Transcript Highlights:

• Fund pursuant to Texas statute.
• Out of our 1200 school districts in Texas, we have almost 400.
• We are the 3rd largest school district in the state of Texas.
• I'm the executive director of the Texas Retired Teachers Association.
• As a matter of fact, back in the 1980s and 1990s, there was an organization in Texas called the Texas

Transcript Highlights:

• doctor in this, or a PA in this compact, to treat somebody in New Mexico versus, say, somebody in Texas
• We'd have two, just like California, New York, Texas. No, no, I mean, yes, that's true.
• federal law enforcement officials from different offices, and they said something interesting to me: securing
• the border has helped bring that rate down.
• My point is, even with a secure border that we have now, compared to the last four years of hundreds

Bills: HB10, HB12, HB34, SB130, SM21

Keywords: physician assistants, interstate compact, medical services, licensure, cross-state practice, military families, regulatory authority, physical therapy, licensure compact, interstate practice, healthcare, military spouses, criminal background check, HB34, school nurse, school nurses, nurse licensure, charter school, charter schools, school district

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve in District 32, which is the southernmost district, including the Boot Heel and the border.
• No recurring money, and very little in comparison to Texas and New Jersey.
• In Arizona, which is just down the road from us, I-10 is only 392 miles between Arizona and Texas.
• You'll see them stop in Texas, where I know, you know, we talked about them having raised their gas tax
• And once we get it repaired, if we don't take the extra money involved to create security, around that

Transcript Highlights:

• President, the Committee on Military Affairs and Border Security, having under consideration House Bill
• It allows AZDA to conduct inspections as part of the response at the border if the border opens for live
• security. ...budget negotiations, and there will be no new funding for border security in this budget
• a budget with zero new border funding that would have been ...and we secured a budget with zero new
• security.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The state of Texas, the Texas Attorney General, used grant funds to conduct this research.
• Texas.
• Let me clear up one thing: in your registration, it has your city as Texas and state as Texas.
• Texas.
• , and the Texas Law Foundation.

Bills: HCR 16, HB 782, HB 2159, HB 2288, HB 3281, HB 3819, HB 4656, HB 4696, HB 5494

Keywords: fatherhood, family support, fatherlessness, community engagement, youth development, social policy, male role models, child development, policy reform, role models, mental health, parenting, single-parent homes, welfare reform, economic opportunity, mentorship, community initiatives, children, welfare programs, education

Transcript Highlights:

• , create new Texas jobs, and control tribute to Texas' soaring economy, to avoid unexpected, impacting
• Texas millions of small businesses.
• The Texas Association of Business, we're the state chamber for the state of Texas.
• to Texas law.
• critical for Texas.

Bills: HB32, HB15, HB171, HB421, HB581, HB644, HB745, HB349, HB917, HB204, HB923, HB15, HB171, HB204

Keywords: eviction, landlord rights, tenant rights, justice court, property law, court procedures, chemical dependency, court-ordered treatment, mental health, health care, treatment facility, juvenile justice, criminal justice reform, deep fake, digital impersonation, age verification, private cause of action, explicit content, consumer protection, HB 581

Transcript Highlights:

• We also employ armed security, and unfortunately, the security company required us to have two full-time
• Texas is different. Texas was founded on ideals of freedom and liberty.
• Texas is different. Texas loves freedom, but House Bill 32 threatens these fundamental rights.
• Texas Tenants Union, formerly in Dallas, Texas.
• United Ways of Texas, or United Way? United Ways of Texas. United Ways of Texas on the bill.

Bills: HB32, HB15, HB171, HB421, HB581, HB644, HB745, HB349, HB917, HB204, HB923, HB15, HB171, HB204

Keywords: eviction, landlord rights, tenant rights, justice court, property law, court procedures, chemical dependency, court-ordered treatment, mental health, health care, treatment facility, juvenile justice, criminal justice reform, deep fake, digital impersonation, age verification, private cause of action, explicit content, consumer protection, HB 581

Transcript Highlights:

• But we can't figure out how to help someone who's trying to get by on Social Security alone?
• So I had the opportunity, I should say, not the opportunity, the misfortune of living in Texas for a
• And Texas has some great Tex-Mex food, Years ago. And this has a point.
• And Texas has some great Tex-Mex food, but one of the things that they have there was something very
• For example, if you're a senior on Social Security, sorry.

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a North Dakota farm kid, born and raised right up on the Canadian border.
• We've been operating since 1930, right near the Canadian border.
• We've been operating since 1930, right near the Canadian border.
• San Mine in Texas quit delivering coal. Submine in Texas quit delivering coal in '23.
• So if they default, we have security to back all that up.

Summary: The committee met at the Coteau Freedom Mine in Mercer County, approved the June 2 minutes, and heard an overview of the mine from Coteau Properties president Andrew Hawbaker. He described the Freedom Mine as the largest lignite mine in the United States, supplying coal to Dakota Gasification, Antelope Valley Station, and Leland Olds Station. He emphasized the mine’s scale, safety record, reclamation work, workforce needs, community involvement, and economic impact, including payroll, taxes, royalties, scholarships, and local hiring. Members asked about how long land stays in production, how quickly it returns to agriculture after reclamation, labor shortages, and how mining affects groundwater and water wells. Hawbaker said most tracts are mined for about three to five years, reclamation is coordinated with landowners, and the company continues to struggle to find electricians, welders, mechanics, operators, and engineers. The committee then heard from Public Service Commission Chairman Randy Christman on coal mining reclamation and permitting. He reviewed North Dakota’s coal mining history, the state’s reclamation laws, federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act primacy, bonding, permit renewals and revisions, prohibited mining areas, inspection and enforcement, and contemporaneous reclamation requirements. Christman stressed that North Dakota’s program is professional and thorough, with frequent inspections, financial assurance, and a 10-year revegetation monitoring period before bond release. He also discussed federal coal ownership issues that can delay mine plans, the treatment of prime farmland, and how reclamation differs for wind and pipelines. In response to questions, he said one challenge is sometimes releasing land too soon before long-term compaction issues are fully understood, and he noted that data centers do not currently have a comparable reclamation model because they typically own the land. In the afternoon, the committee received an update from Lignite Energy Council president Jonathan Fortner on the lignite industry. He said North Dakota’s lignite sector supports five commercial power plants, four mines, about 12,000 direct and indirect jobs, and more than $5.5 billion in economic activity, while helping keep the state’s electricity rates among the lowest in the nation. Fortner reviewed coal severance and conversion tax revenues, the lignite research fund, federal regulatory rollbacks, carbon capture policy, and the industry’s legal costs fighting federal rules. He also highlighted a study on large-load development, saying new data centers and critical mineral processing facilities could create major local tax revenue and help justify new baseload generation. Members asked whether new gas pipelines would crowd out coal plant development and whether the economic study included jobs and broader local impacts; Fortner said the industry sees room for both and that the study did include construction, operations, jobs, and tax effects.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of District 20, District 25 uses the Florida Turnpike as its boundary for either side, unless it borders
• Previously, District 9 crossed that same border, but from the other way.
• And that's because there's a lot of communities there that live along the border that cross over all
• It's following the railway up to the border and then going back down to the rest of the county.
• I really want to know that our systems and IT are secure.

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with a quorum and heard a Governor’s Office presentation on a proposed congressional reapportionment map. The governor’s counsel argued that mid-cycle congressional redistricting is legally permissible, that race should not be considered at all in drawing districts, and that the Florida Fair Districts provisions are inconsistent with federal equal protection law and should be treated as non-severable. The presentation also discussed the pending U.S. Supreme Court case Louisiana v. Callais and the Florida Supreme Court’s Black Voters Matter decision as part of the legal rationale for the map. Jason Parada, who said he drew the map alone, described the map as based on 2020 census block data, with county-level population estimates used only as a guide to identify faster-growing areas. He said the plan keeps 48 counties and 382 municipalities whole, has compactness scores similar to the current benchmark map, and uses traditional geographic and political boundaries such as roads, railways, county lines, and municipal lines. He walked through regional changes, emphasizing a race-neutral redesign that significantly altered South Florida, including changes to districts in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and the Everglades, while leaving several northern districts largely unchanged. Members questioned the witnesses extensively about the legal theory, the use of partisan data, the role of race, population growth, and the timing and review of the map. The witnesses said partisan data was considered along with other traditional redistricting criteria, but race was not used. They also said they could not speak to who else reviewed the map beyond EOG staff and counsel. Several senators raised concerns about the map’s compactness, county and city splits, the apparent partisan effects, and the fact that the map was released shortly before the special session. No vote or final action on the map was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Previously, District 9 crossed that same border, but from the other way.
• And that's because there's a lot of communities there that live along the border that cross over all
• Also, the geography along that border can be very—keeping the county whole can look very jagged.
• It's following the railway up to the border and then going back down to the rest of the county.
• I really want to know that our systems and IT is secure.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Retailers in border communities will be hit first and hardest.
• But this tax wouldn't just impact border towns.
• ><01:04:40.880> window security officers, high-rise window security officers, high-rise window
• We secure workplaces and assist travelers at our airports.
• <01:22:10.320> and business growth, such as Texas and business growth, such as Texas and Florida

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Curbing nuclear verdicts will help the Texas economy thrive and keep Texas as a prominent business environment
• trucking companies in East Texas.
• Midland, Texas.
• agency based out of El Paso, Texas.
• Texas.

Bills: HB4806

Keywords: civil action, damages, health care services, noneconomic damages, negligence, legal standards, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And she oversees the Security Operations Center.
• It may be the Office of Cybersecurity having a third-party... security scans.
• Security function within the state of New Mexico.
• As a service, the penetration testing and our security operations center is a hybrid.
• I'm sure you've seen in the news recently it's now as close as 70 miles to the Texas border, and we are

Transcript Highlights:

• We have La Opinión that borders our district, which covers millions of Californians.
• We have La Opinión that borders our district, which covers millions of Californians.
• It relocated to Texas, didn't take any employees with it.
• And it was a very small state aside from Texas that was there.
• It’s why we are the top, if not for Texas and oil, we’re the top exporting state.

Summary: The subcommittee heard an informational update from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development on the state’s Jobs First economic development strategy and related budget requests. Go-Biz described its regional planning process, priority sectors such as ag-tech, space defense, life sciences, and semiconductors, and requests including an extension of the CalCompetes tax credit, support for export promotion, additional film commission staff, innovation and emerging technology capacity, and a California brand campaign. Members questioned the campaign’s purpose, with some supporting efforts to counter misinformation about California and others warning it should not obscure regulatory and business-climate concerns. Go-Biz said the campaign would be nationally focused, could include business attraction efforts, and was intended to complement—not replace—policy work on permitting and workforce development. The item was informational only. The committee then heard from the California Office of the Small Business Advocate on the California RISE program, the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund, and the Technical Assistance Program/Capital Infusion Program. CalOSBA reported that California RISE’s first round awarded $16.9 million to 61 employment social enterprises, which collectively increased revenue, secured contracts, and employed thousands of people facing barriers to work; a second round is being launched with a new administrator and expanded services. For the performing arts payroll fund, the office said all 100 awardees had been paid, but demand far exceeded available funding, and the program was oversubscribed within days. California for the Arts testified that the sector remains fragile after COVID and urged statutory changes to simplify eligibility and stretch dollars further. SBDC representatives described TAP/SIP as a statewide network supporting small businesses, capital access, and disaster recovery, emphasizing their role in underserved communities and the leverage of federal matching funds. Committee members focused on whether these programs produce durable outcomes and reach smaller or disadvantaged businesses. Questions centered on long-term job retention in California RISE, outreach to ethnic and community media in the civic media program, and whether TAP/SIP are accessible to entrepreneurs with limited capital or capacity. CalOSBA and its partners said they rely heavily on local community organizations for outreach, provide one-on-one counseling and training, and are working to collect more longitudinal data. The committee also discussed the film and television tax credit program, for which Go-Biz requested funding for three permanent positions and ongoing program support. Film Commission staff said the expanded program is tracking demographic and career-pathway data, with most productions opting into new diversity provisions, and that a formal report to the Legislature is expected in 2027. The item concluded without a vote, as the hearing was for oversight and budget discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• What really jumps off the map, as you can see, is south central Texas near the border.
• Leave our Texas water alone.
• They're bordering counties.
• So first on water use in Texas, you know, population in Texas and the state water plans projected to
• water or Texas groundwater.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, earlier this year, a Texas police officer in Johnson County searched Flock's database for
• For example, earlier this year, a Texas police officer in Johnson County searched Flock's database for
• For example, earlier this year, a Texas police officer in Johnson County searched Flock's database for
• This accident was a mere 12 years ago, 23 miles north of the main border.
• We first became aware of this jump in these services while we were reviewing Securities and Exchange

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on 31 bills covering driver privacy and data, distinctive license plates, public awareness signage, railroad safety, superload permitting, TNC/delivery data reporting, and MBTA safety measures. Chairs Jim Arciero and Brendan Crighton outlined the hearing process, and the committee heard testimony from state officials, advocates, family members of fallen officers and firefighters, transportation industry representatives, civil liberties groups, and others. No votes were taken during the hearing itself, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn. Several speakers supported bills creating a Blue Star Family license plate to honor families of fallen law enforcement officers, and a separate motorcycle plate for fallen firefighters. Colonel Jeffrey Noble and others from the Healey-Driscoll Administration and law enforcement groups said the plates would complement existing memorial practices and provide a lasting public tribute. Family members of officers killed in the line of duty gave emotional testimony in support, and Representative Steve Ultrino and Paul Jakes backed the firefighter memorial motorcycle plate as revenue-neutral, with proceeds supporting the fallen firefighter memorial. The committee also heard testimony on transportation policy and safety bills. Industry witnesses urged modernization of Massachusetts superload permitting rules, saying current requirements are slower and more expensive than neighboring states and delay public projects. Advocates supported a human trafficking awareness bill requiring hotline signage in transit facilities, a driver privacy bill limiting automatic license plate reader data retention and sharing, and a bill requiring two-person crews on freight trains and other railroad safety measures such as hotbox detectors and transportation for railroad employees. Senator John Keenan also testified for expanded naloxone availability in MBTA stations and said the MBTA had not fully complied with prior legislative directives.

Transcript Highlights:

• election investigations and security election investigations and security unit.<00:15:16.720>
• fair, and secure. fair, and secure.
• It's not as big an issue as it would be for Florida, Texas, South Carolina, etc., some of the more bordered
• Security, but do you all work hand inand Security, but do you all work hand inand with<00:51:13.760><
• Florida, a Texas, South Carolina, etc. Florida, a Texas, South Carolina, etc.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:15 Office of the Secretary of State 00:01:59 Office of the Attorney General 00:12:40 Department of Agriculture 00:22:44, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance, Personnel, and Public Retirement heard presentations from the Secretary of State, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Department of Agriculture. Secretary of State Michael Adams said his office had no major new budget or authority requests, but he updated members on voter-roll maintenance, ongoing litigation over a law preventing voting in multiple states, the Safe at Home program for domestic violence survivors, human trafficking outreach, reduced spending, and new anti-fraud measures for business registrations and electronic service of process. Members then discussed Adams’ remarks, especially his criticism of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. One senator objected that the organization should not be shut out of the legislative process, citing First Amendment concerns. Adams responded that he was not seeking to ban anyone from speaking, but wanted lawmakers to remember the harm he believes the group’s litigation does to election integrity and bipartisan reform. Representative Jackson praised Adams and his staff for their work. Deputy Attorney General Rob Duncan outlined the office’s work, including criminal prosecutions, civil litigation, body armor grants, administrative hearings, domestic violence and violent crime initiatives, election security, child support services, and the new Office of Data Privacy. He said the child support program transition from CHFS had created budget shortfalls and that the office would seek additional funding next session. In response to questions from Representative Lockett, Duncan said he did not yet have exact cost figures but expected funding needs and noted barriers related to personnel, budgeting, and integration. The committee also heard from Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, who highlighted the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy’s 25th anniversary, the new Office of Economic Development, and the role of Miss Kentucky in promoting agriculture. He said the department would seek recruitment and retention funding, possible staffing for EV station inspections, and continued support to make the agriculture economic development fund permanent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Melanie Richards with the Arizona Department of Economic Security.
• It also creates risks for border communities and rural communities.
• It also creates risks for border communities and rural communities.
• Texas would have picked up, I believe, four.
• Texas would have picked up, I believe, four.

Bills: HB2070, HB2129, HB2227, HB2439, HB2667, HB2745, HB2773, HB2825, HB2873, HB2876, HCR2005, HCR2044, SB1002, SB1036, SB1054, SB1271, SB1432, SB1435, SB1437, SB1439, SCR1022, SCR1031, SCR1033

Keywords: flood relief, Gila County, emergency funding, public safety, environmental cleanup, municipal libraries, annual reporting, state legislation, transparency, government accountability, chiropractic, chiropractor, chiropractic board, state board of chiropractic examiners, license discipline, unprofessional conduct, patient records, record retention, HIPAA, conflict of interest

Transcript Highlights:

• But they're moving forward with gas utilization projects quickly in Texas.
• You are seeing some activity in Texas, in the Eagle Ford a little bit.
• There was a $2.35 million appropriation for security enhancements there.
• There was a $2.35 million appropriation for security enhancements there.
• For the fence itself, there will also be some security upgrades.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum and approved the March 18 minutes. The committee first heard an update from the Petroleum Council on oil and gas activity in North Dakota. Ron Ness said production is expected to remain relatively flat at just under 1.2 million barrels per day, with efficiency gains and longer laterals helping offset lower rig counts. He discussed oil and gas prices, gas taxation, flaring concerns, northward movement of drilling activity, and the importance of new infrastructure and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) pilots. Members asked about gas taxation, natural gas liquids, pipeline impacts, and the outlook for Continental and other operators. Ness said the industry is likely to remain steady rather than see a major ramp-up or decline. Matt Pearl of the State Tax Department then explained the federal “big beautiful bill” and its effect on North Dakota income tax collections. He said the law extends or makes permanent several federal provisions and creates temporary deductions for seniors, tips, overtime, and auto loan interest, with the biggest state impact coming from the standard deduction increase and business tax changes. He revised earlier estimates downward, saying the net cash impact on state collections is likely in the $30 million to $35 million range after accounting for business prepayments and one-time FY25 oilfield transaction effects. Committee members asked which provisions apply to standard versus itemized returns. OMB staff gave a detailed update on major capital projects and facility funding. Topics included Capitol grounds improvements such as 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding, seating, lighting, tree management, and restroom and lobby upgrades; security work at the governor’s residence, which has been delayed by the discovery of human remains; and space reconfiguration efforts in Bismarck-Mandan to reduce leases and create shared offices and conference rooms. They also reported on the State Facility Maintenance Fund, including roof, window, boiler, and kitchen projects at state facilities, and on the state hospital project in Jamestown, which remains on budget and on schedule for substantial completion in winter 2027 and opening in spring 2028. OMB also updated the committee on the Minot North Central State Office Building, the use of federal State Fiscal Recovery Funds, and the status of legislative intent and trust fund reports, including school aid turnback, the school construction loan program, the Foundation Aid Stabilization Fund, the Legacy Fund, and the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund. The committee ended by discussing future agenda items, including government efficiency, cash management, Bank of North Dakota lines of credit, and the rural health transformation program, and then adjourned.