Transcript Highlights:

• That's what I'm hearing from some other county and city engineers.
• </c><00:26:17.360><c> That's</c> other county and city engineers.
• That's other county and city engineers.
• </c><00:27:06.120><c> and</c><00:27:06.240><c> the</c> County and city engineers and the engineering
• I hear that from my county engineer as well.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> production of genetically engineered production of genetically engineered agricultural agricultural
• Senator DeCorte, do you agree that farms engaged in production of genetically engineered products no
• So how many farms that are growing food in Hawaii are genetically engineered?
• </c> In production of genetically engineered products?
• So how many farms that are growing food in Hawaii are genetically engineered?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Agriculture and Environment hearing on January 27, 2025, took up multiple measures, beginning with a proposed constitutional amendment, HB 559, to recognize a right to clean water and air, a healthful environment, climate, native ecosystems, and beaches. The Attorney General’s Office testified with concerns that the amendment’s broad language could create challenges for future legislatures and environmental enforcement, while the Climate Commission and DLNR supported it. Environmental and advocacy groups, including Climate Protectors Hawaii, 350 Hawaii, Greenpeace Hawaii, and others, strongly supported the measure, arguing it would strengthen decision-making and protect Hawaii’s natural resources. Committee members raised questions about how the amendment would interact with existing constitutional protections and recent litigation, and the AG’s office said the proposal could lead to broad judicial interpretation and possible liability issues. The hearing then moved on without a recorded vote on this bill. The committee next heard SB 552, which would establish a healthy soils program in the Department of Agriculture and require annual reporting and funding. The Climate Change Commission supported the bill, and the Department of Agriculture said it stood on its submitted testimony but noted existing commissions and the greenhouse gas sequestration task force already address similar objectives, suggesting SB 552 may duplicate current efforts. Agricultural and environmental advocates, including the Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and others, supported the concept of a consolidated healthy soils program, saying it would better organize existing efforts, improve access for producers, and support conservation practices. The Agribusiness Development Corporation said it would support either DOA or ADC administering the program, and committee discussion focused on implementation, program overlap, and whether the bill should better integrate existing compost reimbursement and related efforts. The final measure discussed in the excerpt was SB 678, which would create an Agricultural Development Food Security Special Fund, dedicate a portion of the environmental response, energy, and food security tax to it, and appropriate funds equal to 3% of the state budget for agriculture. The Department of Agriculture strongly supported the bill, saying the funding would align with its goals and help support farmers and ranchers. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Department of Budget and Finance raised concerns that the proposed special fund may not meet statutory criteria. Farm and industry groups generally supported the measure but suggested changes, including adding uses related to local food sourcing, distribution, and biosecurity. Committee members questioned the scale of the appropriation, noting it could amount to roughly $250 million and a major increase in DOA’s budget, and discussed whether the department could realistically implement such a large program. The hearing ended with testimony counts noted for the measures heard, and the chair indicated the committee would reconvene later for any unfinished business.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have been a software engineer in Silicon Valley in San Francisco for over 30 years.
• I have been a software engineer in Silicon Valley in San Francisco for over 30 years.
• So my engineering husband had to flag that. So she no longer has that app.
• So I lead product and engineering. I do not lead only policy for OpenAI.
• Dashboards are great for engineers. They're really not that great for parents.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, a board may delegate change-order authority to a county engineer or other officer to order and
• Clara County Facilities and Fleet Department, and Keegan Fahey, project management and principal engineer
• Keegan Fahey, principal engineer with Los Angeles County Public Works, on behalf of our director Mark
• We invoked emergency contracting authority, hired an engineering firm on the spot for fast-track design
• appreciate not just, you know, what a, you know, treasure resource it is, but also as an economic engine

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Charles, and Washington, Missourians engineered precision components, electrical systems, and the advanced
• funnel, whereas you begin to collaborate with a design consultant, with an architect, a professional engineer
• So can I call that the Engineers and Architects Full Employment Act?
• I call that the Engineers and Architects Full Employment Act. You could do that.
• I call that the Engineers and Architects Full Employment Act. You could do that.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We do not have engineers on staff that can handle these types of requirements.
• We do not have engineers on staff that can handle these types of requirements.
• My name is Ethan Abate, and I am currently a mechanical engineering student at New Mexico State University
• In engineering, we constantly talk about sustainability.
• I want to graduate into a New Mexico where my work as an engineer is supported by a constitution that

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Kentucky exports more than a billion dollars in goods to Japan each year, including aircraft engines
• Kentucky exports more than a billion dollars in goods to Japan each year, including aircraft engines
• Kentucky exports more than a billion dollars in goods to Japan each year, including aircraft engines
• Kentucky exports more than a billion dollars in goods to Japan each year, including aircraft engines
• </c><00:33:01.360><c> and</c> year, including aircraft engines and year, including aircraft engines and

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 04:45 Calendar/2nd Readings 05:20 Report of Committees 07:05 Orders of the Day 08:23 HB 214 08:33 HB 416 12:26 HB 281 16:20 HB 134 18:13 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 21:08 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 37:01 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 39:15 ConC/Rules Report 42:29 Floor Amendments 44:27 Correction to Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 46:14 Adjournment 46:40, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Army Corps of Engineers.
• It's my understanding that it was released because the Army Corps of Engineers had identified those reservoirs
• This includes projects that incorporate engineering with nature or nature-based features.
• Of an ongoing assessment that will be largely informed by the just-completed engineering assessment of
• Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and Corps of Engineers.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Master Plan for Career Education, leveraging the strengths of the community colleges as workforce engines
• These are California's teachers, accountants, nurses, first responders, engineers, entrepreneurs, as
• Last semester, I was a TA for Math 54, a fundamental course for engineering and science majors.
• A lot of them are going into engineering and biotechnology, and I'd really hate to see future classes
• This system remains not only an engine of social mobility in the state but also an economic engine, generating

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , suppliers, and others working engineers, suppliers, and others working to<00:51:18.520><c> address<
• Just this past summer, our operating engineers worked on storm, drinking, and wastewater projects in
• The cost of engineers and inspections and permits, those are going up.
• The<01:07:55.920><c> cost</c><01:07:56.240><c> of</c><01:07:56.359><c> engineers</c><01:07:57.200><c>
• and</c><01:07:57.320><c> inspections</c> The cost of engineers and inspections The cost of engineers

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They'll bring high-tech engineering and management jobs.
• <00:19:07.360><c> and</c> bring high-tech uh engineering and bring high-tech uh engineering and management
• </c><01:54:39.199><c> has</c> American Society of Civil Engineers has American Society of Civil Engineers
• </c><01:58:59.520><c> and</c> I have taught thousands of engineers and I have taught thousands of engineers
• </c> Starbucks to talk to both the engineers Starbucks to talk to both the engineers and<02:00:24.320

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Agency, the Regional Administrator of EPA Region 10, the Assistant Secretary of the Army Corps of Engineers
• Army Corps of Engineers Walla Walla District, the Director of the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
• Agency, the Regional Administrator of EPA Region 10, the Assistant Secretary of the Army Corps of Engineers
• Army Corps of Engineers Walla Walla District, the Director of the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
• In the House of Representatives, House Bill 512 by the Business Committee, an act relating to engineers

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journal, received substitute-designation correspondence, and heard several announcements and introductions. Committee reports moved multiple measures forward, including Senate Bill 1363 and House Bills 544, 642, and 723 to the second-reading calendar, while Senate Bill 1373 was sent to Finance and House Bill 703 and Senate Bill 1355 were sent for possible amendment. The Senate also received gubernatorial appointment notices for the Idaho Lottery Commission and State Building Authority, and a large batch of House-passed measures and memorials was read and referred to the appropriate committees. On the floor, the Senate passed several bills after debate and roll-call votes. Senate Bill 1285, concerning recognition of non-public school diplomas for occupational and professional licensure, passed 31-1. Senate Bill 1286, creating consumer protections for veterans benefits assistance, passed 31-0. Senate Bill 1323, relating to the Idaho Constitutional Money Act and enforcement of contracts requiring payment in gold or silver, passed 31-1. Senate Bill 1338, authorizing the state treasurer to invest a portion of idle moneys in gold and silver bullion, passed 24-0. Senate Bill 1342, allowing limited household egg production at detached single-family residences, passed 30-1 after some discussion about local control. The Senate also passed several House bills: House Bill 531 on epinephrine delivery systems in schools, House Bill 518 expanding authority for the Attorney General in human trafficking cases, House Bill 512 reinstating an open-book jurisprudence exam for land surveyors, House Bill 551 correcting urban renewal/fire and ambulance district budget treatment, House Bill 594 codifying a Supreme Court ruling on distribution of late property tax fees and interest, and House Bill 587 clarifying continuous authorization for rangeland improvement funding. House Bill 587 drew the most debate, with supporters emphasizing project continuity and reporting requirements and opponents raising concerns about continuous spending and legislative oversight; it ultimately passed 21-10. The Senate then reordered the third-reading calendar, moved to miscellaneous business, and adjourned until Monday, March 9, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I-Corps is a multidisciplinary coalition representing architects, engineering, interior design, landscape
• I-Corps is a multidisciplinary coalition representing architects, engineering, interior design, landscape
• Its mandate is actually... engineering, interior design, landscape architecture, and surveying.
• We practice alongside our architects and engineers within our professional scope.
• And I work with our architects, I work with our engineers, I work with our lighting designers to make

Summary: The Consumer Protection & Business Committee held public hearings on two bills. House Bill 2616, described as an agriculturally resilient markets act, would create a broad package of agriculture-related policies and appropriations, including a strategy to expand state purchasing of Washington-grown food, temporary packaging and emissions exemptions for certain agricultural uses, changes to labor notice rules for agricultural and dairy layoffs, several grant and study programs, a transfer of cannabis production/processing/testing oversight to the Department of Agriculture, and an appropriation for the tree fruit leadership program. Representative Christine Reeves said the bill was intended as a state-level “farm bill” to address farm losses, food security, and regulatory burdens, and she emphasized stakeholder input and the need to support family farms and farmworker well-being. Testimony on HB 2616 was overwhelmingly supportive, with growers, commodity groups, dairy and potato representatives, and other agricultural stakeholders arguing that Washington farms face low margins, high regulatory and labor costs, refrigeration and processing challenges, and competition from foreign producers. Several speakers said the bill’s exemptions, grants, and studies would help keep farms viable and preserve local food production. Committee members asked about stakeholder outreach, the role of Washington State University and commodity commissions, the impact of federal versus state policy, and possible ways to reduce compliance burdens. The hearing ended without a vote, and the chair noted the bill was after cutoff and would not move this year, but that stakeholder meetings would continue over the summer. The committee then heard House Bill 2721, which would create a registration system for commercial interior designers, expand and rename the Board of Architects, set education, examination, and experience requirements, define the scope of practice, require seals and technical submission attestations, and establish penalties and a fee account. Supporters from interior design organizations said the bill would recognize a profession already performing code- and safety-related work in commercial spaces, align Washington with other states and national model law standards, and remove barriers to ownership and advancement, especially for women. Testifiers also said the bill would clarify responsibility for life safety, accessibility, and non-structural interior construction in schools, health care, and public buildings. The committee heard only supportive testimony, but members raised questions about how the profession compares with architecture, the impact of delaying the bill until 2027, and demographic diversity in the field. The chair closed the hearing noting the bill would not advance this session and that further interim work would be needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• use of artificial intelligence tools and, as applicable, related subject areas such as software engineering
• USF is one of the most important economic and educational engines in Tampa Bay and indeed throughout
• It's a national leader in places like engineering, healthcare, cybersecurity, research, and its medical
• I truly believe USF is a major economic engine for Tampa and for our region.
• It is an engine for academic excellence.

Bills: S1694

Keywords: technology education, digital literacy, artificial intelligence, computer science, high school graduation

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met with a quorum present and first took up CS for SB 1694, which would require technology-integrated postsecondary general education core courses to include digital literacy and competency instruction, including use of artificial intelligence tools, and encourage high school computer science courses with AI content to teach how AI systems use data, their benefits and limitations, and responsible use in academic and personal contexts. The bill drew support from several speakers who emphasized the need for students to understand AI’s capabilities, limitations, ethics, and risks, while one speaker raised concerns about overreliance on AI and the loss of skills. Senator Davis said the bill was a good step toward preparing the future workforce and suggested earlier instruction might be worth considering later. The bill was reported favorably, and Senator Leek asked to be recorded in the affirmative. The committee then heard a long series of confirmation presentations for trustees at multiple Florida colleges and universities, including Tallahassee State College, USF, UNF, Palm Beach State College, the College of the Florida Keys, Hillsborough College, Miami-Dade College, Florida A&M University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Florida Polytechnic University, and the University of Florida. The appointees generally emphasized student success, workforce alignment, fiscal responsibility, access and affordability, and institutional growth; several members and senators offered supportive comments, with some asking about specific issues such as Tallahassee State’s NCLEX passage rates and the need for continued improvement. One appointee’s attendance was delayed or skipped for later consideration, but the committee ultimately took a block vote and reported the confirmations favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee. Finally, Chair Harrell gave a brief overview of the higher education budget, describing a total of $11.9 billion and highlighting increases for workforce education, Florida College System operating funds, workforce development capitalization, the Rural Incentive for Professional Educators program, the USF Center for Nursing, preeminent research universities, UCF’s community school grant program, UF’s Lassinger Center on Learning, the Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, and campus security through a postsecondary guardian program. Senator Davis asked about a transfer related to the workforce development capitalization and incentive grant fund, and the chair explained it was a transfer of an existing program with new funds being added. There was no public comment on the budget, and the meeting adjourned after Senator Leek requested to be recorded in the affirmative on SB 1694.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our construction area has 65 positions, with 52 filled, and our engineering has 20 positions, with 16
• David Kintana, Chief Engineer, and MDOT.
• I'm the assistant district engineer for District 4, and I'm here to do the legislative presentation for
• Adam Romero, the district engineer, who could not attend.
• Like I said, Adam Romero is our district engineer.

Summary: The committee first received a detailed New Mexico DOT District 5 presentation from Rhonda Lopez. She reviewed District 5’s budget, staffing vacancies, completed and ongoing special appropriations from 2020 through 2025, active construction projects, maintenance work, STIP and local government funding, and equipment needs. Members asked about a guardrail issue near U.S. 64, the status of the 5% local match for Transportation Project Fund projects, and the New Mexico 371/Navajo Route 36 intersection; DOT said the match agreements were in place or waived where eligible, and that the Navajo Nation funding agreement was nearly finalized. The chair then moved the agenda to bills before finishing the remaining presentations later. House Bill 270, dealing with contributions to apprenticeship and training programs on public works projects, was presented by Rep. Borrego as a follow-up to the 2024 workforce development and apprenticeship trust fund law. The bill would remove an exclusion for street, highway, bridge, road, utility, and maintenance contracts and require contributions unless a trade classification has no approved apprenticeship program. Associated Contractors and the Asphalt Pavement Association opposed the bill, arguing it would raise road project costs and duplicate existing training programs. Members raised concerns about notice, added costs, and whether contractors with existing programs would be paying twice. A motion to table failed on a tie vote, and a later motion to pass also failed on a tie vote, leaving the bill in committee and available for reconsideration. Ranking Member Brown then presented House Bill 322, which would create a transportation trust fund and transportation program fund, with a planned distribution beginning in 2029, including a 5% use for federal matching funds. The bill would also dedicate a portion of the gross receipts tax on electricity and redirect part of the motor vehicle excise tax to grow the fund. Associated Contractors and the Asphalt Pavement Association supported the concept, saying it would help sustain DOT and address the state’s road maintenance gap. Members questioned the electricity tax component, its effect on ratepayers and data centers, the interaction with SB 2 and bond financing, and how projects would be prioritized. A motion to pass failed on a tie vote, and the ranking member suggested the bill could be reconsidered with an amendment removing the electricity portion. The committee then heard a District 4 DOT presentation from assistant district engineer Cruz Sudoste, covering the district’s geography, budget, staffing, completed and active projects, STIP and local government programs, and equipment replacement needs. Members asked about school district uses of transportation project funds and the impact of aging equipment on repair costs. The presentation concluded without any vote or other action on the district report.

Transcript Highlights:

• The law requires that all infrastructure be put in place and confirmed via engineering and platting review
• property meets those model requirements without requiring costly platting, which typically includes engineering
• costs and survey costs. ...without requiring costly platting, which typically includes engineering costs
• I'm the county engineer and director for the Department of Transportation.
• , and I found out that I can't do absolutely anything with it because I can't afford $30,000 in engineering

Bills: HB447, HB897, HB993, HB2673, HB3671, HB3680, HB3897, HB4506, HB4753, HB4812, HB4894, HB5148, HB5437, HB5650, HB5652, HB5654, HB5656, HB5661, HB5665

Keywords: traffic impact studies, municipal utility district, bonds, road projects, eminent domain, HB 897, Texas land sale, state property, Austin real estate, Travis County, General Land Office, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission, state records facility, archives building, library funding, capital improvements, lease of state land, public land disposition

Summary: The committee heard testimony and took action on several land use, housing, municipal utility district, and cemetery-related bills. House Bill 447, dealing with transportation impact analysis requirements tied to MUD bond issuance, drew opposition from a witness who argued it would duplicate work, strain agency resources, and delay development; after the sponsor’s closing remarks, the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1202, on third-party review of home backup power installations, was substituted and reported favorably to the full House by a unanimous roll call. House Bill 2494, on disannexation for failure to provide municipal services, and House Bill 1835, removing barriers to HUD-code manufactured homes, were also substituted and reported favorably; HB 1835 passed on a 5-1 vote. Senate Bill 15, limiting lot size and density requirements in certain large municipalities, was substituted and reported favorably unanimously. The committee also heard House Bill 897, which would authorize the sale or long-term lease of two state-owned Austin properties used by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and HHSC. The sponsor said the properties are in poor condition and that proceeds would benefit the state; after questions, the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. Several template MUD bills were then laid out, including HB 5652, HB 5654, HB 5661, and HB 5656, each creating or authorizing municipal utility districts in Montgomery or Fort Bend counties for water, wastewater, drainage, road, and recreational improvements. These bills drew limited testimony in support and were left pending without objection. A major portion of the meeting focused on House Bill 2673, which would repeal last session’s change allowing new cemeteries within certain distances of municipalities and restore the prior rule limiting cemetery placement near growing urban areas. The sponsor and supporters argued the 2023 change created unintended consequences, removed valuable taxable land from future use, and complicated city planning; opponents, including a funeral service industry representative, argued the current law gives communities local control and helps address cemetery land shortages. After extensive testimony, the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4753, a bill allowing a property owner to use a municipal record showing a certificate of occupancy was issued when the original document is lost; it was left pending. Finally, HB 3680, a Cameron County-specific bill modifying subdivision/model rule procedures to reduce replatting burdens while preserving colonia protections, and HB 4812, clarifying that condominiums follow Chapter 82 of the Property Code rather than full subdivision platting, both received supportive testimony and were left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do need a consultant, an engineering help developing that full application.
• willing to work hand-in-hand, not just with the communities, but with their consultant, with their engineers
• The Office of Water is authorized for 461 employees and we employ professional engineers. engineers,
• Texans relying on the Rio Grande for drinking water. are also critical for agriculture, an economic engine

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They'd have to hire an energy consultant, at least one, maybe more, and engineers to look at this.
• </c><00:54:19.920><c> to</c><00:54:20.160><c> look</c><00:54:20.319><c> at</c> maybe more, and engineers
• analysis that we might not engineering analysis that we might not have<01:13:12.320><c> in</c><01:13
• </c><01:13:18.800><c> expertise</c><01:13:19.199><c> that</c> to have the engineering expertise that
• to have the engineering expertise that might<01:13:19.600><c> be</c><01:13:19.760><c> necessary.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• quality science and math and engineering quality science and math and engineering programs across the
• program but that's programs engineering program but that's programs engineering program but that's why
• programs that even now go uh engineering programs that even now go uh engineering programs that even
• school, till I hit engineering school, till I hit engineering school, University of Alabama, my first
• were you I'm petroleum engineer engineer were you I'm petroleum engineer engineer were you I'm petroleum

Bills: HJR 4, HJR 6, HB 195, HB 13, HB 143, HB 135

Keywords: occupation tax, securities, financial regulation, tax exemption, legislative amendment, capital gains tax, realized gains, unrealized gains, investment income, asset sale, capital assets, wealth tax, estate tax, trust tax, tax limitation, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, property tax, sales tax

Transcript Highlights:

• This would take us out of alignment with existing engineering practice, with hundreds and hundreds of
• practice out of existing engineering practice out of alignment<00:44:56.119><c> with</c><00:44:56.319
• </c><00:45:02.640><c> documentation</c> Decades of uh engineering documentation Decades of uh engineering
• Robinson I'm a professional engineer Robinson I'm a professional engineer with<00:57:59.400><c> over<
• </c><01:13:14.800><c> for</c> a residential solar design engineer for a residential solar design engineer

Keywords: 1187, senate, all