Transcript Highlights:

• So those funds are actually made up primarily of fuel tax.
• work program of our entire program is supported by the Transportation Trust Fund, again primarily fuel
• And my questions are switching gears entirely for the Florida Housing and Finance Corporation.
• I thought that was a motor vehicle reference—switching gears. You're recognized. Thank you, Mr.
• They do fuel tax decals.

Summary: The committee met to review agency program funding as it prepared to build the budget, hearing brief presentations from six agencies and then taking member questions. Florida Division of Emergency Management highlighted its role in response, preparedness, recovery, and mitigation, describing a largely federal pass-through budget, major technology investments, and large disaster and preparedness grant activity. The Department of Commerce, Department of State, Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Department of Transportation, Department of Military Affairs, Florida State Guard, and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles also summarized their budgets, staffing, and major programs, including workforce and economic development, elections and arts funding, housing assistance, transportation work programs, military readiness, state guard expansion, and highway safety and motorist services. Members focused questions on several issues: arts and library grant funding and whether award criteria had changed; Commerce’s rural infrastructure and job growth grants and why funds were not being disbursed faster; Florida Housing’s use of SAIL, Live Local, Hometown Heroes, and SHIP funds and how smaller agencies learn about and access funding; and DOT’s work program gap between agency and governor proposals. The most extensive questioning was directed to Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles about long DMV lines, vacancies, overtime, staffing shortages, and the ability to shift funds between divisions. The department said staffing and pay constraints, especially in South Florida, were driving service delays and vacancy rates, and that overtime was being used because troopers were leaving for better-paying jobs. The Florida State Guard was also questioned about its spending and procurement pace, including aircraft purchases and facilities. Its director said long procurement timelines explained the low initial spending and that obligations had risen sharply as contracts matured. Members also asked about the department’s public opposition to Amendment 3 and whether agency resources were used in that effort; the director said no contracts or purchases were made to influence the vote and said the colonel’s comments were made off the clock. The meeting ended with the chair asking agencies to respond promptly to unanswered questions, and the committee adjourned without any recorded votes or formal actions beyond receiving the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:36:03.040><c> of</c><00:36:03.200><c> dollars</c><00:36:03.520><c> in</c><00:36:03.760><c> fuel
• </c> districts thousands of dollars in fuel districts thousands of dollars in fuel and<00:36:05.280><
• And then we switch gears when we move over to page nine, and then we switched to the superintendent,
• when we move And then we switch gears when we move over<00:50:56.160><c> to</c><00:50:56.880><c> um<
• ,</c> switched to the superintendent, switched to the superintendent, &gt;&gt; right?

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call - 00:55 26RS SB 22 – 04:52 26RS SB 46 – 0:34:36, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:07:15.680><c> oil</c><01:07:16.559><c> and</c> to fuel oil and to fuel oil and gasoline<01:07
• </c> it seems almost like a bait and switch. it seems almost like a bait and switch.
• pays for their fuel oil splits.
• oil um spits um and that paying for fuel oil um spits um and that the<01:41:19.840><c> fuel</c><01:41
• </c> importation of oil pays for their fuel importation of oil pays for their fuel oil<01:41:25.040><

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rhode Island get rid of fossil fuels Rhode Island get rid of fossil fuels period<00:20:18.720><c> so<
• </c><01:43:00.320><c> on</c> turn on when we turn the switch on turn on when we turn the switch on because
• </c> fire because of fossil fuel fire because of fossil fuel pollution<02:20:46.680><c> uh</c><02:20:
• and the price of fossil fuels.
• </c><04:43:16.920><c> diversity</c> that we would have less fuel diversity that we would have less fuel

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's see, if I switch to budget, so I think I referenced earlier, we had this little hiccup called a
• So switching to Area G, I mentioned a little bit about the future retrievals.
• health of nuclear reactor fuel elements for the annual core research reactor.
• Some images of those fuel elements on the right.
• health of nuclear reactor fuel elements for the annual core research reactor some images of those fuel

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Environment Department on PFAS contamination in private wells in La Cienega, Santa Fe County. Staff said the plume likely came from historic use of firefighting foam associated with airport and National Guard fire-training activities, with possible additional contribution from septic systems and consumer products. They described the contamination as affecting about 200 private wells, the short-term response of providing residential filters through a $2 million legislative appropriation, and ongoing work to define the plume’s full extent, identify responsible parties, and consider longer-term regional water solutions. Members asked about filter costs, replacement schedules, disposal of used cartridges, follow-up testing, health studies, and whether cleanup or containment had begun; the department said cleanup would follow once the plume is fully mapped and that DOH is soliciting interest in a blood study. The committee also discussed the need to track disposal of PFAS filters and the possibility of broader statewide capacity for similar work. The committee then took up abandoned uranium mine cleanup. NMED and EMNRD staff reviewed the new uranium mine reclamation program created by HB 164, the state dashboard tracking sites, and the FY26 appropriation of $20 million for neglected contaminated sites, of which $12 million is being used for neglected uranium mines and the remainder for other contaminated sites. They said six contractors were hired, three priority sites in Grant County are moving forward quickly, and additional sites are being prepared for possible FY27 work. Members pressed for details on how funds are spent, why the revolving fund remains unfunded, how federal, state, tribal, and landowner requirements are coordinated, where contaminated material will be moved, and whether cleanup could also address homes built with contaminated materials. Staff said the work is governed by multiple regulatory layers, that the state is seeking an additional $25 million for FY27-FY28 plus a time extension, and that partnerships with tribes would require longer-term agreements. The committee also discussed federal cleanup efforts and the new Good Samaritan law, with members urging stronger advocacy for New Mexico sites, including tribal lands, and asking whether the Attorney General should pursue legal action against federal parties responsible for legacy contamination. Staff explained that some sites are already covered by settlement funds tied to responsible parties, while neglected sites are those with no responsible party and no other cleanup program. The committee then heard from EMNRD on Class VI carbon sequestration primacy. Staff said New Mexico currently has no operating Class VI wells, about 27 Class II acid-gas injection wells are operating, and only a small number might be candidates for conversion. They explained that the state’s primacy application would require more public outreach than federal rules alone, and that cost estimates for post-injection site care are based on long planning horizons, with some costs borne by operators and some by the state after closure. No votes were taken on the substantive items discussed; the committee approved the prior meeting minutes and took a brief recess between presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• energies, but we currently need fuel, refineries.
• Right now, it's a tax on that fuel. Renewable energies, but we currently need fuel, refineries.
• Right now, it's a tax on that fuel that maintains our roads.
• So I'm going to switch up. We will leave the roll open. Yes. Thank you.
• So I'm going to switch out. You have a second bill. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Mr.

Summary: The committee heard several local government-related bills, with testimony focused on permitting, transportation funding, EV infrastructure, and commercial revitalization. AB 1578 by Assembly Member Jackson would require elected local and state officials to take anti-hate speech training through existing sexual harassment training. Supporters said elected officials should understand the impact of their words on hate and democracy; opponents argued the bill lacked a definition of hate speech and could chill protected speech, especially around sex-based issues. AB 2083, also by Jackson, would authorize a regional child care special district serving Moreno Valley and Paris to expand child care facilities and programs for five years. The California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions opposed the bill’s mechanism but said it was working with the author. AB 1693 by Assembly Member Suber would streamline retail tenant improvement permits by extending a process similar to a prior restaurant permitting law, with qualified professional certification and tighter local review timelines. It drew broad support from retail, business, and property groups and no opposition. Assembly Member Gonzalez presented AB 1679, which would create a temporary commercial activation permit for pop-up businesses to operate in vacant storefronts for up to 120 days. Supporters said it would help fill vacancies and lower barriers for small businesses; there was no opposition, and the bill advanced. Gonzalez also presented AB 2418, which would set timelines for nonresidential plan checks and inspections and allow private plan checkers after excessive delay. Business groups supported it as a way to reduce costly delays, while local government groups had no position but continued discussions with the author; the bill advanced with amendments. Assembly Member Shevlin presented AB 1820, which would cap local permit fees for EV charging installations and create a statewide fee schedule. Supporters said fees vary too widely and can deter charger deployment, while cities and counties argued existing law already requires reasonable cost recovery and that the bill could undercut local budgets and public safety review. Assembly Member DeMaio presented AB 1783, which would prohibit state and local mileage taxes or road user charges. Supporters framed it as a defense against a new tax burden, while opponents said studying road user charges is necessary to address declining gas tax revenue and future transportation funding needs. AB 1693, AB 1679, and AB 2418 were moved forward with motions and roll calls; AB 1783 was taken up with a motion and roll call left open, and AB 1820 remained under discussion at the end of the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Policies increasingly emphasize landscape-level fuel reduction, resilient communities, and adaptation
• Policies increasingly emphasize landscape-level fuel reduction, resilient communities, and adaptation
• fuel them.
• fuel them.
• I’ve been on those fuel reduction crews.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• conversation about what has happened to the funding for our veterans and the services when we made that switch
• providing it out of GR and essentially putting our money where our mouth is and paying for that and switched
• They purchase many other products, including motor fuel that generates motor fuel tax revenue and sales

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• legislature decided to fund from the general fund and then we had our budget problems, there was a switch
• I like to think of the sectors in the following way, transportation fuels.
• Right, so the transportation fuels subsector does not receive any free allowances and therefore I use
• I'll tell you what, we're going To switch over, but I'm going to make this comment first.
• We're going to switch over now to high speed rail.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have one for streamlining hydrogen fueling stations as well.
• of ZEV charging and fueling infrastructure.
• Utility Directed Clean Fuel Rewards Program.
• So California has a unique gasoline fuel blend.
• And third, for the fueling. I'll go through them each.

Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Select Committee on Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure focused on California’s EV market, charging infrastructure, and the effects of recent federal actions. The chair opened by emphasizing California’s progress on EV adoption and charging reliability, but also noted ongoing challenges with affordability, access, interoperability, heavy-duty electrification, and federal headwinds. She highlighted interest in technologies such as inductive charging and thanked host organizations and staff before moving to the first panel. State agency witnesses from Go-Biz, CARB, and the California Energy Commission described current programs and priorities. Go-Biz outlined its role in coordinating agencies, supporting permitting, and advancing the state’s ZEV market development strategy and equity action plan. CARB discussed federal attacks on its clean vehicle regulations, litigation to defend waiver authority, and the importance of incentives and regulatory programs such as Advanced Clean Trucks, Advanced Clean Fleets, Clean Truck Check, HVIP, and Clean Cars for All. The CEC detailed its funding and regulatory work on charging and fueling infrastructure, charger reliability, payment methods, roaming, and statewide planning, while stressing the need for more charging in multifamily housing and more public DC fast charging. All three agencies said federal rollbacks and permitting delays are major obstacles, but that California remains committed to expanding ZEV adoption. The second panel featured advocates, local government, utility, and research perspectives. CalETC urged continuous state funding through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and emphasized the low-carbon fuel standard, multifamily charging, and managed charging. An EV advocacy group proposed a conquest-style state incentive for new and used EV buyers and argued that multifamily housing is a major untapped market, while also favoring Level 2 charging over Level 1 for most home and apartment settings. Los Angeles County and LADWP described large-scale local deployment of chargers, fleet electrification, workforce training, and the need for sustained funding, agency coordination, and streamlined permitting and grid interconnection. UCS recommended prioritizing replacement of older high-emitting vehicles, using fuel policy revenues to support cleaner cars, and expanding bidirectional charging. The chair closed by asking for more discussion on Level 1 versus Level 2 charging and noted the importance of education, affordability, and practical deployment strategies.

Transcript Highlights:

• Approved caps on fuel exports.
• That will also change, you know, the fuels that we're using and the fuels that we need.
• It doesn't help just jet fuel. More SAF production actually increases total fuel supply.
• impact on the fuel...
• the jet fuel supply.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> all sources of emissions including fuel all sources of emissions including fuel suppliers. suppliers
• </c> fuels covered by the rules must comply. fuels covered by the rules must comply.
• </c> help Vermonters use less of these fuels. help Vermonters use less of these fuels.
• </c> fossil fuels fossil fuels helping<02:30:03.520><c> us</c><02:30:03.680><c> to</c><02:30:03.800><
• </c><02:31:53.480><c> and</c> more support for fossil fuels and more support for fossil fuels and growing

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• spent a few waste fuel waste to deal with.
• was mentioned that actually operates using spent fuel.
• And that's again, the close reactor that use the spent fuel.
• And so we're trying to build out a new nuclear fuel stream to of, you know, try so fuels of high assay
• low-enriched uranium fuels.

Transcript Highlights:

• I used that this the program switched.
• With the more fuel efficiency, less gas is used.
• With the more fuel efficiency, less gas is used.
• Our vehicles have become more fuel efficient. With the more fuel efficiency, less gas is used.
• </c> hybrid uh impact on the average fuel hybrid uh impact on the average fuel efficiency<01:27:02.960

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee approved the October 15 minutes and observed a moment of silence for the victims of the UPS Worldport plane crash. The main presentation was from Transportation Cabinet Commissioner Bobby Joe Lewis on the Local Assistance Road Program/County Priority Projects Program (LAARP/CPP), which was implemented under House Bill 546 and now requires rehabilitation projects to restore roads to original condition, cap funding at $500,000 per project, use a new scoring matrix, include a local match, and submit one photograph per 300 feet of project length. He reported that the 2026-2027 cycle ran from June 1 to October 1 and drew 1,215 project applications from 107 counties and 106 cities, with total submitted project costs of about $121.1 million and about $102.3 million requested after local match. He also said 30% of submissions scored 10s and 22% scored 9s, and that the list of requests and required photos had been submitted to the General Assembly and LRC. Members asked about how scores change over time, whether roads can move from lower scores to 10s, and whether the new process gives a better picture of local needs. Lewis said scores can change based on weather and road conditions, but the new system provides more information and a more standardized evaluation than before. Several members raised concerns about the volume and size of required photographs, suggesting drone footage or video as an alternative; Lewis said the photo requirement has caused confusion and large file uploads, and he was open to considering easier ways to document conditions. Members also discussed continuity in scoring across districts, and Lewis explained that district staff appointed by chief district engineers use a handbook and scoring matrix, with the scores entered into a computer system so evaluators do not see the final score while scoring. The committee also discussed funding levels and carry-forward balances for the program. Lewis said the program began with $20 million authorized in HR92, noted underruns from completed projects, and reported a carry-forward amount that had grown to $355,432.42 available for reauthorization as of October 13. In response to questions, he said the current process concentrates applications into a short window, with 63% of applications arriving in the last few days and 417 on October 1, which created a heavy workload but was completed on time. The meeting then moved to multimodal funding priorities, with Jennifer Kersner of Kentuckians for Better Transportation introducing herself and offering condolences for the UPS aviation incident before beginning her remarks.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 2410 will exempt fuel reduction projects to remove non-native species 12 inches or less in diameter
• We are in strong support of urgent and ongoing prioritization of wildfire and fuels mitigation in our
• We are just saying if you want to streamline your fuels reduction project, that you have to use every
• We are just saying if you want to streamline your fuels reduction project, that you have to use every
• All the while demand for fuel in the state has remained substantial.

Summary: The committee heard a series of natural resources bills, with several measures accepted on committee amendments and moved forward on party-line or near-unanimous votes. AB 2461 on oil and gas bonding and well-closure financial assurance drew strong support from environmental groups and some legislators, while an industry representative was neutral and warned about unintended consequences and reduced transfers. Senators Laird and Cabaldon supported the bill as a clarification of AB 1167, and the committee voted do pass as amended to Appropriations, with the bill placed on call. The committee also approved a consent calendar of 10 bills, which was moved and held on call. AB 53 by Assemblymember Ramos, as amended, would expand tribal eligibility for conservation grants and loans and express legislative intent to create a process for returning ancestral lands to federally recognized tribes. Tribal and environmental supporters argued the bill recognizes tribal stewardship and helps remove barriers to conservation participation, while county, farm bureau, and habitat league witnesses raised concerns about long-term land management, public accountability, easements, and jurisdiction if lands are transferred. Committee members emphasized the importance of preserving conservation protections and continuing work on the land-return framework; the bill was moved do pass as amended to Appropriations and held on call. AB 2679 on Lake Tahoe corridor safety and access was supported by local officials and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, who described dangerous parking, pedestrian conflicts, and a successful shuttle pilot, and the bill was moved do pass as amended to Appropriations. AB 1666, creating biomass innovation parks and other incentives for non-combustion uses of forest and agricultural biomass, received broad support from business, conservation, and local government witnesses, with senators framing it as a way to address wildfire debris and create rural jobs; it also advanced do pass as amended to Appropriations. AB 2494, which would modernize the demonstration state forest system and elevate biodiversity, recreation, carbon storage, and tribal stewardship over maximum sustained production, drew strong support from environmental and tribal advocates but significant opposition from forest industry, county, and research witnesses who warned it could undermine research, sustainable forestry, and local economies; the author said he would continue negotiations, and the bill was moved do pass to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 2234, which updates the definition of geothermal exploratory projects, and AB 2521, which seeks to use the California Council on Science and Technology for watershed-wide water availability analyses to help identify excess water for groundwater recharge. Both bills had support from sponsors and some stakeholders, while AB 2521 drew concerns from agricultural water interests about agency reliance, public trust considerations, and funding. Both measures were moved do pass as amended to Appropriations. Finally, AB 2410 would extend a CEQA exemption for certain fuels-reduction projects in high fire-risk areas; local government groups supported it as a wildfire-prevention tool, while environmental and other opponents argued the remaining exemption still weakens habitat protections and public review, and one witness sought to remove conventional herbicides from the exemption.

Transcript Highlights:

• But what they were trying to do is safeguard the title as we switch to physician associate, even though
• But what they were trying to do is safeguard the title as we switch to physician associate, even though
• But what they were trying to do is safeguard the title as we switch to physician associate, even though
• So I see the fuel will get — if we have this tariff and we don't have to get the Canadian fuel, we're
• going to push out more American fuel.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The state also has a high potential for geologic hydrogen resources, which could be used for clean fuel
• or green fertilizer used for clean fuel or green fertilizer The<00:12:23.440><c> midcontinental</c><
• Many producers have been able to make the switch.
• So many products have managed to make the switch and are, in fact, advertising that.
• And so products and companies are making the switch.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a substance, plastic is, that is made from fossil fuels and chemicals.
• And please bear with me if I'm telling you... ...that is made from fossil fuels and chemicals.
• But I think that the fact of its origins in fossil fuels and chemicals is really kind of the answer to
• I'm going to switch to informational purposes only.
• I'm going to switch to informational purposes only.

Summary: The Conservation and Natural Resources Committee first took up Senate Bill 953, which was described as ensuring environmental protection funds remain dedicated to that purpose. The committee substitute added provisions from House Bill 1885, changing Clean Water Commission membership conflict rules, and Senate Bill 1397, giving certain reservoir water storage contract holders exclusive rights to return flows. Members discussed the conflict-of-interest language and the water-return provision, then adopted a House committee amendment and the amended substitute by voice vote. The committee then voted the House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 953 do pass by a 6-5 roll call, with Representative Wellenkamp voting no. The committee then heard House Bill 3193, a proposal by Representative Wellenkamp to reduce single-use plastic waste in state parks and historic sites by phasing out plastic bags, plastic water bottles, and Styrofoam/styrene containers, while allowing exemptions where needed. Supporters, including conservation groups, a Missouri River Bird Observatory representative, and others, said plastics harm parks, waterways, wildlife, tourism, and human health, and urged alternatives and better waste practices. Some members raised concerns about accessibility and the need for practical substitutes for people with disabilities and for emergency or park operations. The Missouri Beverage Association opposed the bill, arguing its plastics are recyclable and that education and recycling are better approaches than bans. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3320, the Drinking Water Transparency and Accountability Act, which would assign Missouri public water systems A-F grades based on violations, finances, operations, and infrastructure, and would impose additional oversight and spending restrictions on systems graded D or F. The sponsor said the bill would make water-system problems easier for ratepayers to understand and help address chronic failures; supporters from Missouri American Water, Central States Water Resources, and the Missouri Chamber said it would improve transparency and support investment. Opponents from municipal utilities, the Missouri Municipal League, and the Missouri Water Association argued the bill oversimplifies a technical field, duplicates existing consumer confidence reports, could confuse customers, and may undermine trust in local systems. No vote was taken on HB 3193 or HB 3320 before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, if you want to switch pages to the FY26 maintenance program for NMDOT, this is our pavement
• know, not necessarily because there are more electric cars on the road, but because cars are more fuel-efficient
• And so those employees that are paid out of federal funding, if they were to be switched over to operational
• the way they are, and so where we have an increase, going to the representative's point earlier, our fuel
• In 2018, we completely switched over to using the state contract maintenance fund in order to pay for

Transcript Highlights:

• Then, halfway through their junior year, they don't get into the nursing program and switch into another
• Sometimes they switch in the middle of the semester, right?
• but Their course-taking behavior indicates they're actually in an AA program because they're just switching
• We are focusing on advanced iron and steel, fuels, fertilizers, cement, and concrete—those bedrock industries
• Fuels, ammonia, fertilizers, and concrete are essential for driving Minnesota's goals in the future economy

Bills: HF2634, HF2241, HF2649, HF2520, HF2610

Keywords: North Star Promise, scholarship, higher education, Minnesota Office of Higher Education, in-demand jobs, workforce development, career training, job market, high-demand occupations, high-demand industries, college aid, state financial aid, FAFSA, student eligibility, program of study, degree program, certificate program, community college, university, labor market data