Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:22.079> is in particular with these fuels is in particular with these fuels is exceptionally
• Delivered fuels provide the utilities.
• Only fuels exceeding the in Minnesota.
• pole warning people, the oversized load pole warning people, the oversized load dimension<01:09:
• requirements for that particular load. requirements for that particular load.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• we exempt fuel tax from sales tax. we exempt fuel tax from sales tax.
• So, this aligns it with for fuel tax. So, this aligns it with fuel<00:05:04.320> tax.
• um fuel tax paid by a F-150. um fuel tax paid by a F-150. Good. Good. Good.
• Fuel tax administration. Yes. Fuel tax administration. Yes.
• addition to fuel pumps. addition to fuel pumps.

Bills: SF0095, SF0107, SF0112

Keywords: driver's license, motor vehicle services, third-party providers, Wyoming, regulatory compliance, motor vehicle, registration, license plate, electronic system, State Department of Transportation, county treasurers, vehicle fees, public records, license plates, replacement cycle, vehicle registration, motor vehicles, state fees, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:41:21.680> especially costs tied to fossil fuels, especially costs tied to fossil fuels
• <00:41:26.880> Unfortunately, around foreign fuels. Unfortunately, around foreign fuels.
• and they provide base load electricity. and they provide base load electricity.
• ,<01:18:35.199> penny provide base load, inexpensive, penny provide base load, inexpensive
• represent about 29% of the fuel clause. represent about 29% of the fuel clause.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Eddie Lucio with Gray and Strama Lucio on behalf of Titan Fuels testifying for the bill.
• that particular bridge could be down equipment or down manpower, and they will close to southbound fuel
• So you have a truck with fuel ready to go south and they're turned away.
• result in 321,000 loads needed to equal the same service.
• If you take that away, you don't just shift our loads, you shatter our business model.

Bills: HCR 114, HB 137, HB 283, HB 1398, HB 1960, HB 2153, HB 2431, HB 2638, HB 2699, HB 2999, HB 3208, HB 3389, HB 3413, HB 3510, HB 3642, HB 3859, HB 3974, HB 3986, HB 4142, HB 4173, HB 4174, HB 4542, HB 4605, HB 4663, HB 4731, HB 5064, HB 5216, HB 5218, HB 5332, HB 5453, HB 5577

Keywords: memorial, pedestrian bridge, Houston, Sergio Ivan Rodriguez, city council, oversize vehicles, transportation permits, Hidalgo County, port authority, highway routes, healthcare, insurance, mental health, treatment access, state funding, transportation, axle weight, aggregates, regulations, Texas law

Transcript Highlights:

• the same time, we expect historic increases in electricity consumption due largely to data center loads
• Commissioner Partridge: We are increasingly seeing an opportunity to move to dual-fuel space heating,
• So there are lots of utilities, for kind of weedy reasons, because those loads are so much higher and
• So when we do that and we consider those loads and those added volumes, we're able to really take the
• do that and we um consider those loads do that and we um consider those loads and<00:41:44.800><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:52.559> companies underperforming fossil fuel companies underperforming fossil fuel
• Fossil fuels are familiar. They are not safe.
• <00:30:46.799> I energy is cheaper than fossil fuels I energy is cheaper than fossil fuels
• <01:29:48.239> cost perspective is there's no fuel cost perspective is there's no fuel cost
• the volatility within our fossil fuel the volatility within our fossil fuel industry<01:37:20.480

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's worth going into. into another wildfire season in the panhandle where our fuel load is greater than
• load.
• Typically the tank is loaded at 500 gallons a minute.
• And that's a pressure system that's load based on the loading system and and so you can do math pretty
• It's five or six minutes to get the airplane loaded.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• load is greater than it was in 2024 when we burned down almost 2 million acres.
• load.
• loading system.
• Stuff stirred and ready to load in the airplane, is that correct?
• loads and, and assessment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you have a truck with fuel ready to go south, and they're turned away.
• The 300,000 loads we hauled in 2024 are needed to equal the same service.
• We were required to haul 400 loads to provide the same level of service to our customer.
• If you take that away, you don't just shift our load; you shatter our business model.
• This bill will reduce legal loads by two tons per truck. on the Texas roads, increasing traffic, fuel

Bills: HB137, HB283, HCR114, HB137, HB283, HB1398, HB1960, HB2153, HB2431, HB2638, HB2699, HB2999, HB3208, HB3389, HB3413, HB3510, HB3642, HB3859, HB3974, HB3986, HB4142, HB4173, HB4174, HB4542, HB4605, HB4663, HB4731, HB5064, HB5216, HB5218, HB5332, HB5453, HB5577

Keywords: state budget, fiscal biennium, budget repeal, financial management, state funding, Medicaid, healthcare access, Affordable Care Act, federal funding, low-income individuals, insurance coverage, memorial, pedestrian bridge, Houston, Sergio Ivan Rodriguez, city council, oversize vehicles, transportation permits, Hidalgo County, port authority

Transcript Highlights:

• , on imported fossil fuels, on imported fossil fuels, which<00:50:08.400> currently<00:50:
• fuels in the Granite State. fuels in the Granite State.
• the ability to decide what type of fuel the ability to decide what type of fuel mix<01:07:49.640
• fuel price increases. fuel price increases.
• , of fossil fuels, of fossil fuels, which<01:42:11.520> contributes<01:42:11.920> to

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from uh super integrating the new loads from uh super large<00:04:49.919> data<00:04:50.680><
• On section 10, if the public policy is designed correctly, data center load growth has the potential
• Every tool is needed both to meet our 2040 goals and to meet load growth.
• Every tool is needed both load growth.
• And there's space for a load growth.

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, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• He says many communities, especially base-load communities, have been trying for years to revitalize
• Comm communities that hosted Bas load Comm communities that hosted Bas load<00:04:26.759> have
• <00:12:26.279> growth the energy impacts and load growth the energy impacts and load growth
• and how much fuel storage needs to be there.
• and how much fuel storage needs to be there.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll talk about fuel later, but the fuel supply chain for these reactors is quite mature.
• The fuel would be rods in water.
• And so they are taking the fuel issue quite seriously and they are advancing... ...fuel issue quite seriously
• So we're starting, Nucleone has a fuel division. We're starting to unpack the fuel supply chain.
• and spent fuel.

Summary: The Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee met to review prior minutes and hear a series of presentations on advanced nuclear technology and state readiness. The committee approved the April 21, 2022 minutes. Nucleon’s William Bridge outlined the advanced nuclear landscape, distinguishing near-term light-water SMRs from more advanced Gen 4 reactors and microreactors, and emphasized that fuel supply, especially HALEU, remains a developing supply chain. He said light-water designs are the most deployable in the near term, while advanced reactors may be better suited for industrial heat applications and could face a 2- to 3-year delay from fuel availability. Representatives from NASEO described how other states are supporting advanced nuclear through task forces, roadmaps, pilot programs, financing tools, workforce and supply-chain efforts, and regional coordination. They highlighted the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative and stressed that states are focusing early on emergency preparedness, community engagement, waste management, affordability, and consumer protections. They also noted that some states are creating nuclear-ready community programs and cost-recovery guardrails, while public utility commissions are examining long-term lifecycle costs and rate impacts. North Dakota agencies then outlined their potential roles. The Public Service Commission said it would likely be involved in public-interest review, siting, and rate regulation, but noted current statutes may not fully address long-term nuclear projects, co-location, or decommissioning. The Department of Environmental Quality said it would continue to regulate radioactive materials and likely support emergency planning, while fission reactor oversight remains federal. The Department of Emergency Services said it would serve as the lead off-site preparedness agency, needing a radiological emergency program, training, exercises, equipment, and possibly industry funding. The Department of Water Resources said North Dakota has sufficient surface water, especially from the Missouri River, but that water planning would be important; it did not recommend statutory or budget changes at this time. The committee recessed for lunch after these presentations, with no additional votes or actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• The program success in offering incentives to customers for reducing incremental loads.
• Incentives to customers for reducing incremental loads. Okay, so the success of the program so far.
• We provide incentives to electricity customers to reduce their load during these key times.
• We don't allow fossil fuel resources; they're all clean energy projects.
• What cost did the state pay for these resources, capital costs excluding staff and fuel?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, they can make certain decisions to mitigate it, but like fuel is one.
• You know, they can make certain decisions to mitigate it, but like fuel is one.
• Our other states have fuel-type riders, which we think this is like a fuel-type cost.
• Other states have fuel-type riders, which we think this is like a fuel-type cost.
• It is a little bit different from fuel in that regard.

Bills: SB483, SB522, SB783, SB1239, SB1254, SB1255, SB1259, SB1341, SB1664, SB1762, SB1856, SB1877, SB1977

Keywords: utility, proprietary information, customer data, data protection, electric service, customer information, emergency communication, electric utility, privacy, certification, public accountants, interstate licensing, accounting, regulatory amendment, energy efficiency, construction regulations, building codes, Texas, sustainability, cost-effectiveness

Summary: The Senate Business and Commerce Committee met with a quorum and first took up pending business, voting out several bills. Senate Bills 1697, 1569, 1202 as substituted, 1029, 1364, 1185, 924, 1008 as substituted, 264, 1376, and 1358 as substituted were reported favorably, with some sent to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted a substitute for SB 1202 and later corrected votes on several measures. SB 924 and SB 1376 drew some opposition, while the rest of the pending bills were reported without dissent or with limited nays. The committee then heard testimony on SB 1856, which would create an annual capacity-cost recovery rider for Entergy Texas customers in the MISO region. The author and Entergy argued the bill would better match rates to actual capacity costs and improve transparency, while the Texas Association of Manufacturers and the Public Utility Commission raised concerns about the short 10-day review period, rider proliferation, and the preference for full rate cases over piecemeal adjustments. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard and left pending SB 522 on CPA reciprocity, SB 1664 requiring TDUs to provide clearer, standalone rate-change disclosures, SB 1877 expanding OPUC’s access to market data, SB 1254 and SB 1255 as TDLR cleanup bills on professional employer organizations and mold assessors, SB 1341 updating manufactured housing rules, SB 1239 on sovereign debt and Texas governing law, and SB 1259 streamlining the surveyor-in-training licensing process. Additional bills discussed included SB 1977, which would cap recoverable legal expenses in electric, water, and sewer rate cases; OPUC and some consumer advocates supported the idea as a way to reduce ratepayer costs, while utility representatives warned it could discourage participation and increase rate shock. The committee also heard SB 1762 clarifying that geothermal energy conservation wells are not battery resources, and SB 783 allowing SECO to proceed with future energy-code rulemaking for state-funded buildings. Both drew supportive testimony from industry and environmental groups. All remaining bills heard during the meeting were left pending, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Jumbo Mark 2 vessels burn about 25% of all fuel used by the fleet.
• Fuel tax, there’s a portion of the fuel tax that goes into the Puget Sound Capital Construction Account
• And Tuesday night, on October 21st, the bridge was struck by a high load.
• They said the permit process for oversized loads has made great strides.
• that that load that hit bullfrog was supposed to take the process for oversized loads.

Summary: The committee received a detailed staff presentation on Washington State Ferries’ capital needs, current fleet status, and long-range funding outlook. Staff described the current service pattern, ridership recovery since the pandemic, the aging fleet, and the state’s plan to add three new hybrid-electric Olympic-class vessels under the 2025 budget, with delivery expected around 2030-2032. Members also heard that the fleet is operating with no reserve vessel, that preservation time is below the desired level, and that terminal electrification and vessel conversion plans face timing, cost, and procurement risks. Questions focused on ridership trends, biofuel supply, design-risk allocation in vessel contracts, sequencing of terminal electrification with new vessel delivery, and the cost and feasibility of restoring international Sidney service, which would require a SOLAS-certified vessel. Staff then outlined ferry capital funding, saying recent spending and programmed needs are far above regular ferry-specific revenues and that the system relies on a mix of dedicated accounts, transportation package money, federal grants, and transfers. They said the near-term budget is balanced through 2027-29, but the longer-term capital outlook shows a shortfall of roughly $250 million to $300 million per biennium, with broader unmet needs much higher. The presentation estimated costs for future vessels, life extensions, terminal electrification, and additional Jumbo Mark II conversions, and noted that the current enacted plan does not fully fund fleet replacement, full electrification, or life extension of older vessels. Members asked for follow-up information on terminal seismic/environmental issues, contract options for additional vessels, and the timing and cost of alternative vessel designs. The committee then shifted to WSDOT maintenance and preservation. Pascoe Focktich described maintenance operations, including winter response, guardrail repair, facilities, equipment, and the effects of underfunding and inflation. He said most of the maintenance budget is fixed cost and labor, that material prices have risen sharply, and that many facilities are in poor condition with asbestos issues and deferred upkeep. He also noted growing guardrail damage, increasing pavement claims, and the burden of maintaining aging bridges and facilities. Members asked about prior planning for these needs, the role of asbestos, and whether more proactive sequencing could help budget decisions. Troy Suing then presented the highway preservation program, saying WSDOT is in the early stages of critical failure and has stretched preservation dollars as far as possible. He explained the distinction between pavement, bridge, and other highway asset preservation, said the department is largely reactive, and estimated that delaying work can make it three to five times more expensive later. He said about 40% of roadways are currently due or overdue for preservation, bridge conditions are nearing the federal poor-bridge threshold, and the department’s 10-year preservation need is about $8 billion. Members asked about the cost of deferring work, whether the department could do more if funded, how priorities are set, and whether other states face similar problems. Finally, Evan Grimm and Mike Fay briefed the committee on bridge strikes by overheight vehicles. They described recent incidents on I-90 near Cle Elum and SR 410 near White River, the damage and closures caused, and possible countermeasures such as public outreach, improved trip-planning tools, and a pilot warning system with sensors and flashing beacons. Fay explained the state’s financial recovery process for third-party damage, saying WSDOT recovers roughly $20 million per biennium and about 78% to 80% of billed damages, with money going to the motor vehicle fund. Members asked about prevention, insurance recovery, and whether the state uses claim data to inform future design or safety changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Um, it is the jet fuel tax that is paid in by the usage of jet fuel, 6% on the price of the jet fuel
• Jet fuel tax. >> Yeah. >> Great.
• Jet fuel tax. >> Okay. Jet fuel tax. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
• What's the jet fuel. So, 950,000.
• typically the supplier of uh jet fuel? typically the supplier of uh jet fuel?

Keywords: 0:00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:54 Approval of Minutes 0:01:08 Information Items 0:03:18 Postsecondary Institutions - UK 0:18:10 Finance and Administration Cabinet 0:30:13 KY Infrastructure Authority 0:37:30 Cabinet for Economic Development 0:52:11 Office of Financial Management 0:59:20 Remaining 2026 Mtg Dates 1:00:49 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the April 27 minutes and then received several informational reports, including University of Kentucky medical equipment purchases, UK’s use of $200 million in Ever funds for a public-private partnership, school district debt issuances, UK’s planned use of construction manager-at-risk delivery on five projects, Kentucky Communications Network Authority capital projects under House Bill 6, and 14 UK lease improvements. Members were told the House Bill 6 item was also being discussed in the Information Technology Oversight Committee and could return later if needed. The main action item was University of Kentucky’s request to approve a $600 million public-private partnership for central plants and utility infrastructure tied to the Chandler expansion. UK said it would shift $200 million from previously authorized restricted funds into the P3, leaving the project financed through private equity and nonprofit debt with no UK or Commonwealth debt. UK representatives said the project is necessary to support 24/7 hospital operations, expand and modernize utility systems, improve redundancy and efficiency, and reduce long-term operating risk. Members asked about the source of the availability payments, which UK said would come from UK Healthcare revenues, and the committee approved the P3 agreement unanimously. The committee also approved a UK lease renewal for a 20,000-square-foot College of Medicine annex near the Bowling Green Medical Center. UK said the lease costs $38 per square foot, or $912,000 annually, and supports medical education expansion in the region, including growth from 120 to 160 students over four years. Members voiced support for the local impact, and the lease passed unanimously. Later, the committee approved a Transportation Cabinet aviation project for two medium box hangars at Capital City Airport, funded by $1,153,000 in federal money and $950,000 from the Aviation Economic Development Fund, which is supported by a 6% jet fuel tax with a $1 million annual cap per company. Members asked about the fund balance, the cap, and airport revenue sources, and staff said the airport also receives entitlement and federal infrastructure funds and earns revenue from hangar rent and fuel sales. The committee then approved two Finance and Administration Cabinet pool projects: a roof and skylight replacement at the Libraries and Archives building and exterior repairs at several state buildings. Finally, the committee approved six Kentucky Infrastructure Authority action items after hearing about one loan increase for the Springfield Wastewater Treatment Plant and five grant reallocations tied to Cleaner Water Program and county allocation pool funds. Members asked why one project approved in 2024 was only now increasing, and KIA explained that design, water division review, environmental review, and bidding can take one to two years. KIA also reported additional no-action items, including a Brandenburg water grant split among two projects and 17 Kentucky Waters projects provided for information. The meeting ended with approval of the action items and no further action on the informational grants.

Transcript Highlights:

• > from<01:04:49.119> traditional and peaking load from traditional and peaking load from
• Um, and uh that's remaining load.
• <01:35:16.800> price highly dependent on the fuel price highly dependent on the fuel price
• neutral fuel cells.
• fuel neutral uh<02:32:51.920> fuel<02:32:52.240> cells.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The budget bill language, it does... ...for incremental load reduction.
• Last year, from January to September, we were serving California's entire load for part of the day for
• Basically, we provide incentives to electricity customers to reduce their load during these key times
• We don't allow fossil fuel resources. They're all clean energy projects.
• What cost did the state pay for these resources, capital costs excluding staff and fuel?

Summary: The hearing was an informational budget session on energy agency proposals, with no votes taken. Early discussion focused on Proposition 4 climate bond implementation, including funding for demand-side grid support, offshore wind development, and transmission financing. The Department of Finance said the budget includes allocations for demand-side grid support and offshore wind, but not yet for the $325 million transmission financing piece pending a required study. The Legislative Analyst’s Office urged the Legislature to consider whether to wait on offshore wind funding, whether to keep shifting funds into demand-side grid support, and how to direct future transmission financing. Members also raised concerns about local technical assistance for offshore wind, Salton Sea priorities, and the need for more information before final decisions. The California Energy Commission and CPUC then reviewed the broader energy package. The CEC highlighted the demand-side grid support program’s growth, distributed energy backup assets, long-duration storage, hydrogen grants, and the SIRP clean energy reliability program. CPUC testimony emphasized affordability, wildfire mitigation costs, rooftop solar cost shifts, and efforts to reduce rates while maintaining reliability and clean energy goals. Members questioned CPUC staffing, delays in proceedings, coordination with the CEC and CAISO, and the impact of rate increases on customers. The agencies also discussed the AB 3264 transmission financing study, with CPUC saying work on the study had already begun and was on track for the July 1 deadline. Several trailer bill and implementation items were also discussed. The committee reviewed a proposal to extend the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program surcharge, with members split over whether it should be handled in budget trailer bill language or policy legislation; the administration said the surcharge supports a critical program serving about three-quarters of a million Californians. The committee also heard a CPUC data-sharing proposal to allow nondisclosure agreements for transmission and reliability data, which members generally supported as a technical fix. DWR explained a proposal to clarify language for the Electricity Supply Strategic Reliability Reserve so it can potentially sell three gas-fired units it owns, and the CEC presented a federal transmission grant proposal tied to grid-enhancing technologies and ratepayer cost recovery. Finally, the committee discussed California Lifeline and possible broadband pilot reforms in light of uncertainty around federal Universal Service Fund support, with CPUC saying it is exploring a statewide standalone broadband option for eligible customers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Congress has mandated in 10 United States Code 2920 that all Department of Defense critical energy loads
• Our largest non-residential buildings are required to be carbon neutral by 2035 and fossil fuel-free
• Our largest non-residential buildings are required to be carbon neutral by 2035 and fossil fuel-free
• Years of fossil fuel messaging have successfully convinced so many people that clean energy costs far
• more than fossil fuels.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused broadly on solar policy and several related bills, especially S. 2269, S. 2270, H. 3520, H. 3521, and related measures on distributed energy resources, municipal solar caps, permitting reform, and tax credits. Testimony from the Air Force supported S. 2232, which would exempt federal military installations from renewable energy production caps and net metering limits to support energy resilience at bases like Hanscom. Most other witnesses argued that Massachusetts needs to speed up rooftop, municipal, and community solar deployment to address high electricity prices, federal tax credit rollbacks, grid reliability, and climate goals. A major theme was streamlining permitting through automated or “smart” solar permitting, including a statewide platform managed by DOER. Permit Power, SEIA, Vote Solar, 350 Mass, and others said current local permitting is fragmented and costly, and that instant permitting could reduce soft costs and speed installations. Several witnesses also urged changes to interconnection rules, including flexible interconnection, remote inspections, and faster utility approval timelines. Some speakers raised concerns about small towns lacking staff to meet short deadlines and suggested a state-hosted platform to reduce the burden on municipalities. Another major topic was lifting caps on solar deployment. Municipal officials from Lexington and Cambridge said the 10-megawatt municipal cap and regional caps are blocking shovel-ready projects and should be removed, including for behind-the-meter municipal solar and MBTA-community housing. Other witnesses described additional limits on project size, net metering, and residential tax credits, and called for making the state residential solar credit refundable and larger. Several speakers also supported virtual power plants, distributed energy resource targets, solar canopies, microgrids, and expanded access for affordable housing, tenants, and low- and moderate-income customers. No votes were taken. Committee members asked questions about permitting timelines, grid modernization, the rationale for caps, balcony solar, and interconnection delays, and witnesses said they would follow up with additional information where needed. The hearing ended with broad support from industry, municipal, environmental, and advocacy groups for advancing the solar and distributed energy bills, while some witnesses opposed provisions they viewed as overly restrictive, such as mandatory SMART participation for all solar projects.