Transcript Highlights:

• National Conference of State Legislatures, or NCSL, where he sits on several committees related to energy
• NCSL, where he sits on several committees related to energy, economic development, and international
• of the Civil Rights Movement in the Bay Area and taught Betsy the invaluable essence of justice, equity
• advocated for the care of youth and rehabilitation, and this also deepened her lifelong commitment to equity

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and welcomed a visiting Quebec National Assembly official, Matu Lemay, who was introduced as a special envoy discussing California-Quebec environmental collaboration. The body also approved Senate journals, suspended Joint Rule 62A to allow certain bills to be heard in Appropriations on short notice, and deemed gubernatorial and Assembly messages read. The chamber then considered three gubernatorial appointments. Courtney Welch was confirmed to the California Housing Partnership Corporation Board of Directors by a 29-1 vote, Janessa Goldbeck was confirmed to the California Veterans Board by a 28-2 vote, and Tom Huntington was confirmed to the State Parks and Recreation Commission by a 28-0 vote. The Senate also adopted the consent calendar, including Senate Bill 607, by a 37-0 vote. The remainder of the session was devoted to adjournment memories honoring Elizabeth Betsy Hammer Carr, Alberto Ronel, William Louis McIntyre Jr., and Joy Atkinson. Senators highlighted each individual’s public service, community leadership, activism, and family legacy, with particular emphasis on Carr’s labor and housing advocacy, Ronel’s health care and behavioral health work, McIntyre’s business and civic contributions, and Atkinson’s leadership development work for African American women in public life. The Senate then announced its next floor session and recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Arianna Montes, on behalf of the Affordable Energy Campaign, representing over two dozen energy advocacy
• directly helps the city of Lancaster generate more than clean energy that in energy source that directly
• As we are now facing severe energy price volatility, there is need to As we are now facing severe energy
• Alfredo Arredondo on behalf of GeoKil, Yosemite Clean Energy, GeoAmmonia Energy, GeoAmmonia Energy, Energy
• costs and to expand solar energy.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard several bills focused on utility affordability, transparency, clean energy, and consumer access. SB 327 would bar investor-owned utilities from using ratepayer funds to oppose municipal utility formation and would clarify the Public Advocates Office’s authority to inspect utility books; supporters framed it as a ratepayer protection and accountability measure, while utilities and industry groups raised concerns about municipalization language and data-request procedures. After discussion about the scope of the bill and existing guardrails from prior legislation, the committee voted SB 327 out on a due pass as amended basis to Appropriations, with the roll left open and later updated to 12-2. SB 1350, a hydrogen bill, would allow renewable portfolio standard credit for power plants using green hydrogen in turbines. The author and supporters said it would help California meet clean energy goals, support the Lancaster hydrogen project, and create jobs, while opponents, especially environmental groups, warned about NOx emissions, the risk of paper transactions, and the need for stronger safeguards on feedstocks and delivery. Members discussed amendments already taken and the need for continued work on environmental protections; the committee passed the bill 14-0 to Natural Resources. SB 868 would create a framework for plug-in or balcony solar devices for renters and others without rooftop solar, with safety standards and a cap on system size. Supporters said it would lower bills and expand access to solar, while utilities and some others raised safety and backfeed concerns and asked for more review through existing interconnection processes. The author and witnesses said the devices are small, non-exporting, and covered by safety certifications; the committee approved the bill 17-0, later updated to 18-0, and sent it to Appropriations. SB 1233 would require additional disclosure about utility cash on hand, capital structure, and related information in existing reports to help inform rates and affordability. Utilities opposed the measure as duplicative of existing proceedings and potentially delay-inducing, while supporters said it would improve transparency for ratepayers. The committee passed SB 1233 10-3 to Appropriations. The committee also dispensed with the consent calendar, passing the remaining consent items, including SB 925, SB 667, SB 952, SB 742, SB 929, SB 943, and SB 1138, and noted that SB 905 had been pulled from the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am calling to order the Joint Committee on Energy Supply, Energy Conservation, and Energy Resilience
• I nominate Senator Shoemake as the new chair for the Joint Committee on Energy Supply, Energy Conservation
• , and Energy Resilience.
• Supply, Energy Conservation, and Energy Resilience.
• energy policy specialist focused on clean energy workforce.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Energy Supply, Energy Conservation, and Energy Resilience

Summary: The Joint Committee on Energy Supply, Energy Conservation, and Energy Resilience opened by electing Senator Shoemake as chair and Representative Alex Ibarra as vice chair. Members then moved into a series of work sessions focused on data centers, transmission, and workforce needs tied to Washington’s clean energy and grid planning challenges. Kate Bruns and Glenn Blackman presented preliminary findings from the governor’s Data Center work group, created under Executive Order 25-05. They said the group met for six months, received more than 1,000 public comments, and included representatives from agencies, industry, tribes, labor, utilities, environmental groups, and research institutions. The presenters emphasized that data centers are expected to be the largest source of load growth over the next five to ten years, creating concerns about grid capacity, ratepayer impacts, forecasting, water use, backup generation, and compatibility with Washington’s energy and climate laws. They described nine recommendations, including protecting existing energy and climate policy, improving forecasting, seeking more clean power and transmission, and encouraging flexible data center operations. A proposed tax incentive change that would have expanded eligibility while tying the exemption to new clean electricity sources narrowly failed in the work group. Members asked about tribal consultation, cooling technologies, and local benefits from data centers; the presenters said tribal consultation was ongoing and a final report would follow. Keegan Moyer of West Tech then outlined a regional transmission study showing major strain on the Western grid from load growth, electrification, resiliency needs, and limited transmission capacity. He said the 10-year study identified about 12,000 line miles of needed projects across the West, with roughly $56 billion in estimated costs, including planned projects, reliability upgrades, and new interregional transfer projects. He stressed that many projects are upgrades within existing rights-of-way, but new corridors are still needed, and he previewed recommendations on permitting, equipment procurement, cost allocation, and project sponsorship. In response to questions, he discussed the difficulty of crossing jurisdictional “seams,” the role of federal coordination, landowner compensation, eminent domain as a last resort, and the limited role of public financing beyond a federal GRIP grant. Stephanie Scott of Commerce presented the transmission workforce study, which focuses on substation technicians, line workers, and line clearance tree trimmers. She said current workforce levels are far below what will be needed under a clean energy expansion scenario, and that active projects are essential because apprenticeship training depends on thousands of hours of hands-on work. She highlighted barriers such as high upfront CDL and pre-apprenticeship costs, the need for wraparound supports, and the importance of expanding access for women, people of color, and tribal communities. Members asked about tribal utility apprenticeship programs, utility-run training pipelines, and whether the study included funding sources; Scott said the report would include an inventory of apprenticeship programs and tribal considerations, but revenue ideas were outside the study scope. Finally, Brant Johnson of Grid United described the North Plains Connector as a case study in large transmission development. He said the project, a 420-mile, 3,000-megawatt HVDC line connecting Montana and North Dakota, has relied on early stakeholder engagement, route changes, tribal consultation, and coordinated federal and state permitting to reduce risk and shorten timelines. He said the project aims for permits by the end of 2026 and construction beginning in 2028, with an earliest commercial operation date of 2032. In response to questions, he discussed the challenges of crossing regional seams, interconnection queues, land acquisition and compensation, eminent domain, and financing, noting that the project is primarily privately financed with a $700 million federal grant covering a portion of costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• I had a good discussion in the Energy Committee earlier today, and, yeah, there's a lot of meaty pieces
• And we covered that a little bit in the Energy Committee earlier.
• So we look carefully at not just how do you reduce energy usage and increase energy efficiency, and how
• And so we look carefully at not just, you know, how do you reduce energy usage and increase energy efficiency
• Does that also include cheaper energy utility bills, right? So what does that look like?

Committee: Senate Insurance

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's cost-effective, and it improves equity.
• A number of programs funded by CCA support both pollution reduction and reduced energy and fuel costs
• We've also seen clean energy tax credits disappear, causing clean energy projects to increase in cost
• One way to reduce this burden is to follow Governor Ferguson's lead and invest in energy assistance,
• These next two budgets may be our last large-scale investment in building that clean energy future.

Bills: SB5998

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: fiscal appropriations, budget, state funding, financial management, operating expenses, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• An act relating to energy. Assembly Member Tangipa, you are recognized.
• This bill allows them to rebuild their homes under the solar energy standards that were in place when
• I wanted to ask him a question about one of them, about the State Energy Resources and Conservation..
• Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan, on the equities related to childbirth.
• This was a result of continued persistence and, importantly, hope—hope for true equality and equity.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long Daily File with several guest introductions and floor speeches. Members recognized visiting student leaders, championship football teams from Tuolumne County, Alpha Kappa Alpha members at their Capitol day, and later a descendant of Wong Kim Ark. The chamber also adopted a procedural motion allowing certain members to host guests in the rear of the chamber. Among the major policy items, AB 578 on food delivery platform refund practices passed 47-2, AB 344 on successor beer manufacturer definitions passed 61-0, AB 454 to make California’s migratory bird protections permanent passed 55-12 on the urgency clause, AB 482 updating the Table Grape Commission passed 64-1, AB 1237 to support transit access for 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket holders passed 56-15 on the urgency clause, AB 738 on wildfire rebuild solar exemptions passed 42-2, AB 1460 on 340B pharmacy access for clinics passed 41-5, AB 750 on homeless shelter oversight passed 49-1, AB 1061 on housing in historic districts passed 41-13, AB 1523 on expanding mandatory mediation thresholds passed 65-0, and AB 316 on AI-related civil liability passed 56-0. AB 761 authorizing the Monterey-Salinas Transit District to seek a sales tax ballot measure passed 47-12. The chamber also adopted several resolutions. AJR 3 urging protection of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid passed 53-2 after extensive debate that included criticism of federal cuts and counterarguments focused on state Medi-Cal policy and budget decisions. ACR 65 proclaiming California Tourism Month was adopted by voice vote after coauthors were added, and ACR 62 recognizing California Nonprofits Day was also adopted by voice vote with 65 coauthors. AJR 5 affirming birthright citizenship and opposing efforts to end it passed 58-1 after a lengthy, highly partisan debate centered on the 14th Amendment and the Wong Kim Ark precedent. The session also included passage of AB 571, a CEQA exemption for the Southern California Veterans Cemetery at Gypsum Canyon, which was presented as a long-running bipartisan effort to create a final resting place for Orange County veterans.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Energy to finalize the award.
• Also, Department of Energy State Energy Program funds, as well as home efficiency...
• Also, the Department of Energy State Energy Program funds, as well as Home Efficiency Rebate Program
• Instead, it's the Energy Policy and Conservation Act.
• The economic and environmental necessity of terminating or amending any existing energy, wind energy

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on the impact of the Trump administration’s federal climate policy changes on Massachusetts, with a focus on threatened grants, regulatory rollbacks, and state options to continue climate work. Chair Creem and other senators emphasized that Massachusetts still has a 2050 net-zero mandate and needs contingency plans for clean energy, transportation electrification, offshore wind, resilience, and financing if federal support is reduced or withdrawn. Executive branch witnesses said Massachusetts has already experienced disruptions to more than $1 billion in climate-related federal funds, though many suspended grants were restored after litigation by the Attorney General’s office. EEA reported continued uncertainty around a $389 million Grid Innovation Program award and a FEMA dam-safety reimbursement, while MassDOT said its NEVI fast-charging program remains on track with about $50 million obligated, but a $14.4 million competitive charging grant is on hold and future unobligated NEVI funds remain uncertain. Senators also discussed EV rebates, charging infrastructure, the role of the Community Climate Bank, and whether the state can expand independent financing and support for municipalities, higher education, and nonprofits. The Attorney General’s office described successful multi-state litigation that won a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the federal funding freeze, restoring access to many EPA, DOE, USDA, and Interior funds, while noting continued enforcement actions over FEMA manual reviews and other barriers. The office said it is also preparing to defend the endangerment finding, California vehicle-emissions waivers, offshore wind permits, and other federal climate protections. Outside advocates warned that federal tax-credit rollbacks, tariffs, and possible repeal of IRA and infrastructure funding could slow EV adoption and raise costs, while offshore wind testimony said federal permitting pauses and legal challenges are delaying projects and could leave Massachusetts far short of its 2030 offshore wind goals. Nonprofit witnesses also described canceled or delayed grants for wetland restoration and urban heat mitigation, and urged the Legislature to increase state funding, including for the environmental bond bill and municipal vulnerability preparedness work.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we address wildfire costs, we go a long way toward solving energy affordability.
• Energy Safety's primary mechanism for doing so is the wildfire mitigation plan.
• Energy Safety doesn't set compensation values and rates.
• So energy safety doesn't set compensation values and rates. We look at the structure.
• And then tomorrow afternoon, I'll be at the Assembly Energy Committee. Yeah.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I WISH I HAD HALF THAT ENERGY. THAT IS INCREDIBLE. JUST A LITTLE BIT. FRIDAY.
• ACTUALLY, USING GIS MAPPING TECHNOLOGY TO ACTUALLY PLOT EQUITY IN A NUMBER OF THESE UNITS.
• I THINK THERE IS MORE EQUITY COMING IN AND ALSO I THINK THIS LAW WILL HELP THE DEBT AVAILABILITY FOR
• I HAVE NOT STUDIED THE INDIVIDUAL EQUITY TO DATE ON THE CONDO RATE. >> Senator Pizzo: I HAVE A NUMBER
• I HAVE TO ADMIT PUBLICLY THE DYNAMIC AT DV PR AND ENERGY HAS IT CHANGED OBJECTIVELY.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, it's not necessary. the idea that equity programs that help the idea that equity programs that help
• </c><02:36:04.960><c> It</c> equity. Do you know what that means? It equity.
• ,</c><02:36:43.600><c> and</c> The opposite of diversity, equity, and The opposite of diversity, equity
• </c> access to health care and health equity access to health care and health equity hurts<02:42:31.600
• </c> businesses lower their enormous energy businesses lower their enormous energy costs.<07:11:00.478

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• model that uh that into shared Equity model that uh guarantees<00:38:30.760><c> permanently</c><00:38
• portion and moves to regular Equity portion and moves to regular speculative<00:40:37.440><c> Market
• tax credits HUD credits Federal Energy tax credits HUD home<00:42:51.599><c> funds</c><00:42:52.599>
• I appreciate your time and energy to come here and be with us today.
• to come here and be with us today energy to come here and be with us today um<01:19:45.760><c> now</

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She is the former interim director of the Office of Equity Inclusion at the City of Albuquerque, and
• She is the former interim director of the Office of Equity Inclusion at the Thank you.
• She is the former interim director of the Office of Equity Inclusion at the City of Albuquerque, and
• bill amending a special method valuation to include property use for storage of electric power or energy
• Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Committee, then the House Taxation and Revenue Committee.

Bills: HB111 , HJR1 , HB61 , HB8 , HB30 , HB43 , HB156 , HJM2 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB70 , SB3 , HJM3

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• Equity can be defined as a characteristic of being just and fair.
• This, members, provokes division, not equity.
• And these examples again prove that this is promoting division, not equity.
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion make Sarasota and Florida a destination.
• We have built so much together upon diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Energy Resources. Energy Resources.
• </c> outside tax equity partners. outside tax equity partners.
• </c> geothermal energy. geothermal energy.
• </c> CenterPoint Energy. CenterPoint Energy.
• </c> energy sector. energy sector.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• TRD notes that this tax erodes the horizontal equity, ensuring the same statutes apply to all taxpayers
• And sell electricity on properties they do not own, further erodes the horizontal equity.
• TRD comments that were in the FIR on pages 4 and 5, their conclusion was, and I quote, "The solar energy
• I again want to go back to the point that I made earlier: when I look at this as a new incoming energy
• They had gotten the structures from the Department of Energy; they were offloading some of their assets

Committee: House House Taxation & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• about any particular policy or initiative that might be out there, particularly related to diversity, equity
• enterprises represent the diversity of Indian country's economic landscape, including tribal gaming, energy
• The inclusion of native Hawaiians in programs like the Office of Indian Energy, increased funding to.
• As a function of our health equity, we know how to take care of our own.
• Invest in equity resources and funding.

Committee: Senate Indian Affairs Committee

Keywords: tribal sovereignty, healthcare, education, public safety, Economic Development, Tax Parity Act, PROTECT Act, trust obligations, bipartisan support, Indian Health Services

Summary: The committee meeting focused on crucial issues facing tribal nations, particularly emphasizing the federal government's trust and treaty obligations. The discussions highlighted ongoing challenges such as disparities in healthcare, education, and public safety within Native communities. Chair Murkowski underscored the importance of listening to Native leaders and aligning congressional efforts with community needs, advocating for legislative actions that support tribal sovereignty and economic development. Various initiatives, including the Tax Parity Act and the PROTECT Act, aimed at addressing jurisdictional and financial disparities, were discussed in detail. A call for bipartisan support to alleviate the funding shortages affecting Indian Health Services was made several times during the meeting. Testimonies from tribal leaders and representatives emphasized the dire need for legislative support to enhance infrastructure, healthcare access, and public safety initiatives in tribal communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Energy released a policy flash unilaterally cutting the facilities and administration rate
• So those are both research grants and training grants that specifically have an equity focus.
• and inclusion, cutting programs because of equity.
• Proposed cuts of at least $1.5 trillion over the 10-year window includes $880 billion by the Energy and
• The House and Energy and Commerce Committee could meet as soon as May 5th.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, the Budget Subcommittee 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection, Energy will be meeting in
• , UNICEF, and the United Nations Development Programme, Rosemary devoted her career to education, equity
• Rosemary devoted her career to education, equity, and the advancement of women and girls, not as an abstract
• Bank, UNICEF, and the United Nations Development Program, Rosemary devoted her career to education, equity
• Rosemary devoted her career to education, equity, and the advancement of women and girls, not as an abstract

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several guests, including students from Florence High School’s Law Academy, a fourth-grade class from Holy Spirit School, and Brigadier General Nick Brown of Marine Corps Installation West/Camp Pendleton. The chamber also handled routine business, including a motion to remove AB 1389 (Rubio) from the inactive file. The main floor action was on two gubernatorial appointments. Andrew Rakestra was confirmed to the Board of Environmental Safety by a vote of 28-0, and Indira Cameron Banks was confirmed to the Civil Rights Council by a vote of 28-8. Senators also announced upcoming budget subcommittee meetings on resources/environmental protection/energy, health and human services, judicial branch funding and court facilities, and state administration/general government. The Senate then took up adjourn-in-memory tributes. Senator Archuleta honored Yoshi Nakamura, a World War II veteran, educator, artist, and community activist whose life included service in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and decades of teaching in Whittier and at Rio Hondo College. Senator Blakespear honored Dr. Rosemary George Strayley, a longtime international development and women’s rights advocate who served in the Peace Corps, worked with major global institutions, and co-founded Run Women Run. The Senate expressed condolences and agreed to memorialize both individuals.

Transcript Highlights:

• We really appreciate that you have provided some equity funds for our attorneys last session.
• We allocated them according to our plans that we had presented, which was we had attorney equity and
• non-attorney equity.
• The non-attorney equity we used to get our non-attorneys who were performing well up to 90% of their
• The non-attorney equity we used to get our non-attorneys who were performing well up to 90% of their

Summary: The committee met to review the Attorney General’s budget and related agency operations, beginning with Legislative Council staff walking members through compliance reports and a blue-sheet base budget document. Staff highlighted current-biennium items such as FTE changes, one-time appropriations, litigation funding, opioid settlement receipts, continuing appropriations, and major special and federal funds. Members asked for clarification on items including the Missing Indigenous People Grant Fund, the Internet Crimes Investigation Fund, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit grant funding. Assistant Attorney General Clare Ness then gave an overview of the office’s structure, staffing, and budget pressures. She emphasized the office’s broad statutory duties, the value of its legal services to state and local government, and concerns about attorney pay lagging behind other agencies. Members discussed whether attorney compensation should be benchmarked more consistently across state government and whether some legal work could be consolidated within the AG’s office. Ness also addressed questions about AG opinion turnaround times, boards-and-commissions training, the new-and-vacant FTE pool, operating expense cuts, office leases, and the state’s criminal justice information systems. The crime lab presentation drew significant attention. Director Jennifer Penner described severe space, safety, and infrastructure problems at the current lab, including cramped work areas, glycol leaks, outdated fire and burglar alarms, air-handling limits, and equipment failures that have delayed toxicology work. She said the 2024 study projected a much larger facility would be needed and that the preferred location would be near the current health department site, but in a new building. Members asked about possible evidence risks, backlog status, and whether the proposed building would solve the current problems; Penner said it would and noted backlogs have improved overall, though some delays remain. The committee also heard from the new Medicaid Fraud Control Unit director, who described the unit’s civil and criminal work, federal-state funding split, and examples of fraud such as billing for services not provided or upcoding. The gaming division reported continued growth in charitable gaming and e-tabs, with members expressing concern about large trust-account balances, site competition, and possible misuse of proceeds. Finally, BCI outlined its caseload, cybercrime work, missing Indigenous persons task force, and the surge in CSAM cyber tips; members asked about AI-generated CSAM, and the AG’s office noted that last session’s law increased penalties and expressly allowed AI-generated CSAM to be prosecuted like other CSAM. No formal votes or actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• This helps disperse the equity of the issue and still gives microdistricts, rural districts, the staff
• It's not that we have the time, energy, money, or personnel to operate that route.
• The educational impact of CTE equals academic equity across the board. Here we are.
• Equity is education, and education is crowded by tending to the social aspects that inspire students,
• Rural equity, we've talked about that quite a bit. That needs to be funded.