Transcript Highlights:

• So, why electric rates in the country.
• </c> the pedal to the metal on my electric the pedal to the metal on my electric car<04:33:03.040><c>
• </c> &gt;&gt; That's the electric car problem. Yes. &gt;&gt; That's the electric car problem. Yes.
• These electric cars these cars have.
• </c> electric car. electric car. &gt;&gt; Study<04:42:51.760><c> this</c><04:42:51.920><c> bill.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we're asking you to help supplies.
• But that you can pull that you don’t have to supply them with amount of biodiesel.
• </c> on this bill, and we had supplied on this bill, and we had supplied written<00:42:50.840><c> testimony
• </c> sustainably and keeping our local supply sustainably and keeping our local supply chain<00:48:42.440
• And I guess at this time, you know, HEI only has electric companies.

Bills: HB1984, HB1593, HB2423, HB1691, HB2283, HB2386, HB1824, HB1697, HB2164, HB2165

Keywords: renewable energy, solar energy, self-certification, building permits, environmental regulations, HB1593, affordable housing, pet-inclusive housing, pet friendly housing, rental housing, affordable rental housing, HHFDC, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, tenant pets, companion animals, dogs, cats, landlord-tenant law, security deposit, pet deposit

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1984 HD2, which would require government entities issuing building permits to create a self-certification process for certain behind-the-meter rooftop solar and energy storage systems, allowing approved applicants to proceed without waiting for standard permit review. The Public Utilities Commission and DLNR offered comments, and the Hawaii Solar Energy Association, Holoholo Energy, Photon Works Engineering, Malama Solar, RevoluSun, and others testified in strong support. Supporters said the bill would reduce permitting delays, lower costs, and help meet Hawaii’s renewable energy goals while still relying on licensed engineers, electricians, and county inspections for safety. Committee members asked about risk, existing county pilot programs, and whether self-certification had been used before; witnesses said the professional liability remains with licensed signers and that current automated review systems often flag minor issues that slow projects. The committee also noted 16 additional written testimonies in support. The committee then took up HB 1593 HD1, which would require HHFDC-financed affordable rental housing projects to allow residents to own or keep common household pets. The Hawaiian Humane Society testified that the bill is a top priority because housing restrictions are a major reason pets are surrendered and because many unhoused residents with pets avoid housing that does not allow animals. In response to questions, the Humane Society said concerns about pet-related damage are overstated, suggested pet behavior screening as a safeguard, and said it would be willing to work on broader private-market pet-friendly housing policies. Members raised concerns about whether allowing pets in public housing could create problems for residents who later transition to the private market, and the witness said California has a similar law and no major negative effects had been identified. Finally, the committee heard HB 2423 HD2, which would require that by January 1, 2028, diesel fuel sold in Hawaii for on-highway vehicles contain at least 5% biodiesel by volume. The Hawaii State Energy Office offered comments, and Hawaii Transportation Association and Pacific Biodiesel Technologies testified in support. Pacific Biodiesel argued the mandate would improve energy security, stabilize fuel prices amid global supply disruptions, and support local clean-fuel production. In response to questions, the company said its nameplate capacity is 5.5 million gallons per year and it has produced over 6 million gallons annually, but much of its output is tied up in standby generator contracts that can fluctuate. Witnesses said the mandate would provide a stable market signal and could support future investment in expanded local biodiesel production, including agricultural feedstock development and a possible second refinery. No votes or final actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• A global liquid supply as projected by Rystad Energy.
• So it's a broader model to rely on, and it incorporates demand and supply dynamics, price estimates,
• We are trying to become more of an electrically driven economy.
• Let me put it in the supply perspective. No, supply, the labor force.
• We just need the supply side, and that would generate more revenue for us.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:55:20.400><c> crisis</c> support Puerto Rico's electric crisis support Puerto Rico's electric
• Repealing these standards would also raise costs and increase demand on the electricity grid.
• or someplace like that, and the whole lineup of these outdoor appliances are all electric.
• So just take the electric car industry, for example.
• </c><05:01:52.558><c> the</c> to2 expenses tuition books supplies the to2 expenses tuition books supplies

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's mostly financial, not the supply. Great.
• </c> It's mostly financial, not the supply. It's mostly financial, not the supply.
• The county has implemented the Hi-RUC for electrical vehicles.
• </c><02:07:59.400><c> And</c><02:07:59.600><c> we</c> of Water Supply, we went to ENV.
• And we of Water Supply, we went to ENV.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At its core, this policy restricts supply.
• Restricting supply is a blunt instrument that does not solve underlying challenges.
• It doesn't even have electricity.
• How else do we remedy if I have electricity and you don't pay your bill, I cut it off?
• And I, oh, by the way, my electric bill went up 60 percent.

Bills: HB199, HB222, HB223, HB224, HB235, HB246, HB405, HB535, HB554, HB907, SCR3, SB43, SB52, SB54, SB113, SB168, SB219, SB222, SB270, SB311, SB359

Keywords: nursing facilities, moratorium, healthcare, patient care, data collection, Medicaid, dental coverage, healthcare access, medical necessity, Louisiana Department of Health, Department of Children and Family Services, sunset law, statutory entities, regulatory authority, re-creation, termination dates, child welfare, foster care, children's rights, legal guardianship

Transcript Highlights:

• quick fix for... ...a contaminated water supply.
• A local supply chain is fresher, it's more nutritious, and it's closer to us.
• Costs of electricity, gas, and water on these small farms.
• It would be a big help if the farmers could work together to supply those.
• And then, in my 43 seconds... yes. ...work together to supply those.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries held a public hearing on 19 legislative proposals, with testimony limited to three minutes per speaker and seven minutes per panel. The hearing opened with testimony on bills promoting urban agriculture and vacant-lot conversion, including H.121/S.61, which Green Roots staff and community members supported as a way to turn vacant lots in environmental justice communities into urban farms and gardens that improve food access, health, community cohesion, and climate resilience. Rep. James Arena-DeRosa also spoke in support of H.109/S.56, the PFAS bill, describing it as a measure to protect soil and farms from contamination and to create relief for affected farmers. A major portion of the hearing focused on H.109/S.56, which would ban land application of sewage sludge/biosolids, provide liability protection and relief funds for farmers, and address PFAS contamination in soil, water, crops, and animals. Testimony came from environmental groups, farm organizations, and individual farmers, including the Mass Food System Collaborative, Conservation Law Foundation, Clean Water Action, CEMAP, NOFA, Sierra Club, and several farmers who described contamination in Maine and Massachusetts and urged the committee to act. Witnesses emphasized that PFAS poses serious health risks, that farmers should not bear responsibility for legacy contamination, and that the bill should be paired with funding for testing, remediation, and assistance. Committee members asked questions about farm liability, the scope of the bill, contamination in different ownership situations, and the costs and timelines of remediation, with Senator Comerford and others clarifying that the bill is intended to protect farms and farmers rather than non-agricultural landholders. The committee also heard strong support for H.416, a farm-to-institution pilot program, from Rep. Lee Davis, Berkshire Agricultural Ventures, and Berkshire Bounty. They said the pilot would connect Massachusetts farms to schools, hospitals, correctional facilities, and other institutions, creating new markets, strengthening local supply chains, and supporting food-is-medicine efforts. Members discussed whether the model could be statewide and referenced existing programs such as Island Grown Initiative and local hospital and insurance partnerships. Another agricultural bill, H.1058, was supported by Rep. Mark Sylvia and the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association as a way to allow unused cranberry water rights to be transferred within the same watershed for municipal mitigation while helping growers retire or consolidate bogs. The hearing also included testimony on the broader farm omnibus bill H.112/S.55 and related measures, with the Massachusetts Farm Bureau and others praising the committee’s work on agricultural resilience, food security, agritourism, workforce development, and farmland access, while suggesting additional transportation-related fixes for farmers. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• American Electric Reliability Corporation forecasts that well over half of the U.S. will face potential
• electricity shortages and blackout risks.
• And this is largely a result of reduced supply baseload power. So, Mr.
• Goffman, about the potential for his strategy to undermine the reliability of our electric grid seven
• We must follow the law, and that includes the consideration of impacts on electricity reliability.

Transcript Highlights:

• filters, which is probably going to be somewhere around $4 million, and then have some additional electrical
• So again, today, what we're asking is to isolate the filters, some electrical work, and if there's room
• So again, today, what we're asking is to isolate the filters, some electrical work, and if there's room
• We have the capability today that we can supply them water, and he asked, could we give them water?
• line to Newelton, a 500,000-gallon ground storage tank, raw water intake pumps to be upgraded to supply

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Water Sector Commission met with a quorum and opened with a reminder that no funding had yet been appropriated for future project awards, so any discussion of upcoming grants was speculative until the legislature acts. The committee then approved the December 10 minutes and moved through a series of deadline extensions for Phase Two state-funded projects, including Delcambre, Faraday, Meyer Branch, and Waterworks District No. 1 of Pointe Coupee Parish. Members also approved a scope change for St. Tammany Parish Project 845 to relocate an unmarked fiber optic line discovered during construction. The committee spent substantial time on Tallulah’s water rehabilitation project, where Mayor Yubon Lewis explained that the city is trying to isolate and fund the purchase of four permanent media filters, plus related electrical work, from the original approved project scope. Members questioned whether the request was a true scope change or a way to use existing funds while the city continues to rely on temporary filtration and state-led triage. After discussion, the committee approved the request and asked to be kept informed as the state continues seeking additional support for the system. The committee also approved additional funding requests for Kaplan, Ponchatoula, St. Martin Parish, and West Allen Water Works. Ponchatoula’s request included multiple change orders tied to sewer and force main work, including emergency levee repair, equipment changes, and rerouting around unmarked fiber. St. Martin Parish’s increase was tied to land acquisition and added costs for a new well site in a multi-phase consolidation project. West Allen’s increase stemmed from a failed well drilling effort and was supported by cost reductions from the contractor and engineers, which members treated as in-kind match. In contrast, Tensaw Water Association’s very large request to consolidate Newellton drew significant concern over cost growth, scope, and timing; after extensive questioning, the committee deferred that item to the next meeting for further review. The meeting ended with an update that about 42.11% of ARPA funds remain, 16 projects are now considered high risk, and staff will continue ground-truthing project status and pushing ARPA dollars out first before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're at the. maximum amount allowed and then electric and transportation fees so there's three different
• you're saying is it's okay for a city to to tax someone the full amount of everyone else but not to supply
• the same amount of benefits that they supply to others?
• clarifies that this bill does not limit the authority of an election. to implement tariffs or an electric
• Thank you. clarifies that the bill does not limit the authority of an electric utility to implement tariffs

Bills: HB602, HB1322, HB1930, HB2225, HB2304, HB2494, HB3275, HB3810, HB3919

Keywords: affordable housing, land use, zoning, urban planning, community development, housing crisis, mixed-use development, sustainability, municipal utility district, board of directors, qualifications, land ownership, Texas, taxation, residency, municipal approval, subdivision plans, local governance, plats, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, I'll move to the electric vehicle supply equipment testing.
• As more Minnesotans are driving electric vehicles, we must ensure that consumers are getting what they
• While there is an effort by electric vehicle supply equipment charger producers to develop uniform standards

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• User fees align supply and demand, helping to prevent under-use and over-use of the roads by furnishing
• drivers can pay the premium for an electric vehicle to be effectively exempt from the user fee.
• New Mexico already has a A clean car tax credit of up to $3,000 encourages electric vehicle adoption.
• So, imposing an additional fee would lower the net subsidy, but would bring electric vehicles into the
• Additional registration fees on all vehicles, rather than just electric vehicles, are also one of the

Transcript Highlights:

• Leavitt: Just to remind members, this is the piece of legislation that will enable Rivian and Lucid, electric
• This bill would enable Rivian and Lucid, electric vehicle manufacturers, to sell directly to Washington
• learning experience programs, changes to Running Start allocations, and bus depreciation schedules for electric
• An act relating to climate commitment act compliance obligations for fuel supply.

Bills: SCR8410

Keywords: returning bills to house of origin, sine die, end of session, legislative procedure, Rules Committee, third reading, unfinished business, pending bills, joint resolutions, concurrent resolutions, joint memorials, special session, bill numbering, legislative records, House of Representatives, Senate, Washington Legislature, session adjournment, procedural resolution

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, colors, pledge, and prayer, then approved the previous day’s journal and received gubernatorial appointments and House messages. It also introduced Senate Bill 6362 and referred it to the Law and Justice Committee. After caucus, the President signed a number of bills in open session. The chamber then took up several House-amended measures. Substitute Senate Bill 6225, a transportation bonding bill, was concurred in and passed 49-0 after remarks that it was needed to support the six-year transportation budget and historic maintenance investments. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6354, allowing direct sales by electric vehicle manufacturers such as Rivian and Lucid, was also concurred in and passed 47-2 after supporters said the House changes lowered consumer fees while preserving the fiscal effect. Engrossed Senate Bill 6228, dealing with tax preferences and pharmacy-related provisions, passed 26-23 after concurrence; Engrossed Senate Bill 6347, concerning estate tax changes, passed 39-10 after concurrence; Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6260, which included changes to transitional kindergarten, National Board bonuses, alternative learning experience, Running Start, and electric bus depreciation, passed 26-23; and Substitute Senate Bill 6355, involving transmission authority governance, transparency, and eminent domain-related sideboards, passed 32-17. The Senate also resolved several House/Senate differences by receding or amending bills. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1408, funding the Seattle Community Development Authority, passed 49-0 after the Senate receded from its amendments. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1295, on literacy-related teacher standards and technical assistance, was returned to second reading, amended with a striking amendment, and then passed 48-1. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2215, concerning Climate Commitment Act compliance obligations for fuel supply, was similarly amended with a negotiated striking amendment to protect good-faith operators and then passed 49-0. The Senate then signed additional bills in open session and recessed for lunch and caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> um electrical, um electrical, um um um flood flood flood issues.<00:14:07.920><c> So</c><00:14:
• , supply, supply, um<00:46:47.280><c> we're</c><00:46:47.400><c> going</c><00:46:47.520><c> to</c><00
• They both reflect supply, but they are different measures of supply.
• So look at months supply. You'll see every single region of our state is under supply.
• . supply. supply.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Families receive school supplies, physicals, dental and vision screenings, vaccinations, haircuts, food
• We have to store supplies. We have local sports teams, our football teams, that can help.
• continue if we are having to be concerned about where we can have these events, where we can store supplies
• I'm here today in opposition to House Bill 745 for the service. ...our electrical grid.
• I agree that I think we don't want to have this a place... ...we don't want to have the supply to police

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 17 and introduced a new page. It then took up Senate Bill 1261, which would add the word “appointed” to code so that an appointed officeholder is treated the same as an elected one after a resignation and appointment. There was no opposition, and the committee voted to send SB 1261 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. The main item was House Bill 745, a proposal by Rep. Judy Boyle to bar school districts from using public funds or payroll systems for certain union-related activities. Boyle said the bill would stop districts from paying union dues, increasing compensation to cover dues, providing paid leave for union work, sharing extra personal information with unions, or distributing union communications, while exempting police and firefighter unions and preserving collective bargaining. Committee members pressed her on why teachers were singled out, how the bill fit with existing law, and whether the claimed $1.2 million fiscal impact was consistent with the fiscal note. Boyle said the bill was aimed at keeping taxpayer money in classrooms and that some districts already use public funds for union-related costs. Public testimony on HB 745 was split. Supporters, including representatives of the Freedom Foundation, Americans for Prosperity, the National Right to Work Committee, parents, taxpayers, and several teachers or school employees, argued that payroll deductions, paid release time, and district support for union activities improperly subsidize private political organizations and should be paid for by unions themselves. Opponents, including the Idaho Education Association, the AFL-CIO, a superintendent, and an educator, argued the bill is aimed at teachers’ unions, is not neutral because it excludes police and fire, could interfere with local community events and school partnerships, and may create legal and administrative problems. No final vote on HB 745 was taken in the portion provided; testimony continued with the bill still under consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• The California Labor Federation, together with their electrical workers, teamsters, auto workers, professional
• The California Labor Federation, together with their electrical workers, teamsters, auto workers, professional
• PFAS, the forever chemicals that we have been introducing bills to try to eliminate from our water supplies
• And we should also focus on supply, making sure that we have housing for the number of Californians that
• It's going to create real change for the supply side of housing to build the housing that we want to

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then moved through a long floor session focused heavily on budget trailer bills, labor agreements, housing, environmental review, and several resolutions. Members also introduced visiting guests, including family members, district staff, Mandela Washington Fellows, and UC Berkeley public policy students. Procedural motions were taken up early, including a successful roll-call vote to suspend rules so certain budget-related bills could be heard without reference to file. The chamber approved several major budget measures. SB 129, the labor trailer bill, passed 56-4 after supporters said it made technical budget adjustments, funded collective bargaining, supported In-Home Supportive Services, and addressed pension and project-related issues. SB 131, the public resources and housing trailer bill, passed 50-3 after extensive debate over homelessness funding, CEQA exemptions, advanced manufacturing, high-speed rail, rural access to funds, tribal consultation, and environmental protections; multiple members voiced support while also urging follow-up changes. The Assembly also adopted SB 139, implementing agreements for professional and operating engineers, by 69-1, and SB 140, implementing the correctional officers’ agreement, by 71-0. Later, AB 130, the housing trailer bill, was taken up on concurrence in Senate amendments after a successful rule suspension; members discussed tribal consultation protections, CEQA reform, prevailing wage, and vehicle miles traveled provisions, with debate continuing as the transcript ended. The Assembly also concurred in Senate amendments to AB 927, extending the Williams inspection window for certain school districts, which passed 70-0. In addition, ACR 16 naming the 10th Street Bridge the POW/MIA Bridge passed 70-0. AJR 9, urging full and consistent federal funding for the National Park Service, drew broad bipartisan support and passed 66-0 after members highlighted California parks’ economic and cultural importance. HR 47, recognizing the Fourth of July and the Declaration of Independence, prompted extended remarks on democracy, civics, immigration, military service, and community celebrations before being adopted by voice vote with 64 co-authors added. The consent calendar was also adopted 64-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm pleased to present AB 2672, a bill to ensure California can nimbly respond in the face of fuel supply
• is raising costs at the pump, our state needs more tools to address urgent shocks to our gasoline supply
• Shocks to our gasoline supply.
• And so the attempt is to expand supply when the supplies are low and in jeopardy, and to provide more
• The big picture we're talking about is supply, and that comes down to in-state refining capacity.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill creates the electric vehicle supply equipment.
• This advisory board will bring together experts from the electric vehicle industry. and energy sectors

Bills: HCR141, SB438, SB1495, SB1964, HB 1225

Keywords: HCR 141, House Concurrent Resolution, NASA, Houston, Space City, Johnson Space Center, Mission Control, Apollo 11, moon landing, aerospace, commercial space, space exploration, Texas Space Commission, space policy, federal resolution, memorial resolution, Congress, Washington D.C., headquarters relocation, space industry

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Water Supply Water Supply um<00:30:58.600><c> because</c><00:30:58.840><c> there's</c><00:30:59.000
• Ernie La, Board of Water Supply.
• Ernie Port of Water Supply. We stand in strong support of this bill.
• Bo of Water Supply, go ahead. So I support HB 505 with comments.
• Board of Water Supply once again. Mahalo, Ernie La, Board of Water Supply.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. HB 114, concerning employment in the State Historic Preservation Program, drew support from DLNR, which said the measure would help retain qualified archaeologists, architects, and other professionals by preserving current pay levels for a limited number of positions. Members raised concerns about expanding exempt positions and the effect on union coverage, and DLNR said it was also working with DEHRD on longer-term reclassification issues. No vote was taken on the bill in the portion provided. HB 12, relating to tort liability, drew strong opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice, which argued the bill would create overly broad immunity for landowners, conflict with Hawaii’s comparative fault framework, and undermine existing recreational liability law. Supporters said it would reduce liability concerns and encourage landowners to allow hiking, hunting, search-and-rescue training, and firearms-related uses on private land. The committee then moved on without any recorded vote in the excerpt. The committee also discussed HB 29 on counties, but no county representative was present, and members questioned whether the proposal should instead proceed through condemnation if it involved a forced sale. HB 175 on property maintenance received DLNR comments that the bill should be narrowed to noxious weeds and that fire-related provisions were more properly handled by county fire departments and the State Fire Marshal. HB 331 on permits drew support from several state agencies, but the Honolulu Board of Water Supply opposed it unless “repetitive construction” was defined more clearly; members and agencies discussed narrowing the bill to avoid unintended impacts on water and utility infrastructure. The committee also heard strong support for HB 3 on North Shore beach management, HB 309 on fish ponds, and HB 306 on water code penalties, though the Board of Water Supply raised concerns about increased fines and suggested an alternative governor’s bill and clearer administrative rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• The industry, the investors, are very aware that supply and demand at the end of the day drive longer-term
• So the strip is saying demand is going to outstrip supply or supply is going to outstrip demand going
• , I think, in the last three weeks, four weeks, is that Oneok has purchased this line from Basin Electric
• There's no big upside for you to increase your drilling activity because we know the long-term supply
• There's no big upside for you to increase your drilling activity because we know the long-term supply

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum and approved the March 18 minutes. The committee first heard an update from the Petroleum Council on oil and gas activity in North Dakota. Ron Ness said production is expected to remain relatively flat at just under 1.2 million barrels per day, with efficiency gains and longer laterals helping offset lower rig counts. He discussed oil and gas prices, gas taxation, flaring concerns, northward movement of drilling activity, and the importance of new infrastructure and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) pilots. Members asked about gas taxation, natural gas liquids, pipeline impacts, and the outlook for Continental and other operators. Ness said the industry is likely to remain steady rather than see a major ramp-up or decline. Matt Pearl of the State Tax Department then explained the federal “big beautiful bill” and its effect on North Dakota income tax collections. He said the law extends or makes permanent several federal provisions and creates temporary deductions for seniors, tips, overtime, and auto loan interest, with the biggest state impact coming from the standard deduction increase and business tax changes. He revised earlier estimates downward, saying the net cash impact on state collections is likely in the $30 million to $35 million range after accounting for business prepayments and one-time FY25 oilfield transaction effects. Committee members asked which provisions apply to standard versus itemized returns. OMB staff gave a detailed update on major capital projects and facility funding. Topics included Capitol grounds improvements such as 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding, seating, lighting, tree management, and restroom and lobby upgrades; security work at the governor’s residence, which has been delayed by the discovery of human remains; and space reconfiguration efforts in Bismarck-Mandan to reduce leases and create shared offices and conference rooms. They also reported on the State Facility Maintenance Fund, including roof, window, boiler, and kitchen projects at state facilities, and on the state hospital project in Jamestown, which remains on budget and on schedule for substantial completion in winter 2027 and opening in spring 2028. OMB also updated the committee on the Minot North Central State Office Building, the use of federal State Fiscal Recovery Funds, and the status of legislative intent and trust fund reports, including school aid turnback, the school construction loan program, the Foundation Aid Stabilization Fund, the Legacy Fund, and the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund. The committee ended by discussing future agenda items, including government efficiency, cash management, Bank of North Dakota lines of credit, and the rural health transformation program, and then adjourned.