Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the micro grid study of um micro grids the micro grid study of um micro grids transmission<00:47
• </c> grid study. grid study.
• We would recommend distribution resilience, because that's really where the level of the electric grid
• </c><01:20:32.320><c> grid</c><01:20:32.560><c> that</c><01:20:32.719><c> you</c> level of the electric
• grid that you level of the electric grid that you would<01:20:32.960><c> get</c><01:20:33.120><c> the

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not feed back into the grid. Appliances in your home. It does not feed back into the grid.
• And, you know, Assembly Member Bruce of Burr: Electric bills.
• He's also an electrical engineer.
• feeding, feeding back into the grid.
• Okay, and then what about, like, low-level export into the grid?

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard several bills focused on utility affordability, transparency, clean energy, and consumer access. SB 327 would bar investor-owned utilities from using ratepayer funds to oppose municipal utility formation and would clarify the Public Advocates Office’s authority to inspect utility books; supporters framed it as a ratepayer protection and accountability measure, while utilities and industry groups raised concerns about municipalization language and data-request procedures. After discussion about the scope of the bill and existing guardrails from prior legislation, the committee voted SB 327 out on a due pass as amended basis to Appropriations, with the roll left open and later updated to 12-2. SB 1350, a hydrogen bill, would allow renewable portfolio standard credit for power plants using green hydrogen in turbines. The author and supporters said it would help California meet clean energy goals, support the Lancaster hydrogen project, and create jobs, while opponents, especially environmental groups, warned about NOx emissions, the risk of paper transactions, and the need for stronger safeguards on feedstocks and delivery. Members discussed amendments already taken and the need for continued work on environmental protections; the committee passed the bill 14-0 to Natural Resources. SB 868 would create a framework for plug-in or balcony solar devices for renters and others without rooftop solar, with safety standards and a cap on system size. Supporters said it would lower bills and expand access to solar, while utilities and some others raised safety and backfeed concerns and asked for more review through existing interconnection processes. The author and witnesses said the devices are small, non-exporting, and covered by safety certifications; the committee approved the bill 17-0, later updated to 18-0, and sent it to Appropriations. SB 1233 would require additional disclosure about utility cash on hand, capital structure, and related information in existing reports to help inform rates and affordability. Utilities opposed the measure as duplicative of existing proceedings and potentially delay-inducing, while supporters said it would improve transparency for ratepayers. The committee passed SB 1233 10-3 to Appropriations. The committee also dispensed with the consent calendar, passing the remaining consent items, including SB 925, SB 667, SB 952, SB 742, SB 929, SB 943, and SB 1138, and noted that SB 905 had been pulled from the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of the first SMRs are being developed in Texas, Ontario, and Wyoming.
• And Vogel is now the largest generator of electricity.
• Originally, one mill per kilowatt-hour was charged on the cost of nuclear electricity.
• They have an association with an oil company that has a test and training rig in Texas.
• that will provide electricity to customers.

Committee: Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He earned a law degree from Texas Southern and I'm, I'm sorry, from the South Texas College of Law in
• His work with the Texas General Land Office and the Texas Veterans Land Board reflected his dedication
• We now have 61 women in the Texas legislature. 46 of whom serve in the Texas House, and I am proud to
• work of the people of Texas.
• located in Austin, Texas.

Transcript Highlights:

• , Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas and Electric.
• And we've seen these programs perform in times of grid crisis.
• these resources to get more out of the existing grid.
• that we're talking about coming to the grid.
• That is the clean electricity that we're talking about coming to the grid.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Solar was 66% of all new electricity generating capacity added to the US grid in 2024.
• the electricity you get from the grid.
• I own and operate Star Power Electric, an electrical contracting business specializing in solar batteries
• I own and operate Star Power Electric, an electrical contracting business specializing in solar batteries
• /c><00:10:30.399><c> electrical</c> Star Power Electric, an electrical Star Power Electric, an electrical

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting was an announcement and support event for a Minnesota plug-in solar bill led by Rep. Larry Craft and Sen. Rob Coop. Craft described plug-in solar as a way to expand access to affordable solar for renters, people with shaded or unsuitable roofs, and others who cannot install traditional rooftop systems. He said the bill would define plug-in solar devices as up to 1,200 watts, allow storage, require certification to UL 3700 safety standards, and exempt these devices from utility interconnection agreements and submetering requirements. Sen. Coop said he was excited to sign on after hearing from a constituent interested in deck solar and after learning Craft already had a bill. He framed the proposal as both an affordability measure and a way to democratize solar access, especially for lower-income households and apartment residents. Supporters including Bobby King of Solar United Neighbors and Patty O'Keefe of Vote Solar said interest in plug-in solar is statewide, the policy would lower barriers and energy bills, and the systems are simple, safe, and well-suited to small spaces like balconies, decks, patios, and yards. John Gouki, an electrician from Duluth, submitted a statement supporting the bill on safety and resilience grounds, saying 1,200 watts is a safe limit for UL-listed plug-in solar and that the systems can provide backup power while reducing grid consumption. Craft and Coop also pointed to examples from other places, including Utah and Germany, as evidence that the technology is already spreading. The event ended with expressions of support and enthusiasm for moving the bill forward; no vote or formal committee action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you look at some of the other states such as Ohio, Florida, and Texas, they've created what I call
• If you look at some of the other states such as Ohio, Florida, and Texas, they've created what I call
• For entities like an electric utility, it means AI can operate on process-control data that regulations
• They have a mini-grid built with Legos that they actually try to take down and try to protect.
• It's, I need to shut off the electric grid for an hour to apply this patch.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• California State Association of Electrical Workers.
• Electricity bills are high in California.
• that they export to the grid, and they also get to avoid paying that retail rate for any electricity
• Solar allows them to build less grid capacity.
• , so less grid capacity needs to be built.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 21, 2025, with 86 bills on the agenda. The committee first approved two consent motions covering a group of bills eligible for the Assembly floor consent calendar and another group of unanimous bills not eligible for floor consent. Several bills were then heard individually, with authors and supporters emphasizing that many had no or minimal state costs and were aimed at climate, health, or regulatory improvements. Among the bills discussed were AB 39 on local planning for electrification and EV charging infrastructure; AB 1129 allowing local health jurisdictions to opt into reporting birth defects and early-life health conditions; AB 1332 to allow narrow direct shipment of medicinal cannabis to seriously ill patients; AB 1056 phasing out transfer of certain gillnet permits except for a one-time family transfer; AB 408 creating a new Medical Board health and wellness program for physicians; AB 546 requiring health plans to cover portable HEPA air purifiers for vulnerable people during wildfire emergencies; AB 942 revising rooftop solar subsidy rules to reduce costs for non-solar ratepayers; and AB 967 expediting licensure for out-of-state physicians. Supporters generally framed these bills as improving access, equity, public health, or affordability, while opponents on AB 942 and AB 967 raised concerns about implementation, workload, contract issues, and impacts on existing programs. The committee took action on each bill after testimony and questions. AB 39, AB 1129, AB 1332, AB 1056, AB 408, AB 546, AB 942, and AB 967 were all moved out of committee on roll call votes, with some members voting no or not voting on certain measures. The suspense calendar was then read and deemed approved, and the committee opened general public comment, where speakers voiced support for bills including AB 715, AB 1138, AB 782, AB 98, AB 53, AB 258, AB 330, AB 650, AB 649, AB 1048, and AB 425. The meeting adjourned after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Once the 1,000 acres is developed and online producing electricity, there is nothing in statute that
• The way that the statute is currently written, when it comes to the definition of an electric corporation
• Jeremy LaFavor, appearing today on behalf of the Clean Grid Alliance, which is an association of the
• They sold those contracts to someone called Treaty Oak out of Texas.” “They made contracts.
• They sold those contracts to someone called Treaty Oak out of Texas. All right.

Committee: House Utilities

Summary: The committee first took up House Committee Substitute for House Bills 21, 22, and 1626, which would combine the bills and add a clawback/refund provision for construction work in progress in base rates if costs were imprudently incurred or a project is not placed in service in a reasonable time. Supporters argued Missouri should remove its CWIP ban to stay competitive with neighboring states and attract utility investment, while opponents warned about unknown costs and timelines for ratepayers. The substitute was adopted, and the committee voted the combined bill do pass by 12 ayes and 7 noes. The committee then considered House Bill 2711, as amended by a substitute, dealing with broadband-related property tax treatment. The sponsor explained the substitute narrowed the bill to new installations, added a seven-year sunset, and aimed to clarify assessment issues. Supporters said the measure would help expand broadband infrastructure and improve service in underserved areas, while opponents argued the tax break should not apply to upgrades within existing service territories and questioned whether the bill truly expanded access. The committee adopted the substitute and voted the bill do pass by 12 ayes and 7 noes. The remainder of the hearing focused on House Bill 2762, a broad solar/wind/water measure. The sponsor described provisions setting a $2,500 per megawatt tax on solar nameplate capacity, creating more uniform assessment rules, establishing setbacks for solar facilities, limiting eminent domain use, and including smaller sections on water district dissolution and wind turbine lighting. Testimony was mixed: solar developers, Clean Grid Alliance, Renew Missouri, and Missouri Farm Bureau supported clearer rules, grandfathering, and setbacks they viewed as reasonable, while landowners and local residents raised concerns about property rights, transparency, runoff, glare, noise, and the impact of large solar projects on neighboring farms and homes. No final action on HB 2762 was taken in the portion provided, but the chair said a committee substitute would be developed to address the solar issues more comprehensively.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are having this hearing at a pivotal moment for California's electric grid.
• The total number of new resources connected to the electric grid has surpassed 30 gigawatts in just six
• in California with our grid.
• We were at 92% with plenty of extra room on the grid.
• One is that we have to look at the grid itself.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard SB 1259, which would require refineries to provide advance closure and remediation planning information, and SB 1425, which would authorize the High-Speed Rail Authority to create a permit process for encroachments in its right of way. The committee also held an informational hearing on California electricity reliability and the future of the Strategic Reliability Reserve. The chair opened by noting the hearing room change, testimony limits, and that the committee would proceed without a quorum at first, then later established quorum for votes. On SB 1259, Senator Blake Spear argued the bill would give communities and state agencies needed information to plan for refinery closures, cleanup, and land reuse, comparing the requirement to estate planning. Supporters, including Benicia City Councilmember Carrie Birdseye and UC Santa Barbara professor Ranjit Schmook, said the bill would help communities facing refinery closures avoid being left without information and better prepare for redevelopment and remediation. Opponents, including the Western States Petroleum Association, the State Building and Construction Trades Council, and business groups, argued the bill could send negative market signals, create conflicts with federal reporting, and potentially accelerate refinery closures. The committee passed SB 1259 on a 7-3 vote, later reopening the roll and recording additional votes before moving it out as amended to Appropriations. On SB 1425, Senator Cortese and sponsor Robert Pearsall said the bill would help the High-Speed Rail Authority manage utility, broadband, drainage, and vegetation encroachments along the project corridor and reduce delays. Labor and construction groups supported the measure as a way to add certainty and speed project delivery. Utilities and local agencies, including LADWP, Southern California Gas, Southern California Edison, PG&E, and others, opposed unless amended, saying the bill needed clearer language on emergencies, existing agreements, and potential impacts on their own rights of way and service obligations. After discussion about emergency language and utility coordination, the committee passed SB 1425 as amended to Appropriations on a 10-3 vote. In the oversight hearing, CEC, CPUC, CAISO, and DWR officials reported that California’s summer reliability outlook is better than in prior years, with substantial new procurement, storage, and demand-response resources added since 2020. They said the state is projected to meet its summer reliability standard and has not needed a flex alert for three straight years, but cautioned that extreme heat, fire, hydro conditions, and federal policy uncertainty still pose risks. Officials emphasized that the current Strategic Reliability Reserve remains important as a backstop, while longer-term planning must address rising demand from electrification and data centers and the eventual retirement of emergency resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:07:40.880><c> for</c> most demand for electricity, for most demand for electricity, for example
• of send to the grid and take from the grid.
• of send to the grid and take from the grid.
• of send to the grid and take from the grid.
• of send to the grid and take from the grid.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:45:23.000><c> That</c> for our electrical system. Perfect. That for our electrical system.
• </c> electricity bill. electricity bill.
• I'm not an electrical engineer.
• I'm not an electrical engineer.
• uh</c> electric vehicle but uh electric vehicle but uh No.

Bills: SF0095 , SF0107 , SF0112

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs

Keywords: driver's license, motor vehicle services, third-party providers, Wyoming, regulatory compliance, motor vehicle, registration, license plate, electronic system, State Department of Transportation, county treasurers, vehicle fees, public records, license plates, replacement cycle, vehicle registration, motor vehicles, state fees, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As substituted, House Bill 3043 is intended to address the problem by requiring the Texas Commission
• TRWA represents over 900 water and wastewater utilities that serve rural communities across Texas.
• This is the last train here for the East Texas Navy; I'll explain later.
• You will always be known as the East Texas Navy.
• And we did what we could to feed the two road, these Texas Navy roads.

Bills: HB1532 , HB2731 , HB3483 , HB4308 , HB4580 , HB4582 , HB5509 , HB5663

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: Lake Houston, dredging, maintenance district, flood control, environment, public works, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code, unincorporated areas, right-of-way, public highway, parking lot, livestock sales, live animals, vendor regulation

Bills: HB1532 , HB2731 , HB3483 , HB4308 , HB4580 , HB4582 , HB5509 , HB5663

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: Lake Houston, dredging, maintenance district, flood control, environment, public works, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code, unincorporated areas, right-of-way, public highway, parking lot, livestock sales, live animals, vendor regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• Now we have talked about advanced reactors. our heat on the grid.
• , which compares to 320 megawatt electric total.
• The modular is, again, 50 megawatt electric or less.
• It's a 445-megawatt-electric sodium fast reactor using...
• As the name suggests, it's a reactor not put electricity on the grid.

Committee: Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's new uses for electricity like heat pumps and electric vehicles.
• </c><00:09:43.600><c> and</c><00:09:44.000><c> electric</c> electricity like heat pumps and electric
• electricity like heat pumps and electric vehicles.<00:09:45.200><c> And</c><00:09:45.360><c> then</c>
• </c> electricity has to come from someplace. electricity has to come from someplace.
• </c> Dakota Electric, which I know Mr. or Dr. Dakota Electric, which I know Mr. or Dr.

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• power grid is being stressed by a combination of reckless regulation.
• Electricity demand is skyrocketing. We have got to bring a lot more electrons to the grid.
• We're talking about development of the grid and stabilization of the grid.
• First is Grid Deployment Office.
• for electricity. almost exponential, and we've looked both at the Grid Deployment Office, the Loan Program

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Keywords: nominations, Undersecretary of Energy, Undersecretary of Science, Preston Griffith, Dario Gil, energy policy, scientific innovation

Summary: The meeting was convened to discuss several significant nominations, particularly focusing on Preston Wills Griffith III for Undersecretary of Energy and Dr. Dario Gil for Undersecretary of Science. The committee underscored the importance of these roles in shaping American energy policy and scientific innovation. The discussion highlighted the nominees' backgrounds, with Griffith having extensive experience at the Department of Energy and the White House, and Gil bringing expertise in quantum technology and energy research. Members expressed a strong desire to understand the nominees' perspectives on current challenges facing the energy sector, including regulatory mandates and national security concerns. The meeting concluded with a commitment to ensuring thorough evaluations of the candidates and their proposed approaches to pressing issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> This would be the same for an electric This would be the same for an electric or<00:10:42.800><c
• So you really don't have a grid buying. So you really don't have a grid access<01:13:58.480><c> fee.
• If I installed a six electricity.
• </c> electricity. Correct. electricity. Correct.
• </c> she's exporting electricity to the grid. she's exporting electricity to the grid.

Bills: HF3830 , HF3688

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: utilities, rate cases, cost recovery, reporting requirements, gas infrastructure, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, I paid those for my kids, and they were in Texas. They'd send you a bill.
• Yeah, I paid those for my kids, and they were in Texas. They'd send you a bill.
• It instituted fees on hybrid and electric vehicles so that those operators paid their fair share of the
• Yes, so it's also on our long-range plan, our four-lane grid network.

Committee: All ALC-HIGHWAY COMMISSION REVIEW AND ADVISORY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The committee received a report from Director Wiley of the Arkansas Department of Transportation on a series of routine and quarterly items, including the closeout of the department’s efficiency review. Wiley said all five remaining recommendations from that review had been implemented, highlighted a new public maintenance dashboard on the agency website, and reported four surplus properties sold since the last meeting. He also noted that ARDOT had obligated $3.14 billion in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding to date and reviewed the annual expenditure report tied to 2019 revenue changes, which funded $98.7 million in maintenance projects last year. Members asked about the balance between maintenance and new construction, with Wiley saying about 75% of construction dollars go to maintaining the existing system and that ARDOT’s overall spending is overwhelmingly focused on upkeep because of the size of the state highway network. He also discussed major projects and corridor priorities, including Interstate 57 and Highway 5 work in Lonoke County, Interstate 49 public meetings, passing-lane improvements on Highway 412/62 in north central Arkansas, Highway 82 widening in south Arkansas, and long-range plans to widen Interstate 40, possibly including a toll study. On the Toad Suck Bridge flood mitigation project, he said the design had been revised to reduce public impacts and would not require a long-term bridge closure. The committee also discussed safety and enforcement tools in work zones. Wiley said new work-zone cameras and cell phone detection tools were being used on projects such as I-30, I-57, and I-49, mainly to improve safety rather than issue citations. In addition, he said ARDOT spends about $8 million annually on litter control and is expanding anti-litter efforts, including a spring cleanup day involving more than 2,500 operations employees and some office staff. He also announced agency initiatives on human trafficking awareness training for field and office staff and the Street Smart education program for middle school students, with plans to expand it to high school content next year. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the director’s presentation and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Simply put, more geothermal systems means less future electric grid buildout, which will result in lower
• On the hottest and coldest days, simply put, more geothermal systems means less future electric grid
• </c><00:21:00.320><c> a</c><00:21:00.440><c> good</c> electric electricity no it was a good electric
• and ultimately the electricity grid and ultimately the electricity that'll be flowing into homes is
• </c> grid and ultimately the electricity grid and ultimately the electricity that'll<01:40:34.960><c>

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house