Transcript Highlights:

• personally thank Mayor Kirk Watson, Anu Kumar from the Austin Firefighter Retirement Fund, Carrie Rogers and Ed
• Chair calls Ed Van Enu. Did I do that? Got it.
• We show you registered as Ed Vandy knew on behalf of the City of Austin.
• because, you know, I don't want it to sound like I don't value what the police officers do, but on public ed
• committee, we hear so much about problems with teachers being assaulted, special ed teachers, or they

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:02.880> Um be certified in special ed. Um be certified in special ed.
• Um, the ad hoc group consists of Gary Merchant and, um, Ed Chenella. Ed runs the Ammonus facility.
• <02:23:35.920> Ed of Gary Merchant and um Ed Chenella.
• Ed of Gary Merchant and um Ed Chenella.
• Ed Gary runs the Ammonus uh facility.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• through the RFA process are... and I'm sorry, but I'm going to go in between like the K-12 and higher ed
• because higher ed honestly is a smaller portion of our RFA process. than the PK-12.
• are where the majority of those member projects are, but we still have a lot of awards made in higher ed
• So again, all of the higher ed awards have been sent out. I think it was exceptional.

Transcript Highlights:

• It happened to be the first registered one in the state of Minnesota, and the focus is on special ed.
• Joachim [member_22598] also talked about that there's over 350 million dollars in cuts related to special ed
• infuriating to me—is that those same educators that get cut from working in the classrooms, the Department of Ed
• And hopefully that Blue Ribbon Commission does find that $250 million of slowing growth in special ed

Transcript Highlights:

• Maintenance of effort says we're putting in the same amount of money this year for special ed as we did
• and we can argue about that, you know, whether or not, well, what about exiting students from special ed
• case of IEA, um, the transfer of these funds, there's been talk of transferring these funds in special ed
• You've got changing secretaries, changing staff in special ed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Call Ed Johnson. House Bill 1661, call Ed Johnson. Mr.
• We'll open public testimony on House Bill 551, and the chair calls Ed We'll open public testimony on
• House Bill 551 and the chair calls Ed Johnson.

Bills: HB46, HB272

Keywords: local government spending cap, expenditure limit, political subdivision, property tax, ad valorem tax, budget cap, taxpayer protection, spending restraint, inflation adjustment, population growth, voter approval, supermajority vote, county budget, municipal budget, school district finance, junior college district, hospital district, special district, attorney general enforcement, local fiscal limits

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs heard several House bills and took no final votes, leaving each bill pending after testimony. HB 272 would align venue and evidentiary rules for fraudulent use or possession of credit/debit card information with existing credit card abuse law; the sponsor said it would improve prosecutions, and the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center supported it. HB 1661 would increase penalties for certain election-related offenses, including failure to distribute election supplies and early release of election results; no substantive opposition was heard. HB 551 would protect the residential addresses of people who receive campaign expenditures on public Texas Ethics Commission reports, similar to donor privacy protections, and a witness from Texas Eagle Forum later indicated support for the privacy change. The committee also heard HB 2820, which would raise the amount charitable bingo organizations may keep in operating capital from $50,000 to $100,000. The sponsor and a Texans for Charitable Bingo representative said inflation and operating costs have made the current cap too low and that the bill would help charities maintain stable operations without expanding gaming. HB 3181 would impose stronger consequences for repeated denial of court-ordered child possession and access, including limiting probation and requiring attorney’s fees after multiple contempt findings; a family court judge and a parent testified in support, while another witness argued the bill should be paired with stronger criminal enforcement and that parents already face high costs. HB 4157 would update Texas law for commercial spaceflight by recognizing liability waivers and preserving workers’ compensation rights; no one testified against it. The committee also heard HB 4145, which would let health care providers satisfy a timely billing requirement by sending bills to a patient’s legal representative in a personal injury case, closing what supporters described as a loophole in letter-of-protection situations. Finally, HB 46, relating to the Texas Compassionate Use Program, drew the most extensive discussion: supporters said it should expand access for legitimate medical cannabis patients and add more delivery methods and conditions, while opponents warned against broader marijuana expansion and questioned adding chronic pain and other conditions. The sponsor said he still supports the program and wants a balanced, regulated expansion, but noted the bill is still being worked on. All bills were left pending at the close of the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• These come from our higher ed. and we don't have a role in any federal financial aid decisions or parameters
• education are working, as evidenced by the increase of 18,000 undergraduate students enrolled in higher ed
• There is great interest in things in higher ed, and they only got 10 minutes to present.
• It's a fun day in the Higher Ed Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• In light of that, the higher ed work group kept everything very lean.
• objection to the adoption of article, excuse me, Senator Betancourt moves that article three on higher ed
• Well, it was sent out by Senators Creighton and Betancourt as Senator Creighton has chair of higher ed
• and Senator Betancourt is chair of the work group for higher ed to all the universities, and so I'm

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to start with article one, general ed.
• Article one again is general ed.
• We are policy director at Ed Allies.
• be the last testifier on the last ed be the last testifier on the last ed finance<00:52:05.119><
• And then in 2425, special ed on staff.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:44:57.200> work<00:44:57.440> for<00:44:57.760> special<00:44:58.240> ed
• <00:44:59.079> mental together to work for special ed mental together to work for special
• ed mental health<00:45:00.240> and<00:45:00.400> other health and other health and other
• :27.119> I<00:47:27.240> see<00:47:27.559> at<00:47:27.680> the term on Ed
• Finance what I see at the term on Ed Finance what I see at the surface<00:47:28.160> level<00

Bills: HF56, HF780

Keywords: HF56, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, Hutchinson Area Transportation Services, Hutchinson, McLeod County, transportation facility, vehicle storage, equipment storage, fueling facility, temperate storage, local infrastructure, public works, general obligation bonds, education finance, school funding, state aid, appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we have something that has been clamoring for a long time with our special ed.
• And then we have something that has been clamoring for a long time with our special ed.
• people to know, the people that are listening: if you don't get a check, if you don't get the special ed

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Ed Ford, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Ed Verdy, Timmons II, Marty II, anyone wishing to change your vote.
• Marty III, Simmons II, Ed Ford, I, Florida, Ther, West, Eye.

Bills: HB3794, HB3796, HB3928, HB2955, HB4453, HB4460

Keywords: licensure, criminal history, public safety, occupational certification, rehabilitation, state regulations, insurance, regulations, certification, long-term care, mergers, consumer protection, property safety, vision insurance, optometry, reimbursement, healthcare policy, ophthalmic materials, provider agreements, captive insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair calls Ed Johnson and Veronica Worms. The chair calls Ed Johnson and Veronica Worms. Mr.
• Ed Johnson.

Bills: SB1065, SB2117, SB2217, SB2363, SB2533, SB2742, SB2743, SB2881, SB2964, SB3013, SB3014

Keywords: SB 1065, handgun carry, license holder, concealed carry, open carry, government contracts, governmental entity, property lease, state agencies, local government, higher education, university, Texas Government Code, Penal Code 30.06, Penal Code 30.07, Penal Code 46.03, Second Amendment, gun rights, firearms, civil penalty

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1065, which would require government property contracts to prohibit contractors from barring licensed handgun holders from carrying firearms on leased or owned public property, with civil penalties and attorney general enforcement for violations. Senator Hall and invited witnesses from the Texas State Rifle Association, NRA, and Texas Gun Rights argued the bill would close a loophole exposed by the State Fair of Texas gun ban and protect law-abiding Texans’ self-defense rights. Opponents, including Moms Demand Action/Everytown, said the bill would undermine event organizers’ ability to set site-specific safety rules and could increase liability and insurance costs. Public testimony was then closed and the bill was left pending. The committee next took up Senate Bill 2742, which would create civil penalties for independent school districts and officials who use public resources for electioneering, waive immunity defenses, and expand attorney general enforcement. Senator Hagan-Bood said current law bans the conduct but lacks meaningful penalties, making injunctions the only remedy. No public testimony was heard, and the bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2743, also by Senator Hagan-Bood, which would allow a court to disqualify local prosecutors who refuse to prosecute election offenses and appoint the attorney general to handle the case, with a committee substitute adjusting the removal process through an adjacent-county judge. Opponents from the Texas Civil Rights Project argued the bill would undermine prosecutorial discretion and was vague and open to abuse, while a Harris County election official described past instances where alleged voter fraud cases were not pursued. After testimony, public comment was closed and SB 2743 was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, very uh, and their driver, Ed, yes.
• <00:03:14.520> Ed,<00:03:14.840> yes.
• <00:03:15.960> you<00:03:16.080> all<00:03:16.240> for<00:03:16.400> me Ed
• Ed, yes.
• So, uh thank you all for me Ed Ed, yes.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, April 6, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, received an invocation from Pastor Shannon Watkins of Souls One Outreach Cathedral in Cumberland, and welcomed several guests and student pages. The chamber also announced the week’s schedule for the final days of session, including likely double sessions later in the week and a possible Saturday hold. Administrative items included the reading of House messages, a favorable executive nominations report that was special ordered for Tuesday, and the introduction of several House bills and Senate bills on the calendar. The main floor debate centered on Senate Bill 841, the Utility Relief Reducing Energy Load Information for Every Family Act. Senators discussed energy affordability, ratepayer relief, utility costs, data center growth, in-state generation, and the role of programs such as RGGI, EmPower, and the RPS. Supporters said the bill provides a comprehensive short- and long-term response, including consumer transparency and low-income relief, while critics argued it did not go far enough and should have included stronger relief or pauses on renewable energy mandates. After debate and several explanations of vote, the Senate passed SB 841 by a constitutional majority, 38-affirmative votes. Earlier in the session, Senate Bill 213 on state procurement transparency and procedures also passed with 40 affirmative votes. After SB 841 passed, the Senate took up House Bill 1532, a conforming companion to the utility relief measure. The committee offered an amendment to align HB 1532 with SB 841, the amendment was adopted without objection, and the bill then passed on third reading. Senators who explained their votes largely echoed the same themes from the SB 841 debate, with some emphasizing the need for more relief and others stressing the bill’s broader policy changes and regional energy-market constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• which put a better emphasis on making sure students in K-12, especially in high school, have higher-ed
• How many people do the Department of Ed? to come back up. This question I'm going to throw at them.
• The expectation of what the Department of Ed feels they need to do to be good custodians of the funds
• the struggle or where we're trying to hit the balance is the expectation of what the Department of Ed
• The expectation of what the Department of Ed feels they need to do to be good custodians of the funds

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee reviewed a long agenda of agency rules, with most items approved without objection after brief presentations and no public comment. Early items included Department of Energy and Environment rules on landfill post-closure trust fund spending thresholds and liquefied petroleum gas standards, DFA’s electronic odometer disclosure rule, and several Department of Health rules covering ionizing radiation, mobile home and RV parks, lead-based paint, counseling board revisions, hearing instrument dispensers, athletic training, dental examiners, nursing, pharmacy, medical board, speech-language pathology and audiology, radiologic technology, massage therapy, community health workers, doula certification, and cosmetology/body art. Most of these changes were described as updates to match recent acts, federal standards, compact participation, fee adjustments, or cleanup/clarification, and the committee repeatedly approved them without objection. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the Arkansas State Board of Nursing’s broad set of rule changes implementing multiple 2025 acts. Those changes included creating a dialysis patient care technician registry, updating contact information requirements, expanding APRN authority to delegate certain tasks, clarifying death certificate and pronouncement authority, allowing substitution of therapeutically equivalent medications, permitting purchase of compounded products, and updating certified medication assistant rules and training standards. Members asked detailed questions about the meaning of therapeutically equivalent substitutions, delegation limits, compounded products, and how often medication lists would be updated; the board said it would review rules annually and use future rulemaking as needed. The committee also approved new nursing rules for declaratory orders and the new dialysis registry. The Department of Education’s rules drew the most discussion, especially the Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom Account Program. The department said the revisions, based on Act 920 of 2025, were intended to add guardrails, clarify eligible expenses, and streamline approvals. Changes included defining core educational expenses, limiting sports-related spending, adding an intentional misuse standard, restricting certain technology purchases and requiring extra justification over $1,000, capping carryover funds at $8,500, and creating a reconsideration process for denied expenses. Members raised concerns about oversight, appeal timelines, sports equipment, provider credentialing, and whether the rules were too restrictive; department officials said the rules were meant to protect taxpayer funds while preserving flexibility, and they noted the program had received extensive public comment. The committee also approved Education rules for scholarships, residency classification, teacher programs, accelerated learning, and graduate medical education, as well as Labor and Licensing rules on wage and hour standards, boiler rules, motor vehicle commission requirements, professional wrestling regulation, appraiser qualifications, and military recruiting incentives.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Elizabeth Irwin, we have Ed Hendrick, and we have Autumn Neagle.
• We have Elizabeth Irwin, we have Ed Hendrick, and we have Autumn Neagle.
• , we have Ed Hendrick, we have Ed Hendrick, and<00:25:26.720> we<00:25:26.960> have
• <00:26:01.919> Ed >> Make sure that green light's on.
• Ed >> Make sure that green light's on.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee first recognized several guest groups, including a Harrison County leadership group and students from Mercy Academy, then heard a presentation tied to Career and Technical Education Month from Kentucky FCCLA student leaders D. Owens and Kaden Dunn. The students described FCCLA’s role in building confidence, leadership, and career readiness, and argued that CTE is a strong pathway rather than an alternative one. They cited membership and achievement statistics, discussed their own experiences in FCCLA, and urged continued and expanded state support for CTE, internships, apprenticeships, rural access, and teacher recruitment. Several senators responded positively, praising the presentation and emphasizing the value of CTE and workforce preparation. The committee then took up Senate Bill 152, an act relating to education, and adopted both a committee substitute and a committee amendment. Senator Aaron Reed explained that the bill would replace school-based decision-making councils with school-based advisory councils, while keeping parent and teacher input but shifting final authority over hiring, curriculum, and school leadership to principals and superintendents. He said the bill was intended to clarify responsibility and strengthen accountability. Senator Thomas questioned whether there was evidence that site-based councils were failing, and Reed said he had heard concerns from parents and teachers but did not have a formal list of evidence at hand. Senator Higdon supported the bill as a needed review of a system adopted in 1990, noting that education has changed significantly and that prior reforms have shown the process can work. Senators West and others asked for clarification that parental involvement would remain, and Reed said it would. Three opponents then testified: Elizabeth Irwin of the Kentucky Association of School Councils, Ed Hendrick representing KA, and Autumn Nagel of the Kentucky State PTA. They argued that dismantling SBDMs would reduce authentic parent and teacher voice, politicize school decisions, and take authority away from those closest to students. They said local councils have transparency and elections already in place and urged support for the existing school council structure rather than reducing its role.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, welcome to Ed. Good morning, Mr. Chairman. My name is David Trumble.
• One is the special ed services, which was already mentioned by Senator Perkins Kwoka.
• Around 8% of funds for special ed come from the federal government; it's probably 7% next year.
• That doesn't mean that right now that money is going to special ed. It's going to reading programs.
• <00:55:36.520> or your constituency is special ed or your constituency is special ed or reading

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Cabria Payton on behalf of Ed Trust West, in support. Good morning.
• Cabria Payton, on behalf of Ed Trust West, in support.
• I come from the world of higher ed and having been by chance or there.
• We've worked with each other for many years in the higher ed spaces.
• We've worked with each other for many years in the higher ed spaces.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Carter, my name's Ed Tarpley. I'm the former district attorney of Grant Parish.
• Representative Carter, my name is Ed Tarpley. I'm the former district attorney of Grant Parish.
• And listen to Ed Tarpley that I met when we changed, Professor Bell, Norris Anderson, Calvin, and myself
• And listen to Ed—Ed almost wanted to make me a Republican.
• Delicia Boyd, Representative Marcus Bryant, Representative Tammy Phelps, and Representative Ed Murray

Bills: SB256

Keywords: court consolidation, judicial administrative, Orleans Parish, civil district court, criminal district court, court clerk, judicial funding, 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, committee, for the record, my name is Ed Sanchez.
• Ed and I have known each other for many, many years. To the point that he was commenting, Mr.
• Any other questions for Ed while we have him? Yeah.
• Chairman, Committee for the record, my name is Ed Sanchez.
• Thank you, Ed. All right, Mr. Vice Chair. All right, nobody will sign in. So Mr.

Bills: HB2014, HB2055, HB2145, HB2150, HB2696, HB2755, HB2763, HB2781, HB2782, HB2787, HB2795, HB2889, HB2975, HB2985, HB2986, HCM2009, HCR2020, HCR2038

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, brackish groundwater, water supply development, desalination, Arizona Revised Statutes, water infrastructure, financial assistance, environmental reviews, fuel reformulation, gasoline standards, environmental regulations, ethanol supply, Air Quality, state land department, mineral lease, renewals

Summary: The Natural Resources Committee approved the March 17 minutes and then took up a long calendar of bills, holding HCR 2038. HB 2787, which would bar the state and its political subdivisions from using personnel or financial resources to enforce, administer, or cooperate with the Mexican wolf reintroduction program, drew opposition from Sierra Club and Humane World for Animals/Animal Defense League of Arizona, who argued it would hinder wolf recovery and undercut science-based wildlife management. The committee nevertheless gave HB 2787 a do-pass recommendation by a 4-3 vote. The committee then considered HB 2055 on a Brackish Groundwater Recovery Program Fund and HB 2782 on disclosure requirements for regulatory assets in utility rates. Testimony on HB 2055 raised concerns that brackish groundwater is still groundwater and that pumping it could cause localized impacts, but the bill initially received a do-pass recommendation before a later vote failed on reconsideration. HB 2782 prompted discussion about Corporation Commission authority and utility regulation, but it ultimately received a do-pass recommendation. The committee also heard HB 2781, a solar energy decommissioning and financial assurance bill, with testimony from environmental groups, industry representatives, and a local official; an amendment by Senator Sundareshan to strengthen financial assurance and remove the remediation fund failed, and the underlying bill also failed on a tied 4-4 vote. Later, the committee approved HB 2975, which would suspend use of solar scoring maps on state trust lands and require new mining and housing scoring maps, despite opposition from environmental groups and neutral comments from the State Land Department that the solar map is only a guidance tool. HB 2696, as amended, passed after the committee adopted amendments shifting the Arizona Commerce Authority’s fuel-price mandate and creating a fuel resiliency task force; testimony focused on fuel supply, pipeline capacity, refinery access, and whether the ACA was the right agency to lead the effort. The committee also passed HCM 2009 urging Congress to require legislative approval for new national monuments and to streamline mining and land-swap processes, and HB 2889, which funds ADEQ monitoring of uranium contamination and creates a statewide registry and tribal partnership program. Finally, the committee approved HB 2763, which would require legislative approval before the Arizona Game and Fish Commission could close a shooting range. Supporters said it was meant to protect facilities like Ben Avery and preserve safe shooting locations, while opponents argued the bill was unnecessary because existing review steps already exist and there was no imminent closure threat. The committee also heard testimony on the bill from Game and Fish, which said the measure would add another layer to an already extensive closure process and that the department was neutral on the proposal.