Video & Transcript : 'Texas electric grid' :
Page 90 of 477
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Mar 1st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker and gentlemen, so they could be interconnected, or they could be off-grid as well.
- , which was Kit Carson Rural Electric Co-op.
- one of my co-ops does not participate in being able to sell the energy back into the grid.
- I still have to spend the money to be on the grid also if I want electricity 24/7.
- Arizona and Texas. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Jan 15th, 2026
Utilities and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- Dynamic pricing encourages customers to use electricity Dynamic pricing encourages customers to use electricity
- Shifting usage to times when electricity is more abundant can help reduce electric grid costs and provide
- Dynamic pricing requires modern electrical meters, which 710 addresses by requiring utilities Modern
- over to when the electricity is abundant, shift them away from when it's scarce.
- grid by 2045.
Committee:
House Utilities and Energy
PA
Transcript Highlights:
- on our grid.
- , build their own electricity, that is, bring it themselves, or pay for their infrastructure costs.
- So instead what we have are hyperscale data centers buying our electricity right out from underneath
- us, which is the number one reason why your electricity bills have gone through the roof.
- bills, and I will come to this podium every single day and talk about affordability and electricity
Summary:
The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, welcomed numerous guests and interns to the chamber, and established a quorum with 202 members voting on the master roll call. The House then received committee reports on several bills and a resolution, including measures from Consumer Protection, Finance, Communications and Technology, Rules, and Appropriations, and agreed to the reports. House Bill 1877 was reported as passed by the Senate without amendment and was signed by the Speaker for presentation to the Governor.
The chamber adopted House Resolution 363, as amended, directing the Joint State Government Commission to study Pennsylvania’s early childhood education system, including the role of public and private equity in child care and recommendations to improve access and affordability. The House also advanced several bills on final passage, including House Bills 2551, 75, 76, 426, 1127, 2234, and 1585. These measures addressed issues such as banning government text-message collection of fees and tolls, medical licensing for physician assistants and physicians, native habitats at Commonwealth facilities, joining the dental and dental hygienist compact, a spent grain donation tax credit, and restrictions on mugshot removal fees. Most passed with broad support, though House Bill 1127 drew opposition over concerns about licensing standards and the compact structure.
Members also considered House Bill 2650, creating the Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development Certification for data centers, and House Bill 2496, establishing a temporary pause on data center proposals while local ordinances are reviewed. Both bills were amended several times. Debate on HB 2650 focused on data center impacts on electricity costs, water use, noise, community benefit agreements, and farmland protection; one farmland-protection amendment was tabled, while other amendments on closed-loop cooling and enforceable local criteria were adopted. Debate on HB 2496 centered on preserving local control and home rule authority for municipalities, with amendments clarifying that local governments could continue curative amendment procedures and retain zoning powers. The House agreed to both bills as amended.
The House also re-reported several bills from Appropriations and Rules, reconsidered and re-accepted a prior committee report on House Bill 2359, and announced caucus and committee meetings. At the end of the session, the House moved several bills to Appropriations, removed Senate Bill 1058 from the table calendar to the active calendar, and adjourned until Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 11 a.m., unless recalled sooner.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- flooding like we just saw on the South Shore last week or the heartbreaking scenes we've seen out of Texas
- In Texas, the severe flooding of an entire community resulted in the loss of dozens of lives.
- As a nation, we need to learn from the lessons of the recent devastating flash flood tragedy in Texas
- and not be a drain on the surrounding grid?
- I'm sure everyone has seen the horrific news out of Texas and New Jersey and New York.
Summary:
The hearing focused on the Healey-Driscoll administration’s Mass Ready Act, a $3 billion environmental bond bill. Administration officials said the bill would fund climate resilience, clean water, land conservation, parks, PFAS remediation, food security infrastructure, and coastal and inland flood protection, while also streamlining permitting for housing, restoration, and other resilience projects. They emphasized that the bond authorizes spending but does not itself obligate it, and said the proposal includes deauthorizations as housekeeping. Committee members asked about the new Resilience Revolving Fund, flood and drought management, MVP funding, land acquisition, Chapter 61 right-of-first-refusal changes, salt marsh carbon sequestration, and how the bill would help smaller municipalities and offset expected federal funding losses. Officials said the revolving fund would be managed through EEA and the Clean Water Trust, with criteria aimed at directing aid to communities most in need, and noted that drought issues would continue to be handled through existing DEP and drought commission tools.
Several committee members and witnesses discussed specific policy provisions, including flood disclosure requirements for homebuyers and renters, expanded authority for regional planning and small-town access to grants, and permitting reforms that would exempt or expedite certain environmental restoration and priority housing projects from more time-consuming review processes. Administration witnesses defended the reforms as a way to achieve the same environmental outcomes faster and with more certainty, while some advocates argued the bill should go further, especially on Chapter 91 and restoration permitting. The administration also described investments in DCR facilities, water and wastewater systems, open space, agricultural easements, and a new focus on blue carbon and salt marsh restoration.
Public testimony largely supported the bill. Mass Audubon, the Trustees of Reservations, the Environmental League of Massachusetts, The Nature Conservancy, MAPC, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, municipal officials, and others praised the bill’s resilience, conservation, and water infrastructure investments. Some witnesses urged additional funding for land protection, coastal resilience, buyouts, and restoration, and several called for stronger or simpler permitting reforms. Municipal witnesses from Boston, Beckett, Beverly, Conway, and regional planning organizations stressed the need for flexible financing, especially for small and rural communities facing costly infrastructure and climate adaptation projects. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the committee heard testimony and asked questions before moving on to additional panels.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm Brent Carlton, Executive Director of the Texas Medical Board.
- They have no authority over the Texas Medical Board.
- In Texas or in the nation? In Texas, the starting salary is what, 102?
- I mentioned Texas State Technical College.
- an array of settings across Texas.
Committee:
Senate Finance
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing BR Sub. on Econ. Dev., Public Protection, Tourism, and Energy (2-12-25) - Reupload
Transcript Highlights:
- Kentucky State Parks owns the primary electrical infrastructure of 14 parks.
- This adds to the priority of upgrading our electrical infrastructure.
- </c><00:37:16.440><c> systems</c> reliably support the electrical systems reliably support the electrical
- the grid resiliency grant at Kentucky Dam Village and Ken Lake State Resort Parks.
- projects that coincide with electrical projects that coincide with the<00:48:20.559><c> grid</c><00:
Keywords:
Reuploaded to restore full meeting
00:13 Call to Order and Roll Call
01:14 Approval of Minutes
01:40 Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet
27:44 Department of Parks
59:23 Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met for its second Budget Review on Economic Development, Public Protection, Tourism, and Energy and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. Members then heard a presentation from the Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet and the Kentucky Department of Tourism on the 1% tourism marketing fund. Witnesses explained that the fund supports statewide tourism promotion, advertising, research, regional marketing, and matching grants to local tourism commissions, and that it cannot be used for capital construction. They reported that the General Assembly and governor increased appropriations in the 2024 session, adding $3 million in FY25 and $7 million in FY26, and set aside funding for the Kentucky Mountain Regional Recreation Authority, the National Quilt Museum, and the Southern Kentucky Tourism Initiative.
Tourism officials emphasized that Kentucky tourism is a major economic driver, citing 2023 figures of $13.8 billion in economic impact, 79.3 million visitors, $9.7 billion in direct spending, more than 95,000 jobs supported, and nearly $1 billion in state and local tax revenue. They said the department now uses targeted digital and over-the-top advertising in selected domestic and international markets, with 62% of media placements digital and 80% of the budget spent out of state. Members asked about market selection, how the department measures return on investment, and what attracts visitors from places such as Dallas, Orlando, Toronto, and Washington, D.C.; officials said research shows a mix of family visits, outdoor recreation, and varied Kentucky offerings, and that 81% of overnight visitors are repeat visitors. They also discussed the potential impact of tariffs and trade tensions on bourbon-related tourism and international visitation, especially from Canada, and officials said they were monitoring the situation with U.S. Travel Association and Brand USA.
The committee then heard from Kentucky State Parks officials on capital projects funded through HJR 76, HJR 56, and House Bill 6. They said they are providing quarterly project reports and have been meeting regularly with the Finance Cabinet’s engineering and contract staff. The presentation focused on campground utilities, broadband, and structural upgrades, including $40 million for campground improvements across the park system, with completed bathhouse renovations at Barren River and Nolin Lake and additional projects underway or in planning. Officials said the work is based on camper survey feedback, such as requests for better Wi-Fi, sewer and electric upgrades, frost-free spigots, and improved site layouts, and noted that the My Old Kentucky Home campground project is under construction and expected to be completed by spring 2026.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Feb 12th, 2026 at 08:33 am
House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- We are building electric houses. We're plugging electric cars in them.
- We are putting electric everything into them.
- If you lose a co-op within a grid, you have a real problem within your grid.
- Electricity available? How do we keep that constant, reliable source of electricity?
- also in the Socorro Electric, and then Hamas.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:09:48.880><c> electric</c> meter at every electrical electric meter at every electrical electric
- </c> people to purchase electric vehicles. people to purchase electric vehicles.
- </c> buildings we put in electric charger. buildings we put in electric charger.
- ><c> having</c><01:16:18.400><c> electricity</c> with electricity and having electricity with electricity
- </c><01:18:28.640><c> when</c><01:18:28.880><c> we</c> the electricity back to the grid when we the electricity
Committee:
Senate Transportation
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Standing Committee on Finance and Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation - 06/02/26
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, we are trying to get our infrastructure at state parks off the grid.
- It doesn't generate a lot of electricity, and that's my concern.
- But we do want to make a commitment to get more of our electricity needs not from the grid, but from
- So none of these projects are actually being just pumped back into the grid.
- They're actually supplying energy exclusively, or are they just going into the grid?
Summary:
The joint meeting of the Senate Finance Committee and the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks, and Recreation considered Governor Hochul’s nomination of Kathleen “Kathy” Moser to serve as Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. Moser described her background in conservation and public lands, and said her priorities would include improving access and belonging for all New Yorkers, maintaining health and safety, modernizing infrastructure, addressing climate change and sustainability, and strengthening partnerships with local governments, community groups, and the Legislature.
Members questioned her on a range of park issues, including visitor fees, safety at swimming areas such as Lake Welch, security measures at parks, access for urban residents through nature buses and school transportation grants, maintenance and capital needs, event permitting, workforce recruitment and retention, and coordination around the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Moser said the department has targeted capital and safety investments at popular parks, is installing fencing, lighting, cameras, and license plate readers at entrances at selected sites, and is planning extensive 250th commemoration programming and historic-site renovations.
She also discussed efforts to expand community stewardship, including partner groups, culturally specific amenities like cricket fields, and outreach through traveling exhibits and social media. Senators raised concerns and suggestions about renewable energy siting, cell service in rural areas, invasive species prevention, and local infrastructure needs. After questioning concluded, the committees voted to advance the nomination, and the motion was reported to the Senate floor.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session - Session 2 - 40th Legislative Day Jun 24th, 2026
Delaware Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Back-feeding into the grid raised a number of safety and capacity concerns by the utilities.
- Another issue arose regarding how excess generation from a balcony solar system flowing into the grid
- So if excess energy is flowing back into the grid from the balcony solar system, it could be registered
- This lets... ...grid, they need to enter into an interconnection agreement with the utility.
- In addition, they point out that there's no current National Electric Code provisions certifying the
Summary:
The Senate received a large number of House communications and committee reports, including several nominations and many bills and resolutions returned from House committees or passed by the House. Committee reports covered a wide range of topics, including education, health, judiciary, finance, housing, transportation, emergency management, and business/technology. The Senate also assigned several measures to committees for further consideration and noted upcoming committee meetings.
The chamber confirmed three nominations by roll call: Michael T. Scuse to the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission, J. Eric Firewold to the University of Delaware Board of Trustees, and Joan F. Coker to the University of Delaware Board of Trustees. The Senate also passed Consent Calendar 66, which included Senate Concurrent Resolution 223 on DIA broadcast access for playoff and championship games and House Concurrent Resolution 149 designating June 12, 2026, as Loving Day in Delaware. Members discussed Loving Day and the importance of recognizing interracial marriage rights, with Senator Huxstable, Senator Buckson, and Senator Townsend offering remarks.
On the floor, the Senate passed House Bill 141, requiring a firearm responsibilities notice for gun purchasers, after debate over gun safety and industry burden; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 200, as amended, expanding insurance coverage for HIV prevention medications PrEP and PEP; House Bill 426, modernizing municipal street-aid reporting; and Senate Resolution 21, directing a study of portable solar generation devices and related safety and utility issues. The Senate also passed Consent Agenda O, a large package of bills covering topics such as money transmission and stablecoins, nursing advancement, pilot licenses, commerce and trade, subaqueous lands, driver’s license loss due to medical issues, residential speed limits, electronic bidding, family court jurisdiction, agency regulations, technical corrections to multiple local charters, and other measures. The Senate then recessed until June 25, 2026.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Jan 15th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Dynamic pricing encourages customers to use electricity Dynamic pricing encourages customers to use electricity
- Shifting usage to times when electricity is more abundant can help reduce electric grid costs and provide
- electrical meters, which AB 710 addresses by requiring utilities across California to develop plans
- over to when the electricity is abundant, shift them away from when it's scarce.
- grid by 2045.
Summary:
The committee first heard AB 710, which would expand dynamic pricing and time-of-use electricity rates and require utilities to develop plans for advanced metering infrastructure so more customers can participate. The author and supporters said the bill would encourage load shifting to times when electricity is cheaper and cleaner, reduce curtailment of renewable energy, and help address affordability. PG&E and SDG&E opposed the bill as drafted, arguing the deadlines were premature, could disrupt ongoing CPUC rate proceedings and pilot programs, and might force costly changes before results are known; Golden State Power Cooperative was neutral and flagged a technical issue. After questions and discussion about timing and scope, the committee passed AB 710 on an 11-0 vote and also approved the consent calendar 15-0.
The committee then held its first 2026 oversight hearing on implementation of the California Transmission Accelerator created by SB 254. GoBiz, IBank, CAISO, and the Department of Finance outlined the new program’s structure: GoBiz’s energy unit will coordinate the accelerator, IBank will evaluate and finance eligible projects, CAISO’s transmission planning and competitive solicitation process will identify projects, and the tax credit will provide an additional incentive for developers. Administration witnesses said trailer bill language and about 10 limited-term positions are being proposed to clarify roles, protect confidential information, and support the revolving fund, with roughly $26 million in administrative costs over five years.
Committee members focused on coordination among agencies, supply-chain risks, regional market planning, and whether the accelerator has enough authority to move projects quickly. CAISO said its planning and competitive procurement processes already align closely with the accelerator and that no tariff changes are expected, while GoBiz and IBank said they are still developing financing strategies and learning from other states. Public commenters supported faster transmission but urged the committee to preserve the role of competitive developers, clarify ownership and risk allocation, and ensure wildfire safety and accountability. The hearing ended with no formal action beyond receiving testimony and committing to continued oversight.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (02/17/2026)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- where we're going to need additional electricity and how much electricity by when.
- </c><00:37:23.119><c> by</c> electricity and how much electricity by electricity and how much electricity
- I think this bill, by creating another class, is a mistake. grid and the operative thing to me is grid
- ser electric service default electric ser electric service procurement<01:44:51.760><c> and</c><01:44
- </c> though you chose to buy your electricity though you chose to buy your electricity from<01:49:13.199
Committee:
House Science, Technology and Energy
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- previously provided for the distributed energy backup assets program to be used for the demand-side grid
- Center, expressing support and gratitude for SB 168 that shifts the DIBA funding to the demand-side grid
- Christine Smith, Health, Texas, California.
- Earthjustice, here in deep gratitude for the support of the H-BIT funding, investing not only in electric
- We appreciate the Legislature's transferring funds to DSGS from the distributed electricity backup ASICs
Committee:
House Budget
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 2nd, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It relies on electric vehicle vertical takeoff and landing.
- Unlocking their ability to reduce energy costs and enhance grid reliability.
- I might add that with the development and the promotion of electric bicycles.
- Assembly Bill by Assemblymember Schultz and others, an act relating to electricity.
- AB 1408 by Assemblymember Irwin, an act relating to electricity.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Finance and Taxation Apr 15th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Finance and Taxation
Transcript Highlights:
- The original statute required that 75% of the gas from the well be used for electric generation.
- The original statute required that 75% of the gas from the well be used for electric generation.
- generation on site so we can relieve some stress on the grid.
- Specifically about the gas used for electric generation, prime power on site, exempt from tax, but what
- We have four assets: Williston Basin, Anadarko Basin in Oklahoma, Permian Basin in Texas, and then Wyoming
Committee:
House Finance and Taxation
Summary:
The Finance and Tax Committee met to consider Senate Bill 2397 and a proposed amendment creating a development incentive well program for North Dakota oil and gas production. Representative Dockter explained the amendment as a way to encourage exploratory and innovative drilling in light of the state’s financial outlook and the growing share of stripper wells. Department of Mineral Resources Director Nathan Anderson and DMR geologist Timothy Nashim presented background on the Bakken and Three Forks formations, with Nashim describing research showing that Middle Three Forks second-bench development can add reserves in some areas but not others, and that roughly 600 additional wells in the strongest area could yield about 250 million barrels of oil.
Continental Resources representatives William Houser and John Argo supported the amendment. They said the bill would give a temporary oil extraction tax exemption for certified development incentive wells, limited to 36 months or 300,000 barrels, and would also update tax treatment for gas used in enhanced oil recovery and on-site electric generation. They argued the measure would encourage new technology and testing in existing spacing units, complementing House Bill 1483, which they said focused on geographic expansion into non-Bakken and non-Three Forks areas. Argo said Continental still invests heavily in North Dakota but is shifting rigs elsewhere because of economics, and he urged incentives to spur exploration and preserve the basin’s long-term future.
North Dakota Petroleum Council executive director Ron Ness also supported the concept, calling it a targeted, low-risk way to encourage innovation and future barrels. Committee members asked about royalty treatment, the difference from House Bill 1483, pressure maintenance, and how the program would be administered. DMR said the amendment should clarify that the operator bears the burden of proving a well qualifies and that only one incentive well per stratigraphic interval should be certified. No vote was taken; the committee paused to work on revised language and indicated the bill would likely need further adjustment, possibly in conference committee.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee May 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Several have been ignited by electric utility infrastructure, as everybody knows.
- Does that necessitate revisiting aspects of the economic regulation of electric IOUs?
- Option 3.1.1 contemplates establishing a state insurer for electric utility payments.
- These electric companies that keep burning down our communities.
- Roughly 17% of California's electricity bills go to wildfire-related costs.
Summary:
The hearing focused on the SB 254 Natural Catastrophe Resiliency Study and its recommendations for addressing California’s wildfire risk, utility liability, and the financing of catastrophic losses. Committee members and presenters discussed the history of the wildfire fund created after the 2018 fire crisis and PG&E bankruptcy, the role of the California Earthquake Authority as fund administrator, and the report’s three broad policy pathways: continuing mitigation investments, more equitably allocating catastrophe costs, and considering expanded state involvement in catastrophe financing. Presenters emphasized that the report was intended as a neutral, stakeholder-informed analysis rather than an advocacy document, and that the status quo is not working well for survivors, ratepayers, insurers, or utilities.
CEA, CPUC, and the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety each described their contributions and recommendations. CEA outlined options such as risk-tolerance standards for utilities, preserving safety certificate accountability, tying executive compensation more directly to safety, confidential near-miss reporting, liability reforms, and a fast-pay facility for survivors. CPUC stressed that wildfire mitigation and liability costs are a major driver of electricity affordability problems, and said the state should broaden how wildfire recovery and mitigation are funded beyond ratepayers alone. Energy Safety highlighted its wildfire mitigation plan oversight and recommended stronger safety reporting and stronger safety weighting in utility executive compensation.
The modeling portion of the report estimated that a more durable wildfire fund could require about $36 billion in capitalization, with lower initial capital needs if risk transfer or liability reforms are used, but potentially higher ongoing premium or assessment costs. The report also examined state-backed insurer or backstop models, post-event funding mechanisms, and targeted community wildfire mitigation, which could reduce overall funding needs. Members raised concerns about the cost burden on ratepayers, the financial stability of utilities, the fairness of asking communities outside high-risk areas to pay, the role of local governments and home hardening, and whether broader climate-related liability or insurance reforms should be considered. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with plans for further committee hearings and stakeholder discussion.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (01/15/2026)
Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- We know that some of our electrical equipment that we import has kill switches in it.
- ><c> we</c><00:28:36.159><c> import</c><00:28:36.960><c> has</c> electrical equipment that we import
- has electrical equipment that we import has kill<00:28:37.520><c> switches</c><00:28:37.919><c> in</c
- </c> it'll fly a grid and survey that grid it'll fly a grid and survey that grid and<00:42:43.440><c>
- In addition to Texas, Utah has products.
Committee:
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, April 21, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The gentleman from Texas is recognized.
- </c> The gentleman from Texas is recognized. The gentleman from Texas is recognized.
- The gentleman from Texas is recognized.
- </c> understand that my colleague from Texas understand that my colleague from Texas opposes<03:04:25.520
- The gentleman from Texas yields.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 3/25/26
Transportation Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- These are electric motorcycles.
- That's something over 1,500 watts of electric motor power.
- <00:13:35.120><c> of</c> That's something over 1500 watts of That's something over 1500 watts of electric
- </c><00:13:37.279><c> That's</c> electric motor power. That's electric motor power.
- >> Representative Depel, if it is any electric motorcycle and falls into that category, then yes, that
Committee:
House Transportation Finance and Policy
Keywords:
transportation, tow trucks, variable message signs, road safety, emergency service, optometrist, window glazing, motor vehicle regulations, medical prescriptions, transportation safety, infrastructure, construction, appropriation, state project, motorized bicycles, motorcycles, electric vehicles, transportation regulations, safety standards, dealer license
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
CPC Public Hearing - Thu Feb 26, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Consumer Protection & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- Seeing none, moving on to the next measure, HB 1619 HD2 relating to electric vehicle infrastructure.
- </c><00:46:51.200><c> vehicle</c> HD2 relating to electric vehicle HD2 relating to electric vehicle infrastructure
- Other states, including California and Texas, already allow participation for the full five-year J-1
- , already allow participation for Texas, already allow participation for the<01:58:45.679><c> full</c
- </c> to electric vehicle infrastructure. to electric vehicle infrastructure.
Bills:
HB1946 , HB1515 , HB1514 , HB1648 , HB1644 , HB1619 , HB1571 , HB1810 , HB2475 , HB1645 , HB2301 , HB1889 , HB1840
Committee:
House Consumer Protection & Commerce
Keywords:
time shares, registration, renewal, real estate, Hawaii, Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, workers' compensation, functional capacity examination, occupational therapy, physical therapy, employer responsibilities, injured workers, medical stabilization, vocational rehabilitation, injury recovery, employment services, return to work, nonprescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, healthcare providers
Summary:
The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on February 26, 2026, and heard several bills, mostly in the areas of workers’ compensation and consumer protection. HB 1946 HD1 on timeshare registration renewal drew support from DCCA’s timeshare program and major industry groups including Hilton Grand Vacations, the American Resort Development Association, and Marriott Vacations Worldwide, with no opposition noted. HB 1515 HD1, which would allow an attending physician to request a functional capacity examination without employer permission, was supported by DLIR and the Department of Human Resources Development and had no other in-person testimony; the bill was then moved on without questions.
The committee spent substantial time on HB 1514 HD1, which would streamline workers’ compensation vocational rehabilitation by clarifying provider selection and requiring vocational plans within 90 days. DLIR supported the intent but asked for amendments, saying the 90-day deadline was too rigid given case-by-case complexity, limited staffing, and the need for coordination among injured workers, employers, and counselors; members discussed possible extensions and whether a 120-day timeline or other flexibility would be better. Testimony on the bill included one individual in support and seven in opposition.
HB 1648 HD1, concerning workers’ compensation and physician dispensing of non-prescription drugs, drew support from DHRD and comments from DLIR and industry witnesses. DLIR said the bill should be narrowed so it does not restrict medically necessary over-the-counter medications or oral guidance from providers, while Aloha Billing Company and Solera Integrated Medical Solutions urged tighter limits on physician dispensing and raised concerns about pricing abuse through average wholesale price. Members discussed clarifying the bill’s language so it targets written prescriptions rather than oral advice. HB 1644 HD1, requiring a standardized disclosure form for residential solar contracts, received support from the Hawaii Solar Energy Association and Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative, while DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection supported the consumer-protection goal but proposed stronger remedies, including a three-day cancellation right, voidability for missing disclosures, and possible lender liability; members questioned how those remedies should apply to lenders, and no vote was taken on the measures in the portion provided.