Transcript Highlights:

• No, no, I don't think they—um, it operates a program that provides E-ZPass toll credits to drivers that
• purchase battery electric or plug-in vehicles, and what that does is it allows for $250 in one-time toll
• credits to E-ZPass customers who purchase a fully electric vehicle and $125 in toll credits for hybrid
• credits to drivers that Easy Pass toll credits to drivers that purchase<00:02:40.560><c> battery</c>
• 00:02:45.519><c> $250</c><00:02:46.519><c> in</c> for $250 in for $250 in onetime<00:02:48.599><c> toll

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, members, House Bill 896 by Representative Bro requires toll signage, toll dispute procedures
• , and toll customer service centers at all toll facilities within a certain radius, and we do have a
• Well, no, you just see the toll rate for the $1.13.
• One, it would require that tolling facility.
• 'passage of a toll collection facility.'

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on April 21 and heard a series of transportation, licensing, tolling, and public safety measures. Early bills included HB 745, extending special permits for tandem/container loads serving port facilities; HB 1000, a DOTD cleanup bill that clarifies Highway Priority Program reporting and raises the letter-bid contract threshold from $1 million to $3 million; HB 1050, which revises commercial driver’s license rules and allows certain 18-year-olds to drive intrastate with a Class A license; and HB 1172, designating a portion of US 165 in Oberlin as the Coulin Brooks Manuel Memorial Highway. All of those bills were reported favorably, with HB 1000 adopted with amendments. The committee then took up HB 896 on toll facilities, prompted by concerns about Belle Chasse toll charges and customer service access. The bill would require local toll customer service centers, toll dispute procedures, and limits on certain fees; amendments were adopted to refine those provisions, including in-person assistance, appeal deadlines, and limits on additional charges. The bill was reported with amendments. HB 493, which would have prohibited expropriation by the Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District in East Feliciana and St. Helena Parishes, drew extensive testimony and debate over reservoir planning and local flood-control authority, but was ultimately voluntarily deferred. Later, HB 1173 was approved to give people in the OMV reinstatement relief program up to three months without a late fee on installment agreements, while keeping the payment due and moving it to the end of the plan. HB 1024 created a Louisiana Democratic Party special prestige license plate and was reported favorably. The committee also approved HCR 32 urging the Port of New Orleans to secure backup motors for the St. Claude Avenue Bridge, and HB 1159, concerning automated speed enforcement in Jefferson Parish municipalities, was ultimately voluntarily deferred after discussion of local control, public input, and prior legislation on speed cameras. The final major item was HB 679, as substituted, creating a driver’s license designation for people with brain injuries and directing law enforcement training on interactions with those individuals. The sponsor and several witnesses described personal experiences with traumatic brain injury and argued the designation would improve safety and communication during traffic stops. The substitute bill was adopted and the measure was reported favorably. The committee concluded by reporting HB 1207 favorably; that bill would limit unduly restrictive contractor qualification requirements in public bidding and require such requirements to be reasonably related to the project and justified in writing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The tolls have been conditionally authorized on the IBR and are assumed to contribute to a portion of
• Tolls are assumed to be used as a cash source and also... ...and are assumed to contribute to a portion
• Tolls are assumed to be used as a cash source and also to be bonded against.
• So. ...for the roads on the backs of people when we sell a defective product that used to last well.
• But I think the underlying issue of what's causing the failure is the product that's on the roads.

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard briefings and public testimony on four bills. HB 1823, a Transportation Improvement Board cleanup bill, would remove obsolete references, update terms, and repeal outdated sections; a proposed substitute would restore remaining bond authority that the original bill would have inadvertently removed. The sponsor and TIB supported the technical corrections, describing the bill as good-government cleanup, and there were no questions or opposition. HB 2092 would create a Washington State Amtrak Cascades Passenger Rail Advisory Committee to provide regular user feedback to WSDOT; the bill was presented with a fiscal note of about $82,000 this biennium and $156,000 ongoing for staffing. The prime sponsor and multiple advocates supported the concept, while committee members and witnesses raised possible amendments to broaden membership, include disability representation, and possibly add rail industry and statewide passenger rail interests. HB 2111 would allow the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project toll facility bond retirement account to retain its share of interest earnings instead of sending them to the general fund. The sponsor, the Treasurer’s Office, and a business community witness said the change would keep dedicated toll-related revenue with the project and avoid accounting and tax concerns; the bill was described as a technical fix with fiscal impact expected to benefit the project account. HB 2114 would require the Department of Licensing to waive replacement plate fees for defective plates within two years of issuance and allow waivers between two and five years in some cases. The sponsor said the bill responds to widespread plate delamination, especially in eastern Washington, and county auditors and subagents testified in support as a customer-service measure, though they noted the fiscal note seemed high relative to the small number of replacements estimated and asked for clearer definitions and implementation guidance. No votes were taken during the hearing. The chair closed public hearings on HB 1823, HB 2092, and HB 2111 after testimony, and temporarily closed HB 2114 to allow a later opportunity for a witness who had audio issues to testify.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so the other question we were asked was if there was a toll increase.
• </c> were asked was if there was a toll were asked was if there was a toll increase increase increase
• They get on 93 to go Fort Eddie Road.
• And is this intended to use the cover salt that's used on roads?
• </c> cover salt that's used on roads? cover salt that's used on roads?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As it was said earlier, one of them was coming off of the toll road in Brownsville, getting ready to
• It shut down that toll road, I believe, for a month because it caused a great amount of damage.
• them and tolling authorities.
• At Los Senos, that's probably about 11 miles, but they're typically rural roads and they're direct roads
• Terrorist organizations control the Mexican toll roads adjacent to the Texas-Mexico border.

Bills: SB2199, SB2200, SB2201, SB2949, SB2332

Keywords: overweight vehicle, vehicle weight limits, hazardous materials, hazmat, cargo tank, fuel transport, trucking, commercial vehicle, Transportation Code, criminal penalty, second-degree felony, loading violation, truck weight, axle weight, gross weight, public safety, commercial carrier, Texas, commercial truck, truck route

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:17:03.880><c> or</c> on it whether it is on a state road or on it whether it is on a state road
• We have another road in Litchfield, Hillcrest, that's also a state road that pretty much is one of the
• </c> example 3A in Lichfield is a state road example 3A in Lichfield is a state road but<00:39:43.400
• of road tolls and other uh the the study of road tolls and other funding<00:40:38.680><c> mechanisms<
• Camp Sergeant crosses the road.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in executive session on several House bills and first took up HB 181, which would have made the state responsible for maintaining Opticon systems for fire and emergency on state roads. Members noted that a system already exists and that towns are generally responsible for maintenance once they choose a system, so the committee voted ITL/OTL-style recommendation by a unanimous 18-0 roll call and discussed placing it on the consent calendar. The committee then considered HB 7113, concerning mile markers along Route 112/Kancamagus Highway. Supporters argued the markers would improve safety and help locate stranded motorists in a rural area with poor cell service, while another member noted the bill’s language should be clarified to refer specifically to the Kancamagus and to DOT’s usual 0.2-mile spacing. The committee voted 18-0 to recommend OTP with a fiscal note, and because it was a money bill it would not go on the consent calendar. HB 300, directing DOT to seek proposals on the Conway Branch rail line and creating a rail study committee, was recommended ITL after members said the issue had already been studied and the corridor had already been designated for rail trail; that vote was unanimous and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. HB 375, allowing municipalities to designate sections of state and local highways for all-terrain vehicles, was also recommended ITL. Members said there is already a process for towns to authorize such use and expressed concern about a blanket approach and possible local conflicts; the motion passed unanimously and was sent to the consent calendar. HB 578, relating to a sound barrier along the F.E. Everett Turnpike, drew more discussion: some members said the project should go through the 10-year plan and environmental review process, while others cited local impacts and the need for some barrier or privacy protection. The committee ultimately voted 16-2 to recommend ITL, and it was not placed on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee took up HB 561, concerning transfer of state-owned real property to municipalities. Members voted to retain the bill, with supporters saying they wanted more information, including a site visit to Merrimack’s Continental Boulevard and further discussion of how state roads are handled in other towns. The retain motion passed unanimously 18-0, and members noted that retained bills do not go on a calendar. The chair then announced the committee’s next full meeting would be on February 24 at 10:30 a.m., with a briefing on the capital budget process and a meeting with the Secretary of the Treasury.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2007, our oversight authority was expanded to include the state expressway, tolling authorities as
• And then an annual review of the performance specific tolling and transit authorities across the state
• The commission monitors the performance of these tolling and transit agencies.
• preservation and maintenance toll revenue management and contract management.
• well as on time performance through our review of the data in these areas, we determine whether a toll

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The highway fund is the road toll, which is also the gas tax.
• road</c><00:16:36.880><c> toll</c><00:16:37.199><c> High</c><00:16:37.480><c> F</c><00:16:37.800><c>
• Highway</c><00:16:38.079><c> fund</c><00:16:38.279><c> is</c> tax the road toll High F Highway fund
• is tax the road toll High F Highway fund is the<00:16:38.519><c> road</c><00:16:38.800><c> toll</c><00
• toll which is also the gas tax the road toll which is also the gas tax yeah<00:16:40.920><c> and</c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was an introductory House Finance Division Two session focused on committee procedures, staffing, and the upcoming budget process. Mickey Landrian, the division analyst, introduced himself and explained that the subcommittee operates more informally than the full committee, does not hold executive sessions or public hearings itself, and makes recommendations back to House Finance. Members were told that public hearings on legislation occur in the full committee, while Division Two will hold work sessions and vote on recommendations such as ought to pass, retain, or ITL. The chair also welcomed new members and a new clerk, and noted that meetings will be recorded and streamed, with microphones required for audio capture. A substantial portion of the meeting covered the division’s workload and schedule. Landrian outlined the agencies assigned to Division Two, including Safety, Fish and Game, Transportation, Education, the Lottery Commission, Police Standards and Training, the University System, and the Community College System. He explained the different fund types the division will handle, especially Education Trust Fund, Highway Fund, and Fish and Game Fund, and reviewed reference materials distributed to members, including agency budget requests, prior recommendation tracking sheets, and surplus statements. He emphasized that the agency budget requests and related handouts are available online and useful for members to review before budget work begins. Members discussed the compressed timeline for the session, with a target date of March 26 for completing Division Two recommendations. Landrian said only a few bills had been referred to Finance so far, none yet to Division Two, but that more bills and amendments were expected, including many amendments to House Bill 2. He noted that the committee would need to move efficiently and frontload meetings. Representative Papich added that Fish and Game may require closer scrutiny than in prior years because of its push for direct general fund appropriations, and members also discussed the importance of getting preliminary budget documents before the governor’s budget is finalized. No votes were taken and no formal actions were reported beyond the procedural overview and distribution of materials.

Transcript Highlights:

• built to our standard, so we can't take your road.
• And that public road is the access. My driveway.
• Your driveway or road to your house is access to the public road. It's not a public street.
• So that's a private road.
• But that's a private road, your road, your driveway, whatever the case may be. And...

Bills: HR217, HB66, HB204, HB208, HB326, HB472, HB483, HB484, HB793, HB1051, HB1080, HB1087, HB1111, HB1215, SB78, SB148

Keywords: rent stabilization, affordable housing, cost burdened, Louisiana housing, housing policy, emergency rental protections, Alexandria, municipal ordinances, administrative adjudication, code enforcement, housing violations, building codes, zoning, nuisance ordinances, vegetation ordinances, sewerage, drainage, licensing, permits, local government

Summary: The committee met on April 29 and considered a series of local and special bills affecting municipal and parish governance, blight enforcement, development districts, and term limits. Early action included a motion to apply a three-minute rule. House Bill 483, concerning the Fulberg/Marini Security and Improvement District in Orleans Parish, was voluntarily deferred after discussion and no support cards. House Bill 484, which revised the New Orleans Regional Business Park board by reducing membership from 12 to 11 and giving the mayor four direct appointments with removal authority, was adopted as a substitute and reported favorably. Senate Bill 78, dealing with the Shreveport Downtown Development District, was amended to correct a legislative district reference and then reported favorably. The committee also heard announcements that several previously deferred bills would not be heard that day. Several Shreveport-related blight bills were advanced. House Bill 1051, authorizing demolition of certain dilapidated properties in Shreveport, was amended to allow the city to rely on findings from code enforcement, fire, police, or other public safety officials, and then reported favorably. House Bill 1080, addressing condemned commercial property in Shreveport, was also reported favorably, though the author said he would continue consulting with the city attorney before floor consideration. House Bill 66 for Alexandria expanded the city’s administrative adjudication authority to cover a broader range of ordinance violations, including building, zoning, vegetation, nuisance, sewer, drainage, licensing, and permit matters; it was supported by the city and reported favorably. House Bill 326, requiring the Tickfaw police chief candidate to reside within the village, also passed favorably. House Bill 793, a contentious bill concerning recorded subdivision plats and prescription, drew extensive testimony from the author, parish officials, a former appellate judge, and the McCormick family. Supporters said the bill closes a loophole exposed by recent court rulings that could let noncompliant plats become enforceable after five years without actual notice to local governments, while opponents argued the current substitute still creates uncertainty and could burden property owners; the author said the bill was prospective only and would also go to the Law Institute. Despite the debate, the committee moved the substitute favorably. Senate Bill 148, allowing municipalities to pay a modest per diem to planning and zoning commission members by local ordinance, was reported favorably with support from Lake Charles. The committee rejected House Bill 208, which would have let St. Helena Parish voters decide whether to impose term limits on parish governing authority members. The bill’s author argued the people should decide, but the St. Helena Police Jury opposed it and committee members emphasized local control; the final vote was 3 yeas to 10 nays. House Bill 1215, concerning the disposition of historical statues and monuments, was amended to bar the Office of State Parks from placing transferred monuments back in the parish from which they were removed, and then was reported favorably. House Bill 472, authorizing local rent stabilization ordinances during a governor-declared emergency, was amended to limit such ordinances to the emergency period, tie increases to the consumer price index, and cap them at 365 days; discussion continued on whether the measure duplicated existing price-gouging laws and whether a broader study would be preferable.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up, House Bill 493, relating to tolling and storage of motor vehicles.
• </c><00:13:05.320><c> and</c><00:13:05.560><c> storage</c> 493 um relating to tolling and storage 493
• We've had everybody come to the table, and when we talk about the toll association, when we talk State
• </c> and when when we talk about the toll and when when we talk about the toll Association<00:14:26.399
• and bridges sponsored by roads and bridges sponsored by representative representative representative

Keywords: Roll Call 00:23 Roll Call Approval of Minutes 00:57 HB 664 Discussion 01:26 HB 664 Vote 08:25 HB 682 Discussion 10:46 HB 682 Vote 12:12 HB 493 Discussion 13:00 HB 493 Vote 20:20 HJR 5 Discussion 21:14 HJR 5 Vote 25:08 Kavis and Sherriff’s Inspection Discussion 27:40 Admin. Reg Consideration 35:40, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met with a quorum, approved prior meeting minutes, and then took up several transportation-related measures. House Bill 664, concerning work zone safety, was amended by the committee to clarify that a peace officer may issue a citation based on images from an automated speed enforcement device. Representative John Blanton said the bill was prompted by the 2019 death of Jared Lee Helton in a work zone and is intended to slow drivers, protect workers, and improve safety. The bill would allow automated devices to transmit speed and rear license plate images to an officer, require active worker presence and warning signage with flashing lights, keep the $500 fine, and direct fines to the work zone safety fund. After questions about whether citations would be mailed and whether a worker must be present, the committee adopted the amendment and reported HB 664 favorably with expressions of opinion that it should pass. House Bill 682, sponsored by Representative Ken Upchurch, was also amended by a committee substitute and reported favorably. The bill gives cable operators and broadband providers the same reimbursement treatment as other public utilities when their facilities must be relocated for construction projects. House Bill 493, sponsored by Representative Steve Pollock, was taken up next and, after a committee substitute was adopted, was reported favorably. Pollock described the bill as a transparency measure for towing and storage, creating a certification process through the Transportation Cabinet, requiring public rate sheets, and setting rates to be reasonable and customary in Kentucky. The substitute removed an initial $1,500 cap, extended notice timing to up to five days in some cases, and clarified fees related to investigations and fatalities. Senators asked about regional differences in towing rates, and Pollock said the cabinet would consider different situations and that posted rates would govern. House Joint Resolution 5, designating honorary road and bridge names, was amended by both a committee substitute and committee amendment and then reported favorably. Representative Josh Branscum said the resolution honors various Kentuckians and is especially in memory of Russell County Deputy Joshua Fipps, who was killed in the line of duty in September 2024. The committee approved the resolution and a title amendment. Later in the meeting, Senator Armstrong asked to be recorded as voting aye on HB 664, HB 682, and HB 493. The committee also received an update from Transportation Cabinet IT Director Heather Stout on the CAVIS system, including improved performance, upcoming integration with KY ELT, centralized lien management, online boat renewals, permanent fleet plates, rolling replating changes, temporary tag printing, insurance modernization, and an electronic sheriff’s inspection system expected to reduce fraud and streamline transfers. No vote was taken on the CAVIS update, and the committee also began consideration of a referred administrative regulation on hazardous materials endorsement requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• , addressing road related, drainage improvements, resurfacing or reconstructing county roads are constructing
• That's a small county governments with resurfacing or reconstructing county roads.
• Road 3.41. From state road 3.45. To us 19.
• Sound Road from the East and of Card. Sound Bridge to the intersection of County Road 905.
• You have EV toll aircraft.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2007, our oversight authority was expanded to include the state's expressway tolling authorities as
• On an annual basis, the Commission monitors the performance of these tolling and transit agencies.
• , preservation and maintenance, toll revenue management, and contract management.
• When it comes to our roads, as the traveling public, we are aware of that too.
• When it comes to our roads, as the traveling public, we are aware of that too.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met, took roll, and heard introductory remarks from members about their districts and transportation priorities, with several senators noting congestion and mobility challenges in their regions. The committee then received a presentation from the Florida Transportation Commission on its oversight role for FDOT, including annual and quarterly performance reviews, review of the five-year work program, and monitoring of tolling and transit authorities. Members asked whether the commission gets involved in project prioritization; the answer was no, because it is statutorily limited to high-level oversight rather than day-to-day project decisions. The committee next heard two reports related to transportation disadvantaged and paratransit services. FDOT’s Melissa Smith described the statewide Transportation Disadvantaged program, its governance structure, service models, and challenges such as fragmented administration, cost, inconsistent reporting, and rural service limitations. She outlined recommendations including better use of technology, regional partnerships, improved training, and alternative delivery models like microtransit and TNC partnerships. A University of South Florida researcher, Martin Katala, discussed best practices for paratransit and demand-response service, emphasizing route optimization software, dynamic dispatching, service standards, vendor accountability, and the use of TNCs and mobility management to improve efficiency and reduce travel times. A later presentation from UF’s I-Street program focused on emerging technologies for transit, including in-cabin monitoring, automatic restraints, accessible booking and tracking tools, and the need for statewide safety standards and better driver interfaces. Finally, FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue and District 5 Secretary John Tyler provided an update on the transition of SunRail local entities. They explained the differences among commuter rail, intercity rail, and light rail, and said SunRail’s financial transition to local partners was completed on January 1, with operational transition to follow over up to three years. They contrasted that with Tri-Rail, where FDOT still funds operations and discussions about a future transition are ongoing. Members asked about the differences between SunRail, Tri-Rail, Amtrak, and Brightline, and the presenters explained that commuter rail serves regional daily commuters while intercity rail connects regions. The committee concluded without taking any formal votes or other legislative action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of that money may be combined on a single road.
• I'm assuming that the road could be renamed in the case that the road is torn down, moved over 50 feet
• This road is an unnamed road in our area. I have been in conversation in meetings with the DOT.
• Why did you add that statute in the tolling, uh, why did you add that in this bill in the tolling statute
• Tolling is already in law.

Summary: The Senate convened, initially lacked a quorum, then established one and opened with prayer, pledges in English, Navajo, and Spanish, and the salute to the New Mexico flag. Members then moved through announcements and recognitions, including permission for cameras on the floor and gallery, and certificates honoring Santa Fe County Day and Soil and Water Conservation District Day. Senators spoke in support of both recognitions, emphasizing Santa Fe County’s history, cultural and economic contributions, and the conservation districts’ role in stewardship, agriculture, and conservation work across the state. The chamber also welcomed numerous guests, honorary lieutenant governors, student shadows, and seniors visiting the Capitol. The Senate confirmed two State Investment Council appointments. Mary Patricia Roman was confirmed 31-0 after debate highlighting her decades of global investment experience, leadership in private banking, and service on the SIC investment committee. John F. Bingaman was then confirmed 32-0 for reappointment, with senators citing his finance background, prior service as governor’s chief of staff, and role in state economic and early childhood policy. Members also discussed his leadership on the council and the importance of strong management of the state’s permanent funds. On legislation, Senate Memorial 3 passed 27-0. The memorial, developed with the Wild Friends civics and science program, invites state agencies to participate in an insect identification and education workshop with UNM’s Museum of Southwestern Biology and the Xerces Society. The Senate also received House messages and adopted several committee reports, including referrals and passage recommendations for multiple bills and memorials. Later, the chamber debated Senate Bill 145, which would consolidate certain federal audit reporting into a single submission and adjust audit requirements for smaller entities and acequias; supporters said it would streamline compliance without changing audit requirements, while opponents raised concerns about auditor business, oversight, and the risk of weakening scrutiny. The bill remained under debate in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Best bang for your buck, I think, for getting our roads paved in our neighborhoods.
• You've got your thin overlay for Sussex County tar and chip road locations...
• Sorry, is Rose Valley or Yoder Road underway? The contract was just signed with the contractor.
• and benefit of fuel cell technology regarding a parcel on Chestnut Hill Road.
• Or on Old Corporate Road.

Summary: The committee met for a fiscal year 2027 capital budget writing session with all 12 members present. It first reviewed and approved the DNREC Resource Conservation and Development drainage project list, which would add projects across New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties and bring the total eligible projects to 1,561. Members offered personal remarks thanking retiring conservation district staff, especially Kevin Donnelly, for years of work on drainage and water issues. The committee then reviewed DelDOT Rule 12 changes, including annual date updates and a reduction in the inflation markup applied to older estimates, and approved the rule as amended. The committee next adopted DelDOT Appendix A and the FY27 paving and rehabilitation list, including the subdivision street management fund and various road resurfacing projects. DelDOT explained that paving projects are for state-of-good-repair work and that major changes from corridor studies would be handled separately. The committee also approved DelDOT epilogue changes, including updates to authorization amounts, a $25 million increase for toll infrastructure work, changes to subdivision street paving language, and an increase in the subdivision street paving management fund to $30 million. Several sections were placed on hold for later updates. The committee then moved through boilerplate epilogue sections in the bond bill, approving a wide range of provisions affecting conservation districts, housing, economic development, corrections, DNREC, public safety, transportation, agriculture, fire prevention, education, and other agencies. Many sections were adopted in groups, while some were held for later revisions or deleted as no longer needed. The session included updates to school capital rules, transportation restrictions and reporting requirements, DNREC conservation and land-use provisions, and funding and administrative authorities across multiple agencies. The committee broke for lunch after approving the education-related sections through 147, with additional sections still pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• on toll bridges.
• It directs that the I-5 bridge replacement project toll facility bond retirement account and the Sandy
• We've heard from people across the state about their concerns with the state of our roads.
• I know that for members of the building trades, the workers who repair our roads... ...get through.
• The allocation that we're giving to roads and bridges represents an important source of work.

Summary: The Transportation Committee met on February 25 for executive action on three bills. House Bill 2306, a supplemental transportation appropriations bill for the 2025-27 biennium, was amended and advanced. The committee adopted a technical corrections amendment, a Fey amendment shifting King County Metro electrification funding from the South Annex Base project to the Central Campus Electrification Project, and rejected an Entenman amendment that would have moved $11 million for the 220 Corridor completion project from the 2027-29 biennium into the current biennium. Members discussed ferry vessel planning, maintenance and preservation, State Patrol staffing, and Climate Commitment Act investments before approving the bill 28-0 with one excused. House Bill 2711, dealing with transportation resources and tax changes, was also amended and passed. The committee adopted a technical amendment, rejected an Orcutt amendment that would have restored trade-in deductions for the luxury vehicle and recreational vessel taxes, adopted a Paul amendment temporarily exempting motorhomes from the luxury vehicle tax in late 2026, and adopted a Fey amendment directing interest earned on two transportation accounts to remain in those accounts. The bill’s substitute would repeal the luxury aircraft tax, change treatment of the luxury vehicle and vessel taxes, delay tow truck reimbursement provisions, and create a Preserve Washington Account. The committee approved the bill 27-1, with Representative Orcutt voting no without recommendation. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5203, which would direct WSDOT and Fish and Wildlife to develop an integrated wildlife habitat connectivity strategy and create wildlife corridor and crossings accounts, was amended and passed. The committee adopted Hall’s amendment requiring consultation with landowners, agricultural producers, and community members before construction of wildlife crossings. Supporters said the bill would improve road safety and conservation and help position the state for federal and private funding, while opponents argued it could create expectations for new crossings without identified resources. The bill advanced 16-12, with several members voting no or no without recommendation. The chair then outlined upcoming committee meetings, possible floor deadlines for the budget bills, and noted there would be no caucuses that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• SANDAG oversees billions of dollars, including SB 1 road maintenance and rehabilitation account funds
• Objective four has us test the allowability of a selection of non-road-improvement projects that use
• And so I think this is an example where, yes, something went wrong on the Highway 125 toll program, but
• So they're not Were environmental mitigations required for the road widening projects themselves.
• First and foremost, the toll road issue was the result of a whistleblower and involved a federal investigation

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• time frame, the bid imploded under its own weight, and I think it's a good thing for taxpayers and toll
• and taxpayers and toll payers are paying the freight.
• We need more of them on the pike and throughout the roads.
• Now I know that that's necessary; this is a public road.
• It doesn't know what a park, a road, a plaza is; it's just going to deteriorate.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The Senate Post Audit and Oversight Committee held a hearing on the canceled MassDOT service plaza procurement, with Chair Montigny, Vice Chair Collins, and several senators participating in person or online. Montigny opened by stressing the committee’s investigative role, its refusal to take calls or meetings from interested parties, and its concern about procurement integrity, ex parte communications, and the large financial stakes involved. He said the committee had asked that the bid process be restarted and noted that Secretary of Transportation Monica Tibbits-Nutt had agreed to appear later. The chair also raised broader concerns about procurement practices across state agencies and quasi-public entities, and said the committee has subpoena power if needed. Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro testified that his office would issue an investigatory letter on the service plaza procurement within weeks. He said the OIG had reviewed the procurement process and its execution, and that the canceled deal was not a model procurement. He emphasized that large procurements should be fair, open, transparent, and designed with clear evaluation criteria, conflict rules, board oversight, and contract-management plans from the outset. Shapiro also described prior OIG work on MassDOT leases and said his August letter to the agency focused on long-term lease management practices, not findings on the procurement itself. Committee members then focused on broader procurement reform, including how MassDOT’s process differs from Chapter 30B and Chapter 7 procurements, how to handle quasi-public entities, and whether selection committees should be treated as bodies subject to open meeting and public records rules. Collins asked about the weighting of subjective versus objective criteria in the service plaza bid, the handling of ex parte contacts, and how to improve oversight and contract management. Shapiro responded generally that agencies should define scoring and submission requirements up front, keep criteria objective where possible, ensure enforcement is planned before award, and build stronger training and oversight into large contracts. The hearing ended with Montigny saying the committee would continue the broader procurement discussion and would hear from the Transportation Secretary next; the meeting adjourned at 4:12.

Transcript Highlights:

• SANDAG oversees billions of dollars, including SB 1 road maintenance and rehabilitation account funds
• And so I think this is an example where, yes, something went wrong on the Highway 125 toll program, but
• So they're not... ...were environmental mitigations required for the road widening projects themselves
• First and foremost, the toll road issue was the result of a whistleblower and involved a federal investigation
• Project Management, by Assembly Member DeMaio. 2026-115, San Diego Association of Governments, Road

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My wife got out of the truck and said, 'No, I am not going on the Automars toll road.'
• We still get a big kick out of the Automars toll road.
• road.
• We still get a the automars toll road.
• </c> big kick out of the automars toll road. big kick out of the automars toll road.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Other lawful exceptions include parking enforcement agencies, toll systems when enforcing toll violations
• For tolls, it may be retained as long as needed for the collection of tolls.
• A lot of things are filed before statute tolls, limitation tolls, and it might be by information down
• the road.
• I'm going to work with Senator... ...limitation tolls, and it might be by information down the road.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on four bills. SB 5925 would expand the Attorney General’s civil investigative demand authority to investigate possible violations of the U.S. and Washington constitutions, certain labor and civil rights laws, law enforcement use-of-force issues, and jail-related statutes. Supporters, including the Attorney General’s office, Teamsters 117, and Working Washington, said the bill would make investigations faster and more effective, especially in wage theft and discrimination cases. Opponents, including police, sheriffs, cities, counties, and retail and business groups, argued it would give the AG broad investigative power without enough threshold showing, could burden local governments and employers, and raised constitutional concerns about speech and search protections. No vote was taken. SB 5906 would codify and expand protections for non-public spaces in schools, child care facilities, health care facilities, higher education institutions, and county auditor election areas by limiting immigration enforcement access without a judicial warrant or court order and restricting collection of immigration-related information about students and families. Supporters said the bill would reduce fear, protect privacy, and make existing Keep Washington Working policies clearer and more durable, with testimony from immigrant rights groups, faith organizations, students, PTA, and health advocates. Some organizations, including health care and child care stakeholders, supported the goal but asked for amendments to clarify definitions, create model policies, add training and enforcement provisions, and adjust warrant/subpoena language. The committee also heard strong opposition concerns about federal immigration enforcement, but no action was taken. SB 6070 would expand missing-person tools by allowing certain digital investigative tools to be used in missing endangered person cases, creating new Abney and Purple Alerts for missing Black people and people with disabilities, and broadening the definition of missing endangered person. Supporters included prosecutors, law enforcement, tribal and disability advocates, families of missing persons, and students who argued that faster alerts and better digital tools save lives and address racial and disability disparities in missing-person responses. Testimony described delays in prior cases and the need for more urgent, targeted alerts. The committee then heard SB 6002, which would regulate automated license plate reader systems, set registration, use, retention, audit, and disclosure rules, and prohibit certain uses such as immigration enforcement and surveillance near protected locations. The sponsor said the bill is intended to create statewide guardrails for a technology already in use, and testimony was expected to continue after the excerpt ended; no vote or final action was recorded in the portion provided.