Video & Transcript : 'Washington State University' :
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NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate Chamber Jan 23rd, 2026 at 10:43 am
New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Higher Education Committee Apr 21st, 2026
Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- Murcerci, I wanted to address my comment to the California State University.
- I wanted to address my comment to California State University.
- Hello, Adam Swenson, the Academic Senate of the California State University.
- In fact, the University of North Texas became the first state university to announce the elimination
- While similar services already exist at the University of California and California State University
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> of this state of this state >> according<00:11:02.399><c> to</c><00:11:02.640><c> the</c><
- </c> of this state of this state >> that<00:11:05.120><c> I</c><00:11:05.279><c> will</c><00:11
- </c><00:15:04.959><c> of</c> the treasurer of the great state of the treasurer of the great state of
- </c> Secretary of State for the great state Secretary of State for the great state of<00:15:35.680><c
- </c> Our colleague moved to the United States Our colleague moved to the United States as<00:22:16.159
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 5, February 13, 2026-AM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Higher Education Committee Apr 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I wanted to address my comment to California State University.
- Hello, Adam Swenson, the Academic Senate of the California State University.
- In fact, the University of North Texas became the first state university to announce the elimination
- While similar services already exist at the University of California and the California State University
- This is a really important issue for the California State University system.
Summary:
The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard several measures focused on community college baccalaureate programs and trustee compensation. AB 2528 would raise the maximum monthly compensation cap for community college district trustees, with the author and supporters arguing the change is permissive, long overdue, and needed to make service more accessible to working people and better reflect community diversity. CSEA took a tweener position, warning about optics and asking for longer public notice before any compensation increase, while some members raised concerns about taxpayer costs and benefits. The bill was discussed but no final vote is reflected in the transcript excerpt.
The committee then took up AB 2053, which would authorize Coast Community College District to offer a cybersecurity bachelor’s degree. Supporters said the bill addresses a workforce shortage, serves working adults and veterans, and includes an LAO evaluation and a sunset. CSU and its Academic Senate opposed the bill, arguing it duplicates existing CSU programs and could set a precedent for more one-off degrees. Members also raised questions about funding, Prop. 98, and whether the program would divert resources; the author said the district already has funding and that the bill is a narrow pilot. The committee voted to do pass and re-refer the bill to Appropriations, with several ayes and some no votes, and the roll left open for additional members.
AB 2301, a pilot allowing up to 10 community college districts to offer nursing bachelor’s degrees, drew broad support from nursing, labor, and community college groups who said California faces a severe nursing shortage and that community colleges offer a more affordable pathway for working and rural students. CSU and other opponents argued existing ADN-to-BSN pathways are more efficient and that the bill could worsen competition for limited clinical placements and faculty. Members questioned funding and Prop. 98 impacts; the Chancellor’s Office said the pilot would not require new state funding and would rely on existing mechanisms such as Strong Workforce and nursing infrastructure grants. The committee voted to do pass and re-refer AB 2301 to Appropriations, with the roll again left open. The transcript then began AB 2694, a broader workforce-responsive baccalaureate expansion bill intended to address duplication rules and create a more flexible process for community college bachelor’s degrees, but the discussion was not completed in the excerpt.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-06-16 (7:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- of the United States and of the State of Florida, that I am duly qualified to hold office under the
- It was mentioned that our budget is a reflection of who we are as a state and what we value as a state
- It is a reflection of who we are as a state and what we value as a state.
- I see that we’re dedicating $23 million, which is more than some state universities and other agencies
- Has any state agency promoted this idea with state funds? Representative McClure: Thank you, Mr.
Summary:
The House met on the final day of session, swore in Representatives Boyles and Hodgers, and observed a moment of silence for the Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as for Representative Rosenwald’s father. The chamber then moved into final budget work, with leaders outlining the plan to take up H.J.R. 5019, HB 7031, HB 5017, HB 5015, and then the general appropriations act once the Senate transmitted it. H.J.R. 5019, a proposed constitutional amendment to expand the budget stabilization fund, was explained and amended to raise the rainy day fund cap, require annual deposits, and allow withdrawals for critical state needs by a two-thirds vote; it passed 100-1.
The House then adopted the conference report on HB 7031, the tax package. The bill repeals the business rent tax and aviation fuel tax, delays the natural gas fuel tax, creates or expands several sales tax holidays and exemptions, including permanent exemptions for disaster-preparedness items, hunting/fishing/camping items, and ammunition and firearms-related purchases, and makes changes to property, corporate income, local tax, and economic development provisions. Members debated the removal of recurring housing trust fund and transit-related revenue streams, the new ammunition exemption, and the data center tax changes; supporters argued the package reduces taxes and preserves annual budget flexibility, while opponents raised concerns about housing, transportation, and gun violence. The conference report passed 93-7.
HB 5017, creating a debt reduction program funded by a recurring transfer to retire state bonds early, passed unanimously. HB 5015, the state group insurance conforming bill, which directs DMS to develop a formulary management plan and codifies the administrative health insurance assessment, also passed. The House then began explanation and questions on the fiscal year 2025-26 general appropriations act, described as a $115.1 billion budget that is down $3.8 billion from the current year and includes more than $12 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs summarized major spending areas, including pre-K-12 funding increases, health care funding for Medicaid, KidCare, nursing homes, opioid treatment, and mental health, transportation and economic development funding, environmental and water projects, higher education, state administration, justice, and information technology. Questions focused on school vouchers, inflationary pressures on school districts, and the adequacy of funding for housing, transportation, and other priorities.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- It is under the purview of the parent, and that is stated in state statute. Of the parent.
- And that is stated in state statute. Okay, anything else? Yes, Madam Chair.
- He explained that several states, including Washington, Texas, North Carolina, and maybe Maryland, are
- In Washington State, districts that implemented automatic enrollment policies saw increased participation
- In Washington State districts that implementing automatic enrollment policy sought increased participation
Summary:
The committee first considered the executive nomination of John Snyder to the State Board for Charter Schools. Snyder described his background in municipal finance, charter school financings, and prior service with Arizona charter school organizations, and said his finance experience would help the board evaluate school viability and oversight. The committee voted 6-0 with one not voting to recommend his confirmation to the full Senate.
The committee then heard HB 2093, which would remove the statutory requirement that health education include mental health instruction and would repeal related consultation requirements over time. The sponsor argued schools should focus on academics and that social-emotional learning and mental health content belong with parents, while opponents, including students, a suicide-loss parent, and mental health advocates, said school-based instruction saves lives, helps students seek help, and preserves parental choice through opt-out provisions. After debate, the committee voted 4-3 to give HB 2093 a do pass recommendation.
Members also considered HB 4043, requiring at least one campus employee trained in CPR, first aid, and AED use where applicable; HB 4005, requiring districts to teach ethical and educational uses of AI beginning in 2027-28; HB 2895, allowing Native American language proficiency to satisfy a world language graduation requirement; HB 2383, renaming trampoline court safety legislation as Ty’s Law; HB 4109, requiring school district public safety policies, notifications, and annual reporting after serious violence or weapon incidents; HB 2376, appropriating $40 million for the school safety program; and HB 2380, requiring public access to board meeting materials and tighter rules on out-of-state travel. HB 4043, HB 2895, and HB 2383 all received unanimous or near-unanimous do pass recommendations, while HB 4005, HB 4109, HB 2376, and HB 2380 each advanced on 4-3 votes, with some members citing concerns about unfunded mandates, criminal penalties, local control, or the scope and timing of required disclosures.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine certain pending nominations. Apr 29th, 2025 at 08:30 am
Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel
Transcript Highlights:
- The United States is up against the most dangerous threat environment we've faced since World War II.
- We have a severe impact of tariffs on our production in the United States, our industrial base.
- The United States should have created a rare earth supply chain. Independent of China a decade ago.
- And, of course, you got your education in the state of Mississippi, Senator. I did.
- It's in the university. Yes, it's a great museum. I highly recommend it.
Keywords:
defense industrial base, small business, workforce development, acquisition processes, national security, cybersecurity, critical minerals
Summary:
The meeting of the committee revolved around critical discussions on enhancing the defense industrial base, focusing on small business engagement and the importance of streamlined processes in defense contracting. There was a significant emphasis on the need for more investment in the defense manufacturing sector, particularly in the face of competition from countries like China. Some members expressed frustration over the treatment of small businesses, citing barriers that prevent these innovative companies from effectively participating in defense contracts. The need for a workforce capable of meeting the common challenges posed by evolving technologies and geopolitical threats was also highlighted throughout the meeting.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 48 (3-17-26)
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:32:57.800><c> state</c> The case out of Washington State, called *Troxel v.
- </c> investment for the state. investment for the state.
- </c> and other state-supported activities. and other state-supported activities.
- </c> administration at Kentucky State. administration at Kentucky State.
- Some of us will remember a P3 on the new dorm at Kentucky State University.
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a roll call establishing a quorum. The chamber approved the prior journal, excused absent senators, and received a House message noting passage of several House bills, including House Bill 1 despite the governor’s veto. The clerk also reported committee recommendations on a number of House bills, which were placed on the calendar, and new resolutions were introduced recognizing Chloe Yates, student wellness and physical activity in schools, and the Kentucky State Long-Term Care Ombudsman program.
The main floor action centered on House Bill 1, which implements the Federal Education Opportunity Program in Kentucky. Supporters argued the measure would bring federal tax-credit dollars into Kentucky to expand educational opportunities for students and families at no cost to the state budget, while opponents urged sustaining the governor’s veto and raised concerns about accountability and the bill’s structure. After debate, the Senate voted 31-5 to override the veto, and House Bill 1 was finally passed notwithstanding the governor’s veto.
The Senate then took up Senate Bill 183 on proxy advisory services. The House committee substitute exempted certain nonprofits with less than $500,000 in annual gross revenue from proxy advisor services from the bill’s cause-of-action provisions while preserving attorney general enforcement authority. The chamber concurred with the House substitute and then passed the bill as amended. Senators also passed Senate Bill 263, the School of Innovation cleanup bill, which makes technical changes, requires KDE support for waiver applications, and creates a pilot project for three schools of innovation with proposed matching grants. Senate Bill 281 on grandparent visitation was also adopted with committee substitute and passed unanimously after discussion focused on balancing grandparents’ access with parental rights and existing case law. Later, the Senate began consideration of Senate Bill 324 on the film industry credit, with the sponsor describing technical changes and expanded provisions to support film, video, gaming, and related production activity in Kentucky.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Care & Wellness Feb 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- State.
- State.
- First, we have the Washington State Health Care Authority, so come on up.
- I'm Heather Zager with the Washington State Health Care Authority, and I'm here to present on private
- There are approximately over 800,000 total children receiving Medicaid in the state of Washington.
Summary:
The House Health Care and Wellness Committee met at policy cutoff and first took up executive session on four bills. It considered a proposed substitute for HB 1589 on health carrier contracting practices, which would require carriers to provide providers advance notice and clean copies of contract changes and payment methodologies, and would also add notice requirements for significant payer contract modifications. The committee also considered HB 2402 on phthalates in IV solution containers and tubing, with a substitute delaying implementation dates and creating shortage and FDA-related exemptions. HB 2555, concerning Medicaid coverage of traditional health care practices, and HB 2685, concerning tribal data and disease reporting to tribal health jurisdictions, were also before the committee. HB 2599 was deferred. The committee reported HB 1589, HB 2402, HB 2555, and HB 2685 out of committee with do pass recommendations, with recorded votes showing some members voting no or no without recommendation on the more contested bills.
The committee then held a work session on private duty nursing in the Medically Intensive Children’s Program. Health Care Authority and DSHS staff described how the program serves children with complex medical needs through managed care and fee-for-service pathways, the role of prior authorization and medical necessity review, and the ongoing shortage of nursing staff. They said many approved hours are not filled, especially in rural areas, and that family members often provide unpaid care to fill gaps. Committee members asked about the structure of the children’s and adult PDN programs and about how many authorized hours are actually being served.
The committee also heard testimony from a home care agency representative and a parent caregiver, both of whom described severe staffing shortages and the burden on families when nursing shifts go unfilled. They supported models that would allow trusted family caregivers to be paid for some of the skilled care they already provide. The committee then heard examples from Montana and Massachusetts of similar family caregiver or complex care assistant programs. Montana described its pediatric complex care assistant model as a gap-filling service with prior authorization and a set hourly rate, while Massachusetts outlined its complex care assistant program, including training, supervision, wage pass-through requirements, and early growth in participation. The meeting concluded after the work session.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
Transcript Highlights:
- The Foster Children's... ...and clearly protected in state law.
- States like California, Texas, and Washington already lead in this space. Massachusetts...
- It's a dichotomy that exists in the system across multiple states.
- A foster care Bill of Rights is long overdue in our state. Many other states have them.
- In our case, a state trooper made it way worse.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities held a hybrid hearing on a series of child welfare bills focused on DCF, foster care, mandated reporting, educational records, and family support. Chair Kennedy and Chair Livingstone opened with accessibility and testimony rules, then heard testimony on bills including S.127 on expanding mandated reporters, S.107/H.235 on a Foster Children’s Bill of Rights, S.106/H.228 on transferring foster care review from DCF to the Office of the Child Advocate, H.258/S.125 on an electronic backpack for foster children’s educational records, H.205 on kinship foster care background checks, H.246/H.266 on minimizing trauma in care and protection cases, and S.159 on support for families after sudden unexpected infant death.
Supporters of the mandated reporter bill, led by Sen. Feeney and Foxborough advocates, described a local model that trains all adults who work with children and argued the state should scale that approach statewide to improve recognition and reporting of abuse. Testimony on the foster care bills emphasized the need for clearer rights, better notice to children and attorneys, stronger remedies, and independent oversight. Advocates, youth with lived experience, and legal organizations described placement instability, delayed notifications, abuse in care, poor educational continuity, and the need for rights around safety, family contact, culture, language, and access to records. Several witnesses urged that the Foster Children’s Bill of Rights include enforceable court remedies, not just reporting requirements.
On the oversight bill, supporters argued DCF should not review its own foster care system and pointed to poor outcomes, high placement instability, and recent investigative reporting as evidence for moving review responsibilities to the Office of the Child Advocate. On the electronic backpack bill, testimony focused on the need for real-time data sharing and a centralized system so schools can receive foster students’ records quickly and support continuity. On the trauma-minimization bill, Rep. Miskin framed the proposal as a set of practical changes to reduce harm during removals and court involvement. On the SUID bill, Sen. Lovely said families should be given information about available grief and support resources after an infant death. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Jul 8th, 2026
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Texas is a pro-life state, we are a pro-baby state, and we are a pro-family state.
- All states send birth and death... ...of births and deaths at the state level.
- I mean, I've been told, you know, it's a state-by-state battle here in the United States because there
- laws on the books, you know, Washington State, New York State, Michigan.
- out-of-state court orders.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Transportation Committee Aug 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And I'm very happy to be here to provide an overview of what states are doing with respect to state transportation
- Since 2013, 35 states and D.C. have increased their gas tax. they're now almost half of the States and
- There are a few other states that had considered and debated such bills, but these are the only two states
- in their states.
- You know, I think two things unique to our state that many other states don't have is the idea of cost
Summary:
The Assembly Transportation Committee first took up three highway naming resolutions on its consent calendar: ACR 109, SCR 78, and SCR 90. The committee approved the consent calendar with 11 aye votes and no no votes, then adjourned the bill-hearing portion. Members also recognized committee science fellow AJ Mendeola for his service, noting his contributions to bill analysis and staff support.
The committee then held an informational hearing on alternatives to the gas tax, focused on the projected decline in fuel-tax revenue and the need for a more sustainable transportation funding model. The chair and invited experts described how inflation, improved fuel efficiency, and growth in electric and other alternative-fuel vehicles are eroding gas-tax revenues. Presenters from the National Conference of State Legislatures and the University of California discussed state options such as higher or indexed gas taxes, EV registration fees, road usage charges, delivery fees, public EV charging fees, transportation network company fees, and managed lanes, emphasizing tradeoffs among revenue adequacy, fairness, administrative cost, and public acceptance.
Committee members raised concerns that mileage-based fees or EV fees could function as new taxes on commuters and lower-income drivers, especially if the gas tax is not repealed. Presenters responded that road usage charges are generally intended as replacements for the gas tax, not additions, and argued that mileage-based systems better preserve the user-pays principle while being less tied to vehicle fuel efficiency. They also noted that flat EV registration fees are easy to administer but can be less equitable because they are not linked to actual road use.
Officials from Hawaii, Utah, and Oregon described their state programs and policy choices. Hawaii said its new road usage charge began July 1, 2025, for EVs, offers a choice between a per-mile charge and a flat annual fee through 2028, and will transition to mandatory EV participation before expanding to all light-duty vehicles by 2033. Utah described its voluntary EV road usage charge program, quarterly reporting, privacy protections, and legislative scenarios for removing the cap or making participation mandatory. Oregon outlined its constitutional cost-responsibility framework and broader transportation funding challenges, including reliance on user fees and limited use of general-fund support.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (01/13/2025)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:09:31.000><c> to</c><00:09:31.279><c> the</c> States States of America and to the States States
- </c><00:21:59.159><c> so</c> degree uh from Pepperdine University so degree uh from Pepperdine University
- I'm a native of Washington, D.C.
- </c> them are out of state them are out of state people<00:59:06.559><c> uh</c><00:59:07.559><c> they
- </c><01:13:54.760><c> un</c> Sullivan for the rord state un Sullivan for the rord state un name<01:13
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- colleges, and private universities.
- I'm the state senator for District 2, covering North Phoenix.
- And the amendment refers to state or federal student privacy laws, and it should say state and federal
- It's a little confusing, but the meat of the bill is exactly what I stated.
- . of our school system in our state.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Missy Cummings is with George Mason University.
- I know for some companies it's all being done here in the United States.
- When I say we, I'm talking about California, the state of California.
- That being said, every self-driving car... ...together across state lines.
- That being said, every self-driving car, together across state lines.
Summary:
The Senate Transportation Committee held an informational hearing on autonomous vehicle technology in California, focusing on safety, regulation, first responder impacts, and the state’s evolving oversight framework. The chair said the committee would hear all panels before public comment, with witnesses limited to five minutes and public commenters to one minute. The first panel featured an industry representative, a safety academic, and victims/advocates who described sharply different views of AV safety and accountability.
Ariel Wolf of the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association argued that fully autonomous vehicles are distinct from driver-assist systems, said AVs are already reducing crashes and fatalities, and urged clear, uniform standards. Dr. Missy Cummings countered that remote operations and computer-vision failures show the technology still depends on human intervention and can be unsafe, especially when remote assistance is done from abroad. Robert O’Dowd and Dylan Angulo, both tied to Tesla crash cases, described fatal and serious injuries involving Autopilot/Full Self-Driving, criticized limited transparency and data access, and called for stronger disclosure, preservation of crash data, and mandatory fixes or disabling of defective software.
Committee members questioned witnesses about data comparing AVs to human drivers, the role of remote operators, liability, and whether California should create clearer standards for the human element behind AV systems. Several members and witnesses discussed the need for “guardrails,” black-box-style data access, and accountability for the remaining crash risk. The hearing then shifted to first responders and road users: a San Francisco Fire Department representative described AVs blocking fire scenes, ambulances, and apparatus access during emergencies and urged a public safety manual override; a San Jose police representative said officers need clear enforcement authority, training, and reliable ways to stop or redirect AVs; a rideshare driver described near-collisions and congestion caused by robo-taxis; and a Teamsters representative opposed proposed heavy-duty AV truck rules as too reliant on manufacturer self-certification and lacking independent validation.
In the final panel, DMV and CPUC officials defended California’s regulatory structure. DMV said it has regulated AVs since 2014, has issued multiple rulemakings and permit types, and is developing a fourth package that would add reporting, enforcement tools, emergency-response requirements, and rules for heavy-duty AVs. DMV said it has revoked or suspended permits when needed, including Cruise and Pony.ai actions. CPUC said its authority covers passenger service only, requires safety plans and ongoing reporting, and continues oversight after permits are issued. No votes or formal actions were taken, as the hearing was informational only.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Rules Apr 21st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- UNIVERSITIES FROM CONDUCTING CANDIDATE POLLING ACTIVITIES RELATED TO CANDIDATES FOR ANY LOCAL STATE
- AND THOSE ARE THE RECOMMENDED CANDIDATES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND STATE COLLEGE SYSTEM OR STATE UNIVERSITY
- THIS WAS BROUGHT TO US BY THE STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS.
- EVERY PROVISION REGARDING THE PUBLIC PRIVACY COMPONENT CAME FROM THE STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM TO PROVIDE
- YOUR AMENDMENT DID A COUPLE OF THINGS SO WHAT I CAN TELL PROHIBITING THE STATE UNIVERSITY FROM CONDUCTING
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
PSM-EIG DEFER, EIG-HOU, HOU-EIG-WLA, WLA-EIG, EIG-TRS-AEN, EIG Public Hearings 02-17-2026
Public Safety and Military Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- 30.000><c> that</c> University of Hawaii's done that University of Hawaii's done that already.<01:00:
- </c> um the the import of fuel and our state um the the import of fuel and our state greenhouse<01:23
- So So as of and head out of state.
- Other states like Washington, Illinois, California has put in mechanisms in place to help to close that
- And yet, it bears the back of this state and the state taxpayer dollars to put that up front.
Summary:
The committees first took up SB 3322 relating to law enforcement. Chairs recommended adopting amendments from the Department of Law Enforcement that would exempt plainclothes officers from identification requirements, limit conspicuous agency markings to vehicles used in immigration enforcement operations, and allow a plainclothes officer to wear a mask when within eyesight of an unmasked officer from the same agency while performing official duties. Although there was an initial quorum issue, both committees ultimately voted to adopt the chair’s recommendation and advance the bill as amended.
The next major item was SB 3333 relating to property tax treatment for certain housing. Testimony was strongly supportive, including from a Maui County real property tax board member and a representative of Nali Maui, who described homeowners in affordable housing being taxed at much higher rates when exemptions were missed or when resale restrictions kept values below market. The committees recommended passing the bill with amendments, including a deferred effective date of April 19, 2042, and the recommendation was adopted.
The committees also heard SB 2422 on a pro housing score program for counties, SB 2981 on eliminating minimum off-street parking requirements in urban districts, SB 2007 on county land use boundary amendments, SB 3028 on restructuring the conveyance tax to a marginal rate system, SB 3033 on public petitions for review of beach structures, and SB 2434 on electric vehicle infrastructure. SB 2422 drew support with a request for flexibility and an appeals process for counties facing extraordinary circumstances; the chair’s recommendation was to pass it with amendments and note a $200,000 implementation study request, which was adopted. SB 2981 received strong support from housing and transportation advocates and was advanced unamended, while SB 2007 drew opposition from the Sierra Club and discussion about the Land Use Commission’s limited enforcement tools and the number of approved but unbuilt units. SB 3028 received mixed testimony, with support for the marginal-rate change but concerns about earmarking and blanks in the bill, and SB 3033 was supported as an early-warning mechanism for erosion-threatened coastal structures, though OPSD said it should not be the regulatory decision-maker. SB 2434 prompted concern about whether utility capacity can support EV infrastructure goals, with the chair citing a recent report suggesting transmission and distribution constraints.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Transportation Budget Rollout Feb 23rd, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- State.
- On preservation, we are focused both on preservation and maintenance of our state highways and our state
- We are also focused on preservation and maintenance of our state ferries.
- We also have investments at the State Patrol that we believe will get our State Patrol up to full staffing
- state shipyards.
Summary:
Senate Transportation Committee leaders presented a bipartisan transportation budget package made up of three bills: a supplemental budget, a bond proposal, and a resources bill with technical updates. Chair Mark Olius and Ranking Member Curtis King said the plan is balanced over six years, uses conservative assumptions, and includes no new taxes, relying instead on bonding and existing revenue changes. They emphasized three priorities: preservation and maintenance of highways, bridges, ferries, and flood-damaged infrastructure; safety, including more funding for State Patrol staffing and tribal traffic safety; and job creation through infrastructure investment.
The supplemental budget would add about $1.7 billion for preservation over six years, including roughly $1.3 billion for highways, plus $100 million for preservation-related safety improvements. It also includes funding for ferry preservation, flood recovery loans for local transportation infrastructure, Columbia River dredging, the Fairfax Bridge, and State Patrol staffing. Questions from members and reporters focused on how much roadwork the preservation money would cover, why the proposal does not include funding for three additional new ferries, and how federal FEMA aid and ongoing mediation over treaty obligations factored into the budget. The senators said the first three ferries are fully funded, that future vessel purchases will be revisited later, and that flood recovery funds were included now so local governments can repair roads without waiting for federal action.
The resources bill would create a mobile driver’s license program for 2028 and dedicate a portion of future sales tax revenue to ferry operations. It also repeals the luxury aircraft tax and replaces it with higher aviation fuel taxes and annual registration fees, which the senators said better avoids unintended consequences for aircraft businesses while still requiring transportation users to contribute. The package also includes studies on hydrogen ferries and updating the in-state shipyard bid credit, and it proposes more efficient ferry maintenance and emergency response capacity at Eagle Harbor. No votes were taken in the transcript, and the senators said they would continue presenting the proposal to caucus members for support.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 1/22/25
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> promote public confidence in state promote public confidence in state government<00:01:32.040><c
- </c><00:24:54.520><c> agency</c> legislature can turn to a state agency legislature can turn to a state
- </c> broadly all of the cities of the State broadly all of the cities of the State uh<00:49:52.119><c
- </c> dollar a year problem with no State dollar a year problem with no State support<00:57:48.319><c>
- Some states actually administer social services directly at a state level.