Transcript Highlights:

• directly with three major hyperscale companies and have built deep experience in planning for, evaluating
• built deep experience in planning have built deep experience in planning for,<00:10:08.400> evaluating
• /c><00:10:09.000> and<00:10:09.080> strategizing<00:10:09.720> around for, evaluating
• , and strategizing around for, evaluating, and strategizing around development.<00:10:11.200> While
• Those are the things that we evaluate.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:38.079> went<00:13:38.240> through third party evaluation went through third
• Let's evaluate. Do you have other options?
• <00:15:43.199> And evaluate. Do you have other options? And evaluate.
• <00:30:20.480> the exception to the cabinet to evaluate the exception to the cabinet to evaluate
• enablers because we try to evaluate enablers because we try to evaluate everything<00:53:06.400>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee received an update from Secretary Jeff Noel of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, joined by Matt Wingate and Terry Bradshaw of the Kentucky Association of Economic Developers, on the Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPDI) and the closing fund. The presentation focused on how KPDI helps communities develop shovel-ready industrial sites by funding infrastructure, engineering, geotechnical work, and other site-preparation costs. Noel emphasized that the program is designed to reduce uncertainty for companies, improve speed to market, and support statewide job creation and investment, especially in rural and eastern Kentucky where development costs are often higher. Testimony highlighted the complexity and expense of preparing sites, with examples of road, water, power, and rock-removal costs, and the importance of third-party evaluation in scoring applications. Noel said the program has 116 total projects statewide, with 20 active projects stemming from pilot efforts and 35 projects already resulting in about 6,381 jobs and $4.4 billion in investment. He cited examples including Crown Holdings, Flash Metals, Phoenix Paper, Pratt Paper, AESC, Sound Elements, Kitchen Foods, Latte, Krueger, Biomass, and Anna Munsman. Bradshaw added that even communities that have not yet landed a project have benefited by building spec buildings or improving access to industrial property. The speakers said the last KPDI round drew $81 million in requests but only $35 million in available funding, and they urged lawmakers to consider whether additional funding or program adjustments are needed. Suggested changes included modestly increasing eligibility or funding flexibility for rural and eastern Kentucky, while maintaining third-party performance metrics, and continuing to prioritize finishing existing parks and creating strong regional sites. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• It has two reports, and the second one evaluating the elimination of Northstar was about three or four
• <00:09:38.120> the the second one evaluating the the second one evaluating the elimination
• <00:20:35.840> for the Northstar was to be evaluated for the Northstar was to be evaluated
• <00:27:23.200> and uh the idea of carefully evaluating and uh the idea of carefully evaluating
• When was that last evaluated for its cost, the worth of the land? Mr.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 269 and House File 749 together, both aimed at ending Northstar Commuter Rail service. The bill author described HF 269 as directing the Metropolitan Council and MnDOT to request a federal waiver and discontinue Northstar operations, with HF 749 setting performance requirements that would trigger a similar termination request. Supporters argued Northstar has low ridership, high operating subsidies, and large maintenance costs, and said the agencies now agree with the intent to terminate the line and possibly replace it with bus rapid transit. The chair moved HF 269 to the general register while also laying HF 749 over in committee, and testimony was heard on both bills at once. Testimony split sharply. Supporters of termination, including the bill author and Annette Meeks, said Northstar has consistently underperformed ridership projections, has required large taxpayer subsidies, and should be ended rather than extended. Opponents, including Jesse Cook, Darwin Scherlan, Joel Mueller, Katie Nicholson, and Annie Buckle, argued the line still serves riders, workers, and communities, that low frequency and underinvestment are the real problems, and that the state should improve service rather than shut it down. Several opponents emphasized Northstar’s role for commuters, special events, and future growth, especially the St. Cloud corridor. Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle and MnDOT Commissioner Danenberger said they support carefully evaluating alternatives to commuter rail and acknowledged the subsidy is not acceptable, but they also said the agencies are working with the federal government and BNSF on possible next steps. Zelle said the agencies believe bus service could provide more frequent and direct service, and when asked directly, he confirmed they are in favor of terminating Northstar and replacing it with bus service if feasible. No final disposition beyond the motion on HF 269 and the laying over of HF 749 was recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've extended our evaluation of ICCard transactions and have seen a 65% reduction in sole source purchases
• Committed to running as lean as we can, so we'll continue to evaluate our headcount and make sure we're
• We also will continue to evaluate because there may be other vacancies we really don't need to fill.
• other pockets and openings within the state, and it wouldn't necessarily displace Oklahomans as we evaluate
• We have some agencies that are already outsourcing that function, and we're evaluating all or leverage

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The scope of our WCHA focuses on the following: evaluating and responding to threats to national public
• And that's within the CalReady system so that local health department staff can evaluate the case and
• And that's within the CalReady system so that local health department staff can evaluate the case and
• So that local health department staff can evaluate the case and enter additional information.
• I also want to debunk the fact that, or not debunk, but clarify that as you evaluate the utilization

Summary: The Assembly Subcommittee on Health heard an overview of the California Department of Public Health budget, including a $5.1 billion department budget and 19 non-IT budget change proposals spanning environmental health, healthcare quality, infectious disease, healthy communities, health statistics, preparedness, and laboratory sciences. CDPH also presented estimates for WIC and the Genetic Disease Screening Program, both of which were described as relatively stable, with WIC food costs rising mainly due to inflation and participation holding near 1 million monthly participants. Members and public commenters raised support for several proposals, including funding for the California Reducing Disparities Project, AB 1264 implementation on school food standards, childhood lead poisoning prevention, the hospital bed capacity registry, sickle cell care networks, and WIC protections amid federal policy changes and shutdown-related uncertainty. Dr. Erica Pond then presented the 2026 State of Public Health report, highlighting major gains such as record-low mortality rates, all-time high life expectancy, and the first decline in overdose deaths in 14 years, while warning about persistent disparities in maternal and infant outcomes, rising severe maternal morbidity, and worsening mental and behavioral health trends, especially among younger adults. She emphasized racial and geographic inequities, the role of social drivers like poverty and education, and the importance of prevention investments through the Behavioral Health Services Act. Members discussed the need for upstream public health spending, environmental health preparedness, and how to translate data into action, while public comment largely focused on sustaining community-based prevention and equity programs. In a separate update on federal actions and public health partnerships, Dr. Pond and CDPH staff described California’s response to federal funding threats, vaccine policy changes, and measles outbreaks. They outlined new collaborations such as the West Coast Health Alliance, the Governor’s Public Health Alliance, the WHO outbreak network, and the FACT Coalition, along with CDPH’s process for reviewing and updating immunization and preventive service recommendations under AB 144. Members questioned the rise in measles and declining vaccination coverage, and CDPH said it is using trusted messengers and tailored outreach while continuing to evaluate federal recommendations. The committee then heard an ADAP estimate showing lower projected budget authority needs due to reduced caseload and one-time funding expiring, followed by public support for using ADAP rebate funds to expand HIV prevention, PrEP, testing, and disease intervention staffing. The final issue focused on public health information technology systems, including Sapphire, CalReady, CalConnect, CARE, MyTurn, MyCAVAC, and the digital vaccine record. CDPH explained how these systems support disease reporting, contact tracing, immunization tracking, vaccine ordering, and outbreak response, while the Department of Finance said only Sapphire and CalReady are funded in the Governor’s budget and the rest are under review because of the state’s budget deficit and declining utilization. Local health department representatives strongly opposed losing the systems, arguing that lower usage reflects post-pandemic conditions and that the tools save staff time, improve outbreak response, and prevent a return to manual spreadsheets and phone calls. Members echoed concern that cutting the systems would undermine public health capacity and waste prior state investment, and urged the administration to present a funding plan that matches its stated commitment to public health.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's human input, it's an AI-generated output, and then human evaluation.
• It offers practical tips for educators, parents, and students on evaluating AI technologies and fostering
• And so we feel like now we understand how we could evaluate the tools to choose which one would be the
• We feel like now we understand how we could evaluate the tools to choose which one would be the best
• I'm showing them how to responsibly and ethically use AI in a manner that is a way that they can evaluate

Summary: The committee met to hear an overview of Washington’s alternative learning experience (ALE) programs and then an update on artificial intelligence in schools. OSPI’s Anissa Sherritt explained that ALE is a course-level funding designation for instruction that occurs partly or wholly away from the traditional seat-time model, with online, site-based, and remote course types. She emphasized that ALE is still basic education, subject to the same public school requirements, and that OSPI provides technical assistance, annual reporting review, and program reviews. Representatives from several programs described different models: Washington Virtual Academy (a large online ALE operated through Omak School District and partnered with for-profit Stride), Columbia Virtual Academy in Valley School District (a district-run, nonprofit online/remote program), Pearl in Quilcene (a K-8 remote parent partnership program), and River Home Link in Battleground (a site-based hybrid program). They discussed student supports, special education, enrichment, family choice, transportation, and how they measure outcomes. Members asked for follow-up information on funding, demographics, racial and ethnic data, multilingual learners, and post-graduation outcomes, and OSPI agreed to provide additional data where available. The committee then heard from OSPI and several districts about AI guidance and implementation. OSPI’s Holly Ryan Calloway described the agency’s human-centered AI framework, three guidance documents for schools, statewide professional learning, an AI innovation summit, and new AI literacy and informatics course frameworks and CIP codes. Quincy School District described a multi-year effort to integrate AI by centering student needs, creating district policy and classroom guidance, and training teachers to use AI responsibly while building an AI readiness plan from elementary through high school. Peninsula School District described its AI action research team, teacher professional learning, and classroom uses of generative AI to support science instruction, communication, and prompt engineering, while stressing that AI should enhance rather than replace learning. Members raised questions about privacy, energy and water use, prompt engineering, workforce and university connections, and the need for clear standards and ongoing educator training. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires a manual process to go in and really hit our KPIs and any kind of other eventual evaluations
• Evaluating our activities is very difficult. So that is, you know, what we found from our last one.
• The next is on how we evaluate applications on page five. We included certain criteria for the...
• And we've outlined there on page five how that will work: be evaluated, the need and the capability of
• So how we're gonna evaluate these projects for eligibility and prioritization, we will be consulting

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:08:40.560> with will continue as well along with will continue as well along with evaluation
• > processes<00:08:42.159> and<00:08:42.399> practices<00:08:42.880> to evaluation
• of processes and practices to evaluation of processes and practices to determine<00:08:44.240> um
• <01:51:06.560> and<01:51:06.800> make<01:51:07.040> budgetary to evaluate and
• make budgetary to evaluate and make budgetary allocations<01:51:09.040> which<01:51:09.199>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Evaluation of MCO provider networks.
• For incumbent MCOs, that data readily exists to complete this evaluation.
• Specifically, we were looking for how did they evaluate quality?
• We also wanted to know... how they were evaluating cost efficiencies.
• The state currently goes through an evaluation process.

Bills: HB149, HB252, HB643, HB1442, HB1500, HB1672, HB1851, HB1893, HB2028, HB2768, HB2818, HB149, HB252

Keywords: artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance, employment compensation, state agencies, salary payments, general appropriations, government efficiency, public works, contractors, payment bonds, government contracts, construction law, transparency, open meetings, government accountability, public access

Transcript Highlights:

• All items must be evaluated for readability.
• So I think the fact that this touches how to evaluate campuses and district performance— we spend 85
• billion dollars dollars a year on public education, and this is evaluating how well it's being executed
• I just wanted to ask if you're planning to move forward with a very distinct evaluation of Fort Worth
• Osman, and in my role at Gibson Consulting Group, I lead assessment audits in districts. where we evaluate

Bills: SB8, SB 8

Keywords: education, accountability, public school assessment, state law, transparency, intervention, performance ratings, sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So no in these roads have allowed us to strategically evaluate. And so how we value.
• And so we need to evaluate an engineer, storm water and during systems to allow for uncertain rainfall
• He's fully tested and evaluated for us for a long service life.
• So we have to evaluate everything right, too. The bridge components.
• We continue to evaluate the type of material we use the type of material we couldn't with the heights

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Evaluate an abnormality detected by another means of examination.
• Evaluate an abnormality detected by another means of examination.
• Evaluate an abnormality detected by another means of examination.
• Evaluate an abnormality detected by another means of examination.
• Evaluate an for breast cancer. Or B.

Bills: HB300, HB40, SB19, HB283, HB179, HB296, HB300, HB40, SB19, HB283, HB179, HB296

Keywords: HB300, Choctaw County, probate court, probate judge, recording fee, filing fee, deed tax, mortgage tax, deeds, mortgages, property records, recordation, county local act, local legislation, technology upgrades, digitalization of records, recordkeeping, county treasury, special fund, court administration

Transcript Highlights:

• The community college provides tools for students to also evaluate information, evaluate arguments and
• We are really at the forefront of other states in ensuring that we do independent third-party evaluations
• We could certainly add these shorter-term credential programs and evaluate them to the standards that
• I mentioned that our Workforce Board does this very rigorous evaluation every year as part of the eligible
• One thing I didn't say as far as the Workforce Board and how we do that evaluation, the independent evaluation

Summary: The committee held a work session on the state of Washington’s community and technical college system with State Board executive director Nate Humphrey and Tacoma Community College president Ivan Harrell. They described the system’s open-access mission, 34 colleges serving more than 307,000 students, relatively low tuition, enrollment growth over 12 consecutive quarters, and strong outcomes such as more than 46,000 credentials awarded last year. They also highlighted system initiatives including guided pathways, I-BEST, dual enrollment, tribal partnerships, a new program search tool, and six colleges named Aspen Prize finalists. At the same time, they emphasized major challenges: high rates of student food, housing, and homelessness insecurity; sharply rising emergency aid requests; and federal funding disruptions affecting TANF, BFET, adult basic education, Carl Perkins, NOAA-related tribal work, and several federal grants. Members asked about SNAP impacts, declining high school graduates, and how BFET and TANF interact with other aid programs. The presenters also discussed system priorities such as AI, Workforce Pell, capital planning, nursing accreditation alignment, and the Washington College Grant. The committee then heard testimony from AFT Washington and the Washington Association of Higher Education on faculty and staff conditions in the community and technical college system. Jackie Kane and Suzanne Sutherland argued that classified staff, professional staff, and contingent faculty are essential to student success but face low pay, instability, and weak retention, and they urged lawmakers to protect existing funding and avoid further cuts. They said working conditions for faculty and staff are student learning conditions, and that underfunding leads to reduced services, shortened advising, and program instability. Marina Parr of the Workforce Board presented on federal H.R. 1’s new Workforce Pell provisions and the updated Career Bridge website. She explained that Workforce Pell would allow federal aid for short-term training programs of 8 to 15 weeks, with high completion, employment, and earnings thresholds and a requirement that credentials be stackable and portable. She said Washington is well positioned to implement the program because of its existing eligible training provider evaluation system and Career Bridge, which now has a redesigned public portal, digital portfolios, multilingual access, and performance data on programs. Members asked about rulemaking, possible gaps in state services, and how the wage and completion standards would be applied. The Washington Student Achievement Council then briefed the committee on the new Washington Completes FAFSA campaign created by executive order. Staff described an advisory board with statewide representation, a pilot that used microgrants and other supports at 25 priority schools, and a new goal of 46,000 FAFSA or WASFA completions this year. They reported that completion rates were tracking slightly ahead of last year, with 24% of high school seniors having completed a FAFSA by the end of November, and they showcased a public dashboard with subgroup data and a WIAA-based leaderboard. Members asked about outreach to rural and homeschool students, legislative communications, Pierce County representation, and barriers to FAFSA completion, and staff said they would provide toolkits and continue expanding outreach. The committee then began hearing from student presenters about affordability, access, equity, and student experience.

Transcript Highlights:

• I had some questions on the teacher evaluations.
• So now we will be evaluated on a test that has nothing to do with what we're teaching?
• But because there's no assessment behind the outcome, they can still be evaluated here.
• Very much appreciate the renewed evaluation of the at-risk formula.
• Very much appreciate the renewed evaluation of the at-risk formula.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , implementation, program evaluation, implementation, program evaluation, problem<00:28:32.799>
• approval processes, evaluation and approval processes, provide<00:29:50.960> consultation,<00
• <00:58:34.960> Um evaluation after the grant occurs.
• Um evaluation after the grant occurs.
• > and The students evaluated them and The students evaluated them and submitted<01:26:37.199><

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Finance Committee met on March 3, 2026, approved the minutes from February 26, and then held a lengthy informational hearing on the Minnesota Department of Education’s funding and internal allocation of resources. House fiscal staff walked members through several spreadsheets showing federal, non-general fund, and general fund administrative spending, noting the data was filtered from SWIFT and was not exact. The chair said the discussion was intended to help members understand how MDE is funded and how those funds are used internally, in advance of later budget decisions and a separate upcoming hearing on the Perpich Center. Commissioner Willie Jett opened by describing MDE’s mission, statewide reach, and FY 2026 budget of about $14.1 billion, most of which flows directly to districts and charter schools for instruction, special education, transportation, nutrition, and operations. He emphasized transparency, accountability, and the department’s role in implementing laws, distributing aid, and supporting schools and students across urban, suburban, and rural communities. He also noted the department serves more than 873,000 pre-K through 12 students in 2,264 schools. Deputy Commissioner Maren Holden outlined the Office of American Indian Education, the Office of General Counsel, and the Office of Inspector General, highlighting support for American Indian students, legal and rulemaking work, special education dispute resolution, fraud prevention, and student maltreatment investigations. Assistant Commissioner Dr. McCari Traum described the Office of Equity and Engagement, including equity and inclusion training, safe and supportive schools work, public engagement, family outreach, and fraud-prevention coordination. Assistant Commissioner Darren Cordy reviewed nutrition programs, special education services, and the charter center, including free school meals, commodity food distribution, IDEA compliance, and charter school support. Assistant Commissioner Bobby Bernham then described the Office of Teaching and Learning, including early education, academic standards, instruction and assessment, state library services, expanded learning, and literacy work. He highlighted early childhood alignment efforts, standards development across core subjects, professional learning, and library grants. No votes were taken beyond approval of the prior minutes, and the meeting remained informational, with members expected to ask questions after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:51:26.319> non-financial evaluate non-financial evaluate non-financial um<00:51:28.720>
• Drew Beamer, Site Evaluation Committee.
• Drew Beamer, site evaluation<01:33:56.400> committee.
• I just wanted to evaluation committee.
• Drew Beamer, site evaluation committee.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:44:40.880> that then as The Regulators evaluate that then as The Regulators evaluate that
• Potentially evaluate and choose one or the other, or none.
• because right now it's under evaluation because right now it's under evaluation there<01:11:08.920
• That's addressed in 20190323, where they're evaluating those.
• That's addressed in 20190323, where they're evaluating those.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard testimony on Senate Bill 897, which would create a Wildlife Liability Trust Fund within DCCA for administrative purposes. The chair opened by noting the hearing had to end by noon because of floor session, and that written testimony would be considered if not all witnesses could speak. Testimony included support from DCCA, the Attorney General’s office, the Public Utilities Commission, Charter Communications, Ulupono Initiative, AES Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric, Clearway Energy Group, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, Hawaiian Telcom, and IBW Local 1260, with opposition or concerns from the Hawaii Association for Justice and some others. Hawaiian Electric strongly supported the bill and asked for amendments, saying the fund would help address wildfire liability, protect customers and the economy, and support restoration of investment-grade credit; it also proposed a larger shareholder contribution and said the bill was part of a broader effort to raise settlement funds and improve grid safety and resiliency. Committee members focused heavily on whether the bill would actually lower costs for ratepayers and improve credit ratings. DCCA said there was a nexus between limiting liability, creating a sufficiently large wildfire fund, and transparent mitigation requirements, but acknowledged there was no guarantee of a credit-rating improvement or precise estimate of rate impacts. Members questioned Hawaiian Electric about the assumptions in its cost comparisons, the 30-year securitization structure, and whether funding could be shifted later to shareholders after credit was restored. Hawaiian Electric responded that the bill assumes the fund is paid through securitization, that removing that presumption could undermine the credit-rating benefit, and that its models suggest credit-spread savings could offset the customer charge over time; it also said it would follow up with additional analysis. The company and Ulupono both described the measure as a difficult but potentially necessary way to socialize wildfire risk and avoid a larger crisis later. The Hawaii Association for Justice opposed the bill’s liability caps and raised concerns about consumer rights, oversight discretion, statute-of-limitations changes, and evidence rules. Hawaiian Telcom suggested amendments to clarify compliance with FCC pole-attachment agreements. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided, and members indicated they wanted more analysis before being comfortable with the bill’s long-term ratepayer impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Selection committees are instructed to evaluate the nominee based solely on the application.
• Selection committees are instructed to evaluate the nominee based solely on the application.
• Selection committees are instructed to evaluate the nominee based solely on the application.
• Miss Cameron responded by reading the evaluation criteria: the committees are asked to evaluate the application
• <00:12:23.480> um<00:12:23.600> an process not to evaluate um an process not to evaluate

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Amber Cameron of the University of Minnesota’s Office for Public Engagement about the University’s Outstanding Community Service Awards and, specifically, the community partner award given to Communities United Against Police Brutality in 2021 and 2024. Cameron explained that the awards program recognizes faculty, staff, students, and community partners, that nominations are reviewed by University selection committees using criteria such as positive societal impact, innovation, extraordinary results, and overall impression, and that the committee evaluates only the application materials. She said the nomination for Communities United Against Police Brutality described a long-standing partnership with the University through student learning, including work through the Center for Community-Engaged Learning and a student white paper connected to the passage of Travis’s Law. Committee members raised concerns about the organization’s history, its public messaging, and whether it was appropriate for the University to honor it. One member argued that the group’s IRS records showed it was formally organized in 2020, questioned claims that it had existed for 25 years, and objected to the organization’s letterhead and activism. Cameron responded that the award does not require formal tax status and that the selection process relies on the nomination packet rather than outside information. She also said the award nomination documented work with 130 course offerings across 17 academic departments and about 1,000 students over 24 years. Cameron further said the award program was being phased out and retooled into a new internal Engaged Scholar Awards program focused on community-engaged scholarship rather than volunteer service. No vote or formal action was taken during the exchange, and the discussion ended with questions about the nomination materials and how the University defines the organization’s work with students and faculty.

Transcript Highlights:

• How will the factors be used to evaluate judicial performance?
• will the factors be used to evaluate will the factors be used to evaluate judicial<01:13:19.600>
• performance evaluations and the like<01:58:10.080> serve<01:58:10.400> as<01:58:10.719
• that's under the General Court's purview to decide how what is involved in those evaluations and what
• and what needs to be evaluations and what needs to be reported<02:00:49.840> and<02:00:50.080

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And for GSEP projects, Eversource's plan says it will begin evaluating NPAs for pipes that are slated
• And part of that is the evaluation of non-pipeline alternatives.
• That evaluation process is currently ongoing as we're looking at longer-term options.
• The town evaluated the feasibility of a networked geothermal system in an area of East Arlington that
• The town evaluated the feasibility of a networked geothermal system in an area of East Arlington that

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on two related issues: gas utilities’ climate compliance plans filed with the Department of Public Utilities and the recent DPU orders reforming the Gas System Enhancement Program (GSEP). Chair Creem and other senators emphasized that Massachusetts must reduce gas use, shrink the gas distribution footprint, and move customers to alternatives such as heat pumps, network geothermal, and non-gas pipeline alternatives (NPAs). DPU Chair Jamie Van Nostrand said the new GSEP orders lower the annual revenue cap from 3.0% to 2.5%, phase it down toward 1.5%, eliminate carrying charges, require more rigorous risk prioritization, and push utilities to consider advanced leak technology, relining, repairs, and NPAs. He also described the climate compliance plans as the start of a longer process covering decommissioning, stranded costs, line extension allowances, integrated energy planning, and targeted electrification demonstrations. Senators pressed the DPU and utility witnesses on the lack of specificity in the climate compliance plans, especially the absence of numeric goals for gas usage reduction, customer conversions, and near-term deployment of NPAs. Utility representatives from Eversource and National Grid said their plans include NPA frameworks, integrated energy planning, targeted electrification pilots, network geothermal, and workforce transition efforts, but argued that implementation takes time, requires customer participation, and depends on coordination with electric utilities and communities. They said some NPA and electrification projects are being evaluated now, while larger-scale deployment is expected later in the decade. Senators also raised concerns about line extension allowances, with utilities explaining that new customers may be charged based on whether existing ratepayers would otherwise be harmed, while National Grid said it has begun increasing customer contributions to send stronger price signals. Attorney General Mary Gardner supported the DPU’s GSEP reforms and said the office favors eventually stepping the GSEP cap down to zero by 2030, with repair and replacement costs recovered in base rate cases instead. She argued that the utilities’ plans still rely too heavily on business-as-usual approaches, do not adequately quantify scope 3 emissions, and leave unresolved questions about the obligation to serve and the future of line extension allowances. Advocacy witnesses from the Conservation Law Foundation and Acadia Center were more critical, saying the plans lack the detailed modeling, targets, and transparency needed to show how the utilities will help meet the Commonwealth’s heating and cooling sublimits and broader climate goals. No votes were taken; the hearing consisted of testimony and questioning.