Running into an odd one on trying to start a new game and can't find anything similar.
Using the JRE8 replacement tweak with a moderately-sized modlist that's mostly factions, portraits, and minor addons;
Spoiler
{
"enabledMods": [
"mechwarriorportraitpack",
"tahlan",
"sun_fuel_siphoning",
"istl_dassaultmikoyan",
"hiigaran_descendants",
"$$$_trailermoments",
"kazeron",
"whichmod",
"timid_supply_forging",
"gaaius_mhp",
"capturecrew",
"chatter",
"luddandlions",
"more_ship_names",
"logisticsNotifications",
"battletechportraitpack",
"Mayasuran Navy",
"lw_radar",
"sun_flux_reticle",
"repdec",
"lw_lazylib",
"apex_design",
"IndEvo",
"audio_plus",
"CaptainsLog",
"Csp",
"automatedcommands",
"swp",
"lw_console",
"sun_hyperdrive",
"CWSP",
"clearCommands",
"fleethistory",
"furryPortraits",
"QualityCaptains",
"kadur_remnant",
"exshippack",
"lw_autosave",
"StopGapMeasures3",
"interestingportraitspack",
"BSC",
"US",
"more_hullmods",
"roider",
"leadingPip",
"BSC_Submod",
"vic",
"vayrashippack",
"Imperium",
"holyludd",
"mag_protect",
"URW",
"SCY",
"hostileIntercept",
"unpackblueprints",
"Terraforming & Station Construction",
"PT_ShipDirectionMarker",
"DetailedCombatResults",
"GrandColonies",
"stelnet",
"sun_starship_legends",
"shaderLib",
"MagicLib",
"bsgportraitspack",
"Interstellar Federation Refurbished -unbalanced-",
"HHE",
"tahlan_scalartech",
"wyv_planetaryShieldAccessControl",
"ArkLeg",
"pantera_ANewLevel40R",
"star_federation",
"hte",
"luddenhance",
"diableavionics"
]
}