Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2645 relates to the emergency replacement of failed infrastructure on State Route 165.
• This is an emergency.
• In 2018, this bridge was scheduled to be replaced. It wasn’t replaced.
• Emergency access should just never be dependent on a single failing piece of infrastructure.
• Reliable infrastructure is essential to ensure that emergency services can reach those in need without

Bills: HB2550, HB2645, HB2109, HB2134, HB2323

Keywords: transit, community colleges, student transportation, free rides, public transportation, HB 2645, HB2645, Fairfax Bridge, State Route 165, SR 165, Carbon River, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, emergency infrastructure replacement, bridge collapse, bridge closure, transportation emergency, public safety, infrastructure repair, bridge replacement

Summary: The Transportation Committee held public hearings on House Bill 2550 and House Bill 2645, then later took executive action on House Bills 2109, 2134, and 2323. HB 2550 would require transit agencies receiving transit support grant funds to allow free transit for degree-seeking and certificate-seeking community and technical college students. Staff said the Department of Transportation saw no fiscal impact, while local government notes projected reduced fare revenue and added administrative costs, with an estimated $10 million to $12 million annual revenue loss. Rep. Jamila Taylor and student and transit advocates supported the bill as a way to reduce barriers to education, while the Washington State Transit Association said it supported the concept but raised implementation and eligibility concerns. Several students testified in favor, describing transit costs as a burden and saying free rides would improve access to school. HB 2645, as described in the substitute, would declare an emergency over the permanent closure of the Fairfax Bridge on State Route 165 and give WSDOT emergency authority to expedite replacement by waiving or suspending certain state requirements. Rep. Andrew Barkis said the bridge closure cut off residents and access to Mount Rainier and argued the situation warranted emergency action. Local officials, residents, recreation groups, and fire service representatives testified in support, emphasizing isolation, economic harm, and slower emergency response times. WSDOT acknowledged the closure’s impact and said it was moving forward with planning and design, but noted that much of the timeline is driven by federal requirements such as NEPA, historic preservation, and endangered species review; the agency said the bill would have limited effect on timelines. The committee then moved to executive session. In executive action, the committee adopted a technical substitute for HB 2109, which requires covered transport of tracked vehicles with mud or debris on public highways, and reported it out with a due pass recommendation by voice vote. It also adopted an amendment to HB 2134 updating which regional transportation planning organizations must include greenhouse gas and vehicle miles traveled reductions in regional plans, then passed the substitute bill on a 16-12 vote. Finally, the committee adopted amendments to HB 2323 creating the Blue Envelope Program for neurodiverse drivers during traffic stops, including broader terminology and a web-page/resource-sharing provision, and reported the substitute bill out unanimously by voice vote. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> essential infrastructure investment. essential infrastructure investment.
• , and essential infrastructure.
• </c> infrastructure uh bill for Flynsburg. infrastructure uh bill for Flynsburg.
• </c> infrastructure improvements. infrastructure improvements.
• </c><01:41:14.159><c> Thank</c> is an emergency. Have a nice day. Thank is an emergency.

Bills: HF2178, HF942, HF2470, HF1043, HF1287, HF1229, HF1230, HF424, HF571, HF404, HF910, HF1055, HF318, HF319, HF401, HF609, HF306, HF1599, HF1881

Keywords: HF2178, Cohasset, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, public infrastructure, water tower, water infrastructure, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, street reconstruction, municipal infrastructure, Public Facilities Authority, bond proceeds fund, Minnesota bonding, local government aid, utility infrastructure, public works, infrastructure, stormwater

Transcript Highlights:

• Emergency medical calls now take hours, not minutes.
• The state has no emergency designation pathway for long-neglected infrastructure, no stabilization mechanism
• And when you replace in kind through an emergency, we are allowed as an agency—you don't see that up
• Our first bill is Senate Bill 5987, addressing the emergency replacement of failed infrastructure on
• Emergency response routes were constrained.

Bills: SB5987, SB6170

Keywords: SB 5987, SB5987, Fairfax Bridge, State Route 165, SR 165, Carbon River, WSDOT, Washington State Department of Transportation, emergency bridge replacement, infrastructure failure, transportation emergency, climate commitment account, climate investment account, clean energy, climate funding, greenhouse gas reduction, environmental justice, renewable energy, building electrification, industrial decarbonization

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee began with a work session on the Fairfax Carbon River SR-165 Bridge closure and replacement. Wilkeson Mayor Jamie Pololi described the bridge as a long-standing state investment that was closed after years of documented deterioration, saying the closure severed access to Mount Rainier-area recreation, hurt local businesses and municipal revenue, and created emergency access problems for Fairfax and nearby communities. Pierce County’s Melissa Littleton and WSDOT’s Steve Rourke said the bridge is 105 years old, was weight-limited before closing, and is now being studied for replacement; WSDOT outlined seven alternatives, said greenfield options were ruled out, and explained that the project is in early geotechnical and pre-NEPA planning, with construction still estimated to take years. Senators asked about detour length, emergency response, historic-preservation issues, and whether the project could be accelerated; WSDOT said the bridge’s status and the need for a new alignment limit the usefulness of emergency authority, and that additional funding will be needed beyond the $7 million already spent from preservation funds. The committee then held a public hearing on SB 5987, which would declare the Fairfax Bridge closure an emergency, direct WSDOT to restore access across SR-165 as soon as possible, grant the transportation secretary limited emergency authorities, exempt the work from Executive Order 25-07 project labor agreement requirements, and make the act effective immediately. Supporters, including the mayor, local residents, recreation advocates, and trail groups, said the bill would recognize the closure as a public safety and access emergency and help restore access to public lands, businesses, and emergency routes. WSDOT testified in opposition to the bill’s practical effect, warning it could create false expectations because most delays are driven by federal NEPA and historic-preservation processes that the secretary cannot waive. The committee reported 606 people signed in support, one opposed, and two other. The committee also heard SB 6170, which would raise the dollar limits for work performed by state highway crews and for certain procurement thresholds that allow small, veteran-, minority-, and women-owned businesses to compete. The bill would increase the state-force limit from $60,000 to $100,000 in normal circumstances and from $100,000 to $160,000 in emergencies, with similar increases for related contracting thresholds; staff said the current limits have not been updated since 2005 and the bill has no fiscal impact. Senator King, the prime sponsor, said the change would better match inflation and help state workers do more routine and emergency work in-house. WFSE and WSDOT supported the bill, saying it would help maintenance crews keep up with rising costs while preserving opportunities for outside contractors; Senator Valdez asked whether it would affect minority- and women-owned contracting programs, and WSDOT said it did not expect an adverse impact but would monitor it. Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with 55 signed in favor and none opposed.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> efficient airport infrastructure. efficient airport infrastructure.
• In 2019, our city began an aggressive and costly program to replace water and sewer infrastructure.
• In 2019, our city began an aggressive and costly program to replace water and sewer infrastructure.
• to replace water and sewer<01:32:01.360><c> infrastructure.
• The reality is we have reached the limit of our ability to self-fund much needed infrastructure replacement

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:

• support their families through honest work when all of a sudden, for the first time, depending on emergency
• </c><00:30:50.640><c> the</c> million in state funds will replace the million in state funds will replace
• It talks about an emergency 2.32.
• We also show up during<01:09:19.359><c> emergencies.
• For example, last during emergencies.

Bills: HF45, HF1148, HF3624, HF3586, HF777

Keywords: HF45, Lake Benton, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, Public Facilities Authority, public infrastructure, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, utility replacement, U.S. Highway 75, road reconstruction, municipal infrastructure, local government grant, Minnesota bonding, capital appropriation, food insecurity, prepared meals

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, Senator Campos, Senate Bill 193, acequia and ditch infrastructure fund transfer.
• to the transfers from the irrigation works construction fund to the SECA and Community Ditch Infrastructure
• Senate Bill 132 fixes that by expanding the equipment replacement plan to include software replacement
• It also renames the equipment replacement revolving fund to the equipment software and replacement fund

Bills: SB193, SB132, SB35, SB145

Keywords: SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects, SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement

Transcript Highlights:

• to be if they already have the infrastructure?
• Is it for state-owned infrastructure? Yes. Data infrastructure.
• Is it for state-owned infrastructure? Yes. To help state-owned enterprise? That's correct.
• Is it for state-owned infrastructure? Yes. Data infrastructure.
• It's in capital outlay, so it's not needed here on line 73 for tabulator replacement.

Bills: SB193, SB132, SB35, SB145

Keywords: SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects, SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, Senator Campos, Senate Bill 193, acequia and ditch infrastructure fund transfer.
• to the transfers from the irrigation works construction fund to the SECA and Community Ditch Infrastructure
• Senate Bill 132 fixes that by expanding the equipment replacement plan to include software replacement
• It also renames the equipment replacement revolving fund to the equipment software and replacement fund

Bills: HB2, SB193, SB132, SB35, SB145

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee first heard Senate Bill 193, which would increase the transfer from the irrigation works construction fund to the acequia and community ditch infrastructure fund from $2.5 million to $5 million. Senator Campos said the bill was intended to provide additional resources for acequias facing ongoing needs, including fire and flood recovery in areas such as San Miguel, Mora, and Lincoln counties. Paula Garcia of the New Mexico Acequia Association testified in support. The committee approved the bill on a 6-0 do-pass vote. The committee then considered Senate Bill 132, sponsored by Senator Padilla with Department of Information Technology Secretary Manny Baca. The bill would modernize state IT planning by adding software to the equipment replacement framework and renaming the revolving fund to include software replacement and upgrades. Members discussed the need for more centralized purchasing and coordination across agencies, with Senator Woods expressing frustration that agencies often buy different software instead of using common systems. The bill received a 7-0 do-pass recommendation. Next, the committee took up Senate Bill 35, and first adopted a committee substitute for discussion. The substitute combined two judicial district judgeship proposals for the First and Second Judicial Districts and removed an appropriation. The committee then approved the committee substitute on a 6-0 do-pass vote. Finally, Senate Bill 145 was tabled permanently after Senator Woods moved to table it, with the motion passing 6-1. The committee then adjourned and announced it would meet again Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority. Uh, DLNR, Charles Taylor.
• 02:07.240><c> the</c><00:02:07.320><c> Hawaii</c><00:02:07.640><c> Green</c><00:02:07.920><c> Infrastructure
• </c> by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority<00:02:08.920><c>
• Uh<00:02:33.480><c> Hawaii</c><00:02:33.760><c> Green</c><00:02:34.080><c> Infrastructure</c><00:02:34.960
• </c><00:19:45.000><c> the</c> testimony and then we'll replace the testimony and then we'll replace the

Bills: HB1618

Keywords: cesspool conversion, cesspool replacement, wastewater, sewer connection, sewerage systems, septic system, pollution control, water pollution control revolving fund, Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, HGIA, low-interest loans, forgivable loans, homeowner financing, environmental infrastructure, public health, wastewater treatment, low- and moderate-income households, revolving loan fund, Department of Health, memorandum of agreement

Summary: The committees held a joint hearing on HB 1618 HD1, which would create and fund a cesspool conversion revolving loan fund administered by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority to help homeowners upgrade, convert, or connect cesspools. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from state agencies and advocacy groups, with witnesses emphasizing that cost is the main barrier to cesspool conversion and that recent Kona flooding underscored the public health and pollution risks of cesspools. One testifier suggested the fund should actively pursue outside funding sources, and another urged an effective date that would allow counties to contribute sooner. A member raised concerns about whether loans would be affordable and whether other financing tools, such as tax credits, should also be considered; another member opposed the bill as not adequately addressing district-level sewer and septic issues. The committees ultimately recommended passage with amendments, including changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, and the motion was adopted. The joint Judiciary and Ways and Means committees then considered HB 2592 on the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority. The chair outlined amendments to clarify that the authority would assume property and liability associated with transferred assets, preserve existing liability rules, transfer conditional use permits if not already transferred, allow lease extensions before transfer, and set reversion triggers if the authority fails to adopt a management plan by June 30, 2028, or administrative rules by December 31, 2029. Members asked about preserving the public trust and whether the amendments would keep the Board of Land and Natural Resources’ role intact; the chair confirmed the fee and board role would remain unchanged. The committees voted to pass the bill with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. The committees also took up HB 2033, making further amendments to clarify the definition of state, delay certain effective dates, allow rental and U-Drive lessors to avoid liability by identifying renters, delete one section, and add administrative hearing language and bus-camera clarifications. HB 1888 was amended to expand protections for educational workers to include sports officials, define sports official, make intentional bodily harm a felony with enhanced penalties for repeat offenses, and authorize the attorney general to assist with restraining orders. Both measures were recommended for passage with amendments and adopted. Later, several bills were moved with little or no discussion: HB 1515, HB 1713, HB 1718, HB 2022, and HB 2385 were recommended for passage unamended; HB 2375 was deferred; and HB 1741 was amended to reflect Honolulu’s concerns, narrow study requirements, add exemptions and a delayed implementation date, and was recommended for passage with amendments. The committees adopted the recommendations on these measures, with some members noting reservations or prior opposition on certain bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• ESA protection, in my mind, is like the emergency room for wildlife.
• infrastructure repair in areas with ongoing flood risks.
• We've identified a very good program, the Emergency Watershed Protection Program.
• And I'm very familiar with the Emergency Watershed Protection Program.
• And I'm very familiar with the Emergency Watershed Protection Program.

Bills: HB2, SB193, SB132, SB35, SB145

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects

Transcript Highlights:

• large loads and other pieces of legislation, I think it's important that we also look at the infrastructure

Bills: HB3183, HB2999, HB3787, HB3499, HJR1023

Keywords: electric utilities, grid congestion, transmission technology, advanced power flow controllers, dynamic line rating, energy efficiency, nondisclosure agreements, public officials, transparency, government accountability, utility infrastructure, election, qualified elector, municipal office, school board, registration requirements, HB3499, special judge, special judges, court jurisdiction

Summary: The committee heard several measures and adopted PCS versions as working drafts before taking action. H.J.R. 1023, the biennial workers’ compensation fee schedule resolution, was presented as a vehicle to keep the schedule alive while the updated rates were still pending from the federal side due to the shutdown; it passed 8-0. House Bill 2999, which would prohibit requiring public officials to sign nondisclosure agreements, drew discussion about whether it should be broadened to cover litigation outcomes and other government transparency issues. The author agreed to strike the title and continue working on the language, and the bill passed 8-0 with the title stricken. House Bill 3788, as amended in PCS-2, would require officeholders to be U.S. citizens; members questioned whether the bill should also bar non-citizens from certain appointments, with examples raised about local boards and temporary appointments. The author said the intent was to focus on elected office, the Election Board assistant secretary said the bill reflected that intent, and the committee voted 9-1 to report it do pass, with the title still stricken for further work. The committee also advanced House Bill 3499, which allows special judges to hear applications for title matters, on a 10-0 vote. House Bill 3183, described by its author as a cost-saving measure related to electrical transmission infrastructure and protecting ratepayers from large loads, also passed 10-0. Throughout the meeting, members frequently used motions to adopt PCS drafts, move bills, and strike titles where language was still being refined before floor consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, most schools' LTFM costs are about 70 to 80% for roof repair and replacement.
• Without full funding for roof replacements through LTFM, St.
• For example, instead of replacing roofs, which would last 30 years, we've had to make partial repairs
• Expanding funding for full roof replacements will help avoid expensive repairs.
• If you have any questions about roofs or critical infrastructure in schools, reach out.

Bills: HF51, HF1161, HF2201, HF2786, HF1053

Keywords: HF51, Sibley County, State-Aid Highway 21, capital investment, bonding bill, general obligation bonds, transportation infrastructure, road improvements, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, local infrastructure, county grant, Minnesota Department of Transportation, bond proceeds fund, public works, utility infrastructure, education finance, school district funding, tax base adjustment

Transcript Highlights:

• to fund the replacement of locally owned air traffic facilities.
• /c><00:42:46.319><c> Valley's</c> station will replace Golden Valley's station will replace Golden Valley's
• ,</c><00:45:21.200><c> it</c> there's a medical or fire emergency, it there's a medical or fire emergency
• We put roughly $50,000 to $80,000 a year in emergency repairs.
• </c> this infrastructure. Welcome, mayor. this infrastructure. Welcome, mayor.

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:

• </c><00:08:07.840><c> Aid</c> the seasonal tax base replacement Aid the seasonal tax base replacement
• Without full funding for roof replacements through LTFM, St.
• Without full funding for roof replacements through LTFM, St.
• Without full funding for roof replacements through LTFM, St.
• Without full funding for roof replacements through LTFM, St.

Bills: HF51, HF1161, HF2201, HF2786, HF1053

Keywords: HF51, Sibley County, State-Aid Highway 21, capital investment, bonding bill, general obligation bonds, transportation infrastructure, road improvements, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, local infrastructure, county grant, Minnesota Department of Transportation, bond proceeds fund, public works, utility infrastructure, education finance, school district funding, tax base adjustment

Transcript Highlights:

• They've got to be replaced.
• Emergency response efforts rely heavily on a functioning water system, and the weaknesses in our infrastructure
• Improvement project that infrastructure Improvement project that involves<01:18:31.280><c> replacing
• Over the past 26 years, the city has replaced all infrastructure on the west side of the railroad tracks
• > the</c><01:25:26.760><c> west</c> replaced all infrastructure on the west replaced all infrastructure

Bills: HF458, HF459, HF461, HF449, HF450, HF965, HF1280, HF612, HF615, HF616, HF622, HF650, HF651, HF1045, HF972, HF851, HF644, HF1050

Keywords: HF458, Henderson, water treatment facility, drinking water, municipal water, public infrastructure, capital investment, state bonds, bonding bill, Public Facilities Authority, water distribution system, well connection, local government grant, Minnesota capital budget, HF459, Carver levee, City of Carver, levee restoration, flood control, flood mitigation

Transcript Highlights:

• Across our infrastructure as well.
• would significantly reduce the city's infrastructure costs.
• It replaces aging infrastructure estimated to be from the 1950s. proposed or earlier, including water
• About 10% of that area is hydrated, and our infrastructure, our water main infrastructure in Loretto,
• The Lesseur community currently has no dedicated space for its emergency management.

Bills: HF2418, HF1666, HF232, HF344, HF402, HF431, HF468, HF547, HF583, HF1476, HF1711, HF2787, HF2788, HF3207

Keywords: capital investment, political subdivisions, state assistance, funding, project grants, child care, Slayton, state bonds, economic development, extended time revenue, school funding, state aid, career and technical education, CTE, STEM, secondary credit, after-school programs, summer school, learning year program, extended day

Transcript Highlights:

• It replaces aging infrastructure estimated to be from the 1950s or earlier, including water, sanitary
• It replaces aging infrastructure estimated to be from the 1950s or earlier, including water, sanitary
• </c> the reason for this uh infrastructure the reason for this uh infrastructure upgrade<01:02:10.240
• our water main uh infrastructure our water main uh infrastructure<01:02:30.559><c> in</c><01:02:30.720
• </c> fires and those kind of emergency fires and those kind of emergency services. services. services

Bills: HF2418, HF1666, HF232, HF344, HF402, HF431, HF468, HF547, HF583, HF1476, HF1711, HF2787, HF2788, HF3207

Keywords: capital investment, political subdivisions, state assistance, funding, project grants, child care, Slayton, state bonds, economic development, extended time revenue, school funding, state aid, career and technical education, CTE, STEM, secondary credit, after-school programs, summer school, learning year program, extended day

Transcript Highlights:

• So that is a big portion of this project: replacing infrastructure that's pushing 95 years old.
• So that is a big portion of this project: replacing infrastructure that's pushing 95 years old.
• Because of this, the burden of maintaining and replacing aging infrastructure falls heavily on residents
• They're essential replacements of aging infrastructure that supports public health, water quality, and
• </c> replacements of aging infrastructure replacements of aging infrastructure that<01:03:39.200><c>

Bills: HF4680, HF4047, HF4590, HF3757, HF3569, HF4507, HF4426, HF4927, HF4788, HF4757, HF4747, HF3561, HF4014, HF4013, HF4689, HF4766, HF4589

Keywords: wastewater treatment, improvements, capital investment, Greenfield, bonds, water treatment, infrastructure, municipal funding, state bonds, public utilities, HF4590, Tamarack, municipal infrastructure, bonding bill, general obligation bonds, Public Facilities Authority, sewer system, collection system, street reconstruction, local infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and members, Judah Weissbaum, Chief of Government Affairs for the Water Infrastructure Finance
• to apply for and receive financial assistance, including forgivable principal, from the Water Infrastructure
• clean water revolving fund or the drinking water revolving fund for the remediation, closure, or replacement
• clean water revolving fund or the drinking water revolving fund for the remediation closure or replacement
• which is largely capitalized by the federal government and administered by the state's Water Infrastructure

Bills: HB2029, HB2096, HB2116

Keywords: water conservation, grants, infrastructure, environmental protection, sustainability, cesspool remediation, cesspool replacement, forgivable principal, forgivable loan, wifa, water infrastructure finance authority, clean water revolving fund, drinking water revolving fund, wastewater infrastructure, on-site wastewater system, septic system, groundwater protection, public health, nonpoint source pollution, county water projects

Transcript Highlights:

• It would most likely be general fund money that will replace the rent if we draft it. $219,500 was it
• . ...or infrastructure.
• Senator Irby [member_10907]: Chairman, on the infrastructure part, we as a state do share, you know,
• infrastructure with them, and I thought just to show our part of the cost with those projects.
• So, for $850,000 from SIF, that's my motion for infrastructure, one time. Okay, is there a second?

Bills: SB2014

Keywords: industrial commission, economic development, housing finance, oil and gas, rail infrastructure, financial assistance, emergency funding, 908, all

Summary: The Government Operations Division met to continue work on the remaining bill and related amendments. Joe Morse asked the committee to include a $219,000 general fund replacement for rent that would no longer be collected from Career and Technical Education after the 15th floor of the tower becomes legislative space under the Legislative Council’s jurisdiction. Members discussed that state law currently requires rent only from executive branch office space, not legislative or judicial space, and there was no objection to adding the request to the amendment package. The committee then revisited a set of amendments it had previously discussed, including whether to include funding for Prairie Public. Senator Dwyer argued against any Prairie Public funding, citing its reserves, endowment, and charitable gaming revenue, and said the state should prioritize other needs. Senator Irby supported a one-time infrastructure contribution as the state shares in related infrastructure costs. Senator Sickler said Prairie Public still provides unique local programming, but that a one-time infrastructure item would be a reasonable compromise rather than ongoing operating support. A motion was made and seconded to provide Prairie Public $850,000 from the Strategic Investment and Improvement Fund for infrastructure needs. The roll call vote failed 3-2, with Senators Sickler and Irby voting aye, Senators Dwyer and Burkhard voting no, and Chairman Wanzek voting yes. After that vote, the committee indicated the amendment package was otherwise complete, though leadership had asked that final action on the bill be held for a little longer. The meeting adjourned with the understanding that more amendments could still be brought forward before the next meeting.