Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:06.360><c> review</c><00:14:06.800><c> to</c> lot of Structural Engineering review to lot
• Those are certifications from the engineers at MDH.
• The American Society of Civil Engineers also tries to gauge these things.
• The American Society of Civil Engineers also tries to gauge these things.
• The American Society of Civil Engineers also tries to gauge these things.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• directly employ more than 70 workers across the clean manufacturing value chain, from scientists and engineers
• AB 2046 would help Californians by allowing them to turn their normal internal combustion engines into
• going through the alternative fuels rulemaking, which is effectively like ripping out your whole engine
• durability, yes, and it needs to be re-approved and re-certified for every substantially similar engine
• the modern conversion kit systems plug into your dashboard system, so you would get sort of a check-engine-light

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• physically fit, basically, in my observation, because he or she, you know, is really working that engine
• , you know, and you're physically fit, you know, you can really handle one of those surface-drive engines
• and mud boats, gator-tail type engines, you know.
• Mack, but like in Pointe-aux-Chenes, our area, certain times of the year, you can't even use any engine
• I was a Livingston Parish councilman, and he worked for an engineering firm in Livingston Parish.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1209, which would pause new cooperative endeavor agreements for surface water withdrawals after December 31, 2026, while allowing existing agreements to continue and renew through 2036. The author said the bill is intended to force a broader, data-driven review of Louisiana’s surface water management and to improve funding for aquatic plant control, especially giant salvinia. An amendment was adopted to broaden the description of how the aquatic plant control fund may be used and to require annual reporting on agreements, withdrawals, revenues, deposits, spending, and non-monetary consideration. Department officials said the current program is voluntary, underfunded for monitoring, and that the bill could create a gap for new users if no replacement mechanism is enacted. The bill was reported favorable as amended after testimony from supporters including the Louisiana Wildlife Federation and opposition concerns from industry representatives were noted but not formally presented. House Bill 599 was then heard, which would prohibit the sale of Louisiana running surface water outside the state. The author argued that out-of-state sales, especially involving Toledo Bend and Texas, would be short-sighted and could harm Louisiana’s long-term water interests. Supporters said Louisiana lacks a water budget and should preserve water for in-state needs, while the Department of Conservation and Energy noted that the state currently has no mandatory process for such agreements and that the bill would not affect Sabine River Authority authority. The committee reported the bill favorable. Finally, House Bill 1206, dealing with permitting and reporting of water usage at data centers, was discussed. The substitute bill and amendment would give the department authority to monitor and regulate groundwater and surface water withdrawals, require public hearings, and improve transparency through reporting and a universal project identifier. The author and supporters said the bill was prompted by concerns in communities affected by large data center projects and the lack of public hearings on water use. Department officials agreed that more comprehensive data and a clearer framework are needed, but the author voluntarily deferred the bill to continue working with the department on a broader measure for next session. The committee also heard House Bill 1171 on allowing airboats in the Mar-Paw Swamp Wildlife Management Area, but after extensive debate over noise, habitat impacts, and existing restrictions, the discussion was ongoing in the portion provided and no final action on that bill was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• young man, physically fit, basically, in my observation, because he or she is really working that engine
• , you know, and you're physically fit, you know, you can really handle one of those surface-drive engines
• and mud boats, gator-tail type engines, you know.
• Representative Mack, but like in Poydras, our area, certain times of the year, you can't even use any engine
• I was a Livingston Parish councilman, and he worked for an engineering firm in Livingston Parish.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have one now looking at it diagnostically to find why the engines on these new machines have failed
• the fire, and now it is at Dargt Machinery doing the diagnostics to understand what happened to the engine
• The Office of Project Delivery is a new program which combined the Office of Engineering and the Office
• The Office of Project Delivery is a new program which combined the Office of Engineering and the Office
• District offices, various DOTD projects throughout the state, and the combining of the Office of Engineering

Summary: The committee first heard the House Fiscal Division’s FY 2027 budget presentations for the State Treasury, Public Service Commission, Department of Civil Service, and Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Treasury’s recommended budget was about $15 million with 74 positions, funded largely by self-generated revenue. Treasury staff highlighted strong investment returns, record unclaimed property recoveries, a new ACH option to speed and reduce the cost of payments, a School Transparency portal that helped uncover questionable school spending, and a new online portal that has sped up processing of cooperative endeavor agreements and related payments. Members praised the transparency work and faster payments, and asked about bond ratings, CEA oversight, and the public accessibility of the transparency site. The Public Service Commission’s FY 2027 budget was presented at $11.5 million, entirely self-generated, with most spending on personnel; commissioners said salary and market adjustments were needed to address heavy attorney and auditor turnover. Civil Service’s FY 2027 budget was presented at $28.7 million, with major funding from interagency transfers and general fund, and officials explained recent pay-plan and special entrance rate changes intended to improve recruitment and retention across state agencies. Members asked how those compensation changes were developed and whether market studies supported them. The Agriculture and Forestry budget was presented at $91.4 million, with major funding from statutory dedications, general fund, and federal dollars, and the commissioner described severe pressure on farmers from low commodity prices, drought, freezes, wildfires, storm damage, and labor shortages. The Agriculture and Forestry discussion was the longest and most detailed. The commissioner said the state is working to expand markets, reduce costs, and help farmers through federal assistance, while also seeking more equipment and fuel for wildfire response after a severe fire weekend and ongoing drought conditions. Members raised concerns about storm-damaged timber, soil and water conservation funding, and the loss of federal dollars that depend on local technicians. The commissioner explained the wildfire suppression subfund, the role of severance taxes, and the limits of current firefighting equipment and staffing. He also discussed the seafood sector, especially shrimp and crawfish, saying imported seafood, currency changes, tariffs, and H-2B worker shortages are hurting Louisiana producers and processors. He said the department is testing imported seafood for antibiotics, wants more authority to hold contaminated product, and is pursuing legislation to support seafood promotion and testing. Members also asked about wood chips, rail transport, timber severance reporting, and incentives for wood pellet use, and the commissioner said the department is exploring new markets, including overseas buyers for wood and agricultural products. No formal votes or bill actions were taken in the portion provided; the meeting consisted of budget presentations, agency testimony, and member questions and comments. The tone throughout was supportive of the agencies’ work, with repeated praise for Treasury’s transparency efforts, Civil Service’s compensation reforms, and Agriculture and Forestry’s advocacy for farmers, foresters, and seafood producers.

Transcript Highlights:

• I teach engineering, manufacturing, fabrication, apprenticeships, and work-based learning.
• So projects like that allow students to apply engineering and problem-solving skills to real-world challenges
• projects like that allow students to So projects like that allow students to apply<00:18:40.000><c> engineering
• </c><00:18:40.320><c> and</c><00:18:40.559><c> problem</c><00:18:41.200><c> solving</c> apply engineering
• and problem solving apply engineering and problem solving skills<00:18:42.080><c> to</c><00:18:42.320

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, Representative Stahl Hamilton, the stakeholders include the engineering community; the stakeholders
• include the construction community... ...the engineering community; the stakeholders include the construction
• Chair, follow-up: so your engineers and your construction folks, can you specifically... are you out
• I'm talking about consensus in all of those groups: the association, the consulting engineers, the procurement
• actually better because of the limited number of change orders you may have, because the design engineer

Bills: HB2063, HB2271, HB2416, HB2478, HB2593, HB2692, HB2813, HB2992, HB2993, HB4044

Keywords: corrections oversight, appropriation, independent office, public safety, funding, firefighters, insurance rates, workers' compensation, firefighter cancer reimbursement, rate deviations, cost analysis, premiums, border security, drug trafficking, human smuggling, law enforcement funding, Arizona, immigration, education reform, K-12

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires architecture engineer analysis when MDH permit conditions.
• It requires architecture engineer analysis when MDH permit conditions.
• It requires<00:13:34.240><c> architecture</c><00:13:34.800><c> engineer</c><00:13:35.279><c> analysis
• </c> requires architecture engineer analysis requires architecture engineer analysis when<00:13:36.000

Keywords: Public Property - Room 409, 29 January, 2026; 2:30 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• they get their college degree—does it have to be in the school of education, or could it be an engineering
• Uh, because we can take an engineer who has passed the practice and then they can be certified to teach
• Uh because we can take an engineer<00:48:37.920><c> who</c><00:48:38.160><c> has</c><00:48:38.480><c>
• passed</c><00:48:39.520><c> the</c><00:48:39.680><c> practice</c><00:48:40.400><c> and</c> engineer
• who has passed the practice and engineer who has passed the practice and then<00:48:41.119><c> they</

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If we can engineer that into a screw worm and then use a technique called drive, where you essentially
• can sometimes find out the level of construction and how things were done from the architect and engineer
• It was my understanding they were going to start meeting with the Army Corps of Engineers immediately
• I was under the impression that they'd already sent planning folks from the USDA, engineers, and architects
• Under the supervision of the Army Corps of Engineers, it was supposed to have taken two years.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• reimbursement grants to defray upfront costs such as technology development, feasibility studies, engineering
• Uh, you know, um, environmental engineers, all the, all the expertise that you need to bring to bear,
• Um, there are a, uh, Texas is blessed with a lot of nuclear engineers and the engineering programs at
• And these stations are also economic energy, uh, engines for the state and for the communities that host

Bills: HB 14, HB 106, HB 146, HB 267, HB 274, HB 1127, HB 1359, HB 1393, HB 1584, HB 1640, HB 1710, HB 2152, HCR 101, HJR 8, HR 51

Keywords: nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the things that we've done is the chief engineer for Caltrans, which is like one of the biggest
• process improvements, including putting the right personnel all the way to the top of the chief engineer
• in for an encroachment permit, all that information trickles all the way to the top to the chief engineer
• Danes get, they become world leaders in something and then they export that technology and the engineering
• Second in that loading order is engineered carbon sequestration, and I think one of the things that we're

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Winona,</c><00:36:24.960><c> Kato</c> Midwest Copac in Winona, Kato Midwest Copac in Winona, Kato Engineering
• c> North</c><00:36:26.599><c> Mano,</c><00:36:27.599><c> SCR</c><00:36:28.160><c> Solutions</c> Engineering
• in North Mano, SCR Solutions Engineering in North Mano, SCR Solutions in<00:36:28.960><c> Fergus</c>
• all Minnesota businesses that rely on access to skilled talent in the science, technology, and engineering
• pre-apprenticeship programs: Building Strong Communities, Helmets to Hard Hats, and the Operating Engineers

Bills: HF3228, HF2441

Keywords: workers' compensation, insurance programs, employee protection, Minnesota statutes, safety regulations, prevailing wage, certified payroll, payroll reporting, construction contracts, public works, project registration, labor standards, contractor compliance, subcontractor reporting, state government, Department of Administration, Commissioner of Labor and Industry, Metropolitan Council, highway construction, public construction

Transcript Highlights:

• We will then execute an engineering demonstration of an ore-processing circuit or the equipment that
• We will then execute an engineering demonstration of an ore-processing circuit or the equipment that
• </c><00:23:10.799><c> of</c> execute an engineering demonstration of execute an engineering demonstration
• </c><00:42:29.760><c> to</c><00:42:29.920><c> talk</c><00:42:30.160><c> more</c> to get our engineers
• to talk more to get our engineers to talk more specifically<00:42:30.640><c> about</c><00:42:30.800>

Bills: HF4059, HF76

Keywords: climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, financing, sustainability, environmental policy, renewable energy, Minnesota Climate Innovation Financing Authority, earned incentive release credit, release credits, supervised release, corrections, Minnesota Department of Corrections, sentence reduction, good time, prison time, incarceration, violent offenses, murder, criminal sexual conduct, sex offenses

Transcript Highlights:

• We walked through and he's another engineer. He—what is going on here?
• The requirements are that they be bonded, that they have a background in architecture or engineering.
• We walked through and he's another engineer. He—what is going on here?
• </c><01:05:43.680><c> And</c> engineer. He what is going on here? And engineer.
• </c> in and uh architecture or engineering. in and uh architecture or engineering.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee began its first meeting on retained education funding bills, focusing on HB 366, which concerns school building aid for eligible projects, and HB 295, which would make school building aid program funds non-lapsing. The chair framed the discussion around broader questions about how school building aid should work, noting the state’s limited available funding, the existing debt service obligations, and whether the current formula should continue or be changed. He also raised concerns about the state’s overall revenue constraints and the need to consider renovation, new construction, and possibly leasing within any future program. Members and the Department of Education representative discussed whether school building aid is a state or local responsibility, the current backlog of projects, and the condition of school facilities statewide. Tim Carney of the Bureau of School Facilities described his background and answered technical questions about current programs. Representative Luno argued that under the ConVal decision the state has responsibility for school buildings, including construction and renovation, and that the program also serves an equity function by helping districts with less property-tax capacity. Representative Papich urged the committee to focus on policy structure and fairness rather than just available dollars, saying the current system creates winners and losers and suggesting a simpler per-capita or similar allocation model, while acknowledging a possible transition for projects already in the pipeline. The discussion also covered CTE facilities and leasing. Carney explained that charter schools, and possibly CTE centers, can receive limited leasing aid, and that CTE capital requests are funded through a state capital process, while federal Carl Perkins funds cannot be used for construction. He and others described a separate rotational funding approach for CTE centers, but several members said that model can leave programs waiting too long and may not match changing workforce needs. The chair and others noted that a report from a related study group on CTE policy and funding was still pending, and that its absence could affect legislation for FY28. No votes were taken and no bill was acted on in the portion of the meeting provided; the discussion ended with interest in modeling alternatives, reviewing the waiting list, and examining the tradeoffs of reducing upfront state aid versus funding more projects overall.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Water One account was used to pay for the engineers that deal with water.
• , we still have 220 million engineers, we still have 220 million more<00:21:53.120><c> than</c><00:21
• The problem with delaying construction, as the good engineer from here in the capital city noted, is
• The problem with delaying construction, as the good engineer from here in the capital city noted, is
• The engineer from here in the capital city noted that the costs continue to go up.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• combustion</c> like when filling an internal combustion like when filling an internal combustion engine
• ><c> gas</c><00:28:19.520><c> station,</c><00:28:20.480><c> the</c><00:28:20.720><c> kilowatt</c> engine
• at a gas station, the kilowatt engine at a gas station, the kilowatt hour<00:28:21.679><c> is</c><00
• So ICE stands for internal combustion engine, for anybody like me who had to think for two seconds about
• </c><01:18:15.920><c> for</c> for internal combustion engine for for internal combustion engine for anybody

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I welcome Councilmember Megan Kerr from Long Beach's 5th District and Ryan Kelly, senior traffic engineer
• My name is Ryan Kelly and I'm a senior traffic engineer in the Public Works Department of the City of
• My name is Ryan Kelly and I'm a senior traffic engineer in the Public Works Department of the City of
• Matt Kremens, on behalf of the California-Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers, good bill, and requests

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee met first as a subcommittee due to the lack of a quorum, then later obtained a quorum and took up several bills. The committee heard SB 1064, which would reduce the frequency of Clean Truck Check testing for low-use heavy-duty vehicles; supporters said it would ease burdens on rural agricultural businesses, while clean air advocates opposed it as weakening an important emissions program. The bill was approved and sent to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The committee also heard SB 1174, which would give Caltrans bid preferences to construction firms with employee stock ownership plans; supporters argued it would build worker wealth and improve project quality, while contractor groups opposed it as likely to raise costs and reduce competition. That bill was approved and sent to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. The consent calendar items SB 607, SB 962, and SB 990 were also approved. The committee then heard SB 1279, which would allow Long Beach to place additional speed safety cameras on Pacific Coast Highway. Long Beach officials and several safety and advocacy groups supported the bill, citing high fatality rates and repeated pedestrian crashes on that corridor, while some members raised concerns about fines, affordability, and whether cameras would address pedestrian-related collisions. The bill passed as amended to the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. SB 1213, the Clean Truck Transportation Act, would require more price transparency for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission truck incentives and direct agencies to explore alternative financing tools; supporters said it would improve affordability and competition, while one manufacturer and the trucking association raised implementation concerns. It passed to the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. The committee also heard SB 1013, which would tighten rules for automated license plate reader use by limiting retention to 30 days, requiring audits and training, and restricting access and hot list use. Privacy advocates supported the bill as overdue accountability, while law enforcement groups argued the retention limit would hinder investigations and that some technical definitions needed work. The bill passed to the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. SB 1315, dealing with advanced driver assistance systems, would prevent automakers from disabling a consumer’s ability to drive their own vehicle through software updates and would encourage DMV testing questions about ADAS responsibilities; after amendments, industry opposition softened and the bill passed to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. Finally, SB 1246, on autonomous vehicle emergency response, would require U.S.-based remote drivers, quicker on-scene response, and better coordination with local agencies; first responders and labor groups supported it, while AV industry groups remained opposed unless amended. The bill passed to the Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee. The transcript ended as the committee began hearing SB 1250, a planning bill to incorporate wildlife connectivity into transportation asset management, with the sponsor and supporters explaining it would improve safety and habitat planning without mandating specific projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• Statute 37, C.O.L.A. 701, and that would give him the ...ability to review architectural plans and engineering
• green cards, have one from Barker-Durman with ACC Louisiana, and Ryan Haney with the Louisiana Engineering
• Indiana Engineering Society, both in support, not wishing to speak.
• regulatory actions and some disciplinary things clearly defined under the standard rules that the engineers

Summary: The committee took up several House measures. HCR 66, as amended, asked Louisiana Economic Development and the Governor’s Office of Rural Development to study rural parish assets, infrastructure, workforce, and development opportunities, and it was moved forward without objection. HB 387, a clarification to allow the fire marshal’s office to review architectural and engineering plans equally, also passed favorably without objection. HB 1223, which would have LED promote Louisiana’s clinical trial capacity and adjust internal review board processes, was amended and moved favorably. HB 950, aimed at helping older adults recognize and avoid fraud through materials and resources from the Office of Elderly Affairs, was reported favorably. HB 975, a routine measure to recreate the Public Service Commission, was also reported favorably. HB 1186, which would create a more uniform statewide building code and licensing system for inspectors, was amended and moved favorably. HB 1222, described as a Grocery Initiative Act to let LED identify ways to address food deserts and food insecurity, was introduced near the end of the meeting. The most extensive debate centered on HB 617, a consumer transparency bill requiring mandatory fees to be included in upfront pricing. The author said the bill was intended to curb hidden fees and help consumers compare prices, with examples such as hotel resort fees and automatic restaurant service charges. Supporters argued it would improve transparency, while opponents from grocery, restaurant, hotel, housing, retail, and business groups said the bill was too broad, vague about terms like “total price,” unclear on enforcement and penalties, and could create compliance burdens and litigation risk, especially for small businesses. Housing advocates opposed the bill’s housing carve-out, arguing it could weaken renters’ ability to bring unfair-practice claims. Senator Morris moved to defer HB 617, and the committee agreed without objection. The committee also heard lengthy testimony on HB 797, which would create a Bayou Gold certification for certain transactional gold vendors that meet state-defined standards such as segregation, insurance, and nearby storage. The sponsor said the goal was to give consumers confidence and encourage vendors to keep gold closer to Louisiana, while critics argued the program would amount to a state endorsement of private companies, create misleading consumer impressions, and expose the state to confusion or liability. The bill drew opposition from the Sound Money Defense League and others, but the committee ultimately reported HB 797 favorably, with the understanding it still had to go to Finance. HB 1228, a hearing-aid cleanup bill updating definitions, contracts, testing periods, and licensing rules, was also moved favorably without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• times in government theory on these types of issues, and it applies, I say the same thing to traffic engineers
• And I'm surprised how often I hear from civil engineers, no, we don't do that.
• times in government theory on these type of issues, and it applies, I say the same thing to traffic engineers
• And I'm surprised how often I hear from civil engineers, no, we don't do that.

Keywords: 987, senate, all