Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1185, public notices publication errors emissions.
• SB 1203, income tax subtraction standard deduction.
• SB 1223, authorized transporters minimum standards registration.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• cruise ships while they are at berth to turn off their engines and plug into the grid, eliminating emissions
• cruise ships while they are at berth to turn off their engines and plug into the grid, eliminating emissions
• plug into the grid eliminating<00:22:59.360><c> you</c><00:22:59.520><c> know</c><00:22:59.679><c> emissions
• </c><00:23:00.799><c> So</c><00:23:01.280><c> there</c> eliminating you know emissions.
• So there eliminating you know emissions.

Bills: SB2816

Keywords: enterprise zones, economic development, innovation enterprise, job creation, Hawaii, 910, house, all

Summary: The committees heard House Bill 2195, HD1, which would replace the existing transit accommodations tax on cruise ships with a per-passenger infrastructure fee collected by the Department of Transportation and deposited into a new cruise ship special fund. Testimony included support from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and comments from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii warning that the bill should remain narrowly tied to harbor-related uses to avoid potential Tonnage Clause issues. The Department of Transportation testified that cruise-related harbor work includes pier repairs, dredging, terminal upgrades, and shore power, and said a dedicated revenue stream would help prioritize cruise infrastructure needs. The Attorney General’s office said it had submitted written comments but did not address questions about the litigation or constitutional background. Members questioned whether the new special fund was necessary when the existing harbor special fund already finances similar improvements. DOT said the funds overlap and suggested the bill could be amended to use the harbor special fund with a separate cruise subaccount, while still preserving a dedicated revenue stream and separate accounting. DOT also said it currently collects port entry, dockage, and per-head passenger fees from cruise ships and that existing cruise-related expenditures from the harbor special fund have not been challenged. The chair ultimately recommended moving HB 2195 forward as introduced, while continuing discussions about the fund structure and awaiting further clarity from the Attorney General and DOT. In decision-making, the committees voted to pass HB 2195, HD1, as is. They also voted to pass House Bill 916, HD1, relating to the low-income housing tax credit, which would allow certain state low-income housing tax credits to offset state transient accommodations taxes in the same county and make Act 129 of 2016 permanent. Both the Committee on Tourism and the Committee on Economic Development and Technology adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass HB 916, HD1, unamended. The hearing was then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are tackling not just scope one and scope two emissions, which most local governments pledged to address
• We're taking on scope three emissions, something very few other jurisdictions are trying to get to.
• To date, we've been able to reduce diesel particulate matter by 80 percent and greenhouse gas emissions
• Climate Commitment Act funds for those transportation investments that will result in greenhouse gas emission
• I'd like to specifically point out in Section 308, Rail Capital, the $7.5 million of state carbon emission

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met on January 13, 2026, for a work session on Governor Ferguson’s proposed 2026 supplemental transportation budget and a public hearing on Senate Bill 6005, which makes supplemental transportation appropriations for the 2025–27 biennium. Committee staff reviewed the transportation budget outlook, noting that the 2025 session had balanced the transportation budget over four years with significant new revenues, but that recent fuel-tax and Climate Commitment Act forecasts had softened the long-term outlook. Staff and the governor’s budget team said the proposal still leaves the budget in positive shape while addressing major needs such as preservation, ferry replacement, maintenance, and the state self-insurance account. The governor’s office described a $16.8 billion transportation budget proposal centered on preservation and maintenance, including $3.1 billion in bonding for eligible preservation projects, $1.1 billion for three new ferries, additional ferry preservation funding, pavement and bridge work, maintenance funding, County Road Administration Board startup money, State Patrol communications upgrades, DOL service access improvements, dredging for the Lower Columbia River, and restored regional mobility grant funding. Committee members asked about ferry capacity, DOL mobile offices, self-insurance costs, and whether additional preservation money could be used in 2026. Testifiers from cities, counties, labor, ports, construction, business, and environmental groups generally supported the emphasis on preservation, ferry reliability, local road funding, and freight projects, while some urged broader transit and rail investment and one witness criticized the budget’s spending approach. During public testimony on SB 6005, speakers from Bainbridge Island and ferry communities supported ferry investments and reliability improvements; local government and labor representatives backed preservation funding and better working conditions for transportation workers; business and construction groups endorsed maintenance, paving, bridge repair, and the Lower Columbia dredging item; and port and environmental advocates supported freight, port electrification, and rail funding. One witness raised concerns about the cost and long-term implications of hybrid-electric ferry maintenance, and another urged restraint in spending. The hearing ended after testimony, with the chair noting the sign-in tally and adjourning the committee without a vote on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Task Three refers to the net amount of carbon dioxide sequestered, as well as fugitive emissions, assumed
• The latter is in reference to net negative carbon emissions that appear in the report that's supposed
• Whether it's producing lower carbon hydrocarbons, hydrogen production and storage... ...or mitigating emissions
• Many believe carbon capture and storage holds great promise for reducing carbon emissions.
• It doesn't have some of the problems that traditional fossil fuels have in terms of emissions, so that's

Bills: HB1647, HB2612, HB3125, HB3158, HB3240, HB3506, HB3516, HB3707

Keywords: carbon sequestration, environmental policy, Texas, energy, climate change, regulatory council, geothermal energy, workforce development, education and training, energy industry, apprenticeship, energy production, energy policy, renewable energy, state council, administrative law, public information, transparency, government accountability, judicial process

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of the safety and health standards of the safety and health standards establishes<00:19:31.280><
• </c><01:14:44.320><c> practices</c> for uniform standard practices for uniform standard practices applicable
• </c> clean fuel standard. clean fuel standard.
• HMSO if they could these standards.
• </c><01:26:58.239><c> whatever</c> public on a clean fuel standard whatever public on a clean fuel standard

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met on February 5 and heard testimony on a long agenda of transportation-related bills. Early measures included HB 2392, which would create an employer tax credit for transportation demand management benefits; HB 2462, which would bar auto manufacturers and dealers from charging post-sale fees for already-installed hardware; and HB 2423, which would require diesel sold for on-road use to contain at least 5% biodiesel. HB 2392 drew support from the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization and one individual, with the Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation offering comments. HB 2462 drew support from DCCA and one individual, while the Alliance for Automotive Innovation opposed it. HB 2423 drew comments from the Hawaii State Energy Office and Hawaii Farm Bureau, support from Pacific Biodiesel and the Hawaii Transportation Association, and a question from the chair about whether biodiesel is exported; the witness said production stays local. The committee also heard HB 1771 on voluntary carbon offsets for air travel, HB 2081 on requiring firefighters exempt from CDL rules to follow equivalent alcohol and substance abuse policies, HB 2334 on allowing the Department of Transportation to assume NEPA responsibilities for certain projects, and HB 2336 on DOT agreements with the Department of Defense for work at military installations using federal funds. HB 1771 drew comments from Life of the Land warning that carbon offsets are often unreliable and could create liability, while Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines offered comments. HB 2081 received support from DOT, county human resources offices, fire departments, and county officials, with the Hawaii Firefighters Association in opposition. HB 2334 was supported by DOT, and the director said other states using NEPA assignment can complete projects in about half the time. HB 2336 was supported by DOT, HIEMA, DBEDT’s military relations office, and the Hawaii Military Affairs Council; the committee discussed the administrative fee as a way to recover costs under an intergovernmental agreement. The most extensive testimony centered on HB 1666, which would limit new motor vehicle markups above 5% of MSRP and require recordkeeping. Multiple dealer groups and the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association opposed it, arguing it would threaten dealership operations, especially in Hawaii’s high-cost market and for vehicles without an MSRP. The committee also heard HB 2375 on uniform towing and parking enforcement standards on state and leased lands, including notice, disability protections, payment safeguards, and public reporting; DLNR, DAGS, and several advocacy groups testified, with strong public support and concerns about towing practices and ADA compliance. HB 2415, which would appropriate funds for crosswalks near school properties, drew support from DOT, DOE, and the Hawaii Bicycling League, and the committee discussed how counties would request projects and how funding would be allocated. Finally, HB 2451, which would move Hawaii toward fare-free public transit beginning in 2027 and create a dedicated funding source through a petroleum tax increase, received broad support from DOT, the Energy Office, public health and advocacy groups, and many individuals; DOE testified that it currently uses about $2.1 million for student bus passes and that the program is tied to savings from inactive school bus routes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, the current agreement calls for us to improve the roadways to the city's standards before they
• Hawaii has set ambitious goals to promote EV adoption and reduce carbon emissions as outlined in the
• however we have some comments standard however we have some comments and<01:11:02.199><c> are</c><01
• One request, should we move forward with setting these clean fuel standards, is that it's a big lift.
• In section 2, this measure requires DLIR to adopt rules governing a clean standard.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered HB 1484 on transit-oriented development and HB 157 on transportation. For HB 1484, testimony included a request from the Hoi Community Development Authority to be removed from the measure while offering to assist if the transit-oriented development law is implemented, along with testimony in opposition and support from several individuals. The committees later recommended HB 1484 be passed with amendments, including an HD1, a defective date, deletion of a reference to section 225 on page 11, adoption of H-CDA’s proposed amendment, and related committee report changes. The vote was adopted in both committees, with Representatives Cochran and Lee excused and Representative Mora voting with reservations. HB 157 concerned the transfer and acceptance of roads in the Villages of Kapolei. HHFDC supported the bill’s intent and explained that the roads were originally self-permitted, the city had not accepted dedication, and HHFDC has been maintaining and upgrading the roads under an MOA that requires improvements to city standards before transfer. Testimony from the Villages of Kapolei Association and others described ongoing problems with non-emergency police services, illegal parking, abandoned vehicles, and the need for city enforcement on roads that are open to the public. Committee members asked about the current holdup, the possibility of transferring roads in segments, and whether a cash settlement could resolve the issue; HHFDC said it was working in segments and that the city had mentioned a $60 million figure. The committees then recommended HB 157 pass with amendments, noting they were awaiting an Attorney General opinion on authority to compel the transfer and that the matter would continue to the Committee on Water and Land. The Transportation Committee also heard several additional bills. HB 1083, concerning vessels in state commercial harbors, drew support from the Department of Transportation and some industry groups and opposition from charter operators; HB 1159, which would require compliance with harbor master evacuation orders and increase penalties, drew DOT support and opposition from multiple vessel operators, who argued the bill was too broad and should define emergencies more clearly and use tiered penalties. HB 58, limiting civil liability for firefighting at commercial harbors, received DOT and Maritime Group support. HB 1165, on county disposal of ocean-bordering property and state highway acquisition, received DOT support. HB 938, a broad motor vehicle franchise and EV-related bill, drew support from the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association and the Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board, but strong opposition from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Tesla, Rivian, Scout Motors, and others; opponents argued it would restrict direct-to-consumer EV sales and innovation, while dealers said the bill was too broad and needed further stakeholder work. No final votes were taken on the Transportation Committee’s remaining measures in the portion provided, and the joint hearing was adjourned after decision-making on HB 1484 and HB 157.

Transcript Highlights:

• that support regulatory practices, permits, and different standards.
• for each water body and then standards for each water body and then our<01:21:19.600><c> regulatory<
• in the state and Reporting emissions in the state and Reporting those<01:23:24.120><c> um</c><01:23:
• </c> area for the greenhouse gas uh emissions area for the greenhouse gas uh emissions work<01:23:58.600
• </c> for developing environmental standards for developing environmental standards and<01:32:08.280><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Gas emissions. The program is chronically oversubscribed.
• But this bill falls short of the simple standard.
• But this bill falls short of the simple standard.
• I see European Union standard, so yeah, I guess I'm really struggling with this one.
• It allows for people to have lower emissions and for our environment to be cleaner.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• also qualify hydroelectric power as an eligible energy technology under this new renewable energy standard
• </c><00:01:24.960><c> um</c><00:01:25.240><c> this</c> new renewable energy standard um this new renewable
• energy standard um this bill<00:01:25.640><c> is</c><00:01:25.799><c> also</c><00:01:26.079><c> unique
• and that really as clean energy standard and that really as we<00:03:48.280><c> have</c><00:03:48.400
• Minnesota cooperatives are on track to meet the state's 2040 carbon-free standard.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• His dedication to the Texas A&M University system and the state of Texas has set a high standard for
• HB 4532 by Oliverson Eling, the endorsement of the roofs replacements to comply with certain standards
• HB 4642 by Gonzalo passed a ruling the standards of the out of state confinement of County Prisoners
• HP 4702 by Lilani relating the requiring the consideration of standardized test scores as a factor of
• HB 4791 by Schaffner relating to the waiver of certain minimum standards of law enforcement agencies

Transcript Highlights:

• Gas emissions. The program is chronically oversubscribed.
• But this bill falls short of the simple standard.
• By that standard, CAPTI has been an unequivocal success.
• By that standard, CAPTI has been an unequivocal success.
• So yes, there are many standards. There's a comprehensive regulation.

Summary: The committee heard several transportation and public safety bills, largely focused on traffic violence, e-bike regulation, and DUI enforcement. AB 1588 on sideshows and street takeovers drew support from the author, San Francisco officials, law enforcement, and the League of California Cities, who said the bill would close loopholes, add motorcycles and dirt bikes to the sideshow framework, and align penalties with speed contests. ACLU California Action opposed it, but members generally supported the bill, noting the need for stronger tools against dangerous takeovers. The committee also heard AB 1654 on commercial driver’s licenses and federal verification rules, with the author arguing California must comply with federal law to avoid losing CDL authority; the chair and others objected that the bill could wrongly affect U.S. citizens and codify changing federal rules. The bill was discussed but not advanced in the portion provided. AB 1976 sought to speed delivery of bicycle and pedestrian safety projects by limiting some public meetings, restricting cancellation of contracts without findings, lowering petition thresholds for traffic calming, and updating the Pedestrian Mall Act. Supporters said current procedures delay life-saving projects and give too much power to opponents, while counties and cities opposed the limits on local public input and budget authority. After discussion, the committee voted to send AB 1976 to Local Government, with several members expressing support but also concerns about preserving community participation. The committee also heard AB 2015, which would direct Caltrans to study the effects of navigation apps on local roads and safety. Supporters said apps can divert traffic onto residential streets and undermine local traffic calming, while members suggested the bill should also consider built-in vehicle navigation systems. AB 2168, on the Active Transportation Program, would update the definition of safe routes to transit, prioritize transit-rich and underserved areas, and add stronger spending accountability; it drew support from bicycle and transit advocates and some local agencies, with a few technical concerns left to resolve. Finally, AB 1942 on e-bike registration and license plates for Class 2 and 3 e-bikes drew strong support from law enforcement and medical witnesses citing rising injuries, but broad opposition from bicycle groups, micromobility advocates, and some local governments who said it would burden lawful riders, create DMV problems, and not address illegal e-motos. The committee also heard AB 1685 and AB 1687, both DUI-related bills from the same author: AB 1685 would increase DMV points for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and AB 1687 would extend license revocation for a third DUI conviction to eight years with an interlock option after four years. Both bills received strong support from law enforcement and victims’ advocates, with ACLU California Action opposing them as duplicative or overly punitive; both bills were advanced by committee vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• By reducing the standard for which they can be held to probable cause, which is no standard whatsoever
• By reducing the standard for which they can be held to probable cause, which is no standard whatsoever
• Development reduced emissions lower Development reduced emissions lower dependence<06:43:40.680><c> on
• </c><06:48:25.240><c> because</c> the renewable portfolio standard because the renewable portfolio standard
• </c> clarify uh sad emissions clarify uh sad emissions and<06:59:32.878><c> finally</c><06:59:33.360>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One that is intermediate emissions, which is showing us a world following historical trends.
• </c><01:02:05.880><c> And</c> standardized resilience indicators.
• And standardized resilience indicators.
• </c><01:02:11.800><c> and</c> um to develop those standards and um to develop those standards and guidelines
• But having standards of where we expect risk mitigation to help. a disaster?

Bills: HF4470, HF2418, HF3417, HF3365, HF3463

Keywords: HF4470, Melissa Hortman, memorial, statue, memorial garden, State Office Building, Capitol Mall Design Framework, capital investment, appropriation, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, Department of Administration, public art, commemorative monument, landscaping, artist selection, family consultation, Minnesota legislature, state building site, capital appropriation, political subdivisions

Transcript Highlights:

• finally, MAC-447, offered by Representative Dolio, applies the bus depreciation payment to all zero-emission
• However, it increases it back to 1.4 FTE, which is the current standard, only if the income tax passes
• Wildfires and forests release tremendous amounts of CO2 emissions.
• think these requirements will not help in the work of the authority and are really not appropriate standards

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the idea of depressurizing them and controlling the emissions is what NNSA is proposing, and because
• Um, there are current drinking water standards that are a little bit in flux.
• this from peer-reviewed science perspective, but we are starting to see, uh, exposures from air emissions
• levels that we're seeing, I mean, when we talk about 4 parts per trillion is the drinking water standard

Transcript Highlights:

• Where are we getting that if we go to 2050 100% ETA standards, right? I didn't pass the bill.
• Standards that were not attainable, and now there are thousands and thousands of New Mexicans without
• If we go to zero emissions by 2050, what happens to the oil and gas industry jobs?
• So when we pass the ETA and when we are going towards zero emissions, we really are not concerned about

Transcript Highlights:

• be subject to a similar challenge and that the state would have to show facts to meet that high standard
• The bill defines the term as airborne emissions resulting from the burning, heating, or vaporizing of

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• standards, I'll say that three times fast.
• It's the reliability standard.
• It has established a standard for, is that grid reliable or not?
• hit that reliability standard?
• Using that standard as a basis, as a measuring stick, to hit that reliability. standard.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• going to cost 50% more to build a road in the future than it did before because of greenhouse gas emissions
• 27.040><c> gas</c> it did before because of greenhouse gas it did before because of greenhouse gas emissions
• <00:10:27.720><c> requirements</c><00:10:28.280><c> that</c><00:10:28.400><c> Minnesota's</c> emissions
• requirements that Minnesota's emissions requirements that Minnesota's the<00:10:29.240><c> only</c><
• I mean, it all sounds great, these greenhouse gas emissions.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Republican senators held a Tax Day press event focused on affordability, arguing that DFL control has led to overspending, higher taxes, and reduced competitiveness in Minnesota. They criticized recent state tax increases and proposed new taxes, including taxes on social media and advertising, extending sales tax to legal and accounting services, a higher income tax tier, a statewide property tax, and a housing-related sales tax amendment. They also contrasted Minnesota policy with federal tax relief, saying Minnesotans need spending restraint, fraud reduction, and a smaller, more efficient state government instead of additional revenue measures. Senator Dziedzic focused on transportation costs, especially high license tab fees, saying residents are overwhelmed by taxes and fees and that the state should fund roads and bridges with existing money rather than raising fees. He cited a House proposal to quintuple tab fees and said Minnesota’s vehicle ownership costs are far higher than neighboring states. Senator Kunesh focused on property taxes, saying homeownership is becoming unaffordable because of state spending and unfunded mandates passed on to local governments. He argued that Democrats’ 2023 spending drove up property taxes and warned that a proposed statewide property tax would worsen the housing crisis and hurt families, seniors, and first-time buyers. In response to questions, the senators said their caucus is open to companion bills and some targeted tax relief measures, including conformity with federal changes such as tax treatment of tips and overtime and Section 179 business provisions. They said they support transportation investment but want it funded through existing resources and better prioritization, not new taxes or fees. They also discussed possible bonding negotiations and said they are still evaluating proposals related to HCMC and a one-time property tax rebate, which they described as insufficient compared with the need for permanent relief. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, task 3 refers to the net amount of carbon dioxide sequestered, as well as fugitive emissions, assumed
• to CO2, uh, and energy use, uh, and the latter, uh, latter is in reference to net negative carbon emissions
• Whether it's producing lower carbon hydrocarbons, hydrogen production and storage, or mitigating emissions
• Many believe carbon capture and storage holds great promise for reducing carbon emissions.
• , it, it, it doesn't have some of the, uh, problems that traditional fossil fuel has in terms of emissions