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Panel approves study commission to weigh public financing for transmission, distribution and storage

House Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee (Work Session) · March 5, 2026

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Summary

The committee voted to report LD 838 'ought to pass as amended,' creating a 13‑member legislative commission to study public financing options for transmission, distribution and energy storage (staffed by Legislative Council) and to report back to the committee by the deadline set in the amended text.

The committee opened LD 838, a resolve to establish a commission to study options for public financing and ownership of electric transmission, distribution and energy storage projects. Lindsey summarized the measure and described the commission’s duties, staffing and reporting schedule.

The amendment under consideration converted an earlier department study into a legislative commission with 13 members, required the commission to use the Department of Energy Resources' Banyan report, and directed the commission to evaluate governmental and quasi‑governmental financing options, labor requirements and protections for landowners potentially impacted by projects.

Members discussed removing an emergency preamble and adjusting the deadline for the commission’s report; staff advised that because the study would be staffed by nonpartisan legislative staff, the report date could not be pushed past the last date staff are available in that legislative cycle. Representative Chris Kessler asked to add generation to the study scope; Senator Mark Lawrence offered a friendly amendment that removed the emergency preamble and incorporated the generation language and related drafting changes.

The committee voted and the clerk reported a majority recommendation with 7 votes in favor, 5 opposed and 1 absence. The committee asked staff to circulate draft language and confirmed that the commission would be able to report back to the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee and could result in legislation in the next regular session.

Members also flagged the commission’s requirement to consider eminent domain powers and protections for landowners and the need for specified labor and apprenticeship standards as part of any publicly financed projects.