Transcript Highlights:

• process, they can tell us exactly what is constructible, what's not, what areas we need an access road
• process, they can tell us exactly what is constructible, what's not, what areas we need an access road
• process, they can tell us exactly what is constructible, what's not, what areas we need an access road
• process, they can tell us exactly what is constructible, what's not, what areas we need an access road
• process, they can tell us exactly what is constructible, what's not, what areas we need an access road

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 422, relating to school impact fees. The Education Committee recommended passage with amendments, and Ways and Means concurred. The amendments would repeal the construction fee component of the school impact fee while retaining the land impact fee and in-lieu fee requirements, remove related statutory language, exempt certain developments from school impact fees, raise the unit threshold for satisfying the land component to 100 units, require the School Facilities Authority to adopt rules and policies, and require a report to the Legislature on the effect of repealing the construction portion of the fee. The measure was also given a sunset date of June 30, 2029, with the committee report to note that the changes are intended to test the efficiency and efficacy of the fee structure and could be made permanent if the report supports that outcome. The committees adopted the recommendation, with one senator initially voting no and then changing to yes after the amendments were explained. The meeting also included a separate hearing on House Bill 1155, concerning procurement for Department of Transportation projects and construction manager/general contractor procurement. DOT testified that it supported the concept but wanted to narrow the bill, saying the current language was too broad and that the goal was to allow more innovative procurement while preserving selection safeguards. The State Procurement Office said it supported the bill’s language but was willing to work with DOT on alternative wording. Several construction-related organizations, including subcontractors, iron workers, elevator constructors, and building trades representatives, opposed the bill, arguing that exemptions from the procurement code would weaken protections such as retainage, equality, and prompt payment and could invite favoritism or corruption. In response to those concerns, the chair proposed amendments limiting the exemption to DOT, narrowing the qualifying contracts, adding a two-year sunset, requiring a report after the first year, and clarifying that project management could not be procured under the section. The amended recommendation passed, though several members voted with reservations. A separate item, House Bill 476, was briefly called up at the end of the agenda, with a recommendation to pass with amendments to increase a rate from 7.25% to 8%, but discussion was not completed in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Where they set the boundaries, we still use county roads as a dividing point.
• They'll move that parcel into one basin and use a county road for a division.
• avoid road restrictions.
• avoid road restrictions.
• avoid road restrictions.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met with a quorum and received updates from the Department of Water Resources and the State Water Commission, followed by presentations from Deloitte on two legislative studies required by House Bill 1020. Director Reese Haas reviewed major project and budget updates, including the Northwest Area Water Supply and Southwest Pipeline projects, Resources Trust Fund balances, carryover spending, project prioritization, bid conditions, regional water system coverage, and department process improvements. Members also discussed how the commission prioritizes projects, maintenance expectations, and the impact of limited municipal water supply funding. No formal committee action was taken during the DWR update; the commission’s municipal funding decisions were described as pending its April 8 meeting. Deloitte then presented the cost-share policy study, which found that under current policy and forecasted revenues, North Dakota faces an estimated $1.3 billion shortfall over 14 years, with a near-term gap of about $1.8 billion through 2031. The firm outlined seven recommended options, including tighter definitions and a 25% cost share for eligible replacement projects, caps and financing strategies for the Mouse River and Red River Valley projects, aligning cost share with commission priority guidance, delaying lower-priority projects, using available lines of credit, and adjusting reimbursement timing for revolving loan funds. Committee members questioned inflation assumptions, affordability, user fees, and the use of legacy fund earnings for bonding, but no decisions were made. In the governance and finance study, Deloitte said final recommendations are still being refined, with a final report due May 29. The study examined the Southwest Pipeline, NAWS, and Red River Valley systems using governance and finance criteria such as decision authority, transparency, affordability, risk, and access to funding. For Southwest, Deloitte outlined options ranging from improved state-authority coordination to transferring ownership to the Southwest Water Authority; for NAWS, options focused on strengthening the authority’s role and potentially transitioning operations and maintenance; and for Red River, options ranged from enhanced facilitation to formal state oversight or state ownership. Members asked follow-up questions about ownership transfer, capital repayment streams, and why NAWS was not considered for transfer, and Deloitte said NAWS’s limited organizational maturity made that option less viable in the near term.

Transcript Highlights:

• good part of the way down the road good part of the way down the road towards<00:40:30.640> identifying
• I have had a lot of involvement with interstate agencies on how we're going to pay for our roads. item
• 00:58:44.160> the or um or tractor trailers out on the or um or tractor trailers out on the road
• > our<00:58:44.799> our<00:58:45.520> transportation<00:58:46.400> system Road
• the load on on obviously on our roads the load on on obviously on our roads and<01:09:04.080>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• coming from the road fund? coming from the road fund?
• The same road over and over and over. The people of the Commonwealth want Kentucky State.
• . road. road.
• over and over and >> Yes. the same road over and over and over.<00:35:07.839> The<00:35
• I spent time at another institution down the road, so I have a bit of a lay of the land here.

Keywords: This meeting will take place Upon Adjournment of both Chambers. An exact time is not given or known at this time., 958, all

Summary: The Government Contracts Committee met for its first 2026 meeting, approved the December 9 minutes, and reviewed 337 contracts totaling about $71.8 million. After a motion to consider the routine contract lists without objection passed, the committee pulled several items for discussion, including contracts from the Council on Postsecondary Education, the Department of Highways, the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Commission, and Kentucky State University. Most items were ultimately approved by roll call votes. For the Council on Postsecondary Education item, members discussed why the contract was not handled through the usual Finance Cabinet bidding process. Staff explained it stemmed from House Bill 200 and the healthcare workforce incentive fund, which uses a separate competitive award process and steering committee under different statutory standards. The committee accepted that explanation and approved the contract. Department of Highways staff then explained the difference between scour assessments, which evaluate erosion and foundation risk around bridge piers, and load ratings, which assess the bridge structure itself. Members also questioned a larger engineering contract increase; staff said it reflected progression from preliminary engineering to final design on a phased project and estimated the funding split at roughly 80% federal and 20% state. Those highway contracts were approved. The Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Commission presented a legal services contract. Officials said the new corporation had identified legal needs, issued an RFP, and awarded four firms to create a pool of counsel to avoid conflicts as the agency now licenses racing, sports betting, and charitable gaming. They also said an emergency contract was needed after a temporary restraining order was issued in litigation involving charitable gaming machines and alleged losses to charities. The committee asked about the litigation and the affected organizations, and the contract was approved. Kentucky State University then defended a marketing/enrollment contract despite financial concerns, saying the work was intended to raise awareness of the university, improve enrollment, and support financial stability. University officials also said they were tightening student payment enforcement and collection practices, including payment plans and holding students accountable for balances. That contract was also approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• the road to the hospital for us. the road to the hospital for us.
• from Goan Church Road to Third Street. from Goan Church Road to Third Street.
• Are you talking about general fund, agency fund, road fund?
• about general fund, agency fund, road about general fund, agency fund, road fund?
• the road to recovery from from COVID. the road to recovery from from COVID.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first received several information items, including University of Kentucky reports on medical and research equipment purchases, five school districts’ planned bond issues, and a School Facilities Construction Commission list of prior debt issues. Members then heard and approved an appropriation increase for a federally funded University of Kentucky project at the Central Kentucky Regional Airport in Richmond. The project will construct a terminal building and is tied to EKU’s airport operations and planned flight school; members asked about the public funding, the role of EKU, and possible aviation expansion, and the item was approved by roll call. The committee next approved a University of Kentucky lease purchase for an 85,000-square-foot facility at 415 West Sun Street in Morehead for $6.4 million. UK said the property, formerly the Rowan County Board of Education site, is directly across from UK St. Clair and will be used for multiple purposes; members questioned the quarterly payment structure and why the county preferred not to receive the full amount upfront, but the item was approved. The committee then heard three appropriation increases in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet: a Fish and Wildlife pump project at Ballard Wildlife Management Area and two Lake Barkley State Resort Park repair projects. Finance staff explained the Lake Barkley increases were mainly to cover construction contingencies after bids came in close to available funding, and the committee approved the action items. Janice Thomas then presented four pool projects requiring no action: HVAC upgrades at the Future Farmers of America Leadership Training Center in Hardinsburg, geothermal and HVAC work at the Kentucky School for the Blind, a Brady Hall HVAC project at the Kentucky School for the Blind, and a renovation of Shanti Hall at Kentucky State University for the School of Engineering Technology. Members asked no substantive questions on those items. Finally, Natalie Broner presented a new CHFS lease in Wayne County and a Transportation Cabinet lease modification in Christian County. The Wayne County lease drew the most discussion, with members questioning the rent, the lack of other bids, and whether another county location might be preferable; CHFS said it maintains county-seat offices statewide and that the Wayne County site would replace an existing office. The Christian County item was described as a replacement site for driver licensing services with renovation costs largely absorbed by the lessor. Both lease items were presented for action after the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The new location at Bluegrass Airport will be at the corner of Man of War and Airport Road.
• Um, you know, I think 58 miles of uh of road of one mile here is the most important black top we've got
• Um, you know, I think 58 miles of uh of road of one mile here is the most important blacktop we've got
• 58 miles<01:21:36.400> of<01:21:36.880> uh<01:21:37.360> of<01:21:37.600> road
• <01:22:52.000> I build roads to the community. I build roads to the community.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development and Tourism met to hear presentations on a proposed downtown Lexington Arts Center. Visit Lex opened by framing the projects as regional economic development efforts that could support tourism, quality of life, and workforce attraction and retention. NextStage Development Corp. and ATG Entertainment then described a proposed $120 million project featuring a 2,500-seat performing arts center and a 20,000-square-foot visual arts gallery, with plans for up to 180 events a year, over 300,000 annual visitors, and an opening target of 2029. The presenters said the project would be funded through a $30 million state request, $30 million from ATG Entertainment, and $60 million raised by the nonprofit through philanthropy and other financing sources. They cited a feasibility study by Sound Diplomacy and compared the proposal to the Durham Performing Arts Center, arguing that similar venues have driven downtown revitalization, tourism, and economic activity in other cities. They also said the venue would include community access, school partnerships, subsidized tickets, and revenue returned to the nonprofit for grants and arts programming. Members asked about the total cost, the funding mix, whether the city of Lexington would contribute, and the building’s design. The presenters said they are in contact with city officials and are seeking city support, but have not yet hired an architect or begun conceptual design. They said the design process will involve community input and should fit Lexington’s historic downtown character. Representative Whitten asked whether the project would compete with Louisville; the presenters responded that their market analysis suggests the venue would serve audiences from Lexington, eastern Kentucky, and surrounding areas who are unlikely to travel to Louisville or Cincinnati, making the project complementary rather than competitive.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's going to cost over $600 a road.
• <01:07:17.920> It's roads is kind of how we figure it.
• It's roads is kind of how we figure it.
• So, just going to cost over $600 a road.
• get a lot more lots on the same road get a lot more lots on the same road frontage<01:08:08.960>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:15 Roll Call 00:00:45 Discussion of Pro-Growth Housing Policies 00:02:33 Adjournment 01:17:15, 958, all

Summary: The Housing Task Force 2.0 reconvened with several new members and heard a presentation from Kentucky Housing Corporation Executive Director Winston Miller and Deputy Executive Director Wendy Smith. They framed the task force’s work as a practical effort to address Kentucky’s housing shortage, update members on the current housing landscape, summarize existing state and federal resources, and suggest areas for the task force to focus on over the coming year. KHC said its 2024 housing supply gap analysis found Kentucky is short about 206,000 housing units, split roughly evenly between rental and homeownership, and projected the gap could grow to 287,000 units by 2029 if current trends continue. They emphasized that every county in Kentucky needs more housing, that the 2008 housing crisis and loss of construction capacity remain major causes of the shortage, and that current pressures include high interest rates, rising insurance and tax costs, construction cost inflation, and housing prices and rents growing faster than incomes. KHC also said homelessness has risen in Kentucky, with point-in-time counts showing double-digit increases in recent years. The presenters reviewed existing resources, including federal programs, the Kentucky Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the rural housing trust fund, KHC mortgage and down payment assistance programs, and the state mortgage interest deduction. They said these resources are important but insufficient to close the gap, and noted that a proposed federal FY2026 budget would cut HUD programs by 44%, potentially removing about $286 million from Kentucky housing resources, though no action has been taken yet. They urged the task force to consider stronger, more flexible tools such as a revolving loan fund, a state affordable housing tax credit, and economic development and employer-assisted housing incentives, and pointed to Indiana’s housing infrastructure and regional development funds as examples. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• That language would ensure that ash is placed only in a double-line landfill and not used in roads or
• So now, using it as a material to use in paving roads, then, you know, roads go all over the place.
• Could it end up in an area where, as the road starts to break down, will some of this material that's
• So now, using it as a material to use in paving roads, then, you know, roads go all over the place.
• roads go all over the place. So where roads go all over the place.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land met on February 3, 2026, and heard testimony on several bills, with the chair emphasizing a two-minute limit and noting that bills would die if the hearing ran past noon. For HB 1848, the Commission on Water Resource Management and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development both supported the measure with technical, non-substantive amendments. Testimony focused on requiring early consultation about water availability in district boundary amendment petitions, with water officials explaining that the petitioner should submit a written statement reflecting consultation and that the goal was to identify water constraints earlier in the development process. The Land Use Commission’s representative opposed the bill, arguing that water availability is already addressed through existing environmental review and agency consultation, that the issue had been raised and rejected before, and that the proposal could create unnecessary delay or litigation. The committee then heard HB 1728 on rainwater catchment systems. The Commission on Water Resource Management said it acknowledged the bill’s intent but deferred to counties and other regulatory agencies, including the Department of Health, on regulatory implications. Hawaii Realtors testified in support. No vote was taken during the portion of the hearing shown. For HB 1652 on storm water management systems, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association opposed the bill, arguing it would weaken protections created by Act 281 (“Sharkey’s Law”) and increase drowning risk for children by exempting certain water features from safety requirements. The American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii supported the bill, saying the language clarifies and better balances child safety with practical green stormwater infrastructure, including depth-based limits and exemptions for certain agricultural ponds. The Hawaii Farm Bureau also supported the agricultural pond exemption, saying such ponds are used for irrigation, livestock, and fire control and are generally away from the public. A private testifier, Allison Schaers, opposed the bill and described her daughter’s drowning in a detention basin, arguing that poor maintenance can turn stormwater features into dangerous hazards. The hearing ended without any recorded committee action or vote in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would have required a prospective owner-occupant, maybe five years, ten years down the road, to be
• potentially unsafe in their current state, who or what protects buyers or consumers from, down the road
• potentially unsafe in their current state, who are what protects buyers or consumers from the, down the road
• prospective buyer who's going to redevelop this land, but more of the families five, 10 years down the road

Summary: The State Affairs Committee opened with a tribute to the late Representative Joe Casello, with remarks from the chair and Ranking Member Eskamani honoring his service, especially his advocacy for first responders, veterans, and working people. The committee then turned to its only bill, HB 167, which would remove strict liability for certain previously mined phosphate lands if the landowner notifies the county and requests a Department of Health radiation survey. The sponsor said the bill is intended to create a voluntary process, add data about the land, and provide notice through the public record and title process. Members asked extensive questions about who pays for the surveys, how notice would reach future buyers, whether the bill affects renters or construction workers, and whether it would impact pending lawsuits. The sponsor said the landowner would pay for the survey needed to remove strict liability, plaintiffs would pay for surveys in litigation, the bill does not address OSHA or rental disclosures, and it would not apply retroactively to current cases because the complaint must include a survey. Supporters argued the bill simply replaces automatic liability with recorded notice and due diligence, while opponents said it could leave families and renters without adequate warning and should include stronger disclosure protections. Public testimony was in support from the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Associated Industries of Florida, and one individual. After debate, the committee voted 18-8 to report HB 167 favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pahu till the end of the road in Waianae.
• the<00:08:34.719> end<00:08:34.880> of<00:08:35.039> the<00:08:35.120> road
• <00:08:35.440> in<00:08:36.159> and W Pahu till the end of the road in and W Pahu till
• the end of the road in and Macaha<00:08:37.039> there's<00:08:37.440> only<00:08:37.760

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs heard HCR 58 HD1, which asks the Hawaii State Energy Office to convene a geothermal energy working group to review the regulatory and policy landscape for geothermal development in Hawaii. Testimony was generally supportive: the PUC, Consumer Advocates Office, and State Energy Office all said they stood on written testimony in support. In response to questions, a State Energy Office representative explained that geothermal exploration and permitting involve multiple agencies and depend on the land involved, and estimated that drilling an initial slim-hole test well could cost around $2.5 million or more, with additional work needed afterward to characterize the resource. The representative also noted that drilling can provide useful information about groundwater, geology, and temperature profiles. The committee discussed the importance of including community members and relevant energy stakeholders in the working group. After discussion, the committee voted to recommend HCR 58 HD1 be passed unamended. The chair, vice chair, and Senator Richards voted yes, Senator Fevella was excused, and the recommendation was adopted. Later in the same meeting, the committee heard HCR 68, which urges the City and County of Honolulu to create a dedicated animal education and training complex in the Kalai Loa Parklands, and HCR 72, which urges county ethics commissions to adopt standards similar to those applied to state elected officials and officers. Pacific Pet Alliance testified in support of HCR 68, citing the lack of animal-friendly facilities on the Leeward side and the high cost of renting space for shows and related events. No one testified on HCR 72. The committee then voted to pass both resolutions unamended, with Senator Fevella excused, and both recommendations were adopted before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• It enables us to secure property transfers, reduces time and costs on development projects, road projects
• It enables us to secure property transfers, reduces time and costs on development projects, road projects
• costs on development projects road costs on development projects road projects<00:03:46.799> all

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 1478, a bill to continue and expand a grant program for locating Minnesota’s public land survey system (PLSS) monuments and survey corners. The author explained that many of the state’s 325,000 PLSS monuments have unknown locations, which contributes to boundary uncertainty, lawsuits, and inaccurate land records and taxation. The bill, as described, would add criteria for counties, allow tribes to access the program, and continue funding it. The committee also noted Senate authors and bipartisan support for the measure. An A1 amendment was offered by Representative Fryberg to put the bill in the desired form, and it was adopted without objection. Testifiers from the Minnesota Society of Professional Surveyors and county surveying offices supported the bill, saying better monument location improves maps, property transfers, land management, and tax accuracy, while reducing disputes and lowering survey costs for landowners and public projects. One testifier said the work is important but often underappreciated; another emphasized that more monuments can make surveys much cheaper and more accurate. Committee members expressed support for the bill’s goals, with several indicating they would sign on. The chair repeatedly referenced uncertainty around the budget forecast and said the committee would have to consider practical fiscal realities. In the end, Representative Fryberg renewed his motion, and House File 1478, as amended, was laid over for possible inclusion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House bill providing a simplified procedure for the layout and acceptance of subdivision roads in
• And an act providing a simplified procedure for the layout and acceptance of subdivision roads in the
• No. 3674 and an act providing a simplified procedure for the layout and acceptance of subdivision roads

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then acted on several committee reports and procedural matters. The Committee on Rules recommended adoption of resolutions congratulating People Incorporated on its new early education center, honoring Eagle Scout Logan Collins, and recognizing the Bellingham Lions Club’s 75th anniversary; the House suspended the rules and adopted them. The House also adopted an order extending until November 7, 2025, the reporting deadline for the Committee on Public Health on House Order No. 4586, and concurred with a Senate referral of a petition concerning the MBTA assessment to the Committee on Transportation. In addition, Joint Rule 12 was suspended for a petition on off-premises retail alcohol licenses near other such licenses, allowing referral to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. The House then took up a slate of bills scheduled by the Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling, including measures on youth skin health, employment protections for victims of abusive behavior, veterans specialty license plates on leased vehicles, and a simplified procedure for subdivision roads in Marlborough. After suspending Rule 7A, the House ordered these bills to a third reading, and later did the same for House No. 2998, authorizing Thomas Harmon to purchase creditable service from the Barnstable County Retirement Board. The House also passed to be enacted Senate 2566, regulating the Gloucester Fisheries Commission, and House 4273, authorizing Maynard to grant an additional off-premises alcohol license. On third reading, the House passed several bills to be engrossed, including measures on parking enforcement in Cambridge, the Fairhaven charter, additional alcohol licenses in Palmer, and converting a Milford wine and malt beverage license to an all-alcoholic-beverages off-premises license. The House adopted a Senate order changing the recess date for a joint session to October 9, 2025, and observed a moment of silence in memory of Paul Holloway, a firefighter and educator. Finally, the House adopted an order to adjourn to meet the following Wednesday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• bill protects the rights of everyone and sets clear expectations for behavior, because safety on our roads
• is one and sets clear expectations for behavior, because safety on our roads is a shared responsibility
• And as you all know, if you see e-bikes on the road, they go essentially faster than 28 miles per hour

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and heard two member bills. The first, CS for HB 243 on electric bicycles, was presented as a safety and data-collection measure prompted by fatalities and serious injuries involving e-bikes and similar devices. The sponsor said the bill would create a task force, require law enforcement crash data collection, and focus on education and enforcement rather than licensing changes. Testimony in support came from law enforcement, AARP, and local officials, who said statewide data is inconsistent and current classifications do not reflect the speed and use of newer devices. Members discussed the need for better reporting and bike safety, and the bill passed favorably by roll call vote. The committee then took up CS for HB 679, which would modernize Florida’s trademark registration system by aligning it more closely with federal standards, requiring clearer identification of goods and services, proof of use in commerce, and allowing streamlined online filing and renewal. The only public testimony was a supportive appearance from the Florida Bar’s business law section. There were no questions or debate, and the bill also passed favorably by roll call vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• down to Dickey County when they should go straight down from Jamestown to the right-of-way of the road
• Before you move off from that last slide, you had disaster over there on the left, and we have a road
• already put on, used up all their budgets for the gravel, the county used up theirs to fix up the roads
• And then they started this big project on Highway 1 that totally destroyed all the side roads because
• couldn't drive on the construction on Highway 1, so they were taking all these township and county roads

Summary: The committee received a compliance and budget update on Industrial Commission agencies and programs, including the Industrial Commission administrative office, the Oil and Gas Research Program, the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority, the State Energy Research Center, the Research Technology Park grant program, and related funds. Staff reviewed spending and balances for items such as electric grid resiliency grants, lignite research, enhanced oil recovery, the salt cavern business case study, and the new NDSU research and technology park grant. Members also discussed timing, carryover balances, matching requirements, and how some programs are structured to reimburse projects over several years rather than spend funds immediately. Karen Tyler of the Industrial Commission described the agency’s administrative budget, the grant management system nearing completion, and the transition to standalone audits and staffing after separating from other agencies. She also outlined the status of active grant rounds across lignite, oil and gas, renewable energy, outdoor heritage, and clean sustainable energy programs. Members asked about the length of active grants, demand for clean energy funding, and the possibility of future grant rounds. Tyler and members also discussed the salt cavern study, the need to better define its commercial value, and the research technology park grant’s cash-match requirement. Ron Ness then testified on enhanced oil recovery and broader oil and gas market conditions. He said North Dakota production remained steady, but future growth depends on infrastructure, longer laterals, and better use of natural gas and carbon dioxide for EOR. He described the state’s EOR grant round, the use of federal DOE funding to replace part of a state-funded project, and the expectation of additional grant rounds. Members asked about CO2 supply, storage, and the economics of using legacy fields and pipelines to extend oil production and support agriculture and industrial uses. The committee also heard from Bank of North Dakota President Don Morgan, who reviewed the bank’s mission, governance, lending verticals, disaster programs, and new initiatives. He said the bank is seeing deposit growth flatten and is responding to fintech competition by focusing on liquidity, risk management, and a new payment infrastructure initiative called Rough Rider Coin, which he emphasized is not crypto and not a public coin, but a banking payment rail for North Dakota institutions. Members asked about student loan rates, disaster lending, and how the bank’s lines of credit and balance sheet capacity are affected by deposit trends. Morgan said the bank remains profitable and continues to support agriculture, commerce, and industry through participation loans, student lending, and state-directed programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• now before the House for final passage: Senate 2596, an act establishing the maintenance of private roads
• We want all of our roads paved first. We want all of our schools funded first.
• And since we are so far down this road... ...too one-size-fits-all and negatively affects our communities
• And since we are so far down this road that we've got to 166, again, my point today is to give that new
• We are investing in infrastructure from roads to water systems.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House began with routine business, including the Pledge of Allegiance and adoption of three congratulatory resolutions honoring Eagle Scouts Charles Goodman, Jack Goodwin, and Liam LaCrooy. Members also adopted a House-Senate concurrence on House 4359, a Milford alcohol-license bill, after amending it to repeal Chapter 289 of the Acts of 2022 and set an effective date. The chamber then passed Senate 2596, establishing maintenance of private roads in Gloucester, and engrossed House 4887. The House also observed moments of silence for former Lynn City Councilor Richard Rick Ford, Louise M. Pedroso, and Mildred “Millie” Cox, and welcomed several guests, including students, civic visitors, and British Minister of State Stephen Doughty. The bulk of the session focused on budget amendments related to housing and emergency assistance. Amendment 1579, which would have tightened HomeBASE eligibility by requiring citizenship-status inquiries, was debated at length and defeated 26-130. Amendment 1582, which would have barred Housing and Livable Communities from conditioning grants on MBTA Communities Act compliance, was also rejected 27-126. Amendment 1583, which would have limited right-to-shelter eligibility to U.S. citizens with six months’ Massachusetts residency, was defeated 26-122. Supporters argued these changes would reduce costs and prioritize taxpayers; opponents said they would exclude lawful residents and undermine existing housing and shelter reforms. The House then adopted Consolidated Amendment F, covering energy, environmental affairs, and housing, by a vote of 154-0. Speakers highlighted major funding for rental vouchers, emergency shelter, HomeBASE, public housing, clean water, climate and agricultural programs, and food assistance. The chamber also considered and defeated Amendment 1218 on creating a data center commission, Amendment 1234 on eliminating certain energy surcharges, and several education-related amendments from Ms. Sullivan-Almeida: changes to special education reimbursement thresholds and rates, and a proposal to make regional school transportation funding mandatory rather than subject to appropriation. Those education amendments were all rejected after roll-call votes. Amendment 1580 on ending vocational school lottery admissions was withdrawn by its sponsor before a vote. The transcript ends as debate continues on Amendment 1308, which would increase a budget line item, but no final action on that amendment is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Including the California Workforce Development Board's High Road Training Partnership grant program that
• As Action Area 4, As Action Area 4 encourages us to do, CWDB was able to leverage the High Road Training
• Partnership resources to invest in the creative economy via the arts, media, and entertainment High Road
• point, you know, I think one way that we've been able to leverage it, as I mentioned, with the High Road
• We set out to do three things: one, road test the plan to see if it resonated with communities; two,

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Arts held an informational hearing on California’s first sector-specific creative economy strategic plan, “California’s Future Is Creative,” developed under AB 127 and related legislation. Chair Allen framed the plan as a response to California’s large but vulnerable creative economy, citing workforce losses, federal funding headwinds, and the need to support artists, cultural organizations, public media, museums, cultural districts, and film/TV production. He also highlighted budget asks including support for California Humanities, museums, public media, cultural districts, a post-production incentive proposal (AB 2319), and funding to implement the strategic plan. California Arts Council Director Danielle Brazel, Institute for the Future’s Rachel Hatch, CDE’s Allison Frenzel, and CWDB’s Michael Weoff described the planning process, which included a 30-plus-member work group, interagency coordination, and a phased approach from framework development to implementation and evaluation. They identified major forces shaping the sector over the next decade, including AI, climate disruption, affordability, access to capital, and social cohesion, and outlined six action areas: workforce preparation, business stabilization, cultural identity/tourism, cross-sector incentives, ROI/data tracking, and state capacity/infrastructure. Members and panelists repeatedly emphasized that the plan must be resourced and integrated across agencies rather than left siloed. A second panel of practitioners and advocates focused on workforce pathways and local implementation. Ricarlo Handy described the Handy Foundation’s registered apprenticeship pipeline into film and TV jobs and argued that current data systems undercount gig, 1099, and LLC-based creative work. Joanna Reynolds discussed Arts for LA’s Creative Jobs Collective, which aims to create 10,000 living-wage creative jobs in Los Angeles County by 2030, while Alejandro Gutierrez Chavez urged embedding artists in health, aging, and behavioral health systems as community problem-solvers. Roxanne Messina Kaptur spoke about the need to normalize arts careers and expand residency and school-based models. Senator Rubio, who joined later, shared her own arts and teaching background, supported arts access in schools and small theaters, and raised concerns about AI, asking how schools and educators can adapt. In the final panel, Rebecca Ratzkin reported on 26 statewide town halls with more than 1,100 attendees, which confirmed support for the plan but also highlighted needs for better information access, new financial models, stronger definitions and data, and more partnerships. Julie Baker of California for the Arts and California Arts Advocates urged sustained public funding, saying the plan is actionable only if the Legislature and administration provide resources, including increased California Arts Council funding and support for implementation. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational and concluded with calls for continued legislative and cross-agency collaboration.

Transcript Highlights:

• As the weather shifts towards town, we want to make sure that people are safe on the roads.
• people are safe want to make sure that people are safe on<00:15:09.920> the<00:15:10.040> roads
• on the roads. on the roads.
• So, are you guys still continuing to push down this road?
• Have Have they down this this road?

Bills: SB2109, SB2151

Keywords: emergency preparedness, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, multilingual resources, American Sign Language, public education, community resilience, disaster response, emergency management, governor powers, legislative oversight, public safety, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Public Safety met on March 20, 2026, and the chair opened by noting severe rain and flooding conditions in Hawaii and said the committee would proceed with the hearing but defer decision-making until the next meeting on March 25. The first measure discussed was SB 2109, an omnibus bill on emergency preparedness communications. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, including from state agencies and advocacy groups such as the Disability and Communications Access Board, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Legal Clinic, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, and others. Supporters emphasized the need for funding and planning for multilingual emergency materials and language access, citing current evacuation notices that were not available in languages such as Ilokano or Tongan. The chair stated that action on SB 2109 would be deferred until March 25. The committee then heard SB 2151, relating to emergency management and changes to the governor’s emergency authority. Testimony was mixed but heavily focused on concerns about executive power. Earthjustice supported the bill with amendments, saying it should narrow extraordinary emergency powers, add definitions for emergency and disaster, preserve transparency under the Uniform Information Practices Act, and lower the legislative threshold to terminate an emergency proclamation from two-thirds to a simple majority. Other supporters, including the League of Women Voters of Hawaii and some individuals, also backed reform. Opponents, including Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and numerous individuals, argued the bill still gave the governor too much power, used overly broad disaster definitions, and did not sufficiently protect constitutional rights; several urged major amendments or repeal of portions of Chapter 127A. Some opponents specifically objected to the two-thirds termination standard and to provisions they said could enable compulsory immunizations or other mandates. Members questioned Earthjustice about whether the bill would suspend constitutional rights. Earthjustice responded that the bill would not authorize constitutional violations, but would allow suspension of laws enacted by the legislature, and pointed to existing statutory procedures for individuals to challenge emergency proclamations. The witness described a Mauna Kea case in which a three-judge panel granted relief to an individual under the current statute, and explained that the process could potentially affect a broader proclamation if allowed to run to completion. The hearing continued with additional testimony and questions, but no final vote or committee action on SB 2151 was taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• a mile<00:15:23.600> to<00:15:23.839> the<00:15:24.000> main<00:15:24.240> road
• <00:15:25.360> It's<00:15:25.600> just<00:15:25.760> a mile to the main road
• It's just a mile to the main road.
• time I got to WK Parkway, which was right at 40 miles, there were 37 carcasses on the side of the road
• time I got to WK Parkway, which was right at 40 miles, there were 37 carcasses on the side of the road

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Attendance Roll Call: 00:15 HB 658 Discussion: 03:40 HB 658 Roll Call Vote: 04:50 HB 142 Discussion: 06:30 HB 142 Roll Call Vote: 22:45 HB 571 Discussion: 24:25 HB 571 Roll Call Vote: 29:10, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 658, which would require the Transportation Cabinet to adopt regulations extending the allowable period for a restricted CDL license from 180 to 210 days within a 12-month period for agriculture businesses. Rep. Felicia Rabourn presented the bill with support from Todd Griffin of the Kentucky Retail Federation and Agra Business Association. The committee quickly moved to a vote, and the bill passed with favorable expression. Members indicated it would move forward similarly on the House floor. The committee then considered House Bill 142, a deer-management bill sponsored by Rep. Pollock and amended by committee substitute. Pollock said the bill is intended to help farmers and landowners more quickly obtain destruction tags and address overpopulated deer, especially does, after describing crop losses, vehicle collisions, and deer carcasses seen along roadways. Members from farming districts strongly supported the measure, saying deer damage is costly and widespread and that the bill would reduce paperwork by allowing landowners to obtain tags without having to route everything through each landlord. Questions focused on how Fish and Wildlife would determine overpopulated zones and how the damage-verification process would work; Pollock said the department retains discretion and must inspect damage within 15 days. The committee adopted the sub and passed the bill with favorable expression. Finally, Rep. Kim Holloway presented House Bill 571, which would require Transportation Cabinet light fixtures to be fully shielded to reduce light pollution affecting agriculture. She said light trespass can disrupt crop photoperiodism, pollination, and yields, and noted the economic importance of Kentucky agriculture. Members asked whether the bill applies only to Transportation Cabinet lights and how complaints would be handled; Holloway said it applies to state transportation lights and includes a process for landowners to request shielding, with a 30-day compliance period and a construction/maintenance exemption of up to 180 days. The committee approved the committee substitute and continued discussion of the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had to hit the road. 31. Not if you remember, 31 ended when you hit Jefferson County.
• And so we had to take the rural roads to get up there.
• We had to hit the road. was even there.
• <00:27:53.600> And<00:27:53.840> if the rural roads to get up there.
• And if the rural roads to get up there.

Bills: SB294, HB296, HB300, SB269

Keywords: public officers, bonding, risk management, notification, delinquency, consumer protection, rental home, marketplace guarantees, insurance, commissioner of insurance, healthcare, breast cancer screening, insurance coverage, deductible, copayment, emergency medical services, ambulance reimbursement, health care insurers, balance billing, provider networks

Transcript Highlights:

• and what the rules of the road are for other vehicles with cruiser lights.
• and what the rules of the road are for other vehicles with cruiser lights.
• And as you've probably noticed, there are kind of new tech added to some of our vehicles on the road
• That is just a visible signal that there's a law enforcement presence on the road.
• So road shoulders vary dramatically in width across Florida.

Summary: The committee first took up CS for SB 896 on school safety, which would expand the Guardian program to public postsecondary institutions, require active assailant response plans and threat management protocols, improve reporting and information sharing, and make it a felony to discharge a weapon within 1,000 feet of a campus. A late-file amendment by Senator Polsky was adopted to clarify that students who are also employees or faculty at a public postsecondary institution are not eligible for the Guardian program. The bill drew strong opposition from faculty, students, and gun-safety advocates who argued that more guns on campus would create confusion, weaken safety, and undermine campus police; supporters said trained guardians would improve deterrence and protection. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably by a roll call vote. The committee then considered SB 1690 on child care and early learning services, which updates child care laws, reduces some regulatory burdens, and expands the Florida Education Foundation’s authority to fundraise for early learning from birth through VPK. Members discussed oversight of the related direct-support organization and the removal of certain notice requirements, while supporters from Moms Rising and other advocates said the bill would help families access affordable, high-quality child care and support home-based providers. One opponent argued the bill added more government regulation, but the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee passed CS for SB 118, a narrow bill on non-ad valorem special assessments for recreational vehicle parks, clarifying how assessments are calculated for RV spaces and campsites. The bill received supportive comments from RV advocates and was reported favorably without controversy. The committee then took up CS for SB 1220, the Department of Transportation package, which included provisions on seaports and airports, personal delivery devices, autonomous vehicles, broadband and utility permitting, and advanced air mobility. Amendments were adopted that revised research institute membership, limited some delivery-device provisions, and clarified cruiser light rules for law enforcement; after questions about utility preemption and PDD safety, the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1756 on medical freedom, which would require new vaccine educational materials, expand school-entry exemptions to include conscience-based objections, limit the Surgeon General’s emergency vaccination authority, and allow behind-the-counter ivermectin for adults with written information and liability protections. The bill drew extensive testimony from both supporters and opponents, with supporters emphasizing parental rights, informed consent, and vaccine injury concerns, and opponents warning about reduced immunization rates, public health risks, and the appropriateness of ivermectin provisions. The transcript ends during public testimony and debate on SB 1756, before final action on that bill is shown.