Transcript Highlights:

• We need to make sure that we have a bill like this, so we know what our ratepayers could go budget.
• This and also we know what our ratepayers could go budget.
• This budget right now, $270 billion budget that right now hopefully comes next week, so we can all discuss
• They need to have so they can budget.
• Similar to my last answer, NYSERDA is funded off-budget and economic funding comes from utility bills

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications considered a large agenda focused mainly on energy affordability, the CLCPA, utility rates, and renewable energy siting. Senator Mattera and other Republican members argued that the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act has driven up utility bills, harmed reliability, and imposed costs on ratepayers, while Democratic members pushed back that rising costs are also driven by natural gas markets, infrastructure costs, and broader economic factors. Several bills sought to repeal or pause CLCPA-related policies, create a CLCPA task force, impose studies or moratoriums on new energy taxes and fees, and increase transparency around utility surcharges and state energy spending. Supporters framed these measures as ratepayer relief and accountability; opponents said some proposals would undermine clean-energy policy and existing consumer-benefit programs. The committee defeated S.1167, which would have repealed the All Electric Building Act, and S.1173, which would have created a CLCPA task force. It also failed S.5250, a bill to study CLCPA costs and impose a moratorium on new energy taxes, fees, or regulations, and S.7075, which would have prohibited the system benefits charge on utility bills. Several other bills advanced, including S.1236A on virtual access and electronic filing for Public Service Commission proceedings, S.1552 establishing reduced residential rates for low-income electric and natural gas customers, S.2484 directing a study of replacement timeframes for battery storage and renewable facilities, S.2638 on carbon allowance auction proceeds, S.3247 on electric vehicle charging stations, S.3553 requiring utilities to post promotional and educational materials on their websites, S.4571A creating a floating solar incentive education program, S.5518 shifting Public Service Commission funding to legislative appropriation, and S.6412A requiring itemized ratepayer disclosure of surcharges. S.9251, on labor-related legal costs, was referred to the Labor Committee. S.7710, which would have restricted energy storage systems near schools and homes in New York City, failed after concerns and support were debated. The committee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• First up, the Department of Budget and Finance is providing comment. Okay, thank you very much.
• I think when I did the analysis, we got closer to 1.2.
• to add in the additional analysis to add in the additional profession profession profession because<
• I think we got closer to analysis I think we got closer to 1.2<01:16:54.639> okay<01:16:55.199
• we're ready to proceed sunrise analysis we're ready to proceed any<01:20:11.520> comments<01:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills related to cesspools, Red Hill cleanup, water testing, environmental governance, and beverage container recycling. For SB 472, SB 501, SB 675, and SB 958 on cesspools, most testimony supported accelerating cesspool conversion and expanding Department of Health capacity, though the Attorney General flagged a single-subject issue on SB 472 and the Department of Health and others raised concerns about funding, program structure, and coordination. Supporters emphasized cesspools as a major water pollution source and urged earlier deadlines, while some testimony questioned the tax credit approach and asked for clearer grant and staffing language. For SB 639 on underground storage tanks and Red Hill cleanup, the Department of Health asked for clearer cleanup standards and noted limits on laboratory detection and sampling, while supporters argued the bill would create a binding legal standard for remediation and help prevent reopening of the facility. Testimony also stressed the need to remove all contamination to the extent practicable and protect aquifers and drinking water. SB 664 on water quality testing drew strong support from residents and water advocates, but the Department of Health warned the measure could duplicate existing authority and create significant cost; the Board of Water Supply supported the concept while noting it would expand responsibilities into private-property testing. SB 674 on environmental advisory council and waste reduction received mixed testimony: supporters said it would help address landfill siting and protect water resources, while industry groups requested changes to advisory council membership and exemptions for certain products, and one witness opposed the measure. For SB 1067 on deposit beverage container recycling, the Attorney General said the grant language may be constitutionally problematic because it lacks standards, while industry testimony both supported the recycling goals and asked for amendments, including broader representation on the advisory council and clearer treatment of compostable and packaging-related issues. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the critical point is that local and state law enforcement has to be given the budget to meet the
• But the critical point is that local and state law enforcement has to be given the budget to meet the
• to meet the has to be given the budget to meet the challenge.
• <00:45:03.599> That's<00:45:03.839> something general state budget.
• That's something general state budget.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To connect the dots for you, I draw your attention to the Department of Safety's own budget analysis
• To connect the dots for you, I draw your attention to the Department of Safety's own budget analysis
• To connect the dots for you, I draw your attention to the Department of Safety's own budget analysis
• To connect the dots for you, I draw your attention to the Department of Safety's own budget analysis
• To connect the dots for you, I draw your attention to the Department of Safety's own budget analysis

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A state budget that rises to the occasion meets the needs A state budget that rises to the occasion meets
• Like the sunflower, this budget is deeply rooted to withstand Like the sunflower, this budget is deeply
• FY27 budget recommendations.
• This budget is an attribute of this budget, and a very positive one, that it reflects the conversations
• This is a good budget. I know after our A good budget.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, adopted two commendatory resolutions honoring the Plimpton Historical Society’s Deborah Sampson Day recognition and Megan’s Light’s Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month observance, and suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several House petitions to committee. The chamber also briefly recognized Diane Talk of the South Shore Regional Emergency Communication Center on her retirement after 30 years of dispatch service. Later, the Senate passed two local bills to enactment: House No. 4006, authorizing Dartmouth to grant an additional all-alcoholic beverages license, and House No. 473, relating to the charter of Westwood. The main business was the Senate Ways and Means presentation of the fiscal year 2027 budget, totaling about $63.3 billion. The chair described the budget as balanced, with no new taxes or tax cuts, based on a consensus revenue estimate of $986 million in growth over FY26 (2.4%), and including about $15.8 billion in federal financial participation and roughly $2.7 billion from the Fair Share surtax. The budget emphasized record local aid, including $1.376 billion in unrestricted general government aid, $7.66 billion for Chapter 70 education aid, increased minimum school aid, higher regional school transportation reimbursement, rural aid, and the revival of the Foundation Budget Review Commission. It also highlighted major investments in MassEducate free community college, food security, housing, and support for vulnerable residents. Members then engaged in extended colloquy on the budget’s major cost drivers and policy choices. Questions focused on debt service, pension and OPEB liabilities, MassHealth caseload and rising per-enrollee costs, child care funding, and program integrity in DTA and other benefit programs. The chair said debt service would be about $2.67 billion, pension payments would be $5.1 billion, OPEB would receive a $150 million payment, and MassHealth enrollment was projected at about 2 million with costs driven by acuity and medical inflation. He also said the budget includes no collective bargaining agreements and no state tax changes. Senators supporting the budget praised its investments in education, local aid, homelessness prevention, public health, libraries, and housing, while minority leaders and others stressed the need for fiscal discipline, transparency, and further work on affordability and municipal support. The Senate also received a House message on House No. 5316, which the House had nonconcurred in, and a conference committee was appointed on the disagreement.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, did you stay within your budget, went over your budget, or under your budget? totaled.
• no budget? no budget?
• budget budget >> Friday.
• budget and another third of the budget budget and another third of the budget is<01:54:40.639>
• That's all we put in the<02:16:54.479> budget the budget the budget >> was<02:16:55.359>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to appreciate everything that the author has done, both in the policy and budget context, to move
• My question, maybe for you, I think, maybe more so for your lead witness, is just notes in the analysis
• And the principal differences there are how much independence is going to be allowed in this analysis
• It's a dynamic thing, and then there's budget conversation underway as well, so we'll just stay engaged
• There are suggested amendments that are in the committee analysis that we've been discussing, and I'm

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And just for the record, I want to state that it's disappointing that we didn't get an analysis from
• But the second thing is, is there money in the budget for this?
• for this The second thing is, is there money in the budget for this?
• Madam Chair, it's also stating, and this is through their analysis, New Mexico Environment Department's
• analysis, that their primary Analysis, New Mexico Environment Department's analysis, that their primary

Bills: SB22, SB310

Keywords: motor vehicle manufacturers, licensing, dealers, franchise agreements, consumer protection, water supply, sewage improvements, environment, funding, Mora County, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The initial budget was over, so I feel like I'm starting to get through all of the budget.
• But your budget doesn't reflect any of the asks for those dollars.
• All your budget is on flex benefits, if I read it correctly.
• And I ask this of all agencies that have these budget requests.
• As we are talking about the budget and we're talking about. Calendar days.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that a fair And that's an analysis. Is that a fair analysis? analysis? analysis? >> No.
• <00:33:12.680> uh but I'm not on the budget uh but I'm not on the budget uh sub-committee.
• We like of the budget and tax committee.
• structural budget deficit. structural budget deficit. >> Yes. >> Yes.
• structural budget deficit determined?

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate first handled routine announcements, including welcoming a new group of pages and noting donations of donuts and chicken from local businesses, along with a citation planned for Mr. Herman’s Bakery, which is closing after 103 years. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 858, establishing a Department of Budget and Management Audit and Finance Compliance Unit. A senator moved to send the bill back to second reading to add an amendment, which was adopted without objection, and the bill was reprinted for third reading. The Finance Committee then reported several bills. Senate Bill 84, concerning collective bargaining for graduate assistants at UMCP and UMBC, was laid over after questions about whether graduate assistants are employees or students. Senate Bill 455, creating a transformational project financing program tied to tax increment financing districts, had two committee amendments adopted and was ordered printed for third reading. Senate Bill 623, creating a premium cigar lounge alcoholic beverage license, also received two committee amendments and was ordered up, but a later Howard County amendment was proposed and the bill was laid over. Senate Bill 777, directing workforce development support in hospital closures and related events, was adopted and sent to third reading. Senate Bill 831, addressing child labor penalties, private-sector labor relations, and state labor standards, was adopted with two amendments and sent to third reading. Senate Bill 932, requiring social media platforms to display users’ general geographic location, was laid over after questions. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 340, requiring at least $2 million annually for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman office, with two amendments adopted and the bill sent to third reading. Senate Bill 489, creating a limited license pathway for physicians trained abroad and repealing the fifth pathway program, was adopted with two amendments and sent to third reading. Senate Bill 496, expanding Medicaid coverage for obesity treatment, prompted extended debate over the fiscal note and who would bear the costs; the sponsor argued the estimate was overstated and did not account for likely lower utilization or health-care savings, while an opponent pressed concerns about the state share and structural deficit. The discussion continued without a final vote in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We began the study with a comparative analysis.
• But this sector is not just those big-budget projects.
• And at the end of the day, this is almost a $350 billion budget.
• And the budget asks right now that we're asking for is a total of $66 million.
• Please give our budget request. ...23% completion rate.

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Arts held an informational hearing on California’s first sector-specific creative economy strategic plan, “California’s Future Is Creative,” developed under AB 127 and related legislation. Chair Allen framed the plan as a response to California’s large but vulnerable creative economy, citing workforce losses, federal funding headwinds, and the need to support artists, cultural organizations, public media, museums, cultural districts, and film/TV production. He also highlighted budget asks including support for California Humanities, museums, public media, cultural districts, a post-production incentive proposal (AB 2319), and funding to implement the strategic plan. California Arts Council Director Danielle Brazel, Institute for the Future’s Rachel Hatch, CDE’s Allison Frenzel, and CWDB’s Michael Weoff described the planning process, which included a 30-plus-member work group, interagency coordination, and a phased approach from framework development to implementation and evaluation. They identified major forces shaping the sector over the next decade, including AI, climate disruption, affordability, access to capital, and social cohesion, and outlined six action areas: workforce preparation, business stabilization, cultural identity/tourism, cross-sector incentives, ROI/data tracking, and state capacity/infrastructure. Members and panelists repeatedly emphasized that the plan must be resourced and integrated across agencies rather than left siloed. A second panel of practitioners and advocates focused on workforce pathways and local implementation. Ricarlo Handy described the Handy Foundation’s registered apprenticeship pipeline into film and TV jobs and argued that current data systems undercount gig, 1099, and LLC-based creative work. Joanna Reynolds discussed Arts for LA’s Creative Jobs Collective, which aims to create 10,000 living-wage creative jobs in Los Angeles County by 2030, while Alejandro Gutierrez Chavez urged embedding artists in health, aging, and behavioral health systems as community problem-solvers. Roxanne Messina Kaptur spoke about the need to normalize arts careers and expand residency and school-based models. Senator Rubio, who joined later, shared her own arts and teaching background, supported arts access in schools and small theaters, and raised concerns about AI, asking how schools and educators can adapt. In the final panel, Rebecca Ratzkin reported on 26 statewide town halls with more than 1,100 attendees, which confirmed support for the plan but also highlighted needs for better information access, new financial models, stronger definitions and data, and more partnerships. Julie Baker of California for the Arts and California Arts Advocates urged sustained public funding, saying the plan is actionable only if the Legislature and administration provide resources, including increased California Arts Council funding and support for implementation. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational and concluded with calls for continued legislative and cross-agency collaboration.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, he was a real statesman, and under his watch, uh, we enjoyed many years of surplus budget surplus
• So, um, he was a real statesman, and under his watch, uh, we enjoyed many years of surplus budget surplus

Bills: SCR56, SCR79, SCR85, SCR120, SCR129, SCR181, SCR63, SCR112, SCR194, SCR195, SCR196, HB202, HB963, HB1050, HB1511, HB1546, HB1550, HB1553, HB1643, HB1656, HB1658, HB1664, HB1667, HB1682, HB1700, HB1721, HB1810, HB1823, HB1824, HB1878, HB1969, HB2005, HB2078, HB2152, HB2246, HB2270, HB2279, HB2289, HB2385, HB2417, HB2429, HB2503, HB2599, SB253, SB847, SB1142, SB1432, SB2043, SB2050, SB2074, SB2102, SB2135, SB2138, SB2140, SB2320, SB2340, SB2386, SB2396, SB2397, SB2398, SB2433, SB2446, SB2521, SB2544, SB2567, SB2578, SB2580, SB2595, SB2601, SB2645, SB2673, SB2706, SB2727, SB2802, SB2852, SB2892, SB2929, SB2972, SB3007, SB3069, SB3073, SB3076, SB3136, SB3138, SB3157, SB3204, SB3234, SB3247, SB3302, SB3324, SB3325, HB1815, HB2592, HCR32

Keywords: lifeguards, first responders, public safety, ocean safety, emergency response, community wellbeing, invasive species, octocoral, Pearl Harbor, environment, Navy responsibility, marine ecosystem, ecosystem preservation, shoreline maintenance, civil service, classification review, compensation systems, labor shortage, employee retention, department collaboration

Transcript Highlights:

• Humphrey was reminding us that budgets are not merely spreadsheets, Mr. President.
• Budgets are moral... ...documents. Budgets reveal priorities. Budgets expose values.
• Budgets tell the public who matters and who does not, Mr. President.
• President, the error in this bill had to do with the very beginning, with the governor's budget.
• President, the error in this bill had to do with the very beginning, with the governor's budget.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• $4 million in their budget to support this program and the Virginia Fresh Match program.
• And thank you to Delegate Cousins for carrying that budget amendment.
• And as we move forward, both with the budget negotiations right now... ...the need is.
• So anyway, someone is trying to get a budget amendment. Anyway, I’m an appropriator. You are.
• This language came up during early budget negotiations back in February, March.

Keywords: Virginia Commission to End Hunger, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• May they be guided by your word that every decision that they make and the final analysis will honor
• decision that they make and<00:12:13.360> the<00:12:13.600> final<00:12:14.000> analysis
• will honor you and the final analysis will honor you and<00:12:17.600> serve<00:12:17.920>
• Senator, tomorrow at 1:30 in Room 409, Appropriation Subcommittee will meet for budget hearings.
• will meet um to for budget hearings. will meet um to for budget hearings.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 21 January, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, received an invocation from Reverend Jerry Young of New Hope Baptist Church, and then took the pledge of allegiance led by Senator Mumford. The chamber quickly dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill and resolution titles, and there were no messages or petitions. Several guests were introduced, including the doctor of the day, a William Carey University student, a county sheriff, the senator’s wife, students and church members from New Hope Christian School and New Hope Baptist Church, physical therapists and assistants from the Mississippi chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association, and former Senator Chris Massie. The main floor action was on Senate Resolution No. 2, which commended and congratulated the 2025 Jackson Academy Raider football team and head coach David Dugen for winning the MHSAA 4A Division I state championship. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after the title was read, and floor privileges were granted to the team. Coach Dugen addressed the Senate, thanking Senator Chassaniol, the school, families, coaches, and supporters, and describing the championship as the result of discipline, teamwork, and player leadership. The team presented a gift to Senator Chassaniol, and senators offered congratulations. During announcements, senators noted several upcoming committee meetings and events, including White Coat Day at the Capitol, the Mississippi Ambulance Alliance reception, an Empower Mississippi summit, and multiple appropriations and committee hearings. Several senators also requested that the Senate adjourn in memory of individuals including John Guthrie, Colonel Jean Smith, Regina Roberts, and Brenda Le. Later, Senator Michelle and Senator Blackwell were added as co-authors to SR 2 without objection. The President announced that more than 500 bills had been assigned, that the Senate would not meet on Friday, and that the body would still meet Monday afternoon despite possible winter weather. The Senate then adopted a motion to stand in recess until 5:00 p.m., with the journal to reflect adjournment until 10:00 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• School food services directors work tirelessly to meet nutrition standards, stay within tight budgets
• Eve Stude, the Director of the Nutrition Guidance and Analysis Division at the Center for Nutrition Policy
• They did an extensive review on all aspects of the diet, including dairy, data analysis, a number of
• I often wondered if we could give speeches and do our analysis.
• Balance the budget. And get whole milk back in school.

Bills: SB222

Keywords: whole milk, school lunch, school meals, National School Lunch Program, Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, Child Nutrition Act, USDA, nutrition standards, dairy, nonfat milk, low-fat milk, reduced-fat milk, lactose-free milk, nondairy beverages, plant-based milk, milk substitution, parental consent, legal guardian, food allergies, allergic reaction

Summary: This meeting of the committee focused primarily on the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, S222, which aims to permit schools to offer a fuller range of milk options, including whole, reduced, and low-fat varieties, that have garnered bipartisan support. Chairman Bozeman opened the session by highlighting concerns over children's nutrition and the obesity epidemic, emphasizing the significance of nutritious school meals in addressing these issues. Experts from various organizations were invited to discuss the implications of this bill as well as the current challenges facing school meal programs, including budget constraints and food supply issues. The meeting included passionate testimonies about the direct impacts of current dietary guidelines and federal funding reductions affecting schools' abilities to provide healthy meal options.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, a recent analysis found litigation delayed fossil energy and clean energy projects by an
• Separately, an analysis on transmission projects found 24% of projects they completed face litigation
• We get jobs done right, on time, the first time, safety, and on budget.
• Things get built on time, on budget, and done right.
• So let's take the pure environmental analysis out of it and unleash innovators in that space.

Keywords: environmental review, permitting process, infrastructure, bipartisan legislation, economic growth, Nucor, West Virginia

Summary: The meeting focused on critical discussions surrounding the need for modernizing the federal environmental review and permitting processes. Witnesses from various sectors, including Nucor, provided testimony on the delays and costs associated with current regulations, emphasizing the impact on infrastructure and economic growth. Major projects in West Virginia, such as the Corridor H and Coalfield Expressways, were highlighted as examples of initiatives stalled by excessive permitting hurdles, prompting calls for bipartisan legislation to streamline these processes while maintaining environmental protections. The committee expressed a commitment to address these issues immediately, highlighting the urgency to enhance efficiency in permitting to facilitate economic development.

Transcript Highlights:

• It seems to me there must be some scientific analysis that comes into play as well.
• But there's some scientific analysis. Where do you see it coming from?
• But there's some scientific analysis. Where do you see it coming from?
• Thank you. ...a threshold analysis.
• It's like doing an appropriate social cost-benefit analysis.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held a hearing on the California Earthquake Authority’s SB 254 report and possible reforms to California’s utility wildfire recovery system. The chair framed the discussion around the Palisades and Eaton fires, the high and growing wildfire-related costs on utility bills, and the need to weigh tradeoffs among survivors, ratepayers, utilities, insurers, and taxpayers. The chair emphasized that the SB 254 report is an inventory of policy pathways rather than recommendations, and that the Legislature’s role is to evaluate the options publicly. The first panel featured wildfire survivors William Abrams and Joy Chen, who described severe ongoing displacement, housing insecurity, delayed compensation, and frustration with what they characterized as opaque and unfair compensation structures. They argued for greater transparency, clearer accountability for utilities, stronger oversight of wildfire mitigation spending, and incentives tied to safety performance. They also urged faster survivor payments, but only if they are full, fair, and not financed by shifting more costs to taxpayers or ratepayers. Committee members asked about gaps in the SB 254 report, the meaning of “full” compensation, and how a fast-pay facility might work. The second panel included the California Earthquake Authority, RAND, PG&E, LADWP, Consumer Attorneys of California, and the Public Advocates Office. Tom Welsh of CEA explained the report’s process and the current wildfire fund structure, including that utilities remain liable, the fund reimburses eligible claims, and prudency reviews can require reimbursement to the fund. RAND’s Lloyd Dixon outlined how roughly $38 billion has been paid to survivors, insurers, and public entities since 2017, and noted substantial litigation costs and cost-shifting among stakeholders. Utility representatives supported reforms that preserve financial stability and reduce risk, while consumer and public-interest advocates opposed shifting more costs to ratepayers and stressed accountability, audits, and safety-linked recovery. No votes or formal actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we also had billion-dollar budget surpluses in 23 and 24 because the budget estimates were done in
• regression series regression analysis regression series regression analysis and<01:17:07.520>
• The budget appropriation to um for 26.
• And then the budget surpluses came.
• <02:40:06.000> Um then the budget surpluses came. Um then the budget surpluses came.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting focused on preliminary fiscal 2026 revenue estimates and the governor’s office request for an official revision to fiscal 2026, with members reminded that any estimate adopted now would not bind the December official estimates. Staff from S&P Global walked through three forecast scenarios—control, optimistic, and pessimistic—based on recent federal tax changes, tariffs, and other policy developments, emphasizing that the outlook remains highly uncertain. Under the control scenario, the presentation projected below-trend real GDP growth of 1.8% in fiscal 2026, slowing to 1.5% by fiscal 2028, with unemployment peaking around 4.5% and the Federal Reserve cutting rates three times to a long-run range of about 2.75% to 3%. The optimistic scenario assumed lower effective tariffs, stronger growth, and better labor and housing outcomes, while the pessimistic scenario assumed a broader trade war, higher effective tariffs, faster deportations, weaker employment and consumer spending, and unemployment rising to about 6.3%. Speakers also noted that the forecast was prepared before later BLS revisions and that recent data on inventories and AI-related investment made the recent quarters look unusually volatile. Members discussed how the current fiscal 2026 outlook compared with earlier assumptions and noted that the eventual revenue revision may be smaller than the spread between the optimistic and pessimistic economic scenarios. The governor’s office and committee members also reviewed sector-specific impacts, including manufacturing, housing, light vehicle production, exports, and consumer sentiment, with particular concern about Kentucky’s auto and housing-related industries. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, I think a budget is a budget.
• Jimmy Coakorse will tell me that is not in the budget.
• But it's what I wanted, but I couldn't do it because it wasn't in the budget.
• But they could not manage their budget. Minus the riders or with the riders?
• But they could not manage their budget. Minus the riders or with the riders?

Bills: SB483, SB522, SB783, SB1239, SB1254, SB1255, SB1259, SB1341, SB1664, SB1762, SB1856, SB1877, SB1977

Keywords: utility, proprietary information, customer data, data protection, electric service, customer information, emergency communication, electric utility, privacy, certification, public accountants, interstate licensing, accounting, regulatory amendment, energy efficiency, construction regulations, building codes, Texas, sustainability, cost-effectiveness

Summary: The Senate Business and Commerce Committee met with a quorum and first took up pending business, voting out several bills. Senate Bills 1697, 1569, 1202 as substituted, 1029, 1364, 1185, 924, 1008 as substituted, 264, 1376, and 1358 as substituted were reported favorably, with some sent to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted a substitute for SB 1202 and later corrected votes on several measures. SB 924 and SB 1376 drew some opposition, while the rest of the pending bills were reported without dissent or with limited nays. The committee then heard testimony on SB 1856, which would create an annual capacity-cost recovery rider for Entergy Texas customers in the MISO region. The author and Entergy argued the bill would better match rates to actual capacity costs and improve transparency, while the Texas Association of Manufacturers and the Public Utility Commission raised concerns about the short 10-day review period, rider proliferation, and the preference for full rate cases over piecemeal adjustments. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard and left pending SB 522 on CPA reciprocity, SB 1664 requiring TDUs to provide clearer, standalone rate-change disclosures, SB 1877 expanding OPUC’s access to market data, SB 1254 and SB 1255 as TDLR cleanup bills on professional employer organizations and mold assessors, SB 1341 updating manufactured housing rules, SB 1239 on sovereign debt and Texas governing law, and SB 1259 streamlining the surveyor-in-training licensing process. Additional bills discussed included SB 1977, which would cap recoverable legal expenses in electric, water, and sewer rate cases; OPUC and some consumer advocates supported the idea as a way to reduce ratepayer costs, while utility representatives warned it could discourage participation and increase rate shock. The committee also heard SB 1762 clarifying that geothermal energy conservation wells are not battery resources, and SB 783 allowing SECO to proceed with future energy-code rulemaking for state-funded buildings. Both drew supportive testimony from industry and environmental groups. All remaining bills heard during the meeting were left pending, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.