Transcript Highlights:

• So you can see small cities, the Trunk Highway Fund, county state aid highway, and the TAA.
• so you can see small cities, the Trunk Highway Fund, county state aid highway, and the TAA.
• , and that Highway 65 is the most dangerous stretch of highway in the...
• 65 and Highway 10.
• <01:32:10.880> and highways and highways and bridges<01:32:12.920> things<01:32:13.280>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Meeks, our special representative to the Legislature. for the California Highway Patrol.
• The California Highway Patrol Headquarters in Sacramento...
• You're probably asking why the California Highway Patrol and why now?
• You folks in the Highway Patrol getting together and figuring out... Merge the money.
• And fund it through this organization, but make sure the Highway Patrol...

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• circumferential project highway project. circumferential project highway project.
• circumferential highway project. circumferential highway project.
• Mount Deception Road was once a state highway or at least a town highway.
• <00:42:01.839> And highway or at least a town highway.
• And highway or at least a town highway.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from its September 29 meeting and then took up a series of Department of Transportation and Department of Administrative Services property actions. Several DOT items involved disposal of land originally acquired for the now-dissolved Conway bypass or other highway projects, including a 445.6-acre Conway parcel proposed for sale to the town of Conway for conservation use, a 1.78-acre Chesterfield parcel for sale to an abutter, a 6.13-acre Madison parcel tied to the Conway bypass, and a bulk disposal package of 22 improved parcels in Merrimack, Litchfield, and Hudson. Members asked about appraisals, conservation easements, federal funding restrictions, tenant occupancy, and whether the state would recover its original investment; DOT said values were based on appraisal or market analysis, federal reimbursements may be required where federal funds were used, and proceeds from turnpike-related property would return to the turnpike fund. All of these disposal motions were approved. The committee also approved several DOT lease/easement items. These included a Greenfield railroad-corridor lease for equestrian use, a Lake Winnipesaukee dock lease to CE Realty Trust, a similar dock lease to Needle Eye Association, and an easement in Carroll for Industrial Wireless to build a private road and cross Mount Deception Brook for a cell tower project. Members focused on maintenance responsibilities, liability insurance, access limitations, fencing, and the relationship between the railroad corridor and adjacent uses. DOT said lessees would be responsible for maintenance, access to the railroad would be restricted, and liability insurance would be included where appropriate. The committee also approved a separate easement for Eversource in Rochester to install utility lines serving the new courthouse, with the department explaining that the easement is a narrow strip needed to complete construction. The Department of Administrative Services received approval for a use-of-premises agreement allowing Rockingham County to lease 300 square feet in the Brentwood courthouse for office space, and for a perpetual utility easement in Rochester for Eversource, with a waiver of the administrative fee. The committee also heard that the Rochester courthouse project needs the utility work to finish construction. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly asked about insurance, public access, valuation, and whether tenants or abutters would have first opportunity to buy or lease the affected properties. All motions before the committee were adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• The highway use fee is due at the time of registration.
• So the highway use fee is imposed on...
• The highway use fee is imposed on all fuel-efficient vehicles.
• So their highway use fee is $131.88 for this fiscal year.
• Nobody can opt out of paying the highway use fee.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee first took up three highway naming resolutions on its consent calendar: ACR 109, SCR 78, and SCR 90. The committee approved the consent calendar with 11 aye votes and no no votes, then adjourned the bill-hearing portion. Members also recognized committee science fellow AJ Mendeola for his service, noting his contributions to bill analysis and staff support. The committee then held an informational hearing on alternatives to the gas tax, focused on the projected decline in fuel-tax revenue and the need for a more sustainable transportation funding model. The chair and invited experts described how inflation, improved fuel efficiency, and growth in electric and other alternative-fuel vehicles are eroding gas-tax revenues. Presenters from the National Conference of State Legislatures and the University of California discussed state options such as higher or indexed gas taxes, EV registration fees, road usage charges, delivery fees, public EV charging fees, transportation network company fees, and managed lanes, emphasizing tradeoffs among revenue adequacy, fairness, administrative cost, and public acceptance. Committee members raised concerns that mileage-based fees or EV fees could function as new taxes on commuters and lower-income drivers, especially if the gas tax is not repealed. Presenters responded that road usage charges are generally intended as replacements for the gas tax, not additions, and argued that mileage-based systems better preserve the user-pays principle while being less tied to vehicle fuel efficiency. They also noted that flat EV registration fees are easy to administer but can be less equitable because they are not linked to actual road use. Officials from Hawaii, Utah, and Oregon described their state programs and policy choices. Hawaii said its new road usage charge began July 1, 2025, for EVs, offers a choice between a per-mile charge and a flat annual fee through 2028, and will transition to mandatory EV participation before expanding to all light-duty vehicles by 2033. Utah described its voluntary EV road usage charge program, quarterly reporting, privacy protections, and legislative scenarios for removing the cap or making participation mandatory. Oregon outlined its constitutional cost-responsibility framework and broader transportation funding challenges, including reliance on user fees and limited use of general-fund support.

Transcript Highlights:

• system. again, both the trunk highway system. again, both the trunk highway system,<00:52:55.920
• , system, the county state aid highways, system, the county state aid highways, and<00:52:57.599>
• It only focuses on the state highway system, the trunk highway system.
• When you take the trunk highway system, our county state aid highways, as well as our municipal state
• > trunk<00:58:14.799> highway highway system, the trunk highway highway system, the trunk

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting was the first session of the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Electricity as a Vehicle Fuel Working Group. Commissioner Nancy Doenberger opened with introductions from members representing state agencies, legislators, utilities, local governments, industry groups, advocacy organizations, and others. The group then elected its leadership: Senator Anne Johnson Stewart was nominated and unanimously elected chair, and Representative Steve Elkins was nominated and unanimously elected vice chair. Senator Johnson Stewart said she would ensure all viewpoints are heard and asked MnDOT to continue running the meeting for practical reasons. Austin Turman of the Legislative Coordinating Commission reviewed the authorizing legislation. He explained that the working group must analyze electricity used as vehicle fuel infrastructure opportunities and barriers, develop a roadmap with policy and funding recommendations for sustainable transportation funding consistent with the Minnesota Constitution, and study other states’ approaches to equitable fuel assessment methods for electric vehicles. The group’s report is due February 13 and will go to the governor and legislative transportation leaders. Turman also briefly reviewed open meeting law requirements, noting the group must operate publicly when a quorum discusses official business, though public comment is not required. Members then discussed the purpose of the group and the need to find a fair replacement or supplement for declining gas tax revenue as EVs increase. Senator Johnson Stewart emphasized balancing system funding needs with user-based fairness, including differences in vehicle weight and road use. Representative Murphy stressed the need to consider rural Minnesota, taxpayer impacts, and current science, including climate and CO2 issues. Drive Electric Minnesota said EV drivers should pay their fair share and not be overburdened, while the Department of Revenue said it wants to administer the new EV charging-station tax fairly. A trucking representative highlighted that passenger vehicles and freight vehicles have very different operating and charging needs, suggesting the group consider those differences in any fee structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• . 2,000-plus semi-trucks off of the highway.
• The other one is on. on Highway 1017.
• Border Patrol rarely patrols north of Highway 285.
• That's a highway that runs from Hebbronville to Falfurrias.
• To the state highway fund.

Bills: HB1589, HB2208, HB2297, HB2560, HB2725, HB3080, HB4417, HB4473, HB4520, HB4662, HB4888, HB4905, HB4906

Keywords: HB 1589, toll road, toll project, toll project entity, voter approval, local control, county election, commissioners court, Transportation Code, Chapter 372, road construction, highway funding, infrastructure, public referendum, ballot measure, transportation policy, Texas toll roads, regional mobility, toll collection, vehicle registration

Transcript Highlights:

• The next multi-year bill should preserve and grow current highway infrastructure.
• The next multi-year bill should preserve and grow current highway infrastructure.
• The next highway bill should incentivize states to go further.
• That means we need more capacity on the U.S. highways and the federal highways to move forward.
• on a federal highway?

Keywords: Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act, IIJA, bipartisan infrastructure, funding flexibility, NEPA, environmental reviews, bureaucratic delays, federal funding, infrastructure investment

Summary: The committee meeting focused on the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act, discussing the ongoing implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Chairman Capito highlighted the bipartisan nature of the legislation and the necessity of refining existing provisions to ensure effective delivery of transportation projects. Notable emphasis was placed on the need for flexibility in funding to address inflation impacts and delays caused by bureaucratic hurdles, especially relating to environmental reviews under NEPA. Witnesses from state transportation agencies provided valuable insights into real-world challenges faced in project execution, ultimately underscoring the importance of continuous federal support for infrastructure development. The discussion also touched on the broader implications of federal funding freezes by the previous administration, which have reportedly hindered several ongoing and planned projects. This issue raised significant concern among committee members, who urged the need for reliable funding and the removal of unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles that could cause delays in project implementation. The meeting concluded with a commitment from the members to work collaboratively to overcome these challenges and ensure a smooth path forward for critical infrastructure investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Trunk highway bonds are largely the same as general obligation bonds except that the trunk highway fund
• <00:54:02.760> road million of trunk highway road million of trunk highway road construction
• um so I'm looking at the trunk Highway um so I'm looking at the trunk Highway debt<00:58:55.680>
• unpack the whole why do trunk Highway unpack the whole why do trunk Highway bonds<01:01:11.240><
• <01:33:16.280> fund Highway fund or the trunk Highway fund Highway fund or the trunk Highway

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that um along that trunk highway that um along that trunk highway corridor<00:21:10.559> within
• contamination within Trunk Highway 218. contamination within Trunk Highway 218.
• indicated 3.2 million in trunk highway indicated 3.2 million in trunk highway bonds<00:36:42.960
• 11 and Trunk Highway 10 in Becker, known as the Trunk Highway 10 and County Road 11 Railroad Crossing
• It is also about improving connectivity between two major highways within the state: Trunk Highway 10

Bills: HF604, HF1972, HF578, HF1951, HF629, HF864, HF874, HF1155, HF884, HF2365, HF643, HF234, HF2655, HF2637, HF2535, HF2530, HF2344, HF584, HF524

Keywords: airport funding, bonds, transportation, capital investment, Karlstad, community center, Breckenridge, state bonds, economic development, HF578, Faribault, River Bend Nature Center, bonding bill, bond proceeds fund, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR grant, nature center, visitor center, environmental education, multicultural center

Transcript Highlights:

• supervision of highways, and also because the Department of Safety collects the highway fund, they're
• will come from the highway fund.
• of collecting it to the highway of collecting it to the highway fund<00:10:48.399> and<00
• money before it goes into the highway money before it goes into the highway fund<00:11:04.639>
• c> bonds will come from the highway bonds will come from the highway fund<00:11:35.920> now<00

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met to review the lapse extensions in the back of House Bill 25, which governs capital budget appropriations and bonding. Members were walked through how the bill is structured: section 1 covers general, federal, and other funds; section 2 covers highway fund appropriations; later sections authorize borrowing, restrict spending to the stated purposes, and explain why community colleges and the university system operate through their boards of trustees. The chair also explained that lapse extensions are needed because capital projects can span multiple years, and that appropriations normally expire at the end of the biennium unless extended. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on how to identify unspent balances and whether they should be extended, repurposed, or allowed to lapse. Members discussed that if a project is complete or an agency confirms it no longer needs the money, the remaining balance can be reused for another project or, if not needed, lapse back. The committee also reviewed the meaning of bill references and chapter numbers, and how to read prior-year appropriations and extensions in the worksheet. One example discussed was a 2023 Department of Administrative Services courthouse generators item, and members noted that some agencies may rely on encumbered balances rather than explicit lapse extensions, though the chair said he prefers including the extension for flexibility. The committee identified at least one specific change: the Jeffrey Ringe CTE renovation was removed from the governor’s recommended budget because the required local match was not approved, freeing about $18.5 million for possible reuse. Later, the chair noted that lapse extension 49 on the worksheet was no longer needed and could be removed, leaving an unspent balance of $81,500 available for repurposing. The discussion also referenced a Department of Transportation item, Caroline Stratford Freight Rail Improvements, which the agency asked to keep alive through a lapse extension so the funds would not expire on June 30. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Highway 8.
• Highway 8.
• Schmidt Memorial Highway.
• Schmidt Memorial Highway.
• Schmidt Memorial Highway.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:04:55.119> fund additional from the trunk highway fund additional from the trunk highway
• highway fund. highway fund.
• <01:20:43.040> fund I'm sorry from the trunk highway fund I'm sorry from the trunk highway
• on the shoulder of high uh of a highway. on the shoulder of high uh of a highway.
• Paul, the Highway 252 and I-94 in the cities of Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center, and the Highway 55

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is an area on the highway. Thank you, Mr. Chair, members of the committee.
• It is an area on the highway. There are a lot of students who are brand new drivers.
• <00:10:15.440> 10 quarter mile stretch of old highway 10 quarter mile stretch of old highway
• <00:10:39.920> 96 for safe travels from County Highway 96 for safe travels from County Highway
• Um I will now the Highway 100 corridor.

Bills: HF1972, HF229, HF1090, HF1084, HF1307, HF1274, HF1609, HF2110, HF211, HF216, HF222, HF224, HF225, HF203, HF206, HF207, HF208, HF227, HF246, HF427, HF466, HF502, HF680, HF971

Keywords: community center, Breckenridge, capital investment, state bonds, economic development, HF229, North Branch Area Hockey Association, Stacy Ice Arena, Chisago County, general fund appropriation, grant, ice arena, hockey rink, youth sports, recreational facility, community arena, nonprofit, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, local infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Marine Resources will meet after Transportation and Highways today in room 216.
• and transportation in after highways and transportation in room<00:22:55.120> 210.
• Senators, public property will meet after Highways and Transportation in room 210 today.
• >> public property will meet after highways >> public property will meet after highways
• <00:24:58.080> and or immediately after highways and or immediately after highways and transportation

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 30 January, 2026; 9:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation from Pastor Joe Thrasher, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. A national anthem was performed by Audrey Mapier, who was also recognized as a page for Senator Frazier. The chamber then dispensed with reading the journal, committee reports, and bill and resolution titles, and there were no messages or petitions. During the calendar, the Senate repeatedly took up items by motion to “pass and retain” across a long list of bills and resolutions, effectively postponing consideration of those measures. No substantive debate on individual bills was recorded in this segment. The body also recognized several guests in the gallery, including the pastor’s family, a newly appointed member of the State Cosmetology Board, and family members of senators. Multiple committee meeting announcements were made for later that day and for Monday, including Appropriations, Agriculture, Business and Financial Institutions, Medicaid, Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Finance, Corrections, Universities and Colleges, Environmental Protection, Judiciary Division A and B, Tourism, Energy, Education, Highways and Transportation, Public Property, Municipalities, Economic and Workforce Development, and Ports and Marine Resources. Senators also requested that the chamber adjourn in memory of several individuals, including Miss Judy Fry, Rico Varnado, Pastor Ivon Lewis, and former state trooper and reverend David Ard. The Senate then voted to stand in recess until the last committee report is filed, with the journal to reflect adjournment until Monday at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• our city's portion of of Highway 12. our city's portion of of Highway 12.
• unimproved highway in Hennepin County. unimproved highway in Hennepin County.
• improvement on our stretch of highway. improvement on our stretch of highway.
• State Highway 13. State Highway 13.
• Is this going to be alongside the highway? Is it in the right of way of the highway?

Bills: HF3599, HF3761, HF3523, HF3515, HF573

Keywords: water treatment, infrastructure, municipal funding, bond issuance, Becker, sewer improvements, sanitation, Hibbing, state bonds, infrastructure funding, capital investment, safety improvements, mobility, U.S. Highway 12, bonds, transportation funding, trails, Prior Lake, bond funding, recreational improvements

Transcript Highlights:

• system as memorial highways in their honor.
• with US Highway 84.
• Bernice Johnson Memorial Highway.
• Highway designation honoring Gelwick Hamby, and Gabriel Webb. Uh.
• We did this with the highway program years ago.

Bills: HB227

Keywords: HB227, kratom, Mitragyna speciosa, kratom products, kratom processor, kratom retailer, controlled substances, Texas Controlled Substances Act, Health and Safety Code, Penalty Group 1, tianeptine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, mitragynine, synthetic kratom, kratom alkaloids, adulterated products, product testing, lab testing, ISO 17025, labeling requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• Highway, several hours each workday.
• Highway, several hours each workday.
• Highway, several hours each workday.
• Well as to ease traffic on Piilani Highway.
• Highway. All right. Thank you very much.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Transportation and Culture heard a series of resolutions covering cultural preservation, civic education, dark-sky protection, Taiwan relations, aviation safety reporting, waterborne cargo subsidies, and Maui transportation planning. Testimony on the Hawaii Theatre resolutions (SCR 131/SR 110) came from the Hawaii Theatre Center in support, with a question about whether acquisition funding was in the current budget; the witness said he was not aware of any such funding. The state archivist strongly supported SCR 169/SR 138 on expanding public outreach and civic engagement, and a student testifier supported the measure while urging stronger language to include Indigenous culture and closer work with Native communities. On STR 12/SR 8 recognizing International Dark Sky Week, testimony emphasized light pollution’s effects on birds, marine life, human health, and astronomy, and suggested stronger lighting ordinances and possible dark-sky reserve efforts. STR 31/SR 17 on Taiwan received support from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, while STR 180/SR 150 on aviation safety reporting drew support from Blue Hawaiian Helicopters but opposition from the Department of Transportation, which said much of the requested information falls under FAA jurisdiction and would be voluntary at the state level. STR 150 on waterborne cargo subsidies was supported by DOT, Young Brothers, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association, with DOT asking that the working group be smaller to speed a report to the 2026 session. STR 37/SR 21 and STR 38/SR 22 on Kihei road planning drew support from the Kihei Community Association, which described severe congestion and safety concerns in South Maui. In decision-making, the committee advanced SCR 131/SR 110 on the Hawaii Theatre as introduced. SCR 169/SR 138 was advanced with amendments to address comments about Indigenous culture. STR 12/SR 8 on International Dark Sky Week was deferred for further discussion until the following Tuesday. STR 31/SR 17 on Taiwan was advanced with technical, non-substantive amendments. STR 180/SR 150 and STR 150 were both deferred to the same later decision-making date to allow further work on possible amendments and jurisdictional issues. STR 37/SR 21 was passed as introduced, and STR 38/SR 22 was passed with technical, non-substantive amendments. In each vote taken, the measures were adopted without recorded opposition from the members present.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> included in the trunk highway fund included in the trunk highway fund budget<00:37:48.160> as
• , Trunk Highway 610 in Anoka, I-35 in Dakota County, Trunk Highway 65 in Ham Lake, US Highway 10 in Sherburne
• , Trunk Highway 610 in Anoka, I-35 in Dakota County, Trunk Highway 65 in Ham Lake, US Highway 10 in Sherburne
• revenue deposited into the Highway Trust Fund and spending. trunk highway 610 in Anoka, I35 in trunk
• , trunk highway 65 in Ham Dakota County, trunk highway 65 in Ham Lake,<00:38:46.240> US<00:38:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, we'd like to welcome MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver to testify on House Bill
• You don't have to drive far on our highways to see a work site. They're everywhere.
• You don't have to drive far on our highways to see a work site. They're everywhere.
• And if you traveled on a highway to get here today, you saw people ignoring that.
• I'm very glad that MassDOT Highway Administrator Gulliver was here testifying earlier.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on a broad package of traffic and roadway safety bills, with repeated emphasis on work zone safety, the Move Over law, automated enforcement, and protections for pedestrians, cyclists, and roadside workers. MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver strongly supported a bill allowing MassDOT vehicles to use blue flashing lights in limited work-zone settings, arguing that blue lights reliably slow drivers and could help address a rise in work-zone crashes and fatalities. District Attorney Marion Ryan, State Police representatives, and police association leaders supported a separate Move Over bill that would raise penalties for repeat violations and add an education component, citing officers and workers killed or injured roadside and saying the goal is deterrence and safer driver behavior rather than revenue. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to automated enforcement bills for speed and red-light violations, including proposals for school zones, work zones, and broader local options. Senator Brownsberger and Senator Jalen argued that automated enforcement is needed because speeding and red-light running remain common while police traffic enforcement has declined, and they described the bills as civil, opt-in tools that issue tickets to vehicles rather than drivers. Supporters from WalkMass, T4MA, Safe Roads Alliance, MassBike, Medford officials, and other advocates cited fatal pedestrian crashes, neighborhood speeding, and the need to protect vulnerable road users, while also pointing to privacy and equity safeguards in the bills such as limits on photographs, data retention rules, public reporting, and local approval processes. Several local and advocacy witnesses backed targeted camera programs. Senator Lovely and Representative Cruz supported a Salem school-zone camera bill, describing repeated violations around schools and buses. Medford officials and school-safety advocates supported a similar statewide camera bill, citing recent pedestrian deaths and dangerous cut-through traffic. AAA Northeast and the Massachusetts Aggregate and Asphalt Pavement Association also supported targeted enforcement in work zones and school zones, while urging public education and warning periods. Some witnesses raised concerns about the color of lights for highway workers, with State Police representatives preferring green over blue to avoid confusion with law enforcement, and committee members asked about constitutional issues, surchargeability, and possible targeting concerns. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• methods along the Hana Highway. methods along the Hana Highway.
• and other highway corridors.
• the highway is narrow. I think it's as the highway is narrow.
• I mean, used for highways.
• I mean, used for highways.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on March 31 and heard a series of resolutions focused on roadway safety, transportation access, and infrastructure coordination. Early measures included HCR 104/HR 96 on advancing coastal trails on O‘ahu’s North Shore and HCR 63/HR 57 on clarifying responsibility for Honouliuli Bridge and addressing safety, wildfire, and emergency access concerns. The Department of Transportation supported both, and a resident testified that the Honouliuli bridge is a single-lane emergency replacement on state land that has limited access for fire protection, heavy vehicles, permits, and repairs. DOT said it was working with DLNR and that jurisdiction may ultimately lie with the County of Maui, with research ongoing. The committee also heard HCR 62/HR 56 on alternative vegetation management along Hana Highway, HCR 43/HR 39 on raised crosswalks near Ala Wai Elementary, and HCR 52/HR 48 on integrating the safe system approach into county road design; these drew support testimony and no opposition. The committee then considered HCR 120/HR 112 on regulating transportation network companies under motor carrier law. DOT and the Public Utilities Commission offered comments, while Lyft opposed, arguing the legislature already created a TNC-specific framework in 2022 and that motor carrier law is not a good fit for app-based ride platforms. In questioning, PUC explained that TNCs would fall under both PUC motor carrier jurisdiction and DOT permitting, and DOT said it would follow up on enforcement questions. Members also discussed HCR 119/HR 111 on an indirect traffic disruption grant program, with the chair asking DOT to clarify how it enforces penalties when contractors or others fail to follow road closure requirements. Other measures discussed included HCR 96/HR 88 on moving to a demerit-point driver licensing system, which DOT supported; HCR 128/HR 120 on coordinating capital improvement planning for Hawaiian Home Lands developments, which DOT and DHHL supported; HCR 127/HR 119 on a state highway police force, which DOT supported; and HCR 125/HR 117 on a statewide plan for derelict utility poles and lines, which drew support from DOT, Hawaiian Electric, and Hawaiian Telcom, with DOT acknowledging it lacks current statutory authority to force immediate removal. The committee also heard HCR 58/HR 54 on school crosswalk safety for Mililani Elementary, HCR 55/HR 51 on using artificial intelligence to mitigate traffic and improve road safety, and HCR 54/HR 146 on expanding the Hele-On Shared Ride program on Hawai‘i Island. Supporters of the Hele-On measure said expanded service would help rural residents, kupuna, and people with disabilities reach medical appointments and daily activities, while noting cost and technology-access concerns; they said missed or delayed appointments are a real issue in remote areas. The final item discussed in the excerpt was HCR 64/HR 58 on minimizing rumble strip dimensions on Kūhiō Highway on Moloka‘i, with DOT saying it had already removed some strips where large emergency vehicles were affected on narrow curves.