Transcript Highlights:

• <00:40:11.079> to mechanical licensing has transitioned to mechanical licensing has transitioned
• We send funds to 11 local public transit systems.
• On the public transit side, we have 11 local public transit systems that run inner-city and commuter
• <01:09:09.400> systems funds to 11 local public transit systems funds to 11 local public transit
• :39.880> run 11 local public transit systems that run 11 local public transit systems that run

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:

• transition since so much of our rural population has relied upon Medicaid.
• happening should there be a transition happening should there be a transition and<00:23:55.200><
• So we'll be uh this is be a transition. So we'll be uh this is year<00:24:14.400> one.
• transition throughout this grant. Right? transition throughout this grant. Right?
• I think that's one of transition period.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Health Services Committee heard a presentation from Dr. Steven Stack, Secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, on Kentucky’s Rural Health Transformation Program. He said Kentucky received about $213 million in federal funding, among the highest awards nationally, after a fast application and negotiation process. He emphasized that the grant is time-limited, must be used for the specific goals in the state’s application, and cannot be treated as a general bailout or replacement for existing funding. He also noted the state will use a website, ruralhealthplan.ky.gov, to share the full application, award terms, and future opportunities. Dr. Stack outlined five focus areas: maternal health and prenatal/early childhood supports; EMS and trauma response workforce and transfer capacity; behavioral health crisis care through the EMPATH model and mobile crisis services; oral health access through more hygienists, telehealth, and hub-and-spoke models; and rural community hubs for chronic disease prevention and innovation, including food-as-medicine and healthier lifestyle interventions. He stressed that the program is meant to be transformative, not duplicative, and that it cannot pay clinician salaries, fund new construction, replace EMR systems broadly, or duplicate billable services. He said the state will work with community partners, hospitals, universities, and others, including the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, to begin implementation. Members responded positively overall. Senator Berg praised the award and the goal of integrating care across the state, but raised concerns about access to prenatal care and about possible future changes to water fluoridation, warning both could harm children and rural families. The chair and other members thanked Dr. Stack for the update and congratulated him on the award. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gonzalez-Pittman: HB 999 extends transition deadlines required by the Biden era Green New Deal policies
• Gonzalez-Pittman: The statewide estimated impact of this hasty transition is hundreds of millions of
• Gonzalez-Pittman: agricultural industry from the premature refrigerant transition.
• Gonzalez-Pittman, does the state have the ability to make this transition and is it in Rep.
• Gonzalez-Pittman: HB 999 ensures that Florida does not approach that transition blindly.

Transcript Highlights:

• I currently work for Metro Transit Police Department. I have been there 10 years in May.
• I currently work for Metro Transit Police Department. I have been there 10 years in May.
• <00:14:31.880> into<00:14:32.240> a<00:14:32.680> civilian time transitioning
• into a civilian time transitioning into a civilian life<00:14:35.000> and<00:14:35.360> I<
• into this civilian life um transitioning into this civilian life um I<00:15:11.120> didn't<00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ALMA MATER WHERE I HAVE ON THE HONOR OF FACILITATING THE EDUCATION OF 3000 STUDENTS HELPING THEM TRANSITION
• WE HAVE THE STATES INITIAL POINT OF MILITARY TRANSITION ASSISTANCE.
• WE WANT TO KEEP THOSE TRANSITIONING OUT OF THE MILITARY OUT OF OUR 20 PLUS BASIS WE WANT THE FOLKS OUT
• THE BEST PLACE TO BE FOR ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY FOR TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS, THEIR FAMILY AND FOR
• SHE SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITIONED INTO A CAREER WITH THE SUPPORT FROM THE THREE PROGRAMS I MENTIONED.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We help the department facilitate a transition to rehabilitative and therapeutic practices.
• We help the department facilitate a transition to rehabilitative and therapeutic practices.
• We help the department facilitate a transition to rehabilitative and therapeutic practices.
• We help the department facilitate a transition to rehabilitative and therapeutic practices.
• , which would be for people transitioning out of the facility.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• able to manage the agency's transition able to manage the agency's transition account<00:03:13.760
• Slide nine is our transition account.
• We are in the middle of our transition, which ends on July 1st of 2025.
• We are in the middle of our transition, which ends on July 1st of 2025.
• We are in the middle of our transition, which ends on July 1st of 2025.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard a presentation from Department of Children, Youth, and Families Commissioner Tiki Brown on the department’s 2025 budget and transition plans. Brown said the governor’s budget pairs targeted reductions with modest investments, resulting in net general fund savings, while preserving core safety-net programs. Major proposals included funding for program integrity, modernization of the child welfare SSIS system, compliance changes for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), operating adjustments, and a transition account reallocation as the new department continues moving programs from other agencies through July 1, 2025. A large portion of the discussion focused on CCAP fraud prevention and oversight. Brown and Assistant Commissioner Diane Hy explained that the proposed statewide electronic attendance recordkeeping system would replace retroactive paper-based attendance reporting with more timely data, making it harder to falsify attendance and claim payments improperly. Brown also said the department is working with the Department of Human Services Office of Inspector General and other partners on compliance and fraud controls. Senators pressed for more detail on current enforcement, whether payments can be withheld for violations, and whether recent media reports showed gaps in oversight; Brown said payments can be stopped for false attendance records, suspended or revoked licenses, or fraud allegations, but not for health and safety violations alone. The committee also reviewed other budget-neutral policy changes, including expanding permanency support services for relative foster care and tribal equivalents, strengthening tribal child welfare grants, updating TEACH scholarship rules for early childhood educators, and adjusting the Great Start Compensation Support Payment Program to create a special revenue fund and extend a 10% payment increase to tribally licensed programs and programs on tribal reservation land. Brown also described a $1.5 million annual reduction to restorative practices grants, leaving a smaller ongoing base. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you moving away from or abandoning transit?
• Speaking of sun, good transition. Lack of sun.
• transit here in the state of Minnesota. transit here in the state of Minnesota.
• <00:20:53.480> Lack Speaking of sun, good transition.
• Lack Speaking of sun, good transition. Lack of<00:20:53.800> sun.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy said the 2026 session ended with major accomplishments despite frustration over what did not pass. She highlighted a $1.2 billion bonding bill, housing and rental investments, property tax reductions, support for HCMC and distressed hospitals, public safety and crime victim funding, IT modernization, and fraud-prevention measures. She also said the Senate pushed a tab fee holiday, though she criticized Republicans for delaying its start until January, and described the session as focused on a “fair deal” for Minnesotans facing higher costs. Murphy said some of the most difficult work involved human services and fraud oversight. She said lawmakers created an independent inspector general office, funded the Attorney General’s Medicaid fraud unit, added training and electronic visit measures, and included payment-withholding language with due-process protections and continuity-of-care safeguards. She said the Senate tried to balance fraud enforcement with preserving access to Medicaid-funded services, and emphasized that legislators must continue oversight and follow audit recommendations. She also expressed deep disappointment that a comprehensive gun violence prevention package did not pass the House, saying it included prevention, intervention, harm reduction, school safety, and mental health provisions. She said the package was rejected by House Republicans and that she would keep fighting for it. On immigration enforcement, she said the Senate proposed protections against ICE actions but could not get them enacted. She also discussed campaign strategy, saying Democrats would defend frontline seats and emphasize health care, housing, jobs, and affordability, while continuing to support roads, bridges, and transit.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a program on farm transitions.
• We have over 400 couples in our farm transition program right now.
• I want to speak directly to one of the most pressing issues facing agriculture today: farm transition
• Farm transitions are not just financial decisions; they're emotional decisions, community decisions,
• Yeah, the transition piece is a big piece that Minnesotans have to face in the near future. Yes.

Bills: HF3692

Keywords: Farmer-Lender Mediation Act, mediation, agriculture finance, debt relief, civil law, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• hearing on UTK implementation; however, there are some interactions with the implementation of Transitional
• Transitional Kindergarten will be heard at a later hearing on UTK implementation; however, there are
• some interactions with the implementation of Transitional Kindergarten and LCFF.
• Transitional kindergarten for four-year-olds.
• Areas can transition to serve more fresh, less processed food. Thank you. Good morning.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• assistance, but rather are set aside for post-secondary education or aftercare services when the minor transitions
• of foster care. ...set aside for post-secondary education or aftercare services when the minor transitions
• Frequent relocations can make it difficult for spouses to build stable careers and for veterans transitioning
• And for veterans transitioning into civilian life, entrepreneurship can be a path to independence.
• I encourage members of our armed forces to call Florida home when they begin to transition to civilian

Summary: The Senate Committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met with a quorum present and considered two bills. SB 1594, by Senator Gates, would require veterans’ benefits accessed on behalf of foster youth to be preserved for the minor’s future use, specifically for post-secondary education or aftercare services when the youth leaves foster care rather than being used to reimburse care costs. The bill had no amendments, received one supportive appearance from Victoria Zep, and was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then took up SB 1182, by Senator Jones, which creates the Florida Veterans and Military Spouses Business Development Act to provide fee relief and tax incentives for veteran-owned and military spouse-owned businesses. A strike-all amendment was adopted that added limited information-sharing between agencies, changed verification procedures, converted part of the tax benefit into a capped $100,000 annual exemption for five years, broadened fee waivers to some existing businesses, and kept annual reporting requirements. The amended bill was then reported favorably. The committee also held a confirmation hearing for three appointees: Matthew Bacchano, Tim Thomas, and Belinda Kaiser. No one requested separate votes, and the committee recommended confirmation of all three by a single roll call vote. At the end of the meeting, members offered extended praise and thanks to Chair Wright for his long service and leadership, and the chair announced the meeting was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• assistance, but rather are set aside for post-secondary education or aftercare services when the minor transitions
• amendments, sir. ...set aside for post-secondary education or aftercare services when the minor transitions
• Frequent relocations can make it difficult for spouses to build stable careers and for veterans transitioning
• And for veterans transitioning into civilian life, entrepreneurship can be a path to independence.
• I encourage members of our armed forces to call Florida home when they begin to transition to civilian

Bills: S1182, S1594

Keywords: veterans, military spouses, business incentives, tax exemptions, economic development, veteran benefits, minor clients, financial assistance, education services, Department of Children and Families, Department of Health

Summary: The Senate Committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met with a quorum present and took up two bills. SB 1594, by Senator Gates, would change how veterans’ benefits received on behalf of foster youth are handled so the funds are not used to offset foster care costs, but instead are preserved for post-secondary education or aftercare services when the youth leaves foster care. The bill drew one supportive appearance from Victoria Zep of Family Support Services, had no debate, and was reported favorably by a unanimous roll call vote. Senator Sharief later asked to be recorded as a yes vote on the bill. The committee then considered SB 1182, by Senator Jones, which creates the Florida Veterans and Military Spouses Business Development Act to provide fee relief and tax incentives for veteran-owned and military spouse-owned businesses. The committee adopted Jones’s strike-all amendment, which added information-sharing and verification provisions, refined the tax exemptions, and broadened eligibility for fee waivers and sales tax relief. After no questions or debate, the amended bill was reported favorably by unanimous vote. The committee also held a confirmation hearing for three appointees—Matthew Bacchano, Tim Thomas, and Belinda Kaiser—and recommended confirmation on all three in one vote. The meeting concluded with several members offering remarks praising Chair Wright’s long service and leadership on veterans’ issues, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• He has guided the department through a period of transition and implemented improvements designed to
• Hydrogen can be used to transition existing power infrastructure into clean energy infrastructure.
• We will need to define the Superintendent's new duties and develop a comprehensive transition plan for
• And I want to say that this isn't just about having a more successful transition through menopause.
• Public transit sales tax measure on the November 26 ballot.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This puts pedestrians and transit riders at greater risk of heat stroke.
• Caltrans has a role to play in planning for a resilient transit system that serves all Californians,
• EV charging reliability is paramount to achieving a smooth EV transition.
• to also be in transit here.
• We need to make sure that we have a transition as we move forward with technology and jobs.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard a series of bills focused on transportation safety, climate resilience, wildlife connectivity, parking enforcement, and EV charging reliability. AB 605 would create a pilot program allowing certain hydrogen internal combustion cargo-handling equipment at ports; supporters said it could help ports stay competitive while reducing emissions, while South Coast AQMD raised concerns about possible nitrogen oxide emissions and limits on future regulation. The bill passed on an 11-0 vote to the Natural Resources Committee. AB 1132 would require Caltrans to incorporate community resilience indicators, including socioeconomic factors, into climate vulnerability assessments; supporters from Greenlining, AARP, and others said it would better protect seniors, people with disabilities, and transit users during heat waves and disasters, while some members questioned the cost during a tight budget year. It passed 9-0 to Appropriations, with some members not voting. AB 382 would lower school-zone speed limits to 20 mph and give local agencies more flexibility in how the limit is posted and enforced; supporters cited child pedestrian deaths and safety research, and the bill passed 11-0 to Appropriations. AB 902, as amended, would require transportation projects in wildlife connectivity areas to include wildlife passage features where feasible; supporters emphasized reduced collisions and habitat fragmentation, while the California Building Industry Association and COGs moved from opposition to neutral after amendments. It passed 9-1 to Local Government. AB 1014 would give Caltrans more discretion to lower speed limits on state highways based on local conditions rather than the 85th percentile rule; supporters said it would improve safety in rural and tourist areas, and the bill passed 13-0 to Appropriations. AB 1022 would end towing or booting vehicles solely for unpaid parking tickets, with supporters describing the practice as punitive and harmful to low-income drivers, while cities and parking groups argued it would weaken enforcement and create problems for out-of-state vehicles. The bill passed 9-3 to Appropriations. AB 1423 would require publicly funded EV chargers to meet reliability standards and allow enforcement of uptime requirements; supporters said taxpayers need functioning chargers, while charging-industry opponents objected to retroactive standards and possible conflicts with existing agreements. The bill passed 14-0 to Utilities and Energy. The committee also approved a consent calendar of five bills by voice vote and held roll calls open for additional members to add on.

Transcript Highlights:

• This appropriation would study the transition as a state to go from the status quo to a statewide.
• Yes, so there is a lot of transition here and context.
• DO-IT has made a transition for a lot of their systems over to Microsoft Intra.
• Most organizations around the country have made the same transition.
• Basically, what we're proposing is to help us make that transition too.

Transcript Highlights:

• transitioning from away from the state. transitioning from away from the state.
• rural health transition grant program. rural health transition grant program.
• rural health transition grant? rural health transition grant?
• 100% funded for rural health transition 100% funded for rural health transition grants. grants.
• And with just this transition program.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved a motion and then deferred a large batch of 246 contracts totaling about $187.8 million until the April 2026 meeting. It then moved through the agenda and reviewed several pulled items, beginning with four Attorney General contingent-fee contracts. Committee members questioned why the contracts were new, what the $20 million maximums meant, and how the fees would work; the AG’s office explained they were new awards from a September RFP, that the $20 million was an outside estimate tied to a full recovery, and that one contract would require a $380 million recovery to pay out the maximum. The committee voted to consider those contracts reviewed without objection. The Department of Highways then explained an “alternative delivery support” contract, describing it as a procurement method different from the usual design-bid-build model and noting it can help with innovation, speed, timeliness, or cost reduction. After that explanation, the committee again voted to consider the contract reviewed without objection. The Kentucky Horse Park/Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation presented eight legal services contracts; members focused on differing hourly rates and retroactive approval. The corporation said it had selected four firms through an RFP to maintain flexibility and avoid conflicts, would use in-house counsel first, and did not expect to use the maximum rates. Senator Thomas argued the committee’s statutory hourly rate cap is outdated and should be revisited. The committee then approved the contracts. One Transportation Office of the Secretary contract was deferred to the April meeting, consistent with the agency’s prior request. The committee then reviewed Cabinet for Health and Family Services items from the Department of Community Based Services: three contract amendments and one memorandum of agreement. Members asked about funding sources, service outcomes, and whether the programs reduce future need; the agency said one amendment was a $55,000 increase offset by reductions elsewhere, that the total contract amount with the agency did not change, and that follow-up data show over 90% of children remain in the home after services. The committee approved those items. Finally, the committee reviewed a LIHEAP contract amendment from the Division of Family Support, which the agency said used federal funds, not state general funds, to add newly appropriated federal money for low-income home energy assistance and crisis heating support. Members asked about future funding and were told that continuation depends on Congress. The committee approved that item. It then began reviewing Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities memoranda of agreement tied to Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center staffing; members asked for a count of personnel, and the agency said it would provide that information, after which the discussion continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are hearing about farm transition.
• They are hearing about farm transition.
• We do also transition and succession.
• Um, you know, it's a farm transitioning.
• It talking with the transition piece.

Bills: HF2103, HF4508

Keywords: energy, renewable energy, ammonia, hydrogen, certificate tracking, funding, environment, elk, cervidae, cervid importation, chronic wasting disease, CWD, animal health, livestock, wildlife disease, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, state veterinarian, zoo, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, AZA

Transcript Highlights:

• would be housing vouchers, educational services, quality assurance, reentry services, which is our transitional
• offender, and by changing it to Reentry Services, it kind of removes that stigma of an offender and transitioning
• assurance, our cognitive behavior intervention, our reentry services, which is kind of a bunch of transitional
• like housing voucher, educational services, quality assurance, reentry services, which is our transitional
• insurance, our cognitive behavior intervention, our reentry services, which is kind of a bunch of transitional

Summary: The LEAP committee met on June 18, 2025, with introductions from members and staff, then received a clean audit report from the State Auditor covering 2020–2024. The audit reviewed accounts payable, general disbursements, theft-sensitive assets, and data backup/recovery, and found no findings. Staff also outlined the interim work plan, including a full rewrite of the capital budget application (Build Sum), updates to the transportation bond model and operating budget tools, website improvements, and continued research into secure, responsible AI use. Members asked about AI safeguards, keyword search improvements, and making the website more user-friendly, especially on mobile devices. The committee approved the July 8, 2024 minutes after a quorum was reached. It then considered and unanimously approved several budget format changes: the Department of Corrections moved chemical dependency and sex offender treatment into its health care program and renamed Program 700 from “Offender Change” to “Reentry Services”; the Department of Revenue moved the AMP program into its tax analysis and technology support program; and the Department of Transportation changed a toll program title and added new sub-programs for State Route 509 and State Route 167 toll operations to reflect new facilities and more accurate reporting. Kevin Feltis also provided staffing updates, noting the retirements of longtime LEAP staff, the hiring of three new associate consultants in October 2024, and an upcoming December 2025 retirement for Sherry Randage after decades of state service. The new staff members briefly introduced themselves and expressed enthusiasm for their work. The meeting ended with thanks to members and staff and adjournment after the committee completed its business.

Transcript Highlights:

• rail with a c, roads with a c-minus, c-minus, solid waste with a c-plus, stormwater with a c-minus, transit
• These include drinking water, energy, levees, solid waste, transit. and waste water.
• You got here through either public transit, or you drove somewhere, somehow got here. all of that from
• simultaneously underscore how we are doing in Central Texas with aviation. our roads, with rail and transit
• The question being, what is the explanation behind the grades for broadband and transit?

Keywords: Texas, Infrastructure Report Card, ASCE, population growth, climate change, investment, public safety, engineering standards

Summary: The meeting focused on the release of the 2025 Texas Infrastructure Report Card, highlighting key findings and recommendations for improving infrastructure across various sectors in the state. Julie Jones, Vice President of ASCE Texas, opened the session by introducing key speakers, including Dr. Art Wood and committee co-chairs Griselda Gonzalez and Austin Mazzarelli. Throughout the discussion, the report's grades were revealed, showing the state's infrastructure received an overall grade of 'C'—adequate but requiring significant attention and investment. Emphasis was placed on the rising challenges posed by climate change and increased population growth, underscoring the need for strategic investments in infrastructure to support Texas' economic growth and public safety.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:22:18.159> off<00:22:18.320> of<00:22:18.480> fossil further our transition
• <00:28:09.600> to<00:28:09.919> clean order to help people transition to clean order
• to help people transition to clean vehicles. vehicles. vehicles.
• . one from fossil fuels two transitions. one from fossil fuels to<00:53:56.480> bofuels<00:53:
• Part of the challenge is um transition.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Transportation heard several bills, beginning with SB 2010, which would authorize impoundment of motor vehicles for certain alleged or committed traffic violations. The Department of Transportation supported the bill, while the Department of the Attorney General asked for clarification in section 4 on who could seek remedies and what remedies would be available. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, citing unclear officer-initiated impound criteria, potential strain on judicial or administrative resources, and concerns about hardship for families and indigent owners; the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the bill with amendments, saying it should be limited to traffic offenses and could serve as an alternative to fines or imprisonment. The chair then recessed before moving to the next items. The committee next heard SB 2527 on commercial driver licensing, which would require state and county firefighters exempt from CDL requirements to be subject to an alcohol and substance abuse policy equivalent to or stronger than federal DOT standards. DOT, the Department of Human Resources Development, county officials, and the Hawaiʻi Firefighters Association all indicated support. SB 2697, which would prohibit driving on roadway shoulders except in limited circumstances, also drew DOT support, with the Attorney General, judiciary, and others submitting comments. SB 2812, requiring driver license applicants to be tested on the dangers larger vehicles pose to pedestrians and bicyclists, was supported by DOT but opposed by the Public Defender, who argued the excessive-speeding portion was too broad for first offenses and that the DUI-related language was unnecessary because DUI relicensing already requires re-examination. SB 291, clarifying that drivers whose licenses were revoked for certain alcohol-related offenses must undergo re-examination before relicensing, received DOT support. The committee then took up SB 3044, which would remove references to pedestrian countdown timers and the requirement that pedestrians begin crossing before the timer starts. DOT opposed the bill, but Hawaiʻi Appleseed supported it, arguing the current rule is confusing and can lead to citations even when pedestrians can safely cross. The Department of Health submitted late comments emphasizing the importance of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure and physical activity, and the chair noted the split in testimony. Finally, SB 2995 proposed a zero-emissions rideshare rebate program funded by a rideshare fee and administered by DOT. Earthjustice strongly supported the bill, describing it as a fee-and-rebate structure to help rideshare drivers transition to zero-emissions vehicles. A witness for Tom Yamachika suggested that if the state wants to tax ridesharing, it should amend existing tax law instead of creating a new chapter, but the bill’s supporters said DOT was better suited to administer the rebate program and that similar models exist in California and Washington. The committee also heard SB 3153, which would authorize DOT to designate airport special district zones at airports statewide to improve security and enforcement; DOT’s airports deputy director supported the measure, saying it would clarify jurisdiction and help address trespassing and hazards, and senators asked about boundaries, mapping, and coordination with the Attorney General. No votes were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.