Transcript Highlights:

• family farm, which is 388 acres in Minnesota, and then what the median size of a farm is, which is 130
• family farm, which is 388 acres in Minnesota, and then what the median size of a farm is, which is 130
• family farm, which is 388 acres in Minnesota, and then what the median size of a farm is, which is 130
• He contrasted that with a 130-acre farm, which might have a single owner or a couple working with the

Transcript Highlights:

• we will be setting up a commission which will have some of the language of what was once Senate Bill 130
• we will be setting up a commission which will have some of the language of what was once Senate Bill 130
• was<00:12:21.120><c> once</c><00:12:21.440><c> Senate</c><00:12:21.680><c> Bill</c><00:12:22.160><c> 130
• <00:12:22.399><c> which</c><00:12:22.639><c> looks</c><00:12:22.800><c> at</c> was once Senate Bill 130
• , which looks at was once Senate Bill 130, which looks at the<00:12:23.120><c> system</c><00:12:23.440

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• We need shore-side infrastructure, including icebreaker home ports, new MH-60 helicopters, more C-130s
• The LC-130 is the backbone of transportation within Antarctica and on the Greenland ice sheet.
• U.S. is 10, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, ski-equipped LC-130s
• When we think about the limited the limited C-130 capacity that we have now for Arctic takeoff and landings
• in order to to be the leader in research in the polar regions on the Coast Guard icebreakers, the LC-130

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Keywords: Greenland, acquisition, national security, Arctic, geopolitical, China, Russia, icebreakers, trade routes

Summary: The meeting convened by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation focused on the potential acquisition of Greenland by the United States. This issue, first raised by President Trump in 2019, has gained renewed significance amidst shifting global dynamics and the strategic importance of Greenland in relation to transatlantic trade routes and national security. The members discussed the geopolitical implications of Greenland's position, especially given the increasing influence of China and Russia in the Arctic region. Notably, the urgency to address military presence and icebreaker capabilities in the Arctic was a major point of contention, with a call for a new fleet to counter foreign dominance in the area.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're going to take up tab 2 Senator Wright their this is SB 130.
• Senator Thing we're gonna move to Tab One SB 130, conversation victims of wrongful incarceration by Senator
• Chair Senate Bill 130, removes existing barriers and the compensation of victims of wrongful incarceration
• Let's call the Roll on SB 130. >> Senator Bernard. Yes, Senator Bradley, Senator Garcia.
• Sb 130 is reported favorably. Now we have to take up Tab 5, which is our presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• At this time, we're going to pass over Senate Bill 130, that was sponsored by Senator Carroll.
• At this time, we're going to pass over Senate Bill 130, that was sponsored by Senator Carroll.
• At this time, we're going to pass over Senate Bill 130, that was sponsored by Senator Carroll.
• At this time, we're going to pass over Senate Bill 130, that was sponsored by Senator Carroll.
• At this time, we're going to pass over Senate Bill 130, that was sponsored by Senator Carroll.

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 60, a Religious Freedom Restoration Act measure sponsored by Senator Steve Rawlings. Rawlings said the bill would strengthen protections for sincerely held religious exercise by requiring government burdens on religion to be justified by clear and convincing evidence of a compelling interest, expanding remedies including attorney’s fees, and waiving sovereign immunity so individuals could sue the government. A committee substitute was adopted, and the bill drew testimony both in support and opposition. Supporters, including Greg Baylor of Alliance Defending Freedom, argued the bill would protect a fundamental right and that similar laws have existed federally and in many states without the feared consequences. Opponents, including Chris Hartman of the Fairness Campaign, Sam Markusen of the University of Louisville, and Rabbi Ben Fred, warned the bill was overly broad, could undermine local anti-discrimination laws, and might invite lawsuits or allow religious claims to be used to justify discrimination. Senator Thomas questioned whether the bill could affect vaccine requirements and public accommodations; Baylor said public health or other compelling interests could still prevail in court and that the bill would not predetermine outcomes. The committee then voted on SB 60, with several members explaining their votes, and reported the bill favorably. The committee then considered Senate Bill 169, sponsored by Senator Danny Carroll, which would expand the Attorney General’s and Kentucky State Police’s administrative subpoena authority in child exploitation investigations to include social networking companies, mobile payment services, and cloud storage services. Attorney General’s office representatives Will Schroer and Matt Heden said the change would modernize investigative tools to help identify online child predators and obtain limited account-holder information such as usernames, IP addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers. Senator Thomas asked about the bill’s use of the term “reasonable cause” instead of probable cause and about the scope of the information obtained; the witnesses said the term is already in statute and that the subpoenas would not authorize searches, only basic identifying information. A motion was made and seconded, and the committee began the roll call vote on SB 169 as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• This would increase it to $130 per bale. They would have... per bale.
• This would not change the price; it just allows the cap to be raised to $130.

Bills: SB207 , SB72

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

Keywords: cotton, agriculture, levy, assessment, referendum, Alabama law, medical cannabis, cannabis license, integrated facility license, Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, AMCC, medical marijuana, dispensary, cultivation, processing, license appeal, administrative hearing, judicial review, consultant selection, license denial

Transcript Highlights:

• We go down to 130. Liaison, House. We go down to 130. I've got a compromise written here of 125.
• 125,000. 130, Senate. 130, second from the bottom, House.
• And 130 at the bottom, House. 130 at the bottom, House.
• Let's go to page 40 at the top. 130, Senate. 131, 131, Senate. 132, Senate. 132, Senate. 134, Senate.

Committee: House Conference Committee on Budget

Summary: The conference committee spent most of the meeting working through House Bill 2, the education budget, with repeated debate over how to close the remaining gap in the foundation formula. Members discussed fund swaps involving the blind pension fund, capital commission fund, lottery proceeds, state school money, and classroom trust funds, with several senators arguing the committee should fully fund the formula if possible and warning against leaving schools with a shortfall. The committee also reviewed child care subsidies, Parents as Teachers language, school safety and assessment-related items, Title I reallocation language, and a compromise on flexibility percentages for certain education lines. Several members raised concerns about language restricting virtual Parents as Teachers visits and about child care subsidy language tied to enrollment-based payment and prospective payment, while others defended the compromise as a way to balance provider concerns and budget limits. House Bill 3, covering higher education, was also reviewed. The committee largely accepted Senate positions on appropriations, with a compromise on the St. Louis Community College nursing program and a new proposal directing the Department of Higher Education to develop a new funding model by December 1, 2026. That language drew concern from some members, who said the timeline was too aggressive and asked for more flexibility, but supporters said prior work on performance funding justified the deadline. The committee then moved through House Bill 2004, transportation, agreeing to a mix of Senate positions and compromises on items such as safety operations, low-volume roads, port funding, and road improvements, including a larger-than-expected appropriation for Clarendon Road tied to a State Fair relocation plan. House Bill 5, general administration and IT, generated the most controversy over new language directing a plan for state IT modernization and cloud migration; several members objected that it was too prescriptive, resembled a resolution, and could favor a specific vendor, but the chair said the goal was accountability and oversight. The committee left some House Bill 5 items open for further negotiation, then later returned to finalize several dollar amounts and a shorter conference proposal on the IT language. The committee also worked through House Bills 7, 8, and 9, mostly adopting Senate positions with a few compromises. House Bill 7 covered economic development and tourism items, including Main Street, Missouri One Start, broadband, Juneteenth, and the Great American State Fair, with some items set aside for later or moved to other bills. House Bill 8 focused on public safety and veterans’ funding, including school safety apps, fentanyl testing, crime lab workload, DNA testing, veterans’ programs, and Highway Patrol fleet and fuel items; members debated whether to keep fleet and fuel funding separated or rolled together, and several items were set at compromise levels. House Bill 9, covering mental health and corrections, was handled more briefly, with most items following Senate positions and a few compromises, including probation and parole funding and a reduction on one appropriation. The committee then recessed and later resumed with House Bill 2010, beginning work on another budget bill with a mix of Senate, House, and compromise positions on early line items, but the transcript cuts off before that bill is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Board as well as Injury Trust Fund Board as well as Senate<01:42:59.840><c> Bill</c><01:43:00.080><c> 130
• House</c><01:43:01.040><c> Bill</c><01:43:01.240><c> 1109,</c><01:43:02.600><c> House</c> Senate Bill 130
• , House Bill 1109, House Senate Bill 130, House Bill 1109, House Bill<01:43:02.960><c> 1241,</c><01:43
• </c><01:43:10.960><c> uh</c><01:43:11.240><c> Senate</c><01:43:11.480><c> Bill</c><01:43:11.680><c> 130
• </c> uh we will be hearing uh Senate Bill 130 uh we will be hearing uh Senate Bill 130 and<01:43:12.280

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:56:02.319><c> and</c><00:56:02.559><c> we</c><00:56:02.880><c> have</c> 130 and we have 130 and we
• Moving on to the third collection of measures, STR 161 and SR 130.
• Voting on STR 161 and SR 130. Noting all members being present. Are there any nos or reservations?
• </c><01:13:25.120><c> So</c> the previous measures ST 161 and 130.
• So the previous measures ST 161 and 130.

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs heard multiple gubernatorial nominations to island burial councils, with testimony focused on the importance of filling vacancies so the councils can reach quorum and fulfill their kuleana to protect iwi kūpuna and burial sites. For GM 674, Kavuna Khalipi was introduced as OHA’s nominee for the Molokaʻi burial council, with OHA, SHPD, and several community members testifying in support and describing her cultural grounding, community service, and experience in mālama ʻāina. Testifiers also stressed that burial councils are essential for protecting ancestral remains and that prolonged vacancies have left sacred sites vulnerable. Khalipi herself said she was honored to serve but expressed concern about accepting the appointment without quorum, saying she did not want to waste a term if the council could not function effectively. The chair explained the Senate advice-and-consent process and the consequences of inaction, and after discussion Khalipi asked to pull her nomination from the committee. The chair then deferred decision-making on GM 674 until April 10 at 1 p.m. to clarify the process and avoid unintended rejection. The committee then heard testimony on GM 676, Dane Maxwell for the Maui and Lānaʻi burial council, GM 677, Noani Parisa, GM 678, Caroline Hartman, and GM 679, Benedict Duman. Supporters, including SHPD and OHA, highlighted each nominee’s cultural knowledge, preservation work, genealogy, and experience with burial or historic preservation matters. Testimony repeatedly linked the nominations to the need for functioning burial councils, especially in light of the 2023 Maui fires and long-standing vacancies. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided; the chair indicated votes would be taken at the end of the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, Senate<00:31:40.240><c> Judiciary</c><00:31:41.120><c> 130.
• <00:31:41.360><c> Old</c><00:31:41.679><c> Supreme</c><00:31:41.919><c> Court,</c> Senate Judiciary 130
• Old Supreme Court, Senate Judiciary 130.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill provides that homestead owners can rebuild up to 130% of the size of the damaged home.
• The bill provides that homestead owners can rebuild up to 130% of the size of the damaged home, and..
• . can rebuild up to 130% of the size of the damaged home.

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met and first took up CS/HB 567, a broad transportation bill by Rep. McFarland. The bill, as explained, covered a range of transportation policy changes including higher speed limits, local regulation of e-bikes and e-scooters, parking accommodations for pregnant women, advance land acquisition for DOT projects, changes to FDOT contracting, elevation of roads in capacity projects, MPO quality metrics, and repeal of the Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council. Two amendments were adopted: one added a prohibition on driving too fast through flooded roads and creating excessive wake, and another updated language to allow for future technology in traffic management systems. The strike-all removed several items from the original bill, including utility-right-of-way language, private-public-use airport funding, and an electric vehicle tax redirect, and added MDX board changes. The bill then passed favorably on a recorded vote. The committee next considered CS/HB 1535, also by Rep. McFarland, a lengthy hurricane recovery and preparedness measure. It requires local governments to post storm-preparedness and recovery information online, expands special needs shelter information, mandates emergency management training, improves debris removal planning, and adds provisions for fiscally constrained counties. It also addresses shelter access, rebuilding rules, permitting timelines and fees after storms, homestead rebuilding limits, and election flexibility after disasters, including a process for supervisors of elections to request emergency changes through the Secretary of State. Members asked several questions about local rebuilding ordinances, election “super sites,” and the request/approval process. The bill drew support from several groups, including disability advocates, builders, waste and recycling interests, crane owners, and restaurant and lodging representatives, and it passed favorably. The committee then heard CS/HB 561 and CS/HB 563 from Rep. Cobb on manufacturing. HB 561 would elevate a chief manufacturing officer within the Department of Commerce, create a voluntary Florida manufacturing promotional campaign, and require biennial reporting on manufacturing efforts; an amendment removed the grant portion of the program, and the bill passed favorably with support from industry groups. HB 563 established an annual fee, capped at $100, for participants in the voluntary manufacturing promotional campaign and also passed favorably. Finally, Rep. Spencer presented HB 827, which directs a statewide study on the impact of automation and artificial intelligence on Florida’s workforce, to be updated every three years and developed with business, academic, and local input; it too passed favorably. The meeting then adjourned with notice that the subcommittee would meet again the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• organization that has quietly and steadfastly strengthened families across our state for more than 130
• families across our state for<00:08:59.120><c> more</c><00:08:59.279><c> than</c><00:09:00.160><c> 130
• </c><00:09:01.600><c> I</c><00:09:01.760><c> hope</c><00:09:01.920><c> you've</c> for more than 130 years
• I hope you've for more than 130 years.

Transcript Highlights:

• All regulations have staff-suggested amendments. 40, 12, 100, 110, 120, and 130.
• ,</c><00:05:28.560><c> 110,</c><00:05:29.360><c> 120,</c><00:05:29.680><c> and</c><00:05:30.160><c> 130
• </c><00:05:30.880><c> Amend</c> 40, 12, 100, 110, 120, and 130.
• Amend 40, 12, 100, 110, 120, and 130.

Summary: The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met for its January meeting, approved the minutes from the prior meeting, and welcomed the new regulations compiler. The first item was a repealer from the Council on Postsecondary Education, 13 KAR 2:111, which was explained as necessary because Senate Bill 77 from the 2025 session removed the regulatory authority for advanced practice doctoral degree programs at comprehensive universities. No questions were raised, and the repealer moved forward without objection. The subcommittee then reviewed a large package of State Board of Elections regulations with staff-suggested amendments. The package would update definitions and election procedures, require e-poll books to be ready before polls open, change the standard and timeline for removing an election officer, add oversight by a State Board appointee on election days, recognize the Kentucky party, require voter registration records to be added to electronic voter records, require ballots to fit all races and questions on a single sheet, adjust precinct consolidation petition deadlines, and update incorporated forms and identification references. The package was approved without objection. The Office of the Attorney General’s Office of Regulatory Relief also presented multiple regulations with staff amendments, covering funeral planning declarations, cemetery companies, pre-need cemetery merchandise and funeral/burial contract sellers, and crematory contract sellers. These changes were described as adding specificity, streamlining forms and reporting, and bringing the regulations into compliance with KRS Chapter 13A; they were approved without objection. The Board of Examiners of Psychology presented several regulations, including compact rules, grace-period extensions, and significant fee increases for applications, renewals, reinstatements, exam retakes, and reciprocity. Board representatives said the increases were needed because many fees had not been raised since 2002, the board was operating at a deficit, and legal and administrative costs had risen sharply after the termination of state legal services. Members expressed concern about the size of the increases, but the chair said he would not hold the matter up and would raise the issue with the committee of jurisdiction. The subcommittee also approved staff amendments for the Energy and Environment Cabinet’s air quality regulations and the Education and Labor Cabinet’s education regulations, which updated nontraditional instruction procedures, waiver requests, instruction topics, superintendent assessment requirements, and academic standards. The meeting ended with the next meeting scheduled for February 9 at 1 p.m., and the agenda was adjourned without further objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• So raising this from 130% to 200%, I think, is completely reasonable. probably wise that we recognize
• </c><00:55:12.000><c> 130%</c><00:55:12.640><c> which</c><00:55:12.880><c> is</c><00:55:12.960><c> where
• </c><00:55:13.119><c> we're</c><00:55:13.280><c> at</c><00:55:13.440><c> now</c> a year. 130% which is
• where we're at now a year. 130% which is where we're at now for<00:55:13.839><c> free</c><00:55:14.000
• So raising this from<00:56:50.000><c> 130%</c><00:56:50.880><c> to</c><00:56:51.200><c> 200%</c><00:56

Summary: The work session began with HB 656, as amended, which would treat federal funds received by school districts as unanticipated money unless already listed in the annual report, and would require notices and school board minutes to identify the grant and summarize any obligations attached to accepting it. Supporters said the bill was aimed at transparency so voters would understand the “strings attached” to grants, while opponents raised concerns that the amendment was new, potentially vague, and could require districts to publish lengthy or redundant information, increasing costs and administrative burden. Several members suggested alternative approaches, such as a state-level list of common grant obligations or posting grant documents online. No vote was taken, and some members argued the bill was not ready for action. The committee then moved to HB 665, which would expand eligibility for free school meals to households at up to 300% of federal poverty guidelines and use education trust fund money to cover the added cost. Representative Damon strongly supported the bill, citing food insecurity and arguing the fiscal note likely overstated costs because the bill requires at least one free meal, not necessarily both breakfast and lunch. The discussion was just beginning when the transcript ended, and no vote or final action on HB 665 was recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, it was 130 billion dollars last year globally.
• In fact, it was 130 billion dollars last year globally.
• In fact, it was 130 billion dollars last year globally.
• </c><00:20:18.480><c> dollars</c><00:20:18.799><c> last</c> fact, it was 130 billion dollars last fact
• , it was 130 billion dollars last year<00:20:20.400><c> globally.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• about 200 residents participate in town meeting and are entrusted with approving a budget of more than $130
• about 200 residents participate in town meeting and are entrusted with approving a budget of more than $130
• about 200 residents participate in town meeting and are entrusted with approving a budget of more than $130
• about 200 residents participate in town meeting and are entrusted with approving a budget of more than $130

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Election Laws

Summary: The committee held a hearing on several late-file local bills, with testimony focused mainly on municipal governance and election-related home rule petitions. Representative Silver supported H.5556 for a Fall River polling place change, saying the locations were reviewed by the Secretary of State’s office and supported locally to improve accessibility, especially for voters with disabilities. Testimony also supported H.5539 for Danvers recall elections and S.3118/H.5542 concerning the Groton-Dunstable Regional School District, where witnesses said a candidate was improperly left off the ballot due to an administrative error and should be allowed to fill the full three-year term. Most of the hearing centered on H.5521, Sudbury’s recall-election petition. Supporters argued the measure was lawfully adopted at a heavily attended special town meeting, reflected local self-government, and provided an accountability tool for elected officials. They emphasized that recall provisions are common in Massachusetts and said the bill’s safeguards, including signature thresholds and election procedures, were reasonable. Several Sudbury residents and former officials described the meeting as well-publicized and broadly participatory, and urged the committee to respect the town vote. Opponents, including the Sudbury League of Women Voters, former officials, and residents, argued the bill was rushed, lacked public review, and should go through a fuller charter process. They objected to the absence of stated grounds for recall, the low 10% signature threshold, the short three-month waiting period, and the simultaneous successor-election feature. One witness asked that the bill be sent for further study rather than approved as written. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair closed by inviting written testimony and then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is around $130 million in order for it to be funded.
• Well, on those lines, so this $130-some million fiscal note comes out of the state budget then to fix
• This bill is around $130 million in order for it to be funded.
• Well, on those lines, so this $130-some million fiscal note comes out of the state budget then to fix

Committee: House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Summary: The Committee on Pensions met without a quorum at first, then later returned to executive session and held several bill hearings. Representative Haley presented House Bill 295, which would allow PSRS retirees who have reached the 80% COLA cap to receive an additional 2% COLA in years when investment returns exceed the system’s assumed rate and CPI conditions are met. Haley and supporters from the Missouri Retired Teachers Association said the bill was narrowly targeted, non-cumulative, and protected by guardrails; committee members questioned whether it could affect funding stability. PSRS/PEERS counsel testified informally that the proposal would function like a one-time “13th paycheck,” would affect about 3,400 PSRS and 800 PEERS retirees, and would cost roughly $32 million for PSRS and under $1 million for PEERS, while emphasizing the systems’ smoothing policy and funded status. The committee then adopted a substitute and passed House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2884 and 1655 by a 12-0 vote. The substitute combined language dealing with St. Louis police retirement board quorum/appointment timing, public employee retirement system provisions, and public school retirement system board quorum/vote requirements, and it also added clarifying language so retirement systems could continue routine informational communications without using funds to support ballot measures. The committee next took up House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1762 and 2059, which would increase the income tax deduction for private retirement income and raise the income threshold for eligibility. Supporters argued it would provide parity with the earlier public-pension tax break and help retirees and self-employed taxpayers; opponents raised concerns about the fiscal impact and timing. The substitute passed 8-4. Representative Bromley then presented House Bill 2144, which would increase the PSRS death benefit from $5,000 to $10,000. He said the current amount no longer covers funeral costs and that the change would help older retirees’ families. MRTA supported the concept but urged caution about system solvency and suggested looking at PEERS as well; PSRS/PEERS counsel testified that the benefit applies to all vested PSRS members, would cost about $137.8 million in actuarial liability, and would reduce the trust fund by about 0.19%. An EMPERS representative confirmed that system also has a $5,000 death benefit and uses similar third-party death-notification services. Finally, Representative Mayhew briefly presented House Bill 2205, which would exempt all public and private retirement income from Missouri income tax; no one testified in support or opposition, and the hearing adjourned after no further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe a lot of the laws in Chapter 130 and other election-related laws need more clarity and more
• I believe a lot of the laws in Chapter 130 and other election-related laws need more clarity and more
• I believe a lot of the laws in Chapter 130 and other election-related laws need more clarity and more
• I believe a lot of the laws in Chapter 130 and other election-related laws need more clarity and more

Committee: House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Summary: The Elections Committee met in executive session first and adopted a House Committee substitute for House Bill 2387, which combined HB 2387 and HB 2480. The substitute removed provisions on extending no-excuse in-person absentee voting and shortening the absentee voting window, shifted the presidential candidate filing fee to be set by state party committees, and added language to bind presidential delegates to primary results while allowing national party rules to control where required. Members discussed the legal basis for delegate binding, party input on the substitute, and the role of closed primaries, then the committee voted 10-2-1 to do pass HB 2387 as substituted. The committee also passed House Bill 1987 and House Concurrent Resolution 23 without opposition, and passed House Bill 1802 after members discussed election transparency and concerns about applying the measure uniformly across counties; the vote was 11-2. In public hearing, the committee heard House Bill 2605, which would update election notice requirements, especially for bond elections. Sponsor Rep. McGaugh and the State Auditor’s office said the bill would address technical publication errors that had jeopardized voter-approved bond issues by allowing notice defects to be cured if no election contest is filed within 30 days, while also allowing one newspaper publication and one direct mailing notice. Testimony from county clerks, school administrators, a fire district, the Missouri Press Association, and others generally supported the bill as a practical fix, though one witness urged broader website posting of notices. The hearing also covered House Bill 2301, a campaign finance cleanup bill that would clarify definitions and reporting rules in Chapter 130, especially for continuing committees and indirect political spending; the sponsor said it was intended to fix ambiguity from prior law, and the only testimony in favor called for additional restrictions on recurring donations and more transparency. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1787, which would require schools used as polling places to treat election days as school holidays beginning in the 2026-27 school year. The sponsor said the bill was intended to improve child safety and could also help with staffing and voter participation, while members raised concerns about school calendars already being set and whether the mandate should instead be optional or delayed to a later school year. A witness in favor supported the safety goal but asked for local control and a later effective date. No opposition testimony was presented, and the committee adjourned after the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• should already be complete, second phase will be... ...let in 2027 for a total of 100 and looks like 130
• Chairman, department, it has grown that much with inflation from $130 million to $155 million.
• Has grown that much with inflation from $130 million to $155 million. Oh, Mr.
• I myself had 130; I hadn't corrected that one, but it's estimated at $155 million, so I try to correct

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:

• and concurred in Assembly amendments to Senate Bill No. 27, Senate Bill No. 100, Assembly Bill No. 130
• to Senate bill 27 assembly amendment 662 to Senate bill 100 assembly amendment 701 to assembly bill 130
• assembly amendment 7 to assembly bill 130 assembly amendment bill 100 assembly amendment 701 to assembly
• bill 130 assembly amendment 705 to senate bill 191 assembly amendment 564 to senate bill number 246