Transcript Highlights:

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

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

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

Bills: HJR89 , HJR87 , HJR88

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

Transcript Highlights:

• And economists have well documented that the vast majority of driving-related damages, what economists
• Let me say I own an EV in Vermont and I drive to Massachusetts every day.
• And so trying to encourage people to drive less is an important policy objective.
• These issues drive up costs and add regulatory uncertainty.
• Tariffs are driving up prices on essential agricultural inputs.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from the co-chairs explaining committee procedures, testimony limits, submission instructions, and the new deadlines for acting on House and Senate bills. The committee then heard testimony on several bills related to agriculture, land use, environment, housing, transportation, and taxation, with legislators often taken out of turn. No votes were taken during the hearing. The first major topic was H. 3206, a bill to allow fossil fuel-free 529 college savings plans to qualify for the state tax deduction if MEFA does not offer a comparable option. Representative Steve Owens said the bill would not force MEFA or Fidelity to change existing plans, but would create a definition for fossil fuel-free funds and extend the deduction to qualifying out-of-state plans. The committee also heard strong local testimony on a Belmont home-rule petition, H. 3970, to change tax treatment for the Belmont Country Club under Chapter 61B. Belmont residents and officials argued the private golf course receives an unfair tax break that shifts costs to other taxpayers, while Senator Brownsberger and Representative Rogers supported the measure as a way to help the town recover revenue. Committee members asked about town meeting support, the club’s lack of payment in lieu of taxes, and the size of the tax savings. The committee next heard testimony on a vehicle miles traveled tax proposal, S. 1925, from Senator Barrett and economists Gilbert Metcalf and Christopher Knittel. They argued that declining gas-tax revenue and rising fuel efficiency, especially with electric vehicles, require a more stable transportation funding source; they also said a VMT tax could be designed to be revenue-neutral and mildly progressive, though members raised concerns about administration, fairness, EV disincentives, and the possibility of annual tax shocks. The largest block of testimony focused on the Ahead Act, H. 3194/S. 1973, which would double the deed excise fee and dedicate the new revenue to affordable housing and climate adaptation. Supporters from MACDC, MAPC, FICC, Boston Climate Action Network, CLF, 350 Mass, CHAPA, and a tenant advocate said the bill could generate about $300 million annually for housing production, vouchers, weatherization, resilience, and environmental justice communities, and that it links two urgent crises with a stable funding stream. The committee also heard testimony on the Conservation Land Tax Credit bills, H. 3147/S. 2083, which would raise the annual cap on the credit from $2 million to $5 million for three years and then sunset back down. Conservation groups and a landowner said the program has conserved thousands of acres and that the higher cap would reduce delays and help meet state conservation goals. Finally, the committee took testimony on the Fairness for Farm Workers bills, S. 2011/H. 3107 and S. 2012, which would extend overtime, minimum wage, breaks, and paid time off protections to farm workers and include a refundable tax credit to help farmers offset overtime costs. Senator Gomez and advocates described the bills as overdue civil rights and public health measures, citing low wages, long hours, dangerous conditions, and the racial history behind farm labor exclusions. The hearing also included testimony on H. 3240, a bill to give municipalities a local option vacancy tax on chronically vacant shopping malls, with the sponsor arguing it would help towns address blight, encourage redevelopment, and potentially create housing and tax revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• in Blue Earth. 1.85 million for Frazee North River Drive, 2.755 million for Forest Lake.
• ><c> River</c><00:09:11.120><c> Drive.
• </c><00:09:11.640><c> 2.755</c><00:09:13.000><c> million</c> Frazee North River Drive. 2.755 million
• Frazee North River Drive. 2.755 million for<00:09:14.600><c> uh</c><00:09:14.760><c> Forest</c><00:09
• </c> the job and and make it so that driving the job and and make it so that driving is<00:41:11.920>

Summary: The committee took up a large bonding bill and reviewed the final spreadsheet of capital investments. Chairs and members repeatedly thanked staff, House and Senate negotiators, and the Governor’s team for a collaborative process. The bill was described as a statewide package rather than a partisan one, with major funding for higher education asset preservation, DNR projects, public safety, transportation, the Met Council, veterans facilities, corrections, DEED/local projects, and a large water infrastructure section. House Fiscal staff and Senate fiscal staff walked through the bill line by line. Highlights included University of Minnesota and Minnesota State asset preservation, education and language immersion school funding, DNR trail and flood mitigation projects, public safety facilities, local road and bridge grants, Met Council parks and I/I grants, veterans home and armory funding, corrections projects including the Faribault vocational expansion, and many local economic development and public facility projects across Greater Minnesota and the metro. The bill also included Public Facilities Authority water and wastewater grants, housing rehabilitation funding, historical society grants, a Minnesota Zoo operating transfer, airport appropriations, and several cancellations of prior appropriations to help finance the package. Members generally praised the bill and the bipartisan work behind it. Some Republicans emphasized the one-time license fee reduction and affordability, while also saying DEED’s business development infrastructure funding was too low. Senator Nelson highlighted long-awaited transportation projects such as Highway 14 and township roads. Senator Dibble supported the transportation investments but criticized the bill for having no transit funding, calling that a major omission. No vote was recorded in the excerpt, but the discussion centered on final review and support for moving the bonding bill forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• They've got to drive an hour to even bring the notice.
• So you said some parishes or some entities have to drive it? They don't have email access?
• I find it hard to believe that somebody has to drive a notice an hour in 2026.
• I find it hard to believe that somebody has to drive a notice an hour in 2026.
• Somebody said they had to drive 30 minutes to put something in the newspaper.

Bills: HB248 , HB249 , HB997 , HB1052 , HB1193 , SB1 , SB161 , SB218 , SB220 , SB289 , SB435

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Keywords: Compensation Commission, elected officials, salary evaluation, government accountability, Louisiana legislature, compensation, independent commission, salary adjustment, consumer price index, official journal, public notices, government transparency, local government, municipal website, school board notices, parish council, police jury, special districts, levee district, drainage district

Transcript Highlights:

• I live on New York Drive, 1,009 New York Drive.
• I live on New York Drive, 1009 New York Drive. Bustamante.
• I live on New York Drive, 1,009 New York Drive.
• We lived down on LaVorna Drive in Marquez-Nolls.
• That house burned up on Poppyfield's Drive. That was my wife's whole life.

Committee: House Banking and Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• When you drive through Fremont, you don't necessarily see manufacturing, right?
• And when you drive through Fremont, you don't necessarily see manufacturing, right?
• And it drives innovation as you go from a controlled lab environment to full-scale production.
• AI data centers, electrification, and renewable integration are driving unprecedented load growth.
• California already drives enormous demand for batteries through ZEVs and grid-scale energy storage.

Transcript Highlights:

• If this man's 100% medically disabled, he shouldn't be driving.
• I think every time this conversation comes up, I feel the need to remind everybody that driving is a
• And so whenever we do drive on the road, it’s important for us to recognize the rules of the road.
• but maybe to stop this this type driving but maybe to at<00:29:24.240><c> least</c><00:29:24.480><c>
• is a a remind everybody that driving is a a privilege<00:32:03.840><c> it's</c><00:32:04.000><c> not

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met with a quorum, approved the March 4 minutes, and then took up several Senate measures. Senate Bill 36, dealing with cleanup language for CAVIS and electronic submission of liens and satisfactions, was amended by committee substitute to require lien holders to begin using electronic title and registration systems starting July 1, 2026. After questions from members and testimony from county clerk Jason Denny and title-industry representative Tom Underwood, the committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably with the substitute attached. The committee then considered Senate Bill 43, which updates the medical review board process under KRS 186.444. Senator Donald Douglas and Senator Jimmy Higdon described the bill as a response to complaints about fairness and transparency in medical review cases, including a constituent example involving a disabled veteran whose VA medical clearance was rejected. The bill changes who may serve on the board, adds flexibility and transparency, shifts reimbursement language to allow the Transportation Cabinet to set costs by regulation, and includes provisions aimed at broadening participation by qualified health care providers. Members discussed the role of school resource officers, the use of family affidavits in reporting, and the need to keep costs down; the committee adopted the substitute, approved a title amendment, and reported the bill favorably. Senate Bill 38, concerning stop-arm violations on school buses and the use of cameras and enforcement procedures, also received a committee substitute and was reported favorably. Senator Greg Elkins and supporters said the bill is intended to address widespread illegal passing of stopped school buses and to help fund stop-arm cameras, while critics raised concerns about automated enforcement and the role of a live officer. Members cited survey data and personal stories about school-bus safety, and the sponsor explained that school resource officers would work with local law enforcement on citations, which are contemplated as civil penalties. The committee also heard discussion-only testimony on Senate Joint Resolution 66, which would create a task force on aviation, aerospace, and logistics economic development; no vote was taken on the resolution because it had just passed the Senate and had not yet been formally received by the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

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

Transcript Highlights:

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

Transcript Highlights:

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

Committee: House Public Works and Highways

Transcript Highlights:

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

Committee: Senate Labor

Transcript Highlights:

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

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

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

Transcript Highlights:

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

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we're seeing a lot of folks right now use as many as three points to drive down the rate by a whole
• Um, we're seeing a lot of folks right now use as many as three points to drive down the rate by a whole
• 34.120><c> to</c> right now use as many as three points to right now use as many as three points to drive
• 00:04:34.800><c> rate</c><00:04:35.040><c> by</c><00:04:35.160><c> a</c><00:04:35.200><c> whole</c> drive
• The discount points are strictly for the bona fide reason of driving down the interest rate.

Committee: House Banking & Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we've muted the sound so uh you don't have to hear the play-by-play for whoever's driving there.
• So, we've muted the sound so uh you don't have to hear the play-by-play for whoever's driving there.
• So, we've muted the sound so you don't have to hear the play-by-play for whoever's driving there.
• ><c> But,</c><00:03:54.080><c> uh</c><00:03:54.720><c> you</c><00:03:54.959><c> see</c> whoever's driving
• But, uh you see whoever's driving there.

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• shows that it's going to be very little impact, most states that have already adopted this, they have drives
• And what you'd be open to us is adding some language to encourage a duffel bag drive?
• encouraging the department to do a, what, annual or bi-annual or semi-annual, to do an annual duffel bag drive
• And my thought on that is, just like we do toy drives and canned good drives.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on March 24 with a quorum present. The committee first voluntarily deferred House Bills 184 and 902. It then considered HB 557 by Rep. DeWitt, which defines long-term care pharmacies in Louisiana law to distinguish them from retail pharmacies and align state terminology with federal requirements. The author and a pharmacy representative testified that long-term care pharmacies serve nursing homes and similar facilities with specialized packaging, delivery, and consultant services. The committee adopted a technical amendment and reported the bill favorably with amendments. The committee next heard HB 584 by Rep. Boyd and Taylor, which addresses the practice of giving foster children garbage bags to move their belongings between placements and instead requires the use of duffel bags or similar luggage. Testimony emphasized the dignity issue for children in foster care and noted that DCFS had already begun transitioning to duffel bags. Members discussed whether the bill needed a fiscal note or dual referral, and DCFS testified that the practice had already been underway for about six months and would not require additional funds. The committee adopted amendments clarifying that the bag should follow the child and reported the bill favorably with amendments. Finally, the committee took up HB 747 by Rep. Miller, which combines the medical psychologist license and certificate of advanced practice, eliminates the separate certificate, lowers fees, and reduces red tape. Supporters from the Louisiana Academy of Medical Psychologists and others were noted, and the committee reported the bill favorably. Throughout the meeting, members also discussed possible future wording changes on HB 584 and briefly recessed at the end of the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most states that have already adopted this have drives to donate bags as well.
• And would you be open to us adding some language to encourage a duffel bag drive? Yeah, absolutely.
• encouraging the department to do a, what, annual or biannual or semiannual, to do an annual duffel bag drive
• And my thought on that is, just like we do toy drives and canned good drives.

Bills: HB184 , HB235 , HB546 , HB557 , HB584 , HB747 , HB902 , HB930

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: charitable pharmacy, healthcare fees, outpatient prescription, exemption, Louisiana Department of Health, sewerage systems, individual systems, community systems, local governance, legislation, installation regulations, protective custody, peace officers, mental health, emergency medical services, involuntary admission, long-term care, healthcare, pharmacy, residents

Transcript Highlights:

• side charging them, that sort of thing, somebody mixing chemicals, somebody filling drones, somebody driving
• But that part of it and the other part is my concern was also driving a drone.
• I've been involved in a lot of application, and frankly, I don't think you want me driving a drone.
• , they may not be a licensed applicator, but by and large, they're absolutely the most skilled at driving
• To me, that's the financial driver, and I'm kind of concerned, you know, who gets to drive the drone

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:32:42.639><c> up</c> then then um and it was still driving up then then um and it was still driving
• And likewise, we can talk about mandates that are driving property taxes.
• That's going to drive up property taxes as well.
• And likewise, we can talk about mandates that are driving property taxes.
• That's going to drive up property taxes as well.

Bills: HR1 , HF387

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: January 6 insurrection, pardon, law enforcement, violent crimes, public safety, justice system, political accountability, Blaine, local sales tax, special tax, restaurant tax, lodging tax, admissions tax, amusement tax, hotel tax, redevelopment, capital improvements, municipal finance, bonding authority, tourism tax