Transcript Highlights:

• So when they're underwater, there's a lot of inflow and infiltration and rapid aging of the pipeline
• It used to be part of the Bay and is now held back by a giant, massive, aging...
• It used to be part of the bay and is now held back by a giant massive aging.
• And is now held back by a giant, massive, aging seawall that's under the Embarcadero roadway there.
• This is in one year, five years, 10 years, when I'm long gone and my daughter is my age.

Summary: The hearing of the Select Committee on Sea Level Rise and the California Economy focused on infrastructure, pollution, climate resilience, public health, access, and economic impacts of sea level rise in California, with an emphasis on San Diego and the Bay Area. Chair Tasha Boerner Horvath opened by describing the committee’s purpose, the state’s sea level rise action planning, and the need for better monitoring and early warning systems. She also referenced her prior bills AB 66 and AB 72, which supported Scripps research on coastal bluff collapse warning capabilities. Assembly Members David Alvarez and Jessica Caloza later joined and emphasized that sea level rise affects not only coastal communities but inland areas as well, and that the issue should inform future legislative and budget decisions. In the first panel, Dr. Mark Merrifield of Scripps Institution of Oceanography described observed sea level rise of roughly 0.8 to 0.9 feet since the early 1900s, with acceleration expected by mid-century and potentially much greater rise by 2100 depending on emissions. He highlighted flooding, groundwater rise, beach and cliff erosion, salinization, and risks to transportation, sewage, ports, and national security. Dave Gibson of the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board discussed how sea level rise affects wastewater systems, stormwater, contaminated sites, wetlands, and coastal groundwater basins, and said the board is requiring climate adaptation planning, updating stormwater permits, and seeking more flexible state permitting and mitigation tools. Members and witnesses also discussed the need for better mapping, more monitoring, and more state funding, especially if federal support from NOAA and other agencies declines. The second panel addressed public health, equitable access, and local economies. Ramon Chiras of Un Mar de Colores described how sea level rise, pollution, and access barriers threaten the Tijuana River Valley and Imperial Beach, especially for underserved communities and youth programs that rely on safe, welcoming access to the ocean. He stressed the cultural and spiritual importance of coastal access and the need for water safety and environmental education. Jessica Fane of the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission explained that the Bay Area faces major economic exposure from sea level rise, citing a regional estimate of $96 billion in adaptation costs versus $230 billion in potential losses from inaction, and said BCDC is working with local governments under SB 272 on shoreline adaptation planning, funding, and regulatory innovation. Members discussed the tension between environmental permitting and the need to move projects faster, including the possibility of planned retreat in some areas and the use of simultaneous permitting and longer-term state authority to streamline adaptation work. In the final panel, Philip Gibbons of the Port of San Diego described the port’s climate adaptation efforts and its vulnerability assessments under AB 691. He said the port manages state tidelands, supports maritime commerce and recreation, and is already seeing flooding at king tides and during El Niño events, including storm-drain backflow and damage to bikeways and parks. He explained that future sea level rise could inundate major port areas and disrupt operations, underscoring the need for continued planning, mitigation, and infrastructure investment. The hearing did not take formal votes, but it concluded with a clear call for more science, funding, coordination, and regulatory streamlining to prepare California’s coast and nearby communities for worsening sea level rise impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving into the aging category, let's hold off right there.
• If my buddy AG will let me, I want to speak specifically to...
• We'll now move next into aging. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• This is the aging category, still in Section 2.
• Any questions on any of the lines in the aging category?

Committee: Joint Finance

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's important for a middle-aged student entering higher education at the age of 18 and returning adults
• good ag teacher.
• And we have an aging population, which needs more health care.
• Texans, if we want to have healthy workers that are productive.
• Your life expectancy should not be dictated by your age.

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this gives the AG enforcement, which he currently doesn't have.
• It sets clear standards for labeling, purity, and age restrictions.
• "Nobody talked about a ban beyond an age gate.
• Yes, Senate Bill establishes a legal age of 21.
• If there is anyone under that age, it is a misdemeanor.

Summary: The committee first recognized a departing page, Jonathan, thanked him for his service, and approved the March 2, 2026 minutes. Members then reviewed committee procedure and took up Senate Bill 1419, the Idaho Child Care Program. Representative Jordan Redman presented the bill as a policy measure to tighten eligibility, require work or training, lower the asset cap, add anti-fraud measures, require provider registration, and sunset the program in 2028. Department of Health and Welfare Director Juliet Sharon said the department already had authority to audit and take administrative action, but the bill would add stronger tools, including clearer provider requirements and concurrent jurisdiction for the Attorney General to pursue criminal fraud cases. She also clarified the program’s federal funding structure and said the department could potentially address the foster-care eligibility concern through temporary rules. Testimony was split: Idaho Voices for Children, foster-care advocates, and several providers argued the bill was not a clean transfer from rule to statute, could create gaps in eligibility and new audit costs, and might reduce access for foster families and low-income parents; supporters, including the Foundation for Government Accountability and some legislators, emphasized program integrity, fraud prevention, and legislative oversight. After debate over whether the bill should be held or advanced, the committee voted 6-4 to send SB 1419 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then began Senate Bill 1418, a kratom regulation bill, and the sponsor, Senator Tammy Nichols, said she would request it be sent to the 14th order for amendments, including clarifications for Idaho State Police and additional labeling changes requested by the Idaho Association of Physicians. Nichols described the bill as a regulatory framework that distinguishes natural kratom leaf from adulterated or synthetic products, sets age limits, testing and labeling requirements, and enforcement tools aimed at high-potency 7-hydroxymitragynine products. Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including a toxicologist, a consumer, and an addiction medicine specialist, argued that kratom should be regulated rather than banned, that the bill targets dangerous adulterated products, and that a full ban could drive use underground or toward more dangerous opioids. Opponents, including an ER physician, a bereaved parent, and the Idaho Chiefs of Police, argued kratom is addictive and harmful, that the bill does not go far enough to protect the public, and that enforcement would impose significant costs on Idaho State Police without meaningful authority. Committee members raised concerns about fiscal impacts, local control, and whether the bill effectively bans or regulates the product, and the sponsor and witnesses continued responding as testimony proceeded.

Transcript Highlights:

• million from Medicaid reversions to maintain our reserves at 32.2% and our operating reserves at a healthy
• Into depression, we know what happens; the mother needs to stay healthy.
• She's my age now, or maybe a little older than me. So she was afraid.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> have clean air clean water and a healthy have clean air clean water and a healthy environment<01
• We know these plastic bags are not healthy, but if we stop, our customers will go to our competitors.
• She then said she had a longer article from New Hampshire Healthy Climate.
• My point is simply that people know that right now, in this day and age, recycling is not the answer.
• </c><04:27:39.000><c> recycling</c> right now in this day and age recycling right now in this day and

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee met in work session on several bills, beginning with HB 153, which would require two or more law enforcement officers in each county to receive animal cruelty training. Members said the bill had been sent to the Animal Protection and Licensing Subcommittee, where Representative Kuttab is expected to schedule a meeting soon to consider possible amendments based on testimony and other ideas. The committee later returned to HB 153 and confirmed a work session was planned for February 14, with discussion also including whether to explore a task force concept raised in testimony. The committee also discussed HB 215 and HB 566, both related to landfill permitting and leachate or harm/benefit reporting. Representative Gerana said he had met with the DES director and was working on amendments that would add a preliminary screening phase for determining net public benefit and expand the list of benefits beyond capacity need to include items such as economic and infrastructure benefits. HB 566 was said to be in the same posture as HB 215, and both were slated for subcommittee review the following Tuesday morning. HB 171 was also added for subcommittee discussion, with members saying the changes would be technical rather than substantive. HB 240, which removes forfeiture penalties for non-payment of dog licenses, drew support for a simple amendment changing a statutory “shall” to “may” so municipal officials would have discretion about issuing a warrant. Representative Bixby said OLS advised that this was the cleanest way to provide flexibility, and he reported that the sponsor was agreeable to the change. The committee also discussed HB 179, concerning hazardous waste accident fees, where the sponsor proposed a revised amendment imposing a $1,000-per-day penalty after 90 days of non-payment. Members raised concerns about homeowners, hobby farmers, and whether the bill could unfairly burden people who were not negligent or whose insurance claims were delayed. The sponsor and others said the intent was to recover costs from responsible parties, especially businesses, and to protect local taxpayers and fire departments from bearing the cost of damaged hazardous materials equipment. No votes were taken; the bills were left for further subcommittee work and amendment drafting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this gives the AG enforcement, which he currently doesn't have.
• It sets clear standards for labeling, purity, and age restrictions.
• Nobody talked about a ban beyond an age gate.
• Yes, Senate Bill establishes a legal age of 21.
• If there is anyone that is under that age, it is a misdemeanor.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you have any concerns about privacy impacts to people who may be of age using these age verification
• Do we consider that a valid form of age verification under this bill?
• The age verification provider would do that.
• The title of this bill is age verification on adult websites. Yeah.
• On adults' websites, age verification.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the previous day’s journal by a 122-0 vote, and numerous introductions of special guests, including Special Olympics participants, occupational therapy and social work students and professionals, teachers, social workers, local officials, and community groups visiting for Hill Day and other advocacy events. Members also made announcements about committee meetings before the chamber recessed until 2 p.m. On the floor, House Bill 2974 was perfected and printed with little debate. Supporters said it would codify telehealth access in Missouri’s licensure reciprocity framework, helping seniors and rural residents continue to receive care. House Bill 2934, a bipartisan St. Louis convention center governance measure, also advanced after adoption of an amendment changing governor-appointed board seats to two city, two county, and one at-large member. The bill would merge existing entities managing the convention center and Dome, create a new board structure, and authorize a convention district tax framework and related financing rules; members discussed local control, revenue use, and the length of agreements under the bill. House Bill 2057, a technical fix for Osage Beach entertainment district authority, was adopted and perfected and printed. Supporters said it corrects an error from a prior bill and would allow Osage Beach to create an entertainment district similar to those in Kansas City, St. Louis, and Branson to support tourism and economic development. The chamber also took up House Bill 1839 and related bills on age verification for pornographic websites. Proponents argued the measure is needed to protect minors from online pornography and exploitation, citing the Supreme Court’s upholding of a similar Texas law and Missouri’s existing attorney general enforcement efforts; opponents raised privacy, enforcement, and unintended-consequences concerns, including whether less-scrupulous sites could become more accessible. After a motion for the previous question, the House adopted the committee substitute and perfected and printed House Bill 1839 by a 104-16 vote with 20 present.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> prosperous Minnesota requires a healthy prosperous Minnesota requires a healthy Minnesota.<00:24
• Uh in the 10 to 14 age<00:24:19.919><c> group</c><00:24:20.080><c> in</c><00:24:20.320><c> Minnesota,
• , the total death age group in Minnesota, the total death rate<00:24:21.760><c> is</c><00:24:22.000><
• By the ages of 20 to 34, total death rate has increased eightfold to 129 per 100,000, and 32% of all
• </c> for this particular age for this particular age group.<00:59:50.799><c> Article</c><00:59:51.280

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also adding on for the Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition, Transform, Medical Advocates for Healthy
• Air, San Diego 350, Move L.A., Transform, Medical Advocates for Healthy Air, San Diego 350, Move L.A
• We see people of all ages using them, and we've heard or read about e-bike crashes and kids getting hurt
• His strong, healthy body had been broken.
• It brings together people of every age, culture, and socioeconomic background through a shared passion

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard several bills focused on active transportation, transit, road safety, and local enforcement. SB 569 would restrict removal or downgrading of bikeways built with state General Fund dollars for at least 20 years, require public hearings before major changes, and was supported by bicycle advocates and some local and environmental groups. The City of Encinitas opposed the bill, arguing it could limit needed safety fixes and should apply only to future projects; committee members discussed whether the bill still allowed safety-based modifications. The bill passed on a due pass vote to Appropriations. SB 741 would streamline the Low-Carbon Transit Operations Program by reducing administrative burden and giving transit agencies more flexibility to use funds for service improvements, fare programs, and other transit needs while maintaining oversight and disadvantaged community requirements. Transit agencies and advocacy groups supported the measure, saying it would help agencies respond to post-pandemic ridership and financial challenges. The committee approved the bill on a due pass as amended vote to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 1167, which would tighten consumer protections by clarifying that high-powered e-motos and similar motor vehicles are not e-bikes, requiring clearer disclosures and labels, and improving crash reporting. Supporters said the bill would reduce confusion and improve safety for riders, pedestrians, and parents; the Motorcycle Industry Council opposed unless amended, arguing the term “e-bike” is used broadly and the bill could affect existing businesses. The bill passed to Appropriations. Later, SB 953, dealing with vehicular manslaughter cases dismissed through misdemeanor diversion, would add DMV points so fatal conduct remains reflected on driving records; the bill was supported by the victim’s family and safety advocates and passed to Appropriations. The committee then heard SB 1218, which would let local agencies boot vehicles tied to repeated unpaid illegal dumping citations instead of using DMV enforcement. Oakland officials and community groups supported the bill as a needed deterrent, while the ACLU opposed it as punitive debt collection without a sufficient nexus to the vehicle. The bill passed to Appropriations. Finally, SB 739 would revise the Clean Miles Standard for rideshare companies by allowing CARB and CPUC to adjust electric vehicle mileage targets in light of current market conditions; Uber and Lyft supported the flexibility, while clean air advocates began raising concerns about weakening climate goals as the transcript cut off.

Transcript Highlights:

• In this age of increasing bitterness, distrust, and malice, may they look across the aisle and see not
• In this age of increasing bitterness, distrust, and malice, may they look across the aisle and see not
• In this age of increasing bitterness, distrust, and malice, may they look across the aisle and see not
• People that we all rely on to get through our days on our path to be good and healthy humans.
• People that we all rely on to get through our days on our path to be good and healthy humans.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is to vocational rehabilitation prepares high school-age and adults with disabilities to develop
• No, I mean, we've had a pretty healthy discussion in another committee, and I think it's probably going
• No, I, like, we've had a pretty healthy discussion in another committee, and I think it's probably going
• information on the impact of the One Big, Beautiful Bill, noting that he understood it changed working-age
• We are seeing an aging population, so you see some increasing utilization in the nursing facility side

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill ensures that perpetrators cannot use ignorance or misrepresentation of the victim's age as a
• legal defense in crimes where the age of the victim is a critical element.
• Initially, the age was under 16.
• We thought this was a healthy space to meet in the middle. That's the bill. Thank you, Senator.
• Sexual performance by a child or child pornography with a victim under 12 years of age.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then ag... ...their ability to kind of design those programs for their kids.
• And then ag education, like if it's agriculture education, that's not core education, right?
• As in regards to, like, purchases related to ag agricultural education.
• And so I think it's a healthy discussion to have, and I appreciate all the comments.
• And so I think it's a healthy discussion to have, and I appreciate all the comments.

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a long agenda of agency rule changes, beginning with housekeeping on the order of business and then taking up rules from multiple state agencies. Early items included Department of Energy and Environment rules on landfill post-closure trust fund spending thresholds and liquefied petroleum gas standards, DFA’s odometer disclosure rule allowing electronic signatures and disclosures, and several Department of Health rules covering ionizing radiation, mobile home and recreational parks, lead-based paint, counseling licensure, hearing instrument dispensers, athletic training, dental specialties and compacts, nursing, pharmacy, physician assistants, medical compacts, speech-language pathology and audiology, radiologic technology, massage therapy, community health workers, doula certification, and cosmetology/body art. Most of these were described as technical updates, conformity with recent acts, federal standards, or compact participation, and nearly all were approved without objection after brief questions and, in many cases, no public comment. The committee also reviewed Department of Labor and Licensing rules on minimum wage/independent contractor standards, boiler rules, motor vehicle commission requirements for ATV/LSV dealers, professional wrestling regulation, appraiser qualifications, and military recruiting and retention programs. Testimony generally emphasized that the rules implemented recent legislation, updated fees or licensing standards, or streamlined existing processes. Members asked a few questions about fee structures, the rationale for regulating professional wrestling, and how the National Guard’s public-private partnership and incentive programs would work; the department said the recruiting incentives would be funded from existing appropriations and were intended to improve retention and force strength. These rules were also approved without objection. The most extensive discussion came on the Department of Education’s Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom Account Program rule. The department said the revisions, based on Act 920 of 2025, were intended to add guardrails, clarify allowable expenses, and speed approval of core educational purchases. Changes included defining core educational expenses, limiting certain sports-related spending, adding an intentional misuse standard, restricting phone purchases except for disability-related needs, setting a $1,000 threshold for additional review of technology purchases, capping carryover funds at $8,500, and creating a reconsideration process for denied expenses. Members raised concerns about safeguards, appeals, sports equipment, provider credentialing, rural vendor access, and whether the department would be flexible or overly restrictive. The department said it would review every request, provide written explanations for denials, allow appeals up to the State Board, and refer suspected fraud to prosecutors if necessary. After hearing from 13 members of the public, the committee continued to discuss the rule, but the transcript ends before any final vote on the EFA rule is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The average age in our facilities is just 44 years old.
• The average age in our facilities is just 44 years old.
• The New Start, the average age is—he’s 28.
• Good evening, Yasmin Pellet with Justice in Aging.
• You know, the aging population has meant there's more seniors in the program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Number one, we are an older community in terms of median age, second oldest next to Maine.
• Number one, we are an older community in terms of median age, second oldest next to Maine.
• </c><03:08:29.920><c> so</c> and to remain financially healthy so and to remain financially healthy so
• So this is a healthy amount. This will start to decrease in the out years.
• </c><05:17:27.798><c> of</c> Bas basically supporting the age of Bas basically supporting the age of

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting featured presentations from the Department of Administrative Services and the Treasury Department on state revenue reporting and unclaimed property. State Comptroller Dana Call explained DAS’s role in compiling statewide revenue reports, including the annual revenue plan set through the budget process and the monthly revenue focus reports that track cash receipts. She noted that unrestricted general fund revenue is about $2 billion annually, while miscellaneous other revenue is a much smaller and less predictable category, averaging roughly $30 million to $32 million a year. She also described two more material internal revenue lines: statewide indirect cost recoveries and post-retirement benefit recoveries, which are billed to agencies and often tied to federal reimbursement rules. Members asked about the interest line in the revenue charts and about how the figures were presented, and Call clarified that the totals were in millions and that the interest item would be explained by the Treasurer. She also explained that the indirect cost and post-retirement recoveries are internal cost allocations that flow back into the unrestricted revenue pool and are reflected in agency budgets as interagency costs. Treasurer Monica Meissner then outlined Treasury Department functions, including bank deposits, statewide disbursements, banking relationships, investments, debt management, compliance, the FONA College Savings Program, the ABLE Plan, scholarship programs, and the abandoned property program. In discussing unclaimed property, she said holders report property after a five-year dormancy period, the state uses automated systems and outreach to locate owners, and claim activity has increased. In fiscal year 2024, the state returned about $12.2 million to citizens through roughly 12,000 claims; over the last 10 years, about $72.6 million has been returned. She also said the state escheated $19.9 million to the general fund and $1.8 million to counties last year, and explained that securities-related proceeds are harder to estimate because they depend on market conditions. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving into the aging category. Let's hold off right there.
• We'll now move next into aging. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• This is the aging category, still in Section 2.
• Any questions on any of the lines in the aging category?
• Any other questions on the aging section? I've entertained a motion.

Committee: Joint Finance

Summary: The Joint Finance Committee met to review and vote on the fiscal year 2027 Grants and Aid Act, which was expected to be pre-filed as Senate Bill 337. Members first reviewed Section 1, covering county seat payments, paramedic operations, senior center allocations, senior center transportation, and Homeland Security grants. They approved Section 1 after discussion of how senior center transportation is being moved from DART to grant-in-aid and how some organizations can appear in both the senior center formula and the general aging category. The committee then worked through Section 2, which included one-time appropriations and the various grant categories for aging, arts/historical/recreation, economic housing or labor services, family and youth services, health or disability services, and neighborhood and community services. Members discussed several specific items, including New Castle County reassessment-related funding, Friends of Cooch’s Bridge, Slaughter Neck Community Action Organization, Plastic-Free Delaware, Love, Inc. of the Delmarva, and the Southern Delaware Horse Retirement Association. One aging line for Slaughter Neck was reduced back to flat funding after members questioned a large increase, and the revised category total was adjusted accordingly. Each of the Section 2 subcategories was then adopted. Section 3, covering fire companies and public service ambulance companies, was approved with increases across apparatus, ambulance, rescue truck, aerial truck, rescue boat, substation, and insurance rebate equalization funding. Section 4, for veterans organizations and youth programs such as Boys State, Girls State, and Trooper Youth Week, was also adopted. The committee then approved the epilogue sections, which included eligibility, audit, payment, and reporting rules; special provisions for the Wilmington Senior Center contingency; conditions tied to several one-time appropriations; withholding funding from Merri-Dell Volunteer Fire Company pending a corrective report; and reprogramming $1,485,000 from a prior SMART food program appropriation toward SNAP/WIC-related food access initiatives. The meeting ended with remarks thanking staff and noting that it was likely the last JFC meeting for two members, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because ag is inherently connected to water.
• is still considered property tax at an ag level, it's not accurate.
• They're not there to determine ag status.
• We have to really look at this comprehensively, for both ag valuation and also, or not.
• But it feels... ...more like a tax bill to me than it does an ag bill.

Committee: House House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You come to find out New Mexico, in fact, for kids age 13 to 18 particularly, have a very shallow statute
• And so, raising the age from 16 to 18 is protection for our youth.
• I see here that you're increasing the age, Madam Chair? And the officers, why is that included?
• I think, Madam Chair, and Sponsor, both, as we know, the age doesn't discriminate.
• Of this bill, since we're saying high school age, right?

Bills: SB41 , SB33 , SB32 , SB30

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Keywords: sexual crimes, statute of limitations, criminal justice, victim rights, child abuse, individualized treatment, investigational treatment, health care, life-threatening illness, patient rights, physician recommendation, informed consent, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, child protection, prosecution, crime amendments, SB30, induced abortion, abortion reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• We've partnered with Amtrak and other states to address our aging fleet, and we expect ridership to grow
• the safe introduction of new aircraft systems that will move people and goods in the to address our aging
• Those who are aged 18 to 64 and have low income are eligible to receive 50% off all of the MBTA: bus,
• Family support infrastructure is critical to our health and to our healthy communities.
• Thank you all for staying for the work that you do to keep our Commonwealth healthy.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing at UMass Amherst on Governor Healey’s fiscal year 2027 budget proposal, focusing on energy/environment-related transportation issues and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The hearing opened with welcomes from the co-chairs and local legislators, followed by remarks from UMass Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes, who highlighted the university’s research, sustainability, transportation, and workforce contributions and thanked the administration and legislature for support of public higher education. MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phil Eng, along with agency leaders, presented the administration’s transportation budget package. They described a combined funding plan through House 2, a Fair Share supplemental budget, and a Chapter 90 bill, emphasizing investments in MassDOT operations, snow and ice response, regional transit authorities, the MBTA, bridge and pavement repair, housing-related transportation improvements, sustainable aviation fuel, microtransit, and local road programs. Officials also highlighted record highway construction activity, safety initiatives such as work zone speed cameras and pedestrian protections, RMV service and equity improvements, airport and drone technology programs, and MBTA gains in reliability, accessibility, ridership, and service expansion. Committee members asked about Western Massachusetts priorities, especially Chapter 90 funding for rural road mileage, bridge repairs, and the Compass Rail/West-East Rail program. MassDOT officials said pending federal grants were moving forward, with some awards recently obligated and others expected as federal processes advance, and they said Palmer Station remains part of the long-term rail plan. Members also raised the Cape Cod bridges and the need for multi-year Chapter 90 funding. Officials said the Sagamore Bridge procurement would begin soon, with construction targeted for 2027, and reiterated that transportation investments support jobs, local economies, and municipal infrastructure statewide.