Transcript Highlights:

• We will begin today's meeting in the Transportation Committee.
• We expand access to transportation.
• We need to focus on today's transportation needs.
• of Transportation.”
• the transportation budget is about $1.7 billion.

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:

• Okay, let's begin our February 25th meeting of the Transportation Committee.
• House Bill 2711 concerns transportation resources.
• It repeals the provisions that prohibit... ...repeals the provisions that prohibited the Transportation
• There's the one that affects the use tax increases funds to the Multimodal Transportation Account by
• for a transportation project, so I encourage a yes vote.

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:

• management grants in the 2027 to 2029 biennium.
• Transportation demand management grants in the 2027 to 2029 biennium.
• transportation system users.
• So just by way of background, this bill concerns transportation resources and is a follow-up to the Transportation
• So just by way of background, this bill concerns transportation resources and is a follow-up to the Transportation

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:

• works with guardians, and it was providing some justification for increasing the guardians' pass grants
• Guardianship pass grants.
• On your topic of the guardianship grant, I don’t remember that we had that discussion before.

Bills: SB2012

Keywords: transportation, funding, infrastructure, grants, municipal, 908, all

Summary: The Government Operations division met to consider House Bill 1015, the OMB budget, with several amendments already in hand. A major portion of the discussion centered on Senator Mathern’s concerns about the proposed new state hospital in Jamestown. He argued the project is outdated, too expensive, and should be delayed or reduced in favor of local behavioral health services and deferred maintenance at the existing LaHogue facility. Other members questioned him about staffing, capacity, constitutional issues, and the relationship between the hospital proposal and broader mental health investments in other bills. The committee also reviewed budget mechanics, including the transfer of up to $240 million from the Social Services Fund to the Human Services Finance Fund, a $40 million deferred maintenance fund, a $3 million deficiency appropriation for the new and vacant FTE pool, and other OMB-related items. Members discussed whether OMB should have managerial control over the Jamestown project and generally agreed that OMB oversight could help manage costs, though concerns about the hospital remained. The committee then considered two funding items that drew the most debate: guardianship grants and a pro-life education campaign. After testimony from a representative supporting the campaign, members agreed to reduce that item by $500,000 and add $1 million for guardianship grants, while leaving the overall bill to be finalized in conference. The committee adopted Amendment Version 2006 with those changes and then passed HB 1015 as amended on a roll call vote, with all members voting aye except Senator Burckhard on the amendment vote; he later voted aye on the bill itself. The chair indicated the bill would move to conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Number six adds contingent funding for human trafficking victim grants.
• Section 8 updates the amount for human trafficking victim grants that you're appropriating in the bill
• ... ...human trafficking victim grants that you're appropriating in the bill.
• Talking to Grant, he thought maybe we might be able to take up adjutant general this afternoon if we
• So, as we tally those things so far, ...$2 million from the grant that helped purchase the land.

Bills: SB2012

Keywords: transportation, funding, infrastructure, grants, municipal, 908, all

Summary: The Government Operations Division met to continue work on budget and bill amendments. The committee first took up the Attorney General’s budget and reviewed a detailed amendment package that adjusted FTE levels, salary equity funding, funding sources, and several one-time appropriations. Changes included removing some House-added items, adding contingent funding tied to other bills, restoring certain funding sources, increasing the electronic smoking device manufacturer fee, and adding a provision on 24/7 sobriety program fees. Senator Dwyer then offered a further amendment to make the electronic smoking device fee a $2,000 application fee with a $500 annual renewal fee, which passed. The committee then voted 4-1 to adopt the budget as amended and give it a do pass recommendation as amended. The committee next considered House Bill 1143, relating to Great Plains Food Bank funding. After testimony from Amy Cleary on behalf of Great Plains Food Bank, members discussed the organization’s statewide role and the project’s financing, including a planned $30 million facility and existing fundraising. Senator Burkhard moved to restore the appropriation from $5 million to $10 million, and the motion passed 4-1. The committee then voted 4-1 to give the bill a do pass recommendation as amended, with Senator Burkhard designated as carrier. Finally, the committee discussed House Bill 1524, which would fund regional planning councils and authorize 16 FTEs. Members expressed sympathy for the councils’ work but concerns about approving new state-funded positions. No action was taken, and the chair asked to hold the bill over for further review. The committee then recessed, noting remaining budget work and upcoming hearings.

Bills: SB 1493, SB 1598, SB 1895, SB 1919, SB 2039, SB 2226, SB 2243, SB 2425

Keywords: sidewalk user, pedestrian safety, traffic laws, bicycles, electric scooters, mobility devices, transportation, aviation, economic development, grants, loans

Transcript Highlights:

• The CCS grant program, which has been around for a long time, was more of just a small line item issue
• Representative, I thought there was already doing This, we do have a lake access grant program.
• this to like roll the supposed to be taken care of These access roads, these lake industrial access grants
• And we're pretty focused on the transportation funding. But it was really important.

Bills: HB3882, HB4273, HB4280, HB4281

Keywords: transportation, revolving fund, grants, infrastructure, economic development, income tax, aerospace, higher education, tax credit, qualified employee, funding, safety, state highways, bridges, apportionment, Oklahoma, transportation funding, sales tax, road maintenance, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• at the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
• Department of Transportation.
• Of course, our transportation network is not just roads.
• 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:

• January 15th, me and the Transportation Committee, we have four bills.
• The Washington State Transportation Improvement Board provides funds to high-priority transportation
• industries, including one member representing non-motorized transportation.
• noted, we're a state grant agency.
• We just awarded $150 million in grant awards this past year.

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:

• We will begin our Transportation Committee meeting for January 21st.
• Transportation is the second-highest cost behind housing.
• Providing alternative transportation benefits provides affordable transportation options.
• Transportation is one of the biggest household expenses.
• , especially electric transportation.

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:

• 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> for the fostering independence grants for the fostering independence grants and<00:15:07.240><c>
• </c> transportation system more sustainable. transportation system more sustainable.

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:

• The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure is called to order.
• Anybody who pays into the transportation tax of Maricopa County?
• I used to need public transportation growing up.
• Chair, We're Transportation Advisory Council? Mr.
• Amy Love again, for the Department of Transportation.

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:

• reduced, and the purchase of 10 buses has been delayed, impacting both learning resources and transportation
• We've seen special education being cut, transportation being cut.
• House File 2786 would put tighter controls on grants and payments to nonprofit organizations.
• Here are the components of the bill: First, MDE would be prohibited from issuing a grant or would be
• required to terminate a grant if a nonprofit entity fails to make...

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:

• I am the newly appointed Undersecretary of Transportation Policy at the Massachusetts Department of Transportation
• Department of Transportation.
• In addition to the historic levels of state funding for transportation, federal grants continue to be
• a one-stop grant application for communities.
• It's not an existing grant or expansion of a grant.

Bills: H4987, S2905

Keywords: transportation bond bill, municipal roads, municipal bridges, Chapter 90, road aid, highway funding, bridge repair, pavement, MassDOT, MBTA, rail reliability, commuter rail locomotives, Fair Share surtax, Commonwealth Transportation Fund, infrastructure financing, bond authorization, deferred maintenance, climate resilience, parkways, DCR

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> learning resources and Transportation learning resources and Transportation safety<00:04:33.160>
• being cut things that we Transportation being cut things that we know<00:21:08.360><c> are</c><00:21
• House File 2786 would put tighter controls on grants and payments to nonprofit organizations.
• House File 2786 would put tighter controls on grants and payments to nonprofit organizations.
• required to terminate a grant if a required to terminate a grant if a nonprofit<01:17:52.120><c> entity

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:

• </c> transportation bill last year. transportation bill last year.
• in the 2025 grant cycle.
• in the 2025 grant cycle.
• in the 2025 grant cycle.
• The Minnesota DNR did apply and was awarded a $600,000 federal transportation alternatives grant for

Bills: HF4156, HF3835, HF3995, HF4383, HF4091, HF4084, HF4311, HF198, HF4486, HF4302, HF4309, HF4032, HF3855, HF3673, HF4265, HF4012, HF4339, HF4298, HF3852

Keywords: infrastructure, wastewater, stormwater, Buhl, state bonds, appropriations, economic development, water infrastructure, grants, capital investment, funding, state regulation, Frazee, North River Drive, infrastructure improvements, HF4383, Minnesota capital investment, bonding bill, Department of Natural Resources, DNR

Transcript Highlights:

• Today is Tuesday, May 26th, and this is a hearing of the House Transportation Committee.
• I am a Transportation Policy Analyst at Reason Foundation. Thank you for the chance to speak.
• I am a transportation policy analyst at Reason Foundation.
• We typically do that on federally grant-funded programs.
• It is good to be back here with members of Transportation, House Transportation.

Bills: HR275, HR282, HCR112, SCR62, SCR64, SB513

Keywords: highway maintenance, signage, transportation safety, DOTD, infrastructure, public safety, federal grants, job creation, Utility Terrain Vehicles, UTVs, safety regulations, transportation, Louisiana, task force, vehicle operation, legislation, accidents, HCR112, House Concurrent Resolution 112, Louisiana Highway 1

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on May 26 with a quorum present and took up several resolutions and one Senate bill. SCR 64 created a task force to study construction management at risk (CMAR) in Louisiana public works; an amendment added representatives from the Louisiana Associated General Contractors and Associated Builders and Contractors, and the resolution was reported with amendments. HR 282 created a task force to study utility terrain vehicles with state agencies; an amendment added the State Fire Marshal, and it was also reported with amendments. The committee then considered SB 513 on public works project delivery methods. The bill originally included an average-bid award method for certain pilot projects, along with airport design-build provisions. Testimony from a Reason Foundation analyst and from the Louisiana Associated General Contractors raised concerns that average-bid contracting could encourage collusion, raise costs, and lacked supporting data or use by U.S. transportation departments, while airport design-build was supported. The committee adopted an amendment in concept to strike the average-bid provisions, leaving the airport-related design-build language in place, and SB 513 was reported with amendments by a vote of 11 yeas and 4 nays. The committee also reported SCR 62 favorably, which urges DOTD to evaluate school zones on state highways in response to safety concerns and near misses, including a fatal incident referenced by the author. HCR 112 was reported favorably to study flooding on Louisiana Highway 1 in Shreveport, and HR 275 was reported favorably to study an interstate highway signage maintenance and reporting program. The meeting concluded after all items were disposed of and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Aeronautics and Transportation Committee will now come to order.
• Standards, welcome to the Aeronautics and Transportation Committee.
• These students go to apply for the grants that are their federal grants that we administer.
• Sometimes these grants are administered by Third parties.
• Students can pick whatever school they want, apply for the grant.

Bills: SB1772, SB1958, SB2010, SB1595, SB1687, SB1684, SB2049, SB1966

Keywords: motor vehicle safety, headlamps, headlights, fog lights, daytime running lights, auxiliary driving lamps, spot lamps, off-road lamps, bicycle lights, bicycle reflectors, vehicle lighting, roadway visibility, low visibility, rain, snow, wipers, night driving, traffic safety, Oklahoma Title 47, vehicle code

Transcript Highlights:

• that are their federal grants that we administer, then the grant administrators are steering them towards
• , that are their federal grants that we administer, then the grant administrators are steering them towards
• , and then those grant dispensing... ...grant dispensing agencies are maligning certain schools or trying
• , and then those grant dispensing. to apply for grants and then those grant dispensing agencies are maligning
• Students can pick whatever school they want, apply for the grant.

Bills: SB1772, SB1958, SB2010, SB1595, SB1687, SB1684, SB2049, SB1966

Keywords: motor vehicle safety, headlamps, headlights, fog lights, daytime running lights, auxiliary driving lamps, spot lamps, off-road lamps, bicycle lights, bicycle reflectors, vehicle lighting, roadway visibility, low visibility, rain, snow, wipers, night driving, traffic safety, Oklahoma Title 47, vehicle code

Summary: The Senate Aeronautics and Transportation Committee met and heard several transportation- and licensing-related bills. Senate Bill 1772, by Senator Peterson, would require headlights from sunset to sunrise and whenever windshield wipers are in use; after brief discussion about automatic headlights and enforcement, it advanced 8-4. Senate Bill 1958, by Senator Standridge, designated the I-35/Flood Avenue interchange as the Patrolman Mark Harris Memorial Interchange; after a question about the wording on the sign, it advanced unanimously 12-0. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2010, which would require non-citizen applicants to provide proof of lawful presence, mark limited-term Real IDs, and require an annual report. Members raised concerns about definitions, proof requirements, and whether the language matched the stated intent; the author agreed to strike the title and work on the language, and the bill advanced 11-1. Senate Bill 1595, described as a consumer protection/accountability measure for CDL training schools and grant administration, drew questions about steering students, agency recommendations, and whether lists of schools would still be allowed; it also advanced 11-1. Senate Bill 1687 would allow commercial driver training entities to proctor the written exam, and it passed 12-0. Senate Bill 1684, which requires companies doing highway remediation to carry liability insurance, was amended to set the minimum coverage at $3 million and to specify liability insurance; after discussion about subcontractors and safety, it passed 12-0. Senate Bill 1996, a memorial highway and bridge naming bill, was laid over after a question about whether the honoree was law enforcement, first responder, or military. The committee also announced that SB 1950 and SB 2052 would be laid over, and that it would meet again the following week to finish remaining bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 4662 establishes a grant program to provide funds to rural rail transportation districts or
• We were losing transportation.
• This federal grant is a rare opportunity, as we were one of the three rural grants in the program nationally
• In addition, all of our goods are transported... ...transported across these roads, which will increase
• The Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, will carry

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

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