Transcript Highlights:

• Members of the committee, Keith Dunn, here on behalf of the State Building Construction Trades Council
• The State Building and Construction Trades Council is, if not the largest, one of the largest supporters
• Yeah, Keith Dunn, State Building Construction Trades Council, through the chair.
• Members of the committee, Keith Dunn with the State Building Construction Trades Council.
• Keith Dunn with the State Building Construction Trades Council.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , scheduling, and the construction design process.
• Within construction management, estimating, scheduling, and the construction design process.
• try to get the building construction side of things in there as well.
• This award shows that students understand construction.
• This award shows that students understand construction.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, under the Department of Education, 2 million GO for library construction grants, 6.5 million for
• 33.320> library Education, 2 million GO for library Education, 2 million GO for library construction
• grants,<00:04:34.840> 6.5<00:04:35.520> million<00:04:35.840> for construction
• grants, 6.5 million for construction grants, 6.5 million for area<00:04:36.360> special<00:04
• <00:35:48.000> and capital infrastructure, construction and capital infrastructure, construction

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up a large bonding bill and reviewed the final spreadsheet of capital investments. Chairs and members repeatedly thanked staff, House and Senate negotiators, and the Governor’s team for a collaborative process. The bill was described as a statewide package rather than a partisan one, with major funding for higher education asset preservation, DNR projects, public safety, transportation, the Met Council, veterans facilities, corrections, DEED/local projects, and a large water infrastructure section. House Fiscal staff and Senate fiscal staff walked through the bill line by line. Highlights included University of Minnesota and Minnesota State asset preservation, education and language immersion school funding, DNR trail and flood mitigation projects, public safety facilities, local road and bridge grants, Met Council parks and I/I grants, veterans home and armory funding, corrections projects including the Faribault vocational expansion, and many local economic development and public facility projects across Greater Minnesota and the metro. The bill also included Public Facilities Authority water and wastewater grants, housing rehabilitation funding, historical society grants, a Minnesota Zoo operating transfer, airport appropriations, and several cancellations of prior appropriations to help finance the package. Members generally praised the bill and the bipartisan work behind it. Some Republicans emphasized the one-time license fee reduction and affordability, while also saying DEED’s business development infrastructure funding was too low. Senator Nelson highlighted long-awaited transportation projects such as Highway 14 and township roads. Senator Dibble supported the transportation investments but criticized the bill for having no transit funding, calling that a major omission. No vote was recorded in the excerpt, but the discussion centered on final review and support for moving the bonding bill forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think when we have our construction, pre-construction, 100% designs, I feel like that's going to be
• And the first phase is a pre-design build pre-construction. That is already in the works.
• We've been working with Our architects and our design team, I mean our construction team, and we are
• We're anticipating for a January 14th, 2026 design build 100%. pre-construction designs.
• I can understand the construction delays and the costs, as well as all of these other issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• SENATE BILL 658 IS STANDARDIZING THE CONSTRUCTION LIEN RELEASE PROCESS TO SIMPLY SIMPLIFY THE CONSTRUCTION
• MY NAME IS DANIEL YOUNG., 33 YEAR CONSTRUCTION LAWYER PICK FIRST CLASS BOARD CERTIFIED CONSTRUCTION LAWYERS
• THIS WOULD DEVASTATE THE ENTIRE CONSTRUCTION. >> Chair McClain: THANK YOU. JEFF?
• NOW SENATORS WE WILL MOVE NEXT TO TAB EIGHT SB 712 ON CONSTRUCTION REGULATIONS BY SENATOR GRALL.
• ADVENTURES PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS MAY NOT BE PENALIZED FOR THE VOLUME OF CONSTRUCTION WORK THEY PERFORM

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Construction cash account to support the request that other funds expenditure increase the Reese Training
• Public Safety Subcommittee recommends that the Emergency Board increase federal funds capital construction
• Establish a federal funds capital construction expenditure limitation of $3,620,000 for the Reese Training
• Center Firehouse and establish a federal funds capital construction expenditure limitation of $2.5 million
• The second project will construct four sets of paired wells, measuring shallow and deep, to monitor water

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The Emergency Board met on June 17, 2026, and approved a series of subcommittee recommendations, mostly on consent, related to federal grant applications, agency funding adjustments, and position authority. Early actions included approval of four federal grant applications from natural resources agencies, three public safety grant applications, a one-time increase for Judicial Department court security, retroactive approval for an AmeriCorps volunteer-generation grant, and a $7.5 million allocation to Southern Oregon University from a special appropriation for short-term financial stability. Members supporting the SOU item emphasized the university’s structural deficits, declining enrollment, and the need for a long-term higher education plan; several members voted no or raised concerns about sustainability, but the motion passed. The board also approved a federal apprenticeship expansion grant for the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, a school nutrition equipment grant for the Department of Education, and an Oregon Health Authority request tied to Medicaid community engagement requirements under H.R. 1. Public safety items included funding for Oregon Military Department readiness facilities, a report on the stalled juvenile justice information system modernization project with a follow-up viability report due in 2026, and a statewide evacuation planning tool for emergency management. The evacuation tool drew strong support as a wildfire preparedness measure, with members noting it could significantly reduce alert times and save lives. A major point of debate was the Department of Justice request to add 16 permanent positions and increase other funds limitation for antitrust enforcement. Supporters argued the federal government has pulled back and Oregon needs capacity to pursue active cases and protect consumers; opponents objected to the process, the size of the expansion, and the incentive structure tied to settlements and awards. Despite those concerns, the motion passed. The board also approved Water Resources Department requests for the Water Well Abandonment, Repair and Replacement program, an assistant water master position in Washington County, and federal funding for Lower Umatilla Basin groundwater data collection. The water master item prompted questions about county cost shifts, but staff said the position would remain externally funded and would not be filled without those resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• watched and listened to constituents over the years lose wells, financially struggle to repair or construct
• watched and listened constituents over the years lose wells, financially struggled to repair or construct
• like that, that we saw recently in the southern portion of Phoenix when the Loop 202 was being constructed
• nameplate rating of all plants that will be located on or immediately adjacent to the site after construction
• nameplate rating of all existing plants located on and immediately adjacent to the site before construction

Bills: HB2014, HB2031, HB2078, HB2102, HB2103, HB2117, HB2261, HB2262, HB2264, HB2278, HB2428, HB2494, HB2756, HB2758, HB2762, HB2782, HB2932, HB2933, HB2986

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, water rights, groundwater, Willcox, active management area, certificate of grandfathered rights, Arizona legislature, aggregate mining, reclamation plans, environmental protection, public safety, land use, domestic water, improvement district, water delivery, water hauling

Transcript Highlights:

• Those would be Section 8 new construction and substantial rehabilitation.
• The bill would clarify that HOME's Section 8 new construction and Section 8 substantial rehabilitation
• This program funded the construction or renovation of apartments from the early 1970s to the mid-1980s
• There have been no new Section 8 new construction projects funded since 1983.
• When a housing authority undertook a Section 8 new construction project, It entered into a long-term

Bills: HB164, HB164, HB411, HB627, HB 1226, HB1677, HB1865, HB1997, HB2985, HB3462, HB4188, HB4685, HB4840, HB5370, HB5424, HB5466, HB5509, HB5660, HB5673

Keywords: HB 164, HB164, Texas Flood Recovery, Reimbursement, and Reconstruction Program, Texas Division of Emergency Management, TDEM, Hill Country floods, July 2025 floods, flood recovery, disaster relief, flood reimbursement, reconstruction grants, resiliency standards, floodplain, base flood elevation, FEMA, Federal Emergency Management Agency, insurance denial, property damage, tenant assistance, rental property

Transcript Highlights:

• I think, and ELM thinks, that this is all the more reason for us to construct offshore wind now because
• Without all of the federal permits, projects planned for New England waters cannot begin construction
• Vineyard Wind and Revolution Wind are currently under construction.
• And as we get into construction, as we have with the first of our projects...
• We only have one of these projects under construction this year.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on the impact of the Trump administration’s federal climate policy changes on Massachusetts, with a focus on threatened grants, regulatory rollbacks, and state options to continue climate work. Chair Creem and other senators emphasized that Massachusetts still has a 2050 net-zero mandate and needs contingency plans for clean energy, transportation electrification, offshore wind, resilience, and financing if federal support is reduced or withdrawn. Executive branch witnesses said Massachusetts has already experienced disruptions to more than $1 billion in climate-related federal funds, though many suspended grants were restored after litigation by the Attorney General’s office. EEA reported continued uncertainty around a $389 million Grid Innovation Program award and a FEMA dam-safety reimbursement, while MassDOT said its NEVI fast-charging program remains on track with about $50 million obligated, but a $14.4 million competitive charging grant is on hold and future unobligated NEVI funds remain uncertain. Senators also discussed EV rebates, charging infrastructure, the role of the Community Climate Bank, and whether the state can expand independent financing and support for municipalities, higher education, and nonprofits. The Attorney General’s office described successful multi-state litigation that won a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the federal funding freeze, restoring access to many EPA, DOE, USDA, and Interior funds, while noting continued enforcement actions over FEMA manual reviews and other barriers. The office said it is also preparing to defend the endangerment finding, California vehicle-emissions waivers, offshore wind permits, and other federal climate protections. Outside advocates warned that federal tax-credit rollbacks, tariffs, and possible repeal of IRA and infrastructure funding could slow EV adoption and raise costs, while offshore wind testimony said federal permitting pauses and legal challenges are delaying projects and could leave Massachusetts far short of its 2030 offshore wind goals. Nonprofit witnesses also described canceled or delayed grants for wetland restoration and urban heat mitigation, and urged the Legislature to increase state funding, including for the environmental bond bill and municipal vulnerability preparedness work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Scott Governor, on behalf of the Construction Employers Association, in opposition. Thank you.
• Scott Governor, on behalf of the Construction Employers Association, in opposition. Thank you.
• Scott Governor Babb of the Construction Employers Association in opposition. Thank you.
• Scott Governor Babb of the Construction Employers Association in opposition. Thank you.
• Under current law, property tax relief during exemption review is limited to projects under construction

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• economic growth benefiting the GRT, particularly in the oil and natural gas industries as well as construction
• Most of the construction spending in the U.S. is also happening on the AI side. something like 1% of
• Construction is one of the bright spots in New Mexico.
• Our analysis from December was that maybe about 57% of that construction activity could be attributed
• If it's helpful, maybe 12% of that activity we think is or we know is Residential construction growth

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• pretty substantial increase since 2015 in the number of accessory dwelling units that are being constructed
• People that are in the construction industry are really focusing on this business now. That's new.
• This regulates off-site construction for things that are for sale in Washington.
• So just with the cost of living today, with tariffs hurting home construction, with health care costs
• Again, universal design is something we do not have in this state as a requirement for construction,

Summary: The committee met for work sessions on land banking/shared homeownership and on maximizing existing housing stock. Members first heard an overview from Commerce on alternative homeownership models, including community land trusts, limited equity cooperatives, condominiums, accessory dwelling units, middle housing, church land for housing, and public land transfers. The discussion focused on how these models can help households build equity while keeping housing permanently affordable. Committee members asked about statewide counts of co-ops and land trusts, and Commerce said it does not track all of those entities directly. Pierce County staff then described the Pierce County Community Development Corporation’s rapid acquisition fund and its role in acquiring, holding, and transferring public land for affordable housing. They said the county used general fund and affordable housing sales tax dollars to buy properties, preserve a manufactured home park through resident ownership, and create a pipeline of sites for future development. Members asked about the advantages of a public development authority, funding sources, the use of surplus and underutilized public property, and how the model works with housing authorities. Spokane land bank staff followed with testimony that land banks can reduce blight, preserve affordability, and help nonprofits acquire land quickly, but that holding costs and taxes can make the work harder without state support. They also described brownfield assessments, donated properties, and work on Black homeownership and public surplus properties. The committee then heard from the Northwest Cooperative Development Center on limited equity cooperatives, especially in manufactured housing communities. The witness said Washington now has about 43 limited equity co-ops and that recent subsidy funding and legislation have accelerated resident purchases of manufactured home communities. Members asked how residents benefit from capped equity, how values are affected, and whether the model improves access to lending; the witness said the model stabilizes costs, allows modest equity gains, and that a recent law allowing manufactured homes in co-ops to be titled as real property should improve access to traditional financing. The committee also discussed House Bill 1974 from the prior session and possible updates to land banking legislation. In the second work session on maximizing existing housing stock, Commerce reviewed recent housing laws and implementation timelines, including ADUs, middle housing, condo liability reform, SEPA changes, tiny homes, and co-living. Members raised concerns about the long implementation horizon, vacancy data, corporate ownership of homes, and the need for better support for small landlords and first-time ADU owners. Sightline then testified on mobile dwelling units, arguing that RVs, tiny houses on wheels, and similar units are a low-cost, quick-to-install housing option that is often blocked by zoning; the witness said many Washington residents already live in these units, often informally. Finally, AARP discussed housing options for older adults, including ADUs, missing middle, manufactured home communities, co-living, universal design, and village-style support models, emphasizing aging in place and the need for more accessible, affordable housing choices.

Transcript Highlights:

• In talking about construction, a lot of our roads have entrances and exits with GPS.
• And when we do construction, we set up traffic control to divert traffic.
• These are our active construction projects that are currently going on in District 2.
• These projects are... either in construction or about to be bid or let.
• If we wanted to go to construction in the next month, we could.

Transcript Highlights:

• Construction apprenticeship program: 2,500. That's great!
• construction.
• Yeah, in general, lots of construction. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Secretary. So I'll take that back.
• So especially for construction and those sorts of jobs, hopefully with the trade port piece, you get
• Nobody else has that kind of construction capacity around the world.

Transcript Highlights:

• would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to gain experience in the areas of project management in the construction
• Truck of the construction company three doors down, if it's in the auto mechanic shop, but they can't
• can work in an auto mechanic shop, a welding and manufacturing shop, under the same roof, As a construction
• shop, why can't they do construction in an office building?
• Yeah, 'we don't do construction.' That's an unacceptable answer.

Transcript Highlights:

• Commonwealth Office of Technology report, and postsecondary institutions managing their own capital construction
• 01:47.920> their<00:01:48.159> own<00:01:48.320> capital<00:01:48.640> construction
• managing their own capital construction managing their own capital construction under<00:01:49.439
• But that date is subject to the completion and relocation to the new facility currently under construction
• under construction. under construction.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the February minutes and noted there had been no March meeting. Staff then provided a series of information items, including quarterly capital project status reports from state agencies and postsecondary institutions, a University of Kentucky equipment purchase report, notice that the committee took no action on certain March transactions, school district debt notices for Fayette and Jessamine counties, lease-space advertisements due to building conditions, a Kentucky Asset/Liability Commission report, and asset preservation project reports from KCTCS and Eastern Kentucky University. The committee then heard and unanimously approved Murray State University’s request for interim authorization to use institutional revenues for a $1.5 million roof replacement at the Curs Center student center. University of Kentucky also received unanimous approval for a $115 million public-private partnership project to expand Parking Structure 7 and the Johnson Center recreation space; testimony emphasized the loss of parking from hospital expansion, increased student enrollment, a planned $21 per semester recreation fee increase, and the goal of improving student retention and campus capacity. Next, the committee received a report on a Kentucky State Police Post 11 renovation in London funded at $1.138 million, with members asking how long the repairs would extend the building’s useful life; KSP said the work was a long-term investment and replacement was still many years away. The committee also approved multiple real property lease actions, including a new CHFS lease in Scott County, several lease renewals for the Commonwealth’s Attorney, CHFS, Transportation Cabinet, and a Secretary of State relocation lease tied to a capital renovation project. Members questioned one Jefferson County lease rate and the witness said it had been in place since 2007. Finally, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented three water loan items, which were rolled and then approved: an $841,383 East Clark County Water District loan for waterline upgrades, a roughly $6.13 million Oldham County Water District loan for US 42 improvements, and a $619,180 increase for Canonsburg Water District’s Schopes Road project due to higher-than-expected bids. The committee then approved eight K-12 school facility issuances, including projects in Clinton, Franklin, Fulton, Lincoln, McLean, Paris, Somerset, and Spencer counties, covering early childhood, new school construction, HVAC, energy conservation, and renovations. The meeting ended with notice of the next meeting date and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So as of today, we have constructed... And they approved it.
• So as of today, we have constructed 14 workforce housing units in the city of Pensacola, because these
• In Manhattan alone in the '60s and '70s, the majority of housing that was constructed was done under
• At the same time, the cost of constructing one apartment unit since that 1995 date has quadrupled.
• Housing units that were constructed in the '90s, who are no Longer under restrictions are coming off,

Summary: The committee met to hear a panel on workforce and attainable housing, with presentations from Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, Wendover Housing Partners, the City of Tallahassee, and Escambia County. Speakers described how state and local tools such as SHIP, the Live Local Act, land trusts, accessory dwelling units, infill development, and public-private partnerships are being used to expand housing supply and preserve long-term affordability. Several panelists emphasized that housing demand is rising across income levels, that workforce households often need subsidy to buy or rent, and that housing location, transportation access, and proximity to jobs and services are critical. They also highlighted challenges including rising construction costs, limited land, insurance, NIMBY opposition, and the need for more flexible financing tools and employer participation. Members asked about area median income thresholds, whether current programs are reaching the households most in need, and what additional tools might help. Florida Housing said its traditional rental programs generally serve households at or below 60% AMI, while need is increasingly reaching up to 80% AMI statewide and higher in some regions; staff also provided examples of AMI levels by county. Other discussion focused on the impact of local government opt-outs, tax abatements, corporate ownership of single-family homes, insurance costs, Fortified construction standards, and whether bonuses or other income calculations can unintentionally disqualify applicants. Panelists urged more political will, more local flexibility, and additional incentives for employers and landowners to support housing near jobs. The committee also used an anonymous interactive polling exercise, and members identified partnerships, SHIP funding, local government action, cost, and insurance as key issues. In closing, the chair said the committee would continue a member-driven process and likely hold a workshop on housing-related topics. No formal votes or bills were taken up in the meeting, and the session adjourned after the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The current statute states the council may appoint, which only reflects the construct where the Council
• As you see in the bill, the proposed language change reflects both constructs of advisory and supervisory
• And I think it's important to understand that the existing construct is very outdated.
• important that people understand that adding the language here just reflects the fact that both constructs
• Because right now, the way the statute reads, it's only saying one construct exists.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Aging and Independence held a hearing on several bills, led by Chair Tom Stanley and Senate Chair Patricia Jehlen. The committee first heard testimony on H. 765/S. 487, an act relative to councils on aging, which would update outdated statutory language and allow directors of councils on aging to make staffing decisions when a council is structured as an advisory body. Representative Donahue and Betsy Connell of the Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging said the change reflects how most councils now operate and would resolve conflicts like the one that arose in Sherborn. Members asked about whether the bill would affect town managers, volunteer roles, and whether the language should more clearly exempt informal volunteer help; supporters said the bill is aimed at municipal staffing structures, not unpaid volunteer assistance. The committee then took extensive testimony on H. 789/S. 470, an act to improve Massachusetts home care, which would create a statewide licensure system for non-medical home care agencies and entities. Julie Watt, Jay Krillovich, Betsy Krimmins, Lisa Gargoni, Tim Foley, and several providers and advocates supported the bill, arguing that licensure would establish baseline standards for background checks, training, service plans, insurance, complaint procedures, and labor-law compliance, while helping consumers identify legitimate providers and reducing fraud and abuse. Several witnesses described problems with unlicensed or poorly supervised providers, and family members and dementia advocates emphasized the need for dementia-specific training and better oversight for vulnerable clients. Tim Foley also raised concerns about private equity’s growing role in home care and said stronger regulation is needed to protect consumers and workers. Committee members focused on practical questions about the bill’s scope, including whether it would reach informal paid helpers, volunteers, or people doing occasional household tasks, and what agency would enforce the rules. Supporters said the bill is intended to cover entities advertising home care services, not unpaid volunteer help, though they acknowledged regulators would need to work out details. John Sneeth of Tribute Home Care offered a more cautious view, saying licensure should not unduly burden smaller providers or reduce competition, and that enforcement would be key. The hearing also included testimony from the Alzheimer’s Association and family caregivers, who strongly supported the bill’s dementia-training provisions and described how trained caregivers improved safety and quality of life for people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. At the end of the hearing, the committee also heard support for H. 778/S. 473, regarding the Commission on LGBTQ Aging, with Lisa Krinsky urging funding for a full-time director and continued support for the commission’s strategic plan. After public testimony concluded, the committee adjourned the hearing by motion and voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's still a pretty significant construction project.
• systems I just described, as you get larger, tend to have more complexity and tend to have more construction
• So they are starting to receive the construction permit.
• And So they are starting to build, receive the construction permit.
• You bring it back to the construction or to the factory where it was built, and, to John's point, think

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Residential construction, as I said on this floor time and time again, in Housing Committee meetings
• RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION AS I SAID ON THIS FLOOR TIME AND TIME AGAIN, IN HOUSING COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND
• are collecting and reporting basic information about housing stock and housing plans, housing construction
• You could reduce costs of construction materials Here in the State of New York.
• There is new construction going on. They are aware of it.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Major Brittany Wooten, then took up Senate Resolution No. 1749 designating March 19, 2026, as West Point Day in New York State. Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Senator Skoufis, Minority Leader Ortt, and several other senators spoke in support of West Point, its cadets, and the academy’s history and role in national service. Colonel Daniel R. Stuewe, commander of U.S. Army Garrison West Point, also addressed the chamber, emphasizing the long-standing partnership between West Point and New York and the academy’s mission to develop leaders of character. The resolution was adopted, and the West Point Day observance included recognition of cadets and academy staff. The Senate then moved through a calendar of bills, passing measures including amendments to the Public Health Law, Election Law, Executive Law, Penal Law, Elder Law, Real Property Tax Law, General Municipal Law, and Public Authorities Law. Several bills drew brief explanations of vote or debate. Senator Mayer spoke in support of a bill establishing Fred Korematsu Day, framing it as a reminder of the injustice of Japanese American internment and the need to defend civil rights. Senator Ryan supported a bill streamlining the senior citizen property tax exemption process, calling it a way to reduce burdens on older residents. Senator Helming opposed a local government planning mandate as an unfunded mandate, while Senators Walczyk and Martins criticized a housing-related reporting bill as burdensome and ineffective. The most debated item was Calendar 457, a housing-data and reporting bill sponsored by Senator May. Supporters argued it would improve transparency and help the state understand zoning and housing capacity, while opponents said it imposed new reporting burdens on municipalities and could penalize poorer communities by threatening CDBG funding. After debate, the bill was restored to the non-controversial calendar and ultimately passed by a vote of 37-23. The Senate then adjourned until the next legislative day.