Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> closed</c> next generation geothermal and closed next generation geothermal and closed loop<05:33
• Next-generation geothermal technologies will make it feasible to deploy geothermal energy across the
• H.R. 8790, the Next Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act, will support new geothermal research
• generation in support of my next generation geothermal<05:40:29.600><c> research</c><05:40:29.920><c
• estimate next generation experts estimate next generation geothermal<05:40:54.400><c> could</c><05:40

Bills: HB8823 , HB4541 , HB8790 , HB3029 , HB5578 , HB1722 , HB6330 , HB4123 , HB2069 , HB7283 , HR1118 , HB8205 , HB6238 , HB3491 , HB1493 , HB2001 , HB3747 , HB5160 , HB4348 , HB2821 , HB2715 , HB1703

Keywords: FECA, Federal Employees' Compensation Act, workers' compensation, Department of Labor, medical provider fraud, provider accountability, payment suspension, fraud conviction, health care fraud, federal health care benefit program, state health program, workers compensation medical benefits, program integrity, provider sanctions, injured federal employees, geothermal, next-generation geothermal, enhanced geothermal systems, closed-loop geothermal, supercritical geothermal

Transcript Highlights:

• Alternative energy is, uh, geothermal basically.
• Alternative energy is, uh, geothermal basically.
• Alternative energy is, uh, geothermal basically.
• Alternative energy is, uh, geothermal basically.
• Geothermal. Geothermal. Geothermal. &gt;&gt; Okay. &gt;&gt; Okay. &gt;&gt; Okay. &gt;&gt; Favor.

Bills: SB174 , SB174

Committee: Senate Transportation and Energy

Keywords: business taxes, annual reports, Alabama Tax Tribunal, tax appeals, local government, SB174, alternative energy, alternative energy wells, alternative energy facility, geothermal, geothermal energy, subsurface energy, energy storage, energy capture, energy generation, hydropower, solar energy, oil and gas well conversion, well conversion, plugging and abandonment

Bills: SSB3002 , SSB3033 , SSB3040 , SSB3038 , SSB3078 , SJR2007 , SF2022 , SSB3075

Committee: Joint State Government

Keywords: pari-mutuel wagering, dog racing, gaming commission, license fees, simulcast, administrative services, historical resources, Iowa City, regulatory change, state agency structure, Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, sports wagering, sports betting, advance deposit wagering, advance deposit sports wagering, illegal gambling, unlicensed gambling, cease and desist, injunctive relief, unlawful betting

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the proud owner of a... ...generation electrical contracting company in San Antonio.
• generations of skilled trades workers.
• It's almost tripling the size of the ERCOT grid in the next six years.
• So if we can then look at the next slide, slide 11.
• Today, there's a lot of generators out—over 35,000 megawatts of generation. is out right now doing maintenance

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

Committee: House State Affairs

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:

• This is because many will have backup generation.
• There's generation and there's load, and most of the year there's a lot of excess generation across our
• Additionally, they can flip to this new. generation or backup generation.
• However, even though geothermal energy is dispatchable by nature, geothermal projects are currently ineligible
• We're going to need more traditional generation.

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

Committee: House State Affairs

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:

• And then when you reset it in the next one, it'll go back up again.
• Doug Fawn. with ERCOT, Assistant General Counsel. Here's a resource with this. We do not oppose.
• Chairman and members. for the definition of a geothermal energy conservation well.
• Texas Geothermal Energy Alliance.
• So, is it your understanding that geothermal wells qualify for the existing exemption?

Bills: SB483 , SB522 , SB783 , SB1239 , SB1254 , SB1255 , SB1259 , SB1341 , SB1664 , SB1762 , SB1856 , SB1877 , SB1977

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: utility, proprietary information, customer data, data protection, electric service, customer information, emergency communication, electric utility, privacy, certification, public accountants, interstate licensing, accounting, regulatory amendment, energy efficiency, construction regulations, building codes, Texas, sustainability, cost-effectiveness

Summary: The Senate Business and Commerce Committee met with a quorum and first took up pending business, voting out several bills. Senate Bills 1697, 1569, 1202 as substituted, 1029, 1364, 1185, 924, 1008 as substituted, 264, 1376, and 1358 as substituted were reported favorably, with some sent to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted a substitute for SB 1202 and later corrected votes on several measures. SB 924 and SB 1376 drew some opposition, while the rest of the pending bills were reported without dissent or with limited nays. The committee then heard testimony on SB 1856, which would create an annual capacity-cost recovery rider for Entergy Texas customers in the MISO region. The author and Entergy argued the bill would better match rates to actual capacity costs and improve transparency, while the Texas Association of Manufacturers and the Public Utility Commission raised concerns about the short 10-day review period, rider proliferation, and the preference for full rate cases over piecemeal adjustments. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard and left pending SB 522 on CPA reciprocity, SB 1664 requiring TDUs to provide clearer, standalone rate-change disclosures, SB 1877 expanding OPUC’s access to market data, SB 1254 and SB 1255 as TDLR cleanup bills on professional employer organizations and mold assessors, SB 1341 updating manufactured housing rules, SB 1239 on sovereign debt and Texas governing law, and SB 1259 streamlining the surveyor-in-training licensing process. Additional bills discussed included SB 1977, which would cap recoverable legal expenses in electric, water, and sewer rate cases; OPUC and some consumer advocates supported the idea as a way to reduce ratepayer costs, while utility representatives warned it could discourage participation and increase rate shock. The committee also heard SB 1762 clarifying that geothermal energy conservation wells are not battery resources, and SB 783 allowing SECO to proceed with future energy-code rulemaking for state-funded buildings. Both drew supportive testimony from industry and environmental groups. All remaining bills heard during the meeting were left pending, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, Allison Mansfield, you'll be next. Your name is Allison Mansfield.
• Okay, my next point... to make is just to Mr.
• How do we... plan this out for the next five years?
• And more people come to join our great state, and that will generate...
• Next up, the Chair intends to call General for RAB John McCord and Kristi Gessler. 1143 Thank you.

Bills: HB8 , HB9 , HJR1 , HB22 , HB8 , HB9 , HJR1 , HB22

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: HB 8, school finance, compressed tax rate, maximum compressed tax rate, MCR, PYMCR, property tax, school district taxes, Education Code, Tax Code, state aid, school funding formula, local school taxes, Texas school finance, tax rate compression, public education funding, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:50.239><c> few</c> self-funded in the next few self-funded in the next few years<00:02:52.000
• Geothermal systems also have much longer system longevity, with geothermal wells lasting well over 50
• </c><00:22:43.000><c> Wells</c> longevity with GE geothermal Wells longevity with GE geothermal Wells
• </c> provide their services so thank you next provide their services so thank you next on<00:30:07.919
• Just a question about geothermal in general. Maybe the testifier would have more expertise.

Bills: HF1013 , HF1598 , HF1656 , HF2162

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: energy, economic development, funding, renewable resources, Clean Energy Economy Minnesota, air ventilation, geothermal, school financing, Minnesota Climate Innovative Finance Authority, geothermal energy, renewable energy, construction funding, Como Zoo, energy efficiency, HF2162, Minnesota, planning grants, renewable development account, clean energy, Department of Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> power generation. power generation.
• </c> Okay, next up is uh SP39, Senator Cavan. Okay, next up is uh SP39, Senator Cavan.
• Next up, we're on U HB 381, Representative Faulner.
• Uh, next up we're going to have a public hearing on HP25.
• &gt;&gt; Uh, &gt;&gt; okay.<00:47:09.119><c> Next.

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

Committee: House State Government

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

Transcript Highlights:

• An act relating to definitions and general provisions.
• Members without objection to vote on advancement from general order is rescinded.
• If there are minerals at least, that would not apply to the geothermal.
• The geothermal side deals with the well bore and circulating in the water.
• Representative Ranson now moves that House Bill 1979 be advanced from general order.

Bills: HR1038 , HB3263 , HB3127 , HB2997 , HB3115 , HB2123 , HB3587 , HB3028 , HB2035 , HB3369 , HB3620 , HB3621 , HB3622 , HB3624 , HB3175 , HB3173 , HB3178 , HB1979 , HB4476

Keywords: Oklahoma Youth Expo, OYE, 4-H, FFA, agriculture, agricultural education, youth expo, livestock show, junior livestock, scholarships, youth leadership, Oklahoma City, rural communities, ag mechanics, engineering contest, farm youth, student recognition, ceremonial resolution, house resolution, livestock competition

Bills: HR1038 , HB3263 , HB3127 , HB2997 , HB3115 , HB2123 , HB3587 , HB3028 , HB2035 , HB3369 , HB3620 , HB3621 , HB3622 , HB3624 , HB3175 , HB3173 , HB3178 , HB1979 , HB4476

Keywords: Oklahoma Youth Expo, OYE, 4-H, FFA, agriculture, agricultural education, youth expo, livestock show, junior livestock, scholarships, youth leadership, Oklahoma City, rural communities, ag mechanics, engineering contest, farm youth, student recognition, ceremonial resolution, house resolution, livestock competition

Transcript Highlights:

• $350 million over the next 10 years.
• And that is the only utility-scale geothermal electricity plant in the state, generating power for the
• That is the only utility-scale geothermal electricity plant in the state, generating power for the grid
• So unlike intermittent generation, geothermal provides constant power, supports grid reliability, and
• You know, I think of geothermal.

Bills: SB190 , SB152 , SB77 , SB150 , SB151 , SB156 , SB172 , SB182 , SB185 , SB212 , SB170 , SB133 , SB174 , SB163

Committee: Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Keywords: cancer treatment, revenue bonds, Gila Regional Medical Center, Nor-Lea General Hospital, healthcare funding, telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion

Transcript Highlights:

• But recent technological breakthroughs have created next-generation geothermal systems that can be deployed
• ><c> that</c> next generation geothermal systems that next generation geothermal systems that can<00:
• </c> At this rate of innovation, low-cost next-generation geothermal could soon be possible all across
• </c> next generation. next generation. I<02:07:21.599><c> yel</c><02:07:21.920><c> back.
• next generation of of used to drive the next generation of of innovation<03:16:55.200><c> in</c><03:

Bills: HB5587

Keywords: geothermal, environmental policy, federal drilling permit, energy production, state regulations, land use

Transcript Highlights:

• So what that means... ...you can drill your geothermal well inside the base, generate your power, and
• So thank you so much, Major General.
• Thank you for your testimony, General.
• So, we are supportive of geothermal.
• Affecting groundwater resources, but you know, we are generally supportive of geothermal.

Bills: HB1647 , HB2612 , HB3125 , HB3158 , HB3240 , HB3506 , HB3516 , HB3707

Committee: House Energy Resources

Keywords: carbon sequestration, environmental policy, Texas, energy, climate change, regulatory council, geothermal energy, workforce development, education and training, energy industry, apprenticeship, energy production, energy policy, renewable energy, state council, administrative law, public information, transparency, government accountability, judicial process

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:12:21.839><c> feel</c><00:12:21.920><c> a</c> generation Hawaii resident, I feel a generation
• Go for uh attorney general &gt;&gt; Okay. Go for uh attorney general possible.
• Let's move on to the next measure. So next up we have House Bill 1616, relating to agriculture.
• Uh, next we have House Bill6003 Uh, next we have House Bill6003 relating<00:38:25.280><c> to</c><00:38
• So, let's move on to the next measure. So, next up we have House Bill 1606 relating to agriculture.

Bills: HB1601 , HB1828 , HB1616 , HB1603 , HB1606 , HB1604 , HB1605

Committees: House Agriculture & Food Systems , House Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: biosecurity, invasive species, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, Department of Land and Natural Resources, appropriation, agriculture, land use, farm dwelling, renewable energy, income qualification, solar energy, geothermal resources, hydropower, agricultural tourism, aquaculture, commercial activity, swine production, Korean natural farming, land leases, Hawaii

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:51:39.680><c> Hawaii</c><00:51:40.079><c> Farmers</c> Uh, next we have uh Hawaii Farmers Uh, next
• </c> that's generated from below saltwater. that's generated from below saltwater. uh<00:53:05.839><c
• Next measure, House Thank you. Okay. Next measure, House Bill<01:47:58.159><c> 1931.
• Uh,<01:48:07.119><c> next</c><01:48:07.520><c> the</c><01:48:07.679><c> next</c><01:48:07.920><c> measure
• on the agenda Uh, next the next measure on the agenda is<01:48:08.719><c> House</c><01:48:08.960><c>

Bills: HB2425 , HB2596 , HB2573 , HB2017 , HB1931 , HB1736 , HB1594 , HB1828

Committees: House Agriculture & Food Systems , House Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: agriculture, sugarcane, permitting process, land use, conservation district, diversified agriculture, economic impact, invasive species, plant sales, weed risk assessment, consumer protection, environmental impact, workforce development, biosecurity, training program, partnerships, tax credit, Hawaiian home lands, investment costs, nonrefundable

Summary: The committee heard opening remarks and then took testimony on several agriculture-related bills. HB 2425 would exempt agricultural enterprises on former commercial sugarcane lands in conservation use districts from certain permitting and site plan requirements. The Department of Agriculture supported the measure and stood on written comments. The Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the intent but said the bill appeared to cite the wrong statute and suggested amending the conservation district law instead. Other testimony was generally supportive, while some witnesses raised concerns about using the right statutory vehicle. Committee members questioned whether the bill should be redirected through a different chapter. The committee then heard HB 596, which would require retail sellers of plants to disclose invasiveness risk, direct the Invasive Species Council to create a labeling system and weed risk assessments, and establish fines. The Department of Land and Natural Resources strongly supported the bill, saying point-of-sale labels would help consumers make informed choices. Supporters from the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species said the state’s noxious weed and restricted plant lists are outdated or incomplete and that the bill would help prevent harmful species from being purchased and planted. Opponents, including the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Hawaii Food Policy Foundation, argued the measure was too broad, could stigmatize plants and producers, and might be better implemented through voluntary education or narrower definitions. Committee discussion focused on possible amendments, including using printable labels from a website and limiting the bill to larger commercial retailers. HB 2573 would create a five-year agriculture and biosecurity workforce development pilot program involving the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Leeward Community College, and the Department of Human Resources Development. DHRD said it supported the intent but wanted clearer responsibilities; the University of Hawaiʻi, the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, the Hawaii Food Policy Foundation, and others supported the proposal. DAB said the program would help build needed biosecurity staffing and training, and that law-enforcement-related curriculum could be incorporated. Finally, the committee began hearing HB 207, which would expand the important agricultural land qualified agricultural tax credit to include certain Hawaiian homelands and additional agricultural costs such as orchards, fruit crops, and clearing former sugar and pineapple lands. The Department of Taxation and DAB stood on written comments, while the Department of Hawaiian Homelands strongly supported the bill, calling it a potential game-changer for developing agricultural lands and offsetting infrastructure costs; the department also asked that the credit be broadened beyond agriculture alone.

Transcript Highlights:

• Non-emitting electricity generation is generation of electricity without the production of greenhouse
• Otherwise, they're generally overlapping.
• This is a false and dangerous generalization.
• Next. Thank you. Joe Walsh. Good morning.
• Next up, Fairstay Bunk. Hi, thank you so much.

Bills: HB2103 , HB2388 , HB2316 , HB2006 , HB2224

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: renewable energy, nonemitting generation, public entities, contracting, electric generation, distributed energy, agricultural land, energy generation, renewable resources, siting regulations, land use, urban development, vegetation management, shrubsteppe, environmental regulation, economic development, sales tax, rural counties, industrial land banks, growth management

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a fifth generation Texan. I'm here for...
• They'll do that for the next five years before the next negotiation.
• They try to identify and generally notify next of kin regarding the death.
• Awareness campaign coming up this year or next year.
• I think generally they are.

Bills: HB46 , HB35 , HB4490 , HB4454 , HB2188 , HB3078 , HB4743 , HB2556 , HB46 , HB5342 , HB4783 , HB3785 , HB5278 , HB1639 , HB2581 , HB4224 , HB4070 , HB4099 , HB4882 , HB3794

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: local government spending cap, expenditure limit, political subdivision, property tax, ad valorem tax, budget cap, taxpayer protection, spending restraint, inflation adjustment, population growth, voter approval, supermajority vote, county budget, municipal budget, school district finance, junior college district, hospital district, special district, attorney general enforcement, local fiscal limits

Transcript Highlights:

• In general, have anesthesiologists ever been...?
• The next highest number was 14,500 among dentists.
• I mean, but what's next? I mean, next, you guys will say...
• I mean, in general. Why, I mean, does Medicaid cost more?
• I do general anesthesia. I’m the only one of those four that does general anesthesia.

Bills: HB35 , HB4490 , HB4454 , HB2188 , HB3078 , HB4743 , HB2556 , HB46 , HB5342 , HB4783 , HB3785 , HB5278 , HB1639 , HB2581 , HB4224 , HB4070 , HB4099 , HB4882 , HB3794 , HB46

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: peer support, first responders, mental health, confidentiality, emergency services, disclosure, next of kin, public information, deceased persons, privacy rights, patient solicitation, marketing practices, healthcare regulation, task force, deceptive advertising, nurse aide, certification, Texas Board of Nursing, healthcare workforce, nursing standards

Transcript Highlights:

• Lisa, you're next.
• Individual towns must do the work to preserve our wildlife for future generations. Thank you.
• Next up, we have Liz Cabrera Holtz, followed by Jody Alamos, followed by Laura Kim Joyner.
• Next up, Sal Salafia, followed by Karen Windsor, followed by Amanda Fredal. Good morning.
• Next up, Sal Salafia, followed by Karen Windsor, followed by Amanda Fredal. Good morning.

Bills: H5432 , H5433 , S3093 , H5363 , H5137 , H5247

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Keywords: Newbury, rodenticides, second generation anticoagulant rodenticides, SGARs, pesticides, pest control, wildlife protection, environmental regulation, local bylaw, municipal authority, private property, rodent control, anticoagulant poison, public health, Massachusetts local option, Wellfleet, fertilizer, nitrogen, phosphorus, nutrient pollution