Video & Transcript Research : 'engineering'
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ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Higher Education Institutions Committee Jun 18th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Higher Education Institutions Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- engineering.
- I learned how to read engineering drawings.
- The way that we came together with NDSU is the engineering and ag engineering group came to us and asked
- if we The engineering and ag engineering group came to us and asked if we would help.
- They've got the information, that engineering background, ag engineering, they understand that, and you've
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- An example of this would be a Cummins engine or an Eaton transmission.
- , or doing anything else with their car or their truck engines because of the increased complexity of
- c> or<00:04:43.880>
an <00:04:44.080>Eaton a Cummins engine or an Eaton a Cummins engine - few if any who are replacing engine few if any who are replacing engine parts, parts, parts, changing
- >
which <00:14:21.560>our repair that uh engine, which our repair that uh engine, which
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources Jan 27th, 2026 at 09:05 am
House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- We met with the Office of the State Engineer. Mr.
- I'm the CEO and Chief Engineer for the Middle Rio...
- Thank you, State Engineer, and thank you for being here today.
- Thank you, State Engineer, and thank you for being here today.
- And I would like the state engineer also to make a statement. Thank you.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Water and Natural Resources Sep 12th, 2025
Water & Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- engineering firm to create design drawings for their projects.
- Have you talked to the State Engineer?
- I went through three state engineers in terms of our efforts.
- the engineers?
- The state engineer announced yesterday at a conference in Santa Fe.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Resolution 10 by Perry, congratulating Heather Keister on being named the 2004 Engineer of the
- Year by the South Plains Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers.
- of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers.
- Keister has more than two decades of experience in civil engineering and has specialized in stormwater
- Keister has more than two decades of experience in civil engineering and has specialized in stormwater
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with an invocation, dispensed with the reading of the previous day’s journal, and recognized several visiting groups and individuals. Senators Flores, Hinojosa of Hidalgo, and Campbell welcomed members of the Texas Police Chiefs Association, and Senator Nichols introduced Dr. Joshua Splinter as Doctor of the Day.
The chamber then adopted several resolutions without objection. Senate Resolution 16 recognized Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and its South Central Region for Alpha Kappa Alpha Day at the Capitol, with remarks from Senators Miles and West highlighting the organization’s history, service, and Texas members. Senate Resolution 9 designated January 29, 2025, as American Public Works Association Day at the Capitol, and Senate Resolution 10 congratulated Heather Keister for being named Engineer of the Year by the South Plains Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers. Senator Hinojosa of Nueces also recognized a Brownsville delegation, and additional resolutions, including Senate Resolutions 13 and 18, were adopted without objection.
The Senate also approved a motion by Senator Zaffirini to suspend Senate Rule 11.13 so committees could meet during the reading and referral of bills. Announcements followed, including a Finance Committee reconvening at 12:45 p.m. and a Senate Democratic Caucus meeting upon adjournment. The chamber then recessed until 10 a.m. Monday, February 3, for reading and referral of bills, and after that process, adjourned until 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 4.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Again, it's bringing in sciences, education, engineering.
- , are wind engineering experts.
- , which went to Professor Chowdhry for innovation in wind engineering.
- And they really do leverage each other and create a unique engineering and science and engineering environment
- science and engineering department.
Summary:
The Education Postsecondary Committee held its first meeting and focused on state university centers and institutes, with an overview from the Board of Governors on how the more than 500 centers and institutes across Florida’s public universities are categorized, overseen, and reported. The Board described three categories: state-level centers, legislatively established centers, and university-established centers. Members were told universities must maintain policies, notify the Board of changes, publish public inventories, and submit annual reports and compliance certifications. Senator Harrell asked about funding sources and whether underperforming centers are reviewed for elimination; the response was that funding varies by center and that universities decide whether to maintain or disband centers under their own policies, with annual reporting and audit findings shared with the Board.
Four university presentations followed. Florida Atlantic University highlighted its Center of Excellence in Biomedical and Marine Biotechnology, describing research in marine-derived drug discovery, genomics, imaging, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, and ocean sustainability, along with spin-off institutes and partnerships that have generated significant grant and contract support. FIU presented its Center of Excellence for Hurricane Damage Mitigation and Product Development, emphasizing the Wall of Wind facility, hurricane and water intrusion testing, code and product innovation, insurance modeling, and future expansion toward higher wind speeds and flood simulation. Florida State University’s High-Performance Materials Institute described work in advanced materials, aerospace composites, sensors, nanocomposites, and AI-enabled materials development, along with patents, industry partnerships, and new facilities tied to economic development. The University of Florida’s Lastinger Center for Learning outlined its work on teacher professional learning, literacy, New Worlds Reading, tutoring, and mathematics supports, including microcredentials, statewide book distribution, and early results showing improved reading confidence and growth.
Members generally praised the centers for their research, commercialization, workforce development, and education impacts. Senator Jones and Senator Harrell commended the Lastinger Center’s literacy work and the broader return on investment from these programs, while Senator Berman noted the value of the synergies across institutions. The chair emphasized that future funding requests should clearly show measurable success, commercialization, and statewide impact. The committee then adjourned without any formal votes on legislation.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Agriculture and Water Management Committee Jun 17th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Agriculture and Water Management Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- buildings don't need to be engineered?
- Grand Farm does not have scientists and engineers on staff; we do.
- I am Xin Hwa Jia, a professor in agricultural and biosystem engineering.
- They are from a variety of majors such as civil engineering, environmental engineering, natural resource
- He's an agronomist who is working with the engine.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 24 (2-10-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- and retaining more professional engineers and land surveyors.
- , which was recruiting and retaining more professional engineers and land surveyors.
- House Bill 49 sets up framework for our Board of Engineers to provide scholarships.
- students wanting to pursue an engineering career.
- The contract for this scholarship will include pursue an engineering career.
Keywords:
Convene 00:00
Senate Message 04:29
Report of Committees 05:19
Orders of the Day/HB 470 06:54
HB 49 13:46
Motions, Petitions, and Communications 16:47
Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 28:04
Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 29:37
ConC/Rules Report 33:49
Floor Amendments 35:16
Adjournment 37:07, 958, all
Summary:
The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received favorable committee reports on several bills, including measures on background checks, proactive post-secondary admission, public post-secondary employment, tuition waivers, vehicle wheels, choking prevention in schools, state parks, veterans’ benefits, and a resolution on a VA accreditation pathway for private veterans’ benefits assistance companies.
The chamber then considered and passed House Bill 470, relating to peer support specialists and declared an emergency. Members adopted a committee substitute and a floor amendment that extended the registration deadline for alcohol and drug peer support specialists to January 1, 2028, clarified employer and work group provisions, removed the temporary peer designation, and created a work group to modernize oversight of peer support specialists. The bill passed 97-0. House Bill 49, creating a scholarship program for professional engineering and land surveying students funded by board fees and fines in exchange for post-graduation service in Kentucky, also passed 97-0.
During announcements, members recognized visiting groups, upcoming committee meetings, and events, including a Kentucky Justice Association reception, a magistrates and commissioners breakfast, Jewish Advocacy Day, and a Lewis Ridge pump storage project meeting. The House also adopted a citation honoring the Hopkins County Central High School High Voltage Dance Team for winning two national titles. New bills and resolutions were introduced, the Committee on Committees and Rules referred bills to committees and posted several measures for the next day’s calendar, and the House adjourned until 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Education Postsecondary Jan 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- TODAY WE ARE GOING TO YOUR PRESENTATIONS FROM FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY CENTERS AND INSTITUTES FROM ENGINEERING
- IS BRINGING IN SCIENCE EDUCATION AND ENGINEERING. IT'S ALL ECOSYSTEM IS WHAT YOU CAN LOOK AT.
- , OUR WIND ENGINEERING EXPERT, THEY ARE THE REAL PEOPLE WHO DO THE REAL WORK.
- WENT TO ONE OF OUR DOCTORS FOR WIND ENGINEERING AND IT WAS A MOVING CEREMONY BACK IN 2018.
- IT HAS LED TO THE FAMU FSU COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING JOINT MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- by a traffic or engineering study. by a traffic or engineering study.
- traffic or engineering studies are done. traffic or engineering studies are done.
- not, for in the past that an engineer not, for in the past that an engineer from<01:04:37.720>
- engineering on staff.
- the expectations of an engineering the expectations of an engineering<01:24:37.600>
and <01:24
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Feb 18th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government
Transcript Highlights:
- licensed engineers to work for state agencies and water management districts.
- licensed engineers to work for state agencies and water management districts.
- licensed engineers to work for state agencies and water management districts.
- So if somebody charges me $50,000 for an engineering project and for providing engineering services,
- They would have to file a complaint with the Engineering Board of Engineers, and then they would have
Keywords:
payment stablecoin, financial regulation, anti-money laundering, state oversight, digital currency, financial services, Florida lottery, state lottery, lottery tickets, lottery retailer, Department of the Lottery, Division of Security, ball machine, lottery vending machine, instant tickets, online lottery tickets, major procurement, vendor disclosure, performance bond, retailer bond
Summary:
The committee heard and advanced several bills related to engineering regulation, cybersecurity, financial services, and state administration. CS/SB 800 would increase penalties for repeated unlicensed engineering practice and create an engineering student loan assistance program funded by licensure fees and fines; it was reported favorably after questions about whether it would reimburse victims of unlicensed practitioners, with the sponsor noting it would not and that affected individuals would need to pursue complaints and private legal action. CS/SB 576 created a local government cybersecurity protection program administered by Florida Digital Service, with state purchasing of cybersecurity services and priority for fiscally constrained counties; it received support from local government and industry groups and was reported favorably. CS/SB 1078 set transition requirements for gubernatorial administrations, including liaisons, briefing books, office space, IT access, and controlled access to agency records under a memorandum of understanding, and it also passed favorably.
The committee also approved CS/SB 314, which creates a regulatory framework for payment stablecoin issuers in Florida, and CS/SB 530, which updates lottery operations, security, retailer rules, and bonding requirements. CS/SB 1614, after adoption of a technical substitute amendment, would limit local governments’ eligibility for certain state funding if they have excess funds, have recently been audited by the legislative audit committee, or fail to affirm expenditure of prior funds; the sponsor said it would give the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee more enforcement leverage, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 990 authorizes protective cell captive insurance companies to expand insurance market capacity and potentially lower premiums, while CS/SB 1588 is a step toward implementing last session’s gold and silver legal tender law; both were reported favorably.
Additional bills passed included CS/SB 1440, which adds cybersecurity-related exemptions and reporting provisions for financial institutions, loan originators, and money service businesses, and CS/SB 1568, which creates a Florida Stable Coin Pilot Program allowing DFS fees to be paid with approved stablecoins. The stablecoin bill was amended to add guardrails, including fee limits, website notice requirements, and restrictions if no approved issuers are available. The committee also received a brief budget overview highlighting major funding items such as Florida Forever, Everglades restoration, water quality, Farmers Feeding Florida, citrus recovery, school lunches, state parks, and law enforcement and staffing items, and members later recorded additional votes before the committee adjourned.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Agriculture and Water Management Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- buildings don't need to be engineered?
- Grand Farm does not have scientists and engineers on staff; we do.
- I am Xin Hwa Jia, a professor in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.
- They are from a variety of majors such as civil engineering, environmental engineering, natural resource
- management, precision ag, agricultural biosystems engineering, and geology.
Summary:
The meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and opening remarks from NDSU President David Stewart, who emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission of statewide service through teaching, research, and extension. He highlighted the university’s role in agriculture, water, soil health, and community outreach, and pointed to examples of research commercialization such as Lilac Agriculture’s work on nitrogen-fixing microbes for crops. He also said he is still early in his tenure and intends to spend time listening and learning across the state.
The committee then received a detailed presentation on a state irrigation and drainage study from Tom Bodine on behalf of Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The study estimated that North Dakota could develop about 1.3 million additional irrigated acres, with major potential in counties such as McLean, Williams, Sargent, Burleigh, Mountrail, McKenzie, McIntosh, Dunn, and Bottineau. Testimony stressed the economic benefits of irrigation for crop yields, value-added processing, dairy, and potato production, while members also discussed water availability, aquifers, downstream water use, and the need for more flexible permitting. The drainage portion of the study found significant economic benefits from legal drains, and staff explained that the impacts were calculated through increased productivity and related input purchases.
Greg Lardy then gave NDSU’s required agriculture update, saying agriculture accounts for more than $41 billion in annual economic activity, one in five jobs, and about 25 percent of state GDP. He reviewed the role of SBAR, the statewide research-extension network, new crop varieties, virtual fencing, AI and weather-network tools, and Extension’s county partnerships and youth programs. He also outlined NDSU’s priorities for the next session: restoring proposed budget cuts, increasing operating support, and addressing deferred maintenance. Members asked about storage shed construction, NDSU’s relationship with Grand Farm, and whether NDSU could help with water-related research tied to drainage and aquifers.
The committee also heard from the North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute and a professor on water and data centers, who described graduate fellowships, a water workforce certificate program, and research on data center cooling, water use, and “Legendary Harvest” concepts that would reuse waste heat for greenhouse or aquaculture production. Questions focused on whether the cooling systems were closed-loop, who would own any related production facilities, and whether the project was still only a feasibility study. Finally, North Dakota AgTech described its NSF-funded “engine” project, saying it has brought millions in federal investment to the state, supported startups and on-farm trials, and is focused on commercialization, workforce development, and helping producers lower input costs and improve profitability.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
November 4, 2025 - 01:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- YOU ARE THE ENGINEERS OF RECORD TO DO GOVERNMENT PROJECTS THOSE ARE THE CORE ENGINEERS.
- BOTH STATE AND CORPS OF ENGINEERS INVESTED. ADAM TALKED ABOUT IT BEING 5050.
- THE CORE OF ENGINEERS BUILDS HALF AND WE BUILD HALF.
- ARMY AND THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO ACCELERATE THE EAA RESERVOIR INSTRUCTION.
- IT IS QUITE AN AMAZING FEAT OF ENGINEERING.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Higher Education Institutions Committee Jun 18th, 2026
Higher Education Institutions Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- engineering.
- The way that we came together with NDSU is the engineering and agra-engineering group came to us and
- asked if we The engineering and agra-engineering group came to us and asked if we would help.
- They've got the information, that engineering background, agra-engineering, they understand that, and
- side of engineering.
Summary:
The Higher Education Institutions Committee met at NDSU and heard an extensive presentation from President David Cook/President Stewart and NDSU leadership on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research growth, and use of New Horizons funding. Leaders emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission, its role in workforce development, and its goal of becoming more distinctive through strategic planning, recruitment and retention, commercialization, and partnerships. They highlighted that NDSU awarded 2,370 degrees in 2025, produces a large share of the state’s engineering, nursing, and agriculture graduates, and reported strong outcomes for graduates staying and working in North Dakota. They also noted enrollment headwinds, competition from other institutions, and the need to manage tuition waivers more carefully through a scholarship optimization effort.
Provost Sherry Vale outlined academic stewardship efforts, including review or consolidation of low-producing programs, strategic hiring tied to institutional priorities, faculty workload policy changes, and expanded online and regional offerings. She said the university is using New Horizons dollars to strengthen advising, student support, and programs in engineering, agriculture, and health. NDSU leaders also described new or expanded academic offerings such as robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, material science and engineering, nuclear engineering certificates, accelerated nursing, nurse practitioner certificates, a Master of Health Administration, and a clinical research master’s program with Sanford Health. They stressed that these investments are intended to improve student completion, meet workforce needs, and increase return on public investment.
The committee also heard testimony from students and recent graduates who described the value of NDSU’s education, mentorship, internships, research opportunities, and support services. Alyssa Hodges spoke about pharmacy education, public health work, and campus support as a parent and student; Ethan Blessy described engineering coursework, internships with Marvin, and career preparation; and Aiden Freolic discussed neuroscience research, federally funded projects, and plans for graduate study. Their testimony was followed by presentations on partnerships with Gateway to Science for K-12 STEM outreach and with Sanford Research on biomedical research, clinical trials, obesity research, and a joint biostatistics hire. NDSU also highlighted systemwide shared services, Governor’s School programming, and research growth, including a reported 8% increase in research expenditures from $199 million to $215 million. No bill votes were taken; the meeting was informational and featured presentations, testimony, and discussion of future planning and partnerships.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Budget Review Sub. on Economic Development, Pub. Protection, Tourism, and Energy (1-14-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- We do an engineering assessment and we look at observations, what we call risk.
- We do an engineering assessment the dam.
- <00:34:40.399>
assessment initiates an engineering assessment initiates an engineering assessment - /c><00:34:48.480>
the engineering assessment will estimate the engineering assessment will estimate - engineering assessment. engineering assessment. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay.
Keywords:
00:02 EEC – State-Owned Dams
21:07 EEC – Grid Resilience Grant Funds
37:24 Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The committee heard presentations from the Department for Environmental Protection and the Office of Energy Policy on Kentucky’s state-owned dam repair program and the electric grid resilience program. Commissioner Tony Hatton explained how state dams are defined and classified under Kentucky law, the criteria used to prioritize repairs or decommissioning, and the status of several projects funded in the last biennium. He said the department is using a design-bid-build process, with major work planned or underway at Willisburg Lake, Big Bone Lick State Park Dam, Clemens Lake Dam, Marion County Sportsman’s Dam, Chinoa Lake Creek/Canning Creek Dam, and Lake Malone, and that $0.5 million is reserved for routine repairs. He also described the timeline and cost pressures, noting that construction seasons and bid uncertainty can affect schedules and estimates.
Members asked several questions about whether the estimates were current, how accurate the bids tend to be, why the process takes so long, and whether it would be better to fund design separately before construction. Hatton said the estimates are the best current engineering estimates, that costs often stay within about 10% but can vary, and that the overall process is usually closer to two years than four, though delays can occur. He also said all of the allocated dam funds must be available before bids can be let. The committee discussed whether design work can become stale if construction is delayed.
Kenya Stump then updated the committee on Kentucky’s electric grid resilience program under federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding. She said Kentucky has received years one through three of the five-year program and has allocated funds to state park electric systems and municipal utilities, with years four and five not yet received. She identified Ken Lake State Park and Kentucky Dam Village as the two state park projects in progress, and Owensboro, Princeton, Williamstown, and Hopkinsville as the municipal projects selected through a competitive process. She said the projects are under contract or in final negotiations, with municipal construction expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026 and finish by the end of 2026, and explained that the work includes line, pole, transformer, meter, and outage-management upgrades. Members asked about the relationship between this program and prior park appropriations, the timing of agreements with Parks, and whether the park systems could eventually be transferred to the local electric cooperative; Stump said the park agreements are imminent and that the upgrades are intended to bring the systems up to code so the cooperative can maintain them. No votes were taken, and the chair adjourned the committee until the following Wednesday, with a possible time change to avoid a scheduling conflict.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Public Works and Highways (03/24/2026)
Public Works and Highways
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:56:43.680>
lumber 90s, now we introduce engineered lumber 90s, now we introduce engineered - <00:56:47.359>
our introduce engineered lumber into our introduce engineered lumber into our - being incorporated with the engineered being incorporated with the engineered material.<00:56:53.440
- <00:58:08.559>
a refers to is when we're engineering a refers to is when we're engineering - know, architects, engineers stamping it. know, architects, engineers stamping it. um<01:08:47.040
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 497, a technical correction to last year’s capital budget. Shannon Reid of the Community College System of New Hampshire explained that the bill removes leftover state-agency boilerplate from a repurposed capital appropriation and replaces it with community college language, without changing any dollar amounts. She also described a requested amendment to rename a respiratory therapy renovation appropriation at Nashua Community College as an allied health instructional center, so the space can be used more flexibly for programs such as phlebotomy, radiologic technology, and LNA training. Terry Poff of the General Court then testified on the second part of the bill, which changes legislative space references to support the move of General Court offices from the second floor to the fourth floor of the annex as part of the legislative office building reconfiguration.
Members asked whether the community college changes affected funding, and Reid confirmed the amounts do not change and that the bill simply speeds up a correction that otherwise would have been handled later in the lapse process. Poff said the annex space change is part of a permanent transition, though the work cannot proceed until the General Court has legal control of the space. The committee then entered executive session, adopted Amendment 1031H on a 12-0 vote, and voted ought to pass as amended on SB 497 by a 12-0 vote, with several members absent. The bill was placed on the consent calendar.
The committee next opened a hearing on Senate Bill 529FN, which would give preference to lumber sourced in the United States on state-funded building projects. Representative Davis, introducing the bill for Senator Roachford, argued that New Hampshire timber is disadvantaged by grading rules that treat U.S. lumber differently from Canadian SPF lumber, even when the wood is from similar species and climates. He said the bill is intended to support New Hampshire’s timber industry and that architects and engineers would still be able to specify stronger materials when needed. Committee members questioned whether the bill should instead refer specifically to New Hampshire lumber, how it would be enforced, and what the cost impact would be. Davis and later witness Mike Olette said the issue is tied to industry grading standards rather than a government code, that the bill is meant to create a preference rather than a mandate, and that price differences are hard to pin down because lumber is a commodity. Olette, who lives near the border, testified that New Hampshire logs are often sent to Canada for milling and then return under a different grade, which he said puts New Hampshire loggers and mills at an economic disadvantage.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- check engine light in my 2006 Scion XP. check engine light in my 2006 Scion XP.
- While happy to engine light situation.
- Uh, but the check engine light now.
- engine light in a big way.
- light are weaponizing the check engine light are weaponizing the check engine light in<01:33:37.120
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Resolution 10 by Perry, congratulating Heather Keister on being named the 2004 Engineer of the
- Year by the South Plains Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers.
- of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers.
- Keister has more than two decades of experience in civil engineering and has specialized in stormwater
- of the Year by the South Plains Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers and extends to
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, and dispensed with the reading of the previous day’s journal. The chamber then spent much of the session on recognitions, including a visit from the Texas Police Chiefs Association and the introduction of Dr. Joshua Splinter as Doctor of the Day. Senators offered remarks honoring the chiefs’ service and welcoming Dr. Splinter and Dr. Sarah Jethro to the chamber.
The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 16, sponsored by Senators Miles, West, Alvarado, and Cook, designating January 29, 2025 as Alpha Kappa Alpha Day at the State Capitol. Senators Miles and West highlighted the sorority’s history, service work, and Texas members, and the resolution was adopted without objection. The chamber also adopted Senate Resolution 9 by Senator Perry recognizing American Public Works Association Day, and Senate Resolution 10 congratulating Heather Keister on being named Engineer of the Year by the South Plains Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers. Senator Perry emphasized the importance of public works and infrastructure, and praised Keister’s engineering work and contributions to West Texas.
The Senate also recognized a Brownsville delegation and celebrated Brownsville Day at the Capitol, with Senator Hinojosa of Nueces speaking about the city’s history and community spirit. Additional resolutions, including Senate Resolution 13 and Senate Resolution 18, were adopted without objection. The chamber then approved a motion to suspend Senate Rule 11.13 so committees could meet during the reading and referral of bills. Announcements followed, including a Finance Committee hearing and a Senate Democratic Caucus meeting, and the Senate recessed until Monday, February 3, for bill reading and referral, then adjourned until Tuesday, February 4.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- So MDOT has met with the engineers.
- I'm the assistant state traffic engineer with MnDOT's Office of Traffic Engineering.
- <00:24:25.600>
We Engineering. We want slower speeds. We Engineering. - we as engineers, we can say all we want. we as engineers, we can say all we want.
- county engineer right now? county engineer right now?
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EDT-HRE, HRE Public Hearings 03-13-2025
Economic Development and Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:38:26.720>
initiative space science and engineering initiative space science and engineering - <00:38:39.480>
students are first ever pre-engineering students are first ever pre-engineering - keep keep with the pre-engineering keep keep with the pre-engineering program<00:43:29.000>
and - those opportunities are that engineering those opportunities are that engineering is<00:44:03.079
- This is the University of Hawaiʻi Space and Science Engineering Initiative.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism and Higher Education heard HB 1494, relating to sports facilities. Testimony was largely in opposition to the bill as drafted from the Stadium Authority, the Department of Accounting and General Services, and the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, with several other written comments also opposing; each asked that if the measure advances, Senate language from related stadium bills be incorporated instead. The University of Hawaiʻi testified in support of the Nāʻid project and said it wants the project delivered at Halawa so the university can have a football facility, though members pressed the university on whether it was effectively supporting both the project and the bill’s current approach.
A substantial portion of the hearing focused on the stadium project’s financing, schedule, and oversight. DAGS and Public Works discussed a consultant contract that had grown to about $28 million and an audit that recovered $441,000 after improper travel and expense reimbursements, including first-class airfare and other personal expenses; officials said the audit exposed weak internal controls and led to revised reimbursement policies. Members questioned whether the problems would have been found without media reporting and whether stronger oversight should have been in place earlier.
The committee also discussed the current Ching Field setup for UH football, with witnesses describing it as less than ideal and temporary until the new stadium is built. Stadium Authority representatives said the current preferred offeror is Aloha Halawa Development Partners, negotiations have recently accelerated, and the goal remains a contract this summer and a fall 2028 opening. They said the state is committed to $350 million in general obligation bonds, with the overall project expected to cost more, and that the developer is exploring other financing sources such as TIF or CFD while the state and city work to expedite permits and demolition. No vote or final action on the bill was taken in the portion provided.