Transcript Highlights:

• As you guys all know, as committee members, we passed 103 bills before spring break this year.
• And you gave an example of existing plant that might have been there before the factory moved in.
• Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir. Thank you.
• Same question I asked before: Have you had any experience with a customer asking for a retention discount
• Now, along our right-of-way, because of the federal requirements, where you have to dig, all the CAD

Committee: House Utilities

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, Madam Secretary, would you please call the roll? Representative Baker.
• I'll hold you to it. [laughter] Yes, sir. Any other questions or comments before we vote?
• Um, I would really like to see you before you get this into law maybe to look at changing around a little
• Um, I would really like to see you before you get this into law maybe to look at changing around a little
• And before we adjourn, Representative Callaway, would you like to register a vote? Yes, sir.

Keywords: Consideration of HB 139 -- 00:03:15 Consideration of HB 356 -- 00:08:48, 958, all

Summary: The committee first adopted a committee substitute for House Bill 139, which would allow a political party to replace a candidate who dies or withdraws after the filing deadline but before ballot certification. Representative Decker explained the substitute as a narrow election-related fix, and the bill was then passed by the committee on an 11-yes, 1-pass vote and sent to the full House. The committee then heard House Bill 356, which would move the Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) qualification test from a once-every-four-years, Frankfort-based format to administration through the Kentucky Community and Technical College System at multiple locations and times. Representative Bridges said the Department of Revenue would still write and control the exam, KCTCS would only administer it, the fiscal note was zero, and the change would improve access and convenience without weakening standards. KCTCS said it was prepared to help if directed. Members generally agreed PVAs should be tested, but some raised concerns about test integrity, whether a broader testing network could create uneven conditions, and whether the change should instead use a smaller number of regional test sites. Others supported the bill as a common-sense way to expand access and avoid forcing candidates to wait years after missing a single test date. The committee also discussed the lack of a study guide for the exam and whether that should be addressed separately. No final vote on House Bill 356 is reflected in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• So if you all... So if you all would identify?
• Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Representative Ray. Thank you.
• Thank you. Thank you.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was historical knowledge or word of mouth that you would call up the department.
• So I would like you to provide for us what you have spent on all of these systems to date before we go
• Sometimes you can't, you have to make a judgment call as to how deeply you dig into an issue.
• Sometimes you can't, you have to make a judgment call as to how deeply you dig into an issue.
• You have to make a judgment call as to how deeply you dig into an issue.

Summary: The subcommittee first heard a lengthy Auditor General presentation on the Department of Management Services’ fleet management operations. The audit found major problems with oversight, recordkeeping, policies, fee-setting, purchase and disposal approvals, public auction controls, and FleetWave system access and processing. Key findings included that 2,279 vehicles valued at more than $57 million could not be matched between FleetWave and FLAIR, disposal records were missing or incomplete, user access remained active long after employees separated, and the department had not documented a reasonable basis for its $1.75 per-vehicle monthly fee. Members expressed strong concern about the accuracy of the state’s fleet inventory and the risk of waste or misuse. DMS Secretary Allende said the department concurred with the findings, was working with the Auditor General, and planned corrective actions, including better training, clearer guidance, improved reconciliation, and possible centralization or pilot programs for fleet purchasing and management. The committee then returned to vacancy discussions with several agencies. The Division of Administrative Hearings said its two long-vacant judges of compensation claims positions had been hard to fill because of low pay and short reappointment terms, but the chief judge said the division could operate without them and offered those positions up as part of a reduction exercise. The Public Service Commission reported 42 vacancies but said statutory deadlines were still being met, though staff workloads and depth of analysis were affected. The commission also said vacancies help it manage salaries within its trust-fund budget. Members questioned whether some of those positions were truly needed given the lack of delays. The Florida Gaming Control Commission reported 29 vacancies, including a vacant chair that prevented appointment of an inspector general, and said the chair vacancy was a gubernatorial appointment issue. The acting executive director also said the commission’s compulsive gambling prevention program had lapsed after no responsive bids were received for a new contract, but an invitation to negotiate was nearly complete and a new provider was expected soon. The Public Employee Relations Commission reported that its caseload had more than doubled after Senate Bill 256, which increased union recertification work; it said it was meeting deadlines only with overtime and that the workload had not fallen despite decertifications. Members asked for follow-up data on union cases, vacancy needs, and whether some positions across agencies could be reallocated to better match workload.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sure some of you have seen that before, but that's what it's going to end up looking like.
• Thank you, Mr. Chair. What are they digging up this street over here for?
• I'm sure some of you have seen that before, but that's what it's going to end up looking like.
• Thank you, Mr. Chair. What are they digging up this street over here for?
• So, this request is again another one that we come before you on a biennium basis to help fund some work

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Capital Project Overview Committee approved the minutes from its February 24 meeting and then received a briefing on the legislative parking garage from Terry Poff, Chief Operating Officer for the General Court. He reported that the pre-stressed concrete garage, being built with panels fabricated by Unistress in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, remains on schedule, with erection expected in late July through August and functional occupancy targeted for March 17, 2026. He said the garage will provide 409 spaces, security cameras, a communications repeater, and a maintenance plan developed from the outset. In response to questions, he explained nearby street excavation is for drainage vaults and oil-water separators, and that temporary closures will be needed during panel deliveries. He also said the garage was designed with future EV charging infrastructure in mind, but current charging stations would need to be located outside the secure facility; he has begun discussions with city officials about possible curbside charging options. The committee then heard and approved a $754,000 capital request for Cannon Mountain/Franconia Notch State Park maintenance projects. The request, recommended by the Cannon Mountain Advisory Commission, covers lodge exterior repairs, lift maintenance, snowmaking pipe replacements and pump controls, and equipment purchases to improve maintenance operations. The committee approved the item after brief discussion. Next, the Department of Transportation presented two toll-credit requests. The first, CAP 250007, sought toll credits to support transportation planning, regional planning commissions, GIS and asset-management work, and related federal planning requirements; members asked about coordination with Granite data and the effect of a prior budget decision on regional planning officers, and staff said the request would not affect the regular federally funded program. The committee approved the item. The second, CAP 25010, sought $245,000 in toll credits for bus terminal improvements, regional mobility management, a statewide transit assessment, and an intercity bus pilot intended to connect Keene with southern New Hampshire or Concord. Members asked about the subsidy structure and ridership reporting; staff said the intercity service would be a net-cost subsidy and agreed to provide updated ridership and route information. The committee approved this item as well. At the end of the meeting, the committee noted that a quarterly capital projects report from DAS and the community college system was informational only, and members opted not to hear a separate presentation that day. The next meeting was set for September 29 at 9:00 a.m., with a request to invite HHS to discuss closed-loop referral system projects. Members also asked for future updates on the planned sale of the Cenuunu Center, and the committee adjourned after a motion carried.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. For the members, this is roll call number 126. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• This is roll call number 128. Thank you. Mr.
• I happily called it the perpetual big dig.
• I'm asking you to consider before you cast yours whether we have learned anything from the last time
• This is roll call number 129. Roll call number 129. I don't know. I'm going to be. Thank you.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. For the members, this is roll call number 126. Thank you. I'm going to be able to be.
• This is roll call number 128. Thank you. Mr.
• I happily call it the perpetual big dig.
• I'm asking you to consider, before you cast yours, whether we have learned anything from the last time
• This is roll call number 129. Roll call number 129. I don't know. I'm going to be. Thank you.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several procedural matters, including adopting a resolution recognizing the work of Ukraine Forward and suspending Joint Rule 12 for a number of petitions. The chamber also scheduled several bills for later consideration, including measures on unemployment insurance for fluctuating work schedules, the Medical Society mission statement, a youth training wage, bridge and intersection namings, handicapped parking fines, public-way safety, excavation restoration, motor vehicle safety, and a Newton police age requirement. Two engrossed local bills were passed to be enacted: one authorizing retired police officers as special police in Plainville and another allowing Orange to increase its Board of Selectmen membership. The main policy debate centered on House No. 5151, An Act relative to energy affordability, clean power, and economic competitiveness. Supporters described it as a broad affordability and clean-energy package that would cut costs for ratepayers, reform Mass Save, speed clean-energy procurement and interconnection, return a portion of alternative compliance payments to customers, and address biomass and other energy issues. Opponents argued the bill relied too heavily on long-term programs and new administrative structures while offering little immediate relief, and raised concerns about costs being shifted to consumers, impacts on natural gas, and the pace of implementation. Several amendments were debated and rejected, including proposals to shift public benefit charges away from peak hours, pause public benefit charges for a year, require greater utility disclosure before rate increases, and add a forest-clearing penalty for solar development. One amendment to the energy bill was adopted: a consolidated amendment that included budget-billing consumer protections for gas customers, requiring notice and conservation recommendations when usage rises significantly. The House also adopted an amendment to a separate conservation-restriction bill for Hanson, changing a figure in the underlying law, and passed that bill to be engrossed as amended. The energy bill’s consolidated amendment passed by roll call, while several other amendments failed by roll call votes. The House observed multiple moments of silence honoring Jaden Booker, Thomas Skip Karam, former Freetown Police Chief Carlton Abbott, and former Representative and Senator William Q. “Biff” McLean, Jr.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you.
• um you know you raised relatively small um you know you raised an<00:14:22.000><c> important</c><00:14
• </c> things that you could talk about you things that you could talk about you know<01:04:19.359><c>
• you know you can say uh 12 rows of data you know you can see<01:14:39.040><c> how</c><01:14:39.400><
• </c><01:24:38.800><c> Mr</c> thank you um Mr arneson thank you Mr thank you um Mr arneson thank you Mr

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• I think it's becoming better, but there's a lot, you know, we need to get, you know, much further before
• I think it's becoming better, but there's a lot, you know, we need to get, you know, much further before
• Yeah, you know, it's hard for me to make a judgment call on that.

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I hope you will join me in passing this bill today. Thank you. Thank you, members.
• Thank you. Any questions for the witnesses before we go to the author? Questions for Mr.
• you you kind of make uh use of the you you you kind of make uh use of the oa's<00:10:19.720><c> information
• So what we have before us yet again, right, is we're saying we care about costs, we care about, you know
• But, in the not directed at you, I just know you've said that before, um, sooner than others.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 4506 will be left pending subject to call of the chair. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you.
• The chair calls Robert... Is it Tanahanen? OK, Rob, do you want to say anything?
• The chair calls for public testimony. Thank you, members, for allowing me to testify.
• If I could, Madam Chair, before you ask questions. Thank you, Chair. Commence any questions.
• Thank you all so much, and we'll call up Jay Crossley and Ashka Ganguly. Thank you very much.

Bills: SB3038 , SB3045 , SB3065 , SB3069 , SB3071 , HB2025 , HB2149 , HB3370 , HB4205 , HB4506 , HB5424 , HB5652 , HB24 , HB3687 , HB24

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: Fort Bend County, Municipal Utility District, MUD, special district, Rosenberg, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, ad valorem tax, bond issuance, assessments, fees, taxes, eminent domain, road district, storm drainage, infrastructure financing, development agreement, municipal consent, temporary directors, public utility district

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today.
• Thank you again for the opportunity to appear before you today, and I welcome your questions.
• by somebody before you put them into a permanent house.
• And before that, I believe you were assistant deputy director. Is that correct? Mr.
• So I do want to just say before I call the vote, I do want to say thank you for coming down here, even

Committee: Senate Director Nominations

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today.
• Thank you again for the opportunity to appear before you today, and I welcome your questions.
• by somebody before you put them into a permanent house.
• And before that, I believe you were assistant deputy director. Is that correct? Mr.
• So I do want to just say before I call the vote, I do want to say thank you for coming down here, even

Summary: The Senate Committee on Director Nominations met to consider Ruby Dylan Williams for Director of the Arizona Department of Housing. Williams described her long career at the department, her work on operational improvements, housing development, manufactured housing, and efforts to expand supply, preserve existing housing, and improve transparency through data and technology. She also said she would work with the legislature, local governments, tribal nations, nonprofits, and private partners, and emphasized the department’s role in addressing housing affordability and homelessness across the housing continuum. Members questioned her about the department’s response to Auditor General findings, including fraud prevention, payment verification, site inspections, and oversight of grantees. Williams said the department had rewritten policies, retrained staff, added stronger controls, and implemented verbal verification steps for wire transfers after a fraud incident. Senators also pressed her on budget priorities, possible cuts, and her view of homelessness policy, with some members characterizing her approach as closer to shelter or transitional housing before permanent placement. Williams said interventions should be individualized and that the department works with local jurisdictions and service providers to match people with appropriate support. Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Developers, housing industry representatives, and nonprofit partners praised Williams’ private-sector housing finance experience, her knowledge of LIHTC and the QAP process, and her leadership in making the agency more efficient and business-friendly. After debate, the committee voted 3-2 to recommend her confirmation to the full Senate. Two members voted no, citing concerns about her answers on fraud oversight, cost controls, and homelessness policy, while the majority supported advancing her nomination.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Thank you, Madam Speaker. >> Thank you, members.
• Thank you. I would recommend each of you thank your spouse if you have one.
• And to my sons, Harry and Crosby, man, you look at me, you make me look good. Thank you.
• You guys are great young men. You have all five of you children have a great future.
• </c> called Birthright. called Birthright.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'd have to dig out that spreadsheet, and I could give you that answer before we're done today.
• And I'd have to dig out that spreadsheet, and I could give you that answer before we're done today.
• Bergand, so thank you. Thank you. Thank you to everybody. Now we'll call on Dr.
• So you can dig into that a little deeper if you wish.
• I just wanted to catch it before you moved on. I know you are rolling.

Committee: Joint Education Committee

Summary: The meeting focused heavily on dual credit programming across North Dakota, with presentations from Valley City State University, Lake Region State College, Fargo Public Schools, and teachers from West Fargo and Drake-Anamoose. Speakers described dual credit as a way to give high school students college-level rigor, reduce future tuition costs, and help students explore academic and career pathways. Several presenters emphasized that strong local relationships between colleges and school districts are central to program quality, especially in rural areas where access to advanced coursework can be limited. Valley City State University outlined its quality-control model, including annual teacher trainings, syllabus and outcomes alignment, faculty evaluations, qualification standards, school visits, and a goal of building 24-credit College Studies Certificates. The university reported about 504 students in the fall and 559 in the spring, with roughly 5,539 projected credit hours and about 130 students expected to earn the 24-credit certificate. Members asked about faculty qualifications, online versus in-person delivery, student retention, revenue, and whether a more centralized statewide model might be more efficient; the presenter said centralization could reduce duplication but might weaken local relationships and choice. Lake Region State College described a broader regional model, with about 913 dual credit students last fall across 44 school districts, roughly half of them taking online college courses and half taking face-to-face courses taught by qualified high school teachers serving as adjuncts. The college said it has paid for graduate credits to help teachers meet credentialing requirements and reimburses districts for teacher support and materials. Fargo Public Schools reported 50 dual credit courses through multiple higher-ed partners, 1,571 enrollments, and a 12.61% increase in participation, while also raising concerns about inconsistent registration systems, credentialing requirements, and transfer clarity across institutions. Teachers from West Fargo and Drake-Anamoose reinforced the value of dual credit, while noting concerns about retention in foundational science courses and the importance of maintaining rigor and support for students.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll just call you PELSB for short.
• >> Thank you, Representative Verer. Do you have any comments before we go on to member questions?
• Um, and before &gt;&gt; thank you, Chair Bennett.
• The interstate compact is before you &gt;&gt; No.
• Representative Hill, thank you for the bill before us.

Bills: HF3635 , HF3638

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: teacher mobility, interstate compact, licensure, military spouses, education, teacher regulation, teacher qualifications, state sovereignty, educator licensing, paraprofessional credentials, mental health, professional development, data sharing, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment before you will enable individuals with a master's degree in veterinary clinical care to
• Thank you. Thank you. Next— “We fully support it. Thank you. Thank you.
• Thank you for being here. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Senators. Yes, Dr.
• Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to all the speakers who shared... Thank you, Mr.
• Thank you, Chair Pizzo. Does any senator wish to be recorded as voting on a bill before committee?

Bills: S0754 , S0796

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Keywords: heated tobacco products, tobacco regulation, vaping, definition changes, Florida statutes, veterinary medicine, telehealth, veterinary professional associate, animal health, public safety, access to veterinary services, 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's basically a three-phase process before you get your grant agreement with the federal government.
• What is the safety, you know, when we have the outer and the inner safety pull-offs or whatever we call
• The way you cost a project is you look at what are called year-of-expenditure dollars, and you forecast
• Some of you may have seen this very famous book called The Power Broker, a biography of Robert Moses,
• So as a matter of policy, you probably want to focus on how do we make sure, before we start a project

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The committee first received an informational update on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project from Carly Francis and Travis Brower. They described the project’s purpose as improving seismic resilience, safety, freight movement, transit, and bicycle/pedestrian access across the Columbia River, and said the updated cost estimate is $13.2 billion to $14.4 billion for the full corridor. They explained the increase from the 2022 estimate as driven by construction inflation, a more conservative inflation curve, schedule delays, more detailed engineering, and risk modeling. They also outlined the funding plan, including $2.1 billion in federal funds, $1 billion each from Oregon and Washington, and $1.5 billion in projected toll revenue, and said they are working to obligate federal funds by the end of September. The panel described a first funded phase that would include the bridge, highway connections, tolling infrastructure, bridge removal, and transit design, with light rail to Vancouver still intended but dependent on additional funding. Members questioned the risk of losing federal transit funds, whether bridge design decisions were being made with legislative input, and whether the space reserved for light rail could be used for buses if transit funding does not materialize. The committee then heard testimony on maintaining Oregon’s existing roads and bridges from representatives of Knife River, the Asphalt Pavement Association of Oregon, and CRH. Witnesses said pavement and bridge preservation is severely underfunded, with ODOT needing about $400 million per year for pavement preservation but receiving roughly $100 million annually. They showed examples of deteriorating highways such as U.S. 97 and I-84 and argued that delaying maintenance leads to much higher reconstruction costs, more safety risks, and higher user costs. Knife River described layoffs and reduced work in Oregon because of limited preservation funding, while witnesses also said rising wages, equipment costs, fuel, and permitting delays are increasing project costs. Committee members asked about the role of prevailing wage, diesel equipment, hauling distances, and whether preservation work could be prioritized more effectively. Finally, economist Joe Cortright presented on recent ODOT megaproject cost overruns. He said Oregon has experienced persistent overruns driven by overly optimistic revenue forecasts, heavy reliance on debt, consultant costs, inflation above forecast, and projects that have become much larger in scope than originally presented. He cited major increases in the Interstate Bridge, Rose Quarter, and Abernathy Bridge projects and argued that some designs are far wider and more expensive than necessary. Cortright said better accountability, clearer priorities, and more disciplined project sizing are needed, and committee members pressed him on why agencies proceed with larger designs even when consultants recommend narrower, less expensive alternatives.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Sorry. That means then.
• If you can go back one slide for me, this is, So probation breaks their conditions into what they call
• And we put a whole big report on about a year ago if you want to dig deep on that at any point.
• , you know, just, you know, we want you to do well, right?
• Is it just judge's discretion and depends on, you know, which judge you fall before, which court, this

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you.
• Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Ex-Chair, Senator. Appreciate you being here.
• Thank you.
• And that's what we needed you to say to us. Yeah. So thank you. No problem. Thank you, Mr.
• Thank you. Good morning. Always good to see you. Thank you.

Committee: House Utilities

Keywords: 959, house, all