Transcript Highlights:

• thing that gets in the way of my work is the distortion of facts that are created by aggressive advertising
• And directly afterwards, when I scrolled Facebook, I saw eight advertisements from parties seeking to
• And directly afterwards, when I scrolled Facebook, I saw eight advertisements from parties seeking to
• </c> Facebook, I saw eight advertisements Facebook, I saw eight advertisements from<00:11:25.519><c>
• for our services is terrible advertising for our services is terrible and<00:17:55.520><c> many</c><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the advertising. Your question to me is really about marketing and advertising.
• They can say whatever they want, I think, the advertisers.
• Gene, the trick is, too, a lot of the CCRCs that are doing it right, we don't advertise.
• You don't advertise. We don't advertise. Good point. Oh, sorry, I was muted.
• I know that the commission is charged with further discussing advertising practices, so maybe we could

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Aging and Independence commission meeting focused on continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), with members and presenters discussing how the model works, consumer protections, and areas for future review. After member introductions, Jennifer Fuller summarized survey results showing the top priorities as financial viability and affordability, consumer protections and rights, and regulation/monitoring standards. The commission said those issues would guide its work plan, while also keeping staffing, definitions, and federal support on the radar. Alyssa Sherman of LeadingAge Massachusetts and Jim Freiling of Brookhaven at Lexington gave a detailed overview of CCRCs, explaining that they combine housing with health-related services under long-term contracts and typically require entrance fees plus monthly fees. They described the three common contract types: Type A/life care, where costs stay relatively stable if residents need more care; Type B, which offers some included or discounted care with higher costs later; and Type C, fee-for-service, with lower entrance fees but higher costs if care needs increase. They also discussed nonprofit governance, resident involvement, and the role of state and Attorney General disclosure requirements. Several members raised concerns about affordability, refund timing, and the need to distinguish true CCRCs from other senior housing marketed similarly; presenters said refunds are often tied to reoccupancy and that their organizations are collecting data on refund timelines and contract terms. The discussion also covered resident rights and governance, including whether residents should have seats on nonprofit boards. Christine Griffin said her community lacks resident board representation and urged the commission to consider a state requirement, while others said resident associations and direct engagement with boards can be more effective than mandatory board seats. Members also discussed transparency around monthly fee increases, financial screening before admission, and the importance of clear marketing so consumers understand what they are buying. No votes were taken. The meeting ended with logistical updates, including a tentative public hearing date of June 3, 2025, a note that the next meeting would focus on regulation and monitoring standards, and a reminder that the commission would continue refining its work plan based on survey feedback.

Transcript Highlights:

• statute requires that position<00:15:55.680><c> to</c><00:15:55.759><c> be</c><00:15:56.279><c> advertised
• If that board member is rejected, then, you know, they would advertise it.
• If that board member is rejected, then, you know, they would advertise it.
• If that board member is rejected, then, you know, they would advertise it.
• If that board member is rejected, then, you know, they would advertise it.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 00:17 SB 129 Discussion 00:46 SB 129 Vote 04:27 SB 178 Discussion 05:48 SB 178 Vote 07:57 SB 151 Discussion 09:01 SB 151 Vote 11:24 SB 201 Discussion 15:17 SB 201 Vote 21:48, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor met and first took up SB 129, with a committee substitute adopted before testimony. The bill would allow certain qualified third-party entities in Louisville Metro, including public bodies and long-standing nonprofits, to purchase certificates of delinquency on vacant and abandoned residential properties after 90 days, with the goal of returning blighted property to productive use and back on the tax rolls. Several members supported the measure as a tool for housing and economic development, while Senator Boswell and Chair Willer noted concerns about protecting vulnerable property owners, such as widows, the elderly, and people with disabilities. SB 129 was approved by the committee with favorable expression. The committee then heard SB 178, which updates statutes related to the Education and Labor Cabinet by moving the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation’s Division of Program Policy into statute, renaming Business and Apprenticeship to Industry and Apprenticeship, and making related organizational changes. Testimony from cabinet staff said the changes reflect work already being done and that a floor amendment would be needed for one additional correction. The bill was advanced unanimously with favorable expression. Next, the committee considered SB 151, which would bar state tax dollars from being used to pay persons not legally present in the United States. The sponsor argued the bill was needed to prevent Kentucky funds from going to undocumented workers on state job sites, while Senator Wheeler questioned what the bill would change beyond existing law and how such payments would occur through contracts or appropriations. Senator Yates said he was not opposed to the premise but wanted more time to review the bill’s mechanics, and Senator Thomas voted no for the same reason. Despite those concerns, SB 151 passed with favorable expression. Finally, the committee heard SB 2011, a workers’ compensation bill that would delay newly appointed administrative law judges from taking office until Senate confirmation, extend current ALJ terms through June 1 of next year, and allow retention votes for board members to improve stability and attract more applicants. The sponsor said the bill addresses a loophole that can discourage qualified candidates from applying because they may have to leave private practice before confirmation. After a question about whether the bill would affect salaries, the sponsor explained compensation is set by statute and caseload need is separately reviewed. The bill received favorable expression and the meeting concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• OF THE REMAINING ONES THAT DO NOT HAVE START DATES, WE HAVE – ALL OF THOSE ADVERTISE THEY HAVE ALL BEEN
• ADVERTISED BETWEEN TWO AND FIVE TIMES.
• WE ADVERTISE EACH EXTERNAL POSITION FOR AT LEAST 14 DAYS. TO A SPECIFIC ASKED IN OUR LBR.
• WE ARE – WE ADVERTISE AND INTERVIEW APPLICANTS REGULARLY.
• WE HAVE A PART-TIME INVESTIGATOR IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY THAT HAS BEEN VACATED AND ADVERTISED TWICE IN

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, that's fundamentally not what marketing and advertising is.
• You appropriate an advertising budget, and you have a target market. ...and the target market could be
• It authorizes outdoor advertising signs to be raised if the height of the ramp is increased and blocks
• It prohibits counties and municipalities from imposing commercial advertising regulations on such PDDs
• Or if the ALF advertises or holds itself out to provide specific and focused memory care services for

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and moments of silence, including tributes to fallen service members. The chamber then moved through a special order calendar focused on a series of bills, with most measures receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support after brief explanations and floor debate. Several bills were temporarily postponed, but the body took up and passed multiple others, often substituting identical House companions before final passage. The first major measure, SB 1062 on speech and debate education, drew extensive supportive debate from senators who described debate as a civic skill that builds confidence, critical thinking, and conflict resolution, especially for students in public schools and underserved communities. An amendment creating a Speech and Debate Hall of Fame, expanding access through public-private partnerships, and establishing coach training was adopted, and the bill ultimately passed 37-0. The Senate also passed SB 1072 creating an Anti-Semitism Task Force, with a late-filed amendment clarifying that the bill does not restrict criticism of Israel and is not intended to infringe First Amendment rights; that bill also passed 37-0. Other measures passed included a PFAS bill phasing out firefighting foam containing forever chemicals and setting testing, reporting, and enforcement requirements; an expansion of the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program; student health and safety legislation expanding seizure-response training in schools; updates to funeral and cemetery regulation; protected cell captive insurance company legislation aimed at increasing insurance market capacity; nonprofit corporation updates; child welfare reforms streamlining foster-care medication approvals and related procedures; salvage title/e-signature changes; and forensic client services changes allowing certain APD clients to be housed with other secure forensic residents. Most of these bills were passed after substituting House companions and received unanimous votes. The most contentious debate came on SB 1134 regarding official actions of local governments and DEI-related activities. Senator Yarborough argued the bill would stop counties and cities from funding or promoting DEI practices he described as discriminatory or ideological, while several amendments sought to narrow the bill to spending only, add an intent requirement for penalties, and preserve local proclamations and observances such as LGBTQ Pride Month. Those amendments were rejected, and debate continued on the bill’s scope and exemptions, but the transcript ends before final disposition of SB 1134 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, knowingly prepares, distributes, delivers, advertises, sells, or offers.
• So, knowingly prepares, distributes, delivers, advertises, sells, or offers.
• And the advertises, sells or offers.
• </c> delivers, advertises, sells, or offers. delivers, advertises, sells, or offers.
• It advertises an over-the-counter method to relax and even achieve pain relief.

Bills: SF0071 , SF0088 , SF0056

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: homeland security, search and rescue, grants, emergency response, Wyoming, sex offender, child care facility, residency restrictions, public safety, criminal law, sex offenders, child care facilities, legislation, kratom, regulation, healthcare, age restrictions, manufacturing standards, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is that 3.15% of the net operating money that came in would go to travel and tourism for them to advertise
• our rooms and meals tax has gone through the roof through their efforts of bringing people in and advertising
• programs like the joint promotional program, to continue promoting New Hampshire's unique attractions, outdoor

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One additional project will be advertised and, we believe, awarded via alternative delivery.
• </c> additional project will be advertised additional project will be advertised and<00:20:17.760><c>
• Ideally, every project<00:42:49.680><c> that</c><00:42:50.000><c> we</c><00:42:50.400><c> advertise,<
• , we would love project that we advertise, we would love to<00:42:51.760><c> see</c><00:42:52.000><c>
• <00:43:18.400><c> during</c><00:43:18.720><c> that</c><00:43:18.960><c> product</c> advertised during

Keywords: 00:32 Call to Order and Roll Call 02:30 Road Fund Report 17:22 Approval of Minutes 18:07 High Growth Counties Projects 56:00 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee for Transportation met without a quorum at first, then later approved the July 15 minutes by voice vote after quorum was reached. The committee heard an update from the Transportation Cabinet on the road fund for FY 2024-25. Cabinet staff reported road fund revenue came in $38.5 million above the enacted estimate, with motor vehicle usage tax receipts setting an all-time high for the fifth straight year. Motor fuels tax revenue was below estimate and down from the prior year, while overall road fund collections totaled $1.86 billion, essentially flat year over year. Staff said the road fund ended FY25 with a $61.6 million surplus, which under the budget bill must be appropriated to state construction. Members discussed the gas tax formula, with Senator Higdon arguing it no longer works well because revenues fall when fuel prices fall, and the chair noting the committee may need to revisit the formula. The committee then received an update on High Growth County projects in the 2024 highway plan. KYTC said $16 million in HGC authorizations had been made, nine projects already had construction funds authorized or were otherwise underway, 12 more were scheduled to be let by the end of 2025 with estimated construction costs above $250 million, and one additional project was expected to be awarded through alternative delivery. The cabinet said it anticipated authorizing the full $450 million appropriated by the General Assembly. Members praised the effort and emphasized the need to get projects to market before the next budget cycle. Jason Sala of KYTC also explained why transportation projects take time, citing planning, design, right-of-way acquisition, and utility relocation as major steps that can delay delivery. He said these processes are complex and require coordination with property owners, utilities, consultants, contractors, and local governments. Eric Pelfrey then briefed the committee on professional and personal service contracts, saying they are used to expand cabinet capacity for design, inspections, right-of-way appraisal, safety, and related work. He reported that authorizations and payments for these contracts have trended upward over the past decade, and that the number of contracts has also increased. In response to questions, Pelfrey said design-build can speed some projects by overlapping steps, but it does not eliminate right-of-way or utility work when those are required; he said KYTC has been using alternative delivery more often, but project complexity still limits how quickly work can move.

Transcript Highlights:

• A study last year found 25 major retailers advertised discounts not as special prices or savings, but
• Chair and members, Matt Marady, on behalf of the Association of National Advertisers, in opposition.
• We did just look at the bill, and it does say for political advertising. So I do believe Ms.
• This focus is on advertisements.
• This focus is on advertisements.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• identifying opportunities for all these different projects to restore natural habitat and increase outdoor

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee met with a quorum present and heard one non-consent bill, SB 832 by Senator Allen. The bill would update the statute governing the Upper Los Angeles River and Tributaries Working Group to reflect its ongoing role, require it to meet at least annually to review implementation of the revitalization plan and possible amendments, and adjust membership to ensure representation from the city council district with the most Upper L.A. River miles. Senator Allen and sponsor April Bird of the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority described the measure as a minor but important update to support continued implementation of the 2020 revitalization plan, which identified 300 projects and has 18 currently underway. Committee members asked about the change from meetings every two years to every year, and the author explained that the bill would codify a more regular schedule after a prior budget change had set the interval at two years. Senator Stern expressed support, noting the complexity of coordinating city, county, and MRCA interests and the need for the working group to support future project funding and planning. No opposition was presented. Senator Laird moved the bill, and the committee voted 6-0 to pass SB 832 to Senate Appropriations. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sorry, digital advertisers. We're going to come back and try to fix it.
• It is the portion that is on digital advertising.
• Did you know that my digital advertising tax alone was $5,300 this month?
• This sales tax on advertising—excuse me, not just advertising, but branding, digital advertising, all
• “Advertising, but branding, digital advertising, everything that encompasses the marketing and communications

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5831 , SB6244 , SB6044 , SB5109 , SB5877 , SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 29, facilitating the use of rainwater and storm water for outdoor purposes.
• 00:03:05.200><c> for</c> use of rainwater and storm water for use of rainwater and storm water for outdoor
• </c> outdoor purposes. outdoor purposes.
• Line 90 is a new program for Outdoor Schools for All, and it's $500,000 the first year and then $348,000
• schools for all and it's 500,000 outdoor schools for all and it's 500,000 the<00:19:23.360><c> first

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• southeast Minnesota for 27 years, I've seen steady economic growth in this region because of the outdoor
• c><01:35:58.320><c> because</c><01:35:58.639><c> of</c><01:35:58.800><c> the</c><01:35:59.040><c> outdoor
• </c> in this region because of the outdoor in this region because of the outdoor activities<01:35:59.960
• </c><01:36:24.639><c> Outdoor</c> employing local people. Outdoor employing local people.
• Outdoor recreation<01:36:25.840><c> is</c><01:36:26.080><c> a</c><01:36:26.239><c> growing</c><01:36:

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:37:45.079><c> power</c><00:37:45.280><c> sports</c> food Sciences outdoor power sports food Sciences
• SFIA works to store carbon and provide multiple benefits for water quality, quantity, habitat, outdoor
• benefits for water quality quantity benefits for water quality quantity habitat<00:54:20.720><c> outdoor
• ><00:54:21.000><c> recreation</c><00:54:21.440><c> Wood</c><00:54:21.720><c> Products</c> habitat outdoor
• recreation Wood Products habitat outdoor recreation Wood Products Etc<00:54:23.119><c> which</c><00:

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2437, the governor’s proposed tax bill, and first adopted the A25-Z42 amendment to put the bill in the desired shape. Commissioner Paul Marquardt of the Department of Revenue then presented the bill as part of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s budget, describing it as a response to budget pressures that would make the tax system more fair and stable while supporting economic development and jobs. Marquardt walked through the bill’s major provisions. These included sustainable aviation fuel policy, repeal of K-12 education credit assignment, elimination of the political contribution refund, expansion of the research and development credit, short-line railroad infrastructure modernization, changes to the state airport fund levy, replacement of attachments and appearances with distribution systems, a narrow personal property tax exception for low-income housing tenants, reduced aquatic invasive species aid, and a 34% reduction in PILT payments. He then focused on the sales tax article, saying it would lower the statewide rate by 0.75% while expanding the base to selected professional services such as accounting, banking, brokerage, and legal services, with business-to-business transactions exempt. He said the proposal would be effective for sales and purchases after September 30, 2025, and estimated a first-year rate-cut impact of about $99 million versus $215 million from the service expansion, while arguing that most households would see a net tax cut. He also noted other changes such as landlord penalty adjustments, a 30% reduction in sustainable aviation fuel incentive payments, repeal of local government cannabis aid, and repeal of the tax filing modernization account. Public testimony began with Kyle Playford of the Financial Planning Association of Minnesota, who strongly opposed the proposed sales tax on professional services, especially financial planning. He argued that financial planning is an essential service for retirement, investment, and long-term financial security, and said the tax would raise costs for consumers, reduce access for middle-class families, small business owners, and retirees, and put Minnesota firms at a competitive disadvantage. The chair then indicated that additional public testimony would continue before member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The current biennium, the total is 7,000 from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, 6,000 from Clean Water, 3,000
• The current biennium, the total is 7,000 from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, 6,000 from Clean Water, 3,000
• The initiative will be culturally sensitive, a culturally responsive outdoor learning and leadership
• The initiative will be culturally sensitive, a culturally responsive outdoor learning and leadership
• The initiative will be culturally sensitive, a culturally responsive outdoor learning and leadership

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We just played an outdoor concert with the veterans and chairs on the loading dock.
• Now, the band is used to a little wind at an outdoor concert, but these gusts were not to knock music
• c><00:20:58.640><c> just</c><00:20:58.799><c> played</c><00:20:59.080><c> an</c><00:20:59.280><c> outdoor
• </c> absolutely not we just played an outdoor absolutely not we just played an outdoor concert<00:21:
• </c> used to little wind at an outdoor used to little wind at an outdoor concert<00:21:11.760><c> but

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• provision, so they're going to be advertised, and that all these bids will then be reported to the board
• And then when you say advertised, is this publicly advertised for a public comment or just advertised
• It's going to be advertised for people to bid on. Yes. See no one else with questions or comments.
• The catalog is a core component of publicly advertised bid packages, prepared before solicitation, published
• as part of the bid advertisement, and available to any party, including recognized employee organizations

Summary: The committee heard eight bills, mostly on local government, housing, and public agency contracting. AB 1658 would make permanent higher change-order authority for Santa Clara and Los Angeles counties on large construction projects; supporters said it would reduce delays and save money on major projects, and the bill passed 6-0. AB 2263 would authorize the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority to develop employee-preference affordable housing; supporters said it would help with workforce retention and long commutes, and it also passed 6-0. AB 2134 would require city councils to allow parental leave without forcing members to seek public approval or risk losing their seats; supporters described the bill as necessary to protect new parents in local office, and it passed 6-0. AB 2188 would raise Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s contracting authority to $250,000, with supporters citing administrative savings and faster project delivery; after committee amendments, it passed 6-0. AB 2033 would let general law cities use job order contracting for repair and maintenance work, with safeguards against employee displacement; supporters called it an efficiency tool, while AFSCME opposed it over workforce impacts, and it passed 8-0 after amendments. AB 1768 would authorize Los Angeles County and Contra Costa County to ask voters to approve a temporary transactions and use tax to help offset major federal health care cuts and preserve clinics and public health services. Supporters from community clinics, Planned Parenthood, labor groups, counties, and health organizations said the measure would let voters decide how to respond to funding losses; opponents, including CalTax and some cities, raised affordability and tax-burden concerns. Members also discussed equity concerns within Los Angeles County and the importance of local control. The bill was moved out on a 5-2 vote and left on call. AB 2415 would allow the city of Folsom to shift housing obligations away from its historic district and toward other transit-oriented sites; supporters said it would preserve the historic district while still meeting housing goals, and it passed 10-0. AB 2741, heard at the end of the meeting, would give cities a grace period to fix housing elements that were certified by HCD but later found noncompliant by a court, especially where cities relied on overlay zones. Supporters from the League of California Cities, Redondo Beach, and real estate groups said cities acted in good faith and should not be immediately subjected to builder’s remedy; opponents from California YIMBY and legal aid groups argued the bill would weaken housing accountability and reward noncompliance. The transcript ends during testimony on AB 2741, before a final vote is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Advertising, marketing, and outreach funds.
• And this is true for our state advertising processes.
• Specifically, a state agency may award an advertising or marketing contract of a specified amount to
• Yet historically most hate advertising dollars...
• Yet historically most hate advertising dollars. Especially in Hispanic and immigrant communities.

Committee: Senate Governmental Organization

Summary: The Senate Government Organization Committee met without a quorum at first, then later established one and took up a series of bills, many focused on regulatory oversight, state symbols, food insecurity, immigration enforcement, and ethnic media funding. SB 885 by Senator Strickland proposed requiring legislative approval for major regulations with an estimated economic impact over $50 million; supporters argued it would restore accountability and help address affordability, while labor and environmental opponents warned it would delay important health and safety rules. After discussion of committee amendments and concerns about timing, the bill was moved out on a due-pass motion, with the roll held open for absent members. The committee also heard SB 986, a similar regulatory oversight bill by Senator Saryato, which accepted committee amendments and advanced after supporters emphasized separation of powers and opponents raised delay concerns. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado created an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate food programs across departments; members generally supported the goal but urged stronger reporting and oversight guardrails, and the bill was moved forward with the roll held open. The committee then heard several symbolic designation bills. SB 1214 by Senator Ochoa Bogh would designate the Western monarch as California’s state butterfly; supporters highlighted the species’ ecological importance and conservation value, and the bill advanced as amended. SB 1178 by Senator Reyes would designate the California yellow jacket as the state wasp; testimony emphasized its role in pest control and agriculture, and it also moved forward as amended. SB 1286 by Senator Richardson would designate the California sea lion as the official state pinniped; the author and Marine Mammal Care Center described sea lions as a conservation success story and a sentinel species, and the bill passed out of committee as amended. The committee also considered SB 1171 by Senator Caballero, which would make private entities that contract with ICE ineligible for state-funded loans or grants. Supporters framed it as a response to harmful ICE enforcement practices, while opponents warned it could sweep in providers of essential services such as food, medical care, and legal research for detainees and could invite retaliation against California funding. The bill was approved on a 7-3 vote, with the roll held open. Finally, SB 1358 by Senator Rubio, the Ethnic and Community Media Equity Act, would create a database and contracting framework to direct more state advertising and outreach funds to ethnic and community media; supporters said it would improve reach, trust, and effectiveness in underserved communities, and the bill advanced on a strong vote with the roll held open. The committee also took up the consent calendar after quorum was established, and several items were held open for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• But in a nutshell, they advertise and market a service.
• </c><00:08:24.960><c> and</c> But in a nutshell, they advertise and But in a nutshell, they advertise
• That needs to be addressed. unscrupulous advertising uh that could unscrupulous advertising uh that could
• The second part of consumer protection is false or misleading advertising.
• </c><01:30:03.679><c> By</c> false or misleading advertising. By false or misleading advertising.

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That project was advertised January 12 of this year.
• It's currently under advertisement, and we plan to open bids in February 2026.
• That project was advertised January 12th of this year.
• It's currently under an advertisement, and we plan to open bids in February 25, 26.
• With an advertisement in spring of 2027, project completion for this segment is projected for winter

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met for work sessions, public hearings, and executive action. In the work session, WSDOT briefed the committee on the U.S. 12 corridor near Walla Walla and the North Spokane Corridor. Brian White said U.S. 12 is an eight-phase project with seven phases complete, and phase eight would finish the corridor, improve freight mobility and safety, and include a jurisdictional transfer of the old highway back to Walla Walla County. He said the project remains short of full funding, including a gap between the $350 million corridor cost and the $110 million federal Rural Surface Transportation grant, but WSDOT hopes to build smaller independent-utility pieces and begin construction in summer 2027. Charlene K. then reported that the North Spokane Corridor is seven of eight highway miles open, with major remaining work on the I-90 connection and related interchanges, bridges, and trail segments. She described the project as on track for design completion in 2027 and construction completion around 2030, while noting risks tied to federal approval, tight construction space, labor and contractor availability, utilities, and community impacts. The committee also heard from Karen Messmer of the Cooper Jones Active Transportation Safety Council, who summarized the council’s 2025 report and 2026 priorities. She emphasized that pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities remain unacceptably high and urged a safe-system approach focused on safer speeds, roads, road users, vehicles, land use, and post-crash care. She highlighted recommendations including safety-based performance measures, better speed management, more local safety planning support, improved driver education, attention to micromobility and large vehicles, and faster toxicology and crash-data processing. In public hearings, the committee heard Senate Bill 6131, which would expand the Washington Traffic Safety Commission’s fatal crash review authority, designate it as a public health authority for limited access to health information, and create a confidential fatality review committee. The sponsor and Traffic Safety Commission said the bill would help identify common contributing factors in all fatal crashes while protecting confidential information; a media representative testified that the bill preserves public access to records already open and supports the goal of improving safety. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6155, which would extend disability parking placard renewal from every five years to every 20 years and remove the need for a health care practitioner’s signature at renewal; supporters said this would reduce burdens on permanently disabled people, while opponents warned it could increase fraud and misuse of placards. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6238, which would raise the minimum tug escort horsepower for oil tankers in restricted waters to 3,000 horsepower or 5% of tanker deadweight, whichever is greater; the sponsor and Board of Pilotage said the change would align statute with current practice and newly adopted rules. Testimony was mixed, and the hearing closed with two people signed in pro and two con. In executive session, the committee advanced several bills. It passed Senate Bill 5746 on EV charging infrastructure property crime, Senate Bill 5824 on fifth wheel travel trailer length, Senate Bill 6110 on e-bikes and e-motos, Senate Bill 5839 on county ferry district passenger-only service, and Senate Bill 6148 on regional transit authority bond terms, all with due pass recommendations to the Rules Committee. An amendment to SB 6110 adding several state agency leaders to the e-moto work group was rejected. The committee adjourned after signing committee reports.