Transcript Highlights:

• A company or a construction site or something like that?
• TxDOT oversees a massive construction program.
• more than $60 billion in active construction statewide.
• We also represent the thousands of road construction workers who risk their lives to construct and maintain
• in those construction zones.

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• With the boom of highway construction work across the state, TxDOT and construction companies have an
• There's no road construction.
• are these construction jobs.
• This is taxpayer-funded.
• The county will not fund any more.

Bills: HB1455 , HB1777 , HB2101 , HB2136 , HB2609 , HB3142 , HB3552 , HB3846 , HB4155 , HB4514 , HB4879 , HB4995 , HB5014 , HB5139 , HB5228 , HB5436 , HCR40

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: mental health, jail diversion, law enforcement, reporting requirements, criminal justice, data collection, criminal justice reform, intellectual disability, mental illness, data reporting, public safety, reporting, substance abuse, sex offender, driver's license, identification, gunshot detection, unreported gunshots, municipal police, crime investigation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public safety, criminal justice, and regulatory bills. HB 4995 would create a training and certification program allowing licensed physicians and certain EMS personnel assigned to tactical units to carry firearms during high-risk deployments, with supporters saying it would let tactical medical staff protect themselves while providing immediate care; the bill was left pending. HB 2609 would repeal the failure-to-appear-or-pay/OmniBase license-hold program, with the author and advocates arguing it creates compounding debt and unnecessary barriers to driving, while judges and municipal court representatives said the program is a voluntary, cost-effective tool that improves court appearances and reduces warrants; the bill was also left pending. HB 4879 would create a grant program to help local law enforcement pay for lab testing of suspected hemp/Delta-9 THC substances, and HB 5436 would let licensed auto recyclers buy certain untitled vehicles for scrap or parts to curb illegal sales, VIN cloning, and chop shops; both measures were left pending after brief testimony in support. The committee also heard HB 1777, which would require a discrete designation on driver’s licenses and state IDs for people required to register as sex offenders. The author and supporters argued the marker would help law enforcement and businesses quickly identify potentially dangerous offenders and prevent harm, while opponents called it a stigmatizing “scarlet letter” that would increase harassment, family harm, and reintegration barriers. The bill was left pending. HB 4155 would create a two-year Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force in the Governor’s Office to study family violence homicides, gather stakeholders, and recommend policy changes; the author, HHSC, the Texas Council on Family Violence, and a survivor testified in support, and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4514, which would authorize DPS to use facial image verification, with consent and privacy safeguards, to help businesses confirm identities and combat fraud; supporters from the lumber and identity-verification industries said it would reduce theft and fraud, and the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 5139 would clarify that peace officers and jailers are justified in using less lethal force weapons when acting within training and official duties; law enforcement groups supported the measure as a way to encourage use of less lethal tools without fear of prosecution, and testimony was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• But sidewalk construction is generally done either by a But sidewalk construction is generally done either
• Sidewalks lack a dedicated funding source.
• capital needs for funding.
• out the new construction when you haven't actually captured those funds would at least make it so that
• that's actually from the general fund.

Committee: Joint Joint Transportation Committee

Summary: The committee first heard an update on the Joint Transportation Committee study of transportation impacts if the Lower Snake River dams were removed. WSDOT and Jacobs described the study’s phases, including current work on geology, infrastructure risk, and a total logistics cost model. They explained that the study is examining how freight now moved by barge—especially wheat, fertilizer, and wood—could shift to rail and roads, and they outlined several scenarios ranging from no-dam future conditions to new unit-train terminals, short-line rail options, and a combined “many solutions” scenario. Members asked about irrigation, impacts in Idaho and Oregon, port capacity, emissions, competition, EV trucks, and whether the model could estimate transportation effects if grain volumes decline. The presenters said the study assumes current production levels continue, does not model irrigation changes or broader farm-economics impacts, but does account for transloading costs and can estimate transportation impacts under different volume assumptions. WSU’s independent review team said the model has improved substantially but still needed refinement, especially in routing, road data, and spatial detail, and that stakeholder engagement had been strong though delayed by model development. No votes were taken. The committee then received a presentation on the alternative sidewalk funding study. Staff and consultants said the study is exploring ways local governments could sustainably fund sidewalk maintenance, repair, and new construction, using a statewide survey, interviews, national research, and case studies in eight jurisdictions. They noted sidewalks are important for pedestrian safety and connectivity, but there is no dedicated funding source in Washington, and existing grants and local revenue tools are highly competitive or limited. The consultants highlighted sidewalk fees or utility-style charges as the most promising option to study, while a parcel tax was largely set aside because of state property-tax uniformity concerns. Members asked whether the study would duplicate existing funding or add to current taxes, and how a sidewalk fee would be collected; the consultants said the goal is to expand local options, not mandate adoption, and that fees would likely be billed through utilities rather than property taxes. A preliminary draft report is due December 15, with a final report due in mid-June. Next, staff gave a brief update on the ocean-going vessels study, which is examining shore power and emissions rules for vessels at berth. The presenter explained that federal Clean Air Act rules and California waiver authority create legal limits on how far Washington can go if it wants to adopt similar standards, and that deviations from California’s approach can increase litigation risk. The report will summarize stakeholder outreach and will be presented in draft form at the next JTC meeting. Finally, county engineers from Chelan and Douglas counties began a presentation on county transportation challenges, with the association’s director emphasizing collaboration with state agencies and local partners on issues such as fish passage barriers and infrastructure needs. The county presentation was only beginning when the transcript ended, and no committee action or votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'll point to the Primary Care Capital Fund and the Child Care Facilities Revolving Fund.
• Primary Care Capital Fund, and our Child Care Facility Revolving Fund.
• The act creates two particular funds: the Opportunity Revolving Fund and the Housing Revolving Fund.
• as a result of the funding.
• other funds will come as a result of our funds.

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Would this fund cover that? Thank you.
• So, this fund is not an investment fund like we see held at SIC.
• It's simply a transfer from the general fund to the major capital projects fund for appropriation by
• So, the 300 million will leave the general fund, enter the major projects fund, and then be appropriated
• In our budget, there is funding, and other members, there is funding to support continued tuition support

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• And at the same time, our construction workforce is aging; experienced journeymen are retiring faster
• , Across public construction projects statewide, ensuring consistency and fairness.
• As Massachusetts grew and large public construction projects became more common, it became clear that
• We have this fund which can help. So that's what I'm seeking to do.
• As I said, the Preston Settles Memorial Fund that exists is already raising money for families across

Transcript Highlights:

• These funds are not coming from the public school fund.
• You all fully fund the public adequacy fund, the public school fund that goes to public schools that
• of additional funding to ensure that.
• Public schools get full foundation funding plus categoricals, plus federal funding.
• our public funds.

Committee: All ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)

Summary: The Arkansas Legislative Council meeting began with approval of the December 2025 minutes and a presentation from the Bureau of Legislative Research on the December revenue report. Dr. Carlos Silva said gross collections were about $4.02 billion, up slightly from the prior year, and net available for distribution was also above last year but down modestly from the previous month because of higher-than-expected corporate income tax refunds. Members asked about corporate tax trends, tariffs, and inflation, and Silva said it was too early to call the corporate decline a trend and that tariff effects would likely show up mainly in sales tax collections. The council then adopted several subcommittee reports, including the Executive Committee Subcommittee, Administrative Rules, Hospital/Medicaid/Developmental Disabilities, Occupational Licensing Review, PEER, Review, State Insurance Program Oversight, and Personnel. The PEER report drew the most debate because of a Department of Agriculture grant tied to Perry County and Central Arkansas Water; members discussed whether removing the Perry County portion would affect the grant’s competitiveness, and the report was ultimately adopted with the item included. The Review Subcommittee also heard questions about a BDO contract for the rural health transformation program, with DFA explaining that the contractor would manage the program while state agencies would make funding decisions consistent with the state’s application. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Education Freedom Account appropriation tied to LEARNS. Senators and representatives debated whether the program helps families or diverts money from public schools, with supporters arguing it funds students and choice and opponents arguing it is costly, vulnerable to fraud, and harms public school funding. Department of Education officials said roughly 28,000 private school students and 17,500 homeschool students were participating, that EFA students must submit standardized tests annually, and that the requested $32 million was to cover existing participants. After multiple substitute motions and extended debate, the body rejected a motion to strip out the $32 million and then adopted the report and related motions. The meeting ended after routine approvals of additional agency items and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment also makes the following modifications to the fund.
• fund terminates on July 1, 2028.
• a separate accounting of which funds are which.
• be available through the trust fund?
• be available from that trust fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:53:44.559><c> Trades</c><00:53:44.880><c> Council</c> and Construction Trades Council and Construction
• </c><00:53:56.559><c> trades</c> and women in the construction trades and women in the construction trades
• The reality for construction roads.
• </c> enter into cooperative construction enter into cooperative construction agreements<01:30:26.000>
• And so part of the work would funds for.

Transcript Highlights:

• Guests from Rabren Construction, which is building the new statehouse.
• Uh guests from Rabren Construction,<00:17:40.400><c> which</c><00:17:40.640><c> is</c><00:17:40.880><
• c> uh</c><00:17:40.960><c> building</c><00:17:41.320><c> the</c> Construction, which is uh building the
• Construction, which is uh building the new<00:17:41.600><c> statehouse.
• President, sometime back last year and, uh, two or three years ago, we funded the opportunity for the

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with a prayer, pledge, and roll call establishing a quorum of 30 senators. The chamber approved excusing absent senators, dispensed with reading the prior journal, and agreed to allow bill introductions and committee reports throughout the day. Several guests were recognized in the gallery, including local officials, construction representatives for the new statehouse, and advocacy groups. A series of House messages were received and referred to committees, including local bills and constitutional amendments for Macon, Winston, Perry, Montgomery, Mobile, Jefferson, Marengo, Covington, Tuscaloosa, and Madison counties, along with measures on campaign finance, title fraud, public health, workforce, income tax, legal tender, consumer protection, seafood products, carbon dioxide injection wells, and boards of registrars. Committee reports included favorable reports on Senate Bill 374 and House Bill 432 from the Committee on Local Legislation. The Senate also adopted Senate Joint Resolution 97 commending the University of Alabama on its planned ROTC facility and Student Veteran Center, and Senate Joint Resolution 98 naming a portion of Highway 9 in Elmore County the Lamar S. "Bubba" Woodham Jr. Highway. During personal privilege, Senator Smitherman urged attention to the lack of septic systems in parts of the state and suggested the Senate may need to study the issue, possibly through a resolution or task force. Senator Orr submitted a notice in writing regarding proposed Senate rules changes. The Senate then took up local legislation, adopting budget isolation resolutions and passing multiple local bills and constitutional amendments, including House Bill 569 (Autauga County), House Bill 337 and Senate Bill 371 (Madison County), House Bill 576 (Mobile County), House Bill 529 (Class 2 municipalities), Senate Bill 369 (Lauderdale County), House Bill 612 (Covington County), and House Bill 514 (Tuscaloosa County), with votes largely unanimous or near-unanimous. The Senate recessed until 1:00 p.m. after completing the local calendar items.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Pueblo is working to secure funding for construction, utility, and site infrastructure.
• Indian Water Rights Fund.
• Also, I'd like to thank you for the raise funding, the Rural Air Service extension funding in House Bill
• During construction, the direct jobs will be 1,349 jobs.
• There was 60 co-ops that got funding from this program.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you've heard, this is really about funding for infrastructure.
• As you've heard, this is really about funding for infrastructure.
• Although we recognize this will help fund...
• Secondly, the counties need funding support for projects. We just do.
• We need more funding for transportation.

Summary: House Finance heard bill briefings and testimony on several tax and property-tax measures. HB 2175 would exempt licensed nonprofit providers of free durable medical equipment from retail sales and use tax on items reasonably necessary to operate and provide care; the sponsor and a nonprofit provider described how the bill would help organizations that refurbish and donate wheelchairs, beds, walkers, and similar equipment, and staff noted a small Department of Revenue fiscal impact. The committee then heard HB 2608, which revises the targeted urban area property tax exemption for nuclear facility projects by requiring labor standards, including submission of a workforce or project labor agreement and related wage/apprenticeship information, and extending project-completion deadlines. Supporters said it would help attract major clean-energy and nuclear supply-chain investment and jobs, while opponents from construction groups, environmental advocates, and some public commenters objected to the PLA requirement, the tax preference for nuclear projects, and the broader policy direction; tribal consultation concerns were also raised. No votes were taken on these bills in the transcript. The committee also heard HB 2227, which expands an existing REET exemption for affordable homeownership sales from self-help housing to other nonprofit affordable homeownership programs, including community land trusts. The sponsor and nonprofit witnesses said the change would lower transaction costs, improve affordability, and support permanently affordable resale models; staff clarified the exemption applies to the initial sale from the nonprofit to an income-qualified buyer, not later resales. HB 2528 would allow cities and counties that fully plan under the Growth Management Act to impose the second local REET without voter approval, aligning opt-in jurisdictions with those required to plan under GMA. Supporters from cities and counties said the revenue would help fund sidewalks, ADA upgrades, water, sewer, and other infrastructure, while opponents argued it would raise home-selling costs and bypass voters. Finally, the committee heard HB 2292, which would subject long-term capital gains from qualified small business stock to the state capital gains tax beginning in 2026. Staff said the bill would affect about 260 taxpayers and raise roughly $1.2 million in FY 2027, while the sponsor and supporters argued the current QSBS exemption mainly benefits very wealthy investors and should be treated like other capital gains; opponents from the tech and startup community said the exemption helps founders attract investment, keep companies in Washington, and create jobs, and warned the bill would send a negative signal to entrepreneurs. The committee also heard HB 2257, a Department of Revenue request bill making technical and administrative changes to the tax code, largely to codify guidance from last year’s sales-tax-on-services law and make other clarifications; DOR said it was intended to provide certainty and had no fiscal impact. School groups testified that the 5814-related service-tax changes have increased costs for districts, especially for staffing and professional learning, and asked for relief or a broader exemption.

Transcript Highlights:

• fund.
• fund.
• c><00:19:59.080><c> fund</c> general fund and trunk Highway fund general fund and trunk Highway fund
• not funded through trunk highway funds. funds um the state does face about A5 funds um the state does
• trunk Highway are not funded TR trunk Highway funds<00:48:49.799><c> next</c> funds next funds next

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• looking right now at options and how we're going to fund the capital part of it.
• But at some point, the money for that fund is not going to meet what we have planned.
• But at some point, the money for that fund is not going to meet what we have planned.
• There's a lot of uncertainty related to the gas tax and future funding.
• The Mentor Protégé is more on the construction side.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met to consider several governor’s appointments, routine agenda items, and the confirmation hearing for Dina El-Tawansy to serve as Director of the California Department of Transportation. The committee first approved a series of appointments to the Board of Behavioral Sciences, Contractors State License Board, and Medical Board of California, along with bill referrals, a rule waiver for guests on the Senate floor for a memorial adjournment in honor of former President Pro Tempore John Burton, and floor acknowledgments. Most of these actions were approved on 5-0 votes, with the early appointment items passing 3-2. The committee then heard testimony from El-Tawansy, who emphasized her 28 years at Caltrans, a focus on safety, equity, climate resilience, workforce development, and multimodal transportation. Senators questioned her on a range of transportation issues, including the impact of federal and state disputes affecting immigrant truck drivers and highway funding, the Highway 58 truck climbing lane project, DBE reevaluation under new federal rules, asphalt recycling and disposal, climate-related damage to roads and coastal infrastructure, and the future of gas-tax revenue and road user charges. El-Tawansy said Caltrans is prioritizing safety and emergency projects, working on reevaluating DBEs, advancing climate adaptation planning, and studying road user charge pilots and related technology. Members also asked about small business participation, toll lane agreements, homelessness encampments on Caltrans property, and the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo rail corridor. El-Tawansy described Caltrans programs to support small and disadvantaged businesses, local hiring, heavy equipment and CDL training, standardized toll lane agreements, delegated maintenance MOUs with local governments, and expanded efforts on encampment response and rail/transit planning. Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with representatives from transportation agencies, contractors, local governments, labor, and technology firms urging confirmation. The committee voted 5-0 to advance El-Tawansy’s appointment to the full Senate for confirmation, then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• THEN THE MULTIPURPOSE COMMUNITY FACILITY PROGRAM WHICH IS A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDED FUNDING FOR CONSTRUCTION
• AND HE WILL CLOSE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE WITH THE FUNDING WE WILL RECEIVE.
• IT IS FUNDED THROUGH THE LOCAL COMMUNICATION SERVICE TAX.
• THE TOTALS I HAVE FOR THE TWO BROADBAND OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM FUNDS, THE CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND AND AGAIN
• YOU FUNDED IT WITH $400 MILLION.

Transcript Highlights:

• And at the back end, it's the concurrent review of the construction plans.
• The next step is the construction permit. That's your civil... ...permit. That's your civil...
• The next step is the construction permit. That's your civil permit.
• for its facilities before acquiring the real property on which the facilities will be constructed or
• It establishes that an RTA may apply for construction and technical permits for its facilities before

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee heard several land use and infrastructure bills. SB 5633 on subdivision of land drew the most discussion: staff described a broad rewrite that would move many subdivision decisions from legislative bodies to administrative personnel, limit or eliminate public hearings for preliminary plats, require notice to nearby landowners, set completeness and 100-day decision timelines, and streamline concurrent review of related permits. Builders, Realtors, and some cities supported the bill as a long-overdue modernization that could reduce delays and housing costs, while county and city representatives raised concerns about eliminating public hearings, implementation details, and local accountability. The committee also heard SB 6274 on street standards and frontage improvements, which would require jurisdictions to identify infrastructure barriers to infill and middle housing and periodically review street and frontage standards; supporters said frontage mandates can make housing infeasible, while local government witnesses warned about conflicts with safety, ADA, and transportation goals. SB 6309 on high-capacity transit permits would let Sound Transit apply for permits before acquiring property and before some land use decisions, and would allow certain development agreements and subdivision exemptions to speed transit delivery; Sound Transit and city representatives supported it, and the committee waived the five-day notice rule to hear it. The committee also took testimony on SB 6279, which would incorporate the wildland-urban interface code into the state building code after statewide wildfire maps are completed and require state and local coordination on defensible space and local amendments. Supporters framed it as needed wildfire resilience planning, while opponents from counties, builders, environmental groups, and local officials argued the bill was premature, too rigid, and potentially inconsistent with environmental laws, local conditions, and insurance realities; several asked for more local flexibility, clearer map processes, and changes to the timing and scope of adoption. SB 6291 would extend from two to four years the period during which local health jurisdiction staff may inspect on-site wastewater systems under supervision before certification; public health officials supported it as a workforce and training fix, saying the current timeline is too short and costly. The committee also heard SB 5903, SB 6016, SB 5820, SB 6132, and SB 6189 in executive session, adopted substitutes on some bills, and advanced SB 6016, SB 5820, SB 6132, and SB 6189 out of committee by due-pass votes, with SB 6016 receiving a substitute and a member noting support but remaining concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• , which funds...
• Uh one mostly regarding uh funding.
• It's his construction company. Right next door is another construction company.
• It's his construction company. building. It's his construction company.
• </c> laid off, the unemployment trust fund. laid off, the unemployment trust fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> programs or not the per pupil uh funding programs or not the per pupil uh funding so<00:50:34.480
• light funding um even though the<01:06:36.240><c> funding</c><01:06:36.400><c> is</c><01:06:36.559><
• </c> purchasing a a newly constructed home. purchasing a a newly constructed home.
• </c><02:11:12.560><c> Uh</c> Gender is a social construct. Uh Gender is a social construct.
• </c> call it a owner in the construction call it a owner in the construction industry,<02:17:08.479><

Transcript Highlights:

• construction payment process by... ...to simply simplify the construction payment process by mandating
• I’m a 33-year construction lawyer in the first class of board-certified construction lawyers back in
• It’s not objectionable to me as a construction lawyer.
• So with that said, since 2024, we have moved that fund back to the enterprise funds.
• So that's why it went to the general fund.

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The committee heard and acted on a long agenda of local, housing, education, construction, and claims bills. It first took up SB 1730 on affordable housing/Live Local changes, adopting an amendment that narrowed and clarified several provisions, including density, height, parking, attorney fees, and exclusions for certain protected areas, then reported the bill favorably. It also approved SB 1674, which clarifies that local investment restrictions cannot block Israel bonds, after a clarifying amendment. SB 140 on charter schools was reported favorably after significant debate over school conversion, teacher contracts, local control, and the use of surplus school property for housing or other public purposes; several speakers opposed it as harmful to public schools, while the sponsor said it preserved district authority and added options for municipalities and job creation. The committee also passed SB 96 and SB 4, two local claims bills, and SB 1714, which allows SHIP funds to help mobile home owners with lot rent and requires local housing plans to address mobile home park closures.

Transcript Highlights:

• did, and it has been a tremendously successful program throughout the state — many jobs, many construction
• did, and it has been a tremendously successful program throughout the state — many jobs, many construction
• uh jobs uh and so what this construction uh jobs uh and so what this well<00:00:53.280><c> I'm</c><00
• </c><00:32:07.919><c> and</c> center equipment uh construction and center equipment uh construction and
• </c><01:27:00.360><c> maintenance</c> trades during construction maintenance trades during construction