Transcript Highlights:

• Trump Expressway. Representative Echols, on your bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members.
• Trump Expressway. L.A. 1 and L.A. 30 as the Donald J. Trump Expressway.

Bills: HB129, HB130, HB148, HB149, HB221, HB346, HB354, HB355, HB356, HB358, HB360, HB384, HB401, HB657, HB675, HB716

Keywords: HB 129, Act 783, highway designation, memorial highway, Louisiana Highway 173, Louisiana Highway 3194, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Dr. Harry Blake Sr., Virginia Green Evans, DOTD, Department of Transportation and Development, road signage, honorary naming, commemorative sign, transportation, HB 130, Act 124, Louisiana highway memorial, road naming

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation met on March 10 and took up a series of highway and bridge naming bills, beginning with House Bill 346, which redesignates a portion of U.S. Highway 171 as the Speaker Joe Salter Memorial Highway. The bill was presented with extensive tributes from the sponsor, former colleagues, and Secretary of State Nancy Landry, all praising Salter’s public service, education background, and character. The committee reported HB 346 favorably without objection. Members then heard House Bill 221, which names a proposed Mississippi River bridge connecting LA 1 and LA 30 as the President Donald J. Trump Expressway. The sponsor argued the naming would help draw attention and funding to a long-discussed, toll-free bridge project and described possible financing through development districts and federal programs. Some members questioned the political and practical logic of naming a bridge before it is built, while others supported the concept as a way to advance a needed infrastructure project. The committee adopted a roll-call vote and reported HB 221 favorably by 12-2. The committee also advanced several memorial highway and bridge designations, including HB 356 for the Elwood T. Brady Jr. Memorial Bridge, HB 149 for Senior Police Officer Trevor Abney Memorial Highway, HB 148 for the Eugene Washington Memorial Highway, HB 716 naming the Schaumet Ferry Terminal after Michael C. Ginnart Jr., HB 355 naming Highway 10 in Washington Parish as Veterans Park Memorial Highway, HB 675 naming part of U.S. 425 as the Bill Putt Linder Memorial Highway, HB 657 naming portions of LA 182 for Burrick B.J. Lejeune Jr. and Judge Richard T. Dickey Hike Sr., HB 354 renaming the Magnolia Bridge for Caleb Easterling, HB 358 naming a portion of LA 433 for Charles R. Bordelon Sr., and HB 384 naming part of U.S. 11 as the Dan de Blanc American Hero Memorial Highway. Several bills were amended to add or remove the word “Memorial.” The committee reported the measures favorably, with amendments where applicable, and then voluntarily deferred HB 129, HB 130, HB 360, and HB 401 to a later agenda before adjourning.

Bills: HB1367, HB2172, HB2718, HB2139, HB2192, HB2307, HB2379, HB2467, HB2495, HB2604

Keywords: motorcycle safety, right shoulder, shoulder riding, limited access roadway, freeway, expressway, highway congestion, lane splitting, traffic safety, RCW, Washington traffic law, roadside assistance, emergency vehicles, tow truck, congested traffic, motorcyclist, route jurisdiction, abandonment, transportation, local governance

Summary: The committee began with a work session on the Washington State Transportation Commission’s route jurisdiction transfer study. Staff explained that counties own about 49% of center lane miles, cities 22%, and the state 9%, and that only 16 route jurisdiction transfers have occurred since the process began in 1991. The study found the current state highway system is generally well connected and did not need wholesale realignment, but recommended clarifying statutory criteria, improving the transfer process, and strengthening interagency coordination and recordkeeping. Members discussed why transfers happen, who pays for transferred roads, and how the Legislature should handle abandonments and major decommissionings. House Bill 2172 was then heard, which would fold large abandonments into the RJT process, require pre-request conferences, add cost/risk reporting, update highway criteria, and require legislative approval for certain decommissionings. Support came from Tacoma, the Transportation Commission, counties, cities, and the Transportation Improvement Board, while the sponsor said a substitute would narrow the bill so agreed transfers could proceed without final legislative approval. The committee next heard House Bill 1367, which would allow motorcycles to travel on the right shoulder of limited-access highways in slow or stopped traffic, subject to speed limits and other restrictions. The bill’s substitute would limit shoulder use to wider shoulders, require hazard lights, bar overtaking on the shoulder, and assign liability for debris-related damage to the rider while shielding governments from claims. Testimony was sharply divided: motorcycle advocates and some riders said the bill would reduce fatigue, heat stress, and rear-end risk, while the State Patrol and WSDOT opposed it as unsafe, especially because shoulders are used for emergencies, maintenance, and incident response and may contain debris. The Department of Licensing and WSDOT described potential implementation and maintenance costs. Substitute House Bill 2174 would create local or state “crash prevention zones” on roads with repeated serious collisions or fatalities, require public notice and an engineering/traffic study, increase enforcement, and impose a $73 penalty for certain infractions in the zone, with revenue dedicated to safety improvements. The sponsor said it was intended as a temporary tool for dangerous corridors such as Highway 395 and Highway 12, while counties and cities supported the concept but asked for liability protections similar to the Senate companion bill. Finally, House Bill 2718 proposed major permitting and project-delivery reforms for transportation projects, including deadlines for agency permit meetings and decisions, early tribal and local consultation, deemed approval in some cases, a public contractor rating website, and a report on further streamlining ideas. The sponsor framed it as a “shot clock” approach to reduce delays and costs, and members raised questions about how the contractor ratings would work and whether the bill would alter existing performance review systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• How do we define freeway and expressway?
• So 'state highway' ended up being more roads than what I expect, like an expressway.
• How do we define freeway and expressway?
• So state highway ended up being more roads than what I expect like an expressway.
• So if you look at Where kids are walking by basically an expressway ramp.

Summary: The committee first took up PCS for HB 123, which would change the process for converting a public school to a charter school by requiring approval from a majority of parents at the school, allow municipalities to apply to convert certain schools under limited circumstances, and address surplus school property in districts with declining enrollment. The sponsor said the bill is meant to give parents the primary say and to prevent districts from holding unused property. Opponents, including the Florida PTA, several members, and public speakers, argued the bill excludes teachers, school boards, and other stakeholders, could disenfranchise parents who do not live in the municipality, and could create enrollment, transportation, and equity problems. After debate, the bill passed 13-5 and was reported favorably. The committee then heard HB 597 on diabetes management in schools. The bill would allow school districts and charter schools to procure and store glucagon pens for emergency treatment of severe hypoglycemia, permit trained personnel to administer them, require 911 to be called after use, and add limited liability protections. The sponsor said the medication is inexpensive and could save lives for the roughly 7,000 diabetic K-12 students in Florida. An amendment clarified that public and charter schools are both covered. The bill drew support from the American Diabetes Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Florida PTA, and members from both parties praised the measure. It passed unanimously and was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard HB 85 on hazardous walking conditions, which would add walking along freeways, expressways, and their ramps as a hazardous condition requiring bus service for elementary students within two miles of school. The sponsor described personal examples of children walking near dangerous roads and said the bill is intended to prevent injuries and deaths. An amendment narrowed the language by deleting “state highway.” Public testimony included a parent who described her child being hit by a car and urged broader coverage, while members raised concerns about bus shortages and fiscal impact. Most members spoke in support, emphasizing student safety, and the bill was reported favorably after debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Somebody got hit on the expressway.
• way we could get on was by bringing in a high-profile vehicle and treating that patient on the expressway
• lot of the projects that we designed were to try to get conveyance of water from one side of the expressway
• They create new watersheds by building up these expressways.
• So if they were to look at the... ...as they create new watersheds by building up these expressways.

Summary: The House Committee on Natural Resources met to focus on flooding issues across Texas, with particular attention to South Texas and the recent catastrophic flooding in Central Texas. Chair Harris and Vice Chair Martinez emphasized that flooding is a statewide problem requiring continued legislative attention. The committee heard invited testimony from Hidalgo County Commissioner David Fuentes and Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 General Manager Raul Sassine, who described the March flood event in Hidalgo County, including more than 20 inches of rain, six deaths, over $100 million in local damage, widespread road flooding, and repeated shutdowns of Interstate 2 and its frontage roads. They argued that existing drainage systems are under capacity, that TxDOT projects must account for downstream drainage impacts, and that local governments have already invested heavily in mitigation through bonds and partnerships. Fuentes and Sassine also described the county’s long-term flood mitigation and water-reuse efforts, including the Delta region water management project, which would capture stormwater, runoff, and treated effluent, reduce flooding, and create potable water supply. They said the drainage district manages about 780 miles of channels and 1,100 acres of detention facilities, has used prior Flood Infrastructure Fund and GLO grants, and has ongoing applications for additional state and federal assistance. Members discussed the need for TxDOT coordination, emergency access on frontage roads, local “skin in the game,” and the possibility of combining flood control with aquifer recharge and water supply projects. Texas Water Development Board Executive Administrator Brian McMath then presented an overview of the state’s flood planning and funding framework, including the post-Harvey legislative changes that created the Flood Infrastructure Fund, the Texas Infrastructure Resiliency Fund, and the regional/state flood planning process. He summarized the first state flood plan adopted in 2024, noting that about one in six Texans live or work in known flood hazard areas and that regional plans identified 4,609 flood risk reduction solutions with an estimated cost of $54.5 billion. He also reviewed TWDB programs for flood grants, community assistance, flood insurance compliance, stream gauges, TexMesonet, flood mapping, and the TexasFlood.org viewer. Members asked about drainage fees, technical assistance, gauge placement, the relationship between flood maps and FEMA FIRMs, and whether flood mitigation funds could support aquifer storage and recovery or recharge projects; TWDB staff said such projects can be eligible if they include flood mitigation components, but direct technical assistance cannot be paid from Flood Infrastructure Fund dollars. The committee concluded by expressing interest in further study of combining flood mitigation with aquifer recharge, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had an auto-pedestrian incident where someone got hit on the expressway.
• could reach the patient was by bringing in a high-profile vehicle to treat that patient on the expressway
• When people are having to drive 19 miles to get off of the expressway just so that they can cross over
• lot of the projects that we designed were to try to get conveyance of water from one side of the expressway
• They create new watersheds by building up these expressways.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill adds that a walkway all is also considered hazardous if it is along the freeway or an expressway
• This amendment simply eliminates the redundancy them by removing the word expressway as all expressways
• through it but just wanted to ask does does your bill or is there a definition of what a freeway or expressway
• And the purpose of the amendment was >> expressways or some sort of freeways.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2007, our oversight authority was expanded to include the state expressway, tolling authorities as
• earlier, the commission was statutorily assigned the task of monitoring and oversight of specific expressway
• Central Florida Expressway Authority, the Greater Miami Expressway Agency Mid Bay Bridge Authority, Tampa
• , Hillsborough County Expressway Authority for transit is the Central Florida Regional Transportation

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• portion of State Highway 249 in Grimes and Montgomery County as the Dog Pet Caught Allah Aggie Expressway
• portion of State Highway 249 in Grimes and Montgomery County as the Dog Pet Caught Allah Aggie Expressway
• portion of State Highway 249 in Grimes and Montgomery County as the Dog Pet Caught Allah Aggie Expressway
• portion of State Highway 249 in Grimes and Montgomery County as the Dog Pet Caught Allah Aggie Expressway
• portion of State Highway 249 in Grimes and Montgomery County as the Dog Pet Caught Allah Aggie Expressway

Bills: HJR98, HJR8, HJR133, HB23, HB33, HB144, HB 109, HB 103, HB148, HB3809, HB1686, HB2217, HB2156, HB220, HB2421, HB2363, HB3773, HB421, HB2584, HB2615, HB2455, HB3711, HB2559, HB3747, HB2775, HB2886, HB3126, HB3666, HB3595, HB3260, HB3506, HB1638, HB3376, HB3826, HB3628, HB1349, HB3770, HB1831, HB1762, HB2614, HB3113, HB267, HB322, HB431, HB869, HB 1203, HB 1201, HB 1244, HB1875, HB1950, HB2152, HB2290, HB2341, HB2436, HB2809, HB2856, HB3012, HB2954, HCR56, HCR102, HB 107, HB1587, HB3684, HB658, HJR99, HB1399, HJR5, HJR2, HJR6, HJR31, HB1971, SJR3, HB1775, HJR72, HB502, HB3109, HJR98, HJR8, HJR133, HB 118, HB388, HB 114, HB205, HB2789, HB2791, HB499, HB2960, HB3163, HB3135, HB2427, HB1618, HB1672, HB1722, HB1338, HB787, HB2618, HB879, HB 1126, HB4134, HB3513, HB718, HB1536, HB1445, HB1640, HB1893, HB1734, HB3229, HB3306, HB 1276, HB3272, HB3276, HB3516, HB4145, HB1585, HB4810, HB2989, HB2558, HB3014, HB2742, HB1695, HB23, HB33, HB144, HB 109, HB 103, HB148, HB3809, HB1686, HB2217, HB2156, HB220, HB2421, HB2363, HB3773, HB421, HB2584, HB2615, HB2455, HB3711, HB2559, HB3747, HB2775, HB2886, HB3126, HB3666, HB3595, HB3260, HB3506, HB1638, HB3376, HB3826, HB3628, HB1349, HB3770, HB1831, HB1762, HB2614, HB3113, HB267, HB322, HB431, HB869, HB 1203, HB 1201, HB 1244, HB1875, HB1950, HB2152, HB2290, HB2341, HB2436, HB2809, HB2856, HB3012, HB2954, HCR56, HCR102

Keywords: Article V, federal government, fiscal restraints, constitutional amendment, term limits, nuclear energy, electric generation, funding, Texas nuclear development fund, advanced reactors, HJR 133, Texas constitutional amendment, ad valorem tax, property tax exemption, homestead exemption, surviving spouse, veteran, veterans benefits, service-connected death, presumed service-connected condition

Transcript Highlights:

• Trump Expressway. Thank you, Mr. Odom.
• Trump Expressway. Thank you, Mr. Odom. Representative Eccles, on your bill. Thank you, Mr.
• Trump Expressway. LA 1 and LA 30 as the Donald J. Trump Expressway.

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works met on March 10 and considered a series of highway, bridge, and ferry naming bills, many honoring deceased public servants, veterans, and community leaders. The committee first heard House Bill 346, which redesignates a portion of U.S. Highway 171 as the Speaker Joe Salter Memorial Highway. Members and witnesses from the Secretary of State’s office offered extensive tributes to Salter’s career in education, legislative service, and state government. The bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then took up House Bill 221, which names a proposed Mississippi River bridge crossing connecting LA 1 and LA 30 as the President Donald J. Trump Expressway. Rep. Eccles argued the naming would help draw attention and funding to a long-discussed bridge project and emphasized toll-free, growth-based financing. Some members questioned the political and practical logic, but the bill was reported favorably on a 12-2 vote, with Reps. Murray and Walters voting no. The committee also reported favorably several other memorial naming bills, including HB 356 for the Elward T. Brady Jr. Memorial Bridge, HB 149 for the Senior Police Officer Trevor Abney Memorial Highway, HB 148 for the Eugene Washington Memorial Highway, and HB 716 naming the Schaumet Ferry Terminal after Michael C. Ginnart Jr. Additional measures were amended and reported: HB 355, designating Highway 10 as the Veterans Park Highway, was amended to add “Memorial Highway” and then reported favorably; HB 657, naming portions of LA 182 for Burrick B.J. Lejeune Jr. and Judge Richard T. Dickey Hike Sr., was amended to remove “Memorial” from the designations and reported as amended; HB 675, naming U.S. 425 in Franklin Parish for Assistant Chief Bill Putt Linder, was similarly amended and reported; and HB 384, naming a portion of U.S. 11 as the Dan de Blanc American Hero Highway, was amended to add “Memorial” and reported with amendments. HB 354, renaming the Magnolia Bridge as the Caleb Easterling Memorial Bridge, drew emotional testimony from the victim’s parents about his death in a drunk-driving crash and was reported favorably. HB 358, naming a portion of LA 433 for Charles R. Bordelon Sr., was also reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, the committee voluntarily deferred HB 129, HB 130, HB 360, and HB 401 to a later agenda. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill adds that a walkway is also considered hazardous if it is along a freeway or an expressway,
• This amendment simply eliminates a redundancy by removing the word 'expressway,' as all expressways are
• through it, but just wanted to ask: does your bill, or is there a definition of what a freeway or expressway
• Yeah, there is a definition of it, and the purpose of the amendment was that expressways are a subset

Summary: The Transportation Committee met and considered a series of bills, beginning with SB 266, which would exempt sales and use tax on electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft sold from manufacturers to operators. Senator Harold said the measure is intended to help Florida attract an advanced air mobility industry and create jobs. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying the definition of EVTOL aircraft and excluding drones, then reported the bill favorably. SB 350, by Senator DeSigley, was also reported favorably after a minor amendment; it allows local governments to permit vehicles to travel slowly on flooded streets without being treated as unlawfully impeding traffic. Supporters from the Florida PBA and Florida League of Cities waived in support. The committee next approved SB 706, designating part of U.S. 92/Gandy Boulevard as the Senator James A. Sebesta Memorial Highway. SB 628, Lucy’s Law, was heard with extensive emotional testimony from Lucy Fernandez’s parents and others. The bill strengthens boating safety by increasing penalties for reckless boating, requiring boating safety education after certain violations, and aligning some boating penalties more closely with motor vehicle laws. A substitute amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 872, dealing with county and municipal price controls for the removal and storage of electric vehicles, was also amended and reported favorably after testimony from towing industry representatives about the added costs and storage constraints posed by damaged EVs; the Florida Insurance Council spoke in opposition. The committee then approved SB 650, which expands hazardous walking condition criteria for elementary school students to include walkways along freeways, ramps, and interchanges, regardless of speed limit. SB 1318, the hands-free driving bill, generated substantial testimony from safety advocates and families affected by distracted driving; it would rename Florida’s texting law as a hands-free driving law and prohibit handheld use of wireless devices while driving. The committee also passed SB 994, increasing driver education requirements for standard and learner’s licenses, and SB 662, designating a portion of West Beaver Street in Duval County as Harry Frisch Street. Several senators recorded affirmative votes on bills after the roll calls, and the meeting adjourned after all listed measures were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2007, our oversight authority was expanded to include the state's expressway tolling authorities as
• earlier, the Commission was statutorily assigned the task of monitoring and oversight of specific expressway
• authorities we currently monitor and have oversight for are the Florida Turnpike System, Central Florida Expressway
• Authority, Greater Miami Expressway Agency, Mid-Bay Bridge Authority, Tampa Hillsborough County Expressway

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met, took roll, and heard introductory remarks from members about their districts and transportation priorities, with several senators noting congestion and mobility challenges in their regions. The committee then received a presentation from the Florida Transportation Commission on its oversight role for FDOT, including annual and quarterly performance reviews, review of the five-year work program, and monitoring of tolling and transit authorities. Members asked whether the commission gets involved in project prioritization; the answer was no, because it is statutorily limited to high-level oversight rather than day-to-day project decisions. The committee next heard two reports related to transportation disadvantaged and paratransit services. FDOT’s Melissa Smith described the statewide Transportation Disadvantaged program, its governance structure, service models, and challenges such as fragmented administration, cost, inconsistent reporting, and rural service limitations. She outlined recommendations including better use of technology, regional partnerships, improved training, and alternative delivery models like microtransit and TNC partnerships. A University of South Florida researcher, Martin Katala, discussed best practices for paratransit and demand-response service, emphasizing route optimization software, dynamic dispatching, service standards, vendor accountability, and the use of TNCs and mobility management to improve efficiency and reduce travel times. A later presentation from UF’s I-Street program focused on emerging technologies for transit, including in-cabin monitoring, automatic restraints, accessible booking and tracking tools, and the need for statewide safety standards and better driver interfaces. Finally, FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue and District 5 Secretary John Tyler provided an update on the transition of SunRail local entities. They explained the differences among commuter rail, intercity rail, and light rail, and said SunRail’s financial transition to local partners was completed on January 1, with operational transition to follow over up to three years. They contrasted that with Tri-Rail, where FDOT still funds operations and discussions about a future transition are ongoing. Members asked about the differences between SunRail, Tri-Rail, Amtrak, and Brightline, and the presenters explained that commuter rail serves regional daily commuters while intercity rail connects regions. The committee concluded without taking any formal votes or other legislative action.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is just clarifying in nature since the verbiage on the bill says freeway or expressway.
• We bill says freeway or expressway.
• children trying to get across in my district with young children trying to get across not just expressways

Summary: The Education Employment Committee held its first meeting and heard three bills. Chair Kennedy opened with remarks about the committee’s work and the goal of moving Florida from “excellent to eminent.” The committee first considered PCS for CS for HB 151 on private school participation in interscholastic sports and extracurricular activities. Representative Abbott explained that the bill would let private school students participate in sports at FHSAA member schools when their own school does not offer that sport, clarify treatment of single-sex versus co-ed teams, adjust FHSAA board appointment authority, require appeals panels to include a majority of member-school representatives, set timelines for eligibility appeals, and post appeals decisions online. An amendment by Representative McFarland added FHSAA board decisions to the transparency requirement. The bill drew supportive public testimony and was reported favorably as amended by a 19-0 vote. The committee then took up HB 549 on the “Gulf of America.” Representative Porras said the bill would align Florida’s geographic materials and academic standards with the federal designation replacing the Gulf of Mexico, with a later amendment to phase in the change only for materials adopted or acquired on or after July 1, 2025. Members questioned the timing, costs, and impact on instructional materials; the ranking member and others argued the bill was unnecessary and could burden districts, while supporters said Florida should lead in adopting the federal terminology. Public testimony included support from Florida Citizens Alliance and opposition from a speaker who called the bill a waste of time. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably with committee substitute by a 16-2 vote. Finally, the committee considered CS/HB 85 on hazardous walking conditions. Representative Kendall described the bill as addressing elementary students who live within the two-mile walk zone but must cross interstates, freeways, highways, or ramps, and said the measure would provide bus service in those hazardous situations. An amendment clarified the language by tying it to the statutory definition of a limited access facility. Members from both parties described local safety concerns and personal experiences, while one member noted the likely added cost to districts. Public testimony listed opponents, but the chair later clarified they had submitted cards with the wrong bill number. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably with committee substitute by a 20-0 vote, then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to highlight our First Coast Expressway projects, one that we've recently completed, and then
• complete a very key corridor in this area, but I specifically want to highlight the First Coast Expressway
• You're correct, GMX is separate, a separate expressway authority, but the tolls that we collect, GMX
• is separate, a separate expressway authority, but the tolls that we collect, in addition to the funding

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met to hear presentations from the Department of Commerce and the Florida Department of Transportation. Jason Mahon of Florida Commerce outlined the state’s economic development strategy, emphasizing Florida’s GDP growth, business formation, and strengths in manufacturing, high-tech, life sciences, defense, and financial services. He described the department’s tools for small business lending, rural investment tax credits, venture capital support, infrastructure and workforce grants, performance-based incentives, and disaster recovery loans, and highlighted examples such as ServiceNow, Williams International, Asteris, and Point Blank Enterprises. Senators asked about grant availability for small businesses, foreign companies relocating to Florida, workforce shortages in manufacturing, and whether additional tools may be needed; Mahon said most small-business support is loan-based and noted ongoing workforce and infrastructure challenges. Jennifer Marshall of FDOT then reviewed major transportation projects and the Moving Florida Forward initiative, describing the state’s large portfolio of active contracts and major congestion-relief projects across Florida. She highlighted early completions and accelerated timelines on projects including the NASA Causeway Bridge, I-95 at US 1 in Volusia County, I-4 congestion relief lanes, the First Coast Expressway, the Howard Frankland Bridge, I-4 interchanges in Central Florida, A1A coastal protection work, I-75 improvements in Southwest Florida, and the I-395 reconstruction in Miami. Senators asked about how express lane projects are selected, whether toll revenues are used for local maintenance and improvements, the status of the Miami I-395 project, and the impact of losing electric-vehicle express lane exemptions. Marshall said FDOT works with local long-range plans and congestion data, and that she would follow up on several specific funding and project questions. Committee members generally praised both agencies for project delivery, cost savings, and coordination with local partners. Senator Mayfield noted the importance of using savings and working with local governments, while Senator Wright commended Commerce’s role in economic development and FDOT’s work on major road projects. The meeting concluded with no further business, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is the Central Florida Expressway Authority go the Orlando Sanford Airport Sunrail and they all
• agreement among our members that they wouldn't give the the representation from the Central Florida Expressway
• So we have the airport port, Tampa Bay, the transit agency, the Tampa, Hillsborough Expressway Authority
• transit operators will be non-voting members, such as the transit agencies, for instance, and the expressway

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Swiontek, I do have the Bismarck Expressway request, too.
• We have a water main on Bismarck Expressway from Washington Street to Airport Road.
• Again, we're talking about these breaks that we've had on Expressway.
• Our plan is to relocate that out of Expressway.
• So we're trying to get it out of Expressway to avoid those costly repairs there.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met with a quorum and heard updates from Department of Water Resources Director Reese Haas and Lieutenant Governor/State Water Commission Chair Michelle Strinden on statewide water funding, major projects, and two legislative studies requested in House Bill 1020. Haas reviewed the status of the Northwest Area Water Supply and Southwest Pipeline projects, noting NAWS construction is expected to move water by fall and Southwest’s Hebron-Rugby expansion phase one is in final design with bids expected next month. He also summarized the department’s budget outlook, including Resources Trust Fund and Water Project Stabilization Fund balances, the effect of oil price volatility and stripper well exemptions on revenues, and the status of project buckets, carryover, lines of credit, regionalization, bid trends, and administrative/process updates. Committee members asked about project prioritization, municipal funding demand, maintenance expectations, replacement versus deferred maintenance, and whether the 2025 session may have underfunded municipal water supply needs. Haas said the commission uses the same high/medium/low prioritization process across all buckets, reviews maintenance plans as part of policy, and is seeing strong demand in the municipal bucket. He also explained that the department’s 14-year projection is based on the next seven legislative sessions and that the state faces a projected $1.3 billion shortfall over that period if all planned projects are funded under current assumptions. Deloitte then presented draft findings from the cost-share policy study and the governance/finance study. For cost share, Deloitte said the model shows a roughly $1.3 billion shortfall over 14 years and about $1.8 billion through 2031 under current policy, and offered seven options including tighter eligibility for replacement projects, state funding caps for the Mouse River and Red River Valley projects, a priority-based cost-share scale, timing shifts, use of existing lines of credit, and delayed reimbursement timing. For governance, Deloitte outlined draft options for Southwest, NAWS, and Red River ranging from maintaining current structures with stronger planning to transferring ownership or adding formal oversight, and recommended broader use of performance metrics, long-term financial planning, and clearer decision trees. No votes or formal actions were taken; the commission discussed the scenarios and the studies will return in revised form later in the spring.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll take up confirmations for the Tampa Hillsborough County Expressway Authority and the Tampa Port
• today we'll take up confirmation Today we'll take up confirmations for the Tampa Hillsboro County Expressway
• include Bennett, And the appointees include Bennett Borough with the Tampa Hillsborough County Expressway
• Authority, LK with the Tampa Hillsborough County Expressway Authority, Vincent Cassidy with the Tampa
• Hillsborough Expressway Authority, and Patrick Allman with the Tampa Port Authority.

Summary: The Committee on Transportation heard SB 356 by Senator Wright, which would create an opt-in framework for counties and municipalities to allow utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs) on certain local roads with posted speed limits below 55 mph, subject to local safety determinations, licensing, insurance, and other restrictions. Supporters, including a retired sheriff and a Florida Sheriffs Association representative, argued the bill would give law enforcement clearer authority and reflect the reality that UTVs are already being used on roads, while opponents from the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association and Honda warned that UTVs are not designed for public roads and lack key safety features. Several senators raised safety concerns, especially about speed and crash risk, but the bill was reported favorably after debate, with Senators Martin, McClain, and Truenow expressing reservations. The committee then held a lengthy discussion on seaport infrastructure and funding. FDOT presented data showing Florida’s 16 deepwater seaports generate major cargo volume, jobs, and economic impact, and described state funding programs such as FSTED, SPI, and the construction aggregate grant program. Port representatives from Port Everglades, PortMiami, Port of Palm Beach, and Port Tampa Bay described record cargo and cruise activity, major capital projects, and the importance of state and federal grants, private partnerships, and long-term planning. They also discussed challenges including limited land, bulkhead and berth maintenance, channel deepening, workforce needs, fuel access, resiliency, and intermodal connectivity. Senators asked about return on investment, trade patterns, financing, cruise-versus-cargo balance, and operational risks; the ports emphasized that they are largely enterprise-funded but still depend on public investment for major infrastructure. The committee also approved a block of appointments to the Tampa Hillsborough County Expressway Authority and the Tampa Port Authority without objection. In addition, FDOT presented the statewide mapping programs work group report required by SB 1662, recommending a coordinated statewide aerial imagery and LiDAR program, shared procurement and cost-sharing arrangements, and statutory updates to improve interagency coordination and access to geospatial data. Senators briefly discussed potential uses for the data in insurance, emergency management, and property assessment, and the presentation concluded without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• continuing east and north to Interstate 40 at the Chickapoo Turnpike be designated the Toby Keith Expressway
• east and north to Interstate 40 at Interstate 335 Kickapoo Turnpike be designated the Toby Keith Expressway

Bills: SB1246, SB1510, SB1979, SB1929, SB1930, SB1976, HCR1019, SB1459, SB1673, SB1500, SB1447, SB1646, SB2007, SB1275, SB2074

Keywords: environmental permitting, Oklahoma, Department of Environmental Quality, public participation, regulatory framework, administered applications, energy, wind energy, financial assurance, property restoration, environmental regulation, mining, blasting, residential protection, buffer zone, Department of Mines, public utilities, electric transmission lines, landowner rights, payment regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Swiontek, I do have the Bismarck Expressway request, too.
• We have a water main on Bismarck Expressway from Washington Street to Airport Road.
• Again, talking about these breaks that we've had on Expressway.
• Our plan is to relocate that out of Expressway.
• So we're trying to get it out of Expressway to avoid those costly repairs there.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met with a quorum and received updates from the Department of Water Resources and the State Water Commission, followed by presentations from Deloitte on two legislative studies required by House Bill 1020. Director Reese Haas reviewed major project and budget updates, including the Northwest Area Water Supply and Southwest Pipeline projects, Resources Trust Fund balances, carryover spending, project prioritization, bid conditions, regional water system coverage, and department process improvements. Members also discussed how the commission prioritizes projects, maintenance expectations, and the impact of limited municipal water supply funding. No formal committee action was taken during the DWR update; the commission’s municipal funding decisions were described as pending its April 8 meeting. Deloitte then presented the cost-share policy study, which found that under current policy and forecasted revenues, North Dakota faces an estimated $1.3 billion shortfall over 14 years, with a near-term gap of about $1.8 billion through 2031. The firm outlined seven recommended options, including tighter definitions and a 25% cost share for eligible replacement projects, caps and financing strategies for the Mouse River and Red River Valley projects, aligning cost share with commission priority guidance, delaying lower-priority projects, using available lines of credit, and adjusting reimbursement timing for revolving loan funds. Committee members questioned inflation assumptions, affordability, user fees, and the use of legacy fund earnings for bonding, but no decisions were made. In the governance and finance study, Deloitte said final recommendations are still being refined, with a final report due May 29. The study examined the Southwest Pipeline, NAWS, and Red River Valley systems using governance and finance criteria such as decision authority, transparency, affordability, risk, and access to funding. For Southwest, Deloitte outlined options ranging from improved state-authority coordination to transferring ownership to the Southwest Water Authority; for NAWS, options focused on strengthening the authority’s role and potentially transitioning operations and maintenance; and for Red River, options ranged from enhanced facilitation to formal state oversight or state ownership. Members asked follow-up questions about ownership transfer, capital repayment streams, and why NAWS was not considered for transfer, and Deloitte said NAWS’s limited organizational maturity made that option less viable in the near term.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in addition, we have our agencies represented, and that is the Central Florida Expressway Authority
• longstanding agreement among our members that they would give the representation from the Central Florida Expressway
• So we have the airport, Port Tampa Bay, the transit agency, the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority
• transit operators will be non-voting members, such as the transit agencies, for instance, and the expressway

Summary: The Senate Committee on Transportation met to hear presentations from the Florida Department of Transportation on rural arterial roadways and transportation resiliency, followed by a panel discussion on metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). FDOT’s Will Watts described the state’s growing population and travel demand, emphasizing that rural arterials are critical for connectivity, freight movement, evacuation routes, and congestion relief. He outlined FDOT’s project selection factors, noted thousands of identified rural arterial needs with billions in unfunded demand, and explained that the department uses community input and long-range planning to prioritize safety, capacity, and economic development. Watts then discussed resiliency planning for hurricanes and flooding, focusing on structural design, storm readiness, and drainage. He highlighted efforts such as elevated bridges, wave attenuators, coastal armoring, drainage upgrades, and materials testing at FDOT’s research facilities to extend service life and reduce storm damage. Committee members asked about local project selection, materials research, LiDAR use, and legislative support; Watts said local coordination drives project priorities and asked lawmakers to protect the Transportation Trust Fund. The MPO panel, led by FDOT’s Kim Holland, explained that MPOs are federally required in urban areas over 50,000 population and that Florida has 27, the most in the nation. Holland said MPOs identify and prioritize transportation needs through long-range plans and public engagement, and she noted that several regions are exploring consolidation after the 2020 Census, especially in Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida. Representatives from MetroPlan Orlando, Forward Pinellas, Pasco MPO, and Hillsborough discussed their structures and the potential benefits and challenges of merging, including representation, governance, funding, and maintaining local voice. Members generally supported regional collaboration, urged patience as studies continue, and emphasized the need for transparent public engagement, while the committee adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Doug Pickock Aggie Expressway.
• So it's going to be the future home of the Doug Pickock Aggie Expressway.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government met to consider a series of bills, many of them with committee substitutes. The committee adopted substitutes and advanced Senate Bills 1177, 1579, 1920, 2068, 3034, and 844, generally reporting them to the full Senate with recommendations that the original bills not pass but the substitutes do pass and be printed. Several of these measures were also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The discussion included SB 1579 on appointment of a receiver and sale or acquisition of certain abandoned, unoccupied, and undeveloped parcels; SB 1920 on property tax exemptions for cemeteries when no application is filed; and SB 3034 relating to the Doug Pickock Aggie Expressway, with a substitute aligning the bill with current transportation statutes. The committee also advanced SB 434 and SB 1214 without controversy, both receiving unanimous committee approval. SB 1951, relating to penalties for filing red ditches, passed on a 4-1 vote, with Senator Cook voting no. SB 2183 and SB 2046 also passed on 4-1 votes. SB 2068, after adoption of a committee substitute, was reported unanimously. Members briefly discussed the practical issues behind the cemetery tax exemption bill and the need for a process when property owners are not identifiable. At the end of the meeting, the chair noted that the committee might vote on additional bills after session depending on attendance. With no further business, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.