Transcript Highlights:

• Of the money that goes towards both salaries, building maintenance, uh, and repairs, upkeep, all of that
• Um, this year, we anticipate spending $65 million on, on repair work on I-40 alone.
• make sure that they're functioning and staying in a good state of and keeping in a state of good repair
• ensuring that those major freight corridors are staying um in us or keeping up with the state of good repair
• Equipment as well as the repairs. So anything additional is definitely helpful for the districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• , to expand it to say that any statement that misrepresents the scope of the property damages and repair
• , to expand it to say that any statement that misrepresents the scope of the property damages and repair
• the property represents the scope of the property damages<00:04:53.120><c> and</c><00:04:53.280><c> repair
• <00:04:53.800><c> costs</c><00:04:54.120><c> associated</c><00:04:54.639><c> with</c> damages and repair
• costs associated with damages and repair costs associated with the<00:04:54.960><c> claim</c><00:04:

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up Senate Bill 24, a measure aimed at combating property and casualty insurance fraud. Senator Girdler and witnesses from the Insurance Institute of Kentucky and the National Insurance Crime Bureau said the bill would expand the definition of a fraudulent insurance act to cover statements that misrepresent the scope of property damage or repair costs, with the goal of addressing inflated storm-damage claims and out-of-state bad actors. Members discussed whether existing prosecutors were already handling these cases, the role of Commonwealth’s attorneys versus the Attorney General, and the need to keep the bill narrowly tailored to criminal intent rather than negligence or ordinary disputes over value. The committee substitute was adopted, the bill received favorable expression, and a title amendment was also adopted. The committee then heard Senate Bill 18, which would address a shortage of insurance options for automobile dealers by allowing nonadmitted carriers to provide garage liability coverage in Kentucky. Testimony from an insurance agent and a legislative agent for Big I Kentucky described a shrinking market in which some small dealers cannot find coverage at all, risking closure. Members asked about the meaning of garage liability, consumer protections, solvency concerns, and whether more competition could lower prices; witnesses said surplus lines carriers already operate in Kentucky, agents play an important vetting role, and errors-and-omissions coverage would apply to the agent. The bill was supported as a way to preserve dealer businesses and expand coverage options, and it passed the committee with favorable expression after roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• broken pipe or an HVAC failure, that is significant enough that our in-house staff are unable to repair
• /c><00:20:12.320><c> are</c><00:20:12.440><c> unable</c><00:20:12.840><c> to</c><00:20:12.960><c> repair
• </c><00:20:13.360><c> on</c> in-house staff are unable to repair on in-house staff are unable to repair
• </c> repairs can be made. repairs can be made.
• </c> ongoing emergency repairs. ongoing emergency repairs.

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Maintaining pavements in a state of good repair is important.
• </c><00:52:37.920><c> They</c><00:52:38.160><c> are</c> of good repair is important.
• They are of good repair is important.
• </c><00:55:00.960><c> vulnerable</c> prioritize, and repair vulnerable prioritize, and repair vulnerable
• </c> to $7 million for Fort Snelling repairs to $7 million for Fort Snelling repairs and<01:21:14.000

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Other costs are rising, including utility home hardening, storm-related repairs and many other costs
• Eskamani and others, House Bill 311 entitled an act relating to repair motorized wheelchairs. Rep.
• House Bill 311 is Repair of motorized wheelchairs.
• Eskamani, House Bill 311 entitled an act relating to repair of motorized wheelchairs.
• This is about making sure all wheelchair users don't have to wait weeks or months for repairs.

Bills: HB 118 , HB 388 , HB 114 , HB 205 , HB 2789 , HB 2791 , HB 499 , HB 2960 , HB 3163 , HB 3135 , HB 2427 , HB 1618 , HB 1672 , HB 1722 , HB 1338 , HB 787 , HB 2618 , HB 879 , HB 1126 , HB 4134 , HB 3513 , HB 718 , HB 1536 , HB 1445 , HB 1640 , HB 1893 , HB 1734 , HB 3229 , HB 3306 , HB 1276 , HB 3272 , HB 3276 , HB 3516 , HB 4145 , HB 1585 , HB 4810 , HB 2989 , HB 2558 , HB 3014 , HB 2742 , HB 1695 , HB 29 , HB 125 , HB 145 , HB 171 , HB 255 , HB 50 , HB 363 , HB 116 , HB 491 , HB 1495 , HB 368 , HB 1285 , HB 1905 , HB 2002 , HB 917 , HB 2723 , HB 2067 , HB 1238 , HB 745 , HB 1188 , HB 1606 , HB 2003 , HB 2147 , HB 2355 , HB 2546 , HB 2495 , HB 2818 , HB 2249 , HB 3228 , HB 3240 , HB 1507 , HB 658 , HB 1748 , HB 1851 , HB 1922 , HB 2798 , HB 107 , HB 1587 , HB 3684 , HB 118 , HB 388 , HB 114 , HB 205 , HB 2789 , HB 2791 , HB 499 , HB 2960 , HB 3163 , HB 3135 , HB 2427 , HB 1618 , HB 1672 , HB 1722 , HB 1338 , HB 787 , HB 2618 , HB 879 , HB 1126 , HB 4134 , HB 3513 , HB 718 , HB 1536 , HB 1445 , HB 1640 , HB 1893 , HB 1734 , HB 3229 , HB 3306 , HB 1276 , HB 3272 , HB 3276 , HB 3516 , HB 4145 , HB 1585 , HB 4810 , HB 2989 , HB 2558 , HB 3014 , HB 2742 , HB 1695 , HB 609 , HB 630 , HB 420 , HB 767 , HB 1708 , HB 1404 , HB 2457 , HB 140 , HB 227 , HB 913 , HB 2198 , HB 2763 , HB 1261 , HB 1135 , HB 1318 , HB 2358 , HB 2765 , HB 2735 , HB 3307 , HB 1242 , HB 2842 , HB 333 , HB 201 , HB 694 , HB 2415 , HB 155 , HB 272 , HB 405 , HB 519 , HB 1136 , HB 1275 , HB 1437 , HB 1532 , HB 1675 , HB 1868 , HB 1888 , HB 1990 , HB 2286 , HB 2523 , HB 3129 , HB 3251 , HB 3354 , HB 3479 , HB 3803 , HB 3804 , HB 3805 , HB 3806 , HB 3887 , HB 4163 , HB 4238 , HB 1240 , HB 1842 , HB 2029 , HB 2622 , HB 3255 , HB 654 , HB 4643 , HB 4945 , HB 3611 , HB 3724 , HB 3623 , HB 3810 , HB 4127 , HCR 78 , HCR 12 , SB 767

Transcript Highlights:

• This measure specifies that the state or county that repairs or maintains a street of which the ownership
• or maintenance of that repair or maintenance of that street<00:13:02.320><c> first</c><00:13:02.680>
• </c><00:13:21.160><c> or</c> counties should either do repair or counties should either do repair or
• </c><00:13:46.560><c> you</c><00:13:47.160><c> thank</c> because you did some repairs you thank because
• you did some repairs you thank you<00:13:47.480><c> very</c><00:13:47.680><c> much</c><00:13:48.199>

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard a series of transportation and public safety bills, beginning with HB 706, which would require skateboard users under age 16 to wear helmets. The Department of Transportation supported the measure, and the chair noted written support from AAA Hawaii, Kulani Medical Center for Women and Children, and several individuals. No opposition was mentioned, and the bill appeared to draw no questions. Members then heard HB 860, which would grant immunity to the state or county that repairs or maintains a street when ownership or jurisdiction is disputed. DOT and DLNR supported the bill, with county support from Maui and a Hawaii Island county representative, while the Hawaii Association for Justice opposed it. The committee also heard HB 1162, requiring applicants for a motorcycle instruction permit to complete an approved basic rider course, with DOT support and a recommended amendment to exempt motorcycles used for training; the Public Defender asked about the current process, and DOT explained the bill was intended to improve safety given motorcycle fatalities. HB 1259, allowing speed-limit reductions within 10 mph of the current limit without an engineering study, also drew DOT support and support from the AAHU Metropolitan Planning Organization and individuals. The committee next considered HB 1158, a governor’s package bill limiting civil liability for people who provide firefighting services with vessels at commercial harbors or roadsteads to gross negligence or wanton conduct. DOT Harbors said the bill was prompted by lessons from the Lahaina fires and was intended to encourage privately owned firefighting-equipped vessels to assist without hesitation; the Hawaii Harbor Users Group and an individual supported it. HB 54, which would make a third or subsequent excessive speeding offense a Class C felony and allow vehicle forfeiture, drew DOT support but strong opposition from the Public Defender, who argued the bill was overly harsh, would force jury trials, and could create sentencing problems; the Public Defender also said existing penalties were already significant. The committee then heard HB 1334, which would exempt donations of wild game meat, including axis deer, to charitable and nonprofit organizations from certain meat inspection and transportation laws; DLNR and multiple community and food-related groups supported it, and no opposition was noted. Finally, the committee took up HB 698 on animal cruelty, which would increase criminal penalties for various offenses. The Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing the cases are rare, enforcement is limited, and the proposed penalties—up to Class A felony treatment in some cases—were too severe; animal welfare advocates strongly supported the measure, saying cruelty cases are widespread, underreported, and under-enforced, and that stronger penalties are needed as a deterrent. No votes or final actions were taken on any of the bills in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• delivery system for years to come by creating the Delta Levees and Canal Subsidence Fund for essential repairs
• and allowing waiver of local cost sharing for Delta levee repair projects.
• delivery capability reduction by 2040, but it actually gets to zero in about 25 years from now without repair
• The Department of Water Resources estimates the cost of repair to the State Water Project aqueducts is
• The Department of Water Resources estimates the cost of repair to the State Water Project aqueducts is

Summary: The committee heard several wildlife and water-related bills. SB 872, by Senator McNerney, would create a Delta Levees and Canal Subsidence Fund and allow waiver of local cost-sharing for Delta levee repairs to protect the State Water Project and Delta infrastructure. Supporters from water agencies, environmental groups, counties, and agricultural interests said the bill is needed to address levee failure and canal subsidence; there was no opposition, and the bill was held open until a quorum was present, with broad support expressed. SB 1108, by Senator Caballero, would establish the Grasslands Ecological Area Conservancy in the Central Valley to coordinate conservation, habitat restoration, public access, and voluntary easements in a region described as the largest remaining wetland/grasslands complex west of the Mississippi. Support came from the Grasslands Water District, Audubon, conservation groups, and local stakeholders, who emphasized the area’s importance to migratory birds, wildlife corridors, and land-use transition under groundwater sustainability. There was no opposition, and the bill received favorable committee support. SB 1135, by Senator Blakespear, would reestablish and strengthen the statewide wildlife coexistence program to reduce human-wildlife conflict through nonlethal deterrence, education, and compensation for livestock losses. Supporters cited rising wildlife incidents, wolf depredation, and the need for proactive tools; opponents and some committee members raised concerns about rural impacts, funding, and the absence of law enforcement/public safety as a specifically named advisory role. After discussion and amendments that moved the cattlemen and Farm Bureau to neutral, the bill passed out of committee on a due-pass motion, though some members voted no or abstained. SB 1305, by Senator Richardson, would direct CDFW to study the feasibility of grizzly bear reintroduction and prepare a roadmap, with tribal consultation and stakeholder engagement, but would not itself authorize reintroduction. Tribal sponsors and conservation groups supported the bill as a planning and cultural restoration effort, while hunting, ranching, and county groups opposed it, arguing California already faces major wildlife-management and funding challenges and that the proposal would create new conflicts. Committee members debated costs, appropriations, and whether the study should include funding estimates; the bill was amended and passed on a due-pass motion. The committee also heard SB 1250, by Senator Cortese, which would require Caltrans to incorporate wildlife connectivity into transportation planning; supporters said it would reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve habitat connectivity, and the bill was presented in support as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• Home protection contracts can help homeowners avoid unexpected, very expensive repairs.
• fails, like I mentioned, HVAC, etc., a home protection company can send a licensed professional to repair
• home protection companies and utilities to continue serving customers who rely on our services to repair
• When a utility partners with a home protection company to deliver those repair plans, the transactions
• When a utility partners with a home protection company to deliver those repair plans, the transactions

Summary: The committee heard several insurance-related bills. AB 69, AB 1554, and AB 1680 all focused on California’s insurance market and the Fair Plan. AB 69 would require clearer notices to Fair Plan policyholders about coverage options, quarterly public reporting on clearinghouse programs, and additional broker/agent training to help depopulate the Fair Plan while preserving consumer choice. AB 1554 would require the California Earthquake Authority to post its annual report online and send it to relevant committees, and would direct the Insurance Commissioner to convene a working group on incorporating hazard mitigation into risk-transfer recommendations. AB 1680 would require the Fair Plan to comply with CDI examination findings, hire more staff, and improve clearinghouse operations; the Fair Plan moved from opposition to neutral after amendments, and the department said the bill would strengthen accountability and consumer protections. These bills were held pending quorum or taken up later, with authors requesting aye votes. AB 2198, by Assemblymember Rodriguez, would clarify title insurance rate-filing rules by specifying that title insurers file title rates and underwritten title companies file escrow rates, reducing duplicative filings and requiring rate schedules to be posted online. The California Land Title Association supported the bill, saying it codified longstanding practice and improved transparency, while the department continued discussions about possible revisions. The bill was left open for further questions and a later vote. AB 1795, by Assemblymember Gibson, would create statewide standards for inspecting, testing, and remediating smoke damage in wildfire-affected homes. The author and the Department of Insurance said the bill would establish science-based standards, protect survivors from unsafe reentry, require training and certification for relevant professionals, and improve claims handling; the department also described serious gaps found in its Fair Plan examination and recent wildfire claims. Insurers and some residents opposed or opposed unless amended, arguing the bill was still too broad, could raise costs, relied too much on industry standards, and left unresolved issues about legal standards, timing, and coverage. The bill remained under discussion, with the author saying negotiations would continue. AB 311, by Assemblymember McKinnor, would create an optional telematics-based auto insurance program to reward safer driving and improve road safety. Supporters, including road-safety advocates, victims’ families, and some insurance representatives, argued telematics could reduce speeding and distracted driving and save lives. Opponents, including privacy and consumer groups, argued the bill would create opaque surveillance pricing, undermine Prop. 103, and raise privacy and fairness concerns. After extensive debate, the committee passed the bill on a 3-0 vote and placed it on call. AB 1798, by Assemblymember Wilson, would bar life and disability insurers from using non-diagnostic genetic information from direct-to-consumer or other predictive genetic testing to deny coverage or raise premiums, while preserving use of medical history and family history and allowing consideration of certain high-value policies above $1.5 million. Supporters said the bill would reduce genetic discrimination and encourage testing; insurers argued genetic information is relevant to underwriting and warned the bill could raise costs and create inconsistencies. The committee chair and members noted the bill was close to agreement but still needed work, and the bill was moved with a 3-0 vote and placed on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nearly a decade later, the family still has no contract, no reliable price, and now faces major repair
• focuses on whether or not Caltrans is adequately maintaining properties under its control, including repair
• focuses on whether or not CalTrans is adequately maintaining properties under its control, including repair
• And finally, Objective 9 has this follow-up on. including repair work and pest control work.
• For decades, tenants of Caltrans-owned properties have reported egregious experiences trying to get repairs

Committee: Senate Joint Legislative Audit

Transcript Highlights:

• The cost of the lack of repair in our roads is obvious in the trip and the stiff repair.
• The cost of the lack of repair in our roads is obvious in the trip and the stip report.
• The cost of the lack of repair in our roads is obvious in the trip and the stiff repair.
• The cost of the lack of repair in our roads is obvious in the trip and the stip report.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 322, which would create a transportation trust fund and transportation program fund. The sponsor offered and the committee adopted an amendment striking the section that would have imposed a 1% gross receipts tax on electricity sales. After a recap of the bill’s remaining provisions, including a $400 million seed amount and future transfers from motor vehicle excise tax revenue, the committee heard brief support from Associated Contractors of New Mexico and the Asphalt Pavement Association and no opposition. The amended bill then passed on a roll-call vote. The committee then heard HB 270, a public works/apprenticeship bill that would require contributions to approved apprenticeship and training programs or to the Public Works Apprentice and Training Fund for public works construction projects, while eliminating an exemption for certain road, highway, utility, and maintenance work. Supporters, including union carpenters, electrical workers, the building trades council, and apprenticeship advocates, argued the bill would expand training, help address labor shortages, and provide a return on public investment. Opponents from utility contractors, highway contractors, and Associated Contractors of New Mexico said they already operate federally approved in-house training programs, warned the bill would raise project costs, and argued some trades have no accessible approved programs. Members questioned how the bill would interact with existing in-house programs, whether rural contractors and nonunion firms would be affected, and whether the state-approved fund and federal highway training requirements could conflict. A proposed amendment to exempt projects of $50 million or less was introduced but tabled. After extensive debate, the committee voted 6-5 to pass HB 270. The meeting also included discussion of a prior procedural error in which HB 270 had been heard before being properly assigned, which the chair said rendered that earlier action void. At the end of the meeting, the committee received a brief New Mexico Department of Transportation District 3 presentation on district projects, budget, and construction status.

Transcript Highlights:

• permit application in July 2024 and did not grant the permit renewal due to the racetrack needing repairs
• establish statutorily required cash reserves for future operating costs and to cover the cost of repair
• reserves to pay for the authority's operations, such as operating and maintaining the stadium, the repair
• The authority reported that its excess cash reserves are needed for the cost of future repair, replacement
• reserves to pay for the authorities' operations, such as operating and maintaining the stadium, the repair

Committees: House Commerce , House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• Cities must spend far more repairing the damage than the scrap metal of the stolen copper wire in the
• The Copper Street value was around $11,000, but the cost of the repair and the damage is estimated at
• Up to six months, even just to repair.
• We also need funds for environmental repair.
• The funding from state cannabis tax revenue is the only source we have to repair this damage.

Committee: House Business and Professions

Transcript Highlights:

• Also have the ability to repair and trespass. Can we have some order, please? Gentlemen, continue.
• It also says that if you do any damage, ruts, or anything like that, you have to repair those ruts.
• And if you are injured while you're doing the repair on the fence, the owner is not responsible.
• Injured while you're doing the repair on the fence, the owner is not responsible.
• This would say, hey, you can legally do that to fix, repair, or maintain that fence.

Summary: The House first established a quorum after a quorum call, then moved into House Bills for Perfection. House Bill 2297, a fence-law bill, was presented as a way to let livestock owners enter up to 10 feet onto neighboring property to repair fence lines and remove brush or debris on the fence line without being treated as trespassers. Supporters said the current law leaves livestock owners responsible for fences but without a practical way to fix them, creating safety and liability problems; the bill was described as a long-running issue in rural areas. Members discussed property-rights concerns, but the substitute was adopted and the bill was ordered perfected and printed. House Bills 2142 and 2058, dealing with the Missouri film tax incentive program, were then taken up. Sponsors said the program has produced strong economic returns, more productions, jobs, and spending in Missouri, and the bill would modernize the program by combining separate film and TV funding buckets while removing the proposed sunset extension. An amendment to keep the original sunset was adopted, and the bill as amended was perfected and printed after debate over tax credits, workforce development, and whether the incentives should be expanded or curtailed. The House also perfected House Bill 3004, a truth-in-labeling measure for wood products. The sponsor said the bill would protect Missouri’s hardwood industry by requiring products sold in the state to be labeled accurately if they are actually laminate, plastic, rubber, or other non-wood materials. Supporters called it a consumer-protection and industry-preservation bill, while one member questioned how it would apply to online and out-of-state sellers and expressed some reservations. The substitute was adopted and the bill was ordered perfected and printed. House Bills 3283 and 3306 were taken up together and described as a framework for resolving municipal public-employee contract disputes, especially for firefighters and other public employees under the State Board of Mediation. The bill sets a timeline for bargaining, mediation, and arbitration and defines good faith in negotiations; an amendment clarified that teachers and law enforcement are excluded under existing statutory definitions. Supporters said it would prevent years-long contract stalemates and save taxpayer money, while one member raised concerns about whether it would alter existing authority of public governing boards. The amendment and substitute were adopted, and the combined bill was perfected and printed. Finally, House Bill 2536, a restroom and private-space designation bill, drew extensive debate. The sponsor said it would require government-controlled multi-occupancy restrooms, changing rooms, and sleeping quarters to be designated by biological sex, with exceptions for custodial work, emergencies, law enforcement, and adults assisting children or people with disabilities. An amendment was adopted to clarify duties for the Department of Corrections and public safety officers. Supporters framed the bill as a privacy and safety measure for women and girls, citing incidents at schools and Kansas City International Airport; opponents argued it would not prevent crime, could lead to intrusive enforcement, and would harm transgender people and families. The transcript ends with the bill still under discussion, with no final vote shown on the underlying measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• our water quality standards as DEP, and we've also met all of the quality standards, continuing our repairs
• Our equipment has been repaired, and the water is being delivered to the residents in addition to weekly
• What we do have right now is a successful ship repair facility run by Eastern Shipbuilding, with plans
• Port Authority to continue to work with elected county officials to pursue a port direction of ship repair
• Port Authority to continue to work with elected county officials to pursue a port direction of ship repair

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of land use, public records, infrastructure, and local-government bills. The most debated measures were CS for CS for HB 399 and CS for HB 979, both sponsored by Rep. Borrero, which sought to streamline development approvals and reduce local-government barriers. HB 399 would require simple-majority approval for certain land development applications, mandate local definitions of compatibility, and add provisions affecting destination resorts, manufactured housing, historic properties, and a study of urban development boundaries. HB 979 would allow administrative rezoning of environmentally damaged five-acre-or-larger parcels in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties for residential use if adjacent to neighborhoods. Supporters argued both bills would increase housing supply, encourage cleanup of contaminated land, and lower costs; opponents argued they preempt local decision-making, weaken voter-approved growth controls, and do not guarantee affordability. Both bills were amended and then reported favorably, with HB 399 passing 16-10 and HB 979 passing after debate. The committee also approved CS for HB 437, a public records bill by Rep. Andrade, on a 25-0 vote. The bill requires agencies to respond to public records requests within three days by producing the records, citing why they cannot, or giving a good-faith estimate of time and cost; it also limits agencies from later relying on exemptions not previously raised. Proponents said the measure addresses long delays and nonresponses by agencies, while school district representatives warned the timeline could be difficult for large, complex requests. The committee adopted the bill and sent it favorably. Several local and special district bills were also approved. CS for CS for HB 1103 would help local governments coordinate with FWC on derelict vessels and anchoring issues and passed unanimously. CS for HB 1245, dealing with biosolids regulation, also passed unanimously. CS for HB 4081 to expand the East Point Water and Sewer District passed 25-0. CS for HB 4103, creating a state special district for the Apalachicola water and sewer system, passed 25-1 after testimony from city officials who argued the city had improved its water system and should retain a role. CS for HB 4105, expanding the Port St. Joe Port Authority into a multi-county regional board, passed 23-3 despite opposition from residents concerned about infrastructure, environmental impacts, and local control. The committee also began consideration of PCS for CS for HB 433, an agriculture-related bill with changes to surplus lands and other provisions, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the bill, the Enforcement Accountability and Community Repair Act is created in the state treasurer's
• Under the bill, the Enforcement Accountability and Community Repair Act is created in the state treasurer's
• And the money goes directly into an account dedicated to community repair, housing, food, wage replacement
• If anybody has any questions about school bus repair and maintenance, I'd be glad to answer them. ...
• school bus repair and maintenance.

Bills: SB5808 , HB2254 , HB2385 , SB6006 , SB6351 , SB6198 , SB6260 , SB6353 , SB5949 , SB6129 , SB6228 , SB6231 , SB6229 , SB6173

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: health insurance, premium assistance, funding, healthcare access, state budget, HB 2254, Washington, Health Care Authority, partnership access line, psychiatric consultation line, first approach skills training, behavioral health, mental health, assessment, administrative costs, health carriers, self-funded plans, multiple employer welfare arrangement, MEWA, employers

Transcript Highlights:

• These dollars are critical for cities and towns, allowing them to address essential repair and improvement
• projects, And towns, allowing them to address essential repair and improvement projects, including small
• funding to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars just to bring our roads to the state of good repair
• Every one of them has a shovel-ready project that could repair crumbling roads or advance another type
• of emissions, and we have billions of dollars of backlog maintenance at the MBTA, bridges needing repair

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 55, the governor’s FY25 supplemental budget proposal to spend about $1.3 billion in surplus Fair Share revenue. House and Senate chairs framed the bill as a one-time opportunity to invest fairly in education and transportation, while also noting the need to protect the state’s long-term fiscal balance. Administration officials said the proposal should be considered alongside the FY26 budget and related bills, since the governor’s broader Fair Share plan aims for roughly an even split between education and transportation over time. Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorzkowicz, Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt, and Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler outlined the administration’s priorities. Transportation funding would go mainly to the MBTA and related reserves, including money for the Federal Transit Administration reserve, MBTA stabilization reserve, low-income fares, winter resilience, RTA workforce support, MassDOT workforce and project delivery, and micro-transit grants. Education funding would support universal preschool expansion, early education and care capacity, early literacy tutoring, adult basic education and ESOL, early college and career technical education, MyCAP expansion, and special education circuit breaker funding. The administration emphasized that many of these investments are one-time or multi-year measures designed to address current needs without creating unsustainable recurring costs. Committee members raised concerns about regional equity, especially the large share of transportation money going to the MBTA versus regional transit authorities and rural areas. Several members asked for more detail on how the proposal would benefit Western Massachusetts and other non-MBTA regions, and whether micro-transit and Chapter 90-related investments would be sufficient. Education questions focused on special education reimbursement shortfalls, federal funding cuts to school districts, and how CTE and vocational investments would align students with workforce needs. The administration said it would provide additional data on MBTA versus RTA investment and explained that the special education circuit breaker and transportation reimbursement changes were intended to improve predictability and relief for districts. After the administration panel, Jessica Tang of AFT Massachusetts testified in support of using Fair Share funds to protect public education amid federal uncertainty and cuts. She argued that schools are facing a fiscal cliff, that vulnerable students would be hit hardest by funding losses, and that the Fair Share revenue should be used to preserve services and support students’ needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Camp Blanding to a level two facility, and we provide $4.5 million for capital improvements and repairs
• This funding will put a dent in the list of repairs needed across all the state's armories. We...
• Put a dent in the list of repairs needed across all the state's armories.
• state-owned buildings, including completing the repairs that we've all witnessed over at the Knop Building
• to our... ...$2 billion, I think, in emergency repairs to our state prisons in order to just mitigate

Transcript Highlights:

• They're not doing the job that needs to get done with the repairs and maintenance of Morgan County. the
• get<00:38:00.880><c> done</c><00:38:01.280><c> with</c><00:38:01.520><c> the</c><00:38:01.760><c> repairs
• </c><00:38:02.079><c> and</c> get done with the repairs and get done with the repairs and maintenance
• that he was in the legislature, because of the road conditions, he spent more than $10,000 on car repairs
• And that hasn't on road uh car repairs.

Transcript Highlights:

• are using the system and if there's a legitimate reason why they're not driving because of a car repair
• /c><00:13:22.320><c> the</c><00:13:22.560><c> car</c><00:13:22.720><c> needs</c><00:13:23.079><c> repair
• </c><00:13:24.240><c> uh</c><00:13:24.399><c> and</c><00:13:24.639><c> if</c> uh if the car needs repair
• uh and if uh if the car needs repair uh and if there's<00:13:26.160><c> you</c><00:13:26.320><c> know
• > the</c><00:14:15.440><c> car</c><00:14:15.680><c> breaks</c><00:14:16.000><c> down</c> of a car repair

Committee: Senate Rules and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Recommendations include $115,000. million for operational cost increases and 259 million for repairs
• This would repair, put a new roof on it, it would do lots of the new.
• Unit maintenance. plumbing, fire alarm systems, daily repairs, but as we've added more infrastructure
• Costs have increased in materials, repairs, utilities, and services.
• In TTC pages at LAR, they did that the funding request they are looking for those repairs and this is

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V