Transcript Highlights:

• the gas stations.
• And a lot of times, you'll see them, you know, pulled into gas stations.
• And a lot of times, you'll see them, you know, pulled into gas stations.
• And they're doing their walk-arounds at the gas stations.
• So before they issue my insurance, they always ask me my experience.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance Committee of Reference

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee approved the March 16, 2026 minutes and then heard testimony on several bills, with the chair noting that votes would be taken in batches because members were coming and going. HB 2939 would increase the rural qualified facilities tax credit from $20,000 to $25,000 per job for certain projects with initial investment under $2 billion; Lucid Motors supported it as a rural economic development tool, while Senator Epstein questioned the fiscal note and whether the higher credit would actually attract new investment. HB 2950 would authorize tourism improvement areas funded by voluntary lodging assessments to support marketing and tourism promotion; the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association and Visit Phoenix backed it as a competitive tool for rural and urban destinations, and committee members focused on whether participation was truly voluntary and how the assessments would be administered. HB 2780 made technical conforming changes to Arizona’s property tax lien foreclosure and excess proceeds sale process, building on a prior law that created a mechanism for delinquent property owners to recover equity; the sponsor and a longtime constituent said the changes would fix timing and credit-bid language so qualified entity sales could work in practice. HB 2502 would let certain elected officials in ASRS retire at normal retirement age without resigning their office, with the employer paying the alternate contribution rate; ASRS said it was neutral, and the sponsor argued the bill would treat elected officials more like other ASRS members. The committee then adopted do-pass recommendations for HB 2502, HB 2780, HB 2950, and HB 2939, with each passing on split votes. The committee also adopted a striker to HB 2140, allowing the State Treasurer to invest up to 10% of state trust and treasury monies in physical gold or silver bullion held in secure U.S. depositories. The sponsor and the Sound Money Defense League argued it would diversify reserves and hedge against market disruption, while opponents said gold is volatile, costly to store, and not something taxpayers need the state to buy. HB 2140 then passed as amended on a 4-2 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 2398, as amended, which requires commercial liability insurance for watercraft rentals and peer-to-peer boat sharing programs, with supporters saying it addresses uninsured rental boats and law enforcement concerns; the bill passed as amended on a 6-1 vote. The committee also heard HB 2999, a major housing-finance bill creating state affordability infrastructure districts to finance public infrastructure through bonds and assessments; proponents said it would lower housing costs by spreading infrastructure costs over time, while contractors and some senators raised concerns about payment risk, impact-fee treatment, and whether savings would reach homebuyers. After adopting a striker and hearing extensive questions, HB 2999 passed as amended on a 6-1 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• You cannot zone below this on any area near the transit stations.
• First, you have a main incoming station.
• We've done zero design work so far to identify how many stations.
• What we're focused on now is market..." "...identify how many stations.
• Certainly more stations means slower trains.

Committees: Joint Transportation , Joint Joint Transportation Committee

Summary: The committee first heard from WSDOT on capital program estimating, risk management, and cash flow. WSDOT explained the differences between design-bid-build and design-build delivery, how estimates are built from base cost, risk, inflation, and unknowns, and how risk reviews scale up by project size. Staff said design-bid-build estimates are generally accurate within about 1% across the program, while design-build projects have much wider uncertainty and are better communicated as ranges; WSDOT cited a P85 budget approach for legislative funding and a lower P45 management target. Members asked about the large cost growth on the I-5 Columbia River Bridge project and about value engineering; WSDOT said the project is unusually complex and that cost containment is limited by project requirements and policy mandates. Troy Swing also discussed the idea of a risk pool, saying it would not reduce overall program risk and would still require appropriation, while emphasizing the need for more realistic early budgeting and cash flow assumptions. The committee then received the final presentation in the WSDOT Project Delivery and Innovative Practices study from HKA Global. The consultant said WSDOT already uses a robust estimating process, but recommended improving transparency by presenting budget authorizations as ranges or estimate classes, better tracking award growth and cost growth over time, and monitoring market conditions and letting schedules to improve competition. The report also discussed surety bonding, recommending that the legislature consider restoring authority for reduced bonding on select large design-build projects or allowing phased or alternative securities, and reviewed indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracting, including job order contracts and multiple-award task order contracts. The consultant said these tools could help with smaller work packages and competition, but current Washington law is restrictive and would need changes for broader use. Next, the committee heard a follow-up report on transit-oriented development policy from the Urban Institute. The consultant said Washington’s HB 1491 is nationally notable, but warned that housing construction has slowed sharply, especially in the Puget Sound, due to high construction costs, financing costs, and other market pressures. The report recommended filling the infrastructure-funding gap created by reduced impact fees, revisiting MFTE affordability requirements so they better match local market conditions, considering minimum rather than averaged density requirements near transit, expanding public land and public development options, and creating a state system to track TOD outcomes such as affordability, gentrification, and transit access. Members questioned the study’s developer interviews, the role of rent stabilization, property tax assumptions, and parking needs; the consultant said only five private developers were interviewed and offered to provide the question framework and additional follow-up materials. Finally, the committee began a study on regulating emissions from ocean-going vessels at berth. Staff and consultants explained how shore power lets ships plug into the electrical grid and shut off auxiliary diesel engines, reducing emissions of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, reactive organic compounds, and greenhouse gases near ports. The presentation reviewed California’s at-berth regulation, which Washington could only mirror if it acts under federal preemption limits, and outlined the study’s phases on vessel traffic, emissions reductions, implementation costs, and competitiveness impacts. No votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• They say you cannot zone below this on any area near the transit stations.
• You cannot zone below this on any area near the transit stations.
• First, you have a main incoming station. First, you have a main incoming station.
• We've done zero design work so far to identify how many stations.
• Certainly more stations means slower trains.

Committee: Joint Joint Transportation Committee

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

Transcript Highlights:

• It got deleted in a bluegrass station.
• Many better experience for our visitors.
• But that’s my experience has been to do just that.
• But that's my experience has than that.
• </c> maintenance, rest area and way station maintenance, rest area and way station maintenance,<01:00

Summary: The Capital Planning Advisory Board met with a quorum, approved the May 21 minutes, and welcomed a new executive branch member, Secretary Keith Jackson of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. The board also received two informational items: agency responses to prior questions and amendments made to capital plans after the last meeting. It then heard the Commonwealth Office of Technology’s report on executive branch IT capital project scoring, which reviewed 16 IT requests totaling about $330.5 million. COOT said projects were ranked through an independent panel using standardized criteria focused on feasibility, statewide alignment, readiness, impact, and risk; the CIO recommended moving an enterprise application and artificial intelligence inventory system from rank 11 to rank 4 because of its enterprise-wide impact and connection to Senate Bill 4. The Department of Military Affairs presented its capital plan, describing 43 million in projects for the current period and 13 projects totaling $65 million for 2026–2028, with most funding coming from federal sources and restricted agency funds and no general fund request in the latter period. Its projects included maintenance pool adjustments, a statewide Army master plan, the Somerset readiness center, Shelbyville and Ashland armories, a future home for the Kentucky Army National Guard band, and other facility upgrades. Members asked about the Somerset project’s cost growth and federal delay; the department said the project remains in conceptual design, is awaiting federal MILCON action, and would require a state match of about $9.8 million against $29.6 million federal funding if it is approved. Members also asked about staffing levels, and the department said state employee and Title 32 numbers have been relatively steady, while technician positions have declined. The Department of Veterans Affairs outlined seven projects for 2026–2028, led by a Radcliff Veterans Center HVAC replacement that needs an estimated additional $16 million to finish phase two after phase one was already funded. Other requests included a maintenance pool increase, renovations and exterior upgrades at Eastern and Western Kentucky veterans facilities, a cooling tower replacement at Thompson Hood, and parking lot and lighting improvements. The department said some projects were already in the six-year plan and that the Radcliff phase two could be bid in June 2026 if funded. Members confirmed that a columbarium wall project at Grayson is federally funded. The Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented its six-year capital plan, citing more than $3 billion in loan commitments since 1988 and over $5 billion in supported infrastructure projects. KIA requested $298.439 million in the first biennium, including $27.742 million in state match for federal clean water and drinking water revolving funds, $25 million for its state Infrastructure Revolving Fund, $185.697 million in federal capitalization grants, and $30 million in leverage bond authorization for each year of the two federally assisted loan programs. Members asked about drinking-water quality, and KIA said that function is handled by the Energy and Environment Cabinet’s Division of Water, not KIA. KIA also said its loan rates currently range from 0.5% to 2.25%, averaging just under 1%, and that its revolving loan programs have had no defaults. The Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet began its presentation at the end of the transcript, with staff identifying themselves, but no project details or board action from that presentation were included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it collusion if those gas station operators are using that app to set their gas price?
• It doesn't help anyone except the gas station.
• I get what you're saying, but I'm not smart enough to necessarily, like these gas station owners.
• That has been my experience as well.
• That has been my experience as well.

Summary: The committee heard several bills and took up multiple votes. AB 576, dealing with updates to California’s charitable fundraising platform registry after AB 488, was presented as a technical fix to help charities and platforms more quickly update eligible listings; there was no opposition testimony, and the measure was later moved on a due pass basis. AB 1160, on law enforcement drone programs, was presented with proposed amendments requiring U.S.-based data storage and limits on sharing or selling collected data; supporters said it would protect sensitive drone-collected information while preserving affordable drone use, while there was no opposition testimony, and it was also later passed out on a due pass as amended basis. AB 75, which would require insurers to give notice before collecting aerial images of homes and provide homeowners access to those images, drew support from the Department of Insurance and consumer advocates, while insurers opposed it unless amended, arguing aerial imaging is a cost-saving inspection tool and that the bill could worsen availability and affordability; the bill was moved to Appropriations on a due pass basis, with the roll held open for absent members. The committee spent the most time on AB 325, which would address algorithmic price-fixing and collusion. The author and supporters argued that competitors using the same pricing software or algorithm to set prices can function as collusion even when the agreement is hidden behind code, and cited examples involving housing, frozen potatoes, gas pricing, and other industries. Opponents, including apartment, business, hospital, retail, chamber, and tech groups, said the bill was too broad, could sweep in lawful software and public-data market research, and might chill legitimate pricing tools, especially for small businesses and housing providers. Committee members raised concerns about clarity, intent standards, and whether the bill should focus more narrowly on nonpublic competitor data; despite those concerns, AB 325 was moved to Appropriations on a due pass basis, with the roll held open. Later, AB 1221 was presented as a workplace surveillance bill that would prohibit certain invasive or discriminatory surveillance tools, require notice to workers, limit sharing of worker data, and require corroborating evidence before discipline based on surveillance outputs. Labor and consumer groups supported the bill, saying modern surveillance technologies can track speech, movement, emotion, and other sensitive traits and can be biased or abusive. The Security Industry Association opposed it, warning that the bill’s broad definitions could restrict legitimate security systems, emergency sharing with first responders, and employer responses to misconduct or unsafe behavior. The transcript cuts off before any final vote on AB 1221 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're talking about a block or two from stations.
• If you can't have very high density around the stations, what's the point?
• They're the ones who will be ultimately designating the station areas.
• And then the purple dots are the BRT stations.
• And then the purple dots are the BRT stations.

Committee: Senate Housing

Summary: The committee heard a series of abbreviated presentations focused on housing supply, transit-oriented development, and redevelopment of underused commercial land. Urban Institute researcher Yona Fremark discussed Washington’s transit-oriented development efforts under HB 1491, saying the state has made progress but faces major feasibility challenges from rising construction costs, higher interest rates, and uneven market conditions. She recommended targeted infrastructure funding for lower-market transit areas, adjusting MFTE/affordability requirements to local conditions, expanding affordable housing resources in high-market areas, tightening density requirements near transit, allowing more joint development on transit agency land, and creating a stronger system to track housing, affordability, demographic change, and access outcomes over time. Senators asked about AMI calculations, labor and immigration effects on construction, and the role of developer input. Dave Anderson of the Department of Commerce outlined implementation of HB 1491, including local government responsibilities for station area designation, zoning, anti-displacement policies, and MFTE updates. He said Vancouver and Spokane are first to implement, with Puget Sound following later, and described Commerce’s timeline for updated MFTE guidance, station-area implementation guidance, a TOD model ordinance, and later rulemaking. He also demonstrated the new Washington Zoning Atlas, a live statewide mapping tool showing zoning, overlays, and station-area geographies, which Commerce said can support analysis by agencies and the public. The committee then heard from Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck and James Rolf on commercial-to-residential redevelopment, who argued that converting vacant or underused commercial sites could produce a large amount of housing, increase tax revenue, and support transit-oriented growth. They identified barriers such as zoning requirements, affordability mandates, infrastructure costs, building code complexity, private covenants, and slow implementation of new laws, and urged by-right residential use on commercial land and faster implementation of housing reforms. The State Building Code Council provided an update on its code cycle and legislative mandates, including minimum dwelling size, emergency shelters, single-exit stairs, and multiplex housing. Council staff said the single-exit and multiplex work is nearing completion and will produce prescriptive solutions, while members discussed whether future legislation might address smaller elevators or more performance-based code approaches. Finally, Dr. Stephen Barrosa of the Washington Center for Real Estate Research reviewed housing affordability trends, noting that higher mortgage rates have sharply reduced homeownership affordability, flattened prices in major cities, and lowered single-family permitting and completions, while apartment vacancy rates have returned to more normal levels. The last presentation came from the Washington State Housing Finance Commission on the Covenant Home Ownership Program, which reported strong first-year results: 547 homebuyers assisted by June 2025, more than $60 million loaned, homes in 22 counties, and nearly 1,000 families assisted by the time of the hearing. The commission also reviewed program eligibility, outreach, and recent legislative changes to income limits and loan forgiveness that were not yet reflected in the first-year report.

Transcript Highlights:

• Station, it's still not enough to build a new barn or put solar on the roof of that barn.
• I want to tie it specifically to some of the experience ...number of sessions.
• He started his career at Northeastern's radio station, WRBB, where he was an announcer and DJ.
• At Northeastern's radio station, WRBB, where he was an announcer and DJ.
• He also hosted on stations in New York and Detroit.

Summary: The Senate resumed debate on An Act Fostering Agricultural Resilience in Massachusetts and considered a series of amendments focused on farm economics, land preservation, energy, labor, and agricultural education. Senator Tarr’s Amendment 5, allowing local-option tax exemptions for newly constructed farm buildings for up to five years, was adopted by a roll call vote of 38-0. Several other Tarr amendments were debated but not adopted, including proposals on APR criteria and climate resilience, a one-stop permit and grant portal, a foreign-ownership farmland registry, horse-riding instructor licensing, expanding farm-based renewable energy, a farm stand waiver process, non-agricultural conversion notice requirements, and a health and wellness amendment. Senator Mark’s Amendment 20, creating a Massachusetts Food Tourism Task Force to support marketing and procurement of agricultural goods, was adopted. Senator Gomez’s Amendment 41 on farmworker fairness and wage protections was withdrawn after discussion, with Senators Eldridge and Comerford speaking in support of continued work on the issue. Senator Fattman’s Amendment 34, directing a study of agricultural schools and regional workforce needs, was adopted by roll call vote 37-0. The chamber also took up several procedural matters and extension orders. The Senate adopted a Ways and Means amendment and then ordered the agricultural bill to a third reading before passing it to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 39-0. Separately, the Senate adopted extension orders for the Committee on Revenue and the Committee on Financial Services, with Senators Eldridge and Feeney explaining the need for additional time on revenue and financial services bills; Senator Tarr raised concerns about the scope and duration of some of the extensions. The Senate also approved an extension for a financial technology services bill. In addition to legislative action, the Senate observed a moment of silence in memory of Mark K. Harris after a motion by Senators Collins and Miranda, and recognized guests for Youth Mentoring Day and the Mass Mentoring Program. The chamber also passed a memorial overpass designation for U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant Raymond G. Torville and a local alcohol-license bill for the town of Topsfield. The session concluded with an order to adjourn until the next day at 11 a.m., with the adjournment also dedicated to the memory of Mark K. Harris.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next plans that we've been working on are a fire station.
• The tribe has built the pad, tanks, and pumping stations.
• That's the fire station.
• I can only speak from my own personal experience.
• All of those years, it was a great experience.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Voting stations are open for 30 button. Voting stations are open for 30 seconds.
• Voting stations are open for 30 button. Voting stations are open for 30 seconds.
• </c> offerings and extracurricular experience offerings and extracurricular experience experiences experiences
• Voting stations are open for 30 red. Voting stations are open for 30 seconds.
• </c> years of surgical experience. years of surgical experience.

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to ensure no experiment or covert activity occurs without proper oversight and proper public
• It bans geoengineering experiments that lack transparency and oversight.
• a study of the current estimates and automated costs of the cost per student station.
• This is prior to the expiration of the 2028 exemption of the cost per student station limit.
• Senator Berman: ...the cost per student station.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's at about 610 million dollars, with some of those dollars going towards way stations and ports.
• So somebody comes in, buys a tanker of gas, takes it across state lines, and sells it at a station out
• But let's talk about whether or not we can use that permitting fee and the way station revolving fund
• to take care of the way stations so I I think that that's worth having a a conversation about is is
• our ports of entry and our way stations from and in taking care of the the way stations, the ports of

Committee: House Appropriations and Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• We have almost a 400-acre experiment station right down from the school.
• Also, a lot of people don’t know we have almost a 400-acre experiment station right down from the school
• So here's our experiment station. That's the mile-long road. We're excited.
• And so far, with GOHSEP, we are looking to have that at the experiment station.
• And so far, with Gosef, we are looking to have that at the experiment station.

Committees: House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture & Rural Development , House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development

Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development met to approve the October 3, 2024 interim minutes and then took up two resolutions. HCR 205, by Representative Kerner, urged USDA to use its Commodity Procurement Program to purchase domestic Louisiana shrimp. Supporters said shrimpers are facing very low prices, full cold storage, and an urgent need for federal purchases to stabilize the market and help local processors and fishermen. Commissioner Mike Strain explained that USDA commodity purchases can support schools, nursing homes, and food banks, and members discussed the need for cold storage, marketing, and better promotion of local seafood. The resolution was reported favorably without objection. The committee also considered HCR 188, which memorializes Congress to oppose any federal farm bill language that could negatively affect the use of hunting dogs; members said the provision had raised concerns about field trials, scent hounds, and hunting practices, and the resolution was also reported favorably without objection. The committee then received a presentation from Southern University Ag Center and College of Agriculture leadership, led by interim president and chancellor Orlando McMeans and Executive Vice Chancellor Calvin Walker. They outlined the center’s research, teaching, and extension work, including medicinal cannabis research, beef cattle and smart ranching, viticulture, aquaculture, precision agriculture, food and nutrition, and support for small farmers and K-12 dual enrollment. They highlighted scholarship and enrollment programs, including USDA-supported 1890 scholars and JAG Stars, as well as partnerships with LSU and USDA. They also described major facility projects, including a high-tech meat processing facility, research labs, a vineyard, and a proposed 1,300-bed disaster shelter/mega shelter at the experiment station. Members asked questions about meat-cutting and processing training, cattle genetics, and the shelter’s use when not needed for disasters. Southern officials said the new processing facility is intended to support training and workforce development, and that the shelter could also be used for events such as weddings, graduations, and agricultural activities. The committee expressed appreciation for the presentation and the work of the Ag Center. Representative Broussard then moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The experiences I had while pursuing my education gave me a huge advantage over my peers.
• However, the department has not compensated me for my exceptional skills and experiences.
• The firehouse also routinely invites families to tour the station and touch the apparatus.
• There is nothing better than taking your children to the fire station.
• Many of these operators have minimum experience qualifications.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security held a public hearing on a wide range of bills affecting law enforcement, corrections, fire services, emergency management, telecommunicators, and sex offender policy. Testimony strongly focused on proposals to restore an education incentive for Massachusetts State Police troopers hired after the Quinn Bill was repealed, with State Police Association witnesses arguing the current system creates unfair pay disparities, hurts recruitment and retention, and leaves newer troopers earning less than some supervisors with the same or less education. They urged favorable reports on H. 2651, S. 1759, and S. 1783. A separate witness also supported H. 2627, a sheriff’s pay-parity bill, while suggesting amendments to avoid distinctions between correction officers and jail officers and warning that the proposal should not be viewed as a funding issue alone. The committee also heard testimony on public safety and oversight bills. A rape survivor testified in support of S. 1663, arguing that municipal fire or police personnel convicted of sex offenses should not remain in positions of public trust. Senator Miranda testified in support of S. 1723, S. 1724, and S. 1727, which would create correctional officer training/accountability standards, a correctional inspector general, and privileged communication with legislators for incarcerated people; he said the bills respond to misconduct and lack of independent oversight in the Department of Correction. In contrast, the Fire Chiefs Association and Professional Fire Fighters opposed H. 2572/S. 1668/S. 1740 on emergency management, saying the bill was developed without enough collaboration, lacked local-control safeguards, and could undermine incident command and local decision-making during disasters. Several panels supported other public safety measures. The Fire Chiefs Association and PFFM backed S. 1641 and S. 1744 to create a Massachusetts Public Safety Building Authority to help fund fire station and municipal public safety building projects, and supported S. 1647 to implement the Walsh-Kennedy Commission recommendations on hot works and welding safety, including tougher penalties and training requirements. Witnesses also supported H. 2664/S. 1736 to create a hoisting machinery regulations board, saying current licensing standards for heavy equipment are too minimal. Another panel backed H. 2663/S. 1761 to classify 911 telecommunicators as first responders, citing stress, burnout, and the expanding role of dispatchers. Finally, an attorney from CPCS testified in opposition to S. 1752, warning that expanded sex offender residency restrictions would likely increase homelessness, make supervision harder, and raise constitutional concerns based on prior court rulings.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been a great experience and an honor to serve on the board.
• So, Senator Lakey, what's something that you've taken from your experience serving on this commission
• Okay, and I guess the same kind of question with the EV charging stations and residential garages.
• Chairman, if I understand your question, if somebody puts an EV charging station in their house, they
• I just wanted to make sure this wasn't mandating that everybody had to have an EV charging station in

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• We had 14 stations out just to see what was happening in Louisiana.
• We had 14 stations out just to see what was happening in Louisiana.
• Tulane University owns the seismometers that I use for research experiments.
• So it's a density of the station. So the ability to monitor is the same.
• Geological Survey were based on stations far away.

Summary: The committee first heard an update on the Northwest Louisiana earthquake cluster. Laura Sori of the Department of Conservation and Energy said the agency has inspected Class II injection wells within 12 miles of the earthquakes, found no permit violations, and is requiring monthly reporting of daily injection data. LSU and Tulane researchers explained that the swarm includes about 50 earthquakes detected by USGS since December 2025, including a 4.9 magnitude event on March 5, and that better monitoring is needed because Louisiana has very limited seismic station coverage. Dr. Cynthia Ebinger said her temporary array has detected more small quakes than USGS, that the pattern looks more like a swarm than normal aftershocks, and that the data suggest pressure changes in the subsurface, though no definitive cause was identified. Keith Hall of LSU described how other states responded to suspected induced seismicity with more monitoring, more frequent reporting, injection limits or moratoria, and “traffic light” systems that escalate regulatory responses as seismicity increases. Members asked about depths, fault locations, possible links to injection or fracking, and whether more monitoring and data-sharing should be pursued; several speakers said Louisiana likely needs a denser monitoring network and more structured data collection. A Texas geoscientist, William Berger, also testified that Texas uses large-scale data analysis and AI to study injection-related seismicity and argued for secure sharing of operator data to improve forecasting and risk management. The committee then took testimony on UAV and drone incursions over Barksdale Air Force Base. GOSEP said the incident was logged in WebEOC and the common operating picture, but that Barksdale did not request direct GOSEP resources and that the matter was handled through law enforcement channels. Louisiana State Police and the FBI said they were limited in what they could disclose, but confirmed multiple drone sightings on the morning and evening of March 9 and continued monitoring for several days. State Police said they have created a task force with the Police Chiefs Association, Sheriffs Association, GOSEP, and LSP, and that officers are receiving FBI-related training to help detect and, where authorized, mitigate drones. Members discussed whether the activity was nefarious, what counts as an incursion, and the need for better public education about drone restrictions near military and critical infrastructure sites. No formal action was taken, but members said the issue will continue to be tracked alongside pending legislation. Finally, the committee received a one-year update on the merger of GOSEP with the Louisiana National Guard and Military Department. Major General Thomas Freelieu and Brigadier General Jason Maffus said the merger has reduced GOSEP from seven divisions to three, shifted administrative functions to the Military Department, and produced about $10.5 million in first-year cost avoidance. They said the agency has modernized its common operating picture, returned staff to in-person work, and continued statewide preparedness exercises. Freelieu highlighted Guard missions including cyber expansion, the new Air National Guard cyber squadron at Jackson Barracks, modernization of the 159th Fighter Wing, and ongoing support for homeland security missions in New Orleans and Washington, D.C. Maffus said GOSEP’s core mission remains emergency preparedness, response, and recovery, and that the merger is intended to make state support to parishes faster and more efficient.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is possible to collect Apply at public EV charging stations.
• So that's where gasoline sits right before it goes off to a gas station.
• And so we are putting in charging stations with that federal NEVI money.
• And so we are putting in charging stations with that federal nevy money.
• versus a gas station a little ways away that had a lower price.'

Committee: House Transportation

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee first took up three highway memorial naming resolutions on its consent calendar: ACR 109, SCR 78, and SCR 90. The committee approved the consent calendar on an 11-0 vote, with the roll not held open. The chair also recognized committee science fellow AJ Mendeola for his service before adjourning the bill-hearing portion and moving to an informational hearing. The informational hearing focused on alternatives to the gas tax and how other states are responding to declining fuel-tax revenue. A first panel of researchers and policy experts described the erosion of gas-tax receipts due to inflation, improved fuel efficiency, and growth in electric vehicles, and compared options such as EV registration fees, kilowatt-hour charging fees, delivery fees, transportation network company fees, managed lanes, and road usage charges. Witnesses generally said road usage charges best preserve the user-pays principle, but they also emphasized that implementation costs, privacy concerns, and public understanding remain major obstacles. Committee members raised concerns about fairness for commuters, low-income drivers, and EV adoption, while some members argued a mileage-based system could amount to a new tax unless the gas tax is actually repealed. The second panel featured state officials from Hawaii, Utah, Oregon, and Virginia describing their programs. Hawaii said it launched its road usage charge program on July 1, 2025, using existing safety-check and registration systems, with EV owners initially choosing between a per-mile charge and a flat annual fee before mandatory EV participation begins in 2028 and a broader transition plan is due by 2026. Utah described its voluntary EV road usage charge program, annual flat fee option, quarterly reporting, privacy protections, and recent cost reductions as enrollment grows. Oregon began outlining its structural funding challenges and constitutional cost-responsibility framework, while the hearing overall underscored that states are experimenting with different approaches but have not settled on a single replacement for the gas tax.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up on the agenda, we have weigh stations.
• They are the main source of weigh station operation.
• Weigh stations being open create a deterrent when those scales are open.
• We have posters and information cards inside all the stations to provide.
• Yes, sir. >> Senator Storm. all the way stations? There's one in I'm all the way stations?

Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on Transportation approved the minutes from its September 16 meeting and then heard a presentation from Jason Sawala, deputy state highway engineer with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, on rest areas and truck parking. He described Kentucky’s system of eight welcome centers, 14 rest areas, and four truck havens, and said the Cabinet spent just over $12 million in fiscal year 2025 to operate and maintain those facilities. He also explained that the Cabinet’s truck parking study found truck parking demand has increased 24% since 2012, driven by just-in-time delivery, stricter hours-of-service and electronic logging requirements, and fewer drivers. Sawala said the study looked not only at Cabinet-owned facilities but also private truck stops and lots, and identified unmet parking demand across the state, especially at 1:00 a.m. He noted that 11 sites, mostly existing rest areas, weigh stations, or welcome centers, were identified as promising expansion locations, with estimated project costs in the $30 million to $36 million range in 2022 dollars. He said the Cabinet is working on design and project development for those sites and is seeking federal funding opportunities where available. Members raised concerns about safety, congestion, and trucks parking on ramps or in residential areas, and several asked about funding, charging for parking, and whether autonomous vehicles might reduce future demand. Sawala said the 820 public rest-area spaces are marked spaces only, that he was not aware of any state charging for public truck parking, and that federal programs can help fund some expansions. He also said he was not aware of local-government parking programs offhand but would look into it. Members generally emphasized the importance of truck parking for safety, commerce, and avoiding burdens on local communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• It seems the experience is different.
• </c> changing station in this sandwich shop. changing station in this sandwich shop.
• </c> and pay for these stations and pay for these stations when<04:06:44.640><c> the</c><04:06:44.960
• Shall provide baby changing stations at least one diaper changing station in each gender, not just one
• The put behind the changing stations.

Transcript Highlights:

• I had a personal experience with a lady right across from my house a couple of years ago.
• I had a personal experience with a lady right across from my house a couple of years ago.
• I had a personal experience with a lady right across from my house a couple of years ago.
• </c> what you're talking about a gas station what you're talking about a gas station is<00:32:52.360>
• There's probably a little gas station five or six miles down the road that way as well.

Summary: The Kentucky Senate Transportation Committee met with a quorum, approved the February 19 minutes, and opened with a moment of silent prayer for a colleague who had experienced a medical episode. Members also recognized several guests, including students, school board members, and community visitors. The committee then took up Senate Joint Resolution 66, which proposes a task force on Advanced Air Mobility. The sponsor described the measure as a way for Kentucky to study emerging eVTOL and related aviation technology, compare policies with other states, and position the commonwealth to compete for economic development in aviation, aerospace, and logistics. Members expressed support for the forward-looking concept, and the resolution was reported favorably after a roll call vote, with a correction noted that there was no committee substitute attached. The committee next considered Senate Bill 38, dealing with school bus stop-arm safety cameras. The sponsor and a co-sponsor said the bill is permissive, not mandatory, and would help school districts pay for camera purchase, installation, and operation if they choose to use them. They emphasized the goal of reducing illegal passing of stopped school buses, cited survey data showing thousands of violations statewide, and said the bill includes a process for contesting citations and keeps revenue largely within school districts and the court system. A co-sponsor described a personal near-miss involving a child crossing in front of a bus. After discussion, the committee adopted the committee substitute and reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 63 on street-legal special purpose vehicles. The sponsor and a witness from Back Roads of Appalachia said the bill is intended to support recreation and economic development in Eastern Kentucky by allowing certain UTVs and similar vehicles to be made street legal under defined safety and registration requirements. They stressed that farm and agricultural vehicles are excluded, that the bill is optional, and that vehicles would need inspection, registration, and safety equipment such as roll bars, seat belts, and windshields. Members asked about whether the bill would affect farm use, whether it was aimed at recreation, and how local governments could restrict use; the sponsor said localities could prohibit these vehicles on certain roads and that the measure was not meant to allow long-distance travel on major roads. The discussion also included a reminder to wear helmets. The transcript ends during the committee’s consideration of SB 63, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• possible. the young ladies and making sure that they all have the best experience possible.
• We get the Louisiana PBS station. And we don't get the Arkansas PBS station.
• You're going to have a hard time getting this station. of Miller County, you're going to have a hard
• time getting this station on your computer.
• Two years ago, I stood here Describable experience.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, recognized guests, and adopted consent-calendar resolutions before taking up House Resolution 1052 regarding Arkansas Girls State. Rep. Vaught explained that about 150 eligible girls were denied registration because a counselor missed the deadline, and said the House would instead host an “elite Girls State” program for them this summer. He then moved to withdraw the resolution, and the withdrawal was accepted. The chamber also presented a citation to Pastor Richard Hamlin for his service during the session. The House then considered several Senate appropriation bills. Senate Bills 3, 4, 7, 15, 21, and 31 all passed with broad support and emergency clauses. Senate Bill 77, an unfunded appropriation related to Arkansas Television Network/PBS matching funds, drew extended debate. Supporters said it would encourage private donations and could help with programming and infrastructure, while opponents argued the department had not requested the money and that the House should not force additional funding. The bill failed on the first vote, was brought back for a second vote after questions about the rules and the nature of the appropriation, and failed again. After the fiscal session business concluded, Rep. Meeks moved to adjourn sine die, and the House agreed. The House caucus then met to elect the Speaker-designate for the 96th General Assembly. The chamber suspended the formal election process by voice vote and unanimously elected Speaker Brian S. Evans as Speaker-designate. Evans thanked members, reflected on the 95th General Assembly, and pledged continued leadership and accountability.