Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here with a simple concern: state interchange laws.
• So these interchange rules and these interchange rates keep the system fair and even for small and medium-sized
• And again, the interchange fee goes to the bank...
• And again, the interchange fee goes to the bank...
• ,' but it's not interchange?

Summary: The Special Commission on the future of credit card payments and their impacts on small businesses heard testimony from credit union, retail, banking, and payments industry representatives. Much of the discussion focused on proposals to exclude sales tax and tips from interchange fees, the Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition Act and related litigation, and whether similar state action in Massachusetts would help small businesses or instead create a patchwork that burdens state-chartered institutions. Witnesses from defense and community credit unions argued interchange helps fund fraud prevention, cybersecurity, member services, and low-fee products, while retail and NRF representatives said merchants are paying significant swipe fees and that state laws like Illinois’s are aimed at reducing costs that are not being passed on to consumers. Several witnesses emphasized that the current payment system provides security, fraud protection, rewards, and access to credit, and that many of the costs merchants complain about are actually bundled processor or acquirer fees rather than interchange itself. Others countered that small businesses are struggling with rising overall costs and that Massachusetts should consider reforms such as allowing surcharging, improving transparency in merchant contracts, and studying collection costs. There was also discussion of the recent Visa/Mastercard antitrust settlement, with industry witnesses describing it as meaningful relief for merchants and opponents saying it is temporary and incomplete. No formal votes were taken on legislation. The commission accepted oral testimony, noted that written testimony would be accepted through July 31, and concluded the meeting by unanimously voting to adjourn. The chair and members said they would continue gathering testimony and work toward recommendations, with the chair stressing the need to find a fair middle ground that supports both small businesses and the broader payments ecosystem.

Transcript Highlights:

• The association has deep concerns if the state sets interchange fees.
• Thank you. hard processing costs, then regulating interchange rates.
• So have we seen an increase itself in interchange fees?
• Interchange fees have continued to rise.
• The biggest challenge is interchange fees.

Summary: The commission met to continue studying credit card payments, interchange fees, fraud, chargebacks, and the impact of card processing costs on small businesses, especially restaurants and retailers. Members heard extensive testimony from credit unions, retailers, restaurant owners, payment-industry representatives, and an airline trade group. Supporters of reform argued that swipe fees are a major and rising expense, that businesses are paying fees on sales tax and tips that are merely pass-through amounts, and that merchants have little negotiating power. Several restaurant and retail witnesses described thin margins, higher costs for card-not-present transactions, and chargebacks that they said usually favor cardholders and leave merchants absorbing losses and fees. Witnesses from the Cooperative Credit Union Association cautioned that state-level interchange regulation could reduce revenue used for fraud prevention, compliance, and member services, and could lead to higher rates or reduced access. Retail and restaurant representatives countered that fees have risen sharply, that statements are difficult to decipher, and that rewards programs and card-network pricing are subsidized by merchants and ultimately by all consumers. The Massachusetts Restaurant Association and independent operators urged legislation to bar fees on tax and tip portions of transactions and to allow businesses to pass along card fees if they choose, saying this would improve transparency and fairness and help keep small restaurants open. Other testimony came from the National Restaurant Association, which supported interchange reform and said modern point-of-sale systems can already separate tax and tip amounts, and from a payments-industry group that emphasized the broader economic benefits of digital payments and warned against state-by-state rules. Airlines for America opposed changes that could undermine airline credit card rewards programs. Commission members asked detailed questions about fee structures, card types, chargebacks, POS systems, and whether consumers paying cash are also affected. No votes or formal actions were taken at the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. hard processing costs, then regulating interchange rates.
• Have we seen an increase itself in interchange fees?
• Federally, they'll have to deal with the interchange rates issue.
• Federally, they'll have to deal with the interchange rates issue.
• The biggest challenge is interchange fees.

Summary: The commission met to hear testimony on the future of credit card payments and swipe fees, with a focus on impacts to small businesses, especially restaurants and retailers. Members and witnesses discussed interchange fees, processing fees, chargebacks, fraud risk, rewards programs, and the growing use of card-not-present and digital wallet transactions. Several witnesses urged the commission to support legislation that would prohibit fees on the tax and tip portions of transactions and allow businesses to pass credit card fees on to customers if they choose, while others warned that state regulation of interchange could reduce fraud protections and harm consumer rewards programs. Small business owners and trade groups described rising costs and thin margins, saying card fees are now among their largest expenses and are often charged on money that is merely passing through the business, such as sales tax and gratuities. Restaurant representatives said the current system shifts fraud and chargeback losses onto merchants, with little ability to negotiate rates or recover disputed funds, and argued that transparency and fee relief would help keep independent businesses open. Retailers gave similar testimony, citing rising swipe fees, complex statements, and the burden of online and phone transactions. A representative from the airline industry opposed interchange reform, arguing that airline credit card rewards are popular with consumers and support travel and jobs in Massachusetts. Credit union representatives cautioned that state-level interchange limits could weaken fraud prevention and force higher rates or reduced services, while the National Restaurant Association and a payments-policy attorney countered that banks and networks already operate under fee caps in other contexts and that interchange rates are fixed rather than competitive. Commission members asked questions about how chargebacks work, how fees are broken down, whether businesses can negotiate with processors or POS providers, and how consumer behavior has shifted toward cards, online ordering, and delivery since the pandemic. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> importance of replacing this interchange importance of replacing this interchange became<00:08:26.039
• </c> can be used towards the interchange can be used towards the interchange replacement<00:09:01.640
• This is not a new interchange, mind you; it is really completing an existing interchange that exists.
• </c><00:42:49.200><c> the</c> maintain a completed interchange the maintain a completed interchange the
• </c> having the next nearest interchange having the next nearest interchange being<00:48:42.240><c> five

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• The association has deep concerns if the state sets interchange fees.
• Thank you. ...card processing costs, then regulating interchange rates.
• Have we seen an increase itself in interchange fees?
• Federally, they'll have to deal with the interchange rates issue.
• The biggest challenge is interchange fees.

Summary: The commission met for its second hearing to study the future of credit card payments and sales transactions and their impacts on small businesses. Members heard extensive testimony from credit unions, retailers, restaurants, and payment-industry representatives on interchange fees, processing fees, fraud, chargebacks, rewards programs, and the ability of businesses to pass fees on to customers. Several witnesses argued that swipe fees have risen sharply, are especially burdensome for restaurants and other small businesses, and are charged on taxes and tips that are merely pass-through amounts. They urged state action to prohibit fees on tax and tip portions, improve transparency, and allow surcharging or convenience fees, while opponents warned that state regulation could reduce fraud protections, increase compliance costs, and threaten consumer rewards programs. Business owners and trade groups described thin margins, rising costs, and the difficulty of understanding merchant statements or negotiating with processors. Restaurant witnesses said card-not-present and online transactions create the greatest fraud and chargeback risk, with money often removed immediately from merchants’ accounts and disputes rarely resolved in their favor. Retail witnesses gave examples of rising effective rates, higher fees on rewards cards, and the burden of processing fees on low-value transactions. A representative from the Massachusetts Restaurant Association and others said restaurants are effectively paying fees on meals tax and gratuities, which they argued should not be subject to interchange charges. On the other side, the Cooperative Credit Union Association said interchange revenue helps credit unions fund fraud prevention, rapid card replacement, and member protections, and warned that state limits on interchange could weaken those safeguards and lead to higher consumer costs or reduced services. Airlines for America testified that airline credit card rewards are popular, support travel and jobs in Massachusetts, and could be harmed by interchange reform. The National Restaurant Association and a payments-policy attorney countered that interchange fees are set by card networks rather than competitive markets, that banks remain highly profitable even with rewards, and that states can act after recent court decisions. No votes were taken; the hearing consisted of testimony and questions from commissioners.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hampshire a jurisdiction that attracts and fosters clinical trials and the development of drugs, biologics
• Hampshire a jurisdiction that attracts and fosters clinical trials and the development of drugs, biologics
• </c><03:40:32.760><c> and</c> the development of drugs biologics and the development of drugs biologics
• <04:11:46.720><c> drug</c> formed consent for the use of drug formed consent for the use of drug biologic
• <04:11:48.640><c> or</c><04:11:49.119><c> so</c><04:11:49.359><c> and</c> biologic or so and biologic

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 688 deals specifically with interchange.
• The interchange fee goes to pay for all of these things.
• The interchange fee goes to pay for all of these things.
• The interchange rate is the one I'm referring to.
• Interchange, but I just wanted to throw that out there.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on several bills focused on financial security, banking regulation, and payment-card fees. Treasurer Deborah Goldberg supported the Massachusetts baby bonds proposal (H. 48) and also endorsed bills on matched savings (H. 1158/S. 737) and retirement planning/Secure Choice (H. 1143/S. 722), arguing these measures would help address wealth inequality, build assets, and improve retirement readiness. Supporters of baby bonds included policy experts and health advocates from Children’s Health Watch and Boston Medical Center, who said early-life asset building could improve long-term economic and health outcomes for children in low-income families. AARP also urged passage of the retirement planning bill, citing the large share of private-sector workers without access to an employer retirement plan. Representative Donato testified for H. 1143, describing it as a voluntary retirement-savings opportunity for workers at small employers. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3933, concerning the Massachusetts Credit Union Share Insurance Corporation, from former Bank Commissioner Mike Hanson, who defended the state’s full deposit insurance system for credit unions and savings institutions as a longstanding consumer-protection model. The Massachusetts Bankers Association raised concerns about the bill’s technical provisions and broader credit union/bank competitive issues, while the Cooperative Credit Union Association supported related legislation allowing modest compensation for credit union directors (S. 821/H. 1338) and flexibility for state financial institutions to grow through partnerships (S. 723). Bankers opposed those credit union bills, arguing they would upset a level playing field and blur long-standing distinctions between banks and credit unions. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 1259/S. 688, which would prohibit card interchange fees on the tax and gratuity portions of restaurant transactions. Restaurant owners and the Massachusetts Restaurant Association testified in favor, saying the fees are a significant and growing expense, especially as most customers now pay by card; they argued the bills would save restaurants money without affecting state revenue. Credit union, banking, and payments-industry representatives opposed the bills, saying interchange helps fund fraud protection and payment infrastructure, that the proposal would create compliance burdens and likely litigation, and that it would mainly affect Massachusetts-chartered institutions while national banks could be preempted. Committee members noted that a commission on payment-card fees is being established and said the issue would be studied further. The hearing also included support for a separate bill on virtual credit cards for dental providers, with dentists saying automatic virtual-card payments impose hidden processing fees and fraud risks.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was formerly known as the drug court, which was rebranded, so those terms are interchangeable.
• When you look at the biologic market right now, it's unreasonable because you have a situation where
• the pharmacist cannot allow an interchange with a patient to save them money.
• So I'm with you 100%. forth and that's in the biologics and forth and that's in the biologics and when
• </c><03:33:12.720><c> market</c> when you look at the biologic market when you look at the biologic market

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• There's also a new 494 interchange planned at this location.
• The city and Dakota County together have completed the initial steps for this such interchange.
• into the site layout and interchange into the site layout and roadway<00:04:42.640><c> design.
• . interchange. interchange.
• as a result site with the interchanges as a result of<00:05:00.360><c> that.

Summary: Representative Clardy introduced House File 4238, seeking a $5 million state general obligation investment for roads and infrastructure in Inver Grove Heights tied to the planned Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame project, along with a separate requested $20 million cash appropriation for the facility itself. He described the bill as having statewide value and asked to focus first on the $5 million GO request. Mayor Brenda Dietrich and Community Development Director Jason Ziemer testified in support, calling the Hall of Fame a once-in-a-lifetime, transformative project for the city, the Twin Cities region, and the state. They said Inver Grove Heights expects to invest $14 million to $17 million locally for land acquisition and site improvements, and that the state funds would help pay for roads, utilities, stormwater work, grading, and right-of-way needs. They also emphasized that the public investment would support broader economic development in the area and accommodate a future I-494 interchange. Members asked about long-term ownership and maintenance, and were told the facility would be privately owned, with a developer owning about half and the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame nonprofit owning the ice arena portion. Another question raised whether the project would compete with the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame; testifiers said it would instead work in tandem, with collaboration on exhibits and a potential benefit to the Eveleth institution. No vote or formal action was taken in the portion of the meeting shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first question was, what do we do with the interchange?
• Based on credit card interchange.
• Consumers don't pay interchange fees.
• We will calculate interchange fees.
• Interchange fees, correct? Correct.

Bills: HB245 , HB245 , HB700 , HB2783 , HB3526 , HB3900 , HB4061 , HB4124 , HB4166 , HB4395 , HB4534 , HB4609 , HB4641 , HB4736 , HB4738 , HB4739 , HB4945 , HB5015 , HJR175

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: property tax, delinquent taxes, ad valorem, penalties, interest cap, military service, retirement, law enforcement, custodial officer, Employees Retirement System, commercial financing, brokers, registration, disclosures, finance, consumer protection, fees, deferred compensation, automatic participation, county employees

Transcript Highlights:

• . interchange. interchange.
• Not the interchange, but the roads getting to the interchange.
• Not the interchange, but the roads getting to the interchange.
• So, interchange.
• </c> interchange is not being used. interchange is not being used.

Bills: HF3373 , HF4449 , HF3486 , HF4180 , HF4227 , HF2505

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: transportation, interchange, funding, bonds, St. Paul Park, transit, Metropolitan Council, Twin Cities, metro area, high-frequency transit, bus rapid transit, busway, guideway, transportation policy plan, transit performance measures, regional transit benchmarks, transit-oriented development, TOD, zoning, land use

Transcript Highlights:

• When that was actually viewed, an in-progress interchange in Scott County in Jordan, Minnesota, and modeled
• This project is building 1.28 miles of new trail around the interchange, as well as an underpass that
• Engineers are looking at me. >> If the interchange project I mentioned to describe... another question
• And we'd also like to share support for removing interchanges from the GHG requirements altogether.
• The greenhouse gases exist, and they do where the interchanges are constructed or not.

Summary: The committee took up House File 748, a bill revising Minnesota’s transportation greenhouse gas and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) impact assessment requirements for trunk highway projects. The chair first moved and adopted the A2 author’s amendment and then the A3 amendment, which was described as adding implementation time and project exemptions when federal dollars are available. The bill author explained that the measure responds to concerns from stakeholders that the current law can force costly mitigation, delay or stop safety and capacity projects, and create uncertainty because key implementation details are still being developed by a technical advisory committee. Testimony was split. County and city engineers, county commissioners, the Minnesota Transportation Alliance, and the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities generally supported the bill, arguing that the current requirements can add 20% to 40% or more to project costs, are difficult to administer, and could jeopardize critical safety improvements, congestion relief, and federal funding. They cited examples such as Scott County and Trunk Highway 65, and said VMT mitigation is especially hard to quantify and fund. Opponents, including Move Minnesota and Sierra Club, argued that safety and climate goals are not in conflict, that reducing driving can save lives and reduce pollution, and that the bill would weaken an important tool for cutting transportation emissions. Members also asked about how GHG and VMT are measured, whether the required assessment was ready, and who would be responsible for mitigation assets and costs. After discussion, the committee held a roll call vote. The bill, as amended, passed 8-7 and was moved to the General Register.

Transcript Highlights:

• Interchange fees are fees that card acceptors pay to card Interchange fees are fees that card acceptors
• in interchange rates stay with the merchant, not find their way to the consumer.
• For example, the claim is that 3% is the percent on interchange fees, and it's not.
• So that ratio between interchange fees and total sales is 0.02%.
• So the U.K., Australia, they have capped interchange fees.

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 407, which would expand the California Pollution Control Financing Authority. The author said the measure would increase flexibility and access to resources, and the bill was approved 7-0 and sent to the Committee on Local Government. The committee also adopted the consent calendar, which included AB 76, by a 7-0 vote. A lengthy portion of the meeting focused on AB 1065, which would prohibit swipe fees on the sales tax portion of credit card transactions. Supporters, including small business owners, restaurant and grocery representatives, and a payments-policy expert, argued the bill would reduce costs for merchants and consumers and rein in dominant card networks. Opponents, including banks, credit unions, and payment industry groups, argued the bill is likely preempted by federal law, would be difficult to implement, and could disproportionately affect community banks and credit unions. After extensive questioning about preemption, fraud, implementation, and consumer impacts, the committee rejected the bill on a 6-0 vote, but then granted reconsideration by a 7-1 vote. The committee then heard AB 1365, which would create the Cal Account Program, a zero-fee, zero-penalty state banking account for unbanked and underbanked Californians. Supporters said the program would help low-income households, survivors of abuse, and others facing barriers to traditional banking, while opponents from community banks and credit unions argued existing low-cost accounts and the Bank On program already address the need and raised concerns about cost, feasibility, and duplication. The bill advanced on a 6-0 vote and later received enough votes on the reopened roll to move forward to the Committee on Labor and Employment. The committee also approved AB 1052, which would create a legal framework for digital assets and address unclaimed digital property and restrictions on public officials issuing or promoting digital assets, and AB 1180, which would create a pilot program for paying state fees with digital financial assets and require a report on broader adoption. Both bills passed with broad support after brief testimony and discussion. Final roll calls later confirmed AB 1052 and AB 1180, along with AB 407 and AB 1365, were moved out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And remember, interchange fees are largely set as a percentage of the transaction amount.
• in interchange rates stay with the merchant, not find their way to the consumer.
• The proponents have said that the merchants paid $1.7 billion in interchange fees in 2023.
• For example, the claim is that 3% is the percentage on interchange fees, and it's not.
• So, the UK and Australia have capped interchange fees.

Committee: House Banking and Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• But coming up after that is our Gibson interchange.
• Of course, that includes interchanges here and several others.
• I'm showing the Comanche interchange, a photograph I took about five days ago, and the Montgomery interchange
• Gibson and the interchange and how long it's been discovered that there is a problem with the interchange
• constituents about the difference between the two interchanges.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there is no 300%, 700%, or 800% actual interchange rate.
• That transaction would carry a higher interchange rate.
• Now the interchange... Nationally, the interchange rate has been flat on average for 10 years.
• They also have a menu for the interchange fee that's...
• Are to fix those interchange fee rates on banks' behalf.

Bills: HB245 , HB700 , HB2783 , HB3526 , HB3900 , HB4061 , HB4124 , HB4166 , HB4395 , HB4534 , HB4609 , HB4641 , HB4736 , HB4738 , HB4739 , HB4945 , HB5015 , HJR175 , HB245

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: military service, retirement, law enforcement, custodial officer, Employees Retirement System, commercial financing, brokers, registration, disclosures, finance, consumer protection, fees, deferred compensation, automatic participation, county employees, payroll deductions, retirement plans, fiscal transparency, local government, bond issuance

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> be</c><00:35:04.640><c> complete</c> interchange is planned to be complete interchange is planned
• </c><00:36:12.560><c> at</c> start working on the interchanges at start working on the interchanges at
• interchanges interchanges uh<00:39:24.240><c> should</c><00:39:24.400><c> have</c><00:39:24.560><c>
• </c><01:19:44.719><c> at</c> to take care of those interchanges at to take care of those interchanges
• So this project is just the interchange section, Madam Chair, just the interchange section.

Bills: HF1569 , HF460 , HF850 , HF707 , HF798 , HF852 , HF366 , HF365 , HF836 , HF866 , HF885 , HF959 , HF1196 , HF1788 , HF1349 , HF2272 , HF2652 , HF1251 , HF607

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: transportation, bond issuance, capital investment, infrastructure, road improvements, HF460, Sibley County, Highway 21, County State-Aid Highway, bonding bill, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, transportation grant, infrastructure improvements, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, stormwater, public works, local infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to start with the Golden Glades Interchange.
• I want to start with the Golden Glades Interchange.
• We're installing a diverging diamond interchange.
• And it is one of the first new interchanges we are adding to I-4 in 10 years.
• We've already spoken about the Golden Glades Interchange.

Summary: The committee heard two informational presentations: one from the Department of Commerce and one from the Florida Department of Transportation. Jason Mahon of Commerce outlined the state’s economic development strategy and tools, emphasizing Florida’s GDP growth, business formation, and strengths in manufacturing, high-tech, defense, life sciences, and international trade. He described programs such as the State Small Business Credit Initiative, the Rural Community Investment Program, the Florida Opportunity Fund, the Rural Infrastructure Fund, the Job Growth Grant Fund, performance-based tax credits, and disaster recovery loans, and cited examples including ServiceNow, Williams International, NeoCity, and Point Blank Enterprises. Members asked about small-business grants, foreign investment interest, workforce needs, and whether additional tools are needed; Mahon said most Commerce programs are loan-focused and noted ongoing workforce and site-readiness challenges. Jennifer Marshall of FDOT then reviewed major transportation projects and the Moving Florida Forward initiative, highlighting congestion relief, express lanes, bridge and interchange work, and accelerated delivery methods. She cited projects such as Golden Glades, I-95 improvements, the NASA Causeway Bridge, the DuPont Bridge, I-4 corridor work, the First Coast Expressway, the Howard Frankland Bridge, A1A seawall work, and Turnpike projects, along with examples of cost savings and schedule acceleration. Senators asked about how express lane locations are chosen, toll revenue use in South Florida, the status and cost of the I-395 downtown Miami project, and whether EV and rideshare access to express lanes should be preserved. FDOT said it would follow up on several of those questions, and the committee adjourned without taking any legislative action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we would prioritize Bo Conquer, the I-93 over I-393 over 93 interchange.
• </c> I93 over 90 I 393 over 93 interchange. I93 over 90 I 393 over 93 interchange.
• :19.520><c> would</c> redoing that interchange also would redoing that interchange also would address
• <00:18:29.280><c> safety</c><00:18:29.679><c> improvement</c> interchange safety improvement interchange
• Why would new construction of interchange...

Committee: House Public Works and Highways

Transcript Highlights:

• I-4 at State Road 33 interchange in Polk County.
• The Golden Glades Interchange in South Florida, this is a huge project.
• I-95 at US-1 interchange.
• One of the neat things about this project is there was actually an interchange, a new interchange project
• This is a interchange project in southwest Florida that's already under construction.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Committee on Transportation received a presentation from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles on Florida’s camera-based traffic enforcement programs: red light cameras, school bus stop-arm cameras, and school zone speed cameras. The department explained how each program works, the distinction between a civil notice of violation and a uniform traffic citation, and the fee distribution for each type of violation. It also reported preliminary data showing 42 jurisdictions operating red light cameras, with 496 cameras at 302 intersections and 923,133 notices of violation in fiscal year 2024-2025; for the newer school bus and school zone programs, the department said preliminary figures showed five active school bus programs and 40 active school zone programs, with prior-year totals of 61,150 school bus notices and 26,300 school zone notices. Senators asked about camera placement, school zone requirements, review procedures, and whether law enforcement or third parties are involved in reviewing violations. The committee then received an update from FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue on the Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, which used $4 billion in general revenue to advance a $7 billion package of 20 major congestion-relief projects. He said the department has used innovative delivery methods, including modified phased design-build, voluntary acceleration, and structured acceleration, to move projects forward faster and control costs. He highlighted progress on projects including I-4 congestion relief lanes, the Golden Glades Interchange, I-95 at US-1, I-75 auxiliary lanes, I-75 at Pine Ridge Road, and I-275 in Tampa, and said 80% of the plan is expected to be underway by the end of 2026, with four projects remaining in 2027. Members asked about temporary traffic patterns at Golden Glades, subcontractor opportunities, public transportation planning, contractor safety and OSHA issues, bridge strikes, logistics hubs near airports and seaports, aggregate and material supply, local government coordination, and federal transportation funding. Secretary Perdue said FDOT continuously reevaluates traffic management plans, works with small businesses and local subs, and monitors contractor safety closely, including corrective action plans after incidents. He emphasized that Florida’s transportation revenues are flat, that the state remains largely state-funded, and that additional resources are the main thing the Legislature can provide to support future infrastructure delivery. The committee adjourned after the chair requested FDOT staff provide senators with district-specific project updates.