Transcript Highlights:

• Authorizing the Department of Transportation to inspect, review, audit, and investigate to ensure compliance
• House Bill 32, having been read twice by title, is ordered printed and referred to the House Transportation
• , Operations, and Finance Committee. to the House Rural Development, Land Grants, Operations, and Finance
• I announced that it would go to the House Rural Development, Land Grants, and Cultural Affairs Committee
• Your House Transportation, Public Works and Capital Improvements Committee will meet tomorrow at 9 o'clock

Transcript Highlights:

• Grant program.
• If we do not have a veteran or someone wanting to do that transport, the medical transport in this area
• I mean, but how hard is it to get onto the reservation to do the transport?
• I don't know if there is a barrier there that is not allowing our transportation aspect.
• I know that is available through a grant.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 84, on page 81, be re-referred to the Committee on Transportation.
• Senate Bill 84 is re-referred to the Committee on Transportation. Aye. Those opposed, no.
• The bill is re-referred to the Committee on Transportation.
• program eligibility for grants.
• This simply refines the eligibility around some STEM+C competition grant program eligibility.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:26.400><c> going</c> a regional transportation network going a regional transportation network
• Um what the transportation corridor.
• <00:03:56.239><c> corridor</c><00:03:56.720><c> investment</c> transportation corridor investment transportation
• </c> well as the Minnesota Transportation well as the Minnesota Transportation Alliance.<00:35:39.040
• This Transportation Committee as well.

Bills: HF4680 , HF4047 , HF4590 , HF3757 , HF3569 , HF4507 , HF4426 , HF4927 , HF4788 , HF4757 , HF4747 , HF3561 , HF4014 , HF4013 , HF4689 , HF4766 , HF4589

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now we are dedicating only $40 million to the Transportation Trust Fund.
• Department of Transportation and the initiatives for... Earlier from the U.S.
• , and different kinds of grants that are found from GOSEP and military.
• Some of the largest grants listed consist of the Crime Victims Assistance Program, the Byrne grant, the
• Some of the largest grants listed consist of the Crime Victims Assistance Program, the Byrne grant, the

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• effective only for new loans or grants.
• Funds can upgrade roads like these, slashing transport costs and boosting local economies.
• HB4341 also includes a grant program to assist these facilities in meeting these requirements.
• With the grant program created by the bill, I'm happy to answer any questions, Mr. Chairman.
• I'm the Director of the Aviation Division for the Texas Department of Transportation.

Bills: HB2564 , HB2760 , HB2765 , HB2898 , HB3260 , HB3800 , HB4341 , HB4396 , HB5195

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to address the transportation issue.
• I'd like to address the transportation issue.
• I'd like to address the transportation issue.
• I'd like to address the transportation issue.
• ><c> dispensaries</c> patients, transportation to dispensaries patients, transportation to dispensaries

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Transportation contributes to almost half of California's GHG emissions.
• So the transportation fuels. Revenue source. Right.
• It takes a lot of investment by the folks that are even applying for those grants.
• All right, and we're going to move on to California state transportation agencies.
• It takes a lot of investment by the folks that are even applying for those grants.

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee No. 4 hearing focused on the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) and cap-and-trade reauthorization, with members and panelists discussing how to balance climate goals, affordability, and legislative oversight. The chair emphasized the hearing as a broad review of past GGRF spending and future options, while the LAO outlined how GGRF revenues are generated, how variable they have been, and the tradeoffs between continuous appropriations and annual budget control. Two academic panelists, Dr. Kyle Meng and Danny Cullen Ward, argued that cap-and-trade remains an effective climate policy, but stressed that future revenue will depend heavily on market design, allowance allocation, and price levels. They also raised the idea that GGRF could be used more directly for affordability, especially by lowering electricity costs, and for targeted investments in technologies that the market would not otherwise support. Committee members pressed the panelists on where revenues come from, how much has actually been spent, and whether continuous appropriations reduce oversight. CARB staff said more than $33 billion has been generated to date and a little over $11–12 billion has been spent, with the rest committed or in process, and noted that project timelines can be lengthy. Members also asked about ways to lower electricity rates, reduce wildfire-related utility liabilities, and support electrification. The panelists said transportation fuels are the largest source of GGRF revenue, that industrial emitters receive a smaller share of free allowances, and that reducing wildfire liability and investing in grid-scale batteries could help lower costs and speed decarbonization. Public commenters largely urged the Legislature to preserve or expand continuous appropriations for specific climate programs. Speakers supported funding for nature-based solutions, natural and working lands, urban greening, agricultural climate solutions, waste and composting programs, clean transportation, AB 617 community air protection, clean cars, transit, affordable housing near transit, and dairy digesters. Several groups argued these programs are cost-effective, provide public health and affordability benefits, and should receive dedicated shares of GGRF. Others urged reducing free allowances and using more GGRF revenue to directly lower energy costs for households. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:19:03.280><c> and</c> railroad, public transportation and railroad, public transportation and
• And the committee on transportation Transportation, same recommendation.
• <00:23:45.760><c> on</c><00:23:46.080><c> SB3154</c> transportation on SB3154 transportation on SB3154
• Grant, Grant, Grant, &gt;&gt; aloha,<01:42:47.440><c> chair,</c><01:42:47.679><c> vice</c><01:42:47.920
• and a grant program within DAG.

Bills: SB2709 , SB3154

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The hearing began with SB 2709, which would require the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to establish rules to enforce the Okami arrival program and strengthen quarantine enforcement for plants, non-domestic animals, and microorganisms. The Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Hawaii Invasive Species Council supported the bill, as did DAB, saying it would improve biosecurity and make some provisions mandatory rather than optional. Alaska/Hawaiian Airlines supported the goal but raised concerns about language changing inspections from “may” to “shall” for aircraft, warning of possible federal preemption and operational conflicts unless the bill is clarified to align with federal aviation safety, security, and operational requirements. Committee members questioned DAB about inspection timing, scope, and compliance; DAB said the measure is intended to increase enforcement, improve form completion rates toward a 90% goal, and expand beyond airlines to other entry modes, while also noting plans to restore detector dog use and improve software/AI tools for processing forms. Decision-making on SB 2709 was deferred to February 17 at 3:02 p.m. in Room CR229. The committees then took up SB 3154, an administration measure authorizing the Department of Transportation to assume certain National Environmental Policy Act responsibilities for highway, rail, public transportation, and multimodal projects, with the aim of streamlining environmental review. DOT supported the bill and explained that it would allow the department to work directly with federal resource agencies such as U.S. Fish and Wildlife and SHPO rather than routing everything through federal highways. After brief discussion, the Committee on Transportation voted to pass SB 3154 with technical amendments, and the AEN committee followed with the same recommendation; the measure was adopted with five votes in favor. A later portion of the transcript shifted to SB 2374 on the blue economy. DBED said it supported the concept but noted that it already sits on many working groups and would need resources if a new working group is created. DBED suggested the committee could instead request research through a letter or memo, and said agencies including ADC, HTDC, and Agriculture had already begun internal discussions. Testimony in support came from IMUA Alliance, Hawaii Food Policy, and others, emphasizing the potential for blue economy ventures to support survivors, align with climate and cultural goals, and create economic opportunity. No final vote on SB 2374 appears in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• One barrier that exists in my district is transportation.
• There is no public transportation, and many of our families lack their own transportation.
• There is no public transportation, and many of our families lack their own transportation.
• </c><01:09:07.000><c> fullservice</c> years with a grant-funded fullservice years with a grant-funded
• However, we didn't have the grant to support us.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Whip and members, House Bill 2103 expands the projects eligible for grant monies from a county
• Madam Whip and members, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure adopted a strike-everything
• Madam Wipen, members, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure adopted a strike, Madam WIP,
• members, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure adopted a Strike Everything Amendment to
• Madam Whip and members, as amended by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House Bill

Summary: The meeting was a rapid review of a very large bill package, with the chair repeatedly asking staff to keep descriptions high level and many bills placed on third-read consent or consent calendars. A major theme was artificial intelligence: bills would require minors to be told when they are interacting with AI, allow AI-assisted divorce arbitration by consent, create an AI education program, privilege certain AI communications, and require K-12 instruction on ethical and practical AI use. Other education measures addressed school district superintendents, health instruction, anti-Semitism prohibitions, fetal development standards, and school safety, including a bill allowing concealed firearms on school grounds under specified conditions. Several health and public safety bills were also discussed. These included funding and oversight measures for childhood cancer research, nursing care complaint timelines, firefighter cancer data collection, limits on pharmacy penalties, and a bill making it a felony to administer abortion-inducing drugs without consent. Members also heard bills on overtime wage enforcement, domestic violence evidence standards in parenting cases, probation limits for dangerous crimes against children, and a measure expanding manslaughter liability to online encouragement of teen suicide. One sponsor strongly opposed a provisional medical licensing bill for foreign-trained applicants, while other sponsors emphasized rural health access, nurse anesthetist reimbursement parity, and the need for a dental board member who is an oral surgeon. A large portion of the meeting focused on water, land, energy, and state agency oversight. Bills would streamline or change rules for small modular reactors, new power plants, water supply determinations, groundwater transportation fees, water hauling, and state land disposition. Members also considered measures affecting the State Land Department, including audits, oversight boards, continuation, land-use maps for data centers and energy projects, and rules for mineral leases and solar or wind siting. Other topics included wildlife and ranching, Mexican wolf policy, annexation, housing and development incentives, transportation and towing rules, digital driver licenses, and a proposed four-year moratorium on municipal and county fee, tax, and utility-rate increases, which drew questions about stakeholder input and the impact on enterprise funds and local utilities. No recorded roll-call votes were taken in the transcript; most items were simply presented, briefly discussed, and left on consent or calendar status, with one bill noted as held in rules and another pulled for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that the Department of Transportation that the Department of Transportation would<00:43:40.839><
• Hi, Rebecca Harso Bage, co-founder for Grant Ready Kentucky. Very good.
• I believe in 2025, which created the 2024 grant program, or 2024, which would have created the grant
• </c><00:49:44.839><c> may</c> specify which departments uh grants may specify which departments uh grants
• </c> these are these are federal grants these are these are federal grants they're<00:51:24.599><c> in

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue met on February 25 and considered a series of bills and joint resolutions, mostly involving appropriations, capital projects, and local infrastructure funding. The committee first adopted PHS 2 and passed House Bill 152, which creates a Medicaid supplemental payment program for public ground ambulance providers; the sponsor said the substitute ensures no state general fund dollars will be used and that local agencies must identify a funding source for any required match. HB 152 was reported favorably on a 20-0 vote. The committee also passed House Bill 545, the annual claims bill, after members confirmed all executive-branch claims were included; it was reported favorably on a 21-0 vote. House Bill 606, requiring reporting for general obligation bonds, also passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee then took up several joint resolutions tied to capital and infrastructure spending. House Joint Resolution 30, concerning water projects, was described as implementing ranked projects under the Waters program administered by KIA and was reported favorably on a 21-0 vote. House Joint Resolution 32, concerning school facilities construction, was amended by PHS 1 and advanced after discussion referencing the Auditor’s report and questions about a Johnson County Schools expenditure; it also passed 21-0. House Joint Resolution 34, relating to contingent appropriations for KCTCS, was amended by PHS 1 and advanced after testimony outlining three projects in Somerset, Jefferson Community and Technical College, and Glasgow; it passed 21-0. House Joint Resolution 46, for local road projects, was described as funding the highest-scoring local road requests from a larger pool of applications and passed 21-0. The committee also advanced House Joint Resolution 53, authorizing release of funds for KSU’s Health Sciences Center project, after KSU officials said the building is needed for nursing and allied health programs and promised a business plan report by November 1, 2025; it passed 21-0. House Joint Resolution 54, authorizing funds related to the State Fair Board, also passed unanimously. Later, the committee considered House Bill 546, which revises the local roads and streets program by adding a DOT-developed scoring system, monthly reporting, a match requirement, and a $500,000 project cap; members asked about the cap and were told larger projects should be handled through other mechanisms. HB 546 was reported favorably on a 21-0 vote. Finally, House Bill 605, a technical corrections and update bill for the local economic relief grant program, was amended by PHS 1 and discussed as expanding eligibility, including to the Delta Regional Authority and certain local-affiliated applicants; the transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 605.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> investments in transportation systems. investments in transportation systems.
• </c> department of transportation alone. department of transportation alone.
• </c><04:53:50.798><c> grant</c> including performing arts grant grant including performing arts grant
• </c><05:18:11.200><c> and</c> leadership in the transportation and leadership in the transportation and
• </c><05:18:32.878><c> under</c> be used for student transport under be used for student transport under

Transcript Highlights:

• We have transportation infrastructure, roads. We have telecommunications infrastructure.
• We have partners doing the satellite bus, and then we'll launch on a SpaceX Transporter mission in Q4
• We have partners doing the satellite bus, and then we'll launch on a SpaceX Transporter mission in Q4
• It's so important to this state of Florida. and sometimes Industry for granted.
• It's unique, but we can't take it for granted, and if we take it for granted, we could lose it.

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The Committee of Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security heard a series of informational presentations focused on Florida’s aerospace and space ecosystem. Blue Origin described its Florida operations at Rocket Park, Launch Complex 36, and Port Canaveral, highlighting New Glenn and Blue Moon development, recent launch activity, workforce development efforts, and major capital investment in the state. Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper) outlined its low-Earth-orbit broadband network, customer terminals, satellite and gateway architecture, dark-sky mitigation efforts, and Florida investments including a payload processing facility and launch support infrastructure. Starcatcher Industries presented its concept for an orbital energy grid that would beam power to satellites, discussed demonstrations in Florida, customer interest, and plans for a first satellite launch next year. Space Florida President and CEO Rob Long gave a strategic update on the state’s aerospace industry, citing billions in private investment, growth in aerospace establishments and projects, spaceport infrastructure investments, workforce and university partnerships, and the importance of maintaining Florida’s competitiveness against other states. NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Janet Petro then emphasized Artemis II preparations, rising launch demand, aging infrastructure, and the need for stronger state-federal coordination and investment in research, workforce, and common-use infrastructure. She compared Florida’s support structure with Texas and argued that Florida must act to avoid losing aerospace leadership. Members asked questions about mobile and aviation applications for Amazon Leo, dark-sky impacts, satellite counts, Starcatcher’s power transmission losses and storage approach, and NASA’s funding and infrastructure constraints. Petro also discussed limits on commercial investment in common infrastructure under federal rules and suggested that state investment and better alignment among partners could help. No bills were considered and no votes were taken beyond adjournment; the committee concluded by adopting a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Up next, HB 1525 prearranged transportation services by Representative Busada. Thank you.
• Pre-arranged transportation services by Representative Busada. Thank you, you're recognized.
• I had a bill dealing with the transportation disadvantaged, and it was transportation services for persons
• Pierce Schusler, Florida Public Transportation Association, is an opponent.
• House Bill 847 establishes the expanded DNA testing grant program within FDLE.

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee considered a long agenda of criminal justice, public safety, and related bills. Early measures included HB 1171, tolling the statute of limitations for failure to make mandatory child abuse reports, and HB 1403, expanding school safety provisions by allowing child care facilities in the guardian program and clarifying perimeter and door-security rules; both passed unanimously, with HB 1403 adopted as amended. The committee also approved HB 1099, giving law enforcement discretion in arrests involving elderly or medically vulnerable individuals in facilities; HB 1121, strengthening restrictions on misuse of unmanned aircraft systems; HB 1525, creating penalties for impersonating rideshare drivers and clarifying transportation-disadvantaged access; and PCS for HB 687, increasing penalties for repeat DUI/vehicular homicide offenses known as “Trenton’s Law.” Members then advanced HB 847 to create an FDLE grant program for expedited DNA testing, PCS for HB 757 to prohibit altered sexual depictions of identifiable persons and create a civil remedy, and HB 1415 to repeal an obsolete Broward County narcotics enforcement unit. The committee also heard and approved HB 1207, the Tristan Murphy Act, which expands mental health diversion grants, creates a model diversion process, and establishes a behavioral healthcare data repository; testimony from the bill’s namesake’s mother and law enforcement emphasized the need for treatment over incarceration. HB 1351 updated sexual offender/predator registration rules, and HB 1479 created a public records exemption for domestic violence lethality assessment forms; both passed without opposition. Later, the committee approved PCS for HB 1283, making sex trafficking of children under 12 or mentally incapacitated persons a capital felony, despite constitutional concerns raised in debate; the bill passed 13-2. PCS for HB 781, addressing cyber intimidation by publication (doxing), also passed unanimously after supporters described it as a needed tool against online harassment. Finally, CSHB 139 authorized pawnbrokers to use digital transaction forms, and PCS for HB 107 created and enhanced penalties for fraudulent use of gift cards. Most bills were reported favorably, many unanimously, and several were amended before passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the goal is that we would give a grant to a community.
• Of course, we'd have medical transport. We'd have pharmaceutical transport.
• We just approved a $2 million grant for radar infrastructure there.
• One is our competitive grant program that we have every year.
• We've given grants to I believe four or five of those.

Committee: House A&B Transportation Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Transportation Committee will come to order.
• We've completed the match on our largest grant, which was the R grant that came back a number of years
• grants open, because I think it's the right thing to do, to apply for those grants.
• And the Senate Transportation Committee is now adjourned.
• And the Senate Transportation Committee is now adjourned.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• They are related to natural gas used for transportation.
• We've also seen the cancellation of BRIC grants, which are the Building Resilient Infrastructure grants
• Traditional bonding and grant programs alone cannot meet today's infrastructure needs.
• Traditional bonding and grant programs alone cannot meet today's infrastructure needs.
• That means making sure that people know what grants they're able to apply for, etc.

Bills: SB5754

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: public bank, state bank, finance, banking regulations, economic development, state investment

Transcript Highlights:

• hearing of the Senate Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and our good friends from Transportation
• Committee on Transportation, Culture, and the Arts: same recommendation.
• um initiative for the Transportation um initiative for the airport<00:01:22.560><c> greetings</c><00
• to expand the CA airport transportation to expand the CA airport greetings<00:02:44.640><c> program<
• </c> Transportation, Culture, and the Arts. Transportation, Culture, and the Arts.

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Summary: The Senate Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and on Transportation, Culture, and the Arts heard HCR 142, which urges the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Department of Transportation to expand the airport greetings program to display art in all neighbor island airports. Testimony from CARES supported the measure, emphasizing that public art and youth art competitions help educate keiki, strengthen cultural understanding, and support economic development through Hawaii’s creative industries. No one testified in opposition, and members raised no questions. Both committees recommended passage of HCR 142 unamended. The measure was adopted by voice vote in each committee, with some members excused. Later, the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard HTR 102, which concerns translating the real estate salesperson exam into Japanese for timeshare-related sales. Supporters, including DBEDT and ARDA Hawaii, argued the change would help Japanese-speaking applicants, improve workforce recruitment, and support Hawaii’s timeshare industry and Japanese visitor market. A representative from APAC Hawaii supported the idea but suggested considering additional languages such as Korean, Chinese, and Filipino. Some senators questioned whether the proposal adequately addressed continuing education and long-term English proficiency, and the Real Estate Commission explained it does not currently issue a limited timeshare salesperson license and that the proposal would not restrict licensees from selling other real estate products. The committee also heard HCR 156, which asks the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to increase its focus on advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity to support economic diversification, high-wage jobs, innovation, and national security. HTDC and the Hawaii Military Affairs Council supported the resolution, citing the recent federal discontinuation of the local Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, Innovate Hawaii, and the loss of related staff positions as reasons to reinforce state support. Testimony and discussion stressed cybersecurity, supply-chain resilience, automation, and the need to sustain manufacturing momentum in Hawaii. Both HTR 102 and HCR 156 were recommended for passage as is and were adopted by the committee, with some members excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• One matter will be taken out of the orders of the day: An act authorizing the town of Hudson to grant
• Third reading: An act authorizing the town of Hudson to grant an additional license for the sale of wine
• the Committee on Transportation until March 31st, within which time to make its final report on current
• the committee on transportation until March 31st, the time within which to make its final report on
• current Senate documents relative to transportation matters.

Summary: The Senate convened on February 19, 2006, with a Pledge of Allegiance and remarks noting the Commonwealth’s observance of Iwo Jima Day. The chamber also adopted a congratulatory resolution for Elizabeth Beth Renaud on her retirement from public service to the city of Salem. Members then acted on several local and procedural matters. House Bill 4272, authorizing Hudson to grant one additional off-premises wine and malt beverages license, was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed. The Senate also adopted orders extending committee reporting deadlines for the Environment and Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee and the Transportation Committee, and suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several House petitions to committees. Later, the Senate passed to enact House Bills 3977 and 4438, concerning alternate members for Beckett’s Conservation Commission and a fall annual town meeting in Swampscott. The chamber also adopted an order placing House Bill 4769, the “build resilient infrastructure to generate higher-ed transformation” bill, on the Orders of the Day for immediate second reading with Ways and Means text as the amendment. Another petition, filed by Senator Brownsberger and others regarding violations of the U.S. Constitution under cover of law, was referred to the Judiciary Committee after suspension of the necessary rules. The Senate concluded with an order to adjourn until the following Monday at 11 a.m. and a motion to adjourn in memory of Phyllis Chapman of Hingham, followed by a moment of silence. The motion prevailed and the Senate adjourned in her memory.