Transcript Highlights:

• I suggest to you that the ones who engineer, design, test, and manufacture these vehicles are the ones
• You know, when the people that design, engineer, and manufacture these vehicles say that this is not

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met with a quorum present and considered two bills. The first, CS for SB 88 by Senator Wright, would create a framework for local governments to allow or prohibit utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) on certain low-speed roads, define UTV equipment and driver requirements, and make violations noncriminal traffic infractions. An amendment was adopted to correct the insurance requirement to match automobile-style minimums of $10,000 personal injury and $10,000 property damage liability. Testimony on SB 88 was divided. The Florida Justice Association and the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association opposed the bill, arguing UTVs are designed for off-road use, do not meet federal safety standards, and could increase crash risk on public roads; Honda’s letter was cited as opposing road use. Supporters, including the sponsor and agencies waiving in support, argued the bill would address an existing loophole, provide insurance and licensing requirements, and help rural users and law enforcement by creating a clear legal pathway. Senators raised concerns about nighttime visibility, taillight spacing, speed limits, and whether the bill should be more restrictive, but the committee ultimately voted to report CS for SB 88 favorably. The committee then heard SB 274 by Senator Arrington, which designates a portion of International Drive in Orange County as Harris Rosen Way in honor of hotelier and philanthropist Harris Rosen. The sponsor and several senators praised Rosen’s business success, philanthropy, and support for education, cancer research, veterans, and the Central Florida community. There was no opposition, and the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're in the engineering phase and they're going to... engineering phase and they're going to need

Bills: HB52, HB89, HB141, HB52, HB89, HB141

Keywords: income tax, CHOOSE Act, education funding, ABLE account, tax credits, poverty threshold, legislative funding, HB89, Medicaid, pregnant women, pregnancy, prenatal care, ambulatory prenatal care, presumptive eligibility, temporary Medicaid coverage, Alabama Medicaid Agency, maternal health, low-income women, health coverage, eligibility determination

Transcript Highlights:

• , 600,000 for mechanical engineering, 400,000 for inspections.
• as an attorney, I would say yes, if you're laying out a contract for landscape architecture or engineering
• </c><00:59:25.119><c> or</c><00:59:25.359><c> appraisal</c> architecture or engineering or appraisal
• architecture or engineering or appraisal services,<00:59:26.880><c> that's</c><00:59:27.200><c> a</c>
• They have state price contracts for master agreements for architectural and engineering services, and

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Government Contract Committee met with a quorum, observed a moment of silence for Representative McCool after the death of his sister, and approved the April 14 minutes. The committee then reviewed a large agenda of contracts and amendments, beginning with a deferred Office of the Controller procurement involving broker services. Members questioned why a contract that had previously been handled for about $300,000 annually was now priced at about $1 million, and why the procurement was limited to one year. Office of the Controller staff said the prior vendor had held the work for more than 20 years, the work had previously been treated as not practical to bid, and the new RFP was intended to increase competition. They said the technical evaluation was scored before cost was considered, that past performance was not scored because it was seen as unreliable, and that AON received the highest technical score despite not being the lowest bidder. After discussion, the committee voted to take no action and let the contract proceed to the Finance Cabinet, with members noting continuing concerns about the pricing and process. The committee next considered a DCBS memorandum of agreement amendment for language services. DCBS representatives said the additional funding did not come from a new cut elsewhere, but from reduced spending on interpreter services because commonly used forms had been translated into other languages, freeing up funds for the contract. The committee approved the item unanimously. The final major item discussed was an initial contract for the Board of Hairdressers and Cosmetologists for legal services. Board staff said the board had been without a permanent general counsel since March 2024 and had relied on special and conflict counsel because of unusually heavy litigation, including 11 active cases, plus broader disciplinary and licensing changes tied to recent legislation and an oversight report. They said the contract was a not-to-exceed amount funded entirely by agency fees and that the board was currently running a surplus. Senator Thomas urged support, citing prior legislation and oversight findings about problems at the board and saying the contract was needed to help the board address ongoing litigation and corrective work. The committee approved the contract and then approved the remaining agenda items without objection, sending them forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• they can go back to their engineers and say, 'Okay, if we go with solution A, this is what it's going
• they can go back to their engineers and say, 'Okay, if we go with solution A, this is what it's going
• the technical advisory they've got have the technical advisory they've got the<00:43:33.960><c> engineers
• who if the community say the engineers who if the community say have<00:43:36.640><c> you</c><00:43:
• and say okay if back to their engineers and say okay if we<00:43:40.240><c> go</c><00:43:40.440><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><01:13:15.600><c> and</c> from Launa, the operating engineers, and from Launa, the operating engineers
• I'm a professional engineer and a graduate of the University of Minnesota.
• Um, but we had gone through, uh, particularly working with our engineering staff on what would be the
• </c><01:21:42.960><c> staff</c><01:21:43.360><c> on</c> working with our engineering staff on working
• with our engineering staff on what<01:21:44.080><c> would</c><01:21:44.320><c> be</c><01:21:44.400><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• He said they use burnt engine oil heaters and put used oil from their fleet of semi-trucks and one-ton
• He urged a yes vote. even uh uh burnt engine oil um that we even uh uh burnt engine oil um that we that
• There's burnt<01:44:34.800><c> engine</c><01:44:35.119><c> oil</c><01:44:35.440><c> heaters</c><01:44
• oil heaters that we use and burnt engine oil heaters that we use and and<01:44:37.360><c> whenever</
• He said they use burnt engine oil heaters and put used oil from their fleet of semi-trucks and one-ton

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rural states like ours face the highest per capita cost because systems must meet the same engineering
• We talk with the sponsors. the sponsors,<00:47:26.880><c> engineers</c><00:47:27.760><c> understand</
• c><00:47:28.720><c> what</c> sponsors, engineers understand what sponsors, engineers understand what
• I think it's an important tool, uh, for the state engineer and with negotiations with the other basin
• </c><01:13:59.360><c> and</c><01:13:59.600><c> with</c> tool uh for the state engineer and with tool

Bills: SF0069, SF0070, SF0016, HB0078, HJ0002, HB0085, HB0086

Keywords: wastewater, stormwater, infrastructure, environmental quality, public data, data collection, funding, study, water development, irrigation, public works, agricultural supply, municipal water, grazing lands, subleasing, non-owned livestock, state lands, rental fees, agricultural policy, land management

Transcript Highlights:

• Jobs start at $21 for the lowest people on the assembly line up to six figures for engineers.
• Jobs start at $21 for the lowest people on the assembly line up to six figures for engineers.
• Jobs start at $21 for the lowest people on the assembly line up to six figures for engineers.
• Jobs start at $21 for the lowest people on the assembly line up to six figures for engineers.
• They have over 400 engineers at SIG who pride themselves on providing quality and safety.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here on behalf of both the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49 and the North Central
• local 49 and the operating engineers local 49 and the north<00:45:40.280><c> central</c><00:45:40.559
• This bill would attempt to exempt any internal combustion engines used for emergency backup generation
• </c><00:54:04.720><c> used</c><00:54:05.000><c> for</c> internal combustion engines used for internal
• combustion engines used for emergency<00:54:05.680><c> backup</c><00:54:06.040><c> generation</c><00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of this, I have to admit, is what we would consider scope creep, meaning we came in as the engineers
• </c><00:34:12.240><c> and</c> came in um as the engineers and came in um as the engineers and contractors
• Ke stepping in as engineer, the board that we put together, the resolve that we had.
• I will personally go back and track where the permit is, and more often than not it's with an engineer
• architect that's that with an engineer architect that's that our<01:16:52.480><c> department</c><01:

Keywords: 910, house, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• thought on this: Realtors, attorneys, electricians, plumbers, excavators, septic design folks, and engineers
• plumbers, excavators, septic design plumbers, excavators, septic design folks,<00:11:49.200><c> engineers
• 50.240><c> all</c><00:11:50.560><c> need</c><00:11:50.720><c> to</c><00:11:50.880><c> be</c> folks, engineers
• , all need to be folks, engineers, all need to be licensed licensed licensed except<00:11:53.200><c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Charles, and Washington, Missourians engineered precision components, electrical systems, and the advanced
• funnel, whereas you begin to collaborate with a design consultant, with an architect, a professional engineer
• So can I call that the Engineers and Architects Full Employment Act? You could do that.
• ’s biggest downfall is that the owner’s rep, or what normally the function I would perform as an engineer

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by roll call vote, 127-2. Members then used points of personal privilege and guest introductions to recognize a new grandchild, President Thomas Jefferson’s birthday, Artemis II and Missouri’s role in space manufacturing, Line Worker Appreciation Day, a visiting mayor, and a former representative. The chamber then moved into third reading and perfection business. Several bills were passed. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2740, creating a pediatric disease task force in the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, passed 139-1 after supporters described it as a limited, accountable way to coordinate research and report on outcomes. House Bill 2422, which raises a county filing fee to support the Department of Agriculture’s Land Survey Program, passed 131-6 after members said the program could not continue on the current fee. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 311, moving bail bond oversight under the Board of Private Investigators and Fire Investigators, passed 112-22. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3009, allowing nonprofit pharmacies to provide medications during emergencies, passed 133-6. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2474, authorizing progressive design-build project delivery for public construction, and House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3076, clarifying that common agricultural practices are exempt from non-point source permitting under clean water law, were both ordered perfected and printed. House Joint Resolution 159, which would modernize the state treasurer’s constitutional investment authority, drew the most debate. The sponsor argued it would update outdated restrictions, allow safer investment options, and generate an estimated $15.1 million without raising taxes. An amendment adding legislative, governor, and auditor approval for changes to the investment policy was adopted. Supporters called the proposal conservative and bipartisan, while opponents warned the language was too broad and could reopen questions about risky investments or conflict-of-interest issues. After debate, the House adopted the committee substitute and ordered the resolution perfected and printed. The chamber also took up House Bill 2436, dealing with animal impoundment, return of animals when no charges are filed or a defendant is found innocent, and related animal neglect provisions. Members adopted a title amendment, then adopted an amendment creating penalties for malicious false reports of animal abuse and another amendment modernizing neglect and abandonment offenses, including provisions on adequate care and control and higher penalties for repeat or harmful conduct. Debate centered on whether the bill was necessary, how to define malicious reporting, and concerns from animal welfare groups versus law enforcement and agricultural interests. The bill remained under consideration as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Matt Cremens, on behalf of the California, Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers, in strong support
• The response was that, as engineering progresses, a much better estimate will be available, but right
• management of our lands would have historically been done in partnership with keystone ecological engineers
• The full scope of that loss... ...with keystone ecological engineers such as the grizzly.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But for professional designers, being engineers and architects, it can be put in the contract that it
• 194, deals with preemptive periods that, once again, on professional designers, architects, and engineers
• makes the law regarding the trigger date for the starting of a preemptive period for architects and engineers
• makes the law regarding the trigger date for the starting of a preemptive period for architects and engineers

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 718, which would limit liability for landowners who allow free use of private property for aeronautical activities at non-public airports. The author said the bill was modeled on Arkansas law and was intended to help private airstrips. After brief questions about fees and the effective date, the bill was reported favorably without objection. House Bill 134, dealing with material harmful to minors online, was then amended to clarify that interactive computer services may not deliver harmful material to minor accounts they created, while removing algorithm restrictions and cure language; it was reported as amended. House Bill 410, which would require notification before recording direct in-person conversations, drew substantial testimony. The author said the bill was aimed at privacy concerns raised by wearable AI devices and hidden recording tools, and the adopted amendments changed the measure from consent to notification and added exceptions for first responders, evidence preservation, civil or administrative proceedings, criminal matters, and recordings in one’s own residence. Supporters said the bill protected ordinary people from secret recordings, while opponents warned it could chill family-law recordings, citizen journalism, HOA disputes, and other legitimate uses. The bill was ultimately reported as amended. House Bill 318, which would reduce the presumption of paternity period from 300 days to 150 days, was heavily criticized by family-law practitioners and a law professor who said the current 300-day rule tracks gestation and that shortening it would shift burdens onto mothers; the author then voluntarily deferred the bill. A companion study resolution, HCR 19, directing the Louisiana State Law Institute to study the presumption of parentage, was reported favorably. The committee also heard House Bill 970 on competing custody orders. The author described cases where different courts issued conflicting custody rulings for the same child, but judges and attorneys raised concerns about the bill’s “earliest order controls” rule, its effect on out-of-state orders, protective orders, and the lack of a clear mechanism for judges to discover prior orders. After testimony from judges and committee discussion about possible fixes and a unified filing system, the bill was voluntarily deferred. House Bill 163, another private-airstrip liability bill, was reported favorably, and House Bill 170 and House Bill 194, both dealing with construction/design professional contracts and preemptive periods, were reported as amended or favorably after testimony that they would align design-professional rules with contractor rules and keep Louisiana projects under Louisiana law. House Bill 254, limiting acts of donation of motor vehicles to certain relatives and charities, was reported as amended after discussion about tax treatment and possible loopholes. Finally, the committee began House Bill 485, a proposed constitutional amendment declaring parental rights fundamental and subjecting government restrictions to strict scrutiny. Supporters argued it would protect parents’ authority over children’s upbringing, education, care, and control, while opponents said the language was overly broad and could complicate child welfare, public health, and school safety measures. The author said the amendment would not protect abuse or neglect and was meant to ensure government interference meets strict scrutiny, but the transcript cuts off before final action on the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it does that because we've had to back-engineer 21st century technology back into the 1980s technology
• building not exceeding 100% of that tower height unless a lesser setback is approved by a licensed engineer
• Even the best-engineered structures reduce risk, but they do not entirely eliminate the risk.
• safety is already governed by a very comprehensive... ...already governed by a very comprehensive engineering-based

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 750 by Rep. Cox, the “Click to Cancel Act,” regulating automatic renewal contracts. After adopting technical and substantive amendments, members discussed easier cancellation methods, reduced notice requirements, shorter record-retention periods, a 30-day cure period, small-business exemptions, and limiting damages to actual damages. The bill drew support from consumer advocates and opposition cards from industry groups, and it was reported favorably as amended. House Bill 259 by Rep. DeWitt addressed damage to underground infrastructure during BEAD-funded broadband excavation projects, requiring notice before digging and making contractors repair or pay for damage before final payment is released. An amendment added pre-construction coordination, a point of contact, and fault-based liability language. Members discussed rural utility damage, broadband buildout, and the need to protect small water systems; the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee then considered HB 220 by Rep. Schlegel, which requires covered platforms to maintain an easy-to-use reporting mechanism for child sexual abuse material and exploitation. After technical and clarifying amendments, the sponsor and members discussed scope, nonprofit and small-business exclusions, AG enforcement discretion, and concerns about clear-and-conspicuous placement. The bill was reported favorably as amended. Next, HB 830 by Rep. Wright required proxy advisors to disclose when anti-management recommendations are not based on written financial analysis and to provide that analysis when it exists. After amendments excluding certain affiliates and 501(c)(3) charities, the sponsor and a witness argued the bill was about transparency and fiduciary duty, while LASERS testified in opposition, saying the measure could make proxy advice unavailable and create a hardship for its internally managed portfolio. The bill was nonetheless reported favorably as amended. The committee also advanced HB 463 by Rep. McMakin, which raises the maximum local 9-1-1 service charge from $1.25 to $2.00, with an amendment requiring annual reporting and local governing authority approval; testimony explained the funding need for Next Generation 9-1-1, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. Finally, the committee began HB 536 by Rep. Coates on wireless communication facilities near schools. After adopting technical and then lengthy substantive amendments narrowing the school proximity zone, adjusting setbacks, adding co-location and permit timing provisions, and clarifying uniform application, members raised concerns about whether the bill duplicated existing safety standards, could delay deployment, and whether it would apply only to new towers. The sponsor and a parent witness emphasized school safety and emergency planning, but discussion remained ongoing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• regularly visit pornographic websites. 2.5 billion emails per day are pornographic. 25% of search engine
• per day are pornographic. 25% of emails per day are pornographic. 25% of search<00:12:41.320><c> engine
• > requests</c><00:12:42.400><c> each</c><00:12:42.680><c> day</c><00:12:42.960><c> are</c> search engine
• requests each day are search engine requests each day are pornography<00:12:43.960><c> related,</c><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But I do know the engineering is there.
• end of the legislative session, and then for the executive boardrooms to allocate capital for the engineering
• usually at least three, and these are typically individuals that are, you know, whether it's retired engineers
• usually at least three, and these are typically individuals that are, you know, whether it's retired engineers

Summary: The committee met as the Budget Section’s Regulatory Division and first reviewed base budget materials for the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency and the Department of Mineral Resources. Legislative Council explained the blue-sheet budget summaries and historical funding trends. The Housing Finance Agency then reported on its ongoing homeownership, housing incentive, and homelessness programs, noting that its new FTEs are being filled, loan servicing remains above benchmark, and the agency is operating largely on special and federal funds rather than general fund dollars. Housing Finance officials said the Housing Incentive Fund continues to be heavily oversubscribed, with requests far exceeding available dollars, and described how funds are being used for multifamily gap financing, rural single-family development, community land trusts, and homeless prevention/rapid rehousing. Members asked about performance measures, the number of people served, and the relationship between housing costs, wages, and homelessness. The agency said it uses scoring criteria tied to performance and outcomes, and requested that the Legislature maintain or increase funding for HIF, single-family housing, and homeless grants. Committee members also discussed the need to coordinate housing finance efforts with Commerce and broader site-preparation and workforce issues. The Department of Mineral Resources reported that it is on track with its budget, has filled most of its newly authorized reclamation positions, and is moving ahead on several initiatives, including IT modernization through Project North Star, organizational succession planning, and rulemaking for critical minerals and oil and gas programs. The director gave an extensive update on oil and gas activity, explaining that longer laterals and operational efficiencies are keeping production relatively flat even as rig counts decline, and that gas capture remains around 95 percent. Members asked about oil prices, hedging, spacing units, and the effects of geopolitical events on markets and state revenues. The committee also received an update on the enhanced oil recovery grant program and the Pipeline Authority. The EOR program’s $25 million appropriation was fully allocated to six projects, with additional oil and gas research funds also committed, and officials said the projects will require public status reports and final reports. The Pipeline Authority described major natural gas transmission projects, including the upcoming Bakken Express line and the proposed Bakken East project, which recently completed a binding open season after the Industrial Commission selected WBI Energy’s proposal to move forward.