Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your testimony. Next, Mr.
• Thank you very much for your testimony.
• And then get that testimony. Sure. Let's go ahead and do that.
• Thank you for your testimony. Next up, I believe Mr. Lurie. Go ahead.
• But I want to iterate to you too that I appreciate Your testimony.

Bills: HF647, HF2824, HF1249, HF623, HF820

Keywords: water appropriation, aquifer management, potable water, water conservation, environmental policy, fishing regulation, angling, sustainability, biodiversity, game fish, Carley State Park, Minnesota state parks, state lands, park boundary expansion, Wabasha County, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, public lands, land acquisition, park addition

Transcript Highlights:

• Keevi, thank you for your testimony.
• Obviously, that goes to the testimony by Mr. Kibi about how the Gulf states... The testimony by Mr.
• Your testimony has been very helpful.
• Clayton, thank you for the testimony.
• Clayton, for the testimony.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you are not finished with your testimony, then I'll gently remind you to wrap up your testimony at
• proceed with your testimony. proceed with your testimony. >> Thank<00:34:59.120> you.
• >> Thank you for sharing your testimony. >> Thank you for sharing your testimony.
• You've heard in other testimony support.
• Let me scoot down closer to this microphone. testimony. Um we have testimony.

Bills: HF3415

Keywords: child care, day care, licensed child care center, license-exempt child care, immigration enforcement, ICE, Customs and Border Protection, CBP, USCIS, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, judicial warrant, facility access, sensitive locations, immigrant families, Minnesota Statutes chapter 142B, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:42.640> to would ask you to keep your testimony to would ask you to keep your testimony
• Okay, seeing none, public testimony is now closed.
• Um, and I mean I think we heard, you know, testimony from Ms.
• guess I heard in some of the testimony guess I heard in some of the testimony that<00:41:29.160>
• Public testimony is closed. I open up to questions from members. Public testimony is closed.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 276 um I've circulated some testimony formal<00:06:40.840> testimony<00:06:41.840> but
• You can submit it, but then just use your testimony to summarize your testimony.
• then just use your testimony to then just use your testimony to summarize<00:16:21.319> your<
• > to summarize your testimony we're going to summarize your testimony we're going to read<00:16
• you um you received my written testimony you um you received my written testimony my<00:16:36.880

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, at this time we'll open up public testimony on Senate Bill 2926.
• Hearing none, the testimony is now closed. Senate Bill 2926 will be left pending.
• Hearing none, public testimony is now closed. It will be left pending.
• Not seeing any at this time, the chair opens up public testimony on Senate Bill 2543.
• Hearing none, public testimony is now closed.

Bills: SB2007, SB2104, SB2543, SB2545, SB2926, SB2938

Keywords: military status, vehicle registration, veterans, Texas transportation, state records, discrimination, employment rights, spouses of service members, labor code, SB 2543, Texas veterans cemeteries, state veterans cemetery, Texas Veterans Commission, Veterans Land Board, Natural Resources Code, veterans land fund, veterans housing assistance fund, veterans burial, burial eligibility, cemetery location

Summary: The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs heard several bills focused on veterans’ mental health, criminal justice coordination, cemetery expansion, housing, vehicle registration, and anti-discrimination protections. SB 2926 would transfer administration of veterans’ mental health initiatives from HHSC to the Texas Veterans Commission, create a community-based mental health grant program, require a statewide veteran suicide prevention action plan, and add annual reporting requirements. SB 2938 would require county jails to verify and report veteran status at intake, help veteran inmates apply for federal benefits, and provide access to county veteran services and free visitation with service coordinators. Both bills were described as joint or practical efforts to improve coordination and service delivery for veterans, and both were left pending after no public testimony was offered. The committee also heard SB 2543, which would give more flexibility to expand the Texas veterans cemetery system, and SB 2545, which would explore using manufactured homes as another affordable housing option for veterans through the Veterans Land Board. SB 2545 drew questions about how manufactured-home loans would work; a Texas Veterans Land Board witness said implementation would likely require closing at a title company rather than through a retail bill of sale, and the Texas Manufactured Housing Association testified in support. Both cemetery and housing bills were left pending. Members then heard SB 2007, which would let vehicle registration applicants voluntarily designate military status so the DMV could record it and help with benefits and towing/impound issues involving deployed service members. Witnesses from the towing industry and DMV supported the bill, saying the current system lacks enough identifying information to run military-status checks and that the indicator could help prevent vehicles from being sold while owners are deployed. SB 2104 would add military status as a protected class under state anti-discrimination laws for employment, housing, and utilities; the author said it would address ongoing discrimination against service members, veterans, and military families. The Texas VFW supported the bill, citing the Leroy Torres case as an example of why additional state protections are needed. After discussion about overlap with federal law and existing state protections, SB 2104 was also left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any other public testimony online, Pierre? Any other public testimony in the room?
• Is there any other public testimony Is there any other public testimony online<00:21:37.360>
• <00:31:54.960> um have been here might recall testimony um have been here might recall testimony
• Any other testimony before I take public testimony, any other agency or association testimony on this
• or association testimony on this bill? or association testimony on this bill?

Bills: HB0008, HB0009, HB0028

Keywords: stalking, minors, felony, protection orders, criminal penalties, grooming, sexual offenses, child protection, sexual exploitation, law amendment, explicit conduct, sex crimes, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I will be giving testimony from the chair.
• Thank you for hearing my testimony.
• And before we actually take testimony, we're going to adopt a couple subs.
• There are S-1 substitutes to consider for all three bills before we begin testimony.
• So I will welcome the chair back up and thank you for your testimony. Thank you.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection met with a quorum, adopted the June 17 minutes, and took testimony on several bills. Senate Bill 1053, sponsored by Chair Kavanaugh, would raise the acreage cap for neighborhood enterprise zones from 15% to 20% for certain zones. Supporters from Invest Detroit and the City of Detroit said the change would help make housing and redevelopment projects viable, especially in high-tax areas like Detroit, and the bill was reported to the floor on a 6-2 vote. The committee also heard Senate Bill 988, sponsored by Senator Santana, which would extend from 30 to 35 days the deadline to appeal a denied poverty exemption to the Michigan Tax Tribunal. The sponsor and Detroit’s property assessment director described it as a technical alignment with the Tax Tribunal Act and a correction to conflicting timelines; the bill drew support from the Michigan Poverty Law Program, the Michigan Chamber, and the Tax Tribunal, and was reported unanimously. The committee then adopted S-1 substitutes for Senate Bills 1041, 1042, and 1043, the price-gouging package sponsored by Senators Moss, Chang, and Kavanaugh. Sponsors of the price-gouging bills said the package would strengthen Michigan’s emergency price-gouging protections by defining excessive increases during declared emergencies, covering lodging, essential goods and services, and energy products, and giving the Attorney General clearer enforcement tools. Supporters included the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association and the Attorney General’s office, while the Michigan Chamber, Mackinac Center, and NFIB opposed the package. Despite the opposition, all three bills were reported to the floor on 5-3 votes. The meeting adjourned after all reported bills were approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• No further questions, we'll proceed to public testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. Thank you.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• Okay, if no further questions, we proceed to testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony.

Bills: SB840, HB2025, HB2512, HB3139, HB3798, HB3892, HB4373, HB4398, HB4582, HB4689, HB5187, HB5658, HB5666

Keywords: HB 2025, Texas Property Code, plat filing, replat, amended plat, condominium plat, subdivision, county clerk, tax certificate, ad valorem taxes, delinquent taxes, property records, real property, land use, local government, property development, subdivision recording, condominium recording, tax receipt, eminent domain

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, this time we'll open up public testimony on Senate Bill 2926.
• At this time, the Chair opens up public testimony on Senate Bill 2543.
• Testimony. Thank you.
• Testimony on Senate Bill 2104. I have Mitch Fuller registered.
• The testimony is now closed. Senate Bill 2104 will be left pending.

Bills: SB2007, SB2104, SB2543, SB2545, SB2926, SB2938

Keywords: military status, vehicle registration, veterans, Texas transportation, state records, discrimination, employment rights, spouses of service members, labor code, SB 2543, Texas veterans cemeteries, state veterans cemetery, Texas Veterans Commission, Veterans Land Board, Natural Resources Code, veterans land fund, veterans housing assistance fund, veterans burial, burial eligibility, cemetery location

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to certainly listen to the testimony, certainly from Tanya and Director Martin.
• I'm certainly value your testimony and your questions, Mr. Chairman, as we talked this morning.
• Thank you for being here and your testimony. Thank y'all.
• If not, the Chair closes invited testimony and opens public testimony. is, you know, stop buying the
• If not, the chair closes invited testimony and There is no one signed up for public testimony.

Bills: SB36, SB2202

Keywords: homeland security, border security, critical infrastructure, Department of Public Safety, intelligence operations, public-private partnerships, SB 2202, firearm trafficking, gun trafficking, terrorism, foreign terrorist organization, Texas-Mexico border, United Mexican States, Mexico, DPS, second-degree felony, weapons transfer, illegal firearms transfer, arms smuggling, cross-border crime

Summary: The Senate Committee on Border Security heard Senator Birdwell present SB 2202, which would create a state offense for knowingly transferring a firearm for profit or other remuneration to a member of a foreign terrorist organization. Birdwell argued the bill responds to cartel violence and southbound gun trafficking, and he explained a committee substitute that removed an exemption for federally licensed gun dealers and removed a requirement that DPS coordinate with Mexican law enforcement. He said the goal was to give Texas a state-level tool if federal enforcement is lacking. Invited testimony came from DPS Colonel Freeman Martin and border prosecution unit chair Tanya Ash. Both said the bill could be useful in some organized-crime and cartel cases, but they emphasized that proving a defendant knowingly transferred a gun to a foreign terrorist organization would be difficult and would usually require strong direct or circumstantial evidence, such as recorded statements, informants, or coordinated investigations. They said the measure would be more workable in complex cartel cases than in routine patrol stops, and they noted existing state and federal tools already address straw purchases, firearms trafficking, and related offenses. Members also discussed tracing seized firearms, cooperation with ATF, and the limits of state jurisdiction over international issues. No public testimony was offered, and SB 2202 was left pending. The committee then took up SB 36 as pending business. A committee substitute was adopted without objection, and the substitute bill was reported favorably to the full Senate by a 4-0 vote, with Senators Birdwell, Flores, Hinojosa of Hidalgo, Eckhardt, and Hinojosa of Nueces participating. The committee also accepted a motion in writing and ordered the bill recommended for local and uncontested calendar placement. The chair then announced the committee would recess subject to call.

Transcript Highlights:

• For all testifiers, including those on Zoom, we ask that you stand on your written testimony.
• If your oral testimony is different from your written testimony, the time limit for each testifier will
• If time permits, decision-making will occur after we hear from those offering testimonies.
• And we have absolutely no testimony. So, we will—what should we go to, decision-making?
• First off, we have is Burns testimony.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Public Safety and Military Affairs and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs met on March 28, 2025, to hear testimony on SCR 24, with a proposed SD1 that would also change the title to urge the U.S. Department of Defense to keep all references to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team on its public website. Testimony was unanimously in support from veterans’ groups, civil rights organizations, and individual supporters, including Nisei Veterans Legacy, the Daniel K. Inouye Institute, the Hawaii Military Affairs Council, the Hawaii Coalition for Civil Rights, and the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans Club. A senator also voiced strong support, saying the resolution addressed fairness and recognition of nonwhite service members. The committee then discussed STR 96 and SR 79, which urge Maui County, the Maui Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Transportation, and the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to develop and implement an evacuation route signage program for Maui. There was no testimony on these measures. Members indicated that, consistent with committee practice, the measures would be deferred because of the lack of testimony. For SCR 24, the committee recommended passage with amendments, adopting the proposed SD1 and adding references to the 100th Infantry Battalion after each mention of the 442nd. The committee then took votes and adopted the recommendation. For STR 96 and SR 79, the committees deferred decision-making, with the Public Safety and Military Affairs committee agreeing to the deferral.

Transcript Highlights:

• OKAY, PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON THIS AMENDMENT? ANY PUBLIC TESTIMONY? IS THERE DEBATE ON THIS AMENDMENT?
• WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC TESTIMONY. SENATOR, DO YOU WISH TO SAY SOMETHING?
• PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON THE AMENDMENT? PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON THE AMENDMENT? ANY DEBATE ON THE AMENDMENT?
• IS THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC TESTIMONY? . THANK YOU VERY MUCH MA'AM. YOU HEARD THE PUBLIC TESTIMONY.
• WAIT DO WE HAVE FOR THE PUBLIC TESTIMONY?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• your testimony. your testimony.
• . testimony. testimony.
• Begin your<00:36:06.160> testimony.
• your testimony. Thank you, Mr. Chair. your testimony. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• <00:36:14.720> by humor as I started my testimony by humor as I started my testimony by saying

Bills: HF1532, HF1290, HF2231, HF2013

Keywords: eminent domain, reimbursement, property acquisition, appraisal, landowner rights, HF1290, AED, automatic external defibrillator, defibrillator signage, wayfinding signs, roadside signs, directional signage, public access AED, emergency medical response, cardiac arrest, sudden cardiac arrest, public safety, Minnesota Department of Transportation, road authority, transportation law

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Agriculture Biosecurity stands on its written testimony, offering comments on this
• The Hawaii Farm Bureau will stand on its written testimony, providing comments. >> Thank you, Brian.
• My organization will stand on our written testimony and strong support. >> Did I pronounce your name
• and<00:01:58.560> strong our written testimony and strong our written testimony and strong
• to note the opposing testimony to note the opposing testimony expressing<00:03:18.080> concern

Bills: SB2373, SB2101, SB2905, SB3231, SB2486, SB2376

Keywords: carbon sequestration, marine ecosystem, climate change, renewable energy, biodiversity, nature-based solutions, organic waste, solid waste, waste diversion, composting, bioconversion, recycling, food waste, green waste, food-soiled paper, wood waste, landfill diversion, waste reduction, waste management, county solid waste plan

Summary: The committee heard SB 2006, which would clarify that a farm dwelling permit in an agricultural district may include a single-family farm dwelling with an accessory employee housing structure, subject to restrictions. Testimony was largely supportive, with comments from the Department of Agriculture Biosecurity, DPP, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Realtors, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Hawaii Farmers Union, Housing Hawaii Future, and several individuals. The chair noted there were nine in support, two opposed, and four offering comments. In decision-making, the chair recommended passing the bill with OPSD-suggested amendments to clarify the definitions of farm employee housing and bona fide agricultural services. The chair also referenced opposing testimony that raised concern the original draft could limit tourism activities that provide supplemental income for bona fide farming operations. The proposed amendments were intended to make clear that farm employee housing is only for workers and not visitor accommodations, while allowing tourism activities on the same parcel if they are secondary and incidental to a bona fide agricultural operation, do not occur in employee housing units, and comply with county ordinances. The committee adopted the recommendation and voted to pass SB 2006 with amendments. The recorded votes showed the chair, vice chair, Senator Rhoads, and Senator Awa in favor, with Senator DeCoite excused. The same pass-with-amendments recommendation was then made to the housing committee and adopted there as well, with Senator Elephante voting aye and Senator Favella excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• Each public witness will be given 2 minutes to provide his or her testimony, and please register at the
• Uh, we don't show any witnesses registered for testimony on Senate Bill 2847.
• With no public testimony on Senate Bill 2847, public testimony will close and we'll leave the measure
• We'll open up public testimony on Senate Bill 3039.
• With no public testimony, public testimony will close.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mike Yosua submitted written testimony, but I just wanted to make a few other comments.
• Thank you, Chair. >> Thank you for your testimony.
• Um, Hawaii Food Industry Association will stand on our testimony in opposition.
• Um there was some testimony transition.
• We stand on a written testimony with comments.

Bills: HB2384

Keywords: student-athletes, compensation, name image likeness, NCAA, Title IX, transparency, education, Hawaii, athletic programs, 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees heard HB 2384, relating to student athlete compensation, with testimony largely in support from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Athletics, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Athletics, and several other supporters. UH Mānoa said the bill would create a framework for name, image, and likeness (NIL) policies, including education, financial literacy, agent regulation, transparency, and reporting. Supporters argued NIL is now a necessary part of college athletics to recruit and retain athletes, keep Hawaiʻi talent in-state, and remain competitive, while also helping student athletes develop as future leaders. One supporter also emphasized the need for financial guidance so young athletes do not mishandle NIL income. Committee members questioned why the bill would direct public funds to NIL payments rather than broader athletic operations or other student groups, whether other states are funding NIL directly, and whether the approach could create a bidding war. UH representatives said the university already has NIL contracts in place, but the bill would strengthen and formalize policies. They said the requested funding model includes about $5 million for NIL and $10 million for athletics operations, with the NIL amount intended to supplement private fundraising; they also noted UH has raised roughly $1.5 million to $2 million for NIL since July 1 and is targeting $3 million this fiscal year. Members also raised concerns about fairness, public spending priorities, and whether the university’s policies adequately protect student athletes. The committees voted to pass HB 2384 HD1 with amendments. The chair said the bill should be amended to explicitly state that allocated funds may be used by UH for NIL payments to student athletes, and asked the next committee to examine whether a different payment scheme, similar to those used elsewhere, might be more appropriate for public funds. One member announced a no vote, citing concerns about direct public funding of NIL and unequal treatment of student athletes versus other students. The JHA committee adopted the same recommendation, with some members voting with reservations. Afterward, the meeting moved on to HB 644 HD1 on single-use plastics, where the first testimony was in opposition from the Hawaii Food Industry Association and the Biodegradable Products Institute, both arguing the bill as drafted would improperly exclude certified compostable products and should better align with composting and certification standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, thank you so much for your testimony and so much for all of your testimony here at this select
• Thank you so much for that testimony.
• Thank you so much for your testimony.
• Thank you so much for that testimony.
• And I was really struck with your testimony.

Summary: The Select Committee on Native American Affairs held a historic hearing at Table Mountain Rancheria focused on tribal education, culture, resilience, leadership, and trust. The opening prayer and remarks emphasized the significance of holding the first committee hearing on tribal land. Members said the hearing was intended both to hear testimony about ongoing problems in schools and to identify next steps for legislation and policy, especially as the session neared its end. The committee also referenced recent efforts supporting Native students’ right to wear regalia at graduation and broader concerns about representation in education and state institutions. The first panel centered on Native students’ experiences in public schools. Bella Garcia described a two-year fight with Clovis Unified over wearing tribal regalia at graduation, including a restrictive approval form and administrators who she said denied Native identity and made her feel invisible. Morningstar Ghali connected those experiences to the legacy of boarding schools, racial profiling, suspensions, and the “boarding school to prison pipeline,” and called for culturally responsive education, Native educators, counselors, Native studies, and restorative justice. Janet K. Bill, from the Attorney General’s Office of Native American Affairs, described her own path from tribal Head Start to Stanford, law school, tribal council, and state service, and said education, justice, and sovereignty are linked. Members asked about restorative justice, representation, and how to build pipelines into leadership and education roles. The second panel focused on solutions. Chairwoman Michelle Heredia Cordova urged a reimagined education system that is more personalized, experiential, culturally grounded, and balanced with land-based learning, while also recruiting Native teachers and creating stronger tribal partnerships. Chairman Leo Sisku said schools should educate educators, stop tokenizing Native students, and create accountability and consequences for discriminatory behavior; he also supported stronger tribal-school partnerships and more positive outreach. Chairman Fred Bean emphasized consistent engagement from tribal leaders at every level of schooling, stronger transitions from elementary to college, and programs that prepare Native youth for leadership, trades, and higher education. Chairman Shaineto of Tule River argued that schools and administrators should face consequences for violating Native students’ rights, and that Native people should not have to keep educating institutions about basic cultural respect. Committee members responded by discussing possible statewide solutions, including regional tribal boards, better enforcement of existing laws, stronger pipelines into teaching and leadership, and improved representation on boards and in state agencies. Several members raised the need to implement existing laws, fill vacant Native appointments, and consider broader protections for Native regalia and cultural expression. No formal vote was taken in the transcript, but the hearing concluded with a clear call for continued collaboration, accountability, and legislation driven by Native voices.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:36.080> Good testimony. Good afternoon. Good testimony. Good afternoon.
• begin your testimony. begin your testimony.
• name and begin your testimony. name and begin your testimony.
• Please begin your testimony. Please begin your testimony.
• testimony on the bill. testimony on the bill.

Bills: HF3753, HF4299, HF4700, HF4282, HF4139, HF3530, HF4031

Keywords: school safety, threat assessment, pilot project, education, real-time monitoring, public safety, HF4299, school safety specialists, Minnesota School Safety Center, appropriation, general fund, fiscal year 2026, school security, school violence prevention, student safety, Department of Public Safety, school resource support, education funding, peace officer, training reimbursement

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your testimony.
• <00:35:56.040> all then thank you for your testimony all then thank you for your testimony
• Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for taking our testimonies out of... Thank you for taking our testimonies out of order.
• Thank you for your testimony. Thank you.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all