Transcript Highlights:

• That is state and regional reviews of the projects.
• And again, consider the size of these projects as you consider this bill.
• Consider how invasive these projects may be.
• I wanted to speak today on a proposed blue ribbon project that is right next door to me.
• So in Clay County, this project This blue ribbon project is no prize pig, and so we ask you not to support

Transcript Highlights:

• Project Ranger.
• , Be the sponsor or owner of the project.
• That reversion is because the project was completed under the estimated project cost. Thank you.
• million in order to complete the project.
• And then, how do you go $80 million over budget on a construction project? How do you do that? Mr.

Summary: The committee first recognized Mark Roper of the Economic Development Department for his long service and retirement, with members and the secretary praising his work on economic development across the state. Secretary Rob Black then presented EDD’s budget and special appropriation requests, describing strong recent job and income growth and outlining the department’s strategy around science and technology, site readiness, workforce development, foreign direct investment, and rural/community programs. He highlighted wins in advanced energy, quantum, space and defense, and biosciences, and asked for funding for quantum/DARPA matching funds, additional site readiness work, LIDA closing funds, JTIP training support, New Mexico Partnership, and healthy foods and other community programs. Members asked detailed questions about the quantum proposal, site readiness, the new mapping tool for industrial sites, workforce participation, trade missions, foreign investment, tariffs, water and produced water, tribal site evaluation, and public engagement on major projects. Black said the quantum request was intended to match federal dollars and build a workforce pipeline, that the site-readiness software would be a set enterprise license, and that the department was working with tribes and local partners on future site evaluations. He also said tariffs have created uncertainty but New Mexico’s infrastructure and foreign trade zones could help attract manufacturing, and he acknowledged concerns about transparency and community input while noting that some projects, such as Pacific Fusion, had gone through extensive public processes. The committee also discussed specific projects and funding balances, including Mantis Space’s move to Albuquerque, the status of Virgin Galactic’s spaceport lease, and the current LIDA fund balance and encumbrances. Black and Deputy Secretary Isaac Romero said the department was trying to use State Investment Council-backed venture funds to attract companies and that the new investments were already producing deals and jobs. Members generally supported the department’s direction but pressed for more targeted expertise, faster deployment, and stronger community involvement in future economic development decisions. Later, Secretary de Blassie of the Department of Health presented the department’s budget request and progress report. He said DOH had improved revenue cycle management, reduced old Medicaid-pending cases, increased census at facilities, improved budget and contract timeliness, and responded effectively to the measles outbreak. The department requested additional base funding for epidemiology and response, the DOH helpline, the Vital Records Virtual Vault, state labs, and the veterans home, along with special requests for respiratory vaccinations and marketing and lab equipment replacement. He also noted progress on MOUD and the medical psilocybin program, and said the department was not seeking to launch new programs given the limited time left in the administration.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 2543, HD2, relating to state construction projects.
• SB 4112, HD1, relating to capital improvement projects at state small boat harbors and state parks.
• First introduced this project, they said they wanted just $1 to $2. This bill is $3 to $4.22.
• First introduced this project. They said they wanted just 1 to $2. This bill 3 to $4. 22.
• SB 2811 C2 HD1 relating to state building projects. Recommendation to move as is.

Bills: HCR93, HCR14, HR85

Keywords: image-based sexual abuse, working group, gender-based violence, Hawaii Commission on the Status of Women, prevention efforts, survivor protections, new technologies, legal reform, HCR14, House Concurrent Resolution, perpetual easement, non-exclusive easement, state submerged lands, submerged lands, shoreline easement, drainage outfall, stormwater outfall, lagoon outfall, pipelines, Kahala Hotel & Resort

Transcript Highlights:

• All projects under section 2306.1. and five such as LIHTC, low income housing tax credits, and projects
• I own 43 apartment projects in the Houston area.
• In fact, one project showed moderate income with someone who makes 160% of AMI.
• These projects that I showed you in.
• Next up, Alicia Castillo, Texas Civil Rights Project, testifying against the bill.

Bills: HB21, HB211, HB223, HB323, HB524, HB530, HB636, HB762, HB21, HB211, HB223

Keywords: housing finance, multifamily residential, low income, tax exemption, audit requirements, affordable housing, local government, development bonds, housing assistance, financial assistance, low income housing, community support, affordability, veterans housing, community involvement, air conditioning, tenant support, healthcare, elderly, taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. project in this bill. Thank you. Thank you.
• My question to you today with the Trevor Project, I am not as familiar with the Trevor Project.
• And I looked up the Trevor Project, and I went through the crisis hotline.
• This year, California is projected to serve over one billion school meals.
• This year, California is projected to serve over one billion school meals.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard a full agenda of bills, first adopting a consent calendar of 11 measures without individual presentations. The committee then took up AB 1412, which would require California schools to implement or adopt a transferred special education student’s IEP within 30 days for out-of-state transfers and to coordinate more quickly on records. The author and military-family witnesses said the bill would reduce delays for highly mobile students, especially military children; a school administrators group opposed it. The bill received initial support from committee members and was moved on call. The committee also reconsidered AB 281, which would require notice to parents when outside consultants provide sex education instruction; the author accepted amendments removing a copy-right provision, but the bill remained on call after a split vote. The committee heard AB 1005, which would create a statewide drowning-prevention education and swim-lesson voucher framework for underserved communities. The author and supporters described drowning as a preventable public health and equity issue, while the bill was clarified as developing a plan rather than immediately launching a voucher program. It was voted out on a 3-0 roll with the measure placed on call. AB 908, as amended, would add compliance monitoring for existing requirements that schools use LGBTQ-inclusive instructional materials and curriculum under the FAIR Act. Supporters said the bill would improve implementation and student safety; opponents raised concerns about privacy, girls’ sports, and school burdens. The committee approved the bill 5-2 and sent it to Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 1401, which would affirm parents’ access to school records, including unofficial records unless exempt by law. The author argued that parents need clearer access to information held by schools and vendors, while school officials and teachers’ union representatives warned the bill was too vague and could sweep in personal notes, journals, and other sensitive material. The bill failed on a 2-3 vote and was placed on call. Finally, AB 727 would require student ID cards to include the Trevor Project hotline for LGBTQ youth; supporters framed it as a suicide-prevention measure, while opponents argued it conflicted with parental rights and religious beliefs. Committee discussion focused on whether 988 already provides similar access and whether the Trevor Project is an appropriate resource to print on IDs; the hearing continued with the bill still under consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• 3 new or renovated boating or fishing access projects.
• This sizable project is anticipated to be completed this year.
• It is a large project with many phases.
• This is the boating access project. The boating access projects are at the top.
• That's typical of a boating excess project.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also request nonrecurring state dollars for capital projects...
• Recent requests have been re-roofing and repaving projects.
• The exception to the 21.3% is when we are using federal dollars for new construction projects, for example
• This includes reviewing the CPIP for capital projects.
• We recently hired a new facilities director and also a construction project manager, and they are going

Keywords: 977, all

Summary: The committee met to receive a detailed financial operations presentation from the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency, with staff walking members through funding sources, budgeting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and grants management. Sabrina Walker explained VR’s blended funding structure, including federal grants, state appropriations, program income, and interagency contracts, and emphasized that state funds are essential to meeting the federal match and maintenance-of-effort requirements. Members asked repeatedly about transparency, audit controls, and the risk that state cuts could reduce federal drawdowns; staff responded that all reports reconcile back to the SCEIS accounting system, are subject to state audits and internal reviews, and that even modest state reductions could significantly reduce total available funding. The committee also discussed pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities, with staff confirming services are offered through school districts, charters, and private schools, and that contracts are monitored for performance and compliance. The presentation then shifted to budgeting and internal controls. Walker described a zero-based departmental budgeting process, monthly monitoring reports, contingency reserves for unexpected expenses, and a formal annual cycle that culminates in board approval. Members asked about facilities tracking, culture, and how the agency maintains accountability; staff said facilities staff inspect buildings and equipment, supervisors justify line-item requests, and the process has become smoother over time as departments learned the system. Cynthia Johnson followed with an accounts receivable overview, describing invoicing, receipting, aging, customer verification, year-end reporting, and the use of cross-training, shared email inboxes, and spreadsheets as checks and balances. She also explained work training center billing, interdepartmental transfers, and the revolving fund used to issue consumer checks more quickly than standard vendor payments. Olivia Perez presented accounts payable operations, including invoice processing through SCEIS and OnBase, the three-way match, travel reimbursements, revolving fund checks, State Treasury Office interactions, and handling of reversals, rejections, and levy notices. She reported that AP processed 67,723 SCEIS payments, 13,670 case management system invoices, 3,379 travel reimbursements, and 15,693 revolving fund checks in fiscal year 2025, with only 70 payment rejections. The final portion of the meeting covered Grants and Funds Management, where Walker explained federal reporting, drawdowns, payroll allocation, asset tracking, lease and IT contract reviews, cost allocation, and closing packages. She noted upcoming system changes such as S/4HANA, Workiva, and SC Pro, but said the agency is receiving training and feedback opportunities. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the presentation portion beyond approval of the prior minutes and a brief recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have to have the construction of a new nuclear power...
• and then this other entity signing us up for a nuclear project.
• Approving the offshore wind project and then this other entity signing us up for a nuclear project.
• We develop and participate in energy projects that promote economic development, energy reliability,
• F, provide financing for generation, transmission, and energy storage projects.

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• DPI staff projected those proficiency... ...poverty and disability lines.
• DPI staff projected those proficiency levels would eventually cause 71% of...
• It represents less than 5% of the total project budget.
• But on that project, on that contract, it absolutely does.
• When DOT contracts with a When DOT contracts with a construction company to repave a road, right?

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• follow the costs and assess the particulars of a particular project.
• was prudent or not in implementing the plans and projects.
• Have you ever been to Broward County to visit any projects or Miami-Dade County?
• I have been in those counties as far specifically to do a site visit on projects. No, sir.
• But certainly there's priorities of projects is a somewhat fluid process as things change.

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and considered four bills, all of which were reported favorably. SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives was presented as a negotiated “glitch bill” to narrow statutory language so co-ops can choose generation and power purchases based on cost and reliability without exposure to lawsuits aimed at banning fuel sources; it was supported by the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association and passed without debate. SB 364 on public accountancy was described as a modernization and licensure-efficiency bill to increase the supply of CPAs; an amendment correcting a drafting error and restoring automatic mobility language was adopted without objection, and the bill as amended was reported favorably. A public comment on the bill was briefly redirected after it appeared to address a different subject. The committee then took up SB 200 on utilities, which addresses solar decommissioning and storm protection plans. Chair Bradley said the bill would authorize counties to require decommissioning plans for utility-scale solar facilities at the end of their useful life, direct DEP to develop best management practices, and require the Public Service Commission to consider whether storm protection plan costs are reasonable relative to expected customer benefits. County and consumer groups spoke in support, and the Small County Coalition said the bill was a needed step that did not restrict solar development; the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered SB 126 on the Florida Public Service Commission, which was presented as a reform and “glitch” bill and amended to add CPA and financial analyst expertise, require stronger PSC order explanations, tighten intervention requirements, cap returns on equity at the national average for comparable utilities, set periodic ROE review schedules, and require affordability to be considered in rate-related proceedings. The PSC staff deputy executive director answered extensive questions about storm hardening, cost recovery, risk, and affordability. Several members and public speakers supported the bill’s goals but raised concerns about the affordability standard, the ROE cap, and comparisons to other states; others said the bill would improve transparency and accountability. The amendment was adopted, and CS for SB 126 was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Blue Carbon Demonstration Projects, that's a do pass, out on a B-roll call.
• AB 783 Colosa construction materials procurement hold in committee.
• AB 1280 Garcia, Thermal Energy Storage Projects do pass out on an A roll call. AB 1365 Garcia.
• AB 1344, Irwin, GVRO pilot project do pass with author's amendments to include Santa Clara County in
• AB 43 Schultz, wild and scenic rivers, do pass. construction project best value procurement do pass out

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• very early notice of the work we did with your road, House Joint Resolution 46, County Priority Projects
• Chairman, we added $1.47 million to it, and we added seven counties that did not have any projects in
• 2024, where the two chambers worked together to create a program for local assistance on priority projects
• $47 million from the state-supported construction program back to the priority projects.
• program back to the priority projects.

Keywords: Roll Call 00:15 HJR 46 Discussion 00:43 HJR 46 Vote 2:58 HB 546 Discussion 04:10 HB 546 Vote 06:00 HB 443 Discussion 07:30 HB 443 Vote 09:35 HB 783 Discussion 10:29 HB 783 Vote 15:29, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first considered House Joint Resolution 46, a county priority projects resolution. Members approved a committee substitute that added $1.47 million and included Butler, Carroll, Casey, Cumberland, McGoffin, Monroe, and Nicholas counties. The resolution was then reported favorably with a title amendment and an expression of opinion that it should pass. The committee next took up House Bill 546, which creates the local assistance road program and related rules. The committee substitute moved $47 million from the state-supported construction program back to priority projects and amended the Transportation Cabinet budget to unlock I-69 funding tied to Garvey bonds. After discussion about continuing to refine the program, the committee approved the substitute, adopted a title amendment, and reported the bill favorably with an expression of opinion that it should pass. House Bill 443 was then heard, extending the Hal Rogers Parkway from Hazard along Kentucky Route 80 to Perry and Floyd to support future federal funding and four-laning of the corridor. The committee reported it favorably with the expression of opinion that it should pass. Finally, House Bill 783 was presented as a response to temporary tag fraud in auto sales, with testimony from Representative Jackson, Warren County Sheriff Brad Hightower, and the Kentucky Auto Dealers Association. Supporters said the bill adds enforcement tools, including felony penalties for serious violations and discretion for the Motor Vehicle Commission so mistakes are not treated the same as deliberate fraud. The committee voted to report the bill favorably with the expression of opinion that it should pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sections 6 to advance their projects.
• <00:41:28.200> in 1980s with several smaller projects in 1980s with several smaller projects
• , who came forward with a good project, who came forward with a good project, one<00:42:45.480>
• This is not for new construction. construction. construction.
• a new project. a new project.

Bills: HF4560, HF4559, HF2317, HF3179, HF4880, HF2862, HF4374

Keywords: Public Utilities Commission, PUC, energy regulation, utility regulation, electric utility, public utility, rate case, multiyear rate plan, decoupling, rate decoupling, greenhouse gas, social cost of carbon, environmental cost, resource planning, certificate of need, distributed renewable energy, interconnection, budget billing, electronic filing, contested case

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill does not require approval of projects that are inconsistent with local plans.
• Myers, The Bail Project, wishes to speak. Mr. Myers, you're recognized for two minutes.
• Myers representing The Bail Project.
• Senator, so the Bail Project, when they take on a case, Um, Senator, so the Bail Project, they, when
• The construction permit, I assume you mean septic permit.

Summary: The committee first confirmed six appointees on a single roll-call vote, then took up a series of bills, many of them on land use, housing, public safety, child welfare, education, and professional licensing. Early debate centered on CS/SB 208, which would require development fees to better reflect review costs and impose objective compatibility findings for residential projects. An amendment folded in additional housing-related provisions, including manufactured housing and a study of urban development boundaries, prompting extended discussion about Miami-Dade’s Everglades protection area and local control. A late-filed rural-boundary amendment was withdrawn. The bill was reported favorably after support from business, housing, and advocacy groups, with some senators voicing district-specific concerns. The committee then approved CS/CS/SB 686 on agricultural enclaves after amendments added conservation easement, wildlife corridor, and critical state concern protections, plus a further Everglades-related amendment. Members discussed balancing smart growth, infrastructure costs, and protecting environmentally sensitive areas. Other land-use and growth bills also advanced, including CS/SB 1434 on infill redevelopment, CS/SB 1138 on qualified contractor pre-application review, and SB 218 limiting the reach of prior hurricane recovery zoning protections in counties not affected by the 2024 storms. SB 1474 on biosolids management was amended to reduce the distance threshold for land application restrictions and delay the effective date, and SB 1708 on veterinary licensure by endorsement removed a three-year recent-practice requirement to address shortages. Several public safety, health, and family-related measures also passed. CS/CS/SB 436 expanded felony battery enhancement to include resisting an officer with violence and certain law-enforcement battery offenses. SB 830 extended public-records protections to county and city administrators and related family information. CS/CS/CS/SB 600 revised bail bond rules, and an amendment preserved the current treatment of charitable bail funds and nonprofits; the committee heard testimony from The Bail Project and others on both sides. CS/SB 914 expanded dry-needling supervision options for occupational therapists, CS/SB 1092 clarified podiatric use of certain cellular/tissue products, and SB 1504 and SB 1718 updated insurance licensing and educator certification pathways. On the education side, CS/CS/SB 7038 made broad postsecondary changes, including tuition waivers, residency clarification, and licensure rules, while CS/SB 186 required seizure-response training and action plans in schools. The committee also advanced multiple child welfare and health bills. CS/CS/CS/SB 560 streamlined psychotropic medication procedures for children in state custody and added youth-voice and insurance-review provisions. CS/CS/CS/SB 902 combined several Department of Health changes, including medical marijuana distance rules, autism microcredential eligibility, a neurofibromatosis grant program, and NICU nutrition information. SB 1002 expanded child welfare definitions to address parental drug abuse and neglect, and SB 1708 eased endorsement licensure for out-of-state veterinarians. Most bills were reported favorably on roll-call votes, with several amendments adopted along the way and limited opposition or abstentions noted on some measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• to um construct uh the nayed<00:32:24.360> project<00:32:25.120> uh<00:32:25.360> aloa
• but um this had a a whole projection but um this had a a whole projection that<00:53:14.079>
• No, that is a construction...
• No, that is a construction...
• No, that is a construction...

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• None of those projects materialized.
• So this replacement project was done at the same time when the Plaquemines Venture Global project was
• So a parish of 20,000 to 25,000 had 12,000 workers coming in daily for that project, and that project
• an $18.5 billion project, and Lauren Scott's numbers basically said that that project contributed about
• and projects into the future.

Bills: HB165, HB175, HB198, HB272, HB457, HB488, HB566, HB603, HB763, HB902, HB909, HB971, HB981, HB1066, HB1125, HB1154, HB1231

Keywords: HB165, lottery proceeds, Lottery Proceeds Fund, Veterans Service Grant Fund, constitutional amendment, veterans, military veterans, veterans' benefits, veterans services, family support, state lottery, education funding, Minimum Foundation Program, problem gambling, compulsive gaming, state treasurer, ballot proposition, constitutional referendum, lottery revenue, Louisiana resident veterans

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the way these are set up, the one in Rapids, it was a $30 million project.
• , opinion and in these these projects, opinion and in these these projects, there's<00:24:06.720>
• <00:24:14.640> uh Rapids, it was a $30 million project. uh Rapids, it was a $30 million project
• ,<00:43:55.839> you this tax money for your um project, you this tax money for your um project
• drivers that are increasing construction drivers that are increasing construction and<01:44:53.520

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Specifically, I would like to highlight DLI's support for the construction codes and licensing provisions
• codes and licensing for the construction codes and licensing provisions<00:16:03.520> in<00:16
• a monetary interest on their side to continue to have these because it increased the cost of the project
• Chair. works in the construction industry, it works in the construction industry, it always<00:18:06.679
• it increased the cost of the project. it increased the cost of the project.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• million bump in the base funding, but even with that modest increase it amounts to about 3.7% of the projected
• about3<00:02:46.200> 3.7%<00:02:47.200> of<00:02:47.400> the<00:02:47.640> projected
• <00:02:48.239> Surplus about3 3.7% of the projected Surplus about3 3.7% of the projected Surplus
• Broadband construction is going to start soon with the weather they are having today, and the comments
• <00:30:27.559> cycle uh uh construction cycle uh uh construction cycle this<00:30:28.960><

Bills: HF1704, HF1722

Keywords: Minnesota agriculture budget, Department of Agriculture appropriation, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, farm bill, rural development, agricultural grants, soil health, livestock compensation, crop damage, meat inspection, poultry inspection, county agricultural inspectors, biofertilizer, nitrogen management, commercial nitrogen fertilizer, water quality, farm down payment assistance, beginning farmers

Transcript Highlights:

• 10:31.440> have<00:10:31.600> some<00:10:31.920> amazing<00:10:32.399> construction
• we have some amazing construction we have some amazing construction companies<00:10:33.440> locally
• c><00:10:40.399> to<00:10:40.640> learn<00:10:40.880> about<00:10:41.200> project
• >> To be able to learn about project >> To be able to learn about project management

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The interview focused on Minnesota K-12 education, with the representative describing schools and educators as doing strong day-to-day work but saying policymakers need to address major problems such as literacy, math performance, and chronic absenteeism. He argued for more local control, fewer mandates, and flexible funding so districts can meet local needs, while also saying the READ Act and science-of-reading implementation should be carried out with fidelity to improve reading outcomes. A substantial portion of the discussion centered on chronic absenteeism and truancy. The representative said he has worked in a bipartisan way with Rep. Keeler on the issue, including home visits and district reporting efforts, but argued schools cannot solve every social problem alone and need families and other partners to help get students to class. He also criticized the Department of Education for not prioritizing a simple reporting mechanism related to the 15-day drop rule for students who disappear from enrollment. School safety was another major topic, especially after the Annunciation Catholic School shooting in Minneapolis. He said students should be safe regardless of whether they attend public or nonpublic schools and supported giving nonpublic schools access to safety funding. He said he and Sen. Pratt are working on flexible school-safety funding ideas and mentioned the Shield Act and multi-layered safety approaches as models. He also revisited universal school meals, saying the program has constrained future budget options and that a prior proposal would have redirected some of those dollars into flexible supplemental aid for districts. The interview ended with brief discussion of other constituent concerns, including age verification, cell phone use, and a youth skills training program that he said should allow students to gain office-based experience. No votes were taken; the representative mainly outlined policy priorities and frustrations with agency implementation and legislative priorities.