Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, he was a major donor to the Helio and Amelia Pedroso endowed chair in Portuguese Studies
• Last year's budget, we included a moratorium on the lottery and a study commission to study its impacts
• And through you to the members, and I didn't want to waste a visit by the Speaker.
• Because when fraud, waste, and abuse occur in our system, it erodes public...
• It was filed as House Bill 263, heard in committee, and sent to study.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House began with routine business, including the Pledge of Allegiance and adoption of three congratulatory resolutions honoring Eagle Scouts Charles Goodman, Jack Goodwin, and Liam LaCrooy. Members also adopted a House-Senate concurrence on House 4359, a Milford alcohol-license bill, after amending it to repeal Chapter 289 of the Acts of 2022 and set an effective date. The chamber then passed Senate 2596, establishing maintenance of private roads in Gloucester, and engrossed House 4887. The House also observed moments of silence for former Lynn City Councilor Richard Rick Ford, Louise M. Pedroso, and Mildred “Millie” Cox, and welcomed several guests, including students, civic visitors, and British Minister of State Stephen Doughty. The bulk of the session focused on budget amendments related to housing and emergency assistance. Amendment 1579, which would have tightened HomeBASE eligibility by requiring citizenship-status inquiries, was debated at length and defeated 26-130. Amendment 1582, which would have barred Housing and Livable Communities from conditioning grants on MBTA Communities Act compliance, was also rejected 27-126. Amendment 1583, which would have limited right-to-shelter eligibility to U.S. citizens with six months’ Massachusetts residency, was defeated 26-122. Supporters argued these changes would reduce costs and prioritize taxpayers; opponents said they would exclude lawful residents and undermine existing housing and shelter reforms. The House then adopted Consolidated Amendment F, covering energy, environmental affairs, and housing, by a vote of 154-0. Speakers highlighted major funding for rental vouchers, emergency shelter, HomeBASE, public housing, clean water, climate and agricultural programs, and food assistance. The chamber also considered and defeated Amendment 1218 on creating a data center commission, Amendment 1234 on eliminating certain energy surcharges, and several education-related amendments from Ms. Sullivan-Almeida: changes to special education reimbursement thresholds and rates, and a proposal to make regional school transportation funding mandatory rather than subject to appropriation. Those education amendments were all rejected after roll-call votes. Amendment 1580 on ending vocational school lottery admissions was withdrawn by its sponsor before a vote. The transcript ends as debate continues on Amendment 1308, which would increase a budget line item, but no final action on that amendment is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• > for<00:29:06.400> terms Hazardous Waste Commission for terms Hazardous Waste Commission
• Tomorrow morning, down in the basement at 7:15, come down and get a Bible study.
• Tomorrow morning, down in the basement at 7:15, come down and get a Bible study.
• Tomorrow morning, down in the basement at 7:15, come down and get a Bible study.
• We'll feed your soul get a Bible study.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, approved the journal, and received several committee reports. Health and Human Services reported appointments to the Commission on Aging and the Solid and Hazardous Waste Commission for consent-calendar confirmation, and also advanced or killed several bills, including favorable recommendations on SB 140, HB 1229, and HB 1244, while postponing indefinitely HB 1096 and SB 8. Business, Labor, and Technology reported SB 114 with amendments and a favorable recommendation to Appropriations. The chamber also adopted a motion to proceed out of order for resolutions and later for selected bills. The Senate adopted SJR 19, which celebrates Colorado’s sister-state relationship with Taiwan, supports stronger trade and academic ties, backs a double-taxation agreement, and urges Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. The resolution was adopted 35-0, and the current roll call was added as co-sponsors. The Senate also passed consent-calendar HB 1234 on access to child abuse or neglect records unanimously. On third reading, HB 1186 on bail bonding agents passed 34-1, and HB 1044 on maternal health equity passed 30-5. In Committee of the Whole, the Senate advanced a large consent calendar of technical and policy bills, including HB 1303, 1297, 1296, 1295, 1294, 1293, 1220, 1219, 1218, 1217, 1216, 1215, 1135, 1238, and 1079, all of which were adopted and ordered to third reading. The committee report was adopted 35-0. Later, the Senate took up several House-amended Senate bills and concurred or re-passed them, including SB 77 on epilepsy-related mortality awareness, SB 31 on lawful use of a prescription drug product containing a Schedule I substance, SB 9 on charitable organizations for sales and use tax, SB 126 on teacher licensure for out-of-state applicants, and SB 53 on eligible mortgage borrowers. The chamber also passed HB 1311 on using a bond in lieu of retainage in construction contracts, HB 1107 on standardized information for medical-care facilities, and HB 1101 on adding critical-infrastructure-related offenses to commodity-metals crimes. The remainder of the calendar was laid over to April 7, 2026, and the Committee of the Whole report reflecting those actions was adopted 35-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• a committee staff person was interested in an OPAGA study, they could submit a research proposal to
• J-LAC can also direct studies.
• That first study will be due in January of 2027.
• There are 22 studies in statute. The frequency ranges from annual to quinquennial.
• There are 22 studies in statute. The frequency ranges from annual to quinquennial.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee met to receive annual overviews of its oversight responsibilities and the work of the Auditor General and OPAGA. Committee staff reviewed the committee’s authority over state and local governments, enforcement of audit-report filing requirements, repeated audit findings, Transparency Florida reporting, and lobbying compensation audits. Auditor General Cheryl Norman described her office’s independence, audit standards, quality control, and major audit areas, including the state’s annual financial and single audits, school district and university audits, operational and performance audits, and attestation work. She also noted staffing shortages, recruitment efforts, and a request for carry-forward funds to study salaries. Members asked about whether audits can quantify recoverable dollars, how school district spending comparisons are handled, and how to raise concerns about DCF-related audits or a local city audit that has been pending for years. Norman said her office can quantify findings when possible, sometimes compares costs across districts in operational audits, and that members can bring specific concerns to the appropriate deputy auditor general or the committee. She also explained that citizen or local-government audit requests may require payment of audit costs. OPAGA Coordinator Kara Collins-Gomez outlined OPAGA’s role as a legislative research unit that conducts studies directed by law, the presiding officers, or the committee, and described its policy areas, methodologies, contract monitoring, and recurring statutory reports. Deputy Auditor General Matthew Tracy explained how to read operational audit reports, including findings, criteria, condition, cause, effect, recommendations, and management responses. Deputy Auditor General Greg Senators explained financial audit reports, including audit opinions, required supplementary information, internal control and compliance findings, federal program compliance, and management letters. The meeting concluded with thanks to the presenters and a motion to adjourn, which passed without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 1448 would directly impact social studies courses, economics classes, global studies, and programs
• would directly impact social studies would directly impact social studies courses,<03:24:17.920>
• <04:53:15.680> multiple wasting applicants time through multiple wasting applicants time through
• mentioning pay and applicants waste mentioning pay and applicants waste companies<04:53:20.958><
• A University of Nebraska Lincoln study A University of Nebraska Lincoln study uh<06:03:56.958>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:33.519> Standards Wyoming Social Studies Standards Wyoming Social Studies Standards
• <00:39:27.200> about literature and metadata studies about literature and metadata studies
• We're wasting taxpayer funds. This is an expense to the state.
• We're wasting taxpayer funds. This is an expense to the state.
• We're wasting taxpayer funds. This is an expense to the state.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Green waste is one of them. Counties have a big role to play.
• Green waste is one of them. Counties have a big role to play.
• Green waste is one of them. Counties have a big role to play.
• Green waste is one of them. Counties have a big role to play.
• Green waste is one of them. Counties have a big role to play.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several resolutions focused on agriculture, invasive species, biodiversity, and clean energy finance. STR 34/SR 20 asked Hawaii’s congressional delegation to urge USDA to address unequal treatment of Hawaii in exporting agricultural goods; the Department of Agriculture supported the measure. STR 41/SR 25 encouraged each county to develop its own biosecurity plan, with testimony from the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, and the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species supporting county-level planning and coordination. Testifiers emphasized the importance of local response capacity for invasive species, while also noting that quarantine authority should remain at the state level; one witness requested an amendment to include possible legislative changes needed at the state and county levels. STR 110/SR 91 requested a study on the feasibility of a state green bond program, with support testimony submitted by Coalition Earth and no oral testimony from the energy office. Members asked questions about how county biosecurity plans would interface with existing state efforts, and witnesses described current interagency work and county response plans already being developed for species such as little fire ant, coconut rhinoceros beetle, and coqui frogs. The discussion also referenced a recent Oahu coqui detection on Sand Island and the need for flexible treatment options. For the green bond measure, members described it as a potential tool for renewable energy goals. No opposition testimony was presented on the measures discussed. On decision-making, the committees recommended passage of STR 34/SR 20 with technical non-substantive amendments, STR 41/SR 25 with the suggested amendment from CAPS, STR 56/SR 40 without amendment, and STR 110/SR 91 with technical non-substantive amendments. The recommendations were adopted by the committees, and the agenda concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• really doesn't do anything, and I would urge everyone to vote no and not really, in many respects, waste
• and to not really in many respects waste and to not really in many respects waste our<00:21:14.080
• Let's please stop wasting our time with these messaging bills and get to work. harm their communities
• Let's please stop wasting our time with these messaging bills and get to work.
• votes again let's please stop wasting votes again let's please stop wasting our<01:01:31.280>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:19:14.440> on<00:19:14.640> the week authors of recent studies on the week authors
• of recent studies on the subject<00:19:15.440> and<00:19:15.679> experts<00:19:16.080>
• We need to focus first and foremost on waste, fraud, and abuse.
• c><00:24:18.799> and<00:24:19.000> foremost<00:24:19.480> on<00:24:19.640> waste
• <00:24:19.919> Fraud focus first and foremost on waste Fraud focus first and foremost on waste

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The program opened with interviews on the start of Minnesota’s 94th Senate session, where the chamber is evenly split 33-33 after the death of DFL Senator Kari Dziedzic and a special election to fill the vacancy. DFL Majority Leader Aaron Murphy and Republican Leader Mark Johnson both said the tied Senate and narrow margins in both chambers will require more cooperation and compromise. Murphy emphasized affordability issues such as health care, child care, housing, college costs, and medical debt, while Johnson said Republicans want to refocus on Minnesota’s needs, limit tax increases and mandates, and use the split chamber to gain more influence in negotiations. Both leaders said they expect bipartisan work on issues like mental health, EMS, public school funding, permitting reform, and mandate reform. Former Senator Ann Johnson Stewart was also sworn in after winning the special election for District 45 and said she hopes to work on infrastructure, transportation, bonding, and jobs. The Senate Finance Committee then held a hearing on the social impact of legalizing online sports betting. Testimony from researchers and gambling addiction experts warned that online sports betting can contribute to addiction, family harm, and financial distress, with one witness describing it as a public health disaster and citing higher bankruptcy filings in states that legalize it. Committee discussion also reflected the competing view that many Minnesotans want the option to bet legally, while lawmakers have a responsibility to protect residents from harm. The final segment focused on Minnesota’s budget and economic forecast. Officials said the state is expected to end the 2026-2027 biennium with a surplus, but spending growth is projected to outpace revenues in the following years, creating a structural deficit of nearly $6 billion in fiscal years 2028-2029. Legislators said the forecast underscores the need to address spending, inflation, and long-term obligations such as special education and disability services, and some Republicans called for attention to waste, fraud, and abuse. The report noted that an updated forecast will be released in February, which could further shape budget negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said waste, fraud, and abuse is front and center every week in his district, and this will help.
• He said waste, fraud, and abuse is front and center every week in his district, and this will help.
• duplicative, wasteful, unnecessary duplicative, wasteful, unnecessary reporting,<00:27:56.560> I<
• MnChoices, creating that MnChoices assessment team, redesign workgroup, as well as a study.
• <01:11:16.120> um, workgroup and rate study um, workgroup and rate study um, from<01:11:17.040

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, I don't think that you're villains or that you waste our taxpayer money.
• You know, I don't think that you're villains or that you waste our taxpayer money.
• You know, I don't think that you're villains or that you waste our taxpayer money.
• You know, I don't think that you're villains or that you waste our taxpayer money.
• You know, I don't think that you're villains or that you waste our taxpayer money.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So what we're doing down here now is wasting taxpayers' time, taxpayers' money.
• So, we are sitting here wasting taxpayers' time and money waiting on a what if.
• They think we're wasting time. ...we can't afford to waste any time.
• And then we wasted money as well, right?
• So, we really just here wasting So, we really just here wasting time. >> That's your opinion. >> Well

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• groceries. is there are many studies groceries. is there are many studies that<00:40:31.920>
• and wasted money that was there earmarked for many, many projects over the years.
• Feeding bans are one of the most studied Feeding bans are one of the most studied and<02:01:51.520
• <02:12:32.400> on uh doing a feasibility study on uh doing a feasibility study on restorative
• Uh replace that with students studying Uh replace that with students studying Native<03:09:00.319

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1790 HD1, which would require law enforcement and oversight agencies to collect and report data on stops, use of force, and complaints to the Hawaii Crime Lab, which would publish incident-level information and annual reports. Supporters, including the Office of the Public Defender, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the ACLU of Hawaii, Hawaii Justice Rising, and the Policing Project, said the bill would improve transparency, help identify disparities, and support better policy and accountability. OHA requested amendments to ensure Hawaiians are identified as a distinct category in the data, and the University of Hawaii’s Ashley Rubin said the Crime Lab would work with agencies to make implementation as seamless as possible. The Department of Law Enforcement supported the bill’s intent but asked for a longer timeline and culturally appropriate methodology, while HPD opposed the bill as written, saying it would require too many new data points, create a significant administrative burden, and rely on subjective perceptions of race and ethnicity; HPD also noted it is piloting an e-citation system that could help with data collection. Committee members questioned HPD about current manual processes and technology options. The chair reported 18 testimonies total: 15 in support, one in opposition, and two with comments, and no vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then heard HB 1611 HD1, which would phase down the general excise tax on groceries and nonprescription drugs until a full exemption takes effect in 2034. The Department of Taxation offered technical recommendations, including clearer definitions for groceries and nonprescription drugs and a technical change regarding the county surcharge exemption. Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and the Hawaii Food Industry Association, argued the GET on groceries is regressive and worsens food insecurity, especially for low-income households, and said the bill would provide needed relief. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered technical concerns, including a possible wholesale-tax enforcement issue once the exemption is fully phased in. The excerpt ends during testimony on HB 1611, with no final committee action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• But it should not be that would be like... ...like one of us regulating, you know, waste management.
• And the other lady had 14 years... ...like one of us regulating, you know, waste management.
• Madam Chair, maybe you could lead a study committee. I am not leading any study committee.
• Some studies, including the research cited by the U.S.
• Surgeon General, Some studies, including the research cited by the U.S.

Bills: HB2072, HB2251, HB2279, HB2308, HB2323, HB2342, HB2400, HB2408, HB2456, HB2660, HB2697, HB2868, HB2873, HB2877, HB2910, HB2946, HB2955, HB2991, HB4001, HB4010

Keywords: Cesar Chavez, public holiday, state law, holiday repeal, Arizona Revised Statutes, midwifery, medication administration, healthcare, patient safety, advisory committee, licensed midwives, river trips, liability, outfitter, Grand Canyon, negligence, risk management, contractual waiver, dental practice, business registration

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2308, which would prohibit dental insurers and their holding companies from owning dental practices or other businesses regulated by the Arizona Board of Dental Examiners. The sponsor and Arizona Dental Association argued the bill is meant to prevent vertical integration and payer control over provider care, while Delta Dental of Arizona opposed it, saying the measure would block nonprofit insurers from investing in clinics for indigent care and create regulatory burdens. After discussion about private equity ownership in dentistry and whether nonprofit insurers should be exempted, the committee voted 7-0 to give HB 2308 a do pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 4001, as amended, which creates a licensing and enforcement framework for alternative nicotine products beginning in 2028, restricts youth-targeted marketing, and increases penalties for selling to minors or manufacturing/distributing without a license. Supporters, including the sponsor, Border Security Alliance, and industry representatives, said the bill would improve supply-chain transparency, curb illegal products, and strengthen youth access enforcement. Opponents, including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, argued the bill should instead create a full tobacco retail licensing system and include broader nicotine definitions, while also warning that enforcement resources would be insufficient. The committee adopted the amendment and then approved the bill 6-1. House Bill 2873, as amended, was also approved unanimously. The bill allows a person or organization that files a city or town referendum petition to withdraw it before it qualifies for the ballot, with retroactive application to withdrawals filed beginning January 1, 2026. The committee then heard House Bill 2408, which revises Arizona Board of Nursing complaint procedures, confidentiality rules, investigation timelines, expungement authority, and board oversight of nursing education programs. The sponsor said the bill responds to long-standing audit findings and aims to improve fairness and timeliness, while nursing board officials opposed provisions affecting education oversight and warned about patient safety, costs, and liability. Nurses and other supporters described delayed investigations and the need for expungement relief. The committee adopted the amendment and passed HB 2408 on a 5-2 vote. Additional bills heard included House Bill 2342, which limits HOA restrictions on backyard shade structures and related installations; it passed 7-0 after supporters described a family hardship case and committee members criticized HOA overreach. House Bill 2323, which extends Arizona’s motor vehicle lemon law protections to lessees, also passed unanimously after testimony from the sponsor, attorneys, and a consumer describing repeated repair failures on a leased vehicle. The committee also began hearing House Bill 4010, which would establish a Board of Genetic Counselors under the Arizona Board of Osteopathic Examiners and set licensure and disciplinary rules, but the transcript ends before any final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• of these workers an opportunity to work from home and be very very effective and You know a lot of studies
• Walking away from it wastes public dollars and makes hiring harder.
• Other studies have shown savings due to telework, so I just want to point that out.
• We owe taxpayers transparency and fiscal responsibility, not wasteful mandates that serve no operational
• science or numbers were being quoted by the professionals today as for the reason for new policy wasting

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to say thank you for bringing this forward, but I don't want to waste money.
• And so I think that if we partner with health care systems that are doing this so that we don't waste
• I just want to say thank you for bringing this forward, but I don't want to waste money.
• And so I think that if we partner with health care systems that are doing this so that we don't waste
• Having studied Soteria and related models, Michael.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . reducing medication waste.
• <00:15:58.800> the<00:15:59.040> value study, Roundtable RX reported the value study
• I think it's a really spectacular program and reduces waste on top of that.
• I think it's a really spectacular program and reduces waste on top of that.
• I think it's a really spectacular program and reduces waste on top of that.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One was a study on collective bargaining for legislative staff.
• One was a study on collective bargaining for legislative staff.
• One was a study on collective bargaining for legislative staff.
• coordinating commission one was a study coordinating commission one was a study on<00:42:33.119>
• <01:03:18.680> and those recommendations and studies and those recommendations and studies

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met briefly to approve the January 16 minutes, then heard a series of informational presentations from legislative joint offices and commissions that fall under its jurisdiction. Michelle Urick of the Legislative Coordinating Commission explained the LCC’s governance structure, including its leadership-based membership and role overseeing joint offices such as the Legislative Auditor, Legislative Budget Office, Legislative Reference Library, Revisor of Statutes, and the LCC staff office itself. Christian Larson of the Legislative Budget Office described the office’s nonpartisan fiscal note work, local impact notes, and support for the Tax Expenditure Review Commission, noting the volume of requests it handles and that the office currently has 18 budgeted FTE. He also explained the LBO Oversight Commission’s role in setting standards and appointing the director. Elizabeth Lincoln of the Legislative Reference Library outlined the library’s services, including answering thousands of reference questions, maintaining state policy and legislative collections, archiving state documents, supporting the legislative website and search tools, and preserving House and Senate audio, video, and committee minutes. She also noted the library’s staffing levels and its move to the Capitol. In response to a question, she said copies of the book Minnesota Standoff were in constant circulation, that the title is out of print, and that the library had digitized it for use by legislators and staff. Ryan Inman, the Revisor of Statutes, described the office’s drafting, legal review, publication, IT, and other services. He said every bill introduced is reviewed by a Revisor attorney, the office publishes Laws of Minnesota, Minnesota Statutes, and Minnesota Rules, and it maintains the legislative drafting system now being replaced. He also discussed rule drafting for agencies, legal counsel, the claims subcommittee, court opinions reports, and the annual technical Revisor bill. Members asked about bill volume, amendment drafting, and the history of administrative rules review; Inman said the office is handling over 2,500 active bill requests and that a prior commission on administrative rules existed in the past. No votes were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:42:01.040> education, social studies education, social studies education, teaching<00:
• We also have a social studies curriculum We also have a social studies curriculum leader<00:45:51.599
• Ethnic studies work in 2014 included the ethnic studies working group in gathering and incorporating
• um with the social studies standards. um with the social studies standards.
• the social studies. the social studies.

Bills: HF3489, HF3550

Keywords: grooming, child protection, student safety, sexual exploitation, educator licensing, teacher discipline, mandatory reporting, mandated reporter training, school misconduct, predatory offender, child abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, position of authority, school employee, school administrator, license revocation, license suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• together with the other representative who was carrying this bill and talk to the Senate so we don't waste
• start, I would like to say Jenna Redbomb: that in 2023 it is no longer accessible, but there was a study
• done by the CDC that found that one in four high school students identified as LGBTQ+ in a study done
• Ash Bradley: It is a waste of my taxpayer dollars.
• This is just a waste of taxpayer money.

Transcript Highlights:

• The two things I despise wasting the most are time and money.
• I'm wasting time every day and money.
• This area has just grown exponentially, but this study is long overdue.
• So many of these other projects that want to study it are up in the millions.
• So many of these other projects that want to study it are up in the millions.

Bills: SB1001, SB1035, SB1056, SB1065, SB1138, SB1161, SB1204, SB1207, SB1248, SB1274, SB1284, SCM1002, SCM1006, SCR1020

Keywords: appropriation, economic security, blind individuals, older adults, state funding, Arizona Department of Corrections, ADC, corrections, prison, jail, correctional officers, prison guards, staffing, retention, salary increase, pay raise, wage increase, general fund, state budget, private prisons

Summary: The committee approved the January 27, 2026 minutes and held SB 1138 for further changes. It then heard SB 1035, which appropriates about $34 million from the General Fund for a 5% pay increase for Arizona Department of Corrections sworn officers and civilian employees, with an amendment extending the raise to private prison employees under contract. Supporters said DOC pay is not competitive and vacancies are high; opponents questioned paying private prison staff and raised concerns about private prison incentives. The committee adopted the amendment and gave SB 1035 a do pass recommendation on a 6-3 vote. The committee also approved two memorials to rename highways: SCM 1002 for L.F. Quinn Memorial Highway and SCM 1006 for PFC Michael Nolan Memorial Highway. Both measures drew emotional testimony about the honorees’ public service and military sacrifice, and both received do pass recommendations, with SCM 1002 passing 9-1 and SCM 1006 passing 9-1 after members discussed tribal jurisdiction and agreed to follow up with a letter to the tribe. SB 1065, which would appropriate $3.64 million for the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Military Veterans Fund, was supported by the sponsor and researchers who said the treatment can help veterans with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, pain, and related conditions. Some members objected that the FDA has not approved HBOT for many of the claimed uses and questioned prior unspent funding, but the bill still received a do pass recommendation on a 6-4 vote. SB 1248, which clarifies funding and attendance-count rules for county jail and juvenile detention education programs, also passed unanimously. Later, the committee approved SB 1204, a $5.5 million General Fund appropriation to design and analyze improvements to the U.S. 60/Loop 303 interchange, after testimony from local officials and residents about severe congestion, crashes, and public safety delays; it passed 8-1. SB 1207, a $150,000 study on financing mechanisms for development-related infrastructure along the same corridor, also passed 7-1. Finally, SB 1001, which restores $1 million for the Older Individuals Who Are Blind program, passed 9-0 after testimony from blind seniors and advocates about long waitlists and the program’s role in preserving independence. The committee then began SB 1274, a police foundation specialty license plate bill, with sponsor and foundation testimony describing wellness, remembrance, and youth programs funded by plate revenues, but the transcript cuts off before any vote on that measure.