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Committee approves substitute to create state energy advisory board
Summary
A committee substitute for House Bill 394 to create a state-level energy advisory board passed the House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Committee; the substitute narrows board membership and assigns duties while avoiding forced consolidation of existing boards, sponsors said.
The House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Committee on Feb. 27 advanced a committee substitute for House Bill 394 to establish a State Energy Advisory Board. Representative Luhan, sponsor of the substitute, told members the substitute reduced the board's size and refined duties to limit duplication with existing entities.
Under the substitute the board's membership declined from 19 to 11 seats. The sponsor said the smaller membership would focus on advising state policy and coordinating energy-sector work without absorbing or automatically consolidating existing boards or advisory panels. Representative Murphy and Representative Montoya asked whether the substitute would create duplications; the sponsor said the language does not require consolidation and that the substitute had been adjusted after stakeholder questions.
Committee members broadly praised the collaborative work to reduce membership and clarify duties. The committee recorded a do-pass recommendation on the substitute by a committee majority; the motion was moved by Representative Sarnana (as recorded) and seconded by Representative Murphy. The committee clerk recorded the vote in the hearing minutes and the substitute advanced to the next stage in the legislative process.
What happens next: the substitute will proceed to the next committee(s) and then the House floor if it continues to advance. Supporters said the board would provide a single, neutral forum for state energy planning and stakeholder coordination while limiting overlap.
