Transcript Highlights:

• And so, we think about the projects that we do and the communities that we serve.
• And so then you have specialized design, construction, or technology.
• Uh one of construction or technology.
• And this is technological uh items Okay.
• And so the heavy technology component.

Keywords: 00:05 Call to Order and Roll Call 01:20 Road Projects 46:30 Approval of Minutes 46:50 Railroads 57:26 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met without a quorum, so it could not approve the minutes. The chair announced an Eastern Kentucky University health forum later that day and then proceeded with testimony on alternative delivery methods for road projects. Jason Sawala of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Chad Laroo of the Kentucky Association of Highway Contractors were sworn in and introduced themselves. Sawala explained KYTC’s use of alternative delivery tools, including design-build, construction manager/general contractor (CMGC), and public-private partnerships (P3s). He said the cabinet’s goal is to deliver the best value to taxpayers in terms of quality, cost, and time, and emphasized that alternative delivery is most useful on projects with special circumstances such as innovation needs, specialized technology, complex constructibility, schedule pressure, or early contractor input. He cited the cabinet’s wrong-way driving prevention project as an example where design-build helped evaluate technologies and coordinate with stakeholders such as EMS and first responders. He also outlined the main tradeoffs: alternative delivery can improve collaboration and sometimes accelerate schedules, but it also brings risks related to right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, changing scope, and the need for dedicated staff and compressed decision-making. He stressed that these methods are not a cure-all and are not appropriate for every project, while noting that traditional design-bid-build remains effective for most of KYTC’s work. Representative Branscum responded favorably, saying early contractor involvement is valuable and consistent with his experience in the vertical construction world. No votes or formal actions were taken because the committee lacked a quorum.

Transcript Highlights:

• Certainly the association recognizes that noise ordinance have a purpose in our community.
• And for every dollar spent in a restaurant in your community, it's $1.99 back to that local community
• It's just triangulated communication and it's a duplication of that. fees.
• It enables the use of smart technology that can automate the bill. plan review.
• I'm testifying on behalf of the Community Association Advocates.

Bills: SB264, SB542, SB924, SB1008, SB1029, SB1036, SB1057, SB1058, SB1185, SB1202, SB1358, SB1364, SB1376, SB1569, SB1664, SB1697, SJR50

Keywords: SB 264, Texas Workers' Compensation Act, group self-insurance, self-insured groups, workers' compensation, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, certificate of approval, guaranty fund, trust fund, wind down, dissolution, labor code, insurance regulation, employer coverage, risk pool, business and commerce, trade workforce economic development, property owners' association, water conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• that come from the technology.
• The community, some community members who may not feel empowered, safe or comfortable connecting with
• that their communities need.
• If you're in another community, like ones I serve, where they need it to go for other community safety
• I will say that's different than my community.

Summary: The committee began with a public hearing on Substitute House Bill 1592, which would change how state public defense funds are distributed and, in the substitute version, keep current law on state funding responsibility while revising the allocation formula. Staff explained the bill would shift county and city distributions to a pro rata, caseload-based model, allow very low-density counties to request OPD to provide some or all public defense services, require additional data collection and reporting, and direct OPD to study caseload reductions and retention. Representative Peterson said the bill is meant to create a better structure for future state support of indigent defense without the very large cost of the original proposal. Testimony from counties, cities, OPD, defenders, and local officials was strongly supportive, emphasizing a statewide public defense crisis, rising local costs, staffing shortages, and the need for a fairer funding model. The committee then heard Substitute House Bill 1742 on environmentally sustainable urban design and Substitute House Bill 1906 on water system regulation and water rates. HB 1742 would create a center in Ecology to promote sustainable urban design, fund design competitions and grants, and establish an advisory council; the sponsor said the bill reflects a desire to support a pilot project through alternative funding, and there was no public testimony. HB 1906 would require more planning and notice for Group A water systems, add customer notice and right-of-first-refusal provisions for some ownership changes, and direct the UTC to consider external funding sources, capital planning, and rate smoothing when setting water rates. Water utility and PUD witnesses supported the goal of improving transparency and consolidation of failing small systems, while noting the substitute reduced some fiscal concerns. The committee also heard HB 2248 on Secretary of State corporate and charity filings, HB 2438 creating the SEED scholarship for early childhood education students, and HB 2515 addressing emerging large energy use facilities such as data centers. HB 2248 would redirect part of annual filing fees to the Secretary of State revolving fund, require initial reports from nonprofits and LLPs, and change trademark certificate procedures; the fiscal note showed modest revenue losses, and the division supported restoring the fee split for operational funding. HB 2438 would transfer $10 million annually from the GET account to fund scholarships and wraparound services for early childhood education degree seekers, with testimony from early learning advocates and a student describing workforce shortages and personal financial barriers. HB 2515 drew extensive testimony both for and against: supporters said it would protect ratepayers, water resources, and grid reliability by requiring tariffs, reporting, clean-energy requirements, and a fee on large energy users; opponents argued it singled out data centers, could hurt investment and jobs, and included unrelated labor and procurement provisions. After public testimony, the committee moved into executive-session briefing on several bills and amendments, including HB 1903 on statewide low-income energy assistance, HB 1909 on a court unification task force, HB 1982 on vacating certain convictions tied to treaty Indian rights, HB 2034 on LEOFF Plan 1 retirement changes, HB 2105 on employer notice of federal I-9 audits, HB 2210 on ranked-choice voting, HB 2215 on Climate Commitment Act fuel supplier obligations, and HB 2271 on post-consumer recycled content requirements. Staff summarized proposed substitutes and amendments, with several changes aimed at reducing or shifting fiscal impacts, narrowing agency duties, or striking provisions entirely.

Transcript Highlights:

• You must be able to communicate. It teaches communication so that you can express those ideas.
• You're communicating to a particular group of people, but that communication, that's not DEI.
• You are seen, members of the LGBTQ community, you are seen, and know that Members of the LGBTQ community
• My community is not like Jim Boyd's; my community is not like Kathleen Passidomo's or Hooper's.
• My community is not like gym boys, my community. most diverse. My community is not like Jim Boy's.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, introductions, and a moment of silence honoring service members killed in the conflict in Iran, including Florida native Captain Cody Cork. The chamber then moved through a special order calendar, taking up several bills on education, public safety, insurance, health, and local government policy. Many measures were accompanied by sponsor explanations and supportive remarks from members, often emphasizing constituent impacts, public safety, and administrative efficiency. The first major bill, SB 1062 on speech and debate education, was expanded through a delete-all amendment and passed 37-0 after extensive floor debate praising debate programs as a civic and educational tool. SB 1072 created an anti-Semitism task force in the Attorney General’s Office; an amendment clarified that criticism of Israel is not prohibited, and the bill passed 37-0. SB 1230/HB 1019 addressed PFAS “forever chemicals,” especially in firefighting foam, with phase-outs, testing, enforcement, and exceptions for certain federal, military, and emergency uses; it also passed 37-0 and was dedicated in memory of former firefighter Joe Casello. SB 1706 expanded the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program with tighter eligibility rules, and SB 186 required broader seizure-response training and seizure action plans in schools; both passed unanimously. The Senate also approved SB 598 updating funeral and cemetery regulation, SB 990 authorizing protected cell captive insurance companies, SB 554 modernizing nonprofit corporation law, SB 560 streamlining foster care medication and oversight procedures, SB 684 easing electronic signature requirements for total-loss vehicle and vessel titles, and SB 778 revising forensic client services for certain defendants with intellectual disabilities or autism. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including SB 432, SB 928, and SB 620. Most of these measures passed by votes of 36-0 or 37-0 after brief debate or no debate. The most contentious item was SB 1134 on official actions of local governments related to DEI. The sponsor argued the bill would stop taxpayer funding and promotion of discriminatory or indoctrinating DEI practices, citing examples from several counties and cities. Multiple amendments sought to narrow penalties, protect good-faith officials, and preserve local proclamations and observances, including LGBTQ Pride Month and other cultural events, but those amendments were rejected. Debate centered on vagueness, local discretion, and whether the bill would chill legitimate government activity. The transcript cuts off during questioning on the underlying bill, before final disposition is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a lot of progress with technology mapping.
• Due to very similar disease pathologies, the scientific community must... ...the scientific community
• They represent a very substantial burden to the whole community.
• The whole community of dementia in the future.
• adult community.

Bills: SB5, SJR3, SB 5, SJR 3

Keywords: dementia, research institute, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, funding, grants, state health initiatives, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, district apportionment, legislative rules

Transcript Highlights:

• However, there are some pro-housing communities, such as one of the cities in my community, that still
• So I applaud the effort to have this addressed for your community.
• Chah Hewitt with the California Community Foundation, in support.
• Chewitt with the California Community Foundation in support. Thank you.
• Chah Hewitt with the California Community Foundation and support.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:36:35.440><c> as</c> place um because I think technology as place um because I think technology
• </c> safer when we can Implement technology safer when we can Implement technology without<00:36:43.280
• Again, technology is being used more and more.
• </c><01:26:50.360><c> for</c> more Equitable legal Community for more Equitable legal Community for everyone
• </c> to do some kind of technological to do some kind of technological buildout<01:33:16.920><c> to</

Bills: HF2233, HF1524, HF1893, HF1396, HF2456, HF2959, HF2300, HF2412, HF3022, HF2825, HF1862, HF1373, HF1039, HF3070

Keywords: Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money

Transcript Highlights:

• We have been creating parent-facing communications and resources.
• I'm the CEO and president of Community Child Care Council of Sonoma County, or Four C's.
• We also experienced a wave of retirements in our community.
• We expanded office space and technology.
• How many community-based slots do we need? "Home-based slots"—do we need?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's these kinds of, hopefully, technology investments that we can make as we worked through these
• So we would recommend maybe a $10 million deposit into the voting technology fund.
• And then, of course, we continue in our Office of Technology Services...
• They want to give back to their communities.
• Is there a need to figure out how to evaluate what the needs of that particular community are?

Summary: The committee met to review budget and fiscal items, beginning with a roll call and a reminder about severe weather and the need to keep the meeting brief. Members first received the January fiscal status statement and certified the prior-year surplus at $577,073,871, with no changes from the prior month. The fiscal status statement was approved without objection. Staff then reviewed the five-year baseline budget and continuation/standstill budgets, noting projected imbalances in later years driven by revenue declines, including the redirection of motor vehicle sales tax, and by rising costs such as inflation and Medicaid adjustments. Representative Amadee asked about Medicaid growth and SNAP administrative costs, and staff explained that the SNAP federal match change is separate from Medicaid. The governor’s executive budget presentation focused on a third year of standstill budgeting, efficiency savings, and the impact of one-time reductions and agency reorganizations. Officials said the budget avoids recurring spending from nonrecurring revenue and incorporates savings from prior efficiency efforts. Major items discussed included funding for LA Gator vouchers, the high-impact jobs program at Louisiana Economic Development, DCFS modernization, corrections overtime and offender costs, Angola population growth, nursing home and MCO adjustments at LDH, and additional support for the MJ Foster Scholarship and Board of Regents systems. Members also discussed the distinction between state general fund and federal funds, the effect of inflation on specific purchases, and the use of surplus dollars, including deposits to the Budget Stabilization Fund and UAL paydown. No formal action was taken on the budget presentation. Later items included the FY27 expenditure limit calculation of $20.1 billion, up $953 million from FY26, and the annual comprehensive financial report, which received an unmodified audit opinion. The committee approved a BA-7 increasing federal funds for the governor’s office by $2 million for U.S. DOT-related infrastructure and rural transit work. It also approved Facility Planning and Control requests to add five higher education deferred maintenance projects and to combine two Baton Rouge Community College projects. CPRA received approval to extend contracts with Coastal Estuary Services and Access Sciences for monitoring and records-management services. The committee also approved a legislative intent clarification for a $500,000 appropriation to the New Orleans Recreational Development Foundation. The final major discussion was a presentation on a weighted caseload study for appellate and district courts. Judicial officials explained that the study updates an outdated formula used to assess judgeship needs, incorporates specialty courts and commissioners, and is intended as one tool in a broader collaborative process with the legislature. Members raised concerns about the number of judges, court funding, and how Louisiana compares with other states. No vote was taken on the study, but the discussion emphasized future collaboration on judicial resource allocation and possible structural changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:04:22.119><c> center</c> regional 14 applied technology center regional 14 applied technology
• </c> pass through money for the communities. pass through money for the communities. uh<01:19:19.679>
• </c> forgiveness depending on the community forgiveness depending on the community and<01:19:55.520><
• </c><01:20:23.679><c> I</c> communities. Uh any questions on that? I communities.
• </c> self-funded by the member communities self-funded by the member communities and<01:22:01.840><c>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:42:40.560><c> to</c> suggestion for local communities to suggestion for local communities to
• The Department of Commerce, their LMI community solar garden program is a net benefit to the— community
• I community solar garden uh program.
• </c> community solar uh garden pro community community solar uh garden pro community solar<01:05:11.520
• </c><01:49:34.320><c> comes</c> works first and what technology comes works first and what technology

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> needs of the veterans in the community needs of the veterans in the community and<00:09:27.920><
• and higher education, um, community and higher education, um, community<00:36:59.839><c> colleges</c
• </c> legislature and the business community. legislature and the business community.
• Affairs and Communications.
• Information technology.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I feel like it'll be a good stimulus for uh investment back in the communities that are producing oil
• So then, so they will use that new technology.
• So by investing in these communities, it recognizes these communities' vital role.
• Or reinvestment from stakeholders within the community.
• I'd be remiss if I didn't thank them for their reinvestment in the community. Thank you. Yeah.

Bills: HB188, HB 265, HJR35

Keywords: emergency preparedness, flood-prone communities, Texas Rural Emergency Preparedness Fund, disaster relief, funding, youth camp, safety regulations, advisory committee, child welfare, health standards, summer camp, camp safety, child abuse reporting, child neglect, mandatory reporting, background check, criminal history check, sex offender registry, CPR training, first aid

Transcript Highlights:

• May their work enhance our communities and build up the common good.
• His technology is being deployed across the world and has been featured in Forbes and the History Channel
• leaders and community partners unite efforts to make early diagnosis of cerebral palsy in Arizona a
• reality. ...and community partners unite efforts to make early diagnosis of cerebral palsy in Arizona
• And both the Senate Finance Committee chairman, myself, the tax community, you know, evaluate this bill

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Laura Mercer. Members also made several personal privilege introductions, including guests for National Women’s History Month, Father Andres Arango and Interfaith Day participants, Jeremiah Pate, and a proclamation recognizing March 25, 2026, as Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day. Representative Simacek and others highlighted United Cerebral Palsy’s work, early diagnosis, and expanded services for people with cerebral palsy. On the floor, the House announced committee substitutions and bill referrals, then moved into Committee of the Whole. Three Senate bills received do pass recommendations: SB 1092, described as ending probation or early release for people convicted of dangerous crimes against children; SB 1097, the annual claimant bill; and SB 1135, a government-related measure. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole report and referred those bills to engrossing. The House then took up SB 1430, a tax corrections bill. Representative Calles raised concern that a provision might remove multiple tax exemptions, while Representative Olson said the measure was a technical cleanup and that any policy-changing language had been removed in committee. The bill passed 51-0, with nine not voting, and was sent back to the Senate. The House also received committee meeting announcements and adjourned until 10 a.m. Thursday, March 26, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Activities make the students; they make the community as well.
• We need to do everything we can to keep our communities strong.
• We bring these to the community so we get more input from community members.
• Same thing's true in technology. Let's find some real numbers...
• helps... ...stuff and having a community helps prevent that.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of tech affordability of that technology of tech affordability of that technology is is is and<00
• </c> those technologies those technologies are<00:52:40.920><c> flourishing</c><00:52:41.560><c> in</
• community.
• And I was so proud of that community.
• And they're targeting communities?

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are a part of our identity, our history, and our rural communities.
• Thank you also for your service and commitment to community and our community and technical colleges.
• It's the economic engine, literally, of our community.
• And then also the advancement of technologies.
• Electricity so that we are not burdensome for the local community.

Bills: SGA9314, SGA9282, SGA9288, SGA9296, SGA9232, SGA9233, SGA9235, SGA9236, SGA9237

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also know that a lot of these students are part of my community, my migrant and immigrant community
• technology programs.
• how children and communities are suffering.
• While those victim advocates play a critical role, many survivors in low-income communities and communities
• This is an important part of community safety.

Summary: The committee first heard Substitute House Bill 1128, which would create a Child Care Workforce Standards Board within the Department of Labor and Industries to study child care workforce conditions and make recommendations on employment standards. Staff explained that the proposed second substitute narrows the board’s role from setting enforceable standards to making recommendations, with estimated ongoing costs for L&I staffing and smaller costs for board member stipends and possible DCYF support. Supporters, including child care providers, SEIU 925, and labor representatives, said the bill would help address understaffing, low wages, and retention problems; opponents, including child care industry groups and private schools, argued it duplicates existing work, adds bureaucracy, and creates unfunded costs. No vote was taken in the hearing. The committee then heard Second Substitute House Bill 1634, which would direct OSPI and ESDs to develop a technical assistance and training framework to help schools coordinate student behavioral health supports. Staff said the bill aligns with the Washington Thriving Strategic Plan and could largely be implemented with existing work and limited additional costs, though DOH would need some support. Testifiers from behavioral health and school counseling fields described severe youth mental health needs and urged passage, and OSPI said the work is doable with current resources. The committee also heard Substitute House Bill 2636, which would create a public education review advisory council to recommend K-12 policies and funding provisions for JLARC review; staff described JLARC, OSPI, and State Board costs, and no public testimony was offered. The committee next heard House Bill 1316, which would expand the Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness program so additional university campuses can access funding. The sponsor said the program has strong retention outcomes, and student advocates testified that campuses such as UW Bothell need access to already appropriated funds for emergency aid, food pantries, and case management. Staff then briefed Substitute House Bill 2474, which would allow the Student Achievement Council Tuition Recovery Trust Fund to be used for refunds tied to broader consumer protection violations, with no expected fiscal impact; there was no testimony. The committee also heard Substitute House Bill 2365 on digital equity, which would expand the Broadband Office’s role, revise the digital equity forum, and rename the grant program; supporters emphasized rural access, affordability, and the loss of federal digital equity funding, while staff estimated significant Commerce staffing costs and some additional agency impacts. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2401, creating a Washington State Boys and Men Commission contingent on non-state funding, with staff outlining OFM startup and fundraising costs and an estimated operating budget if fully funded. Supporters said boys and men face mental health, education, and mentorship gaps and that the commission would improve coordination; the bill drew testimony from rural school leaders, nonprofit advocates, and community members. The committee then heard Substitute House Bill 2475 on language access, which would require the Office of Equity to develop uniform language-access guidelines and a report on interpreter and translator shortages; staff said the office could absorb the work but other agency and local government impacts were uncertain. Substitute House Bill 2517, on permitting for high-capacity transit, would let regional transit authorities apply for permits earlier and streamline land-use processes; Sound Transit and the sponsor said it would speed delivery of major projects, while staff estimated Commerce technical-assistance costs and possible local government impacts. The last bill heard was Substitute House Bill 2145 on the 340B drug pricing program, which would bar manufacturers from restricting contract-pharmacy access and require reporting to DOH; supporters said it protects safety-net providers and patient services, while opponents warned of higher costs for employers, state health plans, and litigation burdens. No final committee action or votes were recorded in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the whole community was shocked, and um there was a manhunt for a good while.
• So<00:36:23.040><c> the</c><00:36:23.280><c> whole</c><00:36:23.520><c> community</c><00:36:23.839><c
• ><c> our</c> Technology and training for our Technology and training for our volunteers<01:09:54.640>
• And then finally on the technology side, we're moving to virtual desktop for all of our volunteers.
• </c><01:13:00.719><c> side</c> And then finally on the technology side And then finally on the technology

Bills: HF2825

Keywords: expungement, criminal justice, background check, security industry, private detective, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> for IQ or intellect, communication, for IQ or intellect, communication, processing,<00:04:11.040
• </c> have this option because the technology have this option because the technology for<00:14:55.199
• </c> science and technology are here today. science and technology are here today.
• </c> communities and populations. communities and populations.
• </c> human services can communicate with us. human services can communicate with us.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all