Transcript Highlights:

• for free under the transit support grant program.
• support to transit agencies.
• In order for a transit agency to be eligible for these funds, the agency must allow children under the
• for free in order for a transit agency to be eligible to receive the grants under the transit support
• There are different barriers to implementation by each transit agency.

Bills: SB6252, SB6265, SB6081

Keywords: transit support grant, free transit, fare-free transit, zero-fare policy, community college students, technical college students, public transportation, youth transit, student transportation, Washington State, Department of Transportation, local sales tax, voter-approved sales tax, equity, environmental justice, low-barrier access, bus pass, rail transit, public transit agency, transit agency grants

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held public hearings on several measures. First, it heard Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1980, which would allow local authorities in King County, with transit agency approval, to let private employer transportation services use certain business access and transit lanes under a two-year pilot with fees, performance standards, reporting, and a 10-year sunset. Staff and the sponsor said the bill was revised from a prior version to add the pilot structure, labor input, vehicle markings, and annual reporting. Supporters, including Bellevue business and transit representatives, said the measure would improve mobility, reduce congestion, and help employers and transit work together; the bill was then held after public hearing. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6081, as a proposed substitute, which would exempt sex designation change records and related supporting documents from public disclosure in Department of Licensing and Department of Health records, restrict sharing of those records without consent, and keep updated credentials from showing that a change occurred. Staff said the bill would have about a $1 million fiscal impact over four years for DOL, mostly IT changes, with minimal or absorbable impacts for other agencies. The prime sponsor and many supporters described the bill as a privacy and safety measure for transgender Washingtonians, while one opponent argued it would undermine accurate records; the public hearing was closed. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 6252, which would expand the transit support grant program’s zero-fare requirement so transit agencies receiving those grants must also allow students enrolled in degree- or certificate-seeking programs at community and technical colleges to ride free. Staff said the bill is broad and could reduce fare revenue for local transit agencies by an estimated $10.9 million to $12.2 million annually, with a revised fiscal note expected for King County Metro. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would improve access to education, especially for older and rural students, while transit advocates noted implementation and funding concerns; the public hearing was then closed. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6265, which would modernize the transfer of ownership for totaled vehicles to insurers by allowing supporting documents and limited powers of attorney to be transmitted electronically with non-notarized signatures. Staff said the bill has no fiscal impact and is intended to simplify the process after total-loss claims. The sponsor and industry witnesses said the change would reduce paperwork and hardship for consumers, and the public hearing was closed. The committee also announced that amendment requests for 14 bills scheduled for executive session on Thursday were due by noon the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• It involves two states and multiple federal agencies.
• It involves two states and multiple federal agencies.
• You see crab and Tibb there and then other agencies.
• You see crab and Tibb there and then other agencies.
• And most of this is on the capital side of that agency.

Bills: HB2306

Keywords: transportation budget, capital budget, operating budget, appropriations, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, Washington State Patrol, Department of Licensing, ferry funding, state ferries, highway maintenance, road preservation, bridge replacement, tolling, express toll lanes, traffic safety, speed cameras, ignition interlock, transit grants, public transit

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard a presentation from Secretary of Transportation Julie Meredith on WSDOT’s mission, staffing, major projects, and the agency’s focus on preservation, safety, ferries, culvert replacement, and emergency response. Meredith highlighted storm and flood recovery, bridge strikes and aging infrastructure, ferry service improvements and fleet replacement needs, the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, Revive I-5, the North Spokane Corridor, and preparations for the 2026 World Cup. Members asked about ferry service reliability, IBR cost uncertainty, staffing needs, and aviation assets. The committee then took public testimony on the governor’s proposed supplemental transportation budget and HB 2306, which would make supplemental transportation appropriations totaling $16.7 billion, about $1.2 billion above the enacted base budget. OFM staff said the proposal emphasizes preservation, maintenance, ferries, and some local and agency investments, with about $3.1 billion in bonding capacity used and roughly $2 billion remaining. The governor’s office proposed $2 billion for preservation, including bridge, paving, maintenance, and other asset work, $1 billion for Washington State Ferries, $2.2 million for the new county road grant program, and smaller investments for WSP communications, DOL access, and Columbia River dredging. Testifiers largely supported the budget’s preservation focus and ferry funding, including representatives from Bainbridge Island, cities, counties, ports, labor, construction, and business groups. Several speakers urged more investment in local roads, bridge repair, and freight infrastructure, while transit and rail advocates asked for more rail funding and less highway expansion. One ferry advocate criticized hybrid-electric ferry maintenance costs and questioned electrification, while another speaker warned against a pay-per-mile tax. The hearing ended after testimony with no votes taken and the committee adjourned early.

Transcript Highlights:

• prohibit... ...repeals the provisions that prohibited the Transportation Commission from exempting transit

Bills: HB2306, HB2711

Keywords: transportation budget, capital budget, operating budget, appropriations, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, Washington State Patrol, Department of Licensing, ferry funding, state ferries, highway maintenance, road preservation, bridge replacement, tolling, express toll lanes, traffic safety, speed cameras, ignition interlock, transit grants, public transit

Transcript Highlights:

• And we appreciate the funding you were able to do to reimburse transit agencies for their certain regional
• mobility grants.
• And we appreciate the funding you were able to do to reimburse transit agencies for their certain regional
• mobility grants.
• Transportation demand management grants in the 2027 to 2029 biennium.

Bills: HB2306, HB2711

Keywords: transportation budget, capital budget, operating budget, appropriations, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, Washington State Patrol, Department of Licensing, ferry funding, state ferries, highway maintenance, road preservation, bridge replacement, tolling, express toll lanes, traffic safety, speed cameras, ignition interlock, transit grants, public transit

Transcript Highlights:

• Modernizing our transportation infrastructure, from smoother roads to frequent and reliable transit,
• We know that transportation and housing are deeply linked, and as an agency, MassDOT is committing to
• As you all know, MassDOT is not the only state agency with responsibility for transportation assets.
• this reauthorization would allow for about 100 more grants to be made.
• It's not a grant program necessarily, though grants could be used.

Bills: H5279

Keywords: municipal roads, bridges, transportation bond bill, infrastructure financing, capital spending, bond authorization, general obligation bonds, special obligation bonds, Commonwealth Transportation Improvement Act, road resurfacing, road repair, bridge repair, pavement, culverts, stormwater management, climate resilience, bicycle infrastructure, pedestrian infrastructure, transit modernization, commuter rail

Transcript Highlights:

• New options like bus rapid transit, flexible roads are emerging transportation solutions and changing
• In short, the state should not be dictating a study on local transit operations, particularly when the
• Phoenix voters have already approved and funded transit... any other questions thank you sir um last
• Phoenix voters have already approved and funded transit expansion.
• What happens to me a lot of the time—and I mean a lot of the time—is an agency, CAG, will come up and

Bills: SB1059, SB1209, SB1273, SB1332, SB1452, SB1456, SB1549, SB1552, SB1818, SB1826, SB1827

Keywords: appropriation, Department of Transportation, right turn lane, traffic improvement, infrastructure funding, nonoperating identification, homeless exemption, veterans, emancipated minors, Arizona Department of Transportation, transportation, infrastructure, pavement rehabilitation, funding, Arizona, SB1332, light rail, light rail expansion, Maricopa County, Phoenix

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2727 concerns establishing the Educational Transit Access Grant Program.
• Under this bill, WSDOT is required to establish an educational transit access grant program to provide
• funds to public transit agencies for pilot programs with local community or technical colleges.
• To be eligible to receive a grant, the transit agency must submit a written proposal to WSDOT that provides
• It establishes an educational transit access grant, which will allow agencies and community and technical

Bills: HB2588, HB2722, HB2727

Keywords: county ferry district, ferry district, passenger-only ferry, passenger ferry, Puget Sound, Vashon, Seattle, Southworth, county transportation, local taxing authority, property tax levy, general obligation bonds, municipal corporation, public transportation benefit area, WTSC, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, ferry terminal, wharf, shuttle service, marine transportation

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on Substitute House Bill 2251, which would restructure Climate Commitment Act accounts and change how cap-and-invest auction revenue is distributed. Staff explained that the bill would create new operating and capital accounts, repeal several existing accounts, and shift revenue to a percentage-based formula that caps funding for the carbon emissions reduction account at $359 million while directing set percentages to the new accounts and the air quality and health disparities account. Members asked about the fiscal note, the effect on transportation funding, and whether the bill would change allowable uses of the CERA account; staff said it would not. Testimony was largely supportive, with proponents saying the bill adds clarity and stability, while tribal testimony urged clearer protection and accounting for the 10% tribal set-aside and carryover of unused funds. The hearing then moved to House Bill 2588, which would allow county ferry districts to operate and finance vehicle ferries, not just passenger-only ferries. County officials, ferry users, and advocates supported the bill as a local funding tool for aging ferry systems in Whatcom, Pierce, Skagit, and Wahkiakum counties, and said it would not itself raise taxes. The committee then heard House Bill 2722, which would raise the maximum vehicle weight subject to transportation benefit district vehicle fees from 6,000 pounds to 10,000 pounds; staff estimated the change could raise about 3% more revenue statewide, and the sponsor and supporters argued it would better reflect modern vehicle weights and road wear, while trucking interests said they could support a 9,000-pound compromise threshold. The final public hearing was on House Bill 2727, creating an Educational Transit Access Grant Program for transit agencies and community and technical colleges to pilot free or reduced fares for students; supporters said it would improve affordability and access to education, and the sponsor said an amendment may add inclusive post-secondary programs. After the hearings, the committee took executive action on a second substitute for House Bill 1923, which expands who can form passenger-only ferry service districts and where they can be formed, adds intent language about southern resident orcas, and changes the effective date to July 1, 2026. The substitute passed 23-4 with two excused, receiving a do pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, it caps the state grant program.
• :04:30.560><c> tuition</c><00:04:31.280><c> tuition</c> state grant to match tuition tuition state grant
• </c><00:08:51.040><c> So,</c> into the state grant program. So, into the state grant program.
• </c> does is we assign the agencies a budget. does is we assign the agencies a budget.
• </c><00:56:33.520><c> The</c> allocated to what agency. The allocated to what agency.

Bills: HF2431, HF2438, HF2783, HF1943

Keywords: higher education, college affordability, student aid, state grants, North Star Promise, scholarships, financial aid, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, Office of Higher Education, tuition relief, work-study, child care grants, hunger-free campus, food insecurity, student parents, pregnant students, parenting students, sexual misconduct, Title IX

Transcript Highlights:

• Just to be clear, we're not anti-transit.
• We are not against transit, but there should be studies to determine whether it's the right type of transit
• We are not against transit, but there should be studies to determine whether it's the right type of transit
• Transit operations as a whole are a local issue.
• Public transit serves the greater public.

Bills: SB1088, SB1156, SB1157, SB1169, SB1245, SB1273, SB1330, SB1332, SB1391, SB1498, SB1531, SB1550, SB1598, SB1677, SB1707, SB1811, SB1818

Keywords: cybersecurity, homeland security, artificial intelligence, state appropriation, VPN security, zero trust, appropriation, public safety, detention, unauthorized aliens, local government funding, border security, fencing, appropriations, southern border, local government, medical education, physician shortage, healthcare funding, Arizona health care

Transcript Highlights:

• agency.
• We just awarded $150 million in grant awards this past year.
• The federal-state partnership for intercity passenger rail grant program, which draws on other federal
• I'm a transit advocate, chair of the Sierra Club Transportation and Land Use Committee for the state
• State agencies, political subdivisions, and the United States government pay a $2 fee.

Bills: HB1823, HB2092, HB2111, HB2114

Keywords: transportation improvement board, TIB, transportation improvement account, motor vehicle fund, arterial streets, local match, private match, grant funding, transportation grants, county roads, city streets, transportation benefit district, urban county, small city program, active transportation, pedestrian, bicycle, bike routes, transit, public transit

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard four bills. HB 1823 was described as a technical cleanup bill for the Transportation Improvement Board, updating obsolete references and repealing outdated sections; a proposed substitute would restore language that had inadvertently removed remaining bond authority. Rep. Lowe and TIB supported the bill, calling it a good-government measure, and there was no opposition. The committee then heard HB 292, which would create a Washington State Amtrak Cascades Passenger Rail Advisory Committee. The prime sponsor and supporters said the goal was to give riders and stakeholders a regular, statutory forum to provide feedback to WSDOT; several testifiers urged broader statewide representation, inclusion of disability advocates, and possible participation by rail industry stakeholders such as BNSF. Testimony was broadly supportive, with some suggestions for amendments to expand the committee’s scope and membership. The committee next heard HB 2111, which would allow the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project toll facility bond retirement account to retain its share of interest earnings instead of having them credited to the general fund. Staff and the State Treasurer’s office said the change would keep revenue dedicated to the bridge project and avoid accounting and tax concerns; the chair and a business representative from Clark County supported advancing the bill as a necessary step for the project. Finally, HB 2114 would require the Department of Licensing to waive replacement plate fees for defective plates within two years of issuance and allow waivers in some cases between two and five years. The sponsor said the bill responds to widespread plate delamination complaints, especially in eastern Washington, and county auditors and other local officials testified in favor as a customer-service fix, though they asked for clearer definitions and noted the state’s newer flat plates may reduce the problem over time. The Department of Licensing fiscal note estimated limited annual replacements but significant one-time system update costs. The hearing on HB 2114 was left open briefly for a testifier who could not connect, and then the public hearing was temporarily closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill implements the transition of the Office of Cyber Defense Coordination from the Department of
• The bill implements the transition of the Office of Cyber Defense Coordination from the Department of
• or Office of Information Security, is focused inwardly toward the executive branch, supporting our agency
• deputy director to go out and create a team within existing resources to be able to help the affected agency
• mitigate and respond to any such attack. help the affected agency mitigate and respond to any such attack

Bills: SB156, SB467

Keywords: gun violence, firearm safety, special counsel, data collection, community initiatives, grants, Attorney General, public safety, suicide prevention, cybersecurity, information security, state agency, data protection, confidentiality, 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• jurisdictions to develop required CTR programs, staffs the CTR board that selects recipients of CTR grants
• These are essential workers who would benefit from the commute opportunities and supports like transit
• I'm testifying on behalf of Transportation Choices Coalition, Washington's statewide transit nonprofit
• For example, in King County, 16- to 24-year-olds are more than twice as likely to ride transit as part
• There is a fiscal note from multiple agencies.

Bills: HB2307, HB2374, HB2379, HB1823, HB2111

Keywords: commute trip reduction, definitions, transportation, environmental impact, urban planning, electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, regulation, vehicle classification, tolling, emergency suspension, public access, state highways, transportation improvement board, TIB, transportation improvement account, motor vehicle fund, arterial streets, local match, private match

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard public testimony on three bills. HB 2307 would remove the current 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. start-time requirement from the state commute trip reduction program so more employers and shift workers could qualify for CTR benefits. The bill sponsor and supporters from Microsoft, Transportation Choices Coalition, Move Redmond, Commute Seattle, WSDOT’s TDM Technical Committee, and Tacoma on the Go said the change would modernize the program, expand access to transit passes, vanpools, and bike benefits, and improve congestion, affordability, and equity. No one testified in opposition. The committee then heard HB 2374, which would more clearly distinguish electric-assisted bicycles from higher-powered electric motorcycles, require labeling and other consumer disclosures, and create a DOL work group to study enforcement and consumer protection issues. Supporters included city officials, school-age testifiers, bike and trail organizations, and park/recreation advocates, who said the bill would address unsafe high-speed vehicles being marketed as e-bikes, especially those ridden by minors, while preserving access for true e-bikes. Some testifiers asked for additional enforcement tools for under-16 riders and for broader representation on the work group. Finally, the committee heard HB 2379, which would require WSDOT to suspend tolling on facilities that could serve as evacuation routes during emergencies until the agency determines tolling can resume. The sponsor cited recent wildfire and flood evacuation concerns and said people should not have to think about tolls while evacuating. Staff noted the bill would reduce toll revenue during suspensions and could have indeterminate implementation costs. After the hearings, the committee recessed and then took executive action, adopting a proposed substitute for HB 1823 and passing HB 2111 by voice vote; both measures were approved with 27 aye votes and no nays, with two members excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had a bill heard last week on Senate Bill 2699, regarding public transit.
• state goal to strengthen nature-based carbon emissions reduction solutions directs certain state agencies
• expertise, and we respectfully ask to be removed and defer to the appropriate academic institution or agency
• We're going to stand on our testimony offering comments, echoing similar concerns of our state agency
• 00:22:25.520><c> county</c><00:22:25.840><c> official</c><00:22:26.159><c> or</c><00:22:26.400><c> agency

Bills: SB2699

Keywords: fare-free transit, youth transportation, environmental tax, transit equity, public transit, Hawaii, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee reconvened and first addressed SB 2699 on public transit/free transportation for young people. Members noted that the Committee on Transportation had already deferred the measure, and this committee said it would defer it as well before adjourning that brief reconvened session. The hearing then moved to SB 2373, which would establish a state goal to strengthen nature-based carbon emissions reduction solutions and authorize the Hawaii State Energy Office to develop methods to quantify carbon reductions from marine ecosystem restoration. The Energy Office said marine carbon sequestration was outside its expertise and asked to be removed from that portion of the bill, while DLNR and OPSD offered comments and said the work fit better with their areas, with DLNR saying it could take it on if properly resourced. Testimony included support from environmental groups, and committee discussion focused on which agency should lead and whether existing methodologies could be used. Next was SB 21001 on organic waste reduction and diversion. The Department of Health supported the intent but raised implementation concerns. Hawaii Farmers Union strongly supported the bill, arguing it would help build compost supply, improve soil health, and give counties time to develop infrastructure; they cited Vermont as a model and said the bill could extend landfill life and reduce methane. Members asked about the Vermont approach and the need for infrastructure before household-level diversion. The committee also heard SB 2905, which would increase the environmental response, energy, and food security tax and direct more revenue to the electric vehicle charging system subaccount. The Energy Office, PUC, and Tax Department offered comments; youth and clean transportation advocates strongly supported the bill as a way to expand charging access and meet EV adoption goals. A member questioned whether the proposed increase would outpace the state’s ability to deploy chargers, and PUC staff said the current annual appropriation is about $750,000 and that they could provide more data on an appropriate funding level. Additional measures were briefly taken up: SB 3231 on condominium maps and county zoning certification in A districts drew support from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the Hawaii Farm Bureau; SB 2486 on climate change drew comments from the Energy Office, Climate Commission, and OPSD, who said it duplicated existing climate planning and should include adaptation language; and SB 2376 on the renewable fuels production tax credit drew support from industry and agricultural groups, while the Energy Office and Tax Department raised concerns about the rollover provision and the scale of the credit. No final votes were recorded in the excerpt beyond the earlier deferral of SB 2699.

Transcript Highlights:

• It'd be for transit-oriented projects.
• But it would fund transit projects in Houston.
• First, state funding for transit would create matching funds to draw down more federal transit dollars
• I would like the committee to recognize that the transit agencies and technical services have dedicated
• So, in short, I just would like the committee to recognize that transit agencies have rich, dedicated

Bills: HJR58, HJR63, HB263, HB542, HB905, HB 1288, HB1402, HB2003, HB2262, HB2323, HB2429, HB2876, HB3019, HB263

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, elderly, retirement, benefits, transit-oriented projects, constitutional amendment, state highway fund, funding allocation, voter approval, highway fund, funding, public transportation, transit projects, transportation, local transit, fund allocation, voting rights, election integrity, ballot access

Transcript Highlights:

• provide direct grants.
• Office grants, and veteran service organization grants, since they each have their own statutory grant
• A summary of the grants.
• Veterans Service Office grants veteran service organization grants since they each have their own statutory
• grant requirements.

Bills: HF3727, HF3684, HF3467

Keywords: veterans property tax, homestead exclusion, disabled veteran, totally and permanently disabled, service-connected disability, property tax relief, market value exclusion, surviving spouse, family caregiver, county veterans service officer, Minnesota property tax, assessment year 2027, homestead tax benefit, veterans tax exemption, DD214, VA disability rating, veterans, veterans affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, grant standards

Transcript Highlights:

• agency, a regional transit authority, the Association of Washington Cities, the Washington State Association
• House Bill 2727 requires WSDOT to establish the educational transit access grant program to provide funds
• to transit agencies for pilot programs to provide free or reduced transit fares to students enrolled
• , sometimes the most important transition of their lives, as they take on new endeavors.
• , sometimes the most important transition of their lives, as they take on new endeavors.

Bills: HB2092, HB2114, HB2172, HB2251, HB2374, HB2410, HB2552, HB2588, HB2718, HB2722, HB2727

Keywords: passenger rail, transportation, committee, advisory, infrastructure, defective license plates, vehicle registration, Department of Licensing, state regulations, route jurisdiction, abandonment, local governance, climate change, commitment act, emission reductions, sustainability, environmental policy, electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would allow Sound Transit to utilize the tools that Congress has granted.
• To the contrary, if we don't provide the full range of funding tools transit agencies need, system buildout
• will have a... ...provide the full range of funding tools transit agencies need, system buildout will
• As you've heard, rising operational and construction costs have really put pressure on transit agencies
• As the former Sound Transit CFO and participant in many of the TIFIA agreements that the agency has in

Bills: SB6148

Keywords: regional transit authority, RTA, transit bonds, general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, bond maturity, debt limit, 25-year cap, regional mobility grant program, public transit financing, transportation funding, Washington RCW, bond issuance, municipal finance, infrastructure finance, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a fantastic transit.
• dedicated transit transit funding dedicated transit funding<00:43:04.200><c> to</c><00:43:04.320><c>
• </c> efficient transit system. efficient transit system.
• transit agencies around the world.
• </c> transit fares. transit fares.

Bills: HF3373, HF4449, HF3486, HF4180, HF4227, HF2505

Keywords: transportation, interchange, funding, bonds, St. Paul Park, transit, Metropolitan Council, Twin Cities, metro area, high-frequency transit, bus rapid transit, busway, guideway, transportation policy plan, transit performance measures, regional transit benchmarks, transit-oriented development, TOD, zoning, land use

Transcript Highlights:

• And then it also shows indeterminate impact from the additional coordination on grant, federal grant
• regional mobility grants.
• Sound Transit certainly doesn't need the money today.
• We are Washington State's nonprofit transit advocate.
• Providing Sound Transit 75-year bonding authority will protect taxpayers by allowing Sound Transit to

Bills: SB5750, SB6148

Keywords: electric vehicles, charging fees, state facilities, sustainability, infrastructure, regional transit authority, RTA, transit bonds, general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, bond maturity, debt limit, 25-year cap, regional mobility grant program, public transit financing, transportation funding, Washington RCW, bond issuance, municipal finance, infrastructure finance

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held public hearings on several bills. On Substitute Senate Bill 5690, the committee heard staff explain that WSDOT would be required to give utility owners advance notice of planned fish barrier removal projects and Dig Once projects, seek federal funding for utility relocation costs when available, and report back to the Legislature by December 15, 2026. Supporters, including the prime sponsor, sewer and water districts, PUDs, and a remote testifier, said the bill would help utilities plan for costly relocations and potentially reduce impacts on ratepayers. WSDOT said it supported the intent but raised concerns about the bill’s fiscal impact and whether federal funding for these costs is still available. The public hearing closed with testimony recorded as 46 in favor and none opposed. The committee then heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5746, which would create or continue an advisory process within the state’s EV Coordinating Council to address property crime affecting EV charging infrastructure. Staff said the bill is substantively the same as a version previously passed by the Senate, with technical updates, and would require recommendations, reporting, and limited confidentiality protections for proprietary information. The prime sponsor argued that vandalism and theft at charging stations undermine public infrastructure and that the bill would bring together relevant stakeholders. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with one recorded opponent. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 5750, which would authorize state facilities to charge privately owned electric vehicles a fee for electricity and deposit the revenue into the motor vehicle fund. The sponsor said the bill would make charging at state facilities fairer by recovering costs from private EV users, rather than providing free fuel. Staff noted the bill is permissive and that fiscal impacts and revenue would be indeterminate. The hearing closed with strong support and a small amount of opposition recorded. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6148, which would increase the maximum term for regional transit authority bonds from 40 years to 75 years, affecting Sound Transit. Supporters, including Sound Transit and transit advocates, said the longer term would align with federal financing rules, help manage cash flow, and accelerate delivery of long-lived infrastructure such as tunnels and bridges without raising taxes. Opponents argued the bill would increase long-term debt costs and shift burdens to future generations, and questioned Sound Transit’s financial management. The hearing closed with substantial pro and con testimony recorded, and the committee adjourned after the public hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members, House Bill 2148 grants the legislature the authority to appropriate non-constitutional
• The money's appropriated in instances—for instance, block grants to counties.
• Fraud Revolving Fund in FY 2026 to DPS and exempts DPS from the statutory prohibition against state agencies
• Granted, the appropriation, you need the money, but the other part would allow DPS to employ outside
• I don't know about removing this from an agency.

Bills: HB2148, HB2993

Keywords: federal funding, state budget, appropriation, block grants, noncustodial funds, legislative authority, Arizona attorney general, Department of Public Safety, DPS, consumer fraud revolving fund, consumer protection fund, gang and immigration intelligence team enforcement mission fund, public safety appropriation, supplemental appropriation, outside counsel, state agency legal representation, legal services, state settlement proceeds, general fund, A.R.S. 41-192