Transcript Highlights:

• It constitutes an unfair method of competition.
• It constitutes an unfair method of competition.
• 14:08.079> constitutes<00:14:08.639> an<00:14:08.880> unfair<00:14:09.279> method
• <00:14:09.600> of It constitutes an unfair method of It constitutes an unfair method of competition

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, there's also something called cirrus cloud thinning, space-based methods.
• Um, there's also something called cirrus cloud thinning, space-based methods.
• Um, there's also something called cirrus cloud thinning, space-based methods.
• Um, there's also something called cirrus cloud thinning, space-based methods.
• Navy, uh, looking to... ...space-based methods.

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:56 Approval of Minutes 02:26 Discussion of the Kentucky Communications Network Authority and Related Legislative 02:43 Presentation of Geoengineering and Related Legislation 07:42, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with a quorum call and approval of the prior meeting’s minutes. Senator Williams then presented a discussion draft involving KCNA and COOT/Kentucky Wired governance changes. He said the proposal would make the COOT executive director the KCNA director, place the education CIO as chair of a new board of constitutional officers, terminate existing KCNA employees at inception, and return KCNA funds to the general fund. He described the measure as a temporary holding pattern focused on customer connectivity until an audit is completed next summer. Senator West asked whether the bill would change existing Kentucky Wired contracts, and Williams said the contracts would remain in place and COOT would simply handle the work without an extra layer of bureaucracy. No vote was taken; the item was for discussion only. The committee then heard a presentation on geoengineering and related legislation from Rep. John Hodgson, Sen. Rollins, and retired meteorologist Randy Baker. They described geoengineering as attempts to alter climate or weather, including solar radiation modification, stratospheric aerosol injection, marine cloud brightening, and cloud seeding. The presenters distinguished these activities from ordinary jet contrails, crop dusting, ground-level emissions, and airport fog control, and said the proposed Kentucky bill would exclude those ordinary activities. They argued Kentucky lacks a current prohibition on weather modification, said the bill would protect farmland, crops, animal agriculture, aquaculture, and human health, and cited public concern, federal uncertainty, and similar legislation in other states. They also said cloud seeding is used in some western states but remains scientifically unproven and potentially harmful. Members asked about enforcement, federal preemption, and whether other states’ actions could affect Kentucky. The presenters said high-altitude spraying would be difficult to hide, that satellite imagery could detect large releases, and that the bill was intended as an assertion of state sovereignty even if federal law later changed. They also said there were no known active geoengineering projects in Kentucky. The discussion remained informational, with no committee vote or final action taken on either topic.

Transcript Highlights:

• components of response, uh, effort, uh, which include treatment, uh, surveillance, and animal control methods
• Remains our, our primary method of eradicating this pest, and it will work, and with the, the increase
• Through some method that we feel like we have a good, good grip on and we understand we can do, and that's
• No other method can reach this. The most practical frontline tool is feed-through ivermectin.
• Uh, through this method that we already use, uh, to combat, uh, uh, fever ticks.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the reason that this simplification is really important is because the old method is 40 years old
• And the reason that this simplification is really important is because the old method is 40 years old
• And the reason that this simplification is really important is because the old method is 40 years old
• Minnesota join other states like California, Iowa, and Massachusetts in providing an alternative method
• Minnesota join other states like California, Iowa, and Massachusetts in providing an alternative method

Bills: HF4, HF173

Keywords: tax relief fund, budget surplus, surplus revenue, tax rebate, tax refund, one-time refund, income tax, property tax, constitutional amendment, Minnesota Constitution, general fund, budget reserve, taxpayer relief, state surplus, fiscal forecast, wealthy taxpayers, high-income exclusion, 2026 ballot, referendum, surplus distribution

Transcript Highlights:

• And so if we're looking at water projects throughout the state, what methods can we employ to hit the
• use from our annual survey data and project forward over the 50-year planning horizon with various methods
• You know, we ask these folks to report directly, but we're also looking at many other methods to assess
• to assess water use do we sort of distill that Many other methods to assess water use.
• Air cooling tends toward higher energy use, while liquid and evaporative methods typically require more

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• estimate methods, including compliance with<02:04:38.239> applicable<02:04:38.800> state
• <02:04:45.280> of<02:04:45.440> estimating holders, including methods of estimating
• holders, including methods of estimating user<02:04:46.159> age,<02:04:46.560> disclosure<
• then it says by using commercially then it says by using commercially reasonable<02:05:39.040> methods
• Uh now I think folks reasonable methods.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, and approved the journal. Members then made several announcements about upcoming committee meetings, including Appropriations, Agriculture/Water/Natural Resources, State/Civic/Military/Veterans Affairs, and Finance. The chamber also observed a moment of silence honoring the 13 victims of the Columbine High School shooting on its anniversary, with names read into the record. The House adopted Senate Joint Resolution 19, which celebrates Colorado’s sister-state relationship with Taiwan, supports stronger trade and academic ties, supports the double-taxation agreement, and endorses Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. Supporters highlighted Colorado exports, especially beef, and the long-standing economic and democratic ties between Colorado and Taiwan. The resolution passed on a 60-yes vote with five excused. The House then moved into special orders, including House Bill 1346, which would allow the Department of the Treasury to use a third-party purchaser to sell remaining insurance premium tax credits. Supporters argued the bill would help fully place the credits and avoid a revenue shortfall, while opponents criticized it as a form of borrowing against future revenue and market gaming. After debate, House Bill 1346 passed. The chamber also began consideration of Senate Bill 40, a Prop 123 cleanup bill related to affordable home ownership and land banking. Amendments L16 and L17 passed, while amendment L18, which would have required more reporting on project costs and outcomes, failed. Debate on the bill centered on housing affordability, program flexibility, and whether the state is effectively measuring results.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:41:09.599> of employer intends to change its method of employer intends to change its
• method of payment.<00:41:10.160> Each<00:41:10.319> employee<00:41:10.720> shall
• <00:51:13.359> That's payment method to get rid of me?
• That's payment method to get rid of me?
• of payment has been or the method of payment has been changed.<00:54:55.839> They<00:54:56.000

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:55:42.039> of would it have usually a method of would it have usually a method of enforcement
• in The Spill to um are there are methods in The Spill to um go<02:01:37.159> to<02:01:37.320>
• Firearms are the most common method used in suicide attempts, and in the Granite State, 87% of all gun
• <02:20:53.920> used Firearms are the most common method used Firearms are the most common
• method used in<02:20:54.520> suicide<02:20:55.000> attempts<02:20:55.760> and<02

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So a student may take a variety of different methods of driver's education so long as the curriculum
• is identical across the different methods.
• So the study is essentially a two-prong study to compare the method introduced in Senate File 1111 as
• <01:52:38.560> introduced study to compare the method introduced study to compare the method
• proposed to establish a state-run method proposed to establish a state-run TNC<01:52:45.040> for<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• number of documents and other pieces of information, and we found the agencies used a variety of methods
• type of data management, but that means that the other 60% were using all different other types of methods
• complex as fraudsters have tools and complex as fraudsters have tools and their<01:09:23.080> methods
• have gotten more complex their methods have gotten more complex we've<01:09:25.000> had<01:09
• As well as rebasing methods that don’t include cutting programs based on ROI that is difficult to prove

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Human Services Committee met on January 22, 2025, to focus early in session on waste, fraud, abuse, and program integrity in Minnesota human services programs. The chair said taxpayers expect funds to reach people in need and asked the Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) to present on resources, progress, and possible solutions. Members also asked the auditors to note where the legislature or agencies had already taken action to address prior findings. OLA staff summarized recent reports on grants management and oversight. They said noncompliance with grants policies has been pervasive across agencies, including problems at DHS in conflict-of-interest documentation and pre-award financial reviews. In one DHS review, 30 of 41 grant reviewers had missing or incomplete conflict forms, and 20 of 57 grants lacked required financial review documents; the issues affected about $11.5 million in grant funding. OLA said DHS spent more than $400 million in grants to nonprofit organizations from 2018 to 2022, and they identified broader factors affecting compliance such as inconsistent funding for grants administration, ad hoc training, inconsistent data systems, and limited enforcement authority. They noted 2023 legislative changes that allowed agencies to retain some grant funding for administration and directed an assessment of a statewide grants management system, and they said OGM training and staffing have increased, though training is still not required for all staff. The Financial Audit Division then discussed the senior nutrition program at DHS, which delivered about 3.1 million meals to more than 40,000 participants in 2022 through the Minnesota Board on Aging, area agencies, service providers, and subcontractors. The audit found nine findings across documentation, monitoring, contract oversight, participant recertification, and data quality. Examples included service providers failing to recertify participants or recording inaccurate data, the Board on Aging not performing monitoring visits since 2017 or financial reconciliations in 2022, and area agencies failing to complete required site visits. Survey results also suggested participant database inaccuracies. OLA recommended stronger monitoring, clearer procedures, and more reliable data to ensure services reach intended recipients. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It devotes more than 80 pages to the concept of the transfer of rights and property by unwritten methods
• , as the methods proposed here for sunset are listed.
• <00:30:43.160> as<00:30:44.040> as and property by unwritten methods as as and property
• by unwritten methods as as the<00:30:44.360> methods<00:30:45.040> uh,<00:30:45.200>
• uh, proposed here for sunset the methods uh, proposed here for sunset are<00:30:48.400> uh, are

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• federal investigators collect would be admissible in state court because sometimes the investigative methods
• federal investigators collect would be admissible in state court because sometimes the investigative methods
• It will also maintain the retention periods for current laws and provide methods for disposal of evidence
• <00:39:14.560> for<00:39:14.800> disposal<00:39:15.280> of and provide methods
• for disposal of and provide methods for disposal of evidence<00:39:16.560> um<00:39:16.800>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills related to bribery and public corruption. On SB 2249, which would increase penalties for bribery under certain circumstances, the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the measure, arguing that Hawaii’s current class B felony penalty is probationable and too weak to secure cooperation in corruption cases, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Snyder decision narrowed federal bribery prosecutions. The Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that elevating bribery to a class A felony and making it non-probationable was excessive, overbroad, and would remove judicial discretion. Multiple individuals also testified in support. Committee members questioned the prosecutor about removing deferred acceptance of plea provisions and asked HPD about the $20,000 threshold; the prosecutor said alternative charges could still be used in plea bargaining, and HPD said the threshold aligns with first-degree theft. The committee also discussed how current law tolls the bribery statute of limitations while an official remains in office, with the prosecutor explaining it can extend up to six years total. The committee then heard SB 2494, which would set a nine-year statute of limitations for bribery offenses. The Public Defender opposed the extension, saying the justification based on the length of federal investigations was too broad and that bribery already has a longer limitations period than most felonies. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the bill, saying bribery cases often involve coordination with federal investigators, that federal and state evidence-gathering methods may differ, and that a longer period would help ensure admissible evidence and allow state prosecution when federal law no longer applies. Members asked whether there were public examples of cases lost to the current limitations period; the prosecutor said he was not aware of any publicly available examples, but maintained nine years was a reasonable period. The committee also considered SB 2737, which would create a misdemeanor for failure by a state or county elected official to report bribery. The Department of the Attorney General offered comments and suggested changing the term to “public servant” for consistency with existing law. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the intent but warned the reporting requirement could create Fifth Amendment issues for witnesses who might otherwise be useful in grand jury proceedings. The bill drew broad public support, with 33 supporters and no opposition noted. Finally, the committee took up SB 3071, which revises sex trafficking and promoting prostitution statutes by redefining “profits from prostitution” and adding an affirmative defense for certain lawful transactions. The Public Defender opposed the measure, saying it still could reach people without the required criminal intent and that the affirmative defense language could be applied unevenly. The Attorney General and Honolulu Prosecutor supported the bill, saying it better addresses concerns raised by the State v. Ibarra decision while closing loopholes that allow traffickers to disguise profits as loans or gifts. The prosecutor emphasized that traffickers are sophisticated and can structure transactions to evade current law.

Transcript Highlights:

• , so they don't have to fill out an application. ...based on SNAP or Medicaid or some other method.
• And we have some other methods we can use. We can use the community eligibility program.
• So that would be a mandate for them to create some methods to serve breakfast then.
• But a lot of schools have their own method.
• I don't know why they chose this method.

Bills: HB1623

Keywords: HB 1623, North Dakota, rural health, rural health transformation program, medical facility infrastructure loan fund, medical facility infrastructure loan program, rural health loan program, Bank of North Dakota, Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, federal grant, health care infrastructure, rural hospitals, critical access hospitals, nonprofit health care providers, gap financing, loan fund, public health funding, healthcare financing, Medicaid

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 1624, the “Universal Lunch Bill,” from Rep. Mike Nathie. He argued the proposal should be placed in Century Code rather than the Constitution so future legislatures can adjust it if state finances tighten, and said the bill would start the program a year earlier with a $65 million appropriation for one school year. DPI testified that the estimate did not include nonpublic schools that do not participate, and members questioned the impact on Title I, free-and-reduced applications, private-school accountability, breakfast mandates for schools that do not currently serve breakfast, and whether the funding could come from the DPI budget or other sources. Supporters, including North Dakota United, the North Dakota Catholic Conference, a pediatrician, and the American Heart Association, said universal meals improve student health and learning, reduce family costs, and are better handled in statute than by constitutional amendment. No opposition testimony was offered, and the chair closed the hearing for later work-session action. The committee then took up House Bill 1627, introduced by Rep. Tye Dressler, which would raise the income threshold for the state-funded school lunch program from 225% to 300% of poverty, with an estimated cost of about $7 million for 2026-27. Dressler said the bill is intended as a targeted, budget-friendly alternative to the ballot measure and emphasized that the state should maximize federal meal dollars while improving participation in the current program. Members questioned whether raising the threshold would actually increase utilization, whether a dollar amount would be clearer than a percentage, and how the change would affect federal reimbursements and application rates. DPI said it could quickly calculate additional percentage levels, and the chair closed the hearing, directing DPI to prepare more numbers for the work session. Finally, the committee opened Senate Bill 2403, presented by Sen. Schiable, to create a short-term bridge-loan program for financially distressed hospitals, centered on Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin. The bill would authorize up to $5 million per loan, with a $10 million appropriation available on a first-come, first-served basis, and would run only through June 30, 2027. Schiable said the hospital’s debt and operating problems threaten local health care, ambulance service, and the community’s economy, and that the proposal was designed narrowly with Bank of North Dakota review to avoid creating a broad precedent. Committee members asked whether the appropriation could be reduced and whether the bank would still apply commercial feasibility and repayment standards; Schiable said yes, the bank would still evaluate the loan and could reject it if it was not sound.

Transcript Highlights:

• The method of how the R&D credit would be implemented is to be determined.
• 59.280> the bienia of the budget window. the um the bienia of the budget window. the um the method
• :02.000> uh<01:29:02.159> credit<01:29:02.639> would<01:29:02.960> be method
• of how the R&D uh credit would be method of how the R&D uh credit would be implemented<01:29
• <01:29:17.520> is that estimate when um a method is that estimate when um a method is identified

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• communications, recent data shows that near 90% of cases of sexual misconduct and grooming happen through this method
• misconduct and grooming happen through misconduct and grooming happen through this<00:05:17.280> method
• c> Like<00:05:18.720> several<00:05:19.120> pieces<00:05:19.440> of this method
• Like several pieces of this method.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Education Committee met to consider Senate Bill 181, which revises Kentucky’s new law on traceable school communications between adults in positions of authority and students. Senator Lindsey Tichenor explained that the bill was originally enacted earlier in the year to prevent private electronic communications that could facilitate grooming, but implementation revealed problems that prompted a committee substitute. She said the revised bill broadens and clarifies definitions, including family member and qualified school volunteer, narrows the law to students enrolled in the same district, and adds exemptions for virtual instruction, translation services, parent-provided phone numbers, public social media, commercial communications, secure healthcare messaging, and emergencies. It also changes parental consent rules, limits mandatory reporting to situations involving a reasonable belief of an unreported violation, and makes disciplinary action against employees or volunteers permissible rather than mandatory. The committee adopted the substitute by voice vote after a motion and second, and the bill was then opened for public testimony. Laura Wills Coppelman testified in support of the bill’s purpose but urged more attention to what happens after a concern is raised. She said her own experience and those of other survivors showed that internal school processes can fail students and that parental notification alone is not enough if investigations remain inside the institution. She suggested that when an internal investigation ends without discipline, parents should receive a written explanation so decisions affecting student safety are documented and reviewable. Senators asked about coach-athlete communications, parental notice, commercial contacts, and possible remaining issues involving school resource officers and designated school personnel. Tichenor said public social media interactions and parent consent forms would allow needed coach communications, schools would inform parents of violations and outcomes, and commercial or second-job contacts were addressed in the exemptions. Several senators spoke in support of the revised bill while acknowledging concerns and unintended consequences from the original law. Senator Reed emphasized parental empowerment and asked about recruiting-related coach communications; Senator Neal asked how parents would be informed and was told the school would notify them; Senator Higdon said the bill was a thoughtful revisit and noted possible future amendments for DPSs and SROs; and Senator Meredith and others said the changes addressed unintended consequences rather than a flawed policy goal. Senator Thomas framed the measure as a matter of boundaries, and Senator Williams said the bill may need continued monitoring as technology changes but that it had already helped identify potential abuse cases. The committee then voted on the bill, with members explaining their votes before the meeting moved toward final action on the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Should we maybe just say that all used products should be not taxable, regardless of method of conveyance
• So, again, I guess I'm just trying to really clarify why the auction method of conducting the business
• guess I'm just not clear on why an auction conveyance and transaction is more special than other methods
• Other methods of used products.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, I think this system is the correct method to begin a process that builds for three-year growth
• criterion referenced. 71 And so, um, this is, uh, you know, I think this system is, is the correct method
• Is there anything you want to add to why we keep pursuing this method when almost 30% of re-scores have
• Is there anything you want to add to why we keep pursuing this method when almost 30% of re-scores have

Bills: HB8

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround

Summary: The House Committee on Public Education met to hear House Bill 8, which would replace STAAR with a new assessment and accountability system beginning in the 2027-28 school year. The chair described the bill as reducing testing time, limiting benchmark tests, adding beginning-, middle-, and end-of-year assessments, requiring faster score turnaround, involving Texas teachers in test development, and tightening accountability timelines and transparency rules. Members also discussed provisions on A-F ratings, cut scores, CCMR, local accountability plans, and TEA reporting requirements. Committee members and invited witnesses split sharply on the bill’s approach. Supporters, including the chair, TEA Commissioner Mike Morath, and Ed Trust’s Nicholas Munyon Penny, argued the bill would reduce high-stakes pressure, provide quicker and more actionable data, limit over-testing, and better align assessments to Texas standards while preserving criterion-referenced accountability. They said the new system would help teachers and parents intervene sooner and would improve transparency, including parent access to student responses and automatic rescoring in some writing cases. Opponents, including Rep. Hinojosa and student witness Ella Moran, argued the bill still increases testing and replaces one high-stakes test with multiple TEA-created tests. Moran testified that STAAR creates anxiety, disrupts instruction, and does not reflect real learning, while Hinojosa said the House had previously passed a better bill based on a nationally norm-referenced model and criticized the new proposal as a concession to the Senate. Questions also focused on AI scoring of writing, rescoring rates, and whether the bill’s new accountability rules would be reliable and fair. The committee did not take a final vote during the portion provided, but the chair said a vote on HB 8 would be called after public testimony later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• the time the law was created over 10 years ago, the goal was to increase access to the most popular method
• the time the law was created over 10 years ago, the goal was to increase access to the most popular method
• customers in power shutoff notices and to ensure that customers can easily update their preferred contact method
• AB 1410 ensures that customers can regularly update their preferred contact method and better prepare

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members then moved through guest introductions, including students and fellows from California Lutheran University, UC Merced’s CAPE program, the Maddy Institute, and Madera High School’s Madtown Robotics Team 1323, which was recognized for multiple robotics world championships. The chamber also adopted an adjournment in memory and took up the daily file. Several bills and resolutions were considered and passed, including AB 1390 on school board compensation thresholds, AB 1338 on air district cost recovery for fence-line air monitoring, AB 648 on community college housing, AB 1207 on cap-and-trade price ceilings, ACR 66 recognizing Skin Cancer Awareness Month, AB 49 on keeping ICE out of public schools, AB 317 on a CEQA exemption for certain single-family homes, AB 527 on geothermal exploratory wells, AB 665 on the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation ombudsman report, AB 940 creating quantum innovation zones, AB 1021 on workforce housing for education agencies, AB 1112 on property tax apportionment in Rancho Mirage, AB 1318 on nonprofit eligibility for public funding, and AB 1470 on using student housing loan funds for affordable housing in downtowns and commercial districts. Most measures passed with broad support; AB 49 and AB 1318 were urgency bills and passed with the required higher vote threshold. The floor also adopted H.R. 40, declaring May 25 as Rosenda’s Day to honor a teen killed by a drunk driver, and H.R. 42, recognizing May as Behavioral Health Awareness Month. Both drew extensive personal testimony from members about mental health, suicide, substance use, and the need to reduce stigma and expand access to care. Additional health-related bills passed, including AB 408 creating a physician health and wellness program, AB 546 requiring coverage for HEPA purifiers for certain enrollees after wildfire disasters, AB 967 expediting licenses for out-of-state physicians, and AB 968 expanding pharmacist authority to provide non-hormonal contraception. The Assembly also debated AB 1056 on phasing out gill net fishing and AB 1376 on limiting juvenile probation terms, with supporters framing both as conservation or rehabilitation measures and opponents warning about economic harm or public safety concerns. Both bills ultimately passed. Throughout the session, members repeatedly emphasized public safety, education, housing, climate, health care access, and support for immigrant and youth communities, with recorded roll-call votes and voice votes taken on each measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• This new method of holding gold is safer than keeping gold under a mattress.
• This new method of holding gold is safer than keeping gold under a mattress, so it's good for people
• It's the method of choice for sex traffickers.
• It's the method of choice for sex traffickers.

Bills: HB42

Keywords: special prosecutor, state law, criminal justice, accountability, law enforcement

Summary: The committee heard Senator Flores lay out the committee substitute for HB 2894, which would expand state reimbursement eligibility for local governments disproportionately affected by the disabled veterans homestead exemption. Flores said the bill would add certain municipalities in Bell, Coryell, and Lampasas counties if lost ad valorem tax revenue equals or exceeds 10% of general revenue, while existing recipients would remain under the current 2% threshold. Lampasas and Bell County officials and the City of Killeen testified in support, describing significant revenue losses and urging adequate funding. One witness, Howard Avery, argued any reimbursement should be counted as property tax revenue for voter-approval rate purposes to avoid a windfall. The committee later adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably, with one nay. The committee also heard SB 782, which would create a temporary severance tax exemption for restimulated inactive oil and gas wells, intended to encourage investment in mature wells. The Comptroller explained the revised fiscal note as effectively zero because the wells are currently marginal and not generating meaningful tax revenue, while industry witnesses said the bill could extend well life, support local economies, and reduce orphan-well liabilities. Public testimony was supportive, and the bill was left pending. Members then heard HB 3033, a DPS-related grant program funded by voluntary $3 donations on driver’s license and ID applications to support nonprofits aiding injured or fallen DPS officers and their families, including memorial highway signs. The DPS Officers Association supported the bill, citing existing foundation assistance and the need for a steady funding stream. The committee later reported the bill favorably. The committee also considered SB 524, which would permanently extend the franchise tax and fee exemption for qualifying veteran-owned businesses for their first five years; testimony from a veteran business owner and veterans advocates supported the measure, and the committee adopted the substitute and reported it favorably. Additional measures were laid out and left pending or voted out: HB 3594, a local San Antonio retiree health care fund bill with agreed changes for contributions, spouse benefits, and remarriage rules, was supported by stakeholders and reported favorably; HB 4738 would repeal small administrative fees tied to certain loans and was reported favorably; HB 42 on HEAF funding and HB 5246 on the Texas Space Commission were heard and left pending. The committee also reported HB 3474, a cleanup bill for the Pension Review Board’s investment performance review schedule, and HB 2802, the Austin firefighter retirement fund bill, both favorably. Finally, the committee took up HB 1056, which would allow gold and silver held in the Texas Bullion Depository to function as legal tender through debit-card transactions. Supporters framed it as a way to use hard assets and expand financial options, while bankers and some senators raised major operational, consumer-protection, tax, and constitutional questions; the bill remained under discussion as testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• saying right now that carriers are obligated to improve their service or there's just a communication method
• There's a communication method.
• The legislation method that we're talking about about today is not that method.

Keywords: 988, house, all