Bills: HB2150, HB2262, HB2267, HB2268, HB2351, HB2425, HB2426, HB2427, HB2755, HB2781, HB2913, HB2943, HB2956, HB2975, HB2985, HB4009

Keywords: state land department, mineral lease, renewals, indexed royalties, land use planning, auditor general, five-year plans, geospatial data, Arizona Geological Survey, resource analysis, geographic information systems, wildlife protection, public nuisance, renewable energy, wind farm, solar farm, residential property, public health, local regulations, state land

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, there are only<00:33:02.720> three<00:33:03.200> SMR only three SMR only three
• SMR operational<00:33:05.440> SMRs<00:33:06.159> operational<00:33:06.880> worldwide
• operational SMRs operational worldwide operational SMRs operational worldwide in<00:33:07.840>
• will<00:33:46.240> be has no expectation that SMRs will be has no expectation that SMRs will
• <00:34:21.919> units set aside until commercial SMRs units set aside until commercial SMRs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this SMR availability, with the smaller units that...
• other states are doing with respect to SMR development.
• You had said something about replacing SMR. Thank you. I think it was Tom.
• You had said something about replacing SMR with just nuclear power.
• My only concern is the actual legislation does focus a lot on SMRs.

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How about adding parentheses there: building an SMR in parentheses? Nuclear power.
• whole recommendation where SMR was individualized versus all of it.
• You had said something about replacing SMR with just nuclear power.
• Okay, so replace SMR... That was my understanding. Okay.
• My only concern is the actual legislation does focus a lot on SMRs.

Summary: The meeting focused on finalizing recommendations from the Delaware Nuclear Energy Task Force, with most of the discussion centered on how the state should organize itself to evaluate and potentially pursue nuclear power. Public commenters strongly supported nuclear energy, emphasizing energy reliability, economic competitiveness, data center demand, and the need for Delaware to act quickly. Several speakers argued that Delaware is falling behind neighboring states and should not delay if it wants to attract developers and preserve access to federal tax incentives. Members then worked through revisions to the recommendations, especially the section on state actions moving forward. There was broad agreement that Delaware needs a clearly empowered leadership structure, but disagreement over the best form: a cabinet-level energy agency, an expanded existing agency such as DENREC, a dedicated coordinator, an expanded Sustainable Energy Utility, or a separate quasi-independent authority. Some members favored a nimble, one-off entity with bonding and financing authority; others cautioned against creating a new body outside state government and stressed the need for coordination with existing agencies, public oversight, and cost discipline. The group also discussed adding responsibilities such as site identification, public engagement, coordination with PJM and federal agencies, and financing tools, while removing or folding in items that seemed duplicative or too broad. The committee also revised earlier modules to broaden the focus from small modular reactors to nuclear power more generally, while keeping the task force’s original SMR work in view. Members agreed to keep recommendations on state and local regulatory readiness, financial mechanisms, permitting coordination, and public engagement, and to add a recommendation for Delaware to participate as an observer in the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative through NASEO and NARUC. The committee approved the revised Module Four recommendations by vote, with one abstention from Tom Noyes. Minutes from the prior meeting were also approved with minor corrections.

Transcript Highlights:

• or a 600-megawatt SMR.
• One of the major assumptions is the capital cost of SMRs.
• There's SMR facilities and CCGTs.
• A question related to the SMRs versus like the thousand or 2,000 me. a question related to the SMRs versus
• Let's say we have an SMR in 10 years.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the major ones is the capital cost of SMRs.
• There are SMR facilities and CCGTs.
• And I'm wondering... ...for SMRs.
• Let’s say we have an SMR in 10 years.
• Obviously, that's a stop sign for SMR development in the state.

Summary: The Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee met to hear a series of presentations on the economics, financing, workforce, and community impacts of advanced nuclear deployment in North Dakota. William Bridge of Nucleon Energy presented the committee’s economic impacts and private-sector financing report, estimating construction and operating job impacts, local spending, and state/local tax effects for hypothetical SMR projects. He said the report assumes first-of-a-kind costs are still high, used a $6 million per megawatt nth-of-a-kind proxy, and estimated peak construction workforces of about 500 for a 200-MW plant and 1,000 for a larger facility, with roughly 100 operating jobs for a 200-MW plant. Committee members questioned security costs, capital cost assumptions, water and transmission siting constraints, and whether the model included fuel and waste; Bridge said the report included initial fuel in capital cost and that waste disposal is funded through existing federal mechanisms. Lori Brady of the Nuclear Energy Institute then outlined national nuclear workforce needs and NEI’s strategic workforce planning efforts. She described declining labor-force participation, retirements, and the need for a much larger future workforce, and said NEI has organized recommendations around career awareness, pipelines, training and qualification, policy support, retention, and nontraditional recruitment. She highlighted tools such as the Nuclear Works career website, the Nuclear Energy Academic Roadmap, the new federal Energy and Natural Resources career cluster, and the Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program for community colleges. Members asked about AI, timing for training relative to plant development, and whether advanced manufacturing would reduce staffing needs; Brady said AI is not expected to replace workers and that training timelines depend on the specific project and staffing plan. The committee also heard from Gary Yaco, mayor of Red Wing, Minnesota, who described Prairie Island’s role in his community. He said the plant provides a large share of local property tax revenue, supports well-paid jobs, contributes to emergency preparedness funding and training, and is broadly supported by the city despite periodic protests and public concerns. He emphasized the plant’s security, regular drills with local and federal responders, and the absence of problems with dry cask storage. Later, Benton Arnett of NEI discussed the current financing landscape for advanced nuclear, explaining how tax credits, federal loan support, off-take agreements, and new business models are helping projects move forward. He said early projects face high upfront costs and long lead-time procurement, but that investor confidence is improving as federal policy and regulatory streamlining continue. The committee asked about waste funding, comparisons with natural gas, the effect of political shifts on investor confidence, and whether the market will narrow to a few winning technologies; Arnett said the industry is still sorting that out, but expects clearer winners in the late 2020s and early 2030s. The meeting concluded with an introductory presentation from Julie Kazeraki of DOE’s Office of Energy Dominance Financing, who said the office is focused on accelerating nuclear deployment through financing support.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a lot of very different approaches being taken to commercialize SMRs.
• There's a lot of very different approaches being taken to commercialize SMRs.
• It probably shouldn't really be compared with SMRs, and there's a reason for that.
• So an SMR would be permitted and regulated by the NRC federally.
• There are some SMR companies that are actively acting as their own proponents.

Summary: The committee met to review advanced nuclear energy issues in North Dakota, beginning with approval of the April 21, 2022 minutes. Nucleon presented an overview of the advanced reactor landscape, distinguishing light-water SMRs, advanced Gen 4 reactors, and microreactors. The presentation emphasized that light-water SMRs are the most near-term deployable and use familiar low-enriched uranium fuel, while many Gen 4 designs may require high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALU), which is not yet supported by a mature U.S. supply chain. Nucleon also noted that advanced reactors are being developed primarily for industrial heat applications, while microreactors are niche, higher-cost systems for remote or mission-critical uses. Committee members asked about fuel availability, safety, recycling, and whether large reactors such as AP-1000s were evaluated; the presenter said fuel development is proceeding in parallel but remains a bottleneck, and that siting and grid capacity often make SMRs more practical than gigawatt-scale plants in North Dakota. Representatives from the National Association of State Energy Officials described how other states are supporting advanced nuclear through task forces, roadmaps, regional coordination, grants, tax incentives, workforce and supply-chain efforts, and pilot programs. They highlighted the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative and said states are focusing on multi-state coordination, demand aggregation, regulatory coordination, waste management, workforce readiness, and community engagement. They also discussed affordability tools such as construction work in progress (CWIP), financing incentives, and consumer protections, citing examples from Kentucky, Texas, Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, Utah, Tennessee, and others. In response to questions, they explained that pilot programs often involve site-readiness and feasibility studies, and that the federal Nuclear Innovation Campus process is moving forward with multiple submissions while broader waste and recycling policy may require congressional action. The Public Service Commission said it would likely have a major role in any North Dakota nuclear project through certificate-of-public-convenience-and-necessity review, siting, and rate regulation, but noted gaps in current law for small reactors, co-located facilities, NRC coordination, and long-term site stewardship. The commissioner said the commission has no authority over a private, self-contained reactor not connected to the grid. The Department of Environmental Quality explained that the state regulates radioactive materials under its agreement-state authority, but NRC retains primacy over fission reactors; DEQ would likely assist with emergency planning and could have a larger role if fusion reactors emerge. The Department of Emergency Services said it would serve as the lead off-site preparedness agency, requiring a dedicated radiological emergency preparedness program, training, drills, public outreach, and likely additional funding and staffing, with industry expected to bear much of the cost. The Department of Water Resources said North Dakota’s water laws and prior-appropriation system are adequate for nuclear siting, that the Missouri River is the best likely source, and that no statutory or budget changes are currently needed from a water perspective. The committee recessed for lunch after these agency presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a lot of very different approaches being taken to commercialize SMRs.
• There's a lot of very different approaches being taken to commercialize SMRs.
• It probably shouldn't really be compared with SMRs, and there's a reason for that.
• ...study is focused on SMRs. Did you evaluate the AP-1000s as well?
• An SMR would be permitted and regulated by the NRC federally.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a lot of very different approaches being taken to commercialize SMRs.
• There's a lot of very different approaches being taken to commercialize SMRs.
• It probably shouldn't really be compared with SMRs, and there's a reason for that.
• An SMR would be permitted and regulated by the NRC federally.
• So there are some SMR companies that are actively acting as their own proponents.

Summary: The Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee met to review prior minutes and hear a series of presentations on advanced nuclear technology and state readiness. The committee approved the April 21, 2022 minutes. Nucleon’s William Bridge outlined the advanced nuclear landscape, distinguishing near-term light-water SMRs from more advanced Gen 4 reactors and microreactors, and emphasized that fuel supply, especially HALEU, remains a developing supply chain. He said light-water designs are the most deployable in the near term, while advanced reactors may be better suited for industrial heat applications and could face a 2- to 3-year delay from fuel availability. Representatives from NASEO described how other states are supporting advanced nuclear through task forces, roadmaps, pilot programs, financing tools, workforce and supply-chain efforts, and regional coordination. They highlighted the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative and stressed that states are focusing early on emergency preparedness, community engagement, waste management, affordability, and consumer protections. They also noted that some states are creating nuclear-ready community programs and cost-recovery guardrails, while public utility commissions are examining long-term lifecycle costs and rate impacts. North Dakota agencies then outlined their potential roles. The Public Service Commission said it would likely be involved in public-interest review, siting, and rate regulation, but noted current statutes may not fully address long-term nuclear projects, co-location, or decommissioning. The Department of Environmental Quality said it would continue to regulate radioactive materials and likely support emergency planning, while fission reactor oversight remains federal. The Department of Emergency Services said it would serve as the lead off-site preparedness agency, needing a radiological emergency program, training, exercises, equipment, and possibly industry funding. The Department of Water Resources said North Dakota has sufficient surface water, especially from the Missouri River, but that water planning would be important; it did not recommend statutory or budget changes at this time. The committee recessed for lunch after these presentations, with no additional votes or actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• If it's not agriculture, it's now going to be SMRs.
• In comparison, SMRs are, well, they vary.
• SMR is roughly the size of one, but not both, of the parking lots over in Wesley Bolin Plaza.
• With SMRs, they have what's called passive safety systems, which basically...
• I'm just real curious: where are there currently SMRs in the United States? How big are they?

Bills: HB2014, HB2113, HB2145, HB2331, HB2340, HB2389, HB2400, HB2401, HB2428, HB2494, HB2696, HB2756, HB2795, HB2955, HCM2008

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, utility consumer, rate intervention, public service corporation, Arizona Revised Statutes, residential rates, consumer protection, fuel reformulation, gasoline standards, environmental regulations, ethanol supply, Air Quality, energy reliability, electric service providers, reliable resources, public power entity

Transcript Highlights:

• to have a tutorial on the technical side of SMRs. >> Just to follow up to that, there is the report
• You might want to start stuff on SMRs.
• We're not going to see SMRs in the near future.
• <01:01:24.319> We see SMRs in the near future. We see SMRs in the near future.
• <01:08:31.120> of everything you've got uh for an SMR of everything you've got uh for an SMR

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• use or occupation of land for the construction and operation of small modular nuclear reactors, or SMRs
• . ...for the construction and operation of small modular nuclear reactors, or SMRs, if that SMR is co-located
• plant and transmission line siting committee to include non-thermal electric generating units and SMRs
• It additionally requires an SMR co-located with a large industrial energy user.
• It additionally requires an SMR co-located with a large industrial energy user that does not obtain a

Bills: SB1202, SB1287, SB1418, SB1785, SCM1007

Keywords: groundwater, water conservation, Arizona water resources, drought management, water quality, irrigation, active management area, domestic use, stock watering, water rights, small modular reactors, energy regulation, environmental compatibility, utility construction, agricultural use, industrial users, water storage, recovery well, Arizona Revised Statutes, water management

Transcript Highlights:

• SMRs are meant to be smaller on scale and be able to be used on site.
• They have operational SMRs right now commercially. Russia is number two.
• They also have operational commercial SMRs right now.
• There are a lot of SMRs—there are eight right now.
• There are a lot of SMR technologies right now—eight existing SMR technologies are currently vying for

Bills: HB2072, HB2251, HB2279, HB2308, HB2323, HB2342, HB2400, HB2408, HB2456, HB2660, HB2697, HB2868, HB2873, HB2877, HB2910, HB2946, HB2955, HB2991, HB4001, HB4010

Keywords: Cesar Chavez, public holiday, state law, holiday repeal, Arizona Revised Statutes, midwifery, medication administration, healthcare, patient safety, advisory committee, licensed midwives, river trips, liability, outfitter, Grand Canyon, negligence, risk management, contractual waiver, dental practice, business registration

Transcript Highlights:

• Canada is developing an SMR plan. Canada is developing an SMR plant. It's on the doorstep.
• We've talked about that; Canada is developing the installation of SMRs.
• Sir, you've investigated the SMR for several years now, have you not?
• Sir, you've investigated the SMR for several years now, have you not?
• The application of SMR to replace that coal plant is obvious.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal by roll call vote, 112-2. Members spent much of the early portion of the session introducing a large number of special guests, including students, school officials, pharmacy students, labor representatives, community organizations, and other visitors in the gallery. The chamber also recognized a birthday announcement and other personal remarks before moving to legislation. The main floor debate centered on House Committee Substitute for House Bills 21, 22, and 1626, described by the sponsor as the Missouri Nuclear Clean Power Act. The bill would remove Missouri’s ban on construction work in progress (CWIP) for nuclear plants, allowing utilities to recover financing costs during construction for small modular reactors up to 600 megawatts. Supporters argued the measure would lower long-term rates, attract industry, preserve baseload reliability, and keep nuclear development and jobs in Missouri rather than neighboring states. Opponents argued CWIP shifts risk and cost to ratepayers, cited past nuclear cost overruns and waste concerns, and said the bill would benefit utilities and investors more than the public. After extended debate and multiple inquiries, the House adopted the committee substitute and then perfected and printed the bill. The chamber then perfected and printed House Bill 1881, which would make xylazine a Schedule III controlled substance while preserving legitimate veterinary and agricultural uses. Supporters said the drug is being used in the fentanyl supply, causes severe harm in humans, and needs a law-enforcement tool; several members with veterinary or law-enforcement experience backed the bill. The House also took up House Bill 2292, a cross-reporting bill requiring training and coordination so child, elder, and companion-animal abuse can be reported across agencies. Members discussed an amendment to criminalize knowingly starving an animal and another amendment to allow post-certified investigators in the Department of Health and Senior Services’ Office of Special Investigations to assist with elder-abuse cases; both amendments were adopted. Debate on HB 2292 emphasized that the bill exempts agriculture, focuses on companion animals, and aims to use existing agencies rather than create a new department.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1277 is a local bill extending the reauthorization period of the street maintenance tax, the SMR tax
• The SMR is a special sales tax utilized by cities across Texas to repair streets and sidewalks.
• Without the SMR, Capell and these cities would not have funds to maintain these critical components.
• Under current law, SMR taxes expire. 4 years after they are approved by voters, unless voters choose
• SB 1277 will extend the reauthorization period for the SMR tax to 10 years for the city of Capell, so

Transcript Highlights:

• Canada is developing an SMR plan. Canada is developing an SMR plant. It's on the doorstep.
• Canada is developing the installation of SMRs.
• Sir, you've investigated the SMR for several years now, have you not?
• The application of SMR to replace that coal plant is obvious.”
• The application of SMR to replace that coal plant is obvious.

Summary: The House first approved the previous day’s journal by roll call, 112-2, and then spent a long portion of the session on introductions of guests and recognitions, including former Rep. Bill Kidd, fire service and law enforcement guests, pharmacy students, school groups, community organizations, and a student who led the Pledge of Allegiance. Members also offered a birthday recognition and brief remarks about the day’s visitors. The main floor debate centered on House Committee Substitute for House Bills 21, 22, and 1626, described by the sponsor as the Missouri Nuclear Clean Power Act. Supporters argued the bill would remove Missouri’s ban on construction work in progress for nuclear plants, allowing utilities to recover financing costs during construction, which they said would lower long-term rates, attract industry, and help Missouri keep pace with small modular reactor development in other states and countries. Opponents argued it would shift risk and cost overruns to ratepayers, citing past nuclear cost overruns, radioactive waste and safety concerns, and the fact that Missouri voters previously rejected similar treatment for nuclear plants. After debate, the House adopted the committee substitute and perfected and printed the bill. The chamber then took up House Bill 1881, which would make xylazine a Schedule III controlled substance. The sponsor and supporters said the drug is a dangerous veterinary tranquilizer increasingly used in illicit fentanyl mixtures, and that the bill would give law enforcement a tool while preserving legitimate agricultural and veterinary uses. Amendments were adopted to add knowingly starving an animal as a crime and to clarify related penalties, with members emphasizing animal cruelty, false reports, and the need to protect both companion animals and law enforcement. The bill was then perfected and printed. Finally, the House considered House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2292, a cross-reporting bill for child, elder, and companion animal abuse. The sponsor said the measure would require agencies and professionals already involved in abuse reporting to be trained to cross-report related abuse, noting the link between animal abuse and domestic violence and stressing that agriculture would be exempt. Members asked about implementation, training, and concerns about unintended effects on animal control or advocacy groups, and the sponsor said the state would provide training. The transcript ends during that discussion, before any final vote on HB 2292 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• a replacement SMR, or to construct a new SMR without seeking a new certificate of environmental compatibility
• a replacement SMR, or to construct a new SMR without seeking a new certificate of environmental compatibility
• , and for the new SMR to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and requirements.
• In comparison, while there are many different models of SMRs, they start at a range of about 30 feet,
• However, as Senator Gabaldón stated, with new technologies like SMRs, they're very exciting.

Bills: SB1041, SB1363, SB1418, SB1419, SB1445, SB1447, SB1488, SB1519, SB1523, SB1560, SB1580

Keywords: electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, marijuana, rural opportunity, dispensary, economic development, licensing, social equity, unserved communities, Arizona, small modular reactors, energy regulation, environmental compatibility, utility construction, agricultural use

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:50:03.040> is given that we don't know what SMR is given that we don't know what SMR is
• um, 300 megawatt facilities of of SMR um, 300 megawatt facilities of of SMR um,<00:52:07.520>
• ,<00:53:27.760> the In fact, to the extent that SMR, the In fact, to the extent that SMR,
• Um SMRs um could now qualify question.
• I could have just SMRs are referenced.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ... ...bill is going to require counties to include land designations for data centers and SMRs in their
• These SMRs, which aren't even ready for prime time, there are no SMRs that are commercial... ...SMRs,
• There are no SMRs that are commercially operational in the United States.
• We've said this many times with these bills that have come forward promoting SMRs.
• Even if you think it's a good idea to focus on SMRs and data centers, not so sure about that, of course

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and a series of guest introductions recognizing Maricopa County Community Colleges Day at the Capitol, the Doctor of the Day, Glendale Community College leadership, and other visitors. The chamber also received a gubernatorial communication withdrawing Holly Prangman’s nomination to the State Board of Psychologist Examiners. The body then considered multiple bills in Committee of the Whole. Measures advanced included HB 2342 on planned communities/HOA-related provisions, HB 2456 on small modular reactors and energy siting, HB 2457 on power plant and transmission line siting, HB 2752 on Commerce Authority trade offices, and HB 2923 on mental health court-ordered treatment, with several floor amendments adopted. Additional bills were also advanced from later calendars, including HB 2249 on parents’ bill of rights remedies, HB 2482 on school facilities and building renewal grants, HB 2895 on Native American language instruction certification, HB 2661 and HB 2662 on family law/parenting issues, HB 2793 on annexation procedures, HB 2805 on electronic signatures and nomination petitions, HB 467 on voter registration status, HCM 2005 on foreign government property ownership, HCM 2006 on Endangered Species Act reform, HB 2641 on PFAS firefighting foam prohibition, HB 2673 on incarcerated persons and mental illness treatment, HB 2745 on legislative subpoena/contempt, HB 2763 on shooting range closure conditions, and HCM 2011 on Mexican wolf delisting. The Senate then took up third-reading votes on several measures. HB 2035 on child welfare and placement passed 17-10, with senators citing concerns about kinship care definitions and LGBTQ exclusions. HB 2109, HB 2189, HB 2244, HB 2440, HB 2594, and HB 2932 all passed by varying margins, and HCM 2007 on renaming State Route 69 also passed. HCR 2059, supporting county sheriffs, passed after debate over the “supreme constitutional authority” language, with some senators objecting to what they described as a conspiratorial framing and others defending sheriffs’ constitutional role. SB 1503 on first responders’ state death benefits passed with the required emergency and supermajority votes, and HB 2342 and HB 2456 later passed on third reading. The Senate also agreed to a free conference committee on HB 2000 and adjourned until April 16, 2026, after announcing several conference committee meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is going to require counties to include land designations for data centers and SMRs in their
• And these SMRs, which aren't even ready for prime time, there are no SMRs that are commercial.
• SMRs, which aren't even ready for prime time.
• There are no SMRs that are commercially operational in the United States.
• We've said this many times with these bills that have come forward promoting SMRs.

Keywords: 1182, all