Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Jessica Chikino, so you got very close, and no one ever gets it right, so don't worry about
• You know, we have two primary types of programs: working on the places, working on the people.
• The operator shortage, it's starting to close the gap a little bit.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met on October 16, 2025, for a budget and revenue overview, a traffic safety presentation, and a discussion of potential transit and active transportation grant programs. Committee staff reviewed the adopted 2025-27 transportation budget, noting $15.5 billion in expenditures, the large share for WSDOT, and the mix of revenue sources including fuel tax, vehicle-related fees, federal funds, Climate Commitment Act revenue, and new 2025 revenues from SB 5801 and SB 5802. Staff said the 2025 session produced a balanced four-year plan, preserved major project schedules, maintained highway preservation funding, and added money for culverts, local preservation, and other priorities. They also described a September forecast showing lower motor fuel consumption than previously expected, but still enough revenue growth to keep the transportation plan balanced. For the 2026 supplemental, staff said agency requests were relatively modest overall, with most capital requests reflecting reappropriations and timing shifts rather than new projects, while WSDOT’s addendum identified much larger future needs for maintenance, preservation, paving, culverts, and safety work. Senators asked for more detail on how revenues are distributed by fund type and geography, how much of the maintenance and preservation request is actual maintenance versus equipment, whether paving needs could be supported through bonding, and how electric vehicle sales trends might affect forecasts. The committee then heard a remote presentation from Dr. Jessica Chikino of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety on traffic safety trends and countermeasures. She said U.S. traffic fatalities have risen sharply over the past decade, with especially large increases for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists, and argued that the U.S. lags other high-income countries in roadway safety. Her presentation highlighted IIHS’s “30 by 30” goal to reduce fatalities 30% by 2030 through safer speeds, stronger impaired-driving countermeasures, better pedestrian protection, and safer commercial vehicles. She discussed research linking higher speed limits to higher fatality risk, the benefits of lower urban speed limits, speed safety cameras, traffic calming, lighting, pedestrian beacons, and safer intersection design. She also described ongoing work with Bellevue on smart signal technology and pedestrian safety pilots. Committee members thanked her for the presentation and said they would share the materials with others. In the final work session, the committee revisited transit and active transportation grant concepts that had been included in the Senate budget proposal but did not advance in 2025. Barb Chamberlain of WSDOT’s Active Transportation Division explained how grant programs need runway, staff capacity, applicant readiness, and clear criteria, and compared program design to getting a plane off the ground. She discussed the proposed Senior Transportation Emphasis Program and regional trails/cycle highways concepts, noting that some projects could be structured as funding-first programs while others would work better as project-line or project-first models. She said regional trail projects are already eligible under existing programs but often score lower because current criteria emphasize safety and population served. Justin Leighton of the Washington State Transit Association then reviewed transit grant programs and argued that transit safety and security needs remain underfunded, including operator barriers, lighting, shelters, behavioral health coordination, and non-uniformed security staff. He said many transit capital programs are oversubscribed, that operator barrier retrofits alone could cost $20 million to $30 million, and that agencies face uncertainty about how recent sales tax changes apply to security-related contracts. No votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state road fund is the primary fund for overall agency operations, and so half of it, right, is going
• Vehicle registration growth is pretty closely tied to population growth within the state.
• So, I'm going to let him close out if you wanted to make a comment or a question, Senator.

Committee: House Revenue Stabilization & Tax Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:27:27.680><c> or</c> hardfought Democratic primaries or hardfought Democratic primaries or priorities
• ,</c><04:46:52.480><c> forcing</c> in my district remain closed, forcing in my district remain closed
• I'm prepared to close. The gentleman is prepared to close. Prepared to close as well. Thank you.
• </c><07:56:58.240><c> Speaker,</c> closed in Fulton County. Mr. Speaker, closed in Fulton County.
• > that</c><08:14:43.680><c> profound</c> close to forgetting that profound close to forgetting that profound

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have made some progress this morning, as you know, and we want to work hard today and try to get as close
• and try<01:43:40.520><c> to</c><01:43:40.640><c> get</c><01:43:40.880><c> as</c><01:43:41.040><c> close

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

Transcript Highlights:

• The secretary will close the a vote?
• </c><01:33:21.120><c> There</c> secretary will close the role. There secretary will close the role.
• The secretary will close the roll.
• The secretary will close the roll.
• The secretary will close the roll.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not sure if the ranking member is prepared to close. The gentleman from Ohio reserves.
• you know we've heard from uh close you know we've heard from uh various<00:53:58.400><c> speakers</c
• These policies help close the racial wealth gap and create more opportunities for upward mobility.
• by and suffering those much more close by and suffering those effects<02:40:59.920><c> too</c><02:41
• I just raise it to say that you can't simply close the books and act like things did not happen.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, February 27, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You're still not close enough. I'm sorry. How about this?
• They would want to close that.
• But he's saying they're going to go public with it as soon as they close a loophole.
• It's just to close the loophole.
• And I'm going to try to summarize this and bring this to a close.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You have right to close? I just ask for favor. Pass. We have cards.
• So, members, I've been working very closely with the billboard owners and advertisers.
• You have a right to close.
• We’re getting close, but it’s not the right time to pass it yet. Mr.
• We're getting closed, but it's not the right time to pass it yet. Mr.

Bills: HR1 , HB96 , HB345 , HB360 , HB401 , HB592 , HB703 , HB723 , HB729 , HB776 , HB838 , HB844 , HB882 , HB885 , HB888 , HB966

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Keywords: coastal protection, restoration, flood management, public hearings, environmental compliance, drag racing, public roads, vehicle impoundment, law enforcement, penalties, rail infrastructure, ports, Class II railroads, Class III railroads, transportation, memorial highway, Louisiana, commemoration, signage, memorial bridge

Summary: The committee first heard House Resolution 1, which approves the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority’s annual State Integrated Coastal Protection Plan for fiscal years 2026-2027. CPRA officials described the plan as about $1.54 billion, with roughly 93% directed to project implementation and construction, funded through state mineral revenue, GOMESA, BP spill dollars, surplus funds, and newly available coastal sediment funds. They outlined projects across the coast, including marsh creation, barrier island restoration, levees, pump stations, freshwater diversions, and nonstructural flood protection, and said the plan had been unanimously approved by the CPRA board after public hearings. Members asked about specific coastal and basin issues, including the Sabine River, the Chafalaya Basin, Bayou Sorrel, and tidal flooding in interior parishes. HR 1 was reported favorably without objection. The committee then considered House Bill 838, as substituted, dealing with vehicle inspection stickers and related OMV modernization. The substitute would repeal inspection requirements for assembled vehicles, keep periodic inspections for commercial and student transportation vehicles, address federal inspection requirements, allow out-of-state inspections in some cases, and create a Louisiana Vehicle Identification Program using QR codes. Members focused on privacy and enforcement questions, and OMV and state IT officials explained that the QR code would contain only the VIN and that the system would support police ticketing applications. The bill also ties implementation to the OMV modernization effort and takes effect January 1, 2027. HB 838 was reported by substitute. The committee next advanced House Bill 888 on temporary dealer plates, adopting a set of amendments that added security features, clarified timing for the new electronic issuance system, and adjusted rules for temporary tags and dealer plates. Testimony from the auto dealers’ association said the bill was intended to reduce fraud, resolve confusion over five-day versus 60-day tags, and extend certain temporary loaner tag periods from five to ten days. HB 888 was reported with amendments. The committee also heard House Bill 885 on electronic titles and lien recordation, which would allow electronic signatures, electronic lien notifications, and electronic titling/recordation for participating commercial entities, with civil immunity for good-faith actions and a severability clause. Members raised questions about fraud prevention and consumer participation, and supporters said the bill would modernize the process and align Louisiana with current industry practice. HB 885 was reported by substitute. Finally, the committee advanced House Bill 723, which allows certain two- and three-wheeled motorcycles and mopeds to proceed through a red light under specified circumstances when sensors fail to detect them. The sponsor said the measure is a safety fix for riders stuck at malfunctioning signals, and the bill was amended to clarify the vehicle types covered. The committee also considered House Bill 882 on outdoor advertising, which would increase billboard spacing on state highways from 150 feet to 1,000 feet and allow certain signs damaged by an act of God after January 1, 2010, to be rebuilt. Supporters said the bill would reduce billboard density and improve aesthetics, while opponents argued it would harm smaller operators and impose a one-size-fits-all rule. After testimony, HB 882 was amended and reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you have probably close to 80 vacancies over there right now.
• We work very closely with them. The work release, East Feliciana, St.
• We work very closely with them. The work release, East Feliciana, St.
• So once that facility closes, you wouldn't have that in the budget anymore.
• So once that facility closed, you wouldn't have that in the budget anymore.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee heard FY27 budget presentations for the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, beginning with Public Safety Services. House Fiscal Division staff reviewed the department’s recommended budget of $645.9 million, including supplemental pay, State Police, Motor Vehicles, and the State Fire Marshal. Officials explained that the overall budget reflects a net decrease from FY26, driven largely by shifts in funding sources, removal of one-time statutory dedications, and adjustments tied to undercollections in fees and self-generated revenues. State Police was recommended at $459.7 million, OMV at $86.7 million, and the Fire Marshal at $41.1 million. Department leaders also described ongoing modernization efforts, staffing vacancies, and the use of efficiencies identified internally. Lieutenant Colonel Robert Burns and agency heads testified about State Police operations, including increased cadet graduations, improved Mardi Gras security, progress on APHIS and OMV modernization, and the new crime lab under construction. Members asked about undercollections, vacancies, the role of public tag agents, and whether the agency could expand counter-drone capabilities. Burns said the department has identified about $11 million in efficiencies, but warned that counter-drone work would require additional funding, citing a $4.5 million fiscal note for HB 940 and roughly $9 million more for a robust unit. OMV officials said staffing and retention remain difficult, but modernization should improve service and reduce lines; they also said the agency continues to rely on public tag agents and is working through reinstatement fee collection issues. The committee then reviewed the Department of Corrections FY27 budget, recommended at $902.3 million, with most funding from State General Fund and a large increase tied to higher incarceration costs, medical needs, overtime, and added capacity at Louisiana State Penitentiary. DOC officials said the department remains under pressure from vacancies, turnover, contraband, and medical costs, and that the budget includes funding to add 150 correctional officers at Angola and to house ICE detainees at Camp J. They also discussed criminal justice reinvestment savings, prison enterprises, and reentry programs funded through the Second Chance Act. Members asked about staffing, inmate deaths at Elaine Hunt, work-release pay, and whether the department is tracking the true long-term cost of incarceration. Officials said they are pursuing pay increases, recruitment, expanded training and reentry programs, and more data-driven workforce alignment, while acknowledging that many budget pressures remain unresolved.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Office of Workforce Development utilizes close to 60% of the department's entire budget.
• But I think that AI is providing, like you said, it's closing that loop.
• Are they placed too close to the pipe?
• If it's not, then you need to close it. ...to determine if the well is still capable of producing.
• A primary objective for our strategic plan is expanding opportunities for Louisiana sportsmen.

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, uh, as you know, our rates are not anywhere close. That's not the point.
• So we, we, we really want to keep a close eye on that.
• If not, the chair recognizes Chairman Darby to close on House Bill 3448. Well, thank you, Mr.
• So if, if you're unable to stay for the pendency, I'll go ahead and, uh, close out for you.
• So I would say that they're probably doing a pretty good job, and I will close with that.

Committee: House S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband

Transcript Highlights:

• The subcommittee will give you the opportunity to close, should you desire. Thank you.
• That's our primary focus.
• As you know, our rates are not anywhere close. That's not the point.
• Hearing none, the Chair recognizes Chairman Darby to close on House Bill 3445. Thank you, Mr.
• Let's work together, try to find the solution to this, and with that, I close. Thank you, Mr.

Bills: HB3445 , HB3448

Committee: House S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband

Keywords: telecommunications, electric cooperative, rights-of-way, infrastructure, provider access, right-of-way, pole attachment, regulatory access, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It says noted on primary function number five.
• All right, sorry. on your noted on your primary function on your noted on your primary function number
• So, it takes time, money, and effort, absolutely. close as we can to current pay tables in close as we
• </c><03:41:03.720><c> to</c> our operation costs being very close to our operation costs being very close
• </c> well on its way, working very closely well on its way, working very closely with<03:44:08.680><c

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But yes, I would say lack of communication would be the primary reason. >> Okay.
• We'd have to close down.
• We'd have to close down.
• We'd have to close down.
• We'd have to close down.

Keywords: 0:00 – Meeting start/roll call 0:10 - Roll call/approval of minutes 1:43 - Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), Department for Medicaid Services 27:40 - Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control 55:54 - Board of Veterinary Examiners 1:33:15 - Testimony in support of 804 KAR 13:010E, 020E, 030E and 040E. 1:49:04 - Education Professional Standards Board 1:49:58 - Attorney General, Office of Regulatory Relief 1:52:18 - Kentucky Public Pensions Authority (KPPA) 1:54:28 - Board of Nursing 1:56:44 - Board of Occupational Therapy 1:57:37 - Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy 1:58:58 - Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources 1:59:50 - Economic Development Finance Authority 2:01:34 - Department of Corrections 2:02:37 - Department of Juvenile Justice 2:04:02 - Department for Employment Services, Unemployment Insurance 2:04:57 - Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), Department for Public Health, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then took up Department for Medicaid Services regulations 907 KAR 23:010 and related rules. DMS explained that one regulation would establish a beneficiary advisory council and another would remove language barring coverage of GLP-1 drugs for obesity-related use. The department said coverage would still be limited by prior authorization and clinical criteria, with use tied to underlying chronic conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease, and that the pharmacy and therapeutics committee would help set the detailed standards. Members discussed the potential health benefits, but several raised concerns about cost, timing, and whether the legislature and the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board should review the policy first. DMS said the drugs are already on the formulary, that current Medicaid users with diabetes are already covered, and that the fiscal impact was estimated using current utilization, rebates, and expected savings; the department also said it would only cover the drugs if subject to rebates. The committee then voted 5-1 to find 907 KAR 23:010 deficient. The committee next considered several emergency regulations from the Public Protection Cabinet’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control implementing SB 100. The rules covered tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product licensing, including the application form, denial standards, and transitional licensing. ABC counsel said the department had received about 5,500 applications and issued nearly 5,000 licenses, with additional provisional licenses issued to avoid interruption in sales after the law’s effective date. He said some applications remained pending because inspections and photographs revealed possible unauthorized nicotine vapor products, and the department was seeking documentation before approval. A staff amendment was adopted without objection before the ABC presentation continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I mean, we're getting... ...does get quite close to it. Okay.
• So, I mean, we're getting close, but we still are falling short.
• For example, if we've closed two refineries, some in my district, where that was a place where people
• And then with that, I'm going to close with my... ...made to reflect Californians.
• Each week, by closing... When I already can't pay myself a salary on the state's low rates...

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee heard AB 109, the Budget Act of 2026, as the main item. Committee leaders described the legislative budget agreement as a balanced two-year plan with about $355.9 billion in total spending, $253 billion from the General Fund, and $36.5 billion in reserves. The Legislative Analyst and Department of Finance said the package assumes about $5.5 billion in higher revenues than the May Revision and uses those resources for a mix of spending changes, including higher Proposition 98 support, additional child care slots, housing and homelessness funding, delayed Medi-Cal reductions, and added support for counties, public hospitals, and distressed hospitals. The administration said the plan resembles the May Revision’s overall structure but includes new spending and revenue assumptions, and members noted that separate revenue trailer bills would be heard later in the week. Much of the committee discussion focused on Medi-Cal, H.R. 1, and the impact on immigrants, low-income workers, counties, and hospitals. Several senators criticized the budget for locking in savings from delayed or reduced Medi-Cal coverage and for not including a mechanism to restore eligibility, while administration and LAO staff said the package delays some reductions but does not automatically reinstate coverage. Finance staff said roughly 1.5 million to 2 million people with unsatisfactory immigration status would move from managed care to fee-for-service, with coverage largely unchanged except for certain services not federally allowed. Members also discussed county administrative funding, indigent care, public hospital support, and the expected rise in uncompensated care. Other topics included In-Home Supportive Services, child care, homelessness funding, Prop. 36, courthouse construction and new judgeships, transit and cap-and-invest/GGRF funding, local journalism, and workforce or reentry programs. Committee members split along party lines in their comments. Democratic members generally supported the agreement as a difficult but responsible compromise that protects core services, preserves reserves, and makes targeted investments in education, housing, health care, and justice system capacity. Republican members argued the budget relies on unrealistic revenue assumptions, does not sufficiently reduce spending, and includes costly policy choices and tax increases. Public testimony largely came from advocates and stakeholders who supported IHSS, Medi-Cal, child care, domestic violence services, hospitals, transit, and other programs, while some business and health plan representatives raised concerns about tax proposals and the shift from managed care to fee-for-service. The chair then moved the committee to public comment and indicated that the revenue bills would return later in the week; no final vote on AB 109 is reflected in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we work very closely, but we are a 501c3 that does this. as a sort of public investment.
• So what our program does is We work very closely with our producers.
• We're in close relationship with them. We're also a 501c3 non-profit organization.
• The EPA estimates that up to 53 plants nationwide could be closed.
• The company is ambitiously open and later closed for various reasons.

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I'm preparing to close.
• </c> speakers or I'll prepare to close then. speakers or I'll prepare to close then.
• </c> close or do you have any additional? close or do you have any additional?
• &gt;&gt; Prepared to close.
• Hospitals will close, clinics will close, skilled nursing facilities will close. big, beautiful, big,

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we just ask that you keep your comments as close to the language as possible.
• I think it's important as a state commission that we rely on primary sources and look at the work that

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism met to review and discuss draft preliminary recommendations, with the co-chairs explaining that the draft had been released publicly and that the meeting was intended for open discussion and edits rather than a final vote. They emphasized the urgency of addressing antisemitism in Massachusetts, especially in K-12 schools, while noting that the recommendations are preliminary, may be revised, and will be supplemented by further testimony and a final report later. Several members also referenced recent allegations and incidents in local schools as examples of why the commission’s work is needed. Commissioners broadly supported the draft but proposed numerous refinements. Common themes included clarifying the distinction between antisemitic incidents and hate crimes; strengthening reporting systems and privacy protections; adding clearer guidance from DESE and the Attorney General on First Amendment issues, curriculum, and investigations; expanding Holocaust and genocide education; and improving professional development for educators, school committees, and administrators. Several members urged better links to mental health and victim services, more support for the Genocide Education Trust, and stronger language on bystander training, digital literacy, and the role of school committees in addressing bias. There was also discussion of how to frame antisemitism as a distinct form of hate, how to address antisemitism related to Israel and Zionism without restricting legitimate political speech, and how to avoid unfunded mandates for school districts and municipalities. Some commissioners suggested adding timeframes, a centralized reporting or investigative mechanism, and more explicit model policies for schools. The meeting ended with the chairs thanking participants and the public for their input, and the commission then moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• That motion is adopted, and nominations for President Pro Tem are now closed.
• professional shortage areas map shows that continued focus is critically important to fully integrate primary

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to call the fifth meeting of the House Standing Committee on Primary and Secondary Education
• This topic hit close to me a few years ago.

Committee: House Primary and Secondary Education

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call: 0:02 Bills for Consideration: 26RS HB 383: 1:03 26RS HB 469: 6:32 26RS HB 586: 14:46 26RS HB 621: 19:58 Adjournment: 28:32, 958, all