the tax package. The committee ultimately voted 11-1 to table SB 55, with members noting it could be revisited later in the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• solar battery storage, and EV charging stations, but it does not cover smaller batteries found in electric
• One recent example is a Coeur d'Alene Police Department fire, which started from an electric bike battery
• plates, sealing narrow cavities less than one inch when not insulated, sealing holes created by electrical
• If they own an electric vehicle, then it puts— If somebody is putting it into their residence, if they
• own an electric vehicle, then it puts those requirements to protect those items, like the Tesla walls

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• My background is 40 years in the electrical industry, including journeyman electrician with the IBEW
• electrical union and electrical contractor, and involved in a wind turbine startup company.
• The individual applicant for the electric subsidy for the PV subsidy provides the capital.
• And Dominic Westin, owner of Ocotillo Solar Electric in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
• It doesn't really say anything about requirements that it produce electricity, and I'm...

Bills: SB101 , SB58 , SB55 , SB101 , SB58 , SB55

Committees: Senate Senate Finance , Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: SB 101, Health Care Delivery and Access Act, repeal of repeal, sunset repeal, delayed repeal, health care, healthcare, access to care, medical services, provider regulation, state health law, New Mexico, SB58, metropolitan redevelopment, redevelopment property, property tax exemption, payments in lieu of taxes, PILOT, municipal redevelopment, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• We're also working on some mechanical, electrical, plumbing rough-ins.
• c> mechanical</c> addition uh working on some mechanical addition uh working on some mechanical electrical
• Plumbing Ruffins that's an electrical Plumbing Ruffins that's an ongoing<00:02:26.080><c> process</c
• Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and life safety is being installed.
• It will give you an idea of what we’re looking at as far as framing, mechanical, electrical systems,

Transcript Highlights:

• increasing registration fees for passenger vehicles, requiring additional registration fees for electric
• and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and distributing the additional fees to the state.
• increasing registration fees for passenger vehicles, requiring additional registration fees for electric
• and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and distributing the additional fees to the State Road Fund, adjusting

Transcript Highlights:

• using reshuffled electricity from other parts of the West.
• Greenhouse gas emissions from the electrical sector. Pretty simple.
• Good morning, Derek Cole with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and we are in support
• Andrea Hartman, representing the California Electric Transportation Coalition, is here to testify in
• But here we have both electric and hydrogen coming together. What a great opportunity.

Summary: The committee heard several energy, environmental, recycling, and land-use bills, beginning with SB 925 by Senator McNerney, which would direct the California Energy Commission to develop a statewide roadmap for fusion energy. Supporters said the bill would help California retain leadership in fusion research and commercialization, attract investment, and create jobs, while some members emphasized the need to avoid overregulation and keep the state competitive. No opposition testified, and the bill was later approved on a 4-0 vote and held on call. The committee also heard SB 1350, another McNerney bill, to expand the use of green hydrogen in the power sector by allowing renewable portfolio standard credit for turbines using renewable hydrogen. Supporters framed it as a way to support clean energy reliability, preserve tax credits, and create jobs, while opponents including TURN and Earthjustice warned about greenwashing, resource shuffling, and increased NOx emissions. The author and chair described committee amendments as adding guardrails, and the bill passed 4-0 and was held on call. Senator Grayson presented SB 1145, which would streamline CEQA and related review for qualifying projects in the Concord Reuse Project Area, part of the former Concord Naval Weapons Station. The bill is intended to speed a long-planned transit-oriented development with housing, commercial space, parks, and open space; supporters included local officials, labor groups, and business organizations, while a housing group raised concerns about affordable housing guarantees but still supported the CEQA exemption. The committee described the bill as balancing streamlining with retained environmental review and approved it 4-0, held on call. Senator Cabaldon’s SB 1341, dealing with CalRecycle processing fees for bag-in-a-box wine and spirits containers, also drew support from the wine industry and some environmental groups that wanted a workable recycling market, while glass packaging and other opponents objected to giving CalRecycle too much discretion; it too passed 4-0 and was held on call. The committee then heard SJR 13 by Senator Padilla, urging the U.S. to seek enforceable commitments to eliminate transboundary sewage pollution at the 2026 USMCA review. Supporters described severe public health and environmental harms from sewage and runoff in the Tijuana River and New River watersheds, especially for border and farmworker communities, and the resolution passed 4-0. Padilla’s SB 1033, requiring protein product manufacturers to test for and disclose heavy metals, drew support from consumer and public health groups citing Consumer Reports findings, while industry groups argued for narrower scope, QR-code options, and thresholds tied to health standards; the bill passed 3-0 and was held on call. Senator Ashby’s SB 1010, creating a manufacturer-funded system for refrigerant recovery from discarded appliances, was supported as a climate and enforcement measure but opposed by appliance manufacturers and recyclers who said existing law already regulates refrigerants and that the bill could raise costs and reduce recycling; it passed 4-0 and was held on call. Finally, Senator Caballero presented SB 1183, requiring a state study of the environmental, land-use, and economic impacts of industrial solar in the Central Valley. Supporters said the bill would help ensure solar development benefits local communities and farmland, while solar industry groups argued it duplicated existing work and should better reflect solar’s benefits; the bill was heard but no vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of the cost, you know, we do have issues with the cost of electricity in the state.
• </c><00:59:59.200><c> in</c> issues with the cost of electricity in issues with the cost of electricity
• it's important for us to support them and help them reduce the cost of electricity that we know is the
• ><c> the</c><01:04:13.280><c> state</c><01:04:14.000><c> and</c><01:04:14.160><c> if</c> electricity
• rates in the state and if electricity rates in the state and if you<01:04:14.480><c> support</c><01:04

Bills: HB2198 , HB2021 , HB1881 , HB1964 , HB1990 , HB2151 , HB2599 , HB2414

Transcript Highlights:

• So, how do we demand for electricity.
• But I mean the biggest thing I hear is our electric rates are high and we can't afford it.
• But I mean the biggest thing I hear is our electric rates are high and we can't afford it.
• But I mean the biggest thing I hear is our electric rates are high and we can't afford it.
• But I mean the biggest thing I hear is our electric rates are high and we can't afford it.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Our members are cities that operate their own electric utilities.
• </c> the buildings and the other electrical the buildings and the other electrical equipment<01:02:52.160
• </c> local electric system reliability. local electric system reliability.
• For our community, this project represents a critical investment in electric reliability.
• service for Austin utilities electric service for Austin utilities customers<01:08:20.640><c> and</c

Bills: HF1669 , HF4709 , HF3531 , HF4048

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> electrical and plumbing. electrical and plumbing. Too. Too. Too.
• </c> that is deposited into the electrical that is deposited into the electrical vehicle<00:39:39.240
• </c><00:41:57.120><c> Electric</c> the largest household expenses.
• Electric the largest household expenses.
• Our constituencies are not going to see an increase in electricity cost nor gas costs.

Bills: HB1736 , HB1620 , HB1695

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1737, which clarifies allowable uses in agricultural districts for farm dwellings and farm employee housing, and HB 1604 HD2, which creates an agricultural workforce housing working group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Testimony on HB 1737 was overwhelmingly supportive, with county agriculture officials, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Farmers Union backing the measure; one witness asked for a definition of “affordable” to guard against misuse of farm housing. For HB 1604, the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Hawaii Farmers Union, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, with OHA requesting disaggregated data and a seat on the working group. Committee discussion focused on housing shortages, possible misuse, affordability, and whether innovative housing models such as modular, tiny, and container homes should be considered. The committee then took action on both measures. HB 1737 HD3 was recommended to pass with amendments that would limit farm employee housing to agricultural employees and their immediate family members actively engaged in the farm operation, add a grandfathering provision for existing permitted housing, preserve county zoning authority, clarify that ag tourism must be secondary and not occur in employee housing, delete a square-footage-per-acre ratio, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. HB 1604 HD2 was also recommended to pass with amendments adding OHA and a housing-shortage organization to the working group, expanding its scope to include modular, tiny, and container homes and permitting/zoning streamlining, and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. Both motions were adopted unanimously by the members present. The joint hearing then moved to HB 1736, which would establish a spay and neuter special fund and require sterilization and declaration provisions for cats, with some discussion of dogs. DLNR and the Hawaiian Humane Society supported the bill, while Pacific Pet Alliance objected to the broader requirements and the inclusion of dogs; the Hawaiian Humane Society and American Bird Conservancy supported cat-focused sterilization and the special fund, while some testifiers opposed mandatory sterilization as too costly or intrusive. Members raised questions about toxoplasmosis, trap-neuter-release, enforcement, neighbor-island access, and funding needs, and DLNR indicated additional funding and third-party contracting would likely be needed. The transcript then began HB 1620 HD2 on energy, which would increase the environmental response energy and food security tax and shift funds from the hydrogen fueling subaccount to EV charging infrastructure; state agencies generally stood on written testimony in support, while the Tax Foundation objected to special fund earmarks and noted the bill raises only one part of the barrel tax structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 13, introduced by Representative Hockman-Vigil, an act relating to electric public utilities
• Providing school districts the option to replace school buses with electric or zero-emission alternative
• Allowing school districts to enter into agreements for the use of their electric school buses as electric
• relating to taxation, enacting the Renewable Energy Production Tax Act, imposing an excise tax on electricity

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:05:44.160><c> motorcycle</c> by an electric motorcycle by an electric motorcycle and<01:05:46.079
• As we see the explosion of the usage of e-bikes, of electric bicycles and electric motorcycles, our legislation
• As we see the explosion of the usage of e-bikes, of electric bicycles and electric motorcycles, our legislation
• of electric bicycles and electric<01:08:24.239><c> motorcycles,</c> electric motorcycles, electric motorcycles
• </c> for in essence electric dirt bikes. for in essence electric dirt bikes.