Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:49.759><c> This</c><00:04:50.000><c> is</c> million for trails and roads.
• This is million for trails and roads.
• It restricts the use of state, county, and township roads.
• It restricts the use of state, county, and township roads.
• Walk-in service to a trap line from a distant road is not practical.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 1012, as amended by the A1 amendment, and the author moved the bill to be laid over for possible inclusion in a future bill. The amendment, adopted on a voice vote, changed the timing for public input in trail planning, removed language on decommissioning trails, and combined the measure with another ATV-fee bill. The author said the bill would unify ATV trail signage policy statewide, align statute with DNR best practices, and not affect the forest trail inventory, existing ATV-accessible miles, or hunting exemptions. Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including representatives of the Minnesota Public Lands Coalition, tribal officials from the Max Band and Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, a retired DNR conservation officer, a retired wildlife manager, and the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, argued the bill would better protect wetlands, wildlife habitat, and culturally significant areas, improve transparency and tribal consultation, and make trail planning and enforcement more workable. The EQB said the amended bill’s rulemaking timeline was more workable, and the DNR described its existing multi-step trail review and consultation process. Opponents, including ATV Minnesota, county commissioners from northern counties, and a representative of the Minnesota Trappers Association, argued the bill would burden or restrict existing trail systems, increase costs, and threaten tourism and local economies. They said current trail development already involves DNR and local review, and that the bill could reduce access for riders, trappers, and other users. In member questions, the author and a Minnesota Association of Townships representative said the bill was intended to codify DNR best practices and bring local governments into the process earlier, while confirming that hunting exemptions were not removed.

Transcript Highlights:

• DPS had roads blocked everywhere.
• DPS can close the road, the fire chief can close the road.
• and frontage roads in the valley.
• roads prior to the road being out, other than necessary or not functional, other than, for instance,
• To close roads in anticipation of a flood? That says we are to close roads before...

Keywords: flooding, emergency response, communication systems, first responders, disaster management, Texas Water Development Board, regional planning, public safety

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on discussions around the recent floods in Texas, specifically addressing emergency preparedness, response coordination, and recovery efforts. Officials from various agencies provided testimonies on the challenges faced during the emergency, including issues with communication systems among first responders. Notably, the need for improved inter-agency communication and technology integration was emphasized, with recommendations for establishing regional communications units for better coordination during disasters. The audience included local government representatives and emergency management partners, who shared insights and experiences from the recent flooding events.

Transcript Highlights:

• Was there an access road? Uh, no.
• </c> four different owners of the access road four different owners of the access road and<01:01:11.359
• where we have washed out roads.
• c><01:05:52.559><c> county</c> And if that road is county And if that road is county responsibility,<
• </c><01:06:52.640><c> are</c> when we're local when the roads are when we're local when the roads are

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing with the City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management on its hazard mitigation plan and recent emergency events on Oahu. Chair Dela Botti opened the meeting by explaining that the briefing was intended to review the mitigation planning process, the city’s hazard mitigation plan, and lessons learned from recent tsunami and wildfire threats, building on earlier briefings with state emergency management and transportation officials. Director Collins and hazard mitigation staff officer Ian Kio presented the plan, describing it as a five-year FEMA-required document focused on reducing long-term risk to people and property, not an operations plan for active disasters. Kio outlined how the plan was developed over roughly 18 months with a core team, steering committee, consultant support, and public input, and said it was formally adopted by the mayor’s office and approved by FEMA in July 2025. He said the updated plan was aligned more closely with the state hazard mitigation plan, expanded to cover 15 hazards including climate change and sea level rise, and organized around hazard risk rankings and mitigation strategies. He identified the highest-risk hazards as climate change and sea level rise, floods, health risks, hurricanes, tsunamis, and wildfires, and said the plan includes short-, medium-, and long-term actions such as education, Firewise community planning, flood mapping, and major infrastructure projects like tsunami walls and street elevation work. He also emphasized that the plan will be maintained with yearly updates and ongoing public feedback. Collins then discussed after-action findings from the July 6 Meli fire and the recent tsunami response, noting that reviews are still ongoing. He said the fire response showed strong initiative and teamwork, including police officers helping with fire suppression support and door-to-door evacuation efforts before firefighters arrived, and a staff duty officer who initiated a wireless emergency alert without waiting for higher-level direction. He said these actions reflected a culture of rapid decision-making when lives are at stake. Collins also urged residents to prepare by making family plans, gathering supplies, checking flood and tsunami risk maps, retrofitting homes, and obtaining insurance before disasters occur. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• be fixed, and our roads are absolutely a mess.
• Those that would like to charge this fee, this tax, call it a road user charge. A road user charge.
• We need to be able to maintain our roads.
• The claim is that this will fix the roads. Mileage tax will fix the roads.
• Every person on our bus is one less car on the road.

Summary: The committee heard several local government-related bills, with testimony focused on permitting, transportation funding, EV infrastructure, and commercial revitalization. AB 1578 by Assembly Member Jackson would require elected local and state officials to take anti-hate speech training through existing sexual harassment training. Supporters said elected officials should understand the impact of their words on hate and democracy; opponents argued the bill lacked a definition of hate speech and could chill protected speech, especially around sex-based issues. AB 2083, also by Jackson, would authorize a regional child care special district serving Moreno Valley and Paris to expand child care facilities and programs for five years. The California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions opposed the bill’s mechanism but said it was working with the author. AB 1693 by Assembly Member Suber would streamline retail tenant improvement permits by extending a process similar to a prior restaurant permitting law, with qualified professional certification and tighter local review timelines. It drew broad support from retail, business, and property groups and no opposition. Assembly Member Gonzalez presented AB 1679, which would create a temporary commercial activation permit for pop-up businesses to operate in vacant storefronts for up to 120 days. Supporters said it would help fill vacancies and lower barriers for small businesses; there was no opposition, and the bill advanced. Gonzalez also presented AB 2418, which would set timelines for nonresidential plan checks and inspections and allow private plan checkers after excessive delay. Business groups supported it as a way to reduce costly delays, while local government groups had no position but continued discussions with the author; the bill advanced with amendments. Assembly Member Shevlin presented AB 1820, which would cap local permit fees for EV charging installations and create a statewide fee schedule. Supporters said fees vary too widely and can deter charger deployment, while cities and counties argued existing law already requires reasonable cost recovery and that the bill could undercut local budgets and public safety review. Assembly Member DeMaio presented AB 1783, which would prohibit state and local mileage taxes or road user charges. Supporters framed it as a defense against a new tax burden, while opponents said studying road user charges is necessary to address declining gas tax revenue and future transportation funding needs. AB 1693, AB 1679, and AB 2418 were moved forward with motions and roll calls; AB 1783 was taken up with a motion and roll call left open, and AB 1820 remained under discussion at the end of the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are really good at keeping an eye on the road.
• And it's because our roads are so dangerous.
• On our roads.
• On our roads.
• Now the screen may not the road and look over before you can touch that screen.

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of bills, beginning with CS/SB 678, which would allow pawnbroker transaction forms to be printed or digital; it drew support from a business representative and was reported favorably. Members then heard several bills by Senator Leak, including SB 466 to designate St. Johns County as the site of the Florida Museum of Black History and create a board to work with the museum foundation and Florida Memorial University; the bill drew supportive testimony about preserving accurate Black history and the significance of the site, and it passed favorably. Leak’s CS/SB 578 would let Florida wineries use recyclable inserts and other alternative containers for larger wine sales, and it also passed favorably. SB 582 would increase penalties for unlawful demolition of historic buildings and structures, limiting the higher penalties to certain nationally or internationally recognized historic properties; it was supported by preservation advocates and reported favorably. CS/SB 1168 would create an aggravated offense for installing or using tracking devices or apps in furtherance of crimes such as murder, domestic violence, or robbery, and it passed favorably after a brief discussion about stalking and violent crimes. CS/SB 806 would make the Florida Attorney General the exclusive public official with standing to enforce Florida charitable trusts, limiting out-of-state attorneys general from suing over Florida-administered trusts; members debated whether this would burden out-of-state beneficiaries, but the bill was reported favorably. SB 1228 would advance spring restoration efforts for Ichetucknee Springs and Santa Fe spring flows and allow a utility compliance plan amendment to deliver reclaimed water to replenish the aquifer; it passed favorably. CS/CS/SB 304 would require a qualified medical opinion in child protective investigations involving infants and young children with possible genetic or medical conditions that can mimic abuse, and it drew emotional support from parents and advocates before passing favorably. SB 1286 would clarify that ordinary unsupervised childhood activities like biking or playing outside do not constitute neglect absent reckless endangerment, and it was reported favorably. SB 1318, the hands-free driving bill, generated the most extensive debate: it renames the texting-while-driving law, expands the prohibition to handheld device use, and adds penalties in work zones and school zones; supporters cited fatal crash statistics and personal loss, while opponents raised concerns about enforcement, civil liberties, racial disparities in traffic stops, and the need for broader distracted-driving and insurance reforms. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably after amendments. The committee also approved two claims bills, SB 14 for the estate of Penao-Hanvier against Miami Beach and SB 20 for J.N. against Hillsborough County, both settled claims recommended favorably by the special master. Finally, CS/SB 68 would modernize health facilities authority financing for private not-for-profit health systems, and CS/SB 172 would restrict misuse of health care specialty titles while preserving titles authorized under existing practice acts; both were discussed with questions about doctors, optometrists, and CRNAs, and both were reported favorably after amendment and debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Road salt in various forms is one of the tools the crews use to keep our roads clear of ice.
• </c> certified in order to do road certified in order to do road maintenance<02:37:03.280><c> in</c><
• Representative Rung said that using too much road salt doesn’t make the road safer.
• Using too much road salt doesn't road.
• The point of salt on roads is to delay or try not to have adhesion of the salt to the roads.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Similarly, SB 1087 would require GHG targets to include all on-road transportation sectors, including
• responsible pathway for our collector vehicles that represent only a small fraction of cars on the road
• But to even think that all those cars would be traveling on the road all in the same day, I'm sorry,
• This bill applies to on-road heavy-duty vehicles, off-road diesel vehicles, and special equipment vehicles
• That they are under 1,000 miles if they're on-road, and yard carts are usually used seasonally within

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this bill is about public safety on our roads.
• So this bill is about public safety on our roads.
• road signs, to be able to safely traverse our roads and do that, you know, in a responsible way.
• And in the other incident, they were driving the wrong way on the road, right?
• And in the other incident, they were driving the wrong way on the road, right?

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a little bit complicated when you're talking about e-bikes and off-road and on-road and who can
• It's a little bit complicated when you're talking about e-bikes and off-road and on-road and who can
• drive. you're talking about e-bikes and off-road and on-road and who can drive and what age it should
• And on the roads that have 45-mile-per-hour speed limits, are those two-lane roads, are they four-lane
• divided roads?

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met with a quorum and considered five bills. Senate Bill 628, naming a portion of South Navy Boulevard in Pensacola as Warrior Sacrifice Way to honor three Navy sailors killed in the 2019 Naval Air Station Pensacola attack, drew supportive remarks from senators and was reported favorably. Senate Bill 382 addressed electric bicycles and scooters by requiring riders to yield to pedestrians, limit speed near pedestrians, and use audible signals, while creating an e-bike safety task force and reporting requirements; witnesses from law enforcement, local government, and school boards supported the bill but urged clearer inclusion of e-scooters and better data collection, and the bill was reported favorably. Senate Bill 880 created a Miami Northwestern Alumni Association specialty license plate to fund scholarships and school programs, and Senate Bill 696 authorized online trademark registration applications and updated trademark classification and verification procedures; both were reported favorably with little opposition. The committee also took up Chair DeSigley’s CS for SB 654 on traffic infraction enforcement cameras for red-light running, school-zone speeding, and school-bus violations. The bill aimed to increase consistency, transparency, and fairness by limiting data use, requiring records retention, authorizing virtual hearings, restricting commissions, and adding school board approval and reporting requirements for school-bus camera programs. An amendment was adopted to clarify several provisions, including the definition of careful and prudent driving, limits on camera data use, contract timing for commission prohibitions, and reporting on violations outside authorized enforcement periods. Members raised concerns about privacy, surveillance, school-zone notice, and whether all-day school-zone enforcement should continue; Hillsborough County law enforcement testified in support of all-day enforcement based on crash data, while the sponsor said he would continue working on clarifications. After debate, the amended bill was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• in these urban areas considering all the increased challenges and different types of folks on the roads
• Could be driving off the road. There's nobody there to rescue them or whoever knows what happens.
• Could be driving off the road. There's nobody there to rescue them or whoever knows what happens.
• How can we ensure the safety of vulnerable road users when not all instructors of drivers are held to
• , and there are no multi-lane roads and highways, heavy congestion, or numerous roundabouts.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard House Bill 628 from Representative Ron Mendive, which would allow urban school districts to offer both school-based driver education and parent-taught driver training, rather than forcing districts to choose one or the other. Mendive said the bill also removes a reference to IDLA as a listed online provider while leaving other approved online classroom options in place. He argued the change would help districts like Coeur d’Alene restart driver’s ed while still letting parents teach, and said insurance treatment and the state licensing test would not change. Several witnesses opposed the bill. Lisa Brady, Lori Salders, Tanya Hosvite of Phillips Driving School, and Marissa Keith all argued that expanding parent-led instruction statewide would weaken driver education standards, reduce professional oversight, and create safety risks for teen drivers and other road users. They emphasized that professional instructors receive continuing education, use dual-control vehicles, and are better equipped to teach hazard perception, defensive driving, and urban driving conditions. Mendive responded that parents already provide most of the required 50 hours of practice, that the bill only changes the six hours of instructor-led training, and that parents have their children’s best interests in mind. After discussion, Senator Kaiser moved to send HB 628 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation, and Senator Hart seconded. Senators debated whether urban areas still needed the extra professional instruction, with some members citing local traffic safety concerns and others noting scheduling flexibility for families. The committee voted in favor of the motion, with three recorded in opposition. The hearing also included an interview of gubernatorial appointee Gaston Patterson for the Aeronautics Advisory Board, who described his aviation background and the board’s advisory role, and a brief introduction from new Senate page Olivia Earle. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the city came in and put in an electrical line to put in a stoplight down the road.
• You know, 11 guy up there, big farmer's been there forever, um, right up along the toll road. um, he
• has easements all along the toll road, uh, within Frisco, Plano, and, um, Dallas area.
• Very highly traveled road, very dangerous road.
• They'll come to us, well, you blew grass out on the road. They'll get after you again.

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Transcript Highlights:

• Go down our country road.
• </c> from solar panels along roads. from solar panels along roads.
• road.
• build up on the roads.
• If it's too close to<01:30:05.280><c> the</c><01:30:05.440><c> roads,</c> to the roads, to the roads,

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:33.800><c> we're</c> could drive my ATV on this road we're could drive my ATV on this road
• The system utilizes a combination of forest roads, wooded trails, country road rights-of-way, and that's
• </c> utilizes a combination of Forest roads utilizes a combination of Forest roads wooded<00:39:51.359
• It's designed for the road and improved surface.
• </c> in the ditch or on the way to the road in the ditch or on the way to the road that<01:13:35.920>

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Road Fund through DOT.
• The roads, you're connected in DOT because we have the local road match fund.
• As far as the roads, we have commissioners. We have State road commissioners.
• and the system we have for upkeep on those roads and how we prioritize those roads.
• There's some stretches of that road.

Transcript Highlights:

• The department is in dire need of funding for safety for our roads and safety for our bridges, and this
• That's key to this whole discussion. roads and safety for our bridges roads and safety for our bridges
• I think you know we're talking about funding for our roads and bridges.
• I think you know we're talking about funding for our roads and bridges.
• ,</c> limit on locally controlled roads, limit on locally controlled roads, please<00:26:49.200><c> say

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We see a considerable number of very serious accidents and deaths on the road.
• We see a considerable number of very serious crashes and deaths on the road.
• We share the goal of making Washington's roads safer for our families, employees, and guests, and we
• There are DUI crashes that are non-injury crashes that block roads for hours.”
• And in the last couple of years, we've actually been improving on the road.

Bills: HB2220 , HB2362

Committee: House Community Safety

Keywords: criminal justice training commission, CJTC, law enforcement training, peace officer certification, decertification, corrections officer certification, tribal police certification, police accountability, police oversight, public safety, academy training, in-service training, continuing education, use of force, misconduct investigations, disciplinary hearings, administrative law judge, hearing panel, law enforcement standards, background investigations

Transcript Highlights:

• but also language that limit for roads but also language that sections<00:41:25.760><c> of</c><00:41
• co-chair roads. Hi. Uh member elephante. co-chair roads. Hi. Uh member elephante.
• </c> chair with co-chairs uh WAI and roads chair with co-chairs uh WAI and roads and<00:45:27.599><c>
• ,</c> myself as chair with co-chair roads, myself as chair with co-chair roads, member<00:49:05.559><
• and Kunuha, and co-chairs Wakai Roads and Kunuha, and member<01:05:48.000><c> Dort.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of driver awareness, rider education, responsible road use, and mutual respect among motorists.
• of driver awareness, rider education, responsible road use, and mutual respect among motorists.
• He thought it was very weird, his drive out there, because the road was endless and the dark, dark roads
• Pretty soon there's no lights; there's just the reflection of the signs along the road.
• We'll name another school for you, Lela, or a road or a prison or two. Who will run your face?

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are they urban road projects? Do they fit any classification system?
• The city of Medora does not have any road... Classification.
• And then we partnered with Billings County to reconstruct and build a chateau road up the hill to the
• being abandoned or noted as being minimum maintenance roads.
• And because, like I said, I served on that special roads use years ago, and that's how that worked.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Budget Section met with a quorum, approved the December 10, 2025 minutes, and received a general fund and revenue update from the Office of Management and Budget. OMB reported the state was about $2 million ahead of forecast biennium-to-date, with an estimated ending general fund balance of about $397.5 million. Joe Morset also reviewed balances in major funds, oil tax revenues, interest income, federal grant reporting, fiscal irregularities, the voluntary separation incentive program, vacancy savings, and the FTE pool. Members asked about the higher-than-forecast interest income, the effective oil tax rate and stripper-well production, the impact of temporary pay adjustments and vacancy savings, and whether the voluntary separation program could reduce institutional knowledge or shift duties to remaining staff. The committee then approved four Emergency Commission requests: $5.26 million for DPI to support an AI-enabled tutoring platform, $105,000 from the general fund contingency for Corrections GPS monitoring, about $1.963 million for HHS SPACES eligibility system upgrades tied to Medicaid work requirements, and about $1.2 million for SNAP eligibility IT improvements. Legislative Council reported remaining interim spending authority after those approvals, and NDIT gave an update on digital accessibility compliance efforts, saying the state has made substantial progress on websites and PDFs but that applications will take longer to remediate. NDIT also reported on the Infinite Campus student information system rollout, noting data migration remains the biggest challenge and that a supplemental vendor is being brought in to help get districts ready for summer go-live. Greg Hoffman then gave a brief update on NDIT’s operational fund, saying cash remains negative in PeopleSoft but accounts receivable keeps the fund functioning within federal limits. The Supreme Court reported on its new and vacant FTE funding pool, saying it has filled 7 of 10 new positions and has realized some vacancy savings, and Legislative Council provided a similar report for the legislative branch along with a reminder that budget action reports are available online. The Department of Transportation presented its Flexible Transportation Fund, explaining the fund’s allocation formulas and ranking process, and sought Budget Section approval for two projects over the $10 million threshold: a Medora city streets and sidewalk project and a Cass County bridge replacement. Members questioned whether funding Medora streets could set a precedent for city street reconstruction and whether the bridge application process fully reflects statewide needs. DOT said the projects were scored competitively and that the bridge list does not capture all deficiencies statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• Housebun number 450, also known as the Road DE Act, aims to make Delaware's permitting process.
• The Roads Act encourages growth where infrastructure... ...and infrastructure our communities need.
• One of the most environmentally responsible things that we can do is channel growth to existing roads
• , schools, and infrastructure instead of consuming... ...roads, where there are existing roads, schools
• Today, ACEC strongly supports House Bill 450, the Road Delaware Act.

Bills: HB373

Committee: Senate Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology

Keywords: infused beverages, THC, alcohol control, regulation, non-intoxicating cannabinoids, marijuana, legalization, taxation

Summary: The Senate Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology Committee met in hybrid format and heard testimony on several bills. HB 373, as amended, would regulate hemp-derived THC-infused beverages by defining the products, limiting them to 10 mg of Delta-9 THC per container, restricting sales to package stores and licensed marijuana retail stores, requiring testing and labeling, and imposing a 50-cent per container tax; the sponsor said the bill is intended to create guardrails and protect youth, and a wholesaler representative testified in support. HB 398 would allow racinos to serve alcohol until 2 a.m. and remove local authority to require earlier closing times; the sponsor and Bally’s representative said it would help Delaware remain competitive and increase revenue, and no opposition was heard. HB 433 would let municipalities and counties extend last call for bars, restaurants, and clubs from 1 a.m. to 2 a.m.; a witness from Connect Delaware supported it as a competitiveness and retention measure, emphasizing that it is permissive rather than mandatory. The committee also heard extensive testimony on HB 441, which would ban cryptocurrency kiosks/crypto ATMs in Delaware and require existing machines to be removed within 90 days. The sponsor and supporters, including AARP, the Delaware Department of Justice, and the League of Women Voters, argued the machines are heavily used in scams, especially against older adults, and that regulation has not been effective. CoinFlip opposed the bill, saying it is a regulated operator, that the fraud statistics are overstated or incomplete, and that Delaware should instead adopt a regulatory framework and amendment. HB 465 would update the criminal code to formally define virtual currency and incorporate it into theft, money laundering, racketeering, and search-and-seizure provisions; the sponsor said it would align Delaware law with modern crypto-related crimes, and no opposition was presented. The committee then heard HB 467, which would prevent landlords from requiring renters to buy insurance from a specific company while still allowing them to require coverage meeting lease terms; the sponsor described it as a consumer-choice bill and there was no public opposition. HB 435 would require payment parity for certified registered nurse anesthetists and physicians when the same services are provided; the sponsor, nurse anesthetists, the Delaware Health Care Association, the Department of Insurance, and ChristianaCare supported it as a workforce and access-to-care measure, with no opposition. Finally, HS 1 for HB 450, the Road DE Act, would overhaul permitting and traffic-impact review, emphasize peak-hour traffic, set density standards in growth areas, create a transportation impact fee, and direct some revenue to open space, farmland, and coastal restoration; realtors, builders, environmental groups, engineers, and GEAR supported it as a way to speed permitting, reduce sprawl, and improve infrastructure planning. The committee adjourned after public comment; no votes were recorded in the transcript.