Transcript Highlights:

• There's none from the DOT.
• so the majority of our projects are dot so the majority of our projects are safety<00:37:40.040>
• with a br cover y it right inside dot with a br cover y it right inside the<03:50:25.439> cover
• Okay, going back to the DOT, I missed something, which was the new request from the DOT.
• Okay, going back to the DOT, I missed something, which was the new request from the DOT.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing and work session on House Bill 25A, the capital improvements appropriations bill, which Representative David Mills said was based on Governor Ayotte’s budget and included appropriations for capital improvements and extensions of prior appropriation lapses. The hearing drew testimony on several requested additions to the bill, with the chair noting the unusually large turnout and moving quickly through speakers. No questions were taken on the initial bill presentation, and the public hearing on HB 25A was later closed. The Community College System of New Hampshire asked for an additional $2.6 million, including $800,000 for IT infrastructure, $1.3 million for critical maintenance, and $500,000 for energy management systems. The witness said the money would address cybersecurity and online learning needs, replace failing boilers and a roof at several campuses, and prevent costly damage such as frozen pipes. The New Hampshire Veterans Home requested $1.5 million for ADA compliance and safety improvements, including floor replacement and wider doors, citing an upcoming VA inspection and the importance of preserving federal funding. Testimony also focused on career and technical education and airport funding. Milford CTE sought to keep $9.9 million in the budget for renovations after a local vote fell short, explaining the project had been scaled down from an earlier $60 million concept and that the school board wanted another chance to seek voter approval. On aviation, Concord, the New Hampshire Municipal Association, and Department of Transportation representatives urged restoring state matching funds for FAA airport grants, saying roughly $3.6 million in state money would leverage about $62 million to $65 million in federal funds for safety and infrastructure projects at public airports. Committee members asked about project selection, matching requirements, and the airport priority process, and witnesses said the program is driven by FAA-approved capital improvement plans and safety needs rather than business-return rankings.

Transcript Highlights:

• A modern state DOT takes those harms seriously and works to undo them. reconnecting neighborhoods can
• But, Min<02:00:39.080> Dot<02:00:39.240> did<02:00:39.360> not<02:00:39.520>
• not have the flexibility to Min Dot did not have the flexibility to build<02:00:40.800> it<02
• <02:01:34.080> Min<02:01:34.320> Dot<02:01:34.520> needs<02:01:34.720> to
• Min Dot needs to be need of adoption.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're already approved by DOT, and you guys are asking for now the state to approve them.
• What is the benefit of that by the federal government and New Mexico DOT, which is the lead in all of
• And what state agency besides DOT... ...are asking for solutions this year, and what's the benefit of

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a online, by the way, that Florida jobs Dot org.
• That's the Department of Commerce's website, Florida Jobs Dot org. The military benefits guide.
• And that is also on the Department of Commerce website at Florida Jobs Dot Org.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And when you look at these diagrams, I see a lot of dotted lines, and none of them...
• When you look at these diagrams, I see a lot of dotted lines, and none of them have any direct authority
• over anybody that's down below those dotted lines from an organization perspective.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1183, by Rep. G. Lombardo, as amended by a strike-all. The bill would provide liability protection for local governments and private-sector entities that substantially comply with certain cybersecurity practices, including multi-factor authentication, disaster recovery plans, and related policies and procedures. Rep. Lombardo said the measure is intended to create incentives for better cybersecurity and to limit class-action exposure after incidents, while still allowing suits where negligence can be shown. Supporters included TechNet, the Florida Justice Reform Institute, the Florida League of Cities, Associated Industries of Florida, the Florida Association of Counties, and Dr. Edward Long of the James Madison Institute; Vice Chair Steele, Rep. Blanco, and Rep. McFarland also spoke in favor. Ranking Member Bracy Davis opposed the bill, saying she was not comfortable granting liability protections to entities that may have contributed to breaches and questioning whether substantial compliance would be self-attested. The amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably by a 14-2 vote. After the vote, the committee shifted into an extended discussion about Florida’s state IT governance structure, procurement, and project management. Members criticized the current federated model as fragmented and lacking clear accountability, with repeated references to long-running problems such as cost overruns, weak vendor oversight, workforce shortages, and the troubled I-Connect system. Several members argued that the state needs a single accountable leader or stronger enterprise authority over agency technology decisions. Ranking Member Bracy Davis raised concerns about the impact of broken systems on vulnerable populations and asked about the role of advisory councils. Rep. G. Lombardo, Vice Chair Steele, Rep. Miller, and Rep. Groh all emphasized the need for centralized leadership, better alignment of authority and budget, and more disciplined procurement and integration practices. A public witness, Victoria Zep of Team 180, testified in support of a more enterprise-wide approach and said the private sector also wants more organization and transparency. She criticized short procurement timelines, limited competition, and poorly written scopes, and urged the state to post procurements more openly and seek broader vendor input. She also discussed the need to respect agency-specific federal requirements while still improving statewide coordination. The chair closed by asking members to bring forward ideas for immediate and long-term reforms, including review of Senate Bill 7026, and the meeting adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• YOU ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE WAY STATIONS THAT THE DOT DOES.
• I KNOW THERE'S SOME TALK ABOUT DOING A JOINT FACILITY WITH US AND DOT AND I BELIEVE THAT IS IN THE WORKS
• IF YOU ARE GOING TO BRING EFFICIENCIES TO STATE AND WORK WITH DOT, WE COULD HAVE THE INTRODUCTION STATIONS

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• number of different springs that we work on in our district, as you saw earlier, represented by the dots
• other land management costs associated with that, and then project effectiveness metrics as well in DOT
• other land management costs associated with that and then project effectiveness metrics as well in DOT
• mitigation project effectiveness metrics as well in DOT mitigation so what in conclusion I've noticed

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard budget presentations from all five water management districts for FY 2026-2027: Northwest Florida, Suwannee River, St. Johns River, Southwest Florida, and South Florida. Each district described its preliminary budget, major funding sources, staffing levels, and how most of its spending is tied to the four core missions of water supply, water quality, natural systems, and flood protection. Several directors noted budget reductions from the prior year largely because major projects were completed or because grant/appropriation funding is not yet fully reflected in preliminary budgets. Committee members repeatedly asked how districts project operations and maintenance costs, how projects are selected, and what share of staff and spending is devoted to core missions versus administration or regulatory work. Northwest Florida Water Management District said its preliminary budget is $93.4 million, down about 15%, with 97% of spending tied to core responsibilities and a request for additional regulatory services funding. Suwannee River Water Management District presented a $70.4 million budget, emphasized its rural/agricultural character and spring protection work, and highlighted the Water First North Florida reclaimed-water recharge project; members also discussed its need for an additional FTE to handle consumptive use permit reviews tied to a new lower Santa Fe rule. St. Johns River Water Management District presented a $181 million budget, highlighted major water supply, water quality, flood protection, and land management projects such as Taylor Creek Reservoir, Water First North Florida, Black Creek, Crane Creek, and Lake Jessup restoration, and said about 93% of its budget supports core missions. Southwest Florida Water Management District presented a $227.6 million budget, with major spending on alternative water supply, water control structure repairs, watershed projects, and land management; officials said 93.4% of the budget supports core missions and discussed rising construction costs for aging infrastructure. South Florida Water Management District presented the largest budget at $1.05 billion, focused on Everglades restoration, flood control, water supply, and ecosystem recovery; the director described major reservoirs and treatment projects, the EAA Reservoir, and ongoing efforts to improve water quality and restore flows to the Everglades and Florida Bay. The committee took no formal votes on the district budgets and adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• DOT is responsible for site approval and permit approval. fairly easy to manage operations, just like
• DOT is responsible for site approval and permit approval.
• DOT is responsible for site approval and permit approvals.
• I think we've had great partners with various government agencies, whether that's the FAA, TSA, and DOT

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met and first received an update from FDOT on the Sun Trail shared-use nonmotorized trail program. FDOT said the program, created in 2015 and expanded by 2023 legislation, now includes connections to the Florida Wildlife Corridor and received a one-time $200 million appropriation plus increased annual funding. The department reported programming about $180 million of that funding, completing 42 construction projects totaling nearly 95 miles in 21 counties, and installing trail counters and QR-code surveys to measure usage and economic impact. Members expressed support for the program and asked no substantive questions. The committee then heard a presentation on FDOT’s locally administered state transportation funding programs, including SCOP, SCOPM, SCRAP, SIGP, and TRIP. FDOT explained these programs support local roadway resurfacing, bridge repair, drainage, paving unpaved roads, and safety or capacity improvements, with varying state match levels depending on the program and eligibility. FDOT said its adopted five-year work program includes more than $1.4 billion for local transportation improvement projects. A member asked whether toll revenues from Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties fund these programs; FDOT said it would research the funding source and follow up. The committee’s main discussion was a panel on advanced air mobility (AAM), including FDOT and industry representatives from Supernal, Joby, Atlantic Aviation, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, and Eve Air Mobility. FDOT described its AAM planning work, advisory committee, local government guidebook, and upcoming training, while panelists emphasized Florida’s leadership, the likely use of existing airport and heliport infrastructure first, and the expectation that private investment will fund much of the early vertiport buildout. Members raised concerns about community acceptance, privacy, zoning, airspace congestion, security, and lessons from scooters and drones. Panelists repeatedly stressed a “crawl, walk, run” rollout, local government coordination, multimodal connectivity, and public outreach. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the panel.

Transcript Highlights:

• to touch on that, and through this process, looking at what other states have done, what Tennessee DOT
• did in their transformation, making sure that we are... ...have done, what Tennessee DOT did in their
• And though they're not as familiar with our bridges, our DOT persons will be there to assist them, correct
• back two and a half years ago, and I think Chairman Boreg had a vision of, you know, what did we want DOT
• to you guys in the business, but it does set us back in the area of public relations in the face of DOT

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met for an information-only hearing with no votes or formal actions. DOTD Secretary Glenn LaD and Deputy Secretary Beau Black outlined the department’s transformation efforts, emphasizing faster project delivery, improved transparency, and use of technology. They reported major reductions in contractor payment processing time, from roughly 35 days to 15 days or less, and change-order approvals from about 40–45 days to around five days. They also described new tools such as inspection tablets, a project delivery dashboard, e-ticketing, a customer service portal, and a pilot using sensor technology on department vehicles to identify potholes and damaged assets. The department said it is reorganizing district staffing, replacing the old area engineer model with district points of contact for construction, maintenance, and operations, without increasing total staff. Members focused heavily on local maintenance concerns, including potholes, drainage, culverts, mowing, overgrown ditches, and utility-related delays. Several legislators asked how to get quicker responses on routine maintenance and how to distinguish state responsibility from local jurisdiction. DOTD said it would meet with district administrators to address specific problems and clarify jurisdiction, and that the new customer service portal should help track complaints electronically. Members also asked about contractor accountability, utility relocations, and public communication on long-running projects; DOTD said it is improving internal KPIs, coordinating more closely with district staff and public information officers, and considering broader public updates beyond the website. The department also reviewed highway planning and funding. Officials said the Highway Priority Program is being reworked into a more fiscally constrained, staged process that starts earlier in concept development and gives legislators and constituents more feedback before the annual road show. They said the department is using new IDIQ contracting authority to bring in outside help for bridge maintenance and other work, and that bridge maintenance backlogs remain significant. DOTD reported that LTIF 1.0 and 2.0 together cover 91 projects statewide totaling more than $534 million, with over 40 complete, and that LTIF 3.0 adds 39 projects and about $165 million. Combined with other funding sources, the department said its upcoming construction program will include 385 projects worth about $1.73 billion. Legislators generally praised the department’s progress but raised concerns about lingering local problems and the need for clearer communication. Questions were also asked about a barge strike on the Black Bayou Pontoon Bridge, with DOTD saying divers and staff were inspecting the damage and that emergency repairs would likely be needed. After the DOTD update, the new Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, led by Archie Chesson, gave its own update on its first year, describing a small staff, heavy use of consultant and contractor pools, emergency procurement authority, and rapid delivery of rural bridge and roadway projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we do, let's pick out an agency, how about the Department of Transportation (DOT)?
• President, DOT is audited every year. When we do an audit, we're auditing to balance the books.
• And so if DOT receives $500 million out of the billion dollars in their budget, they still get audited
• That's why when the Department of Transportation (DOT) had the trailer with the issue, the Inspector
• I have been in conversation in meetings with the DOT. They sent their approval on it. Mr.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We worked with the governor’s office, DOT, and the tax commissioner’s office.
• “We became aware of it in November when the issues with the DOT meant all of these four 501(c)(3) fire
• So North Dakota DOT needs approximately six and a half acres from the golf course.
• So North Dakota DOT and UND are currently in negotiations for that six and a half acres.
• DOT is going to buy the land or they're going to get the land one way or the other.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee opened with roll call and a review of special-session procedure: bills would be heard in filing order, with related school-lunch bills grouped together, and any bill advancing would require a motion, second, and majority vote to be introduced. Members also discussed that the committee was functioning much like a delayed-bills committee, with final referral to either Appropriations or Policy depending on the bill’s fiscal impact. The first major proposal was Senator Schibley’s bill to create a narrow, statewide Bank of North Dakota bridge-loan program for struggling nonprofit medical facilities, prompted by Jacobson Memorial Hospital’s financial crisis. He argued the hospital and surrounding EMS services could close without short-term help, while committee members questioned the added language, the population cap, the $10 million fund with $5 million per applicant limit, and whether the program could open the door to future requests. Representative Headland then presented two cleanup bills from the prior property-tax session: one to fix notice and tax-certification issues for local taxing districts, and another to correct how the primary residence credit is applied so taxpayers receive the full benefit rather than counties retaining part of the reimbursement. Members asked about township hearing timing, the estimated $10–15 million annual impact, and whether the credit issue could be fixed retroactively; Headland said the bill was intended to correct the problem going forward. Three school-lunch bills drew extensive discussion. Representative Vetter proposed a small administrative appropriation to add an FTE to help eligible families enroll in the existing free/reduced lunch program, saying the goal was to ensure needy children are signed up and that the state should not subsidize meals for wealthy families. Representative Nathe offered a broader bill mirroring the pending initiated measure but placing the program in statute instead of the Constitution, moving implementation up a year, and funding it with a one-time $65 million from the strategic investment fund; he said this would preserve legislative flexibility and avoid constitutional entrenchment. Representative Dressler proposed raising the state-funded eligibility threshold from 225% to 300% of poverty, arguing it would expand access while still preserving federal reimbursements and encouraging better enrollment systems. Members debated costs, future budget pressure, whether the bills set a precedent for responding to ballot measures, and whether the program should include breakfast and other operational details. Other proposals included Senator Powers’ bill to create a hyperbaric oxygen board and support rural access to hyperbaric chambers for wounds, concussions, PTSD, and other conditions; Representative Tolman’s reporting-requirements bill to force new or expanded programs to justify purpose, alternatives, evaluation methods, and full implementation costs; Representative Frelich’s bill addressing the ongoing redistricting litigation and what happens if the Supreme Court or lower courts alter the current map; and a bill requested by the Public Service Commission and ITD for FERC litigation support and ADA website/document compliance. The committee also heard a rural-health eligibility bill from Representative Twait aimed at steering federal rural health dollars toward rural providers, with questions focused on whether the mileage limits would exclude some communities. One Holocaust education item was deferred until the sponsor could be located.

Transcript Highlights:

• The DOT, as we As explained yesterday, we helped with the Secchia emergency debris removal, but we also
• And I also just want to recognize our District 4 DOT team since we have the roads here.
• So, You know, there's those designations between private property, county roads, and then DOT roads.
• I want to know whether or not DOT or either of the three agencies here.
• I know that Representative Harland Vincent has been very active, as well as what are we doing for DOT

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:37:55.119> dot<01:37:55.360> dot<01:37:56.000> any knowingly to transport
• dot dot dot any knowingly to transport dot dot dot any firearm<01:37:56.719> which<01:37:56.960
• manufacturer's serial number removed dot manufacturer's serial number removed dot dot<01:38:01.360
• > in<01:38:05.119> this<01:38:05.440> bill dot dot knowing should be in this bill
• dot dot knowing should be in this bill so<01:38:06.800> that<01:38:07.040> it<01:38:07.280

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this is as a result of legislation that was passed to encourage city governments to move to using a dot-gov
• this is as a result of legislation that was passed to encourage city governments to move to using a dot-gov

Summary: The committee considered several waiver requests related to school and municipal projects. One school district sought a waiver so it could rebuild a high school kitchen damaged in recent winter storms as quickly as possible; members asked how many bids were obtained, and the superintendent said the insurance process produced two bids. The committee also heard a separate school-related request involving a contractor, Covington, and members asked whether the district had prior experience with the company; after brief discussion, the motion to approve passed. The committee then heard from the Smackover-Norphlet School District, which requested a waiver to use TIPS for a football field turf project after drainage failure. Superintendent Doug Smith said the project would be funded through a newly formed Buckaroo Foundation, with about $500,000 already pledged, annual payments planned over 10 years, and no state or local tax dollars intended to be used. Members questioned the use of education funds on a football field and asked how many bids were received; Smith said there were three bids. The committee approved the request. Finally, the committee considered a waiver tied to legislation encouraging municipal governments to move to .gov domains. Representative Jack Ladyman presented for Jonesboro after a Teams connection failed, explaining that the city would use a .gov domain for its main website and communications but wanted an exception for billing because of the cost and possible software compatibility issues. After brief discussion, the committee approved the waiver and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• trajectory of births, or the children population, because if it stays steady, as you can see in that dotted

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When you look at that map and all the red and yellow dots, the red dots are systems that are already
• The yellow dots represent systems that are aging and near end of life.
• red and yellow dots, the red dots are red and yellow dots, the red dots are systems<01:45:31.600
• The<01:45:34.680> yellow<01:45:34.960> dots<01:45:35.320> represent<01:45:36.240
• > systems<01:45:36.960> that The yellow dots represent systems that The yellow dots represent

Bills: HF4710, HF4055, HF3848, HF3989, HF4599, HF3767, HF3592, HF3575, HF3574, HF3543, HF4606, HF4489, HF3891, HF3438, HF3811, HF3400

Keywords: capital investment, water infrastructure, sewer systems, public funding, municipal development, Eveleth, wastewater treatment, state bonds, environmental compliance, infrastructure, bonds, economic development, local government, transportation, intersection improvements, Lake Elmo, HF4599, St. Joseph, Minnesota bonding bill, bond proceeds fund

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the candies with the little dots where we have no appropriation.
• to talk about this on our side, but anytime we send anything out of this committee with the little dots
• calls a box of dots. calls a box of dots. Right?
• Um the candies with the little dots Um the candies with the little dots where<00:25:29.040> we
• ,<00:25:40.880> that committee with the little dots, that committee with the little dots,

Bills: SF856, HF4482, HF3672, HF1234, HF4591, HF3554, HF936

Keywords: Inspector General, fraud prevention, state audit, public funds, misuse, transparency, government accountability, HF4482, Minnesota Historical Society, state historic sites, historic site management, historic preservation, county historical society, local historical society, municipality, county government, admission fees, grants-in-aid, site operations, site maintenance

Transcript Highlights:

• Support for the Board of Animal Health in your bill, and the vehicle is a dot, dot, dot, could be less
• in your bill and the vehicle is a dot in your bill and the vehicle is a dot dot<00:58:07.240>
• dot<00:58:07.880> could<00:58:08.039> be<00:58:08.240> less<00:58:08.680>
• > could<00:58:08.839> be<00:58:09.440> more dot dot could be less could be more dot
• dot could be less could be more unknown<00:58:11.559> uh<00:58:11.720> so<00:58:12.000

Bills: HF601, HF271, HF1101, HF979

Keywords: agriculture, depredation compensation, livestock, crop damage, elk, wolves, wildlife management, skills path program, career and technical education, CTE, dual credit, postsecondary options enrollment, apprenticeship, apprenticeship readiness, dual training, work-based learning, career pathways, skilled trades, workforce development, high school to career

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's the abbreviated version, with the little dot-dot-dots in there.
• those, even though our 1,000 feet difference between them, we put them side by side, those orange dots
• But I think if you follow those dots down, the different colored dots, you'll see whether I've got the
• But yet they're dotted across our entire landscape.
• But yet they're dotted across our entire landscape. Why is that?

Summary: The Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee met to review prior minutes and hear a series of presentations on advanced nuclear technology and state readiness. The committee approved the April 21, 2022 minutes. Nucleon’s William Bridge outlined the advanced nuclear landscape, distinguishing near-term light-water SMRs from more advanced Gen 4 reactors and microreactors, and emphasized that fuel supply, especially HALEU, remains a developing supply chain. He said light-water designs are the most deployable in the near term, while advanced reactors may be better suited for industrial heat applications and could face a 2- to 3-year delay from fuel availability. Representatives from NASEO described how other states are supporting advanced nuclear through task forces, roadmaps, pilot programs, financing tools, workforce and supply-chain efforts, and regional coordination. They highlighted the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative and stressed that states are focusing early on emergency preparedness, community engagement, waste management, affordability, and consumer protections. They also noted that some states are creating nuclear-ready community programs and cost-recovery guardrails, while public utility commissions are examining long-term lifecycle costs and rate impacts. North Dakota agencies then outlined their potential roles. The Public Service Commission said it would likely be involved in public-interest review, siting, and rate regulation, but noted current statutes may not fully address long-term nuclear projects, co-location, or decommissioning. The Department of Environmental Quality said it would continue to regulate radioactive materials and likely support emergency planning, while fission reactor oversight remains federal. The Department of Emergency Services said it would serve as the lead off-site preparedness agency, needing a radiological emergency program, training, exercises, equipment, and possibly industry funding. The Department of Water Resources said North Dakota has sufficient surface water, especially from the Missouri River, but that water planning would be important; it did not recommend statutory or budget changes at this time. The committee recessed for lunch after these presentations, with no additional votes or actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and there is some stuff in there about the DOT transfer.
• Um again, so the the uh DOT transfer.
• The next one for the<00:42:45.520> DOT<00:42:46.079> transfer<00:42:46.640> goes
• :46.880> from<00:42:47.839> uh<00:42:48.200> 237<00:42:49.200> down the DOT
• transfer goes from uh 237 down the DOT transfer goes from uh 237 down to to to 216,000<00:42:52.240>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all