Transcript Highlights:

• And that’s a 2.9-mile section.” “I-15 there in Utah County. And that’s a 2.9-mile section.
• And that green section, that’s the one that’s above there, is that 2,100 North section.
• travel using public transportation.
• There's a stigma in riding transportation and going to and from. ...stigma in riding transportation and
• Okay, so that’s our definition in code, the defining code that we’re requesting for what recovery means

Committee: Joint Transportation Interim Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Number two: President Pro Tempore and members of the Senate, pursuant to Article 4, Section 5B2 of the
• , requiring the Department of Transportation to include a report. and priorities financed by bonds in
• Pursuant to Section 5B2 of the New Mexico Constitution, I am authorizing for your consideration during
• Repealing sections of the NMSA 1978. Making an appropriation. Senate Bill 14.
• Enacting sections of the Health Care Purchasing Act, the New Mexico Insurance Code, the Health Maintenance

Transcript Highlights:

• Walsh of Peabody moves to amend the bill by striking out section 1.
• following section: Section 1, paragraph A, notwithstanding section 1 of chapter 30 of the General Laws
• Section 40, Section 2, DDD, DDD of Chapter 29 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2024 official
• One of those things has to do with transportation.
• Michaelowitz of Boston and others move to amend the bill in Section 2A.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also to Department of Transportation staff, especially in active transportation, on their work on complete
• In the 2023 session, the Legislature amended the same section, section 160 of the Local Project Approval
• Recently did with our parking codes.
• How do we back it up enough to make sure that we're compliant and making the legacy code or the new codes
• It's been codified here at section 630 of the GMA.

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 105.1.1 of the code states that an owner who intends to conduct an operation or business or install
• The code provides more information in Section 102.4.
• In addition, the Fire Code Commentary describes the code, the fire code, as a companion fire and life
• safety code to the building code.
• code, fire code, those types of things.

Committee: Joint Government Finance Committee

Summary: The committee first received a general fund and revenue update from the Office of Management and Budget. Staff reported that the state started the biennium about $176 million above prior estimates, but year-to-date revenues were now running below legislative forecast, mainly due to lower individual income tax and sales tax collections. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap, the legacy fund continued to grow, and oil revenues were slightly above forecast overall. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing variability, and OMB said agencies would be asked to address potential federal reductions case by case during budget preparation. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analysis materials, followed by a bill draft for a fixed-route city transportation grant program. Testimony from transit officials in Fargo and Minot supported the proposal, saying state aid would help match federal transit funds and support operations, but members raised questions about the funding source, fare structures, and whether the program should be limited to the current four fixed-route cities or allow future eligible cities. Several members asked for more time to study the formula and possible funding options before moving the bill forward. Next, the committee approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to a proposed North Dakota-South Dakota bi-state authority. Staff explained the provision had been unused for about 30 years and that existing law likely already allowed joint powers agreements without the specific language. The committee voted to adopt the repeal bill draft. The Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site then provided an update on uncrewed aircraft system initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and future revenue models. Officials said North Dakota had received FAA approval to operate the radar data pathfinder, had begun replacing non-compliant drones from restricted foreign sources, and was working on phased procurement and cost-recovery plans. Members asked about deadlines, funding, supply-chain issues, and how the system would be used; staff said the federal restrictions were already in effect and that Vantis was being positioned as infrastructure for future beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. Finally, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and on a reentry housing task force. The new facility is planned for the penitentiary grounds, with a reduced estimated cost of about $263 million, 600 beds initially, possible expansion to 732 beds, and completion projected around 2031 if funded in 2027. The reentry housing task force described a data-driven effort to identify housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with the goal of reducing homelessness and recidivism through targeted housing support and possible subsidies. Members asked about staffing, site selection, housing duration, and whether employment and transportation needs would be included in the assessment.

Transcript Highlights:

• following section: Section 1, paragraph A, notwithstanding Section 1 of Chapter 30 of the General Laws
• With transportation, a vast majority of these funds, With transportation, a vast majority of these funds
• Section 40, Section 2, DDD, DDD of Chapter 29 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2024 official
• One of those things has to do with transportation.
• And one of the problems with transportation.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and received a resignation letter from Rep. Fana Howard of Lowell, effective March 17, 2026, as she transitioned to the Senate. The chamber then took up several procedural orders, including multiple unanimous or voice-vote suspensions of rules and concurrence with Senate petitions, such as referrals on housing and student transportation matters, and a suspension of Joint Rule 12 for a petition involving children served by DCF. The main substantive item was House No. 5264, a fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill totaling about $1.8 billion. Members discussed its use of Fair Share surtax surplus funds for transportation and education, including major support for the MBTA, special education circuit breaker costs, early education and child care, snow and ice costs, regional transit authorities, and other deficiencies such as GIC and sheriff costs. Members also explained the bill’s tax conformity provisions responding to recent federal tax changes, with debate over whether to delay conformity to limit state revenue exposure. The House adopted a consolidated amendment to the bill and then passed it to be engrossed by roll call vote, 150-3. The House also adopted a resolution commending the Admetek Foundation on Prostate Cancer Awareness Day. Several local bills were advanced, including a sick leave bank for a Department of Corrections employee, a bill waiving the minimum age requirement for a Boston police officer, a Nantucket charter bill, a Stoneham public safety bill, and a Malden special police officers bill, the last of which was amended before being engrossed. The chamber also considered Amendment 43 to redistribute $100 million of Fair Share revenue more evenly to municipalities for roads and education; supporters argued the current distribution favored statewide priorities over local aid, while opponents said the formula would not adequately address rural road needs. That amendment was rejected 128-25. The House then recessed several times, observed moments of silence for local public servants, welcomed visiting youth sports teams, and finally ordered adjournment to meet the next day at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 105.1.1 of the code states that an owner who intends to conduct an operation or business or install
• The code provides more information in Section 102.4.
• In addition, the Fire Code Commentary describes the code as a companion fire and life safety code to
• the Building Code.
• code, fire code, those types of things.

Committee: Joint Government Finance Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We are proposing amendments to Section 96-02-10.1 of our administrative code.
• Section 33-07-03.03.02-20 is amended to update a citation to correct an administrative code section and
• And that, again, is in compliance with food code. And then Section 7 is...
• The purpose of our rules here is to repeal Section 7 of that admin code related to the cost-sharing agreement
• So the department moved the language from one section of code to another section of code.

Summary: The committee first approved the December 3 minutes, then heard a request from the Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice to amend its proposed rule on exempt test methods to add certain closed-system DNA/RNA tests, including rhinovirus. After testimony explaining that the board had considered late comments from BioMérieux and wanted the rule record to reflect that review, the committee agreed to a limited amendment and passed the motion unanimously. The Department of Agriculture then outlined broad rule updates affecting dairy, eggs, poultry, pesticides, animal health, environmental mitigation, and the Egg Product Utilization Commission. The commissioner said the changes mostly clarified existing requirements, updated references, and reduced some burdens, such as easing dairy hauler training/licensing timing and clarifying out-of-state grade A milk language. Members asked about dairy industry decline, the APUC scoring system, and the rationale for the milk-hauler and out-of-state milk provisions. The State Board of Dental Examiners presented extensive rule changes tied to recent legislation and workforce issues, including a new professional health program for dentists, expanded duties for assistants and hygienists, broader local anesthetic authority for hygienists, and fee increases to fund the program and cover administrative costs. Testimony from Dr. Edward May strongly supported the professional health program based on his own recovery experience. The committee also heard from Game and Fish on rules easing some guide/outfitter experience requirements, allowing electronic exams, and modifying boating safety equipment rules, with no public comment and no fiscal impact. Later, Health and Human Services received approval for an extension to update tattoo/body art rules and a separate motion to repeal an obsolete nurse aide training chapter. HHS also described nursing facility rule updates, lodging sanitation revisions, and related clarifications on licensing, safety, pest control, and fire requirements. The Department of Environmental Quality received an extension for septic-system installer rules, and also presented rules for above-ground storage tanks and water/wastewater operator certification, including new fees and third-party testing options. The Industrial Commission’s oil and gas division described multiple rule changes, some withdrawn after comments, including drilling unit flexibility, site stability, wildfire authority, and streamlined transport/reporting procedures. Finally, DPI began presenting several rule packages, including school construction loan limits, school bus standards, cooperative agreements, special education rules for public charter schools, and new math curriculum and intervention requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today is Monday, March 30th, and this is a hearing of the House Transportation Committee.
• So the only thing that will be in that QR code is the VIN number.
• That's all that will be in the QR code. Okay, good.
• Can the locals scan the QR code and get the same thing? They can. Okay.
• I mean, nobody's scanning a QR code. Be able to ingest a VIN to look up.

Bills: HR1 , HB96 , HB345 , HB360 , HB401 , HB592 , HB703 , HB723 , HB729 , HB776 , HB838 , HB844 , HB882 , HB885 , HB888 , HB966

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Summary: The committee first heard House Resolution 1, which approves the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority’s annual State Integrated Coastal Protection Plan for fiscal years 2026-2027. CPRA officials described the plan as about $1.54 billion, with roughly 93% directed to project implementation and construction, funded through state mineral revenue, GOMESA, BP spill dollars, surplus funds, and newly available coastal sediment funds. They outlined projects across the coast, including marsh creation, barrier island restoration, levees, pump stations, freshwater diversions, and nonstructural flood protection, and said the plan had been unanimously approved by the CPRA board after public hearings. Members asked about specific coastal and basin issues, including the Sabine River, the Chafalaya Basin, Bayou Sorrel, and tidal flooding in interior parishes. HR 1 was reported favorably without objection. The committee then considered House Bill 838, as substituted, dealing with vehicle inspection stickers and related OMV modernization. The substitute would repeal inspection requirements for assembled vehicles, keep periodic inspections for commercial and student transportation vehicles, address federal inspection requirements, allow out-of-state inspections in some cases, and create a Louisiana Vehicle Identification Program using QR codes. Members focused on privacy and enforcement questions, and OMV and state IT officials explained that the QR code would contain only the VIN and that the system would support police ticketing applications. The bill also ties implementation to the OMV modernization effort and takes effect January 1, 2027. HB 838 was reported by substitute. The committee next advanced House Bill 888 on temporary dealer plates, adopting a set of amendments that added security features, clarified timing for the new electronic issuance system, and adjusted rules for temporary tags and dealer plates. Testimony from the auto dealers’ association said the bill was intended to reduce fraud, resolve confusion over five-day versus 60-day tags, and extend certain temporary loaner tag periods from five to ten days. HB 888 was reported with amendments. The committee also heard House Bill 885 on electronic titles and lien recordation, which would allow electronic signatures, electronic lien notifications, and electronic titling/recordation for participating commercial entities, with civil immunity for good-faith actions and a severability clause. Members raised questions about fraud prevention and consumer participation, and supporters said the bill would modernize the process and align Louisiana with current industry practice. HB 885 was reported by substitute. Finally, the committee advanced House Bill 723, which allows certain two- and three-wheeled motorcycles and mopeds to proceed through a red light under specified circumstances when sensors fail to detect them. The sponsor said the measure is a safety fix for riders stuck at malfunctioning signals, and the bill was amended to clarify the vehicle types covered. The committee also considered House Bill 882 on outdoor advertising, which would increase billboard spacing on state highways from 150 feet to 1,000 feet and allow certain signs damaged by an act of God after January 1, 2010, to be rebuilt. Supporters said the bill would reduce billboard density and improve aesthetics, while opponents argued it would harm smaller operators and impose a one-size-fits-all rule. After testimony, HB 882 was amended and reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> workout the next uh organizational code workout the next uh organizational code on<01:43:33.239>
• Code 5032 is our oversized and overweight permitting section.
• uh we talked about the this or code uh we talked about the safety<02:01:55.520><c> section</c><02:01
• The equipment line, our survey section—the equipment line—our survey section.
• That page 40, Section 70, so starting on line 22. I don't know what section 42, p— no, I got it.

Summary: The committee met with New Hampshire DOT Commissioner Bill Cass and Finance Director Danielle Shandra to review the agency’s FY 2026 budget. Cass gave a high-level overview of DOT’s mission, organization, funding structure, and staffing trends, noting the agency has about 650 employees across five divisions. He said the Governor’s recommended FY 2026 budget totals $95.99 million, essentially flat from FY 2025, with funding primarily from Turnpike funds, Highway funds, federal sources, and a small General Fund share for non-highway units. Members asked about how Turnpike and Highway funds are treated in state accounting, and DOT explained that while they are enterprise funds restricted to their purposes, they are considered unrestricted from the statewide perspective and are appropriated through the budget process. A major topic was staffing and budget targets. DOT said its full-time staffing level has remained relatively flat since 2014 even as vehicle miles traveled increased and vacancies rose. To meet budget targets, the department unfunded seven permanent positions and nine temporary full-time positions, and later noted additional reductions in Finance, including the elimination of two full-time positions, reduced print shop equipment purchases, and deeper cuts to overtime, temporary help, equipment, and supplies in FY 2027. DOT also explained that it shifted funding for one unmanned aerial system position from General Funds to Highway Funds, saying the change was workable because the position supports highway-related work and federal-aid-eligible activities. Members asked for clarification on the state transit operating match, and DOT explained that the Legislature had previously provided about $1.8 million annually in General Funds to help local transit agencies meet federal match requirements, but that funding was not included in this budget. DOT said that could reduce the ability to draw down some federal transit funds, though the impact may not be immediate because those funds can be used over several years. The department also described its unmanned aerial system program, saying it has been used for about five years for mapping, survey work, construction oversight, and storm damage assessment, and that it now has about five drones and two full-time positions supporting the program. DOT said it is expanding cross-training so more employees can operate drones without adding positions. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So here's 287(g); that's a section in code.
• ISP simply does transport. They do not do enforcement of ICE.
• In regards to the specific sections, specifically the jail section, To the specific sections, specifically
• Transportation planning isn't partisan; it's technical.
• Transportation planning isn't partisan. It's technical.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• by the addition of a new section, 18-4117, Idaho Code, to prohibit a person from entering a restroom
• Tax Exemption, amending Section 63-4502, Idaho Code, to limit eligibility for the tax exemption for
• And then I got to page six, section 48, 2105, paragraph 2.
• bicycle into all the sections of code where for the last almost 40 years we have assumed that all bikes
• And then lastly, there is one final section of code where this assumption about the presence of e-bikes

Transcript Highlights:

• In the House of Representatives, House will 577 by Transportation. 76 by Transportation Defense Committee
• orphan code, and repealing code for state-level activity.
• Repealing orphan code, and repealing code for state-level activities that no longer exist, like maternity
• And then sections 14 and 15 are just amendments to currently existing code that strike out mention of
• and the journal show it has been read a third time, section by section, and placed before the Senate

Transcript Highlights:

• And if not, could you point to the section of code of this bill that would protect his deputies from
• So this idea of transportation that Mr.
• So this idea of transportation that Mr.
• And just for reference, harboring is in three sections of code.
• And just for reference, harboring is in three sections of code in Idaho: 1825.08, 18508, and then we've

Committee: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• The journal shall show it has been read the third time at length, section by section, and is properly
• Idaho Code 40-117 to revise a definition and amend Section 40-207 to allow federal funds or grants received
• Code 40-117 to revise a definition and amend Section 40-207 to allow federal funds or grants received
• This bill repeals the previous separate code sections for the Board of Denturity and Dentistry and replaces
• them with a new consolidated board code section.

Transcript Highlights:

• Amending Section 16-602, Idaho Code, to revise a definition.
• Amending Section 16602, Idaho Code to revise a definition.
• Amending Section 52-17, Idaho Code, to provide for penalties.
• Amending Section 56-1004, Idaho Code, Amending Section 56-1004, Idaho Code, to establish a provision
• This is code cleanup. It's removing a section of code that talks about a deposit account.

Transcript Highlights:

• The question I have relates to section 66012, so section two of your bill.
• I had to go and pull Chapter 66 of the Transportation Code to really understand it.
• Currently, the Texas Transportation Code protects some airport customer identifying information as a
• Transportation.
• fluid milk per Transportation Code Section 623.421.

Bills: HB2007 , HB2863 , HB2921 , HB3331 , HB3332 , HJR144 , HB3514 , HB3528 , HB3720 , HB3751 , HB3859 , HB3947 , HB4148 , HB4346 , HB4880 , HB5603 , HB4337

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• of the code.
• Statutes that amended different sections of the code on the same topic or even sometimes the same sections
• They're in the optional municipal code sections. They're in the GMA sections.
• , building code, fire code...
• But also, you have to consider energy code, building code, fire code, inclusionary zoning requirements

Summary: The committee heard a series of presentations on comprehensive plan updates, permitting reform, special purpose district coordination, and subdivision reform. Pierce County and the City of Redmond described their recent comprehensive plan updates, emphasizing housing production, transit-oriented development, middle housing, preservation of affordable housing, and the need for technical assistance and clearer state guidance. Both jurisdictions said the planning process took years and was complicated by overlapping state requirements, changing legislative mandates, and multiple review authorities. Redmond in particular said mid-course legislative changes forced supplemental environmental review and added significant cost and delay, and both local governments asked for more stability, clearer statutes, and better-aligned timelines. Presenters from the architecture, building official, and development sectors focused on permitting delays and proposed ways to speed housing delivery. Dave Boucher of AIA Washington argued for a provisional construction permit process for projects stamped by licensed professionals, along with mandatory deadlines and fewer stalled review cycles. Tim Woodard of WABO described existing tools such as pre-application meetings and phased approvals, noting they can improve certainty but also require staff time and careful coordination. Representatives from Master Builders and D.R. Horton said permit and subdivision delays add substantial cost to housing, citing studies showing months of delay and tens of thousands of dollars added per home, and urged administrative approvals, concurrent review, self-certification, and limits on repeated review cycles. The committee also reviewed a Commerce-led task force report on integrating special purpose districts into Growth Management Act planning. The task force recommended early invitation and notice to water, sewer, school, port, and other service providers during countywide planning policy and comprehensive plan updates, better coordination on grants and capital projects, updated water system coordination plans, and improved school siting and funding alignment in fast-growing areas. Speakers stressed that the recommendations were intended to be light-touch and focused on better communication rather than major statutory overhaul, while also noting that rural and slow-growing areas should not be burdened with the same requirements as rapidly growing jurisdictions. On subdivision reform, FutureWise and the City of Spokane discussed making more subdivision decisions administrative, preserving vesting, clarifying exemptions, and reducing unnecessary notice and appeal steps. Spokane described local reforms such as smaller minimum lot sizes, unit lot subdivisions, and reduced-process “minor engineering review” for simple plats, while raising concerns about new notice requirements and appeals to city councils for technical plat decisions. Across the hearing, members repeatedly returned to the theme that local governments, builders, and state agencies need clearer, more coordinated rules to reduce delay and uncertainty while still protecting safety and planning goals.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 105.1.1 of the code states that an owner who intends to conduct an operation or business or install
• The code provides more information in Section 102.4.
• In addition, the Fire Code Commentary describes the code as a companion fire and life safety code to
• code, fire code, those types of things.
• We do have the authority still under code, several sections under Title 40, that give cities independent

Summary: The committee began with roll call, introductions of a new fiscal analyst and a new member, and approval of the March 19 minutes. The first major presentation was from the Office of Management and Budget on the state’s general fund and special fund status through May. OMB reported general fund revenues were running below the legislative forecast by about $76 million, driven largely by weaker individual income tax and sales tax collections, though the projected ending balance remained positive and above the budgeted level. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap and would transfer excess earnings to the general fund, and the legacy fund balance continued to grow. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing revenue variability. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analyses, followed by discussion of a bill draft for the fixed-route city transportation network study. The draft would create a $15 million general fund grant program with a formula-based distribution to eligible fixed-route transit cities, intended to support operating and capital needs and help match federal transit funds. Transit officials from Minot and Fargo testified in support, explaining local fare and match structures and the difficulty of replacing aging buses and securing federal matching dollars. Several members questioned whether the program should be limited to the current four cities or broadened to future eligible urban areas, and whether local funding sources should be explored further. The committee did not finalize the bill draft at that point and planned to continue discussion at a later meeting. The committee also approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to approval of a bi-state authority with South Dakota, after staff explained that no agreements had ever been implemented and the provision appeared outdated. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried. Later, the Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site presented updates on uncrewed aircraft systems initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and efforts to build a revenue model for Vantis. Test site officials said FAA approval had been secured for the radar data program, replacement of noncompliant drones was underway, and future revenue could come from state and external users once pricing and intellectual property arrangements are finalized. Members asked about Chinese-made drones, supply chain issues, automation, and how the system would manage beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation then presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and a reentry housing study. Officials said the proposed facility would relocate the minimum-security prison to the penitentiary campus, reduce costs from an earlier estimate, and provide more beds and programming space, with construction potentially beginning in 2027 and opening around 2031. They also described staffing needs, the planned move of women to the New England facility, and possible expansion of men’s housing there. The parole and probation chief described a reentry housing task force studying housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with a goal of developing data-driven recommendations for subsidies and support services; a representative from Protection and Advocacy closed by expressing general support for fixed-route and paratransit funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:16.040><c> sections</c> being and just have the code sections being and just have the code
• Section 9 directs the new health care professions board provisions to be codified by Mississippi code
• There are two different legislative subpoena code sections in current law.
• </c><00:15:47.840><c> sections</c><00:15:48.760><c> in</c> legislative subpoena code sections in legislative
• subpoena code sections in current<00:15:49.280><c> law.

Committee: Joint Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency