Transcript Highlights:

• is the Senior Program Director with Family Bridges.
• is the Senior Program Director with Family Bridges.
• When I first came to Family Bridges, I had recently paroled from state prison.
• My name is Darby Phillips, and I'm a project manager at Family Bridges.
• I have the distinct pleasure of supervising the Family Bridges Crisis Grant.

Summary: The committee heard several child welfare, food assistance, child care, and developmental services bills. AB 308 would require a statewide evaluation of regional center safety training and crisis-response services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; supporters said it would help reduce reliance on law enforcement and improve de-escalation and emergency preparedness. AB 1049 would remove sponsor deeming from the California Food Assistance Program, with supporters from food banks and legal aid arguing the rule creates confusion, chilling effects, and wrongful denials, while one member raised concerns about accountability and fraud. AB 1201 would narrow when a parent’s prior violent felony can bar reunification services, limiting the bypass to offenses involving a child or a child’s other parent/guardian; county and advocacy witnesses said the bill preserves judicial discretion and avoids automatic denials, though a member expressed concern about child safety in violent or criminal environments. AB 2379 would require family child care providers to be notified of constitutional rights and receive multilingual training regarding immigration enforcement; it drew broad support and no opposition. AB 2429 would make ACEs screening optional and reduce required classroom observations in the early childhood mental health consultation program, with supporters saying it would reduce administrative burdens and expand participation. AB 1755 would eliminate CalWORKs’ 100-hour monthly work penalty for two-parent families, and supporters said it would reduce poverty and administrative burden without changing income eligibility. AB 1981, presented later, would advance “true cost of care” child care rate reform, with providers describing the current reimbursement system as unsustainable. AB 2478 would create a streamlined kinship family approval pathway for foster care placements with relatives and other kin, and AB 1969 and AB 1996 would create statewide structures to coordinate cradle-to-career services and reduce child poverty, respectively; both were presented as data-driven, place-based efforts to align services and set measurable reduction goals. Most bills received strong support from county agencies, advocacy organizations, and service providers, with little or no opposition testimony. Members generally praised the goals of the measures but asked questions about implementation, accountability, and child safety in the reunification and benefits bills. The committee took roll calls on the bills it heard, and the votes shown in the transcript were largely unanimous or near-unanimous, with several measures held on call after passing committee votes. AB 1049 was voted out 2-1, AB 1201 and AB 2379 were each voted out 3-0, AB 2429 and AB 1755 were voted out 2-0, and AB 2478, AB 1969, and AB 1996 were each voted out 2-0; the chair repeatedly noted that some bills would remain on call pending absent members. AB 1981 drew extensive support testimony from child care providers and allies, but the committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the transcript provided because no motion was available at that moment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; So what we've seen is there are bridges &gt;&gt; So what we've seen is there are bridges
• incidents that we have seen that occur when bridges are used.
• incidents that we have seen that occur when bridges are used.
• And then the interoperability we see between Layer 2s is done through a bridge.
• incidents that we have seen that occur when bridges are used.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with roll call and approval of the prior meeting minutes, which passed unanimously. Members then introduced the day’s presentations, including one on the Canton network and another on tokenizing real-world assets, with a focus on how blockchain systems can support regulated financial institutions and asset tokenization. Julie, the director of policy and government affairs at Digital Asset, presented on the Canton network, describing it as a privacy-enabled public blockchain designed for regulated finance. She said tokenization should preserve the same legal and economic rights as the underlying asset, and argued that blockchain-based books and records can shorten settlement times, improve 24/7 trading, and reduce friction in capital markets. She identified three main barriers to institutional adoption of public blockchains: lack of privacy, limited throughput/scalability, and lack of control for compliance purposes such as freezing assets, pausing transactions, and meeting AML/sanctions obligations. She explained Canton’s structure as a public, permissionless network with application-level privacy controls, a global synchronizer, and super validators chosen by vote. She also highlighted current ecosystem participants and use cases, including Broadridge, Circle, and the DTCC’s planned tokenization of U.S. Treasuries on the network. Members and online participants asked about the relationship between tokenized assets and the Clarity Act, tokenized deposits, safeguards for faster settlement, and whether the platform could be used for municipal or property records. Julie said Digital Asset was not taking a position on rewards, but supported clearer statutory definitions because tokenized securities should carry the same rights as the underlying assets and investors need to know whether a token is a true tokenized security or a synthetic/reference token. She said the company is agnostic on whether the cash leg is stablecoins or tokenized deposits, though it expects both to develop. In response to concerns about rapid settlement, she pointed to institution-level permissions and SEC disclosure expectations as safeguards. She also said the technology could be used for other records, including potentially property-related records, if those assets can be tokenized.

Transcript Highlights:

• I noticed that both of those projects have been listed, like I said, the bridge a little longer, four
• The bridge is a DOTD one, but the highway expansion, a street expansion, is actually local. Local.
• I mean, I’m not trying to take away whether we need the bridge or not. We need the bridge.
• But do we need to lock away a billion that could have been fixing a lot of 2,000 little bridges while
• we’re waiting for the big bridge?

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Armstrong, Senator Hickden, Representative Branscom, Representative Bridges, Representative Huff
• And so, um, one of our bridges that we're currently working on through our CMGC is, you know, something
• And so, um, one of our bridges that we're currently working on through our CMGC is, you know, something
• And so, when you're trying to build a bridge that is very, very close to an existing building and you
• Representative Bridges has some questions. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Keywords: 00:05 Call to Order and Roll Call 01:20 Road Projects 46:30 Approval of Minutes 46:50 Railroads 57:26 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met without a quorum, so it could not approve the minutes. The chair announced an Eastern Kentucky University health forum later that day and then proceeded with testimony on alternative delivery methods for road projects. Jason Sawala of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Chad Laroo of the Kentucky Association of Highway Contractors were sworn in and introduced themselves. Sawala explained KYTC’s use of alternative delivery tools, including design-build, construction manager/general contractor (CMGC), and public-private partnerships (P3s). He said the cabinet’s goal is to deliver the best value to taxpayers in terms of quality, cost, and time, and emphasized that alternative delivery is most useful on projects with special circumstances such as innovation needs, specialized technology, complex constructibility, schedule pressure, or early contractor input. He cited the cabinet’s wrong-way driving prevention project as an example where design-build helped evaluate technologies and coordinate with stakeholders such as EMS and first responders. He also outlined the main tradeoffs: alternative delivery can improve collaboration and sometimes accelerate schedules, but it also brings risks related to right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, changing scope, and the need for dedicated staff and compressed decision-making. He stressed that these methods are not a cure-all and are not appropriate for every project, while noting that traditional design-bid-build remains effective for most of KYTC’s work. Representative Branscum responded favorably, saying early contractor involvement is valuable and consistent with his experience in the vertical construction world. No votes or formal actions were taken because the committee lacked a quorum.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a pilot that's happening right now called the Bridge to Prosperity.
• Through this partnership, we launched the Bridge of Prosperity Cliff Effect pilot program, a statewide
• Our early results from Bridge to Prosperity demonstrate the power of providing cash with other supports
• Our early results from Bridge to Prosperity demonstrate the power of providing cash with other supports
• I'm really curious about the Bridge to Prosperity program.

Bills: H5085, H5286

Keywords: poverty alleviation, family support, economic mobility, youth transition, financial education, matched savings, community programs, Department of Children and Families, DCF, child abuse investigation, child neglect, pediatrician, advanced practice registered nurse, medical misdiagnosis, rickets, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, vitamin D deficiency, bone fragility, child welfare

Summary: The Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities held a hybrid hearing on miscellaneous bills, including H. 5286, which would require DCF to consult a medical professional when a parent presents evidence of a pre-existing diagnosis that could explain symptoms mistaken for abuse or neglect. Representative Brian Mario said the bill would give DCF another tool in difficult cases. Jennifer Fernandes testified about her family’s experience with her grandson being removed after doctors initially suspected a skull fracture that later proved unfounded, saying the bill could help prevent similar outcomes. Committee members expressed sympathy and indicated interest in further discussion. The committee then heard extensive testimony on H. 5085/S. 3095, the omnibus “An Act Significantly Alleviating Poverty.” Supporters described the bill as a comprehensive anti-poverty package built from the Poverty Commission’s work, combining higher cash assistance grants, matched savings, baby bonds, a guaranteed stipend for youth aging out of foster care, expanded tax credits, language access, clean slate record sealing, and worker protections. Senator Eldridge, Senator Miranda, Representative Decker, and many advocates argued that poverty is tied to housing instability, child welfare involvement, health harms, and racial and gender inequities, and that the bill would help families meet basic needs, build wealth, and reduce the benefits cliff. Witnesses from social service, legal aid, labor, immigrant advocacy, and public health groups strongly supported the bill’s provisions. Several focused on specific sections: child support pass-through and a broader good-cause exception for TAFDC recipients; extending the state EITC to ITIN filers; creating baby bonds and matched savings programs; automating criminal record sealing; improving language access at state agencies; and ending the subminimum wage for farm workers. Former foster youth and service providers said the guaranteed stipend would help young adults avoid homelessness and transition more safely into adulthood. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chairs repeatedly noted the limited time and encouraged written testimony and follow-up conversations.

Transcript Highlights:

• anyone here that believes that drivers are going slower now than they did in 1998, well, I've got a bridge
• Well, I've got a bridge to sell you. Cheap. Finally, I'd just like to address Vision Zero.
• All states have different roads and bridges.
• To the point of the name of the company that was under the bridge floating tofu down the river, when
• If we could have put our 75-ton rotator on the bridge, we might have been able to just pick it up and

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation heard Senate Bill 1408, which would allow Missouri to raise the rural interstate speed limit from 70 to 75 miles per hour. Senator Berger, the sponsor, argued the change would improve traffic flow and align Missouri with neighboring states, saying modern vehicles and driver behavior make the current limit outdated. Supporters echoed that view, citing the 85th-percentile speed concept, comparisons to surrounding states, and the idea that most drivers already travel above 70. Several members also raised concerns about the fiscal note, enforcement practices, and whether the bill should be tied to engineering studies or limited to specific road segments. Opponents, including a Haysville police lieutenant, AAA, the Missouri Insurance Coalition, and MoDOT Director Ed Hassinger, warned that higher limits would increase crash severity and fatalities. They cited data from neighboring states that raised limits, saying fatalities rose after the change, and argued Missouri’s higher traffic volumes, terrain, older interstates, and work zones make it different from flatter states. MoDOT said its roads were designed for 70 mph, that speed is a major factor in fatal crashes, and that raising the limit would reduce margin for error and put young drivers, older drivers, and road workers at greater risk. The committee did not take a vote on SB 1408 during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 3447, a towing and recovery bill sponsored by Representative Vernetti. The bill would require large commercial vehicles to carry towing and recovery insurance, strengthen notice and fee rules, create a dispute-resolution process, and update abandoned-vehicle procedures. The sponsor and tow-industry witnesses said the current system leaves towing companies unpaid for expensive recoveries and creates unclear rules, while trucking representatives warned the proposal could raise costs sharply for Missouri carriers and small owner-operators. Testimony focused on whether the bill would fairly address unpaid towing bills without harming the trucking industry, and no final committee action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Representative Bridges here. >> Representative Donworth here. >> Representative Dossett here. >>
• Representative Bridges. Yes. Representative Donworth. Yes. Representative Dossett. Yes.
• Representative Bridges. Yes. Representative Donworth. Yes. Representative Dossett. Yes.
• &gt;&gt; I &gt;&gt; I &gt;&gt; I &gt;&gt; represent<00:27:22.400><c> Bridges.
• </c> &gt;&gt; represent Bridges. &gt;&gt; represent Bridges. &gt;&gt; Yes. &gt;&gt; Yes.

Keywords: 00:20 Roll Call 01:56 HB 7 13:46 HB 7 Vote 17:54 HB 226 24:05 HB 226 Vote 25:13 HB 258 27:13 HB 258 Vote, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:13:41.040><c> YMCA,</c><00:13:42.399><c> and</c> Foundation, Neighbor Bridges, YMCA, and Foundation
• , Neighbor Bridges, YMCA, and also<00:13:42.959><c> we</c><00:13:43.279><c> have</c><00:13:43.440><c>
• Well, how do we bridge the gap? If you are over 75, you would not qualify to run.
• Well, &gt;&gt; Well, &gt;&gt; how<00:27:54.880><c> do</c><00:27:55.039><c> we</c><00:27:55.200><c> bridge
• </c> &gt;&gt; how do we bridge the gap? &gt;&gt; how do we bridge the gap?

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One new project and it's a replacing a bridge in Dallas.
• What I think what can you give us an update on the on the ship channel bridge also?
• Yes, sir, so ship channel bridge. Obviously, that has a great history.
• I will say that the structural pylons, large architectural columns that are on a cable-stayed bridge
• Is it the same engineer that was doing the Harbor Bridge? What a disaster.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• essential to our tourism economy in the Fourth Barnstable District often rely on unemployment to bridge
• essential to our tourism economy in the fourth barnstable district often rely on unemployment to bridge
• The system is there as a bridge for the residents of the Commonwealth. ...as a bridge for the residents
• Both of my parents growing up relied on the unemployment system as a bridge when they lost their jobs

Bills: H5188

Keywords: unemployment insurance, labor, access, special commission, equity in claims, 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe that this proposal accomplishes this set of needs and provides a bridge for the needed, wider
• I believe that this proposal accomplishes this set of needs and provides a bridge for the needed, wider
• I spent most of my early 20s between Pine Street and Bridge Over Troubled Waters.
• soft-spoken, tough student that I remember vividly playing with the children of young mothers within Bridges

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held its first meeting of the session to hear testimony on House Bill 65, a proposed constitutional amendment establishing a right to housing in Massachusetts. Co-chairs Senator Julian Cyr and Representative Richard Haggerty opened the hearing, outlined the hybrid format and testimony time limits, and noted the presence of several House members. The discussion centered on the broader housing crisis and the idea that housing should be treated as a constitutional right, with the hearing framed as the start of a series of housing-related meetings this session. Public testimony was brief but strongly supportive. Vincent Lawrence Dixon urged the committee to advance H.65, arguing that housing is a basic necessity and that the amendment could help strengthen and clarify housing policy in the Commonwealth. Erica Tetsuique, speaking from lived experience with homelessness, described time spent at Pine Street and Bridge Over Troubled Waters and said a Housing First approach and constitutional recognition of housing could help address homelessness, crime, mental health, and substance use challenges. She also criticized the Johnson v. Grant decision and called for Massachusetts to set an example nationally. Committee members thanked the speakers and acknowledged the importance of personal testimony. No votes were taken and no formal action on the bill was reported during the hearing. The meeting ended after a brief opportunity for additional comments, with the committee adjourning by motion and second.

Transcript Highlights:

• project site because the state was expanding the bridge and redoing the bridge, and they had to move
• project site because the state was expanding the bridge and redoing the bridge, and they had to move
• :05.320><c> and</c> the state was expanding the bridge and the state was expanding the bridge and redoing
• Paul when a digital billboard was removed from the location near the Lafayette Bridge.
• </c><02:10:26.440><c> thank</c> them towards our roads and bridges thank them towards our roads and bridges

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And lastly, we're disappointed in the reduced funding for the child care. bridge program, a program that
• To be sure that it is clear, I want to emphasize that the reduction to the emergency child care bridge
• The first is for the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program.
• The bridge program currently serves around 2,300 children.
• They are not included in the governor's budget in terms of bridging the short term.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I remember one of my favorite books was the story of Ruby Bridges, uh, which talked about 6-year-old
• Ruby Bridges, who was sent into a school in Louisiana to desegregate the school.
• </c> of Ruby Bridges of Ruby Bridges uh<00:25:56.320><c> which</c><00:25:56.560><c> talked</c><00:25:
• Bridges Bridges um<00:25:59.400><c> who</c><00:25:59.560><c> was</c><00:25:59.760><c> sent</c><00:26
• ><c> fear</c> Observers, um, putting the living fear into members of my community that, like Ruby Bridges

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So you'd say that you're a bridge builder, correct? >> Yes, sir.
• With that, y'all build pretty good bridges. Would you agree? I believe so. I appreciate that.
• So, you'd say that<00:01:55.360><c> you're</c><00:01:55.480><c> a</c><00:01:55.520><c> bridge</c><00:
• </c> that you're a bridge builder, correct? that you're a bridge builder, correct?
• </c> bridges. Would you agree? I believe so. bridges. Would you agree? I believe so.

Keywords: Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks - Room 210, 18 March, 2026; 1:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Port of Miami Bridge is the way to downtown.
• We could not handle it with just the bridge alone. So this has really helped us grow.
• Highways, for bridges, for the construction of commercial and residential developments that we're seeing
• Our ships are more niche, about 3,000 vessels because of the Skyway Bridge.
• Jacksport, and they're handled by three different Jones Act carriers: Crowley, Tote, and Trailer Bridge

Summary: The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee held a panel discussion focused on Florida seaports and their role in the state economy. Florida Ports Council CEO Mike Rubin opened with statewide figures from a 2023 economic impact study, saying Florida seaports support about 1.2 million jobs, generate roughly $195 billion in economic value, and produce about $7.4 billion in state and local taxes. He emphasized that ports are critical for fuel, food, medical supplies, construction materials, and hurricane response, and argued that continued state and federal investment is needed to expand capacity and move projects forward faster. PortMiami Director Heidi Webb described Miami’s cruise and cargo operations, noting the port generated about $61 billion in economic impact and 334,000 jobs. She highlighted record cruise activity, major private investment by cruise lines, the launch of shore power at cruise terminals to reduce emissions, and ongoing capital projects including a new Royal Caribbean terminal, berth reconstruction, and an inland port concept to reduce congestion. Members asked about security, hurricane procedures, AI use, infrastructure planning, collaboration among ports, and smuggling prevention; Webb said the port uses layered security with local law enforcement, CBP, Coast Guard, and radiation monitors, and that hurricane planning is coordinated in advance with county and federal partners. Port Tampa Bay’s Raul Alfonso said Tampa is the state’s largest port by land area and a major energy hub for Central Florida, with an estimated $34.5 billion economic impact. He discussed diversification into containers, food distribution, fertilizer, and construction materials, along with major needs such as a deep-dredge project and more warehouse space. He also addressed resilience and fuel distribution during hurricanes, and said the port is preparing for future LNG and alternative-fuel demand through partnerships, land planning, and education. Jaxport’s Nick Primrose then described Jacksonville’s container, auto, breakbulk, aggregate, military, and LNG businesses, including 1.3 million TEUs last year, major state-funded crane purchases, harbor deepening, auto-processing expansion, and its role as a strategic military port. He said Jaxport is a leader in marine LNG and has trained all employees on human trafficking awareness. The discussion ended with Port Panama City being introduced as a smaller but important Panhandle economic engine, with Rubin noting its cargo, manufacturing, and infrastructure projects and its continued need for state and federal support.

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendments 1 and 2 add Memorial Bridge to the name of the bridge. Thank you very much.
• And Post No. 14, if you are driving along the Cross Lake Bridge, you can actually see it just looking
• down off of the bridge.

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on March 17 and first took up three bills by Rep. Walters. HB 129, as amended, designated a portion of Louisiana Highway 173 as the Dr. Harry Blake Senior Memorial Highway and also added a new memorial highway designation for a portion of Louisiana Highway 3194 in Shreveport for Virginia Green Evans. The bill was reported with amendments after brief remarks honoring both individuals. HB 130, as amended, redesignated the elevated portion of Interstate 220 in Caddo Parish as the American Legion Post No. 14 Memorial Bridge; the committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill. HB 854, as amended, created several specialty license plates, including additions for Haynesville Junior and Senior High School and Lincoln Preparatory High School, and revised the fee structure so annual fees would be forwarded to the Alzheimer’s Association, Louisiana chapter, and the R. Tamney Fleming Lupus Foundation. Members raised a general concern about the growing number of specialty plates and OMV production capacity, but the bill was still reported with amendments. The committee then discussed the proposed privatization of the Cameron Ferry Service. The Secretary explained that the process began with an unsolicited proposal from Laborde, was approved for competitive solicitation, and resulted in a responsive qualified bid. He said the goal was to negotiate a contract for Laborde to operate the ferry system, including staffing and operations, while the company would handle fuel and maintenance. Members asked whether privatization would save money; the Secretary said it was more about improving service and reliability than reducing costs, especially given the need for consistent labor and the upcoming new ferries. He also said the department was aiming to complete the process by the end of the fiscal year, around July 1. Finally, the committee adopted the minutes from the 2025 regular session en bloc and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Think about a building, a bridge, a road.
• about<00:03:00.000><c> a</c><00:03:00.239><c> building,</c><00:03:00.560><c> a</c><00:03:00.800><c> bridge
• </c> about a building, a bridge, a road. about a building, a bridge, a road.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the Key Bridge collapsed.
• Once the Key Bridge is rebuilt, there's no reason the MTA cannot come across the Key Bridge from the
• the Key Bridge collapsed.
• Once the Key Bridge is rebuilt, there's no reason the MTA cannot come across the Key Bridge from the
• </c> bridge collapsed, he had to close it up. bridge collapsed, he had to close it up.

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, March 20, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then Blatnik Bridge spending authority.
• Yes, the old bridge is going to be removed, and the new bridge will be built in its place for the most
• that could bring the condition of our roads and bridges up to better condition.
• that could bring the condition of our roads and bridges up to better condition.
• that could bring the condition of our roads and bridges up to better condition.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all