Transcript Highlights:

• However, 10 to 15 years ago, New Mexico had much lower rates around the national average.
• So we're going to talk about the comparison over three-year averages for both the official poverty rate
• On page two, New Mexico has low rates of labor force participation and high rates of poverty.
• rate is 4.3%.
• About payment error rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just our long-run average, we think, is about 2.1% to 2.2%.
• average in... ...8% at this point of the national average in terms of our average annual wage.
• The national average.
• of the pandemic when interest rates were very, very low.
• projections for rate increases in the future.

Summary: The Legislative Budget Commission met with a quorum present to hear the constitutionally required Long-Range Financial Outlook and consider a series of budget amendments. Amy Baker of the Office of Economic and Demographic Research presented the outlook, describing Florida’s continued population growth, strong wage growth, an aging population, housing-market softening, and low consumer sentiment. She said the general revenue forecast was largely unchanged from March, but the state’s funds available had improved because of legislative actions in 2025 that increased the balance forward. She also noted strong reserves, a projected current-year Medicaid deficit of about $125 million, and a three-year outlook that remains positive in the first year but turns negative in years two and three. She highlighted the risk of co-occurring catastrophic events, using a normalized Great Miami Hurricane scenario to illustrate potential state losses. The outlook was adopted after brief comments from House and Senate members emphasizing fiscal restraint and efficiency. The commission then approved multiple budget amendments, mostly without objection. The Agency for Health Care Administration received amendments to realign funding for Florida KidCare based on estimating conference results, to provide $85 million in budget authority for disproportionate share hospital payments, and to adjust Medicaid and long-term care appropriations, including placing surplus funds into reserve. The Department of Health received $6.3 million in additional authority for newborn screening. The Department of Corrections and the Department of Management Services each received $2.2 million in Private Inmate Welfare Trust Fund authority for repair invoices and pending projects. The Department of State was authorized to release $2.5 million in nonrecurring general revenue for cultural and museum grants and America 250 commemorative grants. The Department of Transportation received approval for a project roll-forward and for work program changes, including advancing I-95 widening in Duval County and the I-4 corridor in Polk and Osceola counties. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• All four scenarios do assume that toll rates will increase over time with an average escalation rate.
• truck toll rates.
• truck toll rates.
• truck toll rates.
• The toll rates... The toll rates used for analysis were correct.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Interstate 5 Bridge met remotely with Washington legislative members to receive updates on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, including environmental review, cost and funding, tolling, and procurement for construction. Program staff said the final supplemental environmental impact statement was published in April 2026, with a federal record of decision expected in early summer. They described the recommended design as a single-level fixed-span bridge, centered I-5 alignment, C Street ramps, one auxiliary lane in each direction, and dispersed park-and-ride parking. Members raised concerns about transparency, the closed chat function, and the decision not to include two auxiliary lanes; staff said the one-lane option was recommended through consultation with partner agencies and analysis, but the final decision would come with the record of decision. Staff also said the diversion analysis projected less than 3% traffic diversion to I-205 in 2045, though members from Oregon and Washington expressed concern about impacts to their communities and asked for more detail on mitigation and decision-making. The committee also reviewed a major cost update. Staff said the full five-mile program is now estimated at $13.5 billion to $15.2 billion, with a likely cost of $14.4 billion, up from a 2022 estimate of $5 billion to $7.5 billion, citing inflation, schedule delays, scope changes, and more detailed risk modeling. They said the first funded phase has been reduced to a $5.68 billion package focused on the Columbia River bridge replacement, connections to I-5, Hayden Island and SR-14, bridge demolition, tolling infrastructure, and advancing light rail design. Funding for that phase was described as $5.69 billion, including $2.1 billion federal funds, $1 billion from each state, and $1.5 billion in projected toll revenue. Members asked what would happen if costs rise further; staff said the estimate includes substantial contingency, the project will use progressive design-build to manage risk, and the team will continue updating the finance plan annually. A separate tolling and traffic-revenue presentation explained that four toll scenarios were analyzed using regional travel demand modeling, a toll diversion model, and a post-processing review. All scenarios assume pre-completion tolling beginning July 1, 2028, a 50% low-income discount for eligible users, and exemptions for tribal preemptions, emergency vehicles, maintenance vehicles, and organized militia. Staff said the low-income discount would affect about 4% to 6% of annual transactions and reduce annual revenues by roughly 2% to 3%. They said Scenario 2 was used for the financial analysis and is sufficient to support the $1.5 billion toll contribution in the funded phase. Members asked about toll collection costs, revenue impacts of the discount, and how the scenarios differed; staff said collection costs are expected to be in line with other WSDOT toll facilities, but exact costs are not yet set because toll rates are not final. Finally, WSDOT staff outlined procurement and delivery steps for construction. They said WSDOT will be the lead contracting agency, using progressive design-build, with a request for qualifications targeted for early July 2026, a request for proposals in October, contractor selection in April 2027, construction starting in 2028, and tolling beginning in 2028. Staff said the approach is intended to consolidate scope, reduce interface risk, and allow transparent negotiation with an independent cost estimator, while preserving an off-ramp if a fair price cannot be reached. Members asked for more detail on timing, cost allocation, and the share of the first phase funded by tolls; staff estimated tolls account for about 26% of the first phase cost.

Transcript Highlights:

• And giving ideas to the legislature of what the road mileage rate should be set at if it is implemented
• these two programs are really geared toward taking our small businesses and pairing them up with primes
• two programs that are very successful in growing some of the small businesses into potentially some prime
• The key is bringing the right partnership so that we're offering those individuals opportunities to get
• The average age is 48 right now in our industry.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met to consider several governor’s appointments, routine agenda items, and the confirmation hearing for Dina El-Tawansy to serve as Director of the California Department of Transportation. The committee first approved a series of appointments to the Board of Behavioral Sciences, Contractors State License Board, and Medical Board of California, along with bill referrals, a rule waiver for guests on the Senate floor for a memorial adjournment in honor of former President Pro Tempore John Burton, and floor acknowledgments. Most of these actions were approved on 5-0 votes, with the early appointment items passing 3-2. The committee then heard testimony from El-Tawansy, who emphasized her 28 years at Caltrans, a focus on safety, equity, climate resilience, workforce development, and multimodal transportation. Senators questioned her on a range of transportation issues, including the impact of federal and state disputes affecting immigrant truck drivers and highway funding, the Highway 58 truck climbing lane project, DBE reevaluation under new federal rules, asphalt recycling and disposal, climate-related damage to roads and coastal infrastructure, and the future of gas-tax revenue and road user charges. El-Tawansy said Caltrans is prioritizing safety and emergency projects, working on reevaluating DBEs, advancing climate adaptation planning, and studying road user charge pilots and related technology. Members also asked about small business participation, toll lane agreements, homelessness encampments on Caltrans property, and the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo rail corridor. El-Tawansy described Caltrans programs to support small and disadvantaged businesses, local hiring, heavy equipment and CDL training, standardized toll lane agreements, delegated maintenance MOUs with local governments, and expanded efforts on encampment response and rail/transit planning. Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with representatives from transportation agencies, contractors, local governments, labor, and technology firms urging confirmation. The committee voted 5-0 to advance El-Tawansy’s appointment to the full Senate for confirmation, then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They wind up offering them online.
• And I believe it also ties to average.
• And that's the, you know, the average resolution of those is on average 70 days.
• But if they do, ...average resolution of those is on average 70 days.
• from and averaging from.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, we’re going to hear from the next prime sponsor of SB 233.
• To uh SB 226, and I'm going to want me to take the place of prime sponsor.
• We could debate for a lot of times about is it an average? Is it the highest?
• We could debate for a lot of times about is it an average? Is it the highest?
• The other point that I wanted to talk about is in reference to the average.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• rate of their contract amount.
• at the infant rate.
• , and a high bound rate.
• Without the rate increase, Prime Home Health would likely reduce or eliminate PDN services to clients
• Without the rate increase, Prime Home Health would likely reduce or eliminate PDN services to clients

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The interest rate is 60% of Wall Street Journal prime, but not less than 3%.
• We'll touch on some of the programs and grant assistance that PSCOC offers.
• The PSCOC approves and PSFA offers. First, we have standard-based projects.
• On average, I think we spent about $320,000.
• The average cost per unit was again $319,000.

Transcript Highlights:

• The average salary in the life sciences industry, as I understand it, is about 130,000.
• </c> average annual salary was a good thing. average annual salary was a good thing.
• </c> seen over 16 years an annual growth rate seen over 16 years an annual growth rate of<00:59:40.200
• Just wanted to offer my Hi again.
• </c><01:39:55.720><c> sponsor,</c> to the the prime sponsor, to the the prime sponsor, um<01:39:57.600

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I need a card from our prime sponsor. And I need a card from our prime sponsor.
• Should we be offering it?
• Should we be offering it? And statute. Should we be offering it?
• </c> How's what's the success rate like? How's what's the success rate like?
• Uh, it only refers to... prime sponsor. Representative, prime sponsor.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendment 12 is offered by Senator Cleveland. Amendment 13 is offered by Senator Muzzall.
• Amendment number 20, offered by Senator Robinson, corrects funding for Senate Bill 5915, offered by Senator
• Amendment 27 offered by Senator Torres.
• One is offered by Senator Wagoner and the other is offered by Senator Hasegawa.
• One is offered by Senator Wagner and the other is offered by Senator Hasagawa and the amendment removes

Bills: SB5998

Keywords: fiscal appropriations, budget, state funding, financial management, operating expenses, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I thought the prime sponsor's designee would be back, but he's not.
• There is one amendment offered by Senator Banke labeled A.
• There are three amendments offered by Senator Banke.
• These same principles guided Tacoma Power as we designed our large load rate in 2024.
• Our levy rates have dropped by over 64 percent.

Bills: HB2338, HB2367, HB2426, HB2606

Keywords: weatherization, energy efficiency, community projects, sustainability, environment, coal-fired plant, preferential treatment, energy policy, electric generation, regulatory reform, pollution control, efficiency, appeals process, environmental regulation, hearing board, data protection, privacy, performance measures, reporting requirements, office of privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that $150 is the average that $150 is the average um<00:10:33.160><c> fuel</c><00:10:33.440><c>
• </c><00:32:24.800><c> their</c> station owners' ability to offer their station owners' ability to offer
• So, while Wyoming households still enjoy rates that are below the national average, families are feeling
• that are below the national uh, rates that are below the national average,<00:40:40.640><c> families
• </c> average, families are feeling the pinch. average, families are feeling the pinch.

Bills: SF0095, SF0107, SF0112

Keywords: driver's license, motor vehicle services, third-party providers, Wyoming, regulatory compliance, motor vehicle, registration, license plate, electronic system, State Department of Transportation, county treasurers, vehicle fees, public records, license plates, replacement cycle, vehicle registration, motor vehicles, state fees, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• just a brief minute ago, the biggest challenge is our general knowledge of the industry among the average
• If the DBE goal for this particular project, which is a runway pavement project, is 6%, then the prime
• On that project, the prime contractor must strive to ensure that 6% of the project's budget is allocated
• I'm very excited about the next two months has to offer.
• Outside of that, I think the biggest thing that the average Oklahoman can do is make themselves aware

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the rates for the prior fiscal years have been set, so uh the next time rates will be changed
• That's the average, right?
• I looked the rates up.
• If you look at for the last 10 years, okay, the rate of return, they're averaging 7.9%.
• If you look at for the last 10 years, okay, the rate of return, they're averaging 7.9%.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 622, but after the sponsor said further research raised concerns, he asked that the bill be tabled. The committee then moved in executive session and voted unanimously to find the bill inexpedient to legislate, sending it to consent. The committee also retained House Bill 349, the ophthalmologic laser bill, after members said more time was needed for the professions involved to work out training standards and provide additional information; that motion also passed unanimously. The committee then discussed House Bill 244, a municipal building/fire code recodification measure. Members said the bill needed more review and careful scrutiny because of its length and possible unintended effects, and they voted unanimously to retain it as well. House Bill 534 was then heard; the sponsor said the bill did not do what was intended because of a misunderstanding about current processing, and the committee voted inexpedient to legislate and placed it on consent. The committee next considered House Bill 233, with an amendment to remove a requirement affecting the New Hampshire Vaccine Association. Supporters argued the bill would reduce an unnecessary burden and improve transparency, while opponents said the committee should not single out one private 501(c)(3) organization. The amendment was adopted 8-5, and the bill as amended then passed 7-6; a minority report was requested. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 536, a proposed 1.5% cost-of-living adjustment for certain state retirees. The sponsor and supporters argued retirees had not received adequate COLAs and that the bill would help offset inflation, while the retirement system testified that the proposal would add significant costs, including an estimated $1.5 million for the state, $6.6 million for political subdivisions, and about $100.7 million in present-value unfunded liability, with the impact reflected in future employer contribution rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I recog recognize the prime pupils.
• But New Hampshire suicide rates are higher than the national average, and suicide has a disproportionate
• Um the the prime sponsor question.
• Um, we have offered all of and Game. Um, we have offered all of these<04:16:38.479><c> courses.
• you could offer this, but we'd like you to offer it so that the kids actually know this exists.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Senator Daryl abbis the bills Prime Senator Daryl abbis the bills Prime sponsor<00:18:54.960><c>
• </c> I would like to um recognize the prime I would like to um recognize the prime sponsor<01:23:57.679
• </c> last year so you can see for the average last year so you can see for the average 10<01:32:11.199
• I think we move ought to pass and offer a second.
• I think we move ought to pass and offer a second.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the prime introduce the bill. I'm the prime sponsor.
• However, New Hampshire’s overall gun death rate is lower than the national average, and most firearms
• Over the past 25 years, New Hampshire's 5-year average rate of gun deaths has increased by nearly 50%
• </c><04:37:33.439><c> rate</c><04:37:33.680><c> of</c><04:37:33.840><c> gun</c> Hampshire's 5-year average
• rate of gun Hampshire's 5-year average rate of gun deaths<04:37:34.400><c> has</c><04:37:34.561><c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think they lowered the millage rate, but we have all these different taxing entities, and when they
• We want to rate you.
• We want to rate you.
• And this is, as Ginger mentioned, this is probably a prime example and a very current example of this
• broken down by industry, if We want this type of industry wage rate broken down by industry.

Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee held its first meeting of the 2025 session and focused on an overview of county and municipal home rule powers and state preemption. After roll call and member introductions, Chair Alex Rizzo and Vice Chair Griff Griffiths explained the constitutional and statutory basis for local self-government, the distinction between charter and non-charter counties, and how express and implied preemption limit local authority. Griffiths emphasized that home rule gives local governments broad power to address community needs, but the Legislature can override that authority through clear preemption, with courts ultimately deciding disputes. Representatives Holcomb and LaMarca added that local issues should generally be addressed locally first, but statewide standards can be appropriate when uniformity is needed or local action is ineffective. The committee then heard from a panel representing counties, cities, business, and construction interests: Ginger Delegal of the Florida Association of Counties, Carolyn Johnson of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Rebecca O'Hara of the Florida League of Cities, and Carol Bowen of Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida. Delegal and O'Hara argued that home rule is rooted in local autonomy, policy experimentation, and accountability to voters, and warned against broad or “vacuum” preemptions that remove local authority without replacing it with state regulation. Johnson and Bowen supported preemption when local rules create a patchwork that hurts statewide competitiveness, raises costs, or complicates business operations, citing examples such as labor rules, heat safety, permitting, and procurement preferences. The panel also discussed the 2023 local ordinances law, which requires business impact estimates and provides attorney’s fees in certain challenges, as a mechanism to resolve disputes locally before resorting to preemption. Members questioned the panel about the 2024 heat-safety preemption and how to protect workers in the absence of local ordinances. Business representatives said existing OSHA duties and industry best practices already require employers to provide safe conditions, while local governments and the state should avoid inconsistent standards across jurisdictions. Another discussion centered on construction permitting, licensing, and local boards that may slow projects and increase costs; Bowen suggested eliminating redundant local fees and barriers while preserving statewide licensing and enforcement against bad actors. No votes were taken, and the meeting remained informational, with the chair inviting continued discussion on when preemption is appropriate versus when local governments should retain authority.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:24:56.400><c> Um</c> rates. Um we will see polio again. Um rates.
• </c><01:50:33.600><c> sponsor</c> Patenzer, who is also the prime sponsor Patenzer, who is also the prime
• </c> rates. That's fact. rates. That's fact.
• </c><02:25:55.920><c> So</c> that have high vaccination rates. So that have high vaccination rates.
• Prime<04:11:32.720><c> sponsor</c><04:11:33.120><c> is</c><04:11:33.520><c> Representative</c> Prime

Keywords: 1189, house, all