Transcript Highlights:

• So basically we've built a bridge program that allows them to have credit for prior learning and helps
• So basically we've built a bridge program that allows them to have credit for prior learning and helps
• for those folks because they've bridge for those folks because they've been<00:43:21.280> flying<
• He was a helicopter pilot, and he joined us through the bridge program that we have for veterans.
• and he joined us um through the bridge and he joined us um through the bridge program<00:46:34.640

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force meeting began with approval of the July 14 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Kentucky Aviation Association. Association leaders described general aviation airports as important to rural access, commerce, emergency response, tourism, agriculture, and workforce development, and cited statewide economic impacts they said exceed $1.6 billion and support more than 9,400 jobs. They thanked the legislature for prior airport funding and said it had helped airports with basic operations and repairs. The association asked lawmakers for four things: continued appropriations for general aviation airports; relief or a more workable process for required financial audits, which they said can cost $10,000 to $20,000 or more and sometimes exceed a small airport’s annual budget; a regularized statewide appropriations process for airport infrastructure needs, which they said total about $100 million and are currently addressed unevenly; and funding for the Aerospace Education Reinvestment Opportunity Act to support scholarships and aviation workforce training. Members of the task force asked follow-up questions about the audit burden, the difference between financial and safety audits, and the difficulty of finding audit firms. The presenters said they would bring specific ideas back on audit reform. Eastern Kentucky University then presented on its aviation program. EKU leaders thanked the committee for prior support, including a $25 million appropriation for a new flight school building at Central Kentucky Regional Airport, and said the project is expected to break ground in 2026. They reported strong enrollment growth, with 502 aviation majors, most of them Kentuckians, and said the program has expanded flight hours and job placement. EKU also outlined plans to add an air traffic control program in response to Senate Bill 87 and the national shortage of controllers, saying it could train students to FAA standards if the university receives the needed investment in simulators, equipment, space, and faculty. They also discussed the need to replace an aging fleet of training aircraft, saying the current planes are decades old and costly to maintain, and that newer aircraft would improve training quality and reduce student costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Otherwise, we'll move on to the mayor. extensions do is, you know, bridge the extensions do is, you know
• , bridge the gap<00:12:36.639> before<00:12:38.079> people<00:12:38.240> in<00:12
• Without this bridge, we risk losing workers permanently.
• Without<00:16:00.959> this<00:16:01.199> bridge,<00:16:01.920> we<00:16:02.160><
• this bridge, we lose we risk losing<00:16:04.160> workers<00:16:04.639> permanently.

Bills: HF3393

Keywords: unemployment insurance, iron ore mining, additional benefits, labor force, economic support, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Apprenticeships are a game changer for our working learners, bridging the divide between education and
• Apprenticeships are a game changer for our working learners, bridging the divide between education and
• The compact is like we're driving on a bridge.
• road in front of us as we're driving, and so we've got ahead of speed, and we're planning on the bridge
• And I'm using my bridge analogy, which I like a lot.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the executive director of the Bridge Center for Hope here in Baton Rouge.
• The Bridge Center, as I said before, is Louisiana's first-ever.
• And the bridge centers, as I say before, is Louisiana's first ever.
• The Bridge Center has been open since 2021, and in that time there's only been us.
• The Bridge Center has been open since 2021, and in that time there's only been us.

Bills: HR267, HCR105, HCR107, HCR110, HCR113, HCR114, SB4, SB52, SB57, SB145, SB152, SB194, SB237, SB333, SB433, SB483, SCR37

Keywords: diabetes, amputation, amputations, diabetic foot ulcer, peripheral artery disease, PAD, wound care, podiatry, vascular disease, endocrinology, limb salvage, health policy, public health, healthcare costs, insurance coverage, Louisiana Department of Health, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Louisiana Center for Health Innovation, patient education, screening

Transcript Highlights:

• The I-5 Columbia River Bridge Mr.
• Chair, the I-5 Columbia River Bridge project is about 30% designed, and the legislature was told $3.2
• You're going to be out there doing work on a road or bridge anyways.
• It's hard to do, especially if you're talking about a major bridge project.
• really responded to the term 'fixing roads and bridges.'

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from WSDOT on balancing uncertainty in capital program estimates and cash flow management. WSDOT explained the differences between design-bid-build and design-build delivery, its tiered risk-assessment process by project size, and how it uses base estimates, inflation, and risk modeling to set budgets. Staff said design-bid-build estimates are generally accurate within about 1% across the program, while design-build projects carry much wider uncertainty and are better communicated as ranges; they cited a P85 budget approach and noted that large, complex projects can be affected by market competition and long procurement timelines. Members asked about the Columbia River Bridge cost growth and about value engineering, and WSDOT said it uses value engineering but has limited scope to cut costs because of project requirements and policy mandates. Troy Swing also discussed cash flow, noting that a few large projects can significantly affect biennial funding needs, and said a risk pool would not reduce overall program risk but could help manage timing if paired with appropriation and cash-flow controls. The committee then received the final presentation in the WSDOT Project Delivery and Innovative Practices study from HKA Global. The consultant said WSDOT’s estimating practices are generally robust and recommended improving transparency by presenting budget authorizations as ranges or estimate classes, better tracking estimate growth over time, and adjusting advertisement timing to avoid competing lettings. The report also discussed surety bonding, suggesting the legislature consider restoring authority for reduced bonding on select large design-build projects or using phased bonding and alternative securities. On indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracting, the consultant said current job order contract rules are restrictive and recommended legislative changes to make such tools more usable, especially for smaller tasks and to help use unspent funds more flexibly. The committee also heard a follow-up presentation on transit-oriented development policy recommendations tied to HB 1491. The Urban Institute’s Yona Freemark said Washington has been a national leader on TOD but that housing construction, especially in the Puget Sound, has slowed sharply since 2022. He said rising construction costs, high financing costs, and local tax and rent conditions are making many TOD projects infeasible, and recommended that the state fill infrastructure funding gaps around stations, revisit MFTE affordability requirements, consider minimum rather than average density requirements near transit, and create a statewide system to track TOD outcomes such as affordability, gentrification, and transit access. Members questioned the study’s developer interviews, the role of rent control and crime, property tax assumptions, and parking needs; the presenter said the study included five private developers, that rent control was not part of the study scope, and that parking was included in the model assumptions. Finally, the committee began a presentation on regulating emissions from ocean-going vessels at berth. Staff and consultants described California-style at-berth rules, which require shore power or equivalent emissions controls so ships can shut off diesel auxiliary engines while docked. The study is examining vessel traffic, emissions reductions, implementation costs, labor and operational needs, and possible effects on port competitiveness and cargo diversion. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• That bridge is so very important as we try to figure out ways to address the issues. So thank you.
• That bridge is so very important as we try to figure out ways to address the issues. So thank you.
• That bridge is so very important as we try to figure out ways to address the issues. So thank you.
• That bridge is so very important as we try to figure out ways to address the issues. So thank you.
• That bridge is so very important as we try to figure out ways to address the issues. So thank you.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee received an Office of Education Accountability presentation on student discipline data in Kentucky schools for the 2024 school year. OEA said the study used Safe Schools data, educator and student surveys, site visits to 12 schools, and principal surveys. The report found that about 1 in 10 schools have major behavior-related challenges and up to one-third have at least moderate challenges, with the most common concerns varying by level: high schools cited vapes, cell phone misuse, apathy, and tardiness; middle schools cited apathy, vapes, and cell phone misuse; and elementary schools reported more extreme classroom behaviors such as throwing objects, overturning furniture, and screaming. OEA also noted that 14% of students had at least one behavior event in 2024, but repeated events were rare, and event rates alone do not reliably measure the severity of behavior problems in a school or district. The presentation emphasized that many disciplinary consequences do not align consistently with statutes or local expectations. OEA said law violations made up 19% of more than 250,000 recorded behavior events, while most were board violations, and that some serious incidents resulted in minimal consequences. The report highlighted concerns about weapons, threats, and assaults: only 9.2% of weapon events led to expulsion or alternative placement, few threats resulted in those outcomes, and fewer than 10% of assaults led to expulsion or alternative placement, including some first-degree assaults. OEA also said the Safe Schools data do not identify victims, limiting analysis of assaults on staff or students, and recommended clearer statutory definitions and better data reporting. A major theme was the difficulty schools face in addressing chronic disruption and severe behavior while complying with federal protections for students with disabilities. OEA said principals reported the biggest challenges were federal limits on disciplinary removals and a lack of alternative placement options. The report described variation among districts in how they implement federal requirements, with some administrators discouraging alternative placements or avoiding discipline because of perceived legal risks. Site visits found that many schools lacked chronic-disruption policies, and teachers often reported frustration with minimal consequences and repeated classroom removals. OEA recommended that KDE collect more information from educators, identify promising practices for alternative instructional settings, and develop clearer guidance and training. In discussion, committee members said the findings showed reporting gaps and resource strains, and OEA staff clarified that some underreporting reflects local discretion, while law violations should still be reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Representative Bridges. >> here. >> Representative Huff. >> here. >> Representative Imes. >> here
• Representative Bridges, do you have a question?
• Uh, Representative Bridges, questions?
• Representative Bridges, that $120 was an attempt at a home run and we hit a foul ball."
• :44.640> was<00:50:45.359> an Representative Bridges, that $120 was an Representative Bridges

Keywords: 00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:47 Approval of Minutes 01:07 Airport Projects 12:17 Riverport Projects 38:27 Electric Vehicle Charging Program 54:10 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met on July 15, 2025, approved the June 4 minutes, and heard updates on aviation and riverport funding programs. Commissioner Mark Carter of the Kentucky Department of Aviation reported on the $200,000 grants for general aviation airports included in House Bill 1, saying the money is being used mainly for hangar projects, fuel trucks, parking lot resurfacing, airport equipment, crew cars, and public education efforts. He said about 25 hangar-related projects were reported, with an estimated 60 T-hangars and four or five box hangars supported, and noted that the grants are often used to match federal funds. He also said the state’s jet fuel tax revenue generates about $23 million annually, up from about $19 million in 2021, and that most airports are now compliant with the ADS-B/VOR-related reporting system required in budget language, which has improved reported operations and may help airports qualify for FAA grants. Members asked about the pace of airport projects, the limited number of contractors for hangar construction, and whether airports could finance hangars themselves. Carter said timing has generally been good, though federal projects have slowed somewhat and contractor capacity remains a challenge, and he said there is no statute preventing airports from financing part or all of a hangar project. Questions also focused on the long-term need for hangars and the effect of the jet fuel cap, with Carter saying general aviation airports still have significant hangar demand and rely on state assistance because hangars are a key revenue source. Jeremy Edgeworth of the Transportation Cabinet and Brian Wright of the Kentucky Association of Riverports then reviewed riverport projects funded through House Bill 265 and House Bill 1. Edgeworth said the cabinet’s riverport grant program awarded $500,000 in each of fiscal years 2025 and 2026 for 13 projects under an 80/20 match, and that House Bill 1 provided $7.5 million per year for public riverports with no local match. He described completed or underway projects at multiple ports, including equipment replacements, dock and road repairs, material handling upgrades, mooring cell rehabilitation, and a waterline loop at Owensboro. He said $12.6 million of the KPRCM funds had been awarded across 20 projects, with about $2.4 million still to be awarded later in the fall. Wright said the riverport investments are helping ports replace aging assets, expand capacity, and match federal dollars, but he also said the statewide capital need remains large, with the current list of top projects already in the $90 million range and longer-term needs still estimated at $60 million to $90 million. Members asked about timelines and future needs, and Edgeworth said many of the larger projects will take two to five years because of permitting and coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Works very well for roads, bridges, buildings.
• Works very well for roads, bridges, buildings.
• It works very well for roads, bridges, and buildings.
• And when we build a new bridge, the hope is that that bridge could last a generation or two in service
• , roads, bridges, roads, bridges, because<00:37:46.440> their<00:37:46.640> failure

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have to figure out a way to maintain continuous funding streams for our roads and bridges.
• system to figure our roadway and bridge system to figure out<00:12:16.720> how<00:12:16.959><
• But at the very foundational element, we have a road system and a bridge system that we must maintain
• And let's not forget about the bridges. Right. So, thank you, Representative Elkins.
• let's not forget about the bridges. let's not forget about the bridges.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The working group approved the prior meeting minutes with one correction to reflect Laura Ziggler’s attendance. Staff then outlined the report due February 13, 2026, which must summarize the group’s activities and include findings and recommendations adopted by the group; the report will go to the governor and legislative transportation leaders. The chair emphasized that the group’s charge is broad and includes analyzing electricity used as vehicle fuel infrastructure opportunities and barriers, developing policy and funding recommendations for sustainable transportation funding, and reviewing other states’ laws and policies. Discussion focused heavily on how to replace declining gas tax revenue as more vehicles become electric. The chair framed the issue as a fairness and implementation challenge, noting that EVs are a growing share of the fleet and that the group should consider both policy and funding, not just one or the other. Members and guests raised several ideas already submitted, including a road user charge, changes to the EV charging tax, ending or modifying the EV surcharge, broadening the tax to publicly owned charging stations, reducing the charging level threshold to level 2, ending sales tax on electricity, addressing off-road use, and expanding the definition of auto parts to include charging equipment. Representative Elkins argued that charging based on electricity used at home is impractical for most vehicles, that public charging is already much more expensive than home charging, and that the current sales tax plus surcharge amounts to double taxation for public-charging users. He said a mileage-based user charge modeled on Utah’s approach is workable, could be phased in, and could preserve privacy by allowing a voluntary or alternative method for home charging estimates. Senator Howe responded that home electricity use can be estimated similarly to mileage deductions on taxes and said the state should tax all electricity used as fuel, regardless of charger level, if it can be identified. Other speakers echoed that all road users should pay a fair share and that the main challenge is implementation. Tony Kis of Quick Trip asked that a late letter be included in the record and urged clarification of the sales, use, excise tax, and collection rules to avoid double taxation and reduce administrative burden, noting the current monthly collection date and suggesting the group should streamline collection methods. No final policy decisions or votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• who choose to engage to a page that says, in multiple languages, if you'd like, as you cross the bridge
• As you cross the bridge, you might begin to notice sensations in your body.
• working on is in collaboration with the Boston Nature Center, and the idea is—right now it's called Bridge
• Right now, it's called Bridge to Healing, but we know we're open to other names and titles.
• guess the idea would be that people are thinking through these things as they're crossing over the bridge

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery held a public hearing on 14 bills focused on insurance, parity, opioids, behavioral health access, and mental health system reform. Chair Mindy Domb and Vice Chair Robyn Kennedy outlined hearing procedures and noted the committee would accept written testimony. The hearing featured testimony from legislators, providers, advocates, and behavioral health organizations, with most speakers urging favorable reports on the bills they addressed. A major topic was psychiatric collaborative care, including H. 222/S. 1390, which would raise reimbursement for collaborative care codes to at least Medicare levels and allow billing outside the MassHealth primary care subcapitation model. Supporters said the model improves access, outcomes, and cost savings by embedding behavioral health in primary care, and several witnesses described successful implementation in practices and schools. Committee members asked questions about how the model works, what specialties use it, barriers to adoption, and whether copays, deductibles, and subcapitation rules should be changed. Witnesses also supported related innovation legislation, including H. 2224, which would create a mental health innovation fund and support nontraditional trauma-healing approaches. Other bills discussed included H. 2212, which would require prescribers to discuss opioid and pain-medication risks, alternatives, and addiction/overdose concerns with patients or guardians; H. 2232 and H. 2233, which would address equitable payment and equitable access for behavioral health providers serving MassHealth patients; and S. 1406, which would add opioid maintenance treatment information to MassPAT and allow patient-authorized access to that information. Witnesses also strongly backed S. 1399, which would set targets to increase behavioral health spending within the overall health care cost benchmark, arguing that Massachusetts underinvests in behavioral health and that greater investment could reduce emergency, hospitalization, homelessness, and criminal justice costs. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded after testimony and committee questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eight years ago, it was the funding for the Rocheport Bridge. Many weren't here at that time.
• dollars, matching county dollars, every possible group of money that we could come up with, that bridge
• dollars, matching county dollars, every possible group of money that we could come up with, that bridge
• Memorial Bridge, Officer Evan Alexander Dunn Memorial Highway, Betty Ann McCaskill Memorial Highway,
• Memorial Bridge, Officer Evan Alexander Dunn Memorial Highway, Betty Ann McCaskill Memorial Highway,

Summary: The House met on the final day of session with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal by a 126-0 vote. Most of the early floor time was devoted to points of personal privilege, with members and the Speaker offering extended tributes to departing colleagues, House staff, law enforcement, military service, and the work of the chamber. Several members also used the occasion to reflect on their careers, thank constituents and families, and discuss issues such as property tax reform, police service, mental health, and bipartisan cooperation. The House then took up Senate messages and committee reports, followed by several bills and resolutions. Senate Substitute for House Bill 2636, dealing with mortgage modification and related consumer protections, was adopted 142-1 and finally passed 144-1. Senate Substitute for House Bill 2397, concerning water district dissolution and related safeguards, was adopted 129-16 and finally passed 127-17. Senate Substitute No. 2 for House Bill 2576, a naming and commemorative bill adding observances and memorial highways/bridges, was adopted 136-4 and finally passed 134-6. The chamber also received Senate action on Senate Bill 1408 and Senate Joint Resolution 87, and committee reports recommended passage on several deferred measures. The House also debated Senate Joint Resolution 95, which proposed creating a constitutional Show Me Prosperity Fund as a sovereign wealth fund intended to eventually eliminate state-imposed taxes through long-term investment returns. Supporters argued it would promote fiscal sustainability and long-term prosperity, while opponents warned that it would lock away money during a period of projected budget shortfalls and could leave the state unable to access funds when needed. The resolution was discussed at length with questions about funding mechanics, investment authority, and emergency access, but the transcript provided does not include a final vote on the resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• At this point, we don't have any proposals for kind of any bridge funding until the 2027 kind of categories
• At this point, we don't have any proposals for kind of any bridge funding until the 2027 kind of categories
• base, and emergency air medical providers cannot sustain operations at this level without critical bridge
• SkyLife and Mercy Air, here in support of the $8 million this year and in the next budget cycle as bridge
• Cisneros talked about a potential option of thinking about bridge funding that would allow our school

Summary: The committee heard a budget oversight hearing on the Department of Health Care Services, focusing first on the overall Medi-Cal budget and a March General Fund loan to cover a current-year shortfall. DHCS said the 2025-26 budget proposal totals $193.4 billion, with Medi-Cal projected at $188.1 billion total funds and $42.1 billion General Fund, driven by higher enrollment, pharmacy costs, managed care growth, and costs tied to eligibility expansions and the COVID-era redetermination unwinding. The department said the $3.44 billion loan was needed to manage cash flow and ensure timely payments to providers and plans, while the LAO noted Medi-Cal’s cash-basis budgeting creates volatility and that more detailed estimates would come with the May Revision. Members discussed federal Medicaid threats, the need for transparency on cost drivers, and the impact of pharmacy spending, long-term care, and immigration-related coverage expansions. The second major topic was family health programs, including California Children’s Services, the continuous coverage unwinding, and opioid settlement fund spending. DHCS described CCS funding methodology changes, ongoing county stakeholder work, and a delayed rollout of CCS monitoring and oversight until July 1, 2025, while county representatives and advocates argued the program is underfunded and asked for more technical assistance and a delay in implementation. On the unwinding, the department explained that federal redetermination flexibilities helped maintain coverage after the pandemic, but the Governor’s budget proposes ending them at the end of June 2025; advocates urged making the flexibilities permanent to avoid coverage losses. For opioid settlement funds, DHCS and Finance said the budget increases funding for naloxone distribution while reducing other harm-reduction spending based on updated settlement revenues, prompting criticism from members and public commenters who argued the change would weaken effective harm-reduction programs. The hearing also included an update on Proposition 35 implementation. DHCS said the voter-approved measure continuously appropriates MCO tax revenues beginning in 2025, with up to $4.6 billion annually available for specified Medi-Cal and provider investments in 2025 and 2026, but implementation depends on consultation with the required stakeholder advisory committee. The department and LAO noted uncertainty about future federal rules affecting the MCO tax after 2026. Public testimony largely supported maintaining Medi-Cal expansions, protecting immigrant coverage, preserving harm-reduction funding, and increasing support for community health workers, pediatric dental care, and CCS county administration. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• : excellence in science or innovation, honoring impactful research or technological advancement, bridging
• research or technological impactable research or technological advancement, advancement, advancement, bridging
• <00:11:04.520> disciplines,<00:11:05.600> especially<00:11:06.320> science bridging
• disciplines, especially science bridging disciplines, especially science with<00:11:07.480> broader

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional by Representative Tom Stevens of Waterbury, who reflected on the Sermon on the Mount as a call to resist exclusion, greed, and coercion and to focus on blessing and care for those in need. After the devotional, the chamber suspended rules to take up Senate Bill 313, relating to transforming Vermont’s career and technical education system, and committed it to the Committee on Education. The House also adopted HCR 241, a concurrent resolution congratulating University of Vermont Distinguished Professor and Vermont State Climatologist Dr. Leslie Ann Dupigny-Giroux on receiving the Manny L. Bhaumik Award for Public Engagement with Science, with members offering remarks about her climate work and public service. On the action calendar, the House passed Senate Bill 157 on recovery residence certification in concurrence with proposal of amendment, and Senate Bill 239 on the child abuse and neglect reporting working group in concurrence with proposal of amendment. During discussion of S. 239, a member explained that the House amendment was a technical correction adding the Vermont School Counselor Association and the Agency of Education as stakeholders for the working group to consult. The House also concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment to House Bill 410, which concerns the calculation of recidivism and other criminology measures; the Judiciary Committee said the Senate change was a clarifying wording revision and supported it. The chamber then moved through announcements, including recognition of visiting family members, a UVM intern, and notice of a caucus discussion on permitting modernization. A member also invited colleagues to view Vermont Railways’ train in Montpelier. The House completed its orders of the day and adjourned until the next morning at 9:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Through this caucus, we hope to serve as the bridge between Maryland's world-class research institutions
• <00:15:03.560> serve<00:15:03.839> as<00:15:03.920> the<00:15:04.040> bridge
• <00:15:04.600> between hope to serve as the bridge between hope to serve as the bridge between

Keywords: House streaming session for Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, confirmed a quorum, and then spent much of the session on recognitions and ceremonial resolutions. Members honored the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute girls basketball team for winning the Maryland State Girls 3A championship, and the Crofton High School boys indoor track and field team for a historic season that included county and region titles and the school’s first boys state championship. The chamber also recognized Sacred Heart Home in Hyattsville for 100 years of service to seniors in the community. The House received Senate Bills 10 and 84 from the Senate, waived separate readings, and referred them to the appropriate committees. Committee announcements noted upcoming bill hearings and vote sessions, including Appropriations, Economic Matters, Environment and Transportation, GLEE, Health, and Ways and Means, along with a reminder that amendments for the next day were due under House rules. Members also announced the formation of the Maryland Legislative STEM and Emerging Technology Caucus, focused on STEM education and policy issues such as AI, quantum technology, autonomous systems, robotics, and data infrastructure. Additional announcements included a Veterans Caucus breakfast, a Women in Government lunch, Eye Week screenings, a Savage Race team invitation, a birthday recognition for Delegate Bonnie Cullison, and a joint press conference by several caucuses. After a final quorum call confirmed 126 members present, the House adjourned until Wednesday, March 25 at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not a lot of progress, but an opportunity to just kind of start building those bridges and lay out a
• I like how you said building those bridges. That wasn't that what we're bonding.
• And those core projects that we typically talk about, roads, bridges, and wastewater, that have a statewide
• released, are focused on the needs of Minnesotans that look like drinking water, wastewater, roads, bridges

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We are the bridge between government and community, ensuring state investments reach those who need it
• thrive<00:04:47.759> we<00:04:47.880> are<00:04:48.039> the<00:04:48.199> bridge
• <00:04:48.520> between thrive we are the bridge between thrive we are the bridge between government

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators Amabile, Baisley, Ball, Benavidez, Bridges, Bright, Carson, Catlin, Cutter, Danielson, Dougherty
• Lindstedt, Cutter, Wallace, Gonzales, Juda, Benavidez, Cocker, Snyder, Roberts, Henrichsen, Weissman, Bridges
• Lindstedt, Cutter, Wallace, Gonzales, Juda, Benavidez, Cocker, Snyder, Roberts, Henrichsen, Weissman, Bridges
• Bridges. Bridges. Bridges. Amabile. Oh, Senator Sullivan. Okay. Thank you.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the corrected journal, and received committee reports advancing several measures, including House Bills 1237, 1081, 1208, and Senate Bill 103. The chamber also adopted a motion to proceed out of order for moments of personal privilege, during which members welcomed students from Fort Lewis College, Colorado State University, and Adams State University, as well as Volunteers of America and Zonta International, and recognized Volunteers of America’s 130th anniversary. On third reading, the Senate passed House Bill 1120 on mobile home taxation and delinquent property tax collection after adopting a technical amendment, and passed House Bill 1007 on distributed energy resources after debate focused on safety, UL listing, utility coordination, and affordability. It also passed House Bill 1253 on disconnection of property from a statutory municipality and House Bill 1145 on water quality in mobile home parks, though the latter drew more opposition. House Bill 1044 on maternal health equity was amended to change language from a “statement of rights” to a required notice and to revise task force language, then passed after sponsors emphasized disparities in maternal mortality and provider training. The Senate then adopted the Committee of the Whole report, which placed House Bills 1186 and 1044 on the calendar for third reading and laid over Senate Bill 134 and House Bills 1071 and 1084 until April 6. The chamber also confirmed three governor’s appointments to the State Board of Parole: Katherine Rodriguez, Rodrigo Luévano, and Greg Size. The meeting ended with announcements, including committee meeting notices and a brief personal privilege about the Artemis 2 launch, followed by a recess until noon.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Ocelot Tunnel in South Texas and the land bridge over Phil Hardberger Park in San Antonio...
• Memorial Park in Houston has built a new land bridge, and these kinds of crossings have been found to
• connecting parks to privately conserved lands in ways that aren't just limited to the crossing, the bridge

Keywords: wildlife corridors, animal-vehicle collisions, HB5259, licensing, concurrent resolutions, cultural significance, Senate Bill 1247, public safety, environmental conservation

Summary: The meeting of the committee centered around significant legislative measures, including several bills aimed at enhancing wildlife safety through the establishment of wildlife corridors and licenses for outdoor activities. Key discussions highlighted House Bill 5259, led by Vice Chair Flores, which proposes a wildlife corridor action plan to reduce animal-vehicle collisions in Texas. This bill is crucial given Texas's alarming rate of wildlife-vehicle accidents, and testimonies from supporting members emphasized the need for action to protect both wildlife and public safety. Furthermore, Senate Bill 1247 was brought forward, simplifying the non-resident hunting license system to improve compliance and conservation funding. The committee also addressed multiple concurrent resolutions recognizing towns for their cultural significance, reflecting a broader commitment to community identity and heritage.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators Amabile, Beasley, Ball, Benavidez, Bridges...
• Bridges, Bright, Carson, Catlin, Cutter, excuse.
• Minority Leader, Bridges.
• Senator Bridges is a no on concurrence. The Majority Leader is a no on concurrence.
• Senator Bridges is a no on concurrence. The Majority Leader is a no on concurrence.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, approved the journal, and received several committee reports. Health and Human Services reported appointments to the Commission on Aging and the Solid and Hazardous Waste Commission for consent-calendar confirmation, and also advanced or killed several bills, including favorable recommendations on SB 140, HB 1229, and HB 1244, while postponing indefinitely HB 1096 and SB 8. Business, Labor, and Technology reported SB 114 with amendments and a favorable recommendation to Appropriations. The chamber also adopted a motion to proceed out of order for resolutions and later for selected bills. The Senate adopted SJR 19, which celebrates Colorado’s sister-state relationship with Taiwan, supports stronger trade and academic ties, backs a double-taxation agreement, and urges Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. The resolution was adopted 35-0, and the current roll call was added as co-sponsors. The Senate also passed consent-calendar HB 1234 on access to child abuse or neglect records unanimously. On third reading, HB 1186 on bail bonding agents passed 34-1, and HB 1044 on maternal health equity passed 30-5. In Committee of the Whole, the Senate advanced a large consent calendar of technical and policy bills, including HB 1303, 1297, 1296, 1295, 1294, 1293, 1220, 1219, 1218, 1217, 1216, 1215, 1135, 1238, and 1079, all of which were adopted and ordered to third reading. The committee report was adopted 35-0. Later, the Senate took up several House-amended Senate bills and concurred or re-passed them, including SB 77 on epilepsy-related mortality awareness, SB 31 on lawful use of a prescription drug product containing a Schedule I substance, SB 9 on charitable organizations for sales and use tax, SB 126 on teacher licensure for out-of-state applicants, and SB 53 on eligible mortgage borrowers. The chamber also passed HB 1311 on using a bond in lieu of retainage in construction contracts, HB 1107 on standardized information for medical-care facilities, and HB 1101 on adding critical-infrastructure-related offenses to commodity-metals crimes. The remainder of the calendar was laid over to April 7, 2026, and the Committee of the Whole report reflecting those actions was adopted 35-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• removes the exclusion, excuse me, of apprenticeships that are really related to street, highway, bridge
• And then second, yes, you know, in the bill, it's street, highway, bridge, road, utility, or maintenance
• And then second, yes, you know, in the bill, it's street, highway, bridge, road, utility, or maintenance
• question, Madam Chair, Senator, what programs, do you have any programs for asphalt companies and bridge
• Are you guys, you know, bridge girders, abutments?

Bills: SB190, SB152, SB77, SB150, SB151, SB156, SB172, SB182, SB185, SB212, SB170, SB133, SB174, SB163

Keywords: cancer treatment, revenue bonds, Gila Regional Medical Center, Nor-Lea General Hospital, healthcare funding, telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion