Transcript Highlights:

• They must do this by getting bids in a request for proposal process run by an independent third party
• </c><00:42:35.839><c> in</c><00:42:36.079><c> a</c> They must do this by getting bids in a They must
• they need to bid and that all<00:42:47.760><c> are</c><00:42:47.920><c> on</c><00:42:48.000><c> an</
• In this new era of decentralized energy infrastructure, competition will drive down costs, privatize
• competitively um open market<01:10:20.719><c> kind</c><01:10:20.960><c> of</c><01:10:21.520><c> um</

Bills: HF2986 , HF3555

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: virtual power plant, VPP, distributed energy resources, DER, demand response, load management, grid modernization, peak demand, peak shaving, battery storage, energy storage, solar photovoltaic, solar panels, electric vehicles, smart thermostats, heat pumps, aggregator, public utilities commission, PUC, rate recovery

Transcript Highlights:

• This is due to a lack of negotiation, vendor competition, and limited economies of scale. 63% of our
• Additionally, while there are only a few vendors nationwide, the state could try to solicit bids from
• additional vendors and determine why vendors haven't bid in our state previously.
• Bieber does a good job, but, you know, on a periodic basis, you want to try to go back out to bid.
• Uh, Invitations to bid awards were not put out as quickly as they should be done.

Transcript Highlights:

• only to meet its own infrastructure needs, but to develop skilled workers who make our state more competitive
• I would assume, some kind of indication that the people that are going to be hired or awarded that bid
• So, in your opinion, would bringing this group in and making mandatory contributions affect the bid costs
• If this highway project, this construction project, I, as a contractor, put a bid on, I know I need 50
• Chair, Representative Brown, I believe all the districts went into a competition for this.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 322, as amended, which would create a transportation trust fund and transportation program fund. The sponsor explained that the amendment removed a proposed 1% gross receipts tax on electricity sales, while leaving the broader financing structure in place, including a $400 million seed appropriation and future transfers from motor vehicle excise tax revenues into the new funds and related road accounts. Associated Contractors of New Mexico and the Asphalt Pavement Association testified in support, and there was no opposition. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill on a do-pass vote. The committee then heard HB 270, a public works/apprenticeship bill that would require contributions to approved apprenticeship and training programs or the Public Works Apprentice and Training Fund for certain public works projects, while preserving a zero contribution rate where no approved program exists for a classification. Supporters, including union carpenters, electrical workers, and building trades representatives, argued the bill would close loopholes, expand training opportunities, and strengthen the workforce. Opponents, including utility contractors, highway contractors, and Associated Contractors of New Mexico, argued it would raise project costs, duplicate existing federally approved training programs such as TTCP, and unfairly require payments from contractors who already train workers in-house or cannot access approved programs. Members debated whether the bill would affect existing in-house programs, rural access to training, and whether the language conflicted with existing law. An amendment to limit the bill to projects of $50 million or less was tabled, and the committee then passed HB 270 on a 6-5 do-pass vote. After the bill vote, the committee received a District 3 New Mexico Department of Transportation presentation covering project status, funding, and equipment needs in Bernalillo, Valencia, and parts of Sandoval and Socorro counties. DOT staff reviewed completed and upcoming maintenance and STIP projects, local government and school district cooperative projects, and equipment requests. Members asked about delays on the Rio Bravo Bridge project, which DOT said were caused by utility coordination issues, and about the I-25/Gibson interchange, which remains in design and development with later-year funding anticipated. The presentation also addressed specific local projects such as Paseo del Norte and Paseo del Volcán.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, some of those placements or some of those competitive fill opportunities at Frontline
• We did an early bid package that did the site and foundation portion of the project.
• Currently, this one is out to bid, so bid packages are out for subcontractors to bid on.
• Uh, we are anticipating going out to bid in July or early August of 2026.
• </c> Uh, we are anticipating going out to bid Uh, we are anticipating going out to bid in<00:42:47.640

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary received an update from the Administrative Office of the Courts on implementation of House Bill 504, the judicial branch budget, and court facility projects. AOC leaders said they do not anticipate problems balancing the outgoing biennium or fiscal year 2026, and explained that the budget changes were driven by the need to reduce costs while preserving required constitutional, court-rule, and statutory services. They also said the new filing fee increases authorized by HB 504 took effect that day and are expected to generate up to $5 million, while the reorganization is projected to save about $3 million in general fund dollars. The bulk of the presentation focused on a major reorganization of the Office of Statewide Programs, which includes specialty courts, family and juvenile services, and pretrial services. AOC said the plan eliminates 170 positions and creates 109 new ones, mainly by reducing middle-management layers, expanding regional service delivery, and cross-training staff. Officials said 110 employees had already been offered or accepted placements, 24 had chosen voluntary separation, and the final number of employees leaving remains fluid until the process concludes around August 1. They emphasized that specialty court programs were not eliminated, but state-funded treatment court contracts and behavioral health liaison positions were removed, with treatment costs shifted to Medicaid or participants where appropriate. Members asked about the process, staffing impacts, specialty court participation, juvenile services, and how AOC will monitor the changes. AOC said the reorganization was developed by leadership, HR, and legal staff under direction of the Chief Justice and approved by the Supreme Court, and that it is intended to improve efficiency and frontline support rather than reduce services. They said specialty court participant levels are being watched closely, that CDW services will continue to use outside providers for programming, and that the agency will keep judges and stakeholders informed as the new structure goes into effect. No votes were taken, and the committee did not approve minutes because a quorum was not present.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under this amendment, any contract for medically tailored meals must include a competitive bidding process
• , and DSHS and the Health Care Authority must award a credit of 5 to 10% of the bid price for bid proposals
• When we put out a bid, we said if folks want to build them in Washington State, they get a 10 to 15%
• When we put out a bid, we said if folks want to build them in Washington State, they get a 10 to 15%
• Get a 10 to 15% credit, excuse me, five to 10% kind of bid credit for bidding on these meals or, in that

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee met on February 24 to executive a large docket of bills and one gubernatorial appointment. The committee first heard and then moved several bills in two packets. Topics included the Community Protection Program (SHB 1390), jail search policies for transgender and intersex individuals (EHB 1604), medically tailored meals (EHB 2211), limits on DSHS reviews of community residential service providers (SHB 2230), and a children and youth behavioral health coordination bill (2SHB 2429). Later, the committee also considered bills on foster care licensing and adult family homes (SHB 2505), DOC supervision of stalking convictions (HB 2510), inmate funds and indigency thresholds (SHB 2539), and transparency for residential habilitation centers (SHB 2350), along with the reappointment of Corey McNally to the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board. Most of the debate centered on SHB 1390 and EHB 1604, where Senator Christian offered numerous amendments aimed at adding restrictions, notifications, assessments, and delays; most of those amendments failed on party-line votes. On SHB 1390, the committee adopted only a technical amendment updating agency names and references, then advanced the bill to Rules. On EHB 1604, all proposed amendments failed and the bill was sent to Rules. On EHB 2211, an amendment to add a competitive bidding credit for nonprofit and small-business meal vendors failed, and the bill advanced. SHB 2230 moved forward without amendment, and 2SHB 2429 was amended with a striking amendment and referred to Ways and Means because of its fiscal impact. In the second packet, SHB 2505 and HB 2510 were both moved out of committee without amendment. On SHB 2539, the committee rejected an amendment to lower the indigency threshold to $50, adopted an amendment allowing the threshold to be at least $100 and adjustable, and then advanced the bill as amended. On SHB 2350, the committee adopted a negotiated amendment requiring notices about residential habilitation center noncompliance to be emailed to relevant legislative committees, withdrew a second notice amendment, and passed the bill. The committee also voted to recommend confirmation of Corey McNally’s appointment to the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board. Several bills were reported out subject to signatures, and the meeting adjourned after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• bid process.
• bid process.
• bid process.
• bid process.
• bid process.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bidding.
• First, what is competitive sealed bidding?
• bidding.
• First, what is competitive sealed bidding? Thank you. “For the next election.
• And so we rely on that emergency bid procedure.

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Summary: The Committee on House and Governmental Affairs met on March 18 and first adopted the minutes from its February 21 meeting. The committee then took up HB 250, which would have narrowed financial disclosure requirements for appointed, unpaid board and commission members by exempting immediate family information. Supporters said the bill would reduce burdens and help recruit volunteers, while opponents argued it would weaken ethics enforcement and create opportunities for undisclosed conflicts of interest. After debate and a roll call, the committee deadlocked and HB 250 failed to advance on a 6-6 vote with one abstention. The committee next considered HB 576, which transfers ownership and maintenance responsibility for the Old Governor’s Mansion to the Department of State and codifies its current operational role. Secretary of State Nancy Landry and mansion staff testified in support, describing expanded programming, increased visitors, and the need to align the statute with current practice. The committee adopted technical amendments and then reported HB 576 favorably without objection. The committee also heard HB 117, which recreates the Department of State and its statutory entities through July 1, 2033, and reported it favorably without objection. The major remaining item was HB 842, the annual omnibus elections bill, which makes numerous technical and substantive changes to election law, including voter assistance for people with disabilities, absentee ballot and petition procedures, inactive voter updates, and election contest deadlines. Several members and public witnesses raised concerns about disability documentation, absentee ballot curing, witness requirements, constitutional amendment challenge deadlines, and the scope of authority given to the Secretary of State, while others said the bill clarified existing practice and improved election administration. After adopting amendments and rejecting a motion to defer, the committee reported HB 842 favorably by an 8-5 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is pretty simple, simply about competition.
• In a competitive system, if a competitive generator makes an investment decision that goes wrong, they
• Or you can inject some kind of pseudo-competition, a government-mandated competition.
• It’s time to get competition into Missouri’s utilities.”
• “Market to fair competition.

Committee: House General Laws

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We just let the bids. There's vertical structures going to be built on that facility.
• We just let the bids on that. Actually, it's going out this morning.
• Operations for all 19 canteen locations were awarded and privatized through the competitive bid process
• We actually have a bid out right now, it closed, we haven't seen it yet.
• We used to have contract bids.

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We haven't gotten a bid on Midland, but we're going to with your bill that just passed the Senate today
• The big piece for me right now is that we have no competition.
• Currently, we have one underwriter that will bid on us.
• For three years, we've had two years where we only had one underwriter bid on us, and one year where
• we had two underwriters bid on us.

Bills: SB397 , SB481 , SB596 , SB760 , SB855 , SB1195 , SB1196 , SB1233 , SB1257 , SB1318 , SB1368 , SB1388 , SB1398 , SB1524 , SB1558 , SB1589 , SB1677 , SB1792 , SB2034

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: SB 397, telemedicine, telehealth, teledentistry, remote care, virtual care, consent documentation, patient consent, data collection, data sharing, audio-only telehealth, in-person examination, irreversible medical procedure, health professional regulation, Occupations Code, Texas Health and Human Services, medical records, provider compliance, data privacy, consumer rights

Transcript Highlights:

• They put a bid in on a job and tell them you'll need a permit.
• in on a job and permit they put a bid in on a job and tell<00:06:29.720><c> them</c><00:06:29.800><c
• It does offer a competitive advantage, and frankly, that doesn't seem fair to some folks.
• It does offer a competitive advantage, and frankly, that doesn't seem fair to some folks.
• It does offer a competitive advantage, and frankly, that doesn't seem fair to some folks.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to current law, which requires the Director of Revenue to award fee office contracts through a competitive
• bidding process.
• This act provides that if no competitive bids are received, the director shall be authorized to enter
• bidding process.
• This act provides that if no competitive bids are received, the director shall be authorized to enter

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the House Journal by a 125-0 roll call vote. Members then spent a large portion of the morning recognizing special guests, interns, students, and constituents, including school groups, interns, a Savannah Bananas player, and several birthday and personal privilege announcements. On legislation, the House agreed to conference on Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1421. The chamber then took up Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1000, a bipartisan measure to reauthorize the Missouri Tourism Supplemental Revenue Fund and continue support for the Division of Tourism and Missouri Film Office. Supporters from both parties emphasized tourism’s economic importance statewide; the bill passed 136-6. The House next debated House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1020, an omnibus Department of Revenue bill covering fee office contracting, vehicle registration penalties, Real ID document retention, and other DOR changes. The body adopted an amendment lowering late registration penalties, making document retention opt-in, and restoring a five-year plate option, followed by a second amendment removing cosmetic damage as a basis for rejecting rebuilt-vehicle inspections. The bill then passed 130-10. Later, the House began debate on a combined judiciary/civil legislation bill involving insurance assignment-of-benefits restrictions, anti-SLAPP protections, workers’ compensation and court administration changes, and expungement-related funding; members adopted a title change and several amendments, including one to make attorney-fee awards more even in anti-SLAPP motions, while also debating a proposed St. Louis police legal expense fund amendment and whether it had been properly vetted.

Transcript Highlights:

• We put out a bid for private companies to come and say we're going to build this road.
• Here's how much our bid is, but we don't have TxDOT itself submitting a bid and saying that they're going
• Ultimately, not only does it distort our competitive market, but then we're in the business of using,
• bidding process where we have vendors that come in and do that work.
• You let that bid out, and the person doesn’t have to do as much as it actually costs.

Bills: HB45 , HB755 , HB 1232 , HB1555 , HB2460 , HB2702 , HB2973 , HB3120 , HB3225 , HB3314 , HB3356 , HB3371 , HB3634 , HB3638 , HB4247 , HB4283 , HB4290 , HB4302 , HB4503 , HB4511 , HB4565 , HB4581 , HB4627 , HB4632 , HB4660 , HB4668 , HB4960 , HB5042 , HB45

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: housing, affordable housing, rent control, landlord-tenant laws, housing rights, lobbying, public entities, expenditures, government code, transparency, Texas Ethics Commission, government regulation, lobbying restrictions, government accountability, taxpayer money, HB 1232, whistleblower, whistleblower protection, public employee, retaliation

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 149 by Senator Foil amends Title 39, Issue and Sale of General Obligation Bonds, to provide for bid
• construction-based contracts, to authorize DOTD to use certain contracts for certain projects; provide for competitive
• low-bid, best-value IDIQ construction-based contracts; provide for procedures and requirements.
• DOT to go out and specifically get a price on patches for roads, a preset determination through a low-bid
• DOT to go out and specifically get a price on patches for roads, a preset determination through a low-bid

Bills: HR46 , HR47 , HR48 , HR49 , HR50 , HR51 , HR52 , HR53 , HR54 , HR55 , HR56 , HR57 , HCR31 , HB20 , HB21 , HB166 , HB494 , HB710 , HB795 , HB985 , HB986 , HB987 , HB988 , HB989 , HB990 , HB991 , HB992 , HB993 , HB994 , HB995 , HB996 , HB997 , HB998 , HR42 , HR43 , HR44 , HR45 , HCR22 , HCR23 , HCR24 , HCR25 , HCR26 , HCR27 , HCR28 , HCR29 , HCR30 , SCR13 , HB894 , HB983 , HB984 , SB19 , SB23 , SB26 , SB30 , SB39 , SB45 , SB46 , SB50 , SB51 , SB55 , SB69 , SB71 , SB73 , SB84 , SB85 , SB89 , SB96 , SB98 , SB101 , SB110 , SB148 , SB150 , SB160 , SB164 , SB303 , SB340 , HB28 , HB36 , HB50 , HB52 , HB56 , HB62 , HB68 , HB92 , HB110 , HB117 , HB119 , HB124 , HB140 , HB147 , HB160 , HB171 , HB174 , HB182 , HB193 , HB196 , HB198 , HB203 , HB228 , HB234 , HB237 , HB260 , HB268 , HB271 , HB285 , HB289 , HB316 , HB351 , HB393 , HB400 , HB413 , HB446 , HB469 , HB486 , HB534 , HB551 , HB552 , HB574 , HB576 , HB634 , HB649 , HB677 , HB735 , HB739 , HB779 , HB784 , HB796 , HB807 , HB842 , HB850 , HB919 , HB474 , HB487 , HB503 , HB606 , HB633 , HB707 , HB720 , HB728 , HB733 , HB846 , HB852 , HB856 , HB868 , HB875 , HB129 , HB130 , HB287 , HB489 , HB545 , HB553 , HB555 , HB570 , HB854 , HB952 , HB221 , HB148 , HB331 , HB149 , HB901

Keywords: HR 46, House Resolution 46, water well drillers, water wells, well drilling, driller licensure, licensing requirements, Department of Conservation and Energy, R.S. 38:3098.1, LAC 46.LXXXIX.507, professional references, two years drilling experience, workforce development, barriers to entry, water infrastructure, natural resources, groundwater, public health, state water resources, occupational licensing

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the pledge, leave granted for one member, and several ceremonial recognitions, including Women Shaping Industry Day, Louisiana Agriculture Week, and CODOFIL Day at the Capitol. The chamber also received Senate messages concurring in several House concurrent resolutions and adopting SCRs 14 and 15, which designated Flood Awareness Month and recognized the bond between Quebec and Louisiana. Numerous resolutions and bills were introduced and referred, including measures on retirement systems, juvenile justice districts, carbon sequestration in St. Helena Parish, tax administration, election procedures, education, criminal justice, and state property transfers. The House adopted several resolutions without objection, including commendations for Thrive Academy, Bishop Lonnie Welder, Pastor Aaron Holloway, World Down Syndrome Day, and others. Members also heard committee reports on a wide range of bills, with many reported favorably or with amendments. In morning hour, the House discharged and withdrew two bills from committee, and later returned some bills to the calendar with notice to call them on later dates. The chamber then took up a series of floor bills, passing HB 474 to create an income tax checkoff for the Grambling State University National Alumni Association, HB 487 on penalties for unsafe red-light passing maneuvers, HB 503 on utility terrain vehicles in Golden Meadow, HB 606 on personal delivery devices, HB 633 on estimated income tax filing timing, HB 707 on the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Commission Advisory Board, HB 970 on tacit dedication of public roadways, HB 728 on out-of-state tow truck requirements, HB 846 on license plate coverings, HB 852 on a domestic violence donation checkoff, HB 856 on DOTD indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity construction contracts, HB 221 naming the proposed Mississippi River bridge the President Donald J. Trump Expressway, HB 148 designating a highway memorial, and HB 331 creating a Louisiana GOP specialty plate. Most of these bills passed with little or no opposition, though HB 221 drew debate and passed 68-26. The House adjourned after announcing committee meetings for the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're hearing from contractors in the eastern, southeastern part of our state that can't competitively
• bid.
• For the bid on the motion. Hearing none, gentlemen, care to close the debate. Thank you, Mr.
• Because we have an unfair competitive advantage.
• there's people in the construction industry that are going out and using illegal workforce, they can bid

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 59.319><c> from</c> right well relative to exemption from right well relative to exemption from competitive
• <00:36:00.720><c> bidding</c><00:36:01.119><c> requirements</c><00:36:01.760><c> for</c> competitive
• bidding requirements for competitive bidding requirements for certain certain certain agencies<00:36:

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A standards board will create a fair, competitive baseline, so it will come. Good actors.
• A standards board will create a fair, competitive baseline, so companies compete on quality and not exploitation
• To advertise, bid on projects, and employ certified plumbers, one must obtain a license from the department
• To advertise, bid on projects, and employ certified plumbers, one must obtain a license from the department
• Moving overtime thresholds below the national standard risks our employers at a competitive disadvantage

Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee held public hearings on three bills. HB 2524 would create a State Security Guards Industry Standards Board within L&I to set minimum standards for security guard pay, leave, benefits, and training, funded in part by a $25 transfer from security licensing fees. The bill’s sponsor and labor supporters said it would professionalize the industry, improve safety, and address high turnover and inadequate training. Security workers described unsafe conditions, retaliation, and being expected to handle crises without enough support. Opponents from business and security companies argued the bill duplicates existing licensing and training rules, would raise costs, and gives too much authority to an unelected board; L&I said it had administrative concerns about timing and fee handling. The hearing on HB 2524 was then closed. HB 2513 would change plumbing license suspension rules by keeping the current three-infractions-in-three-years standard for residential work, while creating a five-infractions-in-five-years standard for non-residential plumbing violations. The sponsor and supporters from mechanical contractors and labor said repeat violators undermine safety and fair competition, and that the bill gives L&I a stronger enforcement tool against bad actors in commercial work. Several plumbing contractor groups opposed the bill as written, focusing on a new subsection they said was vague and could create an undefined corrective process or overly broad discretion for L&I; they asked that the subsection be removed or the bill be delayed for more stakeholder work. L&I requested an effective date of January 1, 2027 to allow time for rulemaking. HB 2611 would reduce the standard workweek from 40 hours to 32 hours starting January 1, 2028, and would also change paid sick leave accrual from one hour per 40 hours worked to one hour per 32 hours worked. The sponsor and labor supporters said a shorter workweek would improve work-life balance, reduce burnout and turnover, and could increase productivity, citing examples from San Juan County and other places. Business, hospitality, grocery, construction, agriculture, and janitorial representatives opposed the bill, saying it would raise labor costs, reduce hours and flexibility, complicate scheduling, and hurt industries with thin margins or seasonal demands. The committee heard no votes or final action on HB 2611 before closing the hearing and ending business for the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we expect that number to continue to grow as they're in active solicitations to competitively procure
• Finally, in support of energy affordability, we operate a competitive wholesale market that seeks to
• So the projects that bid can be the least-cost successful bidder if they receive support from permit
• solicitations for these projects and receive bids from developers who locate projects.
• solicitations for these projects and receive bids from developers who locate projects.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held an oversight hearing with leaders from the CPUC, Public Advocates Office, CAISO, the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety, and the Energy Commission. Chair Petrie-Norris framed the hearing around high utility bills, wildfire risk, grid reliability, clean energy buildout, and the state’s long-term decarbonization goals, and also noted it was CPUC President Alice Reynolds’ final week at the commission. Each agency gave an update on its role: the CPUC described efforts to reduce rate increases while maintaining reliability and clean energy procurement; the Public Advocates Office focused on affordability and the need to control underlying utility costs; CAISO discussed transmission planning, market operations, and the upcoming extended day-ahead market; Energy Safety reviewed wildfire mitigation oversight and inspections; and the Energy Commission highlighted clean energy growth, EV adoption, storage, efficiency, and gasoline price monitoring. A major theme was affordability versus the costs of the clean energy transition. Reynolds said the CPUC has lowered utility revenue requests, reduced utility returns, adopted a base services charge, and reworked net metering, while also continuing to manage wildfire-related costs and support resource adequacy and demand flexibility. Sarazawa argued that recent rate decreases may not be durable because billions of dollars in wildfire and other utility costs are still pending or unbilled, and she urged tighter use of general rate cases, lower-cost financing, program reform, and more equitable rate design. Members pressed the agencies on whether state policy is sufficiently accounting for labor, local economic development, and the cost impacts of transmission and procurement decisions, especially where out-of-state resources are being considered. CAISO and the Energy Commission emphasized that the state’s planning and market reforms are helping lower costs and improve reliability. CAISO said the Western Energy Imbalance Market has produced billions in benefits, the extended day-ahead market is on track to launch, and transmission planning is being aligned with long-term resource needs while reducing queue delays. The Energy Commission said California is now getting roughly two-thirds of its power from clean sources, has added massive amounts of storage and renewables, and is seeing strong EV and charger growth that can help spread fixed grid costs. Energy Safety reported thousands of inspections, hundreds of notices of non-performance, and a decline in reportable ignitions, while noting that major fires show more work is needed. Members also raised concerns about the SB 100 report delay, memo and balancing accounts, the future of battery storage, and whether decarbonization zone pilots will affect residential and commercial customers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bid prices are down by 50% since we kicked off our lead-free program in 2023.
• Bid prices are down by 50% since we kicked off our lead-free program in 2023.
• Bid prices are down by 50% since we kicked off our lead-free program in 2023.
• In a competitive supply chain, new costs introduced upstream inevitably move downstream.
• Retail operates on tight market margins and intense price competition.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And then also to the right, you can see the bid award amounts, which is inclusive of both all of the
• The good thing is we are running a surplus in this program, so we do have excess dollars because the bid
• procurement authority is going to run out at some point and we're going to get back to the traditional 28-day bid
• Ultimately, that led to the process of opening a competitive solicitation through the recommendation
• And that kicked off that 90-day competitive solicitation process. We advertised that nationally.

Summary: The Senate Joint Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee received an update from DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet and Deputy Secretary Bo Black on the department’s transformation efforts. DOTD highlighted its new project delivery dashboard, key performance indicators, and litter abatement work, including nearly $15 million spent on litter pickup and a new highway sponsorship pilot. Members also received updates on LTIF 1.0 and 2.0, with officials reporting that most LTIF 1.0 work is complete and that LTIF 2.0 is progressing under budget. The committee also heard updates on the Office of Highway Construction’s bridge bundling program, the Calcasieu River Bridge project, and the Cameron Ferry boat replacement and privatization solicitation process. The committee reviewed the draft 2026-2027 highway priority program, which DOTD said includes $913 million for construction and about $1.2 billion across 302 projects. Members discussed the public roadshow comments, project acceleration, and corridor planning, including the I-12 corridor and the Calcasieu River Bridge environmental review and public meetings. No vote was taken on the highway priority program at this meeting. The statewide flood control program presented six recommended projects for fiscal year 2026-2027, including projects in Gretna, St. John, St. James, Mandeville, and two Lafourche-area projects, with officials saying the projects meet benefit-cost criteria and would reduce flood damage. The airport construction and development priority program was also reviewed, with 31 air carrier projects and 99 general aviation projects recommended. The rail program reported no new projects but said it expects a $13 million request and has 19 projects in the queue, while the port program presented three unfunded projects for future consideration. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission and LSU’s Center for Analytics and Research presented crash data focused on impaired driving. They said 2024 saw 753 traffic fatalities, with impaired driving accounting for about one-third of fatal crashes, and estimated the economic cost of impaired driving at roughly $700 million. Members discussed youth driving, marijuana and alcohol trends, ignition interlock, DWI courts, and enforcement challenges on waterways. The meeting concluded with no formal votes or final actions on the major program items presented.