Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 5729, and what we want to do is propose that if a licensed architect or appropriate engineer
• We do have architects, engineers, and others that are part of our association.
• Also during a building permit, we also have the civil engineering department review that was kind of
• Engineering looks at your utilities.
• So if you wouldn't mind sending us, I'm very interested in your minor engineering review.

Summary: The committee heard a series of presentations on comprehensive plan updates, permitting reform, special purpose district coordination, and subdivision reform. Pierce County and the City of Redmond described their recent comprehensive plan updates, emphasizing housing production, transit-oriented development, middle housing, preservation of affordable housing, and the need for technical assistance and clearer state guidance. Both jurisdictions said the planning process took years and was complicated by overlapping state requirements, changing legislative mandates, and multiple review authorities. Redmond in particular said mid-course legislative changes forced supplemental environmental review and added significant cost and delay, and both local governments asked for more stability, clearer statutes, and better-aligned timelines. Presenters from the architecture, building official, and development sectors focused on permitting delays and proposed ways to speed housing delivery. Dave Boucher of AIA Washington argued for a provisional construction permit process for projects stamped by licensed professionals, along with mandatory deadlines and fewer stalled review cycles. Tim Woodard of WABO described existing tools such as pre-application meetings and phased approvals, noting they can improve certainty but also require staff time and careful coordination. Representatives from Master Builders and D.R. Horton said permit and subdivision delays add substantial cost to housing, citing studies showing months of delay and tens of thousands of dollars added per home, and urged administrative approvals, concurrent review, self-certification, and limits on repeated review cycles. The committee also reviewed a Commerce-led task force report on integrating special purpose districts into Growth Management Act planning. The task force recommended early invitation and notice to water, sewer, school, port, and other service providers during countywide planning policy and comprehensive plan updates, better coordination on grants and capital projects, updated water system coordination plans, and improved school siting and funding alignment in fast-growing areas. Speakers stressed that the recommendations were intended to be light-touch and focused on better communication rather than major statutory overhaul, while also noting that rural and slow-growing areas should not be burdened with the same requirements as rapidly growing jurisdictions. On subdivision reform, FutureWise and the City of Spokane discussed making more subdivision decisions administrative, preserving vesting, clarifying exemptions, and reducing unnecessary notice and appeal steps. Spokane described local reforms such as smaller minimum lot sizes, unit lot subdivisions, and reduced-process “minor engineering review” for simple plats, while raising concerns about new notice requirements and appeals to city councils for technical plat decisions. Across the hearing, members repeatedly returned to the theme that local governments, builders, and state agencies need clearer, more coordinated rules to reduce delay and uncertainty while still protecting safety and planning goals.

Transcript Highlights:

• us, as I mentioned, to have a pipeline of educated folks that not only know quantum but also are engineering
• And now the work is really in the engineering, and it's really in figuring out how do you make this thing
• And so we have a lot of engineering folks and technicians—those types of roles as well—that would be
• New Mexico has a proposal into the National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines Program.
• We hear all the time about people who are trained in engineering and they're driving an Uber because

Transcript Highlights:

• Does this include Ph.D. programs in highly technical scientific engineering...
• At UCF, we are the largest producers of engineers in the state. I think one...
• We are the largest producers of engineers in the state.
• That's our move toward being our premier engineering institution.
• So, for example, our desire is to be Florida's premier engineering institution.

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on higher education funding, focusing on how Florida’s university system should be financed and whether a new funding model is needed. University system financial officers and Chancellor Ray Rodriguez discussed major cost drivers, including wages and benefits, utilities, maintenance, financial aid, research, and the effects of geography, institutional mission, and student mix. UF highlighted the cost of research and graduate programs; UCF and FAU pointed to growth, location, and cost of living; FAMU emphasized recruiting top-tier talent while relying on other revenue sources; and UNF noted the challenges of growth and long-term planning. Members also discussed the role of internal controls and audits in addressing excessive spending and questioned whether out-of-state tuition should be adjusted to help offset costs. On revenue sources beyond state appropriations and tuition, the panel described auxiliaries, restricted funds, capital projects, and component units such as foundations and health systems. Several universities noted that some revenues are restricted to specific purposes and cannot be used for general operations. FAMU explained that a large share of its capital project funding reflected active campus construction, while UF said its component-unit revenue is largely tied to UF Health. The Chancellor emphasized that the system’s low tuition and strong state support are central to Florida’s national standing, but also noted that some auxiliary revenues are pledged to debt and must be managed carefully. When discussing the current funding process, witnesses praised Florida’s performance-based funding model for aligning incentives with student success, transparency, and accountability. They also raised concerns about non-recurring appropriations, rising employee benefit costs, unfunded mandates, deferred maintenance, and the difficulty of multi-year planning. Suggestions for improvement included more recurring funding, better coverage of mandated costs, greater flexibility in fee-setting, and possible weighting for mission, geography, and institutional type. The Chancellor said the Board of Governors is considering a “version 3.0” of performance-based funding that would benchmark institutions against peers and Carnegie classifications, but any changes would require legislative action. On out-of-state tuition, most universities said they would prefer local board flexibility, while the Chancellor cautioned that increasing out-of-state enrollment or fees could affect future state support and should be balanced carefully.

Transcript Highlights:

• Leech Lake, Lake of the Woods, when you go on opening day it is an amazing display of the economic engine
• <00:30:21.519> hydrologist<00:30:22.080> soil the agency so Engineers hydrologist soil
• He added that the Army Corps of Engineers is another example, and that if the Corps shrinks in size,
• certainly if the Army Corps of Engineers certainly if the Army Corps of Engineers for<01:12:41.920
• It is under the control of the Army Corps of Engineers and not under their control until the permit is

Bills: HF276, HF413, HF411

Keywords: human services, Medical Assistance, Medicaid, long-term services and supports, LTSS, public assistance, application process, eligibility determination, customer service survey, wait times, form complexity, lead agencies, Department of Human Services, Department of Children Youth and Families, streamlining, administrative reform, case management, reassessment, intake system, adaptive eligibility form

Transcript Highlights:

• and whereas Arizona's water industry offers a wide variety of rewarding career opportunities in engineering
• and whereas Arizona's water industry offers a wide variety of rewarding career opportunities and engineering
• , hydrology, water operations, biology, and biology, opportunities, and engineering, hydrology, water
• And we're talking, you know, from meter readers to engineers to everybody that is associated with water

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and electronic roll call showing 24 members present, zero absent, and six excused. The Journal for March 23, 2026 was approved, and Senator Dunn introduced an intern from the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Natural Resource Users Law and Policy Center. The main substantive item was a legislative proclamation recognizing April 26 through May 2, 2026 as Arizona Water Professionals Week. Senator Gabaldón read the proclamation and introduced guests from the Arizona water community, emphasizing the importance of water professionals, water reliability, and the state’s water management efforts. Senators Dunn, Sundareshan, Shope, and Gabaldón were listed as signatories, and Gabaldón also congratulated Trey Harris of Community Water Company of Green Valley for an upcoming award. The chamber then handled routine business: House and Senate bills were read into the record and referred to committees, including measures on local government investment pools, housing zoning in historic neighborhoods, juvenile penalties, workers’ compensation fraud notice, the Arizona State Trade Commission, justice court administration, and a sexual abuse prevention pilot program. House Bill 2673 was withdrawn from committee. Committee meeting announcements were made for the next day, and the Senate adjourned by motion until March 25, 2026 at 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<01:24:07.920> but<01:24:08.239> push engineering school is tough, but push engineering
• Getting an engineering job is through.
• <01:24:39.360> do engineering.
• Engineers do what we do engineering.
• make sure that engineers can do that. make sure that engineers can do that.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• [clears throat] I have my master's in environmental engineering. Environmental engineering.
• I'm a professional engineer, and I believe that wastewater is so important to public health and safety
• Um, we know that there is a lot of demands on your time as an engineer, and yes, we agree that wastewater
• your<00:18:29.159> time<00:18:29.640> as<00:18:29.800> an<00:18:29.919> engineer
• <00:18:30.640> and demands on your time as an engineer and demands on your time as an engineer

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee heard several governor’s message nominations for health-related boards and commissions. Kanwardeep Kaleka was considered for the Substance Abuse Kauai Service Area Board; he said his work as a psychiatrist and family physician on Kauai motivates him to improve mental health and addiction services. Kunani Dryer was considered for the Hawaii Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled Substances; he emphasized 26 years of personal recovery, harm reduction experience, and representation of rural, LGBTQIA+, and Native Hawaiian communities. Olivia Kim was considered for the Center for Nursing Advisory Board; testimony highlighted her experience in nursing leadership, long-term care, and LPN workforce issues. Trisha Lynn Yamashita was considered for the Kauai Subarea Health Planning Council; she described her hospice leadership, public health and palliative care background, and focus on data-informed, community-centered planning. Emily Dong was considered for the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel Wastewater Treatment Plants; she stressed wastewater’s public health importance and the need to strengthen the operator workforce pipeline. Testimony in support came from the Department of Health and several organizations and individuals, including the Hawaii State Center for Nursing, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Hina Mauka, the Kauai mayor, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and others. Committee members generally praised the nominees’ credentials and community ties, and repeatedly noted the value of lived experience, rural perspective, and workforce expertise. One nominee, Olivia Kim, was not present and was deferred to a later meeting for decision-making. At the end of the hearing, the committee took up the governor’s messages and recommended advise and consent for GM707, GM537, GM545, GM724, and GM790, with Senator Fevella excused and no objections recorded. GM662 was deferred to Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 3:20 p.m. in Room 225 because the nominee could not attend. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a number of additions in the area of the State Engineer, which begins on line 127, including
• And then $1 million to the State Engineer for weather modification.
• There was a number of additions in the area of the state engineer, which begins online 127, including
• And then a million dollars to the state engineer for weather modification.
• The state engineer has indicated they can get started, and this will count toward our eventual state

Bills: SB193, SB132, SB35, SB145

Keywords: SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects, SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement

Transcript Highlights:

• You're an engineer, and you think like an engineer. You explain like an engineer. And it's...
• He actually bought Unimation equipment, which was what I was selling, and he had an engineering manager
• Because one engineer, one man, looked at a problem, cut through the red tape, realized these crazy citizens
• inventor—I don't know how many patents you have, medical patents to your name—or when you were an engineer
• I thought I was good at math because I majored in engineering.

Bills: SB 8, SB 1, SB 2, SB 5, SB 10, HB27, HB7, HB17, HB1, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB20, HB18, HB7, HB17, HB1, HB20, HB18, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB1, SR85, SR87, SB8, SB5, SB2, SB10, HB27

Keywords: sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam

Transcript Highlights:

• were a little surprised at the approach that I was taking, but then recently, the local district engineer
• Their sponsors, technical and engineering consultants held over 550 public meetings.
• Cities, counties, regional water authorities, drainage districts, engineering firms, environmental public
• So base level engineering, or BLE, is an efficient modeling and mapping approach that aims to provide
• We've committed to base level engineering, which is model-backed, proximate flood risk information for

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Wett Engineering Building.
• “And then on to automotive repair, engines, brakes, transmissions, welding.
• On to the university, I pursued an engineering degree with a secondary interest in marine biology, which
• And that's certainly with Pensacola State being such an important workforce engine in the state, being
• such an important workforce engine in the Pensacola area where you have six military bases right in

Bills: S1570, S1376

Keywords: missing persons, special needs, autism, search-and-rescue, Florida, voluntary program, funding, genetic counseling, education grants, state universities, faculty recruitment, student financial assistance

Summary: The committee heard and approved two bills before moving to a long confirmation agenda. SB 1570, by Sen. Gates, would restore Project Leo, a previously sunset program that helps locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination between CARD centers and local sheriffs; it was praised as a proven tool for families and first responders and was reported favorably. CS/SB 1376, by Sen. Burgess, would create grants to support genetic counseling education and help address Florida’s shortage of genetic counselors; testimony noted the state’s limited supply of licensed counselors and the need to expand clinical training, and the bill also passed favorably. The committee then considered a block of reappointments to university and college boards of trustees, including institutions such as UWF, Broward College, Chipola College, FIU, Pasco-Hernando, Polk State, St. Petersburg, Valencia, FAMU, FAU, UCF, FSU, New College, UNF, USF, and others. No one requested separate votes on the reappointments, and the block was confirmed unanimously for recommendation to the next committee. A series of new appointees then appeared and largely emphasized workforce training, nursing, military support, and local economic development at their institutions. Witnesses included appointees to Pensacola State, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, UNF, FIU, UWF, Valencia, the College of the Florida Keys, and others; several highlighted strong NCLEX pass rates, dual enrollment, and partnerships with employers or military communities. One nominee, Florida Poly reappointment Ilya Shapiro, faced pointed questioning from Sen. Bracey Davis about past comments regarding race and the Supreme Court; he said his remarks were about hiring criteria, not a specific justice, and reiterated opposition to race- or sex-based selection. The committee also briefly struggled to reach Sherry Young by phone before hearing her testimony for Chipola College, where she said she wanted to give back as an alumna and nurse practitioner. Most new appointees were recommended for confirmation in a block, while Thomas Zachary Smith of UWF was pulled for separate consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have got 3 different engineering firms.
• We had one guy, our own engineer, figured out we could not do it by ourselves.
• Um, we do partner every year, these dams have to be inspected by the state engineer and uh NRCS.
• and the engine is kind of that truck picture in the back.
• smaller engine, kind of what's pictured there.

Transcript Highlights:

• produce over 80% of the boats engines produce over 80% of the boats engines trailers<00:04:55.479
• A staff engineer was never replaced.
• <00:41:57.560> was additionally a professional engineer was additionally a professional engineer
• <00:43:10.559> was never replaced a staff engineer was never replaced a staff engineer was
• to be studies done there's engineering to be studies done there's engineering studies<00:56:37.240

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• DLNR, you mentioned something regarding engineering.
• You mentioned something regarding engineering.
• <01:52:57.560> but from the shore is still engineered but from the shore is still engineered
• project is fully engineered and project is fully engineered and developed<01:57:08.599> plans<
• So I'll change the TMKs and add Army Corps of Engineers.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land met on March 13, 2025, and first announced that SB 1456 would be deferred to the end of the agenda and ultimately worked on later, with the chair indicating the bill would be deferred and revisited in a future measure. The committee then heard SB 841 on marine life conservation districts. DLNR supported the bill, saying it would fund carrying capacity studies to inform rules and policies. Testimony noted a pilot study already underway at the Puka Marine Life Conservation District and another nearing completion at the old Kona Airport MLCD. Members discussed costs, with DLNR estimating about $300,000 per year for one user-experience study, potentially more for ecological analysis, and also discussed possible funding from the Mālama Kai special fund. DLNR said it had no objection to consulting current operators and other users, and explained the program would be a new, ongoing adaptive-management tool. The committee next heard SB 411 on capital improvement projects at small boat harbors. DLNR supported the intent, saying the bill would help expedite use of special funds for CIP work, while the Department of Budget and Finance opposed it, arguing the draft could conflict with constitutional limits on appropriations. Public testimony from an industry representative supported the bill and urged more collaboration with commercial operators, while committee discussion focused on whether DLNR could already use special funds for repairs, how much engineering and bidding work is required before projects go out to bid, and whether the current process creates bottlenecks when bids exceed initial estimates. DLNR said it can do some repairs and maintenance within existing authority and funding ceilings, but that the bill as drafted could be too broad. The committee also heard SB 5 on historic preservation, where DLNR supported the measure and NAOP Hawaii opposed it, saying the bill’s broader definition could expand the scope beyond the stated goal of narrowing reviews and reducing backlog. The committee then took up SB 1462 on the state historic preservation income tax credit. The Department of Taxation said the revenue estimate assumes the cap would be reached each year the credit is available, and DLNR supported the bill. SHPD said the prior credit had sunset, outreach had previously been done in targeted communities such as Chinatown, and owners of eligible historic properties are notified during review. Finally, the committee heard SB 268 on island burial councils. DLNR supported the bill, and OHA strongly supported it, saying the councils have struggled with quorum and expertise and that the measure would restore the original intent of having lineal descendants and cultural practitioners as decision makers, while still allowing landowners and developers to testify and participate. OHA also said it would help provide technical support and urged continued involvement from SHPD and the Attorney General’s office.

Transcript Highlights:

• So an example being in my, I'll say this from an engineering standpoint, and I know this, the University
• So an example being in my, I'll say this from an engineering standpoint, and I know this, the University
• So an example being in my, I'll say this from an engineering standpoint, and I know this, the University
• standpoint and I know this engineering standpoint and I know this the<00:03:40.280> University
• to leverage and build the best Engineers to leverage and build the best Engineers that<00:03:53.519

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The forum focused on the University of Minnesota system’s future, with candidates largely agreeing that the five campuses should remain distinct while working more closely together. Speakers emphasized the land-grant mission, the importance of serving Greater Minnesota, and the need for each campus to have a clear value proposition tied to local communities. Several suggested stronger cross-campus partnerships, more use of technology, and more seamless student pathways between campuses, while also noting enrollment declines and the need to preserve campus identities. A second major topic was public trust in higher education and the perceived value of a college degree. Candidates pointed to rising tuition, student debt, and concerns about post-graduation job prospects as key challenges. Proposed responses included better storytelling about university outcomes, stronger partnerships with schools, legislators, and communities, more targeted fundraising and commercialization of research, and clearer evidence of return on investment for students and families. The discussion then turned to athletics, where most candidates described sports as the university’s “front door” but said academics must remain the priority. They raised NIL, revenue sharing, and the need to keep athletics funding separate from core university funding, while also recognizing athletics’ role in campus culture and student recruitment. In later questions, candidates discussed why they sought regent service and how to support diversity, equity, and inclusion, with responses stressing access, belonging, open debate, and meeting students where they are. No formal votes or actions were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• And with that, there's 135 outboard engines, inboard engines, and a fewer amount of trailers for those
• He's the assistant commissioner and chief engineer. Next to him is Andre Brier.
• He's the assistant commissioner and chief engineer. Next to him is Andre Brier.
• assistant commissioner chief engineer assistant commissioner chief engineer kind<01:26:09.840>
• So Dave Rodrigue was the assistant commissioner and chief engineer, and Andre Prier...

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met for an opening/orientation session in which members introduced themselves and explained their interest in the committee. Several members noted backgrounds in trucking, piloting, boating, motorcycles, road safety, or constituent concerns about transportation issues. The chair also noted several absent members and said the committee would first hear agency presentations before covering committee procedures. The Department of Safety gave the main presentation, outlining its seven divisions and how they relate to transportation policy and the Highway Fund. The assistant commissioner emphasized that Highway Fund revenue supports both the Department of Transportation and the Department of Safety, with collections coming largely from the road toll/gas tax, DMV fees, and the new electric vehicle surcharge. He also noted that 12% of Highway Fund revenues go to local road repair through the DOT Betterment Fund, and warned that the fund has had a structural deficit for several biennia, requiring General Fund transfers that may be uncertain this session. He said the department aims to provide data and fiscal context on legislation and fiscal notes. State Police then provided a detailed overview of its structure and operations, including the Operations Bureau, Investigative Services Bureau, and Justice Information Bureau. Testimony highlighted Troop G’s role in vehicle inspections, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, fraud investigations, and consumer complaint handling, as well as statewide staffing shortages. The division reported rising calls for service, motor vehicle stops, DWI arrests, and other arrests despite a vacancy rate of about 17%. It also described aviation, K-9, bomb squad, special events response, SWAT, narcotics, major crime, forensic laboratory, and other specialized units, with statistics on drug seizures, investigations, and lab workload. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, I've often said... ...engineering principles or policies or guidelines there.
• I am a licensed professional engineer in electrical engineering. I have about 20 years' experience.
• And I'm just looking to bring my expertise and experience in electrical engineering to help maintain
• And experience in electrical engineering to help maintain and improve our flood protection system.
• We saw a professional engineer in here. That's a good thing.

Bills: HB9, HB177, HB181, HB202, HB225, HB398, HB459, HB540, HB906, HB1052, HB1057, HB1245

Keywords: HB 9, HB9, Act 527, Shreveport, Stuffed Shrimp Capital, state symbol, Louisiana symbols, municipal designation, honorary title, cultural designation, tourism, local pride, seafood, shrimp, stuffed shrimp, cuisine, city branding, Louisiana Revised Statutes 49:170.26, court reporter, official court reporter

Transcript Highlights:

• They're going to get a million dollars in design and engineering.
• We can't exceed 10% of engineering costs; some type of cap is needed to hold down their costs.
• They have an engineer, a CPA, and a grant writer.
• We don't have access to engineers; it's really hard to get an engineer.
• They vet projects, they have the design, the engineering, and they have the cost estimates.

Transcript Highlights:

• is on the Stillwater robotics tournament championship and wants to attend OSU to study aerospace engineering
• He wants to attend SWOSU to study electrical engineering.
• Wants to attend OSU to study mechanical and aerospace engineering.
• He is a rowing state champion and wants to attend OSU to study aerospace engineering.

Bills: HB3725, HB3260, HB3660, HB3369, HB3370, HB2937, HB3419, HB3264, HB3266, HB3267, HB3268, HB3310, HB4311, HB3841, HB3024, HB3075

Keywords: labor, e-verification, immigration, employers, employment eligibility, Department of Labor, penalties, funeral licensing, continuing education, Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association, professional development, licensing requirements, HB3660, natural organic reduction, human composting, soil reduction, green burial, funeral services, cremation, burial permit

Transcript Highlights:

• Early on, you have engineering costs, and later on, you have... engineering costs, and later on, you
• We looked at the fact that everybody needs engineering and things like that done, construction workers
• He's the engineer, but... I'll walk you through.
• He's the engineer, but it is to create a redundant system. But he'll get in the way with Andrew.

Keywords: 924, joint, all