Transcript Highlights:

• And they drive to work.
• And then you're thinking about how drives policies. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you.
• So I have a squeaky clean driving record. but So I have a squeaky clean driving record, but, like, if
• Like, so if I have a squeaky clean driving record, me and Rep.
• they can't afford it, which drives up costs for everyone.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a public hearing on a wide range of auto insurance and vehicle-related bills. Testimony focused heavily on autonomous vehicle regulation, auto insurance rating by ZIP code, rental car liability coverage, and surcharge thresholds for minor accidents. Representative Polito supported a bill to regulate autonomous vehicle testing and deployment, arguing for school-zone restrictions, slower speeds, a remote kill switch, and minimum insurance requirements to protect the public. Representative Mendez and Senator Payano testified for legislation to reduce racial and socioeconomic inequities in auto insurance pricing by limiting the weight insurers may place on territorial loss costs, while the Mass Insurance Federation and Consumer Federation of America offered opposing and supporting views, respectively, on the fairness and actuarial impact of geographic rating. The committee also heard support for a bill to remove inspection-sticker violations from license-point calculations, and for a bill to raise the damage threshold for insurance surcharges and minor/major accident classifications. A substantial portion of the hearing addressed House Bill 1301 on rental car liability. Enterprise Mobility, the American Car Rental Association, and a small Massachusetts rental company supported the bill, saying personal auto insurers should be primary when their insureds drive rental cars, that Massachusetts is an outlier compared with most other states, and that the change would reduce costs and simplify claims handling. The Mass Insurance Federation opposed the bill, arguing that current Massachusetts law already clearly makes the vehicle owner’s policy primary and that shifting liability would raise costs for private-passenger policyholders. Committee members asked detailed questions about how rental coverage works, whether premiums or rental rates would change, and how other states handle the issue. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to adjust surcharge rules for at-fault accidents, with sponsors arguing that repair costs and vehicle values have risen sharply and that the current thresholds are outdated. Members discussed how the point system affects drivers, whether the proposal should apply cumulatively or per incident, and how Carfax and out-of-pocket repairs factor into consumer costs. At the end of the hearing, the chair noted written testimony could still be submitted and, during a brief personal privilege, recorded support for two underinsurance bills, H. 1109 and S. 748. The committee then moved and seconded a motion to adjourn, and the hearing ended without any votes on the bills themselves.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Alcohol and Other impaired driving Alcohol and Other impaired driving continues<00:04:17.959><c>
• </c> are arrested for an impaired driving are arrested for an impaired driving offense<00:04:27.479><
• </c> safe driving safe driving impair<00:10:30.279><c> driving</c><00:10:30.640><c> enforcement</c><00
• :10:31.399><c> obviously</c> impair driving enforcement obviously impair driving enforcement obviously
• There's a lot of different things that can continue to drive it.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• They're not just driving a vehicle.
• You don't have to be driving. But you have access to a CDL.
• They're not just driving a scope to it. They're not just driving a vehicle. vehicle. vehicle.
• <00:08:25.360><c> dangerous</c> &gt;&gt; They're driving poisonous and dangerous &gt;&gt; They're driving
• </c> You don't have to be driving. You don't have to be driving.

Bills: SB205 , SB242 , SB205 , SB242

Committee: House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure

Keywords: appropriation, education funding, priority schools, Alabama education, State Department of Education, codification, state law, legal revisions, Alabama code, legislative updates, underground damage prevention, notification system, construction safety, infrastructure, commercial driver license, English proficiency, work authorization, impoundment, false documentation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> drunk he was driving on a valid license. drunk he was driving on a valid license.
• We need to drive.
• And then one last piece to promote people who are required to drive with interlock to in fact drive a
• And then one last piece to promote people who are required to drive with interlock to in fact drive a
• </c> consequence if you are caught driving consequence if you are caught driving after<01:30:49.920><

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Once they can drive there when they visit, they can drive there when they visit for tourism.
• to WVU or drive to Morgantown and see that.
• Their driver's license and drive to WVU or drive to Morgantown and see that beautiful area on their driver's
• Which side of the road do they drive on? They drive on the other side of the road.
• So it's actually, I grew up driving on the other side of the road.

Committee: Senate Transportation and Infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• driving records.
• with good driving habits.
• record: driving the wrong way on a one-way street, driving on the wrong side of the road, driving under
• or rewarded for good driving records.
• or rewarded for good driving records.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, pledge, roll call, and a quorum present, then approved a motion to lay over House Bill 1525 for one legislative day. It also voted not to concur with House amendments on Senate Bills 2294, 2297, 2070, 4017, and 2262, appointing conference committees for each. The chamber then took up a series of House bill amendments and final-passage votes. On amendments, the Senate adopted changes to House Bill 1229 on fleeing law enforcement and driving-record transparency after debate over insurance impacts and public safety; House Bill 1510 on teacher retention, on-site child care, and licensure study language; House Bill 1160 to restrict student personal electronic devices during instructional time; House Bill 1429 to address drone harassment and stalking of animals; House Bill 1203 to harmonize medical marijuana provisions; House Bill 1600 to create a UND immigration clinic with reporting requirements; House Bill 1130 to broaden K-12 funding formula changes and reduce state fiscal impact; House Bill 1279 to modify the coal conversion tax exemption; House Bill 1442 to adjust membership and scope of a state task force; and House Bill 1464 to convert a maternal care services proposal into a study and remove the appropriation. The Senate rejected an amendment to House Bill 1022 concerning the Retirement and Investment Office bonus program, then passed the bill. It also passed House Bill 1234 on a $90 million transfer to reduce PERS liability, while rejecting a floor amendment to it. On final passage, the Senate passed House Bills 1008 (Public Service Commission budget), 1218 (temporary moratorium and study on economic analysis for drain projects), 1234 (PERS funding transfer), 1146 (PERS defined contribution cleanup and emergency clause), 1355 (expanded notice for administrative rulemaking), 1470 (Game and Fish fee changes and guide/outfitter updates), 1029 (Capital Grounds Planning Commission duties), 1017 (Game and Fish budget), 1374 (township supervisor open-meeting exemption for on-site inspections), and 1064 (NC-SARA membership and distance education regulation). It defeated House Bill 1583 on false political advertisements with civil-action language and House Bill 1393 on earned wage access provider regulation. The transcript ends as the Senate begins consideration of House Bill 1326 on self-defense and unlawful firearm possession by felons.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> significantly safer than driving, significantly safer than driving, transit<00:08:54.800><c> riders
• </c> messed up and I couldn't drive. messed up and I couldn't drive.
• </c><00:43:13.760><c> at</c> that uh results in their driving at that uh results in their driving at
• . drive. drive.
• </c> potentially a mental illness of driving potentially a mental illness of driving excessively<00:59

Bills: HF3429 , HF3418 , HF3431 , HF1597

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: intelligent speed assistance, transportation, speeding offenses, public safety, license restrictions, speed control, pedestrian safety, traffic safety, roadway improvements, nonmotorized transportation, crosswalks, sidewalks, bike lanes, complete streets, Vision Zero, Toward Zero Deaths, MnDOT, Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, local road authority

Transcript Highlights:

• not being trained in driving appropriately?
• And even our rural students who are familiar with driving because they've been driving on the farm are
• , but I had been driving a tractor for a lot of years when I was ready to drive a car.
• We talk about distracted driving, seatbelt use, and driving under the influence.
• I've driven and still do drive 18-wheelers, big loads, heavy loads. I drive a normal truck, car.

Committee: House Professional Registration and Licensing

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and adopted a House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2300 by a unanimous roll call vote of 18-0. The substitute combined a number of previously approved professional registration items, including emergency suspension authority, chiropractic and massage therapy provisions, accountant regulations, the athletic trainer compact, social worker regulations, a speech-language pathologist fix, telehealth, nonprofit pharmacies, and the physician assistant compact. Members noted that work was still ongoing on bell bondsman language before the committee moved into public hearing. The main public hearing was on House Bill 2897, which would expand optometrists’ authority to perform certain laser and in-office procedures. Representative Farnan and optometry supporters argued the bill is about patient access, especially in rural areas, and said it would allow three laser procedures—YAG capsulotomy, laser trabeculoplasty, and laser iridotomy—plus clarify other already-performed office procedures, while still excluding major surgeries such as cataract surgery, LASIK, and corneal transplants. Supporters said optometrists already receive relevant training, that a 32-hour certification course would serve as a safeguard, and that patients often face long waits or long travel times for care. Opponents, including ophthalmologists, argued the bill would blur the line between optometry and surgery, create safety risks, and rely on insufficient training and ambiguous language. They cited complications from laser procedures, questioned emergency care claims, and said optometrists should not be regulated as surgeons unless placed under the State Board of Healing Arts. No vote was taken on HB 2897, and the chair recessed the hearing for later continuation. The Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education then took up House Bill 3239 and adopted Amendment 0.01H, which capped the program at $4 million to keep it from becoming an open-ended cost. The committee then adopted the House Committee Substitute and voted the bill do pass by 11-7. The committee also combined House Bills 2913 and 3228 into one substitute and voted that combined measure do pass by 19-0. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2195, which would create the Missouri Integrated Safe Driving Program and encourage school districts to incorporate driver-safety content into existing courses without adding a fiscal note or mandating a standalone driver’s ed class. Sponsor Representative Reedy and supporters from AAA Missouri and the Missouri Driver Education Coalition said the bill would address teen crash rates, improve access to driver education, and help schools use existing curriculum time more flexibly. The hearing remained in discussion with testimony continuing.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, we have long drives, long lines, and repeated delays that have created real frustration across
• You know, we have this bill today, the distracted driving or hands-free bill.
• But if I'm in a truck and I'm driving, I have a CB.
• But so they're driving like this and they're focused, but that's their way to communicate.
• driving driving drunk, you equivalent as driving driving drunk, you know,<00:36:31.280><c> and</c><00

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, there are instances where..." it drives um visitation to the islands it drives um visitation to the
• </c><01:02:46.000><c> Community</c> relating to the Banyan Drive Community relating to the Banyan Drive
• I'm the chair of the of Banyan Drive.
• </c> in developing Banyan Drive is foremost. in developing Banyan Drive is foremost.
• </c><01:14:22.560><c> We're</c> back within the Banyan Drive. We're back within the Banyan Drive.

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Summary: The committee first heard SB 2627, which would exempt Hawaii Tourism Authority contracts and agreements for sports projects, events, and related marketing from the state procurement code and other competitive bidding requirements. HTA, DBEDT, and the State Procurement Office testified in support or with comments, while one individual offered general support for sports tourism. Senators focused on narrowing the bill so the exemption would apply more specifically to sports-related projects and marketing, rather than broad marketing activities, and discussed whether the bill should require notice to the State Procurement Office or approval by the chief procurement officer. Procurement officials said a reporting requirement would be the most expeditious option, while still allowing post-event monitoring and public posting of exemptions. Members also discussed whether the exemption should be limited to situations involving sole-source sports entities, such as major leagues or international sports organizations, to better justify bypassing procurement rules. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion provided, but members and testifiers agreed to continue working on the language. The hearing then moved to SB 2074 relating to state facilities and naming rights for the Aloha Stadium and Hawaii Convention Center. The Stadium Authority, HTA, and DBEDT testified in support, while the Outdoor Circle and other organizations opposed the measure. Opponents argued the bill could create fiscal and legal risk, echoing concerns raised in prior legislation and by the attorney general, and warned it would mark a major shift by treating public facilities as commercial branding opportunities. Supporters said naming rights could generate significant revenue to help fund the stadium project and reduce the burden on the state and developers. Senators questioned how signage would be handled, especially whether it would be exterior-facing or limited to inward-facing signage, and the Stadium Authority said it was willing to work with the Outdoor Circle on language that would preserve community aesthetics while allowing revenue generation. A senator cited a prior study estimating naming rights could bring in about $1.5 million per year over 20 years, and asked what that revenue would buy for the public; the Stadium Authority responded that it would help advance the project toward a larger, improved stadium. No final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Once they can drive there when they visit, they can drive there when they visit for tourism.
• to WVU or drive to Morgantown and see that beautiful area on their driver's license.
• to WVU or drive to Morgantown and see that beautiful area on their driver's license.
• Which side of the road do they drive on? They drive on the other side of the road.
• So it's actually, I grew up driving on the other side of the road.

Summary: The Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee met, approved the March 9, 2026 minutes, and then took up the engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 4577 relating to driver's licenses. Counsel explained that the bill would authorize the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to enter reciprocal agreements with Ireland and Japan to recognize each other’s driver’s licenses, provided the foreign licensing standards are at least as stringent as West Virginia’s. The bill also requires drivers using recognized foreign licenses to carry insurance and comply with state financial responsibility laws, clarifies that foreign license holders are not eligible to register to vote through the DMV, and allows the commissioner to set related fees and adopt rules. A strike-and-insert amendment and a title amendment were adopted. The committee heard from DMV counsel Adam Hawley and the bill’s House sponsor, Delegate Mike Hornby. Hawley said the measure would allow citizens of the listed countries to avoid retaking written and skills tests when transferring licenses, and noted West Virginia already has similar arrangements with Taiwan, South Korea, and Germany. Hornby said the bill was intended to support economic development and trade ties, especially with Ireland, where American workers and companies face licensing hurdles; he said Ireland had requested state-level reciprocity and that Japan was added because of West Virginia’s existing trade relationship there. Several senators expressed support, describing the bill as a symbolic and practical step toward foreign investment and job creation. After discussion, the committee voted to report the engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 4577, as amended, with a recommendation that it do pass. The title amendment was then adopted, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We work really, you know, really deeply in retail and drive innovation.
• So the first one is really tied to driving consumption and key channels.
• So it's about driving dairy perception. It's about driving reach and engagement with consumers.
• It's about driving demand and sales impact and innovation and industry advancement.
• They're setting these funds aside to ensure that we're driving demand.

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I own A+ Driving School.
• I own A+ Driving School.
• Um it's slippery in the kids driving.
• </c> that um vertical curve because driving that um vertical curve because driving it<00:31:28.399><c
• </c> um idea of how fast people can drive um idea of how fast people can drive past<00:41:07.119><c>

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Airboats, mudboats, some people call them mud boats, surface-drive boats.
• to blinds or maybe driving through this park.
• And I 20-year-old and a surface drive can access. That's all I want to do.
• Nowadays, they are no louder than surface drives.
• He's not able to drive one of those surface drives anymore.

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• But something is leading them to be not safe to drive.
• We all drive the same streets, and none of us like impaired drivers.
• Not quite, because you haven't really told me if taking cannabis will impair my driving.
• If you're driving under the influence, then you have to ask the judge for a search warrant.
• I have to have physical evidence leading me to believe you're too impaired to safely drive.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> their mothers against drunk driving their mothers against drunk driving efforts,<00:30:35.039><c
• </c><02:44:31.040><c> and</c> with the problem of drunk driving and with the problem of drunk driving
• But if we want to deal with drunk driving, let's seriously deal with drunk driving.
• </c> misdemeanor DUI without actually driving misdemeanor DUI without actually driving a<02:49:58.399
• He's driving while drunk, or maybe it's DUI, driving under the influence in the District of Columbia.

Bills: HCR39 , HR275 , HR875

Keywords: social work, mental health, community health, social justice, addiction support, veteran assistance, child welfare, disability rights, intellectual disabilities, inclusion, The Arc, community support

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> It shouldn't matter whether I drive It shouldn't matter whether I drive myself<00:52:39.040><c>
• I drive them. My wife drives them. My two children that are of driving age drive them.
• I drive them. My wife drives them. My two children that are of driving age drive them.
• . driving. driving.
• </c> driving the car or this person. driving the car or this person.

Transcript Highlights:

• folks can drive and you know black folks can drive and you know black folks can drive luxury cars too
• so much so they drive to court driving so much so they drive to court driving so much so they drive
• a driving fine in cost uh by by driving a driving fine in cost uh by by driving a driving the vehicle
• to let people drive right we're going to let people drive right we're going to let people drive cars
• my kids to school I had to drive drive my kids to school I had to drive drive my kids to school I had

Bills: HCR 21 , HCR 22 , HCR 23 , HCR 24 , HCR 25 , HCR 26 , HCR 27 , HCR 31 , HCR 41 , HCR 42 , HCR 43 , HCR 44 , HCR 45 , HCR 52 , HCR 53 , HCR 66 , HCR 67 , HCR 73 , HR 8 , HR 10 , HR 13 , HR 20 , HR 21 , HR 50 , HR 59 , HR 61 , HR 71 , HR 74 , HR 79 , HR 84 , HR 86 , HR 90 , HR 91 , HR 102 , HR 103 , HR 107 , HR 113 , HR 125 , HR 126 , HR 132 , HR 142 , HR 145 , HR 149 , HR 150 , HR 152 , HR 167 , HR 179 , HR 181 , HR 183 , HR 186 , HR 192 , HR 196 , HR 199 , HR 207 , HR 211 , HR 212 , HR 213 , HR 216 , HR 249 , HR 256 , HR 259 , HR 261 , HR 263 , HR 272 , HR 281 , HR 285 , HR 294 , HR 295 , HR 300 , HR 305 , HR 311 , HR 313 , HR 315 , HR 316 , HR 323 , HR 331 , HR 339 , HR 340 , HR 346 , HR 349 , HR 352 , HR 357 , HR 358 , HR 360 , HR 363 , HR 374 , HR 377 , HCR 20 , HCR 28 , HCR 30 , HCR 32 , HCR 49 , HR 14 , HR 15 , HR 19 , HR 23 , HR 24 , HR 25 , HR 26 , HR 27 , HR 29 , HR 47 , HR 48 , HR 55 , HR 56 , HR 66 , HR 85 , HR 92 , HR 93 , HR 95 , HR 96 , HR 140 , HR 155 , HR 164 , HR 204 , HR 241 , HR 242 , HR 250 , HR 253 , HR 260 , HR 262 , HR 265 , HR 279 , HR 310 , HR 312 , HR 328 , HR 332 , HR 359 , HR 362 , HR 367

Transcript Highlights:

• , victim impact statements, interlock devices, again no driving, and home visits.
• Now, if there is some sort of workaround in terms of somebody driving a vehicle if they have a no driving
• Parole, many times, will have, in some cases, a no driving condition, or they will have a no driving
• to have to have an interlock if you're given that permission. ...There's no driving; you can't drive
• We have everything that comes through us, and so we have so many people that drive.

Bills: HB1482 , HB2017 , HB2103 , HB2341 , HB2756

Committee: House Corrections

Keywords: community supervision, repeat offenders, intoxication, Texas Penal Code, criminal justice reform, intoxication manslaughter, criminal penalties, mandatory supervision, parole eligibility, Grayson's Law, mental health, trauma, jailers, law enforcement, occupational health, diligent participation, state jail felony, time credits, rehabilitation programs, de-escalation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> time the portion related to driving time the portion related to driving economic<00:03:09.599><c
• </c><00:30:53.919><c> this</c> part of our economy and drive this part of our economy and drive this
• Native Americans have the highest rate men drive so that's the the portion of men drive so that's the
• </c> from the state for this men Drive from the state for this men Drive program<00:51:49.400><c> I</
• </c><00:58:41.559><c> but</c> cancer initiative under men drive but cancer initiative under men drive

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy