Transcript Highlights:

• so the second part uh new interchange so the second part that<00:20:11.280> I<00:20:11.400>
• The related interchange analysis is probably the area where we're using pretty conservative estimates
• The related interchange analysis is probably the area where we're using pretty conservative estimates
• in so is that all interchange in so is that all those<00:46:32.079> factors<00:46:32.960>
• Generating funds to plan, design, build, and maintain interchanges takes several years, in some senses

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ..reduced, that has a new higher interchange rate.
• You can go on and look at every interchange rate that MasterCard and Visa does.
• The interchange rate is what is established by Visa and MasterCard, which figures into the interchange
• rewards would have higher overall interchange rates.
• interchange fees; merchants do.

Bills: SB231, SB584, SB600, SB668, SB841, SB986, SB1003, SB1244, SB1625, SB1960, SB1963, SB1964, SB2026, SB2056, SB2368

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Transcript Highlights:

• This is modernizing one of our oldest interchanges on I-95.
• We're installing a diverging diamond interchange.
• It is one of the first new interchanges we are adding to I-4 in 10 years.
• And it is one of the first new interchanges we are adding to I-4 in 10 years.
• We've already spoken about the Golden Glades Interchange.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met to hear presentations from the Department of Commerce and the Florida Department of Transportation. Jason Mahon of Florida Commerce outlined the state’s economic development strategy, emphasizing Florida’s GDP growth, business formation, and strengths in manufacturing, high-tech, life sciences, defense, and financial services. He described the department’s tools for small business lending, rural investment tax credits, venture capital support, infrastructure and workforce grants, performance-based incentives, and disaster recovery loans, and highlighted examples such as ServiceNow, Williams International, Asteris, and Point Blank Enterprises. Senators asked about grant availability for small businesses, foreign companies relocating to Florida, workforce shortages in manufacturing, and whether additional tools may be needed; Mahon said most small-business support is loan-based and noted ongoing workforce and infrastructure challenges. Jennifer Marshall of FDOT then reviewed major transportation projects and the Moving Florida Forward initiative, describing the state’s large portfolio of active contracts and major congestion-relief projects across Florida. She highlighted early completions and accelerated timelines on projects including the NASA Causeway Bridge, I-95 at US 1 in Volusia County, I-4 congestion relief lanes, the First Coast Expressway, the Howard Frankland Bridge, I-4 interchanges in Central Florida, A1A coastal protection work, I-75 improvements in Southwest Florida, and the I-395 reconstruction in Miami. Senators asked about how express lane projects are selected, whether toll revenues are used for local maintenance and improvements, the status of the Miami I-395 project, and the impact of losing electric-vehicle express lane exemptions. Marshall said FDOT works with local long-range plans and congestion data, and that she would follow up on several specific funding and project questions. Committee members generally praised both agencies for project delivery, cost savings, and coordination with local partners. Senator Mayfield noted the importance of using savings and working with local governments, while Senator Wright commended Commerce’s role in economic development and FDOT’s work on major road projects. The meeting concluded with no further business, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, is how many of these are interchangeable from ship to ship?
• Correct me if this is wrong, but I think they're completely interchangeable.
• The deck hands all interchangeable.
• The mate, I think, largely interchangeable, and I think the captains all interchangeable.
• So if we move a boat, they're less interchangeable in the end.

Summary: The committee met to hear an update from Washington State Ferries on capital projects and workforce issues, beginning with a briefing on the agency’s long-term fleet and terminal needs. WSF officials described the history of underinvestment after the late 1990s, the current fleet reduction from 25 to 21 vessels, and the need to keep older boats in service while moving toward a 26-vessel long-range fleet and hybrid-electric operations. They said the agency is transitioning to a new vessel procurement strategy, with Eastern Shipbuilding selected to build up to three 160-car hybrid-electric ferries, and outlined a schedule that includes contract execution, about a year of design work, steel cutting in fall 2026, and several years of construction. Members raised concerns about the higher cost of electrified vessels, the length of the schedule, the adequacy of liquidated damages and incentives, the risks of building in Florida and transporting vessels to Washington, and whether the contract sufficiently protects the state from cost overruns and design problems. The committee also received an update on the Wenatchee conversion, which officials said is days away from entering service as the first large hybrid-electric ferry conversion. WSF explained that the conversion combined required midlife preservation work with propulsion upgrades and battery installation, and that the project took longer and cost more than originally expected because it was a prototype with significant lessons learned. Officials said the Tacoma and Puyallup conversions would follow later, but those decisions were being delayed until after the World Cup to avoid service disruptions. Members asked about the cost-effectiveness of the conversion, the expected fuel and emissions reductions, and what happens to engine crews during long conversion periods; WSF said crews were embedded in the project and that the conversions should reduce diesel use substantially once terminal charging is available. The meeting then shifted to workforce development, with Siegel consultants reviewing their 2021 and 2024 studies of ferry staffing, overtime, recruitment, and workplace culture. They said the earlier problems stemmed from seasonal staffing practices, low winter hours, limited career progression, a narrow maritime recruiting pipeline, and a culture that made retention difficult. Since then, they reported major improvements: staffing has increased from about 1,500 to 1,900, turnover has fallen, captain and engineer shortages have eased, and recruitment has broadened beyond the traditional maritime pool, including more women and other underrepresented workers. They credited new programs such as guaranteed hours, paid pilotage, AB-to-mate pathways, and the “Turning of the Tide” culture campaign, while noting remaining issues with communication, HR access, accountability, and quality of life. Members generally acknowledged the progress but asked whether staffing levels are now sufficient and how interchangeable crews are across vessels and routes. Finally, terminal engineering staff began a presentation on capital terminal work, starting with the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal. They described the terminal’s age, low elevation, vulnerability to sea level rise and earthquakes, and the need for replacement piles, beams, and improved vehicle circulation. The agency said it has completed a planning and environmental linkage study, is moving into NEPA/state environmental review, and has been working with the community to balance the needs of Southworth and Vashon riders with neighborhood concerns in Fauntleroy. The preferred alternative is a larger offshore dock footprint that would improve capacity and reliability while reducing impacts to eelgrass habitat. The meeting ended before the terminal discussion was complete.

Transcript Highlights:

• known as the South West 49th Street interchange.
• I-75 at Fruitville Road Interchange.
• But we're seeing real choke points that are interchanges.
• I just want to show you what that interchange reconstruction will look like.
• As you go through the interchange.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Bills: HB137, HB283, HCR114, HB137, HB283, HB1398, HB1960, HB2153, HB2431, HB2638, HB2699, HB2999, HB3208, HB3389, HB3413, HB3510, HB3642, HB3859, HB3974, HB3986, HB4142, HB4173, HB4174, HB4542, HB4605, HB4663, HB4731, HB5064, HB5216, HB5218, HB5332, HB5453, HB5577

Keywords: state budget, fiscal biennium, budget repeal, financial management, state funding, Medicaid, healthcare access, Affordable Care Act, federal funding, low-income individuals, insurance coverage, memorial, pedestrian bridge, Houston, Sergio Ivan Rodriguez, city council, oversize vehicles, transportation permits, Hidalgo County, port authority

Bills: HCR114, HB137, HB283, HB1398, HB1960, HB2153, HB2431, HB2638, HB2699, HB2999, HB3208, HB3389, HB3413, HB3510, HB3642, HB3859, HB3974, HB3986, HB4142, HB4173, HB4174, HB4542, HB4605, HB4663, HB4731, HB5064, HB5216, HB5218, HB5332, HB5453, HB5577, HB137, HB283

Keywords: memorial, pedestrian bridge, Houston, Sergio Ivan Rodriguez, city council, oversize vehicles, transportation permits, Hidalgo County, port authority, highway routes, healthcare, insurance, mental health, treatment access, state funding, transportation, axle weight, aggregates, regulations, Texas law

Transcript Highlights:

• the confusion around interchangeables the confusion around interchangeables and<02:20:31.479>
• we believe that the interchangeable we believe that the interchangeable designation<02:28:15.479
• flexibility if the interchangeability flexibility if the interchangeability status<02:35:58.439>
• It would remove that interchangeable designation and allow a biosimilar that's not considered interchangeable
• they are restricted to interchangeables they are restricted to interchangeables only<02:44:12.399

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• processing or interstate interchange processing or interstate interchange fees<01:30:55.520>
• This would clearly state that that interchange fee that corresponds with what they are charged by the
• fee that the credit card interchange fee that the credit card processing<01:31:42.560> company
• >> Uh well, the county does not charge a sales tax on that interchange fee that they charge.
• trying to offset the interchange fee. trying to offset the interchange fee.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 25 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer by Reverend Max Smith of Jesus Name Tabernacle in Florence, and then led the Pledge of Allegiance. The chamber quickly dispensed with the reading of the journal and committee reports, and then spent much of the morning recognizing guests, including multiple FFA groups, the Mississippi FFA state officer team, the Mississippi Food Bank Collaborative, optometrists visiting for Optometry Day, and representatives from engineering and fire service organizations. On the calendar, the Senate took up several finance-related bills. Senate Bill 2824, extending deadlines related to renewable energy fee-in-lieu agreements and construction start dates, was explained and adopted, then passed by use of the morning roll call with three no votes and one present. Senate Bill 2867, revising the income tax credit for employer-provided dependent child care or child care stipends, was explained as a targeted, capped credit for actual employer spending on licensed child care; it was adopted and passed by morning roll call. Senate Bill 3109, clarifying that a nonprofit leasing and managing LaFleur’s Bluff State Park land is not subject to ad valorem taxes on state-owned park land, was adopted and passed by morning roll call with one no vote. The Senate also considered Senate Bill 2840, which would provide a 75% rebate or sales tax credit related to inventory taxes and eliminate local privilege taxes. After extended discussion, the committee substitute was adopted, a reverse repealer amendment was added, and the bill passed by morning roll call with one no vote. Senators discussed the burden of inventory taxes on retailers and the need for more data before fully implementing the proposal. Finally, Senate Bill 2868, creating a tax credit tied to employer contributions for individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements (ICHRAs), was introduced and explained as a way to encourage employer-supported health coverage for small and midsize businesses; the transcript cuts off during the explanation before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you look at I-4 Ultimate in basically downtown Orlando, we reconstructed every interchange.
• One, there is a new interchange that was actually planned for this area in Ocala, Marion County.
• It's known as the Southwest 49th Street interchange.
• I-75 at Fruitville Road interchange.
• I just wanted to show you what that interchange reconstruction will look like.

Summary: The committee met to receive a base budget overview for agencies under its jurisdiction, which include the Division of Emergency Management, Department of Commerce, Department of State, Department of Transportation, Department of Military Affairs, and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Staff explained the budget format and noted that the Legislature appropriated more than $20.2 billion to these agencies in the current fiscal year, a 66.7% increase over 10 years. The Department of Transportation then presented on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, describing it as a $7 billion effort to advance 20 major congestion-relief projects statewide. Secretary Jared Perdue said the department is ahead of schedule, with 14 of 20 projects expected to be underway by the end of the calendar year. He highlighted major projects including I-4 in Polk and Osceola counties, I-75 improvements, Southwest 10th Street in Broward County, Fruitville Road, Capital Circle in Tallahassee, and I-275, and discussed innovations such as aggregate supply grants, modified phase design-build, workforce hiring events, and voluntary acceleration. Senators asked about business impacts from construction, tourism-related transit funding, aggregate sourcing, and labor shortages; the secretary said FDOT works with local businesses and that additional revenue sources for transit would require legislative action. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reviewed motorist services, revenue collection, licensing, vehicle titling, specialty plates, insurance compliance, driver safety, and commercial driver licensing. Officials said the department collected about $2.9 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2023-24 and described modernization efforts, including electronic verification systems, Real ID compliance, mobile licensing units, and a planned digital driver license. Members asked about the driver license backlog in Miami-Dade and Broward, and the department said service delays were driven by growth and staffing constraints but should improve with $7.5 million in recent funding and the eventual transition of services to county tax collectors. Questions also addressed temporary paper licenses and birth certificate fraud prevention. The Department of Commerce presented on the Job Growth Grant Fund and Visit Florida. Commerce said the grant fund, created in 2017, has awarded $257 million to 70 projects in 37 counties since 2019, with demand exceeding supply about four to one. Officials emphasized that the program supports targeted industries and workforce and infrastructure projects, and they highlighted examples in CDL training, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and health care. Senators raised concerns about small businesses affected by transportation construction, and Commerce said it has an Office of Small Business Innovation and other tools, though the grant fund is limited by statute to targeted industries. Visit Florida then described its public-private tourism marketing role, saying the state’s $80 million appropriation is matched by private investment and that the latest EDR review found a $3.30 return in tax revenue for every state dollar spent. Visit Florida reported record visitation and tourism spending, along with hurricane recovery marketing and rural promotion efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's also a new 494 interchange There's also a new 494 interchange planned<00:47:04.319> at
• location will happen, this interchange location will happen, this interchange is<00:47:20.319>
• accommodating a future 494 interchange accommodating a future 494 interchange into<00:48:28.800>
• Um so connecting into the interchange.
• <00:48:48.319> A interchange as a result of that. A interchange as a result of that.

Bills: HF3700, HF3982, HF3927, HF3933, HF3949, HF4238, HF4275, HF4476, HF4504

Keywords: Duluth, Lake Superior Zoo, capital improvements, funding, bonds, appropriations, capital investment, port development, grant caps, state assistance, navigation facilities, Dakota County, state bonds, park improvements, infrastructure, transportation, safety, congestion, water infrastructure, bond issuance

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to be really clear that they achieved this not by adding more interchanges or more lanes, but
• or more lanes, but by more interchanges or more lanes, but by employing<00:20:32.559> traffic
• Thank you for including funding for the interchange at Interstate 35 and County Road 50 in the bill.
• Lastly, on a separate note, we support the greenhouse gas revisions interchange.
• Dakota County is also interchange.

Bills: HF2438

Keywords: transportation finance, transportation policy, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Metropolitan Council, highway funding, trunk highway fund, county state-aid highway fund, municipal state-aid street fund, state aid roads, local roads, bridge funding, road construction, transit funding, passenger rail, freight rail, aviation, airport development, safe routes to school

Transcript Highlights:

• One of them, as you can see, is the I-25 Gibson interchange.
• One of them, as you can see, is I-25 Gibson interchange.
• At some point, when I first started my tenure here on this committee, the I-25 Gibson Interchange, because
• , because of its structural issues, That I-25 and the Gibson Interchange, because of its structural issues
• I still have the lingering concern about I-25 and the Gibson Interchange, because those are constituents

Keywords: 996, all

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:

• review because it recommends changing California’s longstanding policy to now allow therapeutic interchange
• The proposal reads in part that such interchanges include, but are not limited to, the use of biosimilars
• review because it recommends changing California's longstanding policy to now allow therapeutic interchange
• Pharma is concerned that the therapeutic interchange by a pharmacist is harmful to the patient-physician
• And we have objections and concerns about the therapeutic interchange language that was provided to the

Summary: The joint Assembly and Senate business committees held a sunset review hearing on the California State Board of Pharmacy, with board leadership describing the board’s consumer-protection role and its priorities around access, enforcement, and updating pharmacy law. The board emphasized a proposed shift toward a standard-of-care model for pharmacists, arguing it would reduce rigid protocol requirements and improve access to services such as HIV PrEP/PEP, contraception, and naloxone. Board representatives also discussed pharmacy deserts, possible fee waivers for pharmacies in underserved areas, concerns about payer practices contributing to closures, continuing education audits, and a request to restore more flexibility in licensure decisions and probationary monitoring for applicants with certain criminal histories. A major focus of the hearing was the board’s ongoing compounding regulations, especially the treatment of sterile versus nonsterile compounding and substances such as glutathione and methylcobalamin. The board said the proposal was not a ban on those substances and described the rulemaking as grounded in federal law, USP standards, and public comment, noting the process had gone through multiple modified texts and hearings. Testimony from stakeholders was sharply divided: pharmacists, veterinarians, firefighters, naturopathic doctors, and patient advocates warned the rules were restricting access to compounded medications and harming patients and first responders, while the California Medical Association, psychiatric physicians, and PhRMA raised concerns that the board’s proposals could expand pharmacist authority beyond training, affect physician practice, or create safety risks. Other public comments addressed pharmacy technician ratios, remote processing, flavoring medications, hospital-specific regulation, budget and enforcement transparency, and whether the board should add members with community compounding or pharmacy technician expertise. Committee members also asked about the board’s oversight priorities and the rationale for its standard-of-care proposal. Board staff explained that consumer protection includes education, licensing, policy, and enforcement, with the highest-priority enforcement cases being those posing imminent public harm. After public testimony concluded, the chairs thanked participants and adjourned the sunset review hearing, announcing an immediate transition to the joint informational hearing on the Department of Cannabis Control.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not just a local interchange project.
• Has to do with an interchange or a new interchange on Interstate 35.
• <01:23:20.040> a<01:23:20.120> new<01:23:20.320> interchange interchange or a new
• a new interchange interchange or a new a new interchange on<01:23:21.320> on<01:23:21.480>
• We do own three of the four interchange corners, along with sewer and water infrastructure.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They, uh, because of the close spacing of interchanges along I-93 in Concord, the outdoor advertising
• But seeing a prominent device at an interchange creates an expectation in the minds of applicants that
• ,<01:25:34.719> which 500 ft of the highway interchange, which 500 ft of the highway interchange
• creates an expectation in interchange creates an expectation in the<01:28:58.960> minds<01:28
• <01:29:51.600> is it's not allowed near interchanges is it's not allowed near interchanges

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The current interchange adds to pollution and miles traveled.
• So, um, we're not looking for a new interchange.
• We're just trying to complete an existing interchange that exists.
• So, um, we're not looking for a new interchange.
• , stress on other interchanges, stress on other interchanges, particularly<01:09:34.400> Highway

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:31:35.000> stating<00:31:35.399> that interchangeability stating that interchangeability
• <00:31:45.840> biosimilar<00:31:46.840> just<00:31:47.080> as as an interchangeable
• biosimilar just as as an interchangeable biosimilar just as they<00:31:47.399> would<00:31:47.600
• Sounds like biologics are a different category of drugs that are not rated as interchangeable.
• um correct me if I'm interchangeable um correct me if I'm wrong<00:41:18.560> on<00:41:18.839

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, House Bill 4299 is looking to rename the interchange at Indian Hills and I-35 the Toby Keith
• interchange.
• And this is looking to rename the interchange over I-35 that bridge Indian Hills Ridge.

Bills: HB3147, HB4299, HB4265, HB4266

Keywords: special license plates, Route 66, Oklahoma, funding, community support, memorial, infrastructure, transportation, Toby Keith, road designation, highway, bridge, license plates, Oklahoma State Beekeepers Association, higher education, special interest, vehicle registration, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This Thursday, we're actually going to break ground on our Los Lunas Boulevard, the new I-25 interchange
• We are late for a third interchange, so in the future, we would definitely need that on the northern
• Meet and talk more about the Los Lunas Boulevard interchange. But with that, I stand for questions.
• Archuleta, and it's about the interchange project.
• Will include the new interchange, the river bridge, and the roadway extension to New Mexico Highway 47