Transcript Highlights:

• dairy farmers are also leading the way in sustainability, achieving a 42% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions
• per gallon of milk and a 24% reduction in total farm emissions because of the practices they've implemented
• per gallon of milk and a 24% reduction in total farm emissions because of the practices they've implemented
• per gallon of milk and a 24% reduction in total farm emissions because of the practices they've implemented
• per gallon of milk and a 24% reduction in total farm emissions because of the practices they've implemented

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior day’s journal, and then processed a large number of motions to discharge bills from committees and substitute identical Senate or Assembly versions for third reading. The chamber also adopted the resolution calendar with exceptions and took up several resolutions and ceremonial recognitions, including a resolution mourning Hudson Talbott, a Dairy Month resolution highlighting New York’s dairy industry, and introductions honoring Niskayuna academic teams, Gabriella Scheer for receiving the Liberty Medal, the Hartstein family’s civic engagement, and Diana Cochran’s advocacy for safe firearm storage. The Senate then moved through the calendar and passed many bills on topics including insurance, public health, education, labor, social services, banking, local government, veterans, public service, consumer protection, criminal procedure, cannabis, parks, taxation, election law, and highway matters. Several members explained votes on notable measures: support for acupuncture insurance coverage, consumer protections for doorbell-camera data sharing, expanded protections in debt collection cases, trauma-informed procedures for sexual assault survivors, a Legionnaires’ disease awareness program, changes to mandatory minimum sentencing, and universal safe storage of firearms. A number of home rule and local authorization bills were also approved, including parkland alienation measures and local tax exemption authorizations. Most measures passed with broad bipartisan support, though some drew recorded opposition. Notable roll calls included the consumer debt uniformity bill, the mandatory minimum sentencing bill, the safe storage/firearms bill, and the public housing and public health measures, each with more divided votes. The chamber also accepted a lengthy Rules Committee report sending many additional bills directly to third reading, and then began the supplemental calendar, passing at least the first items before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• heard a lot of feedback that proponents of the bill, people who care about reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• , would rather not see it used in that way. ...and greenhouse gas emissions would rather not see it used

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: Senate budget writers, led by Sen. June Robinson, rolled out the Senate operating budget and described it as a difficult supplemental budget shaped by flat revenue growth, rising maintenance costs, and uncertainty from federal actions, including H.R. 1 and tariffs. They said the proposal aims to preserve core services such as K-12 education, health care, food assistance, long-term care, housing stability, and child care while mitigating federal cuts, and they emphasized that it does not include broad-based tax increases like sales, property, or B&O tax hikes. A major focus of the discussion was how to pay for the Working Families Tax Credit and how to reduce the budget gap. Robinson said the Senate proposal uses about $750 million from the rainy day fund because additional cuts would be too severe, and she noted the statute allows that use in a slow-growth economy. Senators also discussed the Climate Commitment Act as a possible funding source for the tax credit, but said they would negotiate with the House on that issue. On child care, they said the Senate avoided the governor’s approach of capping Working Connections Child Care enrollment and creating a waitlist, instead relying more on attendance-based payment changes to reduce costs while trying to avoid destabilizing the provider network. The senators also responded to criticism from educators and Republicans. They acknowledged concerns from the Washington Education Association that schools and special education remain underfunded, but argued the state has made major progress and that Washington’s tax structure limits school funding growth because of the 1% property tax cap. They said a future “millionaires tax” could help stabilize revenue and support education and other services. In response to Republican claims of a “spending addiction,” Robinson said critics should identify specific cuts they would support, and noted Republicans had offered little support for prior budget-cutting measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• 2425 auditor general state lands, 2426 state land development, 2427 land department checklist, 2429 emissions
• homeless appropriation, 2533 homeless services office board, 2534 light rail extension, 2535 vehicle emission

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the journal. Members then introduced the Doctor of the Day, Dr. John Lynch, and recognized several guest groups in the gallery, including Arizona electric co-op representatives, March of Dimes participants, CRNAs, AEA retirees, a University of Arizona legislative fellow, and ACLU visitors. Attendance was recorded at 58 present, one absent, and one excused. The chamber handled routine floor business, including temporary committee replacements, referral of HB 2677 from Judiciary to Public Safety and Law Enforcement, and the first reading and referral of a large number of House bills and one concurrent resolution. The bill list covered a wide range of topics, including education, appropriations, housing, taxes, health care, public safety, energy, water, labor, elections, and several measures related to abortion, firearms, and tribal affairs. Second reading of bills was also announced for another extensive set of measures. During announcements, members promoted a blood drive, a Veterans Caucus coffee-and-donuts event and lunch with a Department of Defense speaker, and several committee meetings or cancellations. No substantive debate or votes on legislation occurred beyond the procedural motions and the final motion to adjourn. The House adjourned until 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• 2425 auditor general state lands, 2426 state land development, 2427 land department checklist, 2420 emissions
• homeless appropriation, 2533 homeless services office board, 2534 light rail extension, 2535 vehicle emission

Keywords: 1182, all

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 232 from prime sponsor Representative Mark Pearson, who said the bill is intended to protect conscience rights for health care professionals and students, especially in relation to abortion and sterilization-related procedures. He argued that protecting ethical objections would help retain and recruit medical workers in New Hampshire, reduce moral injury, and preserve patient access to care. Pearson said the bill is not meant to allow discrimination based on protected characteristics and emphasized that it is limited to objections to specific procedures, with an amendment added to address concerns raised by Chairman Lynn. Members questioned Pearson closely about the scope of the bill and amendment, including whether it could apply to non-physician staff such as schedulers or receptionists, whether a provider could refuse emergency care, and who would determine when an emergency exists. Pearson said the bill does not apply to emergency situations or to treatment after an abortion has already occurred, and he stated that emergency triage would control in obvious emergencies. He also said the intent was not to allow a person to take a job and then unexpectedly refuse duties, and he suggested the amendment could be tweaked to clarify its application to facilities and staff. Additional questions focused on whether the bill should be broader than the procedures listed, how it would interact with federal conscience protections, and whether it could affect contraception-related services, including pharmacies. Pearson responded that the bill addresses the specific issues raised by people he and his wife had spoken with, and he was open to revising the amendment to reduce ambiguity. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on into the low-carbon fuels program. Thank you.
• The low-carbon fuels program is the precursor to sustainable aviation fuel.
• Moving on into the low-carbon fuels program. Thank you.
• Moving on into the low-carbon fuels program.
• It could be carbon capture CO2.

Summary: The committee opened its third interim meeting with roll call, approved the November 13, 2025 minutes, and the chair reviewed prior committee work, including a denied request for a fertilizer-capacity study and a planned later discussion of the Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern merger issue. Commissioner Doug Goring then presented Department of Agriculture updates on uncrewed aerial systems grants to detect noxious weeds, the state’s irrigation potential, the low-carbon fuels program for ethanol plants, the Environmental Impact Mitigation Fund, model zoning ordinances for animal feeding operations, and fertilizer production and supply in North Dakota. Members asked about funding sources, fertilizer storage and availability, natural gas and water needs for future fertilizer plants, and how the model zoning website would help counties and townships apply setback and odor tools. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Water Resources’ economic analysis tool for water conveyance and flood-related projects. Dr. Dwayne Poole explained that the department is proposing changes to better account for end-of-useful-life conditions and updated hydrologic data, while still limiting the model to direct, demonstrable costs and benefits. He said the goal is to make the analysis more realistic and consistent without changing statute, and he provided examples of how project benefits could change as drains age or as rainfall and flood data evolve. Committee members and water-user representatives generally supported continued work on the proposal, while raising concerns about downstream impacts, closed-basin projects, and whether the changes would meaningfully affect project approvals. The committee then heard from John Paskowski, state engineer, on Devil’s Lake, the West End and East End outlets, and the Tolna Coulee control structure. He reviewed lake history, outlet capacities, sulfate and downstream flow limits, and explained that the control structure is intended to prevent a catastrophic uncontrolled release by slowing erosion and head cutting. Members asked about water quality trends, the length of the downstream flow constraint, and whether the Tolna Coulee area had been studied for possible natural overflow or silt buildup. The discussion emphasized ongoing flooding concerns, mitigation for affected landowners, and the need to balance outlet operations with downstream water quality and infrastructure protection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on to the low-carbon fuels program. Thank you. Moving on to the low-carbon fuels program.
• The low-carbon fuels program is the precursor to sustainable aviation fuel.
• Moving on into the low-carbon fuels program.
• The low-carbon fuels program is the precursor to sustainable aviation fuel.
• It could be carbon capture CO2.

Committee: Joint Agriculture and Water Management Committee

Summary: The committee met for its third interim meeting, approved the prior meeting minutes, and heard a series of statutory reports from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Water Resources. Chair Hauck noted that Legislative Management had denied the committee’s earlier request for a fertilizer capacity study, and that the committee would also revisit the proposed Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern merger later in the day. Commissioner Doug Goring reported on several agriculture topics, including uncrewed aerial systems grants to detect noxious weeds, irrigation expansion potential, the low-carbon fuels program for ethanol plants, the Environmental Impact Mitigation Fund, model zoning ordinances for animal feeding operations, and fertilizer production and usage in North Dakota. He emphasized that fertilizer supply depends heavily on natural gas and water, that most nitrogen fertilizer is imported, and that large-scale fertilizer plants require very large capital investments. Members discussed fertilizer storage, natural gas pipeline capacity, water availability, and the role of state infrastructure in supporting value-added agriculture. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Water Resources’ economic analysis tool for water conveyance and flood-related projects. Dr. Dwayne Poole explained that the tool was created under 2017 legislation to help evaluate projects expected to cost $1 million or more, and that the department is proposing adjustments to better account for end-of-useful-life conditions and changing hydrologic data. He said the changes would remain focused on direct, demonstrable costs and benefits, not indirect impacts, and would be implemented through guidance and operating procedures rather than statutory changes. Committee members and water users discussed whether the revisions would better reflect real-world conditions, including deferred maintenance, changing rainfall patterns, and downstream effects. A representative from the Water Resource District Association said the group was working with DWR and hoped to review test scenarios before the June meeting. The committee then received a detailed presentation on Devils Lake, its outlets, and the Tolna Coulee control structure. State Engineer John Paskowski reviewed lake history, outlet capacities, sulfate and downstream flow constraints, and the purpose of the Tolna Coulee structure in limiting head cutting and preventing uncontrolled downstream releases. Members questioned whether the structure was effectively a dam, whether the lake would naturally overflow without it, the last time the outlets ran, and whether water quality in Devils Lake has improved over time. Paskowski said the outlets last operated in August 2025, that sulfate levels still limit operations, and that the lake has freshened somewhat but not enough to eliminate water-quality concerns. The discussion also touched on whether water from flooded areas or closed-basin systems could be reused for irrigation, and on the broader implications of wet cycles, inundated land, and drainage management across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• Carbon programs hinder this effort. Carbon sequestration is a worldwide business.
• Carbon programs hinder this costs.
• Carbon sequoation effect, this effort.
• Carbon plans and worldwide business.
• </c><04:31:12.239><c> and</c> square acres, is tied up in carbon and square acres, is tied up in carbon

Committee: House Resources, Recreation and Development

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's also fewer emissions from all the trucks.
• Third-party delivery apps have had a large impact on street congestion, idling, and associated emissions
• We want to ensure that if these companies are here to stay, we find ways to reduce congestion and emissions

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on 31 bills covering driver privacy and data, distinctive license plates, public awareness signage, railroad safety, superload permitting, TNC/delivery data reporting, and MBTA safety measures. Chairs Jim Arciero and Brendan Crighton outlined the hearing process, and the committee heard testimony from state officials, advocates, family members of fallen officers and firefighters, transportation industry representatives, civil liberties groups, and others. No votes were taken during the hearing itself, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn. Several speakers supported bills creating a Blue Star Family license plate to honor families of fallen law enforcement officers, and a separate motorcycle plate for fallen firefighters. Colonel Jeffrey Noble and others from the Healey-Driscoll Administration and law enforcement groups said the plates would complement existing memorial practices and provide a lasting public tribute. Family members of officers killed in the line of duty gave emotional testimony in support, and Representative Steve Ultrino and Paul Jakes backed the firefighter memorial motorcycle plate as revenue-neutral, with proceeds supporting the fallen firefighter memorial. The committee also heard testimony on transportation policy and safety bills. Industry witnesses urged modernization of Massachusetts superload permitting rules, saying current requirements are slower and more expensive than neighboring states and delay public projects. Advocates supported a human trafficking awareness bill requiring hotline signage in transit facilities, a driver privacy bill limiting automatic license plate reader data retention and sharing, and a bill requiring two-person crews on freight trains and other railroad safety measures such as hotbox detectors and transportation for railroad employees. Senator John Keenan also testified for expanded naloxone availability in MBTA stations and said the MBTA had not fully complied with prior legislative directives.

Transcript Highlights:

• consider all the applications of quantum sensors like long path using quantum sensing to detect methane emissions
• Of quantum sensors like long path using quantum sensing to detect methane emissions that operators love
• data centers that are producing gigawatts of natural gas and millions of pounds of greenhouse gas emissions

Bills: SB151 , HB8 , SB177

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: corporate income tax, franchise tax, gross receipts tax, tax credit, tax deduction, controlled foreign corporation, CFC, bonus depreciation, interest expense, apportionment, unitary group, high-wage jobs tax credit, local journalism, news media, newspaper printer, physician incentive, health care workforce, affordable housing, multifamily housing, construction materials

Transcript Highlights:

• committed to investing over half a billion dollars in projects that are reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• By utilizing the KETFA STE program, we can continue displacing CO2 and methane emissions through the
• process of constructing an MVR system that will reduce our natural gas usage and greenhouse gas emissions

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation heard several bills focused on transit funding, veterans’ tax relief, clean energy incentives, housing development costs, and tax conformity. SB 63 would authorize a Bay Area regional sales tax measure for transit agencies facing fiscal shortfalls; supporters said it was needed to avoid major service cuts, while the California Taxpayers Association opposed it on Proposition 13/218 concerns. SB 56 would exclude veterans’ disability compensation from income calculations for the disabled veterans’ property tax exemption, and SB 296 would expand property tax relief for 100% disabled veterans and certain surviving spouses; both drew broad veterans’ support. SB 86 would extend and expand the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority sales and use tax exemption program, including fusion energy, and SB 302 would conform state tax law to federal clean energy credit monetization provisions; both were backed by industry, labor, and clean energy advocates. SB 328 would cap Department of Toxic Substances Control fees on contaminated-soil remediation for infill and master-planned housing projects, with housing groups arguing the current fee structure can make projects infeasible. SB 711 would update California’s tax conformity date to January 1, 2025 to reduce complexity and inconsistencies with federal law, and was supported by tax professionals and business groups. Several bills were held or sent to suspense, while others advanced with amendments. After quorum was established, SB 63 passed the committee 4-2 and SB 86, SB 302, SB 328, and SB 711 were referred to suspense, with SB 86 and SB 302 later approved out of suspense with amendments. SB 56 was held in committee, SB 296 was made a two-year bill, and SB 284 and SB 723 were held. The committee also approved a number of additional suspense-file bills, including SB 293, SB 359, SB 419, SB 587, SB 603, SB 663, SB 710, and SB 785, while SB 591 was approved with amendments and SB 353 was made a two-year bill. The hearing concluded with the committee adjournment after final roll calls and bill actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• 545, introduced by the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means, increases certain fees relating to emissions
• Assembly Bill 545 increases certain fees relating to form certifying emission control compliance that
• Assembly Bill 545 increases certain fees relating to form certifying emission control compliance that

Keywords: 909, all

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, July 21, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• measure is rife with factually inaccurate information, including the fallacy that nuclear power is carbon-free
• including the fallacy that nuclear<00:15:16.320><c> power</c><00:15:16.560><c> is</c><00:15:16.800><c> carbon-f
• </c><00:15:17.199><c> free</c> nuclear power is carbon-f free nuclear power is carbon-f free electricity

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection met on April 16, 2025, and heard three resolutions. STR 57 SD1 urged Congress to create a national reinsurance program to address insurance impacts from catastrophic natural disasters; there was no public testimony, and the committee later recommended passage without amendment. STR 198 SD1 encouraged Hawaii insurers and the Hawaii Property Insurance Association to pursue subrogation claims against polluters to reduce insurance costs for residents; again, there was no public testimony, and the committee recommended passage without amendment. The committee spent most of its hearing on STR 136 SD1/HD1, which would create a Hawaii State Energy Office nuclear energy working group to study advanced nuclear power technologies. The Public Utilities Commission and State Energy Office provided written testimony and answered questions. Testimony from 350 Hawaii, Energy Justice Network, and an individual witness opposed the measure, arguing nuclear power and small modular reactors are too expensive, unproven, slow to deploy, create unresolved safety and waste issues, and do not align with Hawaii’s renewable energy goals. Opponents also criticized the measure’s amendment process, saying it replaced the original contents without adequate public notice. During decision-making, the committee adopted the recommendation to pass STR 57 SD1 unamended and STR 198 SD1 unamended. For STR 136 SD1/HD1, the committee adopted a recommendation to pass the measure with amendments, including changing it to a one-year working group with an interim report in 2026 and a final report before the 2027 Legislature. The motion passed with one recorded no vote and some excused members, and the meeting adjourned afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• renewable energy project in the Western Hemisphere here in New Mexico, and as someone who works in carbon
• policy across the Western United States, eighty percent of the West has a decarbonization, a zero-carbon
• PNM is making great strides toward carbon-free energy as part of our goals and requirements of the Energy
• Today, we are 72% carbon-free and will be 75% by the end of 2026.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:17:41.120><c> monoxide</c><00:17:41.760><c> testers,</c><00:17:42.240><c> smoke</c> for carbon
• monoxide testers, smoke for carbon monoxide testers, smoke detectors,<00:17:43.520><c> any</c><00:17
• his colleagues are actively working on the new technologies that are removing PFAS. >> Yeah, the carbon
• that's on the Wild Cart &gt;&gt; Yeah, the carbon that's on the Wild Cart now<01:20:32.600><c> can</
• </c> operational issue there, but the carbon operational issue there, but the carbon that's<01:20:47.000

Bills: SB8

Committee: Joint Natural Resources & Energy

Keywords: utilities, public service commission, energy regulation, appointment, emergency declaration, tax increases, consumer protection, The first couple minutes of the livestream was cut off. This recording restored the beginning of the meeting Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:51 Approval of Minutes 00:02:07 Legislator Comments 00:02:18 LIHEAP Public Hearing 00:04:19 PSC Update on RS 26 SB 8 00:32:18 WaterStep Presentation 01:04:08, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• issues that matter most to ensuring a reliable and affordable grid while implementing Minnesota's carbon-free
• issues that matter most to ensuring a reliable and affordable grid while implementing Minnesota's carbon-free
• issues that matter most to ensuring a reliable and affordable grid while implementing Minnesota's carbon-free
• issues that matter most to ensuring a reliable and affordable grid while implementing Minnesota's carbon-free
• To ensuring a reliable and affordable grid while implementing Minnesota's carbon-free laws.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><04:53:03.400><c> credit</c> a tax because of their carbon credit a tax because of their carbon credit
• </c><04:53:35.320><c> for</c><04:53:35.600><c> carbon</c><04:53:35.878><c> offset</c> land as for carbon
• for carbon offset land as for carbon for carbon offset credits<04:53:37.718><c> right</c><04:53:38.000
• </c><04:53:50.000><c> credit</c> involved in carbon credit involved in carbon credit Generation<04:53
• :53:55.240><c> programs</c> Generation Um but carbon credit programs Generation Um but carbon credit

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority officials, led by Executive Director Rob Dapice, briefed legislators on the agency’s structure and funding. They explained that the authority is created by state law but is not a state agency, its debt is not state debt, and it is governed by a board appointed by the governor and approved by the Executive Council. The discussion focused on the Affordable Housing Fund and the lead paint hazard remediation fund, including how state appropriations and federal resources are combined to finance affordable rental housing and lead abatement work. Dapice said the Affordable Housing Fund is used as gap financing for multifamily affordable housing projects, typically alongside federal tax credits and tax-exempt bonds, and that state dollars leverage roughly 2:1 to 10:1 in additional federal and private investment, averaging about 4:1. He said the fund has received historic appropriations in recent budgets, including $30 million over the last two biennial budgets and an annual $5 million set-aside from the real estate transfer tax. He also said the fund is usually structured as 0% interest, deferred loans rather than grants, with repayments returning to the fund if projects generate cash flow. Members asked about rents, oversight, staffing, revenues, and whether the programs had added positions. Dapice said affordability restrictions generally last 30 to 99 years, rents are tied to income limits and capped so tenants pay no more than 30% of income, and compliance staff inspect properties regularly to verify income eligibility and rent limits. He said the organization has about 130 to 135 employees, down from about 145, with no new positions added because of the appropriations. He estimated total revenues at roughly $300 million, with administrative budget around $22 million, much of it pass-through grant money. On lead paint remediation, he said the state first appropriated $6 million in 2019, plus $1 million in ARPA funds, and that the program has cleared more than 500 units. He said the federal grant program is not annual or predictable, with a recent award of about $7.75 million, and that the maximum federal grant per unit is $177,000, typically paired with up to $100,000 in state loan support. He also noted that the program can address homes before a child is poisoned if lead hazards are identified, but that cases involving an already exposed child are a higher priority. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Carbone? Yes, Mr. Chairman, thank you. And thank you, Superintendent.
• Carbone. Actually, to your point, Mr. Chair, I understand that you want. Final comment. Okay.
• Leader Carbone, did you have any... I'll hold. Thank you, Chairman.
• Leader Carbone, did you have any... I'll hold. Thank you, Chairman.
• Representative Carbone? Aye. Representative Ligori? Aye. Representative Tanya? On.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Audit Committee

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mainly, a lot of it has to do with emission standards.
• But it does not do anything that... ...to do with emission standards, but it does not do anything that
• it also, that scenario does help the manufacturer with some federal guidelines on a reduction of emissions
• So if I have one of the... ...with some federal guidelines on a reduction of emissions. All right.

Bills: HB214 , HB217 , HB514 , HB593 , HB618 , HB732 , HB908 , HB961 , HB1010

Committee: Senate Revenue & Fiscal Affairs

Keywords: property tax, blighted properties, urban rehabilitation, tax exemption, local government, financial incentives, blighted property, derelict property, property tax exemption, local redevelopment plans, rehabilitation standards, ad valorem tax, community development, senior citizens, homestead exemption, Louisiana Constitution, motor vehicles, local fees, transaction fees, funding