Transcript Highlights:

• We are building EPIC around these three pillars: understanding future demands, assessing our fuel and
• Understanding future demands, assessing<00:04:58.560><c> our</c><00:04:58.760><c> fuel</c><00:04:59.280
• ><c> and</c><00:04:59.440><c> generation</c> assessing our fuel and generation assessing our fuel and
• the issuance of reports with recommendations on proposals by regulated utilities to retire fossil fuel
• ,</c><00:22:05.920><c> which</c> reliance on more expensive fuels, which reliance on more expensive fuels

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 02:25 SB 100 Discussion 02:59 SB 100 Roll Call Vote 31:10 SJR 134 Discussion 32:41 SJR 134 Roll Call Vote 33:43 SB 222 Discussion 34:43 SB 222 Roll Call Vote 39:55, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• California is one of the most expensive states to live in, specifically referring to transportation fuel
• California is one of the most expensive states to live in, specifically referring to transportation fuel
• ... ...that we are in the mid-stage transition, which means we are transitioning away from fossil fuels
• stabilize in-state supply, maintain system-wide reliability, and execute a holistic transportation fuel
• Fuel today. And that's not neutral. That's a significant signal.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The pulser controls communication between the gas pump and the terminal, which regulates fuel flow to
• the criminal misdemeanor statute to clearly provide that damage to or destruction of retail motor fuel
• a large motor fuel pump.
• in Dallas County because they've been experiencing significant stolen... large auxiliary tanks of fuel
• All the food and fuel, I don't recall. I think they were not for it. It was horrible.

Bills: SJR37, SJR57, SB7, SB8, SB16, SB108, SB125, SB207, SB318, SB371, SB379, SB396, SB406, SB503, SB533, SB565, SB578, SB599, SB686, SB689, SB707, SB763, SB854, SB857, SB875, SB878, SB920, SB924, SB961, SB965, SB985, SB988, SB1021, SB1024, SB1026, SB1038, SB1059, SB1185, SB1202, SB1207, SB1252, SB1330, SB1396, SB1484, SB1527, SB1535, SB1596, SB1619, SB1697, SB1737, SB1741, SB1841, SJR36, SJR12, SJR57, SJR37, SCR22, SCR12, SB565, SB765, SB62, SB666, SB707, SB888, SB687, SB847, SB1248, SB504, SB857, SB305, SB296, SB284, SB1497, SB1498, SB241, SB304, SB621, SB1023, SB1024, SB686, SB371, SB204, SB609, SB670, SB850, SB854, SB413, SB1346, SB1033, SB1220, SB1073, SB810, SB1539, SB447, SB875, SB406, SB985, SB965, SB1119, SB1505, SB1215, SB1302, SB856, SB583, SB673, SB681, SB1172, SB1252, SB608, SB955, SB957, SB988, SB1021, SB1120, SB251, SB541, SB379, SB1737, SB266, SB1415, SB1527, SB125, SB599, SB1330, SB53, SB1352, SB785, SB472, SB1450, SB1502, SB1566, SB414, SB1062, SB961, SB1038, SB578, SB711, SB746, SB942, SB1404, SB1448, SB1738, SB108, SB8, SB318, SB507, SB533, SB689, SB1026, SB1349, SB1355, SB1433, SB1434, SB1596, SB1403, SB763, SB667, SB1059, SB617, SB1567, SB503, SB16, SB310, SB311, SB396, SB505, SB1209, SB1210, SB1470, SB264, SB924, SB1029, SB1185, SB1202, SB1358, SB1364, SB1569, SB1697, SB1376, SB1228, SB519, SB878, SB1350, SB462, SB1535, SB827, SB1585, SB207, SB1207, SB1619, SB1396, SB920, SB1484, SB1273, SB1741, SB7, SB927, SB1227, SB1229, SB1353, SB1366, SB1464, SB1709, SB1729, SB1733, SB1744, SB1772, SB1816, SB1841, SB2188, SB1147, SB879, SB1008, SJR81, SJR50, SCR39, SB1536, SB2016, SB1453, SB1173, SB1163, SB996, SB27, SB568, SB1370, SB1321, SB1101, SB906, SB860, SB1563, SB993, SB693, SB1610, SB1537, SB836, SB1332, SB1307, SB963, SB493, SB922, SB984, SB1084, SB619, SB1098, SB1122, SB455, SB522, SB1057, SB1239, SB1254, SB1255, SB1259, SB1341, SB1664, SB1877, SB464, SB1277, SB32, SB732, SB660, SB731, SB921, SB268, SB1822, SB1188, SB1939, SB1589, SB397, SB1388, SB2230, SB1058, SB1036, SB1267, SB2112, SB1930, SB532, SB1035, SB2155, SB508, SB29, SB292, SB291, SB901, SB1333, SB1436, SB1494, SB964, SB779, SB1378, SB2312, SB1719

Keywords: voter ID, citizenship, election integrity, constitutional amendment, voting rights, water infrastructure, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, water supply, environmental sustainability, immigration enforcement, ICE agreements, sheriff grants, law enforcement, county jail, federal immigration law, voter registration, proof of citizenship, Election Code, criminal offenses

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh this is the same provision fuel.
• Article 8 is the sustainable aviation fuel article.
• Madam Chair, section 1 modifies the definition of sustainable aviation fuel for purposes of the fuel
• Section 1 modifies the definition of sustainable aviation fuel for purposes of the fuel that would qualify
• </c><01:14:46.800><c> for</c> of sustainable aviation fuel for of sustainable aviation fuel for purposes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You all understand our reliance, much like other states, on gasoline tax, special fuel weight distance
• The drivers and owners are at the pumps less, and they're paying less fuel tax.
• vehicles become more economical, as the miles per gallon that they earn increases, we receive less fuel
• You know, when it comes to the gas tax and special fuel, I mean, we're the lowest in the whole region
• And then on the special fuels, 22.88 and...

Transcript Highlights:

• again, before my time, of course, that by lengthening the vessel slightly, we can actually improve fuel
• One of the things that the Department of Ecology is asking us to do is to report on our fuel savings
• of all of our fuel that we use for the entire system.
• Yeah, and I think we do have a slide that talks about some of the savings in terms of fuel economy.
• Okay, so back to your question earlier about fuel savings and, you know, what's the value that we're

Summary: The committee met to hear an update from Washington State Ferries on capital projects and workforce issues, beginning with a briefing on the agency’s long-term fleet and terminal needs. WSF officials described the history of underinvestment after the late 1990s, the current fleet reduction from 25 to 21 vessels, and the need to keep older boats in service while moving toward a 26-vessel long-range fleet and hybrid-electric operations. They said the agency is transitioning to a new vessel procurement strategy, with Eastern Shipbuilding selected to build up to three 160-car hybrid-electric ferries, and outlined a schedule that includes contract execution, about a year of design work, steel cutting in fall 2026, and several years of construction. Members raised concerns about the higher cost of electrified vessels, the length of the schedule, the adequacy of liquidated damages and incentives, the risks of building in Florida and transporting vessels to Washington, and whether the contract sufficiently protects the state from cost overruns and design problems. The committee also received an update on the Wenatchee conversion, which officials said is days away from entering service as the first large hybrid-electric ferry conversion. WSF explained that the conversion combined required midlife preservation work with propulsion upgrades and battery installation, and that the project took longer and cost more than originally expected because it was a prototype with significant lessons learned. Officials said the Tacoma and Puyallup conversions would follow later, but those decisions were being delayed until after the World Cup to avoid service disruptions. Members asked about the cost-effectiveness of the conversion, the expected fuel and emissions reductions, and what happens to engine crews during long conversion periods; WSF said crews were embedded in the project and that the conversions should reduce diesel use substantially once terminal charging is available. The meeting then shifted to workforce development, with Siegel consultants reviewing their 2021 and 2024 studies of ferry staffing, overtime, recruitment, and workplace culture. They said the earlier problems stemmed from seasonal staffing practices, low winter hours, limited career progression, a narrow maritime recruiting pipeline, and a culture that made retention difficult. Since then, they reported major improvements: staffing has increased from about 1,500 to 1,900, turnover has fallen, captain and engineer shortages have eased, and recruitment has broadened beyond the traditional maritime pool, including more women and other underrepresented workers. They credited new programs such as guaranteed hours, paid pilotage, AB-to-mate pathways, and the “Turning of the Tide” culture campaign, while noting remaining issues with communication, HR access, accountability, and quality of life. Members generally acknowledged the progress but asked whether staffing levels are now sufficient and how interchangeable crews are across vessels and routes. Finally, terminal engineering staff began a presentation on capital terminal work, starting with the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal. They described the terminal’s age, low elevation, vulnerability to sea level rise and earthquakes, and the need for replacement piles, beams, and improved vehicle circulation. The agency said it has completed a planning and environmental linkage study, is moving into NEPA/state environmental review, and has been working with the community to balance the needs of Southworth and Vashon riders with neighborhood concerns in Fauntleroy. The preferred alternative is a larger offshore dock footprint that would improve capacity and reliability while reducing impacts to eelgrass habitat. The meeting ended before the terminal discussion was complete.

Transcript Highlights:

• You've got to cut them out away from all the other fuel and let them burn out.
• My name is Alessandra Mannyasco, and I'm here on behalf of the California Fuels and Convenience Alliance
• In many rural areas, we have very few fueling stations.
• In many rural areas, we have very few fueling stations, and so the loss of even a single fueling station
• My name is Alessandra Mniosko, and I represent the California Fuels and Convenience Alliance.

Summary: The committee heard several environmental and consumer-safety bills. AB 405, the Fashion Act, would require fashion companies to disclose and manage toxic chemicals in their supply chains; supporters said it would reduce worker and consumer exposure and align with existing industry frameworks, while retailers and business groups argued it would duplicate existing laws and raise costs. After questions about DTSC workload, international standards, and affordability, the bill was moved on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Natural Resources and held on call with three votes. AB 762 would ban the sale and distribution of disposable vape devices; supporters emphasized battery-fire risks, recycling contamination, and waste impacts, while cannabis and convenience-store interests warned it would push consumers to illicit markets and harm legal businesses. The bill passed on a due-pass motion to Business and Professions with three votes and was held on call. The committee also adopted the consent calendar with six votes. AB 794 would direct California to keep in place the federal PFAS drinking-water standard if federal protections are weakened, with supporters citing health risks and the need for certainty, and water agencies opposing the emergency-rulemaking authority and potential costs. Members debated whether the bill was too broad and whether federal funds would cover implementation; the bill passed on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations with four votes and was held open. AB 1148, the Safer Food Packaging Act, would restrict certain chemicals in food packaging; supporters cited cancer and reproductive-health concerns, while chemical, beverage, and manufacturing groups argued the bill should go through existing regulatory processes and that some chemicals lacked feasible alternatives. The author said she would remove antimony trioxide later in the process after hearing opposition concerns; the bill passed on a due-pass motion to Judiciary with four votes and was held open. Finally, AB 1338 would allow local air districts to recover costs for implementing fence-line air monitoring at metal shredding facilities, building on prior legislation and local air district efforts in AB 617 communities. The author said the bill would preserve local control and improve efficiency, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District testified in support. The transcript ends as the district witness begins testimony, with no vote yet taken on AB 1338.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it gets more challenging to fight fires in that fuel type in the wildland-urban interface, in that
• I'll talk a little bit about our shared stewardship program and how we're managing fuels in the modern
• It's all across the board, trying to make these projects meaningful across the landscape to reduce fuel
• But the key there, with all of this—the fuels work, the fire suppression work, GNA work—is that it’s
• This has a brand new fuel station that's safe and environmentally sound and try not to get any gas in

Summary: The Conservation Committee approved the February 5 and February 17 minutes, then heard House Bill 678, which would allow wolf trappers to use remote cameras on traps and rely on a video-based check in place of the current 72-hour in-person trap-check requirement when the camera is functioning. The sponsor and supporters, including the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Idaho Wildlife Federation, and Idaho Farm Bureau, said the bill would make trapping more humane and efficient and help with wolf management. The Idaho Conservation League opposed the bill, warning it could leave incidentally captured protected wildlife in traps longer than current law allows and could create enforcement problems. The committee voted to send HB 678 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. The committee then received the annual update from the Idaho Department of Lands. Director Dustin Miller reported on endowment land management, timber harvest and revenue, fire suppression, recruitment challenges in the fire program, and the department’s shared stewardship and Good Neighbor Authority work with federal partners. Members asked about firefighter pay, mineral permitting, federal timber capacity, road access, and whether the GNA program can sustain staffing through program income; the director said the program is self-sustaining and aimed to expand federal-land restoration and timber output. Next, the committee considered Parks and Recreation pending rules for Docket 26-1-20-2501. Director Susan Buxton explained proposed fee increases for park entry, annual passes, commercial entry, group camps, boating access, and moorage, but asked the committee to reject the proposed changes to Section 075 and Section 250, with the basic campsite fee section to be revisited next year. The committee approved the docket with those exceptions. Buxton then gave the department’s annual update, highlighting ARPA-funded park improvements, new campsites and docks, trail and recreation partnerships, staffing and retention issues, and major projects at parks including Farragut, Ponderosa, Priest Lake, Eagle Island, and others. The meeting ended after a question about the Eagle Island zip line, which Buxton said would have to be removed because the concessionaire could not maintain it safely.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, the only alternative fuel that's listed for the production incentive is hydrogen.
• However, that would have to be a product... ...that's produced, not necessarily a fuel that's going toward
• Chair and Representative Vincent, that might qualify for the low-carbon fuels program.
• This bill doesn't incentivize the production of alternative fuels, but rather... ...alternative fuels
• So anyway, I, I, I, but that wouldn't be—the state would have to buy the fuel from the manufacturer.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 253, a committee substitute dealing with virtual and distance learning programs and school funding. Sponsors and staff explained that the substitute removed several earlier restrictions on virtual education, including residency requirements, the 10% enrollment cap, the ban on K-5 distance programs, and the moratorium on new enrollments. It also changed the State Cyber Academy Act to the Distance Learning Act, added reporting and evaluation requirements for districts and charter schools, and allowed the Public Education Department to withhold funding if programs are out of compliance. Members discussed concerns about impacts on rural districts, charter schools, and programs like Mosquero and the New Mexico Communications Academy, as well as the temporary funding fix for Gallup Public Schools, which was amended to average prior-year and current-year enrollment rather than use current-year membership alone. Public testimony on HB 253 was largely supportive, with school leaders and education organizations backing the amendment and the broader substitute while noting that more work may be needed on oversight and funding formulas. Committee members then debated the bill’s temporary provisions, the study requirement, and whether the changes would adequately address the Gallup funding issue and broader virtual-learning accountability. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave the House Appropriations and Finance Committee substitute for HB 253 a do pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 153, a voluntary industrial decarbonization package that combines an Environmental Product Declaration grant program, a rebate or incentive program for lower-carbon building materials, and production tax credits and capital grants for eligible industrial products. Members asked detailed questions about environmental product declarations, hydrogen, anti-donation concerns, funding sources, and whether the bill would support sawmills, engineered wood, biofuels, and forest-thinning-related industries. Supporters from the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce and Clean Air Task Force testified that the bill would encourage innovation, attract private investment, and reduce emissions without imposing mandates. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted do pass on the bill, with Representative Brown noted in opposition. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 255, which consolidates public safety workforce funding into a single competitive fund for recruitment, retention, and professional development in law enforcement, firefighting, corrections, and public attorney offices. Testimony from counties, the chamber, AFSCME, and State Police supported the measure as a targeted response to staffing shortages and public safety vacancies. The committee took no extended debate and approved HB 255 with a do pass recommendation. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would meet again the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't consume or combust any fossil fuels. There is no fuel use.
• Fuel use: you're just extracting the heat of the earth and then using that to drive the turbine.
• They don't consume or combust any fossil fuels. There is no fuel use.
• You're just extracting the heat of the earth and then using that. fuel use, you're just extracting the
• as we're trying to expand our renewable energy economy and move away from our dependence on fossil fuels

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's exactly how our machine gun conversion device bill, Glock switch bill, came to be.
• And my concern with it, so the Glock switch itself is considered a machine gun under current law.
• I just want to be sure I understand what these switches do.
• </c><00:29:03.840><c> in</c> uh the usage of that uh Glock switch in uh the usage of that uh Glock switch
• what a switch looks like.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:07 26RS BR 8 - AN ACT relating to machine gun conversion devices: 00:01:33 Department of Public Advocacy Update: 00:51:33 26RS BR 126 - AN ACT relating to boating under the influence: 01:23:46 26RS BR 60 - AN ACT relating to grooming: 01:33:23, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the August 29 minutes, and then heard testimony on a bill relating to machine gun conversion devices, often described as Glock switches or auto sears. Representative Jason Nemis presented the bill with Louisville police Chief Paul Humphrey and Lt. Drew Fox, arguing the measure would mirror existing federal law, make possession of these devices unlawful under Kentucky law, and give state and local law enforcement authority to seize and prosecute them without relying solely on federal agencies. They said the devices are small aftermarket or 3D-printed parts that convert semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic weapons and emphasized that the bill would not affect lawful gun ownership. The presenters cited rising seizures and public-safety concerns, saying LMPD and Jefferson County seizures increased sharply from 2023 to 2024 and that the average age of possession had dropped. They argued the devices are used offensively, are inaccurate and dangerous, and have been linked to violent crime. Two Alabama legislators, Representatives Philip Ensler and Russell Bedsole, testified in support based on Alabama’s recent enactment of a similar law. They said local police and prosecutors there had been unable to act effectively because the devices were handled mainly by federal authorities, and they described bipartisan support, immediate enactment, and reported confiscations after passage. Members asked about the bill’s penalty level, the source and manufacture of the devices, the scope of the definition of “conversion device,” and whether the bill could create constitutional problems given ongoing federal litigation over machine gun restrictions. The sponsors said the penalty would be a Class C felony and that the bill was intended to cover only the device attached to the firearm, not tools like 3D printers. They acknowledged that if federal machine gun laws were ultimately struck down, the state law would also be unenforceable. Some members supported the bill as common-sense public safety legislation, while Representative Roberts opposed it on Second Amendment grounds, arguing Kentucky should focus on expanding gun rights rather than adding restrictions already covered by federal law.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's kind of limited in size, and that's where the snow plows, the highway patrol, the fuel pumps, and
• It's kind of limited in size, and that's where the snow plows, the highway patrol, the fuel pumps, and
• reduction versus fuel suppression is about 7 to one on normal fires.
• </c><00:38:39.200><c> reduction</c><00:38:39.680><c> versus</c><00:38:40.079><c> fuel</c> do a fuels
• reduction versus fuel do a fuels reduction versus fuel suppression<00:38:41.839><c> is</c><00:38:42.079

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It can be farming revenue from forest fuel, fiber, flowers.
• It can be farming revenue from forest fuel, fiber, flowers.
• It can be farming revenue from forest fuel, fiber, flowers.
• It can be farming revenue from forest fuel, fiber, flowers.
• It can be farming revenue from forest fuel, fiber, flowers.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Agriculture and Environment hearing on January 27, 2025, took up multiple measures, beginning with a proposed constitutional amendment, HB 559, to recognize a right to clean water and air, a healthful environment, climate, native ecosystems, and beaches. The Attorney General’s Office testified with concerns that the amendment’s broad language could create challenges for future legislatures and environmental enforcement, while the Climate Commission and DLNR supported it. Environmental and advocacy groups, including Climate Protectors Hawaii, 350 Hawaii, Greenpeace Hawaii, and others, strongly supported the measure, arguing it would strengthen decision-making and protect Hawaii’s natural resources. Committee members raised questions about how the amendment would interact with existing constitutional protections and recent litigation, and the AG’s office said the proposal could lead to broad judicial interpretation and possible liability issues. The hearing then moved on without a recorded vote on this bill. The committee next heard SB 552, which would establish a healthy soils program in the Department of Agriculture and require annual reporting and funding. The Climate Change Commission supported the bill, and the Department of Agriculture said it stood on its submitted testimony but noted existing commissions and the greenhouse gas sequestration task force already address similar objectives, suggesting SB 552 may duplicate current efforts. Agricultural and environmental advocates, including the Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and others, supported the concept of a consolidated healthy soils program, saying it would better organize existing efforts, improve access for producers, and support conservation practices. The Agribusiness Development Corporation said it would support either DOA or ADC administering the program, and committee discussion focused on implementation, program overlap, and whether the bill should better integrate existing compost reimbursement and related efforts. The final measure discussed in the excerpt was SB 678, which would create an Agricultural Development Food Security Special Fund, dedicate a portion of the environmental response, energy, and food security tax to it, and appropriate funds equal to 3% of the state budget for agriculture. The Department of Agriculture strongly supported the bill, saying the funding would align with its goals and help support farmers and ranchers. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Department of Budget and Finance raised concerns that the proposed special fund may not meet statutory criteria. Farm and industry groups generally supported the measure but suggested changes, including adding uses related to local food sourcing, distribution, and biosecurity. Committee members questioned the scale of the appropriation, noting it could amount to roughly $250 million and a major increase in DOA’s budget, and discussed whether the department could realistically implement such a large program. The hearing ended with testimony counts noted for the measures heard, and the chair indicated the committee would reconvene later for any unfinished business.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> internal documents of the fossil fuel internal documents of the fossil fuel companies<05:10:35.720
• And we can start by making the fossil fuel industry pay their fair share.
• And we can start by making the fossil fuel industry pay their fair share.
• A lot of those weren't directly caused by, um, companies, fossil fuels.
• They're caused companies, fossil fuels.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 205, Cario, hydrogen fuel stations, do pass out on an A roll call.
• AB 2410, Ellis, fuels reduction projects, do pass out on an A roll call.
• AB 1849, Papin, decarbonization, gaseous fuels, held in committee.
• AB 1849, Pappen, decarbonization, gaseous fuels, held in committee.
• AB 2608, Patterson, transportation fuels assessment, held in committee.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Winkler, Senate Bill 189 by Senator Fesi prohibits the intentional release or dispersion by burning of fuel
• Right now, researchers are testing nanofuels, liquid fuels that are doped with metal oxide nanoparticles
• Yeah, just in reading in the burning of fuels of chemicals, that's, you're talking about additives to
• standard fuel, whether it be 100LL low-lead aviation for piston engines or jet fuel, right?
• Senate Bill 505 by Chairman Kathy provides relative to the Motor Fuels Underground Storage Tank Trust

Summary: The House Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum and took up a series of hunting, wildlife, environmental, and property measures. It reported favorably HCR 79, which urges Congress and the U.S. Forest Service to allow deer hunting with dogs in Kisatchie National Forest, after testimony emphasizing the cultural importance of dog hunting and opposition from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, which supported only the wounded-deer recovery component. The committee also reported favorably SB 419 on using pre-charged pneumatic devices during primitive firearms season, SCR 29 creating a study committee on Atchafalaya Basin water quality, and SB 111 setting black bass and crappie bag and size limits in the basin, with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries saying it would continue sampling and monitor impacts. Members then approved SB 174 transferring state property in Caddo Parish from Louisiana Tech University to the Caddo Parish School Board, SB 189 prohibiting intentional release of fuels or chemicals for temperature-affecting purposes, and SB 99 modernizing DEQ communications to allow optional electronic notices. They also reported favorably HCR 54 requesting a federal study of flooded corn and migratory waterfowl behavior, and HCR 94 requiring annual boating safety reports from Wildlife and Fisheries; witnesses supported the reporting idea and suggested adding a 10-year average for context. The committee next approved HCR 104, which asks the Department of Conservation and Energy and the Louisiana Geological Survey to study collection and access to subsurface data, with LSU’s Greg Upton describing ongoing modernization of core samples, well logs, and 3D subsurface mapping. It also passed SB 331, which temporarily removes a section of the Louisiana Scenic Rivers Act for five years to allow work on the lower Pearl River; conservation groups opposed the bill, warning about precedent, flooding, erosion, and habitat impacts, while the author said the measure was narrowly tailored to address severe silting and channel problems. Finally, the committee created a task force on illegal dumping in HCR 85 after amending its membership, adopted a substitute for HR 216 to authorize a committee hearing on the 2022 Louisiana Climate Action Plan, and reported favorably HCR 87 supporting a U.S. senator’s migratory flyway correspondence and SB 505 revising the Motor Fuels Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund grant process and related tank requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• SO IF YOU SWITCH TO MANAGED CARE THEY SURELY BUILD IN GUARANTEED TRANSPORTATION TO SAY 85 PERCENT OF
• SO IF YOU SWITCH TO MANAGED CARE I TRUST YOU WILL ENSURE THAT ANYTHING PEOPLE ON THE MANAGED CARE PILOT
• RUN, GROW, BUT NOW AFTER FINALLY GETTING THE HELP I WAITED SO LONG FOR FLORIDA WANTS TO SWITCH US ALL
• BACK THEY SWITCHED BACK ONTO THE WAIVER.
• THEY DO NOT SWITCH BACK ONTO THE WAITLIST.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, we might switch back and forth.
• I'm going to switch over here a second. I want to look on the full Section 8.
• So with that, we're going to switch over to the historic budget. I think we're about on time.
• I have to switch that, so we'll go—so the state would provide $2 for every $1 from the grant recipient

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first returned to the A&E/Water Resources budget and walked through the bill section by section, agreeing to keep some routine items and remove or defer others. Members accepted Section 4 with language to allow additional Resources Trust Fund revenues and requested federal funds, while Sections 5, 6, 7, 10, and 17 were taken out for now. They also discussed Section 12’s Bank of North Dakota line of credit for the water infrastructure revolving loan fund, Section 14’s federal funding for the biotreatment plant, Section 20’s study language on water governance and finance, Section 22’s line-item transfer limits, and Section 23’s carryover language. Several members raised concerns about the size and flexibility of available funds, the need for a project stabilization fund, and whether some projects—especially Southwest water—should be studied again. No final votes were taken, and the chair said the committee would return to the budget later after more numbers were known. The committee then moved to the Historical Society budget, where members reviewed a series of one-time funding changes. The $500,000 NAGPRA grant was removed from the budget because it is tied to separate legislation. For the military gallery expansion, the committee reduced SIF funding by $5 million and split another $4.2 million request between SIF and donations. The Medora area planning amount was reduced, local grants were reworked with matching requirements and a cap on awards, Fargo’s request was reduced, the Medora transportation improvement grant was removed, and the America’s 250th celebration funding was increased to $1 million. Members also discussed adding language giving the North Dakota National Guard military gallery primacy on signage and allowing the Adjutant General to manage content. The chair and members indicated the Historical Society budget amendments would be drafted and brought back, with the goal of finishing them by Friday if possible. The committee also noted upcoming hearings on related bills, including 1603, and said the budget work would likely go to conference committee because several funding and matching issues remained unresolved. No formal votes were taken in this portion either, and the meeting adjourned with plans to reconvene the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're switching out. We have Deputy Director Ramsey coming back.
• We're not switching out the LAO; he seems to be semi-permanent.
• And we'll be switching out in the Department of Finance for Christian Malhotra.
• He switched on me here. I switched seats on you. Joanchard, Legislative Analyst's Office.
• He switched on me here. I switched seats on you. Joanchard legislative analyst office.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because if they were to switch out, they would probably have to stay another semester or so extra, so
• Because if they were to switch out, they would probably have to stay another semester or so extra, so
• Because if they were to switch out, they would probably have to stay another semester or so extra, so
• Because if they were to switch out, they would probably have to stay another semester or so extra, so
• </c><01:21:24.400><c> out</c> to switch out to switch out they<01:21:25.199><c> would</c><01:21:25.440

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism and Higher Education heard HB 1494, relating to sports facilities. Testimony was largely in opposition to the bill as drafted from the Stadium Authority, the Department of Accounting and General Services, and the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, with several other written comments also opposing; each asked that if the measure advances, Senate language from related stadium bills be incorporated instead. The University of Hawaiʻi testified in support of the Nāʻid project and said it wants the project delivered at Halawa so the university can have a football facility, though members pressed the university on whether it was effectively supporting both the project and the bill’s current approach. A substantial portion of the hearing focused on the stadium project’s financing, schedule, and oversight. DAGS and Public Works discussed a consultant contract that had grown to about $28 million and an audit that recovered $441,000 after improper travel and expense reimbursements, including first-class airfare and other personal expenses; officials said the audit exposed weak internal controls and led to revised reimbursement policies. Members questioned whether the problems would have been found without media reporting and whether stronger oversight should have been in place earlier. The committee also discussed the current Ching Field setup for UH football, with witnesses describing it as less than ideal and temporary until the new stadium is built. Stadium Authority representatives said the current preferred offeror is Aloha Halawa Development Partners, negotiations have recently accelerated, and the goal remains a contract this summer and a fall 2028 opening. They said the state is committed to $350 million in general obligation bonds, with the overall project expected to cost more, and that the developer is exploring other financing sources such as TIF or CFD while the state and city work to expedite permits and demolition. No vote or final action on the bill was taken in the portion provided.