Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also going to address this issue from Section 545.424 of the Transportation Code that pertains specifically
• Parents who don't have transportation can zoom in; everybody's got a smartphone.
• This means a juvenile could be in a transport car for anywhere between 16 and 18 hours.
• vehicle. the transport car to head back to Lubbock.
• The department spends roughly $100,000 a year for two transport salaries.

Bills: HB1511 , HB1831 , HB1988 , HB2147 , HB2234

Committee: House S/C on Juvenile Justice

Keywords: housing, affordable housing, state regulations, zoning, local government authority, drug court, juvenile justice, diversion programs, rehabilitation, criminal justice reform, remote proceedings, depositions, virtual hearings, court technology, criminal responsibility, age of maturity, expungement, mental health services, juvenile record sealing

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 7-7-1, revised section 7-5-7-0-3 to 58-703, section 7-0-1-6 to 58-7016, section 0-20701 6 and
• . ...and numerous statutory sections and code references follow.
• The reading continues with more code sections and amendment language, but the transcript is too garbled
• of the section of the section of the section of the section of the section of the employee plans again
• Sixth of the section 3D of the section stage and not charged parental leave under the section section

Bills: LB764 , LB815A , LB839 , LB888 , LB955 , LB972A , LB1029 , LB1087 , LB1091 , LB1126A , LB1181A , LB1237A , LB1261A , LB304A , LB762 , LB889 , LB929 , LB966 , LB1022 , LB1187 , LR508

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendments also move the bill into the Health and Safety Code for more effective enforcement and
• And safety code for more effective enforcement and make clear that local governments can continue to
• In that particular section of the bill or of the code, if the bill were adopted, it says who can provide
• In that particular section of the bill or of the code, if the bill were adopted, it says who can provide
• In that particular section of the bill or of the code, if the bill were adopted, it says who can provide

Committee: Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not require Public Utilities Code Section 851.
• Labor Code Sections 1226 through 1228 provide that same protection for employees of any company where
• Labor Code Sections 1226 through 1228 provide that same protection for employees of any company where
• Public Utility Code sections that prevent a cost shift from happening.
• And then there are a number of Public Utility Code sections that support that.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Transportation Cabinet. Transportation Cabinet. &gt;&gt; Okay. &gt;&gt; Okay. &gt;&gt; Okay.
• I oversee our Transportation Cabinet.
• </c> the US Department of Transportation. the US Department of Transportation.
• </c><00:20:22.799><c> The</c> Transportation funded contracts. The Transportation funded contracts.
• Um but if if we procurement uh section.

Summary: The August 2025 interim meeting of the Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity began with roll call, confirmation of a quorum, approval of the June meeting minutes, and welcoming a new member, Ivonne Smith, who noted her background in MWBE and DBE work. The chair also offered condolences to a member whose father recently passed away and explained that the committee had invited agency officials to answer questions raised at the prior meeting. The first presentation was from Singer Buchanan of the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, who described the state’s equal opportunity and contract compliance office and its certification programs for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses and minority/women business enterprises. He outlined outreach efforts, including partnerships with veterans’ organizations, the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, UK, and transportation-related groups; explained that the programs are intended to expand market access rather than provide grants; and said the office has moved to an online application portal that has processed 227 new applications since December 2023. He reported 536 total vendors across the programs, including 29 service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and said the office is considering website testimonials to improve outreach. Members asked about staffing, application assistance, and whether the state program conflicts with federal policy; Buchanan said the office has three staff members and that the program is state-funded and, based on legal advice, should continue under Kentucky law. Tony Yusefi of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet then presented on the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program. He explained the program’s legal basis under federal DOT regulations, its eligibility standards, and its purpose of creating a level playing field while helping firms grow and eventually compete without assistance. He described certification requirements, annual documentation, prompt-payment protections, commercially useful function reviews, good-faith effort requirements, and sanctions for violations. He also discussed barriers facing DBEs, including access to capital, bonding, insurance, training, and prequalification requirements, and noted that 50 firms were removed last month for noncompliance with annual documentation rules. Yusefi said the cabinet has expanded supportive services, including an online application platform, bid notifications, and a nine-class business development program; 95 DBEs are enrolled this year, and the bid-matching system reaches an average of 377 DBEs monthly.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll call the Budget Section, Commerce and Legal Service.
• We'll call the Budget Section, Commerce and Legal Service's Division to order.
• In Senate Bill 2018, a new section of Chapter 54-60 of the North Dakota Century Code was created, requiring
• For example, we use SOC codes to run through our IT system to do this.
• Jobs in UAS, for example, don't have occupation codes yet.

Summary: The Budget Section’s Commerce and Legal Services division met to review the Department of Commerce base budget and current program activities for the 2027-29 biennium. Legislative Council staff first walked through a new “blue sheet” summary explaining what is included in Commerce’s base budget, with emphasis on salaries, operating costs, and especially grant authority funded largely by federal dollars. Members asked about how grant funding is coordinated across agencies, and staff noted that some programs, such as LIHEAP and UAS-related work, involve interagency collaboration and federal budget authority that may not match exact cash received. Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilke then presented on grant administration, the department’s transparency page, and several grant programs, including Destination Development and Automate ND. Members questioned how many entities apply for grants, what criteria are used, whether return on investment is tracked, and how long grant awards take to reach recipients. A lengthy exchange followed over whether Commerce must follow state procurement law or instead administer grants using its own “best practices” process; the commissioner said the department’s approach was based on legal guidance and competitive grantmaking, while some legislators argued the process should more closely reflect legislative intent. The department also highlighted the North Dakota Development Fund, child care loans, and workforce initiatives. Commerce described Development Fund investments, including examples of successful projects and a child care loan program that has supported 43 active businesses serving 3,754 children. Staff also outlined a new non-primary-sector lending framework and said a workforce and housing sub-cabinet are working on more coordinated statewide strategies. Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howell presented a broad workforce-system assessment, a new shared vision, and task forces focused on simplifying entry, improving warm handoffs, and building a public dashboard of shared metrics; members discussed higher education alignment, career pathways, and the need for better handoffs from schools to employers. No formal votes were taken, and the meeting ended with plans to continue these budget discussions in June, including the Attorney General budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:30.160><c> section</c><00:10:30.399><c> that</c> some language in their code section that
• some language in their code section that gives<00:10:30.880><c> them</c><00:10:31.040><c> leeway</c><
• Is impairment defined anywhere in this particular section of the code, maybe not in this bill but the
• section of the code?
• </c> They don't have transportation. They don't have transportation.

Committee: Joint Public Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> should be included in the ruem sections should be included in the ruem sections of<00:36:09.960>
• </c> actually where the um uh uh uh transport actually where the um uh uh uh transport hold<01:25:19.159
• </c><01:30:08.280><c> you</c><01:30:08.400><c> know</c> put in a code and put in a code you know put
• in a code and put in a code you know anyway<01:30:09.600><c> um</c><01:30:10.040><c> so</c><01:30:10.239
• E the purpose Code E only allows us Code E the purpose Code E only allows us to<01:37:29.840><c> see

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:40:57.359><c> Legislative</c> out of the Transportation Legislative out of the Transportation
• </c> units for the purposes of section units for the purposes of section 29-32-105.
• We make our own city code, our own building code, in accordance with the law.
• city code, our own building code our own city code, our own building code accordance<03:01:01.920><c
• So, I'm all I'm with this section.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the city engineer with the code the city engineer with the code officials<00:19:38.280><c> and</
• </c> make sure that the uh project is code make sure that the uh project is code compliant<00:19:45.520
• I know others do as well, as we go into Section 1, subdivision 21.
• This is a section that references the unclassified service, so part of 383C is the St.
• This is a section that references the unclassified service, so part of 383C is the St.

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• And referred to the Senate Health, Public Affairs Committee, then Senate Tax, Business, and Transportation
• Senate Bill 56, introduced by Senator John Woods, an act relating to livestock, enacting a new section
• of the Livestock Code.
• Section 1 and 2 of House Bill 1 appropriates expenses for the 2025 regular session for the Senate and
• Amending sections of Chapter 7. Senate Bill 73.

Transcript Highlights:

• The section of the bill relating to no damages for the delay cause and that it establishes necessary
• So Amendment bar code 2, 6, 2, 5, 2, 5, You're recognized to explain amendment. >> Yes, sir.
• Will it cover all aspects of reviewing a building as far as the building code?
• Make the code uniform if possible.
• National Trip Transportation Safety Board in 2022.

Transcript Highlights:

• We wanted to also take account of the building codes because we know, we know, Then we wanted to also
• a very strong building code, variously considered first or second in the nation.
• And that building code is making a big difference in terms of the expected damages we would find.
• Lisa Saliba, Chief Finance and Administration Officer for the Department of Transportation.
• Lisa Saliba, Chief Finance and Administration Officer for the Department of Transportation.

Summary: The Legislative Budget Commission met with a quorum present to hear the constitutionally required Long-Range Financial Outlook and consider a series of budget amendments. Amy Baker of the Office of Economic and Demographic Research presented the outlook, describing Florida’s continued population growth, strong wage growth, an aging population, housing-market softening, and low consumer sentiment. She said the general revenue forecast was largely unchanged from March, but the state’s funds available had improved because of legislative actions in 2025 that increased the balance forward. She also noted strong reserves, a projected current-year Medicaid deficit of about $125 million, and a three-year outlook that remains positive in the first year but turns negative in years two and three. She highlighted the risk of co-occurring catastrophic events, using a normalized Great Miami Hurricane scenario to illustrate potential state losses. The outlook was adopted after brief comments from House and Senate members emphasizing fiscal restraint and efficiency. The commission then approved multiple budget amendments, mostly without objection. The Agency for Health Care Administration received amendments to realign funding for Florida KidCare based on estimating conference results, to provide $85 million in budget authority for disproportionate share hospital payments, and to adjust Medicaid and long-term care appropriations, including placing surplus funds into reserve. The Department of Health received $6.3 million in additional authority for newborn screening. The Department of Corrections and the Department of Management Services each received $2.2 million in Private Inmate Welfare Trust Fund authority for repair invoices and pending projects. The Department of State was authorized to release $2.5 million in nonrecurring general revenue for cultural and museum grants and America 250 commemorative grants. The Department of Transportation received approval for a project roll-forward and for work program changes, including advancing I-95 widening in Duval County and the I-4 corridor in Polk and Osceola counties. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> THE TRANSPORTATION TOURISM AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WILL NOW COME TO ORDER BROOK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL
• Chair: THERE IS ONE AMENDMENT SO LET'S GET THE BILL IN THE PROPER POSTURE SO WITH THAT AMENDMENT BAR CODE
• WE WOULD LIKE TO REPEAL SECTIONS TWO TO 14 AND 15.
• YOU STILL CAN ORGANIZE THAT WITH SECTION 50 DOES.
• LET'S TAKE UP AMENDMENT BARCODE CODE 433154 BY SENATOR TRUMBULL.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Transportation support director. Transportation support director.
• </c> Department of Transportation in support. Department of Transportation in support.
• Department of Transportation in support. Department of Transportation in support.
• </c> simple but powerful way, transportation. simple but powerful way, transportation.
• Sorry, that's section one.

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2021, a transportation measure creating a framework for electric bicycle and micromobility regulation. The bill would define electric bicycle and electric micromobility device, set age and helmet rules, restrict class 3 e-bikes from sidewalks, allow limited sidewalk use for class 1 and 2 bikes, prohibit high-speed electric devices and certain nonconforming devices in specified locations, update county tax definitions, and change related terminology. Testimony was largely supportive from DOT, police, Honolulu officials, Hawaii Bicycling League, AAA Hawaii, the Hawaii State Teachers Association, and several individuals, while DCCA’s Insurance Division asked for clarity on whether insurance would be required. Committee discussion focused on safety, enforcement, and the fact that no insurance market currently exists for these e-bike classes; members also discussed the need to target bad actors rather than ordinary riders. The chair then proposed and the committee adopted amendments to HB 2021, including clarifying that road-legal, permitted, classified electric bicycles are not subject to insurance requirements at this time; allowing properly classified electric bicycles on sidewalks at 10 mph or less subject to county restrictions; barring high-speed electric devices and other nonconforming devices from public roadways; authorizing impoundment of non-road-legal or improperly registered devices; and requiring direct parental supervision for riders under 16 on class 2 or 3 e-bikes. The committee also made technical and effective-date changes. The recommendation to pass HB 2021 with amendments was adopted unanimously by the members present. The committee next took up HB 1641, a related transportation bill addressing high-speed electric devices. The chair explained that the measure would prohibit the sale, lease, rental, distribution, possession, or operation of high-speed electric devices and establish penalties, but the committee’s version would narrow the focus to devices covered by HB 2021. The amended bill would prohibit offering high-speed electric devices for lease or rent, require sellers to comply with the new regulatory framework, ban operation on bicycle lanes, highways, roadways, and streets, and set a civil penalty of $250 to $1,000 per violation. After no further questions, the committee voted to pass HB 1641 with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. The meeting then moved to HB 1709, which would transfer regulation of the Hawaii Water Carrier Act from the Public Utilities Commission to the Department of Transportation and make conforming changes with an appropriation. DOT testified in support, while the PUC and DCCA’s Consumer Advocacy Division raised concerns about preserving consumer protections and the complexity of moving the regulatory framework. Young Brothers supported the bill and said the current system is outdated, but the discussion remained ongoing; the transcript cuts off before any final action on HB 1709 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So let’s go to Joshua Hudek, senior program manager, land use and transportation. on the land and not
• This is the single most progressive tax in our tax code.
• And this is the single most progressive tax in our tax code.
• and the Minnesota Internal Revenue code and the Minnesota tax tax tax code<01:09:23.679><c> and</c><
• They called the question, actually, to rush it out of Transportation Committee, I believe.

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• There were 7,664 students represented in 70% of the state zip codes.
• Representative, Chris will be covering that in the next section of the presentation.
• Representative, Chris will be covering that in the next section of the presentation.
• Finally, the last piece of legislation I'm going to talk about is transportation funding.
• haven't been updated since they were added to the state code in 2004.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Transportation.
• So Article 14, Section 1 provides that the state shall ever maintain a general, suitable, and efficient
• This is the longest section of the report, because there's a lot that happens here.
• So I'm glad that we do have it in code for everybody to do it and commend the ones that were doing it
• So I'm glad that we do have it in code for everybody to do it and commend the ones that we're doing it

Summary: The meeting began with approval of the previous minutes and then focused on an update from the Department of Education on early childhood programs, especially the state-funded Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) program. Secretary Jacob Oliva and Deputy Commissioner Stacey Smith said Arkansas had received a federal Preschool Development Grant and described ongoing work to review ABC slots, which have been flat for years at about 23,800 slots and roughly $114 million. They said about 1,000 slots statewide are currently unfilled despite a waiting list of more than 2,000 families, and the department is shifting toward paying based on enrollment rather than guaranteed slots. Members asked about school choice, income eligibility, year-round access, curriculum flexibility, transportation, and whether funding should be increased or rebalanced; the department said it is collecting data, may survey providers more formally, and is considering whether to modernize income thresholds, daily rates, and other program rules. The committee agreed to form an early childhood subcommittee and asked the Bureau of Legislative Research to help gather historical information on income limits and other program details. The second major portion of the meeting was a legal presentation on the framework for Arkansas school adequacy by BLR education attorney Taylor Lloyd. She reviewed the constitutional basis for a “general, suitable, and efficient” public school system, the Dupree and Lake View cases, and the principle that adequacy and equity are different but related: adequacy asks what resources are needed, while equity asks whether those resources are distributed fairly. She explained that the General Assembly must define adequacy, study it, and react to evidence over time, and that the current adequacy definition includes curriculum and career/technical frameworks, the 38 mandatory Carnegie units, state testing standards, and sufficient funding. She also described the matrix as a funding tool, not a spending mandate, and noted that categorical funds are separate from the matrix. BLR’s Elizabeth Bynum then gave the historical framework, tracing legislative responses from Dupree through Lake View and into the present. She highlighted major changes such as the creation of equalization funding, fiscal distress and academic distress laws, the adequacy study process, the Educational Adequacy Fund, facilities and transportation changes, declining enrollment and student growth funding, and later adjustments to teacher salaries, isolated funding, and categorical programs. She explained that the adequacy study has evolved through committee hearings, surveys, site visits, and outside consultants, and that recent changes include updates to accountability references and the addition or removal of certain funding categories. Members asked follow-up questions about how the matrix is used, whether homeschool or private-school funding raises comparable issues, whether stakeholders include private and homeschool participants, whether school board members should be surveyed, and whether the state should revisit average daily membership versus attendance-based funding. No votes were taken on the adequacy presentations, but the committee did agree to continue the early childhood discussion in a future subcommittee meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Infused beverages have to be placed in a designated section distinctly marked away from alcohol, mixers
• House Bill 465 updates Title 11 of the Delaware Code to formally integrate virtual currency into the
• state's criminal code.
• A portion of the transportation impact fee... ...infrastructure improvements so that growth pays for
• Directing a portion of the transportation impact fee to it is smart policy.

Bills: HB373

Committee: Senate Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology

Summary: The Senate Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology Committee met in hybrid format and heard testimony on several bills. HB 373, as amended, would regulate hemp-derived THC-infused beverages by defining the products, limiting them to 10 mg of Delta-9 THC per container, restricting sales to package stores and licensed marijuana retail stores, requiring testing and labeling, and imposing a 50-cent per container tax; the sponsor said the bill is intended to create guardrails and protect youth, and a wholesaler representative testified in support. HB 398 would allow racinos to serve alcohol until 2 a.m. and remove local authority to require earlier closing times; the sponsor and Bally’s representative said it would help Delaware remain competitive and increase revenue, and no opposition was heard. HB 433 would let municipalities and counties extend last call for bars, restaurants, and clubs from 1 a.m. to 2 a.m.; a witness from Connect Delaware supported it as a competitiveness and retention measure, emphasizing that it is permissive rather than mandatory. The committee also heard extensive testimony on HB 441, which would ban cryptocurrency kiosks/crypto ATMs in Delaware and require existing machines to be removed within 90 days. The sponsor and supporters, including AARP, the Delaware Department of Justice, and the League of Women Voters, argued the machines are heavily used in scams, especially against older adults, and that regulation has not been effective. CoinFlip opposed the bill, saying it is a regulated operator, that the fraud statistics are overstated or incomplete, and that Delaware should instead adopt a regulatory framework and amendment. HB 465 would update the criminal code to formally define virtual currency and incorporate it into theft, money laundering, racketeering, and search-and-seizure provisions; the sponsor said it would align Delaware law with modern crypto-related crimes, and no opposition was presented. The committee then heard HB 467, which would prevent landlords from requiring renters to buy insurance from a specific company while still allowing them to require coverage meeting lease terms; the sponsor described it as a consumer-choice bill and there was no public opposition. HB 435 would require payment parity for certified registered nurse anesthetists and physicians when the same services are provided; the sponsor, nurse anesthetists, the Delaware Health Care Association, the Department of Insurance, and ChristianaCare supported it as a workforce and access-to-care measure, with no opposition. Finally, HS 1 for HB 450, the Road DE Act, would overhaul permitting and traffic-impact review, emphasize peak-hour traffic, set density standards in growth areas, create a transportation impact fee, and direct some revenue to open space, farmland, and coastal restoration; realtors, builders, environmental groups, engineers, and GEAR supported it as a way to speed permitting, reduce sprawl, and improve infrastructure planning. The committee adjourned after public comment; no votes were recorded in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Appropriation, transportation, technology.
• SB 1535, an act amending Title 12, Chapter 1, Article 1, Article 10, Section 12-1116.13 and related sections
• 12-1116.13 and amending Section 13-3828, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding Section 13-3828.01, appropriating
• I just wanted to mention that I am very passionate about transportation, all forms of transportation,
• I just wanted to mention that I am very passionate about transportation, all forms of transportation,

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and a series of personal privilege introductions recognizing guests including the Doctor of the Day, realtors visiting for Realtor Day, and the family of former Senator Barbara Leff. The chamber also adopted House Concurrent Resolution 264 honoring Barbara Leff, followed by a moment of silence in her memory. The Senate then moved through a large number of bill introductions and first readings, as well as Committee of the Whole consideration of several measures. In Committee of the Whole, senators considered and advanced multiple bills, often with technical or negotiated floor amendments. Among those reported out as do pass or do pass as amended were SB 1494, SB 1497, SB 1503, SB 1535, SB 1544, SB 1580, SB 1582, SB 1584, SB 1585, SB 1602, SB 1632, SB 1723, and SB 1798. The amendments addressed topics such as technical corrections to mining and pension language, classical learning tests, sex trafficking record sealing, probation reporting, school safety funding, kinship foster care stipends, DES credentialing, domestic violence release conditions, and a school safety/threat identification pilot program that was revised into a FAFSA awareness recognition program. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted. The Senate then took up third-reading votes on several bills. HB 4115, SB 1012, SB 1213, SB 1416, SB 1474, SB 1511, SB 1549, SB 1573, SB 1634, SB 1647, SB 1649, SB 1664, and SB 1725 were considered, with most passing on party-line or near-party-line votes; SB 1416 and SB 1664 passed unanimously, while SB 1549 passed with broader support. Several members explained votes on immigration enforcement, concealed carry in establishments serving alcohol, commercial driver licensing, campaign finance, and a digital asset reserve fund. HB 2993, dealing with DPS legal representation funding, passed 16-13 after debate over constitutional concerns, funding sources, and the use of the Attorney General’s consumer fraud fund. The session ended with the Senate adopting the Committee of the Whole report and transmitting the passed bills to the House.