Video & Transcript Research : 'digital accessibility'
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MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 01/30/25
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:02:30.599>
rate commerce was seen double digit rate commerce was seen double digit rate - tax credits that people are accessing.
- <00:08:29.199>
to issues in our market so access to issues in our market so access to Federal - In the past, some of the money was taken care of through the health care access fund.
- taken care of all the healthcare access taken care of all the healthcare access fund fund fund which
Summary:
The committee heard a reinsurance overview from Deputy Commissioner Julia Dryer of the Minnesota Department of Commerce on the Minnesota Premium Security Plan. She explained that reinsurance helps stabilize premiums in the individual market by reimbursing insurers for high-cost claims, and said Minnesota’s program has lowered premiums, preserved carrier participation, and helped maintain consumer choice. She warned that without continued funding, the program would be depleted and individual-market premiums could rise by about 25%, with potential losses in coverage and access to care. She also described the program’s structure under a federal 1332 waiver, the role of MCHA in administering the program, and the state’s receipt of more than $650 million in federal pass-through funds to date.
Dryer said the current program is funded through the end of 2025, though the federal waiver authority runs through 2027. The governor’s proposal would create a new assessment on insurers, estimated at roughly 2% to 3%, to fund the state share of the program and avoid another full waiver submission. She noted that the proposal assumes MinnesotaCare funding would be held harmless and that the program would be reduced if federal basic health plan funding were negatively affected. She also said projected costs changed because individual-market enrollment has grown and enhanced federal subsidies were removed from the estimate.
Members raised concerns about the proposal’s impact on premiums and the history of the fund. Senator Rasmusson argued the new assessment amounts to a large tax increase on health insurance and questioned who would be assessed and whether the surcharge would be capped. Dryer responded that the assessment would be based on annual claims experience and market conditions, with final amounts determined at the end of each year, not monthly. Senator Duckworth and Senator Frentz supported reinsurance as a way to keep premiums lower, while also questioning how the program should be financed. Senator Green asked about the mechanics of the assessment and the role of the department in setting it, and Senator H questioned why the fiscal note assumed 12% annual growth for program costs when general premium growth was lower. No vote or formal action was taken in the meeting.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, April 28, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- access and to finally<04:26:31.279>
close <04:26:31.920>the <04:26:32.159>digital - It's not just internet access.
- > enhance<07:17:37.120>
the improve accessibility and enhance the improve accessibility and - Every American deserves to have access Every American deserves to have access to<07:43:24.360>
country, healthc care, more accessible country, healthc care, more accessible and<07:47:45.000><
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board (7-30-25) - Reupload
Transcript Highlights:
- This is to rethink how we can make sure that rural health care has access to high-quality, accessible
- This is to rethink how we can make sure that rural health care has access to high-quality, accessible
- <00:56:59.280>
to way to ensure that there is access to way to ensure that there is access - It allows Kentucky Medicaid to access It allows Kentucky Medicaid to access additional<01:05:09.039
- That would mean less access to vital treatments, less access to care in general. >> [snorts] Sadly, there
Keywords:
00:00:22 - Call to Order and Roll Call
00:03:00 – Approval of June 25, 2025 Minutes
00:03:22 - Update on Federal Changes to the Medicaid Program
01:03:44 - State Directed Payments, Provider Taxes, and the Rural Health Transformation Fund: How Medicaid Changes Could Impact Kentucky
Hospitals
01:29:42 – Public Comments
01:45:25 – Announcements
01:46:19 - Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on July 30, 2025, approved the June 25 minutes, and received a presentation from Katherine Castanza of the National Conference of State Legislatures on Medicaid provisions in H.R. 1. The presentation outlined more than 20 Medicaid-related provisions, emphasizing that the largest federal savings come from work/community engagement requirements, changes to provider taxes, limits on state-directed payments, more frequent eligibility redeterminations for expansion populations, and related eligibility/enrollment changes. She said the fiscal effects are backloaded, with most reductions occurring in the later years of the 10-year window, and noted potential significant impacts on hospital payments and state financing. She also described new funding opportunities, including a $50 billion rural health transformation fund and a new home and community-based services waiver with associated grants.
A substantial portion of the discussion focused on Kentucky’s pending community engagement 1115 waiver and how it would interact with the new federal requirements. Board members asked whether the waiver had been approved, what the cabinet’s contingency plan would be if CMS does not approve it, and what the timeline is for compliance. Cabinet representatives said the waiver has not yet been approved by CMS, remains under public comment, and that the state will wait for CMS guidance before moving forward; if needed, the state would amend the waiver or submit a new one. They said the work requirement must be in place by January 1, 2027, with a possible extension to 2028.
Castanza also explained that expansion adults with incomes between 100% and 138% of the federal poverty level would face new cost-sharing requirements beginning October 1, 2028, and that eligibility redeterminations would move from annual to every six months starting January 1, 2027. She then walked through provider tax changes, including a moratorium on new provider taxes beginning October 1, 2026, and a phased reduction in the hold-harmless threshold for existing taxes beginning January 1, 2028, with exemptions for nursing facilities and ICF/IID providers. Board members questioned the timing and likely impact on Kentucky, and Castanza responded that the effect would depend on each tax’s current rate and would phase in over time.
VA
Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Virginia Commission for the Arts Board Meeting Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So, GIS accessibility application question data.
- Regarding accessibility leadership... ...Regarding accessibility leadership, 62 organizations have designated
- We have built a digital toolkit that is free and online.
- Overall, accessibility was narrow and underwhelming.
- LaRivier to look at how we can now access that interest.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, July 16, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- They've created these digital tracks.
- <00:52:07.359>
Recognizing access to those services. - Recognizing access to those services.
- In for those without internet access.
- Speaker, the access to lawyers. Mr.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Through strategic partnerships, education, and innovation, we are closing the gap in healthcare access
- HB 1597 by Guillen, relating to the access and use of certain criminal history record information, is
- The quality and accessibility of care for certain Medicaid recipients is referred to the Committee on
- Access program.
- Access to child care and providing paid parental leave for the Subcommittee on Workforce.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance May 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Some of our campuses are seeing double-digit growth there.
- Our college CEOs never want to be in the position where they have to ration access.
- That really gets back to what we saw in the Great Recession, which was a restriction of access, right
- We want to continue to try to expand access versus restrict any types of programming on our campuses.
- However, her private attorney did not want to transfer her case file over, and the delayed access to
Summary:
The committee first took up the May Revision update on Proposition 98 and the school rainy-day fund. The Department of Finance said the minimum guarantee rises by $6.4 billion over the Governor’s Budget across the three-year window, with lower average daily attendance projections offsetting some of the revenue gains. Finance also described a reduced $3.9 billion settle-up proposal, increased deposits into the Public School System Stabilization Account, and an ending reserve balance of about $10.3 billion. The LAO said the revenue and LCFF adjustments were reasonable, but urged the Legislature to be cautious about delaying settle-up payments and to consider more budget resiliency, including larger cushions or other tools to protect ongoing programs.
Members then questioned the administration and LAO about the size of the settle-up, the rationale for the reserve deposit, declining enrollment, and how lower attendance is creating savings that can be redirected to other school priorities. The LAO said the May Revision’s mix of one-time and ongoing spending was generally reasonable but recommended keeping a strong cushion and considering alternatives such as advance payments or pension-related savings. Questions also focused on how the May Revision’s funding mix affects districts if revenues weaken, and on the treatment of special education, discretionary block grants, and paid family leave costs for LEAs and community colleges.
The committee next heard the community colleges portion of the budget. Finance described a higher SCFF COLA, increased apportionment costs, a student support block grant, deferred maintenance, Common Cloud, Calbright, credit for prior learning, and a one-time adult learner demonstration project. The Chancellor’s Office supported the core investments but asked for more funding for enrollment growth, changes to the SCFF growth formula, and a COLA for Student Equity and Achievement. The LAO recommended funding the statutory COLA increase, noted a $52 million current-year apportionment shortfall not yet included in the May Revision, and suggested the Legislature could instead direct some funds to enrollment growth, categorical COLAs, or one-time uses. Members also clarified how COLA and hold-harmless rules apply to different community college districts.
Finally, the committee reviewed the proposed state implementation of the federal Workforce Pell program. Finance proposed one-time funding for the Student Aid Commission and Cradle to Career data work, plus trailer bill changes to set up state approval of eligible programs. CSAC said the program is promising but highly complex, with new federal rules just released and significant data, regulatory, and systems work still needed; it said the state will not be ready by July 1 and that ongoing funding will likely be necessary. The LAO agreed that implementation will require careful trailer bill language and noted that ongoing administrative costs remain unresolved. Members asked about other states’ approaches and the practical effect on short-term workforce programs in California.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Banking and Insurance (10-14-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- /c><00:13:32.560>
in <00:13:32.800>the <00:13:32.959>double <00:13:33.279>digits - we're up in the double digits. we're up in the double digits.
- I think that would be my goal while I am commissioner, would be to jump up to those triple digits again
- there was a huge increase in the internet payday investigations. >> That number went from a single-digit
- So we just ask that we access otherwise.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:15
Department of Insurance Update 00:01:39
Department of Financial Institutions Update 00:37:07
Insurance Industry Update 00:54:50
Credit Union Industry Update 01:10:53, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum, approved the September 16 minutes, and then received an update from Insurance Commissioner Sharon Clark and staff on the Department of Insurance. Clark reviewed department activity, including growth in premium volume and licensing, consumer complaints and recoveries, and a rise in fraud referrals. She said the department has 66 open fraud cases and described common schemes such as staged auto accidents, inflated repair or cleanup charges, and roofing scams. She also said the department’s investigators often prepare strong cases but face reluctance from local prosecutors, especially in Fayette and Jefferson counties, to pursue them.
Clark reported favorable workers’ compensation news, saying rates will decrease 9.7% next year for the 20th straight year. She contrasted that with a difficult property insurance market driven by storms, reinsurance costs, inflation, labor shortages, and litigation, but said Kentucky’s market remains relatively stable, citing the Kentucky Fair Plan’s small number of policies. She then warned of significant 2026 health insurance premium increases on the exchange: 16.1% for Molina, 23% for Anthem, and 37% for WCare, after CareSource withdrew. She said the rates were reviewed by actuaries and found fair, but that the biggest pressure point is the scheduled expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, which she said could leave about 90% of exchange enrollees facing a compounded increase.
Members questioned Clark about fraud prosecution, the number of people in commercial versus public coverage, and the impact of expiring subsidies. Clark said the prosecution issue is mainly with Commonwealth attorneys and that rural counties are more cooperative than urban ones. She also said the health market is individually rated and that older enrollees would be hit harder, while the loss of tax credits could push some people out of the marketplace. One member asked about the attorney general’s recent opinion on SB 188, the PBM bill; staff said attorneys were still reviewing it. Clark closed by noting that Kentucky’s fraud and towing/storage legislation has become a model for other states.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Some people don't even have internet access.
- County and improve health outcomes and access.
- These funds can support secure data exchange, EHR adoption, and digital access for patients.
- They need to have access to medical care.
- Ensuring all families have access to information about perinatal palliative care. in increasing access
Bills:
HB5141, HB4638, HB2264, HB2035, HB4813, HB4408, HB2684, HB1621, HB2300, HB216, HB3829, HB4466, HB1747, HB2284, HB3614, HB2587, HB3219, HB3318, HB5147, HB4014, HB216
Keywords:
lease, state property, public purpose, Travis County, Health and Human Services, pharmaceutical initiative, drug distribution, healthcare services, generic drugs, advanced pharmaceuticals, cost savings, mental health, patient discharge, medical records, health care professionals, substance use, family involvement, chemical dependency, treatment facilities, minor admissions
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Oversight Committee (05/29/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- are supposed to people that have access are supposed to have<00:33:50.800>
access, have access - got access to data.
- Access to treatment is a risk factor.
- Access to treatment is a risk factor.
- are getting access to those resources. are getting access to those resources.
Summary:
The committee met on May 29 and approved the draft minutes. DHHS Commissioner Weaver then opened the department update by asking Medicaid Director Henry Litman to brief members on federal and state Medicaid changes, and later turned to DHHS Chief Operating Officer David Weathers for an update on data governance. Members also asked that acronyms be spelled out in future materials and requested a follow-up on the federal Medicaid rule once it is published.
Litman reviewed several federal Medicaid provisions tied to HR 1/"OBBA" and related state implementation issues. He said the first major change would be restrictions on certain non-citizens’ Medicaid coverage, affecting about 400 people in New Hampshire, with notices likely 30 to 60 days before the effective date. He also discussed new work requirements/community engagement rules, saying New Hampshire is on track to implement them and will likely need a state plan amendment rather than an 1115 waiver. Other changes included shorter retroactive coverage periods, a new state option for certain community-based services with an estimated $740,000 in implementation support, a freeze and phased-down reduction in the Medicaid enhancement tax beginning in state fiscal year 2029, and limits on directed payments to hospitals after a grandfathering period. He also noted that Medicaid enrollment has fallen from pandemic-era levels, with about 167,000 people covered as of May 1, and that the department is working with CMS on child premiums and other cost-sharing changes approved in HB 2.
Committee members asked how the department could plan for the 2029 changes given the number of elections before then, and Litman said federal rules may be adjusted over time as states and stakeholders raise concerns. He emphasized planning for the worst while hoping for the best, and said rural health care transformation funding would help the state prepare. In the second presentation, Weathers explained that data governance is now embedded in DHHS operations to control access, manage reporting, and respond to risk. He defined it as managing what data is collected, how it is used, who can access it, and what laws apply, and said DHHS has moved from governance as a committee to governance as an operational process. He described privacy impact assessments for new systems going into production, monthly privacy and security training, and ongoing review of access controls and data-sharing rules.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- And most importantly, it speeds up access to essential care.
- health care, also known as Chapter 58 here in Massachusetts, our member surveys have shown double-digit
- a child with type 1 diabetes to speak in support of H. 1212, an act relative to emergency insulin access
- They have access, so if anything happens, they're able to support her there. Got it.
- I have personally faced situations where access to insulin was suddenly cut off.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a hearing with Chair Jamie Murphy and Senate co-chair Senator Feeney presiding. Members asked witnesses to keep testimony to three minutes and noted that written testimony could still be submitted. The committee heard testimony on several health insurance and pharmacy-related bills, including a proposal to allow controlled prescriptions to be transferred between pharmacies within the same chain, legislation affecting health savings account (HSA)-compatible plans and future insurance mandates, a bill on small business health insurance incentives, and H. 1212 on emergency insulin access.
Several parents and patients testified in support of emergency insulin access, describing severe diabetes emergencies, diabetic ketoacidosis, prescription delays, and the need for pharmacists to dispense insulin in urgent situations when doctors or insurers are unavailable. A parent also described the burden of repeatedly obtaining new prescriptions for ADHD medication when pharmacies are out of stock. Witnesses supporting the HSA bill argued that state coverage mandates can unintentionally disqualify HSA-qualified plans and that the bill would preserve tax advantages for enrollees while avoiding repeated legislative fixes. A representative of the Retailers Association supported the small business health insurance incentives bill, saying it could help retain small employers in the merged market by allowing carriers to offer financial incentives tied to cooperative purchasing and utilization efforts.
One witness, Kathleen Demarest, testified against a co-pay assistance restriction, saying a state rule had unexpectedly cut off her drug assistance before a generic was actually available, leaving her with very high out-of-pocket costs. Committee members asked a few clarifying questions about HSAs, insulin dispensing, and school support for diabetes care. After all scheduled witnesses had testified and no additional testimony was offered, the committee voted to close the hearing.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Joint ARPA Oversight Committee Apr 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- When complete, the network will provide improved access to unserved areas of the last mile projects..
- The Alabama Digital Expansion Authority approved the AIM program to utilize the available program.
- Estimated route miles is 4,762, with estimated anchor institutes having access of 97.
- So, internet access is crucial, and being able to... internet access is very important.
- I know over the last three years the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- <02:14:39.040>
to constituents not to have access to constituents not to have access to housing - <02:31:55.760>
to these organizations having access to these organizations having access to - Yes. >> Hand up that pink card. access to basic information access to basic information and<02:38:45.200
- It means knowingly access to care.
- or less because if they do it digitally or less because if they do it digitally and<03:31:40.239
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- c> testimony written testimony written testimony on<00:10:00.200>
the <00:10:00.399>digital - side there was a mixup so on the digital side there was a mixup so I<00:10:02.600>
stand <00:10 - design process, they can tell us exactly what is constructible, what's not, what areas we need an access
- design process, they can tell us exactly what is constructible, what's not, what areas we need an access
- road what areas we need need an access road what areas we need false<00:21:34.880>
work <00:21
Summary:
The committee took up House Bill 422, relating to school impact fees. The Education Committee recommended passage with amendments, and Ways and Means concurred. The amendments would repeal the construction fee component of the school impact fee while retaining the land impact fee and in-lieu fee requirements, remove related statutory language, exempt certain developments from school impact fees, raise the unit threshold for satisfying the land component to 100 units, require the School Facilities Authority to adopt rules and policies, and require a report to the Legislature on the effect of repealing the construction portion of the fee. The measure was also given a sunset date of June 30, 2029, with the committee report to note that the changes are intended to test the efficiency and efficacy of the fee structure and could be made permanent if the report supports that outcome. The committees adopted the recommendation, with one senator initially voting no and then changing to yes after the amendments were explained.
The meeting also included a separate hearing on House Bill 1155, concerning procurement for Department of Transportation projects and construction manager/general contractor procurement. DOT testified that it supported the concept but wanted to narrow the bill, saying the current language was too broad and that the goal was to allow more innovative procurement while preserving selection safeguards. The State Procurement Office said it supported the bill’s language but was willing to work with DOT on alternative wording. Several construction-related organizations, including subcontractors, iron workers, elevator constructors, and building trades representatives, opposed the bill, arguing that exemptions from the procurement code would weaken protections such as retainage, equality, and prompt payment and could invite favoritism or corruption. In response to those concerns, the chair proposed amendments limiting the exemption to DOT, narrowing the qualifying contracts, adding a two-year sunset, requiring a report after the first year, and clarifying that project management could not be procured under the section. The amended recommendation passed, though several members voted with reservations.
A separate item, House Bill 476, was briefly called up at the end of the agenda, with a recommendation to pass with amendments to increase a rate from 7.25% to 8%, but discussion was not completed in the portion of the transcript provided.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We allowed digital notice in an area where.
- there is no written newspaper, but there was a written newspaper, but now they have an online, uh, access
- However, this information is easily accessible on the internet and in person.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education Mar 24th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- AND CLASSROOM REQUIREMENTS AND DEFINES EXCLUSIVE ZONE AND THE NONEXCLUSIVE ZONES AND LIMITS LOCKED ACCESS
- REQUIRES THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A CENTRALIZED SYSTEM THAT INTEGRATES DIGITAL
- RECEIVE AND PROCESS ALERTS FROM THE DEPARTMENT APPROVED PANIC ALERT SYSTEMS AND STORE AND PROVIDE ACCESS
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The fact that AI can create a digital replica of an artist's voice or image is a really scary proposition
- It acknowledges a digital, uh, replication right. It's an exclusive right.
- member studios have worked very hard to earn our reputation as responsible users of the kinds of digital
- feedback to address the Nuances and complexities that online services have to consider in managing digital
- Digital replicas and to remove them can vary greatly depending on several factors, including many cases
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Ethics and Elections Jan 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- relating to critical infrastructure if it would give foreign countries of concern and their subdivisions access
- The ability to bed in our critical infrastructure provides the CCP with tremendous access to data, but
- will oversee state practices related to AI and other new advanced technologies, including promoting digital
- Moreover, they identified additional functionality that could enable backdoor access to any network to
- Moreover, they identified additional functionality that could enable backdoor access to any network to
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 1178, the Foreign Interference Restriction and Enforcement Act. Senator Grohl explained that the bill expands state restrictions and disclosure requirements related to foreign countries of concern and designated foreign terrorist organizations, including foreign-agent registration, gift bans for public officials, ethics training, procurement limits for IT and critical infrastructure, restrictions on sister-city/sister-state affiliations, changes to linkage institutes and in-state tuition provisions, and new criminal penalties for certain offenses committed to benefit foreign governments or terrorist organizations. Senator Polsky raised questions about higher education, election technology, federal FARA overlap, and whether the bill would affect candidates or events involving CARE; the sponsor responded that the bill focuses on foreign countries of concern, ownership/control, and gifts, and does not prohibit speaking at events. An amendment clarifying definitions, willful violations, and ethics-training content was adopted, and after supportive testimony from Kelly Curry and Robert Pierce, the committee reported CS for SB 1178 favorably.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 1622, which provides a one-time waiver of the automatic fine for a late-filed financial disclosure if the filing is made before the maximum fine accrues and the filer has not previously received such a waiver or accrued the maximum fine in prior years. Carrie Stillman of the Commission on Ethics testified that the bill supports transparency and makes the fine and appeals process more efficient, noting it was a commission recommendation. The bill was reported favorably.
Finally, the committee held confirmation hearings on appointments in Tabs 3 through 26. No senator requested separate votes on any appointee, no public testimony was offered, and the block of appointments was approved and recommended favorably to the full Senate.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 3/4/25
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- government and to sue for Access government and to sue for Access violations<01:05:05.400>
so - accessibility policy.
- He said there are two parts: transparency and digital accessibility.
- He said there are two parts: transparency and digital accessibility.
- He said there are two parts: transparency and digital accessibility.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Mar 10th, 2025
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- In 2021, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department was authorized to implement a system of digital tagging
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department currently offers digital tagging for harvested deer, turkey, and
- In August 2025, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission is expected to take action to expand digital
- Currently, harvest data and location data collected through digital tagging include pinpoint latitude
- If people feel their data is not protected, they may stop using the digital tagging system or provide
Keywords:
water rights, treaty compliance, Rio Grande, agriculture, drought, international water, Texas water supply, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, TPWD, harvest reports, wildlife harvest data, public information act, open records, confidentiality, hunter privacy, angler data, game animals, game birds, fur-bearing animals, nongame animals
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met without a quorum at first, then later established quorum and proceeded with testimony and votes. Senate Bill 1248, by Chair Perry, was explained as a narrow Open Records Act exception to protect harvest report location data collected through Texas Parks and Wildlife’s digital tagging system. Support testimony came from Matt Wagner of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, who said the bill would protect private land and sensitive biological information while preserving useful wildlife data. No one testified against the bill, and it was left pending until later in the meeting.
The committee then heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 13, which urges the State Department and the International Boundary and Water Commission to press Mexico to comply with the 1944 Water Treaty and deliver its share of Rio Grande water. Senator Hinojosa, farmers, municipal officials, and other witnesses described severe water shortages in South Texas, low reservoir levels, crop losses, the closure of the Valley sugar industry, and the need for alternative supplies such as desalination, reuse, and drainage-runoff projects. Members also discussed treaty enforcement, regional drought, and the role of cartels and Mexican water storage, while emphasizing that Texas must also invest in its own water infrastructure.
The committee also considered Senate Bill 740, which the committee substitute amended to require the Public Utility Commission to adopt a standardized application form for system improvement charges and complete related rulemaking by September 1, 2026, applying only to applications filed on or after that date. Members discussed concerns about water wholesalers using the process to delay cases and drive up costs, and the need for more transparency and PUC resources. The committee voted to adopt the substitute and report SB 740 favorably. After returning to the earlier items, the committee voted SB 1248 out favorably and recommended it for the local and uncontested calendar, and voted SCR 13 out favorably as well. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.