Video & Transcript : 'curriculum development' :

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MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Capital Investment Committee 4/21/26

Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:03:34.120><c> throughout</c> We need to develop capacity throughout We need to develop capacity
  • </c> continues our pre-development. continues our pre-development.
  • The state development that can occur.
  • Paul development or a Ramsey County development, but a state regional development.
  • Paul development. This is not just a St. Paul development.
Keywords: 1183, house
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Day 46 (3-13-26)

Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill gives protections to developers and gives more certainty for developers when you go through
  • Once that development goes there.
  • when a development when a uh development when a development plan<00:42:54.240><c> goes</c><00:42:54.480
  • President, Senate Bill 224 is about giving developers certainty in the developing process.
  • President, Senate Bill 224 is about giving developers certainty in the developing process.
Keywords: 958, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Finance - 04/24/25

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> economic development economic development program.<00:07:40.960><c> On</c><00:07:41.199><c> line
  • :34.000><c> onetime</c> development center, a onetime development center, a onetime appropriation<00:
  • <00:08:54.240><c> a</c> Economic Development Associates, a Economic Development Associates, a onetime
  • </c> Rise 1.4 million Workforce Development Rise 1.4 million Workforce Development Inc.
  • </c> 500,000 Workforce Development Inc. 500,000 Workforce Development Inc.
Committee: Senate Finance
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Jun 18th, 2026

California Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • So go ahead and tax software development, which is essentially taxing labor that develops a product.
  • Which is essentially taxing labor that develops a product.
  • And also, go ahead and limit research and development credits.
  • But today the research and development world is quite different.
  • stop developing new models?
Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then honored astronaut Captain Victor J. Glover Jr. for his achievements as a Navy officer, NASA astronaut, and California native. Senators Weber Pearson and Rubio highlighted his historic space missions and his role as an inspiration for students, especially in STEM, before the chamber took a photo with Glover and his family. The body then took up SCR 183 on Juneteenth. Senator Weber Pearson presented the resolution as a commemoration of emancipation and a reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial justice. Senators Padilla, Smallwood-Cuevas, Valladares, and Becker spoke in support from the perspectives of the Latino, LGBTQ, Women’s, Hispanic, and Jewish caucuses, emphasizing historical memory, faith, and the need to continue fighting discrimination. The resolution passed unanimously, 39-0. The Senate next considered budget trailer bills SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125. SB 110 made technical budget amendments and passed 29-10. SB 122 expanded sales tax to electronically delivered prewritten software, extended and limited business tax credits, adjusted LLC minimum taxes, and included other revenue changes; supporters said it helped balance the budget and protect services, while opponents argued it would raise costs for businesses, hospitals, and families. It passed 27-9. SB 125 created a federally compliant managed care organization tax to support Medi-Cal and avoid deeper cuts; supporters said it was necessary after federal changes eliminated the prior tax, while opponents warned premiums could rise. It also passed 27-9. The chamber also adopted SR 114 designating June 15-21, 2026 as AVID Week, and SJR 14 urging a Congressional Gold Medal for World War II Army and Navy nurses, both by unanimous roll call. SCR 187 recognizing Father’s Day in California also passed unanimously. The Senate then approved a large consent calendar and closed with remarks about Juneteenth and the next session scheduled for June 22, 2026.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Agriculture Nov 18th, 2025

Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:
  • That's been kind of at the forefront of the development of this technology.
  • Or plant health and development monitoring, or harvesting, pruning, thinning.
  • Most of it's been developed for large field situations like you would see in the Midwest.
  • We need this technology to be developed for Florida and our specific agricultural scenarios.
  • I’ve been developing it for eight years, and it’s in the final FDA approval process.
Committee: Senate Agriculture
Summary: The Committee on Agriculture convened, took roll, and heard Senate Bill 58 by Senator Harrow, which would create regulation for companion animal cremation. Harrow described a case involving mishandled pet remains and said the bill would require written service descriptions, prohibit false or misleading statements, require certification with returned remains, authorize Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services rulemaking, and impose civil penalties for violations. With no questions or public opposition, the committee voted the bill favorably. The committee then heard presentations on robotics in agriculture and aquaculture. Dr. Nathan Boyd of UF/IFAS discussed the rapid growth of agricultural robotics, including AI-driven weed detection, targeted spraying, autonomous tractors, and harvesting technology, emphasizing reduced pesticide use, lower input costs, and labor-saving automation. Dr. Nicole Kirchoff of Live Advantage Bait and Adrian Johnson of the Florida Shellfish Aquaculture Association highlighted aquaculture’s economic and environmental value, Florida’s strong position in the industry, and challenges including hurricane losses, lack of insurance, land-use instability, capital access, and water quality. They urged support for working waterfronts, risk mitigation, and policies to help the sector commercialize and expand. The committee also heard from dairy producers Kevin Lusher and Jacob Larson. Lusher described his family’s dairy and artisan cheese business, noting reliance on USDA grants, rising costs, labor shortages, and regulatory burdens, and asked for more grant support, marketing for Fresh From Florida products, and permanent funding for Farmers Feeding Florida. Larson discussed the broader dairy market, declining herd sizes due to efficiency gains, high production costs in Florida, and competition from out-of-state processing, suggesting incentives for local processing and supply management. Finally, FDOT Chief Planner Wayway Schen presented on arterial and local road funding programs, including ART, ARTW, SCOP, SCRAP, CIGP, and TRIP, and said rural road needs remain significant, with more than $16 billion in unfunded or partially funded project needs. The committee adjourned after brief discussion and thanks to the presenters.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Local Government Committee Jul 1st, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • It applies to HOAs and common interest development CIDs.
  • AB 1751 creates a predictable approval process for qualifying townhome developments, helping reduce development
  • development is planned or contemplated.
  • , and it does not prevent future development.
  • No specific use of a detention facility will be added or developed by the commercial developers.
Summary: The committee heard several housing, local government, coastal, and infrastructure bills. AB 306 would create a statewide appeal and code-interpretation process for building code issues at the California Building Standards Commission; supporters said it would reduce inconsistent local interpretations and speed housing delivery, while no opposition testified, and it was moved on a do-pass-as-amended vote to Appropriations. AB 956 would clarify ADU law to allow up to two detached ADUs on a property and address ADUs in HOAs/common interest developments; supporters framed it as a flexibility and housing-supply measure, while local government and county groups raised concerns about ministerial approval, parking, density, and impacts on neighborhood character. After committee questions, the bill was moved do pass as amended to Appropriations on a 2-0 vote, with the bill remaining on call. Members also considered AB 1751, which would create a ministerial approval path for qualifying townhome projects and allow local inclusionary ordinances for larger projects. Supporters said it would expand attainable homeownership and help produce missing-middle housing, while cities and counties objected to reduced density, by-right approval, and potential housing-element net-loss issues. The bill was moved do pass as amended to Appropriations on a 2-0 vote and remained on call. AB 912, which would revise the governance structure of the Vallejo Flood and Wastewater District board, drew unanimous support from the district, city, and county; it passed 3-0 to Appropriations and remained on call. AB 1710, aimed at preserving housing project entitlements from later regulatory changes, also advanced on a 4-0 do-pass-as-amended vote after opponents said they were awaiting the committee amendments. The committee also heard AB 2080, which would make county treasurer investment authority delegations ongoing until revoked rather than requiring annual renewal; supporters said it would reduce technical noncompliance and administrative burden without reducing oversight, and it was moved to the Senate Floor. AB 1740, a coastal bill for Santa Monica, would set timelines and reporting for a local coastal program and create an expedited Coastal Commission process for bike, transit, and pedestrian projects; supporters said it reflected a negotiated path forward with the city and commission, and it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. AB 2181, backed by Unite Here, would limit use of hypothetical density bonus value in hotel and motel appraisals; supporters said it would protect hospitality jobs from speculative lease-rent increases, and it was moved to the Senate Floor on a 4-0 vote. Finally, AB 2469 on data centers and water use drew the most extended debate. The bill would require water supply and water use assessments before approval, and shift infrastructure costs to project proponents; supporters said it would improve transparency, protect ratepayers, and ensure local governments have information before approving water-intensive facilities. Opponents, including business, city, county, and tech groups, argued existing law already covers water assessments and fees, warned the bill could create a separate permitting regime, and raised concerns about privacy, security, and investment impacts. The committee had not yet taken final action on AB 2469 when the transcript ended, and members were still asking technical questions about data center cooling and water reuse.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> of the Housing Development Fund. of the Housing Development Fund.
  • </c> balances within the Housing Development balances within the Housing Development Fund<00:04:39.120
  • </c> Housing Development Fund. Housing Development Fund.
  • </c><00:15:17.839><c> Program</c> Minnesota Housing Development Program Minnesota Housing Development
  • </c> Housing Development Program. Housing Development Program.
Keywords: 918, senate, all
Summary: The conference committee on the housing omnibus bill began with member introductions and a staff walk-through comparing House and Senate provisions. House Research staff reviewed major policy differences affecting Minnesota Housing Finance Agency operations, including limits on how much the agency may retain from state appropriations for administrative costs, new reporting requirements, restrictions on transfers between appropriated accounts, and House-only language requiring annual expenditure of investment income from state appropriations. Senate provisions were also summarized, including tighter rules on when appropriations may be placed into Housing Development Fund bookkeeping accounts, updated operating-cost reporting, and Senate-only changes to how investment earnings may be used. Staff also described shared and differing provisions on program-money transfers, a lived-experience earnings exemption, and a long list of Senate-only policy changes, including manufactured home park tenant protections, low-income housing tax credit and bond-related changes, a task force on housing taxes and fees, and repealers affecting Housing Development Fund authority and certain older programs. Fiscal staff then reviewed the budget impacts. The House side included one-time appropriations for workforce housing development, family homeless prevention and assistance, a Minnesota Nice Home Share pilot, and homebuyer education, along with debt service for $100 million in housing infrastructure bonds and transfers/cancellations that produced a net zero general fund impact across the budget window. The Senate side noted a fiscal note for the housing taxes and fees task force and a smaller housing infrastructure bond authorization, with corresponding debt service costs and a total Senate budget-window impact of about $1 million in general fund debt service. After the staff presentations, the committee moved to public testimony. Commissioner Jennifer Ho of Minnesota Housing said the bill’s housing infrastructure bonds and continued support for family homeless prevention were important, and she supported the lived-experience earnings exemption, while noting concerns about the interest-earnings provisions. Testifiers from Greater Minnesota groups praised the workforce housing investments and Senate updates to the state housing tax credit and infrastructure grant program, though they suggested changes to the geographic distribution language. HOME Line urged funding for statewide tenant hotline services, citing rising demand and asking for $1 million if additional money becomes available. The Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers supported the bill’s investments and emphasized the need to pair housing development with supportive services. Housing First Minnesota praised housing infrastructure bonds and other investments but criticized the omission of the Minnesota Starter Homes Act. The Minnesota Multi Housing Association began testimony opposing certain rent-control-related provisions in the House bill. No votes or final actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Housing Committee Apr 21st, 2026

Housing

Transcript Highlights:
  • One of Habitat's biggest costs are development fees.
  • One of Habitat's biggest costs are development fees.
  • Using the framework for development impact fee disclosure and transparency developed in AB 1820 (Chiu
  • Housing Development Corporation.
  • I am with Mission Housing Development Corporation.
Committee: Senate Housing
Summary: The committee heard AB 736, a proposed $10 billion Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026, with Assembly Member Buffy Wicks and numerous housing, local government, labor, and advocacy groups testifying in strong support. Supporters said the bond would fund multifamily housing, permanent supportive housing, homeownership, preservation, farmworker, tribal, and other programs, and argued that the state needs new capital because prior bond funds are exhausted and many shovel-ready projects are waiting. Habitat for Humanity California opposed the bill unless it was amended to dedicate 10% of bond proceeds to Cal Home for affordable homeownership, and several senators said they supported the bond but wanted Cal Home strengthened. The committee voted do pass to Senate Appropriations, with the measure placed on call for absent members. The committee also heard SB 1361 by Senator Durazo, which would limit local governments from using SB 79 transit-oriented housing requirements as a reason to stall or condition planned transit projects. Los Angeles Metro, the Building Trades, and several cities and advocacy groups supported the bill, saying it would protect transit investments, jobs, and federal funding from opposition tied to future density around transit stops. Several groups that had initially opposed or been concerned about the bill, including West Hollywood, Streets for All, Greenbelt Alliance, California YIMBY, and the Bay Area Council, withdrew opposition or moved to neutral after amendments. The committee approved the bill as amended to Senate Local Government, with the measure also placed on call. Senator Grayson presented SB 1003, creating an Infrastructure Partnership Financing Program to help local governments and developers fund infrastructure needed for infill housing, and SB 1014, which would require local agencies to provide early, good-faith estimates and itemized lists of required on-site and off-site improvements for housing projects. Both bills were supported by housing advocates, Habitat for Humanity, SPUR, and industry groups, who said the measures would reduce uncertainty, late fees, and project delays. The committee advanced both bills as amended to Senate Appropriations, placing them on call. The committee also took up SB 908, which streamlines energy-code-compliant window replacement and limits aesthetic review, especially for residential replacements; it passed as amended to Appropriations after support from affordable housing and green building groups and no opposition. Later, Senator Allen presented SB 1092 and SB 1093 on mobile home park preservation and post-disaster protections. SB 1092 would give residents notice and an opportunity to make a competing bid when a park owner intends to sell, with supporters arguing it would help preserve unsubsidized affordable housing and protect displaced residents, while park owner representatives argued it would devalue properties, create litigation risk, and interfere with market transactions. SB 1093 would require more communication, access, and consideration of rebuilding or closure after disasters, and would restore certain resident reimbursement rights; supporters cited the Palisades fire and survey data showing residents lacked information and access, while opponents said the bill imposed onerous timelines, liability issues, and penalties and could force owners into rebuilding or compensation assumptions they disputed. Both bills were discussed at length, but the transcript ends before final recorded votes on them.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Agriculture Apr 14th, 2026 at 08:30 am

Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:
  • And then my second question is about the Rural Development Office.
  • Like, how come we don't have one already, a Rural Development Office?
  • And then my second question is about the Rural Development Office.
  • We also work in We also work in the areas of workforce development, community development.
  • We also work in the areas of workforce development, community development.
Committee: House Agriculture
Keywords: 959, house, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Status of Persons with Disabilities Jan 26th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • We help develop resources.
  • We connect states with peers that have developed or are developing similar policies, because we do find
  • So we've helped a number of states develop plans for the same.
  • We've helped a number of states develop plans for the same.
  • In the meantime, we'll also develop two briefs for you.
Summary: The Disability Employment Subcommittee met with roll call, approved prior meeting minutes, and began with an inspirational quote from Jane Goodall about every individual mattering and making a difference. Members introduced themselves and described their roles in disability services, workforce policy, accessibility, and advocacy. The committee then welcomed Katia Alpanis and Dina Klumkina from the State Exchange on Employment and Disability (SEED), who explained that SEED provides technical assistance, research, peer-state examples, and policy support to help states improve disability employment outcomes. SEED presented seven broad policy areas where states are active: career readiness and work-based learning, behavioral health supports, stay-at-work/return-to-work programs, employer recruitment and accommodation supports, entrepreneurship and disability-owned business development, interagency coordination, and state-as-model-employer initiatives. They shared examples from other states, including scholarship and transition policies, peer support training, accommodation funds, procurement goals, and state hiring strategies. Members asked about SEED’s role in Massachusetts, digital accessibility, and the status of PEAT; SEED said PEAT has been refunded and that SEED’s role is policy-focused rather than implementation-focused, though it can connect Massachusetts with peer states and examples. The discussion then narrowed to two possible Massachusetts projects: developing a state-as-model-employer roadmap and creating a youth/young-adult employment and volunteer pipeline, especially for transition-age individuals. Members noted related state efforts, including the governor’s executive order reestablishing a disability policy subcommittee, the commission’s Meeting the Moment series, and the need to help people navigate upcoming work requirements and transition cliffs. SEED agreed to follow up with a questionnaire and draft briefs on Massachusetts analysis, career readiness, and state-as-model-employer policies, and the group planned an offline follow-up to define priorities and scope.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Culture, Recreation & Tourism Apr 3rd, 2025

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Transcript Highlights:
  • Let's be smart about the development.
  • Developers of any kind of project need regulatory certainty.
  • wind development on that?
  • I'm generally familiar with where the developments are.
  • Most of the wind development in Texas is out in West Texas, in the North Panhandle.
Bills: HB3129 , HB3251 , HB3556 , HB3724 , HB3887
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Children and Senior Advocacy Committee Feb 26th, 2025

Children and Senior Advocacy

Transcript Highlights:
  • You heard about burdens on developers.
  • There are only three things that still require the developer to do: 1.
  • If you go back to the bill, it says for the developer what they can't do.
  • I'm actually a developer; I have a small app development business. And so, you know, when it's...
  • It's a type of information that the developers are required to put in there.
Bills: HB285 , HB317
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • I don't think it should have any negative impact on solar development or the pace of solar development
  • And you see a cluster developing around climate tech, for example.
  • developer based here in Massachusetts.
  • Many projects take months or years to develop.
  • geothermal companies or develop developers that want to work with geothermal companies.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on H. 4144, the Governor’s Energy Affordability, Independence, and Innovation Act, with the administration arguing the bill would lower bills in the short and long term while expanding clean energy supply and innovation. The Governor and Secretary said the bill would reduce or restructure charges on customer bills, reform Mass Save, expand securitization as a financing tool, speed interconnection, create energy-ready zones, strengthen consumer protections in competitive supply, and allow broader state procurement of energy resources. They said the package could save consumers billions over time and would help address high energy costs, especially during extreme heat and winter spikes. Committee members pressed the administration on several provisions, especially securitization, asking whether the bill requires an apples-to-apples comparison of total costs over time, including interest and lost tax revenue, versus paying through rates. Administration witnesses said DPU review and public comment would be required and said they would work to clarify the language if needed. Members also questioned the bill’s solar and procurement provisions, including reduced net metering compensation for some large facilities, the scope of all-resource procurements, and whether hydro, solar, and nuclear would be included; the administration said those resources were contemplated and that procurement would still be reviewed by DPU. Other questions focused on the short-term relief from bill changes, the treatment of low- and moderate-income discounts, and whether the bill’s heat pump and Mass Save reforms would help customers who cannot afford upfront costs. Several witnesses and committee members discussed Mass Save reforms, including securitization of program costs, on-bill financing, pre-approval of rebates, and shifting program administration away from gas utilities. Administration witnesses said the changes were intended to reduce volatility, lower administrative costs, and better align costs with long-term savings. Questions also touched on geothermal permitting, municipal participation in offshore wind procurement, and the proposed repeal of the ballot requirement for nuclear power, which the administration defended as preserving future options under heavy review. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described. Supportive testimony came from labor, environmental, business, planning, and development groups. The AFL-CIO, NECA, and the Environmental League of Massachusetts backed the bill, emphasizing lower bills, job creation, labor standards, just transition protections, and cleaner energy. NAIOP, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, and MAPC supported provisions on energy-ready zones, interconnection reform, microgrids, extreme-heat shutoff protections, and Mass Save improvements. A HEET representative praised the bill’s use of securitization, geothermal, and utility financing tools but urged guardrails and workforce protections. Overall, testimony was broadly favorable, with most witnesses calling for refinements rather than opposing the bill outright.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Economic Development May 5th, 2025

Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • The, uh, Senate Economic Development Committee will come to order. Clerk call the roll.
  • incentives and local workforce development boards.
  • programs to consult with the local workforce development development boards during the hiring process
  • I'm the CEO of Workforce Solutions Borderplex, the Workforce Development Board in Far West Texas.
  • As publicly funded organizations, workforce development boards keep the public citizen in mind.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Senate Bill 179 has to do with the Nuclear Energy Development Authority that we established last year
  • This bill establishes the nuclear energy development grant program within NEITA.
  • </c><00:04:33.800><c> Authority</c> nuclear energy Development Authority nuclear energy Development Authority
  • This bill establishes the nuclear energy development grant program within NEITA.
  • </c><00:05:20.759><c> of</c> for Grants related to the development of for Grants related to the development
Summary: The committee opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the minutes. After no special guests were recognized, members took up a joint resolution carried by Senator Nemes for Senator Adams concerning reformulated gasoline requirements in Jefferson County and parts of Oldham and Bullitt counties. The resolution would direct the Energy and Environmental Cabinet to revise the state air quality implementation plan to remove the reformulated gas mandate. Senator Nemes argued the requirement is outdated and has little practical effect given modern vehicles and fuel standards, and members voted to pass the resolution unanimously. The committee then heard Senate Bill 179 from Senator Danny Carroll, which would create a nuclear energy development grant program within the Nuclear Energy Development Authority. Carroll explained that the bill would set aside $10 million from the previously appropriated $40 million investment for grants supporting nuclear energy development in Kentucky, with grants capped at $2 million and administered entirely by NEITA rather than through Economic Development. He and several members emphasized the need for Kentucky to invest in nuclear energy to keep pace with states like Tennessee, which was cited as having invested heavily and attracting business activity around small modular reactors. Members expressed strong support for the bill, with Senator West and others praising the initiative and calling it important for Kentucky’s energy future. The committee voted the bill out favorably with an expression that it shall pass. Before adjournment, the chair encouraged members to review the other energy bills that had been heard recently and stressed the importance of moving quickly on energy policy measures. A motion was then requested to close the meeting.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

Senate Chamber Mar 21st, 2025

New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Economic economic development experts, Mr.
  • And so those developers would develop the water costs and sell the water at a certain rate just like
  • Arizona was developed because of water.
  • Water develops life. Thank you, Mr. President.
  • If you don't develop a new source of water in New Mexico, and develop it correctly and safely, New Mexico
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Finance Jan 22nd, 2026 at 09:36 am

Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • of pipeline development Process too.
  • in prototype or in product development.
  • Crucially, our workforce development is embedded in everything we do.
  • We want this developed. We... I want this moving quickly.
  • These companies are gonna have to develop the infrastructure.
Bills: HB1
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

Senate - Finance Mar 1st, 2025

Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Economic Development Act, Economic Development Closing Fund in the Economic Development Department.
  • Type development from Spaceport America, and there's new exciting research being done on developing pharmaceuticals
  • A lot of these are being developed at and they're handing them off to people to develop outside of New
  • For bioscience development and research.
  • And say, 'I'm going to develop that into housing.'
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Local Government Committee Jul 1st, 2026

Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • Lowe from Mission Housing Development Corporation.
  • It will not impose additional construction or development fees.
  • This calls for more affordable housing development.
  • They're townhome-type development in a developed community.
  • They're townhome-type development in a developed community.
Keywords: 988, house, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Transportation Feb 4th, 2025

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • The development of the state's priority trail network begins with designation by the Florida Greenways
  • Developing the five-year work program requires extensive coordination with our partner agencies.
  • Our goal is to develop transportation solutions that support the vision of our communities.
  • The technical workshop will be provided to local planning and development professionals.
  • But specifically, what are your concerns in terms of that vertical airspace as this develops?
Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met and first received an update from FDOT on the Sun Trail shared-use nonmotorized trail program. FDOT said the program, created in 2015 and expanded by 2023 legislation, now includes connections to the Florida Wildlife Corridor and received a one-time $200 million appropriation plus increased annual funding. The department reported programming about $180 million of that funding, completing 42 construction projects totaling nearly 95 miles in 21 counties, and installing trail counters and QR-code surveys to measure usage and economic impact. Members expressed support for the program and asked no substantive questions. The committee then heard a presentation on FDOT’s locally administered state transportation funding programs, including SCOP, SCOPM, SCRAP, SIGP, and TRIP. FDOT explained these programs support local roadway resurfacing, bridge repair, drainage, paving unpaved roads, and safety or capacity improvements, with varying state match levels depending on the program and eligibility. FDOT said its adopted five-year work program includes more than $1.4 billion for local transportation improvement projects. A member asked whether toll revenues from Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties fund these programs; FDOT said it would research the funding source and follow up. The committee’s main discussion was a panel on advanced air mobility (AAM), including FDOT and industry representatives from Supernal, Joby, Atlantic Aviation, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, and Eve Air Mobility. FDOT described its AAM planning work, advisory committee, local government guidebook, and upcoming training, while panelists emphasized Florida’s leadership, the likely use of existing airport and heliport infrastructure first, and the expectation that private investment will fund much of the early vertiport buildout. Members raised concerns about community acceptance, privacy, zoning, airspace congestion, security, and lessons from scooters and drones. Panelists repeatedly stressed a “crawl, walk, run” rollout, local government coordination, multimodal connectivity, and public outreach. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the panel.