Transcript Highlights:

• for fighting, At the facility gym, he has received several death threats for fighting and/or assaulting
• We are sworn special state police officers who work in correctional facilities.
• During the pandemic, correctional facilities and parole did not stop.
• TPOs were in the facilities, along with the IPOs, meeting face-to-face with inmates, facilitating WebEx
• These employees work daily with radioactive materials and operate a nuclear reactor research facility

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service heard testimony on a wide range of retirement classification and benefit bills affecting municipal and state employees. Much of the hearing focused on proposals to move various workers from Group 1 to Group 2 or Group 4, including municipal building officials (H. 2776), MassDOT highway workers (H. 2908/Sousa’s Law), DCF attorneys (H. 2771), probation officers, licensed electricians, drinking water operators (H. 3000/S. 1834), MWRA non-clerical workers (S. 1803), transitional parole officers (H. 2878), Plymouth BCI criminal investigator officers (H. 2975/S. 1863), Beverly fire alarm operators/public safety telecommunicators (S. 1876), Massport pipefitters and refrigeration technicians (H. 2788/S. 1829), and other public safety or hazardous-duty classifications. Witnesses generally argued that their work is physically dangerous, understaffed, or comparable to already higher-classified employees, and several said the changes would help recruitment and retention with little fiscal impact because the affected groups are small. The committee also heard testimony on H. 4508, a home rule petition to grant a disability pension to Boston principal Patricia Lampron. Supporters, including Representative Dan Hunt, Boston city councilors, and Lampron herself, described a severe 2021 assault at the Henderson Inclusion School that left her with lasting physical and psychological injuries and forced her into early retirement. They urged the committee to advance the bill quickly. One witness, Pamela McLaughlin, testified in opposition, arguing the bill would set the wrong precedent and describing alleged prior misconduct by Lampron, and asked that the bill be sent to study. Several witnesses and committee members asked brief questions, mainly about the scope of the bills, whether certain workers were already in higher groups, and the fiscal or precedent concerns. No votes were taken during the hearing. At the end, the chairs announced that testimony was complete, asked whether anyone else wished to speak, and then the committee voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• today than before. ...being produced in New York State today than before that one nuclear power facility
• And are you going to say, now we're putting more, even with battery storage facilities, we're putting
• We all know that battery storage facilities should not be in dense areas.
• These battery storage facilities burn up to 5,000 degrees. Thank you.
• These battery storage facilities burn up to 5,000 degrees.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications considered a large agenda focused mainly on energy affordability, the CLCPA, utility rates, and renewable energy siting. Senator Mattera and other Republican members argued that the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act has driven up utility bills, harmed reliability, and imposed costs on ratepayers, while Democratic members pushed back that rising costs are also driven by natural gas markets, infrastructure costs, and broader economic factors. Several bills sought to repeal or pause CLCPA-related policies, create a CLCPA task force, impose studies or moratoriums on new energy taxes and fees, and increase transparency around utility surcharges and state energy spending. Supporters framed these measures as ratepayer relief and accountability; opponents said some proposals would undermine clean-energy policy and existing consumer-benefit programs. The committee defeated S.1167, which would have repealed the All Electric Building Act, and S.1173, which would have created a CLCPA task force. It also failed S.5250, a bill to study CLCPA costs and impose a moratorium on new energy taxes, fees, or regulations, and S.7075, which would have prohibited the system benefits charge on utility bills. Several other bills advanced, including S.1236A on virtual access and electronic filing for Public Service Commission proceedings, S.1552 establishing reduced residential rates for low-income electric and natural gas customers, S.2484 directing a study of replacement timeframes for battery storage and renewable facilities, S.2638 on carbon allowance auction proceeds, S.3247 on electric vehicle charging stations, S.3553 requiring utilities to post promotional and educational materials on their websites, S.4571A creating a floating solar incentive education program, S.5518 shifting Public Service Commission funding to legislative appropriation, and S.6412A requiring itemized ratepayer disclosure of surcharges. S.9251, on labor-related legal costs, was referred to the Labor Committee. S.7710, which would have restricted energy storage systems near schools and homes in New York City, failed after concerns and support were debated. The committee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• packaging facility and you see the robotics and automated machines that are picking up those boxes,
• A1A is a very vulnerable facility along the coast, and as I'm sure many of you know, we've had washouts
• and just the way the whole facility is laid out, we are finding that people in the area are coming for
• Does it look like we should have an express lane on this toll facility?
• So we do offer the use of express lanes along a facility; it really offers drivers choices regardless

Summary: The committee heard two informational presentations: one from the Department of Commerce and one from the Florida Department of Transportation. Jason Mahon of Commerce outlined the state’s economic development strategy and tools, emphasizing Florida’s GDP growth, business formation, and strengths in manufacturing, high-tech, defense, life sciences, and international trade. He described programs such as the State Small Business Credit Initiative, the Rural Community Investment Program, the Florida Opportunity Fund, the Rural Infrastructure Fund, the Job Growth Grant Fund, performance-based tax credits, and disaster recovery loans, and cited examples including ServiceNow, Williams International, NeoCity, and Point Blank Enterprises. Members asked about small-business grants, foreign investment interest, workforce needs, and whether additional tools are needed; Mahon said most Commerce programs are loan-focused and noted ongoing workforce and site-readiness challenges. Jennifer Marshall of FDOT then reviewed major transportation projects and the Moving Florida Forward initiative, highlighting congestion relief, express lanes, bridge and interchange work, and accelerated delivery methods. She cited projects such as Golden Glades, I-95 improvements, the NASA Causeway Bridge, the DuPont Bridge, I-4 corridor work, the First Coast Expressway, the Howard Frankland Bridge, A1A seawall work, and Turnpike projects, along with examples of cost savings and schedule acceleration. Senators asked about how express lane locations are chosen, toll revenue use in South Florida, the status and cost of the I-395 downtown Miami project, and whether EV and rideshare access to express lanes should be preserved. FDOT said it would follow up on several of those questions, and the committee adjourned without taking any legislative action.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can buy the equipment, rebuild facilities, parks, trails, and ensure we have up-to-date information
• So like in my area, there's five communities that are doing the Zombro wastewater facility, and maybe
• Emergency housing facilities vary widely and shape how cities ensure the health, safety, and welfare
• or licensed daycare facilities.
• This is why a conditional use permit for residential licensed facilities and other facilities that are

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this is Representative Hull's bill regarding, uh, priority facilities.
• Members, this Representative Landgraf's bill, um, regarding FERC regulations and interconnected facilities
• While wind and solar power facilities are required by state law to obtain and deliver full financial
• So if you figure these facilities have about a 20-year life, that's about as much.
• Uh, every year in terms of of waste output, as these facilities retire.

Bills: HB 246, HB 796, HB 1056, HB 1544, HB 1846, HB 2001, HB 2618, HB 2625, HB 2869, HB 2898, HB 3069, HB 3114, HB 3157, HB 3228, HJR 98

Keywords: federal directives, state authority, Tenth Amendment, government enforcement, local governance, gold standard, legal tender, currency, transactional currency, financial transactions, electronic payment systems, state finance, regulatory compliance, electric trucks, charging infrastructure, advisory council, transportation, sustainability, criminal penalties, official information

Transcript Highlights:

• But part of the master facilities plan is to also add a new dorm.
• We see our biggest turnovers are in dining services and facilities. It’s tough.
• So we talked about the facilities or the master facilities plan. I also mentioned...
• It will be an awesome training facility for our fire science students. Aviation maintenance.
• You still got to have facilities. There's operations costs, administrative costs.

Summary: The committee met at North Dakota State College of Science for a presentation from President Flanagan and campus leaders on the college’s mission, enrollment growth, workforce programs, facilities needs, and industry partnerships. Flanagan highlighted student success in national competitions, strong placement and retention, the college’s strategic plan, and new or expanding programs such as aviation maintenance, fire science, dental hygiene, community health worker, surgical technology, HVAC/plumbing, and precision agriculture. He also described the need for a new dorm and a remodel of the library into academic and allied health space, including a simulation center, to address capacity limits and support growth. Several committee members asked about program demand, faculty recruitment, pay competitiveness, and how the college shifts resources from lower-demand programs to high-demand ones. Industry partner Jim Albright of Comdell testified that the college has been essential to the local manufacturing workforce and that many employees and interns come from NDSCS. A major topic was dual credit. Flanagan said dual credit is important but financially challenging, noting that only a small share of dual credit students ultimately matriculate to NDSCS and that the college’s dual credit model is close to break-even. He explained that many dual credit credits are general education rather than CTE, and that the college pays instructors, supports high schools, and absorbs indirect costs. Williston State College President Bernal Herning added that his institution loses money on the front end but has shifted toward helping students complete associate degrees before high school graduation because many go directly to work after high school. Committee members questioned how dual credit is delivered, how instructors are qualified, and whether students are truly doing college-level work. The committee then received a University System presentation from Jamie Wilkie on the cost of delivering dual credit statewide. Wilkie explained the methodology used to allocate direct and overhead costs and said the analysis shows dual credit is not profitable at several institutions once tuition, instructor payments, and overhead are included. Members asked how much of the cost is borne by students, families, and the state, and whether K-12 funding should also be considered. Discussion also covered the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized dual credit, payments to high school teachers or schools, and the possibility of waiving tuition in the future. No votes were taken, and the committee mainly gathered information for the ongoing dual credit cost study.

Transcript Highlights:

• , basically secured facilities.
• They had some what we call residential facilities, basically secured facilities.
• So the community correction facilities, for example, Secretary Wallace, So the community correction facilities
• We just moved the facilities.
• It fluctuates; the facilities depend on the jobs.

Summary: The committee first adopted revised JBC rules, which staff said were updated to reflect legislation passed in the 2025 session. It then heard a presentation from DFA Secretary Jim Hudson on the governor’s proposed balanced budget for FY27, with no action taken. Hudson said the budget reflects three priorities: limiting state-government growth, continuing investments in education, and advancing income-tax cuts. He highlighted increases for education funding through EFAs, pay-plan costs for Corrections, DPS, and the Attorney General, higher education productivity funding, drug task forces, a Corrections medical contract, the governor’s 1033 initiative, SNAP error-rate reduction efforts, and an additional $100 million set aside for Medicaid sustainability. Committee members questioned the size of the tax cuts, the balance requirement, public education funding, Medicaid trust-fund levels, EFA funding, and the expected impact of new SNAP cost-sharing rules. The Division of Higher Education then presented its productivity-based funding recommendations. Officials said institutions were 2.61% more productive overall, with funding changes driven by a statutory formula that rewards degree production, underserved populations, and high-demand fields. Members asked about declines at UA Little Rock, the formula’s multipliers, the role of the Arkansas Access Act and a new return-on-investment metric, and how two-year colleges are adjusted for size. The committee also reviewed special items and approved two letters: one authorizing 17 net personnel changes across nine institutions, and another adding special language for North Arkansas College’s entry into the University of Arkansas system. The committee then adopted the Higher Education Coordinating Board’s recommendations for all institutions. A lengthy portion of the meeting focused on the University of Arkansas system, especially Fayetteville’s athletics funding and the broader impact of the House/NIL settlement. Chancellor Charles Robinson and system officials explained that the board had waived a longstanding campus transfer and directed the university to provide an additional $6 million to athletics, with some costs likely to be passed through to students but partially offset by existing budget growth. Members debated whether the university should prioritize academics or athletics, how the transfer originated, and whether the athletic changes would affect affordability. The committee also discussed the 1890 extension program at UAPB and the Division of Agriculture’s land-grant funding. UAPB officials said the state match is intended to be one-to-one, that the current recommendation aligns appropriation with actual spending, and that a $2 million set-aside remains available if needed. The Division of Agriculture later clarified that its Smith-Lever extension and Hatch research funds are part of the UA system’s separate budget and that the state matched about $6.2 million in federal extension funding last year. The committee then moved to the Department of Corrections. It approved G1, transferring 51 positions to the secretary’s office to activate a recidivism program, with an estimated cost of about $4 million. Staff then began walking through the department’s FY27 budget, noting an increase of about $8 million for administration and shared services, including a $170,000 sex-offender assessment appropriation moved under Act 723 of 2025 and roughly $6 million more for medical contracts. Questions on the Corrections budget had just begun when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• for state irrigation projects and reservoir safety, and $7 million for the Hava animal industry facility
• And<00:52:43.040> for<00:52:43.280> defense,<00:52:43.839> 35 industry facility
• And for defense, 35 industry facility.
• Challengemies facilities and Kyle Law. Challengemies facilities and Kyle Law.
• harvest and food processing facilities harvest and food processing facilities and<00:53:13.920><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The impacts of existing interconnections of electric transmission service facilities in this state with
• electric transmission service facilities. in the United Mexican States, so Texas and Mexico, including
• And certain health care facilities are for the committee on public health.
• , a nursing facility, and an immediate care facility, or for the committee on the SB 76-2, by Campbell
• Operational facilities funding the certain open enrollment charter schools for the committee on public

Bills: HB14, HJR31, HB43, HB18, HB 106, HB36, HB26, HB149, HB 121, HB206, HB136, HB3114, HB2733, HB1732, HB3700, HB467, HB 1130, HB1846, HB1442, HB 1147, HB2176, HB2701, HB805, HB2890, HB 1154, HB1644, HB2118, HB1718, HB2488, HB2596, HB1971, HB2468, HB484, HB2578, HB3204, HB 1041, HB307, HB685, HB1710, HB538, HB2525, HB3125, HB2027, HB2894, HB3077, HB3684, HJR99, HB1399, HJR5, HB1330, HB2110, HJR2, HJR6, HB1587, HB14, HJR31, HB43, HB18, HB 106, HB36, HB26, HB149, HB 121, HB206, HB136, HB3114, HB2733, HB1732, HB3700, HB467, HB 1130, HB1846, HB1442, HB 1147, HB2176, HB2701, HB805, HB2890, HB 1154, HB1644, HB2118, HB1718, HB2488, HB2596, HB1971, HB2468, HB484, HB2578, HB3204, HB 1041, HB307, HB685, HB1710, HB538, HB2525, HB3125, HB2027, HB2894, HB3077, HB3684

Keywords: nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, farm products, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, agriculture, Texas Constitution, livestock, producer, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services

Transcript Highlights:

• It used to be you went to a facility, a hospital.
• It's not about making it easier for the facility.
• It's making sure that the facility.
• Um, state investing in that facility.
• Uh we have been asked to do facilities.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. facilities the Hawaii revid statutes 302 facilities the
• So it's not like we're ignoring the need for these types of facilities.
• Next, we have testimony from the Hawaii School Facilities Authority.
• Ricky Fujitani with the School Facilities Authority. We support this exemption.
• to develop pre kindergarten facilities to develop pre kindergarten facilities first<01:31:29.080

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard three House bills related to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. HB 606 would extend the Act 279 special fund to June 30, 2028, continue deposits and appropriations to help eliminate the DHHL waitlist, and require a strategic plan and annual reporting. DHHL strongly supported the measure, saying most of the initial $600 million had been used and that the need remains large, with more than 29,000 people on the waitlist. Public testimony also supported the bill, emphasizing its importance to Native Hawaiian families and concerns about Hawaiians leaving the islands because of housing costs. A member noted the bill is a priority and that the committee will keep working on how to fund another $600 million. HB 1086 would exempt DHHL homestead lot and housing development from general excise and use taxes. DHHL supported the bill, saying any tax savings would reduce the eventual cost of housing for low-income beneficiaries. The Department of Taxation said it could administer the measure and noted it is already being implemented under the governor’s emergency proclamation, with a proposed effective date of January 1, 2026. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered technical comments and urged the committee to weigh existing benefits already received by DHHL beneficiaries. HB 1307 would appropriate funds for DHHL water well development and geothermal exploration on Hawaiian homelands. DHHL said the bill is a follow-up to prior study funding and would support slim-hole drilling, site evaluation, and consultant work to identify viable geothermal resources, especially on Hawaiʻi Island. Several testifiers opposed the bill, arguing there had been inadequate beneficiary consultation, raising environmental, cultural, and safety concerns, and objecting to using $20 million for geothermal rather than housing. In response to committee questions, DHHL staff explained that the goal is to gather information for a future public-private partnership to develop geothermal electricity, and that a Chapter 343 environmental review would be required later in the process. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Item two is the Facility Planning and Control agenda. Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members.
• I'm the director of the Office of Facility Planning and Control for the Division of Administration.
• approximately 7,500 square feet on the third floor of the Center for Advanced Learning and Simulation facility
• Phase one was a renovation of the existing facility and is complete.
• Phase one was a renovation of the existing facility and is complete.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee received the May fiscal status statement from the Office of Planning and Budget, which reflected the updated Revenue Estimating Conference forecast. The revised forecast reduced the FY26 general fund excess available from $292.6 million to $179.7 million and lowered projected revenues across the five-year baseline, including a drop in FY27 available funds and larger out-year imbalances. The statement was approved without objection. Members then considered several Facility Planning and Control items and approved them without objection: a $3 million LSU Health Sciences Center-New Orleans project to build out space in the Center for Advanced Learning and Simulation; a $343,600 increase for HVAC upgrades at the Louisiana War Veterans Home warehouse in Jackson; and a $700,000 increase for Southern University’s A.A. Lenoir Law Center addition. The committee also received, for information only, five change orders over $50,000 but under $250,000. The committee approved contract extensions and funding actions for several agencies. Louisiana Economic Development received approval for one-year extensions and increases for marketing contracts with Zender Communications and Graham Group. The Department of Education’s contract amendment for the Louisiana Gator ESA program with Odyssey was reported favorably after questions about the procurement process and how the contract amount relates to student enrollment. The Sabine River Authority’s $9.5 million operating budget increase and its 2026–2027 budget were approved favorably, with members discussing the planned takeover of Cypress Bend Resort operations. The Department of Health’s HERO Fund round of 15 grant awards, totaling about $4.6 million and projected to create 541 new health care credentials, was also approved favorably. Finally, the Water Sector Commission’s recommendations were adopted, including an additional $619,850 for St. Mary Parish Water and Sewer Commission No. 5 and $1.5 million in emergency subfund assistance for the city of Tallulah, conditioned on a limited fiscal administration order. The committee also reviewed a cooperative agreement between the Louisiana Community and Technical College System and its facilities corporation related to Act 35 projects, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Item two, the Facility Planning and Control agenda. Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members.
• I'm the director of the Office of Facility Planning and Control for the Division of Administration.
• approximately 7,500 square feet on the third floor of the Center for Advanced Learning and Simulation facility
• Phase one was a renovation of the existing facility and is complete.
• Phase one was a renovation of the existing facility and is complete.

Summary: The committee first heard a fiscal status statement from the Office of Planning and Budget showing that updated Revenue Estimating Conference forecasts reduced the FY26 general fund excess available from $292.6 million to $179.7 million, with lower revenues across the five-year baseline and larger out-year imbalances. With no questions, the statement was approved. Members then reviewed several Facility Planning and Control items, including approval of a new $3 million LSU Health Sciences Center project in New Orleans funded by self-generated revenues, a $343,600 increase for HVAC upgrades at the Louisiana War Veterans Home in Jackson, and a $700,000 increase for Southern University’s A.A. Leno Law Center addition. The committee also received informational change-order reports and approved Louisiana Economic Development contract extensions for Zender Communications and Graham Group, as well as a Department of Education contract amendment for the Louisiana Gator ESA program with Odyssey after questions about the contract’s up-to amount and procurement process. The Sabine River Authority sought approval for a $9.5 million increase to its operating budget and its 2026-2027 budget, explaining the increase was tied to taking over the Cypress Bend Resort hotel and related property; members asked about long-term self-sufficiency and local support, and the items were approved favorably. The Louisiana Department of Health received approval for 15 HERO Fund grant awards totaling about $4.6 million to support 541 new health care credentials statewide. The Water Sector Commission’s recommendations were also approved, including $619,850 more for St. Mary Parish Water and Sewer Commission No. 5 and emergency subfund support for the city of Tallulah, conditioned on a limited fiscal administration order. Finally, members reviewed an agreement between the LCTCS Board and its Facilities Corporation under Act 35, and the meeting adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tire pyrolysis facilities must adhere to the same regulations as a tire recycling facility.
• Could the author just tell me what a tire pyrolysis facility is?
• How many of these facilities do we have in Oklahoma?
• This is going to be to get these facilities in Oklahoma.
• So we would not have any facilities currently in Oklahoma. Is that what you're saying?

Bills: HB4248, HB4429, HB2588, HB3472, HB4317, HB3462, HB2035, HB3501, HB3127, HB3143, HB3144, HB3260, HB4321, HB3011, HB3522, HB3530

Keywords: HB4248, hemp beverage, hemp drinks, THC beverage, cannabis beverage, intoxicating hemp, age restriction, under 21, minor possession, youth access, public health and safety, Title 63, Oklahoma Statutes, retail sales, alcohol-style regulation, controlled substances, beverage regulation, proxy advisory services, shareholder rights, financial transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• million cash appropriation requested for the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame funding to support the facility
• million cash appropriation requested for the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame funding to support the facility
• <00:01:21.360> and<00:01:22.080> the funding to support the facility and the funding
• to support the facility and the construction<00:01:22.920> of<00:01:23.040> it.
• The developer will own effectively half of the facility at this point, and that will be a taxable facility

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Clardy introduced House File 4238, seeking a $5 million state general obligation investment for roads and infrastructure in Inver Grove Heights tied to the planned Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame project, along with a separate requested $20 million cash appropriation for the facility itself. He described the bill as having statewide value and asked to focus first on the $5 million GO request. Mayor Brenda Dietrich and Community Development Director Jason Ziemer testified in support, calling the Hall of Fame a once-in-a-lifetime, transformative project for the city, the Twin Cities region, and the state. They said Inver Grove Heights expects to invest $14 million to $17 million locally for land acquisition and site improvements, and that the state funds would help pay for roads, utilities, stormwater work, grading, and right-of-way needs. They also emphasized that the public investment would support broader economic development in the area and accommodate a future I-494 interchange. Members asked about long-term ownership and maintenance, and were told the facility would be privately owned, with a developer owning about half and the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame nonprofit owning the ice arena portion. Another question raised whether the project would compete with the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame; testifiers said it would instead work in tandem, with collaboration on exhibits and a potential benefit to the Eveleth institution. No vote or formal action was taken in the portion of the meeting shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, uh, we also have got welding training facilities.
• We currently have over 40 facilities.
• <00:26:58.240> like the hands of training facilities like the hands of training facilities
• So, it would take quite a lift of over two years to put those testing facilities together.
• equipment, facilities, vehicles. equipment, facilities, vehicles.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , um, since we're doing this process, we don't want to then add facilities to the language around the
• , um, since we're doing this process, we don't want to then add facilities to the language around the
• , um, since we're doing this process, we don't want to then add facilities to the language around the
• I would you agree with me, is that it seems to me rather obvious that sometimes the siting of a facility
• That it seems to me rather obvious that sometimes the siting of a facility, as it relates potentially

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So MDOT does have a test facility where they wanted to try that and do that.
• So MDOT does have a test facility where they wanted to try that and do that.
• So MDOT does have a test facility where they wanted to try that and do that.
• So MDOT does have a test facility where they wanted to try that and do that.
• So MDOT does have a test facility track.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The discussion focused on Minnesota legislation for autonomous vehicles, with Sen. John Jasinski arguing the state should create a clear statewide regulatory framework that welcomes driverless ride-share services without imposing so many rules that companies avoid investing here. He said autonomous vehicles are already testing and mapping in the Twin Cities area, and that the main benefits would be improved accessibility and independence for people who cannot drive because of disabilities or medical conditions, as well as broader transportation options for work and travel. Jasinski described his bill, Senate File 4010, as a public-safety framework that would rely on existing MnDOT and governor’s connected automated vehicle task force structures rather than creating a new, more restrictive process through DPS. He contrasted that approach with Sen. Dibble’s bill, which he said would be much more restrictive and could amount to "death by regulation." He also said he supports some guardrails, such as geomapping around downtown events, safe loading and unloading zones, and procedures for human takeover if a problem occurs, but wants to avoid a patchwork of city-by-city rules. He said the legislature is considering several autonomous-vehicle bills this session and that the timing reflects years of study by the state task force. Jasinski also discussed his earlier bipartisan Senate File 75, which authorized MnDOT to research autonomous mower technology after he noticed traffic delays caused by ditch mowing along highways. He said that pilot is still in testing at an MDOT facility, but he sees potential for the technology to reduce traffic disruption, improve worker safety, and lower costs. No votes or formal committee actions were described in the interview.

Transcript Highlights:

• The target around jobs was 18 jobs and wages of $35,000 at a Washington LNG facility.
• We cannot state whether the jobs and wages at the LNG facility met the jobs objective.
• These are facilities that provide a wide array of services to older adults.
• It includes personal property that is at the facility, such as equipment and furnishings.
• The facility was not built, and the business instead built a facility in Tennessee.

Summary: The Citizens Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on August 6, 2025, with five commissioners present and a quorum. The commission approved the May 7, 2025 meeting minutes and welcomed new commissioner Scott Edwards, who introduced himself. Staff also confirmed the September meeting date had been changed to September 22, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. to accommodate his schedule, and noted that testimony questions for the public hearing would be used at that meeting. JLARC staff then presented preliminary 2025 tax preference performance reviews covering nine preferences. For natural gas used as a transportation fuel, staff said the preferences reduce fuel costs but do not meet emissions-reduction goals, and recommended continuing the public utility tax and natural gas use tax exemptions while modifying reporting requirements; they also recommended continuing the marine-use LNG sales tax exemption and considering the Department of Revenue work group’s findings. For travel agents and tour operators, staff said the small-beneficiary rate appears to support smaller firms, while the larger-beneficiary rate should be reviewed and both should have clearer objectives and metrics. For nonprofit low-income housing development, staff said the preference is helping produce housing but the current metric does not align well with the objective, data/reporting problems remain, and the legislature should decide whether to continue and possibly modify the exemption, including considering annual renewal. Staff also reviewed the multipurpose senior citizen centers exemption, concluding it meets its objective and recommending continuation, with possible consideration of making it permanent. For disabled veteran adapted housing, staff said the preference has very low uptake despite eligible veterans and recommended continuing it but modifying it in consultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve use. For trade convention attendance, staff said the preference aligns Washington with other states and recommended continuation. For agricultural fertilizer and seed wholesaling, staff said the exemption reduces tax layering and recommended continuation, with clarification on whether it is exempt from expiration/performance-statement requirements. For agricultural crop protection products, staff said the preference met its revenue-growth metric and recommended extending it while considering better metrics or recategorizing it as tax relief. Finally, for energy sales to a silicon smelter, staff said the preferences were unused because the facility was never built and recommended allowing them to expire. The meeting ended with reminders about written testimony and the September public testimony session.

Bills: SB1687, HB1687, HB4431, HB2894, HB2979, HB3262, HB3298, HB3369, HB3431, HB3462, SB1226, SB1876, SB1916, SB1920, HB3467, HB3498, HB3500, HB3521, HB3581, HB3650, HB3673, HB3764, HB3767, HB3781, HB3800, HB3831, HB3834, HB3941, HB2749, HB3970, HB3972, HB3979, HB3980, HB3981, HB3996, HB4095, HB4104, HB4191, HB4248, HB4298, HB4338, HB4427, HB4428, HJR1023, HB3660, HB3718, HB4326, HB3443, HB3880, HB3649, HB3000, SB1651, SB504, SB372, SB1326, SB1633, SB248, SB1242, SB1238, SB423, SB1989, SB1286, SB904, SB1213, SB1216, SB1827, SB65, SB1390, SB259, SB1944, SB540, SB2139, SB346, SB1595, SB1400, SB1555, SB1209, SB2110, SB1670, SB1061, SB2104, HR1057, SB1946, SB1734, SB1316, SB1360, SB1557, SB1684, SB2049, SB1410, SB2011, SB1437, SB1204, SB1732, SB1775, SB2084, SB1380, SB1572, SB1772, SB1224, SB710, SB1338, SB1266, SB1303, SB1307, SB1562, SB1794, SB1191, SB1983, SB1832, SB1448, SB1534, SB1593, SB1597, SB1630, SB1489, SB1726, SB1796, SB1806, SB1877, SB1451, SB1553, SB1632, SB1423, SB1425, SB1502, SB2180, SB1725, SB2182, HB3003, HB3004, HB4434, HB4324, HB4342, HB2137, HB4432, SJR50, SJR52, SJR53

Keywords: driver licenses, exam proctor, Service Oklahoma, commercial training, background checks, advance directive, advance health care directive, health care proxy, medical power of attorney, durable power of attorney for health care, living will, surrogate decision-maker, default surrogate, health care agent, capacity determination, supported decision making, mental health directive, psychiatric advance directive, end-of-life care, life-sustaining treatment

Summary: The House convened, completed the roll call, prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized Eileen Cooper Grubbs as Nurse of the Day. The chamber then took up several procedural items, including second-reading referrals of Senate Joint Resolutions 50, 52, and 53 to Administrative Rules. Speaker Hilbert also announced the House would continue working despite uncertainty about action in the other chamber, and members were told dinner had been ordered for a long day of floor work. On legislation, the House rejected Senate amendments to House Bill 1728 and House Bill 3021 and requested conference on both. It adopted Senate amendments to House Bill 2137, a criminal procedure bill, and then passed the bill. The House also approved a motion by Speaker Hilbert to override the governor’s veto of House Bill 4432, with a recorded vote of 68-15, allowing the bill to become law notwithstanding the governor’s objections. The House then adopted House Concurrent Resolution 1028, which authorizes the House or Senate to modify legislative deadlines for the remainder of the 60th Legislature. Members discussed that the change was intended to keep legislation moving while the Senate was not meeting and to preserve the ability to hear bills and return them between chambers. The resolution passed after a recorded vote of 77-4. Finally, the House suspended certain rules for the rest of the session by a 68-15 vote and recessed until 1 p.m., with a reminder that the rural caucus would meet in Room 206.