Transcript Highlights:

• Senators Amabile, Baisley, Ball, Bridges, Bright, Carson, Catlin, Cutter, Danielson, Daugherty, Exum,
• Senators Baisley, Bridges, Bright, Carson, Catlin, Cutter, Danielson, Daugherty, Exum, Frizell, Gonzalez
• Schoffler, please add Senator Bridges to the roll. Senator Danielson, excuse.
• Schoffler, please add Senator Bridges to the roll. pledge allegiance to the flag of the pledge allegiance
• Schoffler, please add Senator Bridges<00:21:37.280><c> to</c><00:21:37.520><c> the</c><00:21:37.679><

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:44:57.040><c> Bridges.
• </c> Senator Bridges. Thank you Mr. Senator Bridges. Thank you Mr.
• , Bridges, Bridges, Roberts, Roberts, Roberts, Mullika, Mullika, Mullika, Pelton<00:57:00.000><c> R.
• Lindstead Lindstead Bridges Bridges Bridges Exum Exum Exum Mullica Please<01:01:25.120><c> add</c><01
• Bridges, co-sponsors Senator Bridges, Senator<01:05:56.240><c> Kipp,</c> Senator Kipp, Senator Kipp,

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators Amabile, Baisley, Ball, Benavidez, Bridges.
• </c> Bridges' Day. Bridges' Day.
• </c> to Senator Bridges on April Fool's Day. to Senator Bridges on April Fool's Day.
• Hey, Senator<00:50:10.600><c> Bridges.
• </c> Senator Bridges. Thank you, Mr. Senator Bridges. Thank you, Mr.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bridges. Bryant, Carson, Catlin, Cutter, Danielson, Daughtry excused. Daughtry excused. Exum.
• , Bridges, Bridges, Juda, Please<00:35:04.640><c> Oh,</c><00:35:05.080><c> Senator</c><00:35:05.480><
• Senator Bridges: I went to space camp. Very good. Senator Priestly: Um, Mr.
• Senator<00:48:54.600><c> Bridges.
• </c> Senator Bridges. I went to space camp. Senator Bridges. I went to space camp.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The department is in dire need of funding for safety for our roads and safety for our bridges, and this
• for our Department of Transportation and their ability to start to improve and work on roads and bridges
• That's key to this whole discussion. roads and safety for our bridges roads and safety for our bridges
• I think you know we're talking about funding for our roads and bridges.
• I think you know we're talking about funding for our roads and bridges.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• after my father, if you want to look that up: the Reverend Ken Crossman Bridge.
• My vision for my role as a trustee with FAMU is to be a bridge builder.
• The bridge building that I am so passionate about is to non-FAMUans.
• So I want to keep bridge building and getting community together for that. With that, thank you.
• So I want to keep bridge building and getting community together for that. With that, thank you.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to consider a large slate of confirmations and reappointments to boards of trustees for Florida’s colleges, universities, and the Florida Prepaid College Board. Chair Harrell opened by emphasizing the importance of trustee appointments to maintaining Florida’s higher education system, and the committee heard brief testimony from each nominee about their background, ties to the institution, and priorities such as student success, workforce alignment, fiscal stewardship, and community partnerships. Several nominees highlighted personal connections to their schools, including alumni status, family legacy, or prior service on the board, while others emphasized experience in business, law, education, health care, or public service. Testimony focused heavily on workforce development and institutional growth. Speakers cited nursing, dual enrollment, applied programs, military and veteran support, broadband access, agriculture, law enforcement, and technical training as key areas for colleges to meet regional labor needs. University nominees discussed research expansion, affordability, strategic planning, and partnerships with industry and government, with Florida Atlantic, Florida Polytechnic, the University of West Florida, and the University of South Florida each described as being in periods of growth or transition. Miami-Dade College, Tallahassee State College, Polk State College, and other state colleges were praised for enrollment, economic impact, and job placement outcomes. The committee also heard from the Florida Prepaid College Board reappointee, who described the program as a long-term promise backed by public trust and reported recent technology and customer-service improvements. After testimony, the committee took up the nominations as a group. One nominee, Drew Weatherford, had withdrawn and was not voted on. The remaining trustees were approved unanimously by roll call and reported favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• after my father, the Reverend Ken Crossman Bridge.
• My vision for my role as a trustee with FAMU is to be a bridge builder.
• The bridge building that I'm passionate about is to non-FAMUans.
• So I want to keep bridge building and getting the community together for that.
• So when he talks about building bridges, I can attest that it is an absolute true statement.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to hear testimony from a large slate of new and reappointed trustees for Florida’s colleges and universities. Chair Harrell opened by emphasizing the committee’s responsibility to confirm trustees who will help keep Florida’s higher education system strong, and the committee heard from appointees representing institutions including State College of Florida, University of West Florida, North Florida College, Florida A&M University, Polk State College, Florida Prepaid College Board, Tallahassee State College, College of Central Florida, Lake-Sumter State College, Miami-Dade College, Eastern Florida State College, Palm Beach State College, Florida Atlantic University, New College of Florida, Pasco-Hernando State College, Florida Polytechnic University, Florida State University, and the University of South Florida. One nominee, Drew Weatherford, was noted as having withdrawn and was not to be voted on. The committee also dealt with several technical issues for remote participants, briefly recessing and later resuming testimony by phone or Zoom/Teams when needed. Across the presentations, the nominees generally stressed public service, fiduciary responsibility, and support for workforce-focused higher education. Many described personal ties to their institutions, including alumni status, family connections, or prior service on boards, and several highlighted military service, business experience, or prior work in education and government. Common themes included affordability, fiscal stewardship, transparency, and aligning programs with regional labor needs. Trustees from colleges such as Polk State, Tallahassee State, Lake-Sumter, North Florida, Pasco-Hernando, and College of Central Florida emphasized nursing, law enforcement, teacher training, welding, agriculture, dual enrollment, and other workforce programs, while university trustees focused on research growth, student success, and partnerships with employers and communities. Several nominees pointed to specific institutional priorities and achievements. Miami-Dade College trustees highlighted the college’s size, dual enrollment growth, aviation and aerospace programs, and the Freedom Tower renovation. FAU nominees discussed the university’s new R1 status, research partnerships such as Max Planck and Harbor Branch, and the need for more housing. Florida Poly’s nominee emphasized STEM excellence, strategic growth, and value to taxpayers. USF’s reappointee cited nursing outcomes, research, and the upcoming strategic plan. No votes were taken during the testimony portion; the chair indicated the committee would vote on the confirmations at the conclusion of the hearing, generally as a group unless members requested separate consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have additional technology assets out in the field with our road and bridge infrastructure.
• MAC ensures that Florida's roads and bridges are built with safe and quality materials.
• in bridges.
• FDOT maintains over 7,000 bridges, as well as rehabilitating and replacing many bridges each year as
• Florida DOT also inspects 13,000 bridges.

Summary: The subcommittee first heard a panel on state cloud modernization efforts after canceling an LBR on the Department of Corrections’ OBIS project because the presentation materials were not submitted on time. Florida Digital Service, the Northwest Regional Data Center, and several agencies described how the state is assessing and migrating applications to cloud environments under the cloud-first policy. Northwest explained its 2023 cloud readiness assessment of 890 applications from 24 agencies, the criteria used to rate readiness and risk, and its recommendation to tackle lower-risk applications first. Agency updates covered the Department of Corrections’ modernization of 98 legacy applications tied to OBIS and cloud-native infrastructure, the Department of Elder Affairs’ Microsoft Power Platform modernization, the Department of Health’s health management and child protection systems, and FDOT’s large cloud program for transportation systems. Members repeatedly asked about costs, data ownership, disaster recovery, single sign-on, security tools, and whether cloud migration actually saves money; presenters generally said the focus is more on modernization, resilience, and efficiency than immediate savings, and that cost analyses are often application-specific rather than enterprise-wide. The discussion also covered governance and architecture questions. Florida Digital Service said agencies remain responsible for their own databases and cloud tenants, while FLDS provides advice and an enterprise architecture framework; it does not have statutory oversight over most projects, except for OBIS project oversight due to its size. Northwest said it is acting as a cloud broker for some agencies and is consolidating Azure and AWS payer tenants to seek better pricing, but agencies still make system-by-system decisions based on business needs, risk, latency, and total cost of ownership. Members raised concerns about fragmented data structures, the lack of a complete statewide application inventory, and the need for better interoperability and enterprise standards. Several agencies said disaster recovery is built into their cloud plans, and FDOT and Corrections described ongoing efforts to keep systems current through core platforms, training, and ongoing support. In the second half of the meeting, the Department of State presented two new technology requests. Secretary Byrd described the SunBiz corporate registry system as a 34-year-old platform supporting more than 3.5 million business entities and generating over $575 million in annual general revenue. He said the department had already virtualized the legacy hardware after earlier modernization efforts failed and is now seeking $800,000 recurring for password protection and $5 million nonrecurring to continue procurement for a replacement system. The department also presented the Florida Voter Registration System modernization request, noting that the current system is outdated and requires manual workarounds for some statutory changes. The department requested $2.4948 million nonrecurring and $44,000 recurring to procure a modernized FVRS solution, and staff said the feasibility study recommended a hybrid approach. Members asked about the study’s findings and about creating a database for voter eligibility information for returning citizens; the department said that would require data sharing with all 67 clerks of court and other entities such as DOC.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:34.760><c> in</c> close their gap for roads and bridges in close their gap for roads and bridges
• and the Blatnik Bridge, which is about $1.8 billion.
• Bridge, which is about $1.8 billion.
• </c> out of our money for roads and bridges out of our money for roads and bridges for<00:37:01.040><
• </c> It should not take 20 years and a bridge It should not take 20 years and a bridge collapse<02:00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our funding for hospital-based substance use disorder care in the emergency department, bridge clinics
• Our clinical services include inpatient addiction consult teams, outpatient low-barrier bridge clinics
• You know, several years ago, wound care was not something we were thinking about in our bridge clinic
• We've really focused on that in our system around low-barrier addiction treatment through our bridge
• We've really focused on that in our system around low-barrier addiction treatment through our bridge

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on xylazine held its first meeting, with House Chair Mindy Domb and Senate Co-Chair John Keenan outlining the commission’s charge and a proposed work plan. The commission is tasked with studying the public health and safety impacts of xylazine in the illicit drug supply, including whether it should be scheduled as a controlled substance, how to regulate its production and distribution, and how to improve outreach and treatment for people exposed to it. Members were told the report deadline had been extended to March 30, 2026, and staff proposed a series of public hearings and working groups leading to a final report. The meeting also included attendance, packet materials, and procedural planning. The first major testimony came from BSAS Director Deirdre Calvert, who described xylazine’s appearance in Massachusetts drug supply data, the state’s public health alerts, and DPH’s partnership with Brandeis, CDC, and harm reduction organizations. She emphasized four priorities: reducing stigma and discrimination in health care, expanding self-directed wound care support and coverage for supplies, expanding access to drug checking and test strips, and supporting low-barrier services such as mobile vans and drop-in centers. Commission members asked about first responder awareness, medical education, and whether harm reduction services might face federal restrictions; Calvert said misinformation remains a problem and noted ongoing training efforts, including collaboration with public safety agencies. Several other speakers reinforced the need for low-barrier care and drug checking. Dr. Raghini Jala, an infectious disease and addiction medicine physician, said xylazine has become a common component of the unregulated opioid supply and urged support for rapid-response education teams, community-based drug checking, and better hospital and detox protocols for xylazine withdrawal and wounds. Recovery coach Alan Young testified from lived experience, describing severe wounds, fear of inadequate withdrawal treatment in emergency settings, and the value of mobile care vans that can provide methadone, buprenorphine, and wound care in the community. Dr. Sarah Wakeman echoed the need for naloxone, rescue breathing, low-threshold treatment, and non-stigmatizing health care settings, while Sarah Macon of the Boston Public Health Commission described Boston’s harm reduction and drug checking work, including on-site testing, wound care, and a decline in opioid mortality. Tracy Green of the Massachusetts Drug Supply Data Stream explained that xylazine has declined in recent samples while metatomidine is rising, said drug checking is increasingly used but still not enough, and argued for more funding, staffing, and statewide access to real-time drug checking and harm reduction services.

Transcript Highlights:

• Brady Memorial Bridge. Bridge in Terrebonne Parish as the L. Ward T. Brady Memorial Bridge.
• Memorial Bridge. I ask for your favorable passage. Representative Ms. R. Ms. R. R. Ms.
• This is to give an update in regard to the bridges across the state.
• the bridge, the type of bridge, the parish it is located in, and the amount of funds to maintain the
• bridge.

Bills: HR244, HR245, HR246, HR247, HR248, HR249, HR250, HR251, HCR101, HCR102, HR223, HR224, HR225, HR226, HR227, HR229, HR230, HR231, HR232, HR234, HR235, HR236, HR237, HR238, HR239, HR240, HR241, HR242, HR243, HCR94, HCR95, HCR96, HCR97, HCR98, HCR99, HCR100, SCR31, SCR33, SCR35, SCR37, SCR56, SCR57, SB171, SB251, SB252, SB353, SB367, SB433, SB461, HR170, HR191, HR206, HR207, HR208, HR217, HCR11, HCR53, HCR60, HCR66, HCR68, HB66, HB153, HB165, HB326, HB387, HB454, HB455, HB484, HB513, HB603, HB660, HB719, HB762, HB766, HB793, HB802, HB816, HB833, HB940, HB947, HB950, HB975, HB1028, HB1039, HB1051, HB1053, HB1080, HB1201, HB1215, HB1228, HB1251, HB1252, SCR2, SB26, SB28, SB29, SB30, SB41, SB44, SB64, SB84, SB87, SB93, SB98, SB107, SB118, SB142, SB192, SB195, SB199, SB219, SB222, SB234, SB241, SB255, SB275, SB277, SB292, SB294, SB306, SB314, SB482, SB233, SB326, HR171, HCR49, HCR65, HCR72, HR37, HCR64, SCR19, SCR3, SCR6, SCR18, SCR11, SCR22, HB64, HB68, HB92, HB130, HB258, HB633, HB801, HB89, HB341, HB451, HB456, HB579, HB595, HB621, HB818, HB841, HB1064, HB1101, HB1191, SB47, SB82, SB106, SB206, SB210, SB248, SB305, SB376, SB397, SB441, SB2, SB19, SB24, SB50, SB70, SB96, SB101, SB103, SB104, SB114, SB122, SB159, SB160, SB173, SB180, SB182, SB260, SB412, SB418, SB424, SB442, SB460, SB476, SB1, SB23, SB32, SB42, SB43, SB46, SB51, SB110, SB113, SB150, SB154, SB161, SB218, SB220, SB221, SB253, SB289, SB310, SB351, SB399, SB404, SB502, HCR32, HB955, HB284, HB617, HB730, HB926, HB1125, HB1194, HB1203, HB798, HB998, HB1084, HB1223, HB646, HB824, HB901, HB79, HR20, HR74, HB59, HB306, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB682, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB911, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1234, HB1240, SB89, SB68, SB149

Keywords: disclosure, local law, public notice, legislative transparency, Artists at the Capitol Day, art education, Louisiana Art Education Association, recognition, community engagement, House Resolution 247, HR247, Laura Lewis, birthday commendation, 104th birthday, centenarian, longevity, St. James Parish, Louisiana House of Representatives, Mount Calvary Baptist Church, ceremonial resolution

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, heard a prayer from Pastor Neil Bernard of New Wine Christian Center, and recognized a number of visiting groups and observances, including AMI Kids, Mother’s Day, the Hungarian Settlement Cultural Association, Pro-Life Day at the Capitol, the American Cancer Society and Cancer Action Network, Municipal Day for the Louisiana Municipal Association, Recreation and Parks Association Day, St. John Day, Hoopla basketball activities, Main Street program participants, Leadership North Shore, the Lack of Seeing High School basketball team, Literacy Champion recognition, Orleans Parish Sheriff Michelle Woodford, and LACE Day for chamber executives. Majority Leader Steve Scalise also addressed the chamber, praising recent economic investment in Louisiana, coastal restoration funding, and the state’s improved national reputation. The House received Senate messages and Legislative Bureau reports on numerous Senate bills, many of which were referred to committee or laid over, and several House and Senate resolutions were introduced or adopted, largely commemorative or study-related measures. The chamber then took up several House bills in regular order. HB 89, concerning district attorney retiree health insurance coverage in the Third Judicial District, was amended and passed 87-5. HB 451, dealing with ATC notice procedures, passed 98-0 after technical amendments. HB 456, revising workers’ compensation petition requirements and allowing employers broader access to disputed claims, drew extended debate over whether it would burden injured workers; it passed 67-30. HB 579, expanding the Sexual Assault Survivor Bill of Rights and related confidentiality and complaint provisions, passed 98-0. HB 595, requiring local authorities to respond timely to permit-related matters affecting natural resource development, passed 92-3. HB 621, requiring recycling of decommissioned renewable energy components and updating waste rules, passed 99-0. HB 818, requiring school systems to publish annual assessment schedules and related testing information, passed 98-0. Additional bills considered included HB 841, creating a code of conduct for landmen negotiating pipeline easements and authorizing penalties for bad-faith conduct, which passed 98-0; HB 1060, establishing a two-year domestic violence intervention court pilot program in the 19th Judicial District with coordinated services and data collection, which passed 86-13; and HB 1101, a workers’ compensation measure defining maximum medical improvement, adjusting benefit durations, and addressing misrepresentation and fraud, which was under debate at the end of the excerpt. Throughout the floor session, members repeatedly emphasized that the bills were intended to clarify procedures, improve transparency, or address public safety and economic development, while opponents of some measures raised concerns about added burdens on workers or injured claimants.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Bridge District is bigger than just baseball.
• I'm glad you're asking because the city and the Bridge District were, or have been, the very first EIFD
• I'm glad you asked because this this the city and the bridge district were the or have been the very
• You may have heard of the bridge dinner. That is a great example of his work. Michael.
• You may have heard of the bridge dinner. That is a great example of his work.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism heard several bills focused on California’s creative economy, sports development, and cultural preservation. SB 226 by Senator Cabaldon would clarify that infrastructure revitalization financing districts may be used for entertainment and sports facilities, with testimony from West Sacramento officials emphasizing that the tool would rely only on project-generated city tax increment and would not affect school districts, counties, or the General Fund. Members discussed the relationship between IRFDs and EIFDs and the distinction between infrastructure financing and direct subsidy of private sports teams or stadiums. SB 865 by Senator Ashby proposed support for destination music festivals, citing the economic impact of events such as Aftershock and Golden Sky in Sacramento and similar festivals elsewhere in the state. Supporters from Visit Sacramento and Danny Wimmer Presents said festivals generate substantial jobs, tax revenue, and tourism spending while promoters bear the financial risk. Several committee members and public witnesses supported the bill as a way to sustain the creative economy, local businesses, and opportunities for artists. The bill passed the committee on a unanimous vote and was sent to Appropriations. SB 1050 by Senator Ashby would require disclosures when synthetic performers are used in advertisements, including audio ads, to inform consumers and protect human performers from displacement. SAG-AFTRA and voice actor advocates argued that consumers deserve to know when an ad uses AI-generated likenesses or voices, while TechNet, the Motion Picture Association, broadcasters, and other industry groups opposed unless amended, raising concerns about overbreadth, audio-only implementation, private enforcement, and the need for clearer exemptions and definitions. Members generally supported the bill’s goal but noted technical issues to refine; it passed unanimously to Judiciary. SB 1073 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would create a voluntary tax checkoff to support the South Los Angeles Black Cultural District. Supporters described the district’s historic and cultural significance and framed the measure as a way to help preserve Black cultural assets amid limited public funding. Members discussed how the checkoff would appear on tax forms statewide, its voluntary nature, and whether it could serve as a model for other districts. The bill also passed unanimously to Appropriations, and the committee later adopted the consent calendar unanimously as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Poplar Way Bridge was allocated $10 million from Connecting Washington.
• I believe the Poplar Way Bridge meets those priorities.
• The Poplar Way Bridge will reduce the wear and tear on our local streets due to the increased traffic
• Our members build and maintain the roads, bridges, and infrastructure that keep Washington moving.
• It also includes funding to help us meet new federal bridge load rating requirements, which we really

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held public hearings on three bills: SB 6225, a proposed substitute bond bill authorizing transportation funding bonds; SB 6005, the proposed substitute supplemental transportation budget; and SB 6354, a bill to expand access to electric vehicles through limited direct sales by qualifying EV-only manufacturers and changes to the documentary service fee. Staff explained that SB 6225 would authorize $1.1 billion in general obligation bonds, an additional $400 million for selected Move Ahead Washington highway projects, a $500 million increase in SR 520 bond authority, and the expiration of some older unused bond authorizations. For SB 6005, staff described a $17.5 billion supplemental budget with $1.5 billion in new funding, including reappropriations, preservation and maintenance spending, ferry investments, Climate Commitment Act-related adjustments, and a six-year balanced plan through 2031. For SB 6354, staff outlined the direct-sales framework for qualifying EV manufacturers, dealer licensing requirements, penalties for violations, and a fee increase that would direct revenue to EV rebates and multimodal transportation. Testimony on the budget and bond bills was broadly supportive from transit, local government, labor, construction, ports, and climate advocates, who praised preservation funding, ferry investments, safety programs, EV charging, rail electrification, and flood-response or local project funding. Several witnesses asked for specific project or account changes, including support for Skagit Transit, Day Road and Poplar Way bridge-related funding, Spokane TMC operating support, Kent corridor funding, and additional rail capital projects. Some speakers also urged more Climate Commitment Act funding for EV rebates, charging, and rail electrification, while others warned against deeper cuts to local programs and stressed the need for long-term preservation and bonding to stabilize the system. Testimony on SB 6354 was sharply divided. Rivian, Lucid, and several Washington auto dealers supported the bill as a compromise that would allow limited direct sales for EV-only manufacturers while preserving franchise protections and generating revenue for EV rebates. Climate advocates supported the bill as a way to accelerate EV adoption and asked that more of the fee revenue go to instant rebates for low-income buyers. In opposition, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and Honda argued the bill creates unequal rules, weakens the franchise system, and was not the product of a true compromise. The committee announced that SB 6225 and SB 6005 would be in executive session Thursday at 8 a.m., with amendments due by noon the prior day, while SB 6354 would be scheduled for executive action later.

Transcript Highlights:

• It serves a lot of folks, but it's meant to be a bridge, not a destination.
• from District 17's point about this being a bridge is true.
• It serves a lot of folks, but it's meant to be a bridge, not a destination.
• I believe that the bridge from District 17's point about this being a bridge is true, and what we heard
• :09.800><c> people</c> heard is that this bridge allows people heard is that this bridge allows people

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:03:51.280><c> and</c> and Tiger, also Senators Bridges and and Tiger, also Senators Bridges and
• </c> Serot and Tagard, also Senators Bridges Serot and Tagard, also Senators Bridges and<02:03:34.080
• So, Senators Bridges and and Tagard.
• </c><03:55:47.199><c> the</c> Bridges and Kirkmeer concerning the Bridges and Kirkmeer concerning the
• House Bill 1383 by Representatives Brown and Soda, also Senators Bridges and Bridges?

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We maintain about 2,159 state bridges, not under our maintenance responsibility, but bridges we do look
• All bridges are inspected every two years, and red-listed bridges, or bridges that are found to be structurally
• <01:08:10.160><c> but</c><01:08:10.359><c> Bridges</c> maintenance responsibility but Bridges maintenance
• or</c> every two years and red lless Bridges or every two years and red lless Bridges or bridges<01:
• </c><01:13:51.719><c> maintenance</c> Highway Maintenance Bridge maintenance Highway Maintenance Bridge

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Department of Safety presented an overview of highway fund and unrestricted revenue collections, focusing on the Division of Administration, the Road Toll Bureau, and the Division of Motor Vehicles. Amy Newbery explained that the main unrestricted funding sources are highway funds and general funds, with highway fund revenue of about $263 million in FY 2024 and a FY 2025 projection of $261.2 million. She said revenue growth has been modest and has not kept pace with costs, creating structural deficits that required general fund transfers of $50 million in FY 2022-23 and another $10 million in FY 2024-25 to balance the fund. Jennifer Hall described Road Toll operations, including motor fuel tax collection at the distributor level, compliance enforcement, and licensing for fuel distributors, transporters, IFTA carriers, and oil discharge/pollution control. Members asked about IFTA, dyed-fuel enforcement, the possibility of using the state forensic lab for dyed-fuel testing, and whether audit positions had been filled; the department said it recently hired a part-time fuel enforcement officer, still uses IRS testing, could explore lab testing, and had no audit vacancies. Hall also discussed factors affecting fuel-tax revenue, including gas prices, crude oil forecasts, weather, tourism, GDP, and inflation, and said FY 2024 road toll revenue was $127.5 million, above plan, with FY 2025 projected at $127.71 million. The committee then turned to DMV-related revenues. Newbery said motor vehicle registration revenue was $93.1 million in FY 2024 and is projected at $90.4 million in FY 2025, with the state share going directly to the highway fund. Members asked about the state/town fee split, the five-year registration cycle dip, the distribution of registration revenue by vehicle weight category, and the impact of electric-vehicle surcharges; the department said the five-year dip is still occurring and will fade over time, and it would follow up on the weight-category breakdown. The presentation also noted that driver-license revenues have stabilized, inspection revenues remain steady, plea-by-mail revenue was added to the highway fund in FY 2024, and general fund revenues tied to the department are relatively small and have declined as some functions moved to OPLC. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Bridges here. Representative Bratcher here. Representative Decker here.
• Representative Bridges yes. Representative Brown present.
• </c><00:05:31.120><c> yes</c> representative Bridges yes representative Bridges yes representative representative
• Representative Bridges, thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Representative Bray: Representative Bridges: Yes. Representative Brown: Pass.

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:15 HB 537 Discussion 00:01:30 HB 537 Vote 00:05:15 HB 695 Discussion 00:07:00 HB 695 Vote 00:23:15 HJR 31 Discussion 00:27:40 HJR 31 Vote 00:29:55, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 537, as amended by PHS 1, which was described as a technical measure needed to ensure Kentucky can receive opioid settlement funds despite changes in bankruptcy court orders. The sponsor and Attorney General’s office explained that the bill does not change the settlement formula or substantive terms, but adjusts the mechanism for receiving the money. After brief discussion, the committee adopted PHS 1 and then passed HB 537 out favorably on a 17-0 vote, with one member recording attendance after arriving late. The committee then considered House Bill 695, also amended by PHS 1, a Medicaid stabilization bill. The sponsor said the measure is intended to hold the program steady while the legislature gathers more information and awaits work by a future Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board. The bill would limit new waivers, state plan amendments, and coverage expansions; require reporting and record retention; create a Kentucky Medicaid Pharmaceutical Rebate Fund; direct certain behavioral health and managed care changes; and include an emergency clause. Members raised questions about the rebate fund, work requirements, and whether the bill could affect coverage or funding, while supporters emphasized transparency, data collection, and preventing new expansions until oversight is in place. Several members spoke in favor of the bill’s goals but expressed caution about micromanaging a complex program and about possible unintended consequences for beneficiaries. Representative Fleming stressed the need for stronger oversight and noted the potential fiscal impact of federal Medicaid changes. Representative Stevenson voted pass, saying the committee should let the new oversight board handle the issue, and Representative Gentry also passed, citing concern about overreach and the burden of data collection. The committee ultimately reported HB 695 favorably on a 16-1 vote with three pass votes. Afterward, members recorded additional yes votes on HB 537 for the record.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our roads are in the worst condition, followed by drinking, wastewater systems, and bridges.
• Our roads are in the worst condition, followed by drinking, wastewater systems, and bridges.
• We've had access to these bridges.
• . 742 of them are in poor condition, according to MDOT's annual bridge survey.
• I look forward to visiting the local bridges that'll be funded in Itasca County.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Money for roads and bridges, high-speed internet and broadband, solar power, and so much more.
• We got the biggest bridge grant ever given to a state for the Cape Cod bridges.
• Bridges were in rough shape, forcing long drives because of detours.
• We'll see bridges fully open again, like the I-391 Viaduct and Chickapee.
• You'll see smaller local bridges finally fixed, too, like Commercial Street in East Wameth.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House and Senate met in joint convention for the Governor’s annual State of the Commonwealth address. Before the address, the chamber handled routine organizational motions, including recesses, the appointment of committees to escort the Lieutenant Governor, constitutional officers, and the Governor into the chamber, the posting of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem, and an invocation and benediction. The joint convention then heard Governor Maura Healey’s address, followed by remarks from legislative leaders and a closing benediction. In her speech, Governor Healey said the state is strong and highlighted accomplishments from the past session, including tax cuts, expanded child care support, the Affordable Homes Act, transportation improvements, federal funding gains, veterans’ services, and health care measures. She also emphasized ongoing priorities such as reducing housing costs, improving transit and infrastructure, expanding primary care and mental health services, supporting education and career pathways, strengthening clean energy and AI investment, and protecting reproductive health care. She called for abolishing tenant broker’s fees, creating a statewide graduation standards council after the MCAS requirement change, and continuing efforts to address the emergency shelter system and other cost pressures. No roll call votes were taken on legislation during the address itself, but the convention adopted the various ceremonial orders and motions by voice vote. After the Governor’s remarks and the benediction, the joint convention adjourned, and the House later adjourned to meet the following Tuesday in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The cost of roadways and bridges has escalated to a point.
• A bridge is a lot more expensive to replace or repair per mile per foot than a road.
• The cost of roadways and bridges has escalated to a point.
• A bridge is a lot more expensive to replace or repair per mile per foot than a road.
• state, that people are overweight and damaging local bridges.

Bills: HB309, HB487, HB503, HB590, HB606, HB679, HB693, HB695, HB707, HB720, HB728, HB733, HB746, HB777, HB846, HB849, HB856, HB868, HB873, HB875

Keywords: pedestrian safety, cellphone usage, crosswalk regulations, traffic laws, distracted walking, red light, traffic signal, traffic-control signals, traffic violation, traffic safety, road rage, shoulder lane, turn lane, passing stopped vehicle, overtaking at intersection, intersection safety, motor vehicle, driver fine, citation, Louisiana traffic law

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on March 16 with a quorum present and first deferred three local bills at the sponsor’s request: HB 590, HB 679, and HB 873. The committee then advanced HB 503, which cleans up prior local language for Golden Meadow by removing a reference to electric golf carts and updating the definition of utility terrain vehicles; the technical amendment set was adopted and the bill was reported with amendments. HB 720, dealing with tacit dedication of roads and preserving historic public access to waterways and related access points, was reported favorably after members agreed to continue working on the amendment language before floor debate. The committee spent substantial time on HB 309, which originally made it a crime to walk in a crosswalk while looking at a cell phone. After amendments converted the proposal to a $25 civil fine and added a rebuttable presumption of liability for damages, members from both parties raised concerns about enforceability, tourism and urban pedestrian patterns, free-will and overreach arguments, and the lack of data tying the conduct specifically to crosswalk crashes. The author argued the measure was intended to promote situational awareness and reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities, but after opposition testimony the bill was voluntarily deferred. Members then reported HB 856, which expands DOTD’s use of indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity construction contracting and adds the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, after technical amendments clarified the contracts are for construction-phase work. HB 487, increasing penalties for drivers who use shoulders or turning lanes to bypass red lights, was reported with a technical correction after police support testimony. HB 846, prohibiting license plate coverings or films that obscure plates, was reported favorably after law enforcement support and discussion of clear frames versus obscuring covers. HB 733 and HB 875, both tied to OMV fee and lapse-of-insurance recommendations from the Legislative Auditor, were reported with amendments adjusting grace periods and offense timing. The committee also took up HB 695 on consensual non-commercial towing permits. After extensive questioning about whether the bill applied to multiple vehicles, interstate travel, OMV implementation, and the practicality of an honor-system QR code permit, the sponsor agreed to amend the bill to cover multiple vehicles and then voluntarily defer it for further work with OMV and State Police. HB 777, requiring a driver’s license renewal knowledge exam, was amended at the department’s request and then voluntarily deferred for further review. HB 868, prompted by a fatal trailer accident involving a farmer’s wife, would require trailers to meet safety-chain and braking standards consistent with manufacturer specifications or federal standards; after concerns from members and the Agriculture Commissioner about impacts on older farm equipment, the bill was reported with amendments. Finally, HB 707 moved the LPG Commission’s marketing functions to the Department of Agriculture and Forestry and was reported with a technical amendment, HB 693 on legislative district highway signs was voluntarily deferred after amendments, and HB 746 on local oversized trucking permits opened a broader discussion about parish-by-parish permit disparities, with the sponsor proposing a one-year moratorium on new local standards while stakeholders work toward a more uniform system.