Transcript Highlights:

• They don't speed; they are absolutely programmed to follow all traffic laws.
• Our vehicles need to obey all traffic rules and regulations in your state.
• Break down in traffic lanes every day, right?
• And when we do construction, we set up traffic control to divert traffic.
• How do you guys deal with traffic control changes? Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it’s important, and, you know, I’ve seen accidents and people die on the streets.
• A seven-lane facility, and those will be flex lanes, so you’ll have four lanes of traffic taking you
• On holidays, I was stopped twice on Memorial Day for accidents.
• A quick cleanup by these companies can stop potential second accidents from happening, maybe even a third
• These are heavy-duty accidents, so 2024 and 2025 so far.

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• crashes in 2023, including 299 traffic-related fatalities. ...in 2020, including 299 traffic-related
• fatalities and 1,124 traffic-related serious injuries in Los Angeles County alone.
• Well, my good friends, they died in car accidents, and they were very young.
• And this is a way that I really, really, really thought we could slow traffic down.
• She was in traffic school when she killed Benjamin.

Summary: The committee heard several insurance-related bills. AB 69, AB 1554, and AB 1680 all focused on California’s insurance market and the Fair Plan. AB 69 would require clearer notices to Fair Plan policyholders about coverage options, quarterly public reporting on clearinghouse programs, and additional broker/agent training to help depopulate the Fair Plan while preserving consumer choice. AB 1554 would require the California Earthquake Authority to post its annual report online and send it to relevant committees, and would direct the Insurance Commissioner to convene a working group on incorporating hazard mitigation into risk-transfer recommendations. AB 1680 would require the Fair Plan to comply with CDI examination findings, hire more staff, and improve clearinghouse operations; the Fair Plan moved from opposition to neutral after amendments, and the department said the bill would strengthen accountability and consumer protections. These bills were held pending quorum or taken up later, with authors requesting aye votes. AB 2198, by Assemblymember Rodriguez, would clarify title insurance rate-filing rules by specifying that title insurers file title rates and underwritten title companies file escrow rates, reducing duplicative filings and requiring rate schedules to be posted online. The California Land Title Association supported the bill, saying it codified longstanding practice and improved transparency, while the department continued discussions about possible revisions. The bill was left open for further questions and a later vote. AB 1795, by Assemblymember Gibson, would create statewide standards for inspecting, testing, and remediating smoke damage in wildfire-affected homes. The author and the Department of Insurance said the bill would establish science-based standards, protect survivors from unsafe reentry, require training and certification for relevant professionals, and improve claims handling; the department also described serious gaps found in its Fair Plan examination and recent wildfire claims. Insurers and some residents opposed or opposed unless amended, arguing the bill was still too broad, could raise costs, relied too much on industry standards, and left unresolved issues about legal standards, timing, and coverage. The bill remained under discussion, with the author saying negotiations would continue. AB 311, by Assemblymember McKinnor, would create an optional telematics-based auto insurance program to reward safer driving and improve road safety. Supporters, including road-safety advocates, victims’ families, and some insurance representatives, argued telematics could reduce speeding and distracted driving and save lives. Opponents, including privacy and consumer groups, argued the bill would create opaque surveillance pricing, undermine Prop. 103, and raise privacy and fairness concerns. After extensive debate, the committee passed the bill on a 3-0 vote and placed it on call. AB 1798, by Assemblymember Wilson, would bar life and disability insurers from using non-diagnostic genetic information from direct-to-consumer or other predictive genetic testing to deny coverage or raise premiums, while preserving use of medical history and family history and allowing consideration of certain high-value policies above $1.5 million. Supporters said the bill would reduce genetic discrimination and encourage testing; insurers argued genetic information is relevant to underwriting and warned the bill could raise costs and create inconsistencies. The committee chair and members noted the bill was close to agreement but still needed work, and the bill was moved with a 3-0 vote and placed on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have the single solution that eliminates tragic accidents involving children boarding or exiting
• A lot of times students think that the bus can control that cross traffic, and it just can't.
• So it's not realistic or reasonable for somebody on that cross traffic to stop.
• So it's not realistic or reasonable for somebody on that cross traffic to stop.
• to stop it's why I on that cross traffic to stop it's why I referenced<00:28:45.360><c> earlier</c><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, on page five, we begin looking at the traffic safety portion.
• On the traffic safety slide.
• Of course, when you have the after-school traffic and the Los Alamos traffic converging on those three
• bridges, At one time in the afternoon, it just created a traffic nightmare.
• I think it's one of the biggest complaints that I get is just. that traffic, that pedestrian traffic,

Transcript Highlights:

• These are not accidents. These are preventable tragedies caused by decisions.
• City when the accident happened.
• As you know, all states are way different in a lot of their laws, especially their traffic laws.
• But how would you look at this if someone had a, maybe, drug-induced accident?
• Neldon said Grace’s life did not end because of an unavoidable accident or an illness.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first went into executive session, where House Bills 3012, 2997, and 3058 were combined into a House committee substitute and then voted do pass by a 17-0 roll call. House Bill 2868 was set aside for further work on a substitute. The committee then moved into public hearings, beginning with House Bill 1740, “Melanie’s Law,” which would increase penalties for intoxicated driving cases involving injury or death and expand ignition interlock requirements, including for high-BAC offenders. The sponsor and family members of victims described the bill as a response to fatal crashes involving loved ones, while law enforcement, MoDOT, prosecutors, and MADD supported the measure as a prevention tool and cited data on recidivism and fatal crashes. Members asked about BAC thresholds, whether the bill would cover drug impairment, fiscal impacts, and the relationship to existing sentencing and parole rules. No vote was taken on HB 1740 during the hearing. The committee also heard House Bills 3049 and 368, described by the sponsors as technical cleanup bills to resolve conflicts in Missouri’s sex offender registry statutes after court rulings and to reorganize and clarify the law. A prosecutor testified in support, and members discussed registry tiers, age-of-consent issues, and how the changes might affect people whose offenses were tied to older laws or unusual fact patterns. The bills were presented as consistency and cleanup measures, and no opposition testimony was offered. Next, House Bill 2311 was heard, proposing to raise the age of consent to 18 and reduce the close-in-age exception from four years to three. The sponsor said the change was intended to align the law with recent marriage-age changes and avoid mixed signals. Members raised concerns about criminalizing high-school relationships and about consistency with existing law, but there was no testimony in opposition or a vote. Finally, House Bill 3105, a revised Second Amendment Preservation Act-style bill, was heard. The sponsor said it would remove unconstitutional language from the prior law, bar state and local officials from knowingly violating law-abiding citizens’ firearm rights, and preserve cooperation with federal law enforcement. Supporters, including sheriffs, argued it protects constitutional rights while allowing officers to act against dangerous criminals and people in crisis. Opponents, including gun-rights advocates, argued the bill still lacked a meaningful deterrent to federal overreach and raised concerns about vague language such as “danger to self or others,” which they said could function like a red-flag law and be misused. The hearing ended without a vote on HB 3105.

Transcript Highlights:

• operations are delayed, it falls on public sector workers—our firefighters, law enforcement, and traffic
• The bill requires AV companies to send a trained autonomous vehicle worker to the scene of an AV accident
• are not stepping in and saying, hey, this car needs to move, when it's just not moving and blocking traffic
• We think that having the local incident technician... ...and blocking traffic and disrupting the public
• is critically important given the latency time between the U.S. and other countries. and blocking traffic

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee met with several bills on the agenda, beginning with SB 739 (Arreguín) on the Clean Miles Standard and Incentive Program for transportation network companies. The author and supporters from Lyft, Uber, and TechNet said the bill would update EV miles traveled and greenhouse gas targets to reflect current market conditions, add flexibility for CARB and the CPUC, and protect drivers from losing platform access while also creating a path for future electrification. Opponents including the American Lung Association, Sierra Club California, and NRDC argued the bill would weaken a program meant to accelerate EV adoption and should retain stronger targets. Members discussed affordability, charging infrastructure, and the need to balance climate goals with feasibility. The committee approved SB 739 as amended and re-referred it to Appropriations, later recording a 9-0 vote when the roll was completed. The committee then heard SB 1190 (Grove), the “Safe Passage for Youth Act,” which would regulate private youth transport services used for out-of-state residential placements. The author and sponsor testimony described abusive practices such as nighttime pickups, blindfolds, restraints, and emotional trauma, and said the bill would require CPUC permitting, TrustLine background checks, training, parental consent, and bans on certain practices. Support came from youth and disability advocates, with no opposition testimony. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended recommendation and later passed 9-0. SB 1191 (Ochoa Bogh) would extend the sunset for California High Cost Fund A and B universal service programs that help provide affordable telephone service in rural and high-cost areas. Supporters from rural telecom companies and industry groups said the funds are essential for maintaining service, 911 access, and emergency communications in remote communities. There was no opposition, and the committee advanced the bill on a due pass recommendation; it later passed 9-0. The consent item, SB 985 (Strickland) on the 911 emergency system, was also approved. Finally, the committee heard SB 1246 (Cortese) on autonomous vehicles and emergency response. The author and supporters from SEIU California and the California Professional Firefighters said the bill would require AV companies to provide incident response, notify local jurisdictions during system failures, ensure U.S.-based remote drivers, and prevent public safety workers from having to manage AV breakdowns. Industry opponents argued the bill intrudes on federal vehicle standards, gives local governments enforcement authority they should not have, and could create overly broad notification and response requirements. Members raised questions about local control, response times, and whether the bill was premature given existing DMV regulations. Despite those concerns, the committee passed SB 1246 on a due pass as amended recommendation, later recording a 7-1 vote. The committee then recessed and returned to complete roll calls before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no single solution that eliminates tragic accidents involving children boarding or exiting the
• forward there is no single solution that eliminates<00:04:12.120><c> tragic</c><00:04:12.599><c> accidents
• </c><00:04:13.120><c> involving</c> eliminates tragic accidents involving eliminates tragic accidents
• 13:48.399><c> an</c> gets pled down is that oh I it was an gets pled down is that oh I it was an accident
• I didn't I didn't know I had to accident I didn't I didn't know I had to stop<00:13:51.600><c> uh</c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to act contrary to the Statewide traffic to act contrary to the Statewide traffic code<00:12:24.880
• One thing that I forgot to mention is that mopeds do have accidents just like cars and motorcycles in
• One thing that I forgot to mention is that mopeds do have accidents just like cars and motorcycles in
• Chair, then we're talking about areas not where there's a traffic signal?
• </c><01:05:37.200><c> signal</c> areas not where there's a traffic signal areas not where there's a traffic

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several transportation-related measures. SB 282 would increase penalties for using an uncrewed aircraft, or drone, in the commission of a felony. The Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney strongly supported the bill, saying drones are being used to facilitate crimes such as burglaries, sex offender registration violations, and even murders, and that the measure would create a stronger deterrent and address sentencing issues. Members discussed how drone use could be investigated and noted that a prior Uncrewed Aircraft Offenses Act already covers a range of drone-related offenses. Testimony also included support from a Kauaʻi County Council member and the Office of the Public Defender, and the bill was then set aside as the committee moved on. The committee also heard SB 1032 on campaign finance, which would amend restrictions on foreign nationals and foreign corporations making contributions and expenditures. Testimony was listed in support from labor, civic, and advocacy groups, with some opposition, but the measure was not debated further in the portion provided. SB 1160, a consumer protection bill on ticket resale, drew support from venues and event groups and opposition from the Chamber of Progress, which argued the bill should target scalpers and deceptive practices rather than legitimate resale platforms. The Attorney General suggested an amendment to limit the bill’s scope to Hawaiʻi events, citing Commerce Clause concerns. On SB 344, requiring skateboard users under 16 to wear helmets, the Department of Transportation, Honolulu Police Department, and the Kiki Injury Prevention Coalition supported the measure. SB 106, which would let pedestrians cross outside marked crosswalks when a reasonably careful pedestrian would see no immediate danger, drew mixed testimony: public health and equity advocates supported it as a safety and anti-profiling measure, while others opposed it, warning it could increase danger on wider, faster roads. Committee members questioned whether Hawaiʻi’s current law is more dangerous because pedestrians must step into the roadway before drivers are required to stop, and the discussion continued at length without a final vote in the excerpt. The committee also heard SB 10009 on accessible parking fines, with DCAB and DAGS supporting the intent; a member asked that any new fine revenue go to the state parking revolving fund. SB 820, shortening the vehicle title transfer deadline from 30 days to 14 days, drew opposition from the Public Defender and Honolulu Customer Services, who said the current deadline is reasonable and the bill did not clearly solve a problem. Later measures included SB 1095 on license plate decal restrictions, SB 215 on towing and immobilization fees, and SB 1117 on electric mobility rebates and age/helmet rules, which received support from transportation and safety groups, though the transcript cuts off before any final actions or votes on those bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know an officer directing traffic is an officer directing traffic.
• My question is, if the person is not... if the law enforcement officer is not directing traffic, if the
• The base level offense is by accident.
• It's an accident, so you're not going to ever get to an intentional act.
• It's an accident or a mistake, including the intentional acts here.

Bills: SB535, SB664, SB1019, SB1020, SB1120, SB1537, SB1804, HB3207

Keywords: SB 535, Texas criminal procedure, rape shield, victim sexual history, past sexual behavior, sexual assault evidence, trafficking of persons, continuous trafficking, indecency with a child, continuous sexual abuse, aggravated sexual assault, indecent assault, consent defense, in camera hearing, Rule 412, Rule 609, victim protection, evidence admissibility, criminal evidence, sexual offense prosecution

Transcript Highlights:

• Our accidents and fatalities due to drunken driving are getting worse.
• 22.400><c> due</c><00:46:23.000><c> to</c> our accidents and fatalities due to our accidents and fatalities
• They testified and told us how the accidents, severity of the accidents and the deaths are increasing
• ,</c> testified and told us how the accidents, testified and told us how the accidents, severity<01:23
• Um we themselves, causing accidents.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• crashes in 2023, including 299 traffic-related fatalities and 1,124 traffic-related serious injuries
• Well, my good friends, they died in car accidents, and they were very young.
• And this is a way that I really, really, really thought we could slow traffic down.
• She was in traffic school when she killed Benjamin.
• I’m a board member of Bike Long Beach, and I support AB 311 as one tool to reduce traffic violence.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Panel one is an overview of DUI and traffic safety laws and research.
• I am the director at the California Office of Traffic Safety.
• , but we also have penal code violations that are traffic-related.
• Driving while impaired is not an accident. It's a choice.
• Driving while impaired is not an accident. It's a choice.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Hampshire is it only after an accident Hampshire is it only after an accident where<02:58:40.080
• </c> violations I know for for accidents violations I know for for accidents you're<02:58:46.000><c>
• </c> related what about after accidents related what about after accidents sometimes<03:06:26.600><c>
• </c><03:40:18.120><c> related</c> reduce the state's traffic related reduce the state's traffic related
• </c> where some of the monies from uh traffic where some of the monies from uh traffic tickets<03:45:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm from Twin Falls, Idaho, and I own Roadworkahead Traffic Services.
• And when we make a traffic stop, because we do have red and blue lights on our boats, we've made a traffic
• It's not a traffic stop. And we would continue to do the same thing.
• When we make a traffic stop, because we do have red and blue lights on our boats, we've made a traffic
• It's not a traffic stop. And we would continue to do the same thing.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee approved the February 25, 2026 minutes and then considered several bills and gubernatorial appointments. House Bill 681, which removes the statute of limitations for aggravated lewd conduct with a child and for producing sexually exploitative material, was presented by Rep. Stone and supported by the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association. Members discussed the purpose of statutes of limitations and concerns about fading memories, but the bill was advanced to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee also heard virtual testimony from Terry Kirkham for reappointment to the Pardons and Parole Commission and Paula Gray for reappointment to the Sexual Offender Management Board; both described their prior service and qualifications, and no votes were taken at the meeting on those appointments. The committee passed House Bill 491, expanding Good Samaritan immunity to include mental health and suicide emergency first aid, and House Bill 492, adding a juvenile justice or adult misdemeanor probation representative to the POST Council. House Bill 522, dealing with unmanned aircraft systems near correctional facilities, drew testimony from drone industry representatives and others who raised concerns about federal law, commercial flights, and alternative anti-contraband measures; the committee sent it to the 14th order for possible amendment rather than advancing it directly. House Bill 570, which adds driving 20 mph or more over the limit in active school or construction zones to reckless driving when children or workers are present and visible, was supported by a traffic control witness but drew some concern about subjectivity and enforcement; it was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 548, requiring reasonable suspicion before law enforcement may stop or board a boat under the Idaho Safe Boating Act, prompted debate over Fourth Amendment protections and existing Coast Guard and sheriff boating inspection practices. The Idaho Sheriffs Association opposed the bill, saying current contacts are generally consensual and tied to federal boating safety agreements, while the sponsor argued the bill simply aligns boating stops with vehicle stops; the committee nonetheless advanced it with a due pass recommendation. Finally, House Bill 654, which adds electronic storage device canines to the definition of police dogs for purposes of protecting them from mistreatment or killing, received supportive testimony from an Internet Crimes Against Children task force commander and was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• third with regard to the traffic third with regard to the proposed<00:20:16.440><c> language</c><00:
• They find a car that they want to stop on traffic. They light it up, and it takes off.
• Sheriff Fletcher said he thinks agencies are afraid of the liability of being involved in an accident
• </c><01:03:23.359><c> was</c> the stats on whether the accident was the stats on whether the accident
• representative steer thank you accident representative steer thank you for<01:03:36.559><c> that</c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, when responding to emergencies, harbormaster personnel must travel with normal vehicle traffic
• In closing, three months after the accident, I finally got up enough courage to go visit the track for
• We have had, since Colby's accident was 20 months ago, ATV clubs, snowmobiles, bikers, dirt bikes, and
• We have had since Colby's accident was 20 months ago.
• Accidents are going to happen, but we're just asking to mitigate the chances of serious...

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on several public safety bills, with testimony first on S.2681, Colby’s Law, which would establish safety standards for BMX and motocross tracks. Supporters, including the family of a child killed at a track, argued the bill is needed because some tracks lack basic protections such as barriers, emergency plans, on-site medical staff, and adequate track maintenance. A motocross track representative opposed the bill as overregulation that could impose major costs and argued existing safety efforts and voluntary safety committees are preferable. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee also heard testimony on S.2680, which would expand emergency preparedness requirements around aging nuclear power plants and nuclear waste sites from a 10-mile to a 50-mile radius. Supporters from Cape Cod Downwinders, Massachusetts Peace Action, physicians, and other advocates said current law is outdated and insufficient, citing risks from radioactive waste storage, limited federal oversight, and the need for broader evacuation and emergency planning. Testifiers urged the bill’s passage, and no action was taken. A major portion of the hearing focused on the Protect Act, H.5158, dealing with limits on cooperation between state/local agencies and federal civil immigration enforcement. Sheriffs testified about how ICE detainers and notification requests work in practice, emphasizing discretion, public safety, and the difference between sentenced prisoners and pretrial detainees. Supporters from labor, education, and health care groups said immigrant communities are living in fear and asked for stronger protections, including bans on 287(g) agreements and clearer limits on ICE activity in schools, hospitals, and other sensitive locations. The hearing also included testimony on H.4697 regarding training and certification of constables and civil deputy sheriffs, with the Hampshire County sheriff saying sheriffs are already working with POST and MPTC on training standards and that the bill may be duplicative.

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, it disrupts traffic flow. Unpredictable crossings make roads less safe and more congested.
• </c><00:27:02.320><c> flow</c> finally it disrupts traffic flow finally it disrupts traffic flow unpredictable
• A member then asked one more question for the Department of Health: if pedestrian accidents increase
• increase at all pedestrian accidents increase at all when<00:39:34.800><c> policies</c><00:39:35.200
• </c> tunnels Bridges or high traffic tunnels Bridges or high traffic intersections<00:54:37.520><c> area

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation met on March 18, 2025, to hear several measures and later take up amendments and votes. Early items included a budget measure to increase the mass transit special fund expenditure ceiling, a bill extending lapse dates for drug and alcohol toxicology testing laboratory funds, and a measure creating buffer zones for parking near crosswalks and intersections. Testimony on the crosswalk-parking bill was broadly supportive from transportation, law enforcement, planning, bicycling, public health, and advocacy groups, with the Department of Health emphasizing visibility and roadway safety. The committee also heard a bill establishing the Mokai air carrier subsidy program for Molokaʻi, which drew support from the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii and comments from the Department of Transportation. The committee then heard SB 106 on pedestrian rules, which generated mixed testimony: the Office of the Public Defender, Hawaii Appleseed, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Workers Center, and the Department of Health supported it, while the Honolulu Police Department and Kīpuka Injury Prevention Coalition opposed it. Supporters argued the bill would reduce inequitable jaywalking enforcement and reflect a broader safety culture; opponents warned it could create confusion and risk. Members also discussed whether the bill would affect other traffic-code provisions and asked about crash data in other jurisdictions; the Department of Health said crashes had not increased in other places and cited California data showing decreased crashes and fatalities. In decision-making, the committee voted to pass SB 934 SD2 with amendments, with Representative Miyake reserving and Representative Cochran excused. It then passed SB 1526 SD2 with amendments. SB 1195 SD1 was also passed with amendments after the chair proposed adding language tying fines for illegal parking near crosswalks and intersections to the Safe Routes to School special fund and establishing a fine range of $100 to $500 per violation, with collected fines dedicated to pedestrian safety improvements. Members voiced support for the dedicated revenue source and community safety rationale. The committee next passed SB 1638 SD2 with amendments to strengthen the constitutional/public-purpose findings for subsidizing air carriers serving Molokaʻi and to add annual audit requirements and penalties for misuse of funds. The amended findings emphasized that affordable air service is essential for health care, employment, education, and overall well-being in remote island communities, and that the subsidy program is intended to improve access and competition while lowering costs for residents. The chair then recessed the meeting after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today I'll be discussing the three automated traffic enforcement programs that are operating here in
• A uniform traffic citation, on the other hand, is a formal citation issued by law enforcement.
• In this slide deck, I presented a day talked to them about different traffic safety initiatives.
• And it's causing accidents because the light is also green on the other side while traffic is going.
• So do you all go back to reevaluate the design of the temps when... ...why traffic is going.

Summary: The Committee on Transportation received a presentation from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles on Florida’s camera-based traffic enforcement programs: red light cameras, school bus stop-arm cameras, and school zone speed cameras. The department explained how each program works, the distinction between a civil notice of violation and a uniform traffic citation, and the fee distribution for each type of violation. It also reported preliminary data showing 42 jurisdictions operating red light cameras, with 496 cameras at 302 intersections and 923,133 notices of violation in fiscal year 2024-2025; for the newer school bus and school zone programs, the department said preliminary figures showed five active school bus programs and 40 active school zone programs, with prior-year totals of 61,150 school bus notices and 26,300 school zone notices. Senators asked about camera placement, school zone requirements, review procedures, and whether law enforcement or third parties are involved in reviewing violations. The committee then received an update from FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue on the Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, which used $4 billion in general revenue to advance a $7 billion package of 20 major congestion-relief projects. He said the department has used innovative delivery methods, including modified phased design-build, voluntary acceleration, and structured acceleration, to move projects forward faster and control costs. He highlighted progress on projects including I-4 congestion relief lanes, the Golden Glades Interchange, I-95 at US-1, I-75 auxiliary lanes, I-75 at Pine Ridge Road, and I-275 in Tampa, and said 80% of the plan is expected to be underway by the end of 2026, with four projects remaining in 2027. Members asked about temporary traffic patterns at Golden Glades, subcontractor opportunities, public transportation planning, contractor safety and OSHA issues, bridge strikes, logistics hubs near airports and seaports, aggregate and material supply, local government coordination, and federal transportation funding. Secretary Perdue said FDOT continuously reevaluates traffic management plans, works with small businesses and local subs, and monitors contractor safety closely, including corrective action plans after incidents. He emphasized that Florida’s transportation revenues are flat, that the state remains largely state-funded, and that additional resources are the main thing the Legislature can provide to support future infrastructure delivery. The committee adjourned after the chair requested FDOT staff provide senators with district-specific project updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Aubrey Pinkston, who has three children, but she lost her husband in a tragic accident in my district
• It would enhance sentences for individuals involved in hit-and-run accidents.
• accident that was tragic and somebody lost their life.
• under the bill as drafted, can punish—somebody who was not the cause of an accident or cause of the
• I will note that a hit and run does not require that the defendant actually caused the accident.

Summary: The Assembly Public Safety Committee heard several bills dealing with firearms, hit-and-run penalties, domestic violence, and sexually violent predator placement. AB 256 by Assemblymember DeMaio would add a one-year enhancement for certain firearm felonies involving controlled substances and require toxicology testing; supporters said it would provide transparency about the causes of gun violence, while opponents argued it duplicated existing law, was overbroad, and raised privacy concerns. AB 1281, also by DeMaio, would increase penalties for hit-and-run cases involving death or serious injury; supporters framed it as a response to a fatal case in the author’s district, while opponents said current law already provides strong penalties and the bill would remove judicial flexibility. Both bills drew no formal support beyond the author and were opposed by public defenders, civil liberties groups, and other advocates. AB 292 by Assemblymember Patterson, as amended, would increase punishment for repeat felony domestic violence offenders, including higher prison terms and a longer mandatory jail minimum for probationers with prior domestic violence convictions. The author and a survivor witness argued that early release can endanger victims and children, and the California State Sheriffs’ Association and California District Attorneys Association supported the measure. Opponents, including public defenders and advocacy groups, said existing law already escalates penalties, warned the bill could sweep too broadly or reduce flexibility, and urged more prevention-oriented responses. After discussion, the committee approved AB 292 as amended and sent it to Appropriations. AB 767 by Assemblymember Alanis would clarify that private and home-based schools, as well as daycare facilities, are covered by existing restrictions on conditional release placements for sexually violent predators. Supporters said the bill would better protect children and resolve inconsistent court interpretations, while opponents argued it could effectively bar placement in large parts of the state and undermine rehabilitation and due process. The committee passed AB 767 to Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent item AB 277. AB 1092, a vote-only reconsideration item from the prior year, was brought up without the author present and was defeated. Final reported outcomes were: AB 256 failed, AB 277 passed, AB 292 passed, AB 767 passed, AB 1281 failed, and AB 1092 failed.