Transcript Highlights:

• Um, weather is going to be an issue. We're going to do the best we can. 10 excellent projects.
• <00:02:58.319> Um<00:02:58.879> weather<00:02:59.200> is committees.
• Um weather is committees. Uh certainly.
• Um weather is going<00:02:59.519> to<00:02:59.599> be<00:02:59.680> an<00:02:59.920
• So, uh, we're going to plan on Monday roads being clear, but with the possibility of weather issues,

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, January 23, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate held a brief pro forma session with a quorum call and routine procedural business. The chamber received a letter from the General Assembly Compensation Commission transmitting its 14th quadrennial report on legislative compensation and allowances, which was journalized. Senators also introduced Senate Bill 328, concerning property tax credits for disabled or fallen public safety officers, and several bond initiative items, including projects such as the Carroll County Youth Services Bureau, Cromwell Valley Elementary Playground, and Holland Hills Park; these were referred to the appropriate committees or the capital budget subcommittee. No substantive debate or votes occurred. Members shared announcements about delegation meetings, including the Eastern Shore delegation’s presentations from Congressman Andy Harris, MACo, and the Maryland Municipal League, and a mention of Western Maryland organizing activity. Leadership also noted that weather could affect the next meeting and advised members to check the website and watch for email updates. The Senate then adjourned, on motion of the majority leader, until Monday, January 26th, with the exact meeting time to be confirmed on the website.

Transcript Highlights:

• Energy Assistance Program, the Community Services Block Grant, and the Department of Energy's Weatherization
• LIHEAP avails specific forms of assistance to individuals during... a disaster such as an extreme weather
• For example, with the LIHEAP program and home weatherization services, some of these homes need extensive
• The second is through our weatherization services, where we provide energy efficiency upgrades at no
• The weatherization services we provide are a critical resource for improving their health.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And basically what that it does is allows loans for weather-related incidents. for the salary and wages
• And basically what that it does is allows loans for weather-related incidents.
• What that it does is allow loans for weather-related incidents and economic hardships.
• Well, we are going to become a shipper, is what it will be. weather-related and or economic hardship
• We used it kind of for weather-related, the flooding up in East Fairview up there and probably other

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2014, the budget for the Industrial Commission, with Representative Kempenich walking through the agency’s major components: the administrative office, Bank of North Dakota, housing finance, Department of Mineral Resources, and the State Mill and Elevator. He described mostly special-fund operations, including bond payments, economic development programs, the rail loan program, the Rebuilder’s Loan Program, housing incentive funding, abandoned well reclamation work, lignite research, litigation reserves, and a capacity purchase arrangement for a future natural gas pipeline. He also explained several one-time funding items, such as grid resiliency grants, housing-related transfers from the Strategic Investment Fund, and enhanced oil recovery funding repurposed from a prior salt cavern study. Members asked about the reduction in housing incentive funding from the Senate version, the use of one-time Strategic Investment Fund dollars for ongoing housing programs, and whether a trigger should be added to increase housing funding later. Kempenich said no trigger was discussed and emphasized that housing needs vary widely across the state. Another exchange focused on the enhanced oil recovery grant program, which he said would be driven largely by the Energy and Environmental Research Center and would use repurposed funds. A longer discussion covered the natural gas pipeline capacity purchase, including its purpose, possible routes, and the idea that the state would be buying capacity rather than immediately building a pipeline. The committee adopted Amendment 25.0181.0207 on a 21-1 vote, with one member absent and not voting. The committee then passed HB 2014 as amended on a 21-1 vote, with one member absent and not voting. Representative Kempenich was designated to carry the bill. The chair then noted this was the final budget hearing for the committee, with one bill remaining to be heard later.

Transcript Highlights:

• events things like that extreme weather events things like that you you you know<00:21:50.279> sure
• It was due to a weather pattern. This is just visibility in our class one areas.
• It was due to a weather pattern. This is just visibility in our class one areas.
• <01:14:13.760> pattern east it was due to a weather pattern east it was due to a weather pattern
• He said he is concerned about extreme weather events and the likelihood of increased precipitation in

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our folks logged over 26,000 man-hours of being out in some very unpleasant weather, as you know, to
• , out uh in some very unpleasant weather, out uh in some very unpleasant weather, as<00:12:35.760
• <00:14:04.880> Uh Do you know the number that Tennessee gives for winter weather compared
• They deal with this type of weather more often than what the state of Mississippi deals with.
• They deal with this type<00:15:08.160> of<00:15:08.240> weather<00:15:08.560> more

Keywords: Highways and Transportation - Room 216, 18 February, 2026; 10:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee heard from Brad White, head of the Mississippi Department of Transportation, as part of his confirmation process. White said the department has improved staffing and funding over the last four years, citing support from the legislature, supplemental appropriations, ARPA funds, and fuel tax adjustments. He emphasized that MDOT is still rebuilding its engineering and maintenance workforce and needs continued salary flexibility to remain competitive and respond to disasters. A major portion of the discussion focused on MDOT’s response to the recent severe ice storm. Several senators questioned whether the response was adequate and whether district lines, coordination with local governments, and emergency task-force planning should be changed. White said the storm was unusually severe, with freezing rain, flash-freeze conditions, widespread power outages, and more than 15,000 miles of highway impacted. He said MDOT crews were spread thin, but still logged more than 26,000 man-hours, worked with law enforcement and rescue units, and were aided by about 400 employees in the affected area plus 500 others from other regions. He said the department is reviewing lessons learned and expects winter-storm response to change going forward. Senators also asked about comparisons with Tennessee and whether the storm response was a funding issue. White said it was not primarily a money problem, but that Mississippi’s budget and weather patterns differ from neighboring states, making stockpiling materials less practical. He said cities and counties could help in emergencies if coordinated with MDOT, and he supported properly funding agencies such as MDOT, MEMA, the National Guard, and public safety. Another senator raised long-delayed road projects, including Highway 61 and the Port Gibson bypass, and White said the capacity program remains active and that emergency response had not stopped project work. The committee then considered several appointments to the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission and related boards. Kenneth Jeffrey Smith of Pontotoc, William J. Van Deender, and Ranatada Tracy McGawan of Jackson were each introduced, praised, and recommended by motion. The committee voted unanimously to advise and consent on each nomination, with no opposition recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• stations to better predict extreme weather conditions.
• Some of the factors that go into this analysis are historical weather and climate patterns, average weather
• weather conditions, the features of the built and natural patterns, average weather conditions, the
• For weather stations, we have a total of 39, three more planned for this year, and then another 22 to
• It was a singular weather event, Santa Ana winds blowing across the entire Southern California region

Summary: The committee first heard updates on the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) and related funding. Department of Ecology staff explained how MTCA and the hazardous substance tax support cleanup, prevention, stormwater, and local assistance programs, but said forecasted revenues have declined while appropriations and transfers have outpaced incoming funds. Ecology said the operating account will require underspending to stay balanced this biennium and that the problem is ongoing, with further reductions possible if forecasts worsen. Ecology also reviewed the state cleanup program, noting there are more than 14,500 cleanup sites in Washington and that new sites continue to be discovered faster than they are cleaned up. A question from Representative Lee raised the long-term issue of declining fossil-fuel-based revenue, and Ecology agreed that this is a future structural concern even though the current shortfall is driven more by forecasts and transfers than by fuel-use decline. The Pollution Liability Insurance Agency described its underground storage tank and heating oil programs, saying it has modernized from a reinsurance model to a financial assurance model with stronger state oversight and cleanup milestones. Russ Olson said the agency’s dedicated petroleum tax account is in strong financial condition, but emphasized the importance of preserving that funding source. He also discussed the loan and grant program for historic commercial releases and a new heating oil loan/grant program, while noting the agency is working on equity concerns where liens can be disproportionate to property values in smaller communities. Practitioners and advocates then offered differing views on MTCA’s performance: one attorney urged a collaborative review process to make cleanups faster, less expensive, and more certain, while another consultant argued the program is too conservative and process-heavy and should focus more narrowly on actual exposure and realistic cleanup standards. Environmental and community groups countered that MTCA is essential for cleanup, pollution prevention, stormwater control, and public participation, and that it is especially important for environmental justice communities such as the Duwamish Valley. Port and city representatives stressed that MTCA grants and cleanup funding are critical for large redevelopment projects, but said long timelines, permitting delays, and funding uncertainty can slow projects and jeopardize commitments. The committee then shifted to utility wildfire risk. Staff summarized recent legislation, including requirements for utility wildfire mitigation plans, creation of a wildfire mitigation standards work group, authorization for captive insurance by local governments and PUDs, securitization authority for disaster costs, and the existing wildfire response and resilience account. Chelan County PUD and Puget Sound Energy described extensive mitigation efforts such as vegetation management, grid hardening, undergrounding, AI smoke cameras, weather stations, enhanced operating settings, public safety power shutoffs, and community outreach. Both said wildfire risk is rising and insurance costs are increasing, and Chelan PUD asked the Legislature to restore funding to the wildfire response and resilience account. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner said a 2022 utility liability market study found insurance availability is tightening as perceived risk rises, and reported that a 2025 work group recommended restoring community resilience funding, requiring insurers to share wildfire risk scores and mitigation steps with property owners, and creating a grant program based on insurance industry wildfire standards. A PNNL scientist added that wildfire probability is increasing in parts of Washington and that mitigation requires long-term, landscape-scale coordination. The final speaker began describing California’s approach to wildfire risk, but the transcript cuts off before that presentation concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• targets we had a $4 million cut per biennium, and so unfortunately we had to make that cut in the weatherization
• 54.960> which<00:01:55.600> um<00:01:55.759> I<00:01:56.000> think weatherization
• program which um I think weatherization program which um I think is<00:01:56.320> an<00:01:56.560
• As Chair Aum mentioned, one of the most disappointing parts was they didn't fund the weatherization.
• Luckily, in her data uh weatherization.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been hit pretty hard this year with weather.
• <00:54:39.559> this enjoying some beautiful weather this enjoying some beautiful weather this
• So that's kind of what the bill does on those five severe weather days.
• . 9th already, you know, that's barring no more extreme weather.
• So that's kind of what the bill does on those five severe weather days.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:01:04 Attendance Roll Call: 00:01:12 Senate Bill 3 (Sen. Wise): 00:05:28 Senate Bill 6 (Sen. Givens): 00:32:17 House Bill 241 (Rep. Truett): 00:52:18 Senate Bill 268 (Sen. Reed): 01:11:57 Adjournment: 01:24:48, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Education met and first handled introductions of guests and visitors from several school districts and education groups. The committee then took up Senate Bill 3, which relates to student athletes and includes an emergency clause. The bill sponsor and invited witnesses, including athletics directors from the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville, said the measure is intended to update Kentucky’s NIL laws in light of the House v. NCAA settlement and other national changes in college athletics. Supporters said SB 3 would let Kentucky universities directly compensate student athletes, help them secure third-party NIL deals, require reporting of deals over $600, and create guardrails and fair-market-value review to reduce pay-for-play concerns. They emphasized that the bill is meant to keep Kentucky institutions competitive, align with expected national standards, and prepare for changes expected around July 1, 2025. Witnesses also discussed the need for more uniform rules nationally, the role of the Power Four conferences in developing governance and clearinghouse systems, and the desire to preserve both athlete mobility and continuity in college sports. Several members raised concerns about the transfer portal, NIL incentives, and the broader effect on college athletics, with one senator saying NIL and the portal have damaged the sport but acknowledging Kentucky must compete. Witnesses responded that tighter portal windows and clearer national rules would help, while still preserving student-athlete transfer rights when needed. After discussion, the committee moved to a vote on SB 3; the roll call was taken, and the bill advanced out of committee, with at least one senator explaining a reluctant yes vote because of competitive pressures on the Commonwealth.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:07:21.840> events infrastructure extreme weather events infrastructure extreme weather
• And I mean, they're turning down the heat in below-zero weather just to try to save money, putting blankets
• And I mean, they're turning down the heat in below-zero weather just to try to save money, putting blankets
• Senator Gruenhagen: Their heating bills, and I mean they're turning down the heat in below-zero weather
• pump marketplaces because of the weather pump marketplaces because of the weather and<00:42:33.200

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• be enough to cover the shortfalls this year or enhance the long-term health of balance sheets to weather
• Peanut farmer, tell us how peanuts have weathered this storm, because peanut prices have been pretty
• Peanuts is a lagoon that grows on the ground, so a lot of weather impact doesn't affect the peanut itself
• Like fuel and fertilizer as well as changing weather patterns in a longer and stronger hurricane season
• You know, they can't control the weather, they can't control prices, and so there is a lot of stress

Keywords: farm bill, rural economy, crop insurance, access to credit, young farmers, USDA funding freeze, agricultural policy, risk management

Summary: The meeting of the agricultural committee focused on significant concerns regarding the current state of America's rural economy, highlighting the need for a strong five-year farm bill to address the challenges faced by farmers, particularly young and beginning farmers. Key testimony was given by multiple stakeholders including agricultural leaders and young farmers, emphasizing issues related to crop insurance, access to credit, and the adverse impact of recent USDA funding freezes. Various members discussed the necessity of risk management tools that farmers rely on to secure financing, which is crucial for sustaining agricultural operations and supporting rural communities. The importance of timely legislative action was underscored, as many farmers reported struggles in the current economic climate, raising urgency for reforms within the Farm Bill framework.

Transcript Highlights:

• Weather, of course, is not unexpected or extraordinary, but it is something that this bill could help
• , sometimes metro transit even weather, sometimes metro transit even shuts<01:18:19.960> down.
• Um, we heard the Sanford also talk about um extreme weather.
• Um those situations extreme weather.
• center due to to to weather. center due to to to weather. Senator<01:26:04.480> Utke.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• first step is understanding climate risks, and that requires best available science to assess how weather
• Pierce County is a really good example: weather-related hazard risks vary considerably from the coastal
• Pierce County is a really good example, weather-related hazard risk, a really good example, weather-related
• We appreciate the auditor's focus on building energy infrastructure to withstand extreme weather now
• Washington has already experienced the impacts of extreme weather on energy infrastructure.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee I-900 Subcommittee heard JLARC’s annual update on the status of legislative implementation of State Auditor recommendations, followed by two State Auditor performance audits. JLARC staff reported that for the 2024 review period there were three new legislative recommendations and three unresolved older recommendations. They said the legislature did not convene a work group on civil asset forfeiture, and no formal action was taken on two water-use-efficiency recommendations. Two recommendations related to concurrent Medicaid enrollments were addressed in a bill introduced this session, but that bill was not adopted. The first audit examined how Washington can ensure climate-resilient electricity infrastructure. The State Auditor found the state has opportunities to better adapt new energy infrastructure by using more site-specific climate information, broader collaboration, and vulnerability assessments. The report recommended expanding climate analyses through the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group if funding is available, using forecasted information in DNR wildfire maps, designating a non-regulatory office to coordinate siting and conflict resolution, and expanding vulnerability assessments in Ecology and Commerce processes. Agency witnesses generally agreed resilience is important but emphasized existing efforts, the need to avoid duplicative requirements, the importance of affordability and efficiency, and the role of current forums such as the Clean Energy Siting Council and SEPA processes. The second audit reviewed fines for human trafficking and related sexual exploitation crimes. Auditors found courts assessed fines inconsistently, collection rates varied, some revenues were sent to the wrong local government, and some jurisdictions did not use the money as required for enforcement, prevention, or survivor services. The audit recommended courts work with prosecutors to improve awareness of mandatory fines, and that King and Pierce County improve coding, templates, and tracking so revenues are routed and used correctly. King County testified that it appreciated the audit and described its existing prevention and survivor-support work. The committee took no votes or formal actions and adjourned after the presentations and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• New Hampshire Saves, this weatherization program, helps very, very much.
• :09.440> very<00:58:09.760> very weatherization program helps very very weatherization
• We feel it's crucial the weatherization.
• The work through the weatherization The work through the weatherization assistance<01:04:47.839>
• Whether it duration weather events.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The League and cities across the state also support the change made in House File 1325 to the weather
• ensure that city services can remain operational so that the city can effectively respond during a weather
• the city can effectively respond during the city can effectively respond during a<00:13:21.199> weather
• > event<00:13:22.519> this<00:13:22.680> concludes<00:13:23.199> my a weather
• event this concludes my a weather event this concludes my testimony<00:13:24.040> thank<00:13

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 1325 and adopted the author’s A2 amendment before hearing testimony. Representative Schultz presented the bill as a set of bipartisan changes to make Minnesota’s earned sick and safe time law more workable for small businesses, public employers, and taxpayers, arguing the current law is an unfunded mandate that increases costs and property taxes. The bill’s supporters said it would add flexibility, including changes affecting coverage for certain workers, employer size thresholds, front-loading, weather-related exceptions, and a delay on penalties. Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach of the Department of Labor and Industry opposed the bill, saying it would exclude about 800,000 workers, or roughly 30% of the workforce, from earned sick and safe time protections and create confusion and enforcement problems. She also objected to the proposed penalty delay, saying the department already uses compliance assistance and needs penalty authority for serious violations. The Minnesota Chamber supported modifications to the mandate, saying businesses—especially small ones—have struggled with compliance and that the law has had unintended effects on PTO policies and leave use. The League of Minnesota Cities supported parts of the bill, especially changes affecting more generous city leave policies and weather-event exemptions, saying current language creates confusion and can interfere with emergency staffing. Opponents from Education Minnesota, SEIU Minnesota, TakeAction Minnesota, and a nurse from Unity Hospital argued the bill would strip protections from part-time workers, minors, and workers with family caregiving needs, and would weaken a law they said has helped workers avoid discipline or lost wages when sick. Supporters from counties and an HR consultant emphasized administrative burdens, emergency staffing needs during weather events, and the difficulty of applying ESS rules to existing leave policies. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the bill was laid over for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're just simply saying don't cut them off when we're having an extreme weather emergency.
• And that extreme weather would be anything that is forecasted to be above 90 degrees or anything that
• It's the forecast that's promulgated by the National Weather Service?
• What's the penalty if the weather man at the utility company gets it wrong and they do a shutoff?
• want to create some safeguards to make sure that we're not leaving New Yorkers vulnerable during weather

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications, chaired by Senator Cameron Parker, considered a large agenda focused on utility consumer protections, rate transparency, NYSERDA oversight, and energy transition policy. Several bills were discussed in detail, including measures to prohibit residential utility shutoffs during extreme temperature forecasts (Bill 120A), delay shutoffs and late fees while a utility is under certain PSC investigations (Bill 904B), require disclosure of planned rate increases (Bill 4989A), limit certain utility charges after 12 months (Bill 8710), and require utilities to disclose more information with major rate change applications (Bill 9433A). The committee also considered bills on net energy metering credits (Bill 1553), reconnection for low-income customers (Bill 965), sanctions and civil penalties (Bill 8908), and annual NYSERDA reporting obligations (Bill 1819). Members raised recurring concerns about affordability, arrears, and who ultimately bears costs when utilities are prevented from collecting immediately. Senator Walczyk repeatedly questioned whether protections would shift costs to other ratepayers, while sponsors and the chair emphasized that the bills did not erase arrears but created temporary consumer protections. Senator May noted that some proposals could produce significant savings for ratepayers. On Bill 1819, Senator Walczyk supported greater accountability for NYSERDA’s use of ratepayer-funded money. Bill 1668, which would authorize NYSERDA to administer grants for switching residents to electric heat pumps, drew questions about funding; staff said it would be funded off-budget from existing sources and would have no direct state cost, though it could require shifting existing program resources. The committee advanced most bills to third reading after motions and votes, with several measures receiving no votes but still moving forward. Bill 2477 was held for possible amendments. Bill 4989A was referred to the Consumer Protection Committee. Bill 5111, the Just Energy Transition Act, prompted extended discussion about its study timeline and a PSC order to facilitate replacement and redevelopment of at least 4 gigawatts of fossil fuel generation; the bill was advanced to third reading after debate. The meeting concluded with adjournment after the committee completed its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have a weatherization assistance program where we try our best to help weatherize homes of clients
• We also have a weatherization assistance program where we try our best to help weatherize homes of clients
• We have weatherization programs. We have mediation programs.
• We have weatherization and others as well.
• The weatherization program is a Department of Energy program.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: A joint informational briefing of the House Committee on Labor and the Senate Committee on Labor and Technology was held on August 19, 2025, to hear testimony on the Office of Community Services’ proposed Community Services Block Grant state plan for federal fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Ray Domingo of OCS explained that the plan is intended to maintain federal CSBG funding and focuses on compliance monitoring, coordination among community action agencies and state agencies, and strengthening partnerships. He also reviewed the program structure, noting that Hawaii’s four CAAs serve low-income residents, that the state must pass through at least 90% of the grant to CAAs, and that Hawaii received about $3.8 million in FFY 2025, with allocations to HCAP, Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council, Kauai Economic Opportunity, and Maui Economic Opportunity. He said statewide CAAs reported serving 40,980 individuals in FFY 2024. Representatives from each CAA testified in support of the plan and described how CSBG functions as flexible “glue” funding that supports overhead, fills gaps, and helps leverage other public and private resources. HCAP’s Robert Piper said the grant helps sustain its broad service network, including Head Start, job training, weatherization, shelter, food assistance, and energy programs, and emphasized its tripartite board structure and annual service to about 20,000 people. Hawaii County’s Chad Hosigal highlighted support for senior farmers market coupons, Meals on Wheels, and transportation services. Kauai Economic Opportunity’s Mabel Fujiuchi said the agency fully supports the plan and described CSBG as nucleus funding that helps support shelter, Meals on Wheels, weatherization, mediation, and other services, including assistance for homeless families and special needs items such as dentures and hearing aids. Maui Economic Opportunity’s Gay Sabonga described CSBG’s role in disaster response after the 2023 wildfires, including shelter transitions, document recovery, housing and utility assistance, bridge grants for small businesses, youth prevention programs, and employment services. Committee members asked about the stability of future federal funding, the frequency of federal assessments, and how satisfaction scores in the state plan were measured. OCS said federal funding information has been mixed and uncertain, that communication with federal partners has been limited and informal, and that the federal assessment website appears outdated; staff said assessments are done every two years. On the satisfaction metric, OCS said the score was 92 out of 100 and believed it reflected participant responses, though they offered to follow up with more detail. No votes or formal actions were taken at the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• while maintaining affordability and reliability, and reducing heating and cooling loads through weatherization
• Weatherization is an essential strategy in eliminating waste from the energy system during peak periods
• This bill does not fund all the weatherization Minnesota needs, but by investing in those least able
• approximately 290,000 households with incomes of 80% of the area median or below still require weatherization
• Provide weatherization services, how do you think this could impact our energy assistance needs?

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

Transcript Highlights:

• And the weather itself has become more extreme, more frequently destructive to the electric grid and
• Uh, but they're also weather supply.
• > weather<00:03:23.120> itself<00:03:23.519> has dependent. and the weather itself
• <00:04:16.560> And<00:04:16.720> this oftentimes due to the weather.
• And this oftentimes due to the weather.

Bills: HF4059, HF76

Keywords: climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, financing, sustainability, environmental policy, renewable energy, Minnesota Climate Innovation Financing Authority, earned incentive release credit, release credits, supervised release, corrections, Minnesota Department of Corrections, sentence reduction, good time, prison time, incarceration, violent offenses, murder, criminal sexual conduct, sex offenses

Transcript Highlights:

• And then coupled with that is going to be weather stations.
• So in predicting, if we know that there's going to be an extreme weather Event, our position is let's
• We are constantly monitoring weather conditions and the conditions of our system.
• We are not solely relying on weather service raw stations for weather data.
• They warm our planet and drive extreme weather. So we must decrease greenhouse gas emissions.

Transcript Highlights:

• That really, as we have a cold weather over this last week, those increases for businesses across the
• as we<00:03:48.280> have<00:03:48.400> a<00:03:48.560> cold<00:03:48.799> weather
• <00:03:49.200> over<00:03:49.439> this<00:03:49.599> last we have a cold weather
• over this last we have a cold weather over this last week<00:03:50.560> those<00:03:50.799>
• and you've got you know 30 below weather and you've got you know 110<00:48:42.240> degrees<00

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House File 9 was heard as a proposal to alter Minnesota energy policy by creating exemptions and “off-ramps” from the state’s 2023 clean energy requirements. The bill would expand hydroelectric power’s eligibility, end the moratorium on new nuclear plants, delay certain carbon-free energy compliance requirements for utilities that do not meet a retail rate benchmark, restrict demolition of fossil fuel plants under that same benchmark, support carbon capture and sequestration, and expand the sales tax exemption for residential natural gas and electricity used as primary heat year-round. The author moved the A1 amendment, which clarified that the carbon capture policy language does not create a state funding obligation; the committee took up the amendment with no discussion and proceeded to a vote, though the result was not stated in the transcript. The bill was then referred to the Committee on Taxes. The author and supporters argued the bill is needed to improve reliability and affordability, especially during extreme cold, and said current mandates are forcing coal retirements faster than replacement generation can be built. They cited MISO and NERC reliability concerns, Xcel’s proposed rate increases, and the need for an “all-of-the-above” energy approach that includes nuclear and hydro. Supporters also said the bill would help keep energy costs down for families and businesses and would allow Minnesota to use existing generation assets longer if rate targets are not met. Testimony from the Minnesota Rural Electric Association and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce supported the bill’s emphasis on reliability, affordability, nuclear power, hydroelectric power, and carbon capture. The Chamber said Minnesota’s electricity costs have become less competitive for businesses and argued that stable, affordable power is essential for economic growth and future technologies such as AI. The Minnesota Utility Investors also supported allowing new nuclear and all hydro power to be considered. In contrast, the Prairie Island Indian Community opposed lifting the nuclear moratorium without a viable long-term waste solution, describing its long history living near the Prairie Island nuclear plant and spent fuel storage and urging continued consultation on the issue. Xcel Energy said it supports low rates and sees nuclear as one option, but emphasized that any support for lifting the moratorium depends on full participation by the Prairie Island Indian Community and that decisions about retiring fossil plants should remain within the existing Public Utilities Commission resource planning process.