Transcript Highlights:

• I think you're probably from the river parishes, okay? So that red dirt is sandy.
• To be constructed over the Mississippi River connecting Louisiana Highway 1 and Louisiana Highway 30
• This legislation designates the new Mississippi River crossing connecting LA 1 and LA 30 as the Donald
• This proposed location protects Louisiana's role as a gateway to the Mississippi River system, which
• When you build a major river crossing like this, the land around those interchanges becomes extremely

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works met on March 10 and considered a series of highway, bridge, and ferry naming bills, many honoring deceased public servants, veterans, and community leaders. The committee first heard House Bill 346, which redesignates a portion of U.S. Highway 171 as the Speaker Joe Salter Memorial Highway. Members and witnesses from the Secretary of State’s office offered extensive tributes to Salter’s career in education, legislative service, and state government. The bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then took up House Bill 221, which names a proposed Mississippi River bridge crossing connecting LA 1 and LA 30 as the President Donald J. Trump Expressway. Rep. Eccles argued the naming would help draw attention and funding to a long-discussed bridge project and emphasized toll-free, growth-based financing. Some members questioned the political and practical logic, but the bill was reported favorably on a 12-2 vote, with Reps. Murray and Walters voting no. The committee also reported favorably several other memorial naming bills, including HB 356 for the Elward T. Brady Jr. Memorial Bridge, HB 149 for the Senior Police Officer Trevor Abney Memorial Highway, HB 148 for the Eugene Washington Memorial Highway, and HB 716 naming the Schaumet Ferry Terminal after Michael C. Ginnart Jr. Additional measures were amended and reported: HB 355, designating Highway 10 as the Veterans Park Highway, was amended to add “Memorial Highway” and then reported favorably; HB 657, naming portions of LA 182 for Burrick B.J. Lejeune Jr. and Judge Richard T. Dickey Hike Sr., was amended to remove “Memorial” from the designations and reported as amended; HB 675, naming U.S. 425 in Franklin Parish for Assistant Chief Bill Putt Linder, was similarly amended and reported; and HB 384, naming a portion of U.S. 11 as the Dan de Blanc American Hero Highway, was amended to add “Memorial” and reported with amendments. HB 354, renaming the Magnolia Bridge as the Caleb Easterling Memorial Bridge, drew emotional testimony from the victim’s parents about his death in a drunk-driving crash and was reported favorably. HB 358, naming a portion of LA 433 for Charles R. Bordelon Sr., was also reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, the committee voluntarily deferred HB 129, HB 130, HB 360, and HB 401 to a later agenda. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a small one called the Little River, which is where our bulkhead is located.
• We have a lot of river gateway for us.
• Mississippi River.
• Mississippi River.
• Mississippi River.

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our challenges are that on one side is the Yakima River and the Greenway Trail, and then to the right
• And when I say this project, we're talking about the orange area there, which is a river crossing.
• We are going to set back that river, and that green area is going to be pushed behind that blue area
• We don't want to dump it in the river.
• And then that segregated off the section between the interstate and the river.

Bills: HB2495

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: vehicles, streetcar operation, public safety, urban regulation, transportation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Louis River.
• Louis River.
• Louis River.
• Louis River. native waters of the St. Louis River.
• Louis River. We'll plan to upper St. Louis River.

Bills: HF2411 , HF2471 , HF1440 , HF1393 , HF1631 , HF1259 , HF280 , HF1281 , HF1459

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Keywords: cultural heritage, funding, White Earth Nation, tribal community, construction, Delano, sesquicentennial, community events, fall of Saigon, Saigon anniversary, Vietnam War commemoration, Vietnamese Minnesotans, Cambodian Minnesotans, Lao Minnesotans, Southeast Asian refugees, Asian American heritage, cultural heritage fund, Minnesota Humanities Center, Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, equity funding

Transcript Highlights:

• modifications, and new recommendations listed in the decision material for the Angelina and Neches River
• We will begin with the Angelina and Neches River Authority and Lower Neches Valley Authority.
• That concludes the voting on these two river authorities.
• The next agency we're voting on is the Trinity River Authority of Texas.
• That concludes the voting on these two river authorities.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of the places that we drive through, be it the Cumberland River going through Harlan and Bell and
• People will have cars on this side of the river when they get there, but once they get across off of
• going through Harlan Cumberland River going through Harlan and<00:14:35.760><c> Bell</c><00:14:36.240
• ,</c><00:15:46.080><c> and</c> over it, crosses the river, and over it, crosses the river, and generally
• </c> have cars on this side of the river have cars on this side of the river when<00:16:31.000><c> they

Committee: Senate State & Local Government

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:10 Attendance Roll Call: 00:15 SB 133 Discussion: 00:52 SB 133 Vote: 05:01 SB 226 Discussion: 06:10 SB 226 Vote: 09:36 SJR 62 Discussion: 10:22 SJR 62 Vote: 12:55 SB 261 Discussion: 13:42 SB 261 Vote: 18:19 SB 262 Discussion: 19:10 SB 262 Vote: 26:36 Adjournment: 28:02, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our challenges are that on one side is the Yakima River and the Greenway Trail, and then to the right
• And when I say this project, we're talking about the orange area there, which is a river crossing.
• and that green riparian area is, as part of this project, we are going to set back that river in that
• and that green riparian area is, as part of this project, we are going to set back that river in that
• We are going to set back that river.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held a work session on two major corridor projects before moving to public hearing and executive session. In the Yakima area, WSDOT, Yakima County, and Ecology described the Interstate 82/east-west connector work as a coordinated effort to add capacity, improve interchanges, and address the Boise Cascade mill site contamination that sits in the project footprint. County and Ecology witnesses said the county is ready to remove wood waste and contaminated material, but the project is stalled pending a draft work plan and a de minimis consent decree; several senators pressed for faster action and clearer direction from Ecology. The committee then heard an update on the SR 3 Belfair freight corridor, where WSDOT said environmental review is complete and the next major step is an access hearing this summer, followed by right-of-way acquisition and construction likely in late 2027 or early 2028. Local and tribal partners emphasized the project’s importance for freight mobility, housing growth, emergency access, and regional economic development. The public hearing was on engrossed substitute House Bill 2711, a transportation resources bill that largely tracks provisions from prior legislation but also adds or changes several tax and account provisions. Staff explained that the bill clarifies fuel tax and peer-to-peer tax distributions, treats trade-in value differently for recreational vessel and luxury vehicle taxes, provides a six-month motor home exemption and penalty waiver for the luxury vehicle tax, allows lease payments to be made over time, exempts tribal members and nonresidents, creates a Preserve Washington account, changes some transfer timing, and repeals the luxury aircraft tax. Testimony was mixed: aviation groups supported repealing the luxury aircraft tax; trucking and some citizens opposed fuel tax and diesel tax increases; Sound Transit, transit advocates, labor, and ferry interests asked for amendments such as 75-year bonding authority, mobile driver’s licenses, ferry funding, and bike education funding. Alaska Airlines and Delta also supported adding mobile ID language. In executive session, the committee advanced several bills, including SHB 1823, SHB 2114, E2SHB 2251, SHB 2323, SHB 2410, EHB 2588, 2SHB 1923, and HB 2495, all with due pass recommendations after adopting amendments where applicable. The committee adopted a striking amendment to E2SHB 2251 adjusting Climate Commitment Act account distributions and a striking amendment to EHB 2588 limiting the ferry district changes to Whatcom County and removing the voter-approval tax provision. It also adopted an amendment to 2SHB 1923 that added further conditions for passenger-only ferry districts, including whale-protection and fare-related provisions. Senator King voted no on E2SHB 2251, objecting that the bill reduced the transportation share of Climate Commitment Act revenues. The chair announced one more executive action meeting would be held Wednesday morning, with amendment requests due the prior day.

Transcript Highlights:

• What makes it unique is its impacts to the Trinity River.
• As the river crosses the aquifer, it loses water.
• Heavy pumping on these 43 wells is right adjacent to the east bank of the Trinity River.
• If it sucks water out of the river, that is water.
• If it sucks water out of the river, that is water out of the river that affects the population of Houston

Bills: SB 2 , SB 5 , SB 10 , SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , HB17 , HB7 , HB7 , HB15 , HB15 , HB27 , HB1 , HB7 , HB15 , HB18 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , HB17 , HB27 , HB1 , SB8 , HCR13 , SB2 , SB5 , SB10

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> wi the Wind River? wi the Wind River?
• So lands north of the river, non-native ranchers, land south of the river, tribal land, and where we
• ,</c> So lands north of the river, So lands north of the river, non-native<00:26:13.039><c> ranchers,
• </c> river from me and couldn't be disturbed. river from me and couldn't be disturbed.
• </c> Wind River tribes. Wind River tribes.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Tribal Relations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The east side is the Tom River.
• The east side is the Tom River.
• The east side is the Tom River.
• The east side is the Tom River.
• </c> and they'd go back to your major river and they'd go back to your major river swamps<00:35:54.880

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul River asked that your name, with his consent, be recorded on the last roll call.
• Viola of Ball River. Thank you, Madam Speaker, and through you to the members.
• Ball River. Thank you, Madam Speaker, and through you to the members.
• Viola of Fall River. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• the conveyance of certain parcels of land in the city of Fall River.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• months have been very difficult for my poultry-producing neighbors and friends along the Illinois River
• watershed and to urge a return to good faith producers in the Illinois River watershed and to urge a
• months have been very difficult for my poultry-producing neighbors and friends along the Illinois River
• And if not settled, hundreds of poultry producers in the Illinois River watershed will not receive renewals
• To express support for Arkansas poultry producers in the Illinois River watershed and to urge a return

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Tucker to be a member of the Delaware River and Bay Authority Board. Madam Reading Clerk. Ruth J.
• Tucker to be a member of the Delaware River and Bay Authority Board.
• Tucker, to be appointed a member of the Delaware River and Bay Authority Board. Ruth J.
• Alex Hitch to be a member of the Delaware River and Bay Authority. Senator Sokola.
• Alex Hitch to be a member of the Delaware River and Bay Authority.

Summary: The Senate received communications from the House listing numerous bills, substitutes, amendments, and concurrent resolutions passed by the House or returned to the Senate, and it also noted a Senate amendment being stricken from House Bill 190. Committee reports were read on a wide range of nominations and bills, including favorable reports on several executive nominations and legislation involving nurse preceptors, voting, agricultural/forestry grants, child care, Title IX coordination, vehicle security devices, dry needling, human remains disposition, child care assistance, autism-related oversight, nursing advancement, correctional oversight, massage and bodywork, probate letters, computer security breaches, automobile insurance, medical debt protection, and technical corrections. The Senate also assigned House Bill 300, House Bill 64, and House Bill 385 to the Finance Committee. The chamber confirmed several gubernatorial nominations by roll call vote, each receiving the required majority: Heidi J. A. Gilmore to the Marijuana Appeals Commission; Lee Wynne and Ruth J. Tucker to the Delaware River and Bay Authority Board; Jennifer R. Hallman and Lindsay E. Alexich to the Professional Standards Board; Jason M. Munion and F. Todd Kulata to the Environmental Appeals Board. The Senate also passed House Substitute 1 for House Bill 383, which changes overtime eligibility for certain DelDOT employees and clarifies covered positions, and Senate Bill 315 with Senate Amendment 1, which revises the Delaware Technical Innovation Program to give the Division of Small Business more flexibility in using federal grant funds. Consent Agenda M passed unanimously, including Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 319 on menopause and perimenopause coverage, House Bill 411 on alcohol/tobacco/marijuana enforcement, House Bill 271 on marijuana establishment spacing, House Bill 258 on alcohol licenses, House Bill 303 on juvenile probation/parole officers and DCYF employees, and House Bill 377 on Ocean View municipal election deadlines. Consent Calendar 63 also passed unanimously, including resolutions recognizing Day of Service, National Adoption Month, National Coaches Day, Free Speech Week, Women’s Equality Day, and Spirit of America 250, along with resolutions encouraging a veteran cemetery in Kent County, seeking plans for repurposing underused public buildings, and honoring Delaware Boys State. The Senate spent significant time on floor remarks about the Boys State delegates and on a tribute to emergency responders who helped save a seven-year-old child trapped by a seatbelt; the responders were recognized individually and thanked for their work. Additional remarks explained the purpose of the menopause coverage bill, the adoption month resolution, the free speech resolution, and the America 250 resolution. The session ended with no further business and the Senate recessed until June 18.

Transcript Highlights:

• and wildlife corridors and creating a commission to study transferring ownership of the Winnabasaki River
• Basin program to an alternate authority, consider the same report with a recommendation that the bill

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The fact is fire operates very differently in the Snake River Valley as it does in the Olympic Peninsula
• with certain other states and tribes, to remove sea lions in a defined area of the lower Columbia River
• I didn't chime in due to time, but I personally have seen sea lions in the Cowlitz River.
• I heard last year from a constituent that there were a hundred of them up the Kalama River.
• I saw three of them in the river. We've never seen them there before.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on House Bill 2619, which would create a joint legislative task force to review and recommend ways to reduce regulatory burdens in agriculture, and on House Joint Memorial 4009, which asks Congress to ensure federal wildfire response agencies remain capable of protecting communities, natural resources, and firefighter safety. On HB 2619, the prime sponsor and supporters from the Washington State Department of Agriculture, cattle, wheat, potato, onion, and dairy interests said the bill responds to farm stress and suicide concerns by examining regulatory overload; WSDA supported the concept but noted a fiscal note, and members discussed whether the task force scope and cost could be reduced before policy cutoff. On HJM 4009, staff and the sponsor described the memorial as a request for stronger federal wildfire capacity and coordination, with testimony from tribes, counties, forest landowners, conservation groups, and public employees emphasizing wildfire risk, smoke impacts, and the importance of federal-state cooperation; the committee also repeatedly tied the memorial to support for state wildfire funding under 1168 and heard broad support for restoring that funding. The committee then took up House Bill 2221, which would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to designate at-risk ungulate populations and begin predator mitigation when certain population declines occur, while also requiring annual reporting and white-tailed deer surveys. The sponsor argued the bill addresses rapidly declining deer and elk herds, predator pressure, food security, and rural economies in northeast Washington. Supporters included some local residents, ranchers, sheriffs, county officials, and the Colville Tribes, who said predators, livestock conflicts, and reduced hunting opportunity are harming communities and that the state should act more aggressively. Opponents included WDFW staff, Washington Wildlife First, the Sierra Club, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, and other conservation voices, who said the bill is not scientifically supported, would be costly, and wrongly blames predators rather than habitat, forage, weather, disease, and vehicle collisions; several said predator control would have limited value and could undermine wolf recovery. Some agricultural and sportsmen groups supported the bill in principle but asked for amendments, especially to remove or revise the in-state wolf translocation provision. No final votes or executive action were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• , West Virginia rivers, etc.
• We have known that Savannah River has been delayed.
• Why is $25 billion going to Savannah River to get pit production done?
• Similarly, with Savannah River, they had a settlement there.
• How many people do we put dollars into and export them to Savannah River?

Committee: House Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• You cannot wait to go get product off the river at a river terminal, and the barges cannot unload fast
• Uh, we buy off the river on liquid. It has been the most economical way to do it.
• Is everything come up river to y'all? I figured it did.
• You just the river up to the shed.
• </c><00:42:54.480><c> ports</c> couple of years about our river ports couple of years about our river

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum, approved the June 5, 2025 minutes, and heard a presentation from Don Pemberton and David Buchanan of AgriKim/AgriCam on the Eddyville Riverport fertilizer terminal. They explained that the company supplies fertilizer, crop protection, and seed across western Kentucky, with the Eddyville port serving as a key source for about 100,000 tons of fertilizer annually and supporting roughly 20 counties and 19 wholesale customers. They said the existing facility is aging and vulnerable to river humidity and corrosion, and they proposed reconstructing the fertilizer bins into a fully enclosed, more durable facility with an estimated cost of about $1.76 million, far less than rebuilding from scratch. The presenters argued the project is important to keep fertilizer moving quickly during a short application season, to manage global supply disruptions and tariffs, and to avoid higher freight costs if product had to come through other ports. They also emphasized environmental benefits from a contained facility that would reduce runoff into nearby waters. Committee members asked about supply sources, demand trends, ownership, lease terms, and whether the building’s capacity would change. The witnesses said demand is increasing, much of the product still comes from overseas or other domestic ports, and the building would be owned by the company while the Riverport Authority owns the ground. Several members expressed support for the port’s importance to western Kentucky agriculture and noted the need for timely fertilizer storage and delivery. One member, however, said he was not in favor of using public money to subsidize a private, for-profit business and urged the company to negotiate a longer lease with the Riverport Authority before making such a capital investment. The discussion ended without a vote or formal action on the project, though members indicated the issue may be revisited and that the Riverport Authority will later present additional needs to the transportation committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tarr: support and improvement of rivers and riverine environments. Mr. Tarr. Thank you, Mr. Tarr.
• Silver Lake flows into the Jones River, which is the largest river draining to Cape Cod Bay, Cape Cod
• After hatching, juvenile herring have made their way down the Jones River and into the ocean.
• Because drought caused the river to run dry. Now, we often talk about climate change.
• Because drought caused the river to run dry.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no other river system. There is no other committee that allows us to do that.
• There is no other river system. There is no other committee that allows us to do that.
• I am the owner of Hatch River Expeditions.
• We've been doing continuous river trips... ...since 1934.
• Before anyone ever gets on the river, they receive extensive information about the trip.

Committee: House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Summary: The Commerce Committee heard and acted on multiple bills. HB 2192, a child influencer bill, would require compensation for minors featured in monetized content to be placed in trust, create a process for minors or adults to request takedown of content, and add restrictions on sexualized depictions of minors. The sponsor and Google supported it as model legislation; members raised questions about compliance, age 13 access to earnings, and removal rights at 18. It passed 9-0 with 2 present. HB 2501, an agency bill conforming Arizona’s appraisal management company definition to federal law, also passed unanimously 11-0. HB 2693, which revises bona fide association rules to allow self-funded multiple employer welfare arrangements through statewide chambers or business leagues, passed 8-1 after an amendment; one member cited possible federal preemption in opposing it. HB 2010, the digital goods disclosure bill requiring clearer “buy/purchase” language and prorated refunds when access changes, passed unanimously after amendment, with supporters calling it a consumer protection measure and retailers warning about compliance burdens and possible preemption. The committee then considered HB 2279, which would exempt commercial river outfitters in Grand Canyon National Park from liability for injuries or deaths arising from inherent risks of river trips, while preserving liability for gross negligence or intentional misconduct. Supporters said it aligns Arizona with other western states and reflects existing federal oversight; opponents argued it could violate Arizona’s anti-abrogation clause and improperly define inherent risk. The bill passed 7-4. HB 2690, which would tighten unemployment insurance eligibility by requiring more work-search actions, weekly reporting, and pre-claim data cross-checks, drew strong opposition from advocates who said it would add red tape and harm eligible claimants; supporters said it would reduce fraud and encourage work. It passed 7-4. HB 2310, clarifying that qualified marketplace contractor agreements may be terminated unilaterally by the contractor, passed 10-0. The committee also approved HB 2555, requiring retail businesses with physical locations to accept cash for purchases of $100 or less and prohibiting cash fees, after an amendment exempting rentals and mobile home vendors; supporters emphasized access for unbanked consumers and small purchases, while one member objected that businesses should self-govern. It passed 10-0. HB 2199, which requires RV park managers to complete education on landlord-tenant laws similar to mobile home park managers, passed 7-0 with 3 present after testimony from homeowner advocates and park groups in support. Finally, HB 2459 was introduced at the end of the meeting; it would allow landlords to pass through utility charges actually imposed by providers and add an administrative fee for submetering, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or a vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• months have been very difficult for my poultry-producing neighbors and friends along the Illinois River
• watershed and to urge a return to good faith producers in the Illinois River watershed and to urge a
• months have been very difficult for my poultry-producing neighbors and friends along the Illinois River
• And if not settled, hundreds of poultry producers in the Illinois River watershed will not receive renewals
• To express support for Arkansas poultry producers in the Illinois River watershed and to urge a return

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, granted leave to Representative Jack Ladyman, and received committee reports from the Joint Budget Committee recommending passage of several bills, including House Bill 1034 with Amendment 1. The chamber also recognized numerous guests, including state troopers of the day, the doctor and nurse of the day, several constituent groups, and students from the Arkansas School for Math, Science, and the Arts. The House adopted House Resolution 1034, supporting Arkansas poultry producers in the Illinois River watershed and urging good-faith negotiations, by a vote of 97-0. It also adopted House Concurrent Memorial Resolution 1001, honoring Bishop Kenneth Liddell Robinson, Sr., by a vote of 98-0. Members then took up multiple budget amendments and appropriations, with Representative Johnson explaining amendments to bills covering education, public safety, agriculture, county jail reimbursement, drug task force funding, pregnancy help organizations, tire recycling fees, and other appropriations; the amendments were adopted. On the budget calendar, the House passed a batch of general appropriation bills and several supplemental and reappropriation bills, including House Bills 1006, 1086, 1087, 1088, 1094, 1084, and 1097. House Bill 1053, an appropriation for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, failed 71-19-8. House Bill 1098, a reappropriation for the Department of Parks and Heritage, was defeated after Representative Henley spoke against it and the final vote was 0-85-4. The House then adjourned until 11 a.m. the next day.