Transcript Highlights:

• This is the first committee of the Transportation Committee.
• I've met with some of the transportation people. About all of them.
• We pay for transportation now.
• As much as transportation is important to the energy industry, it does a lot for transportation as well
• Google and Apple, if you put in transportation, the Thinking Transportation TTI podcast. comes up, and

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We’re grateful for the Transportation Committee’s support of our filed bill.
• We're grateful for the Transportation Committee's support of our filed bill.
• Thank you. ...or transportation, so they're not exactly equal.
• , but it's still staying in the transportation realm, and this is adding to it.
• , but it's still staying in the transportation realm, and this is adding to it.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Bonding, State Assets, and Capital Expenditures held its first public hearing on House Bill 4257, a transportation bonding bill. The administration testified in support, describing the bill as a $1.185 billion authorization: $300 million for Chapter 90 municipal road funding and $885 million for statewide transportation capital programs. Officials said the bill would increase municipal aid by 50%, with $200 million distributed under the traditional Chapter 90 formula and $100 million based solely on road mileage to better help rural communities. They also highlighted $500 million for bridge and pavement lifecycle asset management, $200 million for culverts and small bridges, and $185 million for congestion, safety, ADA, sidewalk, and multimodal improvements. Committee members asked about how municipalities would apply, how the road-mile formula would affect rural towns, and how the bill would interact with federal funding uncertainty and debt financing. Administration witnesses explained that projects would be administered through MassDOT district offices and Grant Central, that the bill would not backfill rescinded federal funds, and that the proposal would likely use special obligation bonds backed by Fair Share revenues to reduce pressure on the Commonwealth’s general obligation debt limit. Members also pressed the administration on the shift from general obligation to special obligation financing and on whether the Chapter 90 increase keeps pace with inflation. Administration officials said the special obligation structure would be credit-rated separately and was intended to expand available capital without affecting the GO bond cap, while acknowledging that the Commonwealth’s debt portfolio would grow. They said the Chapter 90 increase would roughly restore purchasing power lost since 2012, though construction inflation has outpaced general inflation. Several members and witnesses emphasized the importance of the road-mile formula for rural communities and the need for technical assistance for small towns. The Massachusetts Municipal Association testified in strong support of the bill, calling Chapter 90 and the new infrastructure authorizations critical for cities and towns facing federal uncertainty and rising costs. The Massachusetts Aggregate and Asphalt Pavement Association also supported the bill, citing the importance of the funding for road and bridge work, the construction season, and the industry’s economic impact. A committee member asked about asphalt price inflation, and the witness said liquid asphalt costs rose sharply after COVID, including increases of around 20% in some years. At the end of the hearing, the chair said members would receive a poll by email to move the bill out quickly, and the committee then voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• rural transportation planning regions. rural transportation planning regions.
• that our department of transportation that our department of transportation has<00:47:14.640>
• decided at the transportation decided at the transportation commission,<00:53:48.079> not
• It is a transportation system.
• We share an transportation system.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, approved the February 13, 2026 journal, and then took up several resolutions and bills. Senate Joint Resolution 12, designating February 20, 2026 as Colorado FFA Day, was laid over until that date. On the consent calendar, Senate Bill 74, concerning the penalty for claiming an excessive amount in a public construction performance bond dispute, passed third reading unanimously, 30-0. The chamber then passed Senate Bill 16, which prohibits the discharge of pre-production plastic materials, on third reading and final passage by a vote of 19-11. Senate Bill 34, expanding participation by members of the AARIA Board of Directors advisory committees, also passed 19-11. On second reading, the Committee of the Whole considered Senate Bill 11, dealing with search warrant requirements for operators of certain electronic platforms, and Senate Bill 76, concerning the practice of certified public accountants; the committee adopted the report, with SB 11 amended and SB 76 passed and ordered engrossed. The general order calendar was then laid over until February 18, 2026. A major portion of the meeting focused on Senate Resolution 001, which urges CDOT to prioritize road improvement projects in Morgan County. Supporters argued that Morgan County’s state highways are in poor condition, citing assessments showing 70% of the county’s highway miles have low drivability life and stressing the importance of safe roads for agriculture and commerce. Opponents said the resolution resembled a district-specific funding request and argued transportation dollars should be allocated through existing statewide and regional processes rather than by legislative resolution. Despite the debate, the discussion centered on the broader need to improve road maintenance and transportation safety across rural Colorado.

Transcript Highlights:

• , air transportation, be transportation, air transportation, be addressed<00:24:33.200> with<00
• >> Department of Transportation, Dr. >> Department of Transportation, Dr.
• Transportation.
• Um, I took transportation here today, public transportation.
• Um, I took transportation here today, public transportation.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1694, which would create a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit, and HB 1695, which would expand the state’s renewable fuels production tax credit. For HB 1694, supporters from the airlines, renewable fuels industry, business groups, and some environmental and youth representatives said sustainable aviation fuel is a practical near-term way to cut emissions in aviation, a hard-to-decarbonize sector, and argued the credit would send a market signal, support local production, and help meet state climate goals. Opponents, including Energy Justice Network and a taxpayer-focused testifier, argued the bill could subsidize expensive fuels that may not be truly clean, could duplicate benefits available under other tax provisions, and should not support transpacific aviation or technologies they said are unproven or harmful. The Department of Taxation stood on written testimony, and the chair later asked that all verbal testimony on remaining bills be limited to one minute because of time constraints. HB 1695 drew similar support and opposition, but focused more broadly on renewable fuels for transportation, trucking, shipping, and other sectors. Supporters, including the Hawaii State Energy Office, airlines, PAR Hawaii, the Hawaii Renewable Fuels Coalition, Pacific Biodiesel, and the RNG Coalition, said the bill would help scale local fuel production, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support jobs and agriculture, and advance the state’s climate and energy goals. Several supporters emphasized that the credit would help build a local industry and that life-cycle accounting should be used to measure emissions benefits. Opponents repeated concerns that some biofuels and waste-based fuels may not be climate-beneficial, may rely on flawed modeling, and could create costly infrastructure that would need to be replaced later. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are really a core part of city transportation budgets.
• We're now looking at the transportation improvements.
• Our participation in our Transportation Management Center—ours is the Spokane Regional Transportation
• So with that, our Joint Transportation Committee is adjourned.
• The Joint Transportation Committee is adjourned.

Summary: The committee began with member introductions, then heard a presentation on a draft final report studying alternative funding mechanisms for sidewalks and related pedestrian infrastructure. Consultants said current local funding sources are insufficient, with most jurisdictions unable to complete planned sidewalk networks within 50 years. They evaluated four options: a sidewalk utility fee, a modified transportation benefit district sales tax, a new real estate excise tax option, and expanded stormwater fee use for ADA sidewalk ramps. The consultants recommended authorizing the modified TBD sales tax and new REET option, considering a sidewalk utility despite legal uncertainty, broadening any authorization to all pedestrian improvements, and not pursuing the stormwater fee option. Members asked about legal authority, fairness, revenue adequacy, and whether jurisdictions had been consulted; the presenters said state enabling legislation would likely be needed for a sidewalk utility and that fairness could be defined either by direct benefit or by need. The committee then received an update on the 2025 assessment of city transportation funding needs. The consultants reported that city transportation revenues have grown in some local and federal categories since 2019, but state revenues have remained relatively flat and smaller cities are especially affected by declining fuel tax revenues and limited tax bases. They estimated annual city transportation needs at $4.25 billion, average annual spending at $1.89 billion, and a funding gap of $2.37 billion, larger than in the prior study because of updated data, inclusion of system improvements, and higher preservation costs. Draft recommendations focused on reducing costs and improving efficiency, preserving and increasing state support, and expanding local funding options, including preservation-first spending, a permanent federal fund exchange program, streamlined review processes, better coordination with WSDOT, possible property tax flexibility, and exploration of new local tools. Members raised questions about design standards, the role of density and transit, federal compliance, and whether the report would identify specific consolidation or process changes. The committee also heard a project update on evaluating zero-emission vehicle and electrification programs funded by the Climate Commitment Act. Consultants said they had reviewed roughly 23 programs and projects across seven agencies and were now evaluating options to improve delivery, including process improvements, reorganizing programs, or consolidating governance and administrative functions. Early findings highlighted staffing shortages, duplication and variation across agencies, differing levels of risk, and the challenge of coordinating climate priorities across agencies with other core missions. Members asked about program outcomes, administrative costs, whether some programs should have exit strategies, and how to strengthen the EV Coordinating Council. Finally, WSDOT provided an implementation update on its new public-private partnership authority under SB 5801, saying work is underway to prepare governance, legal, policy, and organizational structures ahead of the January 1, 2027 effective date.

Transcript Highlights:

• It has a total transportation budget.
• They are a core part of city transportation budgets.
• We're now looking at the transportation improvements.
• Our participation in our Transportation Management Center—ours is the Spokane Regional Transportation
• The Joint Transportation Committee is adjourned.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Lees, co-chair of the Joint Transportation Committee.
• Of different funding sources: TIB, REIT, local government investment, transportation projects like transportation
• It's not their mission to build transportation projects. That's not a priority.
• , the Joint Transportation Committee with Allison and Rachel.
• It hasn't been a piece of our transportation package, and we may not.

Summary: The meeting began with introductions from members of the Joint Transportation Committee and a presentation from the Association of Washington Cities and the public works directors of Richland, Kennewick, Pasco, and West Richland. The cities described the Quad Cities region as one of the fastest-growing in the state and outlined shared transportation priorities that align with the committee’s focus on safety, multimodal access, climate resilience, and economic development. They emphasized Vision Zero efforts, complete streets, ADA accessibility, regional trail and bike/pedestrian planning, and coordinated long-range transportation and land-use planning to manage growth. The city officials also discussed major funding and delivery challenges, including rising construction costs, project phasing, pavement preservation, right-of-way acquisition, and delays caused by state and federal permitting and review processes. They highlighted regional cooperation through the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments, Good Roads, and local funding tools such as impact fees, transportation benefit districts, REET, tax increment financing, and state and federal grants. Specific projects discussed included Richland’s SR 240/Aaron Drive complete streets project and downtown connectivity work, Kennewick’s Columbia Center Boulevard improvements and rail study, Pasco’s Court/Road 68, Sylvester Street corridor, I-182 bridge/interchange work, and a new north-south bridge study, and West Richland’s SR 224 Red Mountain corridor project, which officials said was awarded under budget and is scheduled to begin construction. Committee members asked questions about sidewalk connections to schools, state-agency right-of-way timelines, apprenticeship utilization, contractor selection, and whether complete streets requirements add burdens to pavement preservation projects. The city officials said new development is generally meeting sidewalk standards, but older infill areas remain a gap; that state right-of-way transactions can take much longer than expected; that apprenticeship requirements are common but harder for smaller contractors and local labor markets; and that low-bid contracting leaves little room to screen for performance history. They also said complete streets requirements are usually manageable on major projects but can be difficult to absorb in smaller preservation work. The committee then shifted to a JTC-funded study on transit-oriented development, presented by Urban Institute researcher Yona Freemark. The study examined TOD conditions in 33 cities in Snohomish, King, Pierce, Clark, and Spokane counties near rail and bus rapid transit stations. Freemark said Washington’s housing affordability crisis is severe, especially near transit, and found that high-cost cities have seen more development near stations but also signs of gentrification and loss of affordable housing, while lower-cost cities have had less development and worsening affordability relative to income. He identified barriers including high debt costs, land costs, infrastructure costs, zoning and parking rules, and limited subsidies for affordable housing. He recommended more neighborhood infrastructure funding near stations, stronger affordable housing investment, and better use of public land, noting that HB 1491 and related legislation are already changing some local requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES OF TRANSPORTATION ARENA.
• I WANT TO START WITH SETTING THE STAGE WITH FLORIDA'S WORLD CLASS TRANSPORTATION PORTFOLIO.
• MANAGING A TRANSPORTATION PORTFOLIO THIS LARGE TAKES A LOT OF WORK.
• TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY IS CONTINUOUSLY AND RAPIDLY EVOLVING.
• THIS IS THE 35 AREAS THAT WE WILL IN OUR NATIONAL LEADERSHIP POSITION IN TRANSPORTATION.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Senior Policy Director at Transportation for Mass.
• to improve transportation so residents can thrive.
• I'm Senior Policy Director at Transportation for Mass.
• to improve transportation so residents can thrive.
• to improve transportation so residents can thrive.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on H. 3256, a bill stemming from the Massachusetts Cranberry Revitalization Task Force that would remove Chapter 61A barriers for certain renewable energy projects on non-producing agricultural land. Supporters said the bill would let farmers separate adjacent land from Chapter 61A without a municipal right of first refusal, avoid rollback and advance tax penalties, and use small solar or other renewable projects to generate supplemental income while keeping the farm in operation. Testimony emphasized that the proposal is intended to be “farm-first,” limited to marginal or accessory land, and could also produce local tax revenue for municipalities. Some members raised concerns about whether the bill should be limited to solar, the appropriate project size, impacts on other agricultural sectors, and whether future sales or conversion back to other uses should trigger local rights of first refusal. Witnesses said the bill had been reported favorably in a prior session and noted that similar projects typically involve 20-year leases with extensions. The committee also took testimony on S. 2009, which would authorize regional transportation ballot initiatives. MAPC and Transportation for Mass argued that the bill would give municipalities and groups of municipalities a flexible tool to raise local revenue for transportation projects such as transit, roads, bridges, bikeways, and pedestrian infrastructure, with sunset provisions so the revenue ends when the project ends. They said the measure would not raise taxes on its own, but would allow local voters to decide whether to adopt a revenue source, and pointed to examples from other states where similar initiatives funded major transit and infrastructure projects. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony was also heard on S. 1922, which would create a Massachusetts fund allowing voluntary taxpayer donations to the UN Least Developed Countries Fund or related 501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting climate-vulnerable communities. Climate Reality Project representatives said the bill would let Massachusetts residents support climate resilience projects in the world’s poorest countries at no cost to the Commonwealth, and could serve as a model for other states. Senators questioned how recipient countries and nonprofits would be selected, what safeguards would exist regarding countries such as Yemen, and how taxpayers would know where donations would go; witnesses said the fund would be administered through the UN system and that they would provide more clarification. Rep. Michelle Ciccolo also testified on H. 3051, seeking a one-year deferral of the higher interest rate that applies when deferred property taxes become due after the death of a senior or veteran, saying the current jump to 16% can burden heirs and discourage use of the deferral program. The hearing concluded without any votes or committee actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• General Government and Transportation will come back to order.
• We are very focused on the transportation system.
• So, Transportation Commission since 2019, the transportation commission has had 9 commission members
• We've got a very large transportation system that's we've got a larger transportation system that is,
• We travel a lot on our transportation system.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Transportation directors, who are the hardworking folks in charge of solving the transportation puzzle
• For those students, transportation isn't a convenience.
• Alternative student transportation is when transportation is provided by a school district in a small
• Alternative student transportation is when transportation is provided by a school district in a small
• Massachusetts is facing a student transportation crisis with increasing transportation costs.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security held a public hearing with opening remarks from Senate Chair John Cronin and House Chair Dan Cahill, followed by member introductions and instructions limiting testimony to three minutes. The committee first heard testimony on S. 2743, an act addressing staged suicides. Elizabeth Sherin Feiner of Jewish Family and Children’s Service and later Susan Altman, a domestic violence advocate, described cases in which deaths initially treated as accidents or suicides were later found to be homicides, arguing the bill would improve training, investigation protocols, and accountability in deaths involving domestic abuse. Committee members asked about current police and medical examiner practices, and one member noted that sudden-death determinations are handled by the chief medical examiner in Massachusetts. The committee then heard testimony on S. 2861, a special commission to examine school bus safety, led by Representative Sabadosa and Amanda Taylor, whose daughter Summer Steel was killed in a school bus door incident. Taylor urged adoption of anti-pinch sensor technology on new buses, saying it could have prevented her daughter’s death. Representative Sabadosa and later a Mazur USA representative supported the bill, explaining that anti-pinch and anti-drag technologies are already used in other transportation sectors and could prevent similar tragedies. The hearing also included discussion of costs and the fact that the proposal would apply prospectively to buses manufactured going forward. Finally, the committee heard testimony on S. 3021, updating Massachusetts student transportation. Ever-Driven Technologies and Chamber of Progress supported the bill, saying it would modernize Section 7D requirements for smaller passenger vehicles used for alternative student transportation while keeping core safety standards in place. They argued the change would help districts serve students experiencing homelessness, in foster care, or with disabilities, reduce costs, and expand transportation options amid a statewide transportation crisis. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee adjourned after public testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION WILL NOW COME TO ORDER.
• TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE GOES WITH THAT.
• THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR IS A GREAT PLACE FOR THEM TO GET A JOB.
• AND AGAIN, THE IDEA IS WE DELIVER WORLD-CLASS TRANSPORTATION.
• SO SPECIFICALLY FOR TRANSPORTATION. WE ARE A WORLD-CLASS TRANSPORTATION AGENCY.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this transportation bill is makes our transportation system smarter.
• . transportation. transportation.
• And then I looked at transportation, and to me the answer in transportation is a lot simpler.
• fund all aspects of transportation. fund all aspects of transportation.
• That's what a transportation bill does. That's what a transportation bill does.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to your Transportation Committee meeting. Members, happy to see all of you here today.
• That's a cost of about 7 million to the Department of Transportation.
• So specifically in the transportation space, we've seen so far the majority of longstanding federal transportation
• I really am concerned about the Transportation Project Fund.
• I will say on the transportation, the Transportation Project Fund.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, specifically the transport.
• or through a Medicaid transportation provider, vouchers for transportation.
• So, we currently provide transportation for anyone who needs transportation. needs it, whether that's
• a Medicaid transportation or through a Medicaid transportation<00:24:47.120> provider, transportation
• > transportation.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board first approved the September 24 minutes and then heard a presentation from four certified community behavioral health clinic providers: Pathways, NorthKey, Seven Counties Services, and NewVista. The presenters explained the difference between traditional community mental health centers and CCBHCs, describing CCBHCs as an enhanced model that integrates behavioral health, primary care, wraparound services, and crisis response. They reviewed the federal history of the model, Kentucky’s entry into the Medicaid demonstration in 2022, and the scheduled end of the enhanced federal match on December 31, 2027. They also emphasized required services such as 24-hour mobile crisis, care coordination, and services for veterans, and described care coordination as a key feature that helps patients follow up after hospital or emergency discharge, manage medications, and connect to transportation and other supports. The presenters gave examples of improved outcomes, including a patient who was able to remain living independently because of coordinated home-based and telehealth support, and they argued that CCBHCs are helping Kentucky build a more responsive crisis system through 988, mobile crisis teams, and crisis stabilization units. They said the model is data-driven, uses performance metrics, and has led to stronger collaboration among community partners. One speaker said more than 100 agencies participated in a Jefferson County community health needs assessment and continued meeting afterward to reduce redundancies and barriers to care. They also said crisis call hub compliance and mobile crisis outreach compliance improved significantly over the past year. Members asked about how navigators and connectors fit into the model, how CCBHCs work with managed care organizations, and how the program could expand statewide. The presenters said navigators are not built into the CCBHC model but may be used through referrals, while the CCBHCs continue to bill MCOs the same way and receive a Medicaid wrap payment for the enhanced rate. They said the goal would be for all community mental health centers to become CCBHCs, but that a state plan amendment would be needed and could not be limited only to CMHCs if submitted to CMS. They estimated about $28 million would be needed statewide to continue the program in the next biennium, combining the loss of enhanced federal match and the state share of enhanced service costs. The board also discussed transportation, with one presenter explaining that their program arranges Medicaid transportation for eligible appointments, and members raised concerns about mental inquest warrant transport and whether sheriffs should remain involved. No votes were taken on the CCBHC or transportation items during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:29.600> Accountability Taxpayer Transportation Accountability Taxpayer Transportation
• <00:10:55.120> and<00:10:55.280> Public Transportations and Public Transportations and
• unreliable transportation. unreliable transportation.
• <00:50:13.840> I a variety of transportation modes. I a variety of transportation modes.
• <00:50:21.680> I'm different transportation issues. I'm different transportation issues.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• are serving all modes of transportation. are serving all modes of transportation.
• <00:53:42.559> There's multimodal transportation. There's multimodal transportation.
• and safe transportation alternatives. and safe transportation alternatives.
• center of transportation projects. center of transportation projects.
• cut in transportation in $132 million cut in transportation in the<01:20:49.360> tales.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• law allocation of the transportation law allocation of the transportation advancement<00:05:31.080
• <00:21:56.520> advancement<00:21:57.080> account transportation advancement account transportation
• Local transportation spending outweighs state and federal spending on our transportation system.
• We support the Transportation Advancement Account.
• <00:30:57.519> advancement support the transportation advancement support the transportation

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House File 5 was heard in the Transportation Committee and moved by the author, Representative Jim Joy, to be referred to the Tax Committee. Joy described the bill as a package to make Minnesota more affordable by fully eliminating the Social Security tax subtraction, ending the motor fuels tax indexing, repealing the retail delivery fee, and studying vehicle registration/license taxes compared with neighboring states. Committee fiscal staff explained the bill’s fiscal effects across the general fund, highway user tax distribution fund, transportation advancement account, and metro county sales tax allocations, including that the delivery fee repeal would reduce Transportation Advancement Account revenue and that the bill would shift some revenue sources to offset losses. Several stakeholders testified. The Minnesota Grocers Association strongly supported repealing the retail delivery fee, arguing it is costly and complex for retailers to administer, especially small businesses, and that the costs are ultimately passed on to consumers. The Minnesota Propane Association also supported repeal, saying the fee is burdensome for propane businesses, that only a small share of deliveries are actually subject to it, and that compliance costs can exceed the fee revenue collected. Fiscal staff noted that delivery fee revenue forecasts have fallen below earlier projections, and explained that the fee is imposed on sellers with several exemptions, including a $100 transaction threshold and exemptions for some sales such as bars, restaurants, nonprofits, and certain small businesses. Opposition came from local government groups. The League of Minnesota Cities said it supported the Transportation Advancement Account and its 2023 funding sources, including the delivery fee and motor vehicle parts sales tax, and warned that the bill would prematurely alter a funding structure that cities rely on for predictable transportation revenue. The Minnesota Association of Small Cities said small cities had long lacked dedicated transportation funding and wanted a stable, ongoing revenue stream, but were neutral on the exact source as long as it was reliable. Metro Cities echoed support for stable, predictable transportation funding for metro-area cities. The committee took testimony and discussion only; no final vote was recorded in the excerpt beyond the motion to refer the bill to the Tax Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota Department of Transportation. Minnesota Department of Transportation.
• <00:03:45.200> However, transportation funding. However, transportation funding.
• .<00:31:23.520> Active<00:31:23.919> transportation transportation.
• Active transportation transportation.
• federal um transportation agency. federal um transportation agency.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Transportation support director. Transportation support director.
• Department of Transportation in support. Department of Transportation in support.
• >> Wait, Department of Transportation. >> Wait, Department of Transportation.
• Department of Transportation in support. Department of Transportation in support.
• simple but powerful way, transportation. simple but powerful way, transportation.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2021, a transportation measure creating a framework for electric bicycle and micromobility regulation. The bill would define electric bicycle and electric micromobility device, set age and helmet rules, restrict class 3 e-bikes from sidewalks, allow limited sidewalk use for class 1 and 2 bikes, prohibit high-speed electric devices and certain nonconforming devices in specified locations, update county tax definitions, and change related terminology. Testimony was largely supportive from DOT, police, Honolulu officials, Hawaii Bicycling League, AAA Hawaii, the Hawaii State Teachers Association, and several individuals, while DCCA’s Insurance Division asked for clarity on whether insurance would be required. Committee discussion focused on safety, enforcement, and the fact that no insurance market currently exists for these e-bike classes; members also discussed the need to target bad actors rather than ordinary riders. The chair then proposed and the committee adopted amendments to HB 2021, including clarifying that road-legal, permitted, classified electric bicycles are not subject to insurance requirements at this time; allowing properly classified electric bicycles on sidewalks at 10 mph or less subject to county restrictions; barring high-speed electric devices and other nonconforming devices from public roadways; authorizing impoundment of non-road-legal or improperly registered devices; and requiring direct parental supervision for riders under 16 on class 2 or 3 e-bikes. The committee also made technical and effective-date changes. The recommendation to pass HB 2021 with amendments was adopted unanimously by the members present. The committee next took up HB 1641, a related transportation bill addressing high-speed electric devices. The chair explained that the measure would prohibit the sale, lease, rental, distribution, possession, or operation of high-speed electric devices and establish penalties, but the committee’s version would narrow the focus to devices covered by HB 2021. The amended bill would prohibit offering high-speed electric devices for lease or rent, require sellers to comply with the new regulatory framework, ban operation on bicycle lanes, highways, roadways, and streets, and set a civil penalty of $250 to $1,000 per violation. After no further questions, the committee voted to pass HB 1641 with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. The meeting then moved to HB 1709, which would transfer regulation of the Hawaii Water Carrier Act from the Public Utilities Commission to the Department of Transportation and make conforming changes with an appropriation. DOT testified in support, while the PUC and DCCA’s Consumer Advocacy Division raised concerns about preserving consumer protections and the complexity of moving the regulatory framework. Young Brothers supported the bill and said the current system is outdated, but the discussion remained ongoing; the transcript cuts off before any final action on HB 1709 is shown.