Representative Watkins said House Bill 212, Advanced Transmission Technologies, would encourage utilities to evaluate a suite of software and hardware tools that increase the amount of electricity existing transmission lines can carry, which the sponsor said reduces congestion and wildfire risk while saving ratepayers money.

Watkins told the committee these technologies are "software and cheaper and hardware solutions that increase the amount of electricity existing transmission lines can carry" and described them as deployable faster and at lower cost than new infrastructure. The sponsor said the Public Utilities Commission would be encouraged to support deployment where the technologies are proven cost-effective.

Committee members noted the bill's fiscal note was minimal; a senator summarized the fiscal estimate as approximately four cents for every $10,000,000 (a nominal value read into the record). No public commenters opposed the bill. Senator Milner moved to pass out the first substitute with a favorable recommendation; the committee voted unanimously to advance HB 212 and place it on the consent calendar.

The bill now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration.

Votes at a glance: HB 212 (1st Sub) — Favorable recommendation to the Senate (unanimous).