Committee rejects consolidation motion after heated debate over nuclear coordination and mining roles

Lawmakers debated consolidating the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources with the Office of Species Conservation into a single office to handle species, minerals and energy work. After extensive testimony about nuclear coordination, critical‑minerals permitting, and how many staff are needed for nuclear business‑attraction work, a substitute motion failed and the original consolidation motion did not secure a House majority and therefore failed in the joint session.