Transcript Highlights:

• There was an issue when we went to a self-certification for engineers and architects.
• Engineers and architects.

Keywords: 964, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Peterson, and next year I plan on going to Oklahoma State University and majoring in architectural engineering
• “Architectural engineering. Go Pokes. Hello, my name is Sadie Wittenbach.

Bills: SB1636, SB1584, SB1730, SB1255, SB1627, SB137, SB2062, SB1470, SB1284, SB1632, SB1594, SB2045, SB1251, SB1884, SB1250, SB1630, SB1262, SB1374, SB1292, SB1432, SB1199, SB1790, SB1481, SB1614, SB1734, SB1437, SB1489, SB1718, SB1778, SB1327, SB1372, SB1403, SB1937, SB277, SB2131, SB1749, SB1348, SB1469, SB2018, SB1931, SB1530, SB2155, SB2030, SB1926, SB2170, SB2151, SB2166, SB1213, SB1381, SB1824, SB1876, SB1728, SB1582, SB1286, SB1386, SB1708, SB1618, SB2106, SB1471, SB2139, SB2154, SB1619, SCR15, HB2786, HB2787, SB1525, SB2011, SB2159

Keywords: cold case, unsolved homicide, violent crime, case file review, law enforcement, police records, victim family, immediate family member, designated person, forensic testing, witness reinterview, investigative leads, cold case unit, unsolved murder, public safety, Title 21, Oklahoma statutes, sexual assault, evidence kits, DNA testing

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, and recognized the nurse of the day, Michelle Bradshaw, along with several gallery guests and pages. The chamber then took up Senate Concurrent Resolution 15, recognizing February 24 as World Spay Day to highlight pet overpopulation and the importance of spay and neuter programs; the resolution was adopted without debate. The main floor debate centered on House Bill 2786, a supplemental appropriation of $19,660,770 for the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to close out FY25 and cover statutory and contractual obligations, including Medicaid/Title 19-related payments. Senator Kurt raised repeated concerns that the supplemental did not restore funding for substance use providers, uncompensated care, or crisis services that had been cut or left unpaid, while Senator Rosino argued the bill only covered amounts the state was legally required to pay and reflected the department’s verified needs. The Joint Committee report was adopted, and HB 2786 passed 38-10 and was then passed as an emergency measure. The Senate also passed House Bill 2787, a supplemental for the State Department of Health tied to legacy contracts associated with “Choosing Childbirth,” despite criticism from Senator Kurt that the money could have gone to direct mental health services. The chamber then advanced and passed Senate Bill 1525, raising the threshold for the Tourism and Recreation Department to contract with private entities for a tourism conference from $25,000 to $75,000, and Senate Bill 2011, adding contracted employees of county detention facilities to a protected class list. Senate Bill 2159, designating wheat as the official state crop, also passed. The Senate adjourned until Wednesday, February 25 at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• For developers, architects, engineers, and builders across the state, these changes matter.
• For developers, architects, engineers, and builders across the state, these changes matter.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, I just want to add, as a graduate of engineering, a graduate of UNM and New Mexico State, I'll
• Claire, I just want to add, as a graduate of engineering graduate of UNM in New Mexico State, I'll admit

Bills: SB29, SB64

Keywords: SB29, math requirements for teaching license, teacher licensure, teacher endorsement, mathematics methods, elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, reciprocity, Public Education Department, Mathematics and Science Education Act, mathematics instructional leadership framework, professional learning plan, K-3 screening, mathematics screening assessment, mathematics difficulty, support plan, multilevel support, intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• City Council believed the Historic Commission's recommendation, and despite multiple structural engineers
• and civil engineers warning of the building's immediate dangers, the city council ultimately changed

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 2215, which would clarify that property owners may challenge municipal zoning ordinances that are adopted without following Chapter 211 procedures, and would expressly waive municipal sovereign immunity for declaratory, injunctive, and mandamus actions in those cases. The bill sponsor and witnesses argued it would simply enforce existing notice, hearing, and due process requirements and give landowners a practical remedy when cities fail to comply. Testimony in support came from attorneys and a landowner describing alleged zoning actions in Selma that they said occurred without proper notice or hearings and caused significant financial harm. After questions, the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2639, which would add disclosure and compensation requirements for local historic designations, including compensation based on the greater of repair/restoration costs or the difference in appraised value with and without the designation. The bill author said it was intended to address situations where historic designation delays or blocks redevelopment and to ensure property owners are fairly compensated. A property owner testified in support, describing an Austin case in which a demolition permit led to historic designation and what he said was a costly forced rehabilitation. Opponents, including a preservation advocate and an East Austin resident, argued the current process is already rigorous, rare, and balanced, and that the bill would undermine cities’ ability to preserve historic places and community heritage. During closing on SB 2639, the chair raised a concern that Section 3B appeared to apply retroactively to pending cases, which he said could be unconstitutional under the Texas Constitution’s prohibition on retroactive laws. The committee did not resolve that issue during the hearing, and the bill was left pending. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• confidentiality and, and how, and we just heard about AI and the advent of AI you can essentially reverse engineer
• to do it in a way, um, I think that's less onerous, number 1, but also isn't subject to reverse engineering

Transcript Highlights:

• They have put it into an engineering project, which includes this Walmart that's going to have. ...the
• ability to let their engineering students display their projects by having these robots they build fight

Bills: SB414, SB621, SB2395

Keywords: bond election, ballot proposition, debt obligation, municipal bonds, local government finance, property tax, ad valorem tax, school district bonds, county bonds, special taxing district, voter information document, public debt, municipal finance, tax-supported debt, election ballot language, bond transparency, homestead tax impact, capital improvements, general obligation bonds, public bank

Transcript Highlights:

• And we'll seek out our own experts in the areas of accounting, cost of capital, depreciation, engineering
• something, and we point it out to them, look, you didn't carry the two, our accountant found this, the engineer

Summary: The joint committee met with a quorum present and first received an overview of its jurisdiction and duties related to appointing the Florida Public Counsel. Staff explained the committee’s authority under joint rules and state law, noted that the current Public Counsel’s term expires February 28, 2025, and that applications for the next four-year term were open with a February 6, 2025 deadline. The committee then heard an extensive update from Public Counsel Walt Truerweiler on the Office of Public Counsel’s work representing utility ratepayers before the Public Service Commission and in appeals. Truerweiler described the office’s caseload and priorities, including electric, gas, water, and wastewater rate cases; storm recovery dockets; cost-recovery clauses; rulemakings; and customer service hearings. He emphasized that the office seeks to challenge unsupported or imprudent costs, find value for customers, and use expert analysis and customer testimony to shape outcomes. He highlighted recent and ongoing matters, including major Duke, TECO, Sunshine water/wastewater, and hurricane recovery proceedings, and said the office had fully litigated four of its last five rate cases, while also achieving a major settlement in Duke that reduced a requested increase and imposed cost controls on solar projects. Members praised the office’s work and asked about the benefits of settlements, staffing and compensation, and how the office decides when to fully intervene versus provide guidance or monitor a case. Truerweiler said settlements can create predictability, reduce uncertainty and expense, and produce tangible value for both customers and utilities. He also acknowledged recruitment challenges, including lower pay than comparable agencies and difficulty attracting attorneys who do not want in-person litigation work. The committee took no substantive action beyond receiving the presentations, and adjourned after a motion was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I'll tell you, the rules engine that we used, this wasn't for provider codes.
• </c> places where the software engineering places where the software engineering quality<04:31:03.040
• I am a software engineer.
• I am a software engineer.
• I am a software engineer.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There were some projects that were listed on there where you had some preliminary engineering that was
• Then this body asked you to go forward with some of that pre-engineering and make ready cost to ...pre-engineering
• Um that is a cost engineering support.
• </c><00:47:11.280><c> Setting</c><00:47:11.599><c> aside</c><00:47:12.319><c> uh</c> engineering support
• Setting aside uh engineering support.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 21 January, 2026: 1:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The The government's role is to protect life, liberty, and property, not to engineer social outcomes
• state revenue toward road and bridge repair and construction, road safety-related planning and engineering
• It almost ruined his engine. It's very concerning that we are thinking about...
• I can speak somewhat knowledgeably about this because at one point in my life I was a civil engineering
• The American Society of Civil Engineers The American Society of Civil Engineers reported in July of 2025

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are presently, or have been recently, moderators who also serve as library trustees, fire engineers
• ,</c><00:09:05.440><c> state</c> library trustees, fire engineers, state library trustees, fire engineers
• Someone joked, “You know, user engineers, right?” and another replied, “We understand that one.”
• &gt;&gt; You<00:22:28.000><c> know,</c><00:22:28.559><c> user</c><00:22:29.520><c> engineers,</c><00:
• </c> &gt;&gt; You know, user engineers, right? &gt;&gt; You know, user engineers, right?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These jobs include manufacturing, engineering, distribution, maintenance, and technical services, many
• 15.599><c> manufacturing,</c> These jobs include manufacturing, These jobs include manufacturing, engineering
• ,<00:04:17.919><c> distribution,</c> engineering, distribution, engineering, distribution, maintenance
• new technologies enter transportation, they reshape the types of skills technicians, operators, engineers
• </c> engineers, and analysts must possess. engineers, and analysts must possess.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:27:30.799><c> wood</c><00:27:31.120><c> products</c><00:27:31.520><c> like</c> And other engineered
• urban and community forestry, forest products manufacturing and production, mass timber design, engineering
• mass manufacturing and pro production, mass timber<00:35:08.160><c> design,</c><00:35:08.640><c> engineering
• ,</c><00:35:09.760><c> construction</c> timber design, engineering, construction timber design, engineering
• Burgerer mention his comments, too, about the value added, and he talked about the engineered wood being

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 20 January, 2026; 2:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think that'd be an exciting class to take regardless whether I'm going off majoring in engineering
• And I think that'd be an exciting class to take regardless whether I'm going off majoring in engineering
• And I think that'd be an exciting class to take regardless whether I'm going off majoring in engineering
• And I think that'd be an exciting class to take regardless whether I'm going off majoring in engineering
• or robotics or some form of engineering or robotics or some form of medicine.<03:28:19.040><c> It's<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee took up several school building aid bills. HB 295, which would make school building aid program funds non-lapsing, drew debate over whether the program is effective and whether funds should be allowed to carry forward. Supporters argued the program is underfunded and that even small leftover amounts should remain available for building aid; opponents said non-lapsing funds limit future budget flexibility and that the program creates winners and losers. The committee voted 4-3 to recommend HB 295 inexpedient to legislate (ITL). The committee then considered HB 366, which would increase school building aid for eligible projects and include retroactive funding for projects completed in the past. The motion to ITL was supported on the grounds that retroactive payments would be unfair to districts still waiting in line and that the legislature should focus on future projects. Supporters of the bill said the increase was modest and that districts that built during a prior moratorium on aid were left with long-term fiscal burdens. The committee again voted 4-3 to recommend ITL. The discussion also broadened into special education funding and a retained bill, HB 742, concerning catastrophic special education aid and the source of funding. Members debated whether the education trust fund should cover the aid and whether the committee should act now or wait for a separate commission studying special education costs. Several members emphasized that special education costs are rising, that more data is needed on student identification and funding formulas, and that the commission’s report may provide better guidance. The chair said the subcommittee’s recommendations would go to the full committee, and the next meeting was expected to be rescheduled from November 4 to later that week because of election-related conflicts.

Transcript Highlights:

• U a study an engineers<00:19:21.760><c> model</c><00:19:22.160><c> was</c><00:19:22.400><c> completed
• </c><00:19:22.799><c> in</c><00:19:23.039><c> the</c> engineers model was completed in the engineers
• And with me is Ben Nelson, our assistant city engineer.
• And with me is Ben Nelson, our assistant<00:24:26.960><c> city</c><00:24:27.279><c> engineer.
• </c><00:24:28.240><c> Um</c> assistant city engineer. Um assistant city engineer.

Bills: HF333, HF2712, HF1064, HF1069, HF1113, HF2207, HF204, HF2867, HF2924, HF746, HF1530, HF2587, HF1078

Keywords: HF333, Duluth, Lot D, redevelopment, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, bond proceeds, public infrastructure, seawall repair, utility connections, demolition, debris removal, transportation improvements, site preparation, soil correction, economic development, DEED, capital appropriation, general obligation bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• It typically will be in a format published by the American Institute of Architects or the Engineers Joint
• It is what the owner and its design team, whether it's an architect or an engineer or in-house staff,
• </c> Institute of Architects or the engineers Institute of Architects or the engineers Joint<00:46:15.040
• > inhouse</c><00:46:43.359><c> staff</c><00:46:44.280><c> review</c><00:46:44.920><c> and</c> an engineer
• or inhouse staff review and an engineer or inhouse staff review and approve<00:46:46.480><c> no</c><

Bills: HF1234, HF1956, HF1025, HF1172, HF791

Keywords: payment transparency, public contracts, contractor rights, government accountability, construction payments, municipal finance, liquor store, audit requirements, state auditor, local government, historic flag, state flag, display standards, ceremonial, Minnesota Statutes, Ursa Minor, state symbol, Minnesota state laws, constellation, official state designation

Transcript Highlights:

• This measure specifies that an engineering study is not required to be considered when reducing the maximum
• It helps us to not require the engineering study when we're around a school area to install speed tables
• </c><00:18:25.240><c> study</c><00:18:25.600><c> is</c><00:18:25.840><c> not</c> that an engineering
• study is not that an engineering study is not required<00:18:26.799><c> to</c><00:18:26.919><c> be</c
• study when we're around the engineering study when we're around a<00:18:59.120><c> school</c><00:18:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a series of transportation and public safety bills, beginning with HB 706, which would require skateboard users under age 16 to wear helmets. The Department of Transportation supported the measure, and the chair noted written support from AAA Hawaii, Kulani Medical Center for Women and Children, and several individuals. No opposition was mentioned, and the bill appeared to draw no questions. Members then heard HB 860, which would grant immunity to the state or county that repairs or maintains a street when ownership or jurisdiction is disputed. DOT and DLNR supported the bill, with county support from Maui and a Hawaii Island county representative, while the Hawaii Association for Justice opposed it. The committee also heard HB 1162, requiring applicants for a motorcycle instruction permit to complete an approved basic rider course, with DOT support and a recommended amendment to exempt motorcycles used for training; the Public Defender asked about the current process, and DOT explained the bill was intended to improve safety given motorcycle fatalities. HB 1259, allowing speed-limit reductions within 10 mph of the current limit without an engineering study, also drew DOT support and support from the AAHU Metropolitan Planning Organization and individuals. The committee next considered HB 1158, a governor’s package bill limiting civil liability for people who provide firefighting services with vessels at commercial harbors or roadsteads to gross negligence or wanton conduct. DOT Harbors said the bill was prompted by lessons from the Lahaina fires and was intended to encourage privately owned firefighting-equipped vessels to assist without hesitation; the Hawaii Harbor Users Group and an individual supported it. HB 54, which would make a third or subsequent excessive speeding offense a Class C felony and allow vehicle forfeiture, drew DOT support but strong opposition from the Public Defender, who argued the bill was overly harsh, would force jury trials, and could create sentencing problems; the Public Defender also said existing penalties were already significant. The committee then heard HB 1334, which would exempt donations of wild game meat, including axis deer, to charitable and nonprofit organizations from certain meat inspection and transportation laws; DLNR and multiple community and food-related groups supported it, and no opposition was noted. Finally, the committee took up HB 698 on animal cruelty, which would increase criminal penalties for various offenses. The Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing the cases are rare, enforcement is limited, and the proposed penalties—up to Class A felony treatment in some cases—were too severe; animal welfare advocates strongly supported the measure, saying cruelty cases are widespread, underreported, and under-enforced, and that stronger penalties are needed as a deterrent. No votes or final actions were taken on any of the bills in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• afternoon, Chair and members, Crystal Morano, on behalf of the California-Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers
• afternoon, Chair and members, Crystal Morano, on behalf of the California-Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers
• This does not prohibit, as was mentioned, the $40 electrical engineer coming on and getting a higher
• However, this problem can actually be solved, and transportation engineers know the solutions.
• continued to die while they spent their time mollifying people who did not understand the threat, the engineering

Summary: The committee hearing covered a long agenda of local government and housing-related bills, with the chair repeatedly noting the committee was operating without a quorum for much of the meeting. Several measures were heard with no opposition, including AB 2639 on Merced County flood control coordination, AB 1788 on allowing best-value contracting for general law cities and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, AB 2058 on reducing duplicative permitting and inspection costs for factory-built housing, AB 2576 on clarifying historic resource protections in a housing law, AB 2568 on increasing the compensation cap for water district board members, AB 2224 on updating county recorder fees and requiring electronic recording, AB 2469 on water-supply review and cost responsibility for data centers, and AB 2397 on requiring local governments to justify denials of certain housing-finance decisions. Most of these bills were presented as targeted fixes to improve efficiency, reduce delays, or modernize outdated statutes, and the authors generally requested aye votes and noted committee amendments where applicable. The most extended debate centered on AB 1751, which would streamline approval of qualifying townhome projects while setting a $28 hourly minimum wage floor for construction workers on covered private projects. Supporters argued the bill would expand homeownership opportunities, raise wages for largely non-union residential workers, and preserve existing prevailing wage law while adding enforcement tools and developer liability. Opponents, including several building trades and labor organizations, argued it would undercut prevailing wage standards, create a race to the bottom, and potentially affect wage-setting more broadly. Committee members asked detailed questions about land-use barriers, the relationship to prevailing wage, and whether the bill would affect unionized work; the author and supporters responded that it applies narrowly to private for-sale townhome projects and does not alter prevailing wage requirements. AB 2469 also drew a substantive split. Supporters said data centers should be required to provide water-supply assessments before approval, pay for infrastructure they trigger, and account for impacts on overdrafted groundwater basins and local ratepayers. Opponents from the Chamber of Commerce, Data Center Coalition, counties, and tech groups argued existing law already covers water planning, that the bill imposes unique and burdensome requirements on one industry, and that some reporting provisions could raise security concerns. The author responded that the bill is about front-end planning and local accountability, not daily reporting, and emphasized the hyperlocal strain data centers can place on small water systems. No final votes were taken during the hearing because the committee lacked a quorum, though members repeatedly indicated support or intent to vote aye once a quorum was present.

Transcript Highlights:

• of science projects that have no screen, and they may be, and should be, a mandatory part of an engineering
• Same thing, Project Lead The Way, you know, one of the nation's premier engineering programs.
• Same exact thing for the engineering programs.
• Same thing for the engineering program, a leading national program.
• So you have a course on a sequence of courses where you're building robots, you're doing other engineering

Summary: The committee heard SB 1067, which would require annual math screening for kindergarten through second grade students beginning in 2028-29 to identify early numeracy difficulties and connect students to evidence-based supports. Senator Weber and supporters, including EdVoice, UC Davis researcher Charles Wilkes, and several education and community advocates, argued that California’s math performance is too low and that early screening would help close gaps before they widen. Opponents, including the California Mathematics Council, county superintendents, and the CTA, said the bill could narrow instruction, overemphasize deficit-based measures, and should instead be paired with stronger investments in teacher training and implementation of the California Mathematics Framework. Committee members generally expressed support for the bill’s goals while discussing how the screener would work and what kinds of follow-up supports would be needed. The committee also heard SB 1110 on child care subsidy administration, which would restructure funding for alternative payment programs and core contracts as the state moves to enrollment-based funding. Supporters said the bill would stabilize child care providers, improve payment timelines, and better reflect the administrative work of enrolling families and managing services; there was no opposition testimony. SB 1374, supported by the CSU and UC systems, would allow public higher education institutions to seek temporary restraining orders when credible threats are directed at a campus rather than a specific person. Supporters described recent campus threats that created safety concerns but did not fit current restraining-order law; there was no opposition. Senator Nilo presented SB 1321, which would direct the State Auditor to review remedial course use and student preparedness at selected UC and CSU campuses after a UC San Diego report showed a sharp decline in incoming students’ math readiness. Supporters argued the audit would help identify gaps in college readiness and the effects of K-12 changes, while some members raised concerns about bypassing the usual legislative audit process; the bill was held on call. The committee then took up SB 1086 on microschools, which would define microschools and direct model ordinances for local land-use regulation. Supporters said it would create a clearer path for small, individualized learning communities, but several members questioned whether the concept was sufficiently defined and whether the state had enough information to draft model ordinances; the bill was also placed on call after a quorum was established. Finally, SB 1181 was presented as a limited pilot program in Central Valley counties to connect schools with regional threat assessment centers when credible safety concerns arise. The author and supporters, including the mother of a student killed in a shooting and several students, said it would improve early intervention and communication; committee members raised privacy and federal-sharing concerns but indicated support, and the bill was moved forward on a vote once quorum was present.