Transcript Highlights:

• And so the approach that we need for construction, the materials that we need to bring in, the way we
• They are like ants on that construction site. There is constant motion, constant movement.
• But one of the real successes of this is not just that we got construction done earlier.
• We were able to advance construction in this area prior to any major storms.
• We were able to advance construction in this area prior to any major storms.

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:

• In 2023, the construction aggregate grant program was enacted to make up to $20 million available each
• In 2023, the construction aggregate grant program was enacted to make up to $20 million available each
• Our most significant construction project right now is the bulkheads.
• Our most significant construction project right now is the bulkheads.
• materials sector and providing additional aggregate for road construction throughout the state.

Summary: The Committee on Transportation heard SB 356 by Senator Wright, which would create an opt-in framework for counties and municipalities to allow utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs) on certain local roads with posted speed limits below 55 mph, subject to local safety determinations, licensing, insurance, and other restrictions. Supporters, including a retired sheriff and a Florida Sheriffs Association representative, argued the bill would give law enforcement clearer authority and reflect the reality that UTVs are already being used on roads, while opponents from the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association and Honda warned that UTVs are not designed for public roads and lack key safety features. Several senators raised safety concerns, especially about speed and crash risk, but the bill was reported favorably after debate, with Senators Martin, McClain, and Truenow expressing reservations. The committee then held a lengthy discussion on seaport infrastructure and funding. FDOT presented data showing Florida’s 16 deepwater seaports generate major cargo volume, jobs, and economic impact, and described state funding programs such as FSTED, SPI, and the construction aggregate grant program. Port representatives from Port Everglades, PortMiami, Port of Palm Beach, and Port Tampa Bay described record cargo and cruise activity, major capital projects, and the importance of state and federal grants, private partnerships, and long-term planning. They also discussed challenges including limited land, bulkhead and berth maintenance, channel deepening, workforce needs, fuel access, resiliency, and intermodal connectivity. Senators asked about return on investment, trade patterns, financing, cruise-versus-cargo balance, and operational risks; the ports emphasized that they are largely enterprise-funded but still depend on public investment for major infrastructure. The committee also approved a block of appointments to the Tampa Hillsborough County Expressway Authority and the Tampa Port Authority without objection. In addition, FDOT presented the statewide mapping programs work group report required by SB 1662, recommending a coordinated statewide aerial imagery and LiDAR program, shared procurement and cost-sharing arrangements, and statutory updates to improve interagency coordination and access to geospatial data. Senators briefly discussed potential uses for the data in insurance, emergency management, and property assessment, and the presentation concluded without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Associated with those construction zones, commercial vehicle operations utilize data and information
• Is there a construction zone? Is there potholes or whatever it may be?
• Is there a construction zone? Is there potholes or whatever it may be?
• So I know there was some construction because I was paying attention on the road and I saw it.
• We do construction. We've got quite a few semis, and it ends up being to the owner's cost.

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul Arcade Street and East 7th Street construction mitigation grants.
• /c><00:13:45.399> road<00:13:45.760> construction continues to have road construction continues
• especially when there’s construction.
• <00:19:02.240> no coming back and the construction no coming back and the construction no
• forward and that's called a construction forward and that's called a construction mitigation mitigation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A COUPLE OF RECENT EXAMPLES ARE CHANGING THE SEQUENCE OF OUR CONSTRUCTION PHASES LIKE THE SUGGESTION
• WE BROUGHT IN MULTIPLE ON CONSTRUCTION TEAMS FOR A FIRST IN THE CALLED MODIFIES TO PHASE DESIGN.
• FOR INNOVATIONS LIKE VOLUNTARY ACCELERATION AND SHARED RISK MANAGEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION WE ARE WORKING
• ON SITE HIRING EVENTS CALLED ROAD TO THE FUTURE AND CONSTRUCTION CAREER DAYS AND STEM CLASSES TO INCREASE
• AND THE MOVING I'VE FOUR FLORIDA ACADEMY FOR CONSTRUCTION SKILLS LIKE COMMERCIAL TRUCK DRIVERS AND HEAVY

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not about constructing new buildings.
• construction deg debris landfill um are construction deg debris landfill um are there<00:22:33.760>
• We'll walk and construction services.
• We manage 750 property leases and 324 construction projects through our real estate and construction
• And then generally construction now is just taking longer.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But our focus is trying to ascertain how these dynamics impact the construction market as it relates
• But our focus is trying to ascertain how these dynamics impact the construction market as it relates
• The construction should be completed later this summer.
• Construction should be complete sometime this summer.
• During that time, there was record construction inflation.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bring an amendment that raises tolls so that we could do the construction that we need, right?
• And this amendment before you will just make sure that requests for proposals to finance, construct,
• It's not delaying construction.
• It's<00:48:45.119> not<00:48:45.440> delaying<00:48:46.000> construction.
• It's not delaying construction. It's not delaying construction.

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, February 12, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 124 members present, opened with prayer, and approved the previous day’s journal. Members then adopted a congratulatory House resolution honoring the Kent Island High School boys lacrosse team for winning the 2025 Maryland Class 2A state championship. The House also journalized Baltimore City 2026 bond/loan authorization resolutions and moved a series of introductory House bills and bond initiatives through first reading and committee referral without objection. On the special order calendar, House Bill 28, concerning higher education/private career schools advertising, received a favorable report and was ordered printed for third reading. House Bill 226, creating a Department of Disabilities housing programs and affiliated foundations structure, was also reported favorably as amended. Two floor amendments were adopted to that bill: one clarifying that any affiliated foundation may only raise funds or provide support and may not run programs or set policy, and another restoring conflict-of-interest and ethics protections, including limits on family members and public ethics application requirements. A later amendment to HB 226 was rejected by a recorded vote of 95 in the negative, and the bill was ordered printed for third reading. The most extended debate centered on House Bill 229, which increases the Maryland Transportation Authority’s revenue bond limit from $4 billion to $5 billion to help finance the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild. One amendment sought to prohibit toll increases without General Assembly approval; its sponsor argued the added borrowing would likely lead to future toll hikes and that elected representatives should vote on them. The floor leader opposed the amendment, saying it would weaken MDTA’s independent rate-setting authority, harm its bond rating, and increase financing costs, while noting the bill is intended to cover bridge reconstruction costs and federal reimbursement timing. After debate, the amendment failed on a recorded vote, and HB 229 was ordered printed for third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• In Newton, at the West Newton Armory shown here, we are in construction today to redevelop a historic
• Originally constructed in 1917 as a high school and most recently renovated in 2013, the building is
• The developer stated that, amid escalating construction costs and supply chain pressures, the incentives
• The incentives also helped offset the added costs associated with passive house construction and kept
• Importantly, Mass Save’s involvement did not end with design and construction.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on the value of Mass Save, with opening remarks emphasizing that despite past criticisms the program has delivered major energy, cost, climate, and equity benefits. The chair cited large avoided system costs, strong benefit-cost ratios, and recent legislative changes that set emissions goals, restricted fossil-fuel equipment incentives, and increased focus on low- and moderate-income households. Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Elizabeth Mahoney testified that Mass Save has weatherized hundreds of thousands of homes, reduced bills, avoided emissions, and that the current plan includes budget controls after the DPU ordered $500 million removed from the approved budget. She said the governor’s proposal to have only electric utilities administer the program was intended to reduce administrative costs and align with current implementation trends. Members questioned Mahoney about what counts as marketing and administration, and she said the category includes traditional advertising as well as community-based outreach, customer resource centers, and other customer engagement work, much of it in low- and moderate-income communities. She said administrative and marketing costs are under 5% of the budget, while more than 80% goes to incentives and direct program delivery. Several witnesses then focused on workforce and contractor impacts. Dave Betcher of Abode Energy Management and Rick Taglienti of Rogers Insulation said Mass Save sustains small businesses, creates careers, and supports thousands of jobs; both warned that budget cuts would reduce hiring, training, and work in homes and businesses. They also described a broad ecosystem of suppliers, trainers, and service providers that depends on stable program funding. Other witnesses addressed cost-effectiveness, affordability, and emissions. Anna Johnson of ACEEE said Massachusetts remains a national leader, with Mass Save returning about $2.80 per dollar invested, reducing peak demand, and lowering bills for participants, especially through weatherization and heat pumps. Kyle Murray of Acadia Center said the program is statutorily required to be cost-effective and has avoided billions in supply and infrastructure costs for all ratepayers, including nonparticipants, by lowering overall demand and peak prices. Amy Boyd-Rabin of the Environmental League of Massachusetts argued that efficiency is the cheapest way to meet climate targets and that cutting the budget would force more expensive power generation. The hearing also featured testimony on equity and housing: Mary Wampo described historic under-service to renter-heavy and lower-income communities and said recent reforms, including designated equity communities and performance incentives tied to equity, are helping correct that imbalance; Brian Biot and James Collins of LEAN/ABCD described low-income delivery systems and wraparound services; Barney Heath and John Nannari said Mass Save incentives are essential to affordable housing, passive house construction, and keeping projects on time and on budget. The final witnesses highlighted Connected Solutions and electrification: Sunrun’s Bronte Payne said the virtual power plant program saved more than it cost and helps avoid peaker plants and grid upgrades, and Highland Electric Fleets’ Ben Sondaga said electric school buses can provide similar grid benefits while lowering transportation costs for districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we should think about it as a statewide construct, but we need to think about how do you pay for it
• And for the Commonwealth, that means local investment, jobs in construction and maintenance, revenue
• And for the Commonwealth, that means local investment, jobs and construction and maintenance, revenue
• Under the OBBBA, projects have until July of '26 to commence construction, and then a four-year time
• The other constraint is that once a project does begin construction based on those rules, it has four

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on ways Massachusetts can accelerate solar deployment, lower costs, and preserve reliability as electricity demand rises and federal support for solar and other renewables changes. Chair Creem opened by emphasizing solar’s role in meeting climate mandates and peak demand, citing June heat-wave data showing behind-the-meter solar reduced wholesale prices and saved ratepayers money. Commissioner Elizabeth Mahoney of DOER said Massachusetts has grown from 3 MW of solar in 2008 to 3.5 GW today, highlighted SMART 3.0 as a flexible, evergreen incentive program, and said DOER is working on updated rates, interconnection reforms, flexible interconnection, net crediting, and a petition to the DPU to speed implementation. She also said Massachusetts joined the lawsuit over canceled federal Solar for All funding. Committee members and witnesses discussed several policy changes to speed projects before federal tax credits expire, including automated permitting, remote inspections, faster interconnection, and changes to caps on municipal and regional solar development. Senator Barrett pressed Mahoney on whether the 10 MW municipal cap and regional caps should be lifted, and on whether the state should increase its solar tax credit to offset the loss of the federal residential credit. Mahoney said the municipal cap should be revisited and that interconnection cost allocation and other market issues need to be worked out before lifting broader caps. She also said DOER is open to automated permitting and is already developing a permitting portal under the 2024 climate law. Industry and advocacy witnesses largely supported streamlining measures. Sunrun’s Bronte Payne urged removal of a proposed requirement that all net-metered facilities enroll in SMART, and recommended automated permitting, remote inspections, flexible interconnection, better hosting-capacity information, consumer protections, and continued support for Connected Solutions and virtual power plants. Permit Power’s Hannah Bernbaum and Solar App’s Matthew McAllister argued that smart permitting and remote inspections can significantly reduce soft costs and delays, with McAllister saying Solar App now operates in over 320 jurisdictions and saves about three weeks on average. They said remote inspections are already common and can be done safely with photos, video, and qualified third parties. Community solar and clean energy advocates, including CCSA’s Kate Daniel and Vote Solar’s Lindsay Griffin, supported a 10 GW solar target by 2035, a higher refundable state tax credit for low-income households, interconnection reforms, flexible interconnection, and preserving the option to build outside SMART so projects can retain renewable energy certificates. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, and members requested follow-up materials and draft language from witnesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, members, House Bill 2457, public utilities, plant construction, co-location, allows a utility
• to construct a new plant without meeting the requirements for environmental compatibility under specified
• Madam Chair, members, House Bill 2457, public utilities, plant construction, co-location, allows a utility
• Madam Chair and members, HB 2496, Revitalization Districts Construction Contracts, declares that construction
• Madam Chair and members, HB 2496, Revitalization Districts Construction Contracts, declares that construction

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long calendar of House bills across education, health, water, land, housing, labor, public safety, and taxation. Several measures dealt with artificial intelligence, including bills on AI disclosures for minors, AI-assisted divorce arbitration, an Arizona AI education program, AI privilege protections, and a required AI course in schools. Other topics included ESA administration funding, a prohibition on public money for certain foreign-controlled genetic sequencing devices, towing regulations, DUI and ignition interlock changes, health facility and nursing facility complaint timelines, internationally trained physicians, nurse anesthetist reimbursement, pharmacy penalties, childhood cancer research, cybersecurity encryption, school mental health instruction repeal, superintendent performance pay, adoption disclosures in student health settings, anti-Semitism in schools, and a range of water, land, and housing bills. Members frequently raised concerns about local control, unfunded mandates, constitutional issues, and the scope of state intervention. Several bills drew criticism for affecting school curriculum, public education, reproductive rights, protest activity, or tribal communities. Others were supported as technical fixes, consumer protections, or funding measures. The caucus also discussed a series of bills related to the Mexican gray wolf, state land management, solar and wind siting, groundwater transport, and rural development, with some members objecting that the proposals would undermine federal protections or tribal interests. A number of bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, including HB 2020, HB 2957, HCR 2044, HB 2352, HB 2667, HB 2906, HB 2093, HB 2386, HB 2481, HB 2830, HB 2076, HB 2411, HB 2136, HB 2665, and HB 2904. The meeting ended with an announcement of the Latino Caucus guest presentation and an emotional tribute to Reverend Jesse Jackson, followed by presentation of an Affordability Award to Representatives Lorena Austin and Stephanie Simacek for work on economic justice and working families. The caucus then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of those first utility-scale projects are actually in construction right now, which is very exciting
• , residential construction, commercial construction.
• , residential construction, commercial construction.
• So it's Because it's still under construction, the actual project.
• It's that multi-billion-dollar construction with thousands of construction jobs, hundreds or more of

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Part of that, of course, is due to the cost of new construction.
• As new construction costs go up, they drive the price of existing homes up as well.
• frankly to determine where these soft costs are playing an undue role in the cost of our homes construction
• construction and or ownership. construction and or ownership.
• uh the construction trades, and and and and uh uh uh and<00:16:10.920> start<00:16:11.280>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I work as a construction electrician in Duval County.
• My understanding is that—so I work in construction, right? We have private contractors.
• For example, in the building and construction trades, the contractor on the job does not have...
• Chair Salzman: Next up, we have Theresa King from Florida Building and Construction Trades.
• We're not talking about construction. We're not talking about those.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is currently unclear if demand will justify new construction or where new construction is most needed
• or expansion at veterans construction or expansion at veterans center<00:28:15.960> facilities.
• Because that really is what's going to dictate the need for any further construction.
• um construction. um construction. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
• grounds of of constructive denial? grounds of of constructive denial?

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• often out in construction projects where it<00:45:33.480> might<00:45:33.640> be<00:45
• , we wait till you have all the money ready before you can do construction.
• , we wait till you have all the money ready before you can do construction.
• , you know, all the construction companies go out and hire people.
• , you know, all the construction companies go out and hire people.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• By providing the state subsidy, the Legislature sort of purchases away a cost of that construction.
• The Legislature sort of purchases away a cost of that construction portion of that, and those become
• The non-state-subsidized bed construction cost is $271,000 per bed.
• The housing grant program was really intended for new construction.
• The housing grant program was really intended for new construction.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held an extended hearing focused primarily on University of California budget issues, enrollment, housing, and Title IX. Chair David Alvarez opened by noting the governor’s proposed 8% ongoing General Fund reduction to UC, the deferral of compact funding, and the College of the Law budget item, while emphasizing that no votes would be taken that day. Public commenters, including UC Davis employees and lecturers, urged restoration of UC funding and opposed the hiring freeze, saying cuts would worsen staffing shortages, reduce research capacity, and harm students and patients. On UC core operations, the Department of Finance said the governor’s budget maintains the compact but defers $240.8 million in ongoing support and continues a planned 7.95% reduction, while the LAO recommended rejecting the deferrals and instead making any changes in the budget year. UC San Diego’s chancellor and UC Office of the President argued the cuts and deferrals would create major campus shortfalls, force hiring freezes, larger class sizes, fewer course offerings, delayed projects, and possible layoffs. Committee members questioned whether cuts could be shifted away from students and toward administration, discussed UCOP reserves and bond debt, and noted that UC’s budget structure makes the campus-level impact larger than the headline reduction. The committee also reviewed enrollment trends and nonresident replacement. The LAO said UC resident enrollment has grown and recommended revisiting 2026-27 targets and pausing the nonresident replacement plan if state funding does not improve. UC said it has exceeded California undergraduate enrollment and nonresident replacement goals, but warned that continued growth without funding would force enrollment reductions and harm quality. Members discussed the role of nonresident and international students, tuition rates, and the value of UC as a pathway for California students and a source of talent for the state. A separate housing item covered the state’s Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program. UC reported that recent bond savings could support additional affordable beds at UC Davis and UC Santa Barbara, but the LAO and Finance noted the Legislature would need to decide how to use the $6.2 million in savings from the original projects. The committee also heard a Title IX update from UC’s systemwide civil rights office, which described campus Title IX structures, training, and policy enforcement, and said the system has been working to improve confidentiality guidance and streamline complaint processes after survey feedback showed confusion and lengthy procedures.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2022 through 2024, the district constructed and operated a pilot project in coordination with TCEQ
• You can have the engineering and the construction and pay for the construction of this new well, treatment
• Otherwise, the WSC lacked the ability to construct the adequate facilities to provide service to the
• It'll take us an additional nine more years to get that constructed and delivering water to the area.
• It's taking often more than a decade to plan, design, and construct those projects.

Bills: SB863, SB1190, SB1261, SB1413, SB1624, SB1662, SB1663, SB1855, SB1967, SB2124, SB2204, SB1623

Keywords: Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, water loss, municipally owned utilities, Texas Water Development Board, administrative penalties, water audit, water infrastructure, water supply, state water plan, water management strategies, water financing, municipal bonds, revenue bonds, public debt, obligations, TWDB

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs heard several water-related bills, with testimony focused on drinking water quality, groundwater contamination notice, flood infrastructure funding, water rights conservation, and utility service areas. SB 1662 would limit TCEQ’s advance notice to public water systems to no more than 24 hours before testing after a consumer complaint, to reduce the chance of temporary treatment affecting results. SB 1663 would allow TCEQ to notify private well owners, groundwater conservation districts, and nearby residents by direct means about known groundwater contamination, rather than relying mainly on first-class mail and annual reporting. SB 2124 would move the deadline for publishing the Texas Groundwater Protection Committee’s annual report from April 1 to June 1. Witnesses on the first two bills described long-running water quality problems and delayed notice in their communities and supported the measures. No opposition was recorded, and each bill was left pending for a later vote. The committee also heard SB 1967, which would expand eligibility for Flood Infrastructure Fund financing to multipurpose projects that both reduce flooding and create water supply. Senator Hinojosa and Hidalgo County representatives described the Delta Reclamation Project as a shovel-ready example that would capture flood and drainage water, treat it, and produce new potable supply while also providing detention and flood mitigation. A Sierra Club witness also supported the bill, saying such projects could help manage floodwaters and reduce polluted discharges to bays and estuaries. The bill was left pending. A lengthy and divided discussion followed on SB 1413, which would expand the streamlined expedited release process for landowners seeking removal from a water or sewer CCN in additional counties. Senator Nichols said the bill was a property-rights measure aimed at legacy monopolies and bad actors who use CCNs to hold landowners hostage, while supporters described cases where developers could not get timely service, including fire flow, or were asked to fund infrastructure without reasonable recoupment. Opponents from rural water corporations and utility associations argued the bill would undermine investment in water infrastructure, strand debt, and weaken the return on planned expansion. PUC and TCEQ resource witnesses explained that compensation is handled case by case through appraisal and can include stranded costs, planning, design, construction, and some legal fees, but members noted the statute is unclear and discussed possible committee substitute language. Public testimony was closed with the bill left pending. Later, SB 1624 would allow the Texas Water Trust within the Texas Water Bank to hold donated water rights for conservation purposes and protect them from use-it-or-lose-it cancellation, and SB 863 would address Edwards Aquifer utilities that straddle the aquifer boundary by allowing them to continue using Edwards water within their certificated areas under specified conditions. Both bills were laid out, received no public opposition in the hearing, and were left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that includes new construction So that includes new construction classification<01:03:20.720>
• all value um that saw new construction all value um that saw new construction or<01:03:40.000>
• uh, when you eliminate new construction uh, when you eliminate new construction and<01:04:05.680
• having new construction. having new construction.
• <01:14:54.800> or little bit more new construction or little bit more new construction or

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, as I'm sure you're all very aware, there's quite a bit of construction happening in and around
• We'll get to see the progress that's being made to date on these construction projects and have a chance
• Many of them are pretty darn cool, and we think our construction projects are that.
• It's nearly a billion dollars in construction contracts.
• I had a question about the building, and I believe it is a building already constructed.

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met to receive an overview and tour of Capitol complex construction projects funded through the Department of Management Services (DMS). Deputy Secretary Tom Berger gave a historical and project-by-project presentation on the Capitol campus, explaining the evolution of the historic Capitol and the current tower complex, and describing major ongoing work including the Waller Park west entry/ADA and waterproofing project, the east entry security screening area, Cabinet meeting room modernization, historic Capitol re-roofing, the large Capitol HVAC replacement, window replacement, Memorial Park improvements, the Holocaust Memorial, the North Loading Zone, and Knott Plaza upgrades. He noted that the Capitol windows and HVAC work are intended to address aging systems and improve resilience, security, and accessibility, and said the broader Capitol window project will continue over several years. Members asked questions about the African-American memorial, the old bank/archives building with water damage, the roofing material and expected lifespan, the legal definition of the Capitol complex, and the history of early legislative meetings in Pensacola and St. Augustine. Berger said the African-American memorial base is built and the installation should be completed in March or April, while the archives building is owned and managed by the Department of State. He also explained that the roof uses a slate-like material designed for a 50-year life cycle, though major storms could still damage it, and clarified that the Capitol complex can be defined differently in statute versus operationally. Chair Lopez and other members requested follow-up information, including a rendering of the African-American memorial and a table summarizing the Capitol investments and when the facilities were last updated, so members can better explain the spending to constituents. Berger said he would provide the requested information, and the committee then concluded the presentation and proceeded to the tour.