Transcript Highlights:

• That even predates you, Robert. That one does not— It does not, actually. I didn't know.
• Now, you were there when we started this property tax system, I guess, in 1979, so you predate me and

Bills: SB1331 , SB1375 , SB1443 , SB1578 , SB2251 , SB2519 , SB2553 , SB2655 , SB2764 , SB2907 , SB3030 , SB3033 , SB3035 , SB3036 , SB3037 , SB3043 , SB3047 , SB3050 , SB3051 , SB3056 , SB3057 , SB3063 , HB9 , HB467 , HB331 , HB 1244 , HB1399 , HB2559 , HB2730 , HB3307 , HJR1 , HJR99 , SB3048 , SB3052 , SB3053 , SJR78 , HB1327 , HB2723

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: civil service, firefighters, police officers, municipalities, local government, repeal, voter petition, health care, provider participation, continuation programs, population-based regulation, health care provider participation, Medicaid, hospital funding, voluntary compliance, mandatory payments, public health, healthcare program, county participation, nonpublic hospitals

Summary: The Committee on Local Government heard a series of local bills and public testimony focused on hospital districts, municipal management districts, local provider participation funds, manufactured housing, transit financing, development moratoriums, and property tax procedures. Early items included House Bill 467, which would help dissolve the defunct Maybank Kemp Hospital District and establish an Andrew Gibbs Memorial Nursing Endowment, and Senate Bill 3063, creating the Bio Bell Municipal Management District in Liberty County; both drew no public opposition and were left pending subject to call. The committee also heard House Bill 1327, extending the Harris County local provider participation fund through 2027, and Senate Bill 1375, extending Collin County’s LPPF authority, both presented as mechanisms to draw federal Medicaid matching funds for hospitals. A major portion of the meeting centered on Senate Bill 2764, which would require earlier notice to buyers of manufactured homes about how to convert a home from personal property to real property. Senator Cook described the bill as a consumer-information measure tied to displacement concerns at a mobile home park in her district, and a resident testified in support, saying the notice would help families make informed decisions. The committee also discussed Senate Bill 2519, a bill by Senator Bettencourt aimed at preventing local governments from shifting maintenance-and-operations tax revenue into debt-like uses and from changing the purpose of tax rate elections after voters approve them. Supporters argued it would protect taxpayers and preserve the separation between M&O and debt service, while opponents tied the bill to Austin’s Project Connect transit financing and warned it would disrupt an approved project and invite litigation. The committee heard and left pending several other bills, including House Bill 1244 on agricultural land ownership changes without reapplying for an ag exemption, House Bill 2559 on development moratoriums, and Senate Bill 2063 on unequal appraisal protests. Testimony on House Bill 2559 came from developers and builders who said moratoriums in Conroe had delayed projects and harmed buyers, while supporters of the bill said it would impose clearer limits and notice requirements. On Senate Bill 2063, the sponsor explained a committee substitute narrowing how market value evidence may be used in unequal appraisal appeals. The committee also considered multiple local district bills, including new MUDs and management districts in Montgomery, Denton, Fannin, Travis, Hays, and Williamson counties. At the end of the meeting, the committee took up pending business and voted out several measures, including House Bill 1244, House Bill 2559, House Bill 467, House Bill 1327, House Bill 1399, House Bill 2723, House Bill 2730, House Bill 3307, House Joint Resolution 99, and multiple district bills such as Senate Bills 3037, 3043, 3047, 3048, 3050, 3052, 3053, 3056, 3057, 3063, and others. Most were reported favorably, often with committee substitutes, and many were recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. Several bills, including the transit-related SB 2519 and the manufactured housing bill SB 2764, remained pending subject to call after testimony closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• 17.240><c> inmates</c><00:11:18.240><c> who</c> Those for those inmates who are, you know, who are violent
• We have 20 who are violent that we hold awaiting [questionable: 704s], and they have 60, which is 80.
• They don't really have the capacity to handle violent 704 people.
• capacity acos they don't really have the capacity to<00:14:06.279><c> handle</c><00:14:06.800><c> violent
• </c><00:14:07.600><c> 704</c> to handle violent 704 to handle violent 704 people<00:14:10.320><c> um<

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: On the deferred agenda, the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs took up SB 1364, which makes emergency appropriations for law enforcement personnel costs, and SB 1452, which relates to the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. The chair recommended both measures pass with amendments, including technical corrections and a committee-report effective date of July 1, 2077. For SB 1364, the amendments included specified general fund and transfer fund amounts for DAGS, the Judiciary, and the Department of Law. For SB 1452, the chair said the bill was being corrected to fix a drug-name error that had been replicated from a federal mistake. Both recommendations were adopted by vote, with Senator Dort excused. The committee then discussed SB 1612, a joint measure on fitness to proceed that would require and appropriate funds for a five-year pilot program involving the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Health, with interim and final reports to the Legislature. Testimony was mixed: the Judiciary and Department of Health were supportive, while the Office of the Public Defender and the Disability Rights Center opposed it, arguing it conflicted with best practices and the Clark consent order, and that people found not fit to proceed must be sent to the state hospital. DCR said its main concern was that the bill would still require patients to be housed in its facilities, which it said are not rehabilitative and are already strained by staffing shortages and limited access. The bill’s author argued the proposal was meant to create joint custody and reduce the high cost of state-hospital placement, but the committee did not take final action in the portion provided. In the joint hearing with Health and Human Services, the committees heard SB 1322, a broad rewrite of the state mental health code. The Attorney General supported the measure as a comprehensive cleanup and modernization effort, but many testifiers raised concerns. Queen’s Health System and Hawaii Health Systems Corporation supported the concept but warned about emergency-room impacts and asked for amendments; IHS supported the bill with a caveat about assisted community treatment procedures; and the Public Defender, Disability Rights Center, and others opposed parts of it, citing due process, privacy, HIPAA, counsel rights, liability immunity, and the reduction of an involuntary-treatment panel from three clinicians to one psychiatrist. The hearing also covered SB 951 on child protection, where the Department of Defense supported the bill and proposed technical amendments and MOUs with military components to clarify reporting and coordination procedures; DHS and the Attorney General said they were still working through possible changes. Finally, SB 228 on excited delirium was heard, with the Public Defender and Disability Rights Center supporting the bill and arguing the term has been misused and that better police de-escalation training is the real solution.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:27:32.640><c> repeat</c> focusing on violent offenders, repeat focusing on violent offenders,
• The Constitution does not prevent Minnesota from punishing violent criminals.
• The Constitution does not prevent Minnesota from punishing violent criminals.
• </c> Enforce existing laws against violent Enforce existing laws against violent felons,<00:28:41.120
• </c> prevent Minnesota from punishing violent prevent Minnesota from punishing violent criminals.<00:

Bills: HF3668 , HF2779 , HF2771

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: gun violence, public health, Department of Health, prevention, criminal justice, health care transparency, ownership disclosure, control reporting, health care consolidation, private equity, management services organization, MSO, provider organization, health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, hospital system, affiliate reporting, financial disclosure, public reporting, market concentration

Transcript Highlights:

• It makes the effective date retroactive, and it deletes the sexual assault investigation section, which
• And sadly, we help detain some of the most dangerous and alleged violent criminals in Minnesota and the
• And sadly, we help detain some of the most dangerous and alleged violent criminals in Minnesota and the
• And sadly, we help detain some of the most dangerous and alleged violent criminals in Minnesota and the
• criminals in Minnesota and the violent criminals in Minnesota and the nation.<00:58:05.200><c> We</c

Bills: HF3405 , HF3413 , HF3769 , HF3768 , HF3771 , HF3465

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, Use of Force Investigations Unit, federal agents, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, Customs and Border Protection, CBP, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, USCIS, officer-involved death, use of force, law enforcement accountability, police oversight, independent investigation, criminal sexual conduct, sexual assault, peace officers

Transcript Highlights:

• A 25-year-old man, a violent criminal with recent and prior violent convictions, allegedly stabbed a
• have seen a wave of these sorts of things happening across the country, especially in our cities, violent
• 38:11.080><c> our</c> country especially in our country especially in our cities<01:38:13.440><c> violent
• offenders</c><01:38:14.840><c> loosed</c><01:38:15.599><c> on</c><01:38:15.760><c> an</c> cities violent
• offenders loosed on an cities violent offenders loosed on an unsuspecting unsuspecting unsuspecting

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• right, their workload is pretty filled, and we're talking about property crimes, not crimes against violent
• right, their workload is pretty filled, and we're talking about property crimes, not crimes against violent
• right, their workload is pretty filled, and we're talking about property crimes, not crimes against violent
• right, their workload is pretty filled, and we're talking about property crimes, not crimes against violent
• We're talking about property crimes, not crimes against violent crimes, so to speak.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:06 SB24 Discussion: 01:08 SB24 Vote: 13:22 SB18 Discussion: 14:40 SB18 Vote: 21:54, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up Senate Bill 24, a measure aimed at combating property and casualty insurance fraud. Senator Girdler and witnesses from the Insurance Institute of Kentucky and the National Insurance Crime Bureau said the bill would expand the definition of a fraudulent insurance act to cover statements that misrepresent the scope of property damage or repair costs, with the goal of addressing inflated storm-damage claims and out-of-state bad actors. Members discussed whether existing prosecutors were already handling these cases, the role of Commonwealth’s attorneys versus the Attorney General, and the need to keep the bill narrowly tailored to criminal intent rather than negligence or ordinary disputes over value. The committee substitute was adopted, the bill received favorable expression, and a title amendment was also adopted. The committee then heard Senate Bill 18, which would address a shortage of insurance options for automobile dealers by allowing nonadmitted carriers to provide garage liability coverage in Kentucky. Testimony from an insurance agent and a legislative agent for Big I Kentucky described a shrinking market in which some small dealers cannot find coverage at all, risking closure. Members asked about the meaning of garage liability, consumer protections, solvency concerns, and whether more competition could lower prices; witnesses said surplus lines carriers already operate in Kentucky, agents play an important vetting role, and errors-and-omissions coverage would apply to the agent. The bill was supported as a way to preserve dealer businesses and expand coverage options, and it passed the committee with favorable expression after roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• right—Genius, and certainly predated clarity, which hasn't passed yet by many, many years.
• ><01:12:14.960><c> a</c><01:12:15.199><c> national</c><01:12:15.920><c> pre</c><01:12:16.239><c> predated
• </c><01:12:16.960><c> you're</c> trust to a national pre predated you're trust to a national pre predated
• 01:12:17.920><c> and</c><01:12:18.080><c> and</c><01:12:18.480><c> certainly</c><01:12:18.800><c> predated
• </c> right genius and and certainly predated right genius and and certainly predated clarity<01:12:19.679

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission met to review stable tokens, real-world asset tokenization, and blockchain-based trust, approved the agenda and December 12 minutes, and heard a presentation from Anchorage Digital after postponing a planned Bitco presentation because of its IPO quiet period. Anchorage’s Melinda Delos, Joe Mioli, and Kevin Wasaki introduced the firm, describing it as a global digital assets platform and the first crypto-native institution in the U.S. to receive a federal banking charter. They said their approach emphasizes security, regulated custody and trading services, and responsible innovation for institutional clients, banks, states, and sovereigns. The presentation focused on post-Genius Act momentum in the stablecoin market. Anchorage said the law provided regulatory clarity and helped spur activity with major clients, including Athena, Tether, and Western Union. The speakers highlighted Western Union’s planned stablecoin as especially significant because it reflects adoption by a long-established traditional payments company, and they said the project illustrates how stablecoins can support programmable, real-time, interoperable payments. They also noted that Anchorage is providing issuance infrastructure for the Western Union project. The commission and presenters also discussed government uses of tokenized assets, including reserve legislation, digital assets for tax collection and fees, and a Marshall Islands initiative to use a tokenized sovereign bond for direct citizen payments. In response to a question, Anchorage said it would follow up on which states are using digital assets for revenue collection, mentioning Louisiana and Pennsylvania as examples. The banking discussion centered on remittances, instant payments, and interbank settlement, with Anchorage arguing that stablecoins can reduce settlement time, fees, and foreign exchange risk while improving traceability and auditability.

Transcript Highlights:

• facts and circumstances of each case within the confines of the statute, eligible offenses, is it violent
• ,</c><00:36:24.560><c> is</c><00:36:24.720><c> it</c> eligible offenses, is it violent, is it eligible
• offenses, is it violent, is it a<00:36:25.040><c> sex</c><00:36:25.280><c> crime?
• category, but would go back violent category, but would go back would<00:42:08.800><c> we</c><00:42:
• and then said he was seeing one felony, a violent charge, and asked whether that was the category under

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:02 Statewide Emergency Response System Monthly Update- 00:02:23 Shock Probation: Administrative Office of the Courts-00:34:28 Shock Probation: Department of Corrections Oversight-01:04:04 Adjournment-01:12:22, 958, all

Summary: The committee received an update on Kentucky’s statewide emergency responder voice system (SERVS) and the supporting microwave network, known as KYeS. Michael Brandon Marshall, the state’s statewide interoperability coordinator, explained that the project began as a replacement for Kentucky State Police’s radio system and has expanded into a statewide public-safety trunked radio system. He reviewed work completed in phases 1 and 2, including upgrades to existing tower sites, construction of new sites, installation of generators and DC power plants, and replacement of microwave routers and stations. He said the microwave upgrade is a separate but necessary part of the project and that the remaining microwave work on existing sites is expected to be finished in 2026, with roughly 20 more sites likely to move from blue to green by the next monthly report if conditions allow. Members pressed Marshall on the pace of deployment and the lack of coverage in parts of Eastern Kentucky. Senator Thomas said the coverage map was especially unfavorable to counties from Whitley and McCreary up to Lewis County and asked when that gap would be fixed. Marshall said the eastern buildout is planned, but those areas have not yet been funded; he estimated that by the end of 2026 the areas around Posts 14, 8, and 11 should be live, while other eastern post areas would remain unbuilt until additional funding is provided. He said the decision to start in Western Kentucky was technical rather than political, based on terrain and the relative ease of building coverage over flatter ground. Senator Wheeler asked whether newer low-orbit satellite systems such as Starlink could reduce the need for tower construction. Marshall said satellite technology could be a useful tool, especially for outdoor or disaster-response communications, but it cannot replace terrestrial radio for public safety because responders often work indoors and need reliable penetration through buildings. He also noted that lower-frequency spectrum such as 700 MHz is better suited for that purpose. Representative Smith asked about contracting and delays; Marshall said the Finance Cabinet’s DECA manages the construction contracts, while his office helps define the scope of work and reviews whether it is adequately met. The committee indicated it will continue to receive monthly updates on the project.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you to our law enforcement for doing everything we can to save our children from these predators

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, the House has been through a tumultuous two weeks, but this institution long predates us and

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ON WHEN AND HOW THIS EVIL IS HAPPENING, THE BETTER CHANCE WE HAVE TO STAY ONE STEP AHEAD OF THE PREDATORS

Bills: SJR3 , SB5 , SJR36 , SJR3 , SB616 , SB565 , SB384 , SB5 , SB21 , SB72 , SB140 , SB262 , SB370 , SB372 , SB495 , SB627 , SB703 , SB764 , SB842 , SB971 , SB790 , SB767 , SB480 , SB1066 , SR44 , SR135 , SR171 , SR180 , SR185 , SR187 , SR188 , SR191 , SR197 , SR198 , SR199 , SR200

Keywords: dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, research institute, funding, grants, state health initiatives, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code

Transcript Highlights:

• on when and how this evil is happening, the better chance we have to stay one step ahead of the predators

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the</c> You will see four projects there, four things that we had asked for initially: Hatchery Predator
• What is in the governor's budget is the Hatchery Predator Control, replacement of the 50-foot trailer
• :06:27.840><c> which</c><05:06:27.958><c> was</c><05:06:28.200><c> Hatchery</c><05:06:28.878><c> Predator
• </c> initially which was Hatchery Predator initially which was Hatchery Predator control<05:06:30.480
• </c><05:09:48.200><c> predator</c> the um Hatchery predator predator the um Hatchery predator predator

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Department of Administrative Services presented its capital budget process and priorities, explaining how agencies assess facility needs, rank projects, and submit requests to the governor’s office. DAS described its Plant and Property division, which maintains 96 state buildings, and Public Works, which develops detailed cost estimates for selected projects. Officials said the governor’s office has traditionally narrowed requests into priority tiers, but this year all projects were estimated, creating more work and less detail. They also emphasized that the capital budget book functions as legislative intent and can be binding on how approved funds are used. On the substance of the request, DAS highlighted several priorities: continued funding for the state ERP system upgrade to the cloud, with about $5 million requested for sustainability and related Treasury functions; emergency fund and annex renovation work; a sprinkler replacement at DMV; and elevator repairs at the main building. Karen Rocky also identified maintenance projects that rose in priority after a facility condition assessment, including HVAC work for Portsmouth Circuit Court and Coos County Courthouse, boilers and controls for Carroll County and Lebanon Circuit Court, brick repointing at the main building and annex, window replacement at Spalding, and Brown building elevator replacement. Officials noted that the governor’s proposed capital budget included fewer DAS projects than in past years and no projects for the Bureau of Court Facilities. The committee also discussed lapses and reprogramming of prior appropriations. DAS said the first eight projects approved in 2023 remain under construction and should be extended, while many 2021 projects are delayed because of ARPA-related workload and broader construction backlogs. Members reviewed a 2019 project list and agreed to lapse project number 49, the Spalding roof project, with about $81,000 remaining. DAS also said some small 2019 balances, including courthouse generators, a boiler, cooling and controls, roof and exterior repairs, and the State House Annex elevator, could be redirected through Capital Budget Overview toward the Hillsboro County South Cell Block project. The hearing ended with questions about project schedules, ARPA deadlines, and the division of authority between DoIT and DAS for the ERP system.

Transcript Highlights:

• Violent crime dropped by nearly 50%. Carjackings fell by more than 80%.
• This year, thanks to President Trump, violent crime is down more than 30%.
• In fact, violent crime is at a 40-year low.
• </c> fact, violent crime is at a 40year low. fact, violent crime is at a 40year low.
• To have eliminated violent crime in the District of Columbia.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And sexual assault. >> Okay. Um, thank you. Just clarify that.
• &gt;&gt; Yes.<00:51:13.119><c> And</c><00:51:13.359><c> and</c><00:51:13.599><c> sexual</c><00:51:13.920
• And and sexual assault. Yes. &gt;&gt; Yes. And and sexual assault. Yes.
• that was successful in the world was the fact that we could outthink the elements and outthink the predators
• We could outthink the predators.<01:03:42.880><c> This</c><01:03:43.039><c> is</c><01:03:43.200><c> our

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:37:39.200><c> confrontations</c> the likelihood of violent confrontations the likelihood of violent
• crime and homicide one tragic in violent crime and homicide one tragic example<00:37:52.560><c> is</
• Evidence exists that contradicts claims that expanding self-defense laws deters violent crime in the
• Evidence exists that contradicts claims that expanding self-defense laws deters violent crime in the
• Evidence exists that contradicts claims that expanding self-defense laws deters violent crime in the

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• deterring crimes such as burglary, robbery, and aggravated assault, shoot first laws lead to a rise in violent
• deterring crimes such as burglary, robbery, and aggravated assault, shoot-first laws lead to a rise in violent
• deterring crimes such as burglary, robbery, and aggravated assault, shoot-first laws lead to a rise in violent
• assault, shoot first laws lead to a rise assault, shoot first laws lead to a rise in<00:15:36.760><c> violent
• </c> in violent crime and homicide. in violent crime and homicide.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard Chair Bliss present HF 13, a bill to change Minnesota self-defense law so that a person using reasonable force in resisting an offense against the person would not be required to consider retreat. Bliss tied the proposal to a recent Minnesota Supreme Court case involving a man at a light rail station and argued the court had effectively created a duty to retreat that the legislature had never enacted. He said the bill would codify the right to stand one’s ground while still leaving reasonableness to judges and juries. Supporters Bryan Gosh of the NRA and Rob Door of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus testified that Minnesota’s duty-to-retreat rules are confusing, judicially created, and out of step with other states. They argued the bill would clarify self-defense law and protect people who defend themselves or others, citing examples from other states and a Texas church shooting to argue that a retreat requirement can endanger victims and bystanders. Opponents Maggie Emery of Protect Minnesota, Sarah Erickson of Giffords, and Don Einwalter of Moms Demand Action argued the bill would function as a “shoot-first” law, increase homicides, worsen racial disparities, and make communities and law enforcement less safe. They cited studies linking stand-your-ground laws to higher homicide rates and pointed to incidents in Florida and Minnesota involving firearms and children. The committee also took up two amendments. Representative Hollins offered an amendment on safe and secure firearm storage, saying it was intended to reduce child access to guns and suicides; she requested a roll call. Chair Bliss opposed it, saying current law already covers negligent storage and that the amendment was too broad, including for a rural constituent who keeps a shotgun by his door. Representative Hudson and Representative Pinto argued over whether current law is sufficient and whether the amendment would remove needed flexibility. The transcript ends during discussion of the amendments, with no final vote or disposition recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, does this include violent crimes? So, does this include violent crimes?
• We routinely sentence and send people to prison for much less time for violent offenses such as murder
• This is another safeguard to ensure that the people eligible on this list are not physically violent.
• . ...consider the consequences, and we routinely—unfortunately, maybe—sentence people for heinous violent

Bills: SB210 , SB292 , HB360 , HB233 , HB66 , HB356 , HB164 , HB238 , HB209 , SB223 , HB307 , SB210 , SB292 , HB360 , HB233 , HB66 , HB356 , HB164 , HB238 , HB209 , SB223 , HB307

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, education oversight, subpoena authority, investigation, State Superintendent, school misconduct, drug courts, accountability, veterans, mental health, substance abuse, rehabilitation, criminal justice, court intervention, elder abuse, financial exploitation

Transcript Highlights:

• A reduction in violent crime, 5.9% across the state from 2023 to 2024.
• with criminal intelligence is helping us solve these cases and drive the freeway shootings and the violent
• with criminal intelligence is helping us solve these cases and drive the freeway shootings and the violent
• Thank you. ...cases and drive the freeway shootings and the violent behavior down.
• Brandishing, violent crimes, pellet guns, homicide shootings, object throwing—they all have increased

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A reduction in violent crime, 5.9% across the state from 2023 to 2024.
• with criminal intelligence is helping us solve these cases and drive the freeway shootings and the violent
• Thank you. ...cases and drive the freeway shootings and the violent behavior down.
• But every other category—homicide, non-shooting, brandishing, violent crimes, pellet guns, homicide shootings
• Brandishing, violent crimes, pellet guns, homicide shootings, object throwing—they all have increased

Summary: The subcommittee heard several California transportation and public safety budget proposals. Caltrans requested a one-time $225 million augmentation to continue replacing its aging fleet and build out zero-emission vehicle infrastructure. Caltrans said the funding would replace about 1,100 vehicles, including many heavy-duty units, and acknowledged its overdue report on zero-emission fleet efforts would be delivered by mid-to-late April. The LAO said the request raised no concerns, but one senator strongly criticized the cost and policy emphasis on making the fleet the “greenest” rather than prioritizing road maintenance. The chair pressed Caltrans to submit the overdue report within 30 days, saying it was necessary for oversight before the request could be considered. The committee also discussed a Caltrans proposal tied to SB 150 and the High Road Construction Careers Program. Because federal highway funds could not be used as originally intended for workforce training, Caltrans and the Department of Finance proposed replacing the federal dollars with $30 million in state Highway Account funds. The Workforce Development Board said the program had a track record of connecting participants to apprenticeships and jobs, while one senator questioned why the original $50 million federal set-aside had not been implemented and asked for more detail on where the remaining funds would go. Finance said the state funds were already set aside and expected to begin flowing in May over a two- to three-year period. The California Highway Patrol presented two requests. First, CHP sought $60 million from the Motor Vehicle Account for equipment and operating costs, citing inflation, higher vehicle prices, and the end of its ability to cover costs through vacancy savings as hiring improved. The LAO recommended rejection, arguing the costs were not new, CHP still had a substantial equipment budget, and the Motor Vehicle Account faces insolvency by 2028-29. Second, CHP requested $885,000 ongoing to fund seven crime analyst positions for the Highway Violence Task Force. CHP said the task force had reduced freeway shootings from 477 in 2021 to 179 last year, though some data categories had changed over time. The LAO did not object, but noted the request would create a permanent funding commitment. The DMV presented two modernization items: the State-to-State verification system required for Real ID compliance and the DXP system to replace aging legacy technology. The LAO raised no concerns with either, but noted DXP has had cost overruns and delays and will require continued legislative oversight. Senators focused heavily on privacy and data-sharing concerns in the State-to-State system, especially the use of Social Security number digits and the role of the AAMVA network. DMV said the system is required for Real ID compliance, uses encrypted data, and is intended to prevent duplicate credentials across states. The committee also discussed customer service improvements from DXP, with DMV saying the project should better integrate systems and improve service delivery by the end of the calendar year.