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7:30 AM – 8:30 AM: Breakfast on Your Own*Complimentary breakfast is available to task force members staying at the Element Seaport Hotel.8:30 AM: Meet in the Lobby of the Element Seaport Hotel8:40 AM: Depart for EnerNoc9:00 AM – 10:45 AM: Tour -- EnerNoc Demand Response Center*This tour is open to task force members and partners only.10:45 AM – 11:15 AM: Depart for Westin Waterfront Hotel* All sessions will take place in Grand Ballroom B.11:15 AM – 11:30 AM: Welcome and Introductions11:30 AM – 12:15 PM: Hydrogen Fuel Cells -- Market and Technology Advances Hydrogen fuel cells are making inroads as a source for reliable and clean power for buildings, including those that house critical services such as hospitals and police stations. Most of the major auto manufactures will be releasing fuel cell powered vehicles in the next few years and UPS will be deploying fuel cell delivery trucks next year. Explore fuel cell technology developments and the future of fuel cells for transportation and the power the electric grid. Speaker: • Morry Markowitz, President, Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association12:15 PM – 12:45 PM: Lunch12:45 PM – 1:45 PM: Electricity Storage Revolution
Having the ability to store energy to meet the fluctuations in energy demand and supply improves grid reliability and decreases operating costs. Energy storage is also considered a key tool for integrating high amounts of distributed solar energy resources. As prices drop and storage options increase, more entities are studying and implementing energy storage solutions. States are investigating and implementing policies that promote storage deployment. Hear about trends in energy storage and what it means for the electric grid. Speaker: • Alan Houghton, Renewable and Energy Services Leader, Johnson Controls• Will Lauwers, Emerging Technologies Director, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources1:45 PM – 2:30 PM: Ensuring the Safety & Reliability of Gas Storage By providing quick and necessary access to natural gas, the nation’s more than 400 gas storage facilities offer services that are critical to the reliable delivery of natural gas at peak demand, particularly for heating and power generation. But in 2015, a four-month methane leak from a storage facility in California was the largest of its kind in U.S. history. Learn about gas storage in the U.S., examine the response to the Aliso Canyon leak, and explore recommendations and actions from federal and state policymakers and the industry to ensure the safe and reliable storage of natural gas. Speakers:• Ray Harris, Jr., Vice President, National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation• Byron Coy, Senior Technical Advisor, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation
2:30 PM – 2:45 PM: Break2:45 PM – 3:30 PM: Business Meeting 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM: The Rise of Smart Cities As cities grow, they struggle to meet increased resource demand and capacity constraints. The smart city initiative is an attempt to leverage advances in transportation, energy and information technology to enhance a city’s livability, productivity, sustainability and resilience. At the heart of the smart city concept is energy technology, which is key to its implementation.
Speaker: • Michael Pesin, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Advanced Grid Research and Development, U.S. Department of Energy• Subramanian (Mani) Vadari, Founder and President, Modern Grid Solutions6:45 PM – 9:00 PM: Task Force Group Dinner & Boat Tour *Open to task force members and partners only.
State legislatures have developed strategies to address immigration in the wake of federal gridlock. "Immigration federalism" influences policies such as drivers’ licenses, professional licenses, education, employment verification and cooperation on law enforcement. Discuss the latest immigration proposals from Congress and innovations in state capitols across the country. 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM: Working Lunch (Lunch available starting at 11:30 AM)Welcoming RemarksPresiding: • Senator Mo Denis, Nevada, Task Force Co-Chair • Senator René García, Florida, Task Force Co-Chair Task Force Business Meeting Roundtable • Reports from state legislators on 2017 legislative sessions • T.A. offer from NAE/WES• Discuss Task Force report to the Executive Committee 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Update from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Speakers:• Brian Hyer, (Acting) Deputy Assistant Secretary, DHS – Office of Intergovernmental Affairs • Debra Rogers, Deputy Associate Director, DHS – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services • Christopher M. Cronen, Field Office Director, Boston Field Office, DHS - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Update from the Office of Refugee Resettlement, U.S. Department of Health & Human ServicesSpeaker: • Scott Lloyd, Director, Office of Refugee Resettlement2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Perspective on Immigration from International DelegatesSpeakers: • Soo Wong, MP, Scarborough-Agincourt, Ontario Legislature, Canada• Janneck Heere, Executive Director, Partnership of Parliaments, Germany• Maria José de Sousa Fialho, Head of Unit - European Parliament, Washington, D.C.
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Depart for Site Visit to Union Square Main StreetTour of the Somerville neighborhood emphasizing economic development and immigrant businesses. 5:00 PM: Task Force Adjourns
The Agriculture Task Force begins with a tour at noon on Saturday followed by meeting sessions on Sunday. Note: This tour is open to task force members, invited legislators and legislative staff, and partners. Please contact Ben Husch (ben.husch@ncsl.org) for more information.
Examine the grid infrastructure challenges and solutions, as well as the rapidly transforming energy market, the risks posed by declining baseload resources, and the technologies that are enabling this transformation. 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM: Breakfast8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Building the 21st Century Electric Grid The nation’s energy infrastructure—much of which is old, at capacity and nearing its life expectancy—received a D+ in the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Infrastructure Report Card. With an estimated $2 trillion in investment needed to maintain grid reliability, how do we best leverage technology and funding to build in long-term reliability, flexibility and functionality? National experts explore needs, costs and options for states as they plan and implement strategies for creating a resilient, modern grid. Speakers: • Bruce Evans, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer, American Electric Power• Paul J. Hibbard, Principal, Analysis Group, Inc.9:00 AM – 10:15 AM: Markets and the Evolving Energy Mix Energy markets across the nation are facing a confluence of disruptive forces, with low natural gas and renewable energy prices challenging the viability of large nuclear and coal plants. The market turmoil is raising concern over how the closure of these long-term baseload resources may impact state economies, energy diversity and grid reliability. Several states have enacted or considered policies to protect struggling coal and nuclear plants. Is state policy hindering or fixing failures in energy market operations, and how can it compliment the market? Speakers: • William Berg, Vice President of Wholesale Market Development, Exelon Corp.• Vince Duane, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, PJM Interconnection• Leslie Kerr, Deputy Director of the Division of Policy Development, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
10:15 AM – 10:30 AM: Break10:30 AM – 11:45 AM: Adapting to Change Grid operators in many states utilize demand response, energy storage, and other advances to adapt to a rapidly changing mix without sacrificing reliability. Can declining baseload be effectively replaced by new technologies and management practices? How will markets incorporate and value these new approaches? Speaker: • Kari Bennett, Executive Director of External Affairs, Midcontinent Independent System Operator• Jack Thirolf, Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs, Enel Green Power North America, Inc.• Jay Morrison, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association11:45 AM – 12:30 PM: The Grid of the FutureHow will market forces shape the nation's energy system and how can policymakers enable these changes? Dr. Chandu Visweswariah, a leading energy visionary, explores how economics and technology will create the grid of the future.Speaker: • Chandu Visweswariah, President and Chief Executive Officer, Utopus Insights12:30 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch
NCSL’s Task Force on Military and Veterans Affairs examines issues affecting military-community relations and the health and well-being of service members, veterans and their families. All are welcome to attend.7:30 AM – 8:00 AM: Breakfast 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM: Task Force on Military and Veterans Affairs Convenes Opening Remarks by Task Force Co-Chairs: • Representative Dan Flynn, Texas• Representative Ken Ito, Hawaii Pledge of Allegiance Introductions Rick Beyer, author of The Ghost Army of World War II8:30 AM – 9:00 AM: The State of U.S. Military Readiness Speakers: • Kristin Thomasgard-Spence, Program Director, Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI), U.S. Department of Defense• Matthew Walsh, Executive Liaison Assistant to the Commanding General, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, Arizona9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Putting Veterans First: State-Federal Cooperation Speakers: • Henry Huntley, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, D.C. • General Les Beavers, Executive Director, National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs • Marty Caraway, Senior Vice President, National Association of County Veterans Service Officers 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM: New Hampshire's Military Access Projects Speaker: • Jo Moncher, Bureau Chief, Military Programs, New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services 10:30 AM – 10:45 AM: Break10:45 AM – 11:30 AM: Veterans Workforce Development Presiding: • Representative Ken Ito, Hawaii Speakers: • Suzanne Hultin, NCSL• Marion Cain, Associate Director, Force Readiness & Training, U.S. Department of Defense 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM: The App for Veterans Hear about the mobile phone app giving Texas veterans quick access to crisis hotlines and other resources, developed by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Speaker: • Jim Darwin, Senior Advisor, Health and Human Services Commission of Texas 12:00 PM – 12:15 PM: Special Presentation 12:15 PM: Task Force Adjourns
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM: Breakfast and IntroductionsWelcome: • Chuck Truesdell, Legislative Fiscal Analyst, Kentucky8:30 AM – 9:15 AM: Communicating Your Way Through the Legislature Learn best practices for navigating communication with bill sponsors, lobbyists, inquiring legislators and legislative aides, and other players in the legislature. Speakers: • Senator Toi Hutchinson, Illinois• J.J. Gentry, Senate, South Carolina• Bob Devries, Governmental Consultant Services, Inc., Michigan9:15 AM – 10:30 AM: Navigating the Legislature During Contentious Times Engage with your peers and veteran legislative staff to learn best practices for navigating the legislature when the atmosphere is antagonistic. Speakers: • Kara Owen, Office of the House Speaker, Tennessee House of Representatives• David Sullivan, Office of the Senate President, Massachusetts• Brad Young, House of Representatives, Ohio 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Finding and Utilizing a Great Mentor Learn how to ask the right questions of the veteran staff for institutional knowledge, the best practices to communicate up, and navigating the legislature. Speakers:• Jennifer Miller, Massachusetts• Britte McBride, Massachusetts
8:00 AM : Breakfast, Introductions and Surprises in the Legislature 8:15-9 AM: What Great Legislators DoBooks, studies and articles on leadership are endless. But we'll boil it down to 10 essentials during this interactive session. Learn what the latest brain science tells us about how adults learn, comprehend and analyze, examine the traits that make a great legislator and how to apply them to your legislative life; and find out how to apply neuroscience to your leadership decision-making process.Speaker:• Stacy Householder, NCSL9-9:15 AM: Facebook for LegislatorsBe the first to receive a copy of NCSL's and Facebook's guide for legislators on effective social media use.Speaker: • Eva Guidarini, Facebook, Virginia9:15 AM – 10:30 AM: The Nimble Negotiator Negotiation in the legislative world is its own special skill set. Using case studies from state legislatures, this training invites legislators to examine their own tactics for negotiation and learn the most effective means of getting things done. Speaker: • Brian Mandell, Harvard Kennedy School, Massachusetts• David Porter, Harvard Kennedy School, Massachusetts10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Practical and Effective Lessons for Newly Elected Legislators Share the tools you learned on the fly or from senior members in your first term about how to be most effective. You’ll walk away with an abundance of ideas to implement moving forward in your legislative career. Speakers: • Tim Storey, NCSL• Speaker Cliff Rosenberger, Ohio• Assemblymember Eloise Reyes, California• Mark Scheffel, Advantage Capital Partners, Colorado
NCSL invites you to attend a “Home States” Reception at Google’s Cambridge headquarters honoring leaders from states with Google offices and infrastructure. Join us for interactive demos of virtual reality, machine learning, information about Google’s functions in your state, and tasty regional food and drink. Space is limited to legislators and legislative staff. The buses depart from the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center’s Northeast Lobby. At the conclusion of the event, one bus will return to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center and the second bus will return to the Back Bay area hotels. Please RSVP to Heather Morton (heather.morton@ncsl.org) by Thursday, July 27.
Hear about the status of America's children as measured by economic security, education and health and the Foundation's vision to enhance child well-being and promote economic opportunity.
Federal proposals to replace the Affordable Care Act portend dramatic changes for states. From the most visible features such as health exchanges, insurance subsidies or credits and the Medicaid expansion, to lesser known provisions, such as payment reforms and financing sources, states face major unknowns. What You’ll Learn: • The latest developments from Washington, D.C., and what they mean. • What new responsibilities and opportunities states have to improve health systems. • How states have responded, including what’s working and what’s not. • Resources that you may use in your state.
Biotech research is growing fast. In Massachusetts, more than 63,000 biopharma employees are working on more than 1,600 potential new medicines. Learn how new models for pricing and research are hoping to bring down the cost.
Tour one of Massachusetts' premier biotechnology companies, Foundation Medicine, sponsored in partnership with Genentech and NCSL. Foundation Medicine works with patients, providers and the BioPharma industry to provide genomic information about cancer to better target treatment and transform cancer care. Bus transportation to and from the Cambridge location will be provided. *Note: Limited to state legislators and legislative staff. Advance registration is required and space is limited. Please email (health-info@ncsl.org?subject:Bio_Tour) for more information and to sign up for the tour.
Senate President Stan Rosenberg, Senator Julian Cyr and the Massachusetts LGBTQ Legislative Caucus invite you to attend a reception in the District Hall Lounge celebrating LGBTQ legislators and staff. RSVP to Sharon@durkanconsulting.com to attend.
2:15 PM – 2:30 PM: Welcome and IntroductionsPresiding: • Representative Brian Patrick Kennedy, Rhode Island, Task Force Co-Chair • Representative George Keiser, North Dakota, Task Force Co-Chair 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM: The State of Health InsuranceWhat does the effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act mean for the health insurance industry? Now that a bill has passed the House and as the Senate works on its version, what do states need to be tracking in the federal legislation? How will it affect state regulation of health insurance? Speakers: • A representative from America's Health Insurance Plans• Richard Cauchi, NCSL• Michael Miller, Community Catalyst, Massachusetts3:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Autonomous Vehicles and Insurance Self-driving cars, also known as autonomous vehicles, have the potential to revolutionize how—and how safely—people get from point A to B. They also have the potential to revolutionize the auto insurance market. Discuss the impact on auto insurance. Speakers: • Commissioner David Altmaier, Florida• Birny Birnbaum, Center for Economic Justice, Texas• Alison Pascale, Audi of America, Washington, D.C.• David Snyder, Property Casualty Insur5ers Association of America, Illinois4:30 PM – 4:40 PM: Break
4:40 PM – 5:30 PM: Insurance Industry Roundtable Hear from representatives from different lines of insurance on what the industry sees as the issues to watch in the states. Speakers: • Grace Campbell, America's Health Insurance Plans, Colorado• Bryan Cox, American Council of Life Insurers, Washington, D.C.• Tim Lynch, National Insurance Crime Bureau, Illinois• Paul Richman, Insured Retirement Institute, Washington, D.C.• David Snyder, Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, Illinois5:30 PM – 6:00 PM: Roundtable with Regulators Hear from state insurance commissioners on what the state regulatory agencies see as issues to watch in the states as well as what is happening in Washington that could impact state regulation of insurance. Speakers: • Commissioner David Altmaier, Florida• Acting Commissioner Gary Anderson, Massachusetts• Superintendent Eric Cioppa, Maine• Superintendent Elizabeth Kelleher Dwyer, Rhode Island• Commissioner Tom Glause, Wyoming• Commissioner Ted Nickel, Wisconsin, NAIC President6:30 PM – 9:00 PM: Reception and Task Force Dinner Dinner is open to Task Force members and industry representatives. There will be a $500 per person registration fee for non-Task Force sponsors to attend the dinner.
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Working Breakfast: Air Ambulance/Transport Complaints regarding air ambulance costs are increasing, but as all air travel is regulated by the federal government, states have been prevented from addressing the problem. Discuss state and federal efforts to address air ambulance and air transport issues. Speakers: • Christopher Eastlee, Association of Air Medical Services, Indiana• Elizabeth Imholz, Consumers Union, California• Commissioner Ted Nickel, Wisconsin, NAIC President9:30 AM – 10:15 AM: Infrastructure Investing for Insurers Insurers are looking at public-private partnerships (P3Ps) as potential attractive investment opportunities. But there are challenges and risks for insurers, regulators and states involved in these investments. Speakers:• Milum Livesay, TIAA, North Carolina• Michael Lovendusky, American Council of Life Insurers, Washington, D.C.• Commissioner Ted Nickel, Wisconsin, NAIC President10:15 AM – 10:30 AM: Break10:30 AM – 11:15 AM: Future of Insurance: Blockchain and Big Data Emerging technologies like Blockchain and the use of Big Data have the potential to radically change the insurance industry. Discuss the impact of these insurance innovations. Speakers:• Robert Bauer, American International Group, New York• Max Behlke, NCSL• Commissioner Ted Nickel, Wisconsin, NAIC President• Dr. Anand Rao, PwC, Massachusetts11:15 AM – 12:00 PM: Cyber Insurance According to a recent survey, 50 percent of U.S. firms do not have cyber risk insurance and 27 percent of U.S. executives say their firms have no plans to take out cyber insurance, even though 61 percent of them expect cyber breaches to increase in the next year. What is cyber risk insurance and what do state policymakers need to know about it? Speakers: • Birny Birnbaum, Center for Economic Justice, Texas• Superintendent Elizabeth Kelleher Dwyer, Rhode Island• Kevin McKechnie, ABA Office of Insurance Advocacy, Washington, D.C.12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Roundtable Lunch and Business Meeting Discuss what is going on insurance-wise in the states with legislators.