Transcript Highlights:

• When dire weather events or catastrophic storms occur, our maintenance forces are on the leading edge
• When dire weather events or catastrophic storms occur, our maintenance forces are on the leading edge
• When dire weather events or catastrophic storms occur, our maintenance forces are on the leading edge
• When dire weather events or catastrophic storms occur, our maintenance forces are on the leading edge
• We use these funds to complete the work that these other agencies contract with us to complete.

Keywords: 00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:47 Maintenance 12:40 Approval of Minutes 12:55 Vehicle Regulation 21:08 General Admin and Highways 34:11 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met without a quorum at first, then later approved the minutes once quorum was established. The committee heard presentations from Transportation Cabinet officials Mike Hancock, Jeremy Slinker, and Sean McCarnieran on maintenance, vehicle regulation, general administration, highways, and related capital projects. Hancock emphasized that maintenance is the cabinet’s most visible public service, especially for snow and ice removal and routine roadway upkeep, and said rising costs have outpaced funding. He cited a 61% increase in highway construction costs since 2020 and said maintenance spending was $488 million in FY 2024 and $511 million in FY 2025, while the FY 2026 baseline request was $483.3 million. The cabinet’s additional maintenance request would add $23.6 million in FY 2027 and $38.6 million in FY 2028, with expected impacts on litter pickup, mowing, vegetation management, and pothole repair if not funded. The cabinet also outlined five maintenance-related capital projects: additional funding for Ballard County maintenance/salt storage, Hopkins County maintenance/salt storage, Whitley County maintenance/salt structure, and the District 2 office and materials lab, plus reauthorization of the Breckinridge County maintenance and salt facility. Hancock also asked for budget language allowing the cabinet to use unexpected restricted and federal funds more quickly, similar to existing authority for federal earmarks. McCarnieran described the governor’s inclusion of funding for the ASHTOWare system, employee health exams, priority IT projects, and a District 7 office renovation request, noting that some items were not funded because they ranked low among competing projects. He also said the governor’s budget included a $7.5 million annual maintenance pool for the cabinet’s 1,200 facilities and requested additional restricted fund authority for Trimark and the Cumberland Gap Tunnel. Slinker focused on the Department of Vehicle Regulation, saying recent investments in staffing and equipment had reduced wait times and improved customer service in driver licensing offices. He requested $535,600 to keep temporary contract workers in place for the rest of the year, warning that without it regional office operations would have to be reduced. He said the surge in demand was driven by new 15-year-old licensing requirements, vision testing, and Real ID implementation, but believed the volume was beginning to level out. He also outlined FY 2027 and FY 2028 plans totaling $20.38 million and $19.85 million, including six new regional offices and a shift away from temporary workers toward state positions. Additional requests included $106,000 for debt service on the new driver’s license modernization system and operating costs of $5 million in FY 2027 and $2.5 million in FY 2028 to support the transition from the old system. Members asked about the cabinet’s funding sources, and officials said the road fund is the primary source, supported by motor fuels tax, usage tax, driver-related receipts, and some restricted funds; they stressed that the requests were not for additional general fund dollars. Questions also covered employee health exam reimbursements, the annual Trimark/Cumberland Gap contract, and the District 7 renovation request. No votes were taken on the budget items during the meeting, beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jason Rarick, Senate, Republican lead, education finance. Sure.
• Sydney Jordan, uh, House DFL education policy lead chair.
• Policy lead chair, Mary Francis Clardy, House vice co-chair finance.
• </c><00:07:37.520><c> So,</c><00:07:38.160><c> I</c> also um minority lead uh Coleman.
• So, I also um minority lead uh Coleman.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have seven geographic lead agencies that are made up of nine county offices of education.
• I have the privilege of leading that work with our districts and our team.
• I have the privilege of leading that work with our districts and our team.
• And I think that's what this shift could lead to, and I'm concerned about that.
• And I think that's what this shift could lead to, and I'm concerned about that.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• includes $4.2 million to support the reorganization of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency
• plan taking effect, the bill includes funds to support the reorganization of the agency and the creation
• the Housing Development and Finance Committee, in addition to the Business and Consumer Services Agency
• and the creation of the Housing Development and Finance Committee, Consumer Services and Housing Agency
• Once approved by the local agency, they have 14 days; the developer has 14 days to notify tribes and

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee held an informational hearing on the final three-party budget agreement and related trailer bills, with the Department of Finance outlining the major budget bill and omnibus measures. Finance described a package built around balancing the state budget amid economic uncertainty, preserving core health and safety-net programs, and making significant ongoing reductions in some state programs. The budget bill included major items such as shifting $1 billion from the General Fund to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for Cal Fire, funding universal transitional kindergarten, deferring some UC and CSU funding, supporting foster care and homelessness programs, providing Proposition 36 implementation funding, and achieving Medi-Cal savings through changes to benefits and eligibility. The committee also heard that votes on the budget bills were expected later in the week and the following Monday. Finance then walked through the trailer bills, including health, human services, early learning, education, resources, energy, transportation, labor, housing, tax, public safety, courts, general government, cannabis, and energy-related measures. Notable provisions included a Medi-Cal enrollment freeze for certain adults, new premiums and benefit changes for some immigrants, child care COLA changes, education funding for literacy, teacher support, universal meals, and community college student support, as well as resource and climate measures affecting Cal Fire staffing and energy permitting. The housing trailer bill drew the most discussion, with provisions on CEQA streamlining, a vehicle miles traveled mitigation banking program, a renters’ credit trigger, and a six-year moratorium on new residential building standards. Members also discussed a film tax credit expansion, cannabis enforcement funding, a tribal police pilot program, and changes to tax policy, including military retirement income exclusions and wildfire settlement payment exclusions. Committee members largely praised the staff and the budget process, but several raised concerns and asked detailed questions, especially about the housing trailer bill’s new wage standards, tribal consultation provisions, and possible effects on prevailing wage protections. Finance explained that the housing language was intended to set wage floors for market-rate projects receiving CEQA streamlining, with different county-based tiers and a notwithstanding clause preserving existing prevailing wage laws. Members also questioned the size and timing of funding for the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, Clean Cars for All, Proposition 36, and the film tax credit expansion. Other members highlighted support for public safety, veterans’ tax relief, child care providers, housing production, and higher education, while some expressed concern that the budget’s policy changes were being negotiated too quickly or without enough stakeholder input.

Transcript Highlights:

• 50.880><c> that</c><00:07:51.120><c> has</c> there's any leading state that has there's any leading state
• </c> to me is we haven't gotten any leads to me is we haven't gotten any leads from<01:22:25.760><c>
• </c> honestly how they manage that that lead honestly how they manage that that lead and<01:23:08.400
• </c><01:23:49.840><c> We</c> been providing leads for them. We been providing leads for them.
• Um certainly Cheyenne leads example.

Committee: Joint Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If confirmed, you would lead the Department of the Air Force during an important time.
• In order to maintain our technological lead over China and Russia in these technological areas, you will
• I am grateful for and humbled by the trust they have placed in me to lead the Department's efforts to
• ma'am, it was at all the federal agencies.
• But I was told that the Defense Health Agency was against it, so the committee staff wouldn't put it

Committee: Senate Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel

Keywords: Air Force modernization, fighter aircraft, autonomous systems, air superiority, national security, recapitalization

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on military procurement and modernization, with significant discussions surrounding the Air Force's capabilities and strategic needs. Key topics included the urgent need for recapitalization of the Air Force's fighter squadrons, as well as the importance of integrating new technologies like autonomous systems to bolster military effectiveness. Several senators raised concerns about the current resources available to the Air National Guard and the potential loss of skilled service members if recapitalization plans are not swiftly developed. There were also discussions on the importance of maintaining air superiority in light of evolving threats, particularly from adversaries like China.

Transcript Highlights:

• We thank you for. these men and women elected by the people and ordained by you to lead and govern this
• The chair recognizes the Honorable Trey Warden of Walker County to lead us in the Pledges of Allegiance
• The expectation was that the lives these kids would lead were lives of being neither seen nor heard.
• This nine-month program is designed to equip participants with the tools that they need to lead their
• Let's take a second to recognize the members of TAC for being a prominent voice. and leading advocate

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And California leads the way in so many things, but it's disturbing that we can't lead the way in this
• Berkeley will continue to follow the lead of the tribal nations.
• It is, you know, our practice now really to follow the lead of tribes.
• So we, and then that is another piece that we have to match where the state agencies and federal agencies
• Under the 2024 rule, museums and federal agencies can no longer...

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It can lead to public nuisances, disputes, or even safety hazards.
• TXTA strongly supports agencies that enforce CMV regulations.
• There are over 80 agencies that DPS must monitor, which is why it's important to assure that only agencies
• that agency as a revenue generating agency.
• The agency also mandates evidence of a stamped invalidation for surrendered or voided titles, adding

Bills: HB341 , HB469 , HB971 , HB1624 , HB2721 , HB2959 , HB3365 , HB3731 , HB3793 , HB3861 , HB3946 , HB3966 , HB4348 , HB4401 , HB4402 , HB4924 , HB4966 , HB5563

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, commercial vehicle, safety standards, enforcement, Texas counties, transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll take the lead on interested in it.
• </c> Beyond that, our program and agency Beyond that, our program and agency prioritize<01:20:13.920>
• SoilSHOP is a program that offers free soil screening for lead to prevent exposure to lead through recreational
• Thank you. exposure to lead through recreational exposure to lead through recreational activities<01:
• I can check back at the agency.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 94, which would prohibit municipal amendments to the state building code and move New Hampshire toward a more uniform statewide code. Senator McConi and several supporters, including the Josiah Barlo Center for Public Policy, the State Fire Marshal, the Associated General Contractors of New Hampshire, and the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association, argued that local variations create confusion, raise housing costs, and make compliance harder for builders operating in multiple towns. The Fire Marshal said the goal is a single state building and fire code with only limited administrative amendments at the local level, not technical changes, and noted that municipalities could still seek exceptions through the Building Code Review Board if needed. The chair explained that a similar House bill was already moving forward with fire code and administrative amendment language, and members agreed that retaining SB 94 would avoid conflicting bills. The committee then voted to retain SB 94 by roll call, 13-0, with no minority report. The committee then took up Senate Bill 30, which would designate the Virginia opossum as New Hampshire’s state marsupial. Senator Fenton presented the bill as a light-hearted measure inspired by Chesterfield School fourth graders, who had submitted written testimony and supported the idea. Members discussed the bill in a humorous but mostly supportive way, with one member objecting that it trivialized the legislature, while others said it could help engage students in the legislative process. The committee voted ought to pass on SB 30, 11-2, and agreed to place it on consent with no minority report. Later, the committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 95, concerning youth camp cabins and state fire/building codes. Senator McConi said the bill would exempt new residential cabins in youth recreation camps from sprinkler requirements and allow them to omit electrical, mechanical, or plumbing systems, while requiring any such systems that are present to comply with state code. He said the measure was intended to resolve recurring interpretation problems that have caused expense and uncertainty for camp owners, and he praised work with the Fire Marshal’s office to reach a workable compromise. Representative Schmidt asked about cabin sizes and whether larger cabins with multiple occupants would still be safe; the senator explained that camps typically use counselors, drills, and supervision, and that the people behind him could answer more detailed questions. The transcript cuts off before the hearing concludes or any vote is taken on SB 95.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're eager to lead through this critical work on transparency and accountability to protect programs
• We're eager to<00:02:49.600><c> lead</c><00:02:50.080><c> through</c><00:02:50.360><c> this</c><00:02
• Right now, oversight is fragmented across agencies.
• </c><00:13:19.600><c> Anybody</c><00:13:19.960><c> who</c> agencies and vendors.
• Anybody who agencies and vendors.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senate DFL leaders held a press conference outlining a fraud-prevention agenda centered on transparency, accountability, and modernization of state systems. Majority Leader Erin Murphy said Minnesotans are angry about fraud and that the caucus has already passed multiple fraud-prevention measures, but more work is needed. She and other senators emphasized that outdated county and state IT systems leave programs vulnerable to waste and abuse, and said they want to pursue both immediate upgrades and longer-term funding solutions, including possible bonding for technology infrastructure. Senator Zena Mohamed described legislation to overhaul program integrity in Medicaid and human services by adding safeguards before, during, and after provider enrollment and service delivery. She said the goal is to prevent theft before dollars are spent, rein in third-party entities that profit without accountability, and improve consumer protections and reporting pathways. Senator Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger highlighted a bill to ban cryptocurrency kiosks, arguing they are heavily used in scams targeting seniors and vulnerable people, and also backed a state consumer financial protection bureau and stronger False Claims Act enforcement. Senator Rob Kupec focused on ethics and conflicts of interest, including a proposal to bar legislative members and certain state employees from quickly moving into jobs tied to entities receiving state appropriations or grants. He also said lawmakers should strengthen penalties for theft of public funds and restrict state contracts for people convicted of fraud. Senator Heather Gustafson promoted her Office of Inspector General bill, saying oversight is fragmented and an independent office is needed for investigations, safeguards, and early detection; she said the Senate passed the bill 60-7 last year and she wants it enacted. In response to questions, Murphy and Gustafson said the OIG should have law-enforcement powers, that bipartisan support exists in principle, and that the House needs to settle on a single proposal. The senators also said prepayment review can be useful but can disrupt services, and they argued agencies must use the tools already given to them while lawmakers continue oversight.

Transcript Highlights:

• Grant these leaders patience to listen deeply, the courage to lead with empathy, and the clarity to seek
• </c><00:03:11.440><c> with</c> deeply, the courage to lead with deeply, the courage to lead with empathy
• agencies in this state. agencies in this state.
• </c> she's uh getting ready to head an agency she's uh getting ready to head an agency that<00:20:20.160
• </c> an unaccountable agency. an unaccountable agency.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• May we continue to lead our great state.
• </c><00:37:43.200><c> to</c> the public that 30 days for agency to the public that 30 days for agency
• Right now agencies was fully staffed.
• about the agencies not being staffed<00:41:52.560><c> up.
• So, um, authority to the state agency.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a tri-agency initiative. for us, but we are three independent agencies with three independent missions
• Tri-agency level what we're looking at is what?
• And so we meet regularly as a tri-agency group.
• But the major agencies involved in health, the non-state agencies, philanthropic organizations, et cetera
• , CFOs at state agencies play checkers.

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If black and Hispanic children are being targeted, because I don't want to lead to something, lead to
• We have someone to testify to that today in the agency and outside of the agency.
• or a judge or... ...in writing that says that an agency or a judge or representative of those agencies
• You don't have different agencies; you don't have...
• However, I have to lead, and I am going to lead.

Committee: House Government

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• which function here because this is a cross-agency effort.
• Lead on building and maintaining a portal for reporting and cross-agency provider notification so that
• This will be factored in as a very big change for the agency.
• That's really what we're thinking about at the healthcare agency.
• Our agency is the lead for all of that funding.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We're the co-lead, so a fourth co-lead with New Hampshire Housing, and that I think is in line four of
• so a fourth HHS H we're the co-lead so a fourth co-lead<00:21:38.760><c> with</c><00:21:38.919><c> New
• </c> state agencies uh and related agencies state agencies uh and related agencies organizations<00:28
• </c><00:33:13.720><c> oh</c> Le they're biting into your lead oh Le they're biting into your lead oh
• </c> are part of a joint government agency are part of a joint government agency which<02:05:41.880><

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I also lead the Healthy Families Tax Credits Coalition, a statewide network of more than 80 organizations
• These bills would direct the Department of Revenue to lead a coordinated multilingual outreach campaign
• These bills would direct the Department of Revenue to lead a coordinated multilingual outreach campaign
• For the vital work they do, many of our member agencies already see first...
• federally mandated anti-poverty agencies operating in Massachusetts.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing focused largely on tax-credit proposals tied to children, families, caregivers, child care, health care workforce development, and public health. A major portion of the hearing concerned bills to expand the state earned income tax credit and child and family tax credit, including H. 3073/S. 1957 and S. 1975. Testimony from advocacy groups, legal services, tax assistance organizations, and health providers supported increasing the EITC match from 40% to 50% of the federal credit, expanding eligibility to immigrant and mixed-status ITIN filers, larger families, younger and older workers, and SSI recipients, and raising the child and family tax credit to $600 per child with inflation adjustments and possible advance payments. Witnesses said these changes would reduce poverty, improve health and educational outcomes, and help families meet basic expenses; committee members asked questions about ITIN filers and expressed support for the policy goals. The committee also heard extensive testimony on S. 1938/H. 3159, An Act Supporting Family Caregivers. Speakers described the scale of unpaid caregiving in Massachusetts and supported a package that would create a refundable tax credit, respite vouchers, workplace and housing protections, unemployment insurance access for those who leave work to care for relatives, a permanent advisory council, and a provision allowing spouses to be paid caregivers under MassHealth. Several witnesses shared personal caregiving experiences, and committee members responded favorably, noting the emotional and financial strain on caregivers and the importance of supporting them as Medicaid and long-term care systems face pressure. Additional bills discussed included H. 3174 on a child and dependent care tax credit, which was presented as a way to offset the high cost of child care; H. 3197/S. 2019 to improve the financial security of family child care providers through a tax credit; H. 3218/S. 1960 to create tax credits for health care preceptors to address workforce shortages; S. 2064 to establish a living organ donor tax credit; S. 2034 to promote healthy alternatives to sugary drinks through a tiered tax; H. 3015 to create a tax-return checkoff for the YMCA Youth and Government Program; and several public testimony ideas including vaccination, literacy, and grade-improvement tax credits. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing, which ended after all testimony was heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are a quasi-governmental agency, not a state agency, but quasi-governmental.
• Under this program, we have agencies that we contract with.
• resources that we have throughout the agency.
• and state agencies that invest in community development projects.
• So LEADS is kind of like leading into becoming a certified EDO, and you have a list of our awardees for

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Been very transparent for all of our groups and agencies.
• So let's— Other agencies, it's just an easier benefit.
• I know a lot of our agencies do restorative justice.
• state overseeing the agency.
• And that leads me back to the conversation we had previously.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission opened an informal discussion focused on developing recommendations for its September report on correctional consolidation and cooperation. Chairs Dan Hunt and Senator Brownsberger emphasized that the group is still in an information-gathering phase, but should begin putting ideas on the table, including possible written recommendations, further hearings, and additional facility tours. Members discussed whether the commission should seek more input from frontline stakeholders such as sheriffs, probation, parole, reentry centers, unions, and the judiciary, and whether recommendations should be organized around specific issue areas like medical costs, programming, reentry, and facility operations. A major theme was the need for a more integrated and consistent correctional system. Participants raised concerns about fragmentation across DOC, county sheriffs, probation, and parole, and suggested exploring step-down pathways, minimum security, pre-release, day reporting, and regional reentry hubs to improve outcomes and reduce recidivism. Several speakers stressed the importance of uniform standards, evidence-based programming, better data on outcomes and spending, and clearer alignment between custody conditions and rehabilitation goals. There was also discussion of looking to other states and international models, as well as revisiting older reports and plans, including the 2009 commission report and the 2010 corrections master plan. Facility-specific issues were also raised, including the need to examine women’s facilities such as Framingham, Bridgewater, and restrictive housing practices in light of suicide concerns and mental health needs. Members discussed the relationship between correctional custody and behavioral health, the role of the judiciary in sentencing and reentry planning, and whether judges should be better informed about available programming and step-down options. There was broad agreement that collaboration, transparency, and accountability should be strengthened, with some members urging that recommendations be based on firsthand facts and data rather than opinion alone. The meeting also included presentation of a written set of eight high-level recommendations compiled by advocacy and legal organizations, which focused on clearer and more consistent programming, equitable application of rules, and reducing punitive conditions that function like solitary confinement. The chairs said the document would be shared with members and posted online. No formal votes were taken during the discussion, and the meeting ended with plans to continue the conversation at a future session, including possible follow-up on reentry centers, restrictive housing, and other systemwide reforms.