Transcript Highlights:

• Since the project began, statewide use of the B-FAST screening tool has significantly increased, and
• And one success story that I just wanted to point out is Bridging the Dental Gap.
• They did a project where they provided exams for the Dickinson Head Start program in 2024.
• And both Bridging the Dental Gap and Ronald McDonald House presented back in November.
• And I know that Bridging the Dental Gap is looking to expand their space, I know that Bridging the Dental

Summary: The committee first approved the previous meeting minutes and then heard a detailed annual report from Dr. Thomas Arnold, chair of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, on maternal mortality trends and policy issues. He explained the committee’s review process, confidentiality protections, and national and North Dakota data showing that most maternal deaths are preventable and that mental health conditions, substance use, cardiovascular issues, infection, hemorrhage, and embolism are the leading causes. Members asked about suicide, domestic violence, midwife training, home births, and whether pregnancy testing at death scenes should be expanded; Dr. Arnold said better coroner education, more investigation of unexplained deaths, and possible post-mortem pregnancy testing could improve case identification, especially in rural areas. He also noted that deaths often occur well after 42 days postpartum and that mental health-related deaths remain a major concern. The committee then heard from State Fire Marshal Dr. Matthew Clark on cigarette reduced-ignition-propensity standards and related fire prevention issues. He recommended updating the state’s cigarette propensity law to current national standards and also raised a separate recommendation to require fast-breakaway oxygen tubing for home oxygen users, citing fatal fires linked to smoking around oxygen. Members asked about implementation, cost, insurance coverage, and whether the standards apply in tribal communities; Dr. Clark said he would provide follow-up information and was willing to help with any legislation, but no agency bill had yet been planned. Next, Christine Greff of the Department of Health and Human Services reported on the North Dakota Stroke System of Care. She described the statewide network of stroke-ready hospitals, registry-based quality improvement, and performance data showing continued improvement in stroke recognition, imaging, thrombolytic treatment, transfers, and EMS pre-notification. She highlighted new quality measures for inter-facility transfers and intracerebral hemorrhage care, and said the system remains strong but depends on continued legislative and hospital support. Committee members asked about participation by the VA hospital and were encouraged to consider outreach to include it more fully in the stroke system. Finally, the committee began a presentation on prior authorization and non-opioid pain treatment from Taha Khan of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. He argued that prior authorization can delay access to non-opioid acute pain medications, especially in the 24- to 72-hour post-discharge window when pain is most severe, and said delays can push patients toward opioids. He emphasized that prior authorization has a role in utilization management but should not create barriers in acute pain care, and he noted that current use of the company’s non-opioid product remains very low. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1475 is looking to rename the bridge over I-35 at Indian Hills the Toby Keith Interchange
• Senate Bill 1475 is looking to rename the bridge over I-35 at Indian Hills the Toby Keith Interchange
• This is a project with an FFA student in Cherokee, Oklahoma. Will there be any other questions?
• When I was 11 years old, I wanted to make a difference, so I started Lucille's Pollinator Project.
• When I was 11 years old, I wanted to make a difference, so I started Lucille's Pollinator Project.

Bills: SB378, SB540, SB1061, SB1475, SB1531, SB1534, SB1684, SB1824, SB1826, SB2049

Keywords: bail bondsman, bondsman license, multicounty agent bondsman, surety bondsman, Insurance Commissioner, bail bond regulation, bond deposit, forfeiture, deposit ratio, writing capacity, license transfer, power of attorney, surety bond, bail industry, Oklahoma insurance law, financial solvency, administrative action, SB1061, Oklahoma Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act, SAFE Act

Transcript Highlights:

• cost overruns to Bay Bridge retrofit to other projects that we've seen, including projects such as our
• cost overruns to Bay Bridge retrofit to other projects that we've seen, including projects such as our
• cost overruns to Bay Bridge retrofit to other projects that we've seen, including projects such as our
• State Water Project.
• I'm also wondering, I keep—so I'm hearing projects not started, project is started.

Summary: The committee heard several audit requests and related testimony. The first major item was an audit of Coachella Valley Unified School District’s contract and fiscal management. The author and supporters described long-standing fiscal mismanagement, large budget shortfalls, layoffs, contracting concerns, and questions about the district’s foundation and use of public funds. District representatives and the Riverside County Office of Education said the district is already under fiscal oversight, has a stabilization plan, and is working to reduce deficits and improve student outcomes. After extensive debate and public comment, the motion to approve the audit was put on call because the committee did not have the required votes from both houses at that moment. The committee then approved an audit of East Bay transit agencies in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Senator Wahab argued the region’s many overlapping transit agencies create fragmentation, duplication, and inefficiency, especially amid a fiscal cliff and possible future tax increases. Transit agencies and labor representatives opposed the audit, saying the agencies already undergo multiple audits, serve distinct local needs, and are implementing regional coordination efforts. After testimony from agency leaders and public commenters, the committee voted to approve the audit. The next item was an audit of California Community Colleges’ unrestricted reserves. Senator Archuleta and supporting faculty representatives said reserves have grown substantially and may be diverting resources from student services, instruction, and workforce programs. They argued there is little oversight when reserves become too high. The Chancellor’s Office and Calbright College were invited to respond, and the audit objectives focused on reserve growth, reasons for high balances, oversight by the Chancellor’s Office, and effects on students and staff. The transcript cuts off during the Chancellor’s Office response, so the final committee action on this item is not shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• the need for capacity and project the need for capacity and project support<00:03:50.080> on<
• Line 107 is the spending authority for federal funds related to the Blatnik Bridge project in 2026 of
• <01:07:29.119> project<01:07:29.599> in related to the Blotnik Bridge project in related
• to the Blotnik Bridge project in 26<01:07:30.559> of<01:07:30.880> 650 26 of 650 26 of
• the Washington Avenue pedestrian bridge. the Washington Avenue pedestrian bridge.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > drive The selected projects also drive The selected projects also drive system-wide<00:04:21.760
• > a<00:05:19.160> model<00:05:19.480> for project will serve as a model for project
• project for every corner of our state. project for every corner of our state.
• That's our next project.
• or not pursuing the project at all. or not pursuing the project at all.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Trevor Project strongly urges you to pass SF 4706 and later 4707. Thank you.
• Project strongly urges you to pass SF Project strongly urges you to pass SF 4706 4706 4706 and<00:09:
• Did you want to go over the bridge payment or the rest?
• I'm seeing the bridge payment part and did you want to stop there? No.
• I'm seeing the bridge payment part and I'm seeing the bridge payment part and or<01:20:50.320> or<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• hump on a project.
• Representative, do you have any projects in mind?
• We've got a project. Would you run this?"
• There wasn't a specific project. Thank you. That's what I wanted to know.
• This is going to be a year-long project for us to do that.

Bills: HB248, HB309, HB332, SB48

Keywords: general obligation bonds, GO bonds, capital projects, bond election, property tax levy, state debt, state finance, capital outlay, senior centers, senior citizen facilities, aging services, long-term services, libraries, library acquisitions, broadband for libraries, higher education, university capital projects, community colleges, tribal schools, special schools

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will read the summary of the bill: This bill designates a bridge carrying Pennsylvania Route
• Capella Memorial Bridge.
• This bill designates a bridge carrying Pennsylvania Route 271 over a tributary of Black Lake Creek in
• Capella Memorial Bridge. Will the House agree to the bill?
• ahead of prestigious projects and administrative spending, I cannot justify, asking the people of Pennsylvania

Summary: The House began with ceremonial recognitions, including guests of Representatives Benham and Warren and a farewell acknowledgment for longtime floor staffer Michelle Martin, who is leaving House service for a role in the Senate. The chamber then took up caucus and committee announcements, recessed several times, and later returned to consider a series of committee reports and bills. House and Senate bills were reported from Rules, Appropriations, and Judiciary, including referrals of several measures to committees. The House adopted House Resolution 515 unanimously, urging Congress to review Major Richard D. Winner’s actions for possible Medal of Honor recognition. It also adopted House Resolution 208, directing a performance audit of services, wait times, and processes in the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services; supporters said it would help improve services for Pennsylvanians with vision impairment, while the vote was 201-1. The chamber then passed several bills with amendments, including measures on foster care youth benefits, AI companion safeguards, prison industry enhancement program administration, memorial bridge designations, firefighter and EMS donation options through PennDOT renewals, horse-racing background checks, and fertility preservation coverage. Several bills reached final passage. House Bill 1239, limiting homeowners associations from restricting rooftop solar installations, passed 109-93. House Bill 2146, amending the Sunshine Act to tighten the 24-hour agenda notice rule while preserving limited exceptions, passed 193-9 after debate over transparency and local-government flexibility. House Bill 2558, banning non-compete agreements for broadcast workers, passed narrowly 103-99 amid objections from Republicans and concerns about impacts on local broadcasters and contract rights. Senate Bills 971 and 972 also passed finally, dealing with township audit deadlines and municipal memorials for first responders. The House also approved House Bill 2412, funding state-related universities for fiscal year 2026-27, by 155-47 after debate over Penn State’s campus closures, accountability, and per-student funding differences; House Bill 2413, appropriating funds to the University of Pennsylvania, passed 195-7. The chamber then moved several bills back to Appropriations, signed Senate Bills 971 and 972, and adjourned until the next scheduled session.

Transcript Highlights:

• pals awarded for presenting bold ideas pals awarded for presenting bold ideas to<00:16:32.079> bridge
• > divides<00:16:33.600> or<00:16:34.000> solve<00:16:34.560> local to bridge
• divides or solve local to bridge divides or solve local challenges.<00:16:36.399> And<00:16:36.639
• one of the classes that I teach on government and how government works, and they've been assigned a project
• one of the classes that I teach on government and how government works, and they've been assigned a project

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a four-year pilot project managed by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
• If you wouldn't see folks under a bridge now here in Austin, Texas or in Houston or wherever, it's a
• There's just no way that in a country so prosperous that we have folks living under a bridge.
• So I think there are some projects that are still going on, but they won't be going on much longer.
• Witness: There's a concern, yes, but the project we had was all through the COVID recovery money.

Bills: HB158

Keywords: public funds, lobbying activities, political subdivision, government spending, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• That five-year budget plan is supposed to include the programmatic models, the projected enrollment,
• About two years ago, we started an instructional coherence project for internal alignment at the agency
• We call it the coherence project.
• That if the number of federal projects, if those applications are aligned a little better, that that
• Through their responsive approach, my daughter has been able to bridge that gap.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• full implementation projects.
• c> we're construction projects where we're construction projects where we're building<01:21:50.800
• projects, but if construction<01:22:32.880> projects<01:22:33.280> can<01:22:33.360>
• these projects because they don't get the tax credit back until the project is in place.
• is<01:27:30.400> in credit back until the project is in credit back until the project is

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met to adopt the minutes of the second meeting by voice vote, then heard an update focused on disaster preparedness, resiliency, response, and coordination among state agencies and partners. The chair emphasized avoiding duplication of resources and highlighted the importance of agriculture-related response issues, including animal evacuation, feed distribution, and the role of extension services during disasters. The Department for Public Health was invited to explain its role in emergency planning and response. Public Health described its Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch as the lead coordinating agency for Emergency Support Function 8, covering health and medical services under Kentucky’s emergency operations framework. Testimony outlined its broad responsibilities, including support for hospitals, morgues, local health departments, behavioral health, crisis counseling, suspicious package testing, disease outbreaks, and coordination with emergency management, EMS, transportation, and nonprofit and private partners. Officials also described the agency’s risk-assessment process, training and exercise programs, and deployed assets such as PPE caches, deployable communications, a federal medical station, a mobile treatment center, and alternate care support used in events like the eastern Kentucky floods and COVID-19. The agency also discussed funding through federal cooperative agreements for public health emergency preparedness and hospital preparedness, noting that these programs have evolved since 9/11 and have been shaped by major disasters and emerging threats. Officials said Kentucky’s funding has declined over time and that current awards are partially funded for the first time in the program’s history. They expressed support for efficiency if federal programs are consolidated, but cautioned that combining programs could risk further funding losses.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to highlight a few projects in each of these areas.
• So a few projects we want to highlight here.
• The second project here to kind of over relook at is Carry State Forest.
• And so few of the projects here, you can see a couple of pictures. So nice walking bridge on point.
• And that's almost 2300 acre project there.

Transcript Highlights:

• forward in Thief of Falls with a project forward in Thief of Falls with a project that<01:10:15.080
• developers working on market-rate workforce housing projects, so that their project can receive contributions
• developers working on market-rate workforce housing projects.
• developers working on market-rate workforce housing projects, so that their project can receive contributions
• <01:19:20.719> the these funds help bridge the these funds help bridge the affordability<01

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bridges we have over... nearly 60,000 bridges in the state of Texas.
• that the bridge condition score for those bridges in Texas are at the top or near the top based on the
• And 12 projects were awarded in September. And you all have those projects listed in your handout.
• We know that if that is a project, if that is your project, and. You may be impacted on it.
• projects, but some evaluation. evaluations, studies, and you will see some smaller projects.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We build bridges at night. We build roads at night.
• We build bridges at night. We build roads at night.
• In August, the program completed the Hazard Mitigation Grant Project prioritization.
• ,' and I ask, 'Can you get me a project number?'
• are ultimately financial projects.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Major General James Hartzell of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs on the agency’s outreach, benefits assistance, and state veterans nursing homes. He highlighted Florida’s large and growing veteran population, the decline in World War II and Vietnam-era veterans, and the increase in post-9/11 veterans moving to the state. Hartzell discussed the state veterans nursing home system, including a new Collier County facility that will include skilled nursing, assisted living, adult day health care, and outpatient therapy, and he said the department is also studying future adult day health care expansion and possible additional homes in underserved areas. He also reported on the dental program funded by the Legislature, saying 245 veterans were served in the first quarter of the fiscal year, with 1,631 procedures completed and more than $525,000 in savings, and he credited the added state veterans service officer positions with helping connect more veterans to benefits. Hartzell also noted a 13% year-over-year reduction in homeless veterans, emphasized mental health outreach through SaveFLVets.org and the Overwatch program, and announced a new deputy executive director, retired Colonel D.J. Reyes. Members asked about the need for additional veterans homes in South Florida, the criteria used to site new homes, the homeless veteran reduction, and whether adult day health care could be added at existing facilities. Hartzell explained that federal criteria focus on the availability of private skilled nursing beds for veterans 65 and older, and that adult day health care is state-funded and being studied for broader deployment. He also said the department tracks where homeless veterans are concentrated and works with local partners and organizations like Tunnels to Towers to provide housing and services that reduce recidivism. The committee also discussed Florida’s national reputation for veteran support, including Veterans Month and the state’s culture of veteran awareness. The committee then received a presentation from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, on disaster response, recovery, and technology systems. Guthrie described the State Emergency Response Team, the new Florida Central Operations and Coordination Office in Auburndale, and the new State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee, which is expected to be fully operational by spring 2026 and will significantly expand capacity and hardening. He reviewed recovery efforts for Hurricanes Helene, Milton, Debbie, Idalia, Ian, Irma, Michael, Dorian, Sally, Nicole, and others, including sheltering, travel trailers, debris removal, and FEMA reimbursement totals. Guthrie said Florida removed more than 31.6 million cubic yards of debris from Helene and Milton in 90 days on a 24/7 basis, and he described Elevate Florida, the Florida Recovery Obligation Calculation (FROC), the DEMES platform, and WebEOC as tools to streamline recovery, mitigation, and intergovernmental coordination. Members asked about flood-response resources for cities, the state’s use of pumps and mutual aid, and lessons learned from inland flooding after Milton. Guthrie said local governments should first use county and city mutual aid, then request state assistance when needed, and he encouraged more partnerships for staging and maintaining flood equipment. He also said future flood mitigation must address outdated development patterns, watershed flow, and the need for better drainage planning, while continuing temporary fixes and homeowner assistance programs. The committee ended with no votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We build bridges at night. We build roads at night.
• In August, the program completed the Hazard Mitigation Grant Project. To FEMA.
• Historically, with projects like this, if you go back to Irma, you go back to Michael, you go back to
• guess, 10,000-plus projects across the entire enterprise, and track billions of dollars.
• are ultimately financial projects.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Major General James Hartzell of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs on the agency’s mission, outreach efforts, state veterans nursing homes, and support programs. He highlighted Florida’s large and growing veteran population, the state’s existing nursing homes and the planned 10th home in Collier County, and the department’s dental assistance program, which served 245 veterans in the first quarter of the fiscal year and completed 1,631 procedures while saving more than $525,000. He also discussed veteran service officers, the benefits guide, the department newsletter, efforts to reduce veteran homelessness, and mental health outreach through the Overwatch/Firewatch program. Senators asked about future nursing home locations, adult day health care, homelessness, and the dental program; Hartzell also announced that retired Colonel D.J. Reyes will become deputy executive director on November 7. The committee then heard from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Division of Emergency Management, on disaster response, recovery, and agency modernization. He described the State Emergency Response Team, the new Florida Central Operations and Coordination Office warehouse in Auburndale, and the new state emergency operations center in Tallahassee, which is ahead of schedule and designed to hold about 220 people and withstand 200-mph winds. Guthrie reviewed recovery efforts for recent storms, including debris removal, volunteer villages, sheltering, and FEMA reimbursement totals for Hurricanes Milton, Helene, Debbie, Idalia, Ian, and earlier storms. He also discussed the Elevate Florida home-elevation program, the Florida Recovery Obligation Calculation training initiative, the DEMES platform, and WebEOC, noting that 60 counties and 22 colleges and universities are using the system. Members asked Guthrie about flood-response resources for cities, training for local officials, and lessons from inland flooding after recent storms. He explained how local governments can request pumps and other assistance through county and state channels, described upcoming elected-official training, and emphasized mutual aid and EMAC as key future disaster-response tools. The committee took no formal votes or other legislative action and adjourned at the end of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• and HR 37, requesting the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation to extend the Skyline Rail Project
• Bridge. Um, chair for the testimony. Bridge. Um, chair for the testimony.
• to the west side of Skyline Rail Project to the west side of Oahu.<00:38:26.960> Chair<00:38:
• We have made great strides over the last several years in prioritizing many of the projects that focus
• We have made great strides over the last several years in prioritizing many of the projects that focus

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation met on March 20, 2025, first on two bills and then on a series of resolutions. On SB 597, relating to administrative driver’s license revocation, the Department of the Attorney General and other agencies supported extending the deadlines for written review decisions because chemical testing results, especially from neighbor islands, can take longer to return. One individual testified in opposition. The committee amended the bill to set the review-decision deadlines at 14 and 28 days, deferred the effective date to July 1, 3000, and recommended passage with amendments by vote. The committee then heard SB 1285 SD2, a highway safety measure that would create an impaired-driving offense, establish automatic license suspension procedures, and amend related administrative processes. The Attorney General’s office raised concerns about the new infraction structure and recommended deleting that section, while the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing it could create due process problems and unnecessary burdens on the courts. DOT and several advocacy groups supported the measure, and one individual testified in support of lowering the BAC limit to 0.05. The committee adopted extensive amendments, including deleting several sections, revising revocation language for refusals to test, and deferring the effective date to July 1, 3000, then passed the bill with amendments. In the later resolution hearing, the committee heard measures on Maui road projects, the Kulani Hako Bridge replacement, enforcement against improperly registered out-of-state vehicles, a proposed extension of the Skyline rail to West Oahu, a proposal to transfer airport regulatory authority to DOT, a golf-ball safety resolution, and a restricted parking pilot program in West Oahu neighborhoods. Testimony was generally supportive on the Maui road, bridge, vehicle-registration, and golf-ball measures, while DOT opposed the airport-corporation task force resolution and several groups offered mixed views, including calls for public-sector union representation if a task force were created. The committee also heard support and concern on the Skyline extension resolution, with members noting the need for transit options that better serve West Oahu. At the end of the meeting, the committee adopted the resolutions it took up in decision-making, including the Maui road measures, the bridge resolution, the vehicle-registration resolution, and the Skyline-related resolution, with the airport-corporation and parking-zone measures also heard before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We did a pilot, the RFI squared project where the Governor's office had different pilot projects for
• The Health Disparities Project, a partner in the CRDP project, you are going to hear from people all
• I'm the Project Coordinator for the Superintendent Project 2 under the CRDP.
• I state that the project proposal of $15.8 million cut to the California Reducing Disparities Project
• . the project, because we are the bridge to our communities.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Every single dollar of the projected $300 to $400 million cost of SB 921 tax credit will go directly
• , discuss the impacts these projects may have, and work to improve them.
• Not just new projects, but expansions and upgrades to facilities can all trigger CEQA.
• an... ...for the project.
• SB 1012 creates a direct bridge, creates a direct bridge from the justice system into long-term career

Summary: The committee heard SB 921, which would create a tax credit to help agricultural employers offset overtime premium costs for farmworkers. Senator Grove and supporters, including farmworkers, the California Farm Bureau, and agricultural groups, argued the bill would restore lost hours and take-home pay after California’s agricultural overtime law reduced schedules. Opponents, including the California Federation of Labor Unions and CRLA Foundation, argued the proposal would subsidize employers with taxpayer dollars and undermine the principle that employers should pay overtime themselves. The bill was held in subcommittee until more members arrived. The committee then took up SB 1083, a cleanup bill to the prior year’s school employee misconduct database law. The author and supporters said it would add due process protections for classified school employees, require an administrative law judge review before placement in the database, and improve notice and vetting rules for contractors and non-permanent staff. School employer groups and other opponents warned the bill could slow investigations and weaken child-safety protections. The committee approved the bill 3-0 and sent it to Senate Appropriations. Members also considered SB 1089, which would require CalPERS health plans to cover GLP-1 medications and expand access through CalRX for chronic weight management and related health conditions. The author and supporters, including the American Diabetes Association and medical groups, said the drugs can prevent diabetes and improve health outcomes but remain unaffordable for many. Pharma representatives expressed concerns about the bill as drafted but said they were open to continued discussions. The bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar 4-0. Later, the committee heard SB 954, which would narrow and add guardrails to last year’s CEQA exemption for advanced manufacturing, including environmental review near disadvantaged communities and labor standards such as prevailing wage and skilled-and-trained workforce requirements. Labor, environmental, and community groups supported the bill as a cleanup of an overly broad exemption, while business and manufacturing groups opposed it, warning it would discourage investment and worsen California’s competitiveness. The bill passed 3-1 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1299, a fire sprinkler fitter certification bill, was heard and passed 3-0 to Appropriations with support from the sprinkler fitters and building trades and no recorded opposition.