Transcript Highlights:

• uh, by the Public Utility Commission. uh, by the Public Utility Commission.
• Of course, the public can still participate in the Public Utility Commission process, but it is, as I
• <00:18:43.520> That Public Utility Commission process.
• That Public Utility Commission process.
• participate in the Public Utility participate in the Public Utility Commission<00:18:49.440>

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House first debated House Bill 527, extending the sunset of 30 V.S.A. chapter 248A, which governs telecom tower siting. Members discussed a Senate proposal of amendment that would require a mandatory local hearing with the developer and the Department of Public Service present. Supporters said the change would improve public participation and local control, especially for rural towns, while opponents argued it could either stall telecom development or speed it up with less input. Several members also raised concerns about health effects of RF radiation and cited scientific studies and court actions, while others said they had not seen evidence of the harms claimed and emphasized the importance of connectivity. A proposed further amendment to shorten the sunset to one year was defeated by roll call, 52-89, and the House then concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment by roll call, 122-14. The House then took up House Bill 686, relating to expanding identification of certain lobbying advertisements. After suspending rules, members heard a summary of the Senate’s strike-all amendment, which broadened the definition of lobbying communications and required clearer identification and reporting for paid lobbying ads, while avoiding duplicate reporting where campaign finance disclosures already apply. The Government Operations and Military Affairs Committee reported a 10-1-1 straw poll in favor, and the House concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment. Next, the House considered Senate Bill 326, miscellaneous amendments to motor vehicle laws. The Transportation Committee described the changes as largely technical, including provisions related to hands-free cell phone use for commercial drivers and to mufflers, motorcycles, and annual inspections. After testimony from Legislative Council and the Department of Motor Vehicles, the committee recommended concurrence on a 9-1-1 straw poll, and the House concurred and then voted to message its action to the Senate forthwith. The chamber also took up the conference report on House Bill 642, youthful offender proceedings, with the conference committee restoring House language allowing victims to attend and present impact statements at both hearings and making several technical cross-reference corrections; the report was presented for House consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• By utilizing the General Fund to support repayment of the loan, it will sustain the Bureau's admin fund
• That covers basic counseling services at a fixed employee-rate pricing model regardless of utilization
• It assumes CalHR's projected utilization rate of 15%.
• The actual service cost could actually be lower if utilization is below 15%.
• They will also coordinate services for first... ...responder departments, monitor utilization trends,

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee held a May Revision budget hearing on state administration and related issues, hearing presentations from multiple departments and agencies. Early items included the Public Employment Relations Board on funding for implementation of AB 1 and a reduced request tied to AB 288, the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement on a technical College Corps adjustment, and the Secretary of State on building security upgrades, election security grant matching funds, and payroll system readiness costs. The Department of Consumer Affairs presented a Board of Pharmacy modernization request and a General Fund backfill for the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education; the LAO raised no concerns on the pharmacy item but recommended rejecting the private postsecondary backfill and questioned interest-free loan language. The Employment Development Department outlined several large workload and benefit adjustments, including EDD Next document management funding, UI loan interest, DI/PFL benefit increases, WIOA adjustments, school employee benefits, an EMT training reappropriation, and a technical reversion correction; the LAO flagged the size of the DI/PFL increase and the expansion of the document management scope, while members asked about program impacts and timelines. The California Workforce Development Board presented an April adjustment to reimbursement authority for an interagency agreement with Caltrans, which the LAO said raised no concerns. Public comment on that item and others included support for workforce and apprenticeship initiatives, including the Jails to Jobs proposal and renewal of the Apprenticeship Innovation Fund, though those were not part of the May Revision package. The Department of Industrial Relations then presented several proposals: reclassifying legal positions, continuing modernization of the workers’ compensation EAMS system, Cal/OSHA data modernization, creating a Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, reappropriating funds for the California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship program, and trailer bill changes requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and adjusting the statutory treatment of the workers’ compensation administrative director’s salary. The LAO generally found the IT and salary proposals reasonable but urged close monitoring of the new emerging technologies unit. Committee members, especially Assemblymember Ortega, pressed DIR on long vacancy rates, wage theft claim delays, low collection rates for Cal/OSHA fines, and whether new resources would improve outcomes; DIR said it was pursuing recruitment, classification reviews, and process modernization, while the LAO noted that staffing alone may not explain the delays. The Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board also sought to make permanent a 2024 change to the 60-day reconsideration clock, saying it had reduced backlog and interim orders; the LAO had no concerns. Finally, the Department of Human Resources presented a statewide Employee Assistance Program contract consolidation that would lower costs compared with renewing separate contracts and requested one program manager position to oversee the contract and first responder services; the hearing continued with Finance’s response after the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• uh no water, no utilities whatsoever. uh no water, no utilities whatsoever.
• utilities there, period, I don't think. utilities there, period, I don't think.
• Those several incidents where facilities were cut by one utility of another utility.
• for 3 years and doesn't have any utility for 3 years and doesn't have any utility service<02:21:
• <02:29:33.320> We<02:29:33.440> all utilities have. We all utilities have.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• it's a split ownership where the utility it's a split ownership where the utility owns<00:13:34.440
• homeowner and zero cost to the utility. homeowner and zero cost to the utility.
• utility rate revenue.
• Like utilities across the significant.
• private wells that could also utilize private wells that could also utilize that<01:34:36.200>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I can tell you, as a utility looking at that, how do you model those numbers?
• or a Crown utility.
• I was at our public utilities commission, the PUC, who at the state level helps relicense.
• And a schedule was established by contract with every single utility.
• And so a kind of corollary to that is that you also get higher fuel utilization, right?

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:41.440> In<00:04:41.600> addition, utilizing this space.
• In addition, utilizing this space.
• One of the conditions says the utility has to have sufficient revenue to repay the debt.
• existing road network and the utility existing road network and the utility infrastructure<00:43
• This is the second phase of their project, and this is to extend out the utilities on the site.

Keywords: 0:00:08 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:38 Approval of Minutes 0:01:02 Information Items 0:02:17 Lease Rpt from Postsecondary Institutions 0:06:42 Project Rpt from Finance and Administration Cabinet 0:15:03 Lease Rpt from Finance and Administration Cabinet 0:24:00 Rpt from OFM – KY Infrastructure Authority 0:42:55 Economic Development Fund Grants 0:53:38 Rpt from OFM – New Debt Issues 1:16:33 Remaining 2025 Meeting Dates 1:16:45 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including roll call, approval of the July minutes, and several informational reports. Those reports included a University of Kentucky restricted-fund medical equipment purchase for Chandler Hospital, debt issues for five school districts, Eastern Kentucky University’s planned model laboratory school using construction management risk delivery, a Division of Real Properties lease advertisement, Kentucky Communications Network Authority quarterly project reports, and EKU asset preservation revisions. Members then heard and approved a new UK St. Clair Urgent Care Clinic lease in Morehead and an amendment expanding space for the UK Family and Community Medicine Clinic at Turflin Clinic. Testimony explained that both properties are privately owned, the Morehead lease predated the UK/St. Clair arrangement, and the Turflin Clinic is tight on space. The committee also approved three new projects and an appropriation increase: two Department of Military Affairs projects, a Window Ford Training Center underground electric project and a Williamsburg Readiness Center interior repair project, a Fish and Wildlife property acquisition adjoining Veterans Memorial Wildlife Management Area, and an $8.113 million increase for the Department of Revenue integrated tax system (DORIS). The DORIS increase was described as needed for change orders tied to legislation and to complete the unified tax system. The committee next reviewed no-action items, including a $3 million emergency flood-damage repair project for the Bush Building and Vest-Lindsay House in Frankfort, and three pool projects over $1 million: a Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women window replacement phase 2 project, a Department of Criminal Justice Training interior refurbishment at Thompson Hall, and the Muddy Gut Branch stream mitigation project in Johnson County. The flood project was confirmed to be fully reimbursed by insurance proceeds. Finally, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented six loans and nine grants. Action items included water and sewer financing for Cumberland County, Lebanon, Northern Kentucky Water District, Lewisport, and Providence, plus a major Taylor Mill treatment plant project and several cleaner water grants and reallocations. Members asked about loan rates, local rate increases needed to repay debt, and the Providence emergency water interconnect; staff explained that Lewisport had begun a rate increase process, and that the Providence project would connect Webster County Water District and the city of Providence to stabilize pressure after a systemwide failure. All action items were approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• three billion dollars in flexible one-time funds for public education and how we're going to be utilizing
• And do you have any sense of to what extent our the utilization levels for LEAs are right now around?
• When you when you're referring to utilization, does that mean are you saying like our LEA is able to
• I'd love to understand why this is funded through the Department of Education utilizing these funds.
• That just means more students utilizing and that's a good thing.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The second reason is that the public utilities commission is pushing the utilities to go into the spot
• And what happens there is there's something called the clearing price that the utilities pay.
• commission is pushing the utilities commission is pushing the utilities<00:35:40.960> to<00:35
• utilities to go into the spot markets. utilities to go into the spot markets.
• And net metering by the utilities pay.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Commission and the reason for Utilities Commission and the reason for this<00:28:08.519> is<00
• authorizes the Public Utilities authorizes the Public Utilities Commission<00:38:34.640> to
• Commission to Grant exemptions Utilities Commission to Grant exemptions to<00:38:47.880> any<
• Public Utilities Commission with...
• I am a utility analyst for the Public Utilities Commission. I am here on behalf of the commission.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation heard several bills on March 11, including measures on harbor vessel requirements, transportation funding, clean fuels, water carriers, parking enforcement, and electric mobility. For SB 1402 SD1 on vessels in state commercial harbors, testimony was split: the General Contractors Association of Hawaii and the Longline Association supported it, while Hol Holo Charters and one individual opposed it, saying the bill should be more specific about tourboat operators. For SB 1473 on central services assessments, SB 321 on privately owned roads, and SB 419 on insurance coverage for child passenger restraint systems, the committee heard brief testimony with no noted objections or actions beyond moving through the agenda. For SB 1009 SD2 on parking, the bill would create fines for misuse of disability and EV parking spaces and direct the revenue to the Safe Routes to School special fund. Support came from Ulupono Initiative, Climate Protectors Hawaii, the Disability Communication Access Board, and others, while the Retail Merchants of Hawaii supported the bill’s intent but questioned using the fines for Safe Routes to School, and Hawaiian Electric suggested directing EV-related fines to the EV charging system subaccount instead. Hawaii Appleseed supported the measure but raised concerns about the size of the fines and possible impacts on low-income residents. The committee asked questions about enforcement when EV chargers are inoperable; DAGS indicated the stalls could be used and would not be enforced in that situation. For SB 1120 on a clean fuel standard, the Department of Transportation supported the measure but asked for the implementation date to be delayed by one year and requested an independent Hawaii-specific economic impact study due before the next session. Support also came from several transportation, airline, and industry groups, while Tim Rhymer and Frank Schultz opposed it. The committee then heard SB 21 on water carriers, which would authorize a PUC inflationary cost index adjustment mechanism and exemptions; DOT, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Young Brothers, and the Hawaii Harbors Users Group supported it, while Frank Schultz opposed. Finally, the committee heard SB 117 on electric mobility, which would expand and rename the rebate program, set age limits and operating rules for e-bikes and electric motorcycles, require insurance for electric motorcycle operators, and make conforming changes. Testimony was largely supportive, including from DOT, the Hawaii Bicycling League, the Queen’s pediatric trauma center, and Ulupono Initiative, though one testifier warned that the bill’s wattage definition could unintentionally capture some pedal-assist e-bikes. No votes were taken on the individual bills in the portions shown, and the transcript ended with the committee continuing its hearing agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• to solicit important feedback from stakeholders and the Commission on how we can build out better utility
• I am very upset with the Public Service Commission and our utilities, and I look forward to working with
• to solicit important feedback from stakeholders and the Commission on how we can build out better utility
• I am very upset with the Public Service Commission and our utilities, and I look forward to working with

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions met for its first convening of the 2026 session and confirmed quorum. The chair emphasized transparency in state agencies and utilities, particularly the Public Service Commission, and referenced prior work on utility affordability, nominations, and chaptered bills from the previous session. The committee considered eight bills. It advanced S.373, which would bar confidentiality and nondisclosure provisions in certain state and municipal contracts; S.1336, creating a New York State Digital Equity Plan and ConnectAll Digital Equity Grant Program; and S.2324, requiring Attorney General and Comptroller review of certain state or public authority real property sales over $250,000. It also moved S.2459 to restore earlier Public Authorities Control Board oversight provisions, and S.3736 to increase information provided to PACB members before project funding votes. Additional bills reported to the floor included S.4071A, clarifying that stormwater is included in the definition of sewage for certain water and sewer authorities; S.4576A, establishing a procedure for appointing a president or chairperson upon vacancy and correcting gendered language; and S.5551, requiring recording and public posting of certain Empire State Development public hearings. The bills were moved, seconded, and reported out, with several passing unanimously and at least one receiving a negative vote or abstention noted in the record.

Transcript Highlights:

• have been paying a portion of their revenue to Delaware State Parks, as well as pay a lot of the utility
• have been paying a portion of their revenue to Delaware state parks, as well as pay a lot of the utility
• . as well as pay, you know, pay a lot of the utility fees and such, and we have not seen payment from
• switches and emergency generator replacements, the Office of Management and Budget is authorized to utilize
• your packet, for the Delaware Forest Service on page 45, authorizes the Delaware Forest Service to utilize

Summary: The committee met to finalize the FY27 bond bill, beginning with a roll call and a detailed review of updated appropriation amounts. The Comptroller General walked through major changes across agencies, including additions for OMB, the Department of State, DNREC, Agriculture, Education, and Transportation, and explained the funding sources that would cover the total $1.256 billion package. Members then debated several large items, especially the $110 million appropriation for the Diamond State Port Corporation, the $35 million Legislative Hall addition, the $20 million Community Reinvestment Fund, and the $30 million land and building acquisition line. Questions focused on the port project’s costs, expected jobs, return on investment, and whether the state would face future commitments; Secretary of State Charney Patitofunded Chances and other officials testified that the port expansion would create construction and permanent jobs and support long-term economic growth, while some members remained skeptical and objected to the process and spending priorities. The committee also discussed school construction funding, with officials explaining that additional money would forward-fund projects already in the pipeline and help districts that had been turned down for certificates of necessity. Other items reviewed included funding for park improvements, marina acquisition, the Plummer Center demolition and transfer, the Pyle Center sewer project, the Site Readiness Fund, affordable housing, the Arts Endowment Fund, an unclaimed property task force, and various transportation and community transportation projects. Several members raised concerns about county distribution, minority-party involvement in negotiations, and the scale of certain appropriations, but the majority defended the package as statewide investment and economic development. The committee then voted on the Section 1 addendum and a series of new and replacement epilogue sections, including provisions for the port project, Legislative Hall minor capital improvements, land acquisition, affordable housing, the Community Reinvestment Fund, downtown development districts, the Rite Aid demolition, the Site Readiness Fund, school construction formula review, and enhanced school capital funding. Most motions carried, with a few recorded no votes or abstentions on the main addendum. The meeting concluded with a motion authorizing technical corrections by the Comptroller General’s office, followed by closing remarks thanking staff and members for their work and noting that this was likely the final bond committee meeting for some participants before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This was all one thing that we gave to get people to be aware and to be utilizing it.
• But this is just all permissive about whether or not you want to utilize it.
• be aware and we gave to to get people to be aware and to<00:34:34.639> be<00:34:34.840> utilizing
• If we would have to be utilizing it.
• whether or not you want to utilize it. whether or not you want to utilize it.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next on the agenda, we have the Department of Administration presentation on space utilization update
• Um, so would love to understand the formula for least space offsite versus space potentially utilized
• <00:10:06.880> or<00:10:07.120> could<00:10:07.360> be potentially utilized
• or could be potentially utilized or could be utilized<00:10:08.080> in<00:10:08.640> Centennial
• once the House utilized in Centennial once the House vacates<00:10:11.200> that.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Danny Lock, and I serve as the finance manager for Brainerd Public Utilities in Brainerd,
• Brainerd Public Utilities provides water, wastewater, and electric service to the city of Brainerd and
• Like many utilities across the country, we are managing aging infrastructure while investing in modern
• Like many utilities across the country, we are managing aging infrastructure while investing in modern
• Like many utilities across the country, we are managing aging infrastructure while investing in modern

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• making sure that we are investing in things such as terminals, hangers, tax and development areas, utilities
• their roadway The project is in phase three or four, and they are finishing up the design on the utilities
• Those four were the terminal, the large corporate hangar, the MRO hanger, the utilities, and then the
• Watonga's terminal and utilities are under sign. Pahuska's runway is about to wrap up design.
• This is what has happened over the last five years: we have done seven utility projects across the state

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• what we can to overcome present-day challenges and examine how the Medicaid program can best be utilized
• to apply for benefits and that our team utilizes to determine benefit eligibility.
• This request was produced utilizing a refined funding methodology, incorporating feedback received last
• And finally, it utilizes both experienced data and independent data sources, including accounting for
• That's the system that, if you're applying for benefits, you utilize.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard a presentation on the governor’s proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget for the health and human services silo, which totals $48.5 billion. Agency leaders outlined major requests for AHCA, APD, DCF, DOEA, DOH, and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, including behavioral health redesign, Medicaid rate changes, developmental disability services, child welfare and opioid programs, senior services, cancer research, public health initiatives, and veterans’ facility and technology needs. The committee also received an overview of the overall state budget, which was described as $117.4 billion, up 1.1% from the current year. AHCA’s presentation focused on $71.6 million for a Medicaid behavioral health redesign, including funding for residential treatment, a serious mental illness waiver, and higher inpatient psychiatric rates for youth, plus $7.1 million to raise private duty nursing reimbursement in fee-for-service Medicaid, $2.5 million for the background screening clearinghouse, and $124.4 million for the Health Care Connection System (FX). APD requested funding to continue moving people off the pre-enrollment list and to support developmental disability centers, a new forensic facility, an electronic health record system, and higher operating costs. DCF highlighted $81.9 million for eligibility and system integrity, $187.5 million for opioid prevention and treatment, $35.5 million for community-based care lead agencies, and $72.7 million to expand behavioral health bed capacity, including 474 new beds at state hospitals. DOEA sought additional funding for Alzheimer’s services, home care, and community care for the elderly. DOH emphasized $278 million for cancer research and innovation, $5 million for food and product safety testing, $5 million for the Florida FIRST blood-on-ambulance initiative, and $5.7 million for a public lab feasibility study. Veterans Affairs requested funds for facility improvements, cybersecurity, and medication management equipment. Members asked detailed questions about several items, especially the proposed changes to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which would reduce eligibility and the number of people served. Senators and public witnesses criticized the lack of transparency and urged the department to pause the changes and work with stakeholders; the Surgeon General said the issue was driven by funding constraints and federal changes, not a legal barrier, and that the agency was exploring alternatives. Questions also addressed the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity, the Kids Care/CHIP expansion implementation, the cancer research funding structure, and the timeline and cost of the FX system. Public testimony focused heavily on ADAP, with speakers warning that thousands could lose medication access and calling for community involvement and a review of the program’s finances. The committee adjourned after the presentations and questions, with no votes taken on the budget items during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We were doing pipeline lines, electric utilities, and water lines.
• We have a Municipal Utility District in Harris County, MUD number 405.
• Members, this bill creates a Sayers Ranch Municipal Utility District.
• Municipal Utility District number 405.
• by the Public Utility Commission.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll be able not just to utilize whatever we work on in statute.
• Staff aging buildings also cover maintenance and utilities for separate programs our publicly accountable
• It's like asking a struggling household to cover their neighbors, utilities, mild, their lights are off
• However, having one institution utilize the others facilities inadvertently forces public school to take
• This legislation would require $600 a student for that facility utilization so of the vacant properties

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• actually have a question; I just want to echo Assembly Member Connolly's concerns regarding the utilization
• those funds and, you know, cleaning up the state just... ...maximize the value of utilizing those funds
• place to enable this grant system to work and do the same kind of work with this new funding by utilizing
• what we already have in place and capitalizing on the successes that we already saw. ...by utilizing
• So would this money be utilized for, let's say, a local group, a civic-minded group that wants to clean

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on transportation agency budget proposals and did not take any votes. The first major discussion focused on the Motor Vehicle Account shortfall and a proposed one-time $166 million transfer from the Air Pollution Control Fund and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to offset California Air Resources Board mobile source costs. Department of Finance and the LAO described the account’s long-running structural deficit, driven largely by employee compensation growth and REAL ID-related workload, while members criticized the use of Proposition 4, GGRF, and other one-time or redirected funds as backfills and urged a longer-term solution that addresses both revenues and expenditures. The committee then heard Caltrans’ request for $25 million in General Fund support to create a Clean California Community Cleanup and Employment Pathway Grant Program. Caltrans said the program would build on the prior Clean California effort by funding local litter and graffiti cleanup, community engagement, and workforce pathways for vulnerable populations. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposal, arguing that local litter abatement is not a core state responsibility and that one-time funding is unlikely to solve persistent local cleanup needs. Several members echoed those concerns, while public commenters split between support for the cleanup/employment model and calls to instead restore funding to the Active Transportation Program and transit operations. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency requested that California administratively recognize Tahoe’s federally designated population figure for state formula-based transportation funding, which would raise the population count used in formulas from 40,000 to 145,000. The agency said the change would not request new money but would better align state formulas with federal law and support a shared regional funding framework; members appeared generally supportive, though they noted the need to phase in the change to reduce impacts on other regions. The final presentation was on High-Speed Rail. The LAO reviewed the authority’s project update report, noting that it did not fully meet statutory requirements and that key details are still pending in a supplemental report expected later in the summer. The LAO said the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment still shows an estimated roughly $7 billion funding gap, with no specific plan to close it, and highlighted risks from federal review, inflation, and uncertain GGRF revenues. High-Speed Rail Authority staff said they are conducting a bottom-up review of scope, schedule, ridership, and costs, expect to provide updated information by late summer, and are exploring public-private partnerships and other financing strategies. Members stressed that no further funding commitments should be made until the updated analysis is available.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because that’s clearly a doorway that should be utilized.
• Because that’s clearly a doorway that should be utilized.
• Because that’s clearly a doorway that should be utilized.
• Because that’s clearly a doorway that should be utilized.
• Because that’s clearly a doorway that should be utilized. Thank you, Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all