Transcript Highlights:

• We've got people waiting in line.
• Yeah, it’s the lines. Were you a line? Yes, sir. Green line? That’s good. I appreciate you.
• Moving to item two... Moving to item two.
• I’m going to call four names, two here, two there.
• I'm going to call four names, two here, two there.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard the Legislative Budget Board’s overview of the Texas Department of Public Safety’s 2026-27 budget, followed by extensive testimony from DPS leadership. The LBB presentation covered funding and staffing changes across driver license services, facilities, troopers and recruit schools, crime labs, vehicle and aircraft operations, and border security. The recommendations included added support for customer service staffing and trooper hiring, but did not include several DPS exceptional items such as major driver license staffing and technology requests, new regional headquarters in El Paso and San Antonio, and other capital projects. Members also discussed proposed rider changes, including a new rider to lapse unused trooper funding and require reporting after recruit schools. Much of the committee’s questioning focused on driver license operations, where senators criticized long call wait times, low call-answer rates, appointment delays, and what they viewed as an overreliance on adding staff rather than improving processes. DPS and LBB witnesses said the agency is pursuing some technology upgrades, including automation, online pre-population of applications, and appointment-system improvements, but acknowledged that the driver license division remains a major problem area. Senators also raised concerns about whether the 2019 efficiency study led to meaningful changes and whether the agency should consider broader process redesign or even a different administrative structure. Colonel Freeman and other DPS officials then defended the agency’s broader law enforcement and border-security work, emphasizing the need for the Williamson County training academy, the 500 additional troopers funded in prior sessions, and continued support for Operation Lone Star. They described DPS’s role in border interdiction, threat-to-life investigations, oilfield theft cases, Capitol and Alamo security, and highway safety, and said the agency is stretched thin by deployments and overtime. Members asked about border reimbursement possibilities, regional staffing differences, pursuit safety, fleet and aircraft replacement needs, and the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame museum. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Basically, it just took out one line.
• And actually, though, I'm looking at on page two and line four, it gives, I mean, excuse me, line two
• Well, and also, if you look on page two, lines 8 and 9, it actually gives these political subdivisions
• And talking about getting government out of the way, on page one, line 17, and on page two, line one,
• It was in the same line.

Bills: HR320, HR321, SCR55, SCR69, SCR75, SCR77, SCR78, SCR79, SB259, SB295, SB312, SB348, SB444, SB485, HR73, HR118, HR144, HR196, HR237, HR249, HR260, HR267, HR272, HR278, HCR85, HCR100, HCR105, HCR107, HCR114, HR245, SCR5, SCR29, SCR33, SCR37, SCR63, SCR30, SCR40, HB62, HB193, HB210, HB220, HB246, HB364, HB420, HB475, HB584, HB622, HB772, HB784, HB949, HB953, HB1043, HB1070, HB1092, HB1134, HB1162, HB1176, HB1196, HB1214, HB119, HB129, HB233, HB283, HB538, HB789, HB850, HB870, HB1236, HB1241, HB54, HB137, HB321, HB368, HB386, HB414, HB431, HB552, HB555, HB578, HB590, HB593, HB618, HB638, HB670, HB692, HB707, HB708, HB715, HB718, HB732, HB741, HB748, HB776, HB796, HB807, HB822, HB848, HB856, HB887, HB888, HB917, HB921, HB1082, HB1243, HB1246, HB378, HB509, HB1090, HB1259, SB80, SB131, SB143, SB251, SB254, SB279, SB367, SB384, SB388, SB389, SB398, SB408, SB431, SB468, SB469, SB496, SB4, SB52, SB57, SB83, SB145, SB152, SB194, SB276, SB319, SB333, SB448, SB450, SB465, SB484, SB501, SB509, SB149, HR168, HB463, HB998, SB123, SB353, SB479, SB495, SB82, SB97, SB283, SB326, SB518, SB197, SB268, HB901, HR20, HR74, HCR65, HCR71, HCR98, HB284, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB625, HB646, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1191, HB1240, HB1255, SB89, HB74, HB134, HB258, HB359, HB468, HB956, HB1117, SB29, SB42, SB43, SB78, SB208, SB217, SB274, SB300, SB341, SB379, SB382, SB387, SB401, SB441, SB449, SB487

Keywords: Arsenal, Arsenal F.C., Premier League, English football, soccer, football club, Mikel Arteta, Emirates Stadium, North London, Tottenham Hotspur, Gunners, sports resolution, commendation, celebration, championship, silverware, Louisiana House Resolution, ceremonial resolution, domestic violence, forensic medical examinations

Summary: The House was called to order, a quorum was established, and the meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members also observed several personal privileges and recognitions, including International Preeclampsia Awareness Month, the Hudson Cup award presentation to Rep. John Illg Jr., recognition of the Delcambre Shrimp Festival Queen, and a visit from U.S. Sen. John Kennedy. The chamber also received Senate messages, conference committee appointments, enrolled reports, and a conference report on SB 483 dealing with psychedelic-assisted therapy, which was laid over. The House then moved through a long series of concurrence and rejection votes on Senate amendments to House bills. Among the measures concurred in were bills affecting the Louisiana Women’s Policy Research Commission, the Louisiana Sickle Cell Commission, child exploitation reporting on covered platforms, the Children’s Cabinet Advisory Board, DCFS background checks, AI disclosure in health care, foster care placement and related terminology, criminal history record confidentiality, parish court jurisdiction, court costs, developmental disability office renaming, insurance claims and contractor licensing, Medicare Advantage coverage, colorectal cancer screening, health facilities, highway memorial designations, jury compensation, school employee protections, juvenile court fees, off-road vehicle seizure, residential property insurance cancellation, child support enforcement, and several others. The House rejected Senate amendments on bills including ethics retroactivity, sex offender registration notification, plumbers licensing, and health insurance formulary placement, sending some to conference. Several bills were finally passed, including measures on obstructing public passages with motorized vehicles, class six injection well hearings, arson of religious buildings, wearing masks while committing felonies, professional board attorney fees, bulletproof vests for peace officers, critical infrastructure protection from foreign adversaries, debit card surcharges, electronic stock certificates, watershed restoration funding, and innovation economic development pilot hubs. The innovation hub bill drew extensive debate over no-bid contracting, transparency, and the role of elected versus unelected bodies; an amendment to limit contracting authority to parish governing authorities was withdrawn, and the bill later proceeded to final passage after extended floor discussion. The House also took up and passed or concurred in multiple other bills and resolutions, with recorded votes ranging from unanimous to divided on a few measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• bumps in the road to to get a chance two bumps in the road to to get a chance two bumps in the road
• one just one I I think I've passed two one just one I I think I've passed two or three out or three
• budgets we have the Alabama we have two budgets we have the Alabama we have two budgets we have the
• things but we're only tasked with two things but we're only tasked with two things when we come here
• years ago two years ago we saw saw two years ago two years ago we saw saw two years ago two years ago

Bills: HB 9, HB 22, HB 908, HB 1392

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, tax exemption, local government finance, appraisal district, chief appraiser, rendition statement, property tax relief, small business, commercial property, leased property, related business entity, unified business enterprise, tax situs, Texas Tax Code, local taxing unit, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so on part two, so starting on line 13, it talks about, um, posting on the front page of websites
• Um, again in section two, um, lines 18 through 19, if the following project passes, this will result
• Um, again in section two, um, lines 18 through 19, if the following project passes, this will result
• Um again in section<00:33:27.679> two<00:33:29.039> um<00:33:29.360> lines<00:33
• um lines 18 through 18 and section two um lines 18 through 18 and 19<00:33:31.519> if<00:33:31.679

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So two complementary programs.
• <00:49:35.920> My thinking about down the line. My thinking about down the line.
• every two years and everything changes. every two years and everything changes.
• Does that fit on one business card or two? Multiple lines on a business card. Yes. Front and back.
• two? two?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the draft minutes from September 26. Senator Gray then raised the idea of creating a continuing subcommittee or recurring agenda item on palliative care and hospice, noting that the issues are evolving and suggesting the committee revisit the idea in coming months. The bulk of the meeting focused on Department of Health and Human Services updates. Officials described contingency planning for SNAP amid the federal shutdown, including a USDA notice that November benefits may not be fully funded, letters to participants warning of possible delays, and coordination with the New Hampshire Food Bank and local pantries. They said New Hampshire serves about 42,000 SNAP households, with average benefits around $300 a month, and that the department is also preparing to transfer funds for a special fiscal committee meeting. WIC was discussed separately: officials said WIC benefits had been extended through November 7 using additional USDA funds, but that some community agency-based WIC services may need to pause while money is redirected to food benefits. Officials also outlined New Hampshire’s rural health transformation grant application under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill, describing a potential five-year, up-to-$1 billion opportunity focused on critical access hospitals, small rural hospitals, federally qualified health centers, community mental health centers, and EMS. Members asked about transportation, workforce, and nursing retention; officials said transportation is included in the proposal, housing is not, and workforce supports may include lower tuition or awards but not loan repayment or traditional scholarships. They also said the final application would be submitted in early November and that priorities would be adjusted depending on the eventual federal award. Finally, Medicaid director Henry Lipman gave a quarterly postpartum coverage update. He said postpartum coverage is now nearly universal nationwide, and in New Hampshire 2,351 women had used the benefit through May 2025. He reported that mental health services were the most frequently used postpartum service, followed by preventive care, substance use disorder treatment, and cardiovascular-related care, and noted that Medicaid women have experienced a disproportionate share of maternal deaths. Committee members asked about rural distribution and the share of women receiving mental health services, and Lipman said the department would follow up with additional data. The meeting then moved into the annual update on New Hampshire’s 10-year mental health plan, with staff describing progress toward a more integrated continuum of care and improved data infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• last line I would highlight is the line last line I would highlight is the line labeled<00:25:57.039
• combined add up to the bottom line combined add up to the bottom line change<00:27:04.399> of
• <00:29:20.559> representing and the dash line representing and the dash line representing
• day commission along that same line day commission along that same line unexpected<00:47:25.280>
• again I just said there's just two again I just said there's just two universals<01:10:05.159>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• highway system and then there are two highway system and then there are two funds<00:13:08.320><
• <00:46:40.440> um<00:46:40.720> and Rail lines the commer rail line um and Rail lines
• Moving down to page two, you can see the general fund transit appropriation on those first few lines,
• won't go through line by line but just won't go through line by line but just to<00:51:32.640>
• transportation area uh starts on line transportation area uh starts on line 138<00:54:02.160>

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Transportation Working Group met on January 15, 2025, with Chair John Kosnik opening by saying the committee expected to pass a transportation bill this year and emphasizing efficient use of transportation revenues, maintenance of roads and transit, and safety. Members and staff introduced themselves, and several representatives noted their interest in roads, bridges, and regional transportation needs. Kosnik also said he had spoken with Representative Kel about leadership arrangements and stressed that bipartisan support would be needed for a transportation bill. House Fiscal Staff’s Andrew Lee and House Research’s Matt Burus then gave an overview of transportation finance, focusing mainly on highways and transit. Burus explained Minnesota’s highway funding structure, including the constitutional Highway User Tax Distribution Fund and the related Trunk Highway Fund, County State-Aid Highway Fund, and Municipal State-Aid Street Fund. He reviewed the main revenue sources: the motor fuels tax, motor vehicle registration tax, motor vehicle sales tax, portions of the general sales tax tied to auto parts, vehicle rentals and leases, and the retail delivery fee. He noted several changes from 2023 legislation, including indexing of the gas tax, creation of the Transportation Advancement Account, and the retail delivery fee, which began in July 2024 and therefore would affect fiscal year 2025 rather than the fiscal 2024 data shown. The presentation also covered how highway dollars flow through constitutional formulas, including the 95/5 split from the Highway User Tax Distribution Fund, with the 5 percent set-aside used for town roads, town bridges, and flexible highway purposes such as turnbacks. Burus distinguished trunk highway bonds from general obligation bonds and explained that both are debt-financing tools for transportation projects, but with different repayment sources and uses. No votes or formal actions were taken at this informational meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have two minutes.
• You have two minutes. Thank you.
• You have two bills. Okay. You have two bills. Which one would you like to present first? Okay.
• Do we have two lead opposition witnesses? Do we have two lead opposition witnesses? Mr.
• It would require building brand-new transmission lines. It could mean replacing existing lines.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Page two, line starts on line 20. Thank you. Wrong version. Thanks. Representative Dan McClur.
• line employee.
• Page two, line starts on line employee. Page two, line starts on line 20. 20. 20.
• Norwood: I am on line 10. So it starts on line 9 after the comma.
• line are you on? I am on line uh 10 10. line are you on? I am on line uh 10 10.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on down to line 71. Uh it's FY26. Moving on down to line 71.
• Line 79 has a $2 million program.
• Um on line 82, there is a 27.
• Line 98 is the debt service 29.
• So on page 28, lines<00:13:18.240> 21<00:13:18.800> through lines 21 through lines 21 through

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Delete line 35 and insert amendment.
• Delete line 341 and insert amendment.
• I'll give you two hypotheticals, members.
• Delete line 1549 and insert amendment.
• These lines, lines 14 through 16, we're deleting the bridge on Moncrief Road West over the Ribault River

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and included several member introductions recognizing guests, interns, firefighters, and a doctor of the day. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and began taking up a series of bills, often substituting House companions for Senate measures before final passage. The first major bill, health care patient protection, required hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric emergency care policies, training, a pediatric emergency care coordinator, and readiness assessments; it passed 36-0. A public records bill protecting victim identities and temporarily exempting the name of a law enforcement officer who is a victim also passed after questions about access for victims of police misconduct, with a 33-4 vote. The Senate next approved a local government cybersecurity bill creating a state-administered program through Florida Digital Service to help counties and cities strengthen cyber defenses, with priority for rural and fiscally constrained governments; after amendments, it passed 37-0. A clerks of court bill allowing clerks to retain all revenue above projections and, through a House amendment, revising legal notice and traffic citation distribution provisions, passed 38-0 despite debate over impacts on municipalities and law enforcement. The chamber also passed a trademark modernization bill and a septic system permit bill intended to reduce delays for builders; the septic bill was amended to align the House and Senate versions and passed 38-0. The longest and most contested item was the elections bill, which updated citizenship verification procedures using REAL ID and state databases, changed candidate qualification rules, and altered election administration provisions. Numerous amendments were offered and rejected, including proposals to exempt certain seniors, preserve student and retirement-center IDs, allow attestations in place of documentary proof of citizenship, and require human review over automated systems. One amendment to delay implementation until July 1, 2027, was also debated. The transcript ends while debate is still underway on the elections measure, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• the liberty of asking the first two the liberty of asking the first two questions<00:14:47.160><
• then and then we also have uh uh two then and then we also have uh uh two technical<01:08:24.679
• funds uh in the in the next year or two funds uh in the in the next year or two so<01:24:13.520>
• to our bottom line it you know it's two to our bottom line it you know it's two to<02:38:38.800>
• includes the dashed line.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• line 12 it has the tax rate in there two line 12 it has the tax rate in there of of of 1.25%<00:02:12.920
• The first one is section one, Roman for G4G, so it's like on page two starting on line seven.
• So you're looking at the end of line 10 on page two, where it says that last sentence is the commission
• Well, they could make decisions, so you're looking at the end of line 10 on page two, where it says that
• Are you guys okay with, as a committee amendment, if we add at the end on page two, at the end of line

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But You're going to account for two months, right, two 30-day periods?
• I made two different calls. I made two different 911 calls.
• Two in the morning or the night watchman leave at two in the morning.
• In 2020, Twins One and Twins Two had two counselors, while in 2013, Twins Two even had four counselors
• So lining out a couple. Yes, you. Sorry. So, lining out a couple ways.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you follow some of those lines, there’s a lot of lines and graphs.
• I’m not going to talk through them all here, but those lower two lines intersect the red line.
• focused on addressing utility liabilities and two options focused on insurance. with two options focused
• It just trickles down the line.
• It just trickles down the line.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's around lines 102 and 104.
• So I still think it's around lines 141.
• And you just, and you hit on two, you know, and you kind of hit on two of them there.
• Around line 66, what you're doing is your...
• There's two separate cases that have currently been tried in two different court jurisdictions, and both

Summary: The committee heard several bills on commerce, tourism, labor, technology, and public safety. SB 1666, by Senator Graal, would adopt Florida’s version of UCC Article 12 to address commercial transactions involving digital assets such as cryptocurrency, blockchain, smart contracts, and NFTs; after a technical amendment, it was reported favorably. CS/SB 480, by Senator DiCeglie, would create affordable health coverage options for farmers and ranchers through a nonprofit agricultural organization model similar to Tennessee’s; supporters said it would expand access in rural areas, while opponents and some senators raised concerns about ACA protections, preexisting conditions, and state fiscal impacts. The committee also approved CS/SB 1172, which expands business development incentives for veterans and military spouses, including procurement preferences, fee waivers, tax exemptions, and an entrepreneurship program, after an amendment expanding hiring preferences for military spouses was adopted. The committee then took up SB 1400, which creates a process for removing nonconsensual AI-generated sexual deepfakes from covered online platforms within 24 to 48 hours and subjects noncompliant platforms to penalties under Florida’s deceptive trade practices law; an amendment carved out internet service providers, and the bill was reported favorably. SM 1488, a memorial urging Congress to create a sovereign wealth fund, drew opposition from a public school teacher who questioned its necessity and constitutionality, but it still passed. CS/SB 922, dealing with employment agreements, would strengthen enforcement of certain non-compete and garden leave agreements for employees with access to sensitive information; critics argued it would restrict workers and innovation, while supporters said it protects trade secrets and high-paying jobs. After an amendment, it was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1252, which would create a statewide system for sharing pawn and secondhand dealer data among law enforcement agencies, with an initial feasibility study cost estimated at $250,000 and questions raised about enforcement if agencies do not participate. Finally, CS/SB 1776, under the Whistleblower’s Act, would require advance notice and an opportunity to cure alleged violations, narrow retaliation and disclosure definitions, and limit claims when another statutory remedy exists; members questioned whether the changes could reduce employee protections or allow employers time to destroy evidence, but the bill was still under debate as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• page, lines 133.
• Starting at lines 252, you changed the statute of limitations from four years to two.
• Number two is there's provision in lines 152 to 155 talking about the ability to settle above sovereign
• Four years to two years.
• It's got two more.

Summary: The subcommittee first heard HB 6507, a claims bill for Marcus Button, who suffered severe permanent injuries in a 2006 school bus crash. Representative Andrade explained that a jury awarded Button more than $2 million in 2009, but only a small amount was paid under sovereign immunity limits. He said Pasco County later reached a settlement with Button, but believed it lacked legal authority to pay without legislative approval. The bill would give the county that authority. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed unanimously, 18-0. The committee then took up HB 301, which would substantially revise Florida’s sovereign immunity framework. Representative McFarland said the bill would raise liability caps for state and local governments from $200,000/$300,000 to $1 million/$3 million, with a later increase in 2030, align statutes of limitations with private suits, allow governments to settle above the caps without a claims bill, and prevent insurance policies from conditioning payment on legislative approval. She framed the bill as a way to reduce the need for the claims bill process and provide faster redress to injured people. Testimony on HB 301 was sharply divided. Local governments, school districts, counties, cities, hospital groups, and insurance representatives opposed the bill, arguing the higher caps would sharply increase insurance and taxpayer costs, especially for small or fiscally constrained entities, and that the claims bill process and special masters provide useful review and leverage. Supporters, including the Florida Justice Association and several members, argued the current system is too slow and political, leaves seriously injured people waiting years for compensation, and should be modernized to better hold government accountable. No vote was taken on HB 301 in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• On page two, line 24, the first two words are unrestricted funds.
• >> So, page two, line 24. >> 24.
• And that is on page two, starting on line 15, where it says the commission shall issue a final decision
• He pointed to page two, lines 10 following, to highlight what the PUC would consider when looking at
• Uh on page two beginning on line bill.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's money in here for two program.
• things like lines 12.29 things like lines 12.29 29<00:30:55.760> where<00:30:56.000> it
• <00:30:59.760> 12.24 go to lines 12.24 go to lines 12.24 24<00:31:01.919> to 24 to
• on line on line 13.13,<00:34:26.159> the<00:34:26.639> commissioner<00:34:27.280><
• impacted by the temporary closure of two impacted by the temporary closure of two mines<01:11:47.760

Bills: HF2300, HF2432, HF2445, HF2443, HF2439, HF3023, HF1615, HF2563

Keywords: HF2432, judiciary finance bill, public safety finance bill, corrections policy, crime victims, victim services, Minnesota victims of crime account, court fees, marriage license fee, financial crimes, fraud investigations, insurance fraud, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, Commerce Fraud Bureau, wage theft, automobile theft prevention, nonprofit security grants, 911 funding, POST Board

Transcript Highlights:

• a a vast difference in the two. a a vast difference in the two.
• Two years ago, um the last two years.
• <00:48:28.880> Randy about two two years and then Randy about two two years and then Randy
• We hope to have two.
• for about two years now. for about two years now.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 409, 22 January, 2026; 1:30 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee first heard from the Mississippi Auctioneer Commission, which requested level funding. PJ Lindsay reported the agency granted 29 new auctioneer applications and 9 new firm applications, received 3 complaints, resolved 1, signed 1 consent order, and issued 1 suspension. Members questioned the commission about its cash balance, reserve levels, and a large variance between prior spending and the FY26 request; staff explained the difference was tied to technology and contractual costs, including planned computer system updates and out-of-state conference travel for board members. The commission also noted that auctioneering oversight is important because an estimated $4.5 billion will flow through Mississippi escrow accounts in 2025. The Board of Optometry then presented its budget and organizational changes. Board leaders said the board had transitioned away from a state employee model to a management company arrangement with JBAR/Cornerstone, which they said saved about $43,000 and improved service and efficiency. They described the creation of a licensing database and a new back-end system, and said the board was generally seeking level funding with a small increase for computer equipment tied to the new system. Committee members asked about the impact on PERS contributions, the former employee’s retirement, the board’s cash balance, lease arrangements, and whether licensees had complained; the board said the change required legislative approval, the former employee retired, the cash balance was about $399,900, and service complaints had decreased. The Mississippi Board of Licensure for Engineers and Surveyors reported a busy FY2025, including moving most licensure applications online, accepting supporting documents by email, expanding K-12 and college outreach, hosting student interns, visiting ABET-accredited schools, decoupling the surveyor exam registration process, and awarding about $400,000 in grants to engineering programs. The board said it licenses about 15,000 engineers and surveyors plus 8,500 interns, with most registrants from out of state, and that its fees are among the lowest nationally. For the budget, the board requested level funding overall but also sought a new investigator position, 5% salary progressions, increased travel funding for national meetings and STEM outreach, more contractual money for internships and IT modifications, additional supplies, and restoration of a $600,000 grant program that is funded every other year to support university and community college engineering and surveying programs. The board said its operations are supported by fees and that its cash balance is about $1.6 million.