Transcript Highlights:

• > complete a basic wider course approved complete a basic wider course approved by<00:05:28.840> Dot
• by Dot by Dot and<00:05:30.319> clarifies<00:05:31.080> that<00:05:31.560> uh
• it was at 25, so it got lowered to 15 mph, this measure can help with expediting the process because DOT
• 07:40.720> have<00:07:40.840> to<00:07:41.000> perform<00:07:41.319> an dot
• will not have to perform an dot will not have to perform an engineering<00:07:42.039> study<00

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Transportation and Culture heard testimony on several transportation-related bills. HB 1422, which would exempt certain community-based organizations providing transportation services from motor carrier law, drew support from the Department of Transportation, PUC, DLNR, Kauaʻi County, the Hōnaunau Initiative, and others; members asked about narrowing amendments to prevent unintended use, and the bill later advanced with amendments, including a three-year sunset. HB 1162, requiring motorcycle instruction permit applicants to complete a DOT-approved basic rider course, received support from DOT and Honolulu Customer Services; it advanced with amendments to address city and county concerns and to allow more implementation time. HB 1259, which would remove the need for an engineering study when reducing speed limits by up to 10 mph, had mixed testimony and was deferred for further discussion. HB 1260, establishing summer streets pilot programs for counties other than Oʻahu, drew support from DOT, DOH, UH, Hawaiʻi Appleseed, bicycling and public health groups, and individuals; DOH and others asked that Oʻahu be included, but the measure was deferred for later decision-making. HB 177, making civil ID cards free, had opposition from DOT and Honolulu Customer Services and support from health advocates; DOT said the program costs about $1.3 million annually and would need replacement funding, and the bill was deferred. HB 862, authorizing motor coaches, small buses, and vans for school bus services under certain conditions, received broad support from disability advocates, DOE-related entities, neighborhood boards, and private providers, with testimony emphasizing flexibility and accessibility; it was deferred. HB 667, requiring microchip scanning and reporting when deceased cats or dogs are removed from roadways, was supported by DOT, the Hawaiian Humane Society, and many animal groups and individuals, and was passed unamended. HB 960, increasing the cap on certain DOT capital investment contracts, and HB 228, authorizing electronic license plates and banning plate-obscuring devices and flipping devices, were both heard and then deferred. HB 1156, increasing the amount of special facility revenue bonds available for harbor improvements, received support from DOT, the Island Chamber of Commerce, Alakaʻi Energy, and the Harbor Users Group, and was passed unamended to Ways and Means.

Transcript Highlights:

• This resolution is part of a program where we had met with members of the DOT up in Washington to try
• This resolution is part of a program where we had met with members of the DOT up in Washington to try
• This commission, one, would be applicable for just one DOT district.
• Union Pacific, working with the DOT, took on two major crossing projects that are significant.
• Union Pacific working with the DOT took on two major crossing projects that are significant.

Summary: The House Transportation Committee heard and advanced a wide range of transportation, public safety, and local infrastructure measures. Several bills dealt with port and commission appointments or authority, including SB 420 adding Vermilion and Iberia Parish representation to the Lafayette Metropolitan Expressway Commission, SB 69 aligning appointments to the South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission with redistricting, SB 438 increasing per diem for the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, and SB 170 adding qualification and Senate confirmation requirements for Caddo-Bossier Port Commission members. The committee also approved SB 449 to give the New Orleans Public Belt more flexibility in procuring specialized materials, and SB 115 to allow DOTD to assume certain federal NEPA responsibilities to speed project delivery, with testimony emphasizing long permitting delays and the need for faster project completion. Members also advanced multiple safety and enforcement measures. SB 40 expanded move-over protections for emergency and disabled vehicles, SB 55 clarified proper seat belt use, SB 278 required ignition interlock devices for DUI-related license reinstatement, SB 489 authorized third-party verification of insurance coverage through license plate inquiries, and SB 133 updated commercial vehicle parking and autonomous vehicle oversight provisions. SB 151 would flag OMV records for people who owe DNA samples tied to CODIS matches or qualifying arrests/convictions, and SB 48 would create Louisiana-Ireland driver’s license reciprocity. Most of these bills were reported favorably after brief testimony, with support from law enforcement, AAA, OMV, and other stakeholders. The committee also considered several local resolutions and infrastructure studies. Rep. Dickerson’s resolutions on widening Highway 16, studying turn lanes on Highway 1024, and constructing a roundabout on Highway 1019 were all reported favorably. HCR 53 created a study committee on oversized vehicle permits with DOTD participation, HCR 60 asked DOTD to study I-12 and I-55 corridor improvements, and HR/HCR 170 and 68 sought federal funding to remove four closed bridges on US 90 in St. Tammany Parish. HR 191, as amended, requested a DOTD study of mountable median curbs on Range Avenue in Denham Springs. HB 762, amended to make certain OMV debt referrals permissive rather than mandatory, was reported favorably over some concern about debt collection impacts. HB 714, which would have addressed abandoned railroad lines, drew extensive debate over federal preemption, blight definitions, and whether a new commission was needed; the author ultimately moved to defer it, and the committee agreed. SB 330 on school-zone automated speed enforcement markings was amended to grandfather existing compliant pavement markings and rejected an amendment that would have exempted several cities from the law. The committee adjourned after reporting the remaining measures favorably and recognizing a departing staff member.

Transcript Highlights:

• Brandon Spencer is director of sorry, Director of administration at DOT Mr.
• Spencer is responsible for purchase seen at DOT just March. We just heard from Mr.
• But on the flip side, all I can hear is like DOT just wants to buy cameras to put on draw bridges.
• Like if I'd been in the room, I would have connected all the dots, right?
• And, you know, DOT has to buy plants that come from Florida, nurseries.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, this bonding package has set DOT up to have the availability to not get in debt.
• And you cannot be in the problem that we're in today with the bonding at DOT.
• And I do hope that the DOT does recognize the fact that I will not back down on this.
• President, Senator, DOT is not a state-funded agency.
• They're about $1.5 billion annually in DOT, and the streams are...

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, for instance, this time of year the town is plowing the town roads, and DOT is plowing the state
• <00:32:52.320> and apparently it's managed by Dot and apparently it's managed by Dot and working
• As far as I know, the DOT bought it and installed it.
• initially as far as I know the dot initially as far as I know the dot bought<00:51:17.319> it
• I am the administrator of the Bureau of Traffic at DOT, also the state traffic engineer, among other

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Public Works and Highways Committee heard testimony on House Bill 375, which would allow municipalities to designate certain road segments for ATV travel, create maps and signage for those routes, set seasonal limits, and require certain equipment on ATVs such as lights, a horn, flashers, and directional signals. The sponsor, Rep. Dan Maguire, said the bill is intended to support tourism and give towns a structured, optional way to permit ATV use on roads, not to override existing uses. Members asked about possible overlap with agricultural vehicle rules, golf carts, speed limits, and whether the bill could allow ATV use on busier roads or expressways; the sponsor said he did not intend to interfere with existing lawful uses and believed golf carts would only be included if they met the relevant statutory requirements. NHDOT State Maintenance Engineer Alan Hennessy said the department had concerns with language exempting municipalities and the Bureau of Trails from the permitting process, arguing that the existing permit system provides needed review, public notice, and signage requirements. He also raised questions about road funding and maintenance if ATVs were allowed on state highways. Fish and Game Captain Michael Eastman testified that his commission opposed the bill as written, citing concerns about the ATV definition, the distinction between ATVs, UTVs, and other OHRVs, and the potential impact on state highways and road maintenance. He said towns can already open roads to OHRV use under existing law, and he noted that accident data for road use would generally be handled by local police or State Police rather than Fish and Game. Craig Reny, chief of the Bureau of Trails, said the current Bureau of Trails/DOT permit process for highway crossings and connectors works well and is used to ensure safety through engineering review. He said his bureau was not taking a position on the bill but wanted to clarify that existing procedures already address many of the issues the bill appears to cover. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The dark brown is where the Bakken shales are generating significant amounts of oil, and the black dots
• Also on the bottom, you'll notice those little black dots that I should have made bigger.
• So. ...black dots that I should have made bigger.
• Essentially, the dot, dot, dot, or the subtext to that is, what is the future for my family?

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee met to consider Senate Bill 2397 and a proposed amendment creating a development incentive well program for North Dakota oil and gas production. Representative Dockter explained the amendment as a way to encourage exploratory and innovative drilling in light of the state’s financial outlook and the growing share of stripper wells. Department of Mineral Resources Director Nathan Anderson and DMR geologist Timothy Nashim presented background on the Bakken and Three Forks formations, with Nashim describing research showing that Middle Three Forks second-bench development can add reserves in some areas but not others, and that roughly 600 additional wells in the strongest area could yield about 250 million barrels of oil. Continental Resources representatives William Houser and John Argo supported the amendment. They said the bill would give a temporary oil extraction tax exemption for certified development incentive wells, limited to 36 months or 300,000 barrels, and would also update tax treatment for gas used in enhanced oil recovery and on-site electric generation. They argued the measure would encourage new technology and testing in existing spacing units, complementing House Bill 1483, which they said focused on geographic expansion into non-Bakken and non-Three Forks areas. Argo said Continental still invests heavily in North Dakota but is shifting rigs elsewhere because of economics, and he urged incentives to spur exploration and preserve the basin’s long-term future. North Dakota Petroleum Council executive director Ron Ness also supported the concept, calling it a targeted, low-risk way to encourage innovation and future barrels. Committee members asked about royalty treatment, the difference from House Bill 1483, pressure maintenance, and how the program would be administered. DMR said the amendment should clarify that the operator bears the burden of proving a well qualifies and that only one incentive well per stratigraphic interval should be certified. No vote was taken; the committee paused to work on revised language and indicated the bill would likely need further adjustment, possibly in conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• The big piece of the unobligated piece for DOT in that...
• And I just want to note as well that in the past couple of years, DOT worked really hard to pull down
• And I know you have a few members of the DOT in here, so that may be best for them.
• I'll also say, just for DOT, there's also a very large amount...
• I'll also say, just for DOT, there's also a very large amount of small-dollar claims, so claims less

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have had the pleasure of serving as chief engineer for Tech Dot for the last, uh, 3 years or so, uh
• Tex Dot employees, uh, almost 14,000 strong, uh, get up hard every day, take a lot of pride in the work
• Uh, and it has been a pleasure to work alongside a great team, uh, at Tech Dot.
• Leadership team at Tech Dot has been fantastic too.

Bills: HB227

Keywords: HB227, kratom, Mitragyna speciosa, kratom products, kratom processor, kratom retailer, controlled substances, Texas Controlled Substances Act, Health and Safety Code, Penalty Group 1, tianeptine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, mitragynine, synthetic kratom, kratom alkaloids, adulterated products, product testing, lab testing, ISO 17025, labeling requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• That's what we should do, but we can't manage that ourselves, just like DOT can't manage some of their
• We work collaboratively on a bonding bill that says, "DOT, you're going to not only identify priority
• How many people work at DOT?
• So you're saying that 2,500 employees, their badge and their check says "DOT, State of New Mexico?"
• Subsequent to that, they received a $4.5 million award from DOT, and so we'll alleviate the Governor

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I can I can uh been key for Y dot.
• It would apply to White Dot. It would apply to state lands.
• It would apply to White Dot. It would apply to state lands.
• It would apply to White Dot. It would apply to state lands.
• I think Y Dot has but we worked it out.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know if you're going to talk about the DOT side. >> We have the DOT side and a separate... >>
• to DOT? to DOT?
• So, can we start with DOT then?
• So, can we start with DOT then?
• So, can we start with DOT then?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Tammy Lee, on behalf of the DOT. The DOT stands on its written testimony in support. Thank you.
• <00:40:50.960> its of the DOT.
• The DOT stands on its of the DOT.
• Ed Sniffen or someone from DOT might be joining us via Zoom.
• Ed Sniffen or someone from DOT might be joining us via Zoom.

Bills: HB1736, HB1620, HB1695

Keywords: animal control, spay and neuter, pet overpopulation, sterilization, counties funding, tax designation, veterinary care, electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, energy policy, rebate program, environmental impact, renewable fuels, sustainable aviation fuel, tax credit, greenhouse gas emissions, local production, energy resilience, agricultural innovation, job creation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1737, which clarifies allowable uses in agricultural districts for farm dwellings and farm employee housing, and HB 1604 HD2, which creates an agricultural workforce housing working group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Testimony on HB 1737 was overwhelmingly supportive, with county agriculture officials, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Farmers Union backing the measure; one witness asked for a definition of “affordable” to guard against misuse of farm housing. For HB 1604, the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Hawaii Farmers Union, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, with OHA requesting disaggregated data and a seat on the working group. Committee discussion focused on housing shortages, possible misuse, affordability, and whether innovative housing models such as modular, tiny, and container homes should be considered. The committee then took action on both measures. HB 1737 HD3 was recommended to pass with amendments that would limit farm employee housing to agricultural employees and their immediate family members actively engaged in the farm operation, add a grandfathering provision for existing permitted housing, preserve county zoning authority, clarify that ag tourism must be secondary and not occur in employee housing, delete a square-footage-per-acre ratio, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. HB 1604 HD2 was also recommended to pass with amendments adding OHA and a housing-shortage organization to the working group, expanding its scope to include modular, tiny, and container homes and permitting/zoning streamlining, and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. Both motions were adopted unanimously by the members present. The joint hearing then moved to HB 1736, which would establish a spay and neuter special fund and require sterilization and declaration provisions for cats, with some discussion of dogs. DLNR and the Hawaiian Humane Society supported the bill, while Pacific Pet Alliance objected to the broader requirements and the inclusion of dogs; the Hawaiian Humane Society and American Bird Conservancy supported cat-focused sterilization and the special fund, while some testifiers opposed mandatory sterilization as too costly or intrusive. Members raised questions about toxoplasmosis, trap-neuter-release, enforcement, neighbor-island access, and funding needs, and DLNR indicated additional funding and third-party contracting would likely be needed. The transcript then began HB 1620 HD2 on energy, which would increase the environmental response energy and food security tax and shift funds from the hydrogen fueling subaccount to EV charging infrastructure; state agencies generally stood on written testimony in support, while the Tax Foundation objected to special fund earmarks and noted the bill raises only one part of the barrel tax structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• this effective immediately uh to Y dot. this effective immediately uh to Y dot.
• Pete Hallstead oversees Y Dot and had the survey crew put the legals together.
• He added, "We'll start with W Dot. W Dot's the one that needs the space."
• W dot's the one We'll start with W dot.
• <01:25:38.320> is this part of the world where Y dot is this part of the world where Y dot

Bills: HB0026, HB0042, HB0067, HB0069

Keywords: tribal governments, vehicle registration, exemption, license plates, Wind River Indian Reservation, vehicle, accident, duty to stop, felony, personal injury, death, veterans property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, property tax relief, military tax exemption, Wyoming National Guard, active duty, reserve members, surviving spouse, surviving parent

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Dot, dot, dot. >> See, you show up in Human Services, I can spot you a mile away.
• , dot, dot. >> See, you show up in Human Services, I can spot you a mile away.
• , dot, dot. >> See, you show up in Human Services, I can spot you a mile away.
• , dot, dot. >> See, you show up in Human Services, I can spot you a mile away.
• , dot, dot. >> See, you show up in Human Services, I can spot you a mile away.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I also appreciate that Senator How has worked with the DOT to make sure that these signs will meet
• Uh, I also appreciate that Senator How has worked with the DOT to make sure that these signs will meet
• Uh, I also appreciate that Senator How has worked with the DOT to make sure that these signs will meet
• Uh, I also appreciate that Senator How has worked with the DOT to make sure that these signs will meet
• to make sure How has worked with the DOT to make sure that<00:30:31.600> these<00:30:31.919><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The next few lines here are the Y-dot-dot-dot funding for compensation and the nurses' compensation.
• The next few lines here are the Y-dot-dot-dot funding for compensation and the nurses' compensation.

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first addressed an unintended consequence in the Joint Conference Committee report involving dual and concurrent enrollment funding. Staff explained that a dollar-for-dollar reduction tied to Senate File 81 would have fully funded public school dual/concurrent enrollment while leaving no funds for non-public school students. Senator Salazar moved to strike that provision, the motion was seconded, and it carried. Budget and Fiscal Administrator Don Richards then walked through the conference committee report and the major adopted amendments. He reviewed Senate and House amendments affecting items such as sign language interpreters, rural veterinary education, predator management authorization, petroglyphs and pictographs, senior services, community college funding, school district entitlement payments, the School Foundation Program reserve transfer, a tourism-related rodeo museum change, archaeological work on human remains, a jet airplane reduction, abortion-related language, livestock ear tags, provider rates for developmental disabilities, student-athlete endorsement restrictions, a forensic audit for the Wyoming Business Council, and the Yellowstone tree inscription. He also described several deleted sections and policy changes, including removal of spending-policy provisions, flex authority language, and other budget sections. Richards further summarized new or revised appropriations and conditions, including funding for local cybersecurity, stormwater fees, the Wyoming Natural Resource Trust Fund, lab services, IT modernization, Wyoming Public Television, matching funds, cloud services, and restored governor FTE requests. He noted a compromise on the outdoor trails matching program, a conditional $10 million University of Wyoming operational review appropriation tied to future cost savings, and a stablecoin appropriation. He also explained that the report retained the base-bill reversion language, discussed the remaining general fund balance and statutory reserve, and said the committee would circulate the amendment and signatures for floor action later that day. The meeting then adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then New Hampshire DOT has an arrow directive that prohibits all drone operations around DOT control
• And then New Hampshire DOT has an arrow directive that prohibits all drone operations around DOT control
• And then New Hampshire DOT has an arrow directive that prohibits all drone operations around DOT control
• And then New Hampshire DOT has an arrow directive that prohibits all drone operations around DOT control
• Um, and then New Hampshire DOT has an arrow directive that prohibits all drone operations around DOT

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• key Revenue source to support both Dot key Revenue source to support both Dot and<00:19:42.200><
• Distributed to locals for road repair and maintenance through the DOT Betterment Fund.
• <00:22:01.919> and impacts those have to safety Dot and impacts those have to safety Dot and
• So, some key facts about the DOT, just to give you a sense of the size of our agency.
• highway fund is not the deal and the dot highway fund is not the deal and the dot is<01:39:24.599

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met for an opening/orientation session in which members introduced themselves and explained their interest in the committee. Several members noted backgrounds in trucking, piloting, boating, motorcycles, road safety, or constituent concerns about transportation issues. The chair also noted several absent members and said the committee would first hear agency presentations before covering committee procedures. The Department of Safety gave the main presentation, outlining its seven divisions and how they relate to transportation policy and the Highway Fund. The assistant commissioner emphasized that Highway Fund revenue supports both the Department of Transportation and the Department of Safety, with collections coming largely from the road toll/gas tax, DMV fees, and the new electric vehicle surcharge. He also noted that 12% of Highway Fund revenues go to local road repair through the DOT Betterment Fund, and warned that the fund has had a structural deficit for several biennia, requiring General Fund transfers that may be uncertain this session. He said the department aims to provide data and fiscal context on legislation and fiscal notes. State Police then provided a detailed overview of its structure and operations, including the Operations Bureau, Investigative Services Bureau, and Justice Information Bureau. Testimony highlighted Troop G’s role in vehicle inspections, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, fraud investigations, and consumer complaint handling, as well as statewide staffing shortages. The division reported rising calls for service, motor vehicle stops, DWI arrests, and other arrests despite a vacancy rate of about 17%. It also described aviation, K-9, bomb squad, special events response, SWAT, narcotics, major crime, forensic laboratory, and other specialized units, with statistics on drug seizures, investigations, and lab workload. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We use the $16.5 million for DOT, their last grade raise.
• This is the same similar analysis that DOT did for Cleveland.
• This is the same similar analysis that DOT did for Cleveland.
• A lot of this stuff is from DOT plans, from BNSF plans.
• DOT has allocations, DOT has state funds.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met to receive interim status updates on several water-related studies and Department of Water Resources projects. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and then heard updates on the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study. Staff reported that the committee had already received the testimony contemplated in the study plans, including input from state agencies, local governments, and out-of-state entities, and that any further action would be at the committee’s discretion. The Department of Water Resources then provided project and budget updates on NAWS and the Southwest Pipeline Project. Reese reported NAWS is expected to serve about 81,000 users, with a total projected cost of about $571 million and about $96 million remaining, while the Southwest Pipeline Project is estimated at $1.06 billion total with about $409 million remaining. Members asked about funding sources, capacity needs, and whether current and future construction is being designed for increased demand; department staff said current work is designed for ultimate capacity, but some future components may need redesign based on new requests. The committee also discussed local cost shares, Minot’s role in NAWS funding, and whether the system is adequate for peak demand. A major portion of the meeting focused on the department’s cash management, carryover, and long-term water funding outlook. The department said Resources Trust Fund revenues are tied to oil extraction taxes and are affected by stripper well exemptions and future oil price declines. Members expressed concern about large carryover balances and whether the state is obligating more money than can realistically be spent in a biennium. The department reported about $340.6 million in remaining carryover and said it is trying to reduce that through a two-tier pre-construction/construction process and closer project vetting. The department also summarized the Deloitte studies on regional governance and finance and on cost-share policy. Stakeholders generally favored keeping the current governance structures for NAWS and Southwest with improvements, while Red River stakeholders leaned toward a different option; the department said it will bring an implementation plan back in September. On cost share, Deloitte’s recommendations would reduce some percentages, prioritize projects differently, and use other measures to close a projected long-term funding gap. Members debated affordability, local burden, deferred maintenance, and whether statutory changes may be needed to allow the commission more flexibility in prioritizing and funding projects. No formal votes or final actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, can the DOT give us a little bit of an update on this, please?
• Toby Reynolds, New Hampshire DOT, Director of Project Development.
• Before I forget, uh, the DOT, when we do have the final amendment to HB 2026, the DOT is going to draft
• The DOT is going to draft the amendment for us.
• The DOT is going to draft the amendment for us.

Keywords: 1189, house, all