Transcript Highlights:

• Every entity that has a grant with us has a contract with deliverables, including reporting deliverables
• And so, are those the contracts that you're talking about?
• Those contracts are already in place, and you have some very rigorous criteria for those?
• So those are all part of those contract requirements today. Again, we have a dashboard.
• So I do hope that there will be an audited process and that in the contract, as a part of the grant,

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Another school district entered a contract with the same person and decided to pay him $80 per hour.
• You don't recognize the $80 per hour contract at 100. You recognize it at 80.
• </c> contract at 100. You recognize it at 80. contract at 100. You recognize it at 80.
• a per-contract basis for the cost of your services?
• :05:30.319><c> basis</c> with districts on a per contract basis with districts on a per contract basis

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission to study special education costs under SB 57 met for its second meeting, with members introducing themselves and reviewing background materials on New Hampshire special education identification rates, NAEP results, and a Wall Street Journal article about the rise in autism diagnoses. The chair explained that the commission is examining special education aid formulas, including how New Hampshire’s current catastrophic aid threshold works and how changes to that threshold might affect school districts, but noted that the needed data on how many students would shift into the aid system at lower thresholds is not yet available. The main testimony came from Henry Litman of HHS on Medicaid reimbursement in schools. He explained that school-based Medicaid funding is tied to health-related services, not all special education services, and that federal rules are changing in state fiscal year 2027. Under the new approach, schools will move away from an in-kind methodology to a certified public expenditure model that may also allow recovery of some overhead costs, such as support staff time. He said the state won a federal grant to help build the new system, hired a vendor, and is setting up training and a help center for districts. Members asked about why Medicaid claims have declined and whether districts are leaving money on the table. Litman said claims are down about 25% from pre-pandemic levels, with declines tied to federal and state rule changes, documentation requirements, provider qualification rules, and the end of temporary pandemic flexibilities. He said some districts adapted better than others depending on local medical-provider access and administrative capacity. He also said the new federal legislation does not directly affect schools, while New Hampshire’s return to pre-pandemic eligibility rules has reduced enrollment somewhat. No votes were taken, and the discussion ended with agreement that the commission needs better data to determine how much special education spending is truly Medicaid-eligible and whether additional legislation is needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> has to specify that the the contract has to specify that the the contract with<01:35:43.520><c>
• </c><01:36:11.040><c> again</c> for the duration of the contract again for the duration of the contract
• That gets us through the large load service contract.
• </c><01:39:42.360><c> And</c><01:39:43.280><c> uh</c> service contract. And uh service contract.
• </c> contracts in the state. contracts in the state.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , with regards to active contract management.
• contract um with regards to active contract management<01:35:14.199><c> and</c><01:35:14.440><c> through
• and the way we think about our contracts, the way we write our contracts, and then the way we manage
• exist in a contract, are our program intended performance metrics, right?
• that the people we are Contracting with that the people we are Contracting with can<01:42:28.080><c>

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, it's a it's a it's a contract. It's a health plan. contract. It's a health plan. contract.
• that contract um that's what they that's contract um that's what they that's contract um that's what
• I mean the contract you have I agree a contract is contract you have I agree a contract is contract you
• of me also whatever is in the contract of me also whatever is in the contract contract confines contract
• First of all, the contract, the evergreen contract that contract, the evergreen contract that contract

Bills: SB 1 , HB 500 , SB 1 , HB 1400 , HB 1094 , HB 365 , HB 1109 , HB 647 , HB 500

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> silent in that contract. silent in that contract.
• Again, that's a private contract.
• It is a contract and you just that.
• Again, that's a a 90 99-year contract. Again, that's a private<03:35:25.200><c> contract.
• </c> private contract. It was negotiated. private contract. It was negotiated.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> contracts, and other obligations. contracts, and other obligations.
• If the town needs a service or they need to contract, they're going to contract someone anyways; then
• </c> to contract, they're going to contract to contract, they're going to contract someone<03:58:10.960
• I think that that would be a contract that you would do it, um, where you're contracting for a certain
• So, it's kind of ambiguous contract.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These amendments change IDIQ contracts to IDIQ construction phase contracts, and Amendment 17 changes
• These amendments change IDIQ contracts to IDIQ construction phase contracts.
• Amendment 17 changes the exception that IDIQ contracting under this section may be used for projects
• Design services may be included in these contracts to the extent they support the contract phase of projects
• set of contracts.

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on March 16 and first disposed of several local bills without controversy. House Bills 590, 679, and 873 were voluntarily deferred. HB 503, allowing certain utility terrain vehicles and golf carts in Golden Meadow, was amended and reported. HB 720, clarifying tacit dedication and public access to waterways and related access points, was reported favorably. HB 856, expanding indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracting authority for DOTD and the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, was amended and reported. HB 487, increasing penalties for drivers who run red lights by using shoulders or turn lanes to pass stopped traffic, was amended and reported. HB 846, prohibiting obscured or covered license plates, was reported favorably. HB 733 and HB 875, both dealing with OMV reinstatement fees and lapses of insurance, were reported with amendments after discussion of audit findings and fee timing. HB 707, moving liquefied petroleum gas commission functions to Agriculture, was amended and reported. HB 693, creating legislator district signs, was amended and then voluntarily deferred. HB 777, requiring a driver's license renewal knowledge exam, was amended and voluntarily deferred for further work with the department. HB 746, concerning oversized trucking permits issued by local governments, was introduced but not advanced, with the author signaling a desire to work on the issue further rather than force a vote. Several bills drew extended debate over safety, enforcement, and government overreach. HB 309, which would have penalized pedestrians for looking at cell phones while crossing crosswalks, was amended from a criminal offense to a $25 civil fine but then voluntarily deferred after members raised concerns about enforceability, tourism, free will, and whether the bill targeted the right party. HB 695, requiring permits and QR-code documentation for consensual non-commercial towing of multiple connected vehicles, was heavily questioned over how it would work in practice, whether it applied to single or multiple vehicles, and how out-of-state travelers would know about the requirement; the committee asked the author to work with OMV and State Police and voluntarily returned the bill to the calendar. HB 868, removing the farm exemption from trailer safety-chain and attachment requirements after a fatal accident involving a trailer separation, was amended and reported despite concerns from members and the Agriculture Commissioner about impacts on older farm equipment and the need to preserve flexibility for agricultural operations. The committee also heard testimony from law enforcement, the auditor’s office, the Department of Transportation and Development, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and industry groups. Chiefs of police supported the red-light and license-plate bills as common-sense public safety measures, while the Legislative Auditor explained that the OMV fee bills were intended to align Louisiana’s reinstatement fees and grace periods more closely with other states and with audit recommendations. DOTD and the secretary supported the procurement bill as a tool to speed construction and maintenance work. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain supported the propane commission bill and urged caution on the farm trailer safety bill so that older and specialized equipment would not be unintentionally burdened.

Transcript Highlights:

• And to clarify, how does the contract work between the construction workers and their employer when it
• ><c> uh</c><00:23:14.400><c> the</c> contract work between uh the contract work between uh the construction
• So, have a contract with their employer.
• Um, and those contracts are fairly new for the state to enter into, right?
• Um, and those contracts are fairly back.

Bills: SB2141 , SB2593 , SB2824 , SB2135 , SB2115

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: retirement, law enforcement, pension, public safety, employee contributions, Law Enforcement Standards Board, LESB, civil service exemption, collective bargaining exemption, law enforcement certification, police standards, law enforcement training, officer certification, training and curriculum coordinator, lead investigative agent, administrative manager, administrator, Hawaii HRS 76-16, Hawaii HRS 139-3, personnel exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• It was explained that Louisville has an intense management contract with the East Kentucky Expo Center
• , and that this would allow them to put that in their city audit or allow the Expo Center to contract
• </c> has an intense management uh uh contract has an intense management uh uh contract with<00:07:38.720
• with the um with an Center to contract with the um with an independent<00:07:53.120><c> auditor</c><
• There is no contract between the property owner and the sanitation district.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:15 Roll Call 00:25 HB 403 Discussion 02:11 HB 403 Vote 03:08 HB 555 Discussion 04:55 HB 555 Vote 08:42 HB 321 Discussion 10:55 HB 321 Vote 13:22 HB 18 Discussion 15:21 HB 18 Vote 35:10 HB 85 Discussion 39:08 HB 85 Vote 46:40 HB 371 Discussion 49:22 HB 371 Vote 52:03 Adjournment 53:48, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Local Government met with a quorum and took up several bills, mostly focused on local planning, zoning, and municipal administration. House Bill 403, a simple measure giving coroners a six-month grace period to complete continuing education, was presented by Rep. Deanna Gordon with testimony from Madison County Coroner Jimmy Cornelson and received unanimous support. House Bill 555, a technical bill affecting audit deadlines and flexibility for small cities and certain expo center audit arrangements, was explained by JD Cheney of the Kentucky League of Cities; he said it would help about 97 cities comply with audit requirements and allow more flexibility when municipalities are making good-faith efforts. The committee approved HB 555 on a roll call vote, with one no vote from Rep. Griffee and others in favor, and reported it favorably to the House floor. House Bill 321, also presented with JD Cheney and Rep. DJ Johnson, would expand the time for planning commission and board of adjustment members to complete orientation and continuing education, with a focus on housing supply and accessibility. Supporters said it would help recruit more members and concentrate training on land-use impacts on housing; Rep. Roarx and others discussed Louisville Metro’s planning process, while Rep. Brown and Rep. Fleming raised concerns about infrastructure and long-range planning. The committee passed HB 321 favorably after roll call, with one no vote from Rep. Griffee. House Bill 18 drew the most extended debate. Sponsor Rep. John Hodgson said the committee substitute would create incentives for infill development in urban areas and extend a moratorium on zoning district classification changes for two more years, arguing that local elected officials should have more control over major density changes and that unelected boards were approving projects without adequate infrastructure review. Opponents, including Liam Gallagher of Americans for Prosperity Kentucky and several members, argued the bill would restrict housing development, interfere with property rights, and limit Louisville Metro’s ability to update its Land Development Code; supporters countered that the bill would not stop development but would require elected officials to weigh in and address traffic and infrastructure concerns. After discussion, the committee approved HB 18 as amended by the substitute and reported it favorably to the House floor, with several members explaining their votes and some opposing the moratorium on local zoning changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We would utilize some language in the bill to amend existing contracts with existing providers so the
• additional language in the bill, we would work, after the $34 million this past week, to get the contracts
• , for those who were around then, the bill was signed in March and we had all administered under contract
• THAT WHAT WE ARE HEARING CURRENTLY IS HUD IS IN THE PROCESS OF RENEWING SOME OF THEIR CONTRACTS WE HOPE
• I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'VE SEEN ANYTHING YET BUT THERE IN THE PROCESS OF DOING SOME OF THEIR CONTRACTS

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Asking the public to track which branch is rewarding or administering the contract and when the contract
• violating its charter contract when violating its charter contract when South<00:26:57.120><c> Point<
• State contractors with contracts exceeding the small purchase threshold established under the public
• I'd like to get rid of the monetary thresholds for contracts and grants.
• So, the current contracts and grants.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first considered Governor’s Message 574, confirming Michael Tenoi to continue serving on the Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation through June 30, 2028. Several supporters testified, and Tenoi said he valued working with Hawaii and national commissioners and hoped to focus on emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data security. The committee recommended advise and consent and adopted the measure, with a photo taken afterward. The committee then heard HB 1519 on campaign contributions, which would require disclosure of compensated officers and immediate family members of certain state contractors and grantees. The Campaign Spending Commission and State Procurement Office supported the bill but asked for clarifying amendments; several advocacy groups supported the measure but urged stronger language, including removing branch-of-government limits and narrowing loopholes. The chair proposed amendments to remove monetary thresholds, limit the bill to paid officers, add appropriations for the Campaign Spending Commission and State Procurement Office, define “officer” more broadly, and note that false-name contributions are already felonies. The committee voted to pass HB 1519 with amendments. HB 2250, the claims against the state bill, drew testimony from the Attorney General and multiple departments in support, but members raised extensive questions about why many claims would be paid from the general fund, how corrective action is being pursued, and the handling of several specific claims, including wrongful imprisonment, a cesspool citation, Department of Corrections deaths, a large special education settlement, a charter school lease dispute, and an outdated check. Because of those outstanding questions, the committee postponed decision-making on HB 2250 until Tuesday, March 24, at 10:30 a.m. in Room 016. Later, the committee also considered Governor’s Message 725, confirming Daniel M. Gluck as an associate judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals; the committee recommended consent and adopted the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• multi-district online provider is defined in statute as a private or nonprofit organization that contracts
• educators in Washington State, hired by the OMA school district, while they also have a private contract
• The district does not contract out its program to anyone else and is responsible for the learning of
• Porter said schools routinely contract with for-profit providers in other areas, such as food services
• She warned that while the bill may appear to focus on contracts and structure, it could directly affect

Bills: SB6222 , SB6263 , SB6118 , SB6261 , SB6320

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: public education, technology access, surplus hardware, digital divide, student resources, school district, public bidding, bid limits, procurement, public works, construction contracts, competitive bidding, lowest responsible bidder, small works roster, quotations, school purchasing, Washington-grown food, local food, inmate work programs, Department of Corrections

Transcript Highlights:

• the officer makes or a Government officers are prohibited from having a beneficial interest in a contract
• A contract with the commissioner's spouse would not be included in the ban on beneficial interests if
• The commissioner must disclose the interest before the contract is made.
• The commissioner must disclose the interest before the contract is made, and the commissioner must not
• vote on the contract.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several local government bills, with most of the discussion focused on HB 2480, which would require cities and counties planning under the Growth Management Act to allow residential uses in commercial and mixed-use zones and limit local requirements for ground-floor retail or mixed-use conditions. The bill sponsor and supporters, including the Lieutenant Governor, Governor’s Office, Commerce, builders, business groups, and housing advocates, argued it would unlock underused commercial land, reduce housing costs, and help address Washington’s housing shortage. Opponents and some cities said the bill could undermine local planning, walkable mixed-use centers, tax base, and neighborhood retail, and asked for more exemptions or narrower application. Several speakers supported the proposed substitute as a compromise, while others urged not to weaken the bill further. No vote was taken. The committee also heard HB 2223, which would create an exception to the conflict-of-interest rules for irrigation district directors whose spouses work for a district contract, modeled on an existing exception for public hospital district commissioners. The sponsor and the Washington State Water Resources Association said the change would help irrigation districts recruit and retain volunteer board members in rural areas while preserving disclosure and recusal requirements. The hearing was brief and no action was taken. HB 2530 would extend the deadline for forming a public facilities district for regional aquatics and sports facilities from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2028. Supporters from Olympia and Tumwater said the extension would give local governments more time to collaborate and pursue an aquatic center that has long been a community priority; one testifier said removing the deadline entirely would also be acceptable. The committee then heard HB 2459, which would expand authority to site certain schools outside urban growth areas and extend utilities to serve them. Supporters, especially representatives of the Tahoma School District and related groups, said the bill would let districts use land they already own to relieve overcrowding. Opponents, including Futurewise, argued it would weaken Growth Management Act planning and local multicounty policies and should remain a local process. Finally, HB 2129 on agritourism was briefly heard, with the sponsor describing it as a way to help farms stay viable and preserve rural character; the committee heard supportive comments about farm preservation and openness to a work group or amendments. No votes or final actions were taken on these bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So our goal is to get a bid on this project, get a contract in place, and start construction in the summer
• And we do have to—we have a five-year contract with a company out of can't see it as much.
• </c> the engineering firm that we contract the engineering firm that we contract with,<00:26:46.320><
• And so we have to get the permits for that contract. >> But that's every, I believe, contract.
• Those contracts expire in 2028, or those permits expire in 2028.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:30 Office of the Attorney General 00:01:50 Kentucky River Authority 00:12:50, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government met without a quorum at first, then heard an update on child exploitation enforcement efforts from the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Criminal Investigations. The presenters described the specialized investigation and prosecution unit funded in House Bill 6, saying the added resources allowed them to hire four staff members and expand work on cyber tips, search warrants, arrests, forensic processing, victim advocacy, and training for local law enforcement. They highlighted a recent rescue of a 5-year-old victim from a Discord-related case and said the office had also filed a civil lawsuit against Roblox, alleging the platform lacked adequate age verification and allowed predators access to children. Senators asked about the lawsuit, and the presenters said Kentucky was one of only two states to sue Roblox and that the complaint was based on evidence collected by the office. The committee then received an update from the Kentucky River Authority on lock and dam repairs funded in the 2024-2026 budget. The authority reported progress on three capital projects: upper guide repairs at Locks 2 and 3, design and repair work at Dam 7, and design work to reopen Lock 5 for navigation. Officials explained that river construction is limited by flooding and fish-spawn restrictions, and they described the engineering and safety issues involved in replacing guide walls and repairing Dam 7’s spillway. They also said the authority had demolished three obsolete lockmaster houses and filled a fifth lockmaster position, while continuing to work on pay retention for those employees. Members asked about the transfer of the lock and dam properties from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the permitting process through the Division of Water, and the timeline for reopening navigation. The authority said the Corps had transferred the properties to Kentucky, that permits for river work are handled through the Division of Water and the Army Corps, and that Locks 1 through 4 are open seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through the end of October. Officials said Lock 5 would add 14 miles of navigation if reopened, but that it would still take a few more years before that project is complete.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the scope of our state contract with the Department of Health.
• We also recruit in the Allied health professions, which also is not part of our state contract.
• I review a lot of physician contracts. And young physicians are asking for large amounts of money.
• Compete for contracts? Compete for what? For a four-year contract with the state of New Mexico.
• What happens when someone gets a two-year loan repayment contract?

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• What's critical to our republic is that we have courts that can enforce contracts and protect our citizens
• Yes, we would certainly like to be... inmates so we do not have a contract with the federal government
• And quite frankly, this is the lowest, quote-unquote, contract.
• It's not a contract, but among the contracts I have with other entities, this is the lowest that gets
• Robert Anders, representing Alliance for Automotive Innovation, or contract lobbyists, and there are

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee first approved a motion to print RS 33676 without taking testimony, noting it would receive a hearing in another committee. The committee then heard SCR 114 from Senator Guthrie, which would limit the number of bill drafts legislators may request in a year, with exemptions for appropriations, amendments, trailer bills, interim committee legislation, and additional drafts approved by legislative leaders. Guthrie and supportive testimony from the League of Women Voters argued the measure would reduce legislative overload and improve quality; the resolution was sent to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee next considered SB 1330, sponsored by Senator Galloway, to raise the small claims court limit from $5,000 to $15,000. Galloway and a constituent testified that the current limit is too low for common disputes and burdens small businesses and individuals. Administrative Office of the Courts counsel Jason Spillman said the courts expected additional workload and noted the bill could affect magistrate court jurisdiction; Galloway said he would take the bill to the 14th order to add an amendment removing the $25 cap on attorney fees in small-claims appeals. The committee voted to send the bill to the 14th order for possible amendment. House Bill 556, carried by Senator Foreman, would increase state reimbursement to counties for housing state inmates in county jails from the current $55/$75 daily structure to a flat $80 per day. County officials and sheriffs testified that counties are still subsidizing the state, that actual costs are higher than reimbursement, and that overcrowding and delayed transfers create safety and operational problems. Several senators supported the bill while also raising broader concerns about Idaho’s incarceration rates and sentencing policies. The committee sent HB 556 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee also advanced HB 540, presented by Representative Bingham, which would extend public-records protections and related safety/security exemptions to the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections similar to those already available to the Department of Corrections. No opposition was offered, and the bill received a due pass recommendation. Finally, HB 688, presented by Senator Kaiser, would update Idaho’s airbag laws to define counterfeit and non-functional airbags, prohibit knowingly selling or installing them to mislead buyers, and set misdemeanor penalties. Testimony from the automotive industry supported the bill as a consumer-protection measure addressing counterfeit airbags; the committee sent HB 688 to the floor with a due pass recommendation before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have that contract in place, and so our rates during the contract term are fixed.
• If we acquire a hospital, while we've got contracts in place, we don't acquire a hospital and then all
• After the implementation of the contracts, the legislature began to take issue with these acquisitions
• That included complete contracted services, which were not inexpensive.
• That included complete contracted services, which were not inexpensive and also really lacked in care

Committee: House Special Committee on Rural Issues

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on House Bill 1714, adopting an amendment that clarified the bill would not apply to hunting dogs or animals not under direct control of the hunter and would not affect a specified section of law. The committee then rolled the amendment into a House Committee Substitute and voted the substitute do pass, with the roll call showing passage. The committee then heard House Bill 317, which would authorize MU Health Care to collaborate with hospitals and providers in a 25-county area and seek state-action antitrust immunity for those transactions. The sponsor and MU Health Care testified that the bill is intended to help preserve rural hospitals and keep care local, citing multiple hospital closures in Missouri and examples from Alabama and other states. Supporters from MU Health Care, rural hospitals, and local business and health leaders described the bill as a way to stabilize struggling facilities, maintain emergency access, and protect rural economies. Opponents, including the Missouri Insurance Coalition and the Missouri Health Plan Association, warned that the bill could codify monopoly power, raise prices, and reduce competition, and argued that the language was too broad and not limited to distressed hospitals. Some committee members also raised concerns about antitrust immunity, facility fees, market share, and whether the bill should be tightened to ensure voluntary participation and clearer limits. No vote was taken on House Bill 317 before the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have that contract in place, and so our rates during the contract term are fixed.
• If we acquire a hospital while we've got contracts in place, we don't acquire a hospital and then all
• After the implementation of the contracts, the legislature began to take issue with these acquisitions
• That included complete contracted services, which were not inexpensive.
• That included complete contracted services, which were not inexpensive and also really lacked in care

Committee: House Special Committee on Rural Issues

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have ongoing construction contracts of $248.9 million.
• Our contract maintenance budget is just a little over $6 million.
• That is being done by Hasey Contracting, and that project was just a little over $11 million.
• Going on to contract maintenance projects, we do a lot of contract maintenance projects also with the
• Those are basically all throughout the district, contract maintenance-type work, $13.7 million.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The committee heard a District 5 New Mexico Department of Transportation presentation from Rhonda Lopez, who reviewed the district’s FY26 budget, staffing vacancies, and the status of special appropriations from 2020 through 2025. She described numerous completed and ongoing projects across the district, including roadway overlays, bridge work, intersection improvements, ADA upgrades, and maintenance projects, and also summarized STIP, TPF, LGRF, and equipment needs. Members asked about a guardrail issue near U.S. 64 in Hogback, the 5% local match for TPF projects, and the status of the New Mexico 371/U.S. 36 intersection funding agreement with the Navajo Nation; DOT said the match is secured or waived where applicable and that the Navajo agreement is nearly finalized. The committee then heard House Bill 270, which would amend the Public Works Apprentice Training Act to require contributions to apprenticeship and training programs for certain public works contracts, including highway-related work, while creating an exception where no approved apprenticeship program exists for a trade classification. The sponsor said the bill was intended to strengthen workforce development and support apprenticeship training. Contractors and asphalt industry representatives opposed the bill, arguing it would raise road project costs and duplicate existing training contributions. A motion to table failed on a tie, and a later motion to pass also failed on a tie, leaving the bill in committee. Next, the committee heard House Bill 322, which would create a transportation trust fund and transportation program fund, dedicate additional revenue sources including a portion of electricity GRT and motor vehicle excise tax, and begin annual distributions for federal matching funds in 2029. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would help address a multi-billion-dollar road funding gap, improve maintenance, and provide a stable source for matching federal dollars. Some members raised concerns about the electricity tax component, its effect on utility bills, and overlap with recently enacted transportation financing measures; others supported the concept but questioned timing and funding priorities. A motion on the bill resulted in a tie and failed, leaving the bill in committee. The meeting concluded with a District 4 NMDOT legislative presentation. The district outlined its geography, budget, staffing vacancy rate, completed special appropriations, active construction and maintenance projects, wildfire-related recovery work, local government funding allocations, and equipment replacement needs. Members asked about school district uses of local funding and the impact of aging equipment and weather on maintenance costs. The presentation ended without any formal action on District 4 items, and the committee adjourned.