Transcript Highlights:

• We are talking about special certification required to purchase and apply these pesticides.
• So our education and certification section provides stickers and educational outreach events, the certification
• Health in the Hawaiian language and in Health in the Hawaiian language and in this<00:45:27.760> case
• So we do our education and certification section.
• do training and certification do training and certification rupps<01:45:54.800> but<01:45

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: This joint informational briefing of Senate and House committees focused on restricted use pesticides in Hawaiʻi, with opening remarks framing the issue as one of health, environmental impact, and state-level regulation. The briefing reviewed the history of pesticide disclosure efforts, including prior county actions, a 2016 court ruling that shifted responsibility to the state, and Act 45, which enabled disclosure of restricted use pesticide data. Speakers highlighted 2019 reporting data showing concentrated use in parts of Oʻahu and Kauaʻi, especially near schools and communities, and identified fumigants such as 1,3-dichloropropene and metam sodium as among the heaviest-used products. Concerns were raised about potential links to cancer, respiratory illness, reproductive harms, Parkinson’s disease, and developmental effects, as well as the lack of long-term mixture studies and the need for better buffer zones, reporting, and farmer transition support. The Department of Agriculture’s pesticides program manager described the state’s regulatory framework, explaining the distinction between general use and restricted use pesticides and the department’s role under FIFRA and Hawaiʻi law. He outlined the branch’s enforcement, education/certification, registration, and laboratory functions, including inspections, complaint response, market surveillance, applicator certification, product review, groundwater protection modeling, and special registrations. He also noted staffing and resource limitations, including the absence of an in-house toxicologist and long-term monitoring capacity, and compared Hawaiʻi’s resources to California’s much larger pesticide regulatory program. He said the department supports Act 231, which was passed the previous year and is moving forward this session. A pediatrician speaking for the Hawaiʻi chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics emphasized concerns about chronic low-level pesticide exposure in children, citing AAP policy statements and technical reports that associate exposure with cancer, leukemia, birth defects, neurobehavioral issues, and asthma. Drawing on work with the Kauaʻi Joint Fact Finding Task Force, the speaker said the group found the west side of the island to be an unhealthy community but could not prove causation because of missing drift, geospatial, and biomarker data. The testimony pointed to elevated cancer mortality, pneumonia admissions, obesity, dialysis, and developmental delay indicators, and described concerns about pesticide drift near schools and homes, including reports of children becoming ill after nearby spraying and low levels of chlorpyrifos detected in dust samples. An environmental health scientist from the University of Hawaiʻi described a pilot project using restricted use pesticide data in a public health context. She said the project began after seeing maps of Central Oʻahu pesticide use and aimed to pair GIS data with health and ethnicity data, while also conducting community focus groups. Preliminary focus group themes included calls to action, voting and policymaker awareness, concern about pesticide use near homes and fields, lack of community consent, and a desire to stay engaged. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• rules about um certification rules about um certification inspections,<04:09:19.520> lensure<
• how lensure versus um um certification how lensure versus um um certification would<04:15:43.120
• in only under the certification rules. in only under the certification rules.
• Certification. Yeah.
• > understanding is the certification understanding is the certification aspect<04:25:08.479> is

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Motor Vehicle Division must certify speed-inhibiting devices that meet outlined requirements for certification
• Certify speed-inhibiting devices that meet outlined requirements for certification, publish and make
• We're simply changing some language. It's that simple. A common-sense bill.
• We're simply changing some language. That's that simple. We're just changing language.
• A company that knowingly submits a false certification is liable for a civil penalty of $100,000, the

Bills: HB2170, HB2417, HB2418, HB2771, HB2772, HB4018, HCR2059

Keywords: procurement, foreign adversary, China, state contracts, information technology, security, speeding, speed limit, traffic enforcement, driver safety, speed inhibiting device, appropriation, law enforcement, task forces, funding, criminal justice, community supervision, rehabilitation, supervision fee, victim compensation

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety approved the minutes from March 18, 2026, then heard and voted on several bills. HB 4018, which clarifies that a county sheriff has exclusive authority to regulate posse and reserve organizations acting under the sheriff’s authority, passed on a 5-1 vote after supporters said it simply codifies existing authority and improves accountability; one member opposed it as giving too much unchecked power. HB 2417, allowing certain drivers to use a court-ordered speed-inhibiting device instead of a license suspension for specified offenses, passed 6-1, with supporters calling it an optional safety measure and opponents raising cost, privacy, and enforcement concerns. HB 2771, allowing ADCRR to require prisoners to pay reasonable rehabilitation-program costs as a condition of community supervision, passed 5-2, and HB 2772, creating a driver’s-license medical indicator for advance directives such as a DNR, passed unanimously after discussion about implementation, renewal, and cost to applicants. The committee also approved HCR 259, a resolution reaffirming support for county sheriffs and recognizing their constitutional role, on a 4-3 vote. HB 2418, which appropriates $600,000 to be distributed evenly among the five original major incident regional law enforcement task forces in Cochise, Coconino, Navajo, Pinal, and Yuma counties, passed unanimously; testimony said the bill codifies a distribution practice that has already been followed administratively. Finally, HB 2170, the Protection Procurement Act, which bars state contracts for certain Chinese government-controlled companies unless no reasonable alternative exists and imposes penalties for false certification, passed 4-3 after proponents argued it protects Arizona from security and supply-chain risks. The meeting ended with thanks to staff and pages and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• One is the certification, that's A, and B is the loan mobilization program rules.
• So one-half of a high school credit, the employment skills certification, or an earned workforce credential
• And we did receive one public comment suggesting some clarified language and proposing a form that could
• I guess I just was trying to clarify because 64 is struck through in the language on this document and
• So we added this language into this rule. Thank you, Ms. Stone. Members, any questions?

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a series of agency rules and related requests. The Department of Corrections and Post-Prison Transfer Board reported quarterly updates and had no questions, so both were filed. The Department of Commerce sought repeal of rules tied to the minority and women-owned business enterprise programs and the Consolidated Incentives Act, explaining the rules were repealed by implication or duplicative of statute; all were reviewed and approved. The Insurance Department presented a new rule implementing Act 426 of 2025 for online marketplace guarantee providers, using Airbnb-style host damage protection as an example, and it was approved. The Department of Education updated the Arkansas Adult Diploma Program rule to reflect statutory payment amounts for milestones and diplomas, and it was approved. DFA presented a rule creating a reporting method for the Arkansas rice beer and sake excise tax credit; members asked about verification of Arkansas rice use, and the rule was approved. DHS presented a SNAP rule implementing federal changes to work requirements and energy assistance counting, including raising the able-bodied adult without dependents age limit to 64 and removing some exemptions; it was approved after questions about terminology and waiver-related issues. The committee also approved DHS Medicaid rules allowing rehab hospitals to bill for psychiatric units and exempting Arkansas from the federal recovery audit contractor requirement, citing other program integrity measures already in place. The State Board of Public Accountancy, under Labor and Licensing, presented rules implementing Act 428 of 2025, including a new CPA licensure pathway with a bachelor’s degree plus two years’ experience, substantial equivalency for out-of-state CPAs, and removal of the government not-for-profit accounting requirement; despite some negative comments, both rules were approved. The committee then granted the Department of Education’s request to be excluded from certain reporting requirements, and approved its request to retain all 18 Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation rules under Act 781 review. Remaining outstanding 2023-session rulemaking and monthly updates were noted in packets with no questions, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I think the key part to not lose is that in the certification process, it's not one home element,
• This is what you're going to pay with certification that but we need to spend some money.
• bill to the extent that it's not clear is intended to be certification that is whole the whole home
• Chair, you brought up community level mitigation and certification.
• I will say the proposition for language includes activities that range from. micro-grids and backup power

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As I read over the language in the resolution, it reads as an admission of failure at the state level
• This language here proposes to remove references to the pilot program and sunset for a now successful
• alternative certification program offering a two-year path to a teacher certification.
• in Tulsa over the past several years and has supported 489 career changers on their path toward certification
• Of those, 135 now have standard teaching certificates, and they're currently 223 pursuing cer certification

Bills: HB4028, HB4075, HB4077, HB4074, HB4076, SB1221, SB1921, SB2118, SB1932, SB2134, HCR1025, SB1432, HCR1024, HCR1022, SB1122, HB4029, HB4063, HB4073, HB4078, SB1936, SB44, SB237, SB248, SB1360, SB985, SB1204, SB1239, SB1307, SB2143, SB1428, SB1390, SB1400, SB1405, SB1732, SB1832, SB1859, SB1989, SB2018, SB1427

Keywords: tax deduction, venture capital, economic development, Oklahoma, investment, water resources, appropriations, funding, state treasury, infrastructure projects, emergency act, emergency management, disaster relief, pandemic response, state appropriations, HB4074, Health Care Workforce Training Commission, Health Care Workforce Revolving Fund, health workforce, health care workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• Clarify language related to the offer of settlement procedure in order to conform the language with existing
• > the<00:03:08.879> offer<00:03:09.200> of Clarify language related to the offer
• of Clarify language related to the offer of settlement<00:03:09.680> procedure<00:03:10.000><
• <00:03:37.120> Um<00:03:37.360> and retroactivity language as well.
• Um and retroactivity language as well.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first deferred HB 239, which would have narrowed the definition of child abuse or neglect by excluding cases where a caregiver is unable to provide certain needs solely because of poverty or lack of resources. The chair said other similar bills were still alive and expressed concern that carving out a specific category of abuse could hinder monitoring of children being harmed for other reasons. The committee then took up several decision-making items. HB 420, dealing with the contractor repair act and construction defect claims, was recommended for passage with extensive amendments that would clarify statutes of repose and limitations, define substantial completion, remove homeowner expert-report requirements, delete class-action limits, set timelines for inspections, mediation, and settlement procedures, and add non-retroactivity language; it passed unanimously. HB 732, concerning special management area minor permits for certain single-family residences, was also passed with amendments after the committee removed the provision that would have expanded minor-permit eligibility for homes under 3,500 square feet. HB 1017, repealing the greenhouse gas sequestration task force, passed with amendments to make it effective upon approval. HB 958, which restricts children under 15 from riding class 3 electric bicycles and raises the helmet age requirement, passed with technical amendments only. The committee also considered Governor’s Message 689, the nomination of Melissa Sautello to the Commission on the Status of Women. After testimony in support and questions from members about financial disclosure and her views on women’s sports and transgender participation, the committee voted to advise and consent to the nomination. The nomination passed, and the committee adjourned after noting that a full Senate vote would follow.

Transcript Highlights:

• Other countries use gender-based language.
• Again, I think the language is clear.
• Yes, sir, as the language says. So, um... Yes, sir, as the language says.
• Would you say the POST certification was, how many hours of training?
• And how does that compare to POST certification?

Summary: The committee first approved the May 5 minutes and then heard House Bill 578, which would define sex in Louisiana law as biological sex, replace references to gender with sex in various statutes and forms, and direct the Law Institute to make conforming changes. Supporters from the governor’s office said the bill would bring clarity and consistency, while opponents argued it could create conflicts with existing law and weaken protections tied to gender identity. After debate, the committee reported HB 578 favorably. Members then considered House Bill 1250, a measure aimed at aerospace-related litigation. The bill would allow a special motion to strike certain claims against aerospace flight entities when the claims are preempted by federal law. Senators raised concerns that the language was broad enough to affect airports, airlines, contractors, and even unrelated incidents, and the author said he was willing to work on narrowing amendments. The committee nevertheless reported HB 1250 favorably. House Bill 718, dealing with liability protections for private airstrips used for recreation, was amended to narrow its scope and then reported favorably, while House Bill 163, a narrower related airstrip bill, was voluntarily deferred so the committee could work from the other measure. The committee also approved House Concurrent Resolution 61, which asks the Louisiana Law Institute to review possible conflicts between the constitution and statutes on expropriation. House Bill 180, defining foreign adversaries and agents of foreign adversaries for a proposed constitutional amendment, and House Bill 192, a constitutional amendment barring foreign adversaries from expropriating land in Louisiana, were both reported favorably. House Bill 1008, which sets out academic freedom and whistleblower protections for higher education, was rejected on a roll-call vote after concerns about its scope and limits on university discipline. House Bill 638, a prompt-payment bill for contractors, was set aside while amendments were being located. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 71, which would extend existing liability protections for justified use of force to properly trained armed security guards. The author and the Board of Private Security Examiners said security officers receive training and often face dangerous situations, but opponents argued the bill would give too much protection to personnel with far less training than law enforcement and could shield bad shootings. After debate, the committee voted to defer HB 71. The last measure discussed was House Bill 1082, which would change venue rules for lawsuits involving the Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System so actions by the system would be filed where the employer is located; the author said the bill was meant to help small municipalities, and members indicated they were open to narrowing amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• PART OF THE LANGUAGE IN A STATUTE REQUIRED ADDITIONAL HOSPITALS THAT MET FOR CERTAIN CRITERIA TO PROVIDE
• TABLE IN THIS BILL A CERTIFICATION APPLICATION FORM WAS CREATED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF PHARMACY
• BOARD OF PHARMACY RECEIVED ITS FIRST OF THREE CERTIFICATION COURSES IN SEPTEMBER IN A JOINT COMMITTEE
• CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS. THOSE ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM VARIOUSLY. AND AT ENFORCEMENT AREAS.
• >> Chair Burton: YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> THERE IS THE LABELING OF THE CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS TIED TO

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, I was going through the list assessing certification. Certification is advisory.
• <00:10:58.160> is<00:10:58.399> advisory certification is advisory certification is advisory
• top certification top certification yes<00:11:06.000> yes<00:11:06.480> there's<00
• the original Bill language said that the original Bill language said that anyone<03:45:26.560>
• OPLC language.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was an orientation-style overview from the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), led by Executive Director Deana Jurus and staff. They described the office’s mission to protect public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and the public trust, and outlined the agency structure: enforcement, licensing and board administration, operations, legal counsel, board counsel, and the hearings bureau. OPLC said it currently supports 57 boards, including seven advisory boards, and has about 104 filled positions out of 120 authorized. They also noted new voluntary certifications for doulas, lactation consultants, and community health workers that are in rulemaking. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on how boards and staff divide responsibilities under RSA 310:4. Staff explained that the office handles application processing, complaint intake and initial review, records retention, 91-A requests, and rule drafting, while boards make final decisions on licensure criteria, complaint dismissals or investigations, disciplinary actions, and some hearing matters. They also described the rule structure by chapter number ranges and the distinction between full licensing boards and advisory boards. The committee asked about complaint notifications, and OPLC said it is tightening policies so complainants are told whether a matter is closed or moving forward. The licensing process was discussed in detail, especially for nursing. Bethany Katrell explained that applicants apply through an online portal, may receive approval to sit for exams, can work under provisional authority in some cases, and then receive full licensure after exam results and criminal background checks are complete. OPLC said the portal now reduces back-and-forth paperwork and that, as of the latest biweekly report, 87% of applications were decided within the statutory 90-day period and 57% within 14 days. Members also raised questions about why some professions require board approval before taking an exam, and OPLC said that requirement varies by statute or board rule. No votes or formal actions were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• questions to the language pertaining to the legacy bill as well.
• Uh, this amendment doesn't touch that language.
• <00:25:54.720> It<00:25:54.960> leaves doesn't touch that language.
• It leaves doesn't touch that language.
• Uh, this amendment doesn't touch that language.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The chip seal language is in the LAR program.
• <01:25:36.560> Existing print certificates online. Existing print certificates online.
• Do they have the certificate with them?
• Um, so it's the certificate with them?
• the unit is goes through a certification the unit is goes through a certification process<01:32:

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• NUMBER ONE IS EXPANDING ACCESS TO CERTIFICATIONS.
• MARINE ENGINEERING DEGREE HAS TO EMBEDDED COLLEGE CERTIFICATES PICK ONE IS PROFESSIONAL WELDER AND THE
• IT IS PRETTY RELIABLE CERTIFICATION FOR STUDENTS TO HAVE.
• THERE CERTIFICATION IS RECOGNIZED BY THE STATE AND THIS WAS PART OF THE WORK WE DID TO BRING THIS INTO
• THE PROFESSIONAL WELDER CERTIFICATE IS SOMETHING THE COLLEGE OF THE FLORIDA KEYS DEVELOPED.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 2360, Arambula, plain language, do pass as amended to narrow the scope and implementation of the bill
• AB 1934, Steve Bennett, home hardening certification, due pass out on an A roll call.
• AB 1971, Steve Bennett, home hardening certification, held in committee.
• AB 1925, Jeff Gonzalez, Permanent Disability Certification Program, do pass out on an A roll call.
• as amended to strike the rebuttable presumption, strike certain revisions of existing exemption language

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee held a suspense-file hearing on May 14, 2026, reviewing hundreds of Assembly bills and a few committee bills. The chair opened by explaining the committee’s budget constraints and the factors used in suspense decisions, including fiscal impact, return on investment, effects on constituents, and protection of the state’s social safety net. The agenda was organized alphabetically by author, and the committee noted that results would be posted later that day online. The committee then acted on a very large number of measures, sending many bills to the Assembly floor on do pass or do pass as amended motions, while holding many others in committee. Topics covered a broad range of policy areas, including housing, health care, education, labor, public safety, wildfire mitigation, water, energy, transportation, cannabis, immigration, and state governance. Many bills were amended to narrow scope, make implementation contingent on appropriations or existing resources, remove provisions, or clarify agency responsibilities; several bills were held without further action. Among the notable actions, the committee advanced bills on items such as Medi-Cal services, child care, wildfire-related programs, housing financing, school and college issues, public safety and criminal justice, environmental and energy policy, and various consumer and business regulations. Some measures were sent out on A or B roll calls, with Republicans often not voting on amended bills. The hearing concluded after the committee reported that a large number of bills had been moved to the Assembly floor, either as do pass or do pass with amendments, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS IS WHERE STUDENTS GAIN INSTRUCTION AND LEARN NECESSARY SKILLS TO OBTAIN INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS
• IN FLORIDA THERE ARE 10 INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS AVAILABLE INCLUDING AGRICULTURE ASSOCIATE, AGRICULTURAL
• OUR STUDENTS EARN SOME OF THE MOST RIGOROUS INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS AVAILABLE.
• YOU WILL SEE THAT REFLECTED IN THE LANGUAGE WE HAVE HERE.
• I APPRECIATE SENATOR BURTON'S CLARIFICATION AND ADVERTISING LANGUAGE BUT WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO LOOK

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to give you guys a little bit of a background on dyslexia today. processes written language
• processes written language um<00:01:30.880> this<00:01:31.119> makes<00:01:31.439>
• reading<00:01:31.840> and<00:01:32.040> language um this makes reading and language
• <00:10:13.040> interpreting<00:10:14.040> including language interpreting including language
• Chair, I do have an author's amendment that just does a small language correction.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also willing to work on language with stakeholders to get this narrowed down to the extent that we
• Additionally, this bill adds conforming language to current state statute under Chapter 455 occupation
• Is there some way to get to the language there that you think would be acceptable there?
• HB 4766 is a TDLR cleanup bill that addresses and updates outdated language in the occupations code.
• TDLR is responsible for the approval, certification, and Administration of online responsible pet owner

Transcript Highlights:

• sponsor for House Bill 132 has requested that we roll that bill because they are still working on some language
• Because they are still working on some language for an amendment, for an amended bill.
• First and foremost, with the language we're using, I think we've moved away from transitional.
• One of the other protections that we put in the language was an assurance that if they filed a protest
• , it would be awarded specifically because they were awaiting their certification, which was a really

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee began by rolling House Bill 132 at the sponsor’s request because amendment language was still being worked on. The committee then proceeded without quorum as a subcommittee until additional members arrived. House Bill 285, as amended, was heard first. The bill was described as a cleanup measure to clarify New Mexico’s disabled veterans property tax exemption, including that it applies to a veteran’s primary residence and how it works for properties with multiple owners. Testimony from New Mexico counties, the Tax and Revenue Department, and the Department of Veterans Services supported the bill, saying it would reduce confusion for assessors and help veterans access the exemption. One member raised broader concerns about housing insecurity among unhoused and renting veterans and asked for interim data on how many veterans would actually benefit, but the committee noted those issues were outside the bill’s scope. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed HB 285 as amended with a do pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 128, which updates the state’s occupational disease and disablement law for firefighters by expanding the list of covered cancers and related conditions, aligning the state law with newer research and recent federal changes, and standardizing the employment period to five years. The sponsor and supporters said the bill reflects current science, removes outdated age limits for some cancers, and makes it easier for firefighters to receive workers’ compensation without having to prove causation case by case. Firefighters and union representatives gave emotional testimony about personal cancer diagnoses and the burden of fighting insurers while undergoing treatment. The Workers’ Compensation Administration, labor groups, and trial lawyers all supported the measure. Committee members asked about the federal model, the five-year threshold, the impact on rural jurisdictions, and why women’s cancers were not previously included; witnesses explained that the changes reflect updated data and the underrepresentation of women in the fire service. Dr. Dan Wu, speaking online, said firefighter cancer is an epidemic and argued the science supports the bill. The committee then adopted the motion and passed HB 128 with a do pass recommendation before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's also some other language that the governor proposed, which focused on seeking administrative.
• There's also some other language that the governor proposed, which focused on seeking administrative.
• Mass Save funding, approximately $175,000, is essential to achieving this passive house certification
• And I ask that inclusive asset participation language should be... ...to be fully supported.
• And I ask that inclusive asset participation language should be protected as well in order to be able

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on the value of Mass Save, with opening remarks emphasizing that despite past criticisms the program has delivered major energy, cost, climate, and equity benefits. The chair cited large avoided system costs, strong benefit-cost ratios, and recent legislative changes that set emissions goals, restricted fossil-fuel equipment incentives, and increased focus on low- and moderate-income households. Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Elizabeth Mahoney testified that Mass Save has weatherized hundreds of thousands of homes, reduced bills, avoided emissions, and that the current plan includes budget controls after the DPU ordered $500 million removed from the approved budget. She said the governor’s proposal to have only electric utilities administer the program was intended to reduce administrative costs and align with current implementation trends. Members questioned Mahoney about what counts as marketing and administration, and she said the category includes traditional advertising as well as community-based outreach, customer resource centers, and other customer engagement work, much of it in low- and moderate-income communities. She said administrative and marketing costs are under 5% of the budget, while more than 80% goes to incentives and direct program delivery. Several witnesses then focused on workforce and contractor impacts. Dave Betcher of Abode Energy Management and Rick Taglienti of Rogers Insulation said Mass Save sustains small businesses, creates careers, and supports thousands of jobs; both warned that budget cuts would reduce hiring, training, and work in homes and businesses. They also described a broad ecosystem of suppliers, trainers, and service providers that depends on stable program funding. Other witnesses addressed cost-effectiveness, affordability, and emissions. Anna Johnson of ACEEE said Massachusetts remains a national leader, with Mass Save returning about $2.80 per dollar invested, reducing peak demand, and lowering bills for participants, especially through weatherization and heat pumps. Kyle Murray of Acadia Center said the program is statutorily required to be cost-effective and has avoided billions in supply and infrastructure costs for all ratepayers, including nonparticipants, by lowering overall demand and peak prices. Amy Boyd-Rabin of the Environmental League of Massachusetts argued that efficiency is the cheapest way to meet climate targets and that cutting the budget would force more expensive power generation. The hearing also featured testimony on equity and housing: Mary Wampo described historic under-service to renter-heavy and lower-income communities and said recent reforms, including designated equity communities and performance incentives tied to equity, are helping correct that imbalance; Brian Biot and James Collins of LEAN/ABCD described low-income delivery systems and wraparound services; Barney Heath and John Nannari said Mass Save incentives are essential to affordable housing, passive house construction, and keeping projects on time and on budget. The final witnesses highlighted Connected Solutions and electrification: Sunrun’s Bronte Payne said the virtual power plant program saved more than it cost and helps avoid peaker plants and grid upgrades, and Highland Electric Fleets’ Ben Sondaga said electric school buses can provide similar grid benefits while lowering transportation costs for districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's available in over 211 languages, and we are distributing these to anyone.
• Spanish is not the only language; there are other needs, but yes, ma'am. Thank you for that.
• Certification to others in the community. Thank you very much, Madam Secretary.
• In Spanish and some native languages, Tewa and Navajo in particular.
• We work with the UNM EMS Academy for that certification; we don't have our own licensing.