Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so for example, the common goals of HCR 182 and HCR 83 is to focus financing on levy tariffs so the
• Um, so for example, the common goals of HCR 182 and HCR 83 is to focus financing on levy tariffs so the
• Um, so for example, the common goals of HCR 182 and HCR 83 is to focus financing on levy tariffs so the
• 182 and HCR83 is to focus financing on 182 and HCR83 is to focus financing on levy<00:03:46.080> tariffs
• so the rich and the levy tariffs so the rich and the foreigners<00:03:48.000> and<00:03:48.239

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on three resolutions: HCR 61, HCR 182, and HCR 183. Testimony on all three was generally supportive, with support noted from the Hawaii Children’s Action Network, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, ACLU, Chamber of Commerce, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii Renewables Fuels Coalition, the University of Hawaii, and CARES. Angela Melody Young testified in strong support on behalf of CARES on multiple items, urging consideration of county processes, financing structures, and the need for procedures free from partisan influence. For HCR 183, the University of Hawaii said it stood on its written testimony and was available for questions. The discussion focused less on opposition and more on suggested policy considerations. Testimony on HCR 61 raised questions about how physical notes or related procedures should be administered and whether the process should be housed in a nonpartisan office. On HCR 182 and HCR 183, testimony emphasized coordinating state and county financing and planning, including references to property tax classifications, general obligation bonds, and long-term statewide projects such as Aloha Stadium. At the close of the hearing, the chair recommended taking all three resolutions together. The committee voted to pass HCR 61, HCR 182, and HCR 183 unamended, with all voting members present voting aye and two senators excused. The resolutions were adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Everything is about 80% imported, so mostly no tariffs there, right?
• So we made a set of assumptions about what tariff policies would actually occur.
• <01:28:26.800> policies assumptions about what tariff policies assumptions about what tariff
• <01:30:13.960> and take some time for tariffs and take some time for tariffs and deportations
• <01:30:55.960> and would have been without the tariffs and would have been without the tariffs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If we're not going to be importing foods due to tariffs or things of that nature, then maybe this is
• or things of that you know tariffs or things of that nature<00:08:35.039> then<00:08:35.760><
• <00:17:17.839> on<00:17:18.079> China<00:17:18.319> in the um uh um tariffs
• <00:17:22.000> are those things where uh these tariffs are those things where uh these tariffs
• So, Brazil now has a really functional, thriving soybean market because of the tariffs in 2018.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think some of the dynamics around this issue have changed, particularly around tariffs.
• We don’t even know how much of a tariff... We don’t know what that means.
• We don’t even know how much of a tariff is going to be on.
• And therefore, prior to the current national tariffs, they were able to ship them in with no tariff to
• On the 232 steel tariffs, those favor the mills, the steel mills where we get the steel.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight heard testimony on several procurement-related bills. Senator Lovely and steel industry witnesses supported S. 2167/H. 3411, which would require preference for U.S. manufacturers on public construction projects using steel and other materials. They argued that Canadian and other foreign fabricators underbid Massachusetts firms because of exchange rates, subsidies, and different labor-cost structures, causing local job losses and economic leakage. Committee members asked about tariffs, market share, and whether the bill should be folded into broader municipal legislation; the witnesses said public work should stay in Massachusetts and that the bill would help preserve local industry and jobs. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2107, a bill to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities in state and municipal contracting. Work Inc. testified that a preference for contractors employing people with disabilities would expand competitive employment, reduce reliance on public assistance, and generate net savings for taxpayers. Members asked about the estimated savings and whether recent federal changes to benefits would affect the numbers; the witness said the figures may need updating but that the underlying employment opportunity remains important. Another bill, H. 3339/S. 2187, would prohibit state and municipal contracts for new artificial turf fields containing zinc, plastic, or intentionally added PFAS. Sponsors and supporters cited health risks, heat retention, injuries, and PFAS contamination, while committee members discussed local bans, disposal problems, and whether indoor facilities or alternative materials could be used. Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro testified in favor of H. 12 and H. 13, which would update Chapter 30B procurement thresholds and allow municipalities to bundle snow hauling and removal with plowing contracts. He said the changes would give local governments more flexibility, reduce confusion between school and municipal procurement rules, and make snow contracts more attractive to vendors. Members questioned whether quasi-public agencies and state entities should also be subject to 30B, and Shapiro said many public entities have their own procedures but that transparency and fairness should apply across the board. The committee also heard support for S. 2150, a software licensing bill aimed at preventing vendor lock-in by ensuring state agencies can run purchased software in the infrastructure that best fits their needs; the witness said restrictive licensing can drive up costs and create cybersecurity and modernization problems, and that similar laws have already passed in several other states.

Transcript Highlights:

• Although the President has temporarily suspended tariffs against our closest allies and partners, the
• I have filed a resolution with a number of my colleagues to turn off the tariff, the global tariffs imposed
• The president has imposed a tariff on Australia.
• So why put a tariff on their products? How about other allies? Japan, 25% tariff on Japan. Why 25%?
• The measure of the tariff was not Chinese trade barriers, it was the trade deficit that we have with

Keywords: Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. military strategy, China military drills, Taiwan, Philippines, North Korea, defense budget, military modernization

Summary: The meeting focused on significant strategic discussions regarding the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and its military posture in the region. Admiral Paparo and General Brunson were commended for their services, with the Chair noting an alarming shift in the balance of power towards China. Key topics included China's aggressive military drills near Taiwan, the increasing coercion against the Philippines, and the need for the U.S. to reaffirm its commitments to its allies in the region. Concerns were raised regarding China's military modernization and its implications for U.S. forces, alongside discussions on North Korea's threats and its burgeoning nuclear capabilities. The committee emphasized the urgent need for military and defense appropriations to counteract these growing security challenges.

Transcript Highlights:

• Housing costs are up through tariffs and labor shortages.
• <00:03:08.159> Tariffs<00:03:09.200> cost<00:03:09.680> each<00:03:10.000>
• Tariffs cost each household that out.
• <00:03:21.200> and Housing costs are up through tariffs and Housing costs are up through tariffs
• His illegal and chaotic tariff policies continue to hurt families and small businesses.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• restrictions included in their tariffs restrictions included in their tariffs due<00:10:06.080><
• So two of our utilities so far have filed EHLF tariffs, extreme high load factor tariffs.
• tariffs.
• /c><01:47:36.639> I through every one of these tariffs I through every one of these tariffs I
• do, but we do run into that tariff do, but we do run into that tariff thing.<01:48:26.880> So

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:01:12 Approval of Minutes 00:02:25 Co-Chair & Member Comments 00:02:48 Discussion of 2025 SB 137 00:06:58 Outdoor Adventure Tourism Opportunities 00:41:56 Public Service Commission Update 01:21:37, 958, all

Summary: The committee meeting began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the prior minutes. Members also observed a moment of reflection for Charlie Kirk and offered condolences to Representative Bobby McCool on the death of his mother. Representative Fugate then made announcements about the ongoing ATV/UTV trail system, including an October 21 opening in Letcher County and an October 2 groundbreaking in Knott County, and staff was asked to circulate the dates to members. The main agenda item was Senate Bill 137, presented by Senator Cassie Chambers Armstrong with testimony from George Ecklan of the Coalition of the Homeless and Wesley Bryant, a flood survivor and Eastern Kentucky resident. The bill would prohibit utility disconnections for non-payment during dangerous weather and emergencies, including extreme cold, excessive heat, and declared natural disasters. Supporters said the measure is narrow, does not forgive past-due balances or change reconnection policies, and is intended to protect vulnerable residents, reduce risks to first responders, and create a minimum statewide standard amid a patchwork of utility policies. They cited weather thresholds and historical examples of extreme weather and disaster declarations in Kentucky. Testimony emphasized the human impact of shutoffs, especially for low-income households, older adults, and families facing illness or disaster recovery. Bryant described experiences with people shivering without heat or struggling to keep children cool when power was cut off, calling electricity a lifeline rather than a luxury. Representative Gu raised concerns that utility bills have become unaffordable due to broader policy and rate issues, argued that some customers may not pay if shutoffs are prohibited, and questioned whether the bill was needed. Senator Chambers Armstrong responded that the proposal is limited to non-payment shutoffs during short periods of dangerous conditions and is meant to keep people safe during emergencies. No vote or final action on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think you've all heard about the tariffs, and, you know, there's been many tariffs, many changes
• to how the tariffs are being implemented, but really they fall into two broad categories.
• So there's the reciprocal tariffs, which are basically Trying to address trade deficits.
• The ones that touch health and human services are the so-called fentanyl tariffs.
• So there was a blanket 10% tariff on all origin goods from those three countries, and that tariff was

Transcript Highlights:

• And so each tariff processes.
• They've got a great tariff.
• They've got a great tariff.
• They've got a great tariff.
• They've got a great tariff.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is contained in section 10 of the author's amendment, and in the amendment is titled clean energy tariff
• Section 10's clean energy or clean transition tariff can help ensure that customers are protected from
• And then specifically, the bill would have investor-owned utilities create a tariff that would define
• It talks about the goals for such a and suggestions of what can be included in the tariff.
• It also, as one would expect, creates a tariff with some reporting requirements.

Bills: HF2928, HF2912, HF2297

Keywords: water appropriation, data centers, environmental review, energy conservation, permit application, carbon-free energy, geothermal energy, renewable energy, Macalester College, appropriation, sustainability, solar energy, pollinator programs, license plates, agrivoltaics, environmental sustainability

Transcript Highlights:

• We were about to bring this machine in in the spring but the tariff situation at least in April created
• 210% tariff on the machine. because tariffs are stackable.
• So right now the tariff on China is 40%, then it's a 50%, anything made from steel and aluminum.
• There's also a tariff on baking products right now, which is a 25%, you're at 115%.
• And, of course, we won't be discussing tariffs today, but you're the evidence of why this conversation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• committee substitute, one of the changes was we gave municipals six months instead of 90 days to form a tariff
• days<00:12:19.120> to<00:12:19.279> form<00:12:19.519> a<00:12:19.680> tariff
• <00:12:20.639> Um, instead of 90 days to form a tariff.
• Um, instead of 90 days to form a tariff.
• So, in section one, we gave municipals six months instead of 90 days to form a tariff.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:38 HB 576 discussion: 01:56 HB 576 voting: 06:54 HB 593 discussion: 08:25 HB 593 voting: 21:58, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Economic Development and Workforce Investment met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 576, which would create the Kentucky Talent Recruitment Grant Program. Representative Robert Duvall said the bill is intended to address Kentucky’s workforce shortage by funding local recruitment efforts for out-of-state talent, with grants of up to $500,000 to cities, counties, and nonprofits, a required 20% local match, and performance-based payments. He said the program is modeled on existing efforts already operating in Kentucky and cited projected economic and tax benefits. The committee substitute removed an appropriation and emergency clause so funding would go through the regular budget process, and members approved the committee substitute, the bill, and a title amendment with favorable expression. The committee then took up House Bill 593, sponsored by Representative Josh Bray, which addresses data centers and utility costs. Bray said the bill is designed to protect ratepayers from subsidizing data center infrastructure and to ensure projects either bring their own generation, use power purchase agreements, or pay upfront for any needed transmission or generation upgrades. He explained that the committee substitute made mostly technical changes, including giving municipal utilities more time to set tariffs, clarifying terms, adding exemptions for certain TVA- and DOE-related projects, and preserving existing contracts and net metering arrangements. Members asked about local control, the $75,000 prepayment, and TVA authority; Bray said the prepayment covers utility due diligence and screens speculative projects, local requirements must be certified before incentives apply, and TVA is federally regulated. The bill received supportive comments from several members, who emphasized protecting utility bills and ratepayers, and it passed the committee with favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota's exports to Taiwan and creating bilateral investment and technical collaboration through tariff
• Minnesota's exports to Taiwan and creating bilateral investment and technical collaboration through tariff
• investment and technical<00:04:39.759> collaboration<00:04:40.320> through<00:04:40.639> tariff
• technical collaboration through tariff technical collaboration through tariff reduction<00:04:41.520

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Regarding tariffs, the U.S. effective tariff rate is expected to peak at 18%, easing to about 13% in
• the second half of 2025, compared to a 2% average effective tariff rate for reference.
• The tariff rate is expected to be high at the beginning of 2025.
• Up a little bit, and we don't think that tariffs are fully baked into prices yet.
• Tariff rates to level out at around 10%. Well, that's what's baked into this forecast.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't want to get into debate on tariffs here.
• last, whether you agree with the tariffs last, whether you agree with the tariffs or<01:24:22.640
• But I think this is a on tariffs here.
• as we have tariffs on foreign lumber. as we have tariffs on foreign lumber.
• system especially with all the tariffs system especially with all the tariffs we<01:26:00.160>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, to your question about tariffs, this is hitting the energy system all over.
• Uh, even things made in America tend to have highly tariff-affected parts from abroad.
• <00:35:12.400> that issue is and then B, do the tariffs that issue is and then B, do the tariffs
• tariffs, this is hitting the energy system<00:36:23.680> all<00:36:23.920> over.
• America tend to have highly tariff America tend to have highly tariff highly<00:36:28.960> uh

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing no questions, we're going to move right on to SB 1220, relating to renewable gas tariff.
• Requires the gas utility companies to submit proposed renewable gas tariffs to the PUC by 8/31/2025,
• We are ready to act and submit a voluntary renewable gas tariff by the deadline, ensuring a balanced,
• wheeling and microid service tariffs wheeling and microid service tariffs ensures<01:05:54.599><
• This is the renewable gas tariff.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard testimony on Senate Bill 897, which would create a Wildlife Liability Trust Fund within DCCA for administrative purposes. The chair opened by noting the hearing had to end by noon because of floor session, and that written testimony would be considered if not all witnesses could speak. Testimony included support from DCCA, the Attorney General’s office, the Public Utilities Commission, Charter Communications, Ulupono Initiative, AES Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric, Clearway Energy Group, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, Hawaiian Telcom, and IBW Local 1260, with opposition or concerns from the Hawaii Association for Justice and some others. Hawaiian Electric strongly supported the bill and asked for amendments, saying the fund would help address wildfire liability, protect customers and the economy, and support restoration of investment-grade credit; it also proposed a larger shareholder contribution and said the bill was part of a broader effort to raise settlement funds and improve grid safety and resiliency. Committee members focused heavily on whether the bill would actually lower costs for ratepayers and improve credit ratings. DCCA said there was a nexus between limiting liability, creating a sufficiently large wildfire fund, and transparent mitigation requirements, but acknowledged there was no guarantee of a credit-rating improvement or precise estimate of rate impacts. Members questioned Hawaiian Electric about the assumptions in its cost comparisons, the 30-year securitization structure, and whether funding could be shifted later to shareholders after credit was restored. Hawaiian Electric responded that the bill assumes the fund is paid through securitization, that removing that presumption could undermine the credit-rating benefit, and that its models suggest credit-spread savings could offset the customer charge over time; it also said it would follow up with additional analysis. The company and Ulupono both described the measure as a difficult but potentially necessary way to socialize wildfire risk and avoid a larger crisis later. The Hawaii Association for Justice opposed the bill’s liability caps and raised concerns about consumer rights, oversight discretion, statute-of-limitations changes, and evidence rules. Hawaiian Telcom suggested amendments to clarify compliance with FCC pole-attachment agreements. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided, and members indicated they wanted more analysis before being comfortable with the bill’s long-term ratepayer impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have established programs and tariffs to allow that.
• We have established programs and tariffs to allow that. established programs and tariffs to allow that
• Out of that model came PG&E's community microgrid enablement tariff.
• Along with that tariff, we proposed in 2020 the community microgrid enablement program.
• You know, Jeremy talked about the microgrid tariff, which I think is a great idea.

Summary: The Select Committee on Climate Innovation and Infrastructure held a hearing focused on emerging technologies for climate resilience and infrastructure. The first panel discussed the Calistoga Resiliency Center, a utility-driven microgrid that keeps the city powered during public safety power shutoffs using hydrogen fuel cells, lithium-ion batteries, and liquid hydrogen storage. PG&E described microgrids as a resilience tool but emphasized that cost remains the main barrier to wider deployment. Energy Vault explained the project’s design, its ability to provide at least 48 hours of backup power on a small parcel of land, and its use of green hydrogen and battery storage to improve efficiency and reduce emissions. A Calistoga councilmember and NCPA representative also discussed the Lodi Energy Center hydrogen project, saying it could help decarbonize power generation and transportation, but that federal and state funding changes, tax credit timing, and other policy shifts have made the project difficult to advance. The Green Hydrogen Coalition supported the Calistoga model as a blueprint and urged policy changes to create demand and reduce barriers for renewable hydrogen, including addressing behind-the-meter rules and recognizing hydrogen in state energy planning. The second panel focused on water resilience and desalination, with the California Desal Association and Oneka Technologies discussing wave-powered desalination for the City of Fort Bragg. Cal Desal said California’s changing hydrology, reduced snowpack, and drought conditions make local water supply options increasingly important, but noted that conventional desalination is expensive and slow to permit. Oneka described its offshore, wave-powered system as a zero-electricity desalination technology that produces drinking water without greenhouse gas emissions and with limited land use, and said the Fort Bragg pilot is intended to demonstrate the technology under California conditions. The company and Cal Desal both stressed that permitting is a major obstacle, with the project requiring multiple agencies and a timeline far longer than in other jurisdictions. They also said the technology’s autonomous operation could improve water resilience because it does not depend on the electrical grid. The final panel featured the Climate Foundation’s marine permaculture proposal, which aims to restore kelp forests and support carbon removal and coastal food systems. The presenter said warming oceans and nutrient loss have devastated kelp forests along the California coast and argued that offshore platforms that raise and lower seaweed to access nutrients and sunlight could help regenerate ecosystems while producing food, feed, fertilizer, and carbon benefits. He said the technology has shown strong growth rates and storm resilience in other regions, but that California permitting remains a major hurdle, involving 17 state and federal agencies. He proposed a streamlined, code-based permitting approach for smaller projects and said the group is seeking matching funds to complete a first California pilot. Throughout the hearing, members and witnesses repeatedly highlighted the tension between innovation and the high cost, complexity, and length of California’s permitting and funding processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Announce another wave of tariffs that every economist of every stripe will tell you will raise the price
• Again, he has invoked a law, a 1976 law, the National Emergency Tariffs Act, where, again, was put into
• place by Congress and this Chamber to provide the President with the ability to raise tariffs against
• Again, he has invoked a law, a 1976 law, the National Emergency Tariffs Act, where, again, was put into
• place by Congress and this Chamber to provide the President with the ability to raise tariffs against

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 31, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, we follow the language under our tariffs.
• <02:03:19.480> all de and the net metering tariff all de and the net metering tariff all things
• Representative McGee: The docket was not just net metering tariffs, though.
• <04:36:47.879> though was not just net metering tariffs though was not just net metering tariffs
• <04:39:50.160> and in the commission to approve tariffs and in the commission to approve tariffs

Keywords: 1189, house, all