Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:38.919> heart were telling me you're risking heart were telling me you're risking heart
• medical risk-taking.
• west of risk taking medical risk taking. west of risk taking medical risk taking.
• >> Risk?
• have a rare disease or the patient pool have a rare disease or the patient pool for<01:33:37.640

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 21 would actually promote a more stable, balanced risk pool and encourage a more stable Medicare
• Okay, so that's the risk someone would take if they were in a, you know, an amount of gap plan and they
• I've just never seen this before and I'm willing to risk $1.5 billion in investments to do this.
• But at some point in time, risk versus reward.
• So how do you mitigate the risk? Madam Chair, Senator, thank you so much.

Bills: SB20, SB21, SB166, SB177, SB181, SB189, SM6

Keywords: prior authorization, pharmacy benefits manager, PBM, health insurer, prescription drugs, step therapy, formulary, auto-adjudication, electronic portal, appeals, medical necessity, serious mental illness, mental health, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, cancer, autoimmune disorder

Transcript Highlights:

• They want to respect the rights of union workers; they don't want to run the risk of being perceived.
• They don't want to run the risk of being perceived as being anti-union if they do speak on the matter
• Keeping permanent strict limits after the high-risk period is almost like requiring a 25-year-old to
• It assumes all customers are permanent fraud risks, which isn't necessarily supported by the data.
• When you require identity verification for every user, you create a massive centralized pool of highly

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1236, which would condition state economic development incentives on employers at subsidized companies using secret-ballot union elections and prohibiting neutrality agreements. The sponsor said the bill is meant to protect workers and taxpayer dollars, and he noted he would amend the Attorney General enforcement language to allow appeals. Supporters argued it protects secret ballots and transparency, while opponents said it is a form of union-busting, could conflict with federal labor law, and would burden contractors and workers. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably on a roll call vote, with Senators Bracey Davis, Smith, and Errington voting no and the remaining recorded votes in favor. The committee then heard CS/SB 198, which regulates cryptocurrency kiosks to combat fraud, especially against seniors. The bill requires kiosk registration, fraud warnings, blockchain analytics, transaction limits, receipts, and refund protections for certain first-time transactions involving non-U.S. wallets. Supporters from consumer and senior advocacy groups said the bill would help stop widespread scams, while one industry witness praised the bill’s fraud protections but suggested narrowing the daily limits and new-customer period. The committee reported the bill favorably by roll call vote. Next, the committee considered CS/SB 1356 on dog breeding, pet sales, and breeder registration. The sponsor described it as a work in progress aimed at ending inhumane breeding conditions, improving consumer disclosures, and creating breeder standards and penalties; an amendment removed state oversight of local animal shelters. Pet store representatives supported many animal welfare provisions but objected to the three-day financing waiting period, shelter-space requirements, expanded reimbursement, and litigation exposure. Animal welfare supporters backed the bill, and the committee reported it favorably. The committee also heard SB 1722 on app stores and minors’ access to apps. The bill requires age verification, parental consent for minors, notice of app changes, and enforcement by the Department of Legal Affairs. Supporters said it would better protect children online and help enforce existing age-based restrictions, while opponents warned it could require overcollection of personal data, create privacy and constitutional problems, and duplicate tools parents already have. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee took up CS/SB 422, which would bar use of ADS-B aviation data to calculate or collect certain airport fees, with an amendment adding departures to the covered activities. A pilot supported the bill as a safety and privacy measure, while airport advocates opposed it, saying it would undermine airport finances and force less efficient fee collection methods. The transcript ends during testimony on this bill, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair calls Gary Zimmerman, John Poole, and Nicholas Tuchio.
• The chair calls Gary Zimmerman, John Poole, and Nicholas Tuchio. Welcome to each of you.
• I'm John Poole. I'm the executive director of the Texas State Rifle Association.
• Poole, you made a comment about the incident that caused this.

Bills: SB1065, SB2117, SB2217, SB2363, SB2533, SB2742, SB2743, SB2881, SB2964, SB3013, SB3014

Keywords: SB 1065, handgun carry, license holder, concealed carry, open carry, government contracts, governmental entity, property lease, state agencies, local government, higher education, university, Texas Government Code, Penal Code 30.06, Penal Code 30.07, Penal Code 46.03, Second Amendment, gun rights, firearms, civil penalty

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1065, which would require government property contracts to prohibit contractors from barring licensed handgun holders from carrying firearms on leased or owned public property, with civil penalties and attorney general enforcement for violations. Senator Hall and invited witnesses from the Texas State Rifle Association, NRA, and Texas Gun Rights argued the bill would close a loophole exposed by the State Fair of Texas gun ban and protect law-abiding Texans’ self-defense rights. Opponents, including Moms Demand Action/Everytown, said the bill would undermine event organizers’ ability to set site-specific safety rules and could increase liability and insurance costs. Public testimony was then closed and the bill was left pending. The committee next took up Senate Bill 2742, which would create civil penalties for independent school districts and officials who use public resources for electioneering, waive immunity defenses, and expand attorney general enforcement. Senator Hagan-Bood said current law bans the conduct but lacks meaningful penalties, making injunctions the only remedy. No public testimony was heard, and the bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2743, also by Senator Hagan-Bood, which would allow a court to disqualify local prosecutors who refuse to prosecute election offenses and appoint the attorney general to handle the case, with a committee substitute adjusting the removal process through an adjacent-county judge. Opponents from the Texas Civil Rights Project argued the bill would undermine prosecutorial discretion and was vague and open to abuse, while a Harris County election official described past instances where alleged voter fraud cases were not pursued. After testimony, public comment was closed and SB 2743 was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• So when we talk about artificial intelligence, we need to balance the risk with innovation.
• And so this is for in May and offender risk and needs assessment.
• And, you know, this risk and needs assessment is critical for many activities.
• We have a smaller pool of individuals to recruit and compete from.

Transcript Highlights:

• fashion, taken this from vision and then started just executing against that to reduce the technical risk
• However, the continued success of this national asset is at risk due to fundamental operational challenges
• However, the continued success of this national asset is at risk due to fundamental operational challenges
• Texas's clear regulatory framework, their strong state incentives, and access to the robust talent pool

Summary: The Committee of Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security heard a series of informational presentations focused on Florida’s aerospace and space ecosystem. Blue Origin described its Florida operations at Rocket Park, Launch Complex 36, and Port Canaveral, highlighting New Glenn and Blue Moon development, recent launch activity, workforce development efforts, and major capital investment in the state. Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper) outlined its low-Earth-orbit broadband network, customer terminals, satellite and gateway architecture, dark-sky mitigation efforts, and Florida investments including a payload processing facility and launch support infrastructure. Starcatcher Industries presented its concept for an orbital energy grid that would beam power to satellites, discussed demonstrations in Florida, customer interest, and plans for a first satellite launch next year. Space Florida President and CEO Rob Long gave a strategic update on the state’s aerospace industry, citing billions in private investment, growth in aerospace establishments and projects, spaceport infrastructure investments, workforce and university partnerships, and the importance of maintaining Florida’s competitiveness against other states. NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Janet Petro then emphasized Artemis II preparations, rising launch demand, aging infrastructure, and the need for stronger state-federal coordination and investment in research, workforce, and common-use infrastructure. She compared Florida’s support structure with Texas and argued that Florida must act to avoid losing aerospace leadership. Members asked questions about mobile and aviation applications for Amazon Leo, dark-sky impacts, satellite counts, Starcatcher’s power transmission losses and storage approach, and NASA’s funding and infrastructure constraints. Petro also discussed limits on commercial investment in common infrastructure under federal rules and suggested that state investment and better alignment among partners could help. No bills were considered and no votes were taken beyond adjournment; the committee concluded by adopting a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• The low income pool side because it's not state director payment.
• They helped by screening for risk for diagnosing disease. Predicting a response to treatment.
• company named by fire that a tax for bacterial and viral causes of respiratory tract infections in high-risk
• only provided by guard and health, which has this FDA approved Gardasil blood test for these average risk

Transcript Highlights:

• There are a lot of security risks with that as well.
• Agencies need to get things a lot quicker so we're not at risk of losing companies like this one that
• Rather than just your funding pools, are there tax incentives you look at also from your department?
• Trigger is really one of those programs that can de-risk the technology so that a company can be successful

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, 112,000 students diagnosed with asthma that may be at risk of severe allergic reactions
• Chair senators, it's vital that we ensure our schools understand the risk of anaphylaxis and have a plan
• That's on that property as opposed to just taking the existing pool students that are in already at that
• delayed or withheld making it harder to support students, particularly those with special needs or at risk

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It puts the community at greater risk by lowering the minimum age from 21 to 18.
• Due to their capacity, those hundreds to thousands of spectators at sports venues are at risk because
• country in assessing and mitigating risks.
• Judy Davis: I'm Judy Davis, Risk Management, Tallahassee Hospital. I am in opposition of this bill.
• Additionally, those that do not carry insurance mean that there is a smaller risk pool and that they

Transcript Highlights:

• If you ever wanted a free pool, If you ever wanted a free pool with your brand-new home, now is the time
• We're down to a pool now, but it used to be a car last cycle.
• I get, maybe I will get the pool, but maybe I don't want the pool.
• I just get the pool because that's what's offered, right? So talking to builders...
• Just get the pool because that's what's offered, right?

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum present and first took up SB 122, which would repeal Chapter 205 governing local business taxes while allowing municipalities that already levy a gross-receipts-based business tax to continue doing so, with limits on changing the tax rate. The sponsor’s proxy and committee members discussed whether local business taxes fund identifiable services, with supporters saying the bill would reduce burdens on businesses and opponents arguing it would remove a capped home-rule revenue source used for general services, economic development, inspections, fire and police support, and business regulation. The Florida Association of Counties and the Florida League of Cities opposed the bill, citing a statewide revenue loss and concern that costs would shift to residential taxpayers, while one member noted the bill should be considered in the context of broader property tax changes. SB 122 was reported favorably by a roll call vote, with Senators Leek, Passidomo, Pizzo, Trumbull, and Chair McClain voting yes and Senator Sharief voting no. The committee then held an extended informational panel on Florida’s housing shortage and affordability challenges. Dr. Samuel Staley said Florida is in a housing crisis driven primarily by insufficient supply, arguing that the state needs far more units each year, that local comprehensive plans and zoning often fail to prioritize housing, and that the state should focus more on measurable impacts, density, accessory dwelling units, smaller lot sizes, and other ways to let the market respond. Ann Ray of the Shimberg Center presented data showing increased single-family and multifamily construction but limited condo growth, highly concentrated new development in a handful of counties, and continued high cost burdens for renters, especially lower-income and older households. Leslie Deutsch of John Burns Research and Consulting said the national housing market is slow, Florida prices are easing but remain well above pre-pandemic levels, and affordability problems are being driven by land, construction, financing, and insurance costs; she urged more product diversity, including build-to-rent, townhomes, manufactured housing, and higher-density redevelopment tailored to local demographics. Members questioned the panel about density, vertical development, impact fees, construction costs, and incentives for local governments. Several senators said local governments need clearer direction or incentives to approve more housing, while others emphasized preserving local character and avoiding overdevelopment. The panel generally agreed that no single policy will solve the problem, but that Florida needs more housing types, more density in appropriate places, updated zoning and building codes, and a more market-responsive regulatory framework. After the presentations and discussion, the committee adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• While cities and is documented risk.
• It signals their greatest areas of risk.
• based on reduce the risk of appeals based on procedural<02:37:25.359> errors.
• they are risking their reputations. they are risking their reputations. um<02:44:32.479> by
• <03:12:30.960> of perhaps shrinking the pool of perhaps shrinking the pool of volunteers.<

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the completion pool itself, which under this is all direct completions, that's That's about
• Because right now that incentive pool is 13.5%.
• Because right now that incentive pool is 13.5%.
• So what this looks like: because the incentive pool includes not just the completion factors, but it
• So the total of the incentive pool is the $80 million. Didn't change anything tied to that.

Summary: The Higher Ed Funding Committee met to review how North Dakota might identify and address low-producing academic programs and to discuss draft funding formulas for the university system. Lisa Johnson of the NDUS explained that the State Board of Higher Education is already developing a system-wide policy, using models from other states such as Texas, Virginia, North Carolina, Colorado, Kentucky, Ohio, and Connecticut. She described how low-producing programs are typically flagged by multi-year enrollment or completion thresholds, then reviewed for workforce demand, mission fit, cost, accreditation, and regional need before any action is taken. Committee members asked about what counts as a program, how costs are analyzed, whether certificates are included, how exemptions work for mission-critical or high-demand fields, and whether the board or legislature should set the rules. Johnson said the board is the appropriate body to lead the process, but legislators could use funding leverage if they wanted to encourage action; the chair asked the board to bring a detailed proposal to the June meeting. The committee then heard a Legislative Council presentation on a draft formula for UND and NDSU. The proposal uses fall census FTE enrollment, with a placeholder undergraduate rate of $7,000 per FTE and a graduate/professional rate of $10,500, plus incentives for completions in in-demand fields and research productivity. Alex from Legislative Council walked through the projected funding effects, noting that the model would increase funding for NDSU and reduce it for UND in the current biennium, with different results in the next biennium as enrollment changes are recognized. Members questioned the use of the placeholder rates, the definition of in-demand programs, the treatment of research funding, and the exclusion of state-appropriated dollars from the external grants calculation. The chair emphasized that the numbers were illustrative and that appropriators would set the actual dollar amounts later. A second draft formula for the other nine institutions was also reviewed. That model uses fall census FTE without a weighted economic factor, applies a higher undergraduate rate, and adds completion incentives for in-demand credentials and all other completions. Members noted that the formula would benefit some institutions, such as Bismarck State College, while reducing funding for others, such as Mayville State, and discussed whether the nine institutions should be treated more uniformly or split into smaller groups because of their different missions and sizes. Committee members and staff repeatedly stressed that the formulas are still being refined and that some institutions would likely need hold-harmless adjustments or other transition measures. The meeting ended with the chair directing the committee to continue the discussion later and to expect further work on both the low-producing program policy and the funding formulas.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our children should never have to be placed at risk because of confusion in statute.
• Our children should never have to be placed at risk because of confusion in statute.
• at risk because of confusion in statute. at risk because of confusion in statute.
• <00:54:24.319> The because of the risk to the public.
• The because of the risk to the public. The public<00:54:24.880> escalates.

Bills: HF3131, HF3436, HF3106, HF3241, HF3531

Keywords: cancer, disability, parking certificates, transportation, state law, school bus, schoolchildren, student safety, traffic safety, stop arm, flashing red lights, amber lights, passing a school bus, 20 feet, vehicle stopping distance, driver duties, school transportation, Minnesota traffic law, school bus law, bus stop signal

Transcript Highlights:

• another carveout of $1.5 million was made for children's museums across the state in a competitive grant pool
• :01:21.040> competitive<00:01:21.840> uh<00:01:22.000> grant<00:01:22.320> pool
• <00:01:23.040> And<00:01:23.200> then in a competitive uh grant pool.
• And then in a competitive uh grant pool.
• are many great things, but one thing that I am very excited about is the one with the competitive pool

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House considered a conference committee report on House File 2563, the legacy bill, and members described it as a bipartisan agreement with the Senate. Representative Vang outlined several major changes from the House version, including restoring funding for Peace in the Valley in parks and trails, moving Wilderness Inquiry funding to the arts and culture fund, increasing the Minnesota Zoo to $3.4 million, raising the Children’s Museum to $1 million, setting aside $1.5 million for a competitive grant pool for children’s museums statewide, and increasing the Science Museum to $700,000. Supporters said the bill invests in clean water, parks and trails, outdoor heritage, arts and cultural heritage, and a new community identity and heritage grant program for underserved communities. Several members spoke in favor of the report, emphasizing the value of legacy funds for conservation, cultural programming, tourism, and community identity. Speakers highlighted specific beneficiaries and projects, including outdoor heritage groups, the Science Museum, Latino arts and mural projects, and competitive funding for creative arts and music. One member noted that some state agencies also received appropriations in the bill and criticized fee increases on Minnesotans, while another said the bill reflected a fair negotiation process and that some programs saw reductions because of a $33.1 million accounting-related shortfall. After debate, the House adopted the conference committee report. The clerk then took the roll, and the bill was repassed as amended by conference on a vote of 113 yeas and 21 nays, with its title agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• fatal injuries, one of them being my brother who clinically drowned at five years old at a public pool
• The ratio in the pool room was 16 children to 1 adult.
• Mitchell had accidentally slipped into the pool.
• He panicked, breathed in water, lost consciousness, and sank to the bottom of the pool, where he remained
• So we have someone outside at the pool who is also watching and acting as a safety person.

Bills: SB650, HB3667, SB28, HB3201, SB1184, HB1800, SB 28

Keywords: permit issuance, regulatory framework, business operations, efficiency, application process, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, lottery regulations, occupational licensing, fraud prevention, criminal background checks, lottery couriers, SB 1184, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, wine collection seller, collectible wine, vintage wine

Transcript Highlights:

• relating to the state shrimp, which would establish opula as the state shrimp to protect alkaline pool
• 345 relating to the state shrimp, establishing the ʻōpae ula as the state shrimp to protect alkaline pool
• 00:24:26.520> to<00:24:26.679> protect<00:24:27.000> alkaline<00:24:27.480> pool
• <00:24:27.799> systems shrimp to protect alkaline pool systems shrimp to protect alkaline
• pool systems throughout<00:24:29.520> Havi<00:24:30.480> I<00:24:30.640> recommend

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures related to cultural recognition and arts policy. HB 531 would authorize special license plates recognizing the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, and HB 458 would designate Brother Joseph Dutton Day; both received support testimony, including from the Department of Accounting and General Services and the Joseph Dutton Guild, and both were advanced. HB 345 would establish ʻōpae ula as the state shrimp to help protect alkaline pool systems, with support from DLNR and multiple community and environmental groups, and it was also advanced. HB 194, relating to Maritime Day, received limited testimony and was moved forward with amendments to align the observance with National Maritime Day on May 22. The committee also heard HB 554, which originally would have established Lunar New Year as a state holiday. Testimony in support emphasized cultural recognition and community benefits, but the chair explained that creating a new state holiday would cost about $9 million, so the bill was amended to make Lunar New Year a day of recognition rather than a state holiday. The committee noted several supporters, including youth testimony, and advanced the measure with amendments. HB 957, relating to Lāʻau Day, similarly drew broad written support; the committee amended it to designate the first Friday of May rather than May 1 and advanced it. In each case, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations without opposition or reservations. The hearing concluded with HB 925, a short-form bill that would allow the state to levy a 1% tax on concert ticket sales to support arts access statewide; the committee recommended passing the bill with amendments and recommitting it for future public hearings, and that recommendation was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're asking that the General Assembly create a minimum distribution pool within the performance fund
• /c><00:18:21.520> we<00:18:21.760> respectively<00:18:22.880> uh distribution pool
• , uh we respectively uh distribution pool, uh we respectively uh uh<00:18:23.760> respectfully
• If the General Assembly authorized the $20 million minimum distribution pool, we would ask that that
• c><00:19:59.280> uh<00:19:59.360> we<00:19:59.600> would minimum distribution pool

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met for its fifth and final Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Education meeting, but did not initially have a quorum and approved the minutes later when enough members were present. The Council on Postsecondary Education, represented by President Aaron Thompson and Vice President Bill Payne, opened with condolences for the UPS crash victims and then presented higher education budget recommendations for the 2026-2028 biennium. Thompson emphasized the return on investment from state support for higher education, citing gains in retention, enrollment, persistence, graduation, reduced time to degree, lower student debt, and expanded dual credit participation, while noting that affordability and access remain priorities. Payne outlined CPE’s operating funds request, including $43.3 million in the first year and $86.6 million in the second year for inflation adjustments, plus $30 million and $45 million for performance funding. He said the inflation request would apply across the board to institutions to offset rising costs, and that the KSU land grant match would not need additional funding because the state has already met the matching requirement. He also explained that state support for educating students has not kept pace with inflation over time, creating pressure on institutional budgets and tuition, though tuition increases have been held to historic lows in recent years. A major portion of the discussion focused on the performance funding model and how it affects smaller institutions. CPE proposed two approaches to address institutions that have received little or no performance funding, especially Kentucky State University and Morehead State University. The first approach would create a $20 million minimum distribution pool, providing $1.95 million to each university and $4.4 million to KCTCS, with the goal of giving smaller and rural institutions a base level of support. The second approach would provide direct appropriations totaling a little over $5.6 million to Kentucky State, Morehead State, and five community colleges that have not been receiving performance funding. Members, especially Representative Tipton and Senator West, questioned how the model had treated small schools over time, and CPE officials explained that the original small school adjustment was not large enough to prevent KSU and Morehead from effectively being left out of the distribution. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• It shifts eliminate liability or risk.
• Without that, we risk take time.
• Uh we risk managing land application.
• But that would be the extent. health risks and benefits. Um and um health risks and benefits.
• Babies are born that might need... pool of who might need to be checked on. pool of who might need to

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Passing legislation like this while those issues are still being litigated only risks further constitutional
• those issues are still being litigated those issues are still being litigated only<00:11:26.640> risks
• <00:11:27.040> further<00:11:27.680> constitutional only risks further constitutional
• only risks further constitutional conflict<00:11:29.200> and<00:11:29.360> costly<00:11
• unanimously passed through both bodies the structure that would create five separate tranches of funding pools

Keywords: 958, all