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7:30 am–8:15 am: Breakfast8:15 am–8:30 am: Welcome and Introductions• Senator Eric Koch, Indiana (co-chair)• Representative Jeff Morris, Washington (co-chair)8:30 am–9:30 am: Energy Solutions for Rural Communities Since energy costs in rural communities tend to be higher than in the city, rural areas can see great benefits from efficiency, grid modernization and distributed generation investments. The challenge for utilities is how to use technology to better serve less-densely populated areas and make sure rural communities are not left behind. Explore the risks of not investing in rural electricity infrastructure and the steps being taken to ensure rural areas benefit from grid modernization. Speaker: • Kevin Short, Anza Electric Cooperative Inc., California• Representative Tom Sloan, Kansas9:30 am–10:45 am: Technology and Big Data for Energy Emergency Response“Disaster intelligence” and big data analytics combine data, technology and human expertise to better prepare for a wide variety of events and disruptions. Examine how disaster intelligence and technology can help states better prepare and more quickly respond to disasters. Explore how the advent of distributed generation, energy storage and microgrids are advancing our ability to create more resilient energy systems. Speakers:• Ray Mueller, One Concern, California• Todd Inlander, Southern California Edison• Susan Grissom, American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers, Washington, D.C.10:45 am–11:00 am: Break11:00 am–12:00 pm: Storing Carbon While Extracting Oil New federal tax credits are re-energizing efforts to capture carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel power plants and store them permanently underground. The technology being used can also assist in oil recovery and is already being implemented to a small degree in Texas, North Dakota and elsewhere. Although still expensive, advancements are continuing to bring down costs. Hear presenters discuss the costs, benefits and outlook for carbon capture and sequestration, along with the state policies that enable their implementation. Speakers:• Sarah Forbes, Office of Fossil Energy, U.S. Department of Energy• John Harju, Energy & Environment Research Center, University of North Dakota12:00 pm–1:00 pm: Lunch Presentation — Community SolarCommunity solar has been the fastest growing segment of the solar market, reaching over a gigawatt of installed capacity in just a few years. With this rapid growth expected to continue, there could be a number of benefits, and some potential challenges, for policymakers, utilities and customers. This session explores the current market, growth projects, and the role of state policy in community solar. Speaker: • Brandon Smithwood, Coalition for Community Solar Access, Washington, D.C.1:00 pm–1:45 pm: Business Meeting • Brief updates from Task Force Members • Discuss draft grid modernization report 1:45 pm–2:45 pm: Freedom to Choose—Retail Electric Markets As customers push for more control over their electricity services, such as the option to buy 100 percent renewable electricity, some are supporting the creation of retail markets that offer a choice of electricity providers. What are the benefits and challenges of retail electric choice? Will residential consumers benefit as much as larger commerical and industrial customers? Learn about the practicality of this approach and explore the experiences of states that have created markets for retail choice. Speaker:• Brad Viator, Edison Electric Institute, Washington, D.C.• Melicia Charles, Sunrun, California2:45 pm–3:00 pm: Break3:00 pm–4:00 pm: Trading in Energy Innovation While the U.S. electric grid is undergoing significant transformation due to advancing technology and a changing generation mix, our trading partners are facing similar challenges. Learn about energy sector developments in Canada and India, how they are coping with change, and what opportunities exist to increase trade and collaboration. Speakers: • Kartikeya Singh, Center for Strategic & International Studies, Washington, D.C.• Jacob Irving, Energy Council of Canada, Ontario4:00 pm–5:00 pm: The Promise of Renewable Natural Gas Interchangeable with natural gas, renewable natural gas is a biomass-derived, carbon neutral and versatile fuel that is compatible with existing pipeline infrastructure. The market is expanding rapidly and 27 states now have projects in operation or under construction. While state policy has been important to driving the renewable gas market, some see much larger potential. Explore new developments in renewable natural gas and how states are promoting its growth. Speaker: • Ken Chawkins, Southern California Gas Company, California• Evan Williams, Cambiran Energy5:00 pm: Wrap Up6:30 pm–8:30 pm: Task Force Group Dinner* Open to Task Force members and partners only.
NOTE: Badges must be visible to board buses, access the LACC and attend events. Shuttle Frequency: • 7:00 am to 10:30 am (every 30 minutes) • 10:30 am to 5:45 pm (every 10-15 minutes) • Departs the LACC every 30 minutes on the hour and half hour. Shuttle Routes: • Route 1 – Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites picks up on the Flower Street Entrance. • Route 2 – InterContinential Los Angeles Downtown picks up curbside on 7th Street and Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown Hotel picks up curbside on Hope Street. • Route 3 – Millennium Biltmore Hotel picks up across the street on Grand Avenue and Omni Los Angeles Hotel picks up curbside on Olive Street. Shuttle Drop Off at LACC:• Drop off on the Figueroa Street side at the LACC. For Shuttle Information and Special Assistance: • Call (310) 900-9525 at least 60 minutes prior to desired pick-up time.
This pre-conference meeting is by invitation only. If you have any questions, please contact mandy.rafool@ncsl.org. 7:45 am–8:30 am: Breakfast 8:30 am–9:30 am: Federal Budget and Tax Update Speakers: • Trinity Tomsic, Deputy Executive Director, Federal Funds Information for States, California • Joe Crosby, CEO & Principal, MultiState Associates, Washington, D.C. 9:30 am–10:15 am: Roundtable on Federal Tax Reform Discussion Leader: • Joe Crosby, CEO & Principal, MultiState Associates, Washington, D.C. 10:15 am–10:30 am: Break 10:30 am–11:30 am: A Clearinghouse of Clearinghouses: An Enhanced Tool for Accessing the Evidence Base Moderator/Speaker: • Mara Weinstein, Principal Associate, Pew-MacArthur Results First Initiative, The Pew Charitable Trusts, Washington, D.C. Speaker: • Patrick Dean, Program Manager, Alabama Support Team for Evidence-Based Practices, Legislative Services Agency, Alabama 11:30 am–12:30 pm: Fiscal Office Management: Training New Staff Speakers: • David Abbey, Director, Legislative Finance Committee, New Mexico • Melody DeBussey, Director, Senate Budget and Evaluation Office, Georgia• David Juppe, Senior Operating Budget Manager, Office of Policy Analysis, Department of Legislative Services, Maryland• Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board, Texas12:30 pm–1:00 pm: Box Lunch/Informal Discussion Time
8:30 am–9:15 am: Task Force Business Meeting Roundtable and Update on State Legislation -- Working Breakfast • Senator Mo Denis, Nevada, Task Force Co-Chair• Senator René García, Florida, Task Force Co-Chair9:15 am–10:00 am: Child Migrants and the Separation of Children from FamiliesCentral American children and families have been arriving in increasing numbers at the U.S. southern border seeking asylum and economic opportunity. Learn about the migration "push-pull" factors, challenges in processing their claims, and current government responses. Speaker:• Mark Greenberg, Migration Policy Institute and former acting assistant secretary of the Administration on Children and Families in the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services10:00 am–11:00 am: Briefing from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Hear updates on immigration enforcement and immigration services, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, child migrants, and citizenship programs. Speakers: • David Marin, Immigration & Customs Enforcement, Los Angeles Field Office, California • Joseph Hackbarth, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), California 11:00 am–12:00 pm: Immigration, Economy and Jobs Occupational shortages across the country have spurred states to develop policies to tap the talents of both native-born and immigrant residents. Hear how states are creating new paths to help professionals get the training and licensing they need.Speaker: • Senator Ricardo Lara, California• Richard Andre, New American Economy
The federal Every Student Succeeds Act gives states new flexibility to customize approaches to help struggling schools. But how do we know which strategies will work? What role does the community play? Learn what the research says about what works and hear inspiring stories about getting schools—and most importantly, kids—back on track.
A growing number of states are requiring regular analysis, including stress testing, to monitor the health of their pension funds. Pension plans’ increasingly complex mix of investments in recent decades means more exposure to volatility in the financial markets. Learn how state policymakers are developing new data tools to evaluate changing market conditions and meet their pension obligations under different economic scenarios.
NOTE: Please don't forget your badge. They must be visible to board buses and attend the event. Shuttle Frequency:• Service will run every 10-15 minutes from 5:45 pm-7:00 pm from the hotels to Paramount Studios. • Return service will run every 15-20 minutes from 7:00 pm-9:30 pm from Paramount Studios to the hotels.
Shuttle Routes:
• Route 1 – Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites -- Flower St. Entrance • Route 2 – InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown -- Curbside on 7th St.• Route 2 – Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown Hotel -- Curbside on Hope St.• Route 3 – Millennium Biltmore Hotel -- Across street on Grand Ave.• Route 3 – Omni Los Angeles Hotel -- Curbside on Olive St.• Route A – Courtyard Los Angeles LA Live -- walk to JW Marriott -- curbside on Olympic Blvd. • Route A – Hotel Indigo Los Angeles -- walk to JW Marriott -- curbside on Olympic Blvd. • Route A – JW Marriott Los Angeles at LA Live -- picks up curbside on Olympic Blvd. • Route A – Residence Inn Los Angeles Downtown LA Live -- walk to the JW Marriott Los Angeles at LA Live -- picks up curbside on Olympic Blvd. For Shuttle Information and Special Assistance: • Call (310) 900-9525 at least 60 minutes prior to desired pick-up time.
NASA and businesses in your states are building the world’s largest rocket to return humans to the moon, Mars and beyond. Hear how top NASA directors, business leaders and state legislators are working to advance NASA’s mission and grow their state economies and how your state and communities can join the journey! Panel 1: To Boldly Go: NASA and Human Space Exploration Moderator: Senator Howard Stephenson, Utah Panelists: Steve Miley, Associate Director, NASA Marshal Space Flight Center Larry James, Deputy Director, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Panel 2: Building America's Rocket and Growing State Economies Moderator: David Quam, Partner, Nelson, Mullins, Riley & Scarborough, LLP Panelist: Sharon Cobb, Program Operations and Strategic Communications Manager, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center George Ray, Chairman of the Board, LeFiell Manufacturing Company Nikki Martinez, NASA Programs, Aerojet Rocketdyne Panel 3: Legislators Leading the Way: Join the Journey Moderator: David Quam, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, Washington, D.C. Panelists: Senator Bill Holtzclaw, AlabamaSenator John Cosgrove, VirginiaSenator Howard Stephenson, UtahRepresentative Dennis Paul, TexasAssemblymember Al Muratsuchi, California
Join us for a discussion of women's representation in politics and the media with Dr. Stacy Smith, founder of the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, the leading think tank studying issues of inequality in entertainment. The lunch also will include the Women's Legislative Network's annual board elections.
Staff directors bring technical skills, vast experience and deep knowledge about their legislature to their role. Yet how often do they—or can they—focus on key skills that enhance organizational effectiveness, innovation and collaboration? Learn about a communications-focused framework called Third Space Thinking to help your organization thrive in this half-day workshop. Pioneered by the Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism at the University of Southern California, this model has been used by some of the world’s most innovative companies, including Google, IBM and Western Union. Learn, as they have, to unlock innovation, break down silos, create high-performing cultures and enhance organizational effectiveness. Participation is by invitation only. To learn more, please contact angela.andrews@ncsl.org.
More than 40 states have taken action to expand workplace retirement savings programs for small businesses and their employees. Learn how states are using these state-facilitated programs to address the retirement crisis, and hear from legislators and experts about different program designs being pursued and implemented around the country. If you would like to attend this free meeting, please register here: http://bit.ly/ncslretire2018. 12:00 pm–12:30 pm: Registration 12:30 pm–12:45 pm: Welcome and Introductions • Joyce Rogers, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, AARP • Luke Martel, NCSL 12:45 pm–1:15 pm: Lunch/Keynote Speaker:• Jean Chatzky, Financial Editor, TODAY Show, and AARP Personal Finance Ambassador 1:15 pm–2:15 pm: Research Highlight: Distinct Retirement Savings Challenges for Special Population Groups Speakers:• Kristen McManus, Senior Policy and Advocacy Specialist, AARP New York • Diane Oakley, Executive Director, National Institute on Retirement Security • Shannon Ferrell, Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, Oklahoma State University2:15 pm–2:30 pm: Break 2:30 pm–3:30 pm: Updates from State Policymakers on Program Design and Adoption Speakers:• Representative Ann Pugh, Vermont • Assemblymember Walter Mosely, New York • Sarah Mysiewicz Gill, Member, Maryland Small Business Retirement Savings Board• Senator Todd Weiler, Utah3:30 pm–5 pm: Work and Save Implementation Show and Tell Speakers:• Courtney Eccles, Director, Secure Choice, Office of State Treasurer • Michael W. Frerichs, Illinois Michael Parker, Executive Director, Oregon Savings Network Closing KeynoteSpeaker: • Michael Frerichs, Treasurer, IllinoisClosing Keynote Speaker: • John Chiang, Treasurer, California
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