Transcript Highlights:

• professional staff, you need to re-look this and rethink this, because remember, you are not there to validate
• You're there to validate the will of the people onto the BRA.
• of the people of Texas as expressed by the governor and the legislature on the system, not simply validate

Summary: The Senate Committee on Nominations met to consider several gubernatorial nominees and first approved a slate of nominees left pending from the March 31 agenda. The committee voted 5-0 to favorably report those nominees to the full Senate for confirmation. Public testimony was then opened and later closed, with some listed witnesses not appearing. The committee heard testimony on Jerry K. Weldon II for the Brazos River Authority Board of Directors. Senators focused on stewardship of the Brazos River, the authority’s relationship to the legislature and the public, Sunset review, water quality and nutrient runoff, impaired waterways, and possible uses of constructed wetlands for aggregate mine reclamation. Weldon emphasized collaboration, transparency, and keeping the citizens of Texas as the authority’s primary customer. Commissioner Robert Vaughn was considered for reappointment to the Texas Transportation Commission. Discussion centered on TxDOT’s management, rural funding, population growth, project delivery, and the commissioner’s role on the audit committee. Doug McCreakin was considered for the Texas Tech University Board of Regents, with questions about legislative priorities, compliance with DEI-related state law, workforce development, rural medical education, and university partnerships. Jody Giles was considered for reappointment to the University of Texas Board of Regents, and Bernadette Carrasco Coleman for reappointment to the Texas Woman’s University Board of Regents; both discussed higher education priorities, PUF funding, compliance with state law, and student support programs. John Rutherford was considered for reappointment to the Teachers Retirement System Board of Trustees, with questions about fiduciary oversight, investment understanding, and keeping the retirement system solvent. Brigadier General Michael Boyd was also considered for appointment to the Texas Military Preparedness Commission, where discussion focused on military retention, child care, spouse licensing, base infrastructure, and grant funding for Texas installations. The committee did not take final votes on these later nominees during the hearing and left them pending subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• so I will support the motion to whatever comes out of this section ultimately, but I think that's a valid
• And to that point, and back to Representative Wagner's point, I think you bring up valid points.
• And I think you're more than— it's, I think you present valid points and it'd be interesting to see how

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate Bill 2025, the Veterans Home/Veterans Affairs budget, and worked through the long sheet line by line. Members discussed base payroll, salary and health insurance increases, FTE pool adjustments, IT rate increases, operating expenses, transportation grants, the PTSD service dog program, salary equity requests, temporary help/intern funding, a Veterans Benefit Specialist FTE, accrued leave, and several one-time or carryover items including the Fisher House, document scanning, and veterans medical transportation. The committee also reviewed proposed policy language that would shift governance authority for the Veterans Home and Department of Veterans Affairs from the Administrative Committee on Veterans Affairs to the governor, and would remove board authority over salary-setting and related hiring powers. A major portion of the meeting focused on clarifying the commissioner salary equity line and how the agency had shifted operating dollars to fund the commissioner’s current salary increase. After discussion with agency staff and Lonnie, the committee voted to remove the separate commissioner salary equity increase line and instead restore operating funding, ultimately setting the operating line at $50,000 above the prior amount rather than fully funding the executive request. The committee also approved funding for the Veterans Benefit Specialist FTE, approved a carryforward/exemption for accrued leave, approved authority to accept $200,000 in federal transportation grant funds, approved the $500,000 transfers related to veterans homelessness, and approved the exemption language for certain federal/state fiscal recovery funds after discussing whether the funds were properly obligated. On the governance amendment, members expressed concern about making a major policy change in an appropriations bill, but also frustration over the board’s salary actions. After debate, the committee adopted the amendment transferring governance authority to the governor by a 7-1 vote. The committee also approved a smaller amount for veteran service officer salary equity than requested, and rejected funding for temporary salaries and an intern. The chair then directed staff to prepare the amended bill for further action, with the committee planning to revisit it once the revised version was ready.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you all so much for the validation.
• Thank you all so much for the validation.
• appreciate those very kind words, Senator Smith, and look Madam Chair, thank you all so much for the validation

Summary: The committee first heard CS/SB 270, which would extend Bright Futures eligibility by 12 months for certain students whose parent was serving overseas in public service and then retired, giving military and diplomatic families more time to return to Florida without losing scholarship eligibility. Senator Burgess also explained a late-filed amendment to set the bill’s effective implementation for the 2025-26 school year, and the committee adopted the amendment without objection. The bill received supportive testimony, including from Senator Smith, and was reported favorably by a roll call vote. The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmation hearings for appointees to state college boards of trustees, with the chair emphasizing a new process of hearing from each nominee individually rather than taking a blanket vote. Nominees from Tallahassee State College, St. Johns River State College, South Florida State College, Broward College, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, Palm Beach State College, Pasco-Hernando State College, and Valencia College described their backgrounds and priorities, which largely centered on workforce development, nursing and health sciences, dual enrollment, fiscal responsibility, student retention, and partnerships with local employers and communities. Several nominees highlighted their own educational or professional ties to the colleges, and some noted the importance of serving rural or military-connected communities. One nominee, John Aloko for Pasco-Hernando State College, was not present because he was attending a conference in Hawaii and was deferred to a later hearing. After hearing all other nominees, the committee voted to recommend confirmation of the remaining appointees in a block vote, covering Tabs 2 through 22 except Tab 8, and the motion passed. Two members later asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on earlier items.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's a very valid question, Senator Rouson.
• And they email me their hemp food establishment permit, and that is how I validate that they have a permit
• And that is how I validate that they have a permit.

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture heard a presentation from Florida FFA state officers Gabby Howell and Macy Jordan, who described FFA and agricultural education as a three-part model of classroom instruction, supervised agricultural experience, and leadership development. They highlighted FFA membership growth, Florida’s more than 60,000 members, industry certifications, and state funding that allows all agriculture education students to participate at no cost. Members praised the students and the organization’s role in developing future agricultural leaders. The committee then took up SB 438, which would regulate hemp and hemp extract products, including THC-infused beverages, by adding testing, labeling, retail location, age, and event restrictions, along with penalties and $2 million for testing equipment. Senator Burton said the bill is intended to address public safety, prevent products with illegal THC levels from reaching consumers, and respond to the governor’s prior veto concerns, especially store location and regulation. An amendment clarifying final batch testing was adopted without objection. Testimony was mixed. Supporters, including beverage distributors, law enforcement, and some hemp beverage businesses, backed regulation and said the bill would improve safety and clarity, though some asked for changes to avoid treating specialty beverage retailers like liquor stores. Opponents and some hemp industry representatives argued the bill was too restrictive, would hurt small businesses, and could push products into the black market; they also objected to THC limits, event restrictions, and the proposed regulatory structure. After debate, the committee voted 6-0 to report CS for SB 438 favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Genius Act actually solves these problems by ensuring stablecoins are valid.
• do that here today to the extent that there are additional technical corrections, or in many cases, valid
• amendment would prohibit the banking agencies from debanking people unless the agencies have a, quote, valid

Bills: SB875

Keywords: banking regulation, federal agencies, reputational risk, financial services, supervision, FIRM Act, bank supervision, depository institutions, federal banking agencies, FDIC, OCC, Federal Reserve, NCUA, CFPB, credit unions, Operation Choke Point, financial discrimination, safety and soundness, supervisory guidance, examination manual

Summary: This meeting focused on the markup of the Genius Act and the FIRM Act, two significant pieces of legislation addressing stablecoin regulation and the financial industry's regulatory framework. The Chairman noted the importance of providing clarity to the digital asset community and protecting American consumers, while also promoting innovation and competition within the financial sector. Members of both parties expressed varying viewpoints, with some highlighting concerns related to national security and the potential risks associated with stablecoins.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think that's a very valid point.
• And I think that's a very valid point. of the out-of-state students' tuition and fees, and I think that's
• a very valid point.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to examine how Florida’s state universities are funded and to begin discussing a possible university funding model. The panel included the State University System chancellor and CFOs from FSU, UF, FAMU, FAU, UNF, and UCF. Members first reviewed major cost drivers, which the universities said are broadly similar across institutions: wages and benefits, equipment and supplies, financial aid, professional services, utilities, IT, and maintenance. Several institutions noted unique pressures from geography, growth, research intensity, and mission, such as UCF’s size and engineering focus, UF’s land-grant and research enterprise, FAMU’s need to recruit top talent while serving a high-Pell student population, and FSU’s large facilities and research obligations. The chancellor also summarized systemwide cost growth since 2012-13, including higher health insurance, retirement, and salary costs, while noting tuition had been held flat. The committee then discussed other revenue sources, including auxiliaries, restricted funds, capital projects, and component units such as foundations and health systems. University leaders explained that many of these funds are restricted to specific purposes, and some, like UF Health, account for a large share of operating expenses. Members also discussed the current performance-based funding process. University representatives generally praised it for transparency, accountability, and its focus on student success, but said the heavy use of one-time funds, nonrecurring appropriations, and unfunded mandates makes long-term planning difficult. FSU and others argued that rising employee costs, waivers, and facilities expenses are not fully covered, while FAMU said performance funding has improved outcomes but can disadvantage institutions serving more low-income students. In response to questions about improvements, the universities suggested more recurring and predictable funding, better coverage of mandated costs, more flexibility in fees, and continued investment in research and strategic priorities. The chancellor said the Board of Governors is considering a version 3.0 of performance funding that would benchmark institutions against peers and Carnegie classifications. The committee also explored whether universities should have more flexibility to set out-of-state tuition and professional school tuition. Most university leaders favored giving boards of trustees more authority, while the chancellor cautioned that increasing out-of-state enrollment or tuition too much could affect legislative support. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with the chair thanking the panel and adjourning the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as we get invoices for the construction, we validate those invoices, sending up to the Bank of New
• We do try... ...to validate the information as best possible annually when we produce the compilation
• We reach out to the clerks and work cooperatively with them to validate and, if necessary, resubmit data

Summary: The committee first heard an update from the Florida Department of Corrections on the proposed Lake Correctional Institution mental health project in Clermont. Tim Fitzgerald explained the project’s history, including the 2016 Disability Rights Florida litigation, the 2018 consent decree, and the original plan for a 550-bed inpatient mental health facility. He said inflation and design changes pushed the project above the bond amount, leading the department to shift to a “continuum of care” alternative with 572 beds total: 92 inpatient beds and 480 residential treatment beds in three special housing units. Fitzgerald said the project is currently paused pending House concurrence, while the Senate has already agreed to the alternate plan, and noted the bond balance, prior expenditures, and the need to spend down the tax-exempt bond by August 2026. Members questioned how the new plan differs from the original facility, whether it satisfies the consent decree, and what caused the cost increases. Fitzgerald said the department believes it has already met the consent decree through systemwide improvements to housing, staffing, programming, and out-of-cell time, though he said he would confirm the court documentation. He also said the original scope grew from 275,000 to 350,000 square feet as treatment, nursing, security, and programming needs were refined, and that inflation, fees, permitting, and contingencies contributed to the higher cost. Several members asked for follow-up information on Senate approval, consent decree documentation, and the project’s impact on crisis-stabilization capacity. The committee then received a joint court-system presentation from State Courts Administrator Eric McClure and Clerks Corporation Executive Director Jason Welty on caseload trends, case tracking, and staffing. McClure described statewide filing trends, the use of weighted caseload studies to certify judicial need, and recent Supreme Court rule changes aimed at active civil case management, including differentiated case tracks, stricter deadlines, and proportional discovery. He said the latest workload study led the Supreme Court to certify a need for 23 circuit judges and 25 county judges. Welty reviewed clerk workload trends, the statewide case maintenance and CCIS systems, and declining clerk FTE despite rising case volumes, and said clerks are seeking additional funding for injunctions, Baker Act/Marchman Act/sexually violent predator work, and juror management. In questions, members pressed both presenters on data quality, case-weight calculations, filing fees, and whether current resources are enough to reduce delays. McClure clarified that the workload weights are based on judge time studies and that a capital murder case averaged 3,177 minutes, while other examples such as auto negligence and dissolution cases were much lower. Welty said the Legislature could help by increasing funding or potentially revisiting filing fees, and noted that many clerk services are unfunded or underfunded, especially indigent and protective filings. The chair and members also raised concerns about backlog, inconsistent case reporting across circuits, and enforcement of judicial time standards; McClure said there is no direct sanction in the rules, and compliance is largely managed through chief judges and the Supreme Court. The meeting ended with no votes taken and adjournment by motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• 38:42.760> re and Staffing which we consider very re and Staffing which we consider very re valid
• 00:38:44.960> take<00:38:45.160> a<00:38:45.280> look<00:38:45.440> at valid
• um and it will also take a look at valid um and it will also take a look at the<00:38:45.720> cost

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Since the 1980s, LEAP and the OFM accounting division have worked together to review and validate these
• As usual, the validation process is not complete, and in the past, when this requirement remained outstanding

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, the Supreme Court of Delaware in 1987 agreed that, yes, this is a valid theory of liability.
• ...where in 1987 agreed that, yes, this is a valid theory of liability under the anti-discrimination

Summary: The Senate Land Use Committee met in hybrid format but did not have a quorum, so it did not approve minutes or take formal votes. The committee first heard House Bill 457, which would raise the appraisal threshold for certain DELDOT real property dispositions from $10,000 to $25,000 to match federal highway standards and reduce the time and cost of selling small surplus properties. There was little discussion and no public comment on that bill, and the chair indicated it would be circulated. The committee then took up House Bill 451, which would codify a disparate impact framework under Delaware’s Fair Housing Act. The bill was described as clarifying that housing policies or practices can violate the law even without discriminatory intent if they have an unjustified discriminatory effect on a protected class, using a burden-shifting test similar to federal law. The sponsor and DHSA said the measure was intended to preserve fair housing protections amid uncertainty at the federal level, and an additional amendment was discussed that would delay implementation for 180 days and require DHSR, with DSA and stakeholders, to conduct outreach, education, and training. Public testimony was divided. Supporters, including Housing Alliance Delaware, YWCA Delaware, and the Delaware Human and Civil Rights Commission, said the bill would protect against discriminatory outcomes, align state law with longstanding fair housing principles, and preserve recourse if federal enforcement changes. Opponents and housing-provider groups, including the Delaware Association of Realtors, Greater Wilmington Housing Providers, and the Delaware Apartment Association, argued the bill could create liability for neutral policies, rely on statistical outcomes landlords cannot easily measure, and increase litigation and costs; several asked for more time, a right-to-cure process, or further amendments. The committee adjourned without taking a formal vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, first of all, I'd like to thank you for validating Senate Bill 915 that you voted against that is
• First of all, I'd like to thank you for validating Senate Bill 915 that you voted against that is in

Bills: HB3183, HB4316, HB4484, HB3469, HB3464, HB3173, HB3989

Keywords: electric utilities, grid congestion, transmission technology, advanced power flow controllers, dynamic line rating, energy efficiency, rural water service, district organization, emergency legislation, Oklahoma, water management, state vehicles, state-owned vehicles, state-leased vehicles, motor vehicle use, commuting use, personal use, fleet management, Corporation Commission, field inspectors

Summary: The committee first considered the nomination of Russell Isaacs to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. Isaacs described his farming background and experience with cotton, corn, sorghum, and wheat, and said he regularly tests conservation technologies on his farm. Senators discussed his water-conservation experience and the value he could bring to the board. The nomination received 10 ayes and 0 nays and was advanced to the full Senate floor. Members then took up House Bill 3183, dealing with smart transmission technology and electric grid efficiency. Senator Murdoch explained that the bill had been difficult to negotiate and that the enacting clause was stricken so work could continue on a committee substitute. He said the technology would allow existing transmission towers to carry lighter, more efficient lines, reduce wildfire risk, and potentially lower long-term rates by easing congestion. Senators asked about costs, who pays, and whether ratepayers or large load users would bear the burden; an amendment changed language from “customer funded” to “large load user funded.” The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill 7 ayes to 3 nays. The committee also advanced several nominations and bills related to environmental and energy policy. Steve Mason was confirmed to the Environmental Quality Board by an 8-0 vote. House Bill 4316, which removes an old deadline that prevented nonprofit corporations from converting into water districts and accessing grant funding, passed 8-0. House Bill 4484, allowing discretionary use of state-owned or state-leased vehicles between employees’ homes and workplaces to save mileage costs, passed 9-0. House Bill 3464 created a statewide framework for energy storage and solar facilities; a motion to table an amendment failed, and the bill passed 10-0 after debate over landowner protections, decommissioning, fire safety, and dual-use agricultural concerns. The committee then passed House Bill 3173, the Well-Repurposing Act, 10-0, to allow orphaned and abandoned wells to be repurposed for geothermal and energy storage uses, with discussion about surface-owner rights and possible tweaks to the geothermal temperature definition. House Bill 3469, a measure easing surety requirements for smaller producers by allowing a stair-stepped compliance schedule, passed 9-0. Finally, House Bill 3989 was amended for drafting corrections and then passed 9-0; it relates to the one-megawatt load standard and uses actual load over a two-year period rather than plate load. The chair ended the meeting by thanking members and staff and adjourning the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would think that if it's a valid tax-exempt card from the state of Texas or Kansas or a surrounding
• they might have two or three different, four different states that they somehow have to know what's a valid

Summary: The committee considered and advanced a series of bills, beginning with House Bill 3834, which creates a revolving fund at the Department of Health for ibogaine research. The author said the measure is limited to clinical trials, has support from several tribal nations, and would not have an immediate fiscal impact, though retirement-related costs were discussed as roughly $1 million based on prior estimates. HB 3834 passed 20-0. House Bill 3940, updating Oklahoma Military Department provisions, National Guard retirement benefits, and some Uniform Code of Military Justice language, also passed after questions about the same estimated retirement cost and the effect of changing the date for implementation; it passed 21-1. Members then approved House Bill 4346, with an amendment aimed at addressing fraud concerns in agricultural sales tax exemptions. The bill would extend reciprocity to holders of ag sales tax exemption cards from Texas and other surrounding states, allowing them to use those exemptions in Oklahoma border communities. Opponents argued the change would place too much burden on retailers to verify out-of-state cards and could increase liability, but supporters said it would help rural businesses. The bill passed 17-4. House Bill 2947, allowing clinical interns and accredited behavioral health graduate programs to bill Medicaid for supervised services, passed 21-0, and House Bill 3257, extending state benefits for 100% disabled veterans to those similarly disabled due to negligence at a VA hospital, also passed 21-0. The committee next passed House Bill 3264, which adds domestic abuse by strangulation to the list of 85% crimes. Supporters emphasized the seriousness of strangulation and its connection to later homicide risk, while questions focused on prison population growth and costs; the bill passed 21-0. House Bill 4326, dealing with Oklahoma Promise homeschool language and the definition of certified classroom personnel, was amended to remove unrelated T-SET restructuring language and then passed 19-2. House Bill 4421, “Leo’s Law,” which requires fentanyl testing in child welfare drug screens when fentanyl use is suspected, drew emotional testimony about a child’s death and had its fiscal estimate discussed as dropping from $125 million to about $16 million; it passed 22-0. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 3944, a State Finance Act cleanup and modernization measure, after questions about reporting dates and public finance oversight, and House Bill 3979, which raises financing caps under the Oklahoma Economic Development Finance Pool, after an amendment to add an effective date and emergency clause; both passed 21-0. House Bill 4118, updating the family caregiver tax credit and raising the maximum credit while keeping the annual cap unchanged, passed 20-1. The meeting ended with thanks to members and staff and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now that we're in the second wave of TIP, there's just a lot more of that data that has to be validated
• We have to validate all that, then it goes into an allocation exercise of allocating all that money amongst

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• By acknowledging the mental and emotional toll of this work, you have validated what so many have silently
• requires that commercial motor vehicle drivers in Florida must be lawfully present in the U.S., hold a valid

Bills: S0086, S0554, S0760, S0774, S0778, S0844, S1022, S1230, S1246, S1594, S1630

Keywords: unauthorized aliens, commercial motor vehicles, safety regulations, civil penalties, law enforcement, nonprofit, corporation, Florida Nonprofit Corporation Act, membership, articles of incorporation, governance, pretrial release, bond conditions, violations of release conditions, violent crimes, victim safety, public safety, warrantless arrest, probable cause, pretrial detention

Summary: The Fiscal Policy Committee met and first reported favorably SB 774, which extends enhanced workers’ compensation benefits to 9-1-1 public safety telecommunicators for mental or nervous injuries, after adopting a late-filed amendment declaring an important state interest. The committee also heard supportive testimony from a Palm Beach County dispatcher. SB 770, which updates the definition of forensic clients so certain individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism can be housed with other Chapter 916 residents in secure forensic settings, was reported favorably as well. Members then approved CS/SB 86, which declares unauthorized operation of a commercial vehicle by an unauthorized alien an imminent safety hazard and imposes driver, carrier, and enforcement consequences, despite questions about vehicle impoundment and cargo handling and one appearance in opposition. SB 1594, which protects veterans’ benefits received on behalf of foster youth from being used as reimbursement and instead sets them aside for education and transition services, was reported favorably after supportive testimony. The committee also approved CS/SB 760, creating a new offense for willful violations of no-contact pretrial release conditions in certain violent crime cases, though the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers raised concerns about expanded warrantless arrest authority in one section. The committee next reported favorably CS/SB 554, a complete rewrite of Chapter 617 governing nonprofit corporations, after a technical delete-all amendment. It also approved CS/SB 844, requiring continuing education on sickle cell disease care for certain health care professionals; the bill drew extensive supportive testimony from advocates and patients describing pain management gaps and health disparities. SB 1022, expanding Florida Children’s Initiatives by adding programs in Bay County and Broward County, and CS/SB 1246, broadening the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund to include health science workforce programs and related uses, were both reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved CS/CS/SB 1230, which restricts the use, sale, and distribution of aqueous film-forming foam containing intentionally added PFAS and requires inventory and disposal reporting, after adopting amendments that removed airports from one provision. It also approved CS/CS/SB 128, directing DEP to erect markers for the Andrew Red Harris Spoil Island water body designation. Several senators requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on specific bills, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Martindale has formed Martindale Wellness, which is in the process of preparing for a pilot study to validate
• artificial intelligence to provide graduate students throughout the United States with an empirically validated

Bills: HB2975, HB3405, HB3406, HB3728, HB3902, HB3977, SB397, HB1161, HB2938, HB2939, HB3306, HB3722, HB4113, HB4123, HB2293, HB3176, HB3545, HB3546

Keywords: poultry waste, nutrient management, environmental regulations, agriculture, water quality, pollution prevention, best management practices, noxious weeds, poison hemlock, kudzu, landowner responsibilities, environmental control, public nuisance, eradication, burn bans, fire danger, drought conditions, emergency declaration, scrap metal, regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill allows an optometrist to extend the period of validity of an eyeglass prescription up to two
• years or reduce the period of validity based on the presence or absence of risk or other factors.

Bills: SB1013, SB1023

Keywords: merit-based hiring, public employees, non-discrimination, employment practices, Arizona Revised Statutes, optometrists, eye exams, eyeglass prescriptions, healthcare, vision care, 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mississippi has something similar, and that you can choose your literacy assessments, and they have a validated
• And then when I see 'may prescribe one or more valid and reliable standards-based statewide assessments

Bills: AB386

Keywords: AB386, Washoe County School District, reading assessment, literacy, elementary school, pupil assessment, statewide assessment, alternative assessment, reading proficiency, standards-based testing, valid and reliable test, State Board of Education, Department of Education, pilot program, school testing, assessment equivalency, education grant, Nevada education, NRS 388.157, school accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• groundwater sustainability plan that plan is then reviewed at the state and it also goes through a validation
• allows more total pumping on an annual basis than the average sustainable yield is established in a validated

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I think that's a valid position since you weren't here and don't know what we're reconsidering
• That's a valid position. All right. So we now have granted the motion to reconsider.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met to reconsider its prior vote on SB 148 and then take up a substitute amendment. The chair explained that members from both caucuses, along with the ranking member, were generally in agreement on the process: first a motion to reconsider, then a vote on amendment 20251922H, followed by a vote on the bill. He also noted late input from the attorney general’s office seeking language to ensure the bill would not affect criminal prosecutions, and said the final floor amendment language would be worked out with that office but would remain under legislative control. Representative Coutab moved to reconsider the committee’s earlier vote on SB 148, and the motion passed by show of hands, 16-1, with the chair not voting. Representative Manos then moved amendment 20251922H, described as a substitute for the Birch-Lin amendment that removed a paragraph on page 2, lines 17-19. The amendment was adopted unanimously, 17-0. The committee then voted on the main motion, to ought to pass SB 148 as amended. Members spoke in support, describing the bill as heavily revised through extensive work and research, with one member crediting Representative Coutab’s research for helping shape the revised proposal. The roll call passed 17-0. The chair said the bill could not go on consent because a floor amendment would be needed, and the committee would keep members apprised of the final language. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• By the way, I think this is a very valid bill, and I think the intent is really, really good.
• To vote for, so I definitely see the validity of this bill and why it's necessary.

Bills: HB2139, HB2253, HB3632, HB4171, HB4309, HB4508, SB760, SB1470

Keywords: voting access, polling place, disability, caretaker provisions, ballot delivery, election code, HB 2253, Texas Election Code, bond election, bond issuance, local government, election cancellation, disaster declaration, natural disaster, emergency election, county election officer, polling place notice, open meeting, election workers, voter safety