Video & Transcript : 'Fix Our Forests Act' :
Page 110 of 500
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- when times get tough, remind us that you are a God who knows all things. things in your ways are not our
- President and members, our members of the Longoria family.
- Members, the nomination committee action report from our Monday meeting, March the 10th, 2025.
- I commend it to you, for those who've... not, of course, Panola College, which we're so proud of, our
- Members, please welcome our friends from Panola County. Many of you know... them well.
Bills:
SJR36 , SJR34 , SJR18 , SCR9 , SB616 , SB565 , SB384 , SB140 , SB262 , SB370 , SB372 , SB495 , SB627 , SB764 , SB842 , SB971 , SB767 , SB480 , SB1066 , SB929 , SB765 , SB523 , SB62 , SB19 , SB18 , SB666 , SB688 , SB707 , SB888 , SB687 , SB706 , SB847 , SB869 , SB890 , SB992 , SB1145 , SB494 , SB290 , SB766 , SB11 , SB10 , SB13 , SB263 , SB412 , SB20 , SB441 , SB442 , SB1621 , SCR13 , SB569 , SB314 , SB25 , SB293 , SB914 , SB260 , SB1248 , SB740 , SB14 , SJR34 , SCR9 , SB10 , SB11 , SB19 , SB20 , SB25 , SB62 , SB140 , SB260 , SB262 , SB290 , SB293 , SB314 , SB370 , SB384 , SB412 , SB441 , SB442 , SB480 , SB494 , SB495 , SB616 , SB627 , SB706 , SB707 , SB764 , SB767 , SB869 , SB890 , SB929 , SB992 , SB1145 , SB1621 , SJR34 , SB140 , SB262 , SB370 , SB480 , SB627 , SB764 , SB767 , SR224 , SB1626 , SB1627 , SB1628 , SB1629 , SB1630 , SB1631 , SB1632 , SB1633 , SB1634 , SB1635 , SB1636 , SB1637 , SB1638 , SB1639 , SB1640 , SB1641 , SB1642 , SB1643 , SB1644 , SB1645 , SB1646 , SB1647 , SB1648 , SB1649 , SB1650 , SB1651 , SB1652 , SB1653 , SB1654 , SB1656 , SB1657 , SB1658 , SB1659 , SB1660 , SB1661 , SB1662 , SB1663 , SB1664 , SB1665 , SB1666 , SB1667 , SB1668 , SB1669 , SB1670 , SB1671 , SB1672 , SB1673 , SB1674 , SB1675 , SB1676 , SB1677 , SB1678 , SB1679 , SB1680 , SB1681 , SB1682 , SB1683 , SB1684 , SB1685 , SB1686 , SB1687 , SB1688 , SB1689 , SB1690 , SB1691 , SB1692 , SB1693 , SB1694 , SB1695 , SB1696 , SB1697 , SB1698 , SB1699 , SB1700 , SB1626 , SB1627 , SB1628 , SB1629 , SB1630 , SB1631 , SB1632 , SB1633 , SB1634 , SB1635 , SB1636 , SB1637 , SB1638 , SB1639 , SB1640 , SB1641 , SB1642 , SB1643 , SB1644 , SB1645 , SB1646 , SB1647 , SB1648 , SB1649 , SB1650 , SB1651 , SB1652 , SB1653 , SB1654 , SB1656 , SB1657 , SB1658 , SB1659 , SB1660 , SB1661 , SB1662 , SB1663 , SB1664 , SB1665 , SB1666 , SB1667 , SB1668 , SB1669 , SB1670 , SB1671 , SB1672 , SB1673 , SB1674 , SB1675 , SB1676 , SB1677 , SB1678 , SB1679 , SB1680 , SB1681 , SB1682 , SB1683 , SB1684 , SB1685 , SB1686 , SB1687 , SB1688 , SB1689 , SB1690 , SB1691 , SB1692 , SB1693 , SB1694 , SB1695 , SB1696 , SB1697 , SB1698 , SB1699 , SB1700
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Grant for lender serving underserved entrepreneurs 3/3/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Our solution: how Fortis works.
- </c><00:02:28.959><c> with</c><00:02:29.200><c> our</c> established in 2019 and our with our established
- Our approach does not businesses. Our approach does not replace<00:04:21.199><c> banks.
- </c> within our communities. within our communities.
- our workforce and our entrepreneurs in our workforce and our economic<00:17:26.160><c> development.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Rules Committee Jun 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- requirements that the industry remains so that our industry and our food industry remains essential
- requirements that the industry remains so that our industry and our food industry remains essential
- priority, our top priority.
- Our executive officer is a female. Our executive officer is a female, our...
- Our executive officer is a female, our lead scientist is a female, and the chair of our independent science
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Rules convened with a quorum and first took up several governor’s appointments not required to appear. It approved Paulette Brown Hines, PhD, to the California Transportation Committee, Christopher Clark and Maggie Hallahan to the Board of State and Community Corrections and Boating and Waterways Commission respectively, Kent Sasaki to the Building Standards Commission, and Danielle N. Munoz to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, with one appointment receiving a 3-1 vote and the others passing unanimously or 5-0. The committee also approved a reference of bills to committees by a 5-0 vote.
The committee then heard Tanya Pacheco Warner, PhD, for reappointment to the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District Board. She described her public health background, her family’s experience with asthma, and her work on agricultural burning phase-outs and AB 617 community efforts. Members questioned her about the cumulative economic impact of air rules on Valley agriculture, mobile-source emission strategies, the FARMER tractor replacement program, collaboration with fellow board members, and how to communicate climate and air-quality risks to the public. After public comment, her appointment was approved 4-0 and sent to the full Senate.
Next, the committee considered three reappointments to the California Horse Racing Board: Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, and Thomas Hudnut, J.D. The nominees emphasized horse and rider safety reforms, reduced equine fatalities, the impact of Golden Gate Fields’ closure on Northern California racing, and the need for new revenue sources and possible legislative support to strengthen purses and keep the industry viable. Senators pressed them on safety, HISA relations, gambling-related revenue options, and the decline of racing in the North. Public witnesses from the racing industry supported the nominees, and all three appointments were approved 3-0.
Finally, the committee heard Julie Lee and Ann Patterson, J.D., for the Delta Stewardship Council. Both stressed the Delta’s importance to statewide water reliability, ecosystem health, and climate adaptation, and highlighted the council’s science program, performance metrics, and community engagement efforts. Senators asked about the co-equal goals, the role of science and social science in building trust, the council’s future mission, and how to communicate climate impacts such as sea-level rise and salinity intrusion. The hearing continued into discussion of balancing water supply and ecosystem protection, with the members framing the Delta as a statewide system requiring coordinated management.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 13th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Me again, that we must try to share from our hearts, our love and gratitude, and our deepest wishes for
- roads, who are taking care of our disabled, our elderly, and our children, who too often are not valued
- our disabled, our elderly, and our children, who for too often are not valued.
- ...what do we want our bill, our budget, to represent?
- Our probation officers... Our probation officers are necessary.
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call and proceeded to floor business, with the main item being SB 101, the state budget bill. Before debate on the bill, Assembly Member Sanchez offered amendments to redirect funding toward Proposition 36 implementation, wildfire prevention, Medi-Cal provider reimbursement, developmental services, and other priorities; the majority moved to lay those amendments on the table, and the motion passed 43-18. The chamber then took up SB 101 as the budget bill for immediate effect.
Debate on the budget was extensive and sharply divided. Supporters, including Assembly Member Gabriel and several committee chairs, described the budget as a difficult but responsible compromise that protects Medi-Cal, IHSS, child care, housing, wildfire prevention, and other safety-net programs while responding to a projected deficit and federal uncertainty. Opponents criticized the budget as fiscally unsound and argued it relied on accounting gimmicks, did not adequately fund Proposition 36 or wildfire prevention, and continued spending on high-speed rail and Medi-Cal coverage for undocumented immigrants. Several members also raised concerns about gas taxes, provider reimbursement, probation funding, and the impact on vulnerable Californians.
After debate, the Assembly voted on SB 101 and passed it 57-19. The measure was sent immediately to the Senate. The body then announced upcoming session schedules, with no floor or check-in sessions on June 14 and 15, and a floor session set for June 16 at 1 p.m., before adjourning.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services May 13th, 2025
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- We've all had issues in our lives, and we have our networks that we'll go to to talk through those issues—friends
- Our fire network out there, again, very famous across our nation, is geographically probably covering
- We see it primarily in our unlicensed group home and boarding home settings, but we have seen it in our
- House Bill 3560 ensures that this requirement is explicit in our licensing act and ... ...ensures the
- Part of our strategy does include providing access to NARCAN at our public facilities such as libraries
Bills:
HB35 , HB138 , HB754 , HB1314 , HB1612 , HB2254 , HB2510 , HB2789 , HB3560 , HB3597 , HB4224 , HB4273 , HB4643 , HB4783 , HB138
Committee:
Senate Health & Human Services
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Mar 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Our funding decisions are going to great things for our environment and ensure that our departments run
- This is just the first step of our budget.
- Thank you. >> Senator, why not let our our local governments, I guess. >> Make that decision, you know
- We can use money to work on education of our pregnant moms and our mothers of young children and the
- Let me just tell you right now in our water and our water supply, supply, it's at 0.7 milligrams per
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee Apr 7th, 2026
Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- So in closing, I will leave you with this: If we cannot act when our kids are collapsing on the field
- , thus keeping our student athletes engaged in our after-school programs.
- Fixed the world.
- So let’s fix it in post. Thank you very much. Let’s fix it in post. So let’s fix it in post.
- A fix to a problem.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement - 03/17/26
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> think, at our March 3rd meeting. think, at our March 3rd meeting.
- </c><00:20:54.400><c> If</c> fixed based on their work career. If fixed based on their work career.
- our children as I refer to one of our our children as I refer to them<00:35:03.720><c> with</c><00:35
- :03.840><c> our</c><00:35:03.960><c> plans</c> them with our plans them with our plans in<00:35:05.359
- have made to our classroom.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- I pray we can use the things that we have learned from all our experiences to help us in our lives and
- We need our rain. We want our snowpack. These things are essential.
- The more water we add to our equation, it helps our economy.
- forests, to our wildlife, people that are noting adverse health conditions that they're trying to draw
- future, for our children, for our grandchildren, or it's not.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee BR Sub. on Justice, Public Safety, & Judiciary (2-25-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Our recruitment section is bigger than it's been in the history of the agency, but our recruiters also
- Our recruitment section is bigger than it's been in the history of the agency, but our recruiters also
- For us, that involves what we consider our Post 8, our Post 14, and our Post 11 regions.
- </c><00:32:17.519><c> and</c><00:32:17.639><c> our</c> consider our post8 our post 14 and our consider
- our post8 our post 14 and our post<00:32:18.240><c> 11</c><00:32:19.080><c> regions</c><00:32:20.080
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Justice, Public Safety, and Judiciary met to approve the February 18 minutes and then heard first from Kentucky State Police Commissioner Philip Burnett Jr. on recruitment, Trooper Academy classes, and the Kentucky Emergency Warning System (KQES) lease program. Burnett said KSP had submitted the House Bill 6 recruitment and retention reports, and he reviewed Cadet Classes 104 and 105, including application numbers, age ranges, and the mix of applicants by education, military, and law enforcement background. He said attrition is driven largely by physical fitness failures and homesickness from the resident academy model, but noted KSP has expanded recruiting and mentoring efforts, including college-credit partnerships and targeted recruiting in western Kentucky. Members asked about academy credit, the physical test, dropout reasons, whether applicants can reapply, and where recruits are coming from; Burnett said some do return successfully and that most candidates come from central and eastern Kentucky, while staffing remains hardest at posts in Mayfield, Madisonville, Henderson, Campbellsburg, and Dry Ridge.
Burnett also updated the committee on KQES and the broader radio replacement effort. He described KQES as a 153-tower microwave backbone supporting state and local public safety communications, including DEMA, KET, and seismology equipment, and said KSP is renewing long-term private land leases that were set to expire in the coming years. He reported progress using master agreements and outside leasing firms, with eight leases out for bid and eleven more to follow, plus new interagency leases with the Transportation Cabinet and a site move in Wolf County to Forest Service land. He said about 997 leases still remain to be executed, though some tower sites involve multiple leases, and he expressed optimism that the new process will protect the system’s assets. In response to questions from Representative Sharp, Burnett said he could not give a firm completion date for the new radio system but estimated 18 to 36 months depending on tower construction, and said phase three equipment has already been procured for parts of Posts 8, 11, and 14, including Boyd and Lawrence counties.
After KSP’s presentation and questions from Representatives Sharp, Carney, and Decker, the committee turned to the Kentucky Court of Justice. Zach Ramy, director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, introduced himself and began the court system’s budget overview, but the transcript provided cuts off before that presentation continued.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 069 Mar 24th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- our students.
- And so for that, to um our our students.
- I see in our in our sheet it's limited.
- Could you fix that in this room? Yeah, we could fix that.
- </c> our current population. our current population.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Our rules, our Joint Rule 18, talks about the proponent of the bill, which I am, has the responsibility
- I know that our current...
- Nate had to leave because our...
- Nate had to leave because our... ...need to be created so someday our students can work and live here
- We in Idaho value our independence.
Committee:
House Revenue and Taxation
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Cmte on Rules - Subcommittee on the Federal Impact on Minnesotans and Economic Stability - 11/13/25
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:17:41.520><c> our</c> our economy and um and uh our our our economy and um and uh our our ability
- It protects our environment. It protects our forests and our lakes.
- forests</c> our environment.
- It protects our forests our environment.
- It protects our forests and<00:36:04.400><c> our</c><00:36:04.560><c> lakes.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Let this kind of kindness temper our debates. Let it shape our choices.
- Speaker, I invite everyone in this room to honor our nation with our pledge.
- And now to our great state. Honor the Texas flag.
- He served on our school board.
- We hold you in our hearts and in our prayers.
Bills:
HB 118 , HB388 , HB 114 , HB205 , HB2789 , HB2791 , HB499 , HB2960 , HB3163 , HB3135 , HB2427 , HB1618 , HB1672 , HB1722 , HB1338 , HB787 , HB2618 , HB879 , HB 1126 , HB4134 , HB3513 , HB718 , HB1536 , HB1445 , HB1640 , HB1893 , HB1734 , HB3229 , HB3306 , HB 1276 , HB3272 , HB3276 , HB3516 , HB4145 , HB1585 , HB4810 , HB2989 , HB2558 , HB3014 , HB2742 , HB1695 , HB29 , HB 125 , HB145 , HB171 , HB255 , HB50 , HB363 , HB 116 , HB491 , HB1495 , HB368 , HB 1285 , HB1905 , HB2002 , HB917 , HB2723 , HB2067 , HB 1238 , HB745 , HB 1188 , HB1606 , HB2003 , HB2147 , HB2355 , HB2546 , HB2495 , HB2818 , HB2249 , HB3228 , HB3240 , HB1507 , HB658 , HB1748 , HB1851 , HB1922 , HB2798 , HB 107 , HB1587 , HB3684 , HB 118 , HB388 , HB 114 , HB205 , HB2789 , HB2791 , HB499 , HB2960 , HB3163 , HB3135 , HB2427 , HB1618 , HB1672 , HB1722 , HB1338 , HB787 , HB2618 , HB879 , HB 1126 , HB4134 , HB3513 , HB718 , HB1536 , HB1445 , HB1640 , HB1893 , HB1734 , HB3229 , HB3306 , HB 1276 , HB3272 , HB3276 , HB3516 , HB4145 , HB1585 , HB4810 , HB2989 , HB2558 , HB3014 , HB2742 , HB1695 , HB609 , HB630 , HB420 , HB767 , HB1708 , HB1404 , HB2457 , HB140 , HB227 , HB913 , HB2198 , HB2763 , HB 1261 , HB 1135 , HB1318 , HB2358 , HB2765 , HB2735 , HB3307 , HB 1242 , HB2842 , HB333 , HB201 , HB694 , HB2415 , HB155 , HB272 , HB405 , HB519 , HB 1136 , HB 1275 , HB1437 , HB1532 , HB1675 , HB1868 , HB1888 , HB1990 , HB2286 , HB2523 , HB3129 , HB3251 , HB3354 , HB3479 , HB3803 , HB3804 , HB3805 , HB3806 , HB3887 , HB4163 , HB4238 , HB 1240 , HB1842 , HB2029 , HB2622 , HB3255 , HB654 , HB4643 , HB4945 , HB3611 , HB3724 , HB3623 , HB3810 , HB4127 , HCR78 , HCR12 , SB767
Keywords:
HB 388, HB388, coordination of benefits, COB questionnaire, health benefit plan, health insurance, insurance commissioner, Texas Department of Insurance, uniform form, primary payer, secondary payer, multiple coverage, dual coverage, Medicaid, CHIP, managed care, HMO, small employer health plan, school district health coverage, self-funded plan
NV
Nevada 2025 Regular Session
Assembly Committee on Commerce and Labor May 30th, 2025 at 12:00 pm
Commerce and Labor
Transcript Highlights:
- A direct line to our children.
- And most importantly, we need our lawmakers to understand how big of an issue this truly is and to act
- on our behalf.
- This is good for our economy and the overall health of our communities.
- We don't need forever chemicals in our takeout boxes or in our clothes or in our cosmetics.
Committee:
Assembly Commerce and Labor
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Jul 9th, 2025
Utilities and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill will ensure that California can meet our This bill will ensure that California can meet our
- destiny in our own hands.
- develop in our service area.
- And so this is very much our new reality.
- These are our farmworkers, our teachers, small business employees, and caregivers.
Committee:
House Utilities and Energy
Summary:
The committee heard a series of energy and utility bills, with most measures moving forward on party-line or near-party-line votes after extensive testimony. Early items included SB 613, which would direct state agencies to prioritize reducing methane emissions from imported fossil fuels, and SB 614, which would allow California to move ahead with safety rules for carbon dioxide pipelines and lift the current moratorium on new CO2 pipelines. Both bills drew support from industry and clean-energy advocates and no opposition testimony was offered at the hearing.
A major portion of the hearing focused on SB 332, which would require a study of whether California should continue using investor-owned utilities, tie executive compensation to affordability metrics, and improve transparency around utility disconnections. Supporters argued the bill would put ratepayers first and examine safer, more affordable utility models, while opponents, including the Chamber of Commerce and major utilities, warned it would send a destabilizing signal to investors and was not a neutral study. Members raised concerns about the bill’s tone and market impacts, but the author said the study was intended to be even-handed; the bill later advanced on a 10-5 vote.
The committee also approved SB 57, which creates a tariff framework for large energy users such as data centers to prevent cost shifts to other customers and to address stranded grid costs. Supporters said the bill would protect ratepayers and encourage clean energy use, while utilities and large energy users argued existing CPUC processes already address many of the issues and warned against overly rigid rules. SB 256, dealing with wildfire mitigation, emergency response coordination, undergrounding, and removal of abandoned lines, drew strong support from an Altadena community witness affected by the Eaton Fire, while utilities raised concerns about duplicative mandates and public disclosure of sensitive infrastructure information. SB 647, aimed at improving low-income energy program access and performance metrics, and SB 787, which would coordinate state clean-energy supply chain development for EVs, building decarbonization, and offshore wind, also advanced after supportive testimony from labor, environmental, and community groups. The committee later approved a consent calendar of additional bills and left several measures on call for absent members to add votes."}
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Jul 9th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- destiny in our own hands.
- With that, I am pleased to be joined by our witness, Mr.
- When our two houses can work collaboratively to forge solutions in confronting some of our state's most
- develop in our service area.
- And so this is very much our new reality.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard several bills focused on utility rates, wildfire safety, carbon capture, methane reduction, large energy users, low-income energy programs, and clean energy supply chains. Early items included SB 613, which would direct state agencies to prioritize reducing methane emissions from imported fossil fuels, and SB 614, which would allow California to move forward with carbon dioxide pipeline safety rules and potentially lift the state’s moratorium on new CO2 pipelines. Both bills drew support from advocates and industry-related witnesses, with no opposition registered at the time they were presented, and the committee indicated it would vote once quorum was established.
After quorum was called, the committee took up SB 57, which would require the Public Utilities Commission to establish tariffs for large energy users such as data centers to prevent cost shifts to other ratepayers and address stranded infrastructure costs. Supporters argued the bill would protect affordability and encourage clean energy use, while opponents, including utilities and business groups, warned it could create uncertainty and interfere with existing regulatory processes. The committee also heard SB 256 on wildfire mitigation and emergency response, including undergrounding, PSPS communication, and removal of abandoned lines; supporters emphasized the need for stronger action after recent fires, while utilities raised concerns about duplicative requirements and public disclosure of sensitive infrastructure information. Both SB 57 and SB 256 were approved on roll calls.
The committee then heard SB 647, which would expand and standardize oversight of low-income energy savings programs and performance metrics, with strong support from community advocates and some neutral or “tweener” positions from utilities that sought further work on data collection and implementation. SB 787 followed, proposing a state strategy to coordinate supply chains and workforce development for clean energy industries including EVs, building decarbonization, and offshore wind; it received broad support and no opposition. The committee also considered SB 332, a study bill on utility ownership models and affordability reforms, which drew strong support from consumer and climate advocates but opposition from utilities and business groups concerned about bias, investor signals, and executive compensation provisions. The consent calendar was later approved, and several bills were reported out with votes or held open for absent members to add on.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Rules Committee Apr 8th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- But I do think there is room to tighten our rules in our regulated space.
- So the scale of our law enforcement team is about 75 sworn staff and about 54 of our line-level folks
- So the scale of our law enforcement team is about 75 sworn staff and about 54 of our line-level folks
- That in no way comes into our calculus when our team is out working on things.
- And I think our operating...
Summary:
The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several gubernatorial appointments and procedural items. It unanimously approved three appointments not required to appear: Frank Damrow Jr. to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board, Michelle Edger to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and David Galavis to the State Park and Recreation Commission. The committee also approved bill referrals, a rule waiver to allow SB 1447 (Health) to be heard past the policy deadline, and floor acknowledgments, all by 4-0 votes.
The committee then heard testimony from Clint Kellam, nominee to lead the Department of Cannabis Control. Senators focused on illicit cannabis activity, consumer education, youth protection, labeling, and packaging that may be attractive to children. Kellam said the department’s goal is to shift consumption from illicit to legal sources, not increase use, and described efforts including the Real California Cannabis campaign, the SB 540 pamphlet, inspections, a package-review team, and an AI image analyzer for licensees. He also discussed enforcement against illicit cultivation, coordination with local, state, and federal agencies, and the department’s role in helping bring legal market compliance and access into balance. The committee voted 4-0 to advance his appointment to the full Senate.
The committee next heard from Jennifer Osborne, nominee to direct the Department of Industrial Relations. Questions centered on Cal/OSHA audit findings, workplace safety, PAGA-related litigation, case backlogs, staffing shortages, and how her administrative background would help manage the department. Osborne said she would focus on fixing systemic issues, improving staffing and classification rules, modernizing IT systems, adding intake and investigative capacity, and addressing the Cal/OSHA audit recommendations. She also said DIR would continue working on worker safety, compensation, and apprenticeship programs, and would follow up on some questions about natural-disaster-related enforcement and backlog metrics. Public commenters from employer groups and labor organizations spoke in support, and the committee approved her appointment 4-0 for consideration by the full Senate.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It provides more coverage and fixes our secondary employment problem.
- Kelsey Vela: ...to fix the crime lab issue for our local partners and our DPS employees.
- We're also asking for targeted pay raises for our accountants, our programmers, our purchasers, and our
- These are targeted pay raises for our accountants, our programmers, our purchasers, and our HR folks.
- These are targeted pay raises for our accountants, our programmers, our purchasers, and our HR folks.
Bills:
SB 1
Committee:
Senate Finance
Summary:
The committee heard a Legislative Budget Board presentation and then testimony from the Department of Public Safety on the Article 5 public safety budget. LBB said DPS’s 2026-27 recommendation totals $3.7 billion, down from the prior base, while FTEs rise by 856.7. Major items included increased funding for driver license services and customer support, new trooper funding and recruit schools, crime lab operations, border security, and reductions tied to one-time facility, vehicle, and aircraft spending. The committee also discussed new riders, including one to lapse unused trooper funds and require reporting after recruit schools.
Members focused heavily on driver license operations, questioning why prior staffing increases and a prior efficiency study had not solved long wait times, high call abandonment, and appointment delays. DPS and LBB said the agency receives about 22,000 calls per day, answers only about 9 percent, and is seeking more staff plus technology upgrades such as automation, kiosks, and better online processing. Senators also raised concerns about rural access, REAL ID document requirements, and whether the department should rethink its processes rather than simply add employees.
DPS leadership then described needs for the Williamson County training academy, additional troopers, Capitol and Alamo security, border operations, aircraft and vehicle replacement, and regional headquarters in El Paso and San Antonio. Members asked about Operation Lone Star costs, overtime, pursuit safety, border crime, oilfield theft, and sexual assault kit and toxicology backlogs. DPS said border deployments remain focused on criminal threats, that overtime is partly driven by deployments and staffing shortages, and that the sexual assault kit backlog is down to 118 cases with a goal of zero by April. The committee later recessed and began the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission budget presentation, where LBB outlined a $115.1 million recommendation and noted ongoing costs for the AIMS technology project.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Military and Veterans Affairs Nov 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Most of us were introduced to the outdoors, to our state parks, and to our national forests by a previous
- Getting our first responders—and when I say first responders, I'm talking about our firefighters, our
- And in doing that, the way we do this is in our second pillar in our case management and our VA coordination
- Our VA Medical Centers and our VA Medical Partners are probably one of our biggest supporters in this
- So they're one of our biggest partners in this, and obviously our law enforcement and our behavioral