Bills: HR21 , HR471 , HR375

Keywords: committee appointments, House of Representatives, HR21, legislative process, government structure, ethics, transparency, for-profit, board members, democracy, renewable fuels, ethanol, E15, ethanol-15, renewable fuel standard, RFS, RINs, renewable identification numbers, refinery capacity, farmers

Bills: HR187 , HR186 , HR375 , HR165 , HR204 , HR197 , HR207

Keywords: government oversight, accountability, federal employees, transparency, administrative leave, Elon Musk, conflict of interest, government efficiency, federal contracts, renewable fuels, ethanol, E15, ethanol-15, renewable fuel standard, RFS, RINs, renewable identification numbers, refinery capacity, farmers, refiners

Bills: HR1016 , HCR68 , HB6359 , HB7148 , HB7147 , HR375 , HR1014

Keywords: corrections, Department of Homeland Security, legislative process, engrossment, military intervention, Venezuela, Congress, war powers, foreign policy, pregnant students, pregnancy accommodations, college pregnancy, higher education, Title IX, student rights, campus resources, student health center, counseling center, orientation materials, student handbook

Transcript Highlights:

• home and removing all sources of RF, which we did.
• Their homes are their low-EMF, low-RF havens.
• How will they be able to... ...low-RF havens.
• Thousands of peer-reviewed published studies indicate great harm from RF radiation.
• RF radiation is a carcinogen in the same category as lead and DDT.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a range of energy, utility, broadband, and municipal infrastructure bills. Representative Powell supported H 3466, which would create a task force to study public ownership of utilities and alternatives to investor-owned electric and gas systems. Representative Therber supported H 3574, which would use RGGI funds to reimburse cities and towns affected by power plant decommissioning, citing lost jobs, tax revenue, and service cuts in communities such as Somerset, Plymouth, Salem, and Everett. Several witnesses from municipal light plants and related organizations testified in support of mutual aid bills, including H 3486/S 2252 and H 3330/S 2277, saying the measures would clarify protections and liability coverage for MLP workers assisting in emergencies and non-emergency work. Jim Leiden of EMWIC opposed H 3514/S 2295, saying the proposed board and governance changes would reduce local control, add burdens, and weaken confidentiality protections. A committee member asked whether the mutual aid bills had been reviewed for municipal impacts, and the witnesses said they had done due diligence. The committee also heard extensive testimony on H 3551/S 2306, the smart meter opt-out bills. Supporters argued that smart meters emit harmful wireless radiation, that some residents have developed health problems or electromagnetic sensitivity, and that opt-outs should be available without fees or penalties; several witnesses urged notification, consent, and non-transmitting analog meter options. The committee also heard testimony from municipal officials and the Massachusetts Municipal Association in support of H 3462/S 2250, which would strengthen municipal authority to enforce timely removal of double utility poles, citing safety, accessibility, and construction-delay concerns. Derek Leffert of Gateway Fiber opposed H 3450, saying it would improperly shift broadband deployment costs to competitors. At the end of testimony, the chair closed the hearing by motion and vote, with members voting aye and no opposition recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• why it ignored an abundance of scientific evidence showing harm from wireless radio frequency, that's RF
• </c><00:02:31.360><c> Federal</c> The court order directed the FCC to address the health effects of RF
• </c> address the health effects of RF address the health effects of RF radiation<00:02:50.200><c> on<
• </c> long-term and cumulative exposures of RF long-term and cumulative exposures of RF radiation. radiation
• </c> effective whole body far field RF effective whole body far field RF exposure<00:07:51.400><c> from

Transcript Highlights:

• funds as these payment on receive RF funds as these amounts<01:21:07.800><c> were</c><01:21:08.120><
• So if it goes into our system, there's nothing we can do to say, okay, this is an RF refund right now
• funds and which ones have paid tax on RF funds and which ones<01:23:18.639><c> are</c><01:23:18.760>
• refund right now like okay this is an RF refund right now like there's<01:25:32.520><c> a</c><01:25:
• The recipients of RF funds are publicly available, so we are able to track down who received them.

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology met on March 12, 2025, and heard testimony on several measures. On SB 9, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation testified in support, and there were no questions or objections. On SB 148, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs offered comments, and a member of the public testified in support of combining boxing and MMA oversight into a single combat sports commission, with amendments to preserve safety standards and separate or distinct treatment for the two sports. Committee discussion focused on whether proposed requirements were primarily safety-related or cost-related, how to handle smaller events, and whether a one-year implementation delay was necessary; the department said many safety provisions already exist in the MMA program, that it was open to continued discussion on costs, and that it needed time to combine rules and appoint new commissioners. The chair suggested possible amendments to account for event size and to reduce burdens on smaller events. The committee then heard SB 816, which drew extensive testimony on providing legal representation for immigrants in immigration proceedings. Supporters included the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission, ACU Hawaii, the Refugee and Immigration Law Clinic, the Legal Clinic, Hawaii Friends of Civil Rights, the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights, Pride at Work Hawaii, and others. Supporters argued that immigration cases can be as serious as criminal cases, that counsel is essential for due process, and that representation improves outcomes; several also emphasized the economic importance of immigrants to Hawaii. One supporter noted a suggested amendment to include training for attorneys and partners doing deportation defense and asylum work. Opposition came from a Navy veteran who argued the bill would use state resources for a federal issue, create inequities, and impose fiscal burdens. The chair noted 69 testimonies in support and 44 in opposition, and later an additional supporter brought the total to 70 in support. No vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided. The committee also heard SB 125, with the Department of Economic Development, the Agreed Business Development Corporation, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association in support, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii offering technical comments about complicated nested definitions in the bill. Testimony on SB 125 focused on updating the Enterprise Zone Program so local manufacturers selling directly to retail could qualify, along with value-added products and certain health-related sectors. Finally, on SB 732, the State of Hawaii Creative Industries testified with comments, raising concerns about county permit-fee waivers, implementation timing, and the bill’s lack of a carry-forward provision for the film tax credit. The witness said uncertainty in the credit was already causing productions to delay coming to Hawaii and urged stability to support the industry and local workers. The committee then moved on to additional testimony on the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 224 will exempt administration costs and funding for the Office of Energy Innovation rebate RF
• :05.039><c> energy</c><00:07:05.520><c> Innovation</c><00:07:06.520><c> rebate</c><00:07:07.000><c> RF
• </c> office of energy Innovation rebate RF office of energy Innovation rebate RF money<00:07:07.840><
• </c> Investments the November 1st 24 RF Investments the November 1st 24 RF report<00:21:30.039><c> and
• And this RF affects us in a couple ways.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 224, which would redirect most money from New Hampshire’s renewable energy fund back to electric ratepayers. The bill sponsor argued the measure would lower energy costs, noting recent utility rate increases and estimating annual savings of roughly $2.5 million to $7.3 million for ratepayers. Supporters said the fund has accumulated money that should be returned to customers rather than used for subsidies, and they emphasized that the state has already rebated similar funds from RGGI for years. Opponents, including Rep. Kat McGee, argued the renewable energy fund is a successful, nonlapsing dedicated fund that supports local clean-energy projects, energy resilience, emissions reductions, and private investment. McGee said the fiscal note overstated the benefit of rebates and understated the loss of investment, claiming the average annual rebate would amount to less than $10 per customer while the program has helped leverage significant private dollars and nearly 10,000 projects. She urged the committee to reject the bill as a poor deal for the state and ratepayers. Committee members questioned the fiscal note, the size of the rebate, whether the bill would set a precedent for other dedicated funds, and whether the program’s incentives amount to picking winners and losers. The Department of Energy testified neutrally, explaining how the renewable energy fund works, including renewable energy credits, alternative compliance payments, and the fund’s use for renewable energy initiatives. No vote was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sorry, I don't know if we want to jump ahead to that, but I'm interested in where in HB 1 the RFS are
• </c><00:37:25.240><c> are</c> interested in where in hb1 the RFS are interested in where in hb1 the RFS
• Sorry, I don't know if we want to jump ahead to that, but I'm interested in where in HB 1 the RFS are
• Sorry, I don't know if we want to jump ahead to that, but I'm interested in where in HB 1 the RFS are
• Representative Lean: I would just also mention that in the past funds have been taken from the RF for

Summary: The committee first heard the Banking Department’s fiscal year 2026-2027 budget presentation from Commissioner Amelia Galeri. She described the department as a self-funded consumer protection regulator overseeing two main areas: the Banking Trust Division, which supervises state-chartered banks, credit unions, and trust companies, and the Consumer Credit Division, which oversees more than 7,000 licensees including mortgage and money transmitter businesses. She said the department’s budget is about 86% salaries and benefits, with 53 positions all filled, and explained that the agency funds itself through fees, fines, and end-of-year assessments on regulated entities. Galeri said the department is facing workload growth from several directions: continued growth in the trust industry, increased fintech supervision, and a new requirement to regularly examine auto dealers that take finance applications, which adds about 300 exams over two fiscal years. She said the department was directed to flat-fund its budget based on 2025 levels but was allowed to increase travel and training. To stay within that limit, she said the department reduced office space, went paperless, converted administrative and licensing positions into examiner positions, and expects to defund an embedded DOJ database administrator position once a new SharePoint system is fully implemented. Members asked about how the department’s revenue and assessments work, including whether fees were increasing and how much existing banks would pay. Galeri said fees are not being raised, most banks pay little or no fines, and assessments are based largely on asset size, with trust companies paying the bulk. She also explained that fines are set by statute, generally capped at $2,500 per violation for consumer credit entities, and said she would not recommend increasing that cap. The committee then voted to accept the Banking Department’s budget proposal as presented in HQ1, with a motion and second and no discussion. The transcript then moved to the Department of Energy budget. Commissioner Jared Chakin and Chief of Operations Lenny Radio discussed federal program funding, including LIHEAP fuel assistance and weatherization. They said the apparent drop in fuel assistance funding from FY 2024 actuals to the budgeted amount is due to the loss of ARPA and CARES Act supplemental funds, while weatherization remains a federally constrained program with a waiting list and limited flexibility. Members also asked about a proposed transfer from the renewable energy fund; staff said the transfer would still allow the department to carry out its statutory duties for the year, though the committee deferred deeper discussion until House Bill 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• It flies pre-programmed waypoints, and every passive RF detection system in the market is blind to it
• Perfect video, zero emissions, immune to jamming, and RF detection entirely.
• would see systems or we would see detections through radar capabilities that are not picking up on RF
• So the RF system The RF system basically tells the drone it cannot enter a certain airspace.
• Right now, it's only RF detection. Here shortly, we're expanding that to both optical and radar.

Summary: The Select Committee on Homeland and Border Security convened with a quorum, adopted its standard committee rules, and began its interim work on the charge of keeping Texas skies safe. Members introduced staff and emphasized the committee’s focus on drone threats, border security, fuel trafficking, critical infrastructure, and public safety. The chair outlined that the committee would hear invited and public testimony over the interim to evaluate current law and recommend legislative action for the next session. The first invited witness, Dr. Michael McGee, gave extensive testimony on the rapid spread of drone technology and the difficulty of detecting and countering drones across multiple threat tiers. He argued that criminal organizations and hostile actors already use drones for surveillance, smuggling, and attacks, and that Texas now has new federal authority to counter drones but lacks enough trained personnel and statewide capacity. He recommended expanding Texas training pipelines, creating a statewide task force led by DPS, building a shared statewide data picture, pursuing federal and state coordination, and supporting lower-cost sensor development and Texas-based manufacturing. Members questioned him about airport vulnerabilities, critical infrastructure costs, commercial delivery drones, and the need for universal protection against evolving threats. A Texas Department of Public Safety panel then described current drone and counter-drone operations. DPS officials said drones are widely used for crash reconstruction, search and rescue, tactical overwatch, and critical infrastructure monitoring, while counter-UAS capabilities remain limited and layered, with only a small number of officers certified through the FBI’s two-week counter-drone course. They said DPS used federal coordination and grant-funded equipment successfully during FIFA-related events and is developing regional counter-UAS teams, but state law still needs updates on FAA alignment, weapons on drones, critical infrastructure definitions, altitude restrictions, sporting venues, and public education. The panel also described DPS’s drone first responder program, including rooftop-launched drones at the Capitol, the Alamo, and other sites, and said current mitigation authority depends on federal certification, policies, and coordination with FAA and air traffic control; without mitigation authority, officers mainly rely on visual detection and ground teams to locate operators.

Transcript Highlights:

• That would be to have equipment that is going to detect RF signals to detect drones, unlawful drones
• So it's radar, it's sensors, it's RF sensors in order to detect drones coming in. Thank you.
• It can, it's radar, it's sensors, it's RF sensors in order to detect drones coming in. Thank you.

Summary: The Legislative Budget Commission considered 21 budget amendments, most of them routine authority adjustments tied to federal grants, Medicaid payment programs, and trust fund realignments. The Department of Education received $14.751 million for a Preschool Development Grant to support early learning system improvements, workforce credentialing and training, IT modernization, and related early childhood certification work. The Department of Veterans Affairs shifted $2.2 million within its trust fund to cover higher nursing home occupancy, replace contract nursing with OPS staff, and meet rising operating costs. The Department of Health moved about $9.1 million to support Disability Determinations, where roughly 140,000 cases were pending or in process, and said the change would help reduce backlog and avoid a deficit. The Agency for Health Care Administration presented multiple amendments for Medicaid-related programs, including $766 million for indirect medical education, $1.9 million for managed care network adequacy audits, $209 million for the Rural Health Transformation Program, and several large supplemental payment programs for hospitals and physicians; members asked about CMS approval delays, provider access, and how rural funds would be distributed. The commission also adopted an amendment realigning KidCare funds, placing a $32.1 million surplus into reserve, though several members objected that the state had not yet implemented the 2023 KidCare expansion and that children remained on a wait list. Another Medicaid amendment placed a $376 million surplus into reserve after updated estimating conference projections. Other agencies also received approvals. FDLE received $16.26 million to buy counter-unmanned aircraft systems equipment such as radar and RF sensors to detect and mitigate drone threats. The Department of Juvenile Justice received $1.6 million for the Florida Scholars Academy and a Social Services Block Grant realignment, with staff confirming corrective action had been taken after prior audit findings about allowable SSBG spending. The Division of Emergency Management received federal pass-through authority for FIFA World Cup security and counter-UAS funds, both controlled by the Miami host committee, and members noted the state had little direct oversight over how those local grants would be used. The Department of Commerce received $148.4 million for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery work, with questions focused on the split between housing, infrastructure, and administrative costs. The Department of State received $408,377 for arts and culture federal grant obligations. All amendments were adopted, generally without objection, after brief questioning and no public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• domain awareness program at the University of Arizona, where he has developed a network of optical and RF
• domain awareness program at the University of Arizona, where he has developed a network of optical and RF

Committee: House House Rural Economic Development Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee on Rural Economic Development met to hear two presentations. Rep. Volk gave a lighthearted but substantive overview of invasive plant species in southern Arizona, focusing on buffalo grass and stinknet, their role in increasing wildfire risk, harming native habitat, and contributing to respiratory irritation. He described current removal efforts such as hand-pulling and volunteer work, and discussed emerging technology including drone-based mapping and targeted herbicide application. Members asked about grazing use, treatment costs, and whether the mapping covered areas farther north; Volk said the red dots represented identified but untreated stinknet locations and noted ongoing coordination with county, museum, and fire-management partners. The committee then heard from Dr. Vishnu Reddy of the University of Arizona on space defense as an economic enabler for Districts 7 and 17, with discussion of Biosphere 2, water research, food innovation, and the university’s space situational awareness work. He explained asteroid and planetary defense, including how near-Earth objects are tracked, why early detection matters, and how objects can be nudged off course with kinetic impact methods like NASA’s DART mission. He also described the Chelyabinsk meteor event, the far side of the Moon, and the value of university, small-business, and student partnerships in this research ecosystem. Reddy highlighted Biosphere 2’s visitor revenue, philanthropic support, and federal/state funding tied to these programs, and emphasized workforce development and small-business contracting. The presentation concluded with members handling meteorite, Moon, and Mars samples. No formal bills were considered and no votes were taken; the meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the RFS program was funded by a cooperative agreement with the United States government, and the
• Smooy's program, one of the programs that we were able to fund with the RFS program.
• The RFS program was funded by a cooperative agreement with the United States government, and the idea
• Smooy's program, one of the programs that we were able to fund with the RFS program.
• Smooy's program, one of the programs that we were able to fund with the RFS program.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:40.759><c> $93</c><00:05:41.280><c> million</c><00:05:42.080><c> in</c><00:05:42.280><c> RF
• c><00:27:01.960><c> they</c><00:27:02.039><c> do</c><00:27:02.200><c> get</c> get money back Al for RF
• they do get get money back Al for RF they do get paid<00:27:02.600><c> back</c><00:27:02.919><c> but
• </c><00:56:17.559><c> is</c><00:56:17.720><c> uh</c><00:56:17.920><c> loan</c> the last one for RF is
• uh loan the last one for RF is uh loan guarantees<00:56:18.640><c> and</c><00:56:18.799><c> credit</

Transcript Highlights:

• At the top of the next screen, four down, hit RF Exposure.
• data about the number of Massachusetts residents who've already been harmed from any source of EMF/RF
• data about the number of Massachusetts residents who've already been harmed from any source of EMF/RF

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing focused on children’s health, disease prevention, screening, treatment, and pharmacy-related bills. The chair explained that the session was for public testimony only, with no votes or decisions taken that day, and outlined the three-minute limit for individual testimony. The committee then heard testimony on a range of bills, including H. 2413 on adding electromagnetic sensitivity to the state’s MAVEN registry, S. 1508 and H. 2433 on creating an amputation prevention task force, H. 2535 and S. 1551 on establishing a naloxone purchase trust fund, S. 1635 on authorizing pharmacists to provide opioid use disorder treatment, H. 2385 on creating a special commission on avian influenza, and S. 1497 on patient safety and non-FDA-approved compounded drugs. Testimony on H. 2413 came largely from advocates and individuals who described electromagnetic sensitivity as a real health condition and argued that adding it to the registry would improve data collection, provider education, and public awareness. Testimony on the amputation prevention task force bills came from the American Diabetes Association and podiatry groups, who said diabetes-related amputations are often preventable, disproportionately affect people of color, and could be reduced through earlier screening, better care coordination, and improved insurance coverage for preventive foot care. On the naloxone trust fund bills, a representative, emergency physician, and nurse testified that hospitals often cannot reliably send overdose patients home with naloxone because of billing and reimbursement barriers, and that a bulk-purchase fund would expand access at no added cost to payers or providers. The committee also heard strong support for S. 1635 from pharmacists and public health researchers, who said community pharmacists could safely initiate and maintain buprenorphine treatment and help close gaps in opioid use disorder care. On H. 2385, a local board of health chair supported a special commission on avian influenza, citing gaps in emergency preparedness and the need for clearer coordination across agencies. On S. 1497, a pharmacy representative opposed restrictions on compounded drugs from outsourcing facilities, warning that changes could reduce access to life-saving medications and harm patient safety. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• That would be to have equipment that is going to detect RF signals to detect drones, unlawful drones
• So it's radar, it's sensors, it's RF sensors in order to detect drones coming in. Thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• That would be to have equipment that is going to detect RF signals to detect drones, unlawful drones
• So it can be radar, sensors, RF sensors in order to detect drones coming in. Thank you.

Summary: The Legislative Budget Commission met to consider 21 budget amendments, beginning with the Department of Education’s request for $14.751 million in federal grant authority for the Preschool Development Grant. Members asked whether any funds would support VPK or provider payments; the department said the money is for birth-to-kindergarten early learning work, including IT modernization, workforce credentialing, training, and streamlining director certification. The amendment was adopted without objection. The commission then approved amendments for the Department of Veterans Affairs to shift $2.2 million within its trust fund to cover higher nursing home occupancy and reduce staffing agency use, and for the Department of Health to realign about $9.1 million for disability determinations amid a backlog of roughly 140,000 cases. The Agency for Health Care Administration presented multiple Medicaid-related amendments, including $766 million for indirect medical education, $1.9 million for managed care network adequacy audits, $209 million for the Rural Health Transformation Program, and several large supplemental payment programs for KidCare, hospitals, physicians, cancer hospitals, nursing IME, and public hospital payments. Members questioned network adequacy, rural access, and the KidCare surplus and expansion; the KidCare realignment drew debate, with some members objecting because the 2023 eligibility expansion has not been implemented, but the amendment passed on a roll call vote. Other amendments adopted included FDLE’s $16.3 million for counter-UAS detection and mitigation equipment, DJJ’s $1.6 million for Florida Scholars Academy and a Social Services Block Grant realignment, and emergency management pass-throughs for FIFA World Cup security and counter-drone funding to the Miami host committee. The Department of Commerce received $148.4 million for disaster recovery under the CDBG-DR program, with questions about the split between housing, infrastructure, and administrative costs. The Department of State also received $408,377 for arts and culture grant authority. Most amendments were adopted without objection, and the commission adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• > going to save people money but we have going to save people money but we have an<04:20:13.439><c> RF
• is not cut am I correct about the RF is not cut am I correct about that<04:23:16.080><c> you</c><04:
• reports that I had up uh some former RF reports that I had I<04:24:33.359><c> have</c><04:24:33.920>
• He then said the RF rebate program is organized by category, including residential electric renewable
• </c><04:26:07.199><c> rebate</c><04:26:07.760><c> program</c> particular table the RF rebate program

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• > study for these reasons I believe that study for these reasons I believe that um<06:50:15.240><c> RF
• 17.160><c> be</c><06:50:17.320><c> amended</c><06:50:17.840><c> so</c><06:50:18.040><c> that</c> um RF
• RSA 12K must be amended so that um RF RSA 12K must be amended so that the<06:50:18.360><c> state</c>

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• The RF we've talked about, that number has surpassed a billion now or the balance.
• The RF we've talked about, that number has surpassed a billion now or the balance.
• The RF we've talked about, that number has surpassed a billion now or the balance.
• </c><01:05:00.400><c> The</c><01:05:00.720><c> RF</c> normal uh normal calculations.
• The RF normal uh normal calculations.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you get laid off, and Walmart has an RF you're out of luck.

Bills: HB93 , HB160 , HB29 , HB29 , HB93 , HB160

Committee: House State Government

Keywords: HB93, Alabama State Port Authority, State Auditor, property inventory, inventory control, audit exemption, state property, personal property inventory, public authority, port authority, Section 36-16-11, Code of Alabama 1975, administrative oversight, state audit, conforming changes, government property, Alabama Municipal Electric Authority, AMEA, municipal electric authority, board of directors