Transcript Highlights:

• Lord, you put a song in our heart, a gift that declares thanks because of all that you have accomplished
• Riley, Jr., MD, endowed chair in pediatric education with the Department of Pediatrics from 2015 to 2022

Bills: HR1055, SB2170, SB1833, SB1198, HR1056, SB1730, SB563, SB1379, SB1645, SB2155, SB1280, SB1455, SB1456, SB1461, SB1457, SB1463, SB1465, SB1466, SB1344, SB1309, HR1054, SB2159, SB1948, HB1371, SB1365, SB1976, SB1975, SB2026, SB1565, SB1621, SB237, SB933, SB1427, SB1642, SB171, SB1873, SB2067, SB1623, SB1771, SB1805, SB1826, SB2072, SB444, SB2184, SB1966, SB1812, SB2117, SB2135, SB330, SB1239, SB1428, SB1531, SB1484, SB1405, SB3

Keywords: Oklahoma Agriculture Day, agriculture, farmers, ranchers, agribusiness, food production, wheat, cattle, beef, dairy, soybeans, cotton, poultry, pork, rye, rural economy, urban-rural, trade, commodity production, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture

Summary: The House met in session with a roll call establishing a quorum, followed by prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including the Doctor and Nurse of the Day and youth groups visiting the chamber. Special presentations honored the Oklahoma City Blazers under-10 ice hockey team for winning a Texas state championship and MacArthur High School JROTC cadets for repeated drill team success. The chamber also adopted House Resolution 1055 declaring April 29, 2026, as Oklahoma Agriculture Day, and House Resolution 1056 recognizing Denim Day during Sexual Assault Awareness Month; both were adopted without objection. Members then considered a series of Senate bills. SB 2170 on child custody passed 77-0 and requires supervised visitation when a court finds child abuse or sexual exploitation. SB 1833 codifies a federal waiver barring SNAP purchases of candy and soft drinks and passed 62-17. SB 1198, requiring the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to file releases on county- and municipally-owned properties at the request of local officials, passed 79-0. SB 1730, which requires law enforcement sexual abuse reports to be forwarded to OSBI for investigative use, drew debate over victim protection versus due-process concerns and passed 52-29. The House also passed SB 1379 creating a two-year grant pilot for services to labor and sex trafficking victims, including services regardless of immigration status, and approved the emergency. SB 1645 on Medicaid audit procedures, SB 2155 allowing the Route 66 Commission to use MOUs for administrative oversight, and several sunset-extension bills for boards and commissions also advanced, many with emergency clauses approved. SB 1461 extending the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority passed 67-20, but its emergency failed 55-20. Other measures passed included SB 1344 creating an insulin access and affordability program, SB 1309 increasing Roads Fund debt-service capacity, and multiple board-extension bills for construction, polygraph examiners, engineers and surveyors, and midwifery, most with emergency clauses adopted. The House then moved to announcements and recessed until 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Commission is authorized to solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations to support its activities
• hold these truths to be self-evident... self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed

Bills: HB370, HB738, HB2935, HB3227, HB4103, HB5259, SB519, SB1350, SB1247, SB1248, SB2112, HCR81, HCR83, HCR84, HCR59, HCR109, HCR111, HCR135, SCR6

Keywords: HB 370, Events Trust Fund, Texas events funding, sports eligibility, women's sports, girls' sports, biological sex, transgender athletes, sex-segregated sports, athletic competition, event subsidies, tourism funding, site selection organization, anti-trafficking plan, female athletes, public funding, economic impact, sports policy, Rosenwald Schools, historical preservation

Transcript Highlights:

• APAC, the Republican Jewish Coalition, Zionist Organization of America, the Endowment for Middle East
• panelists, especially my dear friend, David Schachter, I want to thank you first of all for giving us the gift

Transcript Highlights:

• America was founded on the self-evident truth that every person is created equal and endowed by our Creator
• At our very founding, America declared that every person is endowed by our Creator with the right to
• And through my own family, I know they are among the greatest gifts the Lord gives.
• And all people are endowed by him, God, our creator, with their inalienable rights.
• Let's end funding for the National Endowment for Democracy, which is often abused against us and our

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• endowments have done the last two years.
• </c> endowments have done the last two years. endowments have done the last two years.
• </c> 12 and 13 it says to support endowments 12 and 13 it says to support endowments for<00:04:40.960
• We couldn't go to an endowment model.
• </c> So the in the endowment So the in the endowment um<03:49:17.840><c> market</c><03:49:18.720><c>

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The law establishes requirements for gift and contract disclosures, training, review of certain work-related
• The law establishes requirements for gift and contract disclosures, training, review of certain work-related
• So, you know, and, you know, he's quite thorough about gifts from foreign adversaries, investigations
• relates to student organizations, I know that this bill prohibits student organizations from accepting gifts
• And so we've done—we also have food scholarships, so donors can donate to endowed scholarships for food

Summary: The Senate Committee on Higher Education met with a quorum, adopted its interim rules on a 6-0 vote, and heard opening remarks from members and staff introductions. The chair emphasized higher education’s role in workforce development and noted a Legislative Budget Board survey issue that was resolved after a community college initially did not respond because the survey was marked optional. The committee then focused on monitoring implementation of Senate Bill 37, which governs public higher education boards, curriculum review, faculty senates/councils, training for regents, and the ombudsman office. Testimony from Chancellor Brandon Creighton of Texas Tech, Commissioner Wynn Rosser, UNT Chancellor Michael Williams, and Ombudsman Brandon Simmons described how SB 37 is being implemented. They said boards now have stronger authority, faculty senates are advisory, and institutions are reviewing general education curricula and other programs for rigor, relevance, and workforce value. Rosser said the statewide advisory committee is reviewing the core curriculum and board training requirements are being administered, while Simmons reported the ombudsman office has received 73 complaints, opened two investigations, and expects a third, with many complaints outside its jurisdiction or harassing in nature. Members questioned witnesses about transfer credits, board training content, auditing, conflicts of interest, curriculum decisions, and whether any institutions were missing deadlines. Rosser said non-transferable credits have declined since reporting began under earlier law, and that the most common reason is courses outside degree requirements. Witnesses said they were not aware of institutions missing the SB 37 review deadlines. Senators also raised concerns about an appearance of impropriety in a Texas Tech-related matter and about whether a Dred Scott case should be taught in law school, with Creighton saying the curriculum review process did not prohibit teaching Supreme Court cases and that he would follow up. Later testimony from University of Houston, Texas State, UT, and Texas A&M system officials said their systems had updated policies, abolished prior faculty senates, created compliant advisory councils, and completed or were completing core curriculum reviews and related governance changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was actually the one that gave the endowment for the centennial; that was a billion. A billion.
• That's an endowed fund. Do we know what kind of revenue we receive off of that? Who's keeping...
• equipment and the bandwidth necessary to communicate effectively and efficiently, especially as our gift
• equipment and the bandwidth necessary to communicate effectively and efficiently, especially as our gift
• It shows you discretionary expenses might include hearing aids or gifts for your family.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard budget presentations for the Texas Historical Commission, the Pension Review Board, the Employees Retirement System (ERS), Social Security and benefit replacement pay, the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System (TESSRS), and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). The Legislative Budget Board outlined recommendations and major changes for each agency, including reductions tied to one-time projects at the Historical Commission, continued funding for courthouse grants, heritage trails, and Holocaust/genocide education, as well as new or modified riders and capital items. For the pension-related items, LBB described funding changes for PRB, ERS, Social Security, and TESSRS, including ERS health plan cost growth driven largely by pharmacy costs, the status of pension funding reforms, and TESSRS’s request for additional state support to address its unfunded liability and staffing needs. Members asked extensive questions about the Historical Commission’s one-time funding, unexpended balance authority, courthouse preservation, the Presidio La Bahia and National Museum of the Pacific War projects, and coordination of Texas history messaging across sites such as the Alamo, San Jacinto, Washington on the Brazos, and other heritage locations. The Historical Commission chair emphasized heritage tourism, economic development, and the need for continued investment in historic sites, staffing, IT modernization, and vehicles. On the pension items, senators discussed PRB oversight of local systems, including the Dallas police and fire pension situation, and ERS investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health costs. ERS officials said the plan remains well funded overall, noted a 2021 cash balance reform and a planned supplemental legacy payment, and explained that GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro are a major driver of pharmacy spending; they also said the agency is working with the Texas Pharmacy Initiative and that rebates are contractually returned to ERS. For TESSRS, LBB and agency staff said the system serves volunteer and part-paid emergency personnel, is facing an infinite amortization period, and is requesting additional appropriations, staffing, and IT funding, along with a statutory change to allow an actuarially determined state contribution. The agency said it may otherwise need to cut benefits for volunteer firefighters. For CPRIT, LBB reported about $600 million in recommended funding for the biennium and a 10-FTE increase, while the agency described its $6 billion voter-approved program, $3.75 billion in grants awarded to date, and $10.4 million in revenue sharing since 2011. CPRIT’s only exceptional item was a request for a 10% salary increase for two exempt positions. No committee votes or formal actions were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Remind them that today is a gift another chance to serve the people of this great state And may your
• Pope Francis, who passed away the day after Easter It was almost a gift to followers. to have his passing
• applicable to a decedent's property or the transfer of an estate, inheritance, legacy, succession. or gift
• as I read it, and correct me if I'm wrong, you do not require that this, the power generated by our gift
• Establish an endowment scholarship and then execute and administer a scholarship that meets the previous

Bills: HB14, HJR31, HB43, HB18, HB 106, HB36, HB26, HB149, HB 121, HB206, HB136, HB3114, HB2733, HB1732, HB3700, HB467, HB 1130, HB1846, HB1442, HB 1147, HB2176, HB2701, HB805, HB2890, HB 1154, HB1644, HB2118, HB1718, HB2488, HB2596, HB1971, HB2468, HB484, HB2578, HB3204, HB 1041, HB307, HB685, HB1710, HB538, HB2525, HB3125, HB2027, HB2894, HB3077, HB3684, HJR99, HB1399, HJR5, HB1330, HB2110, HJR2, HJR6, HB1587, HB14, HJR31, HB43, HB18, HB 106, HB36, HB26, HB149, HB 121, HB206, HB136, HB3114, HB2733, HB1732, HB3700, HB467, HB 1130, HB1846, HB1442, HB 1147, HB2176, HB2701, HB805, HB2890, HB 1154, HB1644, HB2118, HB1718, HB2488, HB2596, HB1971, HB2468, HB484, HB2578, HB3204, HB 1041, HB307, HB685, HB1710, HB538, HB2525, HB3125, HB2027, HB2894, HB3077, HB3684

Keywords: nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, farm products, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, agriculture, Texas Constitution, livestock, producer, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services

Transcript Highlights:

• I actually have peers and friends who donate to the university and set up scholarships and endowments
• the athletic name, image bill that is running through and getting funding for that. respect to endowments
• uh and looking to respect to endowments uh and looking to the<00:12:07.440><c> alumni</c><00:12:08.160
• so that she she knows what may endowment so that she she knows what may happen<00:47:23.839><c> next
• ,</c><01:30:18.560><c> and</c> research activities, gifts, and research activities, gifts, and coordinate

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, H.J.R. 2 will constitutionally prohibit an estate, death, inheritance, legacy, succession, gift
• H.J.R. 2 will constitutionally prohibit an estate, death, inheritance, legacy, succession, gift, generation-skipping
• applicable to a decedent's property or the transfer of an estate, inheritance, legacy, succession, or gift
• The bill enhances the fiduciary oversight and governance of the state's largest public education endowment
• by increasing and governance of the state's largest public education endowment by increasing the financial

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Pastor Tedrick Woods, followed by routine chamber actions including excusing Senator Gutierrez and receiving House messages that the House had passed HB 21 and HB 49. Senators also recognized advocates visiting the gallery on focal segmental glomerulosclerosis awareness and introduced the Doctor of the Day. The chamber adopted several resolutions, including HCR 66, by voice vote. The Senate then took up and passed a series of measures, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. Among the bills finally passed were HJR 2, which would prohibit state death taxes; HB 206, limiting counties from requiring cash bonds for pipeline construction; HB 517, barring property owners associations from fining homeowners for discolored vegetation during watering restrictions; HB 2756, requiring TDCJ correctional officers to receive de-escalation and behavioral health training; HB 451, expanding screening for commercial sexual exploitation risk among children in DFPS and TJJD custody; SB 705, cleaning up the air conditioning and refrigeration contractors advisory board; SB 2017, creating an offense for burnouts and wheelies; SB 1858, expanding body armor grant eligibility to ISDs; SB 1400, directing a study on transfer-student outcomes for community college funding; SB 2764, requiring notice to manufactured home buyers about converting homes to real property; SB 748, a licensing cleanup bill on laser hair removal; SB 2519, restricting certain ad valorem tax uses and bonds after amendment; SB 2878, the courts bill with amendments on Brazoria County courts and youth diversion provisions; SB 466, allowing families to request fetal death certificates at any gestational age; SB 1608, requiring timely physical exams for inpatient mental health admissions; SB 1730, limiting civil damages claims arising from certain uses of force or deadly force; SB 2417, clarifying Attorney General antitrust investigation work product and discovery rules; and SB 1946, creating a family violence, criminal homicide prevention task force. The Senate also passed HB 3204, renaming and updating the Polytechnic College at Sam Houston State University, and SB 1986, requiring opioid warning labels. Several bills drew brief debate or amendments. Senators discussed broader HOA reform while considering HB 517, and SB 2203 on TCEQ discovery procedures was amended to require party motions, set a 15-day expiration for certified issues, and limit hearing abatement. SB 2017 was amended to change the mens rea language from knowingly to intentional. SB 2519 was narrowed by amendment to a forward-looking policy statement separating maintenance-and-operation taxes from debt-service taxes. SB 2878 also received amendments to reduce the number of new Brazoria County courts and add youth diversion and crisis-response provisions. SB 466 prompted a floor debate over whether fetal death certificates are appropriate for pre-20-week losses, with supporters emphasizing family closure and opponents arguing the document has no estate-related purpose. SB 1730 also prompted questions about the relationship between criminal findings and civil liability in self-defense cases. The session concluded with additional House and Senate measures being signed in the presence of the Senate and continued consideration of SB 2177, a grant program to help local law enforcement solve violent and sexual offenses.

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't mean on every gift our fingerprints are directly on it, but the amount of rigor that we put
• </c><00:43:40.640><c> mean</c><00:43:40.839><c> on</c><00:43:41.079><c> every</c><00:43:41.440><c> gift
• </c><00:43:42.319><c> um</c> way um it doesn't mean on every gift um way um it doesn't mean on every
• gift um our<00:43:42.680><c> fingerprints</c><00:43:43.280><c> are</c><00:43:43.520><c> directly</c><
• Our endowment is around $600 million.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The meeting covered several Senate resolutions related to the University of Hawaiʻi system, the East-West Center, and related education and workforce issues. On SCR 178 and SR 48, testifiers strongly supported the East-West Center, describing it as an important Hawaii asset that promotes cultural exchange, global citizenship, diplomacy, and ties to the University of Hawaiʻi. Speakers said the Center has helped train leaders and bring international connections and investment to Hawaii, and they urged continued funding despite federal cuts. The chairs then recommended passage with technical amendments, and both resolutions were adopted by the committees. The committee also heard testimony on resolutions calling for audits of University of Hawaiʻi operations. On SR 32 and SCR 50, the University of Hawaiʻi said it supported the resolution and had already begun work on establishing a Bachelor of Science in nursing at the UH Maui campus, with additional staff available on Zoom to answer questions. On SR 160 and SCR 142, which sought a financial and performance audit of UH Mānoa facilities, UH Athletics said it already undergoes annual financial audits required by NCAA bylaws but not performance audits, and discussed its internal evaluations, contingency planning, and efforts to address concerns raised by student athletes and staff. The committee then took up SCR 138 and SR 55, requesting a management and performance audit of the UH Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy. Vice President Deborah Halbert and P20 Director Steve Shotz said they did not oppose the audit and believed it could provide clarity, while explaining that the office is relatively new and works collaboratively across campuses on articulation, transfer, grants, and workforce alignment. They described grant programs including Perkins, GEAR UP, preschool development, and data-sharing efforts, and said they are focusing more resources on teaching, health care, and skilled trades. The discussion also touched on SR 54, a proposed performance audit of the UH Foundation, where foundation representatives said they already undergo annual financial audits, acknowledged some donor communication issues, but emphasized improved stewardship and growth in fundraising over recent years.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is not a guarantee; it is a gift, one that we must actively protect and share.
• This nation was founded under the belief that all are created equal, endowed with certain unalienable
• In Massachusetts, we remember that democracy is not a gift from the powerful.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate convened with routine opening business, including the Pledge of Allegiance and the filing of several reports, such as the Parole Board’s 2023 annual report and a fiscal year 2025 prior-year deficiency report from the Comptroller. Those reports were ordered placed on file. The remainder of the session was devoted almost entirely to a series of brief statements by the Senate President and many senators responding to what they described as federal actions under the Trump administration, especially immigration enforcement without due process, court defiance, and broader threats to democratic norms. Senators repeatedly condemned the detention and deportation of immigrants, students, researchers, and even some U.S. citizens, citing specific Massachusetts cases including Ramesa Ozturk of Tufts, Juan Francisco Mendez, Sunua Petrova, and others. Members also raised concerns about cuts to federal funding affecting Massachusetts, including NIH and university research, asthma prevention, education, climate resilience, and veterans’ services. Several senators tied these issues to the state’s economy, higher education, health care, and immigrant communities, and many invoked Massachusetts and American history to argue for due process, the rule of law, and resistance to authoritarianism. A few policy responses were mentioned, including support for increasing funding for the Attorney General to handle lawsuits, and references to bills or proposals such as the Immigrant Legal Defense Act, the Dignity Not Deportation Act, the Safe Communities Act, and the Location Shield Act. The Senate President also referenced the chamber’s broader “Response 2025” initiative. No substantive legislation was debated or voted on during the statements themselves, aside from the adoption of an order to adjourn and the setting of the next meeting for Thursday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Alan Paul, a gifted journalist, author, and storyteller
• Until his passing, he endowed his alma mater, Dartmouth College's School of International Relations,

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, June 25, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Secretary of State is authorized to solicit and accept gifts, grants, or endowments for the purpose

Bills: HB2514, HB2551, HB2236, HB2470

Keywords: HB 2514, global war on terror, GWOT, war on terror memorial, Capitol campus memorial, Washington veterans, fallen service members, military memorial, post-9/11 veterans, Iraq War, Afghanistan War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, veterans memorial, capitol grounds, state memorial, Secretary of State, Capitol Committee, Department of Veterans Affairs

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee heard several bills. Substitute House Bill 2281 would require state agencies to consult with tribes before actions affecting tribal traditional cultural places and, under the substitute, would prohibit undue burdens on tribal traditional cultural practices unless justified by a compelling state interest and least restrictive means. Supporters, including tribal representatives, said the bill would better protect sacred sites and give tribes an enforceable remedy; an industry representative asked for narrower, clearer language. House Bill 2514 would create a work group to plan a Global War on Terror memorial on the Capitol campus, including names to honor, site options, design, and funding; the sponsor said it would help turn an existing authorization into a concrete plan and fundraising path. House Bill 2551 would let school districts with ending fund balances at or below 3% seek OSPI approval to sell real property to restore financial stability and avoid binding conditions, with rules to ensure transparency and limit use to once every five years. The Tacoma School District supported the bill as a tool to manage severe budget pressure, while a committee member raised concerns about possible effects on local land use and gentrification. Substitute House Bill 2668 would direct Fish and Wildlife to identify alternate locations for the Bob Oake Game Farm and seek future capital funding to relocate and remediate the current site because of nitrate contamination affecting the Centralia area aquifer. Centralia officials, county public health, and tribal representatives said relocation is needed to protect drinking water and avoid much larger future treatment costs, while noting the farm should continue operating elsewhere. The committee also took executive action on the proposed substitute for House Bill 2470, which would increase school construction assistance for projects on military bases by adding 15% to the state match. Supporters said military families need safe, quality school facilities; one member voted no, citing concerns about federal responsibility and the bill’s relationship to school district financial pressures. The substitute passed the committee 15-1, with three excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Secretary of State is authorized to solicit and accept gifts, grants, or endowments for the purpose

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee heard briefings and testimony on several bills. Substitute House Bill 2281 would require state agencies to avoid imposing an undue burden on Indian tribes’ traditional cultural practices at tribal traditional cultural places, and would create a Superior Court cause of action for tribes. The prime sponsor and tribal witnesses said the bill is needed to protect sacred sites and cultural resources, while an industry witness asked for narrower, more predictable language. Some testimony criticized the bill as too expansive and likely to increase litigation. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 2514, which would create a Global War on Terror memorial work group to plan and recommend details for a memorial on the Capitol campus; the sponsor emphasized honoring Washington service members and said private fundraising would be central to the project. House Bill 2551 would let school districts with very low ending fund balances seek OSPI approval to sell district real property and use the proceeds to restore financial stability, rather than depositing the money into capital or debt service funds. The sponsor and Tacoma School District testified that the bill is a safeguard for districts nearing binding conditions, while members raised concerns about possible impacts on local land use and whether the bill could be misused in urban or rural areas. Substitute House Bill 2668 would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to identify alternate locations for the Bob O’K Game Farm and request future capital funding to relocate and remediate the site because of nitrate contamination affecting the Centralia area aquifer. Local officials, public health staff, and tribal representatives supported relocation, citing public health risks and the potential cost of inaction, while the sponsor stressed that the bill is about moving, not closing, the game farm. In executive action, the committee took up House Bill 2470, as amended by a proposed substitute, which would increase state school construction assistance for schools on military bases by adding 15% to the calculated state match percentage. Members discussed the role of federal funding and the need for safe, equitable facilities for military-connected students. The committee approved the substitute bill and reported it out with a due pass recommendation by a vote of 15-1, with three excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• Regarding financial inputs, the House bill before you this afternoon authorizes OSPI to receive gifts
• , grants, or endowments from public or private sources, and to use those resources according to the applicable

Bills: HB2142, HB2369, HB2432

Keywords: remote learning, hybrid learning, education reform, alternative education, student engagement, local food, public schools, nutrition, sustainability, agriculture, technology access, educational resources, surplus hardware, student support, 904, all

Summary: The House Education Committee held public hearings on three bills. HB 2142 would replace statutory references to “alternative learning experience” with “remote and hybrid learning.” Staff explained that ALE programs currently include online, remote, and site-based courses, and the bill would change terminology across multiple statutes. The prime sponsor and a retired principal testified that the change is intended to reduce stigma and more accurately describe programs like River Home Link, while committee members raised concerns that the new wording could unintentionally capture fully in-person programs. Testimony was largely supportive, and the public hearing closed with 52 in favor, 4 opposed, and 0 other. The committee then heard HB 2369, which would create the Washington Local Food for Schools program within OSPI to expand procurement and distribution of Washington-grown foods to schools using the USDA food distribution system. Staff and the sponsor said the bill would codify and expand existing farm-to-school efforts, reduce logistical barriers for districts and local producers, and support local agriculture. Testifiers included OSPI, food hubs, farm-to-school advocates, school district leaders, farmers, and students, all speaking in support and describing benefits such as fresher meals, stronger local economies, and educational connections to agriculture. The hearing closed with 455 in favor, 64 opposed, and 1 other. Finally, the committee heard HB 2432, which would allow school districts and ESDs to sell or grant surplus technology hardware, such as laptops and tablets, directly to public school students and recent graduates at depreciated cost, with priority for students with the greatest need. The sponsor said the bill would help students access devices for jobs, college, and postsecondary transitions, while staff noted existing law already addresses assistive devices for students with disabilities. Testimony from district technology and finance officials supported the bill as a practical way to extend the life of equipment and improve student access at home. The hearing closed with 57 in favor, 5 opposed, and 0 other. The chair then announced amendment deadlines for upcoming bills and adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Regarding financial inputs, the House bill before you this afternoon authorizes OSPI to receive gifts
• , grants, or endowments from public or private sources and to use those resources according to the applicable

Summary: The House Education Committee held public hearings on three bills. House Bill 2142 would replace statutory references to “alternative learning experience” with “remote and hybrid learning.” Committee staff and the prime sponsor said the change is intended to reduce stigma and more accurately describe programs that may be online, hybrid, or site-based. Several members raised concerns that the terminology could unintentionally affect fully in-person programs; the sponsor and a retired principal testified that the bill is meant as a name change and would not materially alter current programs. The bill drew 52 pro, 4 con, and 0 other sign-ins. House Bill 2369 would create a Washington Local Food for Schools program in OSPI to help schools procure and distribute Washington-grown foods through existing USDA food distribution systems. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would reduce logistical barriers for farmers and districts, support local agriculture, and improve the quality and appeal of school meals. Testimony came from school nutrition advocates, farmers, a school superintendent, students, and OSPI, with broad support and discussion of how the program would work through catalogs, ordering windows, and existing warehouses. The bill drew 455 pro, 64 con, and 1 other sign-in. House Bill 2432 would allow school districts and ESDs to sell or grant surplus technology hardware, such as laptops and tablets, directly to public school students and recent graduates at depreciated value, with priority for students with greater need. The sponsor said the goal is to help students transition to work, college, and other postsecondary opportunities. Committee members asked about whether the bill should address assistive devices and whether devices could be reserved for future graduating classes; staff noted existing law already covers transfer of assistive devices for students with disabilities. Testimony from district technology and finance staff supported the bill as a practical way to extend the life of devices and benefit students. The bill drew 57 pro, 5 con, and 0 other sign-ins. At the end of the meeting, the chair announced amendment deadlines for several bills scheduled for executive session later in the week and then adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• James Moritz Endowment. scholarship from the 100 Club of Texas, Mr.
• applicable to to a decedent's property or the transfer of an estate, inheritance, legacy, secession, or gift

Bills: HJR1, HJR2, HB9, HB22, HB908, HB1392, HB195, HB 13, HB143, HB135, HJR1, HJR2, HB9, HB22, HB908, HB1392

Keywords: constitutional amendment, property tax, ad valorem tax, tax exemption, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, equipment exemption, machinery, local government finance, school district revenue, county taxes, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, tax relief, commercial property, death tax, inheritance tax, estate tax, property transfer

Transcript Highlights:

• So the endowment is really working.
• the endowment this year.
• do receive endowment funds.
• None of the endowment money comes through us. None of the endowment money comes through us.
• This endowment is not open to private donations. It's a legislative endowment.

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy presentation from the New Mexico Rural Library Initiative in support of fully funding the rural library endowment with an additional $29.5 million. The presenters described rural libraries as essential community infrastructure that provide not only books and internet access, but also early childhood programs, adult education, workforce support, telehealth, disaster response, and civic meeting space. They argued that the endowment would provide stable annual support for staffing and operations, help sustain libraries in very small towns and tribal communities, and support new or developing libraries. Members asked about eligibility, county coverage, how funds are distributed, and whether the state tracks broader outcomes such as job placements or certifications; the presenters said the State Library administers the funds and that the initiative itself is a nonprofit capacity-building organization, not the fund manager. Some members raised concerns about whether an endowment is the best long-term model versus recurring annual appropriations, and about the need for better reporting and state-library involvement. The committee then heard from food bank leaders Jill Dixon and Katie Anderson about food security and its economic impact. They said New Mexico’s five food banks and more than 500 partner agencies serve all 33 counties, distribute over 45 million meals, and rely mostly on philanthropy, with some state and local support. They emphasized that SNAP is a major economic driver, supporting grocery access, jobs, and local spending, and that recent legislative growth funding helped food banks respond to a surge in demand during a SNAP disruption. They also highlighted food banks as community hubs that can connect people to health care, job training, and other services, including through clinic referrals and closed-loop systems. In response to questions, they said food access gaps remain in some rural areas, that clients can generally seek food at other distribution sites without barriers, and that longer-term solutions should include more grocery access, healthy corner stores, and stronger broadband and health care infrastructure. The final presentations came from the Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce and the Artesia Chamber of Commerce. Gallup-McKinley described a shrinking workforce, youth outmigration, crime, health care shortages, malpractice costs, and gross receipts tax burdens as major barriers to rural economic growth, and urged action on workforce pipelines, housing, public safety, malpractice reform, and tax/regulatory changes. Artesia highlighted its murals, library, sports tradition, oil and gas, agriculture, federal training center, and refinery, while also noting workforce shortages, health care recruitment challenges, housing constraints, and the need for quality-of-life investments and more flexible regulation. The committee also briefly heard a bill presentation proposing a New Mexico-Ireland Trade Commission to promote bilateral trade and investment, especially in technology, agriculture, and energy sectors. No votes were taken because quorum was not reached, and the endorsement item was not acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the endowment is really working.
• the endowment this year.
• , so they do not get funding from the endowment.
• This endowment is not open to private donations; it's a legislative endowment.
• I understand, you know, when we, when this endowment was established, there was the sixth endowment in

Keywords: 996, all