Transcript Highlights:

• We stand again in temporary recess. We'll reconvene as soon as we have some folks back here.
• All right, we are going to end the temporary recess.
• We're going to be in the temporary, temporary, temporarily recess.
• The temporary, temporarily recess, again, we're waiting for one member to conclude a bill in another
• Okay, we are going to reconvene the Senate Committee on Transportation and end the temporary recess we

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard a series of bills focused on transportation planning, emissions, freight, and vehicle regulation. SB 1087 by Senator Cabaldon would modernize SB 375 regional climate and transportation planning by moving regional plan updates from every four years to every eight years, clarifying roles for CARB and the California Transportation Commission, and better aligning funding and guidelines. Supporters, including SCAG, MTC/ABAG, MPOs, local governments, and some environmental groups, said the bill would reduce duplicative planning costs and improve implementation. Opponents, including Coalition for Clean Air and the California Building Industry Association, warned it could weaken climate accountability, expand VMT-related burdens, and create housing and CEQA concerns. The bill passed 9-1 and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 1315, which would require manufacturers to report software updates for semi-autonomous vehicle features to the Insurance Commissioner so the state can build data for future policy. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed 12-0. SB 1275 by Senator McNerney would replace the general fund portion of the state sales tax on motor vehicles with a one-time vehicle license fee so buyers could potentially claim a federal tax deduction; the LAO testified as a technical witness, and the bill passed 9-1. SB 1287 by Senator Hurtado would create a tax credit to spur private investment in short-line railroad infrastructure; supporters said it would improve safety, freight efficiency, and emissions, and it passed 12-0. The committee also approved SB 1423 by Senator Stern, which would streamline review for certain transit and rail projects that have already undergone extensive environmental review; it passed 8-1. SB 1064 by Senator Daly would reduce the frequency of clean truck checks for very low-mileage heavy-duty and off-road vehicles, and passed 12-0 after supporters said it would reduce unnecessary trips and costs while opponents awaited CARB analysis. SB 1375 by Senator Cortese would similarly reduce duplicative environmental review for qualifying major transit and rail projects, and passed 12-0. SB 1392, also by Senator Cortese, would expand the smog-check exemption for certain historic collector vehicles used mainly for shows, parades, and charitable events; classic car and lowrider advocates supported it, while air quality groups opposed it as increasing emissions. It passed 10-2. The committee also adopted the consent calendar, including SB 1213, by a 12-0 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm happy to report we received almost 7,000 responses from agency workers.
• I serve as a government relations director at the National Association for Social Workers, Texas.
• Now, I get what you're thinking: why are there social workers here today? Article 2 is next week.
• What this funding would do is support employment of a full-time social worker in a public library.
• What this funding would do is create, or rather support employment of, a full-time social worker in a

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations from the Legislative Budget Board and agency officials on several agencies, starting with the Texas Historical Commission. LBB described a large biennial reduction driven mainly by the removal of one-time funding and discussed capital projects, rider changes, and exceptional items including Presidio La Bahia and the National Museum of the Pacific War. Senators asked about heritage trails, courthouse grants, unexpended balance authority, and the status of historical-site funding. Historical Commission leadership emphasized preservation, courthouse restoration, heritage tourism, coordination with the Alamo and other Texas Revolution sites, and requested additional IT, staffing, and vehicle funding. No votes were taken. The committee then reviewed the Pension Review Board and the Employees Retirement System. The Pension Review Board’s budget was largely unchanged aside from IT maintenance and salary adjustments, with an exceptional item for additional IT enhancements. Members discussed the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System’s funding dispute and the need for a workable restoration plan. ERS presented a much larger budget, including funding for the retirement system, the group benefits plan, and the legacy payment intended to reduce unfunded liability. Senators focused heavily on pension investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health-care costs, especially pharmacy spending driven by GLP-1 drugs; ERS said the plan covers about 540,000 lives and that premiums would rise 8% while benefits remain unchanged. ERS also said it had no exceptional items, and committee members requested more detailed benchmark information. The committee also heard from the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. TESSORS reported an unfunded liability, an infinite amortization period, and requested additional state support, staffing, and IT funding, including a statutory change to allow a higher contribution level; the agency warned that without more funding it may have to cut benefits. CEPRIT’s presentation covered its bond-funded cancer research and prevention portfolio, revenue-sharing from funded projects, and a request to increase salary limits for its CEO and chief scientific officer. Senators questioned CEPRIT’s accomplishments and return on investment, while CEPRIT cited screening, prevention, and research outcomes, including tens of thousands of detected cancers and precursors and hundreds of thousands of first-time screenings. The meeting ended after these presentations and questions, with no recorded committee action or vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• of our highway construction workers? Well, you know, any opportunity that we have...
• They're putting themselves and and and our workers at risk and workers with the contracting industry
• And I see the workers there all the time.
• The apprenticeship program is one of TWC's strategies to target the shortage of middle skill workers
• Emergency shelters are intended to be temporary and we need so that these providers can open up shelter

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If we uh if occupy that temporary space.
• But if we stay on this path, that would be the plan: that we occupy that temporary space and then move
• But if we stay on this path, that would be the plan: that we occupy that temporary space and then move
• But if we stay on this path, that would be the plan: that we occupy that temporary space and then move
• space and then we occupy that temporary space and then move<00:38:42.240> toward,<00:38:42.800

Keywords: 00:10 Call to order and Roll Call 01:06 Information Items and Introduction of Kentucky Court of Justice 03:02 Discussion of Interpreter State and National Contractor Rates 06:35 Discussion of Certifications 08:44 Discussion of AI use in Interpretation 13:56 Software Service Initiatives 16:47 Data Security and AV system Upgrades 24:38 Drug Court Issues 28:43 Discussion of Jefferson County Record Storage 35:33 Boyle County Courthouse Construction 39.26 KY State Police Driver Testing 45:22 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard a budget overview from the Kentucky Court of Justice focused on mandated services and several growth items in the judicial branch budget. Court officials said the requests were driven by legal and contractual obligations, including higher contractor rates for court interpreters and IT support, annual software-as-a-service costs, and upgrades to the court’s audiovisual record system (JAVS). They also discussed local facilities needs tied to Jefferson County lease space and the Boyle County Courthouse, though the bulk of the presentation centered on the court’s technology and service-delivery costs. Members asked detailed questions about interpreter services, including whether services are provided in person, by phone, or by Zoom, and whether Kentucky could train and certify more local interpreters instead of relying on contractors from around the country. Court officials said the certification process is rigorous, that the branch is working with the National Center for State Courts on an apprenticeship program, and that they believe Kentucky may have flexibility to develop state-level certification if it meets court needs. They also said they are exploring technology and AI tools for translation, but have not found a solution that reliably handles complex courtroom context. Representative Sharp asked whether cases had been delayed for lack of interpreters; officials said they could provide aggregated data later. The court also described its major IT modernization effort, including a statewide case management system, e-filing, and maintenance of many legacy applications. Officials said contractor rates need to be raised to compete for skilled labor during the implementation phase, but that those costs should decline once the new systems are fully built and only maintained. They explained that part of the request covers three SaaS initiatives: ongoing subscription costs for existing systems, annual fees for the CaseWorks system used in pretrial and specialty courts after federal grant funding ends, and adoption of DocuSign to streamline invoicing, procurement, and contract execution. In response to questions from Representative KC Carney, they said cybersecurity is taken seriously, that they recently conducted a tabletop exercise, and that some risk shifts to cloud vendors under contract, though no separate cybersecurity line item was included. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on the JAVS audiovisual court-record system. Court officials said not all courtrooms are on the same version, and they want funding to bring all locations up to the current version and prepare for version 9, which they said would standardize the system statewide and support the official court record. When asked about costs, they said each upgrade can cost about $70,000 to $80,000 per system, that they aim to upgrade about 50 per year, and that the request reflects the need to keep pace with a four-year refresh cycle. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and now the Trump administration's funding freeze has cast a cloud over our progress despite a temporary
• , and now the Trump administration's funding freeze has cast a cloud over our progress despite a temporary
• put together the state budget, we were under the impression that the federal decrease to VOCA was temporary
• > so<00:05:11.720> we<00:05:11.840> shored<00:05:12.199> up voko was temporary
• so we shored up voko was temporary so we shored up funding<00:05:12.720> to<00:05:12.880>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we will start with TANF, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
• I've been a frontline social worker.
• Is that the arm that helps to meet with those that might be requesting this temporary support?
• It also removes some temporary<01:20:18.640> exemptions<01:20:19.240> for<01:20:19.360>
• veterans, temporary exemptions for veterans, temporary exemptions for veterans, homeless,<01:

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its September 24 meeting after a motion and second. It then heard a presentation from New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Secretary Elizabeth Gragensky on that state’s early childhood system and planned universal child care rollout. She described how New Mexico consolidated multiple prenatal-to-age-five programs into a cabinet-level department, expanded pre-K to a longer day, and uses a cost model to set reimbursement rates intended to cover true provider costs, including wages, benefits, occupancy, food, and reserves. She also said the state created an Early Childhood Trust Fund and secured a constitutional amendment to dedicate 0.60% of the land grant permanent fund to early care and education, with the department’s budget growing from about $400 million in 2021 to just under $1 billion this year. Gragensky said families can begin applying for universal child care on November 1, with participation voluntary for both families and providers. She reported that New Mexico is aiming to expand capacity by adding 1,000 registered home providers, 120 group homes, and about 55 more centers, supported in part by a $13 million low-interest loan fund and a request for an additional $20 million. She said the state has seen growth in early childhood professionals, including a 64% increase over the last three to four years, and pointed to reported outcomes such as a 21% increase in literacy and a 75% kindergarten readiness rate, while noting that some measures are new and baseline comparisons are still being developed. Members asked about the funding sources, provider profitability, workforce development, and measurable outcomes. Gragensky said the program is designed to support provider sustainability through rates tied to true cost and includes allowances for sick leave, vacation, benefits, and reserves. She also said maternal labor force participation is 10% higher than the national rate and attributed that in part to child care access. The committee then moved to a separate presentation by Department for Community Based Services Commissioner Lisa Dennis and Division of Family Support Director Roger McCann on anticipated cuts to TANF and SNAP, beginning with an overview of TANF as a federal block grant with a fixed annual Kentucky allocation of about $180.7 million.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Iron Range, that a big corporation in the Twin Cities would be going down and laying off their workers—for
• not fall within the timeline of the extension that we passed, so there are just a few additional workers
• Champion to extend benefits for businesses impacted by Metro Surge and those workers, and those...
• And it includes in the global agreement the temporary vehicle registration fee reduction.
• EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE AT THE ROY WILKINS AUDITORIUM AND IT INCLUDES IN THE GLOBAL AGREEMENT THE TEMPORARY

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:15.279> to<00:32:15.519> provide<00:32:15.760> that<00:32:16.000> temporary
• It's to provide that temporary or intermediate shelter for them to have a safe refuge while they can
• affected and county um that has been affected and their<01:11:47.600> EMS<01:11:48.480> workers
• <01:11:49.360> and<01:11:49.760> their<01:11:50.080> response their EMS workers
• and their response their EMS workers and their response teams.<01:11:51.360> I<01:11:51.600><

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then spent much of the meeting recognizing members of the Falmouth Police Department and related support personnel. Representatives and senators described the department’s response to a May 17, 2025 shooting between two vehicles, saying officers secured the area, apprehended suspects, and prevented further harm within about 30 minutes. They also recognized Officer Jonathan Bis for helping rescue a person from a burning storage facility on May 3, and honored Chaplain Abram Croer and police administrator Marilyn Belure for their support roles. Members praised the officers’ service and presented citations; one member also noted the recent flooding in Falmouth and the strain on local responders. The committee also observed a moment of silence for a firefighter who died after a vehicle crash while responding to a call. The committee then recognized Sergeant Major Jimmy Thorne, USMC (Ret.), with a lengthy citation for his military service and community involvement. The citation highlighted more than three decades of service, including Vietnam, Lebanon, Somalia, multiple injuries, exposure to Agent Orange, and numerous decorations such as the Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal. Speakers also noted his continued civic work in Williamstown and Grant County. Thorne thanked the committee, said enlisting in the Marine Corps and moving to Kentucky were two of his proudest decisions, and received a committee coin. Members and guests offered additional remarks about his character and service. Finally, Brigadier General Charles Jones and Kentucky Emergency Management Director Eric Gibson gave an update on spring storm response and recovery. They said Kentucky has had three declared disasters and one undeclared event this year, with 113 of 120 counties affected in the last 12 months, including February flooding, April flooding, and May tornadoes; a January ice storm appeal was denied. Gibson emphasized the rising frequency and cost of disasters, citing about $350 million in public assistance over the first 10 years of the period reviewed versus about $2 billion in the last five years. He reported on sheltering, disaster recovery centers, FEMA and SBA assistance, and said about $57 million in individual assistance had been paid and nearly $69 million obligated, while public assistance projects were still moving through review and payment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can't even collect it all today by putting the temporary tags on the cars.
• For the first question, what DFA's processes are is that we look at temporary tag data.
• We get temporary tag data to verify whether or not that temporary tag can be correlated to a vehicle

Summary: The committee first approved special expenses incurred by the committee, then took up interim study proposals. ISP 2025-069, sponsored by Representative Perry and presented by Representative Eaton, would move collection of sales tax on motor vehicles from the current post-purchase registration process to the point of sale at dealerships. Committee members and DFA discussed the current 60-day registration/tax payment window, possible fiscal and programming impacts on DFA, the added administrative burden on dealers, verification and audit issues, and concerns about whether the change would improve or complicate tax collection. After questions, the committee voted to send the proposal to research/interim study. The committee then considered ISP 2025-071, from Representative Ray, based on House Bill 1636, which would phase out the state excise tax on soda over five years if revenue triggers were met. Representative Ray explained the tax revenue supports the Medicaid trust fund and said the proposal was intended to continue discussion after the bill failed on the House floor in the regular session. Members asked about the annual revenue generated, the trust fund’s other revenue sources, and whether the revenue would be replaced. DFA was asked to provide additional information on how withdrawals from the Medicaid trust fund are authorized and whether the legislature has oversight. The committee then approved the proposal for interim study and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:27:28.960> students<00:27:29.279> with ...than those provided to students with temporary
• benefit and supportive services that were offered to any other student experiencing a medical or temporary
• provided to students with temporary provided to students with temporary medical<00:29:15.679>
• <00:30:39.520> Um um a medical or temporary disability.
• Um um a medical or temporary disability.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:02.519> or potentially issue temporary or potentially issue temporary or provisional
• Second, the bill would impose a temporary moratorium on new setting applications for two years in order
• Second, the bill would impose a temporary moratorium on new setting applications for two years in order
• Second, the bill would impose a temporary moratorium on new setting applications for two years in order
• Second, the bill would impose a temporary moratorium on new setting applications for two years in order

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our industry employs more than 213,000 workers and has an economic impact of more than $8 billion per
• Our industry employs more than 213,000 workers and has an economic impact of more than $8 billion per
• system was built about 40 years ago and really is a charitable effort intended to help a bit with temporary

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Agriculture opened its first hearing by outlining procedures, including three-minute testimony limits, written testimony options, and the plan to hear 27 bills in docket order. The committee then took testimony on H.11/S.53, a resolve promoting equity in agriculture, with advocates from the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative, Southeastern Mass Agricultural Partnership, and urban farming organizations describing racial and economic disparities in farming, lack of data on BIPOC farmers, barriers to land and capital, and the need for a commission to collect information and recommend policy changes. Committee members asked questions about the importance of data collection and future policy development, and the bill was repeatedly urged to be reported favorably out of committee. Testimony also supported H.118, which would create a special commission to examine the strengths and sustainability of the Commonwealth’s emergency food network. The Amherst Survival Center described serving 1.6 million meals last year and explained that food pantries are now functioning as essential parts of the state’s food system while relying heavily on donations, volunteers, and unstable funding. Members discussed the need for a more holistic look at food security infrastructure. The committee then heard H.119/S.60 on climate change impacts on farms and fisheries, with regional planners and farm advocates describing flood damage, rising costs, canceled federal climate-smart funding, and the need for direct state support for adaptation, resilience, and infrastructure improvements. The committee also heard testimony on H.125/H.142/S.65, a healthy soils bill, from landscape professionals who said construction sites often leave poor or stripped soil and that the bill would require better post-construction soil standards to support healthier landscapes and reduce long-term maintenance and environmental problems. Finally, the committee took extensive testimony on H.127, which would prohibit aquaculture of octopus for human consumption. Supporters, including legislators, scientists, veterinarians, students, and animal welfare advocates, argued octopus are highly intelligent and sentient, cannot be farmed humanely, and that octopus aquaculture would create environmental harms such as waste runoff, pressure on wild fish stocks, and ecosystem disruption. No votes were taken during the hearing; the bills were heard and testimony was received.

Transcript Highlights:

• Household members, health care workers, and peace officers. And so there is a Degree enhancement.
• So, battery upon a person causing temporary disfigurement is a misdemeanor.
• Businesses are more likely to invest, expand, and retain workers in communities where safety is taken

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• interest processes, and the completion of required agreements and trainings by remote and hybrid workers
• interest processes, and the completion of required agreements and trainings by remote and hybrid workers
• September, the board decided to open an investigation and enter into an interim consent agreement for a temporary

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• described in rule as below-market housing addressing demand for workforce housing for middle-income workers
• Middle-income workers are defined as the lesser of the local jurisdiction's upper limits for housing
• And that motion is going to be a temporary table without prejudice.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are jobs that provide opportunities for those who are underemployed or student workers who need
• It works for that company to use workers who are not from the U.S.
• drive through the town, are renting out their front and back yards to RVs, pulling in income for the temporary

Transcript Highlights:

• throughout the state, not just in our rural counties but statewide, and we supplement those with a lot of temporary
• This closure will leave hundreds of workers without jobs. can force farms to go fallow and impact families
• Wellness Action Project, Breast Cancer Overtime, California Black Health Network, California Domestic Workers

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the proviso would read: “Provided that any conviction for violation of a temporary restraining order
• ><01:28:22.960> violation<01:28:23.360> of<01:28:23.520> a<01:28:23.679> temporary
• conviction for violation of a temporary conviction for violation of a temporary restraining<01:28
• "Or conviction for a violation of quote, "Or conviction for a violation of the<01:28:46.639> temporary
• <01:28:47.120> restraining<01:28:47.600> order<01:28:48.080> under the temporary

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures. SB 1296 HD1, relating to disaster recovery, would exempt reconstruction of lawfully constructed structures damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster from special management area permits under certain conditions. OPSD, DLNR, the County of Maui, Front Street Recovery, and the Grassroot Institute supported the bill, saying it would speed rebuilding after disasters like the Maui fires; one witness noted the bill would not cover shoreline parcels unless amended, and members asked about the five-year rebuild window, the meaning of “lawfully constructed,” and whether unlawful structures were excluded. Testimony was also heard on SB 1413, which would allow the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to dispose of abandoned property in federal public housing projects after notice and within five days; HPHA said the bill would help address illegal dumping and clarify procedures. SB 31 HD1, concerning discriminatory restrictive covenants, was briefly described and had support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission and comments from the Uniform Law Commission, with no in-person testimony. The committee then heard SB 1341, which would add HEMA and the Office of Homeland Security to agencies allowed to review energy industry information and would expand the program’s emergency-management purpose. The Hawaii State Energy Office supported the measure, saying the data is important for emergency response and fuel-supply planning. SB 10008 HD1 would authorize counties to adopt ordinances enforcing accessible parking space requirements and clarify county enforcement of EV-related parking provisions; the Disability and Communication Access Board strongly supported the accessible-parking provisions, saying current enforcement is weak, while noting section three on EV spaces is already largely in statute and could be struck if the committee preferred. Tina Yamaki of the Retail Merchants of Hawaii testified in opposition. Finally, the committee heard SB 1028 SD1 HD1, which would eliminate fees, fines, and court costs for offenses committed by minors, discharge existing related debt, limit community service for minors to 72 hours, and repeal certain penalties tied to minors and their parents or guardians. The Office of the Public Defender, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council, Community Alliance on Prisons, and DebtFree Justice Hawaii supported the bill, arguing that youth fines burden families, worsen poverty, and disproportionately affect Native Hawaiian youth. The Department of the Attorney General offered comments, raising possible constitutional title issues because the current draft incorporates material from HB 129 and includes sections that may relate more to restitution or curfew than to fines and fees; supporters responded that the title is sufficient and cited case law. No votes or final actions were taken on the measures in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is about assaulting public safety workers. First, I need to make it clear...
• So this bill creates, kind of, identifies that assaulting emergency workers is a crime.
• So this bill creates, kind of, identifies that assaulting emergency workers is a crime.
• <00:23:57.799> is<00:23:57.960> a<00:23:58.120> crime workers is a crime workers
• <00:24:09.600> whether assaulting an emergency worker whether assaulting an emergency worker

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So in my experience as a child welfare worker, oftentimes we see kids who have sexualized behavior and
• And it's frustrating because the workers out there saying can do something so we can do better work.
• things out there, like social services, and especially in families' minds, we're supposed to be a temporary
• And so we try to refer them to other communities. ...temporary service in somebody's life to get them

Keywords: 908, all