The Senate Highways and Transportation Committee discussed and set expectations for informational witnesses, with members offering and generally supporting a short-summary approach for agency witnesses and questioning how to manage non-agency proponents.

Becca Brown, the committee staffer, reviewed the committee packet and administrative materials. Senator Olson asked whether the committee had decided how to handle informational witnesses; several members said state agency witnesses should provide concise factual briefings up front so the panel has the relevant information before questions.

"I think state agency informational witnesses ... we should have them provide us what they think we need to know without us having to guess," Senator Olson said, adding that a full hour-long presentation would be unnecessary but a short factual statement is useful. Senator Danley Logie and others suggested a one- to three-minute summary for informational witnesses followed by committee questions. Committee members also noted that if a witness offers an amendment or advocacy immediately, they should be treated as a proponent or opponent rather than a neutral informational witness.

Ending: The committee did not adopt a strict written rule on time limits during the meeting but established a clear preference that agency informational witnesses provide concise factual summaries and then answer member questions; staff will use that guidance when scheduling witnesses.