Transcript Highlights:

• This is the net of both township road and bridge and turnbacks.
• This is the net of both township road and bridge and turnbacks.
• First, these vehicles impose wear and tear on roads and bridges but do not pay the gas tax to cover it
• </c><00:43:03.920><c> and</c><00:43:04.040><c> other</c> country's roads Bridges and other country's
• maintenance is a source of Bridge maintenance is a source of pressure<00:43:22.559><c> on</c><00:43:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , our 900 bridges, most of which predate the moon landing?
• , our 900 bridges, most of which predate the moon landing?
• seeing cuts of $300 million to our public Department of Transportation, which is affecting those bridge
• They are advantaged by the roads and bridges that lead to their favorite hunting and fishing spots.
• around the state remain unfixed, when ...when roads and bridges around the state remain unfixed, when

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the previous day’s journal. Leadership announced that the day’s only substantive floor item would be House Bill 559, along with routine committee reports and first- and second-reading referrals for several measures, including Senate bills on retirement, insurance investments, short-term rentals, rural health transformation, foster care, Medicaid, and alcoholic beverages, plus House Concurrent Resolution 24 honoring fallen firefighters and House Bill 557 on human rights/local anti-discrimination ordinances. House Bill 559, the annual tax conformity bill, was brought up under suspension of the rules and debated at length. Supporters said it was needed so Idahoans, businesses, accountants, and the Tax Commission could file returns using the updated federal tax provisions, and they highlighted individual benefits such as no tax on tips and overtime, car loan interest deductions, senior-related deductions, and an increased grocery tax credit. Opponents argued the bill would worsen an already strained budget, create administrative burdens, and force future cuts to schools, transportation, and other services; some urged full conformity or a later effective date instead of retroactive conformity to January 1, 2025. After debate, the Senate passed House Bill 559 on a roll call vote of 28-7, with one paired vote noted, and approved the title for return to the House. A minority report on the bill was also ordered spread upon the journal. The Senate then moved through miscellaneous business, including introductions of visiting youth leaders from Bonneville County and family members in the gallery, and adjourned until Monday, February 9, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• our public schools that are $4 billion behind in deferred maintenance on their buildings, on our bridges
• , our 900 bridges, most of which predate the moon landing?
• , our 900 bridges, most of which predate the moon landing?
• They are advantaged by the roads and bridges that lead to their favorite hunting and fishing spots.
• around the state remain unfixed, when, when roads and bridges around the state remain unfixed, when

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the prior day’s journal. Committee reports were received and several measures were referred for printing or further committee action, including Senate Joint Resolution 103, Senate Bills 1258-1268, House Concurrent Resolution 24, and House Bill 557. The Commerce and Human Resources Committee recommended confirmation of gubernatorial appointments of John Weber to the State Insurance Fund Board and Robert Cuyo to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, and the Local Government and Taxation Committee reported House Bill 559 out with a do-pass recommendation. The main floor action was on House Bill 559, the annual tax conformity bill. Senators debated whether to conform retroactively to federal tax changes, with supporters arguing it would allow Idaho taxpayers and businesses to file returns, enable deductions for items such as overtime, tips, car loan interest, and senior benefits, and provide timely grocery tax credit refunds. Opponents raised concerns about the bill’s estimated fiscal impact, the state budget shortfall, administrative burden on the Tax Commission, and whether the state should conform only prospectively or fully conform now. Several senators also argued over the effect on working families, public services, and the differing treatment of individual versus corporate tax benefits. After debate closed, the Senate passed House Bill 559 by a roll call vote of 28-7, with one paired vote recorded, and approved the title. A minority report on the bill was ordered spread upon the journal. In miscellaneous business, the Senate recognized visiting youth leaders from the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber Emerging Leaders Program and welcomed two of Senator Cole’s brothers to the gallery. The Senate then adjourned until Monday, February 9, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, House Bill 4265 is our omnibus memorial and bridge naming bill. I move for adoption.
• The self-sufficiency clause would mean that the bridge would have to be self-supporting from tolls on
• the bridge alone.
• The self-sufficiency clause, as you mentioned, to cover for the bridge, does it also cover for other
• The self-sufficiency clause, as you mentioned, to cover for the bridge, does it also cover for other

Summary: The committee considered a long series of bills, mostly technical or policy changes affecting licensing, regulation, and economic development. Early measures included H.B. 4317, which updates Oklahoma CPA licensure pathways to align with the 2025 Uniform Accountancy Act; H.B. 4321, which limits retroactive application of new standards to existing structures absent documented safety findings; and H.B. 4322, which removes the requirement that a funeral director in charge also be licensed as an embalmer. All three advanced, with H.B. 4322 receiving some no votes but still passing out of committee. Members then heard H.B. 3176, a Department of Commerce innovation and economic development bill focused on pursuing federal research and innovation opportunities. The author described it as a long-term strategy to attract R&D, advanced computing, energy, and space-related investment to Oklahoma, with several members questioning its economic impact and scope. The bill passed 14-3. The committee also advanced H.B. 3239 modernizing the Veterinary Practice Act, H.B. 3673 allowing certain expired journeyman and contractor licenses to be renewed without reexamination if continuing education and other conditions are met, and H.B. 3794 and H.B. 3796, both OID-related cleanup or reciprocity bills. Other measures included H.B. 3263 designating the morel mushroom as the state mushroom, which members discussed in terms of tourism and rural recreation; H.B. 4265, an omnibus memorial and bridge naming bill; and H.B. 4266, an omnibus special license plate bill. The committee also approved H.B. 2123, which amends authority for an OTA bridge over the Arkansas River near Bixby by removing a self-sufficiency requirement so the project can be financed with broader toll support; the author said it would improve traffic, emergency access, and flood resilience and has local support. Finally, H.B. 2445 was amended to continue Route 66 tourism efforts beyond the 2027 centennial, and it passed 13-3. The chair announced the committee would meet again Tuesday at 10:30 and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Road and bridge crews began closing impacted roads and bridges.
• So would a bridge bridge over some low water crossings be good to have so that people aren't, one, that
• The bridge goes this way. that has a one in one out bridge.
• The river was about six feet from the bottom of the bridge and I'd estimate that the bottom of the bridge
• bridge and that secondary bridge were flowing so much water. we had no knowledge there's no gauges in

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, you know, what they have is the bridge assistance program.
• The off-system roads and bridges match program is budgeted at $3 million.
• The off-system roads and bridges match program is budgeted at $3 million.
• A bridge where it's going into the town, and they left out a portion.
• It's their bridge. It's all going well.

Summary: The committee first heard the House Fiscal Division’s FY 2027 budget presentations for the State Treasury, Public Service Commission, Department of Civil Service, and Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Treasury’s recommended budget was about $15 million with 74 positions, funded largely by self-generated revenue. Treasury staff highlighted strong investment returns, record unclaimed property recoveries, a new ACH option to speed and reduce the cost of payments, a School Transparency portal that helped uncover questionable school spending, and a new online portal that has sped up processing of cooperative endeavor agreements and related payments. Members praised the transparency work and faster payments, and asked about bond ratings, CEA oversight, and the public accessibility of the transparency site. The Public Service Commission’s FY 2027 budget was presented at $11.5 million, entirely self-generated, with most spending on personnel; commissioners said salary and market adjustments were needed to address heavy attorney and auditor turnover. Civil Service’s FY 2027 budget was presented at $28.7 million, with major funding from interagency transfers and general fund, and officials explained recent pay-plan and special entrance rate changes intended to improve recruitment and retention across state agencies. Members asked how those compensation changes were developed and whether market studies supported them. The Agriculture and Forestry budget was presented at $91.4 million, with major funding from statutory dedications, general fund, and federal dollars, and the commissioner described severe pressure on farmers from low commodity prices, drought, freezes, wildfires, storm damage, and labor shortages. The Agriculture and Forestry discussion was the longest and most detailed. The commissioner said the state is working to expand markets, reduce costs, and help farmers through federal assistance, while also seeking more equipment and fuel for wildfire response after a severe fire weekend and ongoing drought conditions. Members raised concerns about storm-damaged timber, soil and water conservation funding, and the loss of federal dollars that depend on local technicians. The commissioner explained the wildfire suppression subfund, the role of severance taxes, and the limits of current firefighting equipment and staffing. He also discussed the seafood sector, especially shrimp and crawfish, saying imported seafood, currency changes, tariffs, and H-2B worker shortages are hurting Louisiana producers and processors. He said the department is testing imported seafood for antibiotics, wants more authority to hold contaminated product, and is pursuing legislation to support seafood promotion and testing. Members also asked about wood chips, rail transport, timber severance reporting, and incentives for wood pellet use, and the commissioner said the department is exploring new markets, including overseas buyers for wood and agricultural products. No formal votes or bill actions were taken in the portion provided; the meeting consisted of budget presentations, agency testimony, and member questions and comments. The tone throughout was supportive of the agencies’ work, with repeated praise for Treasury’s transparency efforts, Civil Service’s compensation reforms, and Agriculture and Forestry’s advocacy for farmers, foresters, and seafood producers.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in one of our prior meetings I mentioned the Del Ero lift bridge and then in my city, the city of
• Minneapolis, with our Nicola bridge that could potentially be impacted.
• </c> mentioned you the Del ero lift bridge mentioned you the Del ero lift bridge and<00:01:48.960><c>
• </c><00:01:52.040><c> that</c> Minneapolis with our Nicola bridge that Minneapolis with our Nicola bridge
• </c> infrastructure from roads and bridges infrastructure from roads and bridges Wastewater<01:10:00.600

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative<00:04:08.080><c> Bridges.</c><00:04:08.680><c> Yes.</c> Representative Bridges. Yes.
• Representative<00:12:15.240><c> Bridges.</c> Representative Bridges. Representative Bridges.
• Representative Bridges has done a lot in the nuclear space.
• Yes.<00:35:11.360><c> Representative</c><00:35:12.000><c> Bridges.</c> Yes. Representative Bridges.
• Representative Bridges.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:25 HB 667 Discussion 01:21 HB 667 Roll Call Vote 03:56 HB 677 Discussion 05:01 HB 677 Roll Call Vote 11:51 HB 535 Discussion 13:33 HB 535 Roll Call Vote 34:46 HJR 77 Discussion 38:33 HJR 77 Roll Call Vote 44:23, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Road and bridge crews began closing impacted roads and bridges.
• The bridge goes this way, right? This is one community that has a one-in, one-out bridge.
• The temporary bridge right now connects the two. The temporary bridge is the Big Sandy side.
• The temporary bridge right now connects the two. The temporary bridge is the Big Sandy side.
• However, there's a secondary bridge in the community of Volka, and that bridge had water lapping over

Summary: The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness and flooding hearing opened with quorum calls, prayer, testimony time limits, and remarks from legislative leaders emphasizing decorum, respect, and the goal of learning from the July 4 flood to prevent future loss of life. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dustin Burrows said the special session and hearings were intended to hear directly from local officials and residents, and that the state would pursue immediate and longer-term legislation and continue working beyond the current session. The committee then heard invited testimony from Kerr County, Kerrville, Kendall County, Real County, and the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, followed by member questions. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, and emergency management coordinator William B. Thomas described the flood as a sudden, unprecedented event that overwhelmed local systems before many officials or residents understood the danger. They said the county received multiple National Weather Service and IPAWS alerts, but the rain fell in remote upstream areas with limited gauges, and the flood rose too quickly for normal response. They detailed the emergency response, including dispatchers handling heavy call volumes, deputies and volunteer firefighters conducting rescues, and state and federal partners assisting. County officials said 108 people died, including 37 children, and two remained missing. They called for better real-time flood detection, stronger rural emergency management resources, improved broadband and cell coverage, and more funding for swift-water rescue and warning systems. Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring and City Manager Dalton Rice said the city had floodplain rules, emergency plans, and prior preparedness efforts, but the event exposed gaps in communications and regional warning capacity. They urged the Legislature to fund a flood warning system, whether sirens, automated alerts, or a hybrid, and asked for support for predictive weather modeling, broadband expansion, a hazard mitigation fund, and disaster recovery resources. The Upper Guadalupe River Authority said it had long funded gauges and pursued flood-warning and mitigation projects, including a new software-based flood prediction system and possible retention dams, and planned to dedicate reserve funds to feasibility studies and infrastructure improvements. Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk said his county’s emergency action plan and early alerts helped prevent deaths there, and he recommended easier access to alerting tools, a river-wide warning system, simpler grant applications, and regional coordination. Real County Judge Bella Rubio said rural counties face major challenges because of limited cell service, broadband, staffing, and funding, especially for camps and visitors along the Frio and Nueces rivers, and argued that reliable alert systems should be treated as a necessity, not a luxury. Members asked about the timeline of the flood, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and funding, and several witnesses said the key lessons were better communications, better warning systems, and more investment in rural flood mitigation and emergency response.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Oh, the John Sullivan Bridge, is that what it is? >> Yeah, the Sullivan Bridge, isn't it?
• >> The Sullivan Bridge. &gt;&gt; If If I could ask a couple questions.
• </c> &gt;&gt; So, what's what's the name of our bridge &gt;&gt; So, what's what's the name of our bridge
• The &gt;&gt; Yeah, the Sullivan Bridge, isn't it? The Sullivan<00:30:37.400><c> Bridge.
• </c> With the uh with the Sullivan Bridge With the uh with the Sullivan Bridge finally<00:31:16.920><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Long Range Capital Planning and Utilization Committee first approved the March 16, 2026 minutes, then took up several Department of Transportation property actions. The committee approved a Greenland access point sale for a cell tower site to Wakefield Investments for $132,800 plus a $1,100 administrative fee, and approved disposal of two Epsom parcels to the town at no cost, with the town assuming demolition of the former depot and the committee waiving the fee. It also approved a Milton access point sale to Jeremy West Champney and Cameron McDermott for $90,000 plus the fee, with conditions requiring permits and other approvals. During the DOT items, members asked about appraisals, access restrictions, and where the administrative fee goes; staff said the fee generally offsets agency administrative costs and may go to a dedicated fund or the general fund depending on the project. The committee then considered three Department of Environmental Services requests for utility easements to bring power to dams so gates can be operated more efficiently and potentially remotely. It approved an easement with New Hampshire Electric Co-op for Pine River Dam in Wakefield, an easement with New Hampshire Electric Co-op for Sunset Lake Dam in Alton, and an easement with Eversource for Suncook Lake Dam in Barnstead. Members discussed whether to waive the $1,100 administrative fee on these items, with some questioning the fee’s purpose and where it is deposited. The committee ultimately approved the DES items as requested, including the fee waivers, while asking staff to research the fee’s history, sufficiency, and use for a future report. Finally, the committee received informational items from the New Hampshire Council on Resources and Development. Members briefly discussed a property at Bloody Point in Newington and the related Sullivan Bridge demolition, and DOT staff said the property had been tabled previously and is now being worked on with Fish and Game for a possible transfer of management and future water access use. No votes were taken on the informational items.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here today to present House Bill 2845, which is a bill that requests a memorial bridge designation
• So for that reason, they requested that a nearby bridge be named the Jared Bennett Memorial Bridge.
• Prior to the committee members commenting, is the bridge currently named? No, it isn't.
• How big is the bridge? I don't have the length of it, but I can tell you it crosses the four-lane.
• This bridge for your son. Thank you, sir. Yes, sir. Thanks, sir.

Summary: The Special Committee on Tourism met in executive session and approved two bills. House Bill 1756, described as related to “June’s week,” passed unanimously 9-0 after brief discussion. House Bill 1828, which provides funds for memorials and museums dedicated to veterans, also passed unanimously, 12-0. The committee then opened a public hearing on House Bill 2845, sponsored by Representative Lisa Durnell, to designate a memorial bridge for Jared Bennett near Willow Springs. Durnell explained that Bennett died in a 2002 automobile accident, that his family maintained a memorial and stretch of roadway through MoDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway program for years, and that the bridge naming would honor his memory with signage paid for by private funds and no fiscal note. Jared Bennett’s father, Craig Bennett, testified in support and shared personal stories about his son, including his love of fishing. Committee members offered condolences and supportive comments, and one member requested copies of written stories about Jared for the record. No one testified in opposition, and the hearing on House Bill 2845 was closed with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here today to present House Bill 2845, which is a bill that requests a memorial bridge designation
• So for that reason, they requested that a nearby bridge be named the Jared Bennett Memorial Bridge.
• Prior to the committee members commenting, is the bridge currently named? No, it isn't.
• How big is the bridge? I don't have the length of it, but I can tell you it crosses the four-lane.
• So I appreciate what you're doing here, and I'll be in support of renaming this bridge for your son.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We get the longest bridge life working again. Everything is built around maximizing service life.
• So you got 3 different generations and bridges.
• The bridge components.
• And any time we replace a bridge that's that's in the service life.
• They look at bridge and road condition.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• strikes and do something to help prevent all the bridge strikes?
• I mean, we know what happened with the Skagit River Bridge on I-5 back in 2013.
• I mean, we know what happened with the Skagit River Bridge on I-5 back in 2013.
• And we know what's happened recently with the 410 bridge, with the overpass at Frog Road, Bullfrog Road
• That will free up our tax dollars to be able to do more to preserve our roads and our bridges, and make

Summary: The committee took up a series of transportation-related bills and proposed substitutes, with most measures advancing after discussion and roll-call or voice votes. House Bill 2092, creating a Washington State Amtrak Cascades Passenger Rail Advisory Committee, was amended by a proposed substitute that broadened membership and duties, and it passed 20-6. House Bill 2114, allowing fee waivers for replacement defective license plates, passed unanimously. House Bill 2172, clarifying route jurisdiction transfers and abandonments for highways and local roads, also passed unanimously after a substitute requiring agreements or legislative action for longer highway abandonments or those involving bridges. House Bill 2251, which restructures Climate Commitment Act accounts and revenue distribution, drew the most amendment activity. Two amendments were adopted to adjust forest carbon language and clarify Ecology administration funding, while amendments to redirect revenue to transportation infrastructure and to split excess revenue differently failed. The bill then passed 18-8 as amended. House Bill 2374, which redefines e-bikes and electric motorcycles and creates a work group on enforcement and safety, passed unanimously after a substitute added stakeholder representation and asked the work group to explore civil infractions and penalties. House Bill 2410, creating a Commercial Truck Safety and Education Council and increasing a safety fee, passed 25-1 after a substitute changed appointment authority, membership, and other council provisions. House Bill 2552, authorizing WSDOT and a regional transit authority to use MATOC contracting, was amended to add apprenticeship, prevailing wage, and notification requirements and then passed 16-10. House Bill 2588, expanding ferry district authority beyond passenger-only ferries, passed 16-10 amid concerns about taxing authority and voter input. House Bill 2718, setting timelines and processes for permit streamlining and originally including contractor ratings, had the contractor-rating section removed by amendment and then passed unanimously. House Bill 2722, increasing the vehicle weight threshold for transportation benefit district fees from 6,000 to 10,000 pounds, passed 17-9. House Bill 2727, creating an educational transit access grant program for community and technical college students, passed 21-5 after supporters emphasized student access and equity, while some members raised rural access concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• International Bridge.
• I think they got a bridge.
• If the rail bridges are owned privately by the rail companies, but the other bridges are owned by the
• Bridge also known as the city Sherman bridge. Is that bridge under construction or will that?
• bridge with his hand.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're also in the process of replacing all of our passenger loading bridges.
• We're also in the process of replacing all of our passenger loading bridges.
• All 128 loading bridges in our inventory, so we're extremely excited about that.
• We currently are replacing 39 passenger boarding bridges throughout our facility.
• And we are also working on our connector bridge project.

Summary: The Transportation Committee met to consider two bills and then held a lengthy discussion on Florida airport infrastructure. SB 246, presented by Senator Rodriguez on behalf of Senator Gruters, would authorize a UFC specialty license plate, with proceeds supporting the UFC Foundation’s charitable work. A UFC Foundation representative described community beneficiaries and said the plate would help raise funds for local charities. With no questions or debate, the committee voted SB 246 favorably. The committee also took up SPB 7012, a Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles public-records exemption bill that would remove the October 1, 2026 repeal date for certain active investigatory records. Senator Avila moved to submit it as a committee bill, there was no objection, and it was reported favorably as a committee bill. The remainder of the meeting focused on the Comprehensive Airport Infrastructure Program. FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue outlined Florida’s aviation system, the department’s airport funding programs, and the state’s role as a financial partner in safety, capacity, preservation, and economic development projects. He said Florida has 128 public-use airports, 21 commercial-service airports, and four large-hub airports, and noted that airport funding is largely supported by gas-tax-related revenues, with additional support from documentary stamp revenue and other fees. He also discussed the new airport infrastructure planning requirements created last session and said all required airports had submitted plans. Committee members asked about the loss of aviation fuel tax revenue, workforce development, project timelines, and how FDOT prioritizes funding, with Perdue emphasizing safety, preservation, capacity, economic return, and matching funds. A panel from Miami, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa international airports then described major capital programs, passenger growth, and funding needs. The airports highlighted terminal expansions, parking, baggage systems, airfield rehabilitation, people movers, and other modernization projects, along with the importance of maintaining aging facilities while accommodating growth. They said FDOT and FAA grants are helpful but increasingly insufficient for runway and taxiway costs, and several panelists said passenger facility charges and other revenue tools are important to future self-sufficiency. Members also asked about workforce shortages, small-business participation, landing-fee negotiations, and non-aeronautical revenue. The panel said workforce challenges are most acute in trades and maintenance, small-business programs are active at each airport, and landing fees are negotiated with airlines to keep airports competitive while funding needed improvements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative<00:15:19.800><c> Bridges.</c><00:15:20.839><c> Yes.</c> Representative Bridges. Yes.
• Representative<00:37:52.680><c> Bridges.</c> Representative Bridges. Representative Bridges.
• Representative<00:53:55.840><c> Bridges,</c><00:53:56.640><c> Yes.</c> Representative Bridges, Yes.
• Representative Bridges, Yes.
• Representative<01:36:03.040><c> Bridges.</c><01:36:04.040><c> Yes.</c> Representative Bridges. Yes.

Keywords: An issue was found with the live stream of this meeting. This version was uploaded as a complete version and should contain the entirety of the meeting. Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:15 HB 647 Discussion 00:02:00 HB 647 Vote 00:05:47 HB 501 Discussion 00:07:40 HB 501 Vote 00:09:53 HB 502 Discussion 00:11:20 HB 502 Vote 00:14:48 HJR 75 Discussion 00:16:53 HJR 75 Vote 00:17:35 HJR 76 Discussion 00:19:00 HJR 76 Vote 00:19:43 HB 869 Discussion 00:21:22 HB 869 Vote 00:30:00 HB 619 Discussion 00:31:39 HB 619 Vote 00:34:33 HB 356 Discussion 00:36:22 HB 356 Vote 00:40:19 HB 900 Discussion 00:43:17 HB 900 Vote 00:46:21 HB 816 Discussion 00:48:02 HB 816 Vote 00:53:47 HB 9 Discussion 00:55:05 HB 9 Vote 01:18:25 HB 757 Discussion 01:21:04 HB 757 Vote 01:35:55, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's going to open up closed bridges and make repairs faster so people can get more.
• Going to open up closed bridges and make repairs faster so people can get moving again.
• And we're going to do that all over the state. 27 bridges in western Massachusetts alone.
• Earlier this year, we unveiled the brand new Bill Russell Bridge right down the street in Boston.
• A man in distress had climbed to the top of the Tobin Bridge.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The joint convention of the Massachusetts Legislature convened to receive the Governor’s State of the Commonwealth address. The session began with procedural motions to appoint committees to notify the lieutenant governor, constitutional officers, Executive Council, and Governor, followed by an invocation from Archbishop Richard G. Henning, the posting and retiring of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem. The Governor was then formally admitted to the chamber and delivered the address, with a benediction afterward by Rabbi Elaine Zacker. Governor Maura Healey’s address focused on affordability and public services. She highlighted actions and proposals on housing, including faster permitting, use of state land for housing, accessory dwelling units, down payment assistance, and expanded programs to help first-time buyers. She also discussed energy affordability, saying she would oppose utility rate hikes, pursue an energy affordability bill, and temporarily reduce electric and gas bills. On health care, she described efforts to cap costs, prevent prior authorization for insulin, ban medical debt reporting to credit agencies, and form a health care affordability working group. She also proposed making subscription cancellations easier, improving transportation through bridge repairs and transit investments, and strengthening protections for children on social media. The Governor also emphasized education, workforce development, and economic competitiveness, citing the state’s top national education ranking, expanded pre-K and child care, literacy and tutoring investments, early college opportunities, and a goal of 100,000 apprentices over 10 years. She praised Massachusetts’ response to federal actions, including support for vaccines, food assistance, abortion access, and research funding, and she criticized the Trump administration on tariffs, health care cuts, and immigration enforcement. She also noted public safety and veterans’ issues, including new assisted-living protections after the Gabriel House fire and the rebuilding of veterans’ homes. No substantive votes on legislation were taken beyond adoption of the ceremonial orders and the final adjournment motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also work with Idaho and Oregon as well because we have border bridges.
• I know it's kind of small to see, but there are some very big bridges that we have to address.
• One, we usually have to make some improvements to the roadway, such as paving or bridge repair or some
• Two pedestrian-bicycle bridges over I-90 are also included.
• If you're familiar with this area, there are two existing pedestrian bridges that exist.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met for work sessions, public hearings, and executive action. In the work session, WSDOT briefed the committee on the U.S. 12 corridor near Walla Walla and the North Spokane Corridor. Brian White said U.S. 12 is an eight-phase project with seven phases complete, and phase eight would finish the corridor, improve freight mobility and safety, and include a jurisdictional transfer of the old highway back to Walla Walla County. He said the project remains short of full funding, including a gap between the $350 million corridor cost and the $110 million federal Rural Surface Transportation grant, but WSDOT hopes to build smaller independent-utility pieces and begin construction in summer 2027. Charlene K. then reported that the North Spokane Corridor is seven of eight highway miles open, with major remaining work on the I-90 connection and related interchanges, bridges, and trail segments. She described the project as on track for design completion in 2027 and construction completion around 2030, while noting risks tied to federal approval, tight construction space, labor and contractor availability, utilities, and community impacts. The committee also heard from Karen Messmer of the Cooper Jones Active Transportation Safety Council, who summarized the council’s 2025 report and 2026 priorities. She emphasized that pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities remain unacceptably high and urged a safe-system approach focused on safer speeds, roads, road users, vehicles, land use, and post-crash care. She highlighted recommendations including safety-based performance measures, better speed management, more local safety planning support, improved driver education, attention to micromobility and large vehicles, and faster toxicology and crash-data processing. In public hearings, the committee heard Senate Bill 6131, which would expand the Washington Traffic Safety Commission’s fatal crash review authority, designate it as a public health authority for limited access to health information, and create a confidential fatality review committee. The sponsor and Traffic Safety Commission said the bill would help identify common contributing factors in all fatal crashes while protecting confidential information; a media representative testified that the bill preserves public access to records already open and supports the goal of improving safety. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6155, which would extend disability parking placard renewal from every five years to every 20 years and remove the need for a health care practitioner’s signature at renewal; supporters said this would reduce burdens on permanently disabled people, while opponents warned it could increase fraud and misuse of placards. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6238, which would raise the minimum tug escort horsepower for oil tankers in restricted waters to 3,000 horsepower or 5% of tanker deadweight, whichever is greater; the sponsor and Board of Pilotage said the change would align statute with current practice and newly adopted rules. Testimony was mixed, and the hearing closed with two people signed in pro and two con. In executive session, the committee advanced several bills. It passed Senate Bill 5746 on EV charging infrastructure property crime, Senate Bill 5824 on fifth wheel travel trailer length, Senate Bill 6110 on e-bikes and e-motos, Senate Bill 5839 on county ferry district passenger-only service, and Senate Bill 6148 on regional transit authority bond terms, all with due pass recommendations to the Rules Committee. An amendment to SB 6110 adding several state agency leaders to the e-moto work group was rejected. The committee adjourned after signing committee reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's on top of the 62-bridge package that y'all gave us.
• That's a bridge that has eluded it.
• Memorial Bridge, 356. Transportation.
• McLeese Memorial Bridge, 401. Transportation.
• McLeese Memorial Bridge, 401. Transportation.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, received and accepted multiple resignation notices from members representing Districts 37, 39, 60, 69, 97, and 100, and then recognized the election and qualification of the members-elect who filled those vacancies: Doyle Boudreau, Reese Broussard, Chasity Verrett-Martinez, and Edwin Murray. Each member-elect was sworn in, and the House also appointed committees to notify the Senate and the governor that it was ready to conduct business for the 2026 regular session. The chamber then handled a large number of procedural actions related to prefiled legislation. By motion and without objection, the House suspended rules to refer prefile bills to committee and introduced a broad slate of House bills and resolutions. Topics included the state budget and appropriations, retirement system changes, carbon capture and sequestration, criminal justice and bail, public safety, education, health care, local government matters, transportation, and several memorial or commemorative resolutions. Several resolutions and bills were noted as lying over, and some prefiled bills were withdrawn from the files. The House also received a Senate message that SCR 1 had been adopted, and the resolution was taken up without objection. The chamber then recessed for a joint session with the Senate to hear the governor’s address and a presentation honoring Technical Sergeant Adam W. Brister with the Distinguished Flying Cross. In his remarks, Governor Jeff Landry highlighted his administration’s priorities, including education, tax reform, workforce development, health and nutrition, insurance reform, transportation infrastructure, fiscal discipline, and criminal justice reform, while urging support for his agenda and several related bills and constitutional amendments.