Video & Transcript : 'Arizona Centennial' :
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ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee Apr 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- At the same time, DCX USA and Arizona State University are also interested in demonstrating for data
- At the same time, DCX USA and Arizona State University are also interested in demonstrating for data
Summary:
The meeting was an extended briefing from Idaho National Laboratory officials on the lab’s mission, its role in nuclear energy research, and the federal push to accelerate advanced reactor deployment. Speakers described INL’s size and capabilities, including test reactors, fuel and materials facilities, cybersecurity and critical infrastructure work, and partnerships with DOE, the NRC, the Department of Defense, and private companies. They emphasized that the lab is supporting both commercial nuclear development and national security work, while also training a large intern workforce.
A major theme was the current federal effort to streamline nuclear regulation and speed up licensing and demonstration. The speakers said recent executive orders and DOE/NRC coordination are reducing redundant requirements, shortening environmental review timelines, and aiming for three new nuclear systems to reach criticality by July 4, 2026. They argued that regulatory uncertainty has been a major driver of nuclear cost and that the administration’s actions, along with DOE’s pilot and demonstration programs, are intended to rebuild the domestic supply chain and industrial base.
The discussion also focused on advanced reactor types, including small modular reactors, microreactors, molten salt concepts, and liquid-metal designs. Officials said these technologies are being developed for data centers, military bases, remote communities, industrial heat, hydrogen production, and other nontraditional uses. They highlighted several projects and companies, including Oklo, Aalo, Radiant, X-energy, TerraPower, Kairos, and DOE’s MARVEL and Project Pele efforts, and said some reactors are expected to reach criticality or operation in the next few years. Questions from attendees covered safety, public health impacts, materials and heat management, waste or used fuel handling, costs, and whether nuclear could remain competitive against other energy sources; the speakers responded that advanced reactors are designed with passive safety features, that used fuel should be viewed as a resource, and that cost remains highly design- and supply-chain-dependent.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee Apr 8th, 2026
Labor, Public Employment and Retirement
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, the sun shines in Arizona, but it shines in California, too. We can build solar here.
- high-paying jobs and the significant tax revenue associated with data centers to neighboring states like Arizona
Summary:
The committee heard several labor-related bills focused on workplace technology, data centers, staffing agencies, and environmental health. SB 947, the “No Robo Bosses Act,” would require human review before automated systems can be used in discipline, termination, or deactivation decisions and would ban predictive behavior analysis; labor groups and worker advocates supported it, while business and industry groups opposed it as overbroad and litigation-prone. After extended discussion about due process, human oversight, and private rights of action, the bill passed 3-1 and was sent to the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee.
SB 978, the Data Center Community Accountability Act, would require data centers to pay for new infrastructure costs, create a separate rate structure to protect other ratepayers, and impose skilled-and-trained labor standards for construction. Supporters said it would prevent cost shifts to households and ensure good jobs, while opponents argued the CPUC already has ongoing proceedings and that the bill unfairly singles out one industry. The committee discussed balancing economic growth with labor and ratepayer protections, and the bill passed 3-1 to Senate Appropriations. SB 951, the California Worker Technological Displacement Act, would expand WARN-style notice requirements for AI-related layoffs and require reporting on displaced jobs and first consideration for openings; supporters said it would improve transparency and help policymakers respond to AI-driven job loss, while opponents warned it was too broad and conflicted with existing WARN law. It passed 3-1 to Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection.
The committee also considered SB 1032, which would create a licensing and registration framework for temporary staffing agencies. Supporters said it would curb fraud and protect workers from illicit staffing operators, while opponents—many from the staffing industry—said the bill was vague, burdensome, and could hinder small and minority-owned businesses. The bill passed 3-1 to Senate Judiciary. Finally, SB 1046, dealing with protections for lifeguards and park rangers exposed to transboundary pollution in the Tijuana River Valley, would direct Cal/OSHA to develop standards for exposure, PPE, training, and incident reporting. With support from park workers and community groups and no opposition, it passed unanimously 4-0 to Senate Appropriations. The committee also approved a consent calendar item and adjourned after completing the agenda.
IN
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Feb 13th, 2026 at 05:31 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- At one time, we had 14 commercial sawmills running in Arizona and New Mexico around the clock, 24 hours
- We had 14 commercial sawmills running in Arizona and New Mexico, around the clock, 24 hours a day.
Committee:
House House Appropriations & Finance
Keywords:
distance learning, virtual instruction, public education, student enrollment, school funding, education standards, pandemic education response, low-carbon construction, construction materials, rebate, environmental product declaration, EPD, embodied carbon, carbon intensity, greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonization, industrial incentives, clean manufacturing, cement, concrete
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-11 (12:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Jan 27th, 2026 at 08:32 am
House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- higher percent of the energy produced by renewables in the state of New Mexico is actually sent to Arizona
- So Arizona, California, everyone else is getting the benefit of our taxpayer dollars.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Jan 26th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- My grandfather was the commander of the VA in Prescott, Arizona.
- for them to buy, for example, that first home here in California instead of going to a state like Arizona
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, observed a moment of silence, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several guest delegations, including UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute fellows and community college representatives. The body approved the Senate journals and then moved through gubernatorial appointments, confirming Dr. Hernando Garsohn as Chief Medical Officer at the Emergency Medical Services Authority and Stephanie Weldon as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health, both by 39-0 votes.
The chamber then took up a series of third-reading bills. Measures approved included SB 799 on the South Bay Regional Housing Trust, SB 33 on prompt payment for public works contractors, SB 222 to streamline permitting for heat pump installations, SB 300 strengthening protections for minors in AI chatbot interactions, SB 457 expanding support for community land trusts, SB 479 authorizing city-based homeless response multidisciplinary teams, SB 719 extending a reporting sunset on automated decision systems, SB 722 protecting mobile home park residents from demolition-related displacement, SB 832 updating the Upper Los Angeles River working group, SB 342 limiting forfeiture when a contractor’s license lapses, SB 490 allowing local inspections of unlicensed treatment facilities with state approval, SB 828 requiring permit-data verification for fireworks and explosives facilities, SB 849 barring physicians who committed sexual misconduct from license renewal, SB 742 addressing decommissioned electric lines in response to the Altadena fire, SB 96 regulating amplified advertising on streaming and related platforms, and SB 58 updating hydrogen sulfide monitoring and response standards. Most passed unanimously; SB 222 and SB 677 drew some opposition, and SB 222 passed 38-3.
A major floor debate centered on SB 694, which would restrict unaccredited private firms from charging fees to assist veterans with VA benefits claims and align state law with federal accreditation rules. Supporters argued the bill would protect veterans from predatory “claim shark” practices and preserve access through accredited providers, while opponents said it would limit veterans’ choice and could reduce access to needed help. After a motion to pull the bill from Rules and take it up immediately passed 29-9, the Senate approved SB 694 by a 39-0 vote. The session ended with unanimous approval of the consent calendar items and adjournment until January 27, 2026.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
Legislative Finance Sub Committee Oct 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And they do the Arizona State Fair. So we go down there once in a while.
- The Arizona State Fair hasn't changed very much. It's in the same location, right?
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Sep 11th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Florida, I will mention that state; Texas, I will mention that as well; Arizona, and other states that
- The number of medical provider vacancies shows that Arizona and Texas had higher vacancy rates than New
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee Aug 20th, 2025
Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- , and you can imagine the competitive environment in this space with places like Hawaii, Florida, Arizona
- We might take a look at California, Arizona, and Nevada. There are 50 million people.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Land Grant Jul 14th, 2025
House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, it literally is Dodge City, Kansas, and Tombstone, Arizona, all rolled into one.
- to protect the property rights of the people that were living here when it took over New Mexico, Arizona
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Transportation Infrastructure Revenue Subcommitee Jun 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- fuel that is consumed within New Mexico by commercial vehicles, whether the fuel was purchased in Arizona
- Representative, so, and I saw David and I'll let him chime in there, but, uh, in, in particular for I-40 from Arizona
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs May 23rd, 2025
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- We have a facility in Arizona where we grow the divine. So I brought that as a prop as well.
- necessarily, but it's kind of cool because this company started in Devine, Texas, but we grow in the... in Arizona
Committee:
Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We have a 100% off-take agreement with a company called Freepoint in Arizona.
- it across the Pacific Ocean, unloading it onto a truck in California, driving across California, Arizona
Committee:
Senate Natural Resources
Keywords:
Gulf Coast Protection District, navigation safety, special districts, state governance, Texas legislation, Gulf Coast, flood protection, storm risk management, coastal restoration, natural resources, prescribed burns, self-insurance, fire management, liability protection, rural land management, beverage container recycling, deposit return system, container deposit, bottle bill, recycling refund
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And as somebody who came here three years ago from Arizona and lost to Texas way too many times, I can
- And as somebody who came here three years ago from Arizona and lost to Texas way too many times, I can
Bills:
SB913 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1143 , SB1534 , SB1553 , SB1718 , SB1754 , SB2004 , SB2322 , SB2448
Committee:
Senate Economic Development
Keywords:
hotel occupancy tax, municipal revenue, tax code, local government funding, Texas legislation, county taxation, economic development, hotel industry, local government, counties, taxation, tourism, workforce development, youth programs, employment, education, technical training, health physics, higher education, nuclear energy
Summary:
The committee heard a series of bills, mostly related to economic development, tax incentives, and workforce programs. Senate Bill 1534 would direct a study by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Workforce Commission on health physics education and workforce needs; resource witnesses from the Workforce Commission and Coordinating Board testified, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1553 would authorize Kerr County to impose a hotel occupancy tax for tourism-related uses, and Senate Bills 1086 and 1087 would authorize similar county hotel taxes for Children’s County and Mason County; all three bills received supportive testimony and were left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1754, which would prohibit county and local tax abatements for renewable energy facilities selling power wholesale, with testimony sharply divided between landowners and policy groups opposing renewable subsidies and industry representatives and some senators arguing the bill would harm clean energy investment and local decision-making; the bill was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2322, which would exempt dispatchable electric generation facilities from the JEDI program’s compelling-factor test so they could qualify for school district tax incentives; testimony was mixed, and the bill was left pending.
Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 1718, which would add the NRA annual meeting to the state’s major events reimbursement program. The bill’s sponsor and NRA representatives argued the event brings substantial tourism and economic activity, while opponents said it would use taxpayer funds to subsidize an organization that opposes gun safety measures; the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 2004 would add the Arlington Grand Prix to the major events reimbursement program, with the committee substitute exempting it from the usual competitive site-selection requirement because of timing; testimony from the event organizers and Arlington tourism officials was supportive, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 2448 would create a rural workforce development grant program at the Texas Workforce Commission to support college-and-career readiness and technical assistance in rural communities; witnesses from Texas 2036, Collegiate Edgination, and a rural school district supported it, and it was left pending. Finally, Senate Bill 913 would repeal a special requirement that Alpine dedicate at least 50% of its hotel occupancy tax to advertising and promotion, and Senate Bill 1143 would require more coordination and reporting for youth workforce programs serving disconnected young Texans; both bills received supportive testimony and were left pending. At the end of the hearing, Senator Johnson moved that the committee stand in recess, subject to the call of the chair.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Economic DevelopmentNote: This video has been edited to include the opening roll call. Video footage begins at 00m:32s. Apr 7th, 2025
Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- And as somebody who came here three years ago from Arizona and lost to Texas way too many times, I can
- And as somebody who came here three years ago from Arizona and lost to Texas way too many times, I can
Bills:
SB913 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1143 , SB1534 , SB1553 , SB1718 , SB1754 , SB2004 , SB2322 , SB2448
Committee:
Senate Economic Development
Keywords:
hotel occupancy tax, municipal revenue, tax code, local government funding, Texas legislation, county taxation, economic development, hotel industry, local government, counties, taxation, tourism, workforce development, youth programs, employment, education, technical training, health physics, higher education, nuclear energy
Summary:
The Senate Economic Development Committee met to hear a series of bills and informational primers, with several resource witnesses from the Governor’s Office, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The chair opened by noting the death of Senator King’s son and asking members to keep the family in their prayers. Most bills were laid out and left pending subject to the call of the chair after brief author presentations and public testimony.
The committee heard several local hotel occupancy tax bills: SB 1553 for Kerr County, SB 1086 for Childress County, SB 1087 for Mason County, and SB 913 for Alpine. Supporters, including the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association and local officials, said the measures would allow counties or the city to use hotel tax revenue for tourism-related projects and local development. The committee also heard SB 1534, which would direct a study on health physics education and workforce needs in Texas; resource witnesses from TWC and THECB testified on the bill. All of these measures were left pending.
A major portion of the hearing focused on SB 1754, which would prohibit local tax abatements for renewable energy facilities selling power at wholesale, with an exception for certain battery storage tied to dispatchable generation. The bill drew strong support from witnesses who argued counties should not subsidize wind and solar projects that can harm neighboring landowners and that renewables already receive substantial federal support. Opponents from the solar and storage industry argued the bill would remove a voluntary local economic development tool, raise power prices, and discourage investment. Senators also debated landowner impacts, grid reliability, and whether the bill was the right policy tool; the bill was left pending.
The committee also heard SB 2322, a committee substitute related to the Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act, which would exempt electric generation facilities from the program’s compelling-factor test so they can qualify for school tax limitation agreements. Supporters said the change would correct an unintended barrier for dispatchable generation, while Senator Johnson argued it would weaken the program’s purpose by subsidizing projects that would locate in Texas anyway. SB 1718 would add the NRA annual meeting to the major events reimbursement program; the NRA supported it, while gun violence prevention advocates opposed using state incentives for the organization. SB 2004 would add the Arlington Grand Prix to the major events program, and SB 2448 would create a rural workforce development grant program; both drew supportive testimony and were left pending. The committee also heard SB 1143, a substitute bill aimed at improving transparency and coordination in programs serving opportunity youth ages 14 to 24, with witnesses supporting better reporting and workforce alignment. At the end of the meeting, Senator Johnson moved that the committee stand in recess subject to the call of the chair.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine S.124, to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for disciplinary procedures for supervisors and managers at the Department of Veterans Affairs and to modify the procedures of personnel actions against employees of the Dep Mar 11th, 2025 at 09:30 am
Senate Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- And since the bill was signed to allow nearly 60,000 veterans. in Arizona have filed claims, can you,
- She worked with someone else at DCVA to get a referral to a facility I believe in either Arizona or New
Bills:
SB124 , SB201 , SB275 , SB410 , SB478 , SB607 , SB610 , SB611 , SB654 , SB702 , SB787 , SB831 , SB892
Committee:
Senate Senate Veterans' Affairs
Keywords:
Department of Veterans Affairs, disciplinary procedures, accountability, personnel actions, whistleblower protection, cancer, military, aircrew, veterans, health study, toxins, morbidity, mortality, service members, mental health, community care, accessibility, treatment programs, substance abuse, appointments
Summary:
During the meeting, various members engaged in extensive discussions surrounding 15 proposed bills related to veterans' affairs. Notably, concerns regarding recent VA workforce changes sparked debates, particularly about potential cuts and their implications for veterans' care and benefits. Chairman Moran emphasized the need for thoughtful reforms and coordination with stakeholders, urging responsible measures to prevent negatively impacting service delivery. The meeting highlighted a significant bipartisan effort to enhance veterans' access to essential health services, particularly in light of recent challenges faced by the VA workforce. Senator Blumenthal's assertions about the urgent plight of veterans due to cuts in personnel drew strong reactions, showcasing the deep concern among committee members regarding the current state of veteran services.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- But it's one of those things: you go to Arizona and you go to ASU, where they put a facility right next
- Howard Hutchinson, who deals with the southwestern part of our state, works with Arizona and New Mexico
Committee:
Senate Senate Finance
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- In March, Maricopa County, Arizona election officials were served a subpoena from the FBI for records
Committee:
House Public Safety
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Jan 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And I traveled the country to California, New York, Georgia, Arizona, the places where a lot of the carnage
Summary:
The committee first approved the January 20, 2026 minutes. It then considered several gubernatorial appointments and reappointments related to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board and the Department of Finance. Hyatt Erstad, Cynthia Fairfax, and Janice Folkerson were each moved to the Senate floor with recommendations for confirmation, with motions carrying on voice votes. Nora Carpenter and Gregory Danaka appeared before the committee, introduced themselves, and answered no or limited questions; their appointments were held for a later vote, likely at the next meeting.
The committee also heard a detailed presentation from Salvador Cruz, the gubernatorial appointee to serve as Director of the Department of Finance. Cruz described his background in banking supervision and state financial regulation, his current role as interim director, and the department’s responsibilities overseeing banks, credit unions, mortgage and securities industries, among others. He emphasized consumer education, combating scams such as romance and pig-butchering fraud, maintaining strong relationships with regulated industries, and keeping the department lean and effective. Senators asked about his move to Idaho, his career path, and his goals for the department; he said he wants the agency to be dynamic, more visible, and the best-run executive branch agency.
No substantive legislation was debated. The only formal actions taken were approval of the minutes and the committee’s favorable recommendations to the Senate on the three Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board appointments/reappointments. The meeting ended with the chair praising the quality and willingness of Idaho’s public appointees and then adjourned.