Transcript Highlights:

• High-cost regions were housing, transportation, and basic necessities continue to rise.
• Freight rail is the safest form of ground transportation in the United States.
• Motion is due pass as amended to the Committee on Transportation. Senators McNerney: aye.
• Well, that bill fails, and is there an objection to granting reconsideration?
• I think if we have... ...grant money to prosecute those cases. Yeah, yeah.

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Summary: The committee heard several tax and revenue measures. SB 1277, by Senator Grove, proposed a California Cost of Living Tax Credit modeled on the 2022 middle-class tax refund to provide direct relief to low- and middle-income Californians facing high housing, gas, energy, and general living costs. Supporters said it would help working families, farmworkers, teachers, and others; opponents, including the California Tax Reform Association and the California Teachers Association, argued California already has a progressive tax system, that refundable credits are costly and can be difficult to administer, and that the bill would reduce General Fund revenues and Proposition 98 funding. The bill was held on call after extensive debate and no motion was made at that time. The committee then heard SB 1287, which would create a targeted tax credit to encourage private investment in short-line railroad infrastructure. The author and rail industry witnesses said the credit would support safety, bridge and track upgrades, emissions reductions, freight efficiency, and rural and agricultural supply chains, while opponents argued a direct grant program would be preferable to a tax credit. The bill was accepted with committee amendments and placed on call after a motion to move it forward. SB 1407 would exempt military retirement pay and surviving spouse benefits from state income tax, with the author, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, and veterans’ groups arguing it would help retain veterans in California, support second careers, and keep federal retirement dollars in the state. The California Teachers Association and California Tax Reform Association opposed it as another tax expenditure that would reduce General Fund revenue. The committee approved the bill on a due pass as amended vote to the Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, with several members voting aye and others not voting, and the bill was placed on call. The committee also heard SB 1349, which directs the Legislative Analyst’s Office to review major tax expenditures and evaluate their costs, beneficiaries, and effectiveness. Supporters, including CTA, AFSCME, cities, counties, and many teachers, said the state needs more accountability for roughly $94 billion in annual tax expenditures and their impact on schools and the budget. The bill was moved with committee amendments and placed on call. Additional measures discussed included SB 1078, authorizing Santa Cruz County to seek voter approval for a temporary local sales tax increase to fund health care and safety-net services; SB 1120, extending the California Competes Tax Credit through 2035 and making it refundable for certain strategic industries; and SB 1275, which would convert the state sales tax on vehicle purchases into a deductible vehicle license fee to reduce Californians’ federal tax burden. SB 1120 and SB 1275 both received support from business and industry witnesses, with no opposition testimony noted, and were moved on call or with a due pass as amended vote as the committee continued through the file.

Transcript Highlights:

• High-cost regions were housing, transportation, and basic necessities continue to rise.
• Freight rail is the safest form of ground transportation in the United States.
• Freight rail is the safest form of ground transportation in the United States.
• Well, that bill fails, and is there an objection to granting reconsideration?
• Seeing none and hearing none, reconsideration is granted.

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 1277, which would create a California Cost of Living Tax Credit modeled on the 2022 middle-class tax refund to provide refundable relief to low- and middle-income Californians facing high housing, fuel, energy, and general living costs. Senator Grove and supporters, including the California Policy Center and some local government representatives, argued the bill would put direct relief into the hands of working families. Opposition came from the California Tax Reform Association and the California Teachers Association, which said California already has progressive tax credits and that the proposal would be costly to the General Fund and reduce money for schools and other services. After extended debate, the bill was not advanced; a roll call vote on a motion to pass it to Appropriations failed 1-4, and the bill was held/fails on the floor with a request for reconsideration noted. The committee then heard SB 1287, which would create a capped tax credit to encourage private investment in short-line railroad infrastructure. The author and rail industry witnesses said the measure would improve safety, reliability, emissions, and freight movement, especially for rural communities and agriculture, and that it was a public-private partnership rather than a handout. Opposition from CTA and the California Tax Reform Association argued a direct grant program would be preferable to a tax credit. The bill was accepted with committee amendments and placed on call without a final vote in the transcript. Members also considered SB 1407, which would fully exempt military retirement pay and surviving spouse benefits from state income tax, increasing the prior partial exemption. The author, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, and veterans’ groups said the change would help retain veterans in California, support local economies, and align California with most other states. CTA and CTRA opposed on General Fund grounds. The committee approved the bill on a due-pass-as-amended motion to the Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, with the roll call showing support and the bill placed on call. Later, the committee heard SB 1349, directing the Legislative Analyst’s Office to review major tax expenditures and evaluate their goals, beneficiaries, and effects on revenues and Proposition 98 funding. CTA, CTRA, and several local government and labor supporters backed the bill as a way to improve accountability for roughly $94 billion in annual tax expenditures. The bill was accepted with committee amendments and placed on call. The committee also heard SB 1078, authorizing Santa Cruz County to ask voters for a temporary half-cent sales tax to help fund health care and safety-net services amid federal cuts; it was placed on call. SB 1120, extending the California Competes Tax Credit through 2035 and making it refundable for certain strategic industries, received strong support from business and manufacturing groups and was passed on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1275, which would replace the state sales tax on vehicle purchases with a vehicle license fee structure intended to increase federal deductibility for Californians, was passed 4-0 as amended to the Committee on Transportation.

Transcript Highlights:

• It grants civil and criminal immunity to school employees who intervene physically to break up fights
• Also included in the act is a system of open enrollment, which also includes transportation funding and
• And that authority was granted in combination both with the state superintendent, but then ultimately
• Section 77.5, Department of Education grants for transportation of pupils who would otherwise attend
• who demonstrate financial need. ...granting grants to be awarded only to pupils who demonstrate financial

Committee: Assembly Education

Transcript Highlights:

• So you're going to see that in row 37; that's just for transportation personnel.
• of how school-age child care is delivered in terms of transportation.
• Contracts that allow for transportation and do some of that funding insurance for.
• But we've had a number of grants affected by this, exceeding $45 million.
• But we've had a number of grants affected by this, exceeding $45 million.

Bills: SB204 , SB241 , HB34 , HB2 , SB204 , SB241 , HB34

Committees: Senate Senate Education , Senate House Education

Keywords: higher education, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, appropriation, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department

Transcript Highlights:

• He notes that funds went off the House floor to fund competitive grant programs and that the House was
• <00:02:01.520><c> programs</c><00:02:02.079><c> and</c><00:02:02.399><c> were</c> fund competitive grant
• programs and were fund competitive grant programs and were not<00:02:03.439><c> planning</c><00:02:03.759
• to people that also competitive grants to people that also want<00:03:46.480><c> to</c><00:03:46.640
• </c> eligible for up to $5,000 for a grant eligible for up to $5,000 for a grant and<00:19:43.840><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, as we strive in the Transportation Cabinet along, and uh, we appreciate the opportunity granted by
• Um, as we strive in the Transportation Cabinet along, and uh, we appreciate the opportunity granted by
• </c> Oldm, Baron, Shelby, Perry, and Grant. Oldm, Baron, Shelby, Perry, and Grant.
• </c> Transportation Cabinet, and Mr. Transportation Cabinet, and Mr.
• </c> Transportation employees. Transportation employees.

Summary: The committee met for its sixth and final interim meeting after a brief technical delay, approved the October 14 minutes, and heard a presentation on a proposed Kentucky hands-free driving bill. The main discussion centered on distracted driving and a draft measure modeled on South Carolina law that would prohibit holding or supporting a mobile electronic device while driving on public roads, while allowing limited exceptions for parked/stopped vehicles, navigation, emergency reporting, dispatch systems, first responders, and certain hands-free call functions. The bill would make a violation a $100 fine plus court costs, with the draft allocating fine revenue to the traumatic brain injury trust fund, Kentucky trauma care system, and veteran program trust fund. The sponsor also said the bill would address prior concerns about enforcement and clarify that officers need a clear, unobstructed visual observation before stopping a driver, and that they may not search or seize devices or make custodial arrests solely for the violation. Alyssa Burns gave emotional testimony in support of the bill, describing the death of her young daughter Kimberly in a crash she attributed to a distracted driver and urging lawmakers to pass the measure to improve roadway safety. The sponsor cited Kentucky traffic fatality statistics, including 814 deaths in 2023 and an estimated 20% involving distracted driving, and argued that the bill could reduce preventable deaths. Several members voiced support and sympathy, including remarks comparing the effort to past seat belt legislation and suggesting possible future additions such as community service. One member raised concerns about enforcement and whether officers could reliably observe phone use inside vehicles, while another asked about the bill’s interaction with existing texting-while-driving penalties and whether points would still apply. The sponsor said the draft was still being refined, acknowledged gray areas, and invited further changes as the bill moves forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> through our state opioid response grant through our state opioid response grant and<00:11:20.720
• </c><00:20:00.480><c> plus</c> of the first round of grants plus of the first round of grants plus um
• That also second round of of grants.
• Um the rate transportation rates.
• This is without transportation.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 2300, Arambula, workforce development, do pass as amended to redefine grant and sub-grant...
• AB 2300, Arambula, workforce development, do pass as amended to redefine grant and sub-grant, out on
• AB 1980, Colosa, Erica Grant Program, do pass as amended to authorize grants for certain purposes only
• AB 1888, Ortega, grant program contractors, held in committee.
• AB 2788, Committee on Transportation, transportation omnibus bill, do pass.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee held a suspense-file hearing on May 14, 2026, reviewing hundreds of Assembly bills and a few committee bills. The chair opened by explaining the committee’s budget constraints and the factors used in suspense decisions, including fiscal impact, return on investment, effects on constituents, and protection of the state’s social safety net. The agenda was organized alphabetically by author, and the committee noted that results would be posted later that day online. The committee then acted on a very large number of measures, sending many bills to the Assembly floor on do pass or do pass as amended motions, while holding many others in committee. Topics covered a broad range of policy areas, including housing, health care, education, labor, public safety, wildfire mitigation, water, energy, transportation, cannabis, immigration, and state governance. Many bills were amended to narrow scope, make implementation contingent on appropriations or existing resources, remove provisions, or clarify agency responsibilities; several bills were held without further action. Among the notable actions, the committee advanced bills on items such as Medi-Cal services, child care, wildfire-related programs, housing financing, school and college issues, public safety and criminal justice, environmental and energy policy, and various consumer and business regulations. Some measures were sent out on A or B roll calls, with Republicans often not voting on amended bills. The hearing concluded after the committee reported that a large number of bills had been moved to the Assembly floor, either as do pass or do pass with amendments, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to Transportation. Is there anyone in the audience that is in favor of this bill?
• And I know about the local road or local transportation fund because I'm the one who set that up.
• We have Socorro County, Sierra County, Doña Ana, Luna, Hidalgo, and Grant County in District 1.
• Thank you, Department of Transportation. Go back on page 12.
• On page number 12, this is an overview of our transportation project fund projects.

Summary: The committee first heard HB 299, a bill to support the Highway 180 project between Deming and Silver City. The sponsors described it as a three-phase road expansion that is already partly complete, but they emphasized rising construction costs, frequent accidents, heavy mining traffic, and the importance of the route to the local economy, tourism, and access to Silver City. A DOT engineer confirmed the project’s phases and cost increases, and the bill drew support from a former DOT official and others. The committee voted do pass, 6-0. The committee then heard HB 325, which would create a railroad crossing safety fund to help improve crossings statewide with lights, gates, overpasses, and other safety measures. Sponsors said the fund would be seeded with a modest amount and could leverage local, federal, and possibly public-private funding, with DOT setting rules and priorities. Railroad lobbyists from Union Pacific and BNSF supported the bill, saying it would help address a major public safety issue, especially for smaller communities. The committee voted do pass. Next, SB 73 was presented to require driver education schools to include at least three hours of instruction on vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. Supporters said the bill would improve awareness and safety at low cost, and public testimony included a bicyclist and a parent who lost a daughter in a crash involving a vulnerable road user. Some members asked how the requirement would apply to first-time or older drivers, and sponsors said it would be part of driver education curriculum developed by MVD and DOT. The committee voted do pass, with one member explaining a vote to note the bill should be read as applying to any first-time driver, not just young drivers. The committee also heard SB 111, which would align the Motor Vehicle Division’s confidentiality rules with last session’s SB 36 by protecting personal information such as sex, gender identity, immigration status, and national origin from public disclosure. The Taxation and Revenue Department said the change was meant to close a gap in the law and prevent release of sensitive data in response to public records requests, while still allowing disclosure for law enforcement and other legally required purposes. The bill passed on a 6-1 vote, with one member voting no and saying he was frustrated by last-minute efforts to fix problems he did not see as existing. The meeting concluded with lengthy DOT district presentations from District 1 and District 6, covering budgets, completed and ongoing projects, local road and bridge work, equipment needs, and unfunded priorities. Members asked about specific projects, freight routes, cattle guards, dust and weather issues, striping contractors, and how projects are prioritized under the state’s asset management scoring system. DOT officials said many projects were complete or underway, that some major projects would be funded through Senate Bill 2 or other appropriations, and that equipment and recurring maintenance funding remain major concerns. The committee adjourned after thanking DOT staff and members for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• , will finance and/or maintain major infrastructure projects, including transportation, utilities, and
• How will this affect the state transportation trust fund? You recognize?
• Has the Department of Transportation and Aviation Office been consulted about the impact on airport grants
• So if the airports are getting their money from these grants that come from the sales tax, you can't
• The $22.8 million tax reduction equates to 10% of airport grant and development funding.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on April 2, 2025, with a quorum present and took up four bills. The committee first heard HB 4041, which would create the Corkscrew Grove Stewardship District in Collier County to finance and maintain infrastructure such as transportation, utilities, and stormwater systems without changing county regulatory authority. The bill drew no opposition, was reported favorably, and passed 14-0. The committee then considered HB 1485, which repeals Florida’s aviation fuel tax provisions. The sponsor argued the change would simplify the tax code, attract airline investment, and support lower fares and more routes. Members raised concerns about the estimated recurring $22.8 million impact on the State Transportation Trust Fund and $2 million on general revenue, and airport representatives warned of reduced grant and development funding, especially for general aviation and municipal airports. Supporters said the change would increase competition and fuel sales in Florida. The bill was reported favorably on a 12-5 vote. Next, the committee heard HB 999, which would recognize gold and silver as legal tender, allow electronic debit access to bullion accounts, and remove tax burdens on transactions involving precious metals. The sponsor and supporters described the bill as a way to protect purchasing power and provide an alternative parallel to the dollar, while opponents and some members raised concerns about consumer protections, predatory practices, privacy, and the role of the Office of Financial Regulation in rulemaking. After extensive testimony, the bill was reported favorably 19-0. Finally, the committee considered PCB WMC 25-01, which would reduce the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25% and also lower several related taxes, including the business rent tax, nonresidential electricity tax, mobile home sales tax, and coin-operated amusement machine tax. The proposal was estimated to reduce revenue by about $5.5 billion annually. Members discussed impacts on the budget, education funding, and whether savings would reach consumers, while supporters emphasized relief for Floridians and business competitiveness. The bill passed unanimously 19-0 and was reported favorably. The chair then noted a prior procedural apology on the record, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Grant those gathered here clarity and wisdom in their conversations and decision-making.
• Gonzalez, who is very well known through our community in Grant County, Mr. President.
• Gonzalez, which is very well known through our community in Grant County, Mr. President.
• Senate Bill 312, germane, thence referred to the Tax, Business, and Transportation Committee.
• Senate Bill 73, do pass, thence referred to the Tax Business and Transportation Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. and they transport over 230,000 miles on and they transport over 230,000 miles on that<00:
• I oversee the state's Office of Transportation.
• We're still in the process of awarding those grants.
• We're still in the process of awarding those grants.
• grants um there's nothing that I'm aware grants um there's nothing that I'm aware of<00:19:04.400><c>

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• The statute does not grant CARB the authority to establish a fee to directly decrease pollution, just
• I'm the Chief of the Transportation and Toxics Division at CARB.
• Than just grant this carte blanche authority out there.
• Schools, as well as Community Planning and Capacity Building grants.
• It does take a bit of time from when we award a grant for them to get built and energized.

Transcript Highlights:

• If they're triggering affordability grants, they would get affordability grants for those projects.
• </c> grant for those projects. grant for those projects.
• </c> of local governments, transportation of local governments, transportation industry<01:02:13.359>
• </c> and operate our transportation systems. and operate our transportation systems.
• </c><01:14:59.840><c> had</c> Transit and Active Transportation had Transit and Active Transportation

Bills: HF4736 , HF4737 , HF3806 , HF3352 , HF4840 , HF3748

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:16:11.440><c> So</c> support grants. So support grants.
• </c> section 37 creates your support grants section 37 creates your support grants to<00:16:16.079><c
• grant.
• transportation? transportation?
• reimbursement grants.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about separating loans from grants, clearly listing total cost, not just tuition, but books, transportation
• It's about separating loans from grants, clearly listing total cost, not just tuition, but books, transportation
• It's about separating loans from grants, clearly listing total cost, not just tuition, but books, transportation
• It's about separating loans from grants, clearly listing total cost, not just tuition, but books, transportation
• It's about separating loans from grants, clearly listing total cost, not just tuition, but books, transportation

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> subsidizing our transportation system. subsidizing our transportation system.
• Roll call granted. Chair tab &gt;&gt; Roll call. Roll call granted. Chair tab key. key. key.
• That sales tax is transportation.
• .<01:47:50.880><c> Transportation</c><01:47:51.600><c> has</c> transportation.
• Transportation has transportation. Transportation has dedicated<01:47:52.560><c> funds.

Bills: HF3694 , HF3844 , HF4006 , HF3785 , HF3849 , HF4102 , HF3441 , HF3507 , HF3562

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Grant program.
• If we do not have a veteran or someone wanting to do that transport, the medical transport in this area
• I mean, but how hard is it to get onto the reservation to do the transport?
• I don't know if there is a barrier there that is not allowing our transportation aspect.
• I know that is available through a grant.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving to item three, student transportation.
• $2 million for charter bus transportation services.
• That's what this grant is for.
• Transportation is vital, so I encourage all of you to increase our school funding and increase our transportation
• As Luca discussed, this need of transportation. and bolstering the transportation allotment is very vital

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Article III

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> put some of that towards transportation. put some of that towards transportation.
• So, thank you for transportation?
• </c> air transportation. air transportation.
• </c> transportation systems um statewide. transportation systems um statewide.
• </c> grant through the Department of Defense. grant through the Department of Defense.

Summary: The task force approved the October 14, 2025 meeting minutes and then heard a presentation from Austin Kaylor of WSP on alternative aviation fuels. Kaylor described an ongoing feasibility study focused on Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and the other four commercial airports in Kentucky, with an eye toward both near-term use of alternative aviation fuel in existing supply chains and longer-term in-state production using local feedstocks. He said Kentucky’s current jet fuel use at the five airports is about 609 million gallons annually and could approach 1 billion gallons by 2050, and he outlined potential feedstocks such as soybeans, corn, and waste oils, along with existing logistics assets like river terminals, trucking, rail, and some pipelines. He also discussed federal and state policy support, including renewable fuel credits and the recent 45Z tax credit extension, and said the study suggests significant economic-development potential if Kentucky can leverage existing infrastructure and incentives. Members asked about the cost of sustainable aviation fuel, whether taxpayers would be subsidizing it, and whether food crops would be diverted from food use. Kaylor responded that the market is increasingly using second-generation and waste-based feedstocks, that federal incentives can cover much of the price differential, and that SAF is a direct substitute for conventional jet fuel with some efficiency benefits. He said demand comes from both U.S. and foreign carriers, including major U.S. airlines that have made emissions-reduction commitments. Members also raised the possibility of locating production in Appalachia to create jobs closer to feedstock sources; Kaylor said that approach has worked in other states and could fit Kentucky’s logistics network. The committee then heard from Leif Elder of the Utah Department of Transportation, who introduced himself and said he would discuss advanced air mobility legislation in Utah. The transcript cuts off before his substantive presentation, and no further votes or actions were recorded after the question-and-answer discussion on alternative aviation fuels.