Transcript Highlights:

• The Commission will then take one final vote to forward all the recommendations the Commission adopted
• Sunset Commission meeting.
• We will now turn to voting on the commission decisions for the Sunset Commission staff reports we heard
• public testimony on in December.
• Thank you again to the Commission members, Sunset staff, agencies under review, my staff, and the public

Keywords: Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Ethics Commission, recommendations, Angelina River Authority, Natchez Valley Authority, public testimony, legislative session

Summary: The meeting of the Sunset Advisory Commission served as a concluding assembly for the current biennium, where various agencies were reviewed. Notably, the Commission focused on staff recommendations and modifications regarding the Angelina and Natchez River Authority, Lower Natchez Valley Authority, and Texas Ethics Commission. After discussing various modifications, the members voted unanimously on multiple recommendations aimed at improving operational efficiency and accountability within these agencies. The Chair emphasized the collaborative effort of the Commission members and staff, acknowledging their hard work throughout the biennium.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:45.439> from protect underground utilities from protect underground utilities from
• call 811 and uh the appropriate utility call 811 and uh the appropriate utility owners<00:01:58.799
• broadband and then other util broadband and then other util underground<00:02:29.360> utility
• <00:02:38.000> uh members, which are the utility uh members, which are the utility uh owners
• <00:05:27.039> road, or drainage stitches of a public road, or drainage stitches of a public

Bills: SB95, HB322, SB95, HB322

Keywords: underground facilities, excavation safety, One-Call Notification System, utility protection, public safety, underground damage prevention, notification system, construction safety, pipeline protection, utility management, Alabama Municipal Electric Authority, director compensation, municipality, electricity supply, board of directors, postpartum depression, postnatal care, maternal mental health, perinatal depression, postpartum screening

Transcript Highlights:

• This is from '29 to '24, the change in the annual U.S. electric IOU public utility expenditures.
• Virtual power plant plans must be built into a public utilities integrated resource plan filing.
• <00:42:56.480> utilities<00:42:57.040> integrated built into a public utilities integrated
• Utilities Commission says the program is not quite ready.
• <01:23:25.840> utility<01:23:26.159> and underinvested because public utility and underinvested

Bills: HF2986, HF3555

Keywords: virtual power plant, VPP, distributed energy resources, DER, demand response, load management, grid modernization, peak demand, peak shaving, battery storage, energy storage, solar photovoltaic, solar panels, electric vehicles, smart thermostats, heat pumps, aggregator, public utilities commission, PUC, rate recovery

Transcript Highlights:

• essential public services. essential public services.
• HRA staff work directly with the public HRA staff work directly with the public in<00:01:40.560>
• protect essential public services. protect essential public services.
• in doing their job to serve the public. in doing their job to serve the public.
• billing utility bill because utility billing utility bill because utility billing doesn't<00:15:

Bills: HF4141, HF3951

Keywords: housing authority, criminal penalty, assault, public safety, redevelopment, submetered utility service, tenant rights, digital payment, eviction protection, housing policy, 1183, house

Bills: SB 3038, SB 3045, SB 3065, SB 3069, SB 3071, HB 2025, HB 2149, HB 3370, HB 4205, HB 4506, HB 5424, HB 5652, HB 24, HB 3687

Keywords: Montgomery County, management district, special district, bond issuance, assessments, taxation, public welfare, economic development, nonconforming uses, zoning regulations, land use, property rights, municipal authority, municipal utility district, eminent domain, bonds, taxes, public infrastructure, water supply, zoning

Transcript Highlights:

• I will note that pools open to the public, owned by a public body, are exempted from the statute altogether
• It requires the disclosure regarding potential utility rate or tax incentive changes to substantiate
• These practices not only harm individual families, they erode public trust.
• It includes some references to utility-scale solar is not included.
• is utility scale solar is not included our stakeholders have asked that we specify utility is utility

Bills: SB1137, SB1200, SB1419, SB1447, SB1560, SCM1004

Keywords: underground utilities, utility locating, dig safe, call before you dig, 811, excavation safety, damage prevention, one-call center, locate request, white lining, large project coordination, buried infrastructure, subsurface utilities, utility marking, locator wire, locator strip, interactive positive response system, landlord duties, apartment community, mobile home park

Transcript Highlights:

• shift action the advocacy partner for Commission shift which mobilizes the public to hold the Railroad
• However... wastewater utilities are currently listed as class B utilities and need to opt in to them.
• As a water utility. Saws is both an excavator and an owner of underground utilities.
• Wallet Utilities are a bit different from other operators of underground utilities.
• Actual utility.

Bills: HB206, HB 1285, HB1335, HJR107, HB206

Keywords: pipeline, construction, cash bond, county authority, local government, HB 1285, Railroad Commission of Texas, RRC, drones, unmanned aircraft, UAS, drone inspections, oil and gas, pipeline inspection, surface mining, well sites, tank batteries, disposal wells, injection sites, natural resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 260 creates the Oklahoma Infrastructure Long Range planning commission to be housed within
• The idea behind this commission is that we currently operate largely in silos from each other.
• I'm not sure it says it, but is it common for there to be an employee assigned to a commission?
• utilities.
• The Attorney General's office has been very helpful and gracious in offering counsel to the commission

Bills: SB1332, SB1378, SB1525, SB1771, SB1919, SB1998, SB2018, SB260, SB264

Keywords: housing, infrastructure, water projects, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, economic development, zero-interest loans, clawback provision, local contractors, Olympics, funding, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, local businesses, revolving fund, event hosting, SB1525, tourism, recreation, conference, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, we open for public testimony. The Chair calls David Dunmoyer.
• Hearing none, the Chair opens the floor for public testimony.
• available to the general public as legislators and our staff.
• Seeing no one, the public hearing is adjourned.
• I am the general counsel for the Commission on Judicial Conduct.

Bills: HB12, HB149, HB12, HB149, SB229, SB1361, SB1749, SB1897, SB2113, SB2566, SB2677, SB1652, SB2327, SB2344, SB2696

Keywords: election law, attorney general, prosecution, criminal offenses, law enforcement, jurisdiction, voter fraud, local prosecuting attorney, public safety, communication, governor approval, interoperability, political subdivision, radio systems, artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, the Chair opens up public testimony.
• This is also a public health issue.
• The Chair opens up public testimony.
• I represent the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
• Opens up public testimony and calls Teresa Schober, Katherine Fisher.

Bills: HB12, HB149, SB229, SB1361, SB1749, SB1897, SB2113, SB2566, SB2677, SB1652, SB2327, SB2344, SB2696, HB12, HB149

Keywords: artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance, automobile sales, finance, retail seller, motor vehicle purchase, motor vehicle sales, pricing restrictions, third-party financing, education, funding, student assessment, accountability, standards, motor vehicle, financing

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we will come disconnect your utilities.
• number of utilities, you know, the investor-owned utilities and those that don't have local control.
• There will be a public meeting on that front.
• Members, this is a bill we heard previously by Chairman Guilen that relates to public utility agencies
• Members, this is a bill we heard previously by Chairman Guillen that relates to public utility agencies

Bills: HB 1520, HB 1525, HB 1530, HB 1535, HB 2068, HB 2091, HB 2347, HB 2372, HB 2805, HB 2815, HB 2867, HB 3154, HB 3482, HB 3483, HB 3663, HB 3781, HB 3901, HB 3915, HB 4135, HB 4153, HB 4158, HB 4329, HB 4331

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• Please proceed I'm clay Hodges and general manager of cash special utility district We're utility district
• Permit in addition to that there is a public participation process that is going through giving the public
• There will be a public meeting.
• Members, this is a bill we heard previously by Chairman Guillen that relates to public... utility agencies
• Members, this is a bill we heard previously by Chairman Guillen that relates... to public utility agencies

Bills: HB1520, HB1525, HB1530, HB1535, HB2068, HB2091, HB2347, HB2372, HB2805, HB2815, HB2867, HB3154, HB3482, HB3483, HB3663, HB3781, HB3901, HB3915, HB4135, HB4153, HB4158, HB4329, HB4331

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• or public water that those are not subject to disclosure anymore.
• So you're suggesting that public water rights would be sold?
• That being owned by the citizens of Texas, it's a public good.
• or private. that the public would not know about it.
• It's good to see the commission or the committee again.

Bills: HB1520, HB1525, HB1530, HB1535, HB2068, HB2091, HB2347, HB2372, HB2805, HB2815, HB2867, HB3154, HB3482, HB3483, HB3663, HB3781, HB3901, HB3915, HB4135, HB4153, HB4158, HB4329, HB4331

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a former public utility commissioner here in Texas. OK. for the bill and I am for the bill.
• I'm a former public utility commissioner, um, who left the PUC, uh, at the end of December.
• Public education is essential.
• And, you know, it's not just uh uh public utilities, you know, the municipal utilities.
• I've heard some uh maybe here say that, you know, it's just more expensive in a, in a public utility

Bills: HB 14, HB 106, HB 146, HB 267, HB 274, HB 1127, HB 1359, HB 1393, HB 1584, HB 1640, HB 1710, HB 2152, HCR 101, HJR 8, HR 51

Keywords: nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund

Transcript Highlights:

• Three minutes per witness during public testimony.
• Utility Commission to to develop a consumer guide for home solar systems so Texans can become better
• I testified to help pass a law to allow moms to pump in public.
• Recently, and most recently, the Public Utilities Commission and ERCOT released their Permian Basin Transmission
• The city of Houston appreciates our public and private utility partners to help OE. identify and prioritize

Bills: HB14, HB 106, HB146, HB267, HB274, HB 1127, HB1359, HB1393, HB1584, HB1640, HB1710, HB2152, HCR101, HJR8, HR51

Keywords: nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund

Transcript Highlights:

• Technology has gained widespread utilization.
• So this would oversee AI utilization with answering, when gathering, summarizing information to be utilized
• Senate Bill 1963 builds upon that process. by permitting utilities inside ERCOT to also utilize the Texas
• Utilities to report security incidents to DIR, just like we do with the giant public water systems.
• we expand it to the non-big public utilities.

Bills: SB231, SB584, SB600, SB668, SB841, SB986, SB1003, SB1244, SB1625, SB1960, SB1963, SB1964, SB2026, SB2056, SB2368

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Transcript Highlights:

• Public notice in the county newspaper or some record of record is required, but public meetings are no
• Utility Commission in the coming days to remove from rates the cost of these 15 generators attributable
• Public Utility Commission approve the lease in a rate proceeding any time that a T.D. is leasing these
• The utility-scale microgrid can serve a city or a complete Municipal Utility District and is designed
• But we must do better for the public.

Bills: SB231, SB584, SB600, SB668, SB841, SB986, SB1003, SB1244, SB1625, SB1960, SB1963, SB1964, SB2026, SB2056, SB2368

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Transcript Highlights:

• We will also be filing an application with the Public Utility Commission in the coming days to remove
• Additionally, the committee substitute requires that the Public Utility Commission approve the lease
• Additionally the committee substitute requires that the Public Utility Commission approve the lease in
• a race in a race generation units. requires that the Public Utility Commission approve the lease in
• do better for the public.

Bills: SB231, SB584, SB600, SB668, SB841, SB986, SB1003, SB1244, SB1625, SB1960, SB1963, SB1964, SB2026, SB2056, SB2368

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and first took up several pending and uncontested bills. It favorably reported SB 1405, SB 1762, SB 1977, SB 2077, SB 2148, and SB 1968, and also moved SB 2321 to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then heard SB 819, which would change how the Public Utility Commission reviews proposed utility-scale solar and related interconnection projects. The committee substitute would shift the default so interconnection is allowed unless the PUC affirmatively prohibits it within 180 days, limit denial to cases where harm substantially outweighs benefits, remove public meeting requirements, retain setback and financial assurance provisions, add optional application materials such as national security and environmental information, and restore local control over county tax abatements. The substitute was adopted and SB 819 was favorably reported to the full Senate on a 7-3 vote. The committee then took up SB 231, focused on CenterPoint’s use of large emergency generators after Hurricane Beryl. Senator King explained that the original bill was intended to prevent customers from being charged for non-mobile generators that were leased at great cost and did not match the bill’s emergency-response purpose. CenterPoint’s Jason Ryan apologized for the company’s communication failures and said the company would make customers whole through a combination of rate reductions, foregone storm-cost recovery, and a donation of the 15 large generators to ERCOT for about two years to address a San Antonio-area reliability issue, with the company absorbing the associated costs. PUC Executive Director Connie Corona said the commission could enforce the agreement through its contested-case process. Public testimony included consumer and reliability advocates, one of whom argued utility-scale microgrids should be preserved as a policy option. SB 231 was left pending. The committee also heard SB 986, which would create an alternative process for routine Public Information Act requests so local governments can make initial redactions without sending every routine exception to the Attorney General, while preserving an appeal path and training requirements. Supporters said it would reduce backlog and speed access to records; opponents argued it would shift the burden to requesters and encourage delay. The AG’s office testified that the process could improve efficiency and still fit within current timelines if used promptly. SB 986 was left pending. Finally, SB 584 was briefly laid out to require consumer reporting agencies that buy data from others to ensure the information complies with Texas law on excluded items such as bankruptcies, judgments, and tax liens, and SB 600 was heard on heir property. SB 600’s substitute would strengthen notice, require an attorney ad litem, add an heir’s bill of rights, allow settlement conferences, and require fair-market-value sales protections; supporters said it would curb predatory partition practices, while opponents warned some provisions could burden or diminish minority heirs’ property rights. SB 584 and SB 600 were left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are the 10 Maricopa County cities that utilize CAP water.
• We are the 10 Maricopa County cities that utilize CAP water.
• Members, colleagues, members of the public.
• without a new certificate if the utility provides the Commission 30 days' written notice and holds at
• Chair and members, House Bill 2756 requires public power entities and public service corporations in

Bills: HB2014, HB2031, HB2078, HB2102, HB2103, HB2117, HB2261, HB2262, HB2264, HB2278, HB2428, HB2494, HB2756, HB2758, HB2762, HB2782, HB2932, HB2933, HB2986

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, water rights, groundwater, Willcox, active management area, certificate of grandfathered rights, Arizona legislature, aggregate mining, reclamation plans, environmental protection, public safety, land use, domestic water, improvement district, water delivery, water hauling

Transcript Highlights:

• The Public Service Commission would basically utilize, I believe there are The Public Service Commission
• The Public Service Commission would basically utilize, I believe there are The Public Service Commission
• Chair, Brandon Frye, Executive Secretary with the Louisiana Public Service Commission.
• It allows the Public Service Commission to regulate certain common carriers and public utilities, to
• So sewer and water board New Orleans is a public utility for water, and that would not go to the Public

Bills: HB744, HR197, SB54, SB79, SB163, SB287, SB375, SB386, SB398, SB469, SCR5

Keywords: public utility, common carrier, regulation, Public Service Commission, New Orleans, constitutional amendment, distributed energy, energy storage, electricity demand, virtual power plants, reliability, hurricane resilience, esthetics, cosmetology, hair services, beauty industry, Louisiana regulation, Louisiana Economic Development, sunset law, legislative authority

Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on May 11, 2026, and first advanced several Senate measures with little or no opposition. It reported favorably Senate Bill 79 recreating Louisiana Economic Development, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5 establishing the Louisiana-Ireland Trade Commission, and Senate Bill 375 on Class B firefighting foam, after adopting a technical amendment clarifying use in declared emergency firefighting operations. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 398, which moves manufactured and modular housing regulation under the Louisiana Contractors Licensing Board and expands inspection and enforcement provisions, after adopting two sets of mostly technical amendments and hearing testimony that the change would improve consumer safety and increase inspection coverage without adding net cost to locals. It then reported favorably Senate Bill 163 on virtual currency business licensing, after adopting an amendment providing that any future federal licensing law would preempt the state act, and Senate Bill 287 on virtual currency kiosks, which adds refund timelines, disclosure requirements, customer support, and reporting duties; witnesses from the banking and law enforcement community said the bill responds to common fraud complaints and improves consumer protection. The committee also reported favorably Senate Bill 54, which allows estheticians to blow-dry hair after certain services, despite strong opposition from cosmetology board representatives and industry witnesses who argued the service is outside esthetics training, could create scope-of-practice and facility issues, and should instead be addressed by lowering or revising separate blow-dry licensing requirements. The committee then considered House Resolution 197, which urges the Louisiana Public Service Commission to study the feasibility and value of distributed energy generation and storage resources. After adopting technical amendments and a second amendment changing mandatory language to requests and urging the PSC to coordinate with the LSU Energy Institute, the resolution was reported favorably. Testimony from solar and energy industry representatives, the PSC, and LSU focused on how distributed resources, batteries, rooftop solar, and virtual power plants could improve reliability, reduce costs, and help meet rising demand; members also discussed how the study would evaluate market value, avoided costs, and capacity benefits. Questions centered on methodology, grid impacts, and comparisons to Texas’s ERCOT system and Winter Storm Uri, with PSC officials emphasizing that the study would help determine whether such resources benefit ratepayers. Representative Wright presented House Bill 744, a proposed constitutional amendment to transfer regulation of certain New Orleans utilities from the city council to the Public Service Commission. He argued the change could reduce rates through consolidation and eliminate duplicative regulatory costs, while PSC officials explained the city’s authority is a constitutional exception dating back to 1921 and that Entergy New Orleans and Entergy Louisiana operate as separate companies with different regulatory environments. After discussion of rate impacts, utility structure, and whether the proposal should instead become a study, the bill was deferred. The committee then began Senate Bill 386, the Louisiana Data Privacy Act, which would give consumers rights to access, correct, delete, and opt out of certain uses of personal data; the sponsor introduced the bill and the committee started considering technical and substantive amendments, but the transcript ends before final action on that measure.