Transcript Highlights:

• And then, you know, current road or rotary flights are county in the middle.
• I think that Charlie, yes. >> We look ahead at it is anything less than 50 miles is probably EV toll.
• It's EC toll or the stole.
• So, you know, if you're 10 or 15 minutes away of taking away the advantage of the EV toll of the CTO.
• The 4 seats are typically EV toll.

Transcript Highlights:

• We heard testimony this morning about a farmer across the road.
• Um, and I will say as a one road salt.
• </c><04:00:24.399><c> and</c> costs to our vehicles and to roads and costs to our vehicles and to roads
• </c> that's being caused by too much road that's being caused by too much road salt.<05:04:06.400><c>
• We are voting on House Bill 1810 FN, relative to a road salt fee to support certified winter road maintenance

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They both use the toll credits.
• To me, this separates them from the average passenger vehicle safety requirements on the road.
• To me, this separates them from the average passenger vehicle safety requirements on the road.
• To me, this separates them from the average passenger vehicle safety requirements on the road.
• To me, this separates them from the average passenger vehicle safety requirements on the road.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are many roads that have been built that are toll roads that probably would not exist today without
• That are toll roads that probably would not exist today without the opportunity and toolbox of having
• toll facilities.
• Now, we also, for low-lying roads, let's say if we have a—we do have a lot of roads that go along the
• And we'll go in and resurface a road.

Summary: The committee heard introductory remarks from Chair LaMarca and members, then received presentations on electric utility planning, transportation infrastructure, and broadband deployment. Public Service Commission staff explained how Florida’s utilities plan for reliability and cost through 10-year site plans, demand forecasting, and economic dispatch. The presentation emphasized Florida’s residential-heavy load, growing EV demand, expanding solar and battery storage, continued reliance on natural gas combined-cycle plants, and the role of nuclear power. Members asked about energy efficiency, rates, renewable options beyond solar, cybersecurity, grid resilience, data centers, and small modular nuclear reactors; the witness said efficiency programs are reviewed every five years, utilities must balance reliability and affordability, and large new loads like data centers generally must pay for their own infrastructure needs. Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue described FDOT’s five-year work program, decentralized district structure, and funding mix, noting that the agency is predominantly state-funded and prioritizes maintenance and preservation before expansion. He highlighted record investment levels, major congestion-relief projects, toll-road revenues, seaport and airport partnerships, spaceport investments, workforce and equipment needs, and emerging technology such as advanced air mobility. Members asked about project timing, MPO planning, rail and ferry funding, airport governance, winter storm preparedness, and flooding/sea-level rise; Perdue said faster delivery depends on resources, local governments lead transit operations with FDOT as a capital partner, and coastal and drainage projects are designed around storm surge and resiliency. The Office of Broadband reported on six grant programs supporting infrastructure, community facilities, digital connectivity, and future digital capacity and broadband expansion. Director Leo Garcia said the office has awarded hundreds of millions of dollars across most counties, leveraged significant private investment, and focused heavily on rural areas. He noted that broadband efforts are intended to support telehealth, education, workforce development, and economic growth, and said the state has reduced the number of unserved locations from more than 400,000 to a projected 170,000 after current awards are completed. He also said the office needs additional budget authority for the upcoming digital capacity program and that the larger federal/state broadband deployment program will be used to reach remaining unserved and underserved areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's a good thing for taxpayers and toll payers that it did.
• without losing sight of the fact that there are clearly policy matters involved when it's a public road
• and taxpayers and toll payers are paying the freight.
• We need more of them on the Pike and throughout the roads.
• This is a public road; it isn't just give us your lowest bid even if it's shoddy construction.

Summary: The committee met to discuss MassDOT’s unsuccessful service plaza procurement, with Chair Montigny opening by stressing the committee’s investigative role, its refusal to take lobbyist calls or meetings, and its willingness to use subpoena power if needed. He said the committee was focused on understanding how the bid process unfolded, why the selected bid was far above the low bid, why the Capital Programs Committee did not vote on the matter, and what ex parte communications occurred. He also framed the issue as broader than one contract, criticizing procurement practices generally and noting future hearings on quasi-public entities and the Convention Center. Commonwealth Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro testified that his office would issue an investigatory letter on the service plaza procurement in the coming weeks. He said the procurement was a major one—18 locations, nearly $1 billion in value, and a 35-year term—and that his office had reviewed the process, its design, and execution. Shapiro emphasized that the OIG looks beyond fraud to the totality of a procurement and contract management, and he outlined best practices for large public procurements: clear planning, transparent solicitation terms, defined evaluation criteria and weights, limited and explicit non-negotiable terms, conflict-of-interest controls, and strong contract management after award. He said the Commonwealth was fortunate the procurement was canceled because a contract of that size and duration should mitigate risk factors. Committee members then pressed Shapiro on broader procurement reform, including how to handle subjective criteria versus objective price comparisons, how to prevent ex parte communications, whether selection committees should be treated as public bodies subject to open meeting and records laws, and whether agencies should use outside experts or dedicated staff for major negotiations. Shapiro responded generally that agencies must define objectives and scoring before bids are opened, use forms that allow apples-to-apples comparisons, ensure boards understand their oversight duties, and think about enforcement and contract management from the start. The hearing ended with the chair saying the committee would continue its work and would hear from the Secretary of Transportation at a later date; the meeting adjourned at 4:12.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an honor to be on this committee, as roads are very important to all of our roads, particularly
• I-75 at Fruitville Road interchange.
• or on adjacent roads.
• or on adjacent roads.
• a toll stop or a registration stop, so you cannot renew your plate until you satisfy the tolls.

Summary: The committee met to receive a base budget overview for agencies under its jurisdiction, which include the Division of Emergency Management, Department of Commerce, Department of State, Department of Transportation, Department of Military Affairs, and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Staff explained the budget format and noted that the Legislature appropriated more than $20.2 billion to these agencies in the current fiscal year, a 66.7% increase over 10 years. The Department of Transportation then presented on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, describing it as a $7 billion effort to advance 20 major congestion-relief projects statewide. Secretary Jared Perdue said the department is ahead of schedule, with 14 of 20 projects expected to be underway by the end of the calendar year. He highlighted major projects including I-4 in Polk and Osceola counties, I-75 improvements, Southwest 10th Street in Broward County, Fruitville Road, Capital Circle in Tallahassee, and I-275, and discussed innovations such as aggregate supply grants, modified phase design-build, workforce hiring events, and voluntary acceleration. Senators asked about business impacts from construction, tourism-related transit funding, aggregate sourcing, and labor shortages; the secretary said FDOT works with local businesses and that additional revenue sources for transit would require legislative action. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reviewed motorist services, revenue collection, licensing, vehicle titling, specialty plates, insurance compliance, driver safety, and commercial driver licensing. Officials said the department collected about $2.9 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2023-24 and described modernization efforts, including electronic verification systems, Real ID compliance, mobile licensing units, and a planned digital driver license. Members asked about the driver license backlog in Miami-Dade and Broward, and the department said service delays were driven by growth and staffing constraints but should improve with $7.5 million in recent funding and the eventual transition of services to county tax collectors. Questions also addressed temporary paper licenses and birth certificate fraud prevention. The Department of Commerce presented on the Job Growth Grant Fund and Visit Florida. Commerce said the grant fund, created in 2017, has awarded $257 million to 70 projects in 37 counties since 2019, with demand exceeding supply about four to one. Officials emphasized that the program supports targeted industries and workforce and infrastructure projects, and they highlighted examples in CDL training, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and health care. Senators raised concerns about small businesses affected by transportation construction, and Commerce said it has an Office of Small Business Innovation and other tools, though the grant fund is limited by statute to targeted industries. Visit Florida then described its public-private tourism marketing role, saying the state’s $80 million appropriation is matched by private investment and that the latest EDR review found a $3.30 return in tax revenue for every state dollar spent. Visit Florida reported record visitation and tourism spending, along with hurricane recovery marketing and rural promotion efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Harris County Toll Road Authority, funds are distributed by precinct.
• The Commissioner's Court altered how excess toll road authority, or Harris County Toll Road Authority
• of the toll road.
• own individual fees that they pay on the toll road.
• on an MS 150-mile ride to be able to take the entire toll road.

Summary: The Senate began with a quorum call, prayer, approval of the previous journal, and messages from the House, then moved through several recognitions and resolutions honoring visiting groups. Members adopted resolutions recognizing the Texas chapters of Blue Star Mothers of America, Fine Arts Education Day, Donate Life Texas Day, Baha’i Capitol Day, County Government Day, Jack County Day, Crockett County Day, and a recognition of Navy Petty Officer Simon Urbanik for service during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The chamber also heard remarks from visiting doctors, students, county officials, and community groups, with multiple senators speaking in support of military families, arts education, organ donation, and local government service. The Senate then took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2779, relating to the allocation and use of certain hotel occupancy tax revenues. Senator Birdwell said the bill would stop local governments from conditioning HOT funds on race- or class-based priorities and would require Galveston to transfer the full state rebate for beach cleaning and maintenance to its park board. After questions, the Senate suspended the rules, passed the bill to engrossment, suspended the three-day rule, and finally passed it, though the final vote showed significant opposition. The chamber also passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2322, described as a cleanup bill removing the compelling-factor test for dispatchable generation from the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act. A major debate centered on Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2253, which would phase out uncertified teachers in core classrooms and strengthen educator certification requirements. Senator Creighton argued the bill responds to a teacher pipeline crisis, adds parent notification, creates multiple preparation pathways, and provides financial incentives for certification; Senator West and Senator Sparks pressed for rural flexibility and implementation details. An amendment from Senator Gutierrez to add a teacher student-loan repayment program failed on a 11-17 vote, while other technical and fiscal amendments were adopted. The bill then passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed. The Senate also passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2371, updating skimmer-reporting rules to cover electronic terminals beyond fuel pumps, and Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2351, relating to the construction of certain concrete plants under a standard permit. Senate Bill 619, a conscience-protection bill for health care workers, drew extended questioning from Senators Cook, Eckhardt, and Menendez about patient abandonment, scope, and whether it could allow refusals of legal services such as vaccines, antibiotics, contraception, or personal care; despite those concerns, the Senate suspended the rules and passed the bill to engrossment. Finally, the chamber began consideration of Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1169, which would allow public entities to form public utility agencies to cooperate on water and wastewater projects without eminent domain or cross-collateralization, with Senator Hinojosa explaining it as a tool for small and rural communities facing utility infrastructure problems.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><03:36:57.520><c> number</c> so the road toll was the first number so the road toll was the first
• just over a million in the marine unrefunded road toll.
• </c> ohrv unref unded road toll came in and ohrv unref unded road toll came in and then<03:49:09.640>
• toll, an increase in OHRV unfunded road toll, and then the interest savings was an increase.
• an increase in un oh HRV unfunded toll an increase in un oh HRV unfunded road road road toll<03:53:04.359

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee received a Department of Revenue Administration update from Commissioner Lindsay Stepp focused on revenue estimates for fiscal years 2025, 2026, and 2027. She explained the department’s forecasting method, which uses five scenarios based on the first seven months of actual collections and different assumptions for the remaining months, then selects a reasonable high and low range for FY 25 and applies projected growth rates for FY 26 and FY 27. Members asked several clarifying questions about how the scenarios are chosen and how the estimates relate to economic growth and taxpayer behavior. For business taxes, Stepp reported FY 25 year-to-date collections of $110.3 million, 18.2% below plan and 17.2% below prior year. She said the shortfall reflects both economic conditions and a resetting of estimated payments after unusually strong pandemic-era profits, and noted that the department cannot fully separate changes in taxpayer liability from changes in estimated payment behavior. She said approximately just under $72 million was refunded in FY 24 due to the CCO cap, and that FY 25 year-to-date refunds are at 41.7%. For business taxes, the department’s FY 25 range was based on either continued underperformance versus plan or a return to prior-year levels, with FY 26 and FY 27 growth projected at 3% to 8%. The committee also reviewed meals and rooms tax, tobacco tax, and related trends. Meals and rooms revenue was $6.9 million, or 3.3%, ahead of plan and prior year; the FY 25 gross estimate was $475.894 million, with a net range of about $331.82 million to $335.259 million after municipal transfers and school building aid. Stepp said recent monthly results suggest some fluctuation tied to disposable income, weather, and travel patterns, but no clear sustained decline. Tobacco tax was $18.1 million, 14% below plan and 4.8% below prior year; she said cigarette stamp sales are declining while e-cigarettes and other tobacco products are growing, with FY 25 tobacco revenue projected at $182.5 million to $185.3 million and FY 26-FY 27 growth ranging from -5% to flat. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are also some secondary roads.
• It's a one-way road and a one-way road back, right?
• , splitting the tolls, and so on.
• Each road is a two-lane road. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Is there any plan for that road to accommodate heavy trucks? Is there any plan to expand that road?

Transcript Highlights:

• They're not buying trucks in New Hampshire, paying tolls, paying road tax, registrations, and other expenses
• And this is a trucks off the road.
• ,<00:20:27.520><c> paying</c><00:20:27.919><c> road</c><00:20:28.400><c> road</c><00:20:28.720><c> tax
• ,</c> tolls, paying road road tax, tolls, paying road road tax, registrations,<00:20:30.720><c> and</
• </c> water might have been washing road away. water might have been washing road away.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• County toll road authority specifically HEDRA funds are distributed by precinct, what is not into any
• of the toll road.
• And these excess toll roads are paid by people that use mass transportation. effectively through their
• Given the length of these toll roads, I think that you would have to be on a 150-mile ride to be able
• to take the entire toll road, so that's at least That's my that's the author's intention of this well

Bills: SJR59, SCR30, SCR46, SB31, SB127, SB324, SB401, SB407, SB467, SB482, SB506, SB529, SB584, SB619, SB636, SB646, SB647, SB659, SB715, SB732, SB735, SB771, SB784, SB800, SB801, SB816, SB1013, SB1026, SB1049, SB1055, SB1065, SB1137, SB1169, SB1181, SB1383, SB1395, SB1410, SB1433, SB1524, SB1531, SB1568, SB1640, SB1666, SB1681, SB1718, SB1754, SB1757, SB1972, SB1980, SB2004, SB2007, SB2041, SB2046, SB2050, SB2075, SB2076, SB2154, SB2173, SB2206, SB2225, SB2253, SB2268, SB2306, SB2308, SB2314, SB2322, SB2330, SB2351, SB2366, SB2371, SB2392, SB2398, SB2476, SB2533, SB2540, SB2544, SB2589, SB2610, SB2623, SB2660, SB2662, SB2693, SB2707, SB2717, SB2722, SB2742, SB2753, SB2779, SB2807, SB2843, SB2844, SB2858, SB2877, SB2880, SB2885, SB2920, SB2938, SB2986, HJR4, HCR35, SJR3, SJR18, SB5, SB260, SB1786, SB914, SB963, SB1197, SB1415, SB1437, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SJR84, SJR59, SCR12, SCR39, SCR46, SCR48, SCR19, SCR30, SCR3, SB2023, SB1433, SB2322, SB2877, SB407, SB1718, SB1395, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB1073, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB1502, SB507, SB1026, SB1434, SB1376, SB1585, SB1772, SB2016, SB1163, SB619, SB1122, SB732, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB261, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB529, SB209, SB2429, SB1999, SB511, SB2309, SB510, SB2253, SB584, SB1085, SB2314, SB2046, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB1524, SB1137, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB517, SB1200, SB1410, SB1845, SB1863, SB2681, SB2200, SB2199, SB1757, SB2050, SB2458, SB2201, SB1055, SB2660, SB2662, SB1065, SB801, SB2533, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB647, SB1721, SB2268, SB2366, SB1013, SB2797, SB2371, SB2383, SB646, SB1169, SB1754, SB2779, SB2004, SB2119, SB2448, SB1777, SB1283, SB2392, SB2076, SB2786, SB2876, SB2284, SB2225, SB1540, SB2920, SB2929, SB1972, SB2540, SB2742, SB2595, SB2217, SB715, SB2330, SB1383, SB500, SB1640, SB2001, SB2080, SB2722, SB506, SB2514, SB2623, SB2753, SB2398, SB1241, SB2927, SB2173, SB2538, SB898, SB467, SB1449, SB2529, SB1531, SB2846, SB2476, SB986, SB1181, SB2075, SB2154, SB2864, SB31, SB2880, SB1359, SB2386, SB771, SB2844, SB2550, SB1351, SB1423, SB1931, SB2245, SB2589, SB2707, SB2807, SB2351, SB410, SB659, SB816, SB2776, SB2693, SB2580, SB1980, SB1886, SB1234, SB739, SB482, SB456, SB127, SB1666, SB2843, SB2801, SB800, SB2055, SB784, SB2986, SB735, SB1012, SB324, SB2926, SB2938, SB2007, SB2138, SB1242, SB2615, SB1049, SB2310, SB1224, SB2972, SB1568, SB2841, SB2885, SB3016, SB2858, SB2610, SB2139, SB1856, SB2035, SB2308, SB2306, SB2041, SB1528, SB1681, SB1141, SB2401, SB2530, SB2375, SB547, SB1266, SB1373, SB1467, SB2069, SB2269, SB2480, SB2544, SB672, SB904, SB2695, SB2891, SB2422, SB2543, SB1854, SB317, SB2539, SB2532, SB2925, SB1250, SB2082, SB2203, SB457, SB2357, HJR4, HB135, HB1109, HCR35, HCR64, SB2721, SB243, SB1285, SB2568, SB1959, SB1442, SB1454, SB2520, SB2541, SB1708, SB1237, SB1844, SB1586

Keywords: education funding, Texas State Technical College System, capital projects, infrastructure, higher education, Birding Capital, Matagorda County, wildlife, conservation, Texas Legislature, Texas beef, cattle industry, agricultural heritage, Texas strip steak, economic growth, SB 31, Life of the Mother Act, Texas abortion law, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> culverts,</c> culvert repairs, uh enlarging culverts, culvert repairs, uh enlarging culverts, road
• <00:14:03.120><c> repairs,</c> road repairs, road repairs, um<00:14:04.960><c> other</c><00:14:05.520
• flat to moderate. in large scale uh we've been looking at in large scale uh we've been looking at toll
• rate increases because of the toll rate increases because of the capital<00:16:16.640><c> commitments
• </c> putting twice the weight on the roads. putting twice the weight on the roads.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Joint Fiscal Committee met on May 15 at 10:00 a.m. and first approved the April 17 minutes. It then took up a consent calendar covering tabs three through seven, with items 089 and 097 removed for separate discussion. The committee approved the remainder of the consent calendar and then adopted item 089, which involved Department of Safety/Homeland Security grant funding for active shooter incident management and school reunification training. Officials said the project is a mandatory Homeland Security grant set-aside, with training for public safety officials and school districts and internal social media used only to promote training schedules; members asked about marketing, outcomes, and how success would be measured. The committee next considered item 097 for the Division of Historical Resources. Agency officials said the request was driven by a decade-long increase in Section 106 and state historic preservation reviews, many tied to disaster-related infrastructure work such as culvert and road repairs, and that the grant would add capacity to handle roughly 1,000 to 1,500 reviews per year. The committee approved the item after brief discussion. Under the regular calendar, the Department of Transportation presented a fuel-related transfer. Members questioned the decline in the highway fund balance, which staff said was being affected by rising expenses, flat-to-moderate revenue, and a rough winter that increased maintenance costs. DOT officials said they were considering toll rate increases and noted the agency pays market wholesale fuel rates; they also discussed prior fuel hedging decisions and said they have authority to hedge again if it makes sense. The committee approved the DOT item, then approved a miscellaneous action item to fill a position at the LBA. Members also asked the chair to remind the Attorney General to appear at a future meeting regarding the YDC claims report. The committee set its next meeting for Friday, June 19 at 11:00 a.m., and adjourned after a brief note of appreciation for recent corrections and changes reported by the liquor commission.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mike Hancock, deputy road fund.
• </c> It goes right to the road fund. Correct. It goes right to the road fund. Correct.
• </c> road plan ahead? road plan ahead? &gt;&gt; I'm<00:35:02.640><c> sorry.
• Um, and then you've got state supplemental roads, which are low-volume roads.
• state supplemental roads which are low volume<00:58:43.359><c> roads.

Keywords: This meeting was recovered from a back up copy and uploaded after the original meeting took place., 958, all

Summary: The committee received an update from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet on the FY 2025 road fund. Officials reported road fund revenues came in $38.5 million above the enacted estimate, but were down about $11 million from FY 2024, largely because a motor fuels tax rate reduction took effect at the start of FY 2025. Motor vehicle usage tax receipts were stronger than expected, and the cabinet said the road fund ended the year with a $61.6 million surplus, which the budget bill directs to state highway construction. Members also discussed how the motor fuels decline affects formula distributions to cities, counties, and rural/secondary roads, with officials saying about $122.8 million had been planned for revenue sharing but was not distributed because receipts were lower than forecast. Members asked about broader revenue trends, including fuel efficiency, electric vehicles, and the removal of a hybrid fee. Cabinet officials said improved fuel efficiency and CAFE standards reduce gasoline consumption and therefore fuel tax receipts, while EVs and plug-in hybrids are subject to a user fee. They also said toll revenues from the Louisville bridges are covering bills and commitments, though they did not have detailed figures at hand. On project delivery, officials said delays are often caused by right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, and the large volume of projects in the highway plan, and that much of the work happens behind the scenes before construction begins. The committee also reviewed the cabinet’s cash management approach, which was adopted after 2000 to avoid setting aside full project costs all at once and to keep the road fund cash balance above a required minimum. Officials said the balance typically rises in winter and falls in summer as project bills come due, and that the current balance was about $166 million. They also reported that project awards for the year were nearing $998 million and expected to exceed last year’s total. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken beyond approving the prior meeting minutes.

Bills: SB17, SB1569, SB2420, HB5138, HJR161, HB1937, HB3334, HB5444, HB5137, HB361, HB321, HB5447, HB464, HB678, HB2294, HB4172, HB3225, HB1769, HB5394, HB1837, HB1787, HB2271, HB2440, HB5134, HB5149, HB2151, HB2073, HB2186, HB2025, HB1936, HB1777, HB1663, HB 1306, HB 1290, HB1527, HB4802, HB3462, HB2963, HB2462, HB2560, HB644, HB2725, HB2621, HB2588, HB1443, HB1403, HB3032, HB1557, HB1664, HB2811, HB2088, HB2598, HB3062, HB3134, HB3940, HB4027, HB4097, HB4862, HB4170, HB4157, HB4205, HB4279, HB4377, HB4838, HB5424, HB5294, HB4870, HB4763, HB5639, HB4112, HB2275, HB1677, HB5014, HB3848, HB3797, HB3727, HB3709, HB3177, HB3057, HB4176, HB4202, HB2180, HB3528, HB3658, HCR76, HCR127

Keywords: foreign ownership, real property, national security, criminal penalties, civil penalties, personal information, higher education, privacy protection, governing board, institutional security, software applications, mobile devices, age verification, parental consent, data protection, app store regulation, HJR 161, Texas constitutional amendment, voting rights, non-citizen voting

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, received the invocation and pledges, and heard several announcements and recognitions before moving into floor action. Members honored the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley chess team for winning a share of the 2025 President’s Cup, recognized educator Jessica Lopez, and paid memorial tribute to Jennifer Maddenly, along with recognitions for Jeanette Valdez Duran’s food pantry work, TAMACC’s 50th anniversary, and Bernardine Steptoe’s retirement from WFAA. The House also granted permission for committees to meet while the House was in session, set a local consent calendar, and suspended posting rules for a Public Health Committee hearing on SB 2721. The chamber then considered a long series of Senate and House bills, with many passing on record votes. Measures addressed local law enforcement authority (SB 906), veterans highway designation (SB 1229), foster care medical billing (SB 855), massage therapy trafficking safeguards (SB 703), tax ballot language (SB 1025), occupational licensing for people with convictions (SB 1080), lien deadlines (SB 929), liquor sales complaints (SB 1355), higher education application fee waivers (SB 2231), utility data access (SB 1877), pediatric preceptorships (SB 1998), and several House bills on bond forfeiture notice, health workforce coordination, indigent civil commitment representation, consumer transaction cancellations, bird dispersal rules, theft venue for digital property, military grant applications, AI cancer-detection grants, cybersecurity contract language, in-state tuition for military-related programs, utility capital recovery, energy waste advisory oversight, gas utility rate recovery, psychedelic therapy study, teacher retirement funding transparency, pension changes, tax payment plans, and voter registration security. Some measures drew notable debate or amendments, including HB 5247, where a ratepayer-credit amendment failed, and HB 2298, HB 4014, HB 510, HB 561, HB 1128, HB 1904, HB 30, HB 200, HB 3045, and HB 5111, which all passed after recorded votes with varying margins. A major point of contention was SB 2420, the app store age-verification bill, which prompted extended debate over whether the bill should also require app developers to verify users’ ages. Representative Bryant offered an amendment to preserve developer verification obligations, arguing the bill would otherwise shift responsibility away from app makers; the author opposed it, saying the bill’s approach was more workable and raised concerns about First Amendment issues. Multiple points of order were raised and withdrawn during the debate, and the amendment discussion remained unresolved in the excerpt. The House also postponed further consideration of SB 17, SB 552, and SB 2420 at different points, and recessed for lunch after completing a large block of third-reading votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I used to be the administrator of the road toll bureau, basically responsible for collecting all the
• tax on those tolls either.
• So now tolls are the little basket.
• It may not cover the toll.
• </c> probably be getting it for a toll. probably be getting it for a toll.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've seen the toll this takes on families.
• :31.200><c> families</c><00:34:31.520><c> are</c> emotional toll that these families are emotional toll
• I've seen the toll this takes on families.
• I've seen the toll this takes on families.
• </c> the toll this takes on families. the toll this takes on families.

Keywords: 1183, house

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.
• and it might be by information down the road.

Bills: SB5925, SB5906, SB6070, SB6002

Keywords: Attorney General, civil investigative demand, CID, subpoena-like demand, investigative authority, consumer protection, civil enforcement, pre-suit investigation, document production, interrogatories, deposition, oral testimony, confidentiality, trade secrets, judicial review, enforcement action, Washington RCW, law enforcement powers, government transparency, due process

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 5925, which would expand the Attorney General’s authority to issue civil investigative demands in investigations involving constitutional violations, law enforcement use of force and tactics, the Keep Washington Working Act, wage laws, discrimination, and jail-related issues. The prime sponsor and Attorney General’s office said the bill would give the AGO more effective investigative tools without creating new enforcement authority, while labor and civil rights supporters said it would speed investigations into wage theft and discrimination. Opponents from law enforcement, cities, counties, and retail groups argued the bill was too broad, lacked sufficient guardrails, could burden public agencies and businesses, and raised constitutional concerns, especially around speech restrictions and the scope of the Attorney General’s power. Public testimony on SB 5925 then closed, and the committee moved on to the next bill. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5906, which would codify and expand protections against immigration enforcement in non-public areas of schools, child care facilities, health care facilities, higher education institutions, and county auditor spaces where ballots are handled. Supporters, including immigrant-rights, faith, student, and parent advocates, said the bill would reduce fear, protect privacy, and keep families engaged in education, health care, and civic life. Health care and early learning groups generally supported the goal but asked for clearer definitions, model policies, training, and more workable implementation language. The bill drew substantial public support and opposition testimony was not presented in the excerpt; the committee later noted 3,725 pro, 2,147 con, and 22 other sign-ins before moving on. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6070, which would expand missing-person response tools by allowing certain investigative technologies in missing-endangered-person cases, creating new alerts for missing Black people and people with disabilities, and broadening the definition of missing endangered person. The sponsor and supporters, including prosecutors, law enforcement, families, disability advocates, and students, said the bill would help recover missing people faster and address racial and disability-related disparities in alert systems. Testifiers described personal experiences with delayed responses and the need for an Ebony Alert and Purple Alert. Law enforcement supported the bill and requested a related administrative change to transfer the missing persons website to the State Patrol. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 6002, a bill to regulate automated license plate readers, with staff explaining it would set registration, use, retention, and privacy rules, including limits on immigration-related use and restrictions near sensitive locations; the sponsor and ranking member framed it as a privacy and civil liberties measure, and the committee began hearing questions and testimony on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

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• </c> companies to get vehicles off the road. companies to get vehicles off the road.
• </c> public safety to help clear the roads public safety to help clear the roads before<01:37:09.440>
• </c> of Safety to get the roads cleared? of Safety to get the roads cleared?
• But it it gs me that the toll companies But it it gs me that the toll companies who<02:14:20.000><c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee met in a transportation work session and executive session, with the chair explaining the format change to allow fuller discussion and possible expert input before votes. The committee first took up House Bill 209, which would have allowed a new vehicle purchased in the model year or before to be inspected in the second year after purchase. Members said the bill was rendered unnecessary by the broader repeal of vehicle inspections, and the committee voted 16-0 to deem it inexpedient to legislate (ITL), with consent. The same outcome followed for House Bill 212, which would have allowed a 180-day operation waiver when a motor vehicle failed an emissions control test, and House Bill 533, which concerned civilian employees and commercial truck inspections. In both cases, members said the inspection repeal made the bills unnecessary, and in the commercial truck bill there were also concerns that the language did not fit federal requirements and referenced state inspection laws rather than federal ones. Both bills were voted ITL 16-0 and adopted by consent. House Bill 298, dealing with vehicle identification number-related issues and antique vehicle authenticity, also received an ITL recommendation 16-0. Members said the proposal raised fraud concerns and could affect the value and authenticity of antique vehicles, and several said the bill needed more work before any future consideration. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 150, which would define electric vehicle charging stations and establish annual testing fees for the Division of Weights and Measures. That bill drew the most discussion: Representative Sykes described a personal experience with a malfunctioning charging station and a large, unclear bill, arguing that consumer protection regulation is needed. Representative Miller said the fee structure seemed high compared with other inspections and that third-party inspectors were not allowed, though he acknowledged some need for consumer protection. Senator David Watters, the sponsor, said the bill should be improved and suggested a lower annual fee and a fund-based approach to build an inspection program over time. Cheryl, the director of Weights and Measures, testified that the division needs authority, staffing, licensing categories, and expensive test equipment to oversee EV chargers, and that current rules do not adequately cover this emerging technology.

Transcript Highlights:

• And now we're at the end of the road and we're being asked to kick it again, right, in three years.
• And I think it's because at the end of a long road trip, you want to hear a happy ending.
• Would you expand on that tolling? Yes, currently there is a tolling statute that exists right now.
• The tolling statute is 30-1-9.2.
• Section 9, page 33, addresses the tolling of time if a youth absconds from supervised release.

Bills: SB41, SB153, SB165, SB261, SB264

Keywords: sexual crimes, statute of limitations, criminal justice, victim rights, child abuse, procurement, contracting, small business, local government, disaster recovery, emergency procurement, certification, public spending, juvenile justice, delinquency, rehabilitation, community corrections, risk assessment, public safety, health regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• Regular folk don’t know what a tolling agreement is.
• You know, we could add 30 miles of shoulder on roads...
• You know, we could add 30 miles of shoulder on roads.
• Yeah, it's a cost to the taxpayer that pays for the road or the bridge.
• Yeah, it's a cost to the taxpayer that pays for the road or the bridge.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1645, which would shorten Missouri’s general civil statute of limitations for personal injury claims from five years to two years for actions on or after Aug. 28, 2026, while also expanding the civil statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims from 10 years to 20 years after age 21. Sponsor Rep. Matthew Overcast and supporters argued the change would improve Missouri’s business climate, align the state with most others, and lower insurance costs, while preserving and strengthening access to justice for child sexual abuse survivors. Rep. Seitz supported the abuse-related provision and noted he is pursuing additional retroactivity language separately. Opponents, including trial lawyers and victim advocates, argued the shorter filing window would bar legitimate claims, especially for adult sexual abuse victims and people with serious injuries who need more time for discovery, treatment, and deciding whether to sue. Supporters included hospital and insurance representatives, the Missouri Insurance Coalition, Missouri Chamber of Commerce, Missouri Farm Bureau, NFIB, and others, who said longer exposure periods increase reserves and premiums and create uncertainty; opponents emphasized that many victims do not come forward quickly and that contingency-fee litigation and discovery already screen cases. No vote was taken in the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 1610, a similar proposal to reduce the general statute of limitations, but to three years instead of two. Sponsor Rep. Hardy Billington said it was essentially the same concept as HB 1645 with a slightly longer window. Witnesses largely repeated their positions from the earlier bill: insurance and business groups supported the reduction as a way to improve predictability and competitiveness, while trial lawyers and victim advocates opposed shortening the time for injured people to file suit. The bill was heard without a separate vote. Next, the committee heard House Bill 2182, which would reduce the general statute of limitations from five years to two years and was presented by Rep. Mackey. He framed the bill as part of a broader effort to make Missouri more attractive for business and to align with neighboring states. Support came from the Missouri Insurance Coalition, Missouri Chamber of Commerce, Missouri Farm Bureau, NFIB, Associated Industries of Missouri, the Missouri Railroad Association, and others, who argued that shorter exposure periods reduce reserves, improve market stability, and can lower premiums. Opposition testimony again focused on access to courts for injured people and the risk that shorter deadlines would force premature or overly broad lawsuits. No vote was taken. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2714, which would change Missouri’s comparative fault rule so that a plaintiff who is more than 50% at fault could not recover damages, replacing the current pure comparative fault system. Sponsor Rep. Dane Deal said the bill would align Missouri with several neighboring states and provide more certainty for businesses and insurers. Supporters said it would reduce liability exposure and better reflect responsibility. Opponents, including trial lawyers, argued the current system already allocates damages according to fault and that the proposed change would bar recovery even when a plaintiff is only slightly more at fault than a defendant. The discussion included examples such as car wrecks and the McDonald’s coffee case, with opponents stressing that juries should continue to apportion damages under the existing rule. The hearing ended without a vote.