Video & Transcript Research : 'construction backlog'
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Transcript Highlights:
- That's spending, and that's an important thing when you consider construction.
- And that's an important thing when you consider about construction. That's spending.
- in just over 650 active construction jobs totaling $8.2 billion in total contract value in 2020.
- Outside of investments in construction, we're also making advances in safety.
- We're still working on the construction schedule, so I don't have a date yet. Okay.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing at UMass Amherst on Governor Healey’s fiscal year 2027 budget, focusing on energy/environment-related transportation issues and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The chairs and members opened with thanks to UMass, university leadership, court officers, and legislative staff, and Chancellor Javier Reyes highlighted UMass Amherst’s research, workforce, sustainability, and transportation contributions, including energy research, transit operations, and partnerships with MassDOT. The hearing then moved to MassDOT and MBTA testimony on the administration’s transportation funding package, including House 2, the FY26 Fair Share supplemental, and a proposed four-year Chapter 90 authorization.
MassDOT officials described the budget as part of a broader multi-year transportation investment strategy, citing funding for operations, snow and ice removal, regional transit authorities, the MBTA, the Merit Rating Board, sustainable aviation fuel credits, micro-transit and last-mile grants, unpaved road improvements, bridge and pavement work, and housing-related transportation infrastructure. They emphasized workforce expansion, capital delivery capacity, safety improvements, and local aid, including the new lane-mile-based Chapter 90 formula intended to benefit rural communities. Officials also discussed major projects and programs such as Grant Central, culvert and unpaved road grants, work zone speed cameras, congestion hotspot fixes, the Sagamore and Bourne Bridge projects, and MBTA operating support and safety upgrades.
Testimony from the MBTA and rail/transit staff focused on improved ridership, service frequency, accessibility, and safety, including progress on the Green Line Train Protection System, reduced delays, expanded bus and commuter rail service, and the South Coast rail extension. Regional transit authorities reported increased ridership and described new fare-free, connectivity, and community transit grants. Aeronautics testimony covered airport capital work, drone and data programs, sustainable aviation fuel efforts, and workforce development in aviation maintenance. Committee members then asked questions, especially about Western Massachusetts priorities, Chapter 90 funding, bridge repairs, snow and ice costs, Cape Cod bridges, Buzzard’s Bay rail, and Compass Rail/West-East Rail. Officials said several federal rail grants were moving forward, that Sagamore Bridge procurement would begin soon, and that the administration remained committed to pursuing federal funding and multi-year transportation investments.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Nov 19th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- They are like ants on that construction site. There is constant motion, constant movement.
- But one of the real successes of this is not just that we got construction done earlier.
- District 7 has very strategically planned all of their construction in this area.
- We were able to advance construction in this area prior to any major storms.
- We were able to advance construction in this area prior to any major storms.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met to hear presentations from the Department of Commerce and the Florida Department of Transportation. Jason Mahon of Florida Commerce outlined the state’s economic development strategy, emphasizing Florida’s GDP growth, business formation, and strengths in manufacturing, high-tech, life sciences, defense, and financial services. He described the department’s tools for small business lending, rural investment tax credits, venture capital support, infrastructure and workforce grants, performance-based incentives, and disaster recovery loans, and highlighted examples such as ServiceNow, Williams International, Asteris, and Point Blank Enterprises. Senators asked about grant availability for small businesses, foreign companies relocating to Florida, workforce shortages in manufacturing, and whether additional tools may be needed; Mahon said most small-business support is loan-based and noted ongoing workforce and infrastructure challenges.
Jennifer Marshall of FDOT then reviewed major transportation projects and the Moving Florida Forward initiative, describing the state’s large portfolio of active contracts and major congestion-relief projects across Florida. She highlighted early completions and accelerated timelines on projects including the NASA Causeway Bridge, I-95 at US 1 in Volusia County, I-4 congestion relief lanes, the First Coast Expressway, the Howard Frankland Bridge, I-4 interchanges in Central Florida, A1A coastal protection work, I-75 improvements in Southwest Florida, and the I-395 reconstruction in Miami. Senators asked about how express lane projects are selected, whether toll revenues are used for local maintenance and improvements, the status of the Miami I-395 project, and the impact of losing electric-vehicle express lane exemptions. Marshall said FDOT works with local long-range plans and congestion data, and that she would follow up on several specific funding and project questions.
Committee members generally praised both agencies for project delivery, cost savings, and coordination with local partners. Senator Mayfield noted the importance of using savings and working with local governments, while Senator Wright commended Commerce’s role in economic development and FDOT’s work on major road projects. The meeting concluded with no further business, and the committee adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Apr 21st, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Murphy Construction Grants Program. Anyone who knew me knew she was passionate about libraries.
- And real quickly, just sharing some stats about the library construction grants program.
- The first one is improvement projects to renovate, expand, and construct libraries.
- Members, if you have served on the Capital Investment Committee, we typically had the big construction
- I encourage a green vote for this bill to rename the library construction grants after Mary C.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Education Postsecondary Feb 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- at the list of industry certifications and I'm not seeing a much in the in the line of of our construction
- What are some of the barriers that are preventing those truck, no structure, construction trades from
- We're talking about the construction of buildings were talking about roadways.
- There's been a strong tool in terms of how this has been constructed in.
- So those traditional, you know, you think about apprenticeships, you think about construction, right?
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 6, February 16, 2026-PM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- State funded capital construction. An act related to state funded capital construction. Mr.
- Representative Pendergraft, Vice Chairman. construction. An act related to state construction.
- funded capital construction. Mr. funded capital construction. Mr.
- :18.640>
has The state construction department has The state construction department has told< - construction.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- And these fields can be constructed so that they're not wet.
- That includes hauling, construction and demolition, MRFs, and three waste-to-energy facilities.
- H. 922 would change that by requiring new multifamily and commercial construction projects to install
- This is a no-brainer. ...and commercial construction projects to install gray water systems.
- But to your point, we see it a lot in the city with, like, platinum LEED construction.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hybrid hearing with testimony on a range of environmental bills. Early testimony focused on H. 1018, which would update management of the Commonwealth’s water resources and limit new conditions on historic water registrations. Water officials from Wellesley and the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission supported the bill, arguing that drought-related restrictions on registered withdrawals are difficult to administer, create customer confusion, and can undermine utility revenue needed for infrastructure upgrades. A Massachusetts Waterworks Association representative also backed the bill, saying registered systems have long operated within their allocations and should not have those withdrawals conditioned by regulation.
A major portion of the hearing centered on H. 1040, which would ban tire-derived materials on playgrounds and playing fields. The bill’s petitioner, environmental advocates, and an environmental chemist testified that crumb rubber and other tire-derived infill can release chemicals into soil and water and may pose risks to aquatic life and public health. Committee members asked about alternatives and costs; witnesses said natural grass and some organic infills are available, though more research is needed on some substitutes. Rep. Schwartz also testified on CSO-related bills, describing combined sewer overflows as a public health and environmental problem and saying the bills set deadlines but leave implementation methods to local and regional officials. Rep. Chacolo supported H. 909, a grant program for low-noise, low-emission landscape equipment, citing worker health, noise, and emissions concerns, and Sen. Cyr testified for bills addressing coastal and environmental acidification and nutrient pollution.
The hearing also included extensive testimony on H. 4040, which would prevent discharge of radioactive materials from the Pilgrim decommissioning process. Speakers including a Sierra Club representative, a physician, and the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association opposed Holtec’s plan to dispose of radioactive wastewater through evaporation or discharge, citing public health, transparency, and economic risks to fisheries and coastal communities. Another large block of testimony addressed CSO legislation, especially H. 1046 and related bills for the MWRA service area. Environmental groups, residents, and river users described sewage overflows into the Charles, Mystic, and Alewife Brook, impacts on health and recreation, and the need for a timeline to eliminate or sharply reduce overflows. Industry representatives opposed the CSO and waste bills, arguing they would be costly, duplicative, and disruptive, while waste facility operators said they already use continuous emissions monitoring and comply with existing regulations. No votes were taken during the hearing.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Economic and Rural Development Aug 11th, 2025
Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Currently, construction is expected at 159,000 square feet.
- That will be under construction continuously for the next four years.
- It's a huge project with multiple points of construction.
- So therefore, we built a construction trades program.
- So you see construction trades, transportation, manufacturing, and health care.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Working Group on Omnibus Taxes Bill - Part 2 - 05/21/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, there is some additional language that would allow for one additional year of time for construction
- uh<00:05:32.479>
time <00:05:32.720>for <00:05:33.280>uh <00:05:33.440>construction - <00:05:33.759>
to <00:05:34.000>commence uh time for uh construction to commence uh - time for uh construction to commence under<00:05:34.560>
that <00:05:34.720>2021 <00:05 - <00:10:40.880>
of expansion, or new construction of expansion, or new construction of adjacent
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- What are some of the barriers that are preventing those structured construction...
- What are some of the barriers that are preventing those structured construction trades from growing on
- We're talking about the construction of buildings. We're talking about roadways.
- If there is ever a credential that is in the construction industry...
- So those traditional, you know, you think about apprenticeships, you think about construction, right?
Summary:
The Education Postsecondary Committee met to hear an overview of Florida career and technical education (CTE) from Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell and presentations from Big Bend Technical College and Santa Fe College. O’Farrell described Florida’s CTE structure, including career clusters, postsecondary program types, enrollment and completion growth, apprenticeship expansion, and the state’s credentials review process. He said postsecondary CTE enrollment is near 480,000 students and completions reached a record 76,806, with strong growth in nursing, law enforcement, EMT, and other public-safety credentials. He also discussed the CTE audit, which uses retention/success, employment or continued education, and labor-market demand metrics; programs not meeting thresholds would eventually require phase-out plans beginning in 2026. He highlighted the workforce development capitalization grant as a major driver of program expansion and facility renovation, and answered questions about business outreach, construction trades, apprenticeships, and space-industry training.
Shelby McCall of Big Bend Technical College described how the college responded to hurricanes, mill closures, and regional economic disruption by expanding rural workforce training. She highlighted aluminum welding, millwright, welding technology, health sciences, and a new advanced manufacturing facility funded by state grants and local partnerships, along with a new LPN-to-RN bridge program. She said the college has strong placement and certification results and is working with employers such as Lippert, NAMO, and others to align training with local demand. Senator Simon praised the college’s role in Taylor County’s recovery and workforce development.
Dr. Paul Brody of Santa Fe College said state workforce grants have helped the college expand nursing, skilled trades, apprenticeship, automotive, diesel, and manufacturing programs, including partnerships with Bradford County Technical College, UF Health, Habitat for Humanity, and local employers. He reported growth in CTE enrollment, nursing credentials, apprenticeship enrollment, and job placement rates, and described new efforts in semiconductor training, CDL training, and a charter school model that combines high school, an AS degree, and industry credentials. The committee took no formal action beyond hearing the presentations and adjourned after Senator Berman moved to adjourn.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Just one thing, that being in the trades, when you went to construction, and that we're not going to
- trades when and you went to construction trades when and you went to construction and<00:43:10.160
- I think if we were to expand our definition of AI, some of those construction jobs would also be impacted
- I think if we were to expand our definition of AI, some of those construction jobs would also be impacted
- I think if we were to expand our definition of AI, some of those construction jobs would also be impacted
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources & Energy. (2-11-26)
Natural Resources & Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- permits or combined license construction permits or combined license from<00:08:05.919>
the <00 - permit, and then they have a certain number of years to actually start construction.
- and there can be start construction and there can be extensions<00:33:35.519>
on <00:33:35.679 - These represent costs incurred even before the construction and operation costs.
- Is this a structure that is going to take place after the construction of the units and be rates that
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00
Attendance Roll Call 03:09
SB 57 Discussion 04:03
SB 57 Roll Call Vote 38:37
SB 172 Discussion 41:27
SB 172 Roll Call Vote 50:23, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first handled routine business, including a prayer, the pledge, recognition of an Energy and Environment Cabinet leadership academy group, a roll call establishing quorum, and approval of the previous meeting’s minutes. The main item was Senator Danny Carroll’s presentation of legislation to create a nuclear-ready site readiness pilot program in Kentucky. He said the bill is intended to help build a nuclear ecosystem in the Commonwealth by supporting early site permits, construction permits, or combined licenses, with the state contributing up to $25 million per project and a total of $75 million for up to three projects. He emphasized safeguards such as refundable funding if conditions are not met, legislative rather than authority-only selection of projects, and oversight by the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority (NIDTA). He also described related provisions on cost recovery through the Public Service Commission, tax incentive eligibility for nuclear ecosystem projects, training and consultant support for the authority, and eligibility for fusion projects.
Carroll and Rodney Andrews said the proposal is meant to attract utilities, developers, and large industrial users such as data centers, and to spread projects geographically, with particular attention to Eastern Kentucky and other rural areas. They said selection criteria would include site suitability, prior site use, regional economic need and impact, geographic diversity, additional investment, federal funding status, and whether a community has applied to be designated nuclear-ready. They stressed that communities would not be forced to host reactors and could choose which parts of the nuclear ecosystem to participate in. Carroll also said the bill could help Kentucky compete with states like Texas and Tennessee, and Andrews said industry contacts viewed the proposal as a signal that Kentucky is open to investment.
Members generally expressed support for the bill and its goals, while asking about taxpayer exposure, site size, permitting, grid needs, national security, and reactor technology. Carroll said the state’s direct commitment would be capped at $75 million, with any additional cost recovery depending on PSC approval and project specifics. He said small modular reactor sites would be much smaller than traditional plants, and described a model in which a utility partners with a developer and a data center, with power contracts helping offset costs over decades. On security and technology, Carroll and Andrews said newer reactors would still be subject to the same standards as larger units, and Andrews explained that next-generation designs may use different fuels and materials such as TRISO and high-assay low-enriched uranium. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided, and the chair noted time limits and that additional members still had questions, including one witness expected to speak against the measure.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Mar 21st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Price of construction, Mr.
- We all know that wages are going up, uh, the cost of construction is going up, and, um, you know, this
- I mean, the highest cost of any amount of construction is labor.
- What is the cost of construction on the average project?
- So if, if I was building a pro if I was in charge of a school and a construction job at a school and
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Charter but a different new construction Charter but a different new construction new<00:24:52.640
- process construction in the construction process construction in the construction process yeah<00
- You got KH to Alamana Construction, KH to Alamana Land, Leeward Construction, or charter.
- You got KH to Alamana Construction, KH to Alamana Land, Leeward Construction, or charter.
- or since their initial construction or since their initial construction waiting<00:51:34.240>
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Conservation Feb 18th, 2026 at 10:07 am
Senate Conservation
Transcript Highlights:
- material rebate, and this is the part that drives the market demand It helps us bring low carbon construction
- They have a requirement that all of their new construction that the construction materials used in their
- So, You know, we've got construction going on all over.
- use of environmental product declarations or are looking to lower the emissions profile of their construction
- However, I am concerned that New Mexico, in terms of these products, The actual construction products
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee Jun 24th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- What we created wasn't construction, it was culture, a collective expression rooted in storytelling and
- It's all construction work, and it needs to be overseen.
- Mike West, on behalf of the State Building and Construction Trades, and also asked to speak on behalf
- So I think there's a difference between painting actual construction and actually doing art.
- So I think there's a difference between painting, actual construction, and actually, like, doing art.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism heard SB 456 by Senator Ashby, the Community Beautification Act, which would create an exemption allowing muralists to do commissioned mural work without obtaining a contractor’s license. The author and supporters said the bill would clarify existing law, preserve public art and placemaking projects, and still leave in place applicable safety, permitting, and contract requirements. Support testimony came from the City of Sacramento’s arts manager and muralist Jaya King, who described mural projects as fine art and community engagement rather than construction, and from numerous local governments and arts organizations, including the League of California Cities, Los Angeles County, Sacramento, Stockton, Glendale, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Riverside, Escondido, and the California Travel Association.
Opposition centered on concerns that the exemption could weaken consumer protections in contractor licensing law. One member of the public argued that mural projects can involve construction-related work such as surface preparation and installation, and that licensing requirements, down payments, insurance, and background checks protect consumers and should not be bypassed. A representative of the State Building and Construction Trades also expressed concerns but said the author’s office had been engaged and a follow-up meeting was scheduled.
Several committee members spoke in favor, saying murals are clearly public art and an important part of neighborhood identity and local culture. The chair and other members described the bill as a common-sense clarification that would reduce barriers for artists and cities seeking to permit mural projects. The committee then voted 9-0 to pass SB 456 and re-refer it to the Business and Professions Committee.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Local Government Committee Mar 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- that own or operate a hospital or clinic to use the design-build process when contracting for construction
- that own or operate a hospital or clinic to use the design-build process when contracting for construction
- AB 533 restores this authority and ensures all districts can continue to utilize this efficient construction
- the bill that would allow health care district hospitals or clinics to utilize design-build for construction
- It merely allows for one entity to be utilized for both the design and construction of a project.
Summary:
The Local Government Committee met on March 26 and heard four bills, beginning as a subcommittee until quorum was established. The chair opened with housekeeping rules, including that testimony would be in person only and that disruptive conduct would not be tolerated. AB 59 by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry was heard first; it would remove the sunset on Reclamation District 108’s authority to participate in hydropower projects. The author, Colusa County representatives, and water district officials said the change would support long-term financing, lower energy costs, and help the district continue water stewardship. No opposition was presented, and the bill was later reported out 7-0.
AB 417 by Assembly Member Carrillo was then presented as a measure to streamline and clarify laws governing enhanced infrastructure financing districts (EIFDs) and community revitalization and investment authorities (CRIAs). Supporters, including the sponsor and planning, city, and flood control representatives, said the bill would improve local governments’ ability to fund affordable housing, climate adaptation, transit, fire mitigation, and other infrastructure without raising taxes. One opponent objected to the CRIA provisions, arguing that CRIAs retain eminent domain authority and asked for an amendment to remove that authority. The bill was passed after quorum was established, with the chair noting it would improve functionality while preserving transparency and public participation.
AB 533 by Assembly Member Flora reauthorized health care districts that own or operate hospitals or clinics to use the design-build process for construction projects after the prior authority sunset on January 1, 2025. The author and supporters from the Association of California Health Care Districts, the Design-Build Institute of America, and engineering and hospital groups said the measure would restore a useful financing and construction tool without changing public contracting requirements. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 7-0. The committee also approved AB 1030 on the consent calendar, and after roll calls on the remaining items, all measures were reported out of committee.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session-Day 13, February 24, 2026-PM
Wyoming Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So this is that's construction money.
- It comes out of state construction.
- the capital construction. the capital construction.
- uh school capital construction items. uh school capital construction items.
- <01:45:26.960>
is million on capital construction is million on capital construction is pretty
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The current system of construction and maintenance is simply not viable.
- The current system of construction and maintenance is simply not viable.
- <00:52:35.680>
and various aspects of con constructing and various aspects of con constructing - The Supreme Court highway construction.
- , or what constitutes proper construction, or what constitutes proper construction, reconstruction
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- So we'll either do a reimbursement or pay a direct invoice to an engineering firm or to a construction
- Number 11 is a new method, valued at $6 million, using parking reserves for the construction of a new
- These are construction contracts. They begin on page six with M-2 in the top right-hand corner.
- Chair, those were all of M2 construction contracts. Any questions on M2 from anybody?"
- Chair, those were all of M2 construction contracts. Any questions on M2 from anybody?
Summary:
The PEER Review Subcommittee met to consider a large agenda of budget, appropriation, transfer, and contract items. Members approved temporary appropriation requests for several agencies, including the Auditor of State, Department of Education, and Labor and Licensing; ARPA return requests from Workforce Services; Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests for State Police and Agriculture; restricted reserve transfers for teacher scholarships, school facilities, and economic stimulus; a Commerce reallocation of positions and spending authority; cash fund, budget classification, overtime, and pay plan requests; and 17 methods of finance items for universities and other agencies. Most items were approved without objection after brief explanations from staff and agencies.
Several items drew questions and were held or discussed further. A Department of Human Services discretionary grant package for the RSVP program was held over after Senator Irvin raised concerns about whether the grants were an effective use of state general revenue and asked for more information on administration costs and program operations. In the contracts section, Representative Richardson questioned a DHS sole-source contract with EMS Link for document management software and a DHS contract with Presidio; the EMS Link item was held for additional answers, while the Presidio item was clarified as not sole-source and was allowed to proceed. Members also asked for more information on a Department of Education mental health referral contract with Care Solace, which officials said is a statewide concierge/referral service connecting students to Arkansas providers and telehealth options.
The committee also reviewed monthly reports, including the Medicaid Trust Fund. DHS and DFA officials said the fund was currently sufficient to finish the fiscal year, though it was being drawn down and would likely require a $100 million transfer from restricted reserves in FY27, with another $100 million set aside in the governor’s budget as a backstop. Members discussed the need to define a minimum reserve level and to better account for ongoing Medicaid costs in the budget. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Finance Dec 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Helene Sigmund, and I'm the President of Construction Industry Training Council of Washington
- CITC, as we are known, is a statewide training provider for workers in the construction industry.
- CITC is one of the largest training providers and sponsors of registered apprenticeship for construction
- Furthermore, the state has focused on getting more people into construction, and pathways for doing so
- Unfortunately, Senate Bill 5814 has resulted in an increased cost for those who have chosen construction
Summary:
The House Finance Committee held a work session that began with welcoming new member Rep. Janice Zahn, who introduced herself as representing the 41st Legislative District. The Department of Revenue then gave an update on the Antio-related legislation following the Washington Supreme Court decision and the 2025 session changes. DOR explained its voluntary disclosure program and the new expanded voluntary disclosure agreement for taxpayers with unreported investment income, including broader eligibility and interest/penalty relief, but said utilization has been minimal so far because additional implementation questions remain unresolved.
The committee next received the annual update on the Working Families Tax Credit. DOR reported record participation in 2025, with about $205 million refunded through October and a major increase in applications after TurboTax added the credit to its filing software. Officials said most dollars went to households with children, outreach efforts remained important, and community partners and state agencies helped increase uptake. Members focused heavily on fraud concerns, especially tax preparers allegedly filing claims without applicants’ knowledge or diverting refunds; DOR said it is using fraud detection tools, training preparers, and trying to make applicants whole, but current law does not provide direct penalties against preparers.
The final portion covered implementation of engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5814, which expanded sales tax to certain services. DOR described the new tax framework, its guidance process, and the large volume of ruling requests and outreach since the law took effect October 1. Committee members asked about fiscal assumptions, the scope of taxable services, and whether the department had revised its implementation estimates; DOR said the fiscal note assumed broad application absent explicit exemptions and that no expenditure revision had been made. In stakeholder testimony, Expedia and T-Mobile argued the law creates complexity and competitive disadvantages for Washington businesses, while a construction training provider said the tax raises tuition for workers seeking required certifications. School and nonprofit representatives said the tax will increase costs for special education services, arts programming, and other public-facing activities, and urged exemptions or further legislative fixes. The chair closed by noting the committee would revisit 5814 in the next session and then adjourned the meeting.