Transcript Highlights:

• We are back on the bill and we are at public testimony.
• Is there any public testimony? No public testimony. We're in debate. Members, any debate? Oh.
• Is there any public testimony? No public testimony. We're in debate. Members, any debate? Oh.
• Seeing none, any public testimony? Seeing none, any debate? Seeing none.
• Public testimony? Any public testimony? Seeing none. Members, we're in debate. Any debate? Oh, Rep.

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee met to consider three bills before moving to its budget presentation. HB 843, relating to Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission trust funds, was explained as a set of clarifying changes to improve budget flexibility, including use of certain trust funds for law enforcement and other conservation-related purposes. After questions about whether the bill would shift resources away from conservation, an amendment removed the sections dealing with the Administrative Trust Fund and the Florida Panther Research and Management Trust Fund. The amended bill received support in public testimony and was reported favorably. The committee then heard HB 295, which directs the Department of Environmental Protection to develop a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan by 2026 based on prior recycling recommendations. Supporters, including students involved in an “Ought to Be a Law” program and representatives from the waste and recycling industry, said the bill would create a roadmap for improving recycling and waste diversion. An opponent argued the state should instead enact more direct statutory changes on issues such as food waste, yard waste, and manure handling rather than study them further. Members praised the student participation and the bill passed. HB 339, creating a temporary alternative credentialing pathway for surveyors and mappers, was presented as a response to workforce shortages and an aging profession. The sponsor said the bill would help meet demand while preserving oversight, and an amendment added a four-year work requirement and adjusted renewal provisions. After brief supportive debate, the amended bill passed. The subcommittee then received its Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget proposal, which emphasized spending reductions, vacant-position cuts, and a smaller overall budget than the current year while still funding water resources, Everglades restoration, resiliency, land management, cleanup programs, agriculture facilities, and other projects. Members closed by thanking the chair for an inclusive budget process, and the meeting adjourned after a motion to rise.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your<00:04:38.880> testimony.<00:04:39.600> Uh your testimony.
• Uh your testimony.
• So they could, if they've listened to an hour and a half of testimony and just repeat testimony, the
• of testimony and just repeat testimony of testimony and just repeat testimony and<00:15:54.399><
• <01:39:14.480> that was the commissioner's testimony that was the commissioner's testimony

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That was quite some testimony.
• <01:23:02.080> Um, was quite some testimony. Um, was quite some testimony.
• As we talked about in previous<01:34:29.920> testimony, previous testimony, previous testimony
• for your testimony. for your testimony.
• Senate Bill 661 is we heard testimony Senate Bill 661 is we heard testimony that<02:19:51.760>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, opening up for public testimony.
• If not, yes, we can encourage people to submit written testimony.
• Written testimony, yes, absolutely.
• Again, folks who would like to submit written testimony may do so at youthsports@mass.gov.
• I think this will be the last call for any public comment or testimony.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Youth Sports Working Group held a public hearing and working group meeting to review and approve prior meeting minutes, then consider final recommendations from its subcommittees. The group unanimously approved the minutes from the April 27 public hearing and the April 7 working group meeting. It then discussed and adopted a health and safety protocol recommendation that broadens the state’s authority to set youth sports protocols beyond concussions to include injuries and other health risks, including weather-related issues such as heat, and potentially emergency action planning. The discussion noted testimony from athletic trainers supporting expanded concussion protections, heat rules, and event-specific emergency response planning. The group also approved two recommendations from the subcommittee on parents, money, sports, and facilities. The first would direct the state agency overseeing youth sports to ensure facilities and organizations do not ban parents or family members from recording youth sports events, in response to concerns about private entities restricting filming and requiring paid streaming services. The second would direct the agency to work across state government to create a grant program offering low- to zero-interest capital funding for organizations or facilities that meet youth sports access benchmarks, with members emphasizing equitable access and responsible use of public resources. After the votes, the chair opened the floor for any additional topics and public testimony. No members of the public chose to speak, though attendees were invited to submit written testimony by email. A working group member asked whether the subcommittees had completed their work, and staff said no further subcommittee work was anticipated, with the next meeting expected to focus on the final report. The meeting then adjourned by unanimous roll-call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any public testimony? Any debate, members? All right.
• We do have public testimony on this part. So we have Mr.
• Public testimony, no public testimony. Debate? Any debate on the bill? There are no amendments.
• Public testimony, no public testimony. Debate? Any debate on the bill? Not seeing any debate.
• Public testimony on the bill? No public testimony. Any debate on the bill? Seeing no debate.

Summary: The Government and Operations Committee met and first heard C.S. for HB 4003, relating to the City of Marco Island in Collier County. Representative Benaroch said the bill addresses how city council vacancies are filled: if a vacancy occurs more than one year before a general election, the council must call a special election within 130 days or the governor must do so; if the vacancy occurs within one year of a general election, the council has 60 days to appoint a qualified replacement or the governor must appoint. The bill was reported favorably with a roll-call vote. The committee then considered HB 91 on candidate qualification, sponsored by Representative Tant. The bill requires candidates to swear they have been registered in the relevant party for 365 consecutive days before qualifying, and clarifies who may challenge that oath and where such challenges must be filed. An amendment changing the effective date to upon becoming law was adopted. Representative Tant and others argued the bill would clarify election law and prevent abuse of the challenge process; a county clerk waived in support. HB 91, as a committee substitute, was reported favorably. The committee next took up three proposed committee bills extending public-record exemptions. PCB GOS 26-06 preserves exemptions for certain aquaculture records held by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, with Representative Gentry citing theft concerns involving harvest locations and production records; it was reported favorably. PCB GOS 26-07 preserves exemptions for information received by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles related to potential violations involving title certificates, licenses, and inspection providers; it also passed favorably. PCB GOS 26-08 extends exemptions tied to investigations involving social media platforms and antitrust or speech-restriction issues, with Representative Greco noting the underlying law has been enjoined by the courts; it too was reported favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, let me open public testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. There's no other questions.
• Okay, then we will close public testimony on House Bill 8.
• We will close public testimony.
• Closed public testimony.

Bills: HB8, HB26, HB192

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

Transcript Highlights:

• OK, let me open public testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. Um, let's see, and I don't see any questions.
• Thank you for your testimony. There's no other questions.
• OK, we'll close public testimony.
• No close public testimony.

Bills: HB8, HB26, HB192

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Your testimony, Ms. Schlegel. Welcome, introduce yourself and give us your testimony.
• I see your testimony. Mr. Glass, introduce yourself. Welcome, go ahead.
• Thank you for your testimony. On House Bill 3441.
• Your testimony. You're excused.
• We have closed public testimony, and the bill is still in front of us.

Bills: HB220, HB783, HB2240, HB3336, HB4202, HB4449, HB4904, HB3441, HB4284

Keywords: sexual assault, healthcare facilities, forensic examination, survivor support, emergency contraceptive, online impersonation, civil liability, social media, identity theft, defamation, counseling damages, injunctive relief, public health, safety regulations, community health, state standards, healthcare access, HB 3336, alcoholic beverage tax credit, spent grain

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll open public testimony. The chair calls Jackie Schlegel.
• Thank you for your testimony. Schlegel, welcome. Introduce yourself. Give us your testimony.
• Thank you for listening and thanks for your testimony.
• Thanks for your testimony. You're excused.
• Seeing and hearing now public testimony is closed.

Bills: HB 220, HB 783, HB 2240, HB 3336, HB 4202, HB 4449, HB 4904, HB 3441, HB 4284

Keywords: sexual assault, healthcare facilities, forensic examination, survivor support, emergency contraceptive, online impersonation, civil liability, social media, identity theft, defamation, counseling damages, injunctive relief, public health, safety regulations, community health, state standards, healthcare access, HB 3336, alcoholic beverage tax credit, spent grain

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate your testimony today. Welcome home.
• Very enjoyable, very thorough, as was your testimony today.
• By now you have heard multiple testimonies of inconsistencies By now you have heard multiple testimonies
• Thank you for your testimony here today. Questions, members of the committee?
• Thank you very much for your testimony today.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs held its fourth public hearing of the 2025-26 session on recognitions, definitions, and designations related to veterans. Chairs John Velis and Joseph McGonagle opened the hybrid hearing with housekeeping rules and noted the committee’s reporting deadlines. The hearing focused on several bills honoring veterans and military-related service, including H. 3825 to include reserve components in flag half-staff recognition for service members killed in action, S. 2499 to place a State House marker honoring three Medal of Honor recipients from the war on terror, S. 2498 to add Merchant Marine recognition at veterans cemeteries and the State House and create a Massachusetts merchant mariner medal, and H. 2500/S. 2500 to have Massachusetts fly the Honor and Remember flag for Gold Star families and fallen service members. A major portion of the hearing centered on H. 3871 and S. 2467, which would update the Commonwealth’s definition of “veteran.” Testimony came from the Office of Veterans Services, veterans organizations, Public Health Service and NOAA representatives, National Guard and Reserve veterans, and Gold Star advocates. Witnesses argued the current state definition is inconsistent with federal law and excludes some service members who should be recognized, especially members of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps, reservists, and some National Guard members. Supporters said the bills would improve fairness, consistency, and access to benefits and services, while several speakers emphasized that service in uniform should be honored regardless of branch. Some testimony also urged a broader moral recognition of all who raised their right hand, while others focused on aligning state law with federal definitions and closing gaps in eligibility. Committee members asked questions about the practical and fiscal effects of broadening the definition, including how the proposed language would interact with existing federal standards and state benefit programs. Witnesses explained that the bills would remove the current 180-day and 90-day active-service calculations and instead recognize certain active service and six-year reserve or Guard commitments, though some members noted that this could create a broader state standard than the federal one. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing, and the committee concluded after hearing from the final witness and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair: Any public testimony on the amendment? Members, we're in debate.
• Public testimony? French Brown: Real Property...
• Any public testimony? A couple appearance cards.
• Members, any public testimony?
• Chair: Seeing none, we'll move into public testimony on the amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will go to public testimony.
• You heard the testimony. Thank you, Chairman, uh, from Doctor Presley.
• Thank you for your testimony. The chair calls Kathy Hagler.
• Thank you for your testimony. The chair calls Debbie Lindstrom.
• Thank you for your testimony.

Bills: HB311

Keywords: flood hazards, recreational vehicles, temporary dwelling structures, Texas Water Development Board, flood safety standards, emergency management

Transcript Highlights:

• She's got incredible experience when it comes to um purchasing land and supporting testimony testimony
• , but they're not testimony testimony, but they're not here.<00:10:30.880> Yes.
• and we stand on our written testimony and we stand on our written testimony offering<00:16:08.800
• The limit their testimony to one minute.
• Members has submitted testimony and DNR.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land heard two gubernatorial nominations and one resolution. Governor’s Message 585 nominated Stanley Ruidas to the Game Management Advisory Commission for a term ending June 30, 2028. DLNR supported the nomination, citing his prior service as GMAC chair from 2020 to 2022 and his work on hunting and wildlife management issues. Ruidas said he hoped to continue as chair and focus on bringing meetings to hunters across the islands and advancing island-specific wildlife management plans. The committee later recommended advice and consent on GM585, and the motion passed unanimously. Governor’s Message 550 nominated Alexandra Kelly Polo to the Legacy Land Conservation Commission for a term ending June 30, 2028. DLNR and several supporters, including the County of Hawaii and community advocates, praised her experience with land acquisition, conservation easements, and county open-space efforts. Kelly Polo said her work has helped protect thousands of acres on Hawaii Island and emphasized the importance of preserving natural resources and working with community groups. The committee recommended advice and consent on GM550, and the motion passed unanimously. The committee also considered SCR 19/SR 100, which requested DLNR to convene a Kīua Bay advisory working group. DLNR and the Hawaii Tourism Authority offered written support, and members said the working group could help address long-standing issues in the area. The committee recommended passage with technical and nonsubstantive amendments, and the motion was adopted unanimously. In a separate joint portion of the meeting, the committees also advanced SCR 75/SR 58, supporting historic preservation staffing for Lahaina rebuild efforts, with both technical and substantive amendments, and later advanced STR 24 with an amendment to include the 100th Infantry Battalion alongside the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your testimony. Thank you. Thank you.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• We proceed to public testimony. We have four witnesses.
• Thank you for your testimony. Thank you. The chair calls Bill.
• Thank you for your testimony.

Bills: HB24, HB2015, HB2149, HB2559, HB2701, HB2797, HB3172, HB24

Keywords: zoning, public notice, local government, residential development, protests, water conservation, municipal utility districts, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, environmental regulation, groundwater management, nonconforming uses, zoning regulations, land use, property rights, municipal authority, municipal moratorium, development moratorium, property development, subdivision, site plan

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a one-minute testimony limit, so when you hear a bell, please wrap it up. Thank you.
• Chair, Vice Chair, Member, New Sebas here with HGA, we'll stand on our testimony and support.
• with hga we'll stand on our testimony with hga we'll stand on our testimony and<00:12:05.880>
• Excuse me, we also have testimony from UHSC in support. Any others wishing to testify?
• testify excuse me we also have testimony testify excuse me we also have testimony from from from

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology met on March 12 in Room 224 at the Hawaii State Capitol and heard testimony on several labor, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, collective bargaining, and related measures. On House Bill 202, which would revise the definition of the adequate reserve fund for calendar year 2026 and beyond, the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations strongly supported the bill, saying it would protect the solvency of the Unemployment Insurance trust fund. The department explained that the reserve standard had been lowered from 1.5% to 1% in 2010 and argued that restoring it would better prepare the fund for future shocks. Questions focused on whether the change would affect employers’ costs and whether the trust fund had recovered fraud losses from the pandemic; the department said some fraud had been recovered and additional fraud tools were now in place. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including technical changes and a defective date, and adopted the recommendation. The committee also heard House Bill 477 on the Hawaii Employment Security Law, which the department supported as a modernization of the UI system but asked to amend for clarity, especially on registration-for-work language. The committee accepted those requested amendments and recommended passage with amendments. It then took up House Bill 1026 and House Bills 1027 through 1039, covering emergency appropriations for public employment cost items and collective bargaining for units 1 through 14. Testimony from the Budget and Finance director, United Public Workers, the University of Hawaiʻi, HGEA, UHSC, and others was generally in strong support, with one opposition noted on HB 1038. The committee moved all of those measures together and recommended passage with amendments. In its later decision-making agenda, the committee approved several previously heard bills with technical amendments and defective dates, including House Bill 423 on workers’ compensation, House Bill 480 on workers’ compensation, House Bill 162 on collective bargaining arbitration procedures, House Bill 164 on indebtedness to the state, and House Bill 1152 on tax administration. House Bill 214, relating to government and school resource officers, drew discussion about labor shortages and whether the bill should help train existing school resource officers into law enforcement roles; the committee still passed it with amendments. House Bill 874 on child performers was amended to require trust accounts for certain minors’ earnings and place oversight with DLIR’s Wage Standards Division, and House Bill 159 on qualified community rehabilitation programs was passed with amendments after the committee blanked the $850,000 cap for further discussion. All recommendations were adopted without recorded opposition, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• :21:45.760> specific other testimony from specific other testimony from specific experiences<00
• <00:48:29.599> that is, you know, there's testimony that is, you know, there's testimony that
• I think we're going to move on to the online testimony.
• I think we're going to move on to the online testimony.
• I think we're going to move on to the online testimony.

Bills: HB0130, HB0147

Keywords: Second Amendment, firearms, state rights, federal regulation, law enforcement, civil penalties, government liability, property tax, homeowner exemption, Wyoming, voter initiative, tax legislation, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• probably hear testimony. probably hear testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for your testimony.
• for your testimony. Okay. for your testimony. Okay.
• that would like to provide testimony? that would like to provide testimony?
• Any other testimony?

Bills: SF0045, SJ0001

Keywords: pari-mutuel wagering, simulcasting, historic horse racing, HHR terminals, horse racing, gaming commission, Wyoming Gaming Commission, local control, city approval, county approval, municipal approval, permit renewal, gaming permit, wagering regulation, racetrack, live pari-mutuel event, district court appeal, public notice, land use, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for listening to my testimony.
• Thank you for listening to my testimony. Thank you for listening to my testimony. Thank you.
• thank you for listening to my testimony thank you for listening to my testimony thank<00:37:41.079
• Thank you for your testimony.
• <01:00:12.960> um you thank you for the testimony um you thank you for the testimony um member

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• testimony when you're ready. testimony when you're ready.
• , your final word for these testimonies, your final word for these testimonies, but<00:36:37.440>
• then present your testimony. then present your testimony.
• ,<01:11:32.080> thank expand on the excellent testimony, thank expand on the excellent testimony
• Um and and Senator testimony with us.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And Representative Lawrence, for your testimony, I just know we're laying the bill over.
• Please state your name for the record and begin your testimony.
• State your name for the record and begin your testimony. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Please state your name for the record and begin your testimony. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• My name testimony. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 1791 was presented as a scholarship/grant program for students in postsecondary technical or career programs offered through their high schools. Representative Scott and Representative Lawrence described it as a way to help students transition into careers or further education by covering costs such as tools, boots, books, and other work-related expenses. The chair noted the bill would be laid over, with limited time for testimony because of a full agenda. Testimony strongly supported the bill. Steve Collina of the Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association said manufacturing is a major Minnesota industry and that the bill fills a gap by supporting K-12 career pathways; he emphasized the proposal would not cost the state or taxpayers. Trevor Quennell, a Centennial High School graduate now at Dunwoody College, said the bill would have eased the burden of buying expensive tools and balancing work, school, and transportation. Eric Trost, an instructor at St. Francis High School, explained that Saints Manufacturing is a student-run, elective business-style program that teaches estimating, quoting, logistics, welding, machining, and employability skills, and he said the grant portion is especially important because many students go directly into the workforce. Naomi Brasky, a St. Francis student and Army National Guard enlistee, said the program has given her real-world problem-solving and communication experience and that grants would help cover costs not included in tuition. Members responded positively, with one noting broader trends away from four-year college and calling the bill common sense. In closing, Representative Lorentzen credited instructor Eric Trost for originating the idea and thanked an audience member, Mr. Yost, for supporting the program. The chair then laid House File 1791 over.