Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I enjoy working construction in part because it is very, very different.
• working construction in part because<00:21:46.559> it<00:21:46.799> is<00:21:46.880>
• Are they working out a contract? Are they drawing down the money?
• Are they working out a contract? Are they drawing down the money?
• Are they working out a contract? Are they drawing down the money?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But that was only available for construction contracts for one- to four-unit properties, and OBBBA expands
• that to all residential construction contracts.
• from uh certain residential construction from uh certain residential construction contracts<00:36
• only available for construction only available for construction contracts<00:37:01.680> uh
• residential construction contracts. residential construction contracts. that<00:37:09.599> also

Bills: HR1, HF387

Keywords: January 6 insurrection, pardon, law enforcement, violent crimes, public safety, justice system, political accountability, Blaine, local sales tax, special tax, restaurant tax, lodging tax, admissions tax, amusement tax, hotel tax, redevelopment, capital improvements, municipal finance, bonding authority, tourism tax

Transcript Highlights:

• It also requires that the insurance contract be interpreted according to Texas law.
• It's different; it applies to all types of... contracts, surplus lines contracts.
• Every single piece of the contract is carefully negotiated because the contract and the risk don't fit
• They should pay for it with bilateral contracts.
• Power and energy contracts, which are already commonly in use.

Bills: SB388, SB455, SB917, SB925, SB1006

Keywords: dispatchable generation, electricity, natural gas, ERCOT, energy credits, utilities regulation, renewable energy, arbitration, insurance contracts, surplus lines, Texas law, insurance policy, boiler inspection, boiler safety, inspection report deadline, certificate inspection, authorized inspector, inspection agency, Health and Safety Code, board of boiler rules

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the contract you have with UTSA.
• He might have a contract for $10 million.
• We did, when we negotiated the contract with the vendor, we put in part of the that contract, the vendor's
• We negotiated this latest contract, we negotiated the contract with the vendor that they are paying to
• And we did that because we agreed to a 20-year contract.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• rules to take up and consider a HR 176, recognizing the outstanding work of the regional Hispanic contract
• Association and celebrating their 30th anniversary on today's Construction Industry Day.
• Hispanic Contract Association leaders in the gallery, and I'd like for them to stand if they have a moment
• Members, the regional Hispanic contract Association was established in 1995 and has dedicated itself
• Our essential workers, our essential construction workers who build Texas and these contractors who are

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our statewide construction manager.
• So those will move to the next phase, which is contract documents.
• Remains have been located there before in past construction projects.
• All of the savings are returned to the state per contract. ...the state per contract.
• And the last item on here is just an update on the school construction loan program.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum and approved the March 18 minutes. The committee first heard an update from the Petroleum Council on oil and gas activity in North Dakota. Ron Ness said production is expected to remain relatively flat at just under 1.2 million barrels per day, with efficiency gains and longer laterals helping offset lower rig counts. He discussed oil and gas prices, gas taxation, flaring concerns, northward movement of drilling activity, and the importance of new infrastructure and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) pilots. Members asked about gas taxation, natural gas liquids, pipeline impacts, and the outlook for Continental and other operators. Ness said the industry is likely to remain steady rather than see a major ramp-up or decline. Matt Pearl of the State Tax Department then explained the federal “big beautiful bill” and its effect on North Dakota income tax collections. He said the law extends or makes permanent several federal provisions and creates temporary deductions for seniors, tips, overtime, and auto loan interest, with the biggest state impact coming from the standard deduction increase and business tax changes. He revised earlier estimates downward, saying the net cash impact on state collections is likely in the $30 million to $35 million range after accounting for business prepayments and one-time FY25 oilfield transaction effects. Committee members asked which provisions apply to standard versus itemized returns. OMB staff gave a detailed update on major capital projects and facility funding. Topics included Capitol grounds improvements such as 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding, seating, lighting, tree management, and restroom and lobby upgrades; security work at the governor’s residence, which has been delayed by the discovery of human remains; and space reconfiguration efforts in Bismarck-Mandan to reduce leases and create shared offices and conference rooms. They also reported on the State Facility Maintenance Fund, including roof, window, boiler, and kitchen projects at state facilities, and on the state hospital project in Jamestown, which remains on budget and on schedule for substantial completion in winter 2027 and opening in spring 2028. OMB also updated the committee on the Minot North Central State Office Building, the use of federal State Fiscal Recovery Funds, and the status of legislative intent and trust fund reports, including school aid turnback, the school construction loan program, the Foundation Aid Stabilization Fund, the Legacy Fund, and the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund. The committee ended by discussing future agenda items, including government efficiency, cash management, Bank of North Dakota lines of credit, and the rural health transformation program, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:12:08.800> and<01:12:09.040> construction development contracts and construction
• development contracts and construction contracts<01:12:11.199> we<01:12:11.320> do<01:
• contracts.
• within TODs and construction contracts from Chapter 1 and 3D, on page six, lines one and 19, to add
• during the time period of construction during the time period of construction uh<02:16:42.200>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Housing held a public hearing and moved quickly through a long agenda, beginning with HB 606 on the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. DHHL and several community testifiers strongly supported the bill, describing it as a way to fulfill long-standing promises to Native Hawaiians, reduce the DHHL waitlist, keep families in Hawaii, and support housing production and the broader economy. Testifiers emphasized the cultural and economic importance of stable housing and noted the large number of people still waiting for DHHL homes. The committee then heard HB 1086, also relating to DHHL, which would allow the department to use a $75 million appropriation from the dwelling unit revolving fund as collateral for loans. DHHL, HHFDC, and other supporters said the measure would help DHHL obtain better loan terms and preserve trust funds for other uses. Members asked detailed questions about how the collateral would work, whether other agencies use similar structures, and what would happen if the collateral were drawn upon; staff explained that the funds would be encumbered for the loan and that a similar model had been used for a HUD-backed project. The committee also heard HB 739, which would create the COM homes program to fund counties to buy voluntary deed restrictions from eligible homeowners or buyers. Supporters said the program could help keep local workers in Hawaii by using existing housing stock and cited examples from places like Aspen and Vail. The Attorney General’s office recommended amendments to remove duration requirements to avoid right-to-travel concerns, and the Tax Foundation suggested clarifying the conveyance tax exemption so it also covers the instrument imposing the restriction. Members asked whether tax dollars would be used to buy homes, who would be eligible, and how enforcement would work; supporters said the program is voluntary and income-blind, with restrictions tied to living and working in the state. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission authorized to construct and maintain a
• a levee project and to perform and enter into contracts to perform related construction and design activities
• and enter into contracts to perform and enter into contracts to perform<00:01:03.880> related
• construction and perform related to construction and design<00:01:05.640> activities<00:01:06.200
• <00:04:11.080> of to pay the debt for the construction of to pay the debt for the construction

Keywords: Public Property - Room 409, 26 February, 2026; 11:00 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee took up several public property bills and reported each one out after brief discussion. HB 1041, authorizing the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission to construct and maintain a levee system along the Yazoo River, was explained as a flood-control measure and passed without questions. HB 1520, which would allow the Department of Archives and History to convey about 23 acres associated with the Dancing Rabbit Creek Treaty back to the tribe, was also reported out. HB 1732, concerning sale of DPS property in the Lauderdale County/Meridian area, was amended so proceeds from any sale or lease would go to the state general fund, then passed as amended. HB 1731, the ABC warehouse bill in Gluckstadt, drew the most discussion. Members clarified that the bill concerns the old warehouse and not current ABC operations. Two amendments were adopted: one corrected a reference to the Department of Finance and Administration and directed proceeds from the sale to defray Department of Revenue costs tied to the new warehouse, and another specified the property recipient as the Madison County Economic Development Authority rather than a generic entity. After questions about whether sale proceeds should instead return to the general fund and whether the language properly covered warehouse debt, the committee voted to report the bill out as amended. The committee then discussed HB 1716, a Mississippi Main Street revitalization grant bill. Supporters said the bill expands eligible recipients to include Main Street network associate communities and business improvement districts, requires only local cash matches, bars state funds from being used for the match, shifts administration to MDA, and caps administrative costs at 2 percent. Members also reviewed how the bill was intended to address a backlog of grant applicants and the governor’s concerns about prior administration of the program. After questions about the grant list, funding process, and the 2 percent cap, the committee voted to report HB 1716 out, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:43:38.720> and not specific to Contracting and not specific to Contracting and procurement
• Reconnect Rondo is not just about remedying the initial harm felt by the construction of I-94.
• , and post-construction of the land bridge.
• Reconnect Rondo is not just about remedying the initial harm felt by the construction of I-94.
• , and post-construction of the land bridge.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But these contract services do not cover all of the toll roads.
• While Harris County contracts with constables for police response, there is no such contract in place
• They've got contracts. Chief, we'll get to you in a second.
• In the six years prior to 2019, HCTRA awarded 12 construction contracts for around $1.65 billion.
• hiatus without any contracts.

Bills: SB39, SB2129, SB2141, SB2246, SB2323, SB2439, SB2722, SB 39

Keywords: commercial motor vehicle, truck liability, motor carrier, trucking, civil liability, respondeat superior, negligent entrustment, negligent maintenance, negligent loading, negligent repair, bifurcated trial, exemplary damages, punitive damages, personal injury, collision, employer liability, vicarious liability, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Texas tort reform, commercial truck accident

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill Truex, owner of Trux Preferred Construction and Charlotte County Commissioner. Mr.
• Truex has extensive real estate and construction experience.
• I appreciate you taking a look at this and the importance of mitigation and construction in Florida.
• We, the Florida Division emergency management, are going to contract directly with those vendors.
• So we We, the Florida Division Mercy Management, are going to contract directly with those vendors.

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee heard a series of presentations focused on mitigation, flood and wind resilience, and insurance discounts. Kevin Guthrie of the Florida Division of Emergency Management outlined several funding streams for mitigation, including federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program dollars, BRIC grants, flood mitigation assistance, and the state hurricane loss mitigation program. He emphasized the new Elevate Florida initiative, which will use about $400 million initially to elevate or reconstruct flood-prone homes, starting with National Flood Insurance Program properties and severe repetitive-loss homes, with no current per-home cap. Guthrie said the state will contract directly with licensed vendors and aims to reduce future flood losses, lower insurance costs, and keep properties on the tax rolls rather than relying on buyouts. Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworski described Florida’s windstorm mitigation discount program, explaining that the 1802 inspection form is used to assess a home’s overall “envelope” and determine statutory discounts. He said the office is updating the program based on a new wind loss study, with likely changes including greater recognition of roof types such as metal roofs and possible territorial risk adjustments. He also said the Legislature now requires the office to revisit the study every five years. Stephen Fielder of the Department of Financial Services reported on My Safe Florida Home, noting that the program offers inspections and grants for roof and opening protections, has completed more than 100,000 inspections, and has reimbursed hundreds of millions of dollars. He said the department has validated its discount calculations with insurers and that the program is intended to help homeowners reduce premiums through verified mitigation work. Michael Newman of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety said Florida’s building code is nationally leading and that post-Ian surveys found no wind-driven structural damage in buildings built after adoption of the code. He argued that mitigation should be treated as a system, not isolated upgrades, and suggested adding Fortified designation to the state’s mitigation form to better document verified resilience improvements. Bill Truex, a county commissioner and builder, stressed the need to educate homeowners about floodproofing and roof choices, citing examples where flood panels prevented damage and noting that asphalt shingles often do not last as long in Florida as their marketing suggests. In panel discussion, senators asked about program eligibility, outreach to elderly and digitally challenged residents, contractor vetting, roof-life disclosures, and whether flood insurance should be more broadly required. Officials said outreach will include call centers and in-person assistance, and several participants urged better consumer disclosure and more data-driven guidance on roof and mitigation choices.

Transcript Highlights:

• bill would increase general revenue funding for the Department of Transportation strategy and construction
• When the acquisition and construction costs have been paid and all bonds are either retired or fully
• We don't want any more CDAs in Texas, so we ask you to vote no on these crony contracts.
• Who's paying for the construction, the operation, the maintenance and all of this stuff?
• Uh, the, the additional revenue required to contract, uh, to counteract these issues can be generated

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 526, Commercial Construction Projects, by Senator Graal. Senator Graal, you're recognized.
• SB 526, Commercial Construction Projects, by Senator Graal.
• There has been a trend of including clauses within public construction contracts that expressly prohibit
• These are known as no-damages-for-delay clauses in a public construction contract, and unlike private-sector
• construction projects, these contracts with governmental agencies are virtually non-negotiable.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills. SB 330, by Sen. Bradley, clarified the heart disease presumption for firefighters, law enforcement, and correctional officers, including allowing a prior physical exam to count if a transferring officer is not given a new one; an amendment declaring the act an important state interest was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. SB 594, by Sen. Burton, would make mobile home residents eligible for local housing assistance programs such as SHIP for lot rent and home repairs; it received supportive testimony from manufactured-home advocates and passed favorably. SB 840, by Sen. DeSigley, revised hurricane-related land-use restrictions from prior legislation by shortening the affected area from 100 miles to 50 miles, ending certain temporary limits on June 30, 2026, and exempting some water, flood, and state/federal planning matters; it passed favorably after supportive comments from local-government interests and members noting the need to fix unintended consequences of prior law. The committee also approved SB 526, by Sen. Grawe, which addresses no-damages-for-delay clauses in public construction contracts, creates a uniform commercial permit application, requires permit fee reductions when private providers are used, and adds mitigation to statewide product approval categories. County representatives testified with concerns about the contracting language, unfunded mandates, and fee reductions, but the bill passed favorably. SB 504, by Sen. Burgess, creates a statewide framework for code inspector body camera use, and SB 506, its linked public-records bill, exempts certain sensitive content from disclosure; both passed favorably with support from the sponsor and no opposition in committee. The most heavily debated measure was SB 354, by Chair McLean, which creates a “blue ribbon project” framework for very large developments that trade state preemption over local land-use regulation for reserving at least 60% of the land for conservation, agriculture, recreation, utilities, and related uses. The bill drew significant testimony from environmental groups, counties, smart-growth advocates, and local residents who argued it could weaken local control, reduce public review, and allow sprawl or inadequate infrastructure planning; supporters argued it could help address housing needs and preserve large amounts of land. The committee adopted two amendments clarifying reserve-area easements and requiring certain easements to be granted without charge, and the committee then reported the bill favorably, with some senators noting they supported it in concept but wanted further changes before later stops.

Transcript Highlights:

• was probably the best constructed was probably the best constructed because<00:26:44.720> that's
• And I'm not sure about his construction skills, but we'll get into that later.
• Our goal would be to close the new construction financing here in 2026.
• <01:05:54.319> been organization that has contract been organization that has contract been
• c> an<01:05:55.839> educational contracted by a school an educational contracted by a school

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Technology reporting independently, and post-secondary institutions managing their own capital construction
• , but it's a P3 partnership, a public-private partnership, where the University of Kentucky is constructing
• <00:02:21.040> and<00:02:21.440> making Kentucky is um constructing and making Kentucky
• is um constructing and making some<00:02:22.000> improvements<00:02:22.480> to<00:02:22.800
• Is any of this money already contract.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the December meeting minutes and received several information items, including quarterly capital project status reports, University of Kentucky medical and equipment purchases, school district bond issue notices, and a University of Kentucky RFP for an enterprise services partner. Members also briefly discussed a University of Kentucky public-private partnership for student housing and dining, with comments that such arrangements may improve efficiency and use of taxpayer dollars during a difficult budget year. The main substantive discussion centered on a new CHFS lease in Harlan County for the Department for Community Based Services. Members questioned the proposed annual cost of $25.62 per square foot, which was far above the county average cited in the meeting, and raised concerns about the one responsive bid, the long lease term through 2033, and whether a nearby hospital or other entity might have been interested. CHFS staff said the current office space is in poor condition, that the new lease includes needed construction and 60 parking spaces, and that the office is limited to considering only actual bidders. After debate over whether to rebid or negotiate, the committee voted to approve the lease, with some members supporting it because of the current facility’s condition and others recording reservations. The committee then approved the remaining 10 lease renewals as a group. These included one renewal for the Commonwealth’s prosecutorial system and renewals for several CHFS offices, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the Department of Natural Resources. One member noted that seven of the 10 renewals were at or below the county average rate and said the overall package was substantially in line with local market conditions.

Transcript Highlights:

• can't we can't pay for new construction. can't we can't pay for new construction.
• <00:26:54.720> uh the DS team as well as the contracted uh the DS team as well as the contracted
• creation of the construction documents. creation of the construction documents.
• and with approval of the construction and with approval of the construction funding<00:27:20.880
• with<00:46:43.839> the contracts and relationships with the contracts and relationships with

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:01 Department for Public Health Budget Request 00:01:46 Department for Community Based Services Budget Request 00:31:58 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) 00:57:13, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes, then heard a lengthy presentation from the Department for Public Health on Kentucky’s rural health transformation plan and related budget questions. Commissioner John Langfeld said the state received a $212.9 million federal award, one of the larger awards nationally, and outlined five focus areas: maternal and infant health, integrated EMS/trauma response, behavioral health and substance use disorder, oral health, and chronic disease prevention with an emphasis on obesity and diabetes. He stressed that the effort is intended to be integrated, data-driven, and sustainable, and that the federal funds cannot be used for new construction, clinician salaries, research and development, EHR replacement, or to pay for currently billable services. He also said the program carries accountability requirements and that funds can be clawed back if milestones are not met. Members pressed for clarification on duplication with other budget requests, sustainability after the five-year funding period, and how success would be measured. Langfeld said he was not aware of any duplicate funding with the department’s additional budget requests and said the rural health funds were separate from those requests. He also said the program will be tracked through specific metrics and timelines, using both execution measures and outcome measures such as readmissions, with more rapid-cycle feedback to allow course correction. Representative Fleming raised concerns about possible overlap with navigator funding and asked for more detail on the budget breakdown; Langfeld said a detailed line-item budget had been prepared but was still awaiting final CMS approval before release, and that he would explore sharing more information once restrictions were lifted. The committee then heard from the Kentucky State Public Health Laboratory about a request for a new central lab expansion. The presenter described the current 35-year-old facility as outdated and constrained by aging infrastructure, obsolete equipment, deferred maintenance, and inadequate space, and said the lab performs critical work with no in-state alternative for many services, including newborn screening, select-agent and biosafety level 3 testing, animal necropsy for rabies, genetic sequencing, environmental and food safety testing, and response to emerging infectious diseases. The project is already in design phase C, expected to finish in mid-April, with construction funding sought at roughly $276 million on top of about $35 million already approved for design. Members asked about long-term operating costs, backup arrangements, and whether the current facility would remain in use; the presenter said the current lab would continue to be used by the department while other divisions move into vacated space, and that the lab has mutual-aid agreements with the Southeast Consortium and universities for contingency support. Finally, the Department for Community Based Services began its budget presentation on SNAP and relative caregiver issues. Commissioner Lisa Dennis and budget director Misty Sammons identified the governor’s recommended budget items tied to new federal requirements under HR1, including changes affecting payment error rates. The discussion was just beginning when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Prairie Island um constructed the Prairie Island um nuclear<00:06:41.840> plant<00:06:42.199
• He said that, as part of the compromise to allow the waste facility to be constructed, they set up the
• was to set up this renewable constructed was to set up this renewable de<00:08:01.120> Development
• established and then a construction established and then a construction materials<00:15:26.440><
• they begun construction on the project<01:10:29.199> or<01:10:29.400> not<01:10:30.280

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And we do have a contract in place with Swton to do the construction.
• We do have a contract in place with Swton to do the construction.
• We do have a contract in place with Swton to do the construction.
• We had to get this in contract and get the construction started in January because we had already displaced
• construction on it. So you know, what construction on it.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , but primarily there's two contracts that provide virtual...
• Most residential or construction workers in general do not work full time.
• Ken Ferrer, the Sacramento City Building and Construction Trades, Council.
• That's larger than a unionized construction workforce.
• The labor issues in construction are barely enforced now.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee held an informational hearing on the final three-party budget agreement and related trailer bills, with the Department of Finance outlining the major budget bill and omnibus measures. Finance described a package built around balancing the state budget amid economic uncertainty, preserving core health and safety-net programs, and making significant ongoing reductions in some state programs. The budget bill included major items such as shifting $1 billion from the General Fund to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for Cal Fire, funding universal transitional kindergarten, deferring some UC and CSU funding, supporting foster care and homelessness programs, providing Proposition 36 implementation funding, and achieving Medi-Cal savings through changes to benefits and eligibility. The committee also heard that votes on the budget bills were expected later in the week and the following Monday. Finance then walked through the trailer bills, including health, human services, early learning, education, resources, energy, transportation, labor, housing, tax, public safety, courts, general government, cannabis, and energy-related measures. Notable provisions included a Medi-Cal enrollment freeze for certain adults, new premiums and benefit changes for some immigrants, child care COLA changes, education funding for literacy, teacher support, universal meals, and community college student support, as well as resource and climate measures affecting Cal Fire staffing and energy permitting. The housing trailer bill drew the most discussion, with provisions on CEQA streamlining, a vehicle miles traveled mitigation banking program, a renters’ credit trigger, and a six-year moratorium on new residential building standards. Members also discussed a film tax credit expansion, cannabis enforcement funding, a tribal police pilot program, and changes to tax policy, including military retirement income exclusions and wildfire settlement payment exclusions. Committee members largely praised the staff and the budget process, but several raised concerns and asked detailed questions, especially about the housing trailer bill’s new wage standards, tribal consultation provisions, and possible effects on prevailing wage protections. Finance explained that the housing language was intended to set wage floors for market-rate projects receiving CEQA streamlining, with different county-based tiers and a notwithstanding clause preserving existing prevailing wage laws. Members also questioned the size and timing of funding for the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, Clean Cars for All, Proposition 36, and the film tax credit expansion. Other members highlighted support for public safety, veterans’ tax relief, child care providers, housing production, and higher education, while some expressed concern that the budget’s policy changes were being negotiated too quickly or without enough stakeholder input.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been under contract with properties for 2 years.
• Uh, I've had contracts like that and longer, by the way, I've had 5 years.
• By establishing high quality standards for construction and operation, this bill will help make Texas
• Those are things that can be done most efficiently at the time of design and construction.
• water intensive commercial construction use, such as a car wash to begin being built and operate.

Bills: HB24

Keywords: groundwater, conservation, water permits, sustainability, resource management