Transcript Highlights:

• Since 2015, according to the Railroad Commission's data, there have been more than 715 instances of reserve
• The Railroad Commission currently already has protective standards for other kinds of waste pits.
• Um, I have to commend the, uh, the railroad Commission and their staff.
• All right, so no Uh, we do have a resource witness, uh, from the Railroad Commission.
• Members, are you interested in hearing from the Railroad Commission? Nope, you're not. All right.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, clearly, that's a that particular point is something that the Railroad Commission... should be
• You got to get the railroad. mission involved.
• To acknowledge the Railroad Commission They discounted and they disregarded our reply.
• Discharge of treated produced water into surface waters, the Railroad Commission of Texas. currently
• SB 1145 transfers permitting authority from the Railroad Commission to TCEQ, consolidating permitting

Bills: SB766, SB290, SB494, SB1145

Keywords: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water regulation, environmental protection, pesticide management, natural resources, LP-gas, property owner notice, gas installations, safety notification, petroleum theft, task force, oil and gas, law enforcement, economic impact, environmental regulation, water permits, water quality, land application, 1185, senate

Transcript Highlights:

• We issue a call for class 3 railroads.
• </c><00:47:54.160><c> submit</c> projects and interest railroads submit projects and interest railroads
• The final photo is of the Tenken Railroad project in Fulton County.
• This program is open to freight railroads operating in the Commonwealth, as well as any railroad authority
• This project will add additional railroad tracks on the site to increase capacity.

Keywords: 00:05 Call to Order and Roll Call 01:20 Road Projects 46:30 Approval of Minutes 46:50 Railroads 57:26 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met without a quorum, so it could not approve the minutes. The chair announced an Eastern Kentucky University health forum later that day and then proceeded with testimony on alternative delivery methods for road projects. Jason Sawala of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Chad Laroo of the Kentucky Association of Highway Contractors were sworn in and introduced themselves. Sawala explained KYTC’s use of alternative delivery tools, including design-build, construction manager/general contractor (CMGC), and public-private partnerships (P3s). He said the cabinet’s goal is to deliver the best value to taxpayers in terms of quality, cost, and time, and emphasized that alternative delivery is most useful on projects with special circumstances such as innovation needs, specialized technology, complex constructibility, schedule pressure, or early contractor input. He cited the cabinet’s wrong-way driving prevention project as an example where design-build helped evaluate technologies and coordinate with stakeholders such as EMS and first responders. He also outlined the main tradeoffs: alternative delivery can improve collaboration and sometimes accelerate schedules, but it also brings risks related to right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, changing scope, and the need for dedicated staff and compressed decision-making. He stressed that these methods are not a cure-all and are not appropriate for every project, while noting that traditional design-bid-build remains effective for most of KYTC’s work. Representative Branscum responded favorably, saying early contractor involvement is valuable and consistent with his experience in the vertical construction world. No votes or formal actions were taken because the committee lacked a quorum.

Transcript Highlights:

• The terminal railroad has nine railroads that operate in and through our gateway.
• In the picture to the left, each color represents one of those nine railroads.
• They have two railroads that touch their port.
• railroads.
• You said that we're seeking grant funding to make railroad improvements? Are those federal grants?

Bills: HB1, HB247, HB1

Keywords: DUI, driving under the influence, ignition interlock, interlock device, driver license suspension, restricted license, motor vehicle, alcohol offense, first offense, repeat offender, blood alcohol concentration, BAC, license revocation, Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, ALEA, public safety, traffic safety, chemical dependency, substance abuse, court referral program

Transcript Highlights:

• Gone are the days when the railroads were slow and late.
• Small business of railroading.
• We interchange trains there with the railroad in Piedras Negras.
• It's the Federal Railroad Administration that does that.
• They have their own railroads in El Paso and Eagle Pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, this is the main uh railroad and we had a bonding project at a different railroad crossing uh maybe
• Um, this is the main railroad, and we had a bonding project at a different railroad crossing maybe 5
• The Town Line Road project represents the next step in a series of railroad crossing safety improvements
• apparent that we had to put into place some mitigation measures due to the configuration of the railroad
• </c> railroad crossing safety improvements. railroad crossing safety improvements.

Bills: HF4156, HF3835, HF3995, HF4383, HF4091, HF4084, HF4311, HF198, HF4486, HF4302, HF4309, HF4032, HF3855, HF3673, HF4265, HF4012, HF4339, HF4298, HF3852

Keywords: infrastructure, wastewater, stormwater, Buhl, state bonds, appropriations, economic development, water infrastructure, grants, capital investment, funding, state regulation, Frazee, North River Drive, infrastructure improvements, HF4383, Minnesota capital investment, bonding bill, Department of Natural Resources, DNR

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2681, SB5467, SB5820, SB5863, SB5892, SCR8406, HB2487, HB2711, SB5816, SB5919, SB5995, SB6278

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, cannabis, license fees, regulatory framework, revenue generation, legalization, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, approved the prior day’s minutes, and then took up a series of transportation, election, energy, historical records, employer reporting, cannabis, and abortion-related bills. Members also announced caucuses and several bills were transmitted or received from the Senate. Throughout the day, debate centered on the policy and fiscal impacts of transportation preservation and ferry funding, election data security, clean energy compliance, historical record retention, employer reporting penalties, cannabis licensing fees, and access to abortion medications. The House first passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6005, the supplemental transportation budget, after adopting technical amendments. Supporters emphasized preservation and maintenance funding, rail investments, ferry maintenance, safety, and rural and statewide infrastructure projects; the bill passed 93-0 with five excused. The House then passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2711, a transportation resources measure, after adopting an amendment to repeal the aircraft tax and delay an RV tax change; supporters said it protected jobs and businesses, while opponents argued it favored certain industries. That bill passed 83-10. The House also passed Senate Bill 5892 on voter registration database protections after rejecting an amendment that would have reduced penalties and removed the emergency clause; supporters framed it as election security, while opponents said the felony penalty was too harsh. The bill passed 57-36. The House passed Substitute Senate Bill 5982 on consumer-owned utilities and clean energy after rejecting several amendments on carbon capture, blackout-triggered suspension, and broader exemptions, but adopting an exception for certain cogeneration facilities. Supporters said it closed loopholes while preserving some existing exemptions; opponents warned it could hinder new power supply and economic development. The bill passed 57-37. The House also passed Senate Bill 5863 on preservation and inspection of state historical records, rejecting an amendment to extend retention indefinitely; supporters stressed the importance of preserving records from residential habilitation centers, and the bill passed 94-0. Substitute Senate Bill 5874, allowing the Employment Security Department to waive penalties for minor employer reporting errors, passed unanimously. Later, the House passed Engrossed House Bill 2681, which raises cannabis producer, processor, and retail license fees after adopting an amendment to remove an escalator tied to CPI; supporters said fees should cover regulation, while opponents argued the increases would further burden the industry. The bill passed 52-42. The House then began debate on Substitute Senate Bill 5917, relating to access to abortion medications, where multiple amendments offered by Representative Marshall sought to require appropriations, change terminology, limit distribution to Washingtonians, recover costs, and remove the emergency clause; opponents said the bill needed flexibility to respond to legal and health-care risks. The transcript ends during continued debate on that bill, before final action is shown.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2681, SB5467, SB5820, SB5863, SB5892, SCR8406, HB2487, HB2711, SB5816, SB5919, SB5995, SB6278

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, cannabis, license fees, regulatory framework, revenue generation, legalization, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, approved the prior day’s minutes, and then moved through caucuses and a series of transportation, elections, energy, historical records, cannabis, abortion-access, and fiscal bills. Members repeatedly emphasized that several measures were supplemental or technical updates to existing law, while others involved larger policy disputes over taxes, fees, clean energy, election security, and reproductive health. The chamber also received Senate messages on other bills and briefly recessed for caucus during the day. The most prominent action was final passage of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6005, the supplemental transportation budget, after adopting a technical amendment and a larger striker amendment. Supporters highlighted preservation and maintenance funding, rail investments, ferry maintenance, road safety, and continued work on major projects statewide; opponents largely reserved comments or noted concerns about future needs. The House passed the bill 93-0 with five excused. The House also passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2711 on transportation resources, after adopting a technical amendment that removed the aircraft tax and delayed an RV-related tax change; supporters said it protected businesses and jobs, while opponents objected to trade-in treatment and other tax changes. That bill passed 83-10. On elections, the House considered Senate Bill 5892 to protect the voter registration database. An amendment to reduce penalties from a felony to a civil infraction and remove the emergency clause failed, while the committee amendment passed 50-34. Supporters said the bill was needed to safeguard sensitive voter data and clarify access; opponents argued it created conflicts with federal law and imposed excessive penalties on local election officials. The bill then passed 57-36. On energy, Substitute Senate Bill 5982 updating consumer-owned utility provisions drew debate over carbon capture, resource adequacy, data centers, and clean energy policy. Amendments on carbon capture and blackout-triggered termination failed, while an amendment preserving cogeneration exceptions passed; the bill then passed 57-37. The House also passed Senate Bill 5863 on preservation and inspection of state historical records, after rejecting an amendment to require longer retention but adopting the committee amendment; supporters stressed preserving the history of residential habilitation centers and the value to families seeking records. Substitute Senate Bill 5874, allowing the Employment Security Department to waive penalties for minor employer reporting errors, passed unanimously. Engrossed House Bill 2681, raising cannabis license fees while removing an escalator, passed 52-42. Finally, Substitute Senate Bill 5917 on access to abortion medications saw several failed amendments from opponents seeking to narrow, reframe, or add fiscal limits to the bill; supporters said it preserved flexibility to ensure access and avoid waste, and the bill passed 57-36.

Bills: HB2392, HB2462, HB2423, HB1771, HB2081, HB2334, HB2336, HB1666, HB2375, HB2415, HB2451, HB2373, HB1641, HB1694, HB1695, HB1986, HB1797, HB1879, HB2034

Keywords: transportation, tax credit, employer incentives, commuting, environmental impact, flexible work arrangements, carpooling, bicycling, public transportation, consumer protection, subscription services, motor vehicles, ownership expectations, transparency, biodiesel, renewable diesel, diesel blend, B5, blending mandate, clean energy

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several transportation-related measures. SB 2356, relating to parking, drew support from the Office of Planning, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Appleseed Center, Realtors, and the Hawaii Bicycling League. Members discussed the bill in the context of the planned stadium-area mixed-use development, with questions about whether parking would be built in structures rather than as large surface lots. Senators expressed support and noted the measure’s broader housing and parking-reduction goals, but no vote was taken during the hearing. The bulk of the hearing focused on SB 2699, which would create a fare-free youth transit program, a special fund, annual evaluations, and appropriations tied to the environmental, energy, and food security tax. The Attorney General’s office raised technical concerns about whether the special fund met statutory requirements. The Department of Education and Department of Health supported the bill, as did the City and County of Honolulu DOT, Appleseed Center, Hawaii Youth Transportation Council, Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, Hawaii Bicycling League, Our Children’s Trust, and numerous youth testifiers. Supporters emphasized reduced family transportation costs, better school attendance, improved health and mobility, and environmental benefits. One senator raised emergency-planning concerns about how children using free transit would be handled during events like tsunamis; DOT and DOE responded that emergency procedures are being developed. The chair said the committee would work on language changes, including a delayed effective date to July 2027, and defer decision-making until the 12th. The final measure discussed was SB 2470, which would require leading pedestrian intervals, accessible pedestrian signals, and other safety improvements at state-controlled intersections, and create a process for community requests for accessible pedestrian signals. Appleseed Center, the Hawaii Association of the Blind, and the Disability Rights Center supported the bill, citing pedestrian safety, reduced collisions, and the need for audible cues for blind and low-vision pedestrians. Testifiers urged a phased-in approach that prioritizes high-traffic intersections. The hearing ended with the bill still under consideration and no final vote announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• said anything relating to below the surface of the ground would be regulated by the TCEQ and by the Railroad
• Um, right now, the Texas Railroad Commission requires setbacks for wells and property lines.

Bills: HB 551, HB 1281, HB 1378, HB 1617, HB 2868, HB 2881, HB 3374, HB 4439, HB 4726, HB 4732, HB 4878, HB 4914, HB 4921, HB 4958, HB 5200, HB 5318, HB 5360, HB 5402, HB 5568, HB 5573, HB 5623, HJR 218

Keywords: political contributions, address privacy, Texas Ethics Commission, election transparency, campaign finance, international organizations, World Health Organization, jurisdiction, state law, enforcement, United Nations, World Economic Forum, attorney general, Texas attorney general, state sovereignty, legal enforcement, Texas Attorney General, electric energy storage, municipal regulation, county regulation

Bills: HB551, HB 1281, HB1378, HB1617, HB2868, HB2881, HB3374, HB4439, HB4726, HB4732, HB4878, HB4914, HB4921, HB4958, HB5200, HB5318, HB5360, HB5402, HB5568, HB5573, HB5623, HJR218

Keywords: political contributions, address privacy, Texas Ethics Commission, election transparency, campaign finance, international organizations, World Health Organization, jurisdiction, state law, enforcement, United Nations, World Economic Forum, attorney general, Texas attorney general, state sovereignty, legal enforcement, Texas Attorney General, electric energy storage, municipal regulation, county regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• said anything relating to below the surface of the ground would be regulated by the TCEQ and by the Railroad
• Right now, the Texas Railroad Commission requires setbacks for wells and property lines.

Bills: HB551, HB 1281, HB1378, HB1617, HB2868, HB2881, HB3374, HB4439, HB4726, HB4732, HB4878, HB4914, HB4921, HB4958, HB5200, HB5318, HB5360, HB5402, HB5568, HB5573, HB5623, HJR218

Keywords: political contributions, address privacy, Texas Ethics Commission, election transparency, campaign finance, international organizations, World Health Organization, jurisdiction, state law, enforcement, United Nations, World Economic Forum, attorney general, Texas attorney general, state sovereignty, legal enforcement, Texas Attorney General, electric energy storage, municipal regulation, county regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have a witness from the Railroad Commission if we have any questions. And with that, I close.
• And then is there someone from the Railroad Commission as well? No? Or PUC? Thank you.
• You are with the Railroad Commission as a resource witness? Yes, sir. Do you have any insight?

Bills: SB483, SB522, SB783, SB1239, SB1254, SB1255, SB1259, SB1341, SB1664, SB1762, SB1856, SB1877, SB1977

Keywords: utility, proprietary information, customer data, data protection, electric service, customer information, emergency communication, electric utility, privacy, certification, public accountants, interstate licensing, accounting, regulatory amendment, energy efficiency, construction regulations, building codes, Texas, sustainability, cost-effectiveness

Transcript Highlights:

• railroads.
• </c> the next Au is uh 2931 it's railroad the next Au is uh 2931 it's railroad that<01:02:31.160><c>
• Class three railroads in the Cog railroad can apply for this revolving loan fund.
• Special railroad funds, right.
• in the special railroad fund.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met with New Hampshire DOT Commissioner Bill Cass and Finance Director Danielle Shandra to review the agency’s FY 2026 budget. Cass gave a high-level overview of DOT’s mission, organization, funding structure, and staffing trends, noting the agency has about 650 employees across five divisions. He said the Governor’s recommended FY 2026 budget totals $95.99 million, essentially flat from FY 2025, with funding primarily from Turnpike funds, Highway funds, federal sources, and a small General Fund share for non-highway units. Members asked about how Turnpike and Highway funds are treated in state accounting, and DOT explained that while they are enterprise funds restricted to their purposes, they are considered unrestricted from the statewide perspective and are appropriated through the budget process. A major topic was staffing and budget targets. DOT said its full-time staffing level has remained relatively flat since 2014 even as vehicle miles traveled increased and vacancies rose. To meet budget targets, the department unfunded seven permanent positions and nine temporary full-time positions, and later noted additional reductions in Finance, including the elimination of two full-time positions, reduced print shop equipment purchases, and deeper cuts to overtime, temporary help, equipment, and supplies in FY 2027. DOT also explained that it shifted funding for one unmanned aerial system position from General Funds to Highway Funds, saying the change was workable because the position supports highway-related work and federal-aid-eligible activities. Members asked for clarification on the state transit operating match, and DOT explained that the Legislature had previously provided about $1.8 million annually in General Funds to help local transit agencies meet federal match requirements, but that funding was not included in this budget. DOT said that could reduce the ability to draw down some federal transit funds, though the impact may not be immediate because those funds can be used over several years. The department also described its unmanned aerial system program, saying it has been used for about five years for mapping, survey work, construction oversight, and storm damage assessment, and that it now has about five drones and two full-time positions supporting the program. DOT said it is expanding cross-training so more employees can operate drones without adding positions. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• and in HB25 relating to uh private freight HB25 relating to uh private freight railroads. railroads.
• railroads.
• </c><00:21:24.320><c> are</c> to saying operating railroads are to saying operating railroads are freight
• c> to</c> freight railroads are required to freight railroads are required to maintain<00:21:27.919><
• This stateowned active railroad lines.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, one of the things that's important to note is that any type of an upgrade of a railroad is
• If you look at the shortline railroad industry in Minnesota, they run on fairly slim margins to begin
• </c><00:34:40.320><c> to</c> Transportation um for the railroads to Transportation um for the railroads
• </c><00:35:18.680><c> is</c> that uh taxpayer if if the railroad is that uh taxpayer if if the railroad
• </c> touch base with uh uh with the railroads touch base with uh uh with the railroads and<00:36:03.760

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• covering the subject of data and privacy, distinctive license plates, public awareness campaigns, and railroads
• Distinctive license plates, public awareness campaigns, and railroads.
• The railroad is a complex system of operations.
• The railroad is a complex system of operations.
• It's an unnecessary risk that benefits railroad shareholders to the detriment of every abutter along

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on 31 bills covering driver privacy and data, distinctive license plates, public awareness signage, railroad safety, superload permitting, TNC/delivery data reporting, and MBTA safety measures. Chairs Jim Arciero and Brendan Crighton outlined the hearing process, and the committee heard testimony from state officials, advocates, family members of fallen officers and firefighters, transportation industry representatives, civil liberties groups, and others. No votes were taken during the hearing itself, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn. Several speakers supported bills creating a Blue Star Family license plate to honor families of fallen law enforcement officers, and a separate motorcycle plate for fallen firefighters. Colonel Jeffrey Noble and others from the Healey-Driscoll Administration and law enforcement groups said the plates would complement existing memorial practices and provide a lasting public tribute. Family members of officers killed in the line of duty gave emotional testimony in support, and Representative Steve Ultrino and Paul Jakes backed the firefighter memorial motorcycle plate as revenue-neutral, with proceeds supporting the fallen firefighter memorial. The committee also heard testimony on transportation policy and safety bills. Industry witnesses urged modernization of Massachusetts superload permitting rules, saying current requirements are slower and more expensive than neighboring states and delay public projects. Advocates supported a human trafficking awareness bill requiring hotline signage in transit facilities, a driver privacy bill limiting automatic license plate reader data retention and sharing, and a bill requiring two-person crews on freight trains and other railroad safety measures such as hotbox detectors and transportation for railroad employees. Senator John Keenan also testified for expanded naloxone availability in MBTA stations and said the MBTA had not fully complied with prior legislative directives.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this year we built the railroad tracks together. So it's just a very different session.
• And this year we built the railroad tracks together. So it's just a very different session.
• tracks to stop laying on the railroad tracks to stop all<00:09:53.200><c> of</c><00:09:53.279><c> it
• And this year we built the railroad<00:09:55.519><c> tracks</c><00:09:55.839><c> together.
• So it's it's railroad tracks together.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The meeting focused on delays in finalizing major budget bills, especially the health and human services bills, which speakers said are highly complex and require extensive review by the revisor, legislative chairs, and agency staff. Transportation was described as nearly complete, with technical language issues slowing its posting. Leaders said the special session agreement would not be negotiated until the bills are posted in final form, and that the agreement will likely specify the items of business for the session. Speakers emphasized that the extra time is being used to carefully review the legislation and avoid mistakes, noting the bills cover large portions of the state budget and affect vulnerable populations. They also said they want to preserve some previously agreed-to technical, non-money provisions from the tax bill. There was discussion of unresolved policy items, including a question about a non-compete rollback, which was said not to be under discussion. On timing, one speaker said the special session was unlikely to happen the next day, gave only a small chance of Thursday, and said Saturday was the most realistic target. The urgency was tied to avoiding additional layoff notices for state employees before June 10. Leaders said the special session would ideally last one day, with enough votes to pass bills and suspend rules in both chambers, and noted that the tied legislature has made cooperation more necessary than in the prior session, when a majority-minority conflict led to a long filibuster.

Transcript Highlights:

• As railroads abandon their track, they do that through the Surface Transportation Board.
• When the railroad went through 150 years ago, what was the normal right-of-way?
• I've got a couple of farms on the railroad that they've abandoned and dealing with the railroad.
• Okay, and we can't transfer that cost to, you know, the multi-billion dollar railroads?
• I remain here next year that I would file that bill requiring the railroad to do it.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture met in executive session and public hearing. In executive session, the committee voted 21-0 to report House Bill 2280 do pass. The bill, as described by Rep. Nolte, would direct the state land surveyor to survey abandoned railroad rights-of-way in Missouri over a 20-year period to clarify boundaries and ownership after railroad abandonment. Members discussed the bill’s fiscal note, but no amendment was offered and the bill advanced on the original version. The committee then heard House Bill 3014, a conveyance bill sponsored by Rep. Farnan authorizing the sale of about 59 acres of Northwest Missouri State University property. The land would be sold to Nottaway County Economic Development for a fairground, expo center, and campsites. Members asked about the acreage and the intended buyer, but no witnesses testified and the hearing closed without action. House Bill 3392, sponsored by Rep. Haley, drew extensive testimony and discussion. The bill would remove the requirement that retailers keep exemption certificates on file for dyed diesel purchases at retail pumps, addressing problems faced by farmers and small fuel retailers. Rep. Haley and industry witnesses said the current paperwork requirement is impractical for quick, self-service purchases and had led to a large audit assessment against Geier Oil/Eagle Stop. The Missouri Petroleum and Convenience Association, Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Farm Bureau, and Missouri Corn Growers all supported the bill. Department of Revenue testimony confirmed the current statutory requirement, noted a possible refund process for farmers, and said the department was reviewing proposed amendment language to avoid unintended consequences or federal compliance issues. No opposition witnesses appeared, and the hearing adjourned after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and that is railway safety, railroad safety. Uh, and that is railway safety, railroad safety.
• </c> telling the railroad what to do? telling the railroad what to do?
• Any public testimony on railroad safety? I want to do railroad and railway at the same time.
• :27.720><c> railroad</c> public testimony on railroad railroad public testimony on railroad railroad
• It comes railroad. same time. It comes railroad.

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee opened by taking roll for the Joint Transportation, Highways, and Military Affairs Committee and noting that 20 topics had been submitted for discussion, including one late addition. Members were asked to number the topics for reference, and the chair explained that each presenter should give a brief overview before the committee returned to the dais for questions and possible ranking or action. No votes were taken during the portion provided. The first topic was a request from the Associated General Contractors of Wyoming to have TRIP, a third-party transportation research organization, present a report on Wyoming’s highway system. The report is intended to identify transportation needs and 25 priority projects, and the committee generally supported hearing the report and methodology directly from TRIP. The next topic combined two similar railroad safety proposals. Representative Chestek described a bill addressing train length, wayside detectors, and track inspections, citing the East Palestine derailment and concerns about reduced inspection frequency. Committee members raised questions about federal preemption and enforcement authority; Chestek said states can be more protective of safety where federal rules leave gaps, and WYDOT said it would need additional expertise and staffing to administer such a program. No public testimony was offered on the railroad topic. The committee then heard two proposals from the Wyoming Military Department. One would study Tricare subsidies for mental health providers by comparing Tricare reimbursement rates with other insurers, gathering de-identified data on eligible members and provider participation, and then returning to the committee with findings before any legislative recommendation. Members discussed whether the issue might fit better in Labor, Health, and Social Services, but the military department said it believed the committee had a strong connection to the topic. The second military topic would study Service Group Life Insurance for state active duty, comparing state and federal death benefits for Guard members to identify any shortfalls. The committee also briefly discussed a VSO program review raised by Representative Neff, focusing on the number of veterans service officers and retention, but no action was taken in the excerpt.