The Senate Transportation and Safety Committee convened on March 5, 2025, to discuss several key legislative items, including the passage of Senate Bill 144 and the scheduling of future bills.

The meeting began with a discussion led by Senator Hatcher, who emphasized the need for alternative funding sources to avoid placing undue pressure on local governments. Senator Waller expressed his support for the bill while acknowledging the importance of addressing local concerns. The committee adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 144, which subsequently passed with a vote of 8 ayes and 1 present, not voting. The bill will now move on to the finance committee for further consideration.

Following the vote, Senator Taylor recognized Alderman Kevin Quinn from Bartlett, who was present in the audience. The committee then addressed the scheduling of other bills. It was noted that Senate Bill 141 by Senator Kyle would be rolled for one week, while Senate Bill 660 by Senator Hensley would be postponed for two weeks.

Leader Johnson introduced Senate Bill 1069 but requested a one-week delay due to an issue that needed to be resolved. The committee agreed to roll this bill as well. Johnson then moved on to Senate Bill 1297, which is an administration bill from the Department of Safety. An amendment was proposed to make a minor technical correction in the bill's language, changing "must" to "may." The committee accepted the amendment without opposition.

The meeting concluded with a clear agenda for the upcoming weeks, including the continued review of pending bills and the importance of addressing local government concerns in future discussions.