Transcript Highlights:

• We're never going to take the bad actors, the black markets, out of this deal.
• taking advantage of this, where children are exposed to dangerous and deceptive THC products.
• And that's a concern of mine, because I don't want, all of a sudden, we take away and do away. and ban
• money on testing and you have takes a lot of people to do it.
• the transportation cost that we are taking. care of with local dispensary's inventory.

Bills: SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB9 , SB42 , SB15 , SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SCR1

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill takes a 2011 law and expands the number. of counties to 41 that can opt out of a CCN.
• It takes several years to get out of federal court and out of the Fifth Circuit.
• Two, that the owners of a majority of the acreage of land no longer intend to irrigate the land.
• F of Chapter 11 of the Water Code.
• We should be mindful of how water projects can affect landowners by pursuing policies that take their

Bills: HB937 , HB2078 , HB2080 , HB3322 , HB3350 , HB4212 , HB4630 , HB4896 , HB4951 , HB5348 , HB5675 , SB565 , SB971 , SB1662 , SB2124

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: special districts, notice requirements, Water Code, government transparency, public meetings, meeting notice, transparency, public engagement, notice, elections, groundwater management, water conservation, joint planning, environmental impact, desired future conditions, groundwater, conservation district, environmental quality, regulatory review, water utility

Transcript Highlights:

• We're extremely concerned that disconnecting these businesses from consumers' payment method of choice
• Case and Citibank are the most likely methods of payment.
• One would prohibit the use of those methods.
• We just heard that this is some kind of big government. scheme to take over an industry.
• Each of those entities takes a fee on each card swipe.

Bills: HB245 , HB245 , HB700 , HB2783 , HB3526 , HB3900 , HB4061 , HB4124 , HB4166 , HB4395 , HB4534 , HB4609 , HB4641 , HB4736 , HB4738 , HB4739 , HB4945 , HB5015 , HJR175

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: property tax, delinquent taxes, ad valorem, penalties, interest cap, military service, retirement, law enforcement, custodial officer, Employees Retirement System, commercial financing, brokers, registration, disclosures, finance, consumer protection, fees, deferred compensation, automatic participation, county employees

Transcript Highlights:

• MCAs are the backbone of the Texas economy, and many of them need alternative financing methods when
• So if it takes you six months to pay back the terms of the financing, or if it takes you five years to
• They would use a confession of judgment to make money by taking advantage of the small business that
• If I take 20% of that, that's $7 billion.
• taking care of consumers, I think.

Bills: HB245 , HB700 , HB2783 , HB3526 , HB3900 , HB4061 , HB4124 , HB4166 , HB4395 , HB4534 , HB4609 , HB4641 , HB4736 , HB4738 , HB4739 , HB4945 , HB5015 , HJR175 , HB245

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: military service, retirement, law enforcement, custodial officer, Employees Retirement System, commercial financing, brokers, registration, disclosures, finance, consumer protection, fees, deferred compensation, automatic participation, county employees, payroll deductions, retirement plans, fiscal transparency, local government, bond issuance

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got Mayor Steve and City Maintenance Mark, and I'm going to let them take it most of the time,
• Our sewer plant also takes in the sewer from the city of Manchester, what the community that they just
• It would also take care of 2,400 feet of AC and cast iron line that runs along another 5,000 feet in
• It would also take care of 2,400 feet of AC and cast iron line that runs along another 5,000 feet in
• :36:18.000><c> iron</c> take care of 2400 ft of AC and cast iron take care of 2400 ft of AC and cast

Bills: HF458 , HF459 , HF461 , HF449 , HF450 , HF965 , HF1280 , HF612 , HF615 , HF616 , HF622 , HF650 , HF651 , HF1045 , HF972 , HF851 , HF644 , HF1050

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: HF458, Henderson, water treatment facility, drinking water, municipal water, public infrastructure, capital investment, state bonds, bonding bill, Public Facilities Authority, water distribution system, well connection, local government grant, Minnesota capital budget, HF459, Carver levee, City of Carver, levee restoration, flood control, flood mitigation

Transcript Highlights:

• And it also removes some of the unproven methods that we have seen being taught in our schools that just
• It removes some of the unproven methods that we have seen being taught in our schools that just weren't
• What this bill does is it basically bans the method of teaching kids by guessing as opposed to slowing
• bans the method of teaching kids by guessing as opposed to slowing down and looking at the letters of
• Want to take a fact sheet to look at the actual summary of the bill.

Summary: House and Senate leaders announced a conference committee agreement on a literacy bill that both chambers had previously passed, with plans to bring the compromise version to the floor that week. They said the bill responds to weak reading outcomes, especially by third grade, and is intended to strengthen literacy instruction for future students. The speakers thanked legislative leadership and staff, and noted that conferees from both chambers supported the final package. The bill would require school districts to adopt K-3 reading curricula approved by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and grounded in evidence-based literacy practices. It would provide free approved curriculum options for districts that need them, set implementation for the 2027-2028 school year, and allow waivers for districts already using evidence-based curricula. The compromise also removes unproven teaching methods, adds student progress monitoring, supports dyslexia screening and public reporting of data, and includes professional development and apprenticeship opportunities for teachers. Supporters said the measure is meant to address persistent reading gaps, including lower performance among children of color and low-income students, and to move away from teaching students to guess at words rather than focus on letters and phonics. They described the final product as a stronger combination of the best parts of the House and Senate versions and said they expected continued broad support, noting prior unanimous roll call votes on the earlier versions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The methods of finance, if you would. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good afternoon, members.
• As the chair stated, the first items for your review today are the methods of finance.
• This is an amendment to an existing method of finance for baseball stadium improvements.
• These are the methods of finance, Mr. Chair.
• Yet people can't take care of them at home, but they want to say, you know, y'all didn't take care of

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Summary: The subcommittee reviewed multiple methods of finance and construction items, including projects for Arkansas State University, Black River Technical College, UAMS, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and UCA. The UAPB Allied Health and Sciences Building appeared both as a method of finance and as an alternative delivery construction project, with East Harding Construction selected and AMR Architects as designer. Members approved the methods of finance, the alternative delivery project, and several discretionary grants, including Department of Health grants for a heart attack center designation and community health worker training, and DHS grants related to homeless services, behavioral health transition support, and an enabling technology pilot. The committee then reviewed service contracts, including RFQs, construction-related contracts, intergovernmental agreements, and a large number of out-of-state and in-state contracts. Testimony focused heavily on DHS staffing and state hospital contracts, the Arkansas State Police seatbelt survey, AEDC’s lithium supply chain analysis, and Shared Administrative Services’ new SuccessFactors performance-management contract. Members asked detailed questions about contract nursing costs, turnover, hiring timelines, and whether some contracts were being renewed or amended beyond their original projected costs. DHS and Veterans Affairs officials explained staffing shortages, retention incentives, and the use of contract labor as a supplement to state employees. Several contracts drew scrutiny and were held for further review. Representative Wardlaw raised concerns about projected costs and repeated amendments on the Department of Education security contract and on DHS staffing contracts, arguing that some had exceeded their original projected totals. The committee voted to hold contracts 5, 7, and 8 until Friday, while adopting the remaining contracts. The meeting ended after informational reports on service contract amendments without material change, executed contracts, and emergency procurements were presented, with no further business before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are methods of finance. There are three items.
• Chair, those are all the methods of finance.
• Members, are there any questions about these methods of finance?
• Chair, those are all the methods of finance.
• Members, are there any questions about these methods of finance?

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee heard a series of appropriation requests and contract reviews across multiple sections. In Section B, members approved temporary appropriations for the Court of Appeals, Commerce/Aeronautics, and Insurance-related payments and refunds. Section C ARPA requests from DHS were approved to return unused federal funds. Section D infrastructure-related appropriations, including wildfire preparedness, broadband BEAD funding, forestry support, recycling, and oil and gas sample preservation, were approved after questions about broadband audit controls and performance safeguards. Section E DHS reallocations were approved, including large transfers within Medical Services from hospital medical to private and public nursing home lines, along with smaller transfers for children and family services, developmental disabilities, and youth services; members asked about the source and purpose of the medical services transfer. Sections F and G were reviewed, covering cash fund requests, federal grants, and miscellaneous grants, including community college storm repairs, corrections commissary and maintenance, 911 enhancements, maternal health, disability determinations, state police equipment, digital newspaper archiving, and CDL data improvements. In Section H, the committee reviewed pay plan appropriations and performance fund transfers tied to the new Class and Comp pay plan. Section I reviewed three methods of finance for UA Little Rock, UAMS, and the University of Arkansas system. In Section J, the committee reviewed discretionary grants, including a $1.4 million HIV services grant and nine tobacco prevention subgrants through UAPB. Members questioned the effectiveness, metrics, and addresses of some tobacco-cessation arts-based grantees, especially Arts Absolutely Inc.; after discussion, Representative Kavanaugh moved to expunge the vote on J2 and refer it back for review at a later ALC meeting, and that motion passed. J3, a Department of Energy and Environment grant for propane safety training and e-waste recycling services, was then reviewed. The committee also reviewed contracts in Section K. K-1 ratified emergency management nuclear planning work performed during a transition between agencies. K-2 construction contracts included architectural and engineering services for corrections, National Park College signage, a Razorback Road parking facility, and UAMS cyclotron installation. K-3 intergovernmental contracts covered health, education, autism waiver, stroke, newborn screening, Medicaid evidence review, and radiation testing services. K-4 out-of-state contracts included staffing, IT, tobacco prevention, audit, marketing, planetarium, recruitment, and janitorial services; Senator Irvin noted one contract appeared to belong in the out-of-state list rather than intergovernmental. K-5 in-state contracts covered staffing, cleaning, re-entry and treatment services, foster care and disability services, hearing officers, asbestos abatement, campus IT support, and janitorial work. The meeting ended after a brief personal update from Senator Irvin about tornado damage in Stone County and thanks to members for their concern, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are methods of finance. There are three items.
• Chair, those are all the methods of finance.
• Members, are there any questions about these methods of finance?
• Chair, those are all the methods of finance.
• Members, are there any questions about these methods of finance?

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee considered and approved several temporary appropriation requests in Section B, including spending authority for the Court of Appeals to pay appointed counsel in criminal appeals, Commerce/Aeronautics airport and aviation grants, and Insurance Department items for workers’ compensation benefits and premium tax refunds. It also approved ARPA-related requests in Section C to return unused federal funds from DHS aging, mental health, substance abuse, and Older Americans Act grants. In Section D, the committee reviewed and approved Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests, including Agriculture grants for wildfire preparedness and forestry capacity, a large Commerce broadband BEAD request, environmental recycling-related reallocations, and Oil and Gas Commission grants for facility repairs and sample preservation. Members questioned the broadband program’s audit process and performance safeguards; the State Broadband Director said the funds are federal, subject to audits, and payments are released only after engineering certification of completed work. The committee also approved DHS reallocations in Section E, including major transfers within Medical Services from hospital medical appropriations to private and public nursing home lines, as well as transfers for children and family services, developmental disabilities, and youth services. The committee then reviewed cash fund requests, miscellaneous federal grants, pay plan and performance fund transfers, methods of finance, and a large set of contracts. A Northwest Arkansas Community College official explained storm-damage repairs and insurance settlement issues, and DHS explained its hospital medical transfer was moving excess appropriation rather than cash. Members also questioned several UAPB tobacco prevention subgrants, especially arts-based outreach, and asked for more data on effectiveness; the committee later voted to expunge and re-refer the J-2 item for further review at a later ALC meeting. Additional discussion covered a DEQ grant to Free Geek of Arkansas for e-waste recycling, a UAPB tobacco program, and various contracts for universities, DHS services, corrections, and public safety. The meeting ended with reports filed for information and a brief member comment thanking others for concern after a tornado in Stone County; no one was injured.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for taking my question. Um, thank you. Thank you for taking my question. Of course.
• It's how you take possession of your property.
• Thank you for taking my question. >> Of course.
• Thank you for taking my question.<01:15:37.120><c> Of</c> question. Of question.
• As a realtor, I have to take 12 hours of mandatory continuing education, of which is any changes in the

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• by the University of Washington out of a field of 30-plus applicants.
• Senate Bill 6039 concerns methods of communications by L&I.
• I find it very frustrating to contract out this part of this new method of communication and then you're
• it was structured in a way that didn't take into account the costs of labor.
• it was structured in a way that didn't take into account the costs of labor.

Summary: The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 6152 would add physical and occupational therapists as attending providers in workers’ compensation claims. Supporters said it would reduce delays, improve access to care, and speed return to work; opponents, including the Washington State Medical Association, retail and business groups, and L&I, raised concerns about diagnosis, scope of practice, network enrollment, implementation time, and the $1.9 million fiscal note from accident and medical aid accounts. The committee also heard SB 5437, which would prohibit non-compete agreements and clarify non-solicitation rules. The sponsor and labor and physician groups supported ending non-competes as anti-competitive and harmful to worker mobility, while business, banking, and clinic representatives argued non-competes protect investments, confidential information, and patient/customer relationships and asked for narrower changes. The committee then heard SB 6058, which would give L&I discretion over whether to investigate wage complaints and would toll civil statutes of limitation when a complaint is filed. The sponsor said it would better match agency resources, and testimony was entirely supportive. SB 5944 would require language access provider compensation bargaining to include missed or canceled appointments and make CBAs prevail over conflicting agency policies; the sponsor and union representatives said it would create consistency across agencies, with no opposition testimony. SB 6039 would modernize L&I communications by allowing electronic notices while preserving a non-electronic option; supporters called it a permissive modernization, while worker advocates warned email could be missed and could burden vulnerable workers, though L&I said the bill preserves choice and has no fiscal impact. Finally, the committee heard SB 6117, which would place workers and employers not covered by the NLRA under PERC jurisdiction if federal law no longer applies, with card-check and secret-ballot procedures and interest arbitration provisions. Supporters said it would create a state backstop if federal labor enforcement fails and protect workers’ organizing rights; opponents from agriculture, business, and small business groups warned it was too broad, could sweep in agriculture and small businesses, and could weaken secret-ballot protections and disrupt harvest operations. The sponsor closed by saying the bill is intended to create a clear framework where federal jurisdiction is absent. No votes or executive actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3974 is a piece of legislation that has come to my attention from a multitude of my counties
• A semi-truck coming from her left, be her 9 o'clock, runs a red light and takes the front end of her
• Having received a majority of the vote Having received a majority of the vote present, I declare the
• Having received a majority of the vote Having received a majority of the vote present, I declare the
• You, Chairman, colleagues, 3037 simply adds a group of people to the definition of employee in a government

Bills: HB3790 , HB2941 , HB2959 , HB3087 , HB3974 , HB3500 , HB3697 , HB3262 , HB3582 , HB4226 , HB3037 , HB4139 , HB4143 , HB4144 , HB2936 , HB3322 , HB4296 , HB3278 , HB4202 , HB4176 , HB3303 , HB3648 , HB4119

Committee: House Civil Judiciary

Keywords: home repairs, consumer protection, contracts, homeowner rights, rescission, fentanyl, overdose, first responders, drug reporting, immunity, controlled substances, penalties, school abuse reporting, child abuse, neglect, mandatory reporting, student safety, school employee misconduct, administrator reporting, superintendent

Transcript Highlights:

• We often times think about it in terms of...
• is out of control, it doesn't really matter how much... much you know about the science of reading,
• I remember she told me the first week of school, you don't touch any of the teachers. which I was kind
• She said don't touch any of the TEEX in the first week of school.
• that we kind of take for granted as something you know how to do.

Bills: HB6 , HB27 , HB 123 , HB210 , HB213 , HB222 , HB610 , HB 1085 , HB1481 , HB6 , HB27 , HB123 , HB210 , HB213 , HB222

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: mental health, telehealth, public schools, discipline management, behavioral interventions, financial literacy, high school education, curriculum requirements, economics, personal finance, HB 123, kindergarten readiness, early literacy, early numeracy, reading screening, math screening, foundational literacy, foundational numeracy, dyslexia screening, reading intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• to take care of it.
• We've been using zero-tolerance methods, right, of suspending, of expelling, of using J.J.A.P. keys for
• state could do in terms of taking care of the small number of kids that this bill. is aimed at, but
• to take care of that.
• do with the efficacy of the screening methods.

Bills: HB6 , HB27 , HB 123 , HB210 , HB213 , HB222 , HB610 , HB 1085 , HB1481 , HB6 , HB27 , HB123 , HB210 , HB213 , HB222

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: mental health, telehealth, public schools, discipline management, behavioral interventions, financial literacy, high school education, curriculum requirements, economics, personal finance, HB 123, kindergarten readiness, early literacy, early numeracy, reading screening, math screening, foundational literacy, foundational numeracy, dyslexia screening, reading intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• Expanded methods of take, which is inclusive of all these technologies, would still be permitted statewide
• These restrictions would not apply to individuals hunting wolves in designated expanded methods of take
• These restrictions would not apply to individuals hunting wolves in designated expanded methods of take
• Yet expanded methods of take have been eliminated in more than half of the state, including one of the
• any method utilized for the take of any wild canine in Idaho shall be available for the taking of wolves

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• of the unproven methods that we have seen being taught in our schools that just weren't working.
• It removes some of the unproven methods that we have seen being taught in our schools that just weren't
• What this bill does is it basically bans the method of teaching kids What this bill does is it basically
• bans the method of teaching kids by guessing as opposed to slowing down and looking at the letters of
• Want to take a fact sheet to look at the actual summary of the bill.

Summary: House and Senate leaders announced a compromise agreement on a literacy bill that both chambers had previously passed, saying the final version combines the strongest elements of each chamber’s proposal. The bill is framed as a response to persistent reading gaps, especially in third grade, and supporters said it is intended to strengthen literacy instruction for future students and address disparities affecting children of color and low-income students. The measure would require school districts to adopt K-3 reading curricula aligned with Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidelines and based on evidence-based literacy practices. It also provides free approved curriculum options for districts that need them, allows waivers for districts already using qualifying programs, adds student progress monitoring, supports dyslexia screening and public reporting of related data, and includes professional development and apprenticeship opportunities for teachers. Speakers said the bill effectively moves away from guessing-based reading instruction and toward phonics-based methods. Leaders thanked the House and Senate leadership, conferees, and staff for negotiating the compromise, and said the bill had already received unanimous votes in both chambers on the earlier versions. They said they expected unanimous support again when the conference report comes to the floor later in the week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second Session the submission of House Bill 309, a bill amending a special method valuation to include
• It does take any power out of the legislative body to be able to make these decisions, Mr.
• And so, taking that into account for future costs of replacement, future needs, this fund was created
• I'm just wondering why we chose to take this avenue instead of, like, in the capital outlay bill, for
• It also takes into account everything that we've already discussed about, you know, inflation, cost of

Bills: HB111 , HJR1 , HB61 , HB8 , HB30 , HB43 , HB156 , HJM2 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB70 , SB3 , HJM3

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• , is home to members of the Navajo Nation and the Pueblo of Zuni, and is the site of one of the largest
• City of Gallup and to the Board of County Commissioners of McKinley County.
• I proudly stand here and be able to take a moment of gratitude to show that our health care professionals
• I would like to also take this moment just to speak a little bit on behalf of my co-sponsor, Chair Patricia
• I would like to also take this moment just to speak a little bit on behalf of my co-sponsor, chair. just

Bills: HB95 , HB111 , HJR1 , HB32 , HB33 , HB61 , HJM2 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM3 , HM11 , HM14 , HM15 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB8 , HB30 , HB43 , HB156 , HM2 , HM16

Keywords: HB95, additional judgeship, district court, judicial district, First Judicial District, Second Judicial District, district judges, court administration, judicial staffing, caseload, access to justice, New Mexico courts, judiciary, judge vacancy, court backlog, state courts, water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order

Transcript Highlights:

• The methods of finance, if you would. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good afternoon, members.
• As the chair stated, the first items for your review today are the methods of finance.
• As the chair stated, the first items for your review today are the methods of finance.
• These are the methods of finance, Mr. Chair.
• Yet people can't take care of them at home, but they want to say, you know, y'all didn't take care of

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Transcript Highlights:

• It also removes some of the unproven methods that we have seen being taught in our schools that just
• It removes some of the unproven methods that we have seen being taught in our schools that just weren't
• What this bill does is it basically bans the method of teaching kids...
• What this bill does is it basically bans the method of teaching kids by guessing as opposed to slowing
• Want to take a fact sheet to look at the actual summary of the bill.

Summary: House and Senate leaders announced a conference committee agreement on a literacy bill that both chambers had previously passed, saying the compromise combines the strongest parts of each version. The speakers said the bill responds to poor third-grade reading outcomes and aims to improve early literacy instruction for the next generation of students, with implementation planned for the 2027-2028 school year. The bill would require K-3 reading curricula to meet Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidelines and be evidence-based, provide free approved curriculum options for districts that need them, and allow waivers for districts already using acceptable evidence-based programs. It also would remove unproven teaching methods, support student progress monitoring, require dyslexia screening, publish relevant data, and provide professional development and apprenticeship opportunities for teachers. One speaker described the measure as effectively ending guessing-based reading instruction and returning to phonics-focused teaching. The conferees said the bill was developed through weeks of negotiation and had unanimous votes in both chambers on the earlier versions. Senators Lewis and O'Connor, though absent, were said to support the compromise and would sign the conference report. The leaders said they expected strong support when the compromise bill comes to the House and Senate floors later in the week.