Transcript Highlights:

• This clarifies that the bid incentive given to bidders for public works construction projects for parties
• to an apprenticeship agreement is based on apprentice trades utilized rather than employed to construct
• <00:09:44.360> uh to uh biders for Public Works uh to uh biders for Public Works uh construction
• biders for public works construction biders for public works construction projects<00:11:35.920>
• Next up, Senate Bill 74, relating to state construction projects.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee met for joint decision-making on several measures related to elections, telework, procurement, hiring, public records, and public meetings. On Senate Bill 444, testimony was largely opposed or in comment, and the chairs said the bill raised real issues that needed more time; they deferred it for the year. Senate Bill 1091 on telework and space allocation drew support and discussion about DAGS’ role versus the Department of Human Resources; the committee agreed to amend it in a Senate Draft 1 to remove reference to OE, add a DAGS management analyst position, change “positions” to “allocations,” limit the assessment to executive branch departments in DAGS-managed or DAGS-leased facilities, and add a defective date, then passed it with amendments. Senate Bill 1057 on apprenticeship-related bid incentives received mixed testimony, including support from labor and opposition from some contractor groups, and was passed as a Senate Draft 1 with technical amendments and a defective date. Senate Bill 1065 on skills-based hiring, which would bar bachelor’s degree requirements for most state jobs with exemptions, had support from the Comptroller and outside groups and was passed with technical amendments and a defective date. The committee also took up several procurement and accountability measures. Senate Bill 92 on emergency medical response/defibrillators was deferred indefinitely because a pilot project is already underway in the Capitol building and the committee wants to use that information before expanding. Senate Bill 1175 on a past-performance procurement database was amended to add general fund appropriations and committee-report language about funding needs, then passed. Senate Bill 1587 on retainage was heavily amended to define total project budget, revise retainage language, leave key percentage and day limits blank for further review, limit application to contracts executed after January 1, 2026, and add a defective date; it passed as amended. Senate Bill 1543 on government accountability was amended to incorporate procurement officer changes and add language ensuring inherent government functions are not delegated to contractors, then passed. Senate Bill 1255 on government records was amended to clarify that records used in performing a government function are public records subject to UIPA, add contractor recordkeeping/access requirements, protect certain confidential contract information, and add a defective date; it passed. Additional measures were either deferred or advanced with amendments. Senate Bill 1513 on appropriations was deferred to a time certain on February 11. Senate Bill 1616 on care centers was converted into a feasibility study and passed with a defective date. Senate Bill 74 on state construction projects was deferred indefinitely due to concerns it could slow projects and duplicate another measure. Senate Bill 125 on state organizations and administrations was amended to codify Administrative Directive 19-02, with a note about a possible title issue, and passed. Senate Bill 786 on government records was deferred to February 11 for further amendment work. Senate Bill 1611 on government positions was amended by removing section two and passed. Senate Bill 1637 was deferred for the year after testimony indicated the action could already be done. Senate Bill 1651 on public meetings was amended to require board packets by the third business day before a meeting, remove the word “full,” and adjust notice language, then passed. Senate Bill 1617 on public meetings was deferred because the Office of Information Practices reported no complaints. Senate Bill 1253 on boards and commissions was deferred indefinitely due to no testimony. Senate Bill 1031 on advisory referendums was deferred to February 11 for possible amendments. Senate Bill 1306 on a procurement automation special fund was amended to align procurement statutes and add the School Facilities Authority executive director as a chief procurement officer, then passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have to sort things out by white goods, construction debris, and concrete debris.
• Again, I think what people forget when it comes from a construction background.
• Most people don't know anything about construction.
• I want to talk specifically about construction. As you know, I live in St.
• And I think it's more than just the construction thing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is that's construction money.
• It comes out of state construction.
• the capital construction. the capital construction.
• uh school capital construction items. uh school capital construction items.
• <01:45:26.960> is million on capital construction is million on capital construction is pretty

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The current system of construction and maintenance is simply not viable.
• The current system of construction and maintenance is simply not viable.
• <00:52:35.680> and various aspects of con constructing and various aspects of con constructing
• The Supreme Court highway construction.
• , or what constitutes proper construction, or what constitutes proper construction, reconstruction

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:17:28.480> It that was requested for construction.
• It that was requested for construction.
• increases in energy costs, construction increases in energy costs, construction costs,<00:38:10.960
• That purpose is even more critical today with rising construction costs straining school budgets.
• construction costs straining school<00:47:33.440> budgets.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education and Workforce Development met for an information-gathering session and opened by clarifying that the subcommittee would not be voting on budget requests. Because there was no quorum at first, the committee did not take up approval amendments. The first presentation focused on a budget request to incentivize national certification for school social workers and school psychologists. Rep. Vanessa Gracal, along with Amy Oats and Leslie Gilpin, argued for a $500,000 annual appropriation to provide $2,000 salary supplements to nationally certified school social workers and school psychologists working primarily in their certification areas. They said the stipend would help recruit and retain professionals amid shortages, noted that current Kentucky certification numbers are low, and explained the rigorous certification and renewal requirements. In response to questions, they said there is currently no appropriation for this purpose in HB 500 and none they were aware of in HB 6 in 2024. The next topic was school facility funding needs, led by Rep. Bob McCool, Johnson County Superintendent Tom Cochran, Commissioner of Education Robert Fletcher, and other district representatives. They described the “gap funding” issue for school construction projects that had already started before COVID-era inflation sharply increased costs. Johnson County and Harrison County were highlighted as examples of districts that had already committed local funds, passed nickel taxes, and begun construction but now need additional state support to finish projects. Speakers emphasized that many projects were audited and approved, that the state has already funded about half of the gap, and that roughly $130 million more is being sought in HB 500 to complete the remaining work. They stressed that unfinished projects would leave districts with half-built schools and that completing them would bring long-term savings and better facilities for students. The committee then turned to testimony from KASA representatives on the impacts of HB 500 as introduced. The witnesses discussed the importance of school psychology and school social work certification, the benefits of advanced training for student services, and the need to recognize and support highly qualified staff. A member asked whether HB 500 or HB 6 included an appropriation for the certification stipend, and the witnesses answered no. The meeting also included a motion to approve the minutes from the prior meeting once a quorum was present, and the minutes were approved by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we try to prevent overflow of rivers, and we construct these levees.
• So funding of new construction relies 75% on federal money.
• The federal government then formed the California Debris Commission in 1893 and constructed numerous
• Back then, the state agreed to take responsibility for the federally designed and constructed systems
• We are finally off to the races, with construction anticipated starting this year for this project.

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on flood risk and flood management in California, with opening remarks emphasizing that flooding is a statewide and growing threat due to climate change, including the possibility of extreme losses in a worst-case event. Members noted recent flooding in places such as San Diego, the Tulare Basin, and Pajaro, and framed the hearing as a way to better understand prevention, response, and how to capture excess water for later use. Jeffrey Mount of PPIC gave the main overview, describing California’s high flood exposure, the different flood types the state faces, and the mix of structural and non-structural tools used to manage them. He stressed that levees, dams, bypasses, land-use planning, flood insurance, and emergency response all matter, but that risk is rising because current standards are based on past hydrology rather than future climate conditions. He also warned that flood management is underfunded, that the National Flood Insurance Program is weak, and that federal support is increasingly uncertain. Members asked about groundwater recharge, permitting, NOAA and federal cuts, and which communities are most at risk; Mount said recharge can help but does not eliminate flood risk, and that small Central Valley communities and heavily developed floodplains are especially concerning. State officials Laura Hollander of the Department of Water Resources and Jane Dolan of the Central Valley Flood Protection Board described the state’s role in forecasting, emergency response, grants, planning, and the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan. They highlighted aging infrastructure, the need for better coordination, and the state’s special liability in the Central Valley after the Paterno decision. Dolan reviewed the history of major floods and said the plan calls for about $1 billion per year over 30 years to meet current needs, while Hollander said the state works with local and federal partners on preparedness, response, and subventions projects. Both emphasized that floodplain planning, regional coordination, and faster permitting are important, but that more consistent funding is needed. A later panel from local flood agencies and districts reinforced those points, arguing that the state’s annual flood funding is below identified needs and that a proposed statewide flood and dam safety bond was reduced substantially in the broader climate bond package. Witnesses urged more routine maintenance funding, support for regional flood planning, and continued federal-state-local partnerships to reduce risk and maintain eligibility for federal assistance. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the informational hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• in recent years so being constructed in recent years so when<00:21:20.200> I<00:21:20.320>
• <00:25:12.520> few<00:25:12.720> years standards for construction few years standards
• for construction few years later<00:25:13.200> they<00:25:13.320> created<00:25:13.640
• uh and then every stage of construction uh and then once<00:25:48.799> they're<00:25:49.000><
• materials that are quote construction materials that are quote compatible<00:47:13.640> with<

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:01 Roll Call 00:16 HB 211 Discussion 02:55 HB 211 Vote 16:30 HB 160 Discussion 18:50 HB 160 Vote 52:06 Adjournment 57:35, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Local Government met for its first meeting of the year, established a quorum, and heard two bills. House Bill 211, sponsored by Representative Chris Lewis, would create a definition for cigar bars and allow indoor cigar smoking in qualifying establishments if they meet criteria such as deriving at least 15% of gross income from cigar-related sales, restricting entry to those 21 and older, prohibiting cigarettes and vaping, and requiring a smoke-free area for deliveries. Lewis and Louisville Metro Council member Anthony Pantini described the bill as a small-business and tourism measure modeled on Tennessee law, while the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and a St. Elizabeth physician opposed it, arguing it would undermine local smoke-free ordinances and expose patrons and workers to harmful secondhand smoke. Several members raised local-control concerns, and Lewis said he was open to local governments making decisions on less restrictive approaches. The committee adopted a committee substitute and then approved HB 211 on a roll call vote, with multiple members voting yes and several no votes, sending the bill forward as amended. The committee then heard House Bill 160 from Representative Susan Whitten, with Logan Haynes of the Kentucky Manufactured Housing Institute. They said Kentucky faces a housing shortage of roughly 200,000 units and that starter homes are increasingly unaffordable, making manufactured housing an important part of the solution. Whitten said the bill would treat manufactured housing more like site-built housing while still allowing local governments to enforce cosmetic standards such as roof pitch, exterior facade, and foundation material, and she emphasized that HOA, deed, and historical preservation restrictions would remain in place. Haynes argued that modern manufactured homes are federally and state inspected, more energy efficient, faster to build, and more affordable than site-built homes, and he said the bill would not open the door to older-style mobile homes or single-wides except in limited narrow-lot situations. Representatives from the Kentucky League of Cities and the Kentucky Association of Counties expressed concerns about the bill’s current language, saying land-use decisions should remain local and warning that the definition of qualified manufactured home and the bill’s treatment of local standards could have unintended consequences. They said they appreciated Whitten’s willingness to work with them and indicated they hoped to continue negotiating amendments as the bill moved forward. No vote on HB 160 was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS REQUIRED IN THE STATE FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION OF ON-SITE SYSTEMS IS A 24 INCH
• Brodeur: IS IT SIMPLY REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXISTING TANKS OR IS THERE IMPEDIMENTS IN NEW CONSTRUCTION BECAUSE
• IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO INCENTIVIZE NEW CONSTRUCTION TO PUT THESE IN IN THE FIRST PLACE?
• IN SOME AREAS THERE IS REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION. YOU SAW IN THE MAP.
• WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE OSTDS REMEDIATION PLAN, THEY ADDRESS THE FIRST STEP IS ADDRESSING NEW CONSTRUCTION

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• materials and also how of construction materials and also how the<00:18:51.760> national<00:18
• These are all efforts to retrofit or construct new homes using to mitigate per potential damage from
• that are construction materials that are available<01:01:52.319> here<01:01:52.799> really
• And there is a beautiful building there owned by a law firm, constructed from proceeds of construction
• uh a law firm constructed from proceeds of<01:19:26.080> uh<01:19:26.480> construction<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They started construction.
• They started construction.
• They started construction.
• They started construction.
• construction is completed. construction is completed.

Bills: SB2613, SB2147

Keywords: public school land transfer, Department of Education, DOE, land conveyance, fee simple title, tax map key, TMK, Act 307, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, Act 139, Board of Land and Natural Resources, BLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, DLNR, Kauai, Maui, Honolulu, Kaimuki Middle School, Wilcox Elementary School, school property

Summary: The committee heard SB 2613, a cleanup bill relating to public school land transfers under Act 307 (2022), which revises tax map key references and the conveyance process for properties transferred to the Department of Education. The Hawaii State Public Library System supported the measure, saying it would complete the long-unfinished separation of the library system from DOE property control and make future building projects more efficient and cost-effective. DOE also supported the bill and requested an amendment to remove TMK 43-62 parcel 10, the Wilcox Elementary School parcel, so that it could instead be transferred to the county for use with the adjacent park and tennis courts. Members focused heavily on why land transfers and construction approvals have been slow, especially the need for right-of-entry documents and an MOA for a library construction project. Library and DOE witnesses said the delays stemmed from site-control issues and confusion over property status, and that the bill would clarify which parcels are transferred by operation of law and remove the need for additional transactional documents in many cases. Several members questioned whether the bill actually changes authority or simply clarifies existing practice, and DOE said it wanted legislative clarity so the transfers are unmistakably effective on a date certain. The committee also discussed a separate section of the bill dealing with public use of school facilities after hours, including parking fees on property under DOE jurisdiction. DOE explained that any parking charges would apply only to property it controls, not county roads, and that fees are set through existing facility-use procedures. Members raised concerns about the pace of land transfers generally and urged DOE to move more expeditiously on pending parcels. The hearing then moved on to SB 2147, which would designate the first Friday in February as Love My Library Day; the library system testified in support as the committee began that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• We did, and it has been a tremendously successful program throughout the state—many jobs, many construction
• We did, and it has been a tremendously successful program throughout the state—many jobs, many construction
• <00:32:37.480> and center equipment uh construction and center equipment uh construction and
• <01:08:56.839> is the world yet once con construction is the world yet once con construction
• <01:27:29.880> maintenance trades during construction maintenance trades during construction

Bills: HF1277, HF1006

Keywords: data centers, tax exemption, Minnesota statutes, economic development, employment growth, property tax, abatement, land bank, redevelopment, political subdivision, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• She also liked a good mystery story like what construction grant have a very special construction grant
• <01:07:05.760> grants to name the library construction grants to name the library construction
• Murphy uh, construction<01:07:10.880> grants<01:07:11.280> program.
• Anyone who construction grants program.
• The first one is improvement projects to renovate, expand, and construct libraries.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• On progress in general, construction for housing is up.
• On progress in general, construction for housing is up every single year since 2018.
• And I'll just say, the two most expensive times in the process are pre-construction, when you're sort
• of looking at the delays that Jeff described in terms of construction cost increases.
• You're sort of looking at the delays that Jeff described in terms of construction cost increases.

Summary: The joint hearing focused on the Governor’s 2025 reorganization plan to split the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency into two new agencies: a Business and Consumer Services Agency and a California Housing and Homelessness Agency. Administration officials said the change would give each side more focused leadership, improve consumer protection and regulatory oversight, and better align housing and homelessness policy with the state’s broader housing goals. Leaders from the Department of Consumer Affairs, Cannabis Control, Alcoholic Beverage Control, and Financial Protection and Innovation all voiced support for the business-side reorganization, while housing officials emphasized that the new housing agency would help streamline funding, compliance, and coordination across programs. Members raised concerns about timing, budget impacts, office space, and whether the split would actually reduce bureaucracy. The administration said the plan would be included in the May Revision, was intended to be cost-neutral, and would not require fee increases for licensees or additional office space. On the housing side, officials said the new Housing Development and Finance Committee would work toward a single application and more coordinated award process for affordable housing funding, while preserving CalHFA’s statutory and financial independence. They also said the reorganization would improve compliance monitoring, data collection, and coordination with local governments, including Los Angeles homelessness programs. Public testimony was largely supportive. Industry groups representing beverage distributors, craft brewers, wine, mortgage lenders, and housing organizations backed the business-side split, and housing advocates such as Housing California, the California Housing Partnership, and the California Housing Consortium supported the housing agency concept and the proposed one-stop-shop approach. Several witnesses urged that tax credits, bonds, and other funding sources be better coordinated, and some said the plan should be paired with additional state investment and implementation resources. No formal vote was taken; the hearing was informational.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm representing Gen X Construction and Saon Wall Construction here.
• I'm representing Gen X Construction I'm representing Gen X Construction and<02:26:21.000> save
• successful in a competitive construction successful in a competitive construction industry<02:34
• industries and private construction.
• industries and private construction.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• allocated for lead service line removal since 2023, and nearly all of it will be exhausted by the 2026 construction
• unbelievably proud to say that about 6,000 of those will have been replaced by the end of this construction
• by the end of this construction season. by the end of this construction season.
• Representing more than 14,000 skilled construction workers who build and maintain the infrastructure
• If this legislative session does not act in the next two weeks, next year's construction season will

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House and Senate capital investment leaders held a public discussion focused primarily on lead service line removal and the need for a new bonding bill. Rep. Fue Lee and Chair Jeff Franzen said Minnesota’s existing state and federal lead-line funds will be exhausted by the 2026 construction season, warning that without action there would be no lead removal program in 2027. They framed the issue as a bipartisan public health and infrastructure priority, emphasizing that no amount of lead is safe and that regular capital investment is needed to keep communities moving forward. Testimony from Raquel Vasquez of St. Paul Regional Water Services, Bradley Peterson of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, and Joel Smith of LiUNA Minnesota and North Dakota described the scale of the problem and the progress made so far. Vasquez said St. Paul’s pilot program is working, with costs coming down and about 6,000 of roughly 26,000 local lead service lines expected to be replaced by the end of the season, but warned that 18,000 to 20,000 would remain without more funding. Peterson said there are about 100,000 known lead service lines statewide and more than 200,000 still being assessed, with replacement costs averaging $10,000 to $15,000 per line. Smith stressed that funding gaps would stall momentum, leave at least 90,000 lead pipes in the ground, and cost the state thousands of union jobs. In response to questions, Sen. Sandy Pappas said she supports including $100 million in appropriation bonds for lead service lines in the Senate bonding proposal, while acknowledging the need is closer to $250 million. House leaders said they were discussing the size and contents of the bonding bill and were considering both general fund cash and appropriation bonds, with affordability for homeowners a key concern. The chairs also discussed broader bonding priorities, including other water, sewer, road, and facility projects, and noted that decisions would depend on whether leadership can reach agreement on a final bonding package before the end of session.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're a construction industry trade group with over 365 members across the state that employ over 23,000
• men and women in the construction industry.
• Over 365 members across the state that employ over 23,000 men and women in the construction industry.
• As you know, cities of all sizes across the state engage in all sorts of construction projects that are
• As you know, cities of all sizes across the state engage in all sorts of construction projects that are

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• that such business does not violate noise, garbage, or light ordinances; whether a dwelling is constructed
• the town can’t add to the State Building Code with respect to building materials or methods of construction
• 00:25:14.120> is ordinances uh whether a dwelling is ordinances uh whether a dwelling is constructed
• on or offsite which allows constructed on or offsite which allows for<00:25:16.200> manufactured<
• this is where or methods of construction this is where you<00:25:36.480> get<00:25:36.600>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• coming and was able to do most of the preliminary work to prepare for the need to begin immediate construction
• coming and was able to do most of the preliminary work to prepare for the need to begin immediate construction
• coming and was able to do most of the preliminary work to prepare for the need to begin immediate construction
• coming and was able to do most of the preliminary work to prepare for the need to begin immediate construction
• coming and was able to do most of the preliminary work to prepare for the need to begin immediate construction

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• near military construction near military construction near military installations, mainly Fort Noell
• tall structures within a construction tall structures within a construction tall structures within a
• Well, just to stop construction if it's they just want to construction if it's they just want to construction
• Yes, is future construction, right? Yes, is future construction, right? Yes, ma'am.
• this is for future construction, right? this is for future construction, right? Yes, ma'am.

Bills: HB 10, HB 12, HB 147, HB 1522, HB 422, HB 675, HB 204, HB 748, HB 912

Keywords: regulatory reform, government efficiency, administrative law, rulemaking, agency deference, judicial review, de novo review, Texas Government Code, Administrative Procedure Act, state agencies, plain language, regulatory burden, regulatory reduction, cost-benefit analysis, fiscal note, public benefits and costs, contested case, rule challenge, Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, advisory panel

Transcript Highlights:

• state money, then we can more effectively compete those for the $28 million estimated for the construction
• And that's the timeline we expect: design, 12 to 15 months, and then construction from 18 to 24 months
• of those hangers into Luth construction of those hangers into Luth uh<00:02:09.280> as<00:02:
• like this, including new construction and the existing homes they’ve completed.
• <00:18:14.400> Grants va's State gr Construction Grants va's State gr Construction Grants

Keywords: 1187, senate, all