Transcript Highlights:

• By connecting these corridors, we're allowing them to drive on roadways in Texas and co-mingle with general
• Are they just driving the truck, and is it the result of that?
• But on any given day, they will drive a truck overweight, 80,000 pounds; it doesn't matter.
• And if you're at 80,000 pounds, you can drive... ...of pretty much anywhere in Texas, right?
• represent border communities and see this issue firsthand, we are working to perfect this bill, not drive

Bills: SB290 , SB2949

Committee: House Energy Resources

Keywords: LP-gas, property owner notice, natural resources, gas installations, safety notification, motor fuel, fuel transport, fuel export, transloading, export fuel transloading facility, fuel terminal, terminal operator, comptroller, Texas Tax Code, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, Department of Public Safety, DPS, border security, ports of entry

Transcript Highlights:

• And there are probably many other factors that will drive up costs if those tariffs are implemented.
• You're taking your auto repairs from Mexico, and that will eventually drive up the cost of car insurance
• 716 serves Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Crystal, and Robbinsdale, along West Broadway and Douglas Drive
• Thirty percent, nearly one in three Minnesotans, does not drive, either because of age, ability, affordability
• Just spending money like you're driving on the highway, throwing money out the window hoping that it's

Transcript Highlights:

• is a significant challenge that we must address, energy codes are not driving the rise in housing costs
• </c><00:05:04.400><c> this</c><00:05:04.720><c> discussion</c> is a key concern driving this discussion
• </c> address, energy codes are not driving address, energy codes are not driving the<00:05:10.560><c>
• </c> Are driving the rise in housing costs.
• factors driving up housing costs<00:27:16.240><c> and</c><00:27:16.400><c> just</c><00:27:16.559><c>

Bills: HF3545 , HF4004

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: energy efficiency, construction standards, building codes, environment, sustainability

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:17:28.880><c> Uh</c> of the market and driving up costs.
• Uh of the market and driving up costs.
• up shrinking uh and that also drives up rates.
• </c><00:59:15.440><c> healthcare</c> Minnesota and what drives healthcare Minnesota and what drives healthcare
• Data is what drives us in agriculture and what we do.

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So, as we're driving down Shelbyville Road, some of the new developments that are put in where you're
• So, as we're driving down Shelbyville Road, some of the new developments that are put in where you're
• So, as we're as we're driving down road.
• And what's going to happen is it's going to drive people out of the county.
• So, we're driving people out of the county.

Summary: The Housing Task Force heard a presentation from Anita Sanford of the Homebuilders Association of Kentucky and Sheri Cybert of Indiana’s Residential Infrastructure Fund about Indiana’s low-interest loan program for local housing infrastructure. They described the program as a voluntary, locally driven model that helps communities finance roads, sewers, sidewalks, traffic lights, turning lanes, and other infrastructure needed for new housing development. Sanford emphasized that infrastructure and regulation are major drivers of housing costs, citing estimates that infrastructure can account for up to 30% of a home’s cost and regulations another 25%, and said the association is studying Kentucky-specific regulatory costs. She also noted that every $1,000 added to new home construction can price out about 2,000 Kentucky households. Cybert explained that Indiana’s program, administered through the Indiana Finance Authority, began in 2023 with $75 million appropriated over two years and has since closed 17 loans totaling $60.7 million, with more than 2,700 projected housing units. The program reserves 70% of funds for rural communities and 30% for urban communities, requires applications from local governments rather than developers, and asks communities to show need through a market study, describe the infrastructure and housing to be built, and provide preliminary engineering plans and a repayment source. She said the loans currently carry an interest rate around 3.5%, reset quarterly, and that the program has generated about $25 million in savings to communities compared with private borrowing. She also described recent Indiana legislative changes that encourage higher density and other zoning reforms, and said a majority of those local ordinance changes must be adopted for an application to be fundable. Members asked about the ordinance requirements, the funding split between rural and urban areas, repayment mechanisms, and whether there were caps on project size. Cybert said repayment is worked out case by case, often through existing or project-specific TIFs, temporary tax agreements, or letters of credit, and that the program has no cap on request size or income/affordability restrictions. She said the largest request funded was $19 million for a 700-unit project. Co-chair Mills and others discussed whether Kentucky could adopt a similar model and what it would cost, while Sanford and Cybert said they were still refining budget estimates. Later, Scott Welch, president of the Homebuilders Association of Kentucky, testified that upfront infrastructure costs are a major barrier in his projects, citing a $1 million pump station and road-widening and utility relocation costs as examples, and said an infrastructure fund would help get projects off the ground.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:53:09.200><c> in</c> consequences of dangerous driving in consequences of dangerous driving in
• ,</c> about safe speeds, distracted driving, about safe speeds, distracted driving, and<00:54:13.760>
• I have had cars drive up to both a concrete PA and a black top PA right behind the PA.
• Uh, I have had cars drive up firsthand.
• Priorities that are already driving our property taxes higher and higher every year.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm looking at, I'm driving the road in Google, and I see that it's a two-lane road with very narrow
• So, um, you'll, if you're driving through one, you'll actually see that sometimes there's a bump-out
• </c><01:23:42.600><c> behavior</c> will force changes in driving behavior will force changes in driving
• This area remains very dangerous, especially in the winter driving conditions.
• </c> especially in the winter driving especially in the winter driving conditions<01:40:11.920><c> nearly

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• But make no mistake about it, that is what would drive an increase in costs at the end as we approach
• </c><00:15:30.279><c> our</c> important things that are driving our important things that are driving
• They would, ironically, drive costs up if we do that.
• </c> standards they would ironically Drive standards they would ironically Drive costs<00:16:07.440><
• But you know, Commerce would not drive us that way either.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• From a workforce perspective, this is driving RN burnout and driving RNs away from bedside care.
• We will need more nurses to care for patients, and this bill will address the core issues that are driving
• We will need more nurses to care for patients, and this bill will address the core issues that are driving
• And this bill will address the core issues that are driving nurses from the bedside.
• has not been able to reach yet, which who is asked to do a drive-by to a patient's house that the agency

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hybrid hearing on a wide range of bills focused on patient safety, workforce development, health equity, and access to care. A major portion of the hearing centered on H. 2362/S. 1491, which would require health care providers to offer trained chaperones for sensitive exams. Sponsors and supporters said the bill is a common-sense safeguard prompted by cases of physician sexual abuse, and survivors gave emotional testimony describing grooming, isolation, and abuse during exams when no chaperone was present. Support also came from a health services researcher, a physician, and a RAINN representative, all arguing that trained chaperones and clearer documentation would improve transparency and protect patients. Committee members asked about clarifying who may serve as a chaperone and whether the bill would apply to other clinicians such as PTs and OTs. The committee also heard testimony on H. 2401/S. 1485, which would require explicit informed consent for certain educational exams performed on unconscious patients. The bill’s supporters said patients should know in advance if students or physicians will conduct non-medically necessary exams while they are under anesthesia, and that the measure would protect survivors from retraumatization. The hearing then moved to H. 2537, a primary care access bill. Health Care for All, the Massachusetts Medical Society, pediatric and internal medicine physicians, and a patient advocate described long waits, provider shortages, and difficulty finding primary care, especially for low-income people and people of color. They supported the bill’s proposed primary care spending target, payment reforms, Medicaid graduate medical education funding, and a commercial payment floor for health centers. Another set of bills addressed workforce and safety issues. H. 2397/S. 1593 would establish a nursing workforce center; nursing leaders said Massachusetts should make the current workforce council permanent to support data collection, apprenticeships, and long-term planning for the state’s largest health care workforce. H. 2396/S. 1535 would require safe patient handling and mobility programs in health facilities; nurses described serious injuries from lifting patients and said better equipment and programs would reduce staff injuries and improve patient outcomes. H. 2501/S. 1505 on LGBTQ+ health disparities drew support from a medical student and Doctors for America, who urged collection of sexual orientation and gender identity data to improve care and school outcomes. Finally, H. 2448/S. 1522 on patient safety and equitable access to care drew strong support from nursing organizations and individual nurses who described unsafe staffing, burnout, and patient harm, while the Massachusetts Association of Behavioral Health Systems opposed the bill as redundant for psychiatric facilities already regulated by the Department of Mental Health.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's what drives down costs. There's some argument that a net price should be used.
• It eliminates that aspect, which drives down the cost of drugs.
• That's what drives down costs. There's some argument that a net price should be used.
• It eliminates that aspect, which drives down the cost of drugs.
• Ford's telling us it's going to drive cost up because of what he's telling us it's going to drive cost

Bills: HB591 , HB765 , HB826 , HB870 , HB938 , HB1151 , HB1162 , HB1176 , HB1196 , HB1236 , HB1241

Committee: Senate Insurance

Keywords: liability insurance, coverage defenses, direct action, judgment enforcement, legal procedures, insurance referrals, compensation, non-licensed agents, consumer protection, insurance products, HB 870, Act 907, Louisiana insurance, health insurance, prescription drugs, generic drugs, biosimilars, formulary placement, drug formulary, cost-sharing

Transcript Highlights:

• If somebody has an affirmative defense, you know, I was at work, I was not driving the vehicle, they
• If somebody has an affirmative defense, you know, I was at work, I was not driving the vehicle, they
• If somebody has an affirmative defense, you know, I was at work, I was not driving the vehicle, they
• If somebody has an affirmative defense, you know, I was at work, I was not driving the vehicle, they
• cuz it comes to the person who driving cuz it comes to the person who owns<00:11:03.680><c> the</c><

Bills: SB341 , SB340 , SB341 , SB354 , SB340

Committee: Senate Transportation and Energy

Keywords: SB341, Alabama, veteran license plate, veteran tag, distinctive license tag, specialty plate, radiation exposure, atomic bomb testing, ionizing radiation, World War II veterans, Vietnam veterans, Korean War veterans, Cold War veterans, Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Inherent Resolve, Department of Veterans Affairs, probate judge

Transcript Highlights:

• stay within their borders, but because this one crosses borders, we see that regional housing supply drives
• This is especially important for seniors and low-income people who may be challenged to drive a car for
• support Senate Bill 131 because it removes outdated zoning barriers that limit housing choice and drive
• What is driving the animosity toward additional development? Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Madam Chair, Senators, I would venture to say those children will grow up and drive.

Bills: SB211 , SB131 , SB183 , SB222 , SB246 , SB254

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Keywords: appropriation, local government, Las Vegas, Rodriguez Park, public facilities, zoning reform, building regulations, residential apartments, commercial use, multigenerational housing, local government authority, healthcare, urgent care, emergency services, feasibility study, medical facilities, physician training, medical residency, New Mexico, massage therapy

Transcript Highlights:

• In Thurston County in November, a woman was cited for three DUIs in eight days, driving impaired while
• So if you dispense it at a store where you're going to be driving, you absolutely are generally going
• So if you dispense it at a store where you're going to be driving, you absolutely are.
• According to someone's risk level and it's a risk level to re-offend or recidivate, it drives contact
• Over the next couple of weeks, he started driving by my house.

Summary: The committee heard public hearings on several bills, with testimony limited because of the large number of sign-ups. House Bill 2146 would expand the crime of sexual exploitation of a minor to include causing a minor to view sexually explicit conduct that is being photographed or shown in a live performance. The prime sponsor, Olympia police, and Pierce County prosecutors described cases involving adults masturbating in front of children and argued the current law leaves a gap by treating such conduct as only misdemeanor indecent exposure or communication with a minor. Committee members asked about comparisons to other states, forensic interviews, and whether related offenses could be enhanced. House Bill 2349 would expand notice requirements for sexually violent predator releases, conditional releases, address changes, discharges, and escapes to include local elected officials such as sheriffs, county executives, city officials, and legislators. The sponsor said the bill would codify a practice already occurring in some cases and help officials respond to community concerns with accurate information. DSHS supported increased communication but requested technical amendments. Several city officials testified in support, saying they had not always been notified in advance of placements in their communities. Defense advocates opposed the bill, warning that broader notification could fuel public pressure, vigilante responses, and constitutional problems for the civil commitment system. The hearing on the bill was left open for amendments. House Bill 2532 would make it a gross misdemeanor to sell or distribute nitrous oxide canisters or similar containers, with exemptions for medical, dental, food, industrial, and automotive uses. The sponsor and supporters described rising misuse among youth and young adults, public health harms, and incidents involving impaired driving and overdose deaths. Tribal representatives, the Attorney General’s Office, the Washington Poison Center, and public health officials supported the bill, while veterinary representatives asked for clarification or an amendment to preserve veterinary use. The committee also heard testimony on House Bills 2430 and 2457, which both concern the crime victim penalty assessment. Representative Barno’s bill would restore the assessment for certain offenses involving victims, while Representative Davis’s bill would increase the assessment and add a surcharge for defendants with substantial financial resources. Victim advocates, prosecutors, and sheriffs supported the bills as needed to restore funding for victim services, while defense groups opposed them as burdensome fees on indigent defendants. The chair directed the two sponsors to work together on a single proposal, and the hearings were held open.

Transcript Highlights:

• Someone who's struggling in their abusive relationship drinks and drives and kills another person.
• That is what drives many to the streets.
• That is what drives many to the streets.
• It looked like we were driving into trees, but it was a road.
• It looked like we were driving into trees. But it was a road.

Bills: HB1591 , HB2209 , HB2403 , HB2526

Committee: House Community Safety

Keywords: domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, survivor protections, legal remedies, defendants, theft, robbery, sentencing enhancements, criminal justice, property crimes, failure to register, registration requirements, public safety, law enforcement, prostitution, public health, criminal justice reform, community safety

Transcript Highlights:

• We created an incentive to drive data centers here into our state.
• We created an incentive to drive data centers here into our state.
• Do we think they still need the incentive to drive the investment?
• Henderson, can you tell me under the Hobbs administration what has been the thing driving, I mean...
• The Hobbs administration, what has been the thing driving most of the increases in our Department of

Summary: The committee met to review the governor’s fiscal 2027 budget presentation, with the chair repeatedly asking members to keep questions brief and avoid speeches. The discussion focused first on the overall revenue and spending outlook, including concerns from members that the executive forecast was more optimistic than the JLBC baseline and that the budget appeared to front-load revenue and expenditure growth. The governor’s budget team said the forecast was close to JLBC’s, that the budget was structurally balanced, and that differences were roughly $100 million per year on ongoing revenue. Members asked for follow-up calculations in writing, including the total multi-year gap and the amount of revenue enhancements above base revenues. A major portion of the meeting centered on tax and fee proposals tied to data centers, water use, and sports betting. The governor’s team defended eliminating the existing data center tax incentive as the removal of a loophole rather than a new tax, arguing the incentive had already succeeded in attracting major investment. They also described a proposed Department of Water Resources fee-setting authority for data centers to support a new Colorado River Protection Fund, and said the proposal would apply to existing and future facilities without a grandfather clause. Members raised concerns about fairness, competitiveness, and whether the changes would require a supermajority vote. The team also discussed increased sports betting fees, saying the revenue forecast did not include dynamic behavioral effects. The committee then moved through major spending areas, including corrections, public safety, border security, cybersecurity, K-12 education, Medicaid, and developmental disabilities. The governor’s budget includes ongoing funding to prevent correctional officer pay cuts, money to comply with prison health care court orders, probation funding, body-worn cameras, law enforcement staffing, fentanyl task forces, and cyber readiness grants. Members questioned the lack of funding for a prison oversight committee and asked for corrections spending totals over the administration. On border security, the executive said it was seeking about $759.7 million in federal reimbursement for border-related costs and that the governor had met with federal officials, including Secretary Noem and Tom Homan, about the request. In education, the budget proposes renewing Prop. 123, adding K-12 base funding, and issuing $1.5 billion in school facilities bonds over three years; members debated whether the proposal was appropriate and whether Prop. 123 revenues could support the debt service. The meeting also covered AHCCCS cost growth and federal HR1 impacts, with the executive warning of major coverage losses and hospital funding reductions, and DDD funding, where the governor’s team said the budget fully funds services and includes about $120 million in supplemental needs. No votes were taken; the meeting was a presentation and question-and-answer session only.

Transcript Highlights:

• support this bill, but maybe we should just get rid of the window tint restrictions so people can drive
• I've got a situation: a constituent was pulled over driving a Ford vehicle that came out of the factory
• /c><00:36:13.119><c> they</c><00:36:13.240><c> want</c><00:36:13.599><c> tint</c> um so people can drive
• if they want tint um so people can drive if they want tint on<00:36:13.960><c> their</c><00:36:14.079
• a Ford vehicle that came over uh driving a Ford vehicle that came out<00:36:26.640><c> of</c><00:36:

Transcript Highlights:

• Can we still drive medication abortion to people?
• Can we still drive speculums and things that are used for Pap smears or delivering children?
• </c> be enforced um can we still drive be enforced um can we still drive medication<00:21:26.200><c>
• > medication abortion to people can we medication abortion to people can we still<00:21:27.880><c> drive
• </c> still drive still drive speculums<00:21:30.080><c> and</c><00:21:30.440><c> things</c><00:21:30.640

Transcript Highlights:

• A month later, as I was driving to see my survivor.
• This morning, investigators circled more people killed surrounding those on the drive down and saw the
• While driving from Austin to San Antonio, he drives through New Braunfels.
• From New Braunfels to San Antonio, multiple callers witnessed the erratic driving.
• It was 1.2 billion dollars a year and that bill will only drive, this bill will only drive those costs

Bills: SB9 , SB1047 , SB1048 , SJR17 , SJR49 , SB40 , SJR1 , SJR5 , SB 9 , SB 40 , SJR 1

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• — most people who bicycle also drive cars. They're already paying.
• </c> my bike on the back of my car and drive my bike on the back of my car and drive five<01:43:53.760
• Um, and if I were to drive, it takes about the same time or often less when you factor in driving, parking
• Um, to drive a car on the road, you have to have a driver's license at 16.
• </c> a learning disability for a driving a learning disability for a driving test.<05:08:07.840><c> Um

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• I drive up. I have to have a button I press to open a gate. The gate then opens.
• We would charge them with child endangerment for taking them out when they were drunk driving.
• During that time, I was routinely profiled and stopped for driving.
• Impaired driving remains a major public safety issue.
• Impaired driving remains a major public safety issue, especially with the rise in drug-impaired driving

Committee: House Public Safety