Transcript Highlights:

• For years, if you've seen one electric cooperative, you've seen one electric cooperative.
• As a rural electric cooperative, our number one mission is safe, reliable, and affordable electric service
• Blake Moore, CEO of Lamb County Electric Cooperative, representing Lamb County Electric Cooperative and
• They paid for that infrastructure. Other people are making a gain off of that infrastructure.
• TPPA represents the 72 municipally owned electric utilities and other publicly owned electric systems

Bills: HB3445, HB3448

Keywords: telecommunications, electric cooperative, rights-of-way, infrastructure, provider access, right-of-way, pole attachment, regulatory access, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 3392 directs the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to conduct a comprehensive study about large load electric
• customers, primarily defining what is a large load electric user, their impact on our grid, and how
• plug-in solar devices that don't generate more than 1.2 kilowatts connect to a standard 120-volt electric
• they don't have to comply with certain complex Meeting statutes, tariffs, and requirements from electric

Bills: HB3724, HB3392, HB3466, HB4060

Keywords: high-demand facilities, electric utilities, public infrastructure, water management, taxpayer-funded subsidies, decommissioning plans, local control, citizen initiative, referendum, electric utility, large load customers, infrastructure, utility planning, electricity rates, cost allocation, data centers, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, ratepayer protection, HB3466

Transcript Highlights:

• 3392 directs the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to conduct a comprehensive study about large-load electric
• customers, primarily defining what a large-load electric user is, their impact on our grid, and mandates
• device, something that doesn't generate more than 1.2 kilowatts, connects through a standard 120-volt electric
• don't have to comply with certain complex meeting, statutes, tariffs, and requirements from the electric
• don't have to comply with certain complex meeting, statutes, tariffs, and requirements from the electric

Bills: HB3724, HB3392, HB3466, HB4060

Keywords: high-demand facilities, electric utilities, public infrastructure, water management, taxpayer-funded subsidies, decommissioning plans, local control, citizen initiative, referendum, electric utility, large load customers, infrastructure, utility planning, electricity rates, cost allocation, data centers, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, ratepayer protection, HB3466

Summary: The committee first announced that House Bill 3724 would be laid over at the author’s request and not heard. House Bill 3392, by Representative Clinton, passed 7-0 after brief discussion; it directs the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to study large-load electric customers, including defining them, assessing their grid impact, and evaluating cost allocation, while not interfering with any OCC rulemaking already underway. Chairman Bowles then presented House Bill 3466, a Corporation Commission request bill to remove an obsolete petty cash fund from statute. It passed 7-0 with no debate. House Bill 4060, by Representative Alonzo, was amended to remove a section dealing with homeownership regulations; the bill then advanced after discussion focused on small plug-in solar devices, their safety features, and the intent to clarify that such devices would not be treated as improper grid interconnections or subjected to burdensome utility or OCC requirements. Members raised questions about backfeeding and line-worker safety, and the sponsor said the devices would have anti-islanding protections and would not send power back into the grid. The committee approved HB 4060 8-0. The chair noted that several additional bills were assigned and expected next week, and the meeting adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• I now drive an electric vehicle.
• Uh, each of these electric vehicles is, or some of these electric vehicles can produce up to 100 megawatts
• Electric vehicles, we need to start, we, we need to ask the PC to start thinking about these electric
• There, there was a recent study on electric, electric resistance heating that found that the average,
• We retrofitted 12 all-electric apartments.

Bills: HB 1951, HB 2715, HB 3092, HB 3237, HB 3278, HB 3511, HB 3592, HB 3675, HB 3778, HB 3782, HB 3826, HB 3970, HB 4016, HB 4049, HB 4341, HB 4344, HB 4406, HB 4427

Keywords: collective bargaining, public works, government contracts, labor agreements, state funding, removal from office, political subdivisions, local government, judicial proceedings, administrative judicial region, electric transmission, public convenience, landowner consent, utility regulation, energy infrastructure, energy consumption, higher education, governmental entities, sustainability, electricity reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• You're testifying on behalf of Encore Electric Delivery?
• Electric cooperatives in Texas enthusiastically support...
• I now drive an electric vehicle. Each of these electric vehicles can produce up to 100 megawatts.
• The growth of these electric vehicles and look at ways for them to put electricity back on the grid.
• Electric vehicles, we need to ask the PUC to start thinking about these electric vehicles.

Bills: HB1951, HB2715, HB3092, HB3237, HB3278, HB3511, HB3592, HB3675, HB3778, HB3782, HB3826, HB3970, HB4016, HB4049, HB4341, HB4344, HB4406, HB4427

Keywords: collective bargaining, public works, government contracts, labor agreements, state funding, removal from office, political subdivisions, local government, judicial proceedings, administrative judicial region, electric transmission, public convenience, landowner consent, utility regulation, energy infrastructure, energy consumption, higher education, governmental entities, sustainability, electricity reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• You're representing Central Electric and you are for the bill, is that correct? Yes, sir.
• I'm the proud owner of a... ...generation electrical contracting company in San Antonio.
• They hired a union company to come and do all of the electrical work.
• We're talking about the infrastructure and the investment in the area.
• Which geographic region is going to get this electricity if ERCOT is wrong?

Bills: HB1951, HB2715, HB3092, HB3237, HB3278, HB3511, HB3592, HB3675, HB3778, HB3782, HB3826, HB3970, HB4016, HB4049, HB4341, HB4344, HB4406, HB4427

Keywords: collective bargaining, public works, government contracts, labor agreements, state funding, removal from office, political subdivisions, local government, judicial proceedings, administrative judicial region, electric transmission, public convenience, landowner consent, utility regulation, energy infrastructure, energy consumption, higher education, governmental entities, sustainability, electricity reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• rapidly growing electrical energy needs.
• So I just wanted to encourage you guys to make sure that a lot of time is spent on infrastructure in
• So I just want to make sure that you guys are focusing on the infrastructure should something like a
• For the majority of community hospitals, the infrastructure is antiquated.
• A little bit more complicated, but the infrastructure and the facility is ready to go.

Bills: H3599, H5047, S2922

Keywords: Native American, easements, land access, property rights, public utility, vehicular access, eminent domain, health care access, land acquisition, Norwood hospital, public health, electric infrastructure, NSTAR, Eversource Energy, land conservation, Massachusetts legislation, 1212, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on H. 5047, which would authorize the Commonwealth to take the Norwood Hospital property by eminent domain so it can be restored as a regional hospital. Sponsors Rep. Rogers, Sen. Rush, and Rep. Lynch argued that the flood-damaged site has remained stalled under Medical Properties Trust, while the region has suffered major losses in emergency access, inpatient capacity, and ambulance availability. They said the hospital served a broad catchment area, was profitable before closure, and that the state should use eminent domain to force a transfer to a qualified operator, preferably a not-for-profit one, without requiring state appropriations. Committee members generally expressed support, with questions focused on the cost, timing, and whether the site is salvageable; witnesses said the shell is largely complete and ready for interior buildout, but negotiations with the owner are ongoing. Local officials, task force members, business leaders, nurses, and firefighters described the closure’s effects on public safety and the economy. They said transport times to Boston, Brockton, Needham, and Newton have increased, EMS units are tied up longer, firefighters and paramedics are under greater strain, and neighboring hospitals are experiencing more boarding and overcrowding. Testimony from Norwood, Walpole, and the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts emphasized that the loss of Norwood Hospital has created a regional medical gap affecting 10 to 12 surrounding towns, with added costs for ambulances, staffing, and overtime. Several witnesses also said the hospital’s return would support local jobs and relieve pressure on the broader health care system. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3599, a separate bill concerning landlocked Indian lands and easements by necessity. Mark Harding and James DeCoulos, speaking in support, said the bill would help descendants of historic Indian allotments access family lands and correct what they described as unfair treatment in a 2016 Supreme Judicial Court decision. They said the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe supports the bill and the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe has offered conditional support pending language changes. The chair said the committee would follow up on possible amendments and written support. The committee briefly took up S. 2922, supported by Eversource, authorizing an underground easement at Magazine Beach in Cambridge for the Greater Cambridge Energy Project. Eversource said the easement is needed for a transmission line connecting the Brighton and Kendall Square substations, with fair market compensation and replacement land provided to satisfy Article 97 requirements. No objections or votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair indicated the committee would continue hearing the remaining panels on H. 5047.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2992 would require data centers to pay their share of infrastructure costs associated with
• their significant electricity demands.
• These facilities must fund all of their electric infrastructure upgrade costs.
• Of the nation's total electricity usage. In 2023, that forecast was at 4%.
• House Bill 2989 allows electric utilities to prepare a wildfire mitigation plan.

Bills: HB2989, HB3724, HB2992, HB3464, HB4246, HB3989

Keywords: wildland fire, wildfire, electric utility, electric cooperative, utility liability, vegetation management, power lines, grid hardening, public utility, rate recovery, National Electric Safety Code, NESC, Oklahoma Conservation Commission, wildfire mitigation, fire prevention, landowner incentives, cost-share program, revolving fund, property damage, trespass

Transcript Highlights:

• continuation of the negotiations that occurred four years ago between the oil and gas industry, electric
• House Bill 2992 would require data centers to pay their share of infrastructure costs associated with
• their significant electricity demands.
• These facilities must fund all of their electric infrastructure upgrade costs.
• House Bill 2989 allows electric utilities to prepare a wildfire mitigation plan.

Bills: HB2989, HB3724, HB2992, HB3464, HB4246, HB3989

Keywords: wildland fire, wildfire, electric utility, electric cooperative, utility liability, vegetation management, power lines, grid hardening, public utility, rate recovery, National Electric Safety Code, NESC, Oklahoma Conservation Commission, wildfire mitigation, fire prevention, landowner incentives, cost-share program, revolving fund, property damage, trespass

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 4246, which would expand training and technical assistance options for rural water-related programs by allowing the state to consider qualified suppliers other than the Rural Water Association. After brief questions about the type of vendors involved, the bill received a 7-0 due pass vote. House Bill 3989 followed and was described as cleanup language continuing prior negotiations among the oil and gas industry, electric co-ops, and investor-owned utilities; the committee adopted the PCS and passed the bill 7-0. Members then considered House Bill 2992, the Data Center Customer Protection Act of 2026. The committee adopted a PCS and an amendment reducing the threshold from 100 megawatts to 75 megawatts. The bill would require data centers to pay infrastructure costs tied to their electricity demand so those costs are not shifted to other ratepayers; it passed 7-0. House Bill 3464, which adds protections and regulatory requirements for battery storage and updates transparency and decommissioning provisions for wind and solar projects, also passed 7-0 after adoption of a PCS. House Bill 3724, as revised in a second PCS, drew the most debate. It would define high-demand facilities to include data centers, cryptocurrency mining operations, AI computing facilities, and large battery storage systems, and would impose restrictions on subsidies, infrastructure costs, water use, foreign ownership, agricultural land siting, noise, decommissioning, and local approval processes, including a petition mechanism to overturn local decisions. Supporters argued it was needed to protect communities, landowners, water resources, and ratepayers; opponents raised concerns about property rights, agricultural land restrictions, local control, and the petition/recall process. The bill failed on a 2-6 vote and remained in committee. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 2989, which would allow electric utilities to prepare wildfire mitigation plans, create a wildfire mitigation revolving fund, and direct the Conservation Commission to develop a wildfire mitigation test pilot and refine mitigation strategies. With a PCS adopted and no debate, the bill passed 8-0, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> think about purchasing an all-electric think about purchasing an all-electric car<00:02:44.400><
• </c> electricity system works in Minnesota. electricity system works in Minnesota.
• </c><00:06:38.080><c> rate</c> including its current electric rate including its current electric rate
• to guarantee safe, Infrastructure to guarantee safe, reliable, and affordable electric service for all
• and water infrastructure.

Bills: HF4236, HF4122, HF4377

Keywords: public utility, interim rates, utility rates, rate case, general rate case, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, PUC, rate increase cap, rate freeze, refunds, customer refunds, ratepayer protection, electric utility, gas utility, regulated utility, ratemaking, return on equity, rate base, test year, rate design

Transcript Highlights:

• Public Utilities Commission to provide a report to the Legislature on the progress of the Hawaii Electric
• Commission to provide a report to the Legislature on the progress of the Hawaii Electric Reliability
• I'm the Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator Engineer. I'm here on behalf of John E.
• I'm the Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator Engineer. I'm here on behalf of John E.
• </c><00:23:07.039><c> from</c> Hawaii's critical infrastructure from Hawaii's critical infrastructure

Bills: SCR96, SCR109, SCR164, SCR172, SCR166

Keywords: electric reliability, renewable energy, interconnection, Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, Public Utilities Commission, capacity shortfalls, energy policies, mail-order pharmacy, insurance, healthcare access, chronic disease management, cost savings, rural access, emergency healthcare, patient adherence, critical infrastructure, foreign influence, local control, energy dependence, economic resilience

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce heard several Senate concurrent resolutions related to utilities, pharmacy access, critical infrastructure, and energy policy. STR 96 SD1 asked the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to report on the progress of the Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator; the PUC offered written comments and the measure later advanced as is. STR 109 SD1 urged the insurance commissioner to study expanding mail-order pharmacy use. Testimony was split: DCCA’s insurance division, HMSA, and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans supported the study, while Shipa and the Hawaii Pharmacist Association opposed it, arguing mail-order pharmacy is already available and that in-person pharmacist counseling should be preserved. The measure was ultimately deferred. The committee also heard STR 164 SD1 on protecting Hawaii’s critical infrastructure from foreign influence. Greenpeace Hawaii and 350 Hawaii strongly supported the resolution, framing it as a consumer protection and resilience measure tied to reducing dependence on imports and strengthening local food and energy systems. No opposition was presented, and the resolution was moved out as is. STR 172 SD1 HD1 directed the PUC to conduct a comprehensive analysis of ways to maximize cost reduction and minimize financial risk while meeting state goals. DCCA, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the PUC offered comments, and Earthjustice supported the measure; it was also advanced as is. For STR 166 SD1, which concerns how the PUC should evaluate generational energy commitments, DCCA, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the PUC provided comments, while 350 Hawaii, Greenpeace Hawaii, and others opposed any move toward LNG, arguing it would harm ratepayers and conflict with Hawaii’s renewable goals. After discussion, the committee amended the resolution to add language directing the PUC to evaluate any LNG or other imported-fuel proposal for its potential effects on or delays to the state’s renewable portfolio standards, including the 2045 deadline. The amended resolution then passed, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> electrical and plumbing. electrical and plumbing. Too. Too. Too.
• </c> that is deposited into the electrical that is deposited into the electrical vehicle<00:39:39.240
• Cost of living is the infrastructure.
• </c><00:41:57.120><c> Electric</c> the largest household expenses.
• Electric the largest household expenses.

Bills: HB1736, HB1620, HB1695

Keywords: animal control, spay and neuter, pet overpopulation, sterilization, counties funding, tax designation, veterinary care, electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, energy policy, rebate program, environmental impact, renewable fuels, sustainable aviation fuel, tax credit, greenhouse gas emissions, local production, energy resilience, agricultural innovation, job creation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1737, which clarifies allowable uses in agricultural districts for farm dwellings and farm employee housing, and HB 1604 HD2, which creates an agricultural workforce housing working group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Testimony on HB 1737 was overwhelmingly supportive, with county agriculture officials, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Farmers Union backing the measure; one witness asked for a definition of “affordable” to guard against misuse of farm housing. For HB 1604, the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Hawaii Farmers Union, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, with OHA requesting disaggregated data and a seat on the working group. Committee discussion focused on housing shortages, possible misuse, affordability, and whether innovative housing models such as modular, tiny, and container homes should be considered. The committee then took action on both measures. HB 1737 HD3 was recommended to pass with amendments that would limit farm employee housing to agricultural employees and their immediate family members actively engaged in the farm operation, add a grandfathering provision for existing permitted housing, preserve county zoning authority, clarify that ag tourism must be secondary and not occur in employee housing, delete a square-footage-per-acre ratio, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. HB 1604 HD2 was also recommended to pass with amendments adding OHA and a housing-shortage organization to the working group, expanding its scope to include modular, tiny, and container homes and permitting/zoning streamlining, and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. Both motions were adopted unanimously by the members present. The joint hearing then moved to HB 1736, which would establish a spay and neuter special fund and require sterilization and declaration provisions for cats, with some discussion of dogs. DLNR and the Hawaiian Humane Society supported the bill, while Pacific Pet Alliance objected to the broader requirements and the inclusion of dogs; the Hawaiian Humane Society and American Bird Conservancy supported cat-focused sterilization and the special fund, while some testifiers opposed mandatory sterilization as too costly or intrusive. Members raised questions about toxoplasmosis, trap-neuter-release, enforcement, neighbor-island access, and funding needs, and DLNR indicated additional funding and third-party contracting would likely be needed. The transcript then began HB 1620 HD2 on energy, which would increase the environmental response energy and food security tax and shift funds from the hydrogen fueling subaccount to EV charging infrastructure; state agencies generally stood on written testimony in support, while the Tax Foundation objected to special fund earmarks and noted the bill raises only one part of the barrel tax structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• What this bill does is exempt electric utility commodities and equipment from the requirement of obtaining
• As you know, we have a lot of broadband infrastructure...
• We have a lot of broadband infrastructure going on, trying to get it statewide.

Bills: HB323, SB271, SB295

Keywords: electric utility, transportation, oversize vehicles, transport permits, state highway system, SB271, Alabama, municipalities, city fees, town fees, franchise fees, utility franchise, natural gas, manufactured gas, gas utility, public streets, public places, right-of-way, municipal consent, gross receipts tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, we'll move on to the next one, which is 2435, electrical vehicle charging infrastructure
• </c> next one, which is 2435 electrical next one, which is 2435 electrical electric<00:12:04.880><c>
• </c> require additional, um, electrical require additional, um, electrical infrastructure<00:14:00.399
• Thank you, everybody. 2435 electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
• vehicle charging electric vehicle charging infrastructure.<00:27:39.360><c> What's</c><00:27:39.600>

Bills: SB2543, SB2435, SB2352

Keywords: state construction, construction manager, design review, public works, capital improvement, DAGS, Department of Accounting and General Services, DOE, Department of Education, comptroller, pilot program, design review special fund, county permit review, accessibility compliance, Disability and Communication Access Board, state infrastructure, government construction, project oversight, civil service exemption, county agencies

Summary: The Committee on Government Operations reconvened on February 10, 2026, to take up measures previously heard on February 5. It advanced SB 2983 on criminal destruction of trees with technical, non-substantive amendments and a committee report note asking Judiciary to clarify that removal of invasive species remains allowed; the measure passed with one no vote. SB 2930 on the state risk management revolving fund also passed with amendments, including blanking out the amount, setting a defective date, and directing Ways and Means to review a spreadsheet before further action. The committee likewise passed SB 2928 on making the small business procurement program permanent and SB 2970 on standards of conduct for state agency contracts, adopting the Ethics Commission’s recommended language assigning compliance responsibility to department directors and deputy directors. SB 2927 and SB 3068 on procurement were deferred to a time certain on February 12, and SB 3015 on personal information, SB 2929 on public notice, and SB 2938 on search and rescue were also deferred for further discussion or to avoid re-referral issues. SB 2662 on external consultants was amended to remove a cap and preemptive approval language, narrow the expertise standard, and note possible auditor staffing or appropriation needs; it then passed with amendments. The joint GVO-EIG hearing then took up SB 2543 on state construction projects and an Office of the State Construction Manager within DAGS. Testimony from the Hawaii Iron Workers Stabilization Fund strongly supported the bill, saying it could reduce wasteful spending on large design-build projects and free money for tax credits and other public needs. DAGS, the University of Hawaii, and DLNR offered written comments, while one witness from KIC opposed the measure and asked for an exemption for member-owned electric cooperatives. A Hawaii Solar Energy Association witness also supported the bill but asked that landscape architects be excluded from the bill’s definition of design professionals, and Rocky Mold said Kauai permitting was efficient enough that he had no objection to carving it out. The committee adopted amendments from DNR, DAGS, and UH and passed SB 2543. The hearing also considered SB 2435 on EV charging infrastructure at state facilities. DAGS and the Hawaii State Energy Office supported the concept and explained that the goal was to retrofit managed parking facilities with infrastructure that can meet current and future EV needs, while acknowledging that some stalls can sit unused and that the state must balance space and enforcement. Members raised concerns about whether dedicating 25% of stalls to EV charging would reduce usable parking, and about rural and Big Island conditions where EV range and battery capacity remain limiting. The discussion noted that DOT, DNR, DOE, and DOH may have their own parking facilities outside DAGS control. The committee then indicated it would broaden the bill to apply to all state agencies and lower the threshold in response to member concerns, with final action not fully shown in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is all electric. It's advanced hulls and propulsion.
• There was no advance planning and no dedicated infrastructure.
• We need the infrastructure.
• How would you feel about zero emissions versus electric?
• We believe that electric is probably the cleanest.

Bills: HB2604, HB2436, SB6354, SB6352

Keywords: vehicle ownership, insurance, title transfer, consumer protection, motor vehicle, oil tanker, tank vessel, restricted waters, Puget Sound, San Juan Islands, Rosario Strait, Admiralty Inlet, Discovery Island, New Dungeness, tug escort, pilotage, marine safety, spill prevention, oil transport, petroleum shipment

Transcript Highlights:

• And it was due to electrical problems.
• At least 75 to 85 percent of them are caused by electrical infrastructure on water.
• Marginal operators lack the financial incentive to maintain electrical infrastructure at their disposal
• infrastructures at well locations."
• Certainly in support of House Bill 144 and to talk about infrastructure and infrastructure problems.

Bills: HB 13, HB143, HB144, HB145, HB366, HB470, HB805, HB912, HB13, HB143, HB144, HB145

Keywords: emergency communication, infrastructure, first responders, grant program, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, local governments, HB 143, Texas Railroad Commission, Public Utility Commission of Texas, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas, well site, surface facility, electrical power line, National Electrical Code, NEC, electrical safety, utility disconnect, service disconnection

Transcript Highlights:

• This has to do with El Paso Electric, and this bill is related to non-ERCOT areas.
• As it stands, we are opposed to this bill as written because it allows El Paso Electric to propose an
• We show you as representing El Paso Electric Company. And you are for the bill, is that correct?
• Now you have distributed batteries, you have folks using their electric vehicles as batteries.
• I mean, five o'clock in El Paso, four o'clock here, or vice versa, by the way, that the Electricity is

Bills: HB 13, HB143, HB144, HB145, HB366, HB470, HB805, HB912, HB13, HB143, HB144, HB145

Keywords: emergency communication, infrastructure, first responders, grant program, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, local governments, HB 143, Texas Railroad Commission, Public Utility Commission of Texas, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas, well site, surface facility, electrical power line, National Electrical Code, NEC, electrical safety, utility disconnect, service disconnection

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1619 relating to electric vehicle infrastructure.
• </c><00:29:18.799><c> vehicle</c> Bill 1619 relating to electric vehicle Bill 1619 relating to electric
• </c> Uh, we have Hawaiian Electric Uh, we have Hawaiian Electric also<00:30:01.840><c> in</c><00:30:02.159
• Um, House Bill 1619 relating to electric vehicle infrastructure.
• Um, House Bill 1619 relating to electric vehicle infrastructure.

Bills: HB644, HB1802, HB1569, HB1619, HB1620, HB1730, HB1749

Keywords: PFAS, single-use plastics, environmental health, food ware, pollution reduction, HB1802, conservation banking, conservation bank, mitigation banking, compensatory mitigation, incidental take permit, incidental take license, habitat conservation plan, HCP, DLNR, BLNR, Board of Land and Natural Resources, endangered species recovery committee, threatened species, endangered species

Summary: The committee heard several environmental and energy bills, beginning with HB 644 on single-use plastics. DLNR and DOH supported the measure, and environmental advocates said it would reduce plastic waste in oceans and landfills. Testifiers urged the bill to avoid weakening existing county ordinances, and some supported delaying implementation to use up inventory, while Upstream opposed compostable-plastic exemptions and urged prompt passage. Committee members asked whether reusable and refillable foodware could be added to the PFAS prohibition, and Upstream said that would be consistent with the bill’s goals. The committee then took up HB 1802 on conservation mitigation banks, HB 1569 on microfiber filters for newly manufactured washing machines, and HB 1619 on electric vehicle infrastructure. HB 1802 drew mostly agency testimony from DLNR, with opposition testimony noted from environmental groups, and members discussed whether suggested amendments would address concerns. HB 1569 received limited testimony, with support from the Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition and opposition from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. HB 1619 was supported by the PUC, Hawaiian Electric, the Department of Transportation, and several advocacy groups; Earthjustice said the bill was needed to address a widening EV charging shortfall and described the funding increase as relatively small compared with the benefits. The committee also heard HB 1620, which would increase the barrel tax to fund the EV charging rebate program. The State Energy Office and PUC offered comments, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed the special-fund approach and said the bill should also address the non-petroleum fossil-fuel portion of the barrel tax. Earthjustice and youth transportation advocates supported the measure, and the chair asked for information on unused hydrogen fueling subaccount funds; PUC said no hydrogen program funds had been deployed and estimated the balance was likely around $2 million, with exact figures to be provided later. Finally, the committee heard HB 1730 on wastewater systems, which would create a wastewater technical advisory group and fund positions at DOH. DLNR, DOH, OPSD, UH, and several environmental groups supported the bill, emphasizing cesspool pollution, affordability, and the need for more staffing and technical assistance. Testifiers suggested amendments to create a separate cesspool conversion implementation working group and debated the size and composition of the advisory group, including whether to include outside engineers and whether SHIP should be on the panel. No votes were taken during the hearing segment provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hydro-powered electric trains cross the land, and electric cars carry families, even in Nordic countries
• I know your priorities for this budget season are infrastructure, maintenance, and preservation.
• Our members build and maintain the roads, bridges, and infrastructure that keep Washington moving.
• Also pleased to see additional funding for safety programs and EV charging infrastructure.
• First, Honda shares the goal of Washington State to bring electric vehicles to the market.

Bills: SB6225, SB6005, SB6354

Keywords: transportation bonds, general obligation bonds, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, highway funding, road construction, infrastructure financing, motor fuel tax, gas tax, vehicle fees, bond authorization, state finance committee, highway bond retirement fund, corridor projects, interstate improvements, right-of-way acquisition, public-private partnerships, transportation capital projects, local matching funds, emergency clause

Transcript Highlights:

• This authorizes $1.5 billion in bonding authority for state road funds or the Highway Infrastructure
• As you've heard, I'm Rebecca Roos, the Senior Infrastructure Advisor in the Office of the Governor.
• We need superior roads and infrastructure to support economic growth. We urge a yes vote on SB2.
• I'm driving an electric car. So, Mr.
• vehicles fully electric.

Bills: SB2

Keywords: SB 2, State Highway Project Bonds, highway funding, transportation bonds, state road fund, motor vehicle fees, vehicle registration fees, electric vehicle fee, EV surcharge, plug-in hybrid fee, weight distance tax, road construction, infrastructure financing, Department of Transportation, State Transportation Commission, bonding authority, county road funds, municipal road funds, transportation improvement program, state highways