Transcript Highlights:

• a 300-unit project.
• <00:08:31.919> do area of $150,000 a unit per project do area of $150,000 a unit per project
• concern we don't see these projects concern we don't see these projects really<00:13:00.680>
• developer who's doing a lot of projects developer who's doing a lot of projects some<00:13:37.680
• priorities and preferences for projects priorities and preferences for projects utilizing<00:19:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of housing measures focused on streamlining approvals, reshaping financing programs, and expanding affordability requirements. SB 27 would exempt state-financed housing developments from County Council approval; SB 38 would bar county legislative bodies from changing housing proposals in ways that increase project costs; SB 25 would let counties reduce housing capacity in one area only if they offset it elsewhere with no net loss; and SB 379 would require perpetual affordability covenants for HHFDC projects and prohibit affordable housing in special flood hazard areas. SB 378 would create an HHFDC working group to identify mixed-use Maui properties for possible acquisition, SB 414 would authorize condemnation proceedings for a new Lānaʻi access road tied to disaster recovery, and SB 13 would eliminate the state income tax mortgage interest deduction for second homes. Testimony was mixed across the bills, with state agencies and housing advocates generally supporting faster permitting and more production, while county planners, NAIOP, Catholic Charities, and others raised concerns about local control, marketability, financing feasibility, and long-term affordability enforcement. A major portion of the hearing centered on the rental housing revolving fund. SB 70 would limit eligible applicants to government agencies or organizations that reinvest all surplus into additional housing; HHFDC said most developers would not object in principle but questioned how the surplus requirement would be enforced, while NAIOP and Catholic Charities opposed it as too restrictive and difficult to monitor. SB 71 would amend the fund’s preference criteria and eligibility rules, and SB 163 would require HHFDC to prioritize projects with the shortest repayment terms and highest unit production per dollar per year. HHFDC and some advocates supported the goal of faster recycling of funds, but NAIOP and Catholic Charities warned that shorter loan terms and narrowed preferences could burden developers and disincentivize projects, especially for lower-income tenants. The chair indicated SB 163 would be deferred and its concerns folded into amendments to SB 71. In decision-making, the committee voted to pass SB 27, SB 38, SB 70, and SB 71 with amendments, and SB 25 unamended. The chair said SB 27 would be amended to include projects with a state financing commitment and a report note that such projects still undergo 21-38 review; SB 38 would receive technical changes and language preventing county bodies from imposing cost-increasing conditions; SB 70 would add language addressing enforcement of the surplus requirement and a preamble citing the need to recycle taxpayer-financed housing value; and SB 71 would be amended to incorporate concerns raised in SB 163, including a broader preamble and revised priority criteria. SB 163 was deferred, while the other measures on the agenda were heard but no final action was described in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• :43.760> artists<00:25:44.480> through<00:25:44.799> their<00:25:44.960> craft
• They offer<00:25:46.159> a<00:25:46.320> wide<00:25:46.480> range<00:25:46.720><
• <00:25:51.760> tap,<00:25:52.080> sing<00:25:52.559> tap, jazz, hiphop, tap
• <00:25:56.159> Just<00:25:56.480> last<00:25:56.799> year,<00:25:57.279>
• Just last year, their enrollment<00:25:57.919> increased<00:25:58.400> 28%<00:25:59.120

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:15.760> of<00:25:15.840> financial<00:25:16.320> or<00:25:16.480>
• :25:20.720> trying<00:25:20.880> to<00:25:20.960> do<00:25:21.120> is<00:
• c> is<00:25:27.120> the<00:25:27.360> connection<00:25:27.760> between<00:25
• <00:25:34.640> the<00:25:35.120> uh<00:25:35.679> um<00:25:35.840> the
• ><00:25:36.880> the<00:25:37.039> students<00:25:37.679> where<00:25:37.840>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a full quorum and approved the prior minutes. Members offered introductions of guests and family members, then heard a presentation from University of Louisville President Thomas Jared Bradley, who was sworn in before testifying. He described his background and outlined U of L’s strategic priorities: student success, access and affordability, workforce development, community engagement, and research. Bradley highlighted enrollment growth, increases in first-generation and Pell-eligible students, strong transfer pathways with KCTCS, and support programs such as the Cardinal Commitment Grant, 15-to-Finish, Comeback Cards, tutoring, mentoring, and mental health services. Bradley also emphasized U of L’s statewide and regional impact through UofL Health, rural outreach, the Bullitt County rural cancer education and research center, nursing expansion, and the Kentucky Manufacturing Extension Partnership program. He noted major institutional distinctions, including R1 status, a new Carnegie Opportunity College and University designation, and community-engaged classification. He said the university is one of only 10 public universities nationwide with all three designations and reported record enrollment, improved retention, and strong research expenditures. He also thanked lawmakers for significant capital and operating support, including funding for the simulation center, health science center, asset preservation, and the MEP program. During questions, members praised the university’s public service role and asked about first-generation enrollment, retention, graduation rates, and post-graduation outcomes. Bradley said the university is working to improve completion by expanding academic support, early alerts, incentives for tutoring, and faculty/advisor mentoring, especially for first-generation and high-need students. He acknowledged that post-graduation employment data is difficult to collect but said the new Carnegie classification reflects positive outcomes. No votes were taken beyond approving the minutes, and no formal actions were taken on legislation in this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> they<00:25:04.400> move<00:25:04.760> as<00:25:04.960> they<00:25:05.640>
• what<00:25:24.400> laws<00:25:24.720> are<00:25:24.800> in<00:25:24.920>
• > of<00:25:33.720> like<00:25:33.840> pull<00:25:34.040> it<00:25:34.160>
• ><00:25:50.720> project<00:25:51.280> for<00:25:51.440> schools It sets up a pilot
• project for schools It sets up a pilot project for schools of<00:25:51.840> innovation<00:25:

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a roll call establishing a quorum. The chamber approved the prior journal, excused absent senators, and received a House message noting passage of several House bills, including House Bill 1 despite the governor’s veto. The clerk also reported committee recommendations on a number of House bills, which were placed on the calendar, and new resolutions were introduced recognizing Chloe Yates, student wellness and physical activity in schools, and the Kentucky State Long-Term Care Ombudsman program. The main floor action centered on House Bill 1, which implements the Federal Education Opportunity Program in Kentucky. Supporters argued the measure would bring federal tax-credit dollars into Kentucky to expand educational opportunities for students and families at no cost to the state budget, while opponents urged sustaining the governor’s veto and raised concerns about accountability and the bill’s structure. After debate, the Senate voted 31-5 to override the veto, and House Bill 1 was finally passed notwithstanding the governor’s veto. The Senate then took up Senate Bill 183 on proxy advisory services. The House committee substitute exempted certain nonprofits with less than $500,000 in annual gross revenue from proxy advisor services from the bill’s cause-of-action provisions while preserving attorney general enforcement authority. The chamber concurred with the House substitute and then passed the bill as amended. Senators also passed Senate Bill 263, the School of Innovation cleanup bill, which makes technical changes, requires KDE support for waiver applications, and creates a pilot project for three schools of innovation with proposed matching grants. Senate Bill 281 on grandparent visitation was also adopted with committee substitute and passed unanimously after discussion focused on balancing grandparents’ access with parental rights and existing case law. Later, the Senate began consideration of Senate Bill 324 on the film industry credit, with the sponsor describing technical changes and expanded provisions to support film, video, gaming, and related production activity in Kentucky.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:25:00.320> been<00:25:00.400> in<00:25:00.559> the<00:25:00.720> state
• > for<00:25:01.440> a<00:25:01.600> long<00:25:01.760> long<00:25:02.000>
• :06.640> were<00:25:07.520> um<00:25:08.480> you<00:25:08.640> know<00:25
• <00:25:11.440> right<00:25:11.679> because<00:25:11.919> of<00:25:12.080>
• order for<00:25:20.080> them<00:25:20.320> to<00:25:20.480> be<00:25:20.640>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:25:03.200> To<00:25:03.440> coach<00:25:03.679> Prebble,<00:25:04.159> his
• <00:25:21.200> Speaker,<00:25:21.600> I<00:25:21.760> yield<00:25:22.080>
• , Miss<00:25:25.760> Captor,<00:25:26.159> for<00:25:26.400> 5<00:25:26.640>
• One hour of debate<02:25:10.160> will<02:25:10.399> also<02:25:10.640> be<02:25:
• <02:25:14.080> be<02:25:14.240> equally<02:25:14.720> divided<02:25:15.439><

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:01.919> looking<00:25:02.159> at<00:25:02.320> just<00:25:02.480>
• at just at the testimony<00:25:02.960> in<00:25:03.120> general,<00:25:03.440> some
• shipd as opposed<00:25:56.559> to<00:25:56.799> when<00:25:57.039> you're<00:25
• :57.200> about<00:25:57.360> to<00:25:57.520> get<00:25:57.679> a opposed
• :25:58.480> break<00:25:58.799> ground<00:25:59.200> that<00:25:59.360> kind<

Bills: SB2603, SB2083, SB2341, SB2306, SB2782, SB2756, SB2161, SB2477

Keywords: Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, state funding, public performances, educational programs, cultural arts funding, historic properties, preservation, inheritance, working group, public-private partnerships, sustainable funding, historic preservation, Hawaii Revised Statutes, construction, state review, burial sites, cultural artifacts, development review, phased review, administrative fees

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 2603, which would designate the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the state orchestra of Hawaii. Testimony was uniformly supportive from the Attorney General’s office, the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, Retail Merchants of Hawaii, Hawaii Youth Symphony, the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association, and others. Supporters emphasized the bill’s value to arts education, cultural vitality, and the visitor economy. The chair noted there were also many written testimonies submitted, and the bill was left without questions or action in the excerpt. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2083, which would create a state-owned historic properties preservation plan working group within DNR. The State Historic Preservation Division supported the bill and said it would help create a statewide database and better planning for state-owned historic properties, while noting its current review work is reactive and project-by-project. The committee asked about duplication and existing consultation processes; SHPD said it already reviews state projects under existing law and has in-house architectural staff. The measure was then set aside after brief discussion, with no vote shown in the excerpt. Next was Senate Bill 2341, which would authorize phased review of certain private-property projects and change SHPD’s review deadlines. SHPD and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development supported the bill, saying it could encourage more proactive, programmatic review and that the current average review time for simple projects is about 56 days. Several opponents, including Sierra Club of Hawaii, Bianca Isaki, Malama Kane Lua, and Tara Roas, argued phased review would delay projects, create conflict, and weaken historic preservation protections, especially for iwi kūpuna and burial sites. Committee members raised concerns about whether the bill conflicted with prior court decisions and asked SHPD for its view; SHPD said it was not a legal question for them and suggested a programmatic alternative. The bill was not voted on in the excerpt. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 2306 on administrative fees for the Bureau of Conveyances. HGEA opposed the measure, focusing on a provision allowing the special fund to be used for qualified contractors, while the Bureau of Conveyances supported the bill as a fee correction that would equalize recording fees between systems. The bureau said specialized technical work sometimes requires outside contracting and that it could consider a contract period; the chair and members discussed the HGEA concern and asked whether the issue could be addressed. No final action was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're at 25% of what we need.
• And what portion of the projects is wages? That was on an overlay project. That's 10% to 20%.
• Bridge Project and the Rose Quarter Project.
• on previous projects.
• is a $5 billion project.

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The committee first received an informational update on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project from Carly Francis and Travis Brower. They described the project’s purpose as improving seismic resilience, safety, freight movement, transit, and bicycle/pedestrian access across the Columbia River, and said the updated cost estimate is $13.2 billion to $14.4 billion for the full corridor. They explained the increase from the 2022 estimate as driven by construction inflation, a more conservative inflation curve, schedule delays, more detailed engineering, and risk modeling. They also outlined the funding plan, including $2.1 billion in federal funds, $1 billion each from Oregon and Washington, and $1.5 billion in projected toll revenue, and said they are working to obligate federal funds by the end of September. The panel described a first funded phase that would include the bridge, highway connections, tolling infrastructure, bridge removal, and transit design, with light rail to Vancouver still intended but dependent on additional funding. Members questioned the risk of losing federal transit funds, whether bridge design decisions were being made with legislative input, and whether the space reserved for light rail could be used for buses if transit funding does not materialize. The committee then heard testimony on maintaining Oregon’s existing roads and bridges from representatives of Knife River, the Asphalt Pavement Association of Oregon, and CRH. Witnesses said pavement and bridge preservation is severely underfunded, with ODOT needing about $400 million per year for pavement preservation but receiving roughly $100 million annually. They showed examples of deteriorating highways such as U.S. 97 and I-84 and argued that delaying maintenance leads to much higher reconstruction costs, more safety risks, and higher user costs. Knife River described layoffs and reduced work in Oregon because of limited preservation funding, while witnesses also said rising wages, equipment costs, fuel, and permitting delays are increasing project costs. Committee members asked about the role of prevailing wage, diesel equipment, hauling distances, and whether preservation work could be prioritized more effectively. Finally, economist Joe Cortright presented on recent ODOT megaproject cost overruns. He said Oregon has experienced persistent overruns driven by overly optimistic revenue forecasts, heavy reliance on debt, consultant costs, inflation above forecast, and projects that have become much larger in scope than originally presented. He cited major increases in the Interstate Bridge, Rose Quarter, and Abernathy Bridge projects and argued that some designs are far wider and more expensive than necessary. Cortright said better accountability, clearer priorities, and more disciplined project sizing are needed, and committee members pressed him on why agencies proceed with larger designs even when consultants recommend narrower, less expensive alternatives.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:29.519> the<00:09:29.680> peas projects the peas projects the peas projects<00:09
• and the scope of projects that they deal with, if that $25 million causes any delays or barriers to
• and the scope of projects that they deal with, if that $25 million causes any delays or barriers to
• and the scope of projects that they deal with, if that $25 million causes any delays or barriers to
• <00:20:41.320> that projects and the scope of projects that projects and the scope of projects

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Capital Project Overview Committee held an organizational meeting. Members elected Rep. Miltz as chair and later nominated Sen. Mark McConkey as vice chair, but that appointment was carried over because he was not present to accept it. Mike Edgar was nominated and accepted as clerk. The committee also adopted its procedures and guidelines, which set deadlines for agencies to submit capital project materials and establish reporting thresholds intended to keep small projects out of the quarterly report. The main discussion centered on the Department of Administrative Services’ quarterly capital budget project report for the quarter ending December 31, 2024. Staff explained that the report compiles statewide capital projects under the committee’s guidelines and includes new projects plus large DOT projects. Several members raised concerns about projects listed as on hold or lacking updates, including the Big E agricultural building rebid, a prison woodworking facility, Pease pier projects, the General Sullivan Bridge removal, Sunapee State Beach parking lot work, and a closed-loop referral contract. Members asked for better status updates, especially on projects with no agency response, and the chair said agencies could be asked to appear before the committee if needed. Members also discussed the governor’s proposal in HB 2 to change the report from quarterly to annual. Several members opposed the change, saying quarterly reporting is more useful for oversight, and suggested the committee ask Finance to remove that section or consider raising the reporting threshold instead. There was also discussion of toll credits, with staff explaining that any other use of toll credits requires committee approval, and of the Department of Corrections’ prison planning funds, including $50 million currently available for site feasibility and design work. The committee agreed to schedule its next meeting for April 14, with June 23 to be revisited later, and then adjourned by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• So,<00:25:30.799> I<00:25:30.960> had<00:25:31.039> another<00:25:31.360> question
• /c><00:25:56.960> is<00:25:57.200> it<00:25:57.440> possible<00:25:58.000> for
• are projects, but those projects are projects, but those projects are expressly<01:24:22.880>
• uh project fund or capital project fund. uh project fund or capital project fund.
• > I<02:25:25.280> think<02:25:25.359> this<02:25:25.600> would<02:25:25.680>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:06.880> that<00:25:07.120> if<00:25:07.279> the<00:25:07.520> proposed
• So it would be 25 and 26, and those projects have moved into this 10-year plan.
• we those projects or out projects we those projects or out projects we propose<01:54:01.119> to
• c> the projects regional projects from the projects regional projects from the regional<02:09:03.199
• Um projects and intersection projects.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of<00:25:15.919> the<00:25:16.279> support<00:25:16.600> of<00:25:16.840>
• :25:29.520> school<00:25:29.880> Oak<00:25:30.159> grve<00:25:30.799> um<
• c> population<00:25:33.520> we<00:25:33.679> have<00:25:33.960> autism<00:25
• <00:25:39.960> students<00:25:40.679> have<00:25:40.799> a<00:25:40.960>
• very special place<00:25:42.159> in<00:25:42.360> my<00:25:42.640> general<00:25

Bills: HF1679, HF1019, HF2321, HF1740, HF2278

Keywords: public television, funding, grants, arts and culture, Minnesota, Minnesota Public Radio, arts education, cultural heritage, community engagement, public radio, community radio, educational grants, community cable, public access, programming funding, civic engagement, ethnic media, public access television, Minnesota Humanities Center, funding appropriation

Transcript Highlights:

• :42.480> be<00:25:42.559> a<00:25:42.799> map<00:25:43.120> of<00:25:43.360
• destinations<00:25:44.880> and<00:25:45.200> how<00:25:45.440> long<00:25:45.760
• I'm<00:25:47.440> looking<00:25:47.679> for<00:25:47.840> whether<00:25:48.159><
• > and<00:25:50.080> and<00:25:51.200> is<00:25:52.320> it<00:25:52.559>
• :54.640> kids<00:25:55.039> are<00:25:55.679> at<00:25:55.919> the<00:25:

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the June 10 minutes, and then handled a routine agenda of contracts and agreements. It deferred one Kentucky Educational Television contract to the August 2025 meeting because the vendor was not registered with the Secretary of State, and then approved the remaining routine items on the PSC green list and related contract lists without objection. The most detailed discussion involved two personal service contracts for the Kentucky Employees Health Plan. Officials from the Personnel Cabinet and Department of Employee Insurance explained that the contracts were designed to identify claims errors and overspending, with vendors paid a percentage of validated savings recovered for the plan. Senators asked how the savings were calculated and whether the contracts had changed plan processes; staff said the contracts had produced realized savings, some errors had been corrected going forward, and the vendors report quarterly. The committee approved those contracts. The committee then took up a retroactive Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority contract for a customized College Info Road Show bus. Members questioned why the contract was being presented months after execution, why it involved an out-of-state vendor, and whether the purchase was reasonable and timely. KHEAA staff said the delay stemmed from the need to finalize sustainability and safety details after the RFP, and acknowledged internal process and staffing issues. Several members criticized the retroactive approval process and said they could not validate the purchase from the information provided, but the committee ultimately approved the contract after debate. A final KHEAA discussion focused on the purpose and value of the mobile outreach bus. Staff said the bus supports college and financial aid outreach, especially in rural areas, and has been used for 26 years. Some members questioned the return on investment and whether the state should rely more on broadband and remote outreach, while others supported the program as a way to reach students and families. The committee approved the KHEAA contract, with Senator Douglas voting no and explaining concerns about whether such outreach programs are the proper role of government and whether they are the best use of public funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, your attempt<00:25:43.760> with<00:25:43.919> this<00:25:44.159> bill<00:25:
• <00:25:46.799> planning<00:25:47.200> boards<00:25:47.760> and<00:25:48.000>
• <00:25:51.360> Representative<00:25:51.919> Alexander<00:25:52.559> has<00:25:52.799
• <01:25:25.760> public<01:25:26.080> good<01:25:26.400> when<01:25:26.560>
• c><01:25:32.000> think<01:25:32.320> just<01:25:32.719> bringing<01:25:33.040>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• District formation and project.
• That was necessary to facilitate a full project for some of the projects they have been working on.
• Some of the projects that were approved on the housing side include workforce housing projects.
• get 25%, they're done.
• authorized in 25 and 26.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:25:45.440> And<01:25:45.679> if<01:25:45.840> we<01:25:45.920> look
• And if we look at<01:25:46.239> the<01:25:46.400> next<01:25:46.560> slide,<01:25
• :25:49.120> share<01:25:49.520> all<01:25:49.679> of<01:25:49.840> this<01
• :25:53.360> doing<01:25:53.600> is<01:25:53.840> they<01:25:54.080> are that
• <01:25:57.280> battery<01:25:57.679> storage<01:25:58.320> and<01:25:58.639>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met to adopt the minutes of the second meeting by voice vote, then heard an update focused on disaster preparedness, resiliency, response, and coordination among state agencies and partners. The chair emphasized avoiding duplication of resources and highlighted the importance of agriculture-related response issues, including animal evacuation, feed distribution, and the role of extension services during disasters. The Department for Public Health was invited to explain its role in emergency planning and response. Public Health described its Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch as the lead coordinating agency for Emergency Support Function 8, covering health and medical services under Kentucky’s emergency operations framework. Testimony outlined its broad responsibilities, including support for hospitals, morgues, local health departments, behavioral health, crisis counseling, suspicious package testing, disease outbreaks, and coordination with emergency management, EMS, transportation, and nonprofit and private partners. Officials also described the agency’s risk-assessment process, training and exercise programs, and deployed assets such as PPE caches, deployable communications, a federal medical station, a mobile treatment center, and alternate care support used in events like the eastern Kentucky floods and COVID-19. The agency also discussed funding through federal cooperative agreements for public health emergency preparedness and hospital preparedness, noting that these programs have evolved since 9/11 and have been shaped by major disasters and emerging threats. Officials said Kentucky’s funding has declined over time and that current awards are partially funded for the first time in the program’s history. They expressed support for efficiency if federal programs are consolidated, but cautioned that combining programs could risk further funding losses.

Transcript Highlights:

• projects.
• And the last one is a research project that was completed in 2021 that has a plus or minus 25% range.
• And the last one is a research project that was completed in 2021 that has a plus or minus 25% range.
• And the last one is a research project that was completed in 2021 that has a plus minus 25% range.
• Well, some—each project, each project, Each project is just a number.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from WSDOT on balancing uncertainty in capital program estimates and cash flow management. WSDOT explained the differences between design-bid-build and design-build delivery, its tiered risk-assessment process by project size, and how it uses base estimates, inflation, and risk modeling to set budgets. Staff said design-bid-build estimates are generally accurate within about 1% across the program, while design-build projects carry much wider uncertainty and are better communicated as ranges; they cited a P85 budget approach and noted that large, complex projects can be affected by market competition and long procurement timelines. Members asked about the Columbia River Bridge cost growth and about value engineering, and WSDOT said it uses value engineering but has limited scope to cut costs because of project requirements and policy mandates. Troy Swing also discussed cash flow, noting that a few large projects can significantly affect biennial funding needs, and said a risk pool would not reduce overall program risk but could help manage timing if paired with appropriation and cash-flow controls. The committee then received the final presentation in the WSDOT Project Delivery and Innovative Practices study from HKA Global. The consultant said WSDOT’s estimating practices are generally robust and recommended improving transparency by presenting budget authorizations as ranges or estimate classes, better tracking estimate growth over time, and adjusting advertisement timing to avoid competing lettings. The report also discussed surety bonding, suggesting the legislature consider restoring authority for reduced bonding on select large design-build projects or using phased bonding and alternative securities. On indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracting, the consultant said current job order contract rules are restrictive and recommended legislative changes to make such tools more usable, especially for smaller tasks and to help use unspent funds more flexibly. The committee also heard a follow-up presentation on transit-oriented development policy recommendations tied to HB 1491. The Urban Institute’s Yona Freemark said Washington has been a national leader on TOD but that housing construction, especially in the Puget Sound, has slowed sharply since 2022. He said rising construction costs, high financing costs, and local tax and rent conditions are making many TOD projects infeasible, and recommended that the state fill infrastructure funding gaps around stations, revisit MFTE affordability requirements, consider minimum rather than average density requirements near transit, and create a statewide system to track TOD outcomes such as affordability, gentrification, and transit access. Members questioned the study’s developer interviews, the role of rent control and crime, property tax assumptions, and parking needs; the presenter said the study included five private developers, that rent control was not part of the study scope, and that parking was included in the model assumptions. Finally, the committee began a presentation on regulating emissions from ocean-going vessels at berth. Staff and consultants described California-style at-berth rules, which require shore power or equivalent emissions controls so ships can shut off diesel auxiliary engines while docked. The study is examining vessel traffic, emissions reductions, implementation costs, labor and operational needs, and possible effects on port competitiveness and cargo diversion. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a bridge project, a bridge reconstruction project.
• projects, projects that they're doing?
• Maintenance projects, completed projects and maintenance: we completed $3.16 million worth of projects
• We had district-wide striping, sign replacement projects, I-25, more interstate.
• of projects.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The committee heard a District 5 New Mexico Department of Transportation presentation from Rhonda Lopez, who reviewed the district’s FY26 budget, staffing vacancies, and the status of special appropriations from 2020 through 2025. She described numerous completed and ongoing projects across the district, including roadway overlays, bridge work, intersection improvements, ADA upgrades, and maintenance projects, and also summarized STIP, TPF, LGRF, and equipment needs. Members asked about a guardrail issue near U.S. 64 in Hogback, the 5% local match for TPF projects, and the status of the New Mexico 371/U.S. 36 intersection funding agreement with the Navajo Nation; DOT said the match is secured or waived where applicable and that the Navajo agreement is nearly finalized. The committee then heard House Bill 270, which would amend the Public Works Apprentice Training Act to require contributions to apprenticeship and training programs for certain public works contracts, including highway-related work, while creating an exception where no approved apprenticeship program exists for a trade classification. The sponsor said the bill was intended to strengthen workforce development and support apprenticeship training. Contractors and asphalt industry representatives opposed the bill, arguing it would raise road project costs and duplicate existing training contributions. A motion to table failed on a tie, and a later motion to pass also failed on a tie, leaving the bill in committee. Next, the committee heard House Bill 322, which would create a transportation trust fund and transportation program fund, dedicate additional revenue sources including a portion of electricity GRT and motor vehicle excise tax, and begin annual distributions for federal matching funds in 2029. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would help address a multi-billion-dollar road funding gap, improve maintenance, and provide a stable source for matching federal dollars. Some members raised concerns about the electricity tax component, its effect on utility bills, and overlap with recently enacted transportation financing measures; others supported the concept but questioned timing and funding priorities. A motion on the bill resulted in a tie and failed, leaving the bill in committee. The meeting concluded with a District 4 NMDOT legislative presentation. The district outlined its geography, budget, staffing vacancy rate, completed special appropriations, active construction and maintenance projects, wildfire-related recovery work, local government funding allocations, and equipment replacement needs. Members asked about school district uses of local funding and the impact of aging equipment and weather on maintenance costs. The presentation ended without any formal action on District 4 items, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The 2020-23-25 grant program status is below, so projects funded through the 23-25 destination development
• information— Status is below, so projects funded through the 23-25 destination development grant are
• The 2020-23-25 grant program status is below, so projects funded through the 23-25 destination information
• And again, kind of just listing out the projects from 23, 25, and just some updates on early returns
• Again, much like the 23-25, we listed out projects that have been awarded in 25-27, so I’ll pause there

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > Services<00:25:03.399> which<00:25:03.520> is<00:25:03.720> before<00:25
• <00:25:06.880> for<00:25:07.159> K<00:25:07.440> through<00:25:07.559> 8<
• :25:10.640> and<00:25:10.760> need<00:25:11.039> additional<00:25:11.520> time
• c><00:25:23.720> time<00:25:24.240> a<00:25:24.399> student<00:25:24.720> spends
• 01:25:04.040> one<01:25:04.360> kid<01:25:04.960> it's<01:25:05.119> money

Keywords: 1187, senate, all