Transcript Highlights:

• construction construction how<00:23:15.200> uh how uh how uh so<00:23:17.480> so<00:23
• <00:23:31.600> in starting some form of construction in starting some form of construction
• <00:31:27.760> that using prefabricated construction that using prefabricated construction
• design guides construction design guides construction specifications<00:34:08.000> standard
• purely for construction construction of purely for construction construction of the<01:17:15.040>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education held an informational/budget briefing with presentations from the State Library System, the School Facilities Authority, and the Department of Education. The chair opened the meeting by outlining the order of presentations and noting that members would hold questions until after all three agencies had testified. The discussion focused on each agency’s priorities for the upcoming biennium and their budget requests. State Librarian Stacy Aldridge described library usage and services, emphasizing strong demand for physical and digital materials, internet and Wi-Fi access, programs, Kanopy streaming, and PressReader. She highlighted digital literacy classes, RFID self-check and smart shelving improvements, and the role of libraries as community hubs. The library’s budget request included an additional $1.2 million for security guards, $48.484 million for FY 26-27 to support popup libraries during temporary closures and other needs, $500,000 for repair and maintenance, $2 million for Kap planning and design, and $25 million each year for lump-sum capital funding. Mallerie Fujitani said the lump-sum funding is needed to keep roughly 50 projects moving and to avoid delays in construction. School Facilities Authority Executive Director Ricky Fujitani explained the agency’s startup history and its programs for preschools, Central Maui schools, and workforce housing. He said the authority is using standardized, prefabricated, programmatic approaches to speed delivery and improve maintainability, citing prior preschool renovations as a successful model. He reported that of $389 million appropriated, $106 million was released, with $81 million for preschools, $20 million for Central Maui schools, and $5 million for workforce housing; he also noted the workforce housing program was reduced after Maui fire-related reallocations. He said the pilot workforce housing site at Mililani High School has been awarded and pointed to University of Hawaiʻi student housing projects as a model. Superintendent Hayashi then began the Department of Education presentation, introducing DOE leadership and outlining the department’s mission to support academic achievement, character development, and student well-being. He noted the department serves more than 152,000 students in 258 public schools and employs over 42,000 people, with nearly 54% of students facing significant challenges. He framed the budget request around the department’s strategic plan to prepare graduates for college, careers, or military service. The transcript ends during the DOE presentation, before any committee votes or formal actions are taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Heard the question in response to sort of why we haven't...
• We're looking at two years before we can get it to construction.
• But if the legislature appropriates construction funding for a project that's not constructed, the agency
• The construction zone, 90 miles an hour, right?
• And so, Joey, this is the construction schedule for FY27.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Or is that only construction of... projects. It's only construction and lighting of projects. Okay.
• That includes construction of new projects.
• I also want to be a little comment here about cost of construction.
• Constructing a highway, the percent for engineering is pretty small compared to the overall construction
• I do know that they have one project under construction right now. and how many do you have under construction

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's be fiscally responsible given the situation we find ourselves in now.
• the bill let's be fiscally responsible the bill let's be fiscally responsible given<00:04:47.080
• Reconnect Rondo is not just about remedying the initial harm felt by the construction of I-94.
• , and post-construction of the land bridge.
• , and post-construction of the land bridge.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• construction general permit.
• So, to understand, the response rate or the required response is low.
• Or other responsible parties like Amazon.
• We did submit the survey response because that is part of our responsible growth framework for how we
• It's part of basic responsible planning.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That means fewer resources, less targeted support, and fewer opportunities for culturally responsive
• That means fewer resources, less targeted support, and fewer opportunities for culturally responsive
• response plans, as well as criminal incidents.
• While most construction contracts are for construction or for major modernization of schools, job order
• and concluded that it raised school construction costs by 15 to 18%.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee met without a quorum at first and began as a subcommittee, with the chair outlining hearing procedures and several bills on consent. The committee heard and advanced AB 1581, which would improve collection of tribal affiliation data for California students so Native students are more accurately counted and better served; supporters said current systems undercount Native students and erase their needs. AB 1586 also passed, requiring school resource officers who volunteer to carry naloxone to receive opioid overdose response training every two years; supporters emphasized student safety and the need for rapid response to overdoses on campus, while one school employees’ group raised concerns about retaliation protections for non-volunteers. Both bills were moved do pass as amended to Appropriations, with roll calls held open for absent votes. The committee then approved AB 1943, which updates school notices about secure firearm storage by making the information clearer, more visible, and more likely to reach families at key moments such as counseling or discipline interventions. Supporters from gun violence prevention groups, educators, and parents argued that many school shooters obtain guns from home and that plain-language, digital, and timely notices could help prevent child deaths and suicides; the author shared a personal story about a child accessing a gun at home. AB 1792 also advanced, directing the Instructional Quality Commission to consider updating health education to address digital safety issues such as deepfakes, extortion, grooming, and AI-generated exploitation; supporters said students need instruction that reflects modern online risks, while an opponent objected to language referencing LGBTQIA+ and gender-diverse students. AB 1653 passed as well, adding heat-illness guidance to the health framework after a young Girl Scout described students suffering during extreme heat and not recognizing symptoms. Later, the committee approved AB 1861, which would require the California Department of Education to create a public database of special education investigation reports with personal information redacted; supporters said families need better access to complaint outcomes and accountability, while an opposition witness warned of unintended consequences, misuse of incomplete information, and added burdens on districts. AB 1721 also moved forward, creating a stakeholder work group to review and streamline school safety plan requirements so plans remain practical and focused on emergency preparedness. AB 1631, which would make kindergarten mandatory, received mixed testimony: supporters argued it would help close achievement gaps and improve readiness, while opponents framed it as an intrusion on parental choice; the bill was held on call after a split vote. Finally, AB 1809, extending job order contracting authority for school and community college districts, was also held on call after opposition from contractors who argued project labor agreement requirements raise costs and reduce competition. The committee then began hearing AB 1659, aimed at improving transitions for court school students back to their home districts, with testimony describing re-enrollment barriers and the need for a designated district contact.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I know you mentioned that FDOT is responsible for the placement.
• So I know you mentioned that FDOT is responsible for the placement.
• Is a big part of vertical construction as well.
• FDOT has responded very quickly and you've been very responsive.
• Road construction, road building, right?

Summary: The Committee on Transportation received a presentation from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles on Florida’s camera-based traffic enforcement programs: red light cameras, school bus stop-arm cameras, and school zone speed cameras. The department explained how the programs work, including human review of recorded violations, issuance of civil notices to vehicle owners, and escalation to uniform traffic citations if unpaid or uncontested. Officials also outlined the fee structure and reported preliminary data showing 42 red light camera jurisdictions, 496 red light cameras, and more than 923,000 notices of violation in fiscal year 2024-2025, along with growth in school zone and school bus programs. Senators asked about camera placement, signage, review procedures, and whether reviewers or vendors receive revenue from citations; several questions were left for follow-up because the witness did not have all statutory or operational details. The committee then heard an update from FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue on the Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, funded by a $4 billion general revenue investment leveraged into a $7 billion program for 20 major projects. He said the initiative is advancing high-priority congestion relief projects across the state, with 80% of the plan expected to be underway by the end of 2026 and the remaining projects in 2027. Perdue highlighted new delivery methods such as modified phased design-build, voluntary acceleration, and structured acceleration, along with workforce and supply-chain efforts, including regional hiring events and aggregate planning. He cited projects such as I-4 congestion relief lanes, Golden Glades, I-95 at US-1, I-75 auxiliary lanes, and I-275 improvements as examples of the program’s progress. Members questioned FDOT about traffic management during construction, subcontracting opportunities for small businesses, public transit planning, contractor safety and fatalities, bridge strikes, logistics access near ports and airports, aggregate supply, local government coordination, and federal funding uncertainty. Perdue said FDOT continuously reevaluates traffic control plans, works with local governments and industry partners, uses small business participation targets, and requires contractors to be in good standing with OSHA and to implement corrective action plans after incidents. He also said Florida’s transportation revenues are flat, the state remains largely state-funded, and additional resources are the main need for future transportation delivery. The committee adjourned after the chair requested FDOT staff provide senators with district-specific project information.

Transcript Highlights:

• Construction Coalition this morning.
• I'm Vice President of Granite Construction.
• Today I'm representing the Transportation Construction Coalition, or TCCC.
• Something else that's been very good about IAJ was the exemptions for the construction materials.
• , to make sure that we meet the construction deadlines which are statutory.

Keywords: Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act, IIJA, bipartisan infrastructure, funding flexibility, NEPA, environmental reviews, bureaucratic delays, federal funding, infrastructure investment

Summary: The committee meeting focused on the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act, discussing the ongoing implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Chairman Capito highlighted the bipartisan nature of the legislation and the necessity of refining existing provisions to ensure effective delivery of transportation projects. Notable emphasis was placed on the need for flexibility in funding to address inflation impacts and delays caused by bureaucratic hurdles, especially relating to environmental reviews under NEPA. Witnesses from state transportation agencies provided valuable insights into real-world challenges faced in project execution, ultimately underscoring the importance of continuous federal support for infrastructure development. The discussion also touched on the broader implications of federal funding freezes by the previous administration, which have reportedly hindered several ongoing and planned projects. This issue raised significant concern among committee members, who urged the need for reliable funding and the removal of unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles that could cause delays in project implementation. The meeting concluded with a commitment from the members to work collaboratively to overcome these challenges and ensure a smooth path forward for critical infrastructure investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Extending these incentives is a proven, fiscally responsible strategy.
• We're very active, and we are the leading indicator of construction.
• I've worked in commercial construction for over 30 years.
• call new construction, typically about 40 percent in commercial construction.
• It's responsible for 1,500 jobs, which results in $110 million of annual wages.

Bills: SB214, SB935, SB1030, SB1901, SB2018, SB2020, SB2066, SB2206

Keywords: HVAC, tax exemption, energy efficiency, residential heating, installation services, Energy Star, sales tax, residential, installation, sales tax exemption, Environmental Protection Agency, temporary exemption, motor fuel tax, county exemption, diesel fuel, gasoline tax, transportation funding, SB 1030, Texas Tax Code, use tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to be responsible toward the state asset.
• The non-state-subsidized bed construction cost is $271,000 per bed.
• These Title IX officers and their teams are responsible for responsibility.
• Appreciate the response. Dr. Patel. Thank you, Ms.
• The housing grant program was really intended for new construction.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held an extended hearing focused primarily on University of California budget issues, enrollment, housing, and Title IX. Chair David Alvarez opened by noting the governor’s proposed 8% ongoing General Fund reduction to UC, the deferral of compact funding, and the College of the Law budget item, while emphasizing that no votes would be taken that day. Public commenters, including UC Davis employees and lecturers, urged restoration of UC funding and opposed the hiring freeze, saying cuts would worsen staffing shortages, reduce research capacity, and harm students and patients. On UC core operations, the Department of Finance said the governor’s budget maintains the compact but defers $240.8 million in ongoing support and continues a planned 7.95% reduction, while the LAO recommended rejecting the deferrals and instead making any changes in the budget year. UC San Diego’s chancellor and UC Office of the President argued the cuts and deferrals would create major campus shortfalls, force hiring freezes, larger class sizes, fewer course offerings, delayed projects, and possible layoffs. Committee members questioned whether cuts could be shifted away from students and toward administration, discussed UCOP reserves and bond debt, and noted that UC’s budget structure makes the campus-level impact larger than the headline reduction. The committee also reviewed enrollment trends and nonresident replacement. The LAO said UC resident enrollment has grown and recommended revisiting 2026-27 targets and pausing the nonresident replacement plan if state funding does not improve. UC said it has exceeded California undergraduate enrollment and nonresident replacement goals, but warned that continued growth without funding would force enrollment reductions and harm quality. Members discussed the role of nonresident and international students, tuition rates, and the value of UC as a pathway for California students and a source of talent for the state. A separate housing item covered the state’s Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program. UC reported that recent bond savings could support additional affordable beds at UC Davis and UC Santa Barbara, but the LAO and Finance noted the Legislature would need to decide how to use the $6.2 million in savings from the original projects. The committee also heard a Title IX update from UC’s systemwide civil rights office, which described campus Title IX structures, training, and policy enforcement, and said the system has been working to improve confidentiality guidance and streamline complaint processes after survey feedback showed confusion and lengthy procedures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Improvement for the new construction Improvement for the new construction season<00:19:32.720>
• > constructions<00:20:50.720> with<00:20:50.880> no Utilities Road constructions
• fair and open competition in the construction industry.
• , right, and make sure the responsible ones are successful.
• right and make sure the responsible right and make sure the responsible<00:47:27.240> ones<00

Bills: HF47, HF335

Keywords: telecommunications, installation, certification, safety, underground utilities, HF335, Greater Minnesota, economic development, public infrastructure, grant program, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, business development, infrastructure grants, local government aid, general fund appropriation, rural development, site development, utilities, roads

Transcript Highlights:

• We have McCarthy Construction on site.
• She's responsible for working with all of our teams.
• "Construction to show you that vantage point.
• Their key responsibilities are on my slide.
• So, you know, just timely responses and communication would help.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the March 18 minutes, and then received a series of updates on health-related projects and Department of Health and Human Services budget matters. Representatives from CHI St. Alexius in Bismarck and Williston, and Altru in Grand Forks, reported progress on behavioral health expansion projects, including demolition and construction milestones, updated timelines, funding status, staffing plans, and barriers such as an unbudgeted air handler replacement in Williston. Members asked about original completion dates, use of telehealth, recruitment of psychiatrists and other staff, and whether the new beds might reduce the need for patients to travel to Jamestown State Hospital. The projects were described as on track overall, with completion expected in 2027 for the larger builds and earlier openings for some phases in Williston. The committee then heard from HHS leadership on technical line-item transfers and the Salaries and Wages Block Grant. Donna Ockland explained that recent transfers were administrative corrections to place spending in the proper budget lines and did not involve new spending, and she reviewed FTE counts and vacancies across the department. Questions focused on behavioral health staffing changes and the use of consultants in the Rural Health Transformation Program. Pat Rainer outlined the rural health program’s first-year grants and priorities, including workforce retention, rural rotations and housing, community wellness initiatives, behavioral health promotion, safety net services, hospital equipment, suicide prevention training, technology, and EMS support. He said North Dakota’s plan was drawing positive national attention, but the department still needed to obligate roughly $199 million by September and was working with CMS on timing and compliance. The committee also received an update on certified community behavioral health clinics from Elena Zeller. She said North Dakota had been accepted as a demonstration state, with certification efforts underway in Williston, North Central, Fargo, and Dickinson. Members asked about care coordination, service growth, staffing, and whether certification would expand to all clinics; the department said it was still collecting baseline data and evaluating impacts before making future recommendations. Finally, Rebecca Askins reviewed SNAP payment error rates, explaining that the 2025 rate was finalized at 9.89 percent and that the department is working on training, system changes, and quality assurance steps to get below 6 percent. Members pressed on the causes of monthly variability, the performance of the SPACES system, and accountability for ongoing errors, and the department said it expects improvement over the next 6 to 12 months.

Transcript Highlights:

• and now the, uh, environmental response and now the, uh, environmental response fund<00:24:22.880
• <00:30:08.240> fund offered the environmental response fund offered the environmental response
• <00:30:58.559> helped environmental response fund grant helped environmental response fund
• fund Countyy's environmental response fund Countyy's environmental response fund frequently<00:31
• Thank you so much for the time. the Environmental Response Fund also the Environmental Response Fund

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Summer's construction season.
• And construction percentages started to increase.
• This coming winter in 2026, in the spring of 2027, construction and bidding; summer of 2027, construction
• After 2026, in the spring of 2027, construction bidding; summer of 2027, construction would proceed;
• and fall/winter of 2028, construction complete.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But from 2022 to 2023, housing activity, housing construction, was up 13%.
• yet in construction.
• Each year's production supports 4,080 additional solid construction jobs.
• Each year's production supports 4,080 additional solid construction jobs.
• Clearly establishing who's responsible for the program will...

Summary: The Assembly Subcommittee on State Administration held a budget hearing focused heavily on housing, homelessness, and related administrative proposals. HCD reported that California housing production has increased, with 2023 completions up 13% from 2022 and entitlement and construction timelines improving, while members and advocates criticized the Governor’s January budget for zeroing out or sharply reducing several housing programs. Public testimony urged funding for affordable housing production, preservation, youth housing, CalHome, LIHTC, HAP, and related programs, and several speakers argued the state should not pull back after recent progress. A major policy item was trailer bill language to allow HCD to access “excess equity” in existing affordable housing projects and recycle those funds into new or preserved housing. HCD and the LAO said the proposal could unlock tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, but members wanted guardrails and clearer statutory direction to ensure the funds stay within the intended housing purposes. The committee also discussed encampment resolution funding; HCD said the proposal would shift expenditure deadlines to the date of award rather than appropriation, while the LAO raised concerns about limited outcome data and urged the Legislature to use upcoming reporting before deciding on future funding. The hearing also covered HCD trailer bills to consolidate default reserve funds into a centralized continuously appropriated account and to clarify reporting requirements for early rounds of the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention program. HCD requested funding to implement chaptered legislation, including a new tribal housing program and reporting-related bills, and also sought extensions for certain reappropriations, including Homekey and REAP 2 deadlines. Public commenters and regional agencies supported flexibility for REAP 2 timing and other housing-related adjustments. Finally, the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency presented the Governor’s reorganization proposal to split the current agency into a Housing and Homelessness Agency and a Consumer Protection Agency. The administration said the change would improve focus, efficiency, and coordination, but the LAO and several members questioned whether it would truly save money or improve accountability, especially given the need for new leadership, possible staffing changes, and the fact that the plan had not yet been formally submitted for review. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are currently constructing the largest renewable energy project in the Western Hemisphere here in
• , and housing construction—could be delayed or blocked entirely due to legal challenges.
• It could also slow down and increase construction costs.
• Have to be in place to be able to start construction and close financing.
• Thank you for your response. Madam Chair, can we respond to that?

Transcript Highlights:

• Luis Ortiz, our construction information management system specialist.
• It's an increase to design capacity and, and changing renovation in lieu of new construction.
• Memorial at the Robertson will remain open during construction.
• Uh, construction projects, that's really hard to do.
• And then once construction goes in, we will update the construction, and the construction lasts or is

Transcript Highlights:

• , charged with the design, construction, charged with the design, construction, and<00:03:10.319>
• with 90% of the and construction with 90% of the construction<00:36:53.760> dollars<00:36:54.160
• <00:49:00.079> Trades Building and Construction Trades Building and Construction Trades Council
• open up the conversation, get a response open up the conversation, get a response from<01:02:20.319
• <01:05:41.520> I I'm disappointed in that response. I I'm disappointed in that response.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:21.160> road infrastructure construction, both road infrastructure construction, both
• > 2027<00:25:53.960> in Construction is planned for 2027 in Construction is planned for
• Construction cost $9.19 million. Construction cost $9.19 million.
• :44:59.480> for Minnesota townships are responsible for Minnesota townships are responsible for
• town halls, townships are responsible town halls, townships are responsible for<00:45:51.600>

Bills: HF4710, HF4055, HF3848, HF3989, HF4599, HF3767, HF3592, HF3575, HF3574, HF3543, HF4606, HF4489, HF3891, HF3438, HF3811, HF3400

Keywords: capital investment, water infrastructure, sewer systems, public funding, municipal development, Eveleth, wastewater treatment, state bonds, environmental compliance, infrastructure, bonds, economic development, local government, transportation, intersection improvements, Lake Elmo, HF4599, St. Joseph, Minnesota bonding bill, bond proceeds fund

Transcript Highlights:

• Construction is the project corridor.
• just north of the school's construction just north of the school's construction site.<00:05:17.840
• The million construction next year.
• in final construction.
• , responsibility in uh final construction, responsibility in uh final construction, but<00:37:27.280

Bills: HF1569, HF460, HF850, HF707, HF798, HF852, HF366, HF365, HF836, HF866, HF885, HF959, HF1196, HF1788, HF1349, HF2272, HF2652, HF1251, HF607

Keywords: transportation, bond issuance, capital investment, infrastructure, road improvements, HF460, Sibley County, Highway 21, County State-Aid Highway, bonding bill, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, transportation grant, infrastructure improvements, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, stormwater, public works, local infrastructure