Transcript Highlights:

• Nearly 36% of employees at CTR worksites are now using commute alternatives instead of driving alone.
• In 2025, Microsoft's Redmond campus achieved a 41% drive-alone rate, reflecting long-term investment
• In 2025, Microsoft's Redmond campus achieved a 41% drive-alone rate, reflecting long-term investment
• They reduce driving, save money, and reduce stress.
• Chris Mendoza, continued: It still requires people to be licensed to drive a car.

Summary: The Transportation Committee held public hearings on three bills. HB 2307 would update the commute trip reduction program by removing the current 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. arrival-time requirement from key definitions, so more employers and shift workers could qualify for CTR benefits. The bill sponsor and several supporters, including Microsoft, transit and transportation nonprofits, local transportation management groups, and city representatives, said the change would modernize the program, improve equity, reduce congestion, and help workers with transportation costs. No one testified in opposition. HB 2374 would distinguish electric-assisted bicycles from higher-powered electric motorcycles, clarify labeling and equipment rules, and direct DOL to convene a work group on enforcement and consumer protection. The sponsor and many supporters, including cities, trail and park organizations, Washington Bikes, and several students, said the bill would address unsafe high-powered vehicles being marketed as e-bikes, especially those used by younger riders, while preserving access to true e-bikes. Some testifiers asked for additional work group members and suggested civil enforcement options for underage riders. HB 2379 would require WSDOT to suspend tolling on facilities that serve as evacuation routes during emergencies such as wildfires or levee breaches. The sponsor said the bill was prompted by constituents facing evacuation while tolls were still being charged; staff noted the fiscal impact would be indeterminate and could reduce toll revenue during suspensions. After the hearings, the committee took executive action on two bills. It adopted proposed substitute H-2771 for HB 1823, which cleans up Transportation Improvement Board provisions and removes obsolete language while retaining remaining bond authority. It also passed HB 2111, which directs interest earned from toll revenues for the Interstate Bridge project to be credited to that project. Both actions were approved by voice vote, 27-0, with two members excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Haggins used to have to drive to a truck stop near Albert Lea to be able to sleep.
• The Langrudes would drive over to Lake City from the Albert Lea area to sleep in their boat.
• Oftentimes, it's a pretty big To come down to the Capitol and make the drive.
• If you drive through there, drive down 90 at night and look at the lights flashing, you'll see the impacts
• I drive six hours to get home.

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• He is also an avid Star Wars fan and he is exceptional at using the force of nature and drive of his
• at using the force um of Nature<00:07:28.400><c> and</c><00:07:28.639><c> and</c><00:07:28.879><c> drive
• of</c><00:07:29.599><c> his</c><00:07:29.879><c> staff</c><00:07:30.280><c> to</c> Nature and and drive
• of his staff to Nature and and drive of his staff to really<00:07:30.759><c> get</c><00:07:30.879><c
• </c> the better through his Relentless drive the better through his Relentless drive to<00:10:36.399>

Transcript Highlights:

• SBIR, and the Small Business Technology Transfer Program, or STTR, have played an essential role. in driving
• SBIR and STTR were designed to use America's small businesses to drive innovation.
• The Iowa SBDC fosters innovation, strengthens local economies, and drives small business success.
• These programs also attract follow-on investment, drive job creation, and expand local supply chains.
• But it's their idea and their innovation that drives us forward.

Committee: Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

Keywords: SBIR, STTR, Innovate Act, small business, innovation, legislative reforms, economic growth, funding, technology transfer

Summary: The meeting focused on the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs (SBIR-STTR), emphasizing the critical reforms necessary to enhance their effectiveness. Chair Ernst introduced the Innovate Act to streamline processes, ensuring funding is awarded based on merit and addressing existing abuses within the system. The discussion was robust, with numerous members expressing concerns about phase transitions and the need for targeted funding to support impactful technological innovations. The conversation also highlighted the program's importance in fostering economic growth, particularly for small businesses in rural areas, and the urgency for legislative changes as the program's authorization approaches expiration.

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN DRIVING THE INCREASE IN STUDENTS EARNING INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS.
• TO EQUIP OUR STUDENTS FOR HIGH DEMAND CAREERS IN FIELDS SUCH AS HEALTHCARE AND COMMERCIAL VEHICLE DRIVING
• OUR CURRENT COSTS ARE FOR CERTIFIED NURSING $800 CVD CLASS AA FOR COMMERCIAL VEHICLE DRIVING CLASS A.
• $3,100 COMMERCIAL VEHICLE DRIVING CLASS B $2,600 LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSING $8,400 AND WELDING $5,300
• YOUR INVESTMENT IN WORKFORCE EDUCATION IS A DRIVING FORCE BEHIND ECONOMIC GROWTH AND STABILITY IN OUR

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:

• 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:

• Our end goal is to get people that did not drink and drive to make a choice not to do that.
• Drunk driving is a well-documented and serious problem in the state of Missouri.
• The Missouri Highway Patrol reports data from fatalities of drunk driving.
• Data from fatalities of drunk driving.
• with him as we work to improve Missouri's roadways from impaired driving.

Transcript Highlights:

• We wouldn't be training students are driving, so it might make sense to remove the word training.
• With this, we wouldn't be training students are driving, so it might make sense to remove the word training
• And then when we get to the list of what the safe driving program would include, some of the people that
• I thought about when I drive to Jeff City every day and I see people pull in front of, say, a semi-truck
• so close and thinking if this is an opportunity to talk about safe driving, maybe we should include

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2195, a driver education-related measure. The ranking member offered an amendment to remove the word “training” and add specific safe-driving topics such as pedestrian and motorcycle safety, based on prior testimony. The amendment and then a committee substitute were adopted. Members clarified that the bill does not require schools to offer driver education; it instead creates a mechanism for schools that choose to provide it. The committee then voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 2195 do pass by a unanimous 18-0 vote. Next, the committee considered House Bill 2502. The substitute mainly changed the term “non-public” to more specific references to private, parochial, and parish schools. The substitute was adopted, and the committee voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 2502 do pass unanimously, 18-0. The committee then revisited House Bill 2776, which had previously been voted out but was brought back after additional concerns from PSRS and others. The sponsor described major revisions, including changes to teacher certification tiers, more flexible service timelines, expanded credit for professional development, and limits to elementary grades. Members debated whether the bill watered down teacher preparation, whether the new certification structure could create unintended rights or salary issues, and whether the elementary-only scope was appropriate. After extensive discussion, the committee adopted the substitute and voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 2776 do pass by a 14-4 vote. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1767, the Missouri Educators and Parental Empowerment and Rights Act. The sponsor said the bill was intended to balance educator and parent rights and encourage collaboration rather than conflict. Supporters from Missouri NEA and the Missouri State Teachers Association said the bill would help address teacher retention by protecting classroom discipline authority, planning time, and other working conditions. School administrators raised concerns about practical implementation, potential legal conflicts, and added burdens on districts. After testimony and discussion, no further action was taken and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• When radiation exposure drives women away from our field, we lose out, not just on talent, but on the
• Don’t drive to the mailbox without it. Just the seatbelt. You wear a seatbelt.
• Don’t drive to the mailbox without it. Okay.
• Our staff and council have over 200 years collectively driving this highway. We do know our road.
• Even if you don't drive on a road, it's still going to decay.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced six measures. SB 1118, as amended, appropriates $3 million to the Department of Health Services for a grant program to help rural hospitals install enhanced radiation protection systems in cardiac catheterization rooms; testimony from an interventional cardiologist emphasized worker safety, reduced radiation exposure, and recruitment/retention of physicians, and the bill passed 10-0. SB 1154 provides $500,000 to ADOT for a traffic and safety study on SR 64 between Williams and the Grand Canyon; local officials, law enforcement, and fire personnel described heavy tourism, rising crashes, and the need for broader roadway improvements, and it passed 6-4. SB 1063 appropriates $10.4 million for safety improvements on U.S. 70 in the San Carlos Apache area; tribal leaders and law enforcement cited high fatality and injury rates, dangerous design features, and limited federal funding, and it also passed 6-4. The committee then approved SB 1153, which creates a Grand Canyon National Park specialty license plate and fund; the Grand Canyon Conservancy supported the measure as a way to generate dedicated revenue for park programs, and it passed 10-0. SCM 1001, as amended, urges naming SR 260 the Donald J. Trump Highway through the State Board on Geographic and Historic Names rather than ADOT; the memorial drew sharply divided testimony and debate, but it passed 6-4. Finally, SB 1209 exempts homeless individuals and those using shelter addresses from non-operating ID fees and extends the validity period for those IDs to eight years; advocates said the change would help people obtain housing, jobs, and services, and it passed 9-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, hi, I'm the city manager for the City of Moses Lake, about a four-hour drive from here.
• And first I want to say thanks for taking up this issue, and that I drive a semi most of the time.
• The little rigs we drive around on, we load the cans on our trailer and drive them around from the hook
• The little rigs we drive around on, we load the cans on our trailer and drive them around from the hook
• And I represent the operators, the people on the ships that are driving them.

Summary: The Senate Local Government and State Parks Committee heard several bills focused on local government finance, land use, and public safety. SB 5903 would deem a cemetery district commissioner elected if only one qualified candidate files, with sponsor Senator Cortez saying it would save ballot-printing costs and local resources; there was no testimony in opposition. SB 6037 would create or modify a voter-approved option for cities and towns to form a single-city fire protection district, adjust levy and notice rules, allow administrative service contracts with the city, and clarify commissioner elections; Senator Cortez and multiple city and fire officials said it would give communities more flexible, locally controlled funding tools for fire service, while committee members asked about how it would work and the fiscal impact. SB 5983 would exempt certain current-use land transferred to a government entity for right-of-way from rollback taxes when the transfer is tied to development conditions and stays within a 20% acreage limit; Senator Leas described it as helping a family farm avoid an unfair tax bill, and there was no testimony on the bill. The committee also heard SB 5995, which would remove the 2031 sunset on the prohibition against using port funds to buy fully automated marine container cargo handling equipment. The sponsor and labor witnesses argued the bill protects jobs, keeps public dollars from underwriting automation, and still allows zero-emission, human-operated equipment; port and labor representatives testified in strong support, while the sign-in sheet showed substantial public interest both for and against. SB 6016 would change how urban growth area swaps treat critical aquifer recharge areas, making the rules for annual and periodic updates more consistent and allowing swaps if they do not increase net CARA acreage within the UGA; the sponsor, Commerce, housing, business, and development interests said it was a technical fix that supports housing and consistency, while one witness warned it could weaken groundwater protections and create litigation risk. Finally, the committee heard SB 6066, which would let counties, cities, towns, or WSDOT designate “accident risk zones” on roads with repeated crashes, require a public hearing and engineering review, double certain traffic penalties in the zone, and dedicate half the extra revenue to safety improvements before dissolving the zone. Supporters from cities, counties, and Pasco said it could help address dangerous intersections and fund fixes, though several witnesses raised liability and implementation concerns and asked for further stakeholder work. No votes were taken in the transcript; the chair closed each hearing after testimony and sign-in counts were noted.

Transcript Highlights:

• The school bus driver, an employee of Pasco County School Board, failed to drive safely, leading to the
• Senators, this amendment enhances penalties related to the Florida ban on texting while driving law.
• The amendment changes texting while driving from a non-moving violation to a moving violation, including
• of people who've had their lives changed forever because of an injury or death due to distracted driving
• And I am going to very soon have a young man driving or with a learner's license, and anything that helps

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance led by pages, and several introductions recognizing guests, family members, and a USF Day at the Capitol presentation. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar, where it first passed two Open Government Sunset Review bills: CS/SB 7010, preserving a public records exemption for certain Department of Financial Services receiver information, and SB 7008/HB 7003, preserving confidentiality for financial technology sandbox application records. Both measures passed unanimously. The Senate also passed CS/SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings relating to terrorism, a bill intended to help victims enforce judgments against terrorist entities, and CS/CS/SB 910 on veterans benefits assistance, aimed at improving veterans’ access to benefits and transition support. Additional measures passed included CS/CS/CS/SB 832 on former phosphate mining lands, SB 796 on general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems, CS/CS/CS/SB 700, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, and several claims bills, including relief for Darlene Angerville and J.R., Eric and Jennifer Miles on behalf of EEM, and Marcus Button. SB 994 on driver’s license education requirements also passed after an amendment making texting while driving a moving violation with points and a distracted-driving course requirement. The most extended debate centered on CS/CS/CS/SB 700, where senators discussed provisions on fluoride in drinking water, labeling of plant-based products, drone penalties, charity registration, agricultural housing, and other agriculture-related policy changes. Several amendments on fluoride were offered and defeated, while a technical amendment on financial institution definitions was adopted. Senators also briefly discussed the policy implications of the bill’s fluoride language and its relationship to local control and public health. Several other bills on the calendar were temporarily postponed, and at the end of the session the Senate adopted motions to certify passed bills to the House, retain postponed bills on the special order calendar, and remove CS/SB 7016 from the special order calendar. The Senate then adjourned until April 16.

Transcript Highlights:

• to provide the very best services to all Americans, one in which innovative thinking and efficiency drive
• Second, incentives drive behavior.
• So my commitment is to drive the team to finish that inventory, to provide that roll-up and ultimately
• A HUD employee was arrested for drunk driving at 3 30 in the afternoon on a Friday and may have been
• There's ways that collectively we can drive prices down or drive wages up if that may be, but it doesn't

Committee: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

Keywords: nominations, Scott Cooper, Eric Ulan, federal workforce, Office of Personnel Management, Office of Management and Budget, accountability, collective bargaining

Summary: The committee convened to discuss the nominations of Scott Cooper for Director of the Office of Personnel Management and Eric Ulan for Deputy Director at the Office of Management and Budget. This meeting highlighted the critical roles both positions play in managing the federal workforce, which comprises over two million civilian employees. Concerns were raised regarding the current administration's approach to federal employment, citing issues like mass firings and the undermining of collective bargaining rights. Members expressed the need for better accountability and transparency within the federal system, emphasizing the importance of attracting talented public servants.

Transcript Highlights:

• People drive through our state.
• But that doesn't drive the economy.
• Big boy pants and start driving the economy.
• Driving the other income toward them.
• A lot of providers live in urban areas, yet they drive and practice.

Committee: House House Taxation & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• , the infrastructure and lower-income individuals that have these types of jobs where they have to drive
• They create jobs, drive innovation, and serve as economic anchors in communities throughout our state
• A drive-through option removes that barrier, allowing patients and consumers to access what they need
• A drive-through model addresses this gap in a controlled, compliant manner.
• No jurisdiction is required to allow drive-through operations unless locally approved.

Committee: Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• We're driving for that.
• The millions of homes The market that can drive the investment.
• The millions of homes we need is the market that can drive the investment.
• You've heard of the term drive to you qualify. To climate change.
• You've heard of the term “drive to qualify.” We were talking about a two-hour drive.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is not where they came and looked at our driving.
• The Everly Life Road Safety Index said that we were the most dangerous state to drive in.
• If you drive down these country roads, we have sand piles that are as high as this ceiling.
• I believe there is a fine for use of, if someone's caught using a cell phone while driving, Mr.
• And so distracted driving is one of those things.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our priority roadway projects are Futurity Drive. It's the Entertainment Corridor.
• Racetrack Drive is on the east end of the casino, and it continues west onto Derby Road.
• The intersection of McNutt and Sunland Park Drive. One of the legs to the right is an upper road.
• We broke our hearts driving through Texas to get to Sunland Park. That's a great question, Mr.
• This directly impacts us, driving the majority of the revenue at the casino. Thank you for that.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of those cases involved disputes as to whether the car was in park or not, did it stay and drive
• It's one thing when someone speeds off at a very high rate of speed... ...but stay and drive.
• Let me be very clear: If I cannot legally drive while drunk, I cannot legally give consent while drunk
• Texas already recognizes that intoxication impairs judgment when it comes to driving.
• His killer had previously been deported following the commission of a drunk-driving offense, clearly

Bills: HB75 , HB108

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: building standards, youth camps, floodplains, safety regulations, environmental policies, drainage utilities, flood management, land use regulation, county authority, drainage fees

Summary: The committee heard a series of criminal justice and public safety bills, with most measures focused on tougher penalties, victim protections, and procedural changes. Bills discussed included HB 75, requiring magistrates to make written findings when denying probable cause despite believing an arrestee committed an offense; HB 413, limiting pretrial detention so it cannot exceed the maximum jail term for the charged offense, with competency-related exceptions; HB 1422, expanding sexual assault survivor protections and increasing penalties for certain sexual offenses and voyeurism; HB 2073, increasing penalties for violating protective orders or bond conditions while armed; HB 2593, raising indecent assault penalties against elderly or disabled victims; HB 108, enhancing punishment when body armor is used during violent crimes; HB 3816, expanding cruelty-to-livestock offenses to include unlawful controlled-substance administration; HB 2854, requiring parole officers to notify hospitals or law enforcement when violent parolees visit hospital premises; HB 1871, increasing punishment for attempted capital murder of a peace officer and making such offenders ineligible for parole; HB 3463, clarifying notice methods in theft-of-service cases; HB 2348, allowing video-recorded depositions of elderly or disabled witnesses; HB 2594, expanding venue options for cybercrime and digital theft prosecutions; HB 2761, clarifying that children cannot be deemed to consent to prostitution-related offenses; HB 3185, authorizing administrative subpoenas in cybercrime investigations; HB 2017, increasing penalties for certain intoxication manslaughter cases involving undocumented immigrants with prior DWI convictions; HB 2306, making certain trafficking offenses ineligible for parole; HB 1607, allowing a rear-only license plate when a vehicle lacks a front bracket; HB 1828, creating a legislative leave pool for TDCJ correctional officers; and HB 3664, requiring prospective grand jurors to complete training and proposing additional changes to grand jury procedure in a future substitute. The committee also took up HB 3073, the Summer Willis Act, which would clarify consent in sexual assault law and address intoxication-related incapacity; the committee substitute narrowed the language to situations where the perpetrator knows the other person cannot consent because of intoxication or impairment, while removing withdrawal-of-consent and “reasonably should know” language from the House version. Several bills were laid out with committee substitutes adopted, including HB 3463, HB 2594, HB 3073, and HB 3073’s substitute, and most bills were left pending after no invited or public testimony or after hearing testimony. Public testimony was especially extensive on HB 3073, with survivors, advocates, and prosecutors supporting broader consent language, while some prosecutors said the substitute was an improvement but still favored the House version’s broader protections. HB 3664 drew significant opposition from district attorneys, who argued that mandatory transcription or recording of grand jury testimony would be costly, chill grand juror questioning, and complicate timely presentations; concerns were also raised about new-evidence requirements and grand jury shopping. No final votes were taken on the bills discussed in the transcript, and the committee recessed partway through to return to the floor before continuing its hearing.

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