Transcript Highlights:

• It appears to also preclude nuclear because nuclear is not considered dispatchable generally, and so
• The feds have supremacy when it comes to nuclear and nuclear power.
• The feds have supremacy when it comes to nuclear and nuclear power.
• Solar requires 7,000, and nuclear requires only 5,000.
• We're not against any sort of nuclear energy.

Bills: HB2014 , HB2113 , HB2145 , HB2331 , HB2340 , HB2389 , HB2400 , HB2401 , HB2428 , HB2494 , HB2696 , HB2756 , HB2795 , HB2955 , HCM2008

Committees: House Natural Resources, Energy & Water , House House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, utility consumer, rate intervention, public service corporation, Arizona Revised Statutes, residential rates, consumer protection, fuel reformulation, gasoline standards, environmental regulations, ethanol supply, Air Quality, energy reliability, electric service providers, reliable resources, public power entity

Transcript Highlights:

• Support the preservation and expansion of America's nuclear fleet. I move adoption.
• H.J.R. 8 by Harris, a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the Texas Nuclear Development
• Fund to support the development, construction, and operation of advanced nuclear reactor projects.
• Speaker, members, this ACR just sets up the Texas Nuclear Fund.
• Support the preservation and expansion of America's nuclear fleet. I move adoption.

Bills: HJR98 , HJR8 , HJR133 , HB23 , HB33 , HB144 , HB 109 , HB 103 , HB148 , HB3809 , HB1686 , HB2217 , HB2156 , HB220 , HB2421 , HB2363 , HB3773 , HB421 , HB2584 , HB2615 , HB2455 , HB3711 , HB2559 , HB3747 , HB2775 , HB2886 , HB3126 , HB3666 , HB3595 , HB3260 , HB3506 , HB1638 , HB3376 , HB3826 , HB3628 , HB1349 , HB3770 , HB1831 , HB1762 , HB2614 , HB3113 , HB267 , HB322 , HB431 , HB869 , HB 1203 , HB 1201 , HB 1244 , HB1875 , HB1950 , HB2152 , HB2290 , HB2341 , HB2436 , HB2809 , HB2856 , HB3012 , HB2954 , HCR56 , HCR102 , HB 107 , HB1587 , HB3684 , HB658 , HJR99 , HB1399 , HJR5 , HJR2 , HJR6 , HJR31 , HB1971 , SJR3 , HB1775 , HJR72 , HB502 , HB3109 , HJR98 , HJR8 , HJR133 , HB 118 , HB388 , HB 114 , HB205 , HB2789 , HB2791 , HB499 , HB2960 , HB3163 , HB3135 , HB2427 , HB1618 , HB1672 , HB1722 , HB1338 , HB787 , HB2618 , HB879 , HB 1126 , HB4134 , HB3513 , HB718 , HB1536 , HB1445 , HB1640 , HB1893 , HB1734 , HB3229 , HB3306 , HB 1276 , HB3272 , HB3276 , HB3516 , HB4145 , HB1585 , HB4810 , HB2989 , HB2558 , HB3014 , HB2742 , HB1695 , HB23 , HB33 , HB144 , HB 109 , HB 103 , HB148 , HB3809 , HB1686 , HB2217 , HB2156 , HB220 , HB2421 , HB2363 , HB3773 , HB421 , HB2584 , HB2615 , HB2455 , HB3711 , HB2559 , HB3747 , HB2775 , HB2886 , HB3126 , HB3666 , HB3595 , HB3260 , HB3506 , HB1638 , HB3376 , HB3826 , HB3628 , HB1349 , HB3770 , HB1831 , HB1762 , HB2614 , HB3113 , HB267 , HB322 , HB431 , HB869 , HB 1203 , HB 1201 , HB 1244 , HB1875 , HB1950 , HB2152 , HB2290 , HB2341 , HB2436 , HB2809 , HB2856 , HB3012 , HB2954 , HCR56 , HCR102

Keywords: Article V, federal government, fiscal restraints, constitutional amendment, term limits, nuclear energy, electric generation, funding, Texas nuclear development fund, advanced reactors, HJR 133, Texas constitutional amendment, ad valorem tax, property tax exemption, homestead exemption, surviving spouse, veteran, veterans benefits, service-connected death, presumed service-connected condition

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have done a lot in the nuclear space this year.
• How do we lead in on nuclear? How do we do more in that space?
• We also have done a lot in the nuclear space this year.
• How do we lead in on nuclear? How do we do more in that space?
• We often say 'spent nuclear fuel.'

Summary: The committee first reviewed the Department of Juvenile Corrections budget. Legislative Services analyst Noah Peterson outlined the agency’s funding sources, staffing, recent expenditure patterns, and several FY 2026 and FY 2027 budget requests, including substance use disorder treatment, youth assessment center funding, replacement items, IT upgrades, and a clinician services transfer from the Department of Health and Welfare. Members asked about the governor’s holdback, public works projects, vehicle replacements, and staffing. Director Ashley Dowell said the department’s census has declined due to strong county partnerships, prevention and diversion efforts, and youth assessment centers, and she explained that a staffing analysis found the agency understaffed by 12 positions, with six vacancies converted to direct care roles. She also described the holdback impacts as coming from contract reductions, internal efficiencies, travel and training cuts, and substance use disorder funding adjustments. The committee adjourned after the department discussion. The committee then reviewed the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources budget. Peterson described the office’s mostly federal funding, small staff, dedicated funds, prior energy resilience appropriations, and FY 2027 requests for personnel realignment, Idaho Orchestrating Nuclear (ION) support, and home energy rebates. Administrator Callie Younger said the office is focused on energy resilience, permitting coordination, hydropower relicensing, geothermal and mining projects, and a growing nuclear policy portfolio. She highlighted the new nuclear task force, the office’s request for information to industry, and work on a federal request related to a nuclear lifecycle campus. Members asked about nuclear development, spent fuel, modular reactors, permitting efficiency, and whether the office might merge with the Office of Species Conservation. Younger said the office is exploring a merger because of overlapping permitting functions and could reduce positions and save some general funds, while also improving its ability to handle nuclear and mining work. The chair closed by noting the committee’s alignment with several governor’s office recommendations and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Advanced nuclear delivers it.
• Advanced nuclear delivers it.
• My department, the Department of Nuclear Engineering at UC Berkeley, as the only nuclear engineering
• Ryan Pickering, representing Native Nuclear, Generation Atomic, and Mothers for Nuclear, in strong support
• The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is the federal agency tasked with preventing nuclear reactor accidents

Summary: The committee heard several energy-related bills. AB 710 would require investor-owned utilities to share critical circuit and grid information with local and tribal governments and community choice aggregators to help plan microgrids for resilience during PSPS events and wildfires. Supporters from counties and cities said better data sharing is needed to develop microgrids for critical facilities; PG&E and SDG&E opposed the bill as drafted, citing privacy and grid-security concerns, though SDG&E said amendments may address some issues. Members generally supported the bill’s goal, and the author accepted committee amendments. AB 2182 would restructure the CPUC’s industrial energy efficiency program so industrial customers’ funds are used for industrial projects, with less review and more focus on projects that reduce transmission and distribution needs. Support came from large energy users, with members praising the bill’s ratepayer protections and asking about caps, agriculture, and carbon capture; the author said agriculture could participate and carbon capture was removed from the bill. AB 2589 would require utility federal tax savings to be returned to ratepayers, building on prior legislation; it drew little debate and no opposition on the record. The committee also heard AB 2163, which would create strategic clean energy and critical mineral development zones, especially to support geothermal and lithium development in places like Imperial County and the Salton Sea. Supporters emphasized jobs, domestic supply chains, and state competitiveness, while some members raised questions about whether other zero-carbon resources should be included; the author said the bill could be receptive to those ideas. AB 2505 would allow hydrogen refueling stations to use dedicated utility meters and service lines, with supporters from the hydrogen industry and labor. AB 1577 would require data centers to report energy and water-use information to the Energy Commission and local planners; supporters said it would protect ratepayers and communities, while industry groups opposed the bill as too broad and duplicative, though they welcomed amendments narrowing the scope and adding trade-secret protections. AB 2065 would impose penalties on utilities that seek to recover prohibited or double-counted costs from ratepayers, and AB 2516 would create a California Grid Manufacturing Initiative to reduce equipment costs and expand in-state manufacturing; both drew strong support and some concerns about overreach and implementation. Finally, AB 2647 would direct the Energy Commission to study advanced nuclear’s role in meeting California’s electricity needs, with testimony in support from nuclear advocates and academics; the hearing ended before any final votes were taken, with several motions pending quorum.

Transcript Highlights:

• Advanced nuclear delivers it.
• My department, the Department of Nuclear Engineering at UC Berkeley, as the only nuclear engineering
• Ryan Pickering, representing Native Nuclear, Generation Atomic, and Mothers for Nuclear, in strong support
• The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is the federal agency tasked with preventing nuclear reactor accidents
• plants all over the world from nuclear waste.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Transcript Highlights:

• be called spent nuclear fuel.
• Now we call it used nuclear fuel to support the nuclear fuel supply chain.
• It was easier just to go with a nuclear and use raw nuclear uranium and go that direction.
• fuel, in this case, used nuclear fuel, in Idaho.
• I'm on the Nuclear Task Force.

Committee: House Environment, Energy and Technology

Transcript Highlights:

• It appears to also preclude nuclear because nuclear is not considered dispatchable generally, and so
• The feds have supremacy when it comes to nuclear and nuclear power.
• The feds have supremacy when it comes to nuclear and nuclear power.
• Solar requires 7,000, and nuclear requires only 5,000.
• We're not against any sort of nuclear energy.

Committee: House House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee took up several energy, transportation, and land-use bills. HB 2428, dealing with county and ADEQ authority to issue voluntary permits certifying emission reduction credits for mobile and non-road sources, received neutral testimony from ADEQ and support from Maricopa County; the committee adopted the Griffin amendment and passed the bill 10-0 with a due pass recommendation. HB 2145, which expands who may request certain gasoline fuel reformulation actions and is contingent on EPA approval, also passed on a 5-4 vote after brief staff explanation and no amendment. The committee then considered HB 2331, a strike-everything amendment requiring electric utilities to ensure 85% of generating capacity serving retail load comes from “reliable resources” by 2030. Supporters, including the sponsor and Arizona Free Enterprise Club, argued it would protect affordability and grid reliability by favoring dispatchable power; opponents, including the Sierra Club and Rural Arizona Action, said it would effectively favor fossil fuels, raise costs, and limit cleaner resources. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 6-4. HB 2795, which would bar counties from using zoning to block small modular reactors once federal permitting conditions are met, drew strong support from the sponsor and industry advocates who framed it as pro-property-rights and pro-nuclear, and opposition from county, city, and environmental groups who raised preemption, local control, safety, waste, and siting concerns; it passed 6-4. The committee also passed HB 2340, which allows the Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee to evaluate proposed generating facilities along with transmission lines, on a 5-4 vote. HB 2400, an emergency measure to suspend the motor vehicle fuel tax in Areas A and C during part of the year and replace the lost revenue through state highway funding, drew opposition from cities and counties over transportation funding impacts but support from the sponsor and some members focused on gas affordability; the Griffin amendment was adopted and the bill passed 6-4. Finally, HB 2401 was introduced as a requirement for ADEQ to conduct a biennial review of available fuel formulations and their air-quality impacts in Areas A and C, but the transcript ends before testimony or action on that bill is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> gas power generation plant or a nuclear gas power generation plant or a nuclear Generation<00:07
• </c> dramatic for example the SE nuclear dramatic for example the SE nuclear power<00:14:56.680><c> plant
• </c><01:55:51.960><c> So</c> building Nuclear So building Nuclear So this<01:55:53.360><c> is</c><01:
• nuclear.
• had present uh a nuclear fusion company so<02:04:30.639><c> nuclear</c><02:04:31.119><c> fusion</c><

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• the IAEA, the UN nuclear watchdog.
• Rohan Reddy, UC Berkeley nuclear engineering student, in support on behalf of the Nuclear East Clean
• Lobby's Nuclear Energy Action Team.
• Rohan Reddy, UC Berkeley Nuclear Engineering student, in support on behalf of the Nuclear East Clean
• I think that if you bet on nuclear power, you're going to lose. ...on nuclear power, you're going to

Committee: House Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• the IAEA, the U.N. nuclear watchdog.
• I didn't start in nuclear there.
• For their nuclear power plant.
• Rohan Reddy, UC Berkeley nuclear engineering student, in support on behalf of the Nuclear East Clean
• Lobby's Nuclear Energy Action Team.

Summary: The committee heard a long series of bills, beginning with AB 2026 on groundwater recharge. The author and supporters said the bill would streamline permitting for recharge projects, codify long-standing CEQA exemptions for flood diversions to recharge, and add tribal consultation and other guardrails. Water agencies and local districts supported the measure as a way to capture high-flow water and reduce groundwater subsidence, while environmental groups and some irrigation districts opposed it, warning that the bill’s exemptions and broader diversion authority could harm rivers, Delta resources, and public trust values. The bill was discussed but not voted on because the committee lacked a quorum at that point. The committee then took up AB 1577 on data center energy accountability, which would require monthly reporting of energy-use data and permit-related estimates of energy and water demand. The author and the Little Hoover Commission argued the bill would improve transparency, help protect ratepayers, and give regulators better information for grid planning. Data center industry representatives opposed it as duplicative, burdensome, and uniquely targeted, while local governments, environmental groups, and some utilities supported it or supported it if amended. The bill was later reported out with a due pass recommendation once a quorum was established. Members also heard AB 2245 on a producer responsibility program for lubricant products and containers, AB 2170 on CEQA language-access and environmental review protections for overburdened communities, AB 2059 on rural transportation and VMT mitigation, AB 1808 on Western Joshua tree permitting and fee relief, AB 2182 on industrial energy efficiency program changes, and AB 2231 on streamlining two hospital projects. Testimony was mixed on most of these bills: supporters emphasized affordability, local control, environmental justice, or project urgency, while opponents raised concerns about CEQA scope, regulatory duplication, costs, and environmental impacts. Several measures received due pass recommendations and roll-call votes, including AB 2170, AB 2059, AB 1808, AB 2182, and AB 2231, with some members voting no or not voting and some bills left open for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Amazon to build 235 megawatt nuclear Amazon to build 235 megawatt nuclear small<00:58:53.200><c>
• <01:12:51.679><c> resour</c><01:12:52.120><c> Advanced</c><01:12:52.440><c> nuclear</c> nuclear resour
• Advanced nuclear nuclear resour Advanced nuclear resources<01:12:53.480><c> up</c><01:12:53.679><c>
• </c> putting our thumb on on uh small nuclear putting our thumb on on uh small nuclear reactors<02:55
• I'm sure many of you already know this because you probably read nuclear news and Nuclear News Daily

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on to North Korea, nuclear, the nuclear arsenal there continues to advance unchecked.
• Nuclear deterrence must be the foundation for any defense strategy.
• Let's talk about the threat of a nuclear Iran.
• Tolerate a nuclear Iran and hope to contain it. Use military force to stop Iran from going nuclear.
• the… large majority of nuclear material in our arsenal.

Committee: Senate Subcommittee on Personnel

Keywords: defense, geopolitical tensions, military readiness, China, Russia, U.S. military, Indo-Pacific, alliance, procurement

Summary: The meeting focused on critical defense and security matters, particularly concerning the ongoing geopolitical tensions involving China and Russia. There were discussions surrounding U.S. military readiness, with significant emphasis on the potential threats posed by China in the Indo-Pacific region. Members expressed concerns about America's military capabilities in relation to the growing Chinese fleet and the importance of maintaining strong alliances with nations like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Additionally, the notion of prioritizing the defense industrial base was highlighted, emphasizing the need for effective procurement and modernization efforts to counter adversarial threats. Furthermore, notable commentary included a reference to President Zelensky's remarks regarding peace negotiations with Ukraine, expressing a willingness for further cooperation with the U.S.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> thought they didn't exist for nuclear. thought they didn't exist for nuclear.
• </c> um it's a you know we have a nuclear um it's a you know we have a nuclear power<00:33:40.880><c>
• I don't have any issue with the nuclear part, with including small nuclear.
• It's for one year. large and small nuclear. I I don't have large and small nuclear.
• with the nuclear part with including<00:35:47.680><c> small</c><00:35:48.359><c> nuclear.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:06:04.319><c> technology</c> open to any type of nuclear technology open to any type of nuclear
• </c> intention was just to include nuclear intention was just to include nuclear under<00:09:55.839><
• Her intent was to add nuclear to that portion so nuclear would be included for investors to see.
• </c> nuclear to that portion so we so nuclear nuclear to that portion so we so nuclear would<00:14:06.360
• </c> nuclear being in the mix small nuclear nuclear being in the mix small nuclear is<00:22:25.200><c

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• Development Authority. do not have current nuclear generation do not have current nuclear generation
• </c><00:31:42.960><c> uh</c><00:31:43.519><c> site</c> creates a nuclear ready uh site creates a nuclear
• </c> substantial investment in nuclear. substantial investment in nuclear.
• And so the project in early nuclear.
• So, um I nuclear energy really is."

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 11, a proposal to create a matching-grant program for neighborhood storm shelters in rural Kentucky. Sponsor Steve Meredith and supporters from the Kentucky League of Cities and the City of Morgantown said the idea was to use FEMA-style funding to help residents who live far from community shelters, noting that in some rural counties it can take 30 to 45 minutes to reach a shelter during severe weather. The committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill 11-0, with no nay votes. The committee then considered Senate Bill 41, which would require a ballot referendum whenever a taxing entity raises property taxes more than 4 percent, rather than relying on the current petition process. Sponsor Gary Boswell said the bill would give taxpayers more direct control and argued that local governments should simply avoid raising taxes above the threshold. Superintendents from Rockcastle and Casey counties opposed the bill, saying it would weaken local control, add election costs, delay budgets, and make it harder for school districts to keep up with inflation, insurance, transportation, and construction costs. After debate, the committee passed the bill 7-3 with favorable expression. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 59, which would add criminal penalties to KRS 65.013, the law barring public funds from being used to advocate for or against ballot questions. Sponsor Steve Rawlings said the measure was prompted by reports of school officials using public resources to oppose a 2024 ballot issue and argued the law needs real enforcement to protect taxpayers and election integrity. Members raised concerns about First Amendment issues and the bill’s gray areas, especially for public employees speaking on their own time; Rawlings said the substitute removed volunteer references, allowed balanced issue debates, and clarified that employees acting on their own time and resources would not be prohibited. The committee passed the bill 8-3 with favorable expression. The committee also began hearing Senate Bill 57, as substituted, from Senator Danny Carroll. The bill would create a nuclear-ready site readiness pilot program under the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority, with up to three projects receiving up to $25 million each to help cover early site permitting and related licensing costs. Carroll, along with witnesses from the UK Center for Applied Energy Research and the Public Service Commission, said the goal is to build a nuclear energy ecosystem in Kentucky, with safeguards including surety bonds, deadlines, and cost-recovery provisions. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• ; but the the nuclear &gt;&gt; but the the nuclear &gt;&gt; the<00:43:43.920><c> nuclear</c><00:43:44.319
• gt; the nuclear the nuclear the present &gt;&gt; the nuclear the nuclear the present technology technology
• nuclear at all.
• </c> or nuclear or nuclear uh<01:26:45.360><c> etc.
• </c> other than nuclear and natural gas. other than nuclear and natural gas.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• Furthermore, Iran's nuclear program continues apace.
• the capabilities to threaten nuclear war in a conflict.
• not authorized the nuclear weapons program that he suspended in 2003.
• North Korea is probably prepared to conduct another nuclear test on short notice.
• s nuclear arsenal. American umbrella of protection.

Committee: Senate Intelligence (Select) Committee

Keywords: national security, cyber threats, civil liberties, transnational crime, FISA Section 702, public-private partnership, intelligence community, Annual Threats Hearing

Summary: The Senate Intelligence Committee convened for a significant meeting focused on the Annual Worldwide Threats Hearing. Prominent officials from various intelligence agencies presented their insights on emerging national security threats, including concerns over increasing cyber threats, particularly from China and non-state actors. A major discussion point included the balance between national security and civil liberties, as evidenced by conversations surrounding Section 702 of FISA and its implications for privacy protection. The challenges posed by cartels and transnational criminal organizations, especially related to narcotics trafficking, were emphasized as pressing issues necessitating coordinated responses from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. This meeting underscored the necessity of public-private partnerships to tackle these multifaceted threats effectively.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a lot of work being done around things like small modular nuclear.
• address the nuclear waste discussion.
• address the nuclear waste discussion.
• we have to address even consider nuclear we have to address the<00:10:53.720><c> nuclear</c><00:10:54.160
• address the nuclear waste discussion.

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So, yes, you've heard about nuclear energy, and Energy Northwest is a nuclear energy developer.
• So like nuclear and hydrogen?
• Nuclear energy falls into that category.
• Nuclear power plants can last up to about 100 years.
• We do know that nuclear waste is being stored in storage casks around the sites of nuclear plants.

Bills: HB2103 , HB2388 , HB2316 , HB2006 , HB2224

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: renewable energy, nonemitting generation, public entities, contracting, electric generation, distributed energy, agricultural land, energy generation, renewable resources, siting regulations, land use, urban development, vegetation management, shrubsteppe, environmental regulation, economic development, sales tax, rural counties, industrial land banks, growth management

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> things. uh end the dematorium on nuclear things. uh end the dematorium on nuclear energy<00:07:39.919
• And when it comes to nuclear energy.
• c> cash</c> tax on nuclear energy and nuclear cash tax on nuclear energy and nuclear cash storage<00:
• </c><00:10:29.040><c> energy,</c> bounds when it comes to nuclear energy, bounds when it comes to nuclear
• Now nuclear is an interesting discussion, but if you talk nuclear and cost effective in the same sentence