Transcript Highlights:

• Parks operations consist of 17 resort parks, 19 recreational parks, eight historic sites, one rail trail
• , one state scenic trail, and Breaks Interstate Park, which we share with Virginia.
• c><00:05:18.080><c> one</c><00:05:18.400><c> state</c><00:05:18.720><c> scenic</c> sites, one rail trail
• , one state scenic sites, one rail trail, one state scenic trail<00:05:20.000><c> and</c><00:05:21.039
• and breaks interstate park which trail and breaks interstate park which we<00:05:22.400><c> share</c

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Protection, Tourism, and Energy received an update from Kentucky State Parks and the Finance Cabinet on the status of major capital projects funded through recent legislative appropriations. Commissioner Mark Keelin, Deputy Commissioner Chris Perry, and Finance Cabinet/DECA representatives described progress on campground upgrades, utility and broadband improvements, building systems repairs, life-safety work, accommodations and hospitality renovations, pool and beach projects, playgrounds, golf course improvements, marina work, and wastewater upgrades across the state park system. They emphasized that Kentucky has 44 state parks and that the funding has supported completed work and projects still under construction or in design. The presentation highlighted funding tied to House Joint Resolution 76, House Joint Resolution 56, and House Bill 6. Parks reported roughly $72 million invested to date, with 66 projects completed and 17 under construction, including campground renovations at sites such as My Old Kentucky Home, Kin Lake, Carter Caves, Cumberland Falls, and others; broadband projects at several campgrounds; electrical grid resilience work at parks including Kentucky Dam Village and Kin Lake; and completed life-safety upgrades such as lock systems. Officials also noted pool and beach work, ADA improvements, lodge and guest room renovations, marina replacements, and wastewater plant upgrades. DECA said it currently manages 1,335 active capital projects statewide, including 149 for Parks, and credited additional project management capacity and regular coordination meetings for accelerating delivery. Committee members asked for a copy of the presentation and pressed the department for more detailed accounting of House Joint Resolution 56, including how much money remains, which projects are complete, and whether current appropriations are sufficient to finish the listed work. The department also requested a larger maintenance pool appropriation of $40 million for the next budget, arguing that routine and emergency maintenance needs across 44 parks exceed current resources and that preventative maintenance would reduce long-term costs. No votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think you're getting off on a rabbit trail that has nothing to do with the bill.
• that has nothing to do on a rabbit trail that has nothing to do with<00:18:38.520><c> the</c><00:18:
• I mean, I think we're just getting caught on these rabbit trails because what we're offering here is
• So I think you're getting off on a rabbit trail that has nothing to do with the bill.
• But I won't ask any more questions, and I am going down a rabbit trail on the bill because I do think

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• tourism, infrastructure, residential redevelopment, downtown revitalization, parks, and regional trails
• tourism, infrastructure, residential redevelopment, downtown revitalization, parks, and regional trails
• Our agency supported the city of Ely with the Regional Trails Grant in the amount of $280,000.
• Our agency supported the city of Ely with the Regional Trails Grant in the amount of $280,000.
• Our agency supported the city of Ely with the Regional Trails Grant in the amount of $280,000.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• I saw a cattle truck the other day with four axles under the trailer.
• I saw a a cattle<01:42:02.159><c> truck</c><01:42:02.639><c> the</c><01:42:02.880><c> other</c><01:42
• :03.040><c> day</c><01:42:03.280><c> with</c><01:42:03.679><c> four</c> cattle truck the other day with
• four cattle truck the other day with four axles<01:42:04.880><c> under</c><01:42:05.199><c> the</c><
• of the crime that has been legal trail of the crime that has been committed.<04:02:31.760><c> And</c

Transcript Highlights:

• And on that particular case, somebody was caught because they had trail cams within the property, but
• caught<00:08:38.080><c> because</c><00:08:38.400><c> they</c><00:08:38.560><c> had</c><00:08:38.800><c> trail
• </c><00:08:39.080><c> cams</c><00:08:40.000><c> uh</c> caught because they had trail cams uh caught because
• they had trail cams uh within<00:08:40.719><c> the</c><00:08:40.800><c> property,</c><00:08:41.240><

Transcript Highlights:

• The park has become world-renowned for its biking trails throughout the beautiful manmade lakes and hills
• The park has become world renowned for its biking trails throughout the beautiful manmade lakes and hills
• Whether it's hunting, fishing, trail riding, or just enjoying Minnesota's nature, for some veterans traditional
• ATV clubs, trail groups, and veterans organizations provide support, social interaction, and a sense
• I urge you to support House File 1225 and pass ATV clubs, trail groups and veterans organizations provide

Bills: HF1355 , HF78 , HF1846 , HF1225

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: commercial diving, scuba diving safety, aquatic plant management, workplace safety, environmental regulations, HF78, Minnesota veterans, veteran retreats, Camp Bliss, Walker, Independent Lifestyles Inc., Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans affairs grant, general fund appropriation, family members, spouse, domestic partner, children, therapy, transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• up the road from the WMA and like many people in the community, I spent countless hours hiking its trails
• In Pinellas County we have a wonderful trail, the Pinellas Trail, and we have constituents that live
• in the neighborhood that borders the trail and it's one of the perks of living in the neighborhood to
• To the point where they would rather walk on the streets and avoid the trail all altogether because of
• having to face an e-bike coming straight at them and having to move out of the way and losing their own trail

Transcript Highlights:

• I will trails bonding grant program.
• Next, I'm going to talk about parks and trails.
• Governor Walz is also and trails.
• </c> through to 10 parks and trails through to 10 parks and trails implementing<01:41:28.040><c> agencies
• We have a vast network of parks and trails. Yes, we do have this map here.

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Rosemount, and ride them on the trails Rosemount, and ride them on the trails there.<00:35:38.280
• So let's just say a state trail, Sakatah Trail, comes through my district. >> Okay.
• So on a state trail like a Sakatah Trail in my district, you'll still be able to use an e-bike, a pedal
• So on a state trail like a Sakatah Trail in my district, you'll still be able to use an e-bike, a pedal
• So on a state trail like a Sakatah Trail in my district, you'll still be able to use an e-bike, a pedal

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we look forward to further work with them, of course, through our Knox Trail commemorations and
• And so we look forward to further work with them, of course, through our Knox Trail commemorations and
• With them, of course, through our Knox Trail commemorations and beyond.
• And planning in the midst of all of this, planning is continuing on the Knox Trail events, which this

Summary: The Special Commission on the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution met without a quorum, so the gathering remained unofficial and no minutes were approved or formal votes taken. Chair Senator Paul Mark conducted roll call, then moved to updates and presentations from House co-chair Representative Sean Garballey, Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism Director Sheila Green, and Revolution 250’s Jonathan Lane. Representative Garballey highlighted the recent Patriots’ Day and Lexington-Concord commemorations, calling them highly successful, and noted that the House’s supplemental budget included $15 million for 250th anniversary events. Director Green gave a broad Massachusetts 250 update, emphasizing the large turnout for April commemorations, upcoming events including Fall River, Bunker Hill, Flag Day, Charlestown’s parade, Gloucester’s reenactment, and Newburyport’s parade, plus ongoing initiatives such as Museums 250, Lunch and Learns, grant programs, podcasts, and partnerships with sports teams, museums, and state agencies. She also reported 131 applications for FY26 grants totaling $7.5 million, with $2 million available for awards. Jonathan Lane described Revolution 250’s work supporting local commemorations across the Commonwealth, including Chelsea Creek, Monotomy, Hingham, Pittsfield, Plymouth, and other communities, and praised local legislators’ involvement. He previewed major upcoming Bunker Hill and Charlestown events, the Gloucester reenactment, the 250th Revolution 250 podcast episode featuring Rick Atkinson, Knox Trail programming, and the start of Massachusetts 250 events in 2026. The meeting ended with thanks to the presenters and a note that the commission would likely reconvene after July 4.

Transcript Highlights:

• outdoor play areas; restoring wetlands or riparian corridors; and constructing new non-motorized trails
• outdoor play areas, restoring wetlands or riparian corridors, and constructing new non-motorized trails
• The program was established in 2008, originally, at the motorized trails.
• And then urban greening can focus on other things like green alleyways and trails and some more gray
• So we have folks going out there now doing trail logs and evaluating the roads and the buildings.

Summary: The subcommittee heard presentations on the administration’s Proposition 4 spending plans for extreme heat mitigation and outdoor access, then took up SB 54 implementation, SB 707 textile producer responsibility, and recovery needs related to the Los Angeles fires at state parks. For the extreme heat chapter, agencies described funding for the Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program, urban greening, urban forestry, fairground upgrades, and technical assistance for community-based climate programs. Witnesses emphasized that these are existing programs with strong demand, that technical assistance is important for reaching disadvantaged and tribal communities, and that the proposed funding would expand outreach and implementation capacity. Members asked for more detail on where funds have gone geographically, examples of successful projects, tree-planting totals, and how fairgrounds could better support fire staging and emergency preparedness. The LAO said the timing of the administration’s proposed funding generally made sense because the programs are already established, and no votes were taken. For outdoor access, State Parks, Fish and Wildlife, and Natural Resources described funding for new parks in underserved communities, deferred maintenance, state lands access, and several new or pending programs. State Parks said the park development program would fund roughly 48 projects and that deferred maintenance funding would address high-priority health, safety, and access needs. Fish and Wildlife said its lands program would improve visitor amenities and access on properties that often lack basic facilities. The Natural Resources Agency also outlined three newer outdoor-access proposals: expanding recreation in disadvantaged communities, enhancing natural resource values and trail access, and a nature/climate/education facilities grant program. The LAO distinguished between existing programs, which are ready to move forward, and the newer proposals, where the Legislature may want more input before funds are allocated. Members also raised concerns about park police vacancies, the need to track outcomes for accessibility investments, and whether Prop. 4 could help with wildfire-related recovery at state parks. CalRecycle then presented on SB 54, the plastics and packaging producer responsibility law, and members pressed hard on the delay in regulations. CalRecycle said it has held workshops, formed an advisory committee, selected the producer responsibility organization, and completed required baseline and covered-material reports, but needs more time to address complex comments and novel features such as source reduction and eco-modulated fees. Members expressed frustration that a statutory deadline was missed and asked for a concrete timeline; CalRecycle said it expects regulations in place by 2026, ahead of the PRO’s January 1, 2027 plan deadline. Finance said the Beverage Container Recycling Fund is currently healthy enough to support short-term loans for implementation. The committee also reviewed SB 707, the textile EPR law, which would create the nation’s first textile producer responsibility program; staff said the proposal would add positions and loan authority, and members noted the statutory deadlines for PRO approval, needs assessment, and later regulations. The hearing ended with discussion of the January Los Angeles fires’ damage to Topanga State Park and Will Rogers State Historic Park, where State Parks described extensive losses, emergency response work, and ongoing damage assessment. Members asked about FEMA eligibility, state funding sources, and community engagement in rebuilding, and the department said it is still assessing costs and will work with the public on reimagining the parks.

Transcript Highlights:

• education and technical assistance, to land protection and restoration, to creation of local park and trail
• education and technical assistance, to land protection and restoration, to creation of local park and trail
• education and technical assistance, to land protection and restoration, to creation of local park and trail
• c><00:36:33.319><c> then</c><00:36:33.440><c> the</c><00:36:33.560><c> local</c><00:36:33.839><c> Trails
• </c> grant program and then the local Trails grant program and then the local Trails connection<00:36

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• as investments in park infrastructure like visitor centers, campgrounds, beaches, playgrounds, and trail
• work in EEA to combat the climate crisis. but also for biodiversity, also for connection to rail trails
• Finally, we are asking for $75 million for trails.
• Finally, we are asking for $75 million for trails, and to have this sum in its own line item.
• This makes it impossible to separate and track trail spending from other spending.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets

Summary: The Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets held a hearing on S. 2542, the Mass Ready Act, the Healey-Driscoll administration’s environmental bond bill. Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper and Undersecretary Jen Sullivan described the bill as a $3 billion resilience package to protect drinking water, farms, fisheries, roads, bridges, parks, and communities from flooding, heat, drought, wildfires, and other climate impacts. They highlighted major authorizations for flood and coastal resilience, DCR infrastructure, drinking water and wastewater upgrades, PFAS remediation, open space and land protection, food security infrastructure, and a new Resilience Revolving Fund for low-cost loans to municipalities, tribes, and water districts. Committee members asked about project lifespans, flood and salt marsh permitting, wastewater and combined sewer overflow funding, parkway maintenance, land acquisition priorities, Quabbin stewardship, and how the revolving fund would be capitalized and administered. The administration said the fund would be modeled on the Clean Water Trust, use existing trust resources rather than new fees, and could later support special obligation bonds; they also said the bill would streamline certain permitting and improve flood-risk disclosure and climate-related building standards. Many witnesses urged the committee to strengthen the bill’s funding levels or add related policy provisions. Labor, contractor, and plumbing groups supported creating a water reuse and graywater recycling commission, saying it could conserve water, reduce stormwater and sewer burdens, and create skilled jobs. Boston Harbor Now asked for higher authorizations for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program and resilient coast work, plus permitting reforms for nature-based and waterfront projects. The Massachusetts Rivers Alliance backed the bill but also urged inclusion of drought-management legislation, a water reuse commission, a statewide flood buyout program, and more support for community resiliency. Environmental justice advocates from Green Roots called for dedicated funding for outdoor and indoor air quality monitoring and indoor air quality improvements in schools and public housing, while conservation and tree advocates sought larger investments in urban forestry, local nurseries, and workforce training, along with clearer language to ensure municipal reforestation funds go to cities and towns. Agricultural and food system witnesses emphasized the importance of the bill’s food security and farmland provisions. The Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership and the Mass Food System Collaborative supported the $125 million food security infrastructure grant program, saying it has funded critical facilities and equipment for farmers, fishers, processors, and food access organizations, but warned that without the bill there could be a funding gap in fiscal year 2027. They also supported farmland protection and asked for more funding for agricultural capital programs, used-equipment eligibility in grant programs, and a next-generation farmer fund. Water utility representatives said the bill still falls short of the state’s long-term drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater needs, citing EPA estimates of nearly $37 billion in needed investments over 20 years and urging dedicated recurring funding and broader eligibility for climate resilience grants. No votes were taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, you know, building extra miles of sidewalk, extra miles of trail, all the other things they're doing
• It all sounds good, that, you know, you're putting things towards sidewalks and trails, but we don't
• So, when you're increasing transportation costs by 20 to 29%, that's a concern. extra miles of trail,
• all the other extra miles of trail, all the other things<00:26:11.920><c> they're</c><00:26:12.040><
• and trails, but we don't<00:26:24.560><c> know</c><00:26:24.680><c> the</c><00:26:24.840><c> dollar<

Summary: Minnesota Senate Republicans held a press conference unveiling a package of affordability and tax-relief bills aimed at property taxes, taxes on tips and overtime, and vehicle registration costs. Leader Mark Johnson said the proposals were meant to counter rising costs for wages, homeownership, and driving, and argued that Democrats’ policies had made life more expensive. Several senators echoed that theme, saying Minnesotans need immediate relief and that the state has room to act because of a reported surplus. Senator Michael Kunesh described a property-tax cap bill that would limit increases for cities and counties to inflation plus 50% of population growth, with higher increases requiring voter approval. He said constituents, including seniors, a disabled veteran, and young people, are seeing unsustainable property-tax hikes, and he argued that state and federal mandates have driven local costs. In response to a question about added county workload from federal SNAP and Medicaid changes, he said the solution is both to pause new mandates and to cap property-tax growth. Senator Karin Housley outlined a proposal to end state taxes on tips and overtime, with deductions up to $25,000 for tips and $12,500 for overtime, phased out at $150,000 for individuals and $300,000 for families. She said the measure would help workers keep more of what they earn and would not cost small businesses directly. Senator John Jasinski proposed rolling back vehicle registration tab fees to pre-2023 levels, saying Minnesota’s fees are far higher than neighboring states and that the change would save drivers money over time. Senator Julia Coleman also supported the package, saying the bills would provide practical relief for families facing high housing, driving, and work-related costs. No votes were taken; the event ended with questions from reporters about fiscal impacts, offsets, and whether the proposals would worsen the state’s structural budget imbalance.

Transcript Highlights:

• That connection also provides for interchange ramps, and it connects the Children of the Sun Trail.
• Of note, the Children of the Sun Trail, and I'll show you in another slide, actually will be completed
• We are grateful to receive Carbon Commitment Act funds for this remaining segment of the trail alignment
• And that connection also provides for interchange ramps, and it connects the Children in Sun-Trail.
• Of note, the Children in the Sun-Trail, and I'll show you in another slide, actually will be completed

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met for work sessions, public hearings, and executive action. In the work session, WSDOT briefed the committee on the U.S. 12 corridor near Walla Walla and the North Spokane Corridor. Brian White said U.S. 12 is an eight-phase project with seven phases complete, and phase eight would finish the corridor, improve freight mobility and safety, and include a jurisdictional transfer of the old highway back to Walla Walla County. He said the project remains short of full funding, including a gap between the $350 million corridor cost and the $110 million federal Rural Surface Transportation grant, but WSDOT hopes to build smaller independent-utility pieces and begin construction in summer 2027. Charlene K. then reported that the North Spokane Corridor is seven of eight highway miles open, with major remaining work on the I-90 connection and related interchanges, bridges, and trail segments. She described the project as on track for design completion in 2027 and construction completion around 2030, while noting risks tied to federal approval, tight construction space, labor and contractor availability, utilities, and community impacts. The committee also heard from Karen Messmer of the Cooper Jones Active Transportation Safety Council, who summarized the council’s 2025 report and 2026 priorities. She emphasized that pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities remain unacceptably high and urged a safe-system approach focused on safer speeds, roads, road users, vehicles, land use, and post-crash care. She highlighted recommendations including safety-based performance measures, better speed management, more local safety planning support, improved driver education, attention to micromobility and large vehicles, and faster toxicology and crash-data processing. In public hearings, the committee heard Senate Bill 6131, which would expand the Washington Traffic Safety Commission’s fatal crash review authority, designate it as a public health authority for limited access to health information, and create a confidential fatality review committee. The sponsor and Traffic Safety Commission said the bill would help identify common contributing factors in all fatal crashes while protecting confidential information; a media representative testified that the bill preserves public access to records already open and supports the goal of improving safety. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6155, which would extend disability parking placard renewal from every five years to every 20 years and remove the need for a health care practitioner’s signature at renewal; supporters said this would reduce burdens on permanently disabled people, while opponents warned it could increase fraud and misuse of placards. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6238, which would raise the minimum tug escort horsepower for oil tankers in restricted waters to 3,000 horsepower or 5% of tanker deadweight, whichever is greater; the sponsor and Board of Pilotage said the change would align statute with current practice and newly adopted rules. Testimony was mixed, and the hearing closed with two people signed in pro and two con. In executive session, the committee advanced several bills. It passed Senate Bill 5746 on EV charging infrastructure property crime, Senate Bill 5824 on fifth wheel travel trailer length, Senate Bill 6110 on e-bikes and e-motos, Senate Bill 5839 on county ferry district passenger-only service, and Senate Bill 6148 on regional transit authority bond terms, all with due pass recommendations to the Rules Committee. An amendment to SB 6110 adding several state agency leaders to the e-moto work group was rejected. The committee adjourned after signing committee reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• feed a good bit of supply and to the Pensacola Escambia area and last but not least we have sabal trail
• If you think about the interstate pipelines Ftt Gulfstream Sabal Trail, those are the 3 largest that
• all the interstate pipelines is they are all interconnected so that it is interconnected with Sabal trail
• sable trails interconnected with Gulf stream.
• Sabal trail was certificate for 3 phases and that was in 2017 and then all stream has gone through 6

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you worried about your cattle and your farmland? Worried about windmills?

Committees: House Agriculture , House Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• I have talked about this with the cattle association, and I think their guidance, and when this comes

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Other things you can do with beef cattle, you can let somebody else feed them, but nobody's going to

Summary: The Senate opened by approving the previous day’s journal, receiving messages from the House, and referring newly introduced Senate Bill 6353 to the Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs, and Elections. The chamber then moved to resolutions. Senate Resolution 8687, commemorating the 84th anniversary of Executive Order 9066 and recognizing Japanese American veterans, incarcerees, and civil rights activists, was presented and adopted. Several senators spoke in support, describing the wartime incarceration of Japanese Americans as a grave civil rights injustice and emphasizing remembrance, healing, and the need to prevent similar abuses in the future. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 8688 honoring Washington’s dairy farms and dairy workers. Senators highlighted the industry’s economic importance, family farm traditions, and the hard work involved in dairy production, with some members sharing personal family and farming experiences. After adoption, the Senate welcomed representatives of the Washington State Dairy Council, Washington State Dairy Women’s Organization, and Dairy Ambassadors Apprentices to the gallery. The Senate then adjourned without objection until 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• record in support of the legislation, particularly the Perilla mint species, which is very toxic to cattle

Committee: House Conservation and Natural Resources