Transcript Highlights:

• So Pawtuckaway Lake has two dams and two dikes.
• Some work for the Murphy Dam up in Pittsburgh for Lake Francis also.
• Lake Winnipesaukee is a high-hazard dam once it gets reclassified.
• Dam and the Back Lake Dam and...
• So moving on to the next slide, we have White Lake State Park.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing reconvened with testimony from several agencies on their capital budget requests. The Department of Environmental Services requested a little over $38 million, with major emphasis on dam repairs and design work for aging state-owned dams, including a $5.25 million match for possible FEMA BRIC funding at Pawtuckaway/Tuckaway and other projects such as Milton Three Ponds, Murphy Dam, and Lakeport Gates. DES also requested funding for state revolving loan fund matches, a Superfund match for the Savage Well site, IT and air-monitoring upgrades, and a new $750,000 cybersecurity request for water and wastewater systems. Committee members asked about FEMA eligibility, the distinction between design and construction money, and the timing and risk of banking funds if federal grants do not materialize. The University System of New Hampshire requested $20 million in state support, primarily $15 million for a major Diamond Library renovation at UNH to create a student support hub and reduce/repurpose collection space, plus $2.5 million each for deferred maintenance at Plymouth State and Keene State. The Community College System requested about $16.6 million across seven projects, led by critical maintenance, campus safety/security upgrades, IT infrastructure, parking and site improvements, HVAC replacement at White Mountains Community College in Littleton, a building management/energy system, and modernization of NHTI’s dental clinic and radiology spaces. The Department of Education requested $29.5 million, including a $4.9 million internal management platform to replace paper-based and siloed systems, plus career and technical education capital projects; Milford’s CTE project was described as being revised after repeated failed bond votes, while ConVal said its revised project would focus on modernizing existing CTE space and adding a security vestibule. Fish and Game requested $1.075 million for three facilities: Sewall Falls in Concord, the Lancaster Armory, and the Bunker Lane Barn in Durham, focusing on structural repairs, security, reconfiguration, and in one case replacement of a failing barn with a new 40-by-60 building. The department also said hatchery work is ongoing but that it is taking a cautious approach because of the planned New Hampton Hatchery and future capital needs. The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources requested $9.26 million for eight projects, including campground electrical upgrades at Ellacoya and Lake Francis, White Lake water system replacement, Mount Washington fuel tank and safety work, Odiorne Point visitor center work funded through parks revenue, roofing and parking lot repairs, Fox Forest office safety upgrades, and historic site repairs at White Island and Fort Constitution. Members asked about revenue-based capital, the stability of the parks fund, and flexibility in choosing projects as bids come in. The Department of Transportation began its presentation at the end of the transcript, but its detailed requests were not yet discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• , Fay Peak, Florence Peak, Mowich Lake, Unis Lake, Green Lake, Spray Falls, Ranger Falls, Ipsa Falls,
• Florence Peak, Mowich Lake, Unis Lake, Green Lake, Spray Falls, Ranger Falls, Ipsa Falls, Shinuee Falls
• I've dove Mowich Lake.
• It has an impact on all the surrounding cities—Buckley, Enumclaw, Bonney Lake—and areas tourists pass
• They don't have access to the Mowich Lake entrance. It hurts the businesses locally.

Bills: SB5987 , SB6170

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: SB 5987, SB5987, Fairfax Bridge, State Route 165, SR 165, Carbon River, WSDOT, Washington State Department of Transportation, emergency bridge replacement, infrastructure failure, transportation emergency, climate commitment account, climate investment account, clean energy, climate funding, greenhouse gas reduction, environmental justice, renewable energy, building electrification, industrial decarbonization

Transcript Highlights:

• , Fay Peak, Florence Peak, Mowich Lake, Unis Lake, Green Lake, Spray Falls, Ranger Falls, Ipsut Falls
• Florence Peak, Mowich Lake, Unis Lake, Green Lake, Spray Falls, Ranger Falls, Ipsut Falls, Shiniw Falls
• I've dived Mowich Lake.
• It has an impact on all the surrounding cities—Buckley, Enumclaw, Bonney Lake—tourists pass through to
• They don't have access to the Mowich Lake entrance. It hurts the businesses locally.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee began with a work session on the Fairfax Carbon River SR-165 Bridge closure and replacement. Wilkeson Mayor Jamie Pololi described the bridge as a long-neglected state asset whose closure cut off a gateway community from Mount Rainier access, hurt local businesses and municipal revenue, complicated emergency response, and severed access to public lands. Pierce County’s Melissa Littleton emphasized that the Fairfax closure, along with recent bridge closures from other causes, shows the need for stronger preservation and modernization funding. WSDOT’s Steve Rourke explained that the 105-year-old bridge was permanently closed after structural failure, that a detour route on private property is now the only access for some residents, and that the agency’s planning study considered seven alternatives; the current recommendation is to continue geotechnical work and NEPA review, with construction likely taking 24 months or more once a design is finalized. Committee members asked about detour distance, speeding up the project, emergency authority, historic-preservation issues, community mitigation, and funding needs; WSDOT said about $7 million in existing preservation funds has already been used and more will be needed. The committee then heard public testimony on proposed substitute Senate Bill 5987, which would declare the Fairfax Bridge closure an emergency, direct WSDOT to restore SR-165 access as soon as possible, and give the transportation secretary some emergency authorities. Supporters, including the mayor, residents, recreation advocates, and trail groups, said the bill is needed because the closure was foreseeable, has harmed local economies and recreation access, and lacks a current emergency response pathway. WSDOT testified in opposition, warning that the bill could create false expectations because most of the timeline is driven by federal environmental review and historic-preservation requirements that the secretary cannot waive. The bill drew strong support in testimony, with 606 pro, 1 con, and 2 other recorded on the sign-in tally. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6170, which would raise dollar thresholds for state highway work performed by state forces and for certain contracting rules that help small and disadvantaged businesses compete. Staff said the limits have not been updated since 2005 and the bill would increase the normal state-force threshold from $60,000 to $100,000 and the emergency threshold from $100,000 to $160,000. Senator King, the prime sponsor, said the change would better match inflation and help keep maintenance work in-house when appropriate. Washington Federation of State Employees and WSDOT supported the bill, saying it would help maintenance workers do more timely work without harming existing equity and small-business contracting programs; the committee noted 55 pro and no con on the sign-in tally. The chair then reminded members that amendment requests for the upcoming executive session were due the next day, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was the Prior Lake American.
• It was the Prior Lake American.
• It was the Prior Lake American.
• It was the Prior Lake American.
• The views of Prior Lake News Compass.

Bills: HF1532 , HF1290 , HF2231 , HF2013

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: eminent domain, reimbursement, property acquisition, appraisal, landowner rights, HF1290, AED, automatic external defibrillator, defibrillator signage, wayfinding signs, roadside signs, directional signage, public access AED, emergency medical response, cardiac arrest, sudden cardiac arrest, public safety, Minnesota Department of Transportation, road authority, transportation law

Transcript Highlights:

• lake.
• And we're here today in our lakes.
• Um Duncan Lake them.
• </c><03:17:42.000><c> I</c> lake. So how can this happen there? I lake.
• So, we need to Lake.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> any thoughts on the OSA or Mountain Lake any thoughts on the OSA or Mountain Lake or<00:18:50.800
• ,</c> around OSA, Mountain Lake, around OSA, Mountain Lake, Eden<00:19:14.120><c> Prairie,</c><00:19:
• ,</c><00:19:40.360><c> Eden</c> forward to OSA, Mound Lake, Eden forward to OSA, Mound Lake, Eden Prairie
• the Lake City Port Authority.
• The 1099 for Lake City? We did not do the Lake City Port Authority.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lucie by reducing the volume and timing of discharges to Lake Okeechobee.
• I didn't want her to choose her favorite child, but I want her to provide us a list with the lakes with
• So this committee can look at it and maybe we could start prioritizing one of those lakes at a time to
• I didn't want her to choose her favorite child, but I want her to provide us a list with the lakes with
• So this committee can look at it and maybe we could start prioritizing one of those lakes at a time to

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee met to hear member-led presentations on agency budget requests after prior meetings with the agencies. Representative Barnaby summarized the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ fiscal year 2025-26 request, highlighting major funding for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, Florida Forest Service wildfire and land management needs, citrus disease and research efforts, a new Conner Complex facility and lab, agricultural water and BMP projects, agricultural law enforcement staffing and equipment, maintenance and vehicle needs, and federal grant-related spending. No vote was taken on the department’s request during the meeting. Representative Bartleman presented the Department of Environmental Protection request and said the subcommittee supported it fully. The request emphasized Everglades restoration, water quality grants, springs, harmful algal bloom and red tide response, alternate water supplies, resilience and flood prevention, beach and coral reef restoration, land acquisition and state parks, and cleanup of petroleum, dry cleaning, and hazardous waste sites. Representative Alvarez asked DEP to provide a list of the most contaminated lakes, along with estimated costs, so the committee could prioritize cleanup efforts. Representative Black summarized the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission request, which included additional law enforcement funding in high-demand areas, oyster and reef restoration, habitat restoration, heavy equipment for land management and prescribed burning, a water survival training center, and red snapper data research. Representative Salzman then presented the Department of Citrus request, describing a lean agency budget focused on operations, PALM readiness, marketing and consumer awareness, greening-resistant plant material, and building repairs; the workgroup recommended fully funding the request. The meeting ended with members thanking the chair and staff for the more member-driven budget process, and the subcommittee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Heather Scott [member_9444]: Which is the Payette Lake Water Quality section.
• The Payette Lake Water Quality Act went into effect in 1993 and stipulated that the Big Payette Lake
• It's not talking about anything else other than the Big Payette Lake Water Quality Act.
• water quality act is not literally called the Big Payette Lake Water Quality Act.
• It's not talking about anything else other than the Big Payette Lake Water Quality Act.

Committee: House Environment, Energy and Technology

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:45.680><c> Superior</c> Minnesota State and Lake Superior Minnesota State and Lake Superior
• First, I Lake Superior College in Duth.
• College in became Lake Superior College in 1995.<00:10:40.720><c> Lake</c><00:10:40.959><c> Superior
• Lake Superior College no longer 1995.
• Lake Superior College working with site.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I recently visited Salt Lake City, Utah.
• , is a wastewater lake but also an oasis.
• We also reconstructed the transport of PFAS into the lake and out of the lake across the water-land interface
• The birds that travel to Holloman Lake don't necessarily stay at Holloman Lake.
• We know that There is toxicity in the wildlife in Holloman Lake.

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I met you up in Red Lake last summer, didn't I, when we visited? I'm sure we have.
• I know there's a couple recognizable faces there, and I do sit on the Red Lake Nation Tribal Council
• </c> Warrior Society in Red Lake Warrior Society in Red Lake and<00:09:48.240><c> our</c><00:09:48.519
• </c> Stan called I I I met you up in Red Lake Stan called I I I met you up in Red Lake last<00:10:50.519
• </c><00:10:57.040><c> Nation</c><00:10:57.320><c> Tribal</c> do sit on the Red Lake Nation Tribal do

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is focused on increasing safety on our crowded lakes.
• </c> shared that I have a camp on Lake shared that I have a camp on Lake monomac<00:40:12.040><c> in<
• </c><01:09:07.839><c> others</c> their family out on the lake others their family out on the lake others
• This program does not give money to New Hampshire Lakes.
• </c> the state uh that come to mind uh Lake the state uh that come to mind uh Lake wiip<03:43:06.120>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first discussed scheduling and notice for upcoming executive sessions on a larger slate of bills, including plans to take up eight bills in the morning and possibly the last three bills in the afternoon, with caucus time provided if needed. The chair emphasized advance notice, publication, and flexibility if more bills are added later. The hearing then opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and proceeded to HB 568, a bill allowing local planning boards to request water supply studies for subdivisions to ensure water adequacy as housing density increases. Representative Kat McGee, the prime sponsor, said HB 568 was developed after constituent concerns about private wells being affected by nearby development. She described the bill as narrowly tailored, non-mandatory, and intended to preserve local control while clarifying that planning boards may request studies under local regulations. She noted bipartisan support, an exclusion for community water systems and larger groundwater withdrawals regulated elsewhere, and said the bill would help prevent water shortages and related problems for new and existing homes. Questions from members focused on whether the bill should specify that it applies to subdivisions of four or more lots, since that language had been in an earlier version. Testimony on HB 568 was mixed. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors opposed the bill, arguing it lacked a definition of “water supply study,” could lead to expensive hydrology studies, and might raise housing costs; he suggested more work with DES or a study committee. DES administrator Brandon Kernin said the department had worked from a 2010 groundwater commission report, that such problems arise only intermittently in certain areas, and that the bill would make explicit local authority to adopt such ordinances. He also said DES data and homeowner surveys can help identify problem areas and that more robust wells could be considered in the long term. The committee noted 10 online submissions in favor and 3 opposed, plus blue-sheet testimony of 2 in favor and 1 neutral, and then closed the hearing on HB 568. The committee immediately opened HB 582, a bill on safety requirements for operation of personal watercraft. Representative Darby, the sponsor, said the bill responds to the speed and maneuverability of modern personal watercraft, which he described as more like motorcycles on water than traditional boats, and cited a fatal accident on Lake Monomonac as an example of the risks. He said the bill is not intended to restrict ordinary recreation or wake surfing, but to update safety standards for a newer class of larger, quieter three-person PWCs. The hearing began with Darby’s presentation, and no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Brian Lake.
• votes do not reflect the wishes of the taxpaying citizens of Moose Lake.
• votes do not reflect the wishes of the taxpaying citizens of Moose Lake.
• This significantly altered the outcome of the Moose Lake mayoral election in 2024.
• </c><01:14:13.440><c> this</c> citizens of Moose Lake this citizens of Moose Lake this significantly<

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 1949, a 17-year-old white woman alleged she had been raped by four Black men outside of Groveland in Lake
• Four Black men outside of Groveland in Lake County.
• Ernest Thomas, Charles Greenlee, Samuel Shepard, and Walter Irvin were falsely accused of rape in Lake
• During the 2016 legislative session, I drove her to Lake County when the Groveland City Council passed
• During the 2016 legislative session, I drove her to Lake County when the Groveland City Council passed

Bills: S0214 , S0694 , S1266

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Keywords: special districts, funding, financial assistance, rural community, state agency, economic development, compensation, wrongful conviction, civil rights, historic injustice, reparation, cybersecurity, internships, workforce development, education, economic growth

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met with a quorum present and considered three bills. First, SB 214 by Senator McLean, a rural access bill for special districts, was amended to allow independent special districts in rural areas to receive certain state and federal financial assistance payments directly for verified work rather than relying on reimbursement. Testimony in support came from representatives of water and sewer entities and the Florida Association of Special Districts. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/SB 214 favorably. Next, the committee took up CS/SB 1266 by Senator Collada on cybersecurity internships and workforce readiness. The bill was amended to create a cybersecurity experiential learning opportunity and clearance readiness program within the Department of Commerce, working with Cyber Florida at USF. A proposed amendment to the amendment was withdrawn by Senator Bernard. With no opposition noted, the committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/SB 1266 favorably. Finally, the committee heard CS/SB 694 by Senator Bracey Davis, which provides compensation to the descendants of the Groveland Four—Charles Greenlee, Walter Irvin, Samuel Shepard, and Ernest Thomas—for wrongful convictions and related harms. The bill was presented as a justice and redress measure, with supportive testimony from Delatry Hollinger and comments from Senator Smith and the chair praising the effort. The committee reported CS/SB 694 favorably, and then adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you have fishing industry collapse and traditional villages along the Great Lakes.
• It is 70% to 80% gone from the Great Lakes, and that means...
• As much as I'd like to not fund a station on the Utah side, the Bear Lake station is imperative.
• And so we talked about things like a Lampaside that is used in the Great Lakes.
• And so we talked about things like a Lampaside that is used in the Great Lakes.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard presentations on the Idaho State Department of Agriculture and the State Liquor Division. For Agriculture, legislative staff reviewed the agency’s structure, staffing, dedicated funds, and FY 2026–2027 budget requests, including pay adjustments, replacement items, IT hardware, a reappropriation for the Resilient Food Systems Grant, and two major one-time requests: a deficiency warrant for exotic pest response and a supplemental appropriation for quagga mussel treatment. Director Chanel Tewalt emphasized the history and urgency of Idaho’s invasive species program, described the state’s rapid response to quagga mussels, and explained how the program uses inspections, stations, chemicals, and other tools to reduce risk. Members asked about grant timing, vehicle replacement, signage costs, research into alternative treatments, chemical costs, possible use of sturgeon, and whether budget cuts would affect inspection stations; the director said some station openings or hours could be delayed or reduced, but priority would be given to border crossings and higher-risk locations. The committee then reviewed the State Liquor Division budget. Staff outlined the division’s dedicated-fund operations, personnel levels, statutory distributions, and FY 2027 requests for inflation, replacement items, and IT/security equipment, all recommended by the governor. Director Andrew Arulenandum said his priorities were safety, legal exposure, and operational continuity, citing a store shelving collapse and warehouse safety needs as reasons for some requests. Members asked about a policy proposal to restrict bulk lottery ticket purchases by out-of-state syndicates, the division’s pricing and markup structure, and whether Idaho might move away from a state-run liquor model. The director and his staff said the lottery restriction would not have a fiscal impact, that the markup is standardized, and that while the division remains open to efficiency ideas, the current control-state structure is intended to support revenue and temperance. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would return the next day to take action on FY 2027 maintenance budgets.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, I have Joanie G of the Prior Lake Spring Lake watershed district, if it'd be okay. >> And one
• Chair, I have Joanie G of the Prior Lake Spring Lake watershed district, if it'd be okay. >> And just
• Lake wershed district if it'd be okay. Lake wershed district if it'd be okay.
• ><c> Lake</c><00:30:13.919><c> watershed</c> Prior Lake Spring Lake watershed Prior Lake Spring Lake
• Lake Spring Lake watershed and the Prior Lake Spring Lake watershed district<00:30:31.600><c> have</

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Nineteen lakes. Over 191,000 acres of land and water that we manage.
• Clayton Lake is another example.
• We also have Kauai Lake State Park and Perchell Lake State Park, all in Sierra County in the Tier C and
• We do not, for Blue Water Lake State Park in Pruitt.
• One is at Blue Water Lake State Park off I-40, and one is at Caballo Lake State Park off I-25 in southern

Transcript Highlights:

• Lake Leavon is a former quarry.
• was told to go to a lake called lack leavon<00:57:21.000><c> Lake</c><00:57:21.359><c> down</c><00:57
• lack leavon lake is a uh Minnesota lack leavon lake is a uh former<00:57:26.280><c> Quarry</c><00:57
• </c><01:02:48.960><c> you</c><01:02:49.079><c> go</c><01:02:49.240><c> in</c> lake when you go in a lake
• you go in lake when you go in a lake you go in with<01:02:49.480><c> a</c><01:02:49.599><c> dive</c>

Bills: HF1355 , HF1469 , HF1768

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: commercial diving, scuba diving safety, aquatic plant management, workplace safety, environmental regulations, HF1469, Minnesota, workforce development, job training, job skills training, reentry, reentry services, formerly incarcerated, ex-offenders, inmates, recently released inmates, felony conviction, felony-level offense, corrections, prison release

Transcript Highlights:

• , Iowa, to pay lakes in Ohio, Iowa, uh<00:21:19.280><c> Kentucky,</c><00:21:20.640><c> and</c><00:21:
• ><c> the</c><00:21:40.720><c> pay</c> these pay lakes and in turn the pay these pay lakes and in turn
• ><c> people</c><00:21:42.640><c> that</c><00:21:42.880><c> bought</c> lakes sell them to people that
• bought lakes sell them to people that bought them<00:21:43.200><c> fish.
• and let people fish for five acre lake and let people fish for them.<00:22:04.880><c> You</c><00:22:

Committee: Joint Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks

Keywords: Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks - Room 210, 2 February, 2026; 3:00 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lake with new trails and community amenities along the lake shore.
• Uh Senate File 2083 Tanner's Lake.
• </c> We got back to work on the Teners Lake We got back to work on the Teners Lake site<00:03:13.599>
• The project on Tanner Lake would months.
• This is a site that Oakdale lake shore.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all