Transcript Highlights:

• And then coupled with that is going to be weather stations.
• So in predicting, if we know that there's going to be an extreme weather Event, our position is let's
• We are constantly monitoring weather conditions and the conditions of our system.
• We are not solely relying on weather service raw stations for weather data.
• They warm our planet and drive extreme weather. So we must decrease greenhouse gas emissions.

Transcript Highlights:

• That really, as we have a cold weather over this last week, those increases for businesses across the
• as we<00:03:48.280> have<00:03:48.400> a<00:03:48.560> cold<00:03:48.799> weather
• <00:03:49.200> over<00:03:49.439> this<00:03:49.599> last we have a cold weather
• over this last we have a cold weather over this last week<00:03:50.560> those<00:03:50.799>
• and you've got you know 30 below weather and you've got you know 110<00:48:42.240> degrees<00

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House File 9 was heard as a proposal to alter Minnesota energy policy by creating exemptions and “off-ramps” from the state’s 2023 clean energy requirements. The bill would expand hydroelectric power’s eligibility, end the moratorium on new nuclear plants, delay certain carbon-free energy compliance requirements for utilities that do not meet a retail rate benchmark, restrict demolition of fossil fuel plants under that same benchmark, support carbon capture and sequestration, and expand the sales tax exemption for residential natural gas and electricity used as primary heat year-round. The author moved the A1 amendment, which clarified that the carbon capture policy language does not create a state funding obligation; the committee took up the amendment with no discussion and proceeded to a vote, though the result was not stated in the transcript. The bill was then referred to the Committee on Taxes. The author and supporters argued the bill is needed to improve reliability and affordability, especially during extreme cold, and said current mandates are forcing coal retirements faster than replacement generation can be built. They cited MISO and NERC reliability concerns, Xcel’s proposed rate increases, and the need for an “all-of-the-above” energy approach that includes nuclear and hydro. Supporters also said the bill would help keep energy costs down for families and businesses and would allow Minnesota to use existing generation assets longer if rate targets are not met. Testimony from the Minnesota Rural Electric Association and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce supported the bill’s emphasis on reliability, affordability, nuclear power, hydroelectric power, and carbon capture. The Chamber said Minnesota’s electricity costs have become less competitive for businesses and argued that stable, affordable power is essential for economic growth and future technologies such as AI. The Minnesota Utility Investors also supported allowing new nuclear and all hydro power to be considered. In contrast, the Prairie Island Indian Community opposed lifting the nuclear moratorium without a viable long-term waste solution, describing its long history living near the Prairie Island nuclear plant and spent fuel storage and urging continued consultation on the issue. Xcel Energy said it supports low rates and sees nuclear as one option, but emphasized that any support for lifting the moratorium depends on full participation by the Prairie Island Indian Community and that decisions about retiring fossil plants should remain within the existing Public Utilities Commission resource planning process.

Transcript Highlights:

• At the end of this year, credits for weatherizing housing, for adding solar to housing will expire in
• At the end of this year, credits for weatherizing housing, for adding solar to housing will expire in
• 00:14:01.600> for<00:14:01.920> adding for weatherizing housing, for adding for weatherizing
• Minnesota claimed the um weatherization Minnesota claimed the um weatherization credit. credit.
• <00:52:26.079> and you just said with weatherization and you just said with weatherization

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with $24 million to develop enhanced atmospheric... measurement and modeling techniques to improve weather
• However, that training is weather dependent and only available when natural conditions are right, which
• The second appropriation I wanted to highlight is the $24 million for enhanced weather measurements,
• the state of Texas to invest in our own data collection, our own modeling, and our own vision for weather
• is particularly important given the current uncertainty that we're seeing over federal funding for weather

Bills: SB3, SB 3

Keywords: disaster relief, emergency funding, flood management, Meteorological forecasting, local government assistance, training facilities, flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program, backup power

Transcript Highlights:

• This flooding has posed safety risks to youth and staff during severe weather and creates the risk of
• Flashbart has fallen under the weather today.
• conditions arise or poor weather conditions arise, but also to do laundry, so that requires them to
• on the basement piece of things not only do youth and staff need to use that that space when the weather
• conditions arise or poor weather conditions arise when the weather conditions arise or poor weather

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee held an invited-testimony hearing on LR 425, which examines the Whitehall campus in Lincoln and possible long-term options for youth currently served there. Chair Brian Hardin explained that Whitehall houses two separate programs for adolescent males: a substance use program and a youth-who-sexually-harm program. Testimony from DHHS officials described Whitehall as a Joint Commission-accredited psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF) that provides about 40 hours of weekly programming, family involvement, school services, and community reintegration activities. Officials said the department is evaluating whether the programs should remain at Whitehall or move to another state-owned facility, with Hastings described as the department’s preferred alternative because it is more residential in design than a youth rehabilitation treatment center (YRTC).

Transcript Highlights:

• This came out of our discussions dealing with Winter Storm Uri and some of the extreme weather we face
• You can't predict the weather. The weather changes daily. **Chair:** It's a concern all the time.
• You can't predict the weather, right? But nonetheless, it's concerning. People move to the coast.
• Companies, homeowner's companies cannot non-renew for a weather-related event or natural causes.
• Well, it's a concern all the time; you can't predict the weather. Right.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• patterns and you're saying at weather patterns and you're saying well<01:16:04.800> we've<01:
• <01:16:25.920> patterns capacity load and then weather patterns capacity load and then weather
• center to help us predict that weather center to help us predict that and<01:19:40.120> we'll
• <01:37:53.280> um<01:37:53.560> and outside actors but also weather um and outside
• don't get rid of the space weather don't get rid of the space weather center<01:38:32.400> because

Bills: HF75

Keywords: HF75, earned incentive release credit, earned incentive credits, revocation, revocable credits, corrections, Minnesota Department of Corrections, prison discipline, incarcerated persons, inmate misconduct, facility rules, sentence reduction, supervised release, Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act, public safety, rehabilitation, prison credits, executed sentence, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I know there have been significant travel disruptions in the schedule caused by the weather yesterday
• I know there have been significant travel disruptions in the schedule caused by the weather yesterday
• I know there have been significant travel disruptions in the schedule caused by the weather yesterday
• caused<00:03:44.959> uh<00:03:45.159> by<00:03:45.959> the<00:03:46.159> weather
• the schedule caused uh by the weather the schedule caused uh by the weather yesterday<00:03:47.599

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We did not restrict apparel used in extreme weather conditions by professionals like for fishing vessels
• The periods we're most concerned about are extended wintertime cold-weather events.
• There weren't any major cold-weather events in February.
• That can occur because of very hot weather conditions that drive electric load up, very cold weather
• And so there tends to be less wind production during very cold weather events.

Summary: The committee held a work session covering PFAS regulation and impacts, no-cost allowance allocation for emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries (EITEs), and regional resource adequacy and data center load growth. Senator Victoria Hunt was welcomed as a new member. The Department of Ecology reviewed Washington’s Safer Products for Washington PFAS work, including completed restrictions on PFAS in outdoor furniture, carpets, rugs, stain/water-resistant treatments, and newer rules adopted in November restricting PFAS in most apparel, cleaning products, and automotive washes, with reporting requirements for some other products such as cookware and firefighting gear. Ecology also described Cycle 2 PFAS reviews now underway, including artificial turf and paints, and answered questions about compliance, online sales, sell-through periods, and how Washington’s approach differs from broader bans in states like Maine and Minnesota. The Department of Ecology also presented on PFAS in biosolids, describing a 2024 sampling study, limitations in testing methods, and a 2025 statutory amendment requiring additional sampling between 2027 and 2028 and a report to the legislature in 2029. The Department of Health then updated the committee on PFAS in drinking water, reporting that most Group A public water systems have completed sampling, that 317 sources and 188 systems are expected to exceed new contaminant levels, and that treatment costs for public systems are estimated at about $970 million, leaving a large funding gap; members also asked about private wells, health effects, bathing exposure, and home filters. The Board of Health’s new state action levels are being aligned with federal MCLs, and the department said it expects to continue monitoring and notification under state rules. Ecology also briefed the committee on no-cost allowance allocations to EITEs under the Climate Commitment Act, explaining the leakage-mitigation rationale, the current allocation schedule through 2034, and a forthcoming report on policy options for 2035-2050; members asked about industry barriers, competitiveness, and whether facilities might leave the state. Finally, E3 presented a regional resource adequacy study showing rising load, retirements outpacing additions, limited winter reliability value from wind, solar, and batteries, and a projected shortfall beginning in 2026 that could grow to about 9,000 MW by 2030 if planned projects are not built. The presentation emphasized winter cold-weather events, hydro variability, the importance of permitting and transmission, and longer-term options including nuclear, geothermal, hydrogen, carbon capture, and long-duration storage. EPRI then introduced its DC Flex initiative, which is studying how data centers can provide flexible load through workload shifting, cooling optimization, and on-site backup or bridging resources to reduce grid stress and protect ratepayers.

Transcript Highlights:

• It'll help our cities and towns avoid the damage and costs that come with all kinds of major weather
• We have all seen the effects of extreme weather.
• . ...would be very monumental to help support cities and towns as they adapt to severe weather.
• Extreme weather hits these residents first and worst.
• These extreme weather events will only continue to worsen over time.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on the Healey-Driscoll administration’s Mass Ready Act, a $3 billion environmental bond bill. Administration officials said the bill would fund climate resilience, clean water, land conservation, parks, PFAS remediation, food security infrastructure, and coastal and inland flood protection, while also streamlining permitting for housing, restoration, and other resilience projects. They emphasized that the bond authorizes spending but does not itself obligate it, and said the proposal includes deauthorizations as housekeeping. Committee members asked about the new Resilience Revolving Fund, flood and drought management, MVP funding, land acquisition, Chapter 61 right-of-first-refusal changes, salt marsh carbon sequestration, and how the bill would help smaller municipalities and offset expected federal funding losses. Officials said the revolving fund would be managed through EEA and the Clean Water Trust, with criteria aimed at directing aid to communities most in need, and noted that drought issues would continue to be handled through existing DEP and drought commission tools. Several committee members and witnesses discussed specific policy provisions, including flood disclosure requirements for homebuyers and renters, expanded authority for regional planning and small-town access to grants, and permitting reforms that would exempt or expedite certain environmental restoration and priority housing projects from more time-consuming review processes. Administration witnesses defended the reforms as a way to achieve the same environmental outcomes faster and with more certainty, while some advocates argued the bill should go further, especially on Chapter 91 and restoration permitting. The administration also described investments in DCR facilities, water and wastewater systems, open space, agricultural easements, and a new focus on blue carbon and salt marsh restoration. Public testimony largely supported the bill. Mass Audubon, the Trustees of Reservations, the Environmental League of Massachusetts, The Nature Conservancy, MAPC, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, municipal officials, and others praised the bill’s resilience, conservation, and water infrastructure investments. Some witnesses urged additional funding for land protection, coastal resilience, buyouts, and restoration, and several called for stronger or simpler permitting reforms. Municipal witnesses from Boston, Beckett, Beverly, Conway, and regional planning organizations stressed the need for flexible financing, especially for small and rural communities facing costly infrastructure and climate adaptation projects. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the committee heard testimony and asked questions before moving on to additional panels.

Transcript Highlights:

• pump station, a wet weather pump station, and a new wet weather storage tank.
• pump station, a wet weather pump station, and a new wet weather storage tank.
• pump station, a include a dry weather pump station, a wet<00:32:01.440> weather<00:32:01.919>
• pump station, and a new wet wet weather pump station, and a new wet weather<00:32:04.720> storage
• This 20-year loan weather storage tank.

Keywords: Reuploaded tor restore the roll call and minutes approval 0:00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:20 Approval of Minutes 0:00:50 Information Items 0:01:39 Project Rpt from Eastern KY University 0:06:54 Lease Rpt from University of KY 0:11:33 Project Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 0:18:50 Lease Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 0:29:33 OFM – KY Infrastructure Authority 0:38:27 OFM – Debt Issues 0:46:27 Louisville Arena Authority 1:24:30 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the November minutes and received information items on University of Kentucky medical and research equipment purchases, five school districts reporting upcoming bond issues with no additional tax levies needed, and a School Facilities Construction Commission list of prior debt issues for fiscal year 2026. It then considered an appropriation increase for a University of Kentucky project at the Central Kentucky Regional Airport in Richmond. University officials said the project is 100% federally funded and will construct a terminal building tied to EKU’s airport operations and planned flight school. Members asked about the relationship to aviation expansion and whether the flight school would be publicly operated; the witnesses said EKU would operate it, public appropriations had already been applied, and student revenue would help offset costs. The committee approved the item by roll call vote. Next, the committee approved a University of Kentucky lease purchase for property at 415 West Sun Street in Morehead, Rowan County, for $6.4 million. UK said the property, which includes an 85,000-square-foot facility on 9.6 acres, is directly across from UK St. Clair and was offered by the Rowan County Board of Education after it moved to a new location. Members questioned why the payment schedule was structured as quarterly installments and why the price was below two appraisals; UK said the board requested the arrangement and did not want the full amount upfront, and there was no interest on the purchase price. The committee also approved this item. The deputy state budget director then reported three appropriation increases in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet: a Ballard Wildlife Management Area pump station project, Lake Barkley State Resort Park emergency repairs, and Lake Barkley lodge wing exterior repairs. After questions, staff explained the Lake Barkley increases were mainly to cover construction contingencies because bids came in close to available funding. The committee approved the action items, then heard four no-action pool projects: HVAC upgrades at the FFA leadership training center in Hardinsburg, Kentucky School for the Blind’s McDaniel Scoggin building, KSD’s Brett Brady Hall, and a Kentucky State University Shanty Hall renovation for the School of Engineering Technology. Finally, the committee heard two real property items: a new CHFS lease in Wayne County and a Transportation Cabinet lease modification in Christian County. The Wayne County lease drew the most discussion, with members questioning the high per-square-foot cost and whether another county location could be used; CHFS said it maintains offices in every county seat, this lease would replace an existing 1977 office, and the new construction was negotiated down from a higher initial bid. The Christian County item was described as a replacement site for driver licensing space, with renovation costs partly absorbed by the lessor and the remainder amortized over the lease term.

Transcript Highlights:

• OPTIONS FOR, IF YOU HAVE BENEFICIAL DISCHARGES OBVIOUSLY TO THE REUSE SYSTEMS BUT WE HAVE COMMITTED WET WEATHER
• FOR EXAMPLE IT'S ONE WHERE YOU COULD HAVE BACKUP DISCHARGES FOR WET WEATHER FROM A FACILITY, HOWEVER,
• IF YOU HAVE A REUSE SYSTEM YOU WOULD HAVE TO HAVE WHAT WEATHER DISCHARGES.
• MUST BE ABLE TO KEEP THOSE AT 90 PERCENT OF THE DISCHARGES AND SO ONLY 10 PERCENT COULD BE FOR WET WEATHER
• PUBLIC ACCESS REUSE OF THE DOWNSIDE WHEN I GET INTO WHAT WEATHER ISSUES.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is the one that was initialized yesterday, using the next 10 days of our weather and then kind
• -focused, and those forecasts are shown from the National Weather Service.
• It has a bigger effect on our winter weather in Washington.
• uncertain, and it's more impactful during winter, so it will matter more for our fall and winter weather
• It was due to the weather situation. But in any case, they were brilliant.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first elected Rep. Reeves as chair and Rep. Dent as vice chair for the coming year by unanimous voice vote. Rep. Reeves then continued chairing the meeting after noting he would need to leave early, and the committee moved to its regular agenda on drought conditions in Washington. The first major presentation came from the state climatology office and the Department of Ecology on the 2026 statewide drought declaration. They described an unusually warm winter, low spring snowpack, and forecast above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation for parts of the summer. Ecology said the declaration was based on Washington’s statutory drought criteria of reduced water supply and expected hardship, and that impacts were already being seen or anticipated for agriculture, fish, and some drinking water systems, especially in the Yakima Basin. Ecology also noted the drought response grant account had $3 million available, and that the declaration allows expedited water transfer processing and emergency response grants. Committee members asked about funding, preparedness, and longer-term drought planning. Rep. Dent and others urged Ecology to work with the Legislature on broader mitigation strategies, including possible future legislative tools, funding needs, and reservoir or storage solutions. Ecology staff said they were open to continued collaboration and noted recurring drought has highlighted the need for more preparedness funding and resilience planning. Dr. Cliff Mass of the University of Washington then gave a contrasting presentation, arguing that Washington was not in a drought emergency because reservoirs were full, precipitation was near or above normal in many areas, soil moisture was adequate, and agriculture was performing well. He said the low snowpack would not create a serious water shortage this year and urged the state to drop the drought emergency declaration. Committee members questioned him about reservoir capacity, state drought definitions, and forecast uncertainty. The meeting ended with several members thanking outgoing chair Sen. Warnick for her service and reflecting on future drought meetings and water issues in the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is the one that was initialized yesterday using the next 10 days of our weather and then kind
• -focused, and those forecasts are shown from the National Weather Service.
• It has a bigger effect on our winter weather in Washington.
• uncertain, and it's more impactful during winter, so it will matter more for our fall and winter weather
• It was due to the weather situation. But in any case, they were brilliant.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first elected Rep. Reeves as chair and Rep. Dent as vice chair for the coming year, with the vote appearing unanimous. After a brief discussion about who would chair the rest of the meeting, the committee proceeded to its regular agenda focused on the 2026 drought situation in Washington. The Washington state climatologist, Karen Mbacca, and Department of Ecology drought staff presented data showing a statewide drought declaration issued April 8 due to very low snowpack, warm winter temperatures, and resulting water supply concerns. They described the state’s statutory drought criteria, current reservoir and streamflow conditions, Yakima Basin water supply forecasts, likely summer temperature and precipitation outlooks, and the possibility of an El Niño developing later in the year. Ecology said the declaration makes $3 million in drought response grants available and allows expedited water transfer processing, and staff said they are already hearing concerns about impacts to agriculture, fish, and drinking water systems. Committee members discussed the need for longer-term drought preparedness, possible legislative tools, and whether additional funding or reservoir/storage strategies should be considered. Rep. Dent and others asked about available grant money and future mitigation planning, while Ecology said it is open to working with the legislature and stakeholders on resilience measures. The committee then heard a contrasting presentation from Dr. Cliff Mass of the University of Washington, who argued there is no current drought emergency because reservoirs are full, precipitation and soil moisture are near or above normal in many areas, and agriculture is performing well; he said the state’s drought declaration is not justified by current conditions. Members questioned him about reservoir capacity, drought definitions, and forecasts, and the meeting ended with several members thanking departing legislators and noting the importance of continued water planning.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as the these weather the event.
• <00:55:31.839> pattern there's a serious weather pattern there's a serious weather pattern
• Or do they must wait for the National Weather Service to declare a weather alert?
• Or do they must wait for the National Weather Service to declare a weather alert?
• uh a declaration by the National Weather uh a declaration by the National Weather Service<02:16:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sooner or later, an extreme weather catastrophe is going to hit each of us where we live.
• Sooner or later, an extreme weather catastrophe is going to hit each of us where we live.
• catastrophe is going to hit each weather catastrophe is going to hit each of<00:31:04.639> us
• I would much prefer a state policy instead to weatherize and electrify every home in Minnesota, that
• <00:36:13.240> and state policy instead to weatherize and state policy instead to weatherize

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that community benefit program provides weatherization and energy efficiency based on what size
• and energy efficiency weatherization and energy efficiency based<00:17:52.720> on<00:17:52.960
• period that might see extreme weather period that might see increased<00:52:33.119> levels<00
• > have extreme cold weather events have extreme cold weather events have probably<00:54:09.119
• > by<01:25:53.120> the Look, there's extreme weather, by the Look, there's extreme weather

Bills: HF3296, HF3802

Keywords: energy conservation, data centers, electric sales, energy optimization, utility regulations, energy regulation, certificate of need, renewable energy, power production, energy efficiency, Minnesota statutes, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• radio notification protocol NOAA weather radio notification protocol to<00:31:01.279> communicate
• So I think that they're spraying it for weather manipulation, but also um I can't say that they they
• I have watched the weather cloud seeding in Texas, and it happened right before Camp Mystic.
• There's patents, um, LBJ, LBJ, LBJ, um, you know, talked about controlling the weather.
• There's patents, um, LBJ, LBJ, LBJ, um, you know, talked about controlling the weather.

Bills: SB174, SB39, SB40, SB206, SB200, HB169, HB345, HB381, HB25

Keywords: business taxes, annual reports, Alabama Tax Tribunal, tax appeals, local government, board governance, occupational licensing, Sunset Law, public accountability, training requirements, SB40, Houston/Hunter Act, firearm hold agreement, gun storage, temporary firearm storage, firearms dealer, federal firearms licensee, FFL, civil immunity, gun owner

Transcript Highlights:

• The weatherization inspections, the firm fuel, coordination with the Railroad Commission on critical
• So the performance of units before weatherization in 2011 was such that we had to have load shed.
• Okay, so the weatherization of those thermal units, the weatherization of the gas system, all those things
• the grid and our ability to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to weather

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, there's nothing here weather related.
• there's nothing here weather related. there's nothing here weather related.
• accidents and it's pretty much weather accidents and it's pretty much weather related,<01:13:14.080
• Even though you could weather related?
• And when that weather year for a change.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all