Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Minnesota Department of Transportation Minnesota Department of Transportation to<00:34:46.839><c
• </c><00:37:07.000><c> major</c> Department of Transportation major Department of Transportation major
• The Capital Investment Grant program, or the CIG, is the FTA discretionary grant program which funds
• The Capital Investment Grant program, or the CIG, is the FTA discretionary grant program which funds
• We have transportation outlined.

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• In 1739, the King of Spain granted the famous town of Tome Land Grant Merced to 30 families, establishing
• House Bill 322, introduced by Representative Brown, an act relating to transportation, creating the Transportation
• Trust Fund and the Transportation Program Fund, making annual distributions to the Transportation Program
• An act relating to transportation, creating the Transportation Trust Fund and the Transportation Program
• grants, distributing a portion of gross receipts, Fund to provide matching funds for federal grants,

Bills: HB95 , HB111 , HJR1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM3 , HM11 , HM14 , HM15 , HM21 , HM34 , HB2 , HB32 , HB33 , HB61 , HJM2 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26

Summary: The House convened with quorum, offered an invocation and pledges, and then moved through a series of memorials, recognitions, and announcements. House Memorial 49, declaring February 4, 2026 UNM Day, was taken from the Speaker’s table, explained, and debated at length. Members from both parties and several guests praised the University of New Mexico for its role in education, health care, research, public service, and workforce development, with special recognition of President Garnett Stokes, interim provost Barbara Rodriguez, and Health Sciences leaders and students. The memorial highlighted UNM’s enrollment, degrees awarded, scholarship support, patent activity, and the UNM Hospital and Health Sciences Center. It passed 70-0. House Memorial 48, declaring February 4, 2026 Valencia County Day, was also brought forward and passed unanimously. Supporters described Valencia County’s history, culture, economic growth, and traditions, including the annual matanza, Route 66 heritage, and major employers and development projects. Members from the county and local officials were recognized, and the memorial emphasized both historic communities and current business and infrastructure expansion. House Memorial 50, declaring Lincoln County Day, was introduced by title and placed on the Speaker’s table, but not taken up for final passage during this segment. The chamber also recognized the Artesia Bulldogs football team for winning another state championship, Del Norte High School’s class of 1966 on its 60th anniversary, and a number of guests tied to nursing, education, and local community service. Several members used announcements to highlight nurses, school programs, and local events, including a Legislative Sportsman’s Caucus invitation and a reminder that the day was the final day to file bills with the clerk. The session closed with continued announcements and guest introductions, reflecting a day focused heavily on community recognition and celebratory memorials rather than substantive legislation beyond the memorial votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Granted. Thank you.
• And so I think we have... ...had one round of grants.
• There was a million dollars in grants that went out to 28 providers.
• So there's a grant program. There's a committee that reviews the grants that are submitted.
• And there was $1 million in grants that went out in October 2025.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation from Rabbi Jack Stocker for New Mexico’s first Jewish Community Day at the legislature, and then proceeded with the Pledge of Allegiance, Spanish pledge, flag salute, and national anthem. Early floor business included unanimous-consent approvals for cameras on the floor and in the gallery, a relaxed dress code for guests, and an excuse for Senator Hickey. Majority Floor Leader Peter Wirth noted it was the last day for bill introductions and reviewed the day’s observances and receptions, including Multiple Sclerosis Advocacy Day, Jewish Community Day, Santo Domingo Pueblo Day, Lincoln County Day, and UNM Day. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to honoring the Artesia Bulldogs football team, recognized for winning another state championship and for their long record of success. Senators and coaches praised the team’s resilience, community support, and the role of local fundraising and school support in sustaining athletic excellence. The Senate also observed a moment of silence for New Mexico State Police Officer Darien Jarrett on the fifth anniversary of his death in the line of duty, with Senator Brantley speaking about Jarrett’s service and the impact of his loss on law enforcement and the region. The chamber then celebrated UNM Day with a formal certificate recognizing the University of New Mexico’s role as the state’s flagship university, its enrollment, degrees awarded, research, patents, health sciences, and hospital services. Multiple senators spoke in support, emphasizing UNM’s impact on education, health care, public service, first-generation students, and athletics, and several introduced guests from UNM programs and leadership. The Senate also read and adopted a certificate recognizing Dr. V. Sue Cleveland for 32 years leading Rio Rancho Public Schools, with members praising her role in building the district and supporting its growth and success. Later, the Senate recognized Valencia County Day and Hidalgo County Day, with senators highlighting each county’s history, economic development, agriculture, transportation, and community identity, and introducing local officials, business leaders, and youth honorary lieutenant governors. Additional floor remarks honored nurses and health care professionals tied to Lincoln County Day and related observances, with senators introducing guests from nursing, education, and hospital settings and emphasizing the importance of the nursing workforce and rural health care.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> infrastructure alone those Federal grant infrastructure alone those Federal grant dollars<00:05:
• </c><00:24:39.640><c> about</c> uh Department of Transportation about uh Department of Transportation
• </c> seen by the Department of Transportation seen by the Department of Transportation s<00:28:16.880
• <00:58:22.880><c> to</c><00:58:23.039><c> get</c> transportation to get transportation to get there<00
• Transportation needs as Transportation needs as well<01:26:31.679><c> so</c><01:26:31.840><c> all</c>

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm bringing before you today a transportation omnibus bill.
• It's a potpourri of various transportation topics.
• It's a potpourri of various transportation topics.
• and our transportation, our road builders, our transportation project builders, and others. ...and our
• transportation, our road builders, our transportation project builders.

Summary: The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee heard several transportation and infrastructure bills. HB 1239, Energy Infrastructure Investment, would let the Public Service Commission create a mechanism for utilities to recover costs for renewable natural gas infrastructure; supporters said it could diversify energy supply and help agriculture, while members raised concerns about consumer rates and asked whether savings from RIN credits should be passed to customers. The bill drew supportive public testimony and was reported favorably after debate, with members noting the PSC would set costs and that the sponsor was open to further discussion on consumer protections. The committee then took up HB 313, which exempts Purple Heart recipients from paying Florida tolls. With no questions or opposition, it passed unanimously. The committee also considered HB 567, a broad transportation omnibus/strike-all bill covering EV tax revenue for roads, airport and MPO changes, workforce funding, traffic signal modernization, speed limits, and a pilot to streamline airport permitting. A major amendment added utility right-of-way notice, response, and incentive/penalty provisions, and another amendment authorized local governments to set age and ID rules for e-bikes, scooters, and other micromobility devices after testimony about a fatal crash. The bill was reported favorably after extensive debate and public testimony from transportation and utility stakeholders. HB 112, dealing with municipal sewer collection systems, would allow cities to use sewer revenues to expand wastewater infrastructure. Sponsors said it was aimed at helping cities like Hollywood reduce septic use and improve water quality; testimony supported the measure as a way to unlock funding for sewer expansion, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee also approved HB 7009, preserving public records and meeting exemptions for 911 and public safety radio communications systems and expanding them to next-generation 911. Finally, PCS for HB 1397, a large transportation package addressing airport, seaport, spaceport, and workforce issues, was amended and passed 14-1 after questions about federal testing notifications, removal of certain business preference language, and a provision redirecting some transit funds to highway projects if not timely used.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:12.800><c> as</c> to the Department of Transportation as to the Department of Transportation
• </c> the efforts that the Transportation the efforts that the Transportation Alliance<00:42:14.040><c
• </c><00:42:27.200><c> so</c> revenues get drived to transportation so revenues get drived to transportation
• </c> you today um tomorrow is transportation you today um tomorrow is transportation day<00:43:08.000
• </c><00:58:08.559><c> system</c> well- integrated transportation system well- integrated transportation

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The statute does not grant CARB the authority to establish a fee to directly decrease pollution.
• I'm the chief of the Transportation and Toxic Division at CARB.
• Transport refrigeration units?
• Julie Malinowski Ball, on behalf of the California Electric Transportation Coalition.
• Nicole Rice, California Renewable Transportation Alliance, here to speak on Item 1.

Summary: The committee hearing focused heavily on CARB’s broad trailer bill request for regulatory fee authority. Finance and CARB argued the proposal would let CARB develop fees to recover reasonable costs for implementing and enforcing regulations, while the LAO recommended rejection because the authority was too broad, could apply to an entire division of code, and would delegate core legislative taxing/fee-setting power without enough guardrails. Members from both parties raised concerns about the breadth of the authority, accountability, affordability impacts, and whether the Legislature would be put in an up-or-down position after CARB had already developed regulations. CARB responded that fees would still go through a budget change proposal and legislative approval before collection, and cited existing examples such as transport refrigeration units and commercial harborcraft fees. The committee then reviewed CARB’s request for permanent resources to implement SB 905 on carbon capture, utilization, storage, and carbon dioxide removal. CARB said the Legislature had previously authorized limited-term positions and funding, but it had struggled to recruit and retain staff with specialized regulatory and technical expertise, and that the work had included pre-rulemaking contracts, technology review, and permit-related preparation. Members questioned the pace of work, the use of limited-term positions, and whether additional permitting authority would be needed. CARB said it hoped to begin rulemaking later in the year if permanent resources were approved. Members also discussed the cap-and-trade spending plan, noting lower-than-expected auction revenues but higher interest earnings, and the need to monitor the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and possible May Revision changes. The committee then heard overviews of the zero-emission vehicle package, the Community Air Protection Program, demand-side grid support, and e-bike incentives. CARB described ongoing investments in community-based transportation equity, drayage trucks, harbor craft, and other clean technology demonstrations, while members pressed on affordability, program duplication, and whether enough funding was being directed to incentive programs. No formal votes were taken during the portion provided, and the chair repeatedly indicated that the hearing was intended to surface concerns for later budget negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Transportation will now come to order. Marilyn, please call the roll.
• I'm the District 6 Secretary for the Florida Department of Transportation, so I oversee the district
• of Transportation and Department of High...
• One of them is the aggregate grant program. We actually did demographics research.
• We're in the third year of that aggregate grant program.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The committee held a panel discussion on micro-mobility device regulation and enforcement, focusing on e-bikes and e-scooters. Sheriff Robert Hardwick and Chief Jamie Cruz described serious injuries involving children, including crashes at high speeds, and argued that current law is outdated because it folds e-bikes into the bicycle statute. They urged a separate statewide framework with clearer age limits, licensing or training requirements, helmet rules, and penalties for modifying devices to go faster. Both also emphasized that parents should bear responsibility and that enforcement should include education, progressive discipline, and, if needed, civil citations. FDOT District 6 Secretary Daniel Iglesias and DHSMV representative Lonnie Groner said their agencies are prioritizing education, outreach, and better data collection. They noted that micromobility devices are increasingly common, create safety and accessibility issues on sidewalks and shared-use paths, and are difficult to track because crash reports often do not identify them consistently. Members discussed whether motorized devices should be barred from sidewalks, whether riders should be licensed and insured, and how enforcement could be made uniform statewide. The panel also said manufacturers have not been meaningfully engaged and that local approaches vary widely. The committee then heard 2026 legislative priorities from FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue and DHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner. Perdue outlined FDOT’s large five-year work program, ongoing congestion-relief projects, investments in ports, airports, rail, workforce, heavy equipment, facilities, and cybersecurity, and the need to do more with flat revenues. Kerner summarized DHSMV’s agency bill priorities, including requiring a Florida address and proof of residence for vehicle registration, updating identification requirements, aligning tank vehicle and motor carrier rules with federal standards, improving IFTA administration, raising the crash-report damage threshold, and allowing electronic notices. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it fits within needing to update a finance plan for the grant amendment program.
• this grant were from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
• And obligate those grants for the bigger numbers associated with actual construction.
• The final point I want to address is the active transportation issue.
• I'm with the Economic Transportation Alliance, Third Bridge Now. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Committee: Joint Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee

Summary: The Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee met for a work session and public hearing on the Interstate 5 bridge replacement program. Program staff outlined major milestones, including the recent biological opinion, the Coast Guard’s opening of a public comment period on the Navigation Impact Report, expected decisions in early 2026 on navigational clearance and the final supplemental environmental impact statement, and a possible amended record of decision in 2026. They also discussed the Bridge Investment Program grant amendment deadline, the need for an initial finance plan, and ongoing community outreach and contractor engagement. Greg Johnson announced he was stepping down as program administrator, and Carly Francis introduced herself as interim administrator. A large portion of the meeting focused on design and cost questions. Staff said the program is studying fixed and movable spans, single- and double-deck configurations, and one versus two auxiliary lanes, with final recommendations to be made through the federal environmental process. They said the Coast Guard’s decision is central to what bridge configuration is permittable and to the timing of the updated cost estimate, which has not yet been released. Members pressed for more detail on cost drivers, potential impacts to businesses upriver, and whether the states would need to seek additional funding. Staff said they had reached agreements with four impacted river users, but the underlying evaluation materials are protected and not publicly releasable. The committee also reviewed transit-related questions. Staff explained that light rail remains part of the modified locally preferred alternative and that ridership and operations estimates are being updated using federal modeling methods. They said projected opening-day transit operations and maintenance costs have dropped from an earlier estimate of $21.8 million to about $10.3 million annually because the current model assumes lower frequency, with Oregon and Washington shares split by geography and fare recovery. Members raised concerns about TriMet’s financial stability and the need for a funding plan by fall 2027, ahead of a planned federal transit funding application in fall 2028. During public testimony, several speakers criticized the delay in releasing a new cost estimate and argued the project scope should be reduced if costs continue to rise. Testifiers from City Observatory and the Just Crossing Alliance said the project appears to be avoiding bad news, urged the committee to consider scope reductions, and questioned whether the active transportation and freeway components align with the project’s core purpose. The meeting ended with thanks to Johnson for his service and a transition to public hearing testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• As they take up their work, grant them wisdom broad enough to hold many realities at once.
• Appropriations, Transportation, Technology, and Judicial.
• SB 1207, appropriation, study, transportation infrastructure, Appropriations, Transportation, Technology
• SB 127, appropriation, study, transportation infrastructure, Appropriations, Transportation, Technology
• SB 1118, rural hospitals, radiation protection grants.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3893, authorizing the Town of Lexington to grant 10 additional licenses for the sale of wine
• An act authorizing the town of Lexington to grant 10 additional licenses for the sale of wine and malt
• The Chapter 90 program, along with three additional key transportation programs and projects.
• As a direct result of those investments, we can confidently offer much-needed transportation funds for
• Our Commonwealth Transportation Fund, or CTF, is an even stronger representation of fiscal success.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and first took up a Rules Committee report recommending adoption of a resolution honoring the 200th anniversary of the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in New Bedford. The House suspended the rules and adopted the resolution. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee then reported a series of local bills for consideration, including measures on legal notices, charter changes for Chicopee, Bridgewater, Wellesley, Weston, Somerville, and Watertown, as well as bills on firefighter residency, a checkout bag fee in Sudbury, senior tax exemption eligibility in Williamstown, and liquor licenses in Lexington. The House suspended Rule 7A, gave the bills second reading, and ordered them to a third reading. The House also considered a Ways and Means report on H. 4257, financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. The committee recommended an amendment in the form of a substitute bill, H. 4307, authorizing $1.185 billion in general obligation bonds. After suspension of the rules, the House adopted the amendment and ordered the bill to a third reading. Later, during floor debate on H. 4307, members spoke in support of the bill as a major transportation funding package, emphasizing Chapter 90 aid, road mileage-based distribution, culvert and small bridge repairs, congestion relief projects, and the bill’s fiscal and credit-rating benefits. A roll call was ordered, and the bill passed to be engrossed 156-0. The House also passed to be engrossed a bill validating the results of a special election in Hardwick. In addition, the House adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. and agreed to adjourn in memory of former Representative and Senator Matthew C. Patrick of Falmouth. The session included several guest introductions, including Mandela Fellows studying at Bridgewater State University, former legislator Vincent Dimacido, Bellingham Council on Aging guests, and interns in Representative Linsky’s office.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Senate Transportation Committee. Secretary, please take a silent roll.
• Scott Stokes, Director of the Idaho Transportation Department.
• TECM stands for Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation.
• I'm going to be talking to you today about transportation funding.
• I'm going to be talking to you today about transportation funding.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we will review and take votes on the Grants and Aid Bill for fiscal year 2007.
• With the quorum being present, we'll begin reviewing the draft Grants and Aid bill.
• This is a new section from lines 1 to 22 for senior center transportation.
• Are there any questions about this proposed grant aid epilogue?
• I want to thank, in particular, with the grant aid bill, Mr.

Committee: Joint Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• by SGOs, or scholarship-granting organizations.
• </c> donations to scholarship granting donations to scholarship granting organizations<00:08:27.440><
• </c> granting organizations. granting organizations.
• The scholarship granting organizations The scholarship granting organizations must<00:15:51.360><c>
• </c><00:20:58.640><c> organization</c> a scholarship granting organization a scholarship granting organization

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• As we heard from California's Transportation Commission, California's projected transportation funding
• how you fund transportation is hard.
• I always phrase it as transportation...
• Post the adoption of this, they would be paying more for transportation needs, the investment in transportation
• That we have a transportation system and infrastructure as it relates to transportation that works for

Committee: House Transportation

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee first took up three highway memorial naming resolutions on its consent calendar: ACR 109, SCR 78, and SCR 90. The committee approved the consent calendar on an 11-0 vote, with the roll not held open. The chair also recognized committee science fellow AJ Mendeola for his service before adjourning the bill-hearing portion and moving to an informational hearing. The informational hearing focused on alternatives to the gas tax and how other states are responding to declining fuel-tax revenue. A first panel of researchers and policy experts described the erosion of gas-tax receipts due to inflation, improved fuel efficiency, and growth in electric vehicles, and compared options such as EV registration fees, kilowatt-hour charging fees, delivery fees, transportation network company fees, managed lanes, and road usage charges. Witnesses generally said road usage charges best preserve the user-pays principle, but they also emphasized that implementation costs, privacy concerns, and public understanding remain major obstacles. Committee members raised concerns about fairness for commuters, low-income drivers, and EV adoption, while some members argued a mileage-based system could amount to a new tax unless the gas tax is actually repealed. The second panel featured state officials from Hawaii, Utah, Oregon, and Virginia describing their programs. Hawaii said it launched its road usage charge program on July 1, 2025, using existing safety-check and registration systems, with EV owners initially choosing between a per-mile charge and a flat annual fee before mandatory EV participation begins in 2028 and a broader transition plan is due by 2026. Utah described its voluntary EV road usage charge program, annual flat fee option, quarterly reporting, privacy protections, and recent cost reductions as enrollment grows. Oregon began outlining its structural funding challenges and constitutional cost-responsibility framework, while the hearing overall underscored that states are experimenting with different approaches but have not settled on a single replacement for the gas tax.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Transportation Committee members and AMB Transportation Committee members, remember we have lunch

Bills: SJR39 , SJR47 , SB227 , SB1942 , SB1627 , SB625 , SB1716 , SB1303 , SB2180 , SB504 , SB1209 , SB1448 , SB1597 , SB1679 , SB2182 , SB2112 , SB2170 , SB2084 , SB1496 , SB1595 , SB1655 , SB1876 , SB1621 , SB1944 , SB1266 , SB2072 , SB2104 , SB1769 , SB1827

Keywords: property valuation, tax limit, homestead, income threshold, elderly, constitutional amendment, voter ID, elections, Oklahoma, proof of identity, gross production tax, ad valorem tax, property exemption, Oklahoma Tax Commission, oil and gas production, regulatory impact, economic implications, dental insurance, health care, medical necessity

Transcript Highlights:

• the installation of highway signs for certain cultural attractions by the Texas Department of Transportation
• to Transportation.
• Senate Bill 1045 by Parker et al. relating to the requirement that a state agency grant an opportunity
• projects to Transportation.
• intermodal shipping containers to Transportation.

Bills: SJR36 , SB26 , SJR3 , SJR48 , SJR50 , SJR51 , SCR15 , SCR17 , SB3 , SB5 , SB12 , SB18 , SB1001 , SB1002 , SB1003 , SB1004 , SB1005 , SB1006 , SB1007 , SB1008 , SB1009 , SB1010 , SB1011 , SB1012 , SB1013 , SB1014 , SB1015 , SB1016 , SB1017 , SB1018 , SB1019 , SB1020 , SB1021 , SB1022 , SB1023 , SB1024 , SB1025 , SB1026 , SB1027 , SB1028 , SB1029 , SB1030 , SB1031 , SB1032 , SB1033 , SB1034 , SB1035 , SB1036 , SB1037 , SB1038 , SB1039 , SB1040 , SB1041 , SB1042 , SB1043 , SB1044 , SB1045 , SB1046 , SB1049 , SB1050 , SB1051 , SB1052 , SB1053 , SB1054 , SB1055 , SB1056 , SB1057 , SB1058 , SB1059 , SB1060 , SB1061 , SB1062 , SB1063 , SB1064 , SB1065 , SB1066 , SB1067 , SB1068 , SB1069 , SB1070 , SB1071 , SB1072 , SB1073 , SB1074 , SB1075 , SB1076 , SB1077 , SB1078 , SB1079 , SB1080 , SB1081 , SB1082 , SB1083 , SB1084 , SB1085 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1088 , SB1089 , SB1090 , SB1091 , SB1092 , SB1093 , SB1094 , SB1095 , SB1096 , SB1097 , SB1098 , SB1099 , SB1100 , SB1101 , SB1102 , SB1103 , SB1104 , SB1105 , SB1106 , SB1107 , SB1108 , SB1109 , SB1110 , SB1111 , SB1112 , SB1113 , SB1114 , SB1115 , SB1116 , SB1117 , SB1118 , SB1119 , SB1120 , SB1121 , SB1122 , SB1123 , SB1124 , SB1125 , SB1126 , SB1127 , SB1128 , SB1129 , SB1130 , SB1131 , SB1132 , SB1133 , SB1134 , SB1135 , SB1136 , SB1137 , SB1138 , SB1139 , SB1140 , SB1141 , SB1142 , SB1143 , SB1144 , SB1145 , SB1146 , SB1147 , SB1148 , SB1149 , SB1150 , SB1565

Summary: The Senate met briefly and referred a large number of first-reading bills and resolutions to standing committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including hemp regulation, dementia research funding, parental rights and public education, municipal library funding, tax and local government issues, criminal justice, health care, education, transportation, natural resources, and election law. Several constitutional resolutions were also referred, including proposals related to the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and a severance tax revenue fund. Most of the transcript consists of the reading of bill captions and committee referrals, with no substantive debate or testimony recorded. The listed measures included proposals on school uniforms, charter schools, Medicaid fraud remedies, insurance practices, occupational licensing for people with criminal convictions, water and sewer utility cybersecurity, agricultural protections, public meeting broadcasting, and various local and state governance matters. No votes were taken on the bills in this segment. The only formal action reflected was referral of the bills and resolutions to the appropriate committees, followed by adjournment of the Senate until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> nonprofit scholarship granting nonprofit scholarship granting organization<00:57:04.640><c> in</
• Scholarship granting organization.
• House Bill 723, to transportation.
• House Bill 725, to transportation.
• </c> transportation, House Joint Resolution transportation, House Joint Resolution 71. 71. 71.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, excused absent members, and suspended rules to allow co-sponsorship and vote modifications. The Senate reported passage of Senate Bills 52 and 124, and several House committees reported favorable action on bills including HB 1, HB 2, HB 94, HB 246, HB 282, HB 299, HB 307, HB 519, HB 613, and HB 648. Most of those measures were ordered to first reading and placed on the calendar; HB 1 and HB 307 were sent to the Rules Committee after having had two previous readings. The House then recessed briefly before returning to the orders of the day. The chamber took up HB 568, relating to public adjusters. The sponsor explained that the bill would prohibit new public adjuster licenses, allow current licensees to renew, impose conflict-of-interest and contract requirements, set a 5% fee cap, and bar public adjusters from negotiating claims, citing consumer protection concerns and legal opinions about the practice of law. After debate and a brief explanation of vote from a member citing local storm-related abuses, the House voted on roll call and passed HB 568 with one nay vote. The House then considered HB 1, which would opt Kentucky into the federal education freedom tax credit program. Supporters said it would allow private donations to scholarship-granting organizations to benefit Kentucky students without using state general funds, and argued it could help public, private, and homeschool families with education-related expenses. Opponents criticized the speed of the process, warned it could open the door to vouchers and charters, and argued it would mainly benefit wealthier donors while public schools remain underfunded. Members also questioned the bill’s waiver of 11th Amendment immunity and received explanations that the waiver was limited to federal-court jurisdiction over the federal program and would not create individual liability for state actors. A motion to table the bill failed with 19 votes in favor, and debate continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we will review and take votes on the Grants and Aid Bill for fiscal year 2007.
• With the quorum being present, we'll begin reviewing the draft Grants and Aid bill.
• With the quorum being present, we'll begin reviewing the draft Grants and Aid bill.
• This is a new section from lines 1 to 22 for senior center transportation.
• I want to thank, in particular, with the grant-aid bill, Mr.

Committee: Joint Finance

Summary: The Joint Finance Committee met to review and vote on the fiscal year 2027 Grants and Aid Act, which was expected to be pre-filed as Senate Bill 337. Members first reviewed Section 1, covering county seat payments, paramedic operations, senior center allocations, senior center transportation, and Homeland Security grants. They approved Section 1 after discussion of how senior center transportation is being moved from DART to grant-in-aid and how some organizations can appear in both the senior center formula and the general aging category. The committee then worked through Section 2, which included one-time appropriations and the various grant categories for aging, arts/historical/recreation, economic housing or labor services, family and youth services, health or disability services, and neighborhood and community services. Members discussed several specific items, including New Castle County reassessment-related funding, Friends of Cooch’s Bridge, Slaughter Neck Community Action Organization, Plastic-Free Delaware, Love, Inc. of the Delmarva, and the Southern Delaware Horse Retirement Association. One aging line for Slaughter Neck was reduced back to flat funding after members questioned a large increase, and the revised category total was adjusted accordingly. Each of the Section 2 subcategories was then adopted. Section 3, covering fire companies and public service ambulance companies, was approved with increases across apparatus, ambulance, rescue truck, aerial truck, rescue boat, substation, and insurance rebate equalization funding. Section 4, for veterans organizations and youth programs such as Boys State, Girls State, and Trooper Youth Week, was also adopted. The committee then approved the epilogue sections, which included eligibility, audit, payment, and reporting rules; special provisions for the Wilmington Senior Center contingency; conditions tied to several one-time appropriations; withholding funding from Merri-Dell Volunteer Fire Company pending a corrective report; and reprogramming $1,485,000 from a prior SMART food program appropriation toward SNAP/WIC-related food access initiatives. The meeting ended with remarks thanking staff and noting that it was likely the last JFC meeting for two members, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Other transportation improvements. Thank you, Senator Roberts. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• In the Department of Transportation, they already have a bridge enterprise fund.
• ><c> to</c><01:08:45.440><c> consider</c> granted the committee to consider granted the committee to
• I request a moment of personal privilege. >> Granted. Mr.
• >> Granted.