Transcript Highlights:

• </c> 2-year road plan. 2-year road plan.
• </c> the roads that we had money for. the roads that we had money for.
• </c> the 2-year road plan. the 2-year road plan.
• </c> Assistance Road Plan. Assistance Road Plan.
• :40.440><c> roads.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to have safer vehicles on our roads, we need safer speeds, and we need safer roads.
• Of the state's roads, with its 2024 annual road condition survey noting the lowest ratings in recent
• of a road project and fewer crashes.
• have on that road.
• We need to get some of these roads done, and we're going to have to focus on state roads and how we fix

Transcript Highlights:

• Our public roads have become Tesla's test track.
• to recognize basic signage on the roads and basic road rules.
• I spend a majority of my time and waking hours on the road.
• Safety on our public roads must always be the top priority.
• We have mountain passes, winding roads, steep grades.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held an informational hearing on autonomous vehicle technology in California, with testimony from industry, safety advocates, first responders, drivers, and state regulators. The chair framed the hearing as an overview of AV deployment, safety, first responder interactions, and current and future regulation. Witnesses from the AV industry argued that autonomous vehicles can reduce crashes and injuries, create jobs, and support California’s leadership in innovation, while critics and crash survivors described serious safety failures, including phantom braking, inadequate transparency, and crashes involving Tesla’s Autopilot/Full Self-Driving systems. Several witnesses urged stronger disclosure, data preservation, independent safety validation, and clearer accountability for companies deploying these systems. First responder and labor witnesses described operational problems in San Francisco and elsewhere, saying AVs have blocked fire engines, ambulances, and police responses, shut down in emergency scenes, and caused major delays during outages. They asked for faster and more reliable remote support, a public safety manual override, clearer enforcement authority, and limits on deployment in complex conditions. A police chief representative said law enforcement supports innovation but needs standardized protocols, training, and clear statutory authority. A Teamsters representative criticized proposed DMV rules for heavy-duty autonomous trucks, arguing they rely too heavily on manufacturer self-certification and do not impose enough independent safety review or geographic limits. State regulators from the DMV and CPUC defended California’s existing AV framework, saying the state has regulated AVs since 2014 and now has an end-to-end system with permits, reporting requirements, enforcement tools, and first responder coordination. DMV officials said the new rulemaking would add more reporting, address heavy-duty AVs, and require compliance with emergency geofence messages and law enforcement direction. CPUC testimony emphasized that its role is limited to passenger service and ride-hail operations. Committee members asked about crash data, remote operations, liability, response times, and whether California should adopt more uniform standards and stronger guardrails. No votes or formal actions were taken, as the hearing was informational.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> uh, the county for road uh, the county for road for<00:32:01.760><c> road</c><00:32:01.920><c> projects
• County Line Road in Delano in 2029. County Line Road in Delano in 2029.
• project roads.
• </c> toured many road project roads. toured many road project roads.
• </c> mile stretch of road. mile stretch of road.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And in roads, which makes no sense.
• Um if a local community who roads.
• </c> standard for all roads in the states? standard for all roads in the states?
• What are roads and who are roads for, Senator Jazinski?
• What are roads and who are roads for, Senator Jazinski?

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I talked to the engineers, and this... ...Roads.
• Jeff Pitz is the owner, and he lives five miles down the road from my house.
• The damage to the road will occur because of bad apples that try to haul over 88,000.
• I can't find any data on how much damage was done to the roads or anything.
• Now, on both sides of the lake, there's simply a dead-end road that goes to nowhere.

Bills: SB110 , SB64 , SB42

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

Keywords: weight limits, trucking regulations, transportation, enforcement authority, portable scales, SB64, Alabama, state waters, public waters, aquatic plants, aquatic vegetation, lake management, waterway maintenance, environmental regulation, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DCNR, commercial contractors, vegetation removal, mowing aquatic plants, uprooting plants

Transcript Highlights:

• So, construction equipment, many generators, agriculture equipment, all are off-road vehicles, off-road
• anyway, off-road use is allowed.
• It is off-road. It is dyed.
• diesel, which isn't taxed like on-road diesel, is only used for off-road purposes.
• diesel, which isn't taxed like on-road diesel, is only used for off-road purposes.

Committee: House Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and took up House Bill 2280, a bill to address abandoned railroad rights-of-way in Missouri by assigning the state land surveyor the duty of surveying them over a 20-year period. Supporters said the bill would help clarify boundaries and ownership where old rail corridors have been abandoned and physical evidence of the centerline has disappeared. Members discussed the bill’s fiscal note and the possibility of shifting survey costs to railroads in the future. The committee voted 21-0 to do pass HB 2280. In public hearing, Representative Farnan presented House Bill 3014, a conveyance bill authorizing the sale of about 59 acres owned by Northwest Missouri State University to Nottoway County Economic Development for a fairground, expo center, and campsites. Members asked about the acreage and whether the bill directed a specific buyer, and the sponsor said the county group was the intended purchaser if it secures funding. No witnesses testified, and the hearing closed without action. The committee then heard House Bill 3392 from Representative Haley, which would remove the requirement that retailers and distributors keep Form 149 exemption certificates on file for dyed diesel sales at retail pumps. Haley and supporting witnesses from Geyer Oil, the Missouri Petroleum and Convenience Association, Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Farm Bureau, and Missouri Corn Growers said the current paperwork requirement is burdensome, especially for unmanned or rural stations, and had led to a large audit assessment against one company. Department of Revenue staff explained that the current law requires the form, that refunds are available through DOR if a retailer does not accept it, and that they were reviewing proposed amendment language to avoid unintended consequences. No vote was taken on HB 3392, and the committee adjourned after the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, construction equipment, many generators, agriculture equipment, all are off-road vehicles, off-road
• It is off road. It is dyed.
• If you do use dyed diesel in a road vehicle, you are subject to If you do use dyed diesel in a road vehicle
• Because dyed diesel is primarily for off-road and agricultural purposes only, the state road tax, as
• diesel, which is taxed like on-road diesel, is only used for off-road purposes.

Committee: House Agriculture

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is time that we study this road and improve this road to the point that it should be to get to the
• We do know our road.
• I mean, what do you want us to build a road, right? You want us to expand this road? Absolutely.
• so we can maintain roads.
• Why would we want to have people be on that road and just probably veer off the road and crash?

Bills: SB1063 , SB1118 , SB1153 , SB1154 , SB1209 , SCM1001

Committee: Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Keywords: appropriation, transportation, safety improvements, Route 70, infrastructure, housing, zoning, middle housing, urban development, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, historic preservation, Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park, special license plate, special plate, license plate, vanity plate

Transcript Highlights:

• users on our Washington roads.
• That's not considered a facility for vulnerable road use.
• Road users are deemed to be vulnerable in many cases.
• You kill somebody on the road? You're a dangerous driver.
• I hope that this will make our roads safer for the elderly, weak, and vulnerable people. road safer for

Bills: HB2095

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary

Keywords: public safety, vulnerable users, pedestrians, protected classes, transportation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> road as well. road as well.
• Road safety is a shared share the road.
• </c> all be on the roads. all be on the roads.
• Is it rural roads? Is it city roads? Is it highways?
• Is it rural roads? Is it Is happening. Is it rural roads?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Senator Judy Seeberger and traffic safety officials held a press conference focused on a deadly Minnesota motorcycle season and urged both drivers and riders to take greater care. Seeberger described several near-misses and a preventable crash at an intersection near her home, and asked motorists to put phones down, avoid impaired driving, and look twice or three times at stop signs, lane changes, and intersections. Mike Hanson, director of the Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety, said 37 motorcyclists had been killed so far this year, compared with 24 at the same time last year, and warned the state could approach 90 motorcycle fatalities if current trends continue. He said about half of motorcycle deaths are single-vehicle run-off-the-road crashes, often tied to speed, inattention, or skill level, while the other half involve a motorcycle and another vehicle; he also noted passenger fatalities are higher than usual and that riders over 60 are now being killed more often than younger riders. Hanson and others emphasized education, training, visibility, helmets, high-visibility gear, and sober driving. He said the state’s motorcycle safety training program is expanding with 11 additional basic rider courses, which should train about 121 more riders, and that safety materials are available to clubs and community groups. He also highlighted the new lane filtering and splitting law, saying it is limited to 25 mph or less and must be done within a rider’s skill level; he said he has seen it done both safely and unsafely and urged riders to follow the law and not be “knuckleheads.” Representatives from the Saint Croix Valley Riders and the Litas St. Croix Valley also spoke. Don Morley said his group promotes safety and awareness, reimburses members for rider training, and supports the new lane filtering/splitting law while stressing that riders and motorists must share the road. Heather Sevlin and other speakers tied the safety message to the death of Dana Milan, saying her crash was preventable and calling for justice and accountability in the impaired-driving case involving Robert Rodriguez, who they said was on a second DUI offense. In response to questions, Seeberger said she would support stricter penalties for repeat impaired or reckless drivers but would not support mandatory helmet legislation. Hanson said the legislature should continue to rely on rider experts and training advocates when considering motorcycle safety policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our public roads have become Tesla's test track.
• to recognize basic signage on the roads and basic road rules.
• I spend a majority of my time and waking hours on the road.
• I spend a majority of my time and waking hours on the road.
• We have mountain passes, winding roads, steep grades.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held an informational hearing on autonomous vehicle technology in California, focusing on safety, regulation, first responder impacts, and the state’s evolving oversight framework. The chair said the committee would hear all panels before public comment, with witnesses limited to five minutes and public commenters to one minute. The first panel featured an industry representative, a safety academic, and victims/advocates who described sharply different views of AV safety and accountability. Ariel Wolf of the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association argued that fully autonomous vehicles are distinct from driver-assist systems, said AVs are already reducing crashes and fatalities, and urged clear, uniform standards. Dr. Missy Cummings countered that remote operations and computer-vision failures show the technology still depends on human intervention and can be unsafe, especially when remote assistance is done from abroad. Robert O’Dowd and Dylan Angulo, both tied to Tesla crash cases, described fatal and serious injuries involving Autopilot/Full Self-Driving, criticized limited transparency and data access, and called for stronger disclosure, preservation of crash data, and mandatory fixes or disabling of defective software. Committee members questioned witnesses about data comparing AVs to human drivers, the role of remote operators, liability, and whether California should create clearer standards for the human element behind AV systems. Several members and witnesses discussed the need for “guardrails,” black-box-style data access, and accountability for the remaining crash risk. The hearing then shifted to first responders and road users: a San Francisco Fire Department representative described AVs blocking fire scenes, ambulances, and apparatus access during emergencies and urged a public safety manual override; a San Jose police representative said officers need clear enforcement authority, training, and reliable ways to stop or redirect AVs; a rideshare driver described near-collisions and congestion caused by robo-taxis; and a Teamsters representative opposed proposed heavy-duty AV truck rules as too reliant on manufacturer self-certification and lacking independent validation. In the final panel, DMV and CPUC officials defended California’s regulatory structure. DMV said it has regulated AVs since 2014, has issued multiple rulemakings and permit types, and is developing a fourth package that would add reporting, enforcement tools, emergency-response requirements, and rules for heavy-duty AVs. DMV said it has revoked or suspended permits when needed, including Cruise and Pony.ai actions. CPUC said its authority covers passenger service only, requires safety plans and ongoing reporting, and continues oversight after permits are issued. No votes or formal actions were taken, as the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you share what the state of the roads in Minnesota and that impact that it has on road safety for
• people traveling on roads?
• ><c> alone</c> the our road conditions just roads alone the our road conditions just roads alone and<
• We want to build roads. We don't want to go without roads in our state.
• </c><00:19:57.799><c> roads</c><00:19:58.000><c> in</c><00:19:58.120><c> our</c> to go without roads

Bills: HF5

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: tax modification, transportation funding, electric vehicle tax, Social Security subtraction, retail delivery fee, motor vehicle registration, state budget, transportation policy, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But I'm telling you, the roads, Mr.
• roads that have no shoulders roads that have the wrong old outdated paving and then when the snow hits
• If you do not have proper roads, you do not have adequate roads, this state fails.
• So the road is both historic throughout, but in some cases primitive, or it's unpaved and a rock road
• Forest Road is not a state road, obviously, so that's where the difference would be.

Bills: SB1059 , SB1209 , SB1273 , SB1332 , SB1452 , SB1456 , SB1549 , SB1552 , SB1818 , SB1826 , SB1827

Committee: House Transportation & Infrastructure

Keywords: appropriation, Department of Transportation, right turn lane, traffic improvement, infrastructure funding, nonoperating identification, homeless exemption, veterans, emancipated minors, Arizona Department of Transportation, transportation, infrastructure, pavement rehabilitation, funding, Arizona, SB1332, light rail, light rail expansion, Maricopa County, Phoenix

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, our transportation network is not just roads.
• Of course, our transportation network is not just roads.
• At the end of every snow season, the roads are in terrible shape.
• DCR views its roads as linear part DCR views its roads as linear parks, so they have a lot of specific
• and bridge money going to communities based on road miles.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets

Summary: The Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets held a public hearing on H. 5279, a transportation bond bill financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. MassDOT and A&F testified in support, describing the bill as a major transportation investment package centered on a $300 million annual Chapter 90 local aid program, with $200 million distributed by the traditional formula and $100 million by lane miles to better support rural communities. They also outlined funding for MBTA rail reliability and modernization, transportation projects that support housing production, a new DCR parkway resilience and safety program, and reauthorizations of existing highway and municipal grant programs such as the Municipal Pavement Program and Shared Streets and Spaces. Witnesses said the bill would help address aging infrastructure, improve safety and resilience, support housing development, and leverage Fair Share surtax revenue through the Commonwealth Transportation Fund. They explained that some authorizations are structured to allow the state to issue special obligation bonds, and clarified that the bill authorizes the full spending amount for federally aided projects even though the state only borrows the 20 percent match, with the federal government reimbursing the rest. Committee members asked about bridge repair needs, the size of the backlog, how housing-related transportation funds would be allocated, MBTA vehicle procurement, and whether rural communities would have fair access to the new funding streams. Several members praised the administration’s financing approach but urged future Chapter 90 increases to keep pace with inflation and requested more attention to rural municipal capacity and bridge safety needs. The Massachusetts Municipal Association also testified in strong support, emphasizing that Chapter 90 is the most important tool for cities and towns to maintain local roads and bridges and urging prompt passage before construction season. No votes were taken; after testimony concluded, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• and in the local government road fund for...
• and in the local government road fund for... ...agency balances in the state road fund and in the local
• Well, so there's a piece for the local government road fund and also a piece for the state road fund.
• for our roads, you know, for different projects.
• That electric vehicle owners are paying into a road fund.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The committee met with quorum and took up only HB 3, the Department of Transportation Appropriation Act of 2026 for FY27. The bill was presented as an amended budget that would increase NMDOT’s operating budget by about $132.6 million, or 10.2%, using available cash balances, additional projected revenue, and contingent revenue tied to Senate Bill 2, the highway bond bill. Staff walked through the amendment section by section, explaining changes to project design and construction, highway operations, program support, modal programs, federal and interagency transfer lines, corrected performance-measure language, and added budget adjustment authority for the current and next fiscal years. Several members raised concerns about the late circulation of a revised amendment and the appearance of multiple bill versions, arguing the committee had not had enough time to review the changes and that the process may have violated the 24-hour rule. Others asked for clarification on how the budget distinguished between rehabilitation and maintenance, and DOT staff explained that major rehabilitation is generally tied to STIP projects while maintenance is handled through district-level plans and contracts. Members also discussed the use of cash balances for non-recurring spending, the impact of electric vehicles on road revenue, and the need for more maintenance, litter cleanup, fencing, and beautification funding. DOT and executive representatives noted the amendment includes a significant maintenance increase and said additional non-recurring funding could also come through House Bill 2 and the capital bill. The committee first rejected a substitute motion to delay action, then adopted the amendment and later voted due pass on HB 3 as amended. Public comment was opened, but no one spoke in support or opposition. After passage, members explained their votes, with some supporting the bill as a needed transportation investment and others objecting to the process and the compressed review timeline.

Transcript Highlights:

• People speed on all types of roads.
• users who are using the roads.
• where you are sharing the road with other road users.
• You can do things like putting in median islands that narrow the road or having parking on a road that
• narrows the road.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met on October 16, 2025, for a budget and revenue overview, a traffic safety presentation, and a discussion of potential transit and active transportation grant programs. Committee staff reviewed the adopted 2025-27 transportation budget, noting $15.5 billion in expenditures, the large share for WSDOT, and the mix of revenue sources including fuel tax, vehicle-related fees, federal funds, Climate Commitment Act revenue, and new 2025 revenues from SB 5801 and SB 5802. Staff said the 2025 session produced a balanced four-year plan, preserved major project schedules, maintained highway preservation funding, and added money for culverts, local preservation, and other priorities. They also described a September forecast showing lower motor fuel consumption than previously expected, but still enough revenue growth to keep the transportation plan balanced. For the 2026 supplemental, staff said agency requests were relatively modest overall, with most capital requests reflecting reappropriations and timing shifts rather than new projects, while WSDOT’s addendum identified much larger future needs for maintenance, preservation, paving, culverts, and safety work. Senators asked for more detail on how revenues are distributed by fund type and geography, how much of the maintenance and preservation request is actual maintenance versus equipment, whether paving needs could be supported through bonding, and how electric vehicle sales trends might affect forecasts. The committee then heard a remote presentation from Dr. Jessica Chikino of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety on traffic safety trends and countermeasures. She said U.S. traffic fatalities have risen sharply over the past decade, with especially large increases for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists, and argued that the U.S. lags other high-income countries in roadway safety. Her presentation highlighted IIHS’s “30 by 30” goal to reduce fatalities 30% by 2030 through safer speeds, stronger impaired-driving countermeasures, better pedestrian protection, and safer commercial vehicles. She discussed research linking higher speed limits to higher fatality risk, the benefits of lower urban speed limits, speed safety cameras, traffic calming, lighting, pedestrian beacons, and safer intersection design. She also described ongoing work with Bellevue on smart signal technology and pedestrian safety pilots. Committee members thanked her for the presentation and said they would share the materials with others. In the final work session, the committee revisited transit and active transportation grant concepts that had been included in the Senate budget proposal but did not advance in 2025. Barb Chamberlain of WSDOT’s Active Transportation Division explained how grant programs need runway, staff capacity, applicant readiness, and clear criteria, and compared program design to getting a plane off the ground. She discussed the proposed Senior Transportation Emphasis Program and regional trails/cycle highways concepts, noting that some projects could be structured as funding-first programs while others would work better as project-line or project-first models. She said regional trail projects are already eligible under existing programs but often score lower because current criteria emphasize safety and population served. Justin Leighton of the Washington State Transit Association then reviewed transit grant programs and argued that transit safety and security needs remain underfunded, including operator barriers, lighting, shelters, behavioral health coordination, and non-uniformed security staff. He said many transit capital programs are oversubscribed, that operator barrier retrofits alone could cost $20 million to $30 million, and that agencies face uncertainty about how recent sales tax changes apply to security-related contracts. No votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Essentially, the road has to be 20 feet curb to curb.
• </c><01:07:28.200><c> Frontage</c> sides front um or Road Frontage sides front um or Road Frontage requirements
• road to another<01:22:26.040><c> main</c><01:22:26.280><c> road</c><01:22:26.520><c> so</c><01:22:26.639
• </c><01:23:09.360><c> to</c> end up uh trying to get their roads to end up uh trying to get their roads
• </c><01:23:25.800><c> and</c> dwelling unit are near public roads and dwelling unit are near public roads

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Alvarez: IT'S ON HIGH TRAFFIC PUBLIC ROAD AND NEW ROAD CONSTRUCTIONS AND IT IS ADDED ALSO TO BE ABLE
• STATE ROAD 192.
• THESE ARE ROADS THAT ARE AREAS OF ROAD THAT ARE PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS FOR PEDESTRIANS.
• AND CITY ROADS.
• ESPECIALLY WITH YOUNG KIDS AT NIGHT CROSSING THE ROAD WHEREVER THEY'RE GOING TO CROSS THE ROAD.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would be specific to state roads or highways or roads or state highways.
• </c> or roads or state highways. or roads or state highways.
• </c> lanes on one of those state-run roads. lanes on one of those state-run roads.
• </c> of their county roads that are gravel. of their county roads that are gravel.
• </c> this on more than 20% of those roads? this on more than 20% of those roads?

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 958, all