Video & Transcript Research : 'construction backlog'

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TX

Texas 89th Regular

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Apr 9th, 2025

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senior and retired judges are also working to help resolve the backlog.
  • One, the enormous backlog within the City of Houston and Harris County on the cases.
  • That means in order to avoid a backlog, I had to close anywhere from 7 to 14 cases per day.
  • If it's because they know that they need to avoid a backlog, then great.
  • As a judge, one of the things you have to do to avoid a backlog is control the space that you give the
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • By allowing SECO to move forward, it will assure that new construction will be more efficient, safe,
  • Again, this would only apply to future construction going forward. Right?
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Local Government (Part II) Mar 24th, 2025

Local Government

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee heard several bills by Senator Bettencourt focused on property tax and local government accountability. SB 32 would provide about $700 million in business tax relief by raising the business personal property exemption from $2,500 to $25,000 and continuing a 20% franchise tax credit for inventory taxes paid. Witnesses from NFIB, the Texas Retailers Association, and Texas Realtors supported the bill, saying business personal property and inventory taxes are burdensome and especially hard on small businesses. After no opposition testimony, SB 32 was left pending. The committee also heard SB 1453, which would change how interest and sinking tax rates are calculated by using only the minimum debt service required under bond schedules, while still allowing a higher rate with a 60% governing body vote and a public explanation. A witness from the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association supported the bill as a way to keep debt rates from rising as property values increase and to preserve tax relief. The bill was left pending after testimony. SB 1883 would tighten rules on local impact fees by requiring 60 days of public availability for capital improvement plans and land use assumptions, raising the approval threshold for adopting impact fees from a simple majority to two-thirds, limiting how often fees can be increased, and expanding notice requirements. Builders and developers testified in support, arguing that impact fees are often poorly reviewed, lack accountability, and are passed on to homebuyers, worsening housing affordability. Committee members discussed adding audit provisions and questioned the lack of city testimony. The bill was left pending with subcommittee action. SB 1452 would require a voter election to decide whether a municipal management district continues to exist, with dissolution if voters reject it; supporters said it would add accountability, while others noted some districts provide essential services and infrastructure. The committee heard testimony from district representatives and builders, then left SB 1452 pending before recessing.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 02/26/26

Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:
  • <01:16:18.400> and the separation of construction and the separation of construction and operation
  • . backlogs. backlogs.
  • You can see uh the the number of backlog You can see uh the the number of backlog permits<01:21:
  • Um we've time working on our backlogs.
  • So, sort of construction at the site.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Transportation Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • Now we have all heard the feedback from our local communities: construction is expensive, inflation is
  • taken them 10 years to complete on their own. ...accomplished in one construction season would have
  • And then supporting through construction.
  • You know, these are the things where... ...and then supporting through construction.
  • Like many communities, we face a growing backlog of needed repairs.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 4987, the administration’s transportation bond bill centered on Chapter 90 roadway funding and related capital programs. Administration officials described the bill as a roughly $5.5 billion package that would continue $300 million per year for Chapter 90 over four years, with part of the funding distributed by the traditional formula and an additional $100 million based solely on road miles to better support rural and smaller communities. They also highlighted authorizations for municipal pavement work, Shared Streets and Spaces grants, accelerated bridge and pavement repairs, MBTA rail modernization and reliability, housing-related transportation improvements, and a new DCR-focused PRISM program for parkways and related infrastructure. Officials emphasized that the bill is financed through the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and Fair Share revenues, and said it would help municipalities plan more predictably, speed project delivery, and support housing, safety, and climate goals. Committee members and witnesses discussed the bill’s broader scope beyond traditional Chapter 90, especially the $200 million for transportation projects that support housing development and the $200 million for MBTA modernization and rail reliability. Members asked about the rationale for a four-year authorization amid fiscal uncertainty, federal funding volatility, and the status of commuter rail electrification. Administration officials responded that the capital authorization is backed by dedicated transportation revenues rather than the operating budget, and said multi-year certainty helps cities and towns make better long-term repair decisions. They also said the MBTA’s rail modernization funds would support locomotive procurements, including battery-electric and Tier 4 diesel locomotives, as part of a longer-term regional rail and electrification strategy. Municipal officials and regional advocates strongly supported the bill. The Massachusetts Municipal Association, along with town and city officials from Sherborn, Conway, and Yarmouth, said the increased Chapter 90 funding and road-mile-based distribution are especially important for small and rural communities with limited local revenue capacity, and that multi-year funding would let them bundle projects, bid at better prices, and address backlogs more proactively. A Better City and MAPC also supported the bill but urged the committee to treat it like a traditional bond bill by adding policy provisions and considering new transportation revenue tools, such as TNC fee changes, road pricing, parking taxes, and other mechanisms. The committee took no vote during the hearing and adjourned after testimony concluded.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • Construction becomes.
  • This is not a benefit backlog; this is a healthcare backlog.
  • So construction is going to be something in the projects like that that are going to be important.
  • I fully believe that's why the backlog exists.
  • As you mentioned, that long-term backlog is at 265,000.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • And this requires addressing the backlog And this requires addressing the backlog of<00:04:03.840
  • to be in the range of $500 to construct to be in the range of $500 million.
  • Those are new sites to be constructed. So that is a very extensive project.
  • And KSP headquarters was initially constructed in 1968 to be used as a hotel.
  • So that is a sites to be constructed.
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The committee heard capital plan presentations from the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, the Personnel Cabinet, and the School Facilities Construction Commission. The Justice Cabinet described its large portfolio of more than 900 facilities across the state and said decades of underfunded maintenance have created a backlog of repairs. Requested projects included a high-acuity mental health treatment facility for juvenile justice youth, two female detention centers to support the regional detention model, major corrections repairs and replacements, a new kitchen at Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex, a new dormitory at the Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women, completion of a new Eastern Kentucky prison, DOCJT training facility upgrades in Richmond and Madisonville, State Police radio system replacement and post construction, a combined Frankfort headquarters/Post 12 facility, and expanded crime lab and storage capacity. When asked about the high cost of the EKCC kitchen project, staff said construction inside an operating facility raises costs and that building a new adjacent kitchen would be more economical in the long run. The panel also asked about Fish and Wildlife officers training at DOCJT; staff said they do and that the training is funded through the CLEFT fund. The Justice Cabinet also said the recently enacted Senate Bill 4’s AI inventory and registry requirements would be part of its enterprise application and AI inventory system work. The Personnel Cabinet requested funding to replace CHRIS, the state’s human resources and payroll system, which supports payroll and benefits for about 48,000 employees and the Kentucky Employee Health Plan for roughly 192,000 members. Staff said the current SAP-based system went live in 2011, is approaching end of support in 2030, and has not received functionality enhancements since 2016. They said the replacement is estimated at $151 million, with most of the cost tied to professional services and software, and that the project would begin in July 2026, go live by July 2030, and require a stabilization period through 2032. In response to questions about outsourcing payroll or reusing existing systems, staff said the complexity of state HR, payroll, tax updates, and integrations with other agencies makes outsourcing or partial reuse impractical. The School Facilities Construction Commission introduced its role in helping all 171 school districts address unmet facility needs, focusing on core school facilities such as roofs and elementary buildings rather than athletic projects. No votes or formal actions were taken during the excerpted discussion; the meeting consisted of presentations, explanations of requested projects, and member questions.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • So first of all, we have a backlog of projects that have been approved by CAISO, but not yet built.
  • That includes pre-application time and construction time shown in the two blue boxes.
  • So in sum, the transmission dashboard shows that there are significant backlogs.
  • That includes pre-application time and construction time shown in the two blue boxes.
  • So in sum, the transmission dashboard shows that there are significant backlogs.
Summary: The committee first heard AB 13, which would restructure the CPUC to increase legislative oversight, add legislative liaisons, require more detailed and timely reporting on rate-setting decisions, and add a public advocate member. The author and supporters argued the bill would improve transparency, accountability, and geographic diversity in CPUC decision-making amid rising utility rates. Witnesses from TURN, San Joaquin County, SDG&E, and former CPUC Commissioner Loretta Lynch offered support or support-in-principle, while no opposition testimony was presented. Members generally praised the bill’s transparency goals, and AB 13 passed 10-0 to Appropriations, with the roll left open for absent members. The committee then adopted the 2025-2026 committee rules and approved three consent items: AB 61, AB 365, and AB 406. The next bill, AB 99, would cap investor-owned utility rate increases above inflation except for specified costs such as safety, modernization, and fuel/commodity costs. The author and supporters, including a representative of the California Senior Legislature, said the bill was needed to protect ratepayers, especially seniors and low-income customers, from repeated rate hikes. Opposition came from utility labor, utilities, the Chamber of Commerce, and others, who argued the bill was too simplistic, could suppress labor costs, and did not account for major cost drivers such as wildfire mitigation, mandates, and net metering. Several members supported moving the bill forward as a starting point on affordability, while others criticized it as overly blunt. AB 99 passed 11-0 to Appropriations, with the roll left open. The hearing then shifted to an informational panel on strategies to reduce California transmission costs. A Public Advocates Office staffer described a growing backlog of approved-but-unbuilt transmission projects, rising transmission access charges, and long project timelines driven largely by utility pre-application and construction periods. Panelists from Net Zero California and consulting firms presented research suggesting that public financing or public-private partnership lease models could reduce transmission costs by lowering financing, tax, and capital costs, with estimated savings of up to 57% and as much as $123 billion over 40 years. PG&E’s representative said the utility is already pursuing federal loan guarantees, grants, and a public-private partnership with Citizens Energy, but warned that state ownership could create tax, wildfire-liability, and governance risks. Members asked about the CPUC’s role, the causes of delays, and whether public financing could complement existing competitive solicitation processes.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • We've gotten the backlog taken care of, well, kind of.
  • So as of today, we have 118 cases that are backlog. Backlog is considered anything over 90 days.
  • University of North Texas shut down, created a backlog.
  • But the money that was funding the backlog was $10,000.
  • Item 4 covers facility needs and new construction.
Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard the Legislative Budget Board’s overview of the Texas Department of Public Safety’s 2026-27 budget, followed by extensive testimony from DPS leadership. The LBB presentation covered funding and staffing changes across driver license services, facilities, troopers and recruit schools, crime labs, vehicle and aircraft operations, and border security. The recommendations included added support for customer service staffing and trooper hiring, but did not include several DPS exceptional items such as major driver license staffing and technology requests, new regional headquarters in El Paso and San Antonio, and other capital projects. Members also discussed proposed rider changes, including a new rider to lapse unused trooper funding and require reporting after recruit schools. Much of the committee’s questioning focused on driver license operations, where senators criticized long call wait times, low call-answer rates, appointment delays, and what they viewed as an overreliance on adding staff rather than improving processes. DPS and LBB witnesses said the agency is pursuing some technology upgrades, including automation, online pre-population of applications, and appointment-system improvements, but acknowledged that the driver license division remains a major problem area. Senators also raised concerns about whether the 2019 efficiency study led to meaningful changes and whether the agency should consider broader process redesign or even a different administrative structure. Colonel Freeman and other DPS officials then defended the agency’s broader law enforcement and border-security work, emphasizing the need for the Williamson County training academy, the 500 additional troopers funded in prior sessions, and continued support for Operation Lone Star. They described DPS’s role in border interdiction, threat-to-life investigations, oilfield theft cases, Capitol and Alamo security, and highway safety, and said the agency is stretched thin by deployments and overtime. Members asked about border reimbursement possibilities, regional staffing differences, pursuit safety, fleet and aircraft replacement needs, and the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame museum. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Community Affairs Feb 4th, 2025

Community Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • And then Code Plus construction.
  • That's Code Plus construction, which is eligible as a mitigation aid.
  • And he got an additional $7 million to take care of the backlog in one-time non-recurring appropriation
  • And he got an additional $7 million to take care of the backlog in one-time non-recurring appropriation
  • And I actually Construction, welding, electrical, plumbing, and CDL driving courses.
Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum present and heard two hurricane-recovery presentations focused on Florida’s response and long-term recovery efforts. Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, reviewed response and recovery operations for Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, including meals, water, sheltering, search and rescue deployments, power restoration, debris removal, flood-control efforts, and generator distribution. He also described ongoing public assistance and mitigation funding, the state’s FROC system for standardizing and speeding reimbursement documentation, and the Elevate Florida residential mitigation program, which will use about $400 million to elevate or reconstruct eligible flood-insurance properties and may expand to county-run programs. Senators asked about manufactured homes, school shelter hardening, mobile home tie-downs, reimbursement for USAR teams, debris hauling, regional sheltering, and FEMA review delays; Guthrie said the state is trying to move recovery faster and more proactively, while acknowledging some limits and federal bottlenecks. The committee then heard from Justin Domer, Deputy Secretary of Community Development at Florida Commerce, on HUD Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery programs. He explained that Commerce administers long-term recovery funds through its Office of Long-Term Resiliency for housing, infrastructure, and economic development, with funds used as a last resort after FEMA and insurance. Domer outlined the process for the most recent $925 million allocation covering multiple disasters, including Idalia, Debby, Helene, Milton, Broward flooding, and North Florida tornadoes, and said the state currently manages about $3.4 billion in DR funds, rising to over $4 billion with the new allocation. He highlighted completed and ongoing housing programs for Hurricane Irma, Michael, and Ian, plus workforce recovery programs and subrecipient infrastructure grants. Senators asked about Broward and Fort Lauderdale funding, homeowner turnaround times, and mobile home eligibility; Domer said Broward and Fort Lauderdale will have separate HUD-directed programs, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Finance (Part II) Mar 12th, 2025

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • , top of the page, item number 18, deletion of writer 45 concerning unextended balance for the construction
  • Paying them to reduce the backlog of equal employment opportunity complaints from 1500 to 350 cases of
  • Oh, with the continuing backlog, OK, and so they use the figure 1500 to justify what the backlog is.
  • Item B, address backlog, abuse, neglect, and exploitation. That item was adopted as amended.
  • At the top of page 35, item F address backlog employee misconduct registry.
Bills: SB 1
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

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

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • So we have no backlog.
  • There's no backlog. >> Okay.
  • There's no backlog. >> So with this they'll help with the backlog and everything. >> So if a sheriff
  • There's no backlog.
  • There's no backlog. backlog. backlog.
Summary: The subcommittee heard the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks present its FY27 budget request and discuss accomplishments from prior appropriations. The commissioner highlighted improved conservation officer retention after salary increases, continued training and wellness efforts, upgrades to state parks and cabins, expansion of tiny homes, fisheries stocking and youth fishing programs, ongoing chronic wasting disease testing, and the Museum of Natural Science’s recent accreditation. The agency said it wants to maintain parks and facilities so they do not deteriorate again, and it emphasized tourism and public access benefits. Budget staff then outlined the request: $21.7 million in general funds, including increases for state parks, the museum, law enforcement, and chronic wasting disease; $23.2 million in state support capital and education funds; and $86.99 million in special funds authority. Major capital requests included $18.8 million for state parks projects at several parks, $1.25 million for law enforcement facilities, $2 million for Lake Lamar Bruce improvements, and $1.125 million for mobile teaching vans. Members asked for more detail on general fund increases, proof that law enforcement salary enhancements reached field agents, more information on the tiny home program and its return on investment, the source of motor vehicle funds, and a breakdown of requested pins and vacancies. The committee also questioned the agency about chronic wasting disease, with the department saying the $400,000 request supports testing and research and that live testing is not yet reliable. Members raised concerns about prioritization of lake and park maintenance, especially Lake Claude Bennett, and whether the agency is too reactive rather than proactive in addressing deteriorating facilities. The department said funding limitations and federal restrictions on certain lake dollars drive its priorities, and that it focuses on the most-used parks and lakes. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.
AR

Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session

ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE Jun 18th, 2026

ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE

Transcript Highlights:
  • I know that we've got a new crime lab that is under construction, so maybe we could start with that,
  • We've got about one year left, a little over one year left, in the construction of that.
  • people crammed into every closet we possibly can over there as we've had to grow to take on that backlog
  • I know years ago there was quite a bit of controversy concerning the backlog of these sexual assault
  • Have you been able to get that information into the CODIS data file, and has that backlog been taken
Keywords: 1204, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Capital Investment - 03/10/26

Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:
  • The backlog for the state home construction grant program from USDBA is over a billion dollars.
  • The backlog for the state home construction grant program from USDBA is over a billion dollars.
  • construction and maintenance funding. construction and maintenance funding.
  • . construction. construction.
  • . backlog. backlog.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V Feb 26th, 2025

Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V

Transcript Highlights:
  • Construction is anticipated to begin this March, and once completed, would allow for DPS to increase.
  • DPS is also in the planning phase for the construction. section of two regional headquarters located
  • DPS's exceptional Item request for the construction of these facilities, 158 million and 231 million.
  • Previously, DPS worked to address the significant sexual assault kit backlog which dropped from a high
  • Since then, there has been no significant a significant backlog of untested kits at DPS laboratories.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Again, 80% of those in the building and construction trades.
  • Also, we see large fluctuation in the construction industry.
  • We need more apprenticeship programs in construction. We have a construction workforce shortage.
  • We need more apprenticeship programs in construction. We have a construction workforce shortage.
  • I run the Constructed Career.
Summary: The work session focused first on Washington’s apprenticeship system, especially building trades programs and support services. Labor and Industries staff explained how registered apprenticeship works in the state, including the role of the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council, the requirements for paid on-the-job training and classroom instruction, and the difference between apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship. Panelists emphasized that apprenticeship is tied to actual jobs and training agents, and that many waitlists reflect a shortage of job openings and employer participation rather than a lack of interest. They also discussed youth apprenticeship, the growth of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, and the use of Career Bridge and L&I’s database to help people find programs. Representatives asked whether the state should expand apprenticeship programs and how people can find openings. Speakers said more programs alone would not solve the backlog without more employers signing on as training agents and more apprenticeship utilization on projects. The panel also highlighted the Constructed Career Initiative, a grant-funded navigation and support program that helps people enter and stay in building trades apprenticeships through outreach, case management, and wraparound aid such as transportation, tools, and work clothes. A related nonprofit, Build Up, described similar support services, including prison-based boot and PPE programs and assistance for reentry participants. The panel said these services are especially important because apprentices often face unstable income, housing, food, and transportation barriers. The panel also discussed House Bill 2084 and the new Construction Training Pathway Oversight Committee, which is examining construction training in correctional facilities and how to create clearer pathways from prison-based training to apprenticeship, college, or work. Speakers said the committee is still in its early stages and will report to the legislature. The session ended with committee members thanking the panel and noting the importance of support services and referral networks for apprentices. The meeting then resumed at Renton Technical College, where college leaders and faculty discussed serving non-traditional students. The college reported strong enrollment growth, a median student age of 30, a diverse student body, and high job placement rates, while also noting significant budget cuts and program reductions from the prior year. Health care and early childhood education programs were highlighted, including efforts to expand access through hybrid scheduling, evening and Saturday classes, Spanish-language offerings, and in-person wraparound support for admissions, financial aid, and registration. Faculty said these changes were driven by student data and were aimed at helping working parents, English learners, and other non-traditional students complete credentials and enter family-wage careers.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V Feb 26th, 2025

Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V

Transcript Highlights:
  • Construction is anticipated to begin this March and once completed will allow for DPS to increase the
  • DPS is also in the planning phase for the construction of two regional headquarters located in El Paso
  • DPS is exceptional item requests for the construction of these facilities, 158 million and 231 million
  • The ADA legislature appropriated 15.6 million to address the drug toxicology backlog, which fell from
  • Previously, DPS worked to address a significant sexual assault kit backlog.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Next bill I have is AB 1198, the Fair Pay for Construction Workers Act.
  • Construction work is one of the top industries where it happens.
  • Keith Dunn here on behalf of the State Building and Construction Trades Council.
  • Currently, there's also a startling backlog of 47,000 wage claims.
  • Currently, there's also a startling backlog of 47,000 wage claims. also a startling backlog of 47,000
Summary: The committee heard a series of labor-related bills, with most measures focused on worker training, privacy, wages, and safety. AB 296 would require schools or districts to host apprenticeship fairs at least once a year, with flexibility on how they are run and whether programs outside the county can participate. Supporters said it would help connect students to skilled trades and address workforce shortages; school administrators opposed the bill as an unfunded mandate that could be impractical for elementary schools. The bill was later moved on call, with the committee noting it could not vote until quorum was established. AB 1221 and AB 1331 both addressed workplace surveillance. AB 1221 would restrict invasive monitoring tools, require notice to workers, limit the use and sharing of worker data, and require human review before discipline based on surveillance outputs. Labor groups supported the bill as a response to AI-driven monitoring, while business groups raised concerns about broad definitions, security cameras, investigations, and data-access provisions. AB 1331 focused more narrowly on privacy in off-duty and private spaces, limiting surveillance in places like restrooms, break areas, vehicles, and homes; hospitals and business groups opposed it as too broad and potentially disruptive to safety, cybersecurity, and facility monitoring. Both bills were advanced by committee vote. The committee also heard AB 1181, which would require firefighter turnout gear to be free of cancer-causing chemicals such as PFAS by 2027, and AB 1198, which would require prevailing wage rates on public works to reflect the wage in effect when the work is performed rather than when the project was first advertised. Firefighter representatives strongly supported AB 1181, while the chemical industry asked to continue working on scope and timelines. AB 1198 drew support from labor and contractor groups but opposition from local governments and housing groups concerned about mid-project cost increases; it was passed to Appropriations after a roll-call vote. Other measures approved included AB 1235 on skilled-and-trained workers for CSU construction, AB 1251 on ghost job postings, AB 552 on locating the Agricultural Labor Relations Board office outside Sacramento, AB 1110 on updating Cal/OSHA workplace posters, AB 1136 on expanding high road training partnerships, and AB 1234 on wage claim enforcement. AB 692, which would ban employer debt agreements that require workers to repay training or other costs if they leave a job, drew strong support from nurses and labor advocates and opposition from business and health care groups; it was also passed on a roll-call vote.