Transcript Highlights:

• first program federally, it was a about a seven-figure investment in starting a waiver and then evaluating
• first program federally, it was a about a seven-figure investment in starting a waiver and then evaluating
• of your waiver terms of the performance of your waiver and<00:16:43.680><c> those</c><00:16:44.000><
• /c><00:16:55.440><c> then</c> in in starting a waiver and then in in starting a waiver and then evaluating
• Uh, it's it's a evaluating a waiver.

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have a particular set of skills, which allows us to evaluate data and then communicate it to other
• tell you about the learning crisis, which is the decline in cognitive development and academic performance
• Now let's talk about computer science performance standards.
• With guidance, choose appropriate software to perform a variety of tasks.
• With guidance, choose appropriate software to perform a variety of tasks.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education heard testimony focused on the effects of educational technology and screen time on K-12 students, with particular attention to House Bill 2230 and related policy changes. Dr. Mariam Mohamed Connie argued that one-to-one devices, digital instruction, and early screen exposure harm children’s learning, attention, physical development, and mental health, and that schools should return to more analog methods such as paper, handwriting, cursive, phonics, and print-based materials. She cited international and national assessments, research on handwriting versus typing, and her experience on the Springfield Public Schools board, saying the district saw improved MAP scores after scaling back Chromebook use in elementary grades and reintroducing books and cursive. Several witnesses and committee members discussed the practical and budgetary implications of reducing screen use. A Springfield administrator said many teachers were trained in technology-heavy environments and would need support to teach without relying on devices, and she estimated Chromebooks and related infrastructure cost more per student than textbooks, manipulatives, and paper. Another witness from the Missouri National Education Association supported the bill’s direction, saying elementary years are critical and that the state should signal a move away from overuse of screens while allowing districts time to adjust. Committee members emphasized local control, the need for a task force, and the importance of involving DESE because state testing and standards currently drive much of the digital use in schools. The discussion also covered Missouri Learning Standards, computer science requirements, and the tension between digital testing and classroom instruction. Speakers criticized the fact that MAP testing is digital and adaptive, arguing it forces schools to keep devices in elementary grades just to prepare students for state assessments. The chair and other members said the bill was intentionally nonprescriptive, aiming instead to create a task force and encourage local districts to develop screen-time policies, especially for elementary students. The hearing ended without a vote, and the committee adjourned after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The best capture That we have of how we're performing is traffic fatalities.
• I think the travel and public measures a lot of our performance by what they feel in the seat of their
• So we collect all that data once a year and then we evaluate it to see where we've got problems out there
• What percentage of solicitations do you send out that need to be bonded with a performance bond?
• That's where you get into the performance bond, if you would.

Committee: House Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You can either perform here or you can live there. Chair? Thank you. Thank you so much.
• cannot resist an officer with violence or threat of violence when an officer is engaged in the performance
• ...to change the current requirement for a law enforcement officer to be engaged in the lawful performance
• of a legal duty to a requirement that the law enforcement officer be engaged in the performance of his
• and next-generation 911 providers, public safety answering points, and law enforcement agencies to evaluate

Bills: S0054 , S0156 , S0296 , S0298

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Keywords: cognitive function, psychotropic drugs, violent offenders, autopsy procedures, medical records, school safety, public records, open government, sunshine law, victims of dating violence, domestic violence, address confidentiality program, confidential address, voter registration, voting records, elections, supervisor of elections, Department of State, Attorney General, privacy

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation on the Governor’s fiscal year 2026-27 public safety budget, which totals about $8.2 billion within a $117.4 billion overall state budget. Caitlin Dawkins of the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget outlined funding and reductions across the public safety silo, including the Department of Corrections, Juvenile Justice, FDLE, Legal Affairs, the courts, and related entities. Agency heads then presented their requests, with FDLE seeking funding for fentanyl enforcement, career offender registry staffing, alert system upgrades, alcohol testing equipment, officer mental health, criminal alien detection, and statutory staffing needs; DJJ requesting money for the Florida Scholars Academy, uniforms, residential contract rate increases, a new Broward detention center, and facility maintenance; and DOC requesting major funding for correctional officer pay increases, 500 additional FTE, facility construction and maintenance, communications and security technology, offender information system modernization, inmate health care, pharmaceuticals, and food service. Members discussed staffing shortages, prison conditions, immigration enforcement, public records burdens, mental health and substance use treatment, and the need for continued investment in corrections. A member of the public also testified about poor conditions in some prisons, including clothing, food, medical care, and maintenance issues. The committee then considered and passed CS/SB 156, the Jason Rayner Act, which would clarify that a person may not resist a law enforcement officer with violence when the officer is performing official duties and would increase penalties in cases involving violence against officers. The bill sponsor described the case of Officer Jason Rayner and said the measure was intended to prevent defendants from using claims about unlawful detention or arrest to justify violence. An amendment conforming the bill’s language was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably after support was noted from several law enforcement and municipal groups. Next, the committee passed CS/SB 54, which addresses use of substances affecting cognitive function. An amendment narrowed the medical-records language to records relevant to investigations of violent offenders and clarified privacy protections. The bill was then reported favorably. The committee also passed CS/SB 296, the Haven Act, which would direct a study of a secure web-based alert system for domestic violence victims so they can contact 911 without alerting an abuser, and would expand the Address Confidentiality Program to include dating violence victims. Testimony from survivors and advocates emphasized the danger victims face when trying to leave abusive situations. Finally, the committee passed CS/SB 298, the public-records companion bill, which extends confidentiality protections for participants in the Address Confidentiality Program to dating violence victims as well. All three bills were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• To take the example, uh, that was just given, if there was a chiropractor out there, you know, performing
• Um, ASCs are facilities that typically perform surgeries that do not require an overnight stay.
• But you performed what you were prescribed to do and when the patient gets. Build. Um-hum.
• All you are is a facility where healthcare providers, physicians, Perform whatever medical ma'am procedure
• So the current research shows on objective tests that it's equivalent to psychiatry's performance on

Committee: House Public Health

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 267 aims to narrow this exemption to only allow judicial or law enforcement personnel who are performing
• in order to make a medical evaluation of the patient.
• that there is never a reason to give a child porn and there is never a reason to cause a child to perform
• It was never necessary to show a child sexual material or induce a child. child to sexual performance
• In some cases, these homeowners are well pleased with the performance of the solar panels and the resulting

Bills: HB14 , HB 106 , HB146 , HB267 , HB274 , HB 1127 , HB1359 , HB1393 , HB1584 , HB1640 , HB1710 , HB2152 , HCR101 , HJR8 , HR51

Committee: House State Affairs

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:

• And then also on page 1, line 10, at the beginning of the line, insert court-approved evaluation fees
• wanted to be sure that the expert fees and evaluation fees were back in.
• And the court-approved evaluation fees and expert witness fees. Gotcha. Okay.
• It's not, because we're always going to only allow reasonable evaluation fees.
• So... ...10 evaluators, and they just load it up.

Bills: HB27 , HB71 , HB214 , HB225 , HB244 , HB306 , HB366 , HB446 , HB473 , HB514 , HB1043 , HB1082 , SB127

Committee: House Civil Law and Procedure

Keywords: armed security, liability, concealed carry, self-defense, security officers, property tax, blighted properties, urban rehabilitation, tax exemption, local government, financial incentives, term limits, governor, Louisiana constitution, elections, gubernatorial, constitutional convention, delegates, state election, ratification

Transcript Highlights:

• This is in regards to professional evaluations.
• We support the Kaka services as well as the Garden at Lium services, but as far as the evaluations, we
• </c><00:53:40.280><c> we</c><00:53:40.520><c> really</c> but as far as the evaluations we really but
• </c><00:53:56.680><c> for</c> by uh administering uh evaluations for by uh administering uh evaluations
• and perform and platform Charities<01:51:09.079><c> first</c><01:51:09.360><c> up</c><01:51:09.599><

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee met on February 12 at 2 p.m. and heard several measures related to corrections, re-entry, law enforcement, retirement benefits, and gun violence prevention. On HB 10002, which would extend the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission coordinator’s term and clarify unannounced inspection authority, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said it had no objection to the term length or to 24/7 unannounced access. The commission’s chair, Commissioner Mark Patterson, asked for a longer term, saying the commission needs more time and stability to manage reform efforts after years without staff during COVID. Community Alliance on Prisons and Carolyn Eaton also supported a longer term, with both suggesting six years would better insulate the position from politics. The chair noted he had asked Chair Bot for background on the prior committee’s changes and said that could be discussed during decision-making. The committee then heard HB 67, which would require DCR to help inmates obtain civil identification documents such as IDs, birth certificates, and Social Security cards as soon as practicable, including for people in furlough or community placement programs. DCR said it supported the bill and described ongoing work with the city and county on ID machines and with agencies on certificates and Social Security cards. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, and the Office of Public Defense all supported the measure, emphasizing that identification is essential for housing, employment, and successful re-entry and noting the disproportionate impact of incarceration on Native Hawaiians. On HB 1183, which would classify certain law enforcement administrators and Department of Law Enforcement employees as Class A members for retirement purposes, the Department of Human Resources Development, the Employees’ Retirement System, and the Department of Law Enforcement all supported the bill. DHRD said it would help recruitment and retention, ERS said it had technical amendments to suggest, and DLE said the change would help with succession planning and allow the governor to appoint the most qualified leader. The committee also heard HB 1045, an emergency appropriation bill to cover payroll fringe benefits for Department of Law Enforcement personnel after salary funding had been shifted to other departments; Budget and Finance and DLE explained the need for the supplemental funding, and no opposition was noted. Finally, the committee took up HB 664, which would create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention, a grant program, a resource bank, and a special fund. The Attorney General recommended adding standards for grant awards and warned of overlap with the existing Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission, suggesting consolidation and repeal of the older commission to avoid duplication. Supporters included the Brady Campaign, Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action Hawaii, a physician, and an Army veteran, who argued the office would centralize data, coordinate prevention efforts, and help secure outside funding. Testimony was mixed, with the chair noting 37 supporters, nine opponents, and three commenters, but no vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And there are, the actual risk assessments are considered psychosexual evaluations.
• And there are, the actual risk assessments are considered psychosexual evaluations.
• the risk assessment tools, because in no way does this have anything to do with the psychosexual evaluation
• Last year, our employees were threatened or assaulted while performing their job duties 27 separate times
• These workers deserve protection from threats and from being assaulted when simply performing unnecessary

Bills: SB1046 , SB1317 , SB1376 , SB1416 , SB1448 , SB1471 , SB1493 , SB1498 , SB1502 , SB1504 , SB1538 , SB1544 , SB1550 , SB1579 , SB1581 , SB1584 , SB1624 , SB1673

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Keywords: telecommunications, broadband, internet infrastructure, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, national security, foreign adversary, China, Chinese equipment, supply chain security, network equipment, microchips, Arizona Corporation Commission, telecommunications provider, communications infrastructure, Huawei, ZTE, state-owned enterprise, sanctions, infrastructure security

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead, we can have them performing at their highest capacity.
• Jeopardizing their ability to perform their duties effectively.
• Personally, I've also treated over 4,000 sex offenders, evaluated over 3,500, and I've treated many victims
• if they have something different about them than the typical sex offender that would warrant an evaluation
• level, we're looking at that extra thing that's present, and we'll refer that person on for the evaluation

Bills: HB240 , HB2097 , HB2731 , HB3087 , HB3234 , HB3319 , HB3394 , HB3687 , HB4105 , HB4205 , HB4350 , HB4462 , HB4642 , HB4801 , HB5403 , HB240

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Keywords: quorum, tax levy, county governance, local government, population regulations, quorum requirement, Texas counties, population threshold, deputy sheriff, civil service, law enforcement, appeals process, sheriff's department, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code

Transcript Highlights:

• to the Advisory Committee on Immunization. practices, which is a committee at CDC who does the evaluation
• . know that somebody with active TB might be in a nursing home and that nursing home needs help evaluating
• knowing that syphilis exists, knowing that they... in need to go see a provider for some sort of evaluation
• looking at all of this data over time. prioritizing the most recent data that we could possibly evaluate
• brought on our first chief compli- compliance officer in 2012, and just by doing kind of a routine evalu

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• taxpayer and seek to responsibly invest taxpayer dollars<00:26:39.039><c> to</c><00:26:39.240><c> perform
• </c><00:26:39.640><c> vital</c><00:26:39.919><c> city</c> dollars to perform vital city dollars to perform
• Where we stand with implementation less than a year away, MBP members are working diligently to evaluate
• MBP members are working<00:42:43.160><c> diligently</c><00:42:43.599><c> to</c><00:42:43.800><c> evaluate
• </c><00:42:44.280><c> their</c> working diligently to evaluate their working diligently to evaluate their

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• this bill is trying to do, and then a contradictory hearing is set, right, where there is some evaluation
• is that we're taking away any ability for anybody who's actually in the courtroom making these evaluations
• So this is not a situation where a district attorney has even laid eyes on the case to evaluate necessarily
• But they can, when they see a case like this, make a couple of quick calls and do an evaluation to see
• “Provides that activities of the Integrated Criminal Justice Information System Policy Board be performed

Bills: HCR50 , HB123 , HB219 , HB251 , HB404 , HB769 , HB1065 , SB58 , SB81 , SB92 , SB97 , SB141 , SB156 , SB181 , SB207 , SB396 , SB410

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Keywords: electronic monitoring, GPS ankle monitor, ankle bracelet, pretrial release, post-conviction supervision, bail monitoring, house arrest, corrections, criminal justice, law enforcement, prosecuting authority, court reporting, provider registration, LCLE, Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice, data privacy, personal information, cybersecurity, confidentiality, monitoring violations

Transcript Highlights:

• It's my job to accept the failures of the agency, and it's to celebrate the successes that they perform
• Performance every day.
• whether it is cybersecurity compliant or not by them being able to enter the system and make an evaluation
• And so that $200,000 is a cost gap that was recommended from an LFC program evaluation in June for the
• The intent is to test out the pilot program to see if it works through rigorous evaluation and, if it

Summary: The Department of Public Safety presented its FY27 budget request, emphasizing three priorities: improving community engagement through a redesigned website and outreach, expanding statewide data and intelligence integration through intelligence-led policing, and improving emergency response and officer safety through fleet replacement, a driving track, and a requested helicopter. DPS said much of its increase is driven by rising health care premiums, and it is also seeking special appropriations for fleet replacement, the website rebuild, and an Honor Guard program created after the 2022 helicopter crash that killed four public servants. Members asked about vacancies, fleet costs, cybersecurity compliance, the real-time crime center, EV fleet participation, and the Metro DPS facility. DPS said its vacancy rate is about 9%, its fleet replacement needs are driven by mileage and condition, it is compliant with federal CJIS standards even though DoIT has raised concerns, the real-time crime center would be built as a regional model to complement Albuquerque’s center, and the Metro facility is moving toward a January groundbreaking. Committee members also discussed several DPS-related capital and IT requests, including the intelligence-led policing data lake, recurring maintenance for critical systems, and a $5.6 million reauthorization for state crime lab DNA backlog work and a $900,000 reauthorization for fingerprinting equipment. DPS explained that the website request is high because the current site must be rebuilt from scratch to support missing-person alerts, memorial updates, ADA compliance, and better communication with law enforcement and the public. Members also raised concerns about speed enforcement, construction-zone cameras, and whether EVs are practical for patrol use; DPS said it is not pursuing speed cameras and is only partially participating in the state EV initiative because patrol needs make full electrification difficult. The committee then received an LFC quarterly update on non-recurring appropriations from the 2025 General Appropriation Act. LFC reported that of the $1.4 billion appropriated in Section 5, $164 million had been expended and $333 million encumbered, leaving $897.4 million unspent, which is a slower pace than the prior year. Staff highlighted a number of reauthorization requests and slow-moving projects across agencies, including AOC cybersecurity funding, DFA housing and public safety grants, DoIT cybersecurity and higher education funds, EDD economic development and energy programs, OSI mitigation and malpractice funds, EMNRD energy and geothermal grants, Health Care Authority behavioral health-related appropriations, DPS crime lab and fingerprinting funds, PED career technical education and special education initiatives, and higher education loan repayment and technology funds. Members questioned why some large appropriations had little or no spending, discussed the need to monitor reauthorizations more closely, and asked for follow-up on several specific line items and project balances.

Transcript Highlights:

• the University of California uses information from the FBI's criminal justice information system to perform
• the University of California uses information from the FBI's criminal justice information system to perform
• of the UC Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools, the UC uses K-12 content standards to evaluate
• .of the UC Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools, the UC uses K-12 content standards to evaluate
• Bill 1217 requests the UC to use the K-12 content standards, framework, and model curriculum when evaluating

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee met with a quorum and first approved a consent calendar containing AB 341, AB 1098, and AB 1316, sending those measures to the Human Services, Judiciary, and Appropriations Committees respectively. The committee then heard AB 977, which would require CSU to audit surplus land and work with California tribes to identify three regional burial sites for Native American remains that cannot yet be repatriated. Supporters, including tribal leaders and archaeology groups, said the bill is needed to honor ancestors and address the large number of remains still held by CSU; CSU said it is committed to repatriation but had no formal position. The bill passed to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote. Members also heard AB 1093, creating a California-Mexico higher education exchange program, and AB 1035, expanding the California College Promise to cover tuition for students pursuing community college bachelor’s degrees. AB 1093 drew support for strengthening cross-border educational and economic ties, but some members raised concerns about border-region sewage problems and the bill’s budget implications; it was held for later consideration. AB 1035 received strong support from community college leaders and faculty who said it would help low-income and first-generation students complete workforce-focused bachelor’s degrees, but several members questioned whether it would stretch Prop. 98 funding and whether the state should prioritize broader affordability concerns. AB 1035 passed to Appropriations on a 3-2 vote. The committee next approved AB 922, which would let the University of California keep access to federal criminal-history information for hiring background checks, avoiding delays and added costs if statutory authority is required. UC said the bill is needed to maintain safety and hiring operations, and it passed to Public Safety on a 5-0 vote. AB 1346, protecting military dependents from losing in-state residency status because of family travel, also passed unanimously to Military and Veterans Affairs. AB 1212, allowing UC to use low-income housing tax credits to build affordable housing for faculty and staff on UC land, drew support from UC and labor groups but opposition from members concerned about preferential access to public resources; it was held for later action. Finally, the committee approved AB 500 and AB 684, both aimed at increasing transparency around UC admissions policy changes and UC BOARS decision-making, sending AB 500 to Education and AB 684 to Governmental Organization, each on 5-0 votes. The hearing then moved on to AB 1122 on dual enrollment, with the author and witnesses presenting the bill as a way to expand college access for high school students.

Transcript Highlights:

• They couldn't have performed better. They are essential partners.
• Yeah, based on how they evaluate that space.
• And yet it, it is a process that's open and transparent and, and subject to evaluation by all parties
• Under the other bill heard this morning, PEC's, uh, evaluation will be limited only to the reasonableness
• Adding these new caps, particularly one evaluating potentially never-ending litigation at the PEC will

Committee: House S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband

Transcript Highlights:

• That last element, evaluating the associated costs, is especially critical because the TRA board must
• That last element, evaluating the associated costs, is especially critical because the TRA board must
• That last element, evaluating the associated costs, is especially critical because the TRA board must
• That last element, evaluating the associated costs, is especially critical because the TRA board must
• </c> evaluation. So, put an asterisk on this. evaluation. So, put an asterisk on this.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We need some facts that we can evaluate and also to make sure that the complainant really wants to put
• We need some facts that we can evaluate and also to make sure that the complainant really wants to put
• The performance section includes proficiency rates from Kentucky's summative assessment, ACT scores,
• The<00:30:41.440><c> performance</c><00:30:42.000><c> section</c><00:30:42.640><c> includes</c> The performance
• They're so helpful to really evaluate across the state and look at the years past."

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00:09 Roll call 00:00:24 Election of Co-Chairs 00:01:11 Office of Education Accountability Annual Report 00:04:41 Office of Education Accountability District Data Profiles, School Year 2024 00:23:50 Update from the Education Professional Standards Board 00:58:19 Adjournment 01:08:00, 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened its first meeting with roll call and procedural business, including elections of co-chairs. The House elected Representative Truett as House co-chair, and the Senate elected Senator Denine as Senate co-chair. After the organizational votes, the committee heard the Office of Educational Accountability’s annual report, beginning with Brian Jones and Deborah Nelson describing OEA’s investigations and research divisions and recent staffing turnover. On the investigations side, OEA said it handled complaints only when submitted in writing and generally opened cases only when it had enough facts to evaluate. Jones reported complaint volume declined from 805 in 2023 to 738 in 2024, with 325 in the first half of the current year. He outlined the kinds of matters OEA investigates, including school-based council issues, open meetings, board eligibility, nepotism, conflicts of interest, certification, activity funds, and surplus property, while noting that routine personnel matters, bullying, child interviews, and cases tied to litigation are generally handled locally or referred elsewhere. He also said OEA refers special education, assessment/testing, discrimination, and serious misconduct matters to the appropriate agencies, and that he did not see a need for statutory changes to improve OEA’s work, though he said cases should move more quickly. The research division presentation focused on OEA’s district data profiles and annual research agenda. Nelson explained that OEA reviews KDE-reported data and underlying datasets to verify accuracy, analyze trends, and produce reports for the General Assembly. She highlighted 2024 publications on district governance models and student achievement, and said this year’s agenda includes district data profiles, student discipline analysis, and a review of early childhood regional training centers. She also noted OEA received an NCSL notable document award for its 2023 staffing shortages report, its 10th such award. Sabrina Smith then walked through the district data profiles, which compile demographic, staffing, finance, and performance data for all 171 districts, plus statewide and comparative data. She noted changes in the report format, the continued availability of an online interactive version, and several trends: adjusted average daily attendance declined statewide from 2015 to 2024; the counselor-to-student ratio has improved but has not yet reached the statutory goal of one counselor per 250 students; the share of teachers moving from rank three to rank two has declined; special education identification has risen from 13% to 16%; and starting teacher salaries vary widely by district, with Kentucky’s average starting salary around $40,000 ranking near the bottom compared with surrounding states and the nation. Members asked about the history of the research division and whether the paper copies of the district profiles would continue, and staff said the printed versions would continue unless legislators asked otherwise.

Transcript Highlights:

• regular maintenance more timely, to perform...
• And knowledge and capabilities to perform regular maintenance more timely, to perform repairs and corrective
• It's performing very well. Our offshore wind facility performed great in the winter.
• But the wind performed really well and at a really great price.
• And it is one of the best performing projects.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing at UMass Amherst on Governor Healey’s fiscal year 2027 budget proposal, focusing on energy/environment-related transportation issues and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The hearing opened with welcomes from the co-chairs and local legislators, followed by remarks from UMass Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes, who highlighted the university’s research, sustainability, transportation, and workforce contributions and thanked the administration and legislature for support of public higher education. MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phil Eng, along with agency leaders, presented the administration’s transportation budget package. They described a combined funding plan through House 2, a Fair Share supplemental budget, and a Chapter 90 bill, emphasizing investments in MassDOT operations, snow and ice response, regional transit authorities, the MBTA, bridge and pavement repair, housing-related transportation improvements, sustainable aviation fuel, microtransit, and local road programs. Officials also highlighted record highway construction activity, safety initiatives such as work zone speed cameras and pedestrian protections, RMV service and equity improvements, airport and drone technology programs, and MBTA gains in reliability, accessibility, ridership, and service expansion. Committee members asked about Western Massachusetts priorities, especially Chapter 90 funding for rural road mileage, bridge repairs, and the Compass Rail/West-East Rail program. MassDOT officials said pending federal grants were moving forward, with some awards recently obligated and others expected as federal processes advance, and they said Palmer Station remains part of the long-term rail plan. Members also raised the Cape Cod bridges and the need for multi-year Chapter 90 funding. Officials said the Sagamore Bridge procurement would begin soon, with construction targeted for 2027, and reiterated that transportation investments support jobs, local economies, and municipal infrastructure statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• I go back to this: we need a network of performers.
• that network as they're performing on its merits.
• Capabilities and performance that are out there, like SoftWorks.
• In the middle of our industrial base, we've got very big performers and a lot of little small performers
• They also get bonuses and stock options for good performance.

Committee: Senate Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel