Transcript Highlights:

• If you drive on the west side of the campus of NDSU, it'll look completely different.
• We're driving behavior on CIP codes instead of just saying, because we've done that.
• We're driving behavior on CIP codes instead of just saying, because we've done that.
• So I think that's part of driving... Whatever formula we use, whatever we do.
• So I think that's part of driving the discussion to have those nine discussed, the other two here.

Committee: Joint Higher Education Funding Review Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• campaign to both grow the key sectors that we're focusing on, but also the broader economy and to drive
• , and then they drive over us to, you know, downtown, which is a...
• And then they drive over us to, you know, downtown, which is a thriving part of my district.
• The intention was a little bit more to not only drive tourism, but to make sure that we're focusing on
• And so, slightly different than driving tourism.

Summary: The subcommittee heard an informational update from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development on the state’s Jobs First economic development strategy and related budget requests. Go-Biz described its regional planning process, priority sectors such as ag-tech, space defense, life sciences, and semiconductors, and requests including an extension of the CalCompetes tax credit, support for export promotion, additional film commission staff, innovation and emerging technology capacity, and a California brand campaign. Members questioned the campaign’s purpose, with some supporting efforts to counter misinformation about California and others warning it should not obscure regulatory and business-climate concerns. Go-Biz said the campaign would be nationally focused, could include business attraction efforts, and was intended to complement—not replace—policy work on permitting and workforce development. The item was informational only. The committee then heard from the California Office of the Small Business Advocate on the California RISE program, the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund, and the Technical Assistance Program/Capital Infusion Program. CalOSBA reported that California RISE’s first round awarded $16.9 million to 61 employment social enterprises, which collectively increased revenue, secured contracts, and employed thousands of people facing barriers to work; a second round is being launched with a new administrator and expanded services. For the performing arts payroll fund, the office said all 100 awardees had been paid, but demand far exceeded available funding, and the program was oversubscribed within days. California for the Arts testified that the sector remains fragile after COVID and urged statutory changes to simplify eligibility and stretch dollars further. SBDC representatives described TAP/SIP as a statewide network supporting small businesses, capital access, and disaster recovery, emphasizing their role in underserved communities and the leverage of federal matching funds. Committee members focused on whether these programs produce durable outcomes and reach smaller or disadvantaged businesses. Questions centered on long-term job retention in California RISE, outreach to ethnic and community media in the civic media program, and whether TAP/SIP are accessible to entrepreneurs with limited capital or capacity. CalOSBA and its partners said they rely heavily on local community organizations for outreach, provide one-on-one counseling and training, and are working to collect more longitudinal data. The committee also discussed the film and television tax credit program, for which Go-Biz requested funding for three permanent positions and ongoing program support. Film Commission staff said the expanded program is tracking demographic and career-pathway data, with most productions opting into new diversity provisions, and that a formal report to the Legislature is expected in 2027. The item concluded without a vote, as the hearing was for oversight and budget discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, licenses to drive a motor vehicle.
• So as far as um were happy to drive it.
• </c><01:47:22.960><c> at</c> down on glare when they're driving at down on glare when they're driving
• </c> large stretches, contributes to driving large stretches, contributes to driving speeds<03:11:13.359
• </c> and it cut back into traffic driving and it cut back into traffic driving another<03:25:16.160><

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and of course, one final qualifying thing, they are an absolute blast to drive.
• Um, and of course, one final qualifying thing, they are an absolute blast to drive.
• </c><00:29:15.679><c> Um,</c><00:29:16.399><c> gas</c> them charged up for test drives.
• Um, gas them charged up for test drives. Um, gas stations,<00:29:17.200><c> right?
• </c><00:50:54.960><c> straight</c> and now she can just drive straight and now she can just drive straight

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met with a quorum, approved the June 3, 2026 minutes, and then heard a presentation from Mike Proctor of Evolve Kentucky on electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. Proctor described Evolve Kentucky as a nonprofit formed in 2016 to promote EV adoption and charger deployment, said the group has helped place more than 135 chargers at 65 locations, and reported that Kentucky EV registrations have grown rapidly but still represent about 1% of the state’s roughly 3 million vehicles. He also outlined the group’s view that EV drivers and charger operators already contribute to state revenue through annual vehicle fees, charger taxes, utility taxes, and related business taxes, and cited figures showing rising revenue collections as EV adoption increases. A major theme of the presentation was that EV owners are paying their “fair share” rather than being overcharged. Proctor said the current $126 annual EV fee is roughly comparable to the fuel tax a typical gasoline vehicle would pay, and noted that public charging can add additional tax burdens for drivers who cannot charge at home, such as those living in apartments or condos. He also argued that EVs provide broader benefits, including lower noise and air pollution, grid-stabilizing nighttime charging, tourism spending at destination chargers, and reduced road wear for passenger EVs compared with much heavier vehicles. Members questioned Proctor about whether EV owners are paying more than their fair share, how the fee compares with gasoline taxes, and whether apartment and condo residents are disproportionately affected because they rely on public chargers. Proctor responded that the fee was intended to bring EV owners into parity with gas vehicles, not to overcharge them, and said some public chargers are free while others are used by drivers who cannot charge at home. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond the minutes approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what I'm talking about is on the Big Island, our people drive a lot.
• I think there's a disadvantage to people who have to drive far. Um, can you comment on that?
• </c> drive a lot. drive a lot.
• </c><00:52:54.240><c> 200</c> than you can where you're driving 200 than you can where you're driving
• </c> we have a lot of um workforce that drive we have a lot of um workforce that drive a<00:53:49.280

Bills: SB2309 , SB2317 , SB2318 , SB2319 , SB2321 , SB2323 , SB2332 , SB2405 , SB2485

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several agriculture-related measures, beginning with SB 2309, which would require the agricultural loan division to sell portions of its loan portfolio and use the proceeds to expand the agriculture loan revolving fund. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the bill, along with several other organizations and individuals. A committee question focused on the risk of not finding a qualified buyer for the loan portfolio; DAB said a mandatory sale of the full amount could force a less favorable rate, while flexibility to sell different amounts could produce a more equitable return. The measure drew eight supporters and no opposition. The committee then took up SB 2317, which directs DAB to study insurance coverage for small producers and report back to the Legislature. DAB and multiple farm groups supported the bill. In response to a question about cost, DAB estimated about $250,000 would be needed, with the study likely covering crop, health, and liability insurance. The next measure, SB 2318, would establish an agriculture statistics program in statute. DAB said it strongly supported the bill and could ramp up quickly if positions were provided; the committee discussed whether a first report could be completed by year’s end if the bill became law midyear, and DAB said yes. SB 2319, which would fund and make permanent a full-time grant writer position at DAB, also drew strong support from DAB, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Ulupono Initiative, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, the local food coalition, and others, with testifiers emphasizing the position’s return on investment and success in bringing in federal funds. The committee also heard SB 2321, establishing a two-year pilot program to respond to the twoline spittlebug. DAB, ranching groups, and many others supported the bill, citing the pest’s spread and the need to act before it becomes unmanageable. A DAB pest control manager said he would need to research past response details and provide them later. Members emphasized the importance of early intervention. For SB 2323, which creates a farmland transition commission to study barriers to farmland access and recommend solutions, DAB offered comments and support for the intent, while farm groups generally supported the concept but raised concerns about the proposed age range and whether a separate commission was necessary. DAB said the Board of Agriculture likely would not have the capacity to perform the commission’s duties and estimated there would be costs to establish it, though no figure was available at the hearing. Finally, the committee heard SB 2332, which reestablishes the agriculture and food security special fund, creates a carbon emissions tax and dividend fund, gradually raises carbon-related tax rates, and provides a refundable carbon cashback credit. DAB supported the measure and deferred to Taxation on details; the Department of Taxation said it would stand on its comments, and the Attorney General’s office offered comments and recommendations. Carbon Cashback Hawaii and the County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development supported the bill, arguing it would reduce emissions, protect lower-income households, and be relatively simple to administer.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> having the ability to purchase and drive having the ability to purchase and drive an<04:53:33.840
• Who's going to drive the trucks?
• Who's going to drive going to come from? Who's going to drive the<05:04:42.560><c> trucks?
• </c> automobile uh reps I talked to drives automobile uh reps I talked to drives from<06:10:54.718><c
• Now, let me tell you allowed to drive.

Bills: HJR89 , HJR87 , HJR88

Keywords: EPA, pollution control, California emissions standards, NOX regulation, congressional disapproval, HJR87, H.J.Res. 87, Congressional Review Act, CRA, EPA waiver, California waiver, preemption, vehicle emissions, heavy-duty trucks, engine emissions, Advanced Clean Trucks, zero-emission vehicles, ZEV, zero-emission airport shuttle, powertrain certification

Transcript Highlights:

• You may not believe it, but as they're driving along, they can spot the vehicle inspections and registrations
• A police officer, you may not believe it, but as they're driving along, they can spot the vehicle inspections
• And for those that don't, as a police officer is driving along, it's really hard as the cars are going
• Can you believe this, that this technology, some people are, I mean, we've talked about distracted driving
• Do you believe this, that this technology, some people are, I mean, we've talked about distracted driving

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held its final meeting of the 2026 session, with Chair Jeremy Cooney noting quorum and thanking staff and members. The committee considered a large agenda of transportation-related bills, including measures on school construction notice from NYC DOT, inspection station disclosures, electronic signatures for vehicle registration forms, sex trafficking awareness and prevention, passenger notification after sexual assault incidents involving transportation network companies, hazardous materials rail notifications, ATV seasonal use, highway dedications, disabled-person license plates, a DMV study of inspection stations and fees, lighting requirements for e-bikes and e-scooters, school speed zone cameras in New Rochelle, work zone safety instruction for new drivers, removal of registration stickers in favor of electronic certificates, complete streets considerations, hands-free device rules for bus/taxi/livery drivers, bans on virtual reality headsets while driving, early registration renewal for deployed service members, and road salt distribution requirements. Most bills were reported from committee by voice vote, often with bipartisan support. Several members offered brief comments supporting bills aimed at public safety, worker protection, distracted driving prevention, and trafficking awareness. Senator Gallivan opposed the bill eliminating registration stickers, citing concerns that the stickers help law enforcement quickly identify registered vehicles; that bill was referred to Finance. The committee also referred the road salt bill and the supplemental rail-worker protection bill to Finance, while some other measures were referred onward to Codes or Consumer Protection. The meeting closed after the supplemental rail-worker protection bill was added at the end of the agenda and reported with bipartisan support. Overall, the session emphasized transportation safety, worker protections, and administrative updates to vehicle and highway law.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:14.840><c> under</c><00:07:15.080><c> the</c> 456 an act relating to driving under the 456
• an act relating to driving under the influence<00:07:16.280><c> and</c><00:07:16.440><c> that</c><00
• </c><00:13:09.720><c> we</c> controlled substance and driving we controlled substance and driving we
• from drinking and driving it teaches you<00:16:43.399><c> to</c><00:16:43.880><c> drive</c><00:16:44.399
• </c> you're a coal miner and you're driving you're a coal miner and you're driving to<00:19:07.480><c

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 446, as amended by committee substitute, which would expand third-degree assault protections to cover judges and justices of the Court of Justice and public transportation drivers. Supporters said the bill responds to violence and threats against judges and would extend protections already given to other public servants. Members generally supported the bill, though several suggested broadening it further to include circuit clerks or all officers of the court. The committee adopted the substitute and favorably passed HB 446 on an 18-0 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 456, a DUI-related cleanup bill sponsored by Representative Patrick Flanery and presented by County Attorney Joe Ross. The bill would add fentanyl, Flexeril, and clopene to the per se DUI list, treat driving on a suspended license as an aggravating circumstance, revise implied-consent notice language, and make changes to ignition interlock rules, including suspension periods and fees. Representative Scott West of the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers testified in opposition, warning that some interlock violations and fees could unfairly extend suspensions and discourage participation, while members and the sponsor said the bill would strengthen DUI enforcement and that non-listed substances could still support DUI charges under other provisions. The committee adopted the substitute and favorably passed HB 456 by a 16-0 vote with one pass. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 10, relating to the rights of real property owners, sponsored by Representatives Maryanne Proctor and Emily Callaway, with testimony from a Pacific Legal Foundation representative and a Boone County Sheriff’s Office staff attorney. The sponsors said the bill is intended to address squatting by defining squatters and improving property-owner remedies, and noted support from sheriffs and realtors. The transcript cuts off before the bill’s full presentation or any committee action on HB 10.

Transcript Highlights:

• She just figured, well, that's the quickest way to get there; I'll just drive right down.
• And the local police officer pulled her over and said, you can't drive here, it's a state highway.
• right down and the local police drive right down and the local police officer<00:04:37.520><c> pulled
• my ATV on this road we're could drive my ATV on this road we're just<00:07:34.160><c> concerned</c><
• And today, that same uncle is driving around in his side-by-side.

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• you don't schedule things early on a Monday morning, because when we have to get up at 5:00 a.m. to drive
• you don't schedule things early on a Monday morning, because when we have to get up at 5:00 a.m. to drive
• but more importantly, I would<00:13:20.640><c> leave</c><00:13:21.240><c> and</c><00:13:21.360><c> drive
• the</c><00:13:21.720><c> long</c><00:13:21.960><c> hours</c><00:13:22.360><c> to</c> would leave and drive
• the long hours to would leave and drive the long hours to never<00:13:22.839><c> miss</c><00:13:23.080

Transcript Highlights:

• And I recall there being doctors saying they were driving taxis because they couldn't get licenses here
• And, you know, that was a long time ago when they were driving taxis in Uber.
• And I recall there being doctors saying they were driving taxis because they couldn't get licenses here
• I recall there being doctors saying they were driving taxis because they couldn't get licenses here.
• And, you know, that was a long time ago when they were driving taxis in Uber.

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Pending drive on our public roadways.
• </c> the mail and somebody else was driving the mail and somebody else was driving your<01:23:47.840>
• </c><01:24:47.199><c> the</c> reasonable doubt of who is driving the reasonable doubt of who is driving
• </c> drive around it. drive around it.
• </c><02:23:48.240><c> have</c> know, all the vehicles we drive have know, all the vehicles we drive have

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• We're also grateful for the introduction of the DRIVE Act. ...decarbonization efforts.
• We're also grateful for the introduction of the DRIVE Act, the DRIVE Initiative, and fully support this
• Any, you can't see who's driving in the car. You can't see the passengers in the car.
• And he should be driving that train someday and maybe to the Cape. So thank you.
• One, the ocean, putting those large, gigantic turbines, driving them in.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing at UMass Amherst on Governor Healey’s fiscal year 2027 budget, focusing on energy/environment-related transportation issues and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The chairs and members opened with thanks to UMass, university leadership, court officers, and legislative staff, and Chancellor Javier Reyes highlighted UMass Amherst’s research, workforce, sustainability, and transportation contributions, including energy research, transit operations, and partnerships with MassDOT. The hearing then moved to MassDOT and MBTA testimony on the administration’s transportation funding package, including House 2, the FY26 Fair Share supplemental, and a proposed four-year Chapter 90 authorization. MassDOT officials described the budget as part of a broader multi-year transportation investment strategy, citing funding for operations, snow and ice removal, regional transit authorities, the MBTA, the Merit Rating Board, sustainable aviation fuel credits, micro-transit and last-mile grants, unpaved road improvements, bridge and pavement work, and housing-related transportation infrastructure. They emphasized workforce expansion, capital delivery capacity, safety improvements, and local aid, including the new lane-mile-based Chapter 90 formula intended to benefit rural communities. Officials also discussed major projects and programs such as Grant Central, culvert and unpaved road grants, work zone speed cameras, congestion hotspot fixes, the Sagamore and Bourne Bridge projects, and MBTA operating support and safety upgrades. Testimony from the MBTA and rail/transit staff focused on improved ridership, service frequency, accessibility, and safety, including progress on the Green Line Train Protection System, reduced delays, expanded bus and commuter rail service, and the South Coast rail extension. Regional transit authorities reported increased ridership and described new fare-free, connectivity, and community transit grants. Aeronautics testimony covered airport capital work, drone and data programs, sustainable aviation fuel efforts, and workforce development in aviation maintenance. Committee members then asked questions, especially about Western Massachusetts priorities, Chapter 90 funding, bridge repairs, snow and ice costs, Cape Cod bridges, Buzzard’s Bay rail, and Compass Rail/West-East Rail. Officials said several federal rail grants were moving forward, that Sagamore Bridge procurement would begin soon, and that the administration remained committed to pursuing federal funding and multi-year transportation investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're also grateful for the introduction of the DRIVE Act.
• We're also grateful for the introduction of the DRIVE Act, the DRIVE Initiative, and fully support this
• You can't see who's driving in the car. You can't see the passengers in the car.
• Yes, and we want them to be driving legally. Are we tracking any of that information?
• And he should be driving that train someday and maybe to the Cape. So thank you.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing at UMass Amherst on Governor Healey’s fiscal year 2027 budget proposal, focusing on energy/environment-related transportation issues and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The hearing opened with welcomes from the co-chairs and local legislators, followed by remarks from UMass Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes, who highlighted the university’s research, sustainability, transportation, and workforce contributions and thanked the administration and legislature for support of public higher education. MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phil Eng, along with agency leaders, presented the administration’s transportation budget package. They described a combined funding plan through House 2, a Fair Share supplemental budget, and a Chapter 90 bill, emphasizing investments in MassDOT operations, snow and ice response, regional transit authorities, the MBTA, bridge and pavement repair, housing-related transportation improvements, sustainable aviation fuel, microtransit, and local road programs. Officials also highlighted record highway construction activity, safety initiatives such as work zone speed cameras and pedestrian protections, RMV service and equity improvements, airport and drone technology programs, and MBTA gains in reliability, accessibility, ridership, and service expansion. Committee members asked about Western Massachusetts priorities, especially Chapter 90 funding for rural road mileage, bridge repairs, and the Compass Rail/West-East Rail program. MassDOT officials said pending federal grants were moving forward, with some awards recently obligated and others expected as federal processes advance, and they said Palmer Station remains part of the long-term rail plan. Members also raised the Cape Cod bridges and the need for multi-year Chapter 90 funding. Officials said the Sagamore Bridge procurement would begin soon, with construction targeted for 2027, and reiterated that transportation investments support jobs, local economies, and municipal infrastructure statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m driving 60 miles. You go, well, I got to have one.
• But I was glad to drive up. I like to drive. I don't know.
• Drive around Deb's district, talk to her people.
• And I went to CVS drive-through to get the meds.
• Another was used in a drive-by shooting the day after it was sold.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman. efficient, and really to drive our efficient, and really to drive our economy.<00:13:36.440
• I drive through those areas almost daily.
• I drive through those areas Manchester. I drive through those areas almost<00:16:31.800><c> daily.
• It just seems wild not to. when you drive to Maine with a New when you drive to Maine with a New Hampshire
• </c><00:43:03.200><c> the</c> add additional buses, which drives the add additional buses, which drives

Committee: House Public Works and Highways

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> it's seat time on the equipment driving it's seat time on the equipment driving the<00:08:04.840
• operate, just drive it, maneuver it around cones, get to the job site.
• </c><00:23:05.240><c> the</c> opportunity for them to just drive the opportunity for them to just drive
• </c><00:23:09.240><c> it</c><00:23:09.400><c> around</c> drive it drive it maneuver it around drive it
• </c><01:06:05.599><c> out</c> my truck at hibe and I would drive out my truck at hibe and I would drive

Committee: Senate Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> driving arrests, 49 impaired driving driving arrests, 49 impaired driving arrests,<00:37:26.080>
• I had to have an SR uh $1,000 uh every 3 months insurance coverage also could not drive.
• I couldn't drive. I lost the privilege.
• I had to have an SR uh $1,000 uh every 3 months insurance coverage also could not drive.
• I couldn't drive. I lost the privilege.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is what my good friend's son was driving when somebody hit him from And this is what my good
• friend's son was driving when somebody hit him from behind and took his life.
• Someone's tried to drive a piece of equipment and get over as far as he could without dropping into the
• And you're probably not going to be able to make the swing at the drive-through at McDonald's with it
• And you're probably not going to be able to make the swing at the drive-through at McDonald's with it

Committee: House Transportation and Defense

Transcript Highlights:

• I mentioned, at least by my calculations, if we started at 85, take another 15% off as soon as you drive
• setoff at the beginning, you could just say it's going to depreciate 20% of its value the moment you drive
• setoff at the beginning, you could just say it's going to depreciate 20% of its value the moment you drive
• But it says percent depreciation instead of what it may be worth as soon as you drive it off.”
• “So if it’s 15 percent, as soon as it’s 85 percent of MSRP, as soon as you drive it off the lot, is what

Committee: House Special Committee on Tax Reform

Summary: The Special Committee on Tax Reform met in executive session and first took up House Bill 3035, which concerned vehicle valuation for tax purposes. The chair offered an amendment to start the depreciation schedule at 85% of MSRP before applying the bill’s existing depreciation table. Members discussed whether the two-step approach would be confusing, whether it effectively created a larger initial reduction, and whether the language would be implemented correctly in the database used by assessors. The sponsor said he agreed with the change and that the goal was a predictable, standardized depreciation schedule. Some members supported the amendment as an improvement, while Vice Chair Simmons said she still had concerns and would vote present. The committee adopted the amendment, rolled it into a committee substitute, and then voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 3035 do pass by a 5-2 vote with 2 present. The committee then considered House Bill 2945, which was described as redefining capital gains and related terms in ways that could affect a range of assets and transactions. Representative Strickler raised concerns about the bill’s breadth and the lack of a fiscal note for the redefinition, warning that the revenue impact could be significant and uncertain. Representative Simmons argued the bill would let Missourians keep more of their money and supported reducing tax burdens. Representative Butz responded that the legislature had already been cutting taxes through income tax reductions, Social Security exemptions, capital gains changes, and SALT-related relief, and urged the committee to let those changes work through the system before making more adjustments. The committee then voted HB 2945 do pass by a 5-3 vote.