Transcript Highlights:

• In Springfield, $565,000 to design the replacement of the Bradley Road Bridge over South Branch Mill
• Potholes aren't just annoying; they have real costs.
• for every municipal official to develop cost estimates for Chapter 90 projects.
• We've got another year and a half to go before a temporary replacement and then final replacements of
• It costs the town $280,000 to pave one mile of road. Roads need to be repaved every 15 years.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 4987, the administration’s transportation bond bill centered on Chapter 90 roadway funding and related capital programs. Administration officials described the bill as a roughly $5.5 billion package that would continue $300 million per year for Chapter 90 over four years, with part of the funding distributed by the traditional formula and an additional $100 million based solely on road miles to better support rural and smaller communities. They also highlighted authorizations for municipal pavement work, Shared Streets and Spaces grants, accelerated bridge and pavement repairs, MBTA rail modernization and reliability, housing-related transportation improvements, and a new DCR-focused PRISM program for parkways and related infrastructure. Officials emphasized that the bill is financed through the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and Fair Share revenues, and said it would help municipalities plan more predictably, speed project delivery, and support housing, safety, and climate goals. Committee members and witnesses discussed the bill’s broader scope beyond traditional Chapter 90, especially the $200 million for transportation projects that support housing development and the $200 million for MBTA modernization and rail reliability. Members asked about the rationale for a four-year authorization amid fiscal uncertainty, federal funding volatility, and the status of commuter rail electrification. Administration officials responded that the capital authorization is backed by dedicated transportation revenues rather than the operating budget, and said multi-year certainty helps cities and towns make better long-term repair decisions. They also said the MBTA’s rail modernization funds would support locomotive procurements, including battery-electric and Tier 4 diesel locomotives, as part of a longer-term regional rail and electrification strategy. Municipal officials and regional advocates strongly supported the bill. The Massachusetts Municipal Association, along with town and city officials from Sherborn, Conway, and Yarmouth, said the increased Chapter 90 funding and road-mile-based distribution are especially important for small and rural communities with limited local revenue capacity, and that multi-year funding would let them bundle projects, bid at better prices, and address backlogs more proactively. A Better City and MAPC also supported the bill but urged the committee to treat it like a traditional bond bill by adding policy provisions and considering new transportation revenue tools, such as TNC fee changes, road pricing, parking taxes, and other mechanisms. The committee took no vote during the hearing and adjourned after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• some factual information about how we manage MAA allaha, the different responsibilities, some of the costs
• responsibilities some of the costs responsibilities some of the costs associated<00:03:50.280>
• cultural historical or scope of valued cultural historical or natural<00:20:04.440> resources
• landscape and replacing a lot of<00:30:59.279> the<00:30:59.399> Royal<00:30:59.720>
• it's only been recently that to replace it's only been recently that state<00:31:04.360> parks

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing focused on Senate Bill 4, which would transfer stewardship of Mauna ʻAla from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Committee chairs opened the meeting with housekeeping and noted the hearing was live-streamed, with a two-minute limit for testimony. Director Don Chang of the Board of Land and Natural Resources said DLNR had been working with OHA and had agreed to transfer certain lands subject to due diligence, including Kahana Valley and a parcel in Waimānalo, but urged the committee to finalize those mutually agreed parcels before taking on something new. He also described the current arrangement at Mauna ʻAla as a collaborative one involving the state and the royal trusts, with the state handling routine maintenance and the trusts contributing to larger repairs and improvements on a project-by-project basis rather than through direct annual appropriations. Testimony was mixed. Supporters argued that OHA is better positioned to steward the site because of its cultural mission, Native Hawaiian governance, and ability to protect sacred places with greater cultural competency and accountability. Several speakers emphasized that Mauna ʻAla is not a state park and should be cared for by those with direct cultural ties and experience, and some cited OHA’s recent financial reforms and partnerships as reasons for confidence. Others, including representatives of the Daughters and Sons of the Hawaiian Warriors Makakoa, opposed the bill, citing concerns about OHA’s past financial management, transparency, and the need for more public information and testimony before any transfer. One testifier also argued the land transfer itself was unlawful and rooted in the history of the overthrow and annexation. Members and testifiers also discussed the historical role of the royal trusts and family caretakers at Mauna ʻAla, with one descendant describing a long family stewardship and supporting OHA only if amended language preserved checks and balances and protected iwi and burial grounds. Another speaker said the family recognized James Mayo as kahu of Mauna ʻAla and supported the bill because prior DLNR efforts had not sufficiently protected traditional and customary rights. The hearing ended after public testimony and committee questions, with no vote or final action taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• But it's just, it's cost prohibitive.
• In any business, you can expand, but at a cost that's going to affect you... ...expand, but at a cost
• And, as an asterisk, they had originally wanted to do replacement value, so it may be a net loss of acreage
• We have constantly and consistently put... ...value, do replacement value, so it may be a net loss of
• Losing 700 acres of lower-value stuff from an economic standpoint and getting 40 acres of high-value

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1209, which would pause new cooperative endeavor agreements for surface water withdrawals after December 31, 2026, while allowing existing agreements to continue and renew through 2036. The author said the bill is intended to force a broader, data-driven review of Louisiana’s surface water management and to improve funding for aquatic plant control, especially giant salvinia. An amendment was adopted to broaden the description of how the aquatic plant control fund may be used and to require annual reporting on agreements, withdrawals, revenues, deposits, spending, and non-monetary consideration. Department officials said the current program is voluntary, underfunded for monitoring, and that the bill could create a gap for new users if no replacement mechanism is enacted. The bill was reported favorable as amended after testimony from supporters including the Louisiana Wildlife Federation and opposition concerns from industry representatives were noted but not formally presented. House Bill 599 was then heard, which would prohibit the sale of Louisiana running surface water outside the state. The author argued that out-of-state sales, especially involving Toledo Bend and Texas, would be short-sighted and could harm Louisiana’s long-term water interests. Supporters said Louisiana lacks a water budget and should preserve water for in-state needs, while the Department of Conservation and Energy noted that the state currently has no mandatory process for such agreements and that the bill would not affect Sabine River Authority authority. The committee reported the bill favorable. Finally, House Bill 1206, dealing with permitting and reporting of water usage at data centers, was discussed. The substitute bill and amendment would give the department authority to monitor and regulate groundwater and surface water withdrawals, require public hearings, and improve transparency through reporting and a universal project identifier. The author and supporters said the bill was prompted by concerns in communities affected by large data center projects and the lack of public hearings on water use. Department officials agreed that more comprehensive data and a clearer framework are needed, but the author voluntarily deferred the bill to continue working with the department on a broader measure for next session. The committee also heard House Bill 1171 on allowing airboats in the Mar-Paw Swamp Wildlife Management Area, but after extensive debate over noise, habitat impacts, and existing restrictions, the discussion was ongoing in the portion provided and no final action on that bill was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• ISO New England costs.
• This is for Eric. costs. It's things like what Senator costs.
• <01:23:50.800> That's overall costs $6.5 million. That's overall costs $6.5 million.
• Thank you, Deirdre Rosenwald. regional market value. With that, um regional market value.
• And I think it might be even like half CPI as opposed to the full value, 100% value of the CPI.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the cost. I'm sorry. the cost. I'm sorry.
• ballot values stacks. ballot values stacks.
• And how much would it cost<00:38:04.160> Eversource cost Eversource cost Eversource to<00:38:05.880
• much would that cost? much would that cost?
• So, costs.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• value buildings versus the low value. value buildings versus the low value.
• As the cost of reinsurance has risen dramatically and the exposure, or total insured value, has grown
• much much more will cost much much more<01:25:01.040> to<01:25:01.280> replace.
• > and cost is the cost of our reinsurance and cost is the cost of our reinsurance and um<01:32
• <01:38:20.320> of low cost of I mean of the value of low cost of I mean of the value of insurance

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Districts would be funded the difference between their current premium costs and what costs would result
• cost-effective health efficient, cost-effective health insurance<00:09:56.560> system.
• Medicare is negotiating 10 high-cost drugs to drive costs down. It's the same concept.
• Medicare is negotiating 10 high-cost drugs to drive costs down. It's the same concept.
• <00:40:45.119> The costs down. It's the same concept. The costs down.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• bill will only compound compliance costs bill will only compound compliance costs for<00:07:44.120
• The initial setup is a real cost.
• property values are raising like crazy. property values are raising like crazy.
• The house owner is going to pay the value, or the person who owns the land has got the value, too.
• And they taken out has got the value, too. Who who's paying has got the value, too.

Bills: SB32, HB404, SB105, SB32, HB404, SB105

Keywords: machinegun, enhanced sentencing, homicide, manslaughter, assault, public safety, HB404, Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, cosmetology, barbering, makeup artist, makeup application, lash artist, brow artist, lash/brow permit, esthetician, salon licensing, studio licensing, mobile salon, mobile studio

Transcript Highlights:

• Most students do not have significant disposable income to manage these costs, offering low-cost, institution-managed
• Most students do not have significant disposable income to manage these costs, offering low-cost institutional
• institution managed Of these costs, offering the low-cost institutional, institution-managed coverage
• Our current plan costs just under $3,500 a year, or $287 a month.
• These costs can add up to 20 percent to the cost of health insurance for students.

Summary: The committee heard and discussed several higher education and public school bills. Senator Burwell presented SB 1242 to remove an outdated Coordinating Board approval requirement for Texas State Technical College land and facility acquisitions, and SJR 59 to create a constitutionally dedicated endowment for TSTC capital needs; both drew strong support from industry and workforce groups and were left pending. SB 757, by Senator Middleton, would create a debt-to-earnings accountability system for public college programs, with supporters saying it would protect students from low-value degrees and opponents warning it could unfairly penalize programs with long-term value, especially graduate, medical, and public service fields; it was also left pending. SB 1241, by Senator Millington, would expand acceptable college entrance exams beyond the SAT and ACT, including the Classic Learning Test, and was left pending after testimony from CLT, homeschool, and student groups in support. SB 1085, by Senator Blanco, would let Sul Ross State University offer lower-division courses at its satellite campuses in the Middle Rio Grande region; it too was left pending. The committee then took up a series of public school and higher education measures, voting several out favorably. SB 605, as substituted, limits commissioner approval of charter school expansion amendments for schools under conservatorship or a management team and was reported favorably 9-0. SB 1871 and SB 1873, both by Senator Perry, were revised to narrow teacher immunity, clarify removal and suspension procedures, require periodic review of in-school suspension placements, and align discipline rules; both substitutes were adopted and reported favorably. SB 1872, SB 1874, SB 762, SB 1962, SB 1750, SB 2252, SB 2253, SB 2365, SB 1924, and SB 37 were also considered, with most reported favorably on party-line or near-unanimous votes. SB 1750 would replace a flat charter school facilities funding cap with an attendance-based formula; SB 2252 and SB 2253 address kindergarten readiness, early literacy/numeracy, and educator preparation; SB 2365 concerns student phone use during instructional time; SB 1924 restores local citation authority for certain school offenses and adds reporting, notice, and completion requirements; and SB 37 would expand state oversight of higher education curriculum, governance, faculty senates, and compliance with state law. Other measures heard included SB 769, which would require a Coordinating Board report on barriers faced by students with disabilities in higher education; supporters emphasized the need for better data and accessibility, while witnesses suggested broader reporting on race, disability types, and K-12-to-college transitions. SB 2231 would designate a Free College Application Week in October and was left pending. SB 1878 would modernize the Josie School statute and provide formula funding and aid eligibility for Polytechnic College. SB 1409 would authorize universities to offer self-funded student health benefit plans, with Rice University and Texas 2036 supporting the measure as a way to lower costs and expand coverage. SB 2431 would require universities to give foreign language credit for study abroad programs, SB 2314 would require schools to inform students about opting in or out of record sharing for direct admissions through My Texas Future, and SB 2138 would extend the state’s anti-ESG contracting restrictions to public higher education endowments and governing boards; these later bills were introduced and left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't care how much it costs.
• I don't care how much it costs.
• We have a replacement clerk. >> Stman, are you replacing our clerk, Alexander Murray? Okay.
• replace all amendment. replace all amendment.
• replace all amendment. Yes. replace all amendment. Yes.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the new value the new value that's<00:02:50.400> created<00:02:51.200> um that's created
• , then you get that, uh, necessary costs, then you get that, uh, new<00:20:16.320> value<00:20
• I think one was a housing replacement I think one was a housing replacement district.<00:25:55.800
• Um, identify the entire project cost.
• <00:44:08.320> are calculate it unless your um costs are calculate it unless your um costs

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fence is on, we get that value.
• a sentimental value and not an economic value on things.
• a sentimental value and not an economic value on things.
• It would be easy to find the value, though, correct? Yeah, I'd want to put it.
• They just can’t handle the cost of that kind of time.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a big cost, so you can continue to, you know, go in throughout the year.
• He is the new colonel for the Highway Patrol, replacing Colonel Rapich.
• The public value of having this contract program is significant.
• The public value of having this contract program is significant.
• of equipment, training, staffing, insurance costs, and emergency response costs.

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:24:51.279> our of abuse and neglect at no cost our of abuse and neglect at no cost our
• Total cost will exceed $2 million.
• and needs replacement and needs replacement total<02:22:21.640> cost<02:22:22.000> will
• <02:49:51.000> of enormous Financial challenges cost of enormous Financial challenges cost
• <03:33:33.080> added local entrepreneurs develop value added local entrepreneurs develop value

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Finance informational briefing on grants and aids was held February 14 and was organized as a high-volume public testimony session with strict procedures: no Q&A, one representative per applicant, one minute per testimony, in-person testimony first, and then Zoom participants. The chairs also announced a recess at 11:00 a.m. for floor sessions and a reconvening at 1:00 p.m. Testimony was heard first from neighbor island applicants, then Oʻahu applicants, with members repeatedly directing speakers to line up and keep remarks brief. Neighbor island testimony focused on a wide range of capital and operating requests. Health and community projects included Hawaii Island Community Health Center’s workforce housing in Kau, Wuli Hawaiian Homestead Association’s learning center and predevelopment work, Rescue Tube Foundation’s beach rescue tube expansion, Puna Community Medical Center’s planned hospital/ER campus, Maui Humane Society’s free veterinary care after the wildfires, Hawaiʻi Care Choices’ palliative care readiness, and the Lyman Museum’s HVAC replacement. Other requests included the Maui Advanced Manufacturing Alliance’s Pāʻia Mill redevelopment, Laua 2020’s preschool and learning lab, Mālama Aina’s USDA-compliant meat processing facility, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association’s water safety programs, Kaha P Organization’s agriculture education support, Ohana Arts’ youth performance project, Friends of the Children’s Justice Center’s emergency closet, EOA Pacific’s Marshall Islands teacher training, and the Central Pacific Youth Athletic Club’s new facility. Oʻahu testimony included the YWCA Oʻahu/Pythink Center’s renovation of Juliet M. Atherton Hall and its community kitchen, West Oʻahu Community Health Center’s wildfire protection and security needs, the Early School’s playground improvements, Surfing the Nations’ food distribution center expansion, and Sounding Joy Music Therapy’s weekly services for people with disabilities. Speakers generally emphasized community benefit, workforce development, health access, food security, disaster recovery, and support for children, seniors, and underserved populations. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a clean, no-cost-to-taxpayer solution.
• The values that unite us cannot be weakened or degraded by one person.
• When those values are compromised, we have a responsibility to act.
• These actions are not reflective of our values.
• I echo the calls to replace this holiday with something else, honoring the farm worker movement. ...replace

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Things like needing to replace or add utilities can add a great deal of cost to the project.
• So for twice the amount of funding, it's going to cost to build 500 at Merced that it costs.
• It's going to cost to build 500 at Merced, that it costs at Berkeley to create a bed.
• Things like needing to replace or add utilities can add a great deal of cost to the project.
• The cost will vary dramatically. politically. The cost will vary dramatically.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held an extended hearing focused primarily on University of California budget issues, enrollment, housing, and Title IX. Chair David Alvarez opened by noting the governor’s proposed 8% ongoing General Fund reduction to UC, the deferral of compact funding, and the College of the Law budget item, while emphasizing that no votes would be taken that day. Public commenters, including UC Davis employees and lecturers, urged restoration of UC funding and opposed the hiring freeze, saying cuts would worsen staffing shortages, reduce research capacity, and harm students and patients. On UC core operations, the Department of Finance said the governor’s budget maintains the compact but defers $240.8 million in ongoing support and continues a planned 7.95% reduction, while the LAO recommended rejecting the deferrals and instead making any changes in the budget year. UC San Diego’s chancellor and UC Office of the President argued the cuts and deferrals would create major campus shortfalls, force hiring freezes, larger class sizes, fewer course offerings, delayed projects, and possible layoffs. Committee members questioned whether cuts could be shifted away from students and toward administration, discussed UCOP reserves and bond debt, and noted that UC’s budget structure makes the campus-level impact larger than the headline reduction. The committee also reviewed enrollment trends and nonresident replacement. The LAO said UC resident enrollment has grown and recommended revisiting 2026-27 targets and pausing the nonresident replacement plan if state funding does not improve. UC said it has exceeded California undergraduate enrollment and nonresident replacement goals, but warned that continued growth without funding would force enrollment reductions and harm quality. Members discussed the role of nonresident and international students, tuition rates, and the value of UC as a pathway for California students and a source of talent for the state. A separate housing item covered the state’s Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program. UC reported that recent bond savings could support additional affordable beds at UC Davis and UC Santa Barbara, but the LAO and Finance noted the Legislature would need to decide how to use the $6.2 million in savings from the original projects. The committee also heard a Title IX update from UC’s systemwide civil rights office, which described campus Title IX structures, training, and policy enforcement, and said the system has been working to improve confidentiality guidance and streamline complaint processes after survey feedback showed confusion and lengthy procedures.

Transcript Highlights:

• So stuff costs more now than it did then.
• Right now we our replacing that money.
• In costs considered by the legislature.
• fell and donor towns rose in values.
• fell and donor towns rose in value.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are the costs of the widgets, the cost of steel, the cost of people to do that body of work, and
• How much does it cost, you know, for us to replace and/or fix or be at danger with a bridge that is truly
• And that's why I'll be focusing on the cost, cost, cost.
• And that’s why I’ll be focusing on the cost, cost, cost.
• up costs.

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The committee first received an informational update on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project from Carly Francis and Travis Brower. They described the project’s purpose as improving seismic resilience, safety, freight movement, transit, and bicycle/pedestrian access across the Columbia River, and said the updated cost estimate is $13.2 billion to $14.4 billion for the full corridor. They explained the increase from the 2022 estimate as driven by construction inflation, a more conservative inflation curve, schedule delays, more detailed engineering, and risk modeling. They also outlined the funding plan, including $2.1 billion in federal funds, $1 billion each from Oregon and Washington, and $1.5 billion in projected toll revenue, and said they are working to obligate federal funds by the end of September. The panel described a first funded phase that would include the bridge, highway connections, tolling infrastructure, bridge removal, and transit design, with light rail to Vancouver still intended but dependent on additional funding. Members questioned the risk of losing federal transit funds, whether bridge design decisions were being made with legislative input, and whether the space reserved for light rail could be used for buses if transit funding does not materialize. The committee then heard testimony on maintaining Oregon’s existing roads and bridges from representatives of Knife River, the Asphalt Pavement Association of Oregon, and CRH. Witnesses said pavement and bridge preservation is severely underfunded, with ODOT needing about $400 million per year for pavement preservation but receiving roughly $100 million annually. They showed examples of deteriorating highways such as U.S. 97 and I-84 and argued that delaying maintenance leads to much higher reconstruction costs, more safety risks, and higher user costs. Knife River described layoffs and reduced work in Oregon because of limited preservation funding, while witnesses also said rising wages, equipment costs, fuel, and permitting delays are increasing project costs. Committee members asked about the role of prevailing wage, diesel equipment, hauling distances, and whether preservation work could be prioritized more effectively. Finally, economist Joe Cortright presented on recent ODOT megaproject cost overruns. He said Oregon has experienced persistent overruns driven by overly optimistic revenue forecasts, heavy reliance on debt, consultant costs, inflation above forecast, and projects that have become much larger in scope than originally presented. He cited major increases in the Interstate Bridge, Rose Quarter, and Abernathy Bridge projects and argued that some designs are far wider and more expensive than necessary. Cortright said better accountability, clearer priorities, and more disciplined project sizing are needed, and committee members pressed him on why agencies proceed with larger designs even when consultants recommend narrower, less expensive alternatives.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're looking to be cost conscientious.
• And so could you talk about how it brings more costs and how it can bring costs down?
• And the cost? Right.
• It allows us to dispatch the system on the least-cost basis and to find the lowest-cost power plant at
• First challenge is cost: short-term commodity costs, both resource adequacy and RPS energy.

Summary: The committee first heard AB 1026 by Assembly Member Wilson, which would require investor-owned utilities to provide clearer front-end information and follow more consistent timelines for post-entitlement energization applications tied to housing projects. The author and supporters from the Housing Action Coalition and Mission Housing said utility delays can hold up approved housing, add costs, and create uncertainty, and they argued the bill would align utility processes with recent state efforts to streamline local permitting. PG&E and Southern California Edison opposed the bill, saying existing CPUC timelines and the ongoing energization rulemaking already address the issue, that the bill could be duplicative or premature, and that some proposed timelines were too short. The committee discussed the bill’s relationship to the CPUC’s September 2024 decision, and AB 1026 was ultimately approved on a 15-0 vote, with the consent calendar also passing. The second half of the hearing was the committee’s annual oversight hearing on electric reliability. Representatives from the CPUC, CEC, CAISO, and DWR reviewed lessons from the 2020 and 2022 heat emergencies, emphasizing that California has since added significant resources, improved planning, and created backstop programs such as the strategic reliability reserve. They said the summer 2025 outlook is cautiously optimistic, with no expected shortfalls under traditional planning conditions and a projected surplus, though wildfire and extreme heat remain risks. The agencies also described major changes in planning and operations, including more battery storage, updated resource adequacy rules, expanded transmission planning, and reforms to the interconnection queue. Members asked about data center load, Diablo Canyon’s future, the strategic reliability reserve, demand response, wildfire mitigation costs, affordability, and regional market expansion. Witnesses said data center demand is a major variable but can be managed through better forecasting, flexible service arrangements, and siting in areas with existing capacity; they also said firm clean resources remain valuable while planning continues around Diablo Canyon’s scheduled retirement. On affordability, they said the agencies try to balance reliability with least-cost procurement, and that new resources can lower market prices even as they require upfront investment. CAISO also highlighted the value of the Western Energy Imbalance Market and the planned day-ahead market, saying regional coordination improves both reliability and cost savings.

Transcript Highlights:

• By replacing campus-wide revitalization.
• cost is approximately 25<00:23:02.920> million.
• The total project cost is just over $38 million.
• Um operating costs have gone up drivers.
• recognition or cost drivers... ...cost recognition or cost drivers with the paid family medical leave

Keywords: 1187, senate, all