Transcript Highlights:

• This bill provides that when the commission is making decisions on a certificate of public convenience
• necessity until it obtains from the commission a certificate of public convenience and necessity.
• The commission may not grant a certificate.
• Failure to satisfy these requirements constitutes grounds for denial of the certificate.
• Regarding the siting certificate, there are comparable provisions.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A birth certificate, like a death certificate, is a snapshot in time that records accurate vital statistics
• A birth certificate, like a death certificate, is a snapshot in time that records accurate vital statistics
• A birth certificate, like a death certificate, is a snapshot in time that records accurate vital statistics
• A birth certificate, like a death certificate, is a snapshot in time that records accurate vital statistics
• A birth certificate, like a death certificate, is a snapshot in time that records accurate vital statistics

Bills: SJR12, SCR39, SB7, SB8, SB27, SB29, SB125, SB241, SB371, SB396, SB406, SB464, SB568, SB578, SB608, SB617, SB660, SB689, SB693, SB707, SB731, SB732, SB763, SB779, SB836, SB854, SB857, SB875, SB878, SB879, SB906, SB920, SB921, SB922, SB942, SB965, SB985, SB996, SB1029, SB1035, SB1036, SB1059, SB1084, SB1098, SB1101, SB1185, SB1188, SB1321, SB1332, SB1366, SB1388, SB1396, SB1453, SB1484, SB1494, SB1536, SB1563, SB1596, SB1610, SB1619, SB1737, SB1738, SB1741, SB1816, SB1822, SB1841, SB1939, SB2155, SB2188, SB2230, SJR36, SJR12, SJR81, SJR50, SCR22, SCR12, SCR39, SB765, SB62, SB666, SB888, SB687, SB847, SB1248, SB504, SB857, SB305, SB296, SB284, SB241, SB304, SB1023, SB204, SB609, SB670, SB850, SB854, SB413, SB1346, SB1033, SB1220, SB1073, SB810, SB1539, SB447, SB406, SB985, SB1119, SB1505, SB1215, SB1302, SB583, SB673, SB681, SB1172, SB608, SB955, SB957, SB1120, SB541, SB1737, SB266, SB1415, SB125, SB53, SB1352, SB785, SB1450, SB1502, SB1566, SB414, SB1062, SB578, SB711, SB746, SB942, SB1404, SB1448, SB1738, SB507, SB689, SB1026, SB1349, SB1355, SB1433, SB1434, SB1596, SB1403, SB763, SB667, SB1059, SB617, SB1567, SB310, SB311, SB505, SB1209, SB1210, SB1470, SB264, SB1029, SB1358, SB1364, SB1569, SB1376, SB1228, SB519, SB878, SB1350, SB462, SB827, SB1585, SB1396, SB920, SB1484, SB1273, SB1741, SB7, SB927, SB1227, SB1229, SB1353, SB1366, SB1464, SB1709, SB1729, SB1733, SB1744, SB1772, SB1816, SB1841, SB2188, SB1147, SB879, SB1008, SB1536, SB2016, SB1453, SB1173, SB1163, SB996, SB27, SB568, SB1370, SB1321, SB1101, SB906, SB860, SB1563, SB993, SB693, SB1610, SB1537, SB836, SB1332, SB1307, SB963, SB493, SB922, SB984, SB1084, SB619, SB1098, SB1122, SB455, SB522, SB1057, SB1239, SB1254, SB1255, SB1259, SB1341, SB1664, SB1877, SB464, SB1277, SB32, SB732, SB660, SB731, SB921, SB268, SB1822, SB1188, SB1939, SB1589, SB397, SB1388, SB2230, SB1058, SB1036, SB1267, SB2112, SB1930, SB532, SB1035, SB2155, SB508, SB29, SB292, SB291, SB901, SB1333, SB1436, SB1494, SB964, SB779, SB1378, SB2312, SB1719, SB1386, SB287, SB2143, SB1245, SB261, SB1247, SB1948, SB2406, SB2407, SB1882, SB1197, SB1814, SB618, SB38, SB393, SB2065, SB1371, SB1394, SB1365, SB2243, SB2226, SB2039, SB1919, SB1895, SB1598, SB1493, SB1810, SB1791, SB1706, SB1644, SB1238, SB783, SB458, SB22, SB651, SB897, SB7, SB125, SB578, SB608, SB617, SB763, SB836, SB878, SB906, SB920, SB942, SB985, SB1084, SB1366, SB1388, SB1563, SB1737, SB1738, SB1816, SB1939, SB406, SB689, SR327, SR346, SR351, SR352

Keywords: parental rights, education, constitutional amendment, school choice, child education, border security, southern border, federal immigration policy, illegal immigration, cartels, transnational cartels, fentanyl, drug trafficking, human trafficking, Operation Lone Star, Texas border, National Guard, state guard, border wall, border barriers

Transcript Highlights:

• pass the national um certification exam. pass the national um certification exam.
• We call it national certification exam.
• Um and monitor um certification for PAs.
• to maintain your certification. to maintain your certification. um<00:13:50.240> for<00:13
• , program and you um obtain certification, program and you um obtain certification, then<00:13:55.440

Bills: HB31, HB31

Keywords: absentee voting, disabled, blind, voter assistance, voting rights, SNAP, public assistance, nutritional standards, waiver, food regulation, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows people to continue with certification and be able to practice.
• It allows people to continue with certification and be able to practice.
• It allows people to continue with certification and be able to practice.
• It allows people to continue with certification and be able to practice.
• It allows people to continue with certification and be able to practice.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:30 Introduction of New Members 00:53 SB 69 Discussion 01:24, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Agriculture met for its first session and took up Senate Bill 69, as amended by a committee substitute. The substitute was adopted by motion and vote, and the chair noted that a fiscal note had been requested but not yet received, so the bill would proceed and the fiscal note would be trailed. The bill concerns equine dental care and related chiropractic services, creating a licensing and regulatory framework for equine dental providers and allied animal health practitioners. Senator Robin Webb, the bill sponsor, said the substitute made technical corrections requested by the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association and the chiropractors association. She described the measure as a compromise intended to clarify scopes of practice, establish a credentialing/licensing board, and provide a legal pathway for people who have long provided equine dental services, especially in rural areas where veterinary access can be limited. Supporters said the bill would improve accountability, allow providers to obtain liability insurance, and preserve referrals to veterinarians for issues outside the defined scope. Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association and Board of Veterinary Examiners representatives said the bill was developed through a working group, modeled in part on Texas, and would include continuing education, grievance procedures, and due process protections. Justin Tallup, an equine dental provider, testified in favor, saying the bill would not change day-to-day practice but would legalize and formalize it. He said the scope would be limited to floating and balancing molars and incisors and removing caps and wolf teeth, with anything beyond that referred to veterinarians. He also said certification requires formal training, case submissions, testing, and annual continuing education. Senator Deneen asked about sedation, and witnesses said sedatives would still be prescribed and dispensed by a veterinarian under a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship, with the owner administering them. Michelle Shane of the Board of Veterinary Examiners said the board supported the bill’s disciplinary framework and would defer to federal law on controlled substances. Dr. William Rainbow, a veterinarian, testified against the bill, arguing that equine dentistry is veterinary medicine and that the proposal would allow undertrained practitioners to work without sufficient standards, including a grandfathering provision. He said practitioners should have training comparable to licensed veterinary technicians and warned that the bill could leave horses vulnerable to poor care. The committee did not take final action on the bill in the portion of the meeting provided, but the chair indicated time was running short and that a vote would be needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm trying to go to trade school, trying to become a, you know, get some certification.
• We have lots of shortages of people that need some certification employment.
• We have lots of shortages of people that need some certification employment.
• The program will help 11th- and 12th-grade students complete a certificate program while in high school
• The program will help 11th- and 12th-grade students complete a certificate program while in high school

Bills: HB4, HB20

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 heard a series of higher education and K-12 bills, initially without a quorum and with several measures left pending subject to the call of the chair. Early bills included HB 1868, which would direct a study on lowering the dual-credit funding threshold for public junior colleges from 15 to 9 semester credit hours; HB 2598, which would replace statutory references to “licensed specialist in school psychology” with “school psychologist”; HB 3629, which would bar registered sex offenders from serving on independent school district boards of trustees; and HB 4361, which would require the Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt rules for timely emergency notifications at public institutions of higher education. Each received brief sponsor explanations, no opposition testimony, and was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4848, requiring public higher education systems to ensure at least one institution offers affordable competency-based bachelor’s degree programs in high-demand fields, and HB 1211, which would remove the age 25 deadline for former foster youth to use public college tuition waivers. HB 1211 drew extensive supportive testimony from Texas CASA, a former foster youth who benefited from the waiver, and a current student headed to medical school, all arguing the change would better match the realities faced by youth aging out of care. Members discussed the bill’s fiscal uncertainty and the argument that the waiver is an investment in workforce participation; the bill was left pending. Later, the committee heard HB 20, creating an Applied Sciences Pathway Program to let high school students earn certificates in targeted industries such as welding, plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing, and oil and gas while in school. Industry and workforce groups strongly supported the bill as a way to address labor shortages, while Texas 2036 raised concerns about allowing applied versions of core academic courses to substitute for traditional instruction. HB 4687, which would extend governmental immunity protections to certain campus/district charter schools and adult charter high schools, also received support from a charter-school attorney who said it would align statutes with existing case law and not expand charter rights. HB 4236, as substituted, would create a study group to examine the property value study’s effect on school finance and alternative valuation methods; it was adopted as a committee substitute and left pending. The committee also heard HB 824 on civics instruction in high school government courses and HB 2243, which would create a commission on teacher job satisfaction and retention; the latter prompted debate over removing “ethnic diversity” language from the commission’s makeup. After adopting the substitute for HB 2243 by roll call, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, the national certifications still receive.
• But then now there's all these other groups that have had the equivalent of a national certification,
• We also have a national certification.
• When I got involved in teaching, I had a national certification.
• The certification provides in the academic setting that the school nurse has attained the competencies

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with enough members present to conduct business and approved the June 17 minutes. It first heard HB 459 with House Amendment 1, which would prohibit the sale of energy drinks on public middle and high school campuses during school hours or school events. The sponsor and Department of Education explained that the bill targets beverages containing caffeine and marketed as energy drinks, not ordinary soft drinks or coffee/tea products. Public testimony from the Medical Society supported the bill on health grounds, while the beverage industry said its companies already voluntarily limit school offerings and that the bill does not reflect current practice. No vote was taken in the transcript. The committee then heard HB 461, a follow-up to prior legislation on New Castle County property reassessment and school tax rates. Senator Cruz said the bill would let New Castle County school districts adjust and reset tax rates to reflect reassessment changes without increasing projected operating revenue, and that it includes a sunset. DSEA supported the measure, saying fair property values are important to public education funding. The committee also heard HB 452, which would require additional background checks and training for DIAA sports officials and strengthen DIAA enforcement procedures. Members questioned how checks would be handled, who would see the results, and who would provide training; the DIAA compliance coordinator said the checks would be maintained through the state process and that associations would verify eligibility. The bill’s sponsor and DIAA said the goal was to align officials with existing child-safety standards. Next, the committee considered HS1 for HB 425, which raises the salary supplement from 6% to 12% for nationally certified school counselors, nurses, and school social workers, and allows DOE to identify additional qualifying positions by regulation. Supporters, including school social workers, nurses, and DSEA, argued the change would improve retention and recognize advanced credentials. Senator Hansen raised concerns that school psychologists were not included; sponsors said a broader study and possible future legislation or budget language would address other nationally certified school-based professionals. The committee then heard HS1 for HB 358 on student elopement notifications, inspired by Ace’s Law, but administrators and the chair raised concerns that the bill may be too prescriptive and difficult to implement in practice, especially when schools may not immediately know a student has left campus. Finally, the committee discussed HB 379 on the comprehensive school discipline improvement program; DOE said the substitute was intended to consolidate prevention and intervention supports and avoid competition for funding, while DASA asked that the bill be paused or tabled. The meeting ended before action on the remaining bill, and HB 443 was deferred to a future executive meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not just a certification issue. It's a preparation issue.
• Many of these teachers opt for faster, less effective certification routes.
• a standard teaching certificate in 10 years.
• They want certification. They need legislative assistance.
• One of my biggest concerns in teacher certification is the process itself.

Bills: SB451, SB762, SB1490, SB1262, SB1459, SB1750, SB1962, SB2252, SB2253, SB2365

Keywords: instructional materials, public schools, Education Code, adoption, rejected materials, local funds, open educational resources, Texas Education Code, school districts, open enrollment charter schools, funding restrictions, environmental regulation, business compliance, local authority, economic development, state preemption, local control, open education resources, SB 762, Texas public schools

Transcript Highlights:

• With not only continuing to support alternative certification, but enhancing alternative certification
• Implementing the proposed new educator certification pathways is a job tailor-made for SBEC.
• One of my biggest concerns in teacher certification is the process itself.
• And that would require that special education certification. to have the high school biology certification
• I went to the Goodwill Career Academy to earn certificates and pursue a career in healthcare.

Bills: SB451, SB762, SB1490, SB1262, SB1459, SB1750, SB1962, SB2252, SB2253, SB2365

Keywords: instructional materials, public schools, Education Code, adoption, rejected materials, local funds, open educational resources, Texas Education Code, school districts, open enrollment charter schools, funding restrictions, environmental regulation, business compliance, local authority, economic development, state preemption, local control, open education resources, SB 762, Texas public schools

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee substitute expands this restriction to include certificates of obligation and anticipation
• Certificates of obligation and anticipation notes can sometimes be issued without voter approval, unlike
• Right, in line for for CEOs and you're bringing in certificates, right? That's right.
• Of the issue of the bond certificate when notes exceed 120%.
• Right, in line for for CEOs and you're bringing in certificates, right? That's right.

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee met with a quorum and considered several bills and resolutions, beginning with Senate Bill 393. The bill would restrict political subdivisions from issuing debt for personal property whose useful life ends before the debt matures, and the committee substitute broadened the restriction to include certificates of obligation and anticipation notes as well as general obligation bonds. Members asked about how the weighted-average maturity calculation works, but no detailed explanation was provided. The committee adopted the substitute and left SB 393 pending without a final vote. The committee then heard Senate Bill 464, a youth vaping measure by Senator Campbell. The committee substitute defined vaping apparatus, added a Class A misdemeanor, increased the school buffer from 300 feet to 1,000 feet, preserved limited local authority over tobacco-related retail regulation, and removed a 50% threshold. The substitute was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably; it was also placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also took up SJR 81, which would create a general-law exception for up to $25,000 of tangible personal property held for production of income, and after no public testimony it was reported favorably. Members next considered SB 32, a tax relief measure. The committee substitute reduced the franchise credit amount from $700 million to $500 million, paired with the recently passed $200 million from the related resolution to keep the total at $700 million over the biennium. The substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably and placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also reported out SB 996, SB 1163, SB 1173, SB 1277, SB 1453, and SB 2016, with most passing on 5-0 votes; SB 1453 passed 4-1 and SB 2016 passed 4-1. SB 1163 was reported to the full Senate but not placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee ended the meeting by leaving SB 393 pending and then adjourning/recessing subject to the chair's call.

Transcript Highlights:

• WOULD PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE PATHWAY TO LICENSURE FOR SURVEYORS AND WOULD SUBSTITUTE INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION
• EXCEPT PASSING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE EXAM AND HE OR SHE HAS EARNED A NATIONAL INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION
• QUESTIONS BUT SENATOR GAETZ WHAT IS THE LEVEL OF EDUCATION, I HEARD YOU SAY THIS IS A TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE
• WHAT IS THE LEVEL OF EDUCATION REQUIRED BY THESE FOLKS THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ON A TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE
• WITH THIS PERSON THAT HAS OF THE EXPERIENCE, THEY COME IN NOW WITH A TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE, WILL THEY

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and be able reach to that certification and be able to<00:02:07.520> take<00:02:07.680> the
• There is also a hang-up when it comes to issuing licenses once a certificate of need is issued.
• Also, when it comes to issuing licenses and so forth, there seems to be a hang-up once a certificate
• Also, when it comes to issuing licenses and so forth, there seems to be a hang-up once a certificate
• Chairman. certificate need is issued um there is a certificate need is issued um there is a time<00:08

Keywords: Roll Call 00:20 Discussion on HB 303 00:45 Vote on HB 303 04:41 Discussion on HB 305 05:32 Vote on HB 305 08:34, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and heard House Bill 303 first. Representative Steve Bratcher explained that the bill would let U.S. military members with medical training transition that experience into Kentucky health-care credentials more quickly. Schools and colleges would evaluate military curricula on an individual basis, identify gaps, and allow those gaps to be filled with additional classes or clinical time before the person sits for the required exam. The bill was described as applying broadly across medical fields, not just nursing, and it would not waive testing or standards. Senators asked whether the process would compare credentials across states and whether the bill covered only U.S. military service; Bratcher said evaluations would be individualized and the bill was primarily for those who served in the U.S. military. HB 303 received an 11-0 favorable vote. The committee then took up House Bill 305, presented by Representative Ken Fleming. He said the committee substitute would expand an existing health-care workforce award program to include dietitians and physician assistants, clarify that certain EMS-related services may be owned or operated by a hospital rather than only owned by one, and provide more flexibility around licensing timelines after a certificate of need is issued by the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services. After a motion and second, the committee voted unanimously to amend and pass HB 305 with favorable expression. A title amendment was also adopted unanimously. Before adjournment, the chair noted that the next regular meeting was scheduled for March 12 and warned that a special-called meeting might be needed the following Monday because of bills arriving from the House. No further business was taken up, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I heard you say this is a temporary certificate, and I guess the companies are having trouble finding
• Instead, the requirement is a national industry certification in land surveying, which is difficult to
• So with this person that has the experience, they're coming in now on the temporary certificate, will
• Florida land survey certification except passing the Department of Agriculture exam and earned a national
• industry certification in land survey and receives a recommendation and verification of competence from

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Tourism convened with several members present and Senators DiCeglie and McClain excused. The committee first heard a presentation from Greg Britton, State Director of the Florida Small Business Development Center Network, who described the network’s statewide small-business assistance, including startup support, export and contracting help, disaster recovery, and rural outreach. He highlighted reported 2023 impacts such as $3.9 billion in sales generated, $575.9 million in government contracts, $346.2 million in capital, and support for 2,009 new businesses, including 130 manufacturing firms over the past two years. Members asked about comparisons with SCORE and about measuring rural success, with the chair suggesting jobs and wages in rural areas would be useful metrics; Britton said he could provide job data but was unsure about wage information. The committee then took up SB 320 by Senator Gates, which creates a five-year demonstration project for an alternative licensure pathway for surveyors and mappers. The bill would allow a “first-step” probationary license based on industry certification, apprenticeship, recommendation from a licensed Florida surveyor, and passage of the Department of Agriculture exam within the five-year period, without requiring a four-year degree. Senators asked about the labor shortage, education requirements, foreign workers, and moral character standards. Gates said the shortage is chronic and worsening, the bill has no degree requirement, and anyone meeting the qualifications could proceed regardless of visa status. The committee voted to report SB 320 favorably. Next, the committee considered SB 316 by Senator Berman, which authorizes series limited liability companies in Florida and sets rules for how Florida and foreign series LLCs may operate and transact business in the state. Berman explained that the bill is intended to let businesses isolate liabilities across separate series while providing clearer rules for Florida citizens and businesses dealing with such entities. There were no substantive questions, one appearance form in support, and the committee voted to report SB 316 favorably before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• to get their certificate back.
• So you're eligible to apply for the certificate at that point. ...that point.
• This is a process; it does not mean that you receive your certificate.
• Certificate of eligibility until everything is completed.
• to take that certificate to the board of registrars.

Bills: HB265, HB146, SB254, HB202, HB3, HB42, SB18

Keywords: resisting arrest, penalties, criminal justice, law enforcement, public safety, youthful offender, capital murder, victims' rights, immunity, civil liability, use of force, recruitment, illegal alien, enhanced sentencing, criminal offenses, minor victims, felonies, Alabama legislature, bail reform, cash deposit

Transcript Highlights:

• If I could volunteer to get that certification, I would gladly do it.
• Because there is a difference in milk that's even though the certification representative of U.
• doing now that augments that with clean tech certifications.
• doing now that augments that with clean tech certifications.
• So just kind of look at the background some of the things that we've done. certifications.

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from its October 27 meeting and then heard testimony on the economic and regulatory effects of Arkansas’s raw milk law, Act 698. Clinton Ballard of Milk and Honey Hill Farm said the law helped his family farm expand from 8 to 12 cows and from serving about 75 families to about 150, increasing sales by roughly $50,000 and allowing about $10,000 in raw cheese sales through retail outlets. He argued the law supports small-farm income, food security, and local processing, but said state health agencies still do not inspect raw milk producers unless they sell to a commercial buyer, which he said limits access to USDA grants and other opportunities. He and members discussed safety practices, including rapid chilling, sick-animal removal, sanitation, customer education, and whether any optional state certification or inspection program should be created without adding burdensome regulation. Members asked about herd management, bee production, market channels, and whether raw milk producers should receive training or certification. Ballard said his farm uses Jerseys, removes sick cows from production, sells on-farm and through retail locations, and relies on best-practice guidance from groups such as the Weston A. Price Foundation and the Raw Milk Institute. Several members expressed support for consumer choice but also raised concerns about food safety, especially for children and pregnant women, and about possible “mission creep” if the state creates a voluntary inspection or training system. The discussion ended without any vote or formal action on the raw milk issue. The committee then heard a lengthy presentation from Terrence Bolden of TLB Enterprises on hydroponic and container-based farming as a response to food insecurity, food deserts, and workforce needs. Bolden described a three-year career and technical education model using retrofitted shipping containers to grow food year-round with low water and energy use, paired with training in drones, robotics, agribusiness, and entrepreneurship. He said pilot projects are underway or planned with UAPB, the Little Rock School District, and other partners, and projected that five regional hubs could create significant economic impact and multiple jobs per container. Members asked about costs, target communities, school partnerships, food desert locations, and whether the model could include aquaponics or protein production; Bolden said the program is intended as a public-private partnership and that the committee could tour a container site once it is operational. The meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, a couple of sessions ago, certification for peer specialists passed Certification for peer
• certificate.
• learning requirements for a 10-year professional certificate created in this bill.
• learning requirements for a 10-year professional certificate created in this bill.
• ... ...renewable teacher certification.

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, pledge, and several recognitions, including visiting student groups, chambers of commerce, and apprenticeship participants. Senators also observed a moment of silence for a fallen Walton County deputy and later for the late John Pasadoma. The chamber then moved through a long third-reading calendar and special order calendar, with most bills passing overwhelmingly and several amendments adopted along the way. Among the major measures, SB 234 on criminal offenses against law enforcement officers passed 37-0 after debate and an amendment clarifying “good faith” in an officer’s duties; SB 7020 on open government and cybersecurity information passed 37-0; SM 1488 urging Congress to create a U.S. sovereign wealth fund was adopted by voice vote; SB 944 reducing insurance overpayment claim deadlines for psychologists passed 37-0; SB 878 expanding misdemeanor probation treatment provisions to controlled substances passed 36-1; SB 538, the state court system package, passed 37-0; SB 480 on nonprofit agricultural organization medical benefit plans passed 32-4; SB 472 on correctional-facility education credit for licensure passed 37-0; and SB 56 on geoengineering and weather modification passed 28-9 after extensive debate about enforcement, federal preemption, and the bill’s purpose. Later, the Senate passed CS/HB 421 on peer support for first responders 37-0 after substituting the House companion, and SB 164 on vessel accountability advanced with a technical amendment. SB 166 on administrative efficiency in public schools drew the most extended debate and multiple amendments; it changes testing, promotion, teacher evaluation, certification, and facilities rules, and passed 37-0. The chamber also passed SB 282 on warranty association financial requirements 36-0, SB 316 creating series LLCs 35-1, and SB 384 on annexing state-owned lands 36-0. At the end of the day, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify all passed bills to the House, received budget schedule guidance from Appropriations Chair Hooper for SB 2500 and SB 2502, and adjourned until April 9.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, your Rules Committee has approved the following certificate of congratulations: Certificate
• Certificate number seven. Certificate number eight. Certificate of condolence.
• Certificate number five. Certificate number six. Certificate number seven.
• Certificate number eight. And direct...
• Certificate number 8 and direct recognition, Certificate numbers 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26, and directs

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And there's all kinds of different certifications.
• As far as, I think the representative will bring up the question, as far as a certification, Anybody
• and gentlemen on the fire department have certifications.
• They've got to have that certification. They've got to be EMTs. They've got to be paramedics.
• They've got to have that certification.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and voted House Bill 2808 do pass by a vote of 9 yes, 4 no, and 1 present. The hearing then moved to public testimony, with a scheduling note that House Bill 3533 would not be heard that day. The first public hearing was on House Bills 1808 and 3435, companion measures known as Grace’s Law, which would create a narrow social host liability cause of action for adults who knowingly provide alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person and whose conduct leads to injury, death, or property damage. Sponsors said the bills would close a gap in Missouri law and align the state with other states that allow some social host liability, while committee members raised questions about personal responsibility, scope, and whether the language could reach ordinary social gatherings or other substances. Testimony in support came from the mother of Grace, whose death in a drunk-driving crash prompted the bill, from a relative of another drunk-driving victim, and from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, all emphasizing accountability, prevention, and the need for a civil remedy for families harmed by impaired driving. The committee then heard House Bills 3439 and 3480, which would amend the Public Safety Protection and Recruitment Act to include volunteer firefighters in the tuition assistance program. Sponsors said the bills are intended to help rural fire departments recruit and retain volunteers, especially in communities that rely heavily on volunteers for fire and emergency response. Members questioned the fiscal impact, whether volunteers should receive the same benefit as full-time personnel, and whether the program should be structured as a tuition waiver rather than a scholarship to reduce costs. Supporters, including fire chiefs, a fire service association representative, and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, said volunteer firefighters perform dangerous and essential work, often with limited compensation and long response times in rural areas, and that the benefit would help recruitment and retention. No votes were taken on the public hearing bills, and the hearing concluded after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got some certificates. Students from St. Michael's High School.
• We've got some certificates.
• Finally, there's a certificate of recognition for Food and Farms Day.
• I ask that the certificate be read. The reader to read.
• We do have another certificate to be read, so why don't we do that?

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• certification or not.
• Are you necessarily presuming that a birth certificate equals a death certificate?
• Through the birth certificate process.
• And you're saying a birth certificate or a death certificate, and the death certificates are being done
• So, yes, it is very different from birth certificate data, especially considering that birth certificate

Bills: HB3772, HB1656, HB4504, HB1896, HB4420, HB4421, HB4076, HB3708, HB2806, HB3540, HB1586, HB5459, HB4553, HB4535, HB3811, HB3749, HB4255, HB4051, HB5098, HB3554, HB4539, HB5274

Keywords: e-cigarettes, health and safety, regulations, directory, penalties, regulation, certification, compliance, manufacturers, FDA, nicotine, mental health, emergency detention, paramedic authority, mental illness, healthcare facility, public health, covenants not to compete, health care practitioners, physicians

Transcript Highlights:

• had a record that a certificate of occupancy had been issued.
• For example, their records don't have the original certificate of occupancy.
• had a record that a certificate of occupancy had been issued.
• Okay, the last bill would be the 4753 by Gaineson Parker and about the certificate.
• It's about a lost certificate of occupancy. All right.

Bills: HB198, HB303, HB1535, HB2742, HB3305, HB3348, HB3505, HB3711, HB4753, HB2715, HB21, HB30

Keywords: HB 198, Wade Cannon Act, firefighter cancer screening, occupational cancer screening, fire protection personnel, local government, political subdivision, Texas Commission on Fire Protection, National Fire Protection Association, NFPA standards, occupational medical examination, public safety, firefighter health, cancer prevention, annual health screening, confidential medical exam, pulmonary function test, electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, blood test

Summary: The Committee on Local Government heard and discussed a series of House bills dealing with municipal structure, tax payment timing, local provider participation funds, firefighter cancer screenings, sunset review of the Trinity River Authority, replacement certificates of occupancy, and open meetings enforcement. HB 303 would remove the 501-resident floor so very small type A and B municipalities can convert to type C cities; HB 2742 would give property owners a later first split-payment deadline when tax bills are mailed after November 30; HB 3305 and HB 3348 were local provider participation fund measures with committee substitutes; HB 198 would require political subdivisions to offer occupational cancer screenings for firefighters; HB 1535 was a sunset bill for the Trinity River Authority; HB 4753 would allow a municipality-issued proof of a certificate of occupancy to substitute for a lost original; and HB 3711 would treat certain Open Meetings Act violations as offenses against public administration and require public explanation when prosecutors decline to act. Testimony was generally supportive or limited, with several witnesses and senators emphasizing practical fixes, firefighter health and cost savings, local government transparency, and administrative cleanup. For HB 198, firefighter representatives gave emotional testimony about cancer deaths and the value of early screening. On HB 3711, a witness supported the bill but urged stronger enforcement and broader application. Several senators raised policy concerns on HB 2715 about routing removal proceedings through a regional presiding judge rather than the local county, arguing it could politicize the process. The committee took no public testimony on most bills and repeatedly left them pending subject to call of the chair before later voting them out. HB 21, HB 30, HB 1535, HB 1520, HB 198, HB 303, HB 2742, and HB 4753 were reported to the full Senate, generally by unanimous or near-unanimous votes, and several were also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. HB 30 passed on a 5-1 vote, while the other reported bills were approved unanimously or with no recorded opposition. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.