Transcript Highlights:

• to have a quorum, has asked that I provide him a quorum in a competing markup about to start the Foreign
• Beyer. is your plan to develop domestic sources of lithium and assure that we're not reliant on foreign
• working with the Arizona Department of Energy to talk about creative solutions for energy and fast deployment
• There are a lot of communities that actually are very excited about the deployment of this technology
• So will you commit to visiting Arizona and working together on fast deployment of SMRs, including the

Transcript Highlights:

• similar to a university-size reactor or around those source-term quantities, to help streamline deployment
• license transition As I mentioned, the DOE-to-NRC license transition is about accelerating nuclear deployment
• And in the near term, we will have our microreactor deployment, so Marvel and Paley.
• There's supply chain dependence on this and foreign nations currently.
• And as we’ve lost aluminum and we’ve lost steel to foreign manufacturers, we had the story here about

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I did two deployments to Afghanistan with those dogs and those Marines. The dogs never missed.
• There's because I think most of our folks are going to qualify already because of the deployment cycles
• Barry Hendrickson, Department of Minnesota Veterans of Foreign Wars Adjutant Quartermaster.
• Of course, it is the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, the
• the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans<00:49:14.359> of<00:49:14.480> America,

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard an introductory presentation from Sam Daily of Believe It Canine Service Partners, a nonprofit that trains service dogs free of charge for disabled veterans. Daily described the organization’s work with veterans, including placements with MACV and a service dog at Veteran Village in Eagan, and said the group has placed 80 teams so far. Senator Howe asked whether the organization had pursued Support Our Troops grants, and Daily said it had received two SOS grants. The first bill taken up was Senate File 4172, as amended, which would expand eligibility for burial in Minnesota state veterans cemeteries to honorably discharged reservists, National Guard members, and Air National Guard members, and would allow some honor guard use for eligible people. Senator Howe said the bill corrects an inequity for Guard and reserve members who served honorably but are not currently eligible. Glenn Pence testified in support, saying the bill recognizes National Guard service and should allow those veterans to be buried with others they served alongside. MDVA’s David Swantek supported the concept but warned that expanded eligibility would increase demand, especially at Little Falls, and could shorten its projected capacity timeline from about 48 years to about 30 years. The committee adopted the A1 amendment and then laid the bill over for inclusion in the Veterans and Military Affairs Finance Omnibus Bill. The committee then heard Senate File 4026, which sets standards for MDVA competitive grants and adds accountability and residency requirements. Senator Koran said the bill would help the department review grants and ensure funds serve Minnesota veterans and families. MDVA chief of staff Dave Belfi supported the bill, saying it reflects agency feedback, aligns with existing residency rules, and does not affect CVSO, VSO, or Support Our Troops grants. The A1 amendment was adopted, and the bill was laid over for inclusion in the omnibus bill. Next, Senate File 4807 was heard, a bill to update pay for National Guard soldiers and airmen called to state active duty. MDVA and National Guard officials said the bill would simplify statute language and raise the minimum base pay for lower ranks to the E5 level, with future adjustments tied to federal pay tables. Senator Kunesh asked about funding, and staff explained the cost would come through an open general-fund emergency appropriation, estimated at about $30,000 annually but varying with activations. The committee adopted amendments to incorporate SF 4172 and SF 4026 into SF 4807, made technical corrections, and then recommended SF 4807, as amended, to pass and be referred to the full committee. Finally, the committee heard Senate File 3603, which would create a program allowing school districts to issue high school diplomas to Minnesota veterans who left school to serve during the Korean conflict or Vietnam War. Senator Rasmussen said the bill recognizes veterans who interrupted their education for service. MDVA’s John Kelly supported the bill, noting it reflects input from MDVA and the Department of Education and that similar programs exist in other states. The committee voted to recommend the bill to pass and refer it to the full committee. The meeting also began discussion of Senate File 4560, which would formalize the Commander's Task Force, but the transcript cuts off before that bill was acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is why I champion the Foreign Ties Due Diligence Program.
• That is why my Innovate Act introduces a new definition of foreign risk.
• It implements a clear list of ties to foreign countries of concern that disqualify an applicant, and
• Implement the foreign risk management provisions, and number four, reauthorize permanently or at least
• On vetting out any kind of foreign intrusion into the company.

Keywords: SBIR, STTR, Innovate Act, small business, innovation, legislative reforms, economic growth, funding, technology transfer

Summary: The meeting focused on the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs (SBIR-STTR), emphasizing the critical reforms necessary to enhance their effectiveness. Chair Ernst introduced the Innovate Act to streamline processes, ensuring funding is awarded based on merit and addressing existing abuses within the system. The discussion was robust, with numerous members expressing concerns about phase transitions and the need for targeted funding to support impactful technological innovations. The conversation also highlighted the program's importance in fostering economic growth, particularly for small businesses in rural areas, and the urgency for legislative changes as the program's authorization approaches expiration.

Transcript Highlights:

• believe the tariffs paid for by foreign believe the tariffs paid for by foreign countries<01:13:
• > she After a 4month deployment, she After a 4month deployment, she voluntarily<01:51:04.639><
• That's why I designated these cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
• designated these cartels as foreign designated these cartels as foreign terrorist<02:08:58.560><
• Foreign leaders, seen anything like it.

Keywords: Presidential address to the Joint Session of the United States Congress on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And efficiently from where it is produced to where it is needed for large-scale deployment, pipelines
• It does not create a hydrogen deployment program.
• So it's not as if our workers are still exposed to those foreign oil entanglements under the existing
• So it's not as if our workers are still exposed to those foreign oil entanglements under the existing
• Is Texas foreign oil, or is Iran foreign oil, or is it all just foreign?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a permissive environment for violent criminals, gang members, known terrorists, and other hostile foreign
• But for us, as they build up and we can do less, less deployments when they're on, when they're assigned
• They work, it's a 9-day deployment, so they get 2 days of 24 hours of straight overtime.
• exhaustion, and particularly with DPS, number of moves back and forth and, you know, temporary deployments
• I, I can, we, we've adjusted many times and, and we're used to deployments, hurricanes, wildfires, border

Summary: The Senate Committee on Border Security held its first hearing of the 89th legislative session, established a quorum, welcomed new and returning members, and adopted the committee rules without objection. The chair said the hearing would be limited to invited state agency witnesses and was intended as a status update for new members on current border operations, especially in light of the change in federal administration. Testimony came from the Office of the Attorney General, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Texas Military Department. The Attorney General’s representative said border-related litigation is largely in a holding pattern while the new U.S. Department of Justice awaits additional leadership, and noted prior cases involving concertina wire, buoys, and the CBP One app. DPS described Operation Lone Star’s evolution from filling gaps when Border Patrol was overwhelmed to current operations focused on interdiction, criminal arrests, fentanyl and meth seizures, and national security concerns, while also noting improved morale and more voluntary deployments as border pressure has eased. The Texas Military Department reported more than 5,000 personnel on state active duty, extensive use of barriers, drones, boats, and rapid-response forces, and said Operation Lone Star has resulted in more than 531,000 apprehensions and a 90% reduction in illegal crossings. Members and witnesses discussed whether the state should maintain its current border-security footprint while federal policy settles, with the chair emphasizing preserving institutional knowledge and leaving tactical decisions to the governor. Questions also covered trooper fatigue, Border Patrol training under SB 602, and concerns about cartel-driven commercial trucking and fuel depots near the border. The committee heard that Border Patrol training with DPS has resumed, and the chair asked agencies to keep the Legislature informed as legal and operational circumstances change. No bills were heard and no votes were taken beyond adopting the committee rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• Involving other states and foreign jurisdictions really increases the challenge.
• And now we find out it's littered with foreign enemy countries. I don't know.
• The concern is not simply that the components are foreign manufactured.
• We're at a crossroads in our deployment.
• If you have batteries, to know what you have, how much, you know, deployment, etc.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the same confidentiality protections we apply to terrorism-related data also apply to threats from foreign
• First-of-a-kind deployments are pivotal in kick-starting the buildout of an advanced nuclear reactor
• So our process is a pebble-bed small modular reactor, 80 megawatts, fully modular, deployable.
• Texas is in a prime position to be the leader in new nuclear plant development and deployment.
• Nuclear development and deployment is going to happen in the United States.

Bills: HB132, HB 11, HB14, HB132, HB1584, HB1606, HB5061, HB 1041, HB2286

Keywords: nuclear energy, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, energy policy, regulation repeal, state energy strategy, licensing, reciprocity, regulation, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, interstate agreements, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, HB 132, Texas Government Code Chapter 418, Public Information Act, confidential records, homeland security, foreign adversary, terrorism

Summary: The committee first took up pending business and quickly reported several measures favorably, including HB 12, SB 1361, SB 1705, SB 1749, SB 1897, SB 2344, SB 2566, HB 3809, and HB 4215, with most sent to the Local and Uncontested Calendar. HB 12’s substitute clarified a limited midterm review of regulatory agencies tied to Sunset Commission recommendations. SB 2696’s substitute changed med spa regulation from a license to a certificate, with training instead of an exam, plus background checks, continuing education, and two-year renewals. HB 3809 dealt with battery energy storage decommissioning and recycling, and HB 4215 was reported without a substitute. SB 1978, concerning interconnection of electric facilities in ERCOT and federal jurisdiction concerns, was reported out on a 5-3 vote after debate, but then the chair later announced the bill was withdrawn and left pending subject to the call of the chair. HB 1899 was also reported favorably, with one nay. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 14, the advanced nuclear energy bill. Senator Schwertner described it as creating a Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, a nuclear permitting coordinator, a development fund, a completion grant program, and a workforce development program. Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including representatives from Fermi America, Dow/X-energy, CPS Energy, Paragon Energy Solutions, Bridge to Nuclear, Aalo Atomics, and the Texas Association of Business, argued that Texas should lead in advanced nuclear, citing future baseload demand, data centers, industrial power needs, supply-chain development, and long-term energy diversification. Opponents, including Public Citizen, Texas Nuclear Watchdogs, Sierra Club, and individual citizens, argued the bill would subsidize unproven, expensive technology, create grants rather than loans, and expose taxpayers to major risk while doing little to meet near-term energy needs. Several members questioned whether the state should fund projects that may not produce grid power for years, and whether the bill’s grant structure and new office were justified. The committee also heard HB 5061, which Senator Schwertner said would prohibit unethical surveillance and misuse of confidential information by state contractors, create a confidential reporting system through the State Auditor’s Office, authorize Texas Rangers investigations, protect whistleblowers, and impose penalties including contract termination, fines, and contracting bans. No public testimony was offered, and the bill was left pending. HB 132, sponsored by Senator Hughes, would extend confidentiality protections for sensitive information to hostile acts by foreign adversaries; it was also left pending after no testimony. HB 1584 was then laid out, with Senator Schwertner explaining it would require utilities to maintain and update priority restoration lists for critical facilities after Hurricane Beryl exposed communication failures, but the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've served my country across three continents, forged partnerships with foreign allies, trained and
• to natural disasters or emergencies, or assigned to extended training in preparation for future deployment
• These include not only overseas deployments, but also extended training missions, state-level activations
• Members are called away, and sometimes deployment is overseas.
• Members are called away, and sometimes deployment is overseas.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A foreign adversarial source for the acquisition, purchase, lease, or barter of property or services
• A foreign adversarial source means a foreign adversary government, an agency of such a government, a
• A foreign adversary means a foreign adversary as defined in 15 C.F.R. 791.
• The report of funding must include details about the foreign adversarial source, including the name of
• the source and, if the source is a foreign government, the country.

Bills: LB764, LB815A, LB839, LB888, LB955, LB972A, LB1029, LB1087, LB1091, LB1126A, LB1181A, LB1237A, LB1261A, LB304A, LB762, LB889, LB929, LB966, LB1022, LB1187, LR508

Keywords: law enforcement, correctional services, Department of Correctional Services, corrections officers, state prison employees, peace officer, certification, police standards, training academy, Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, Nebraska Police Standards Advisory Council, criminal justice, correctional staff, conditional officer, law enforcement authority, public safety, LB815A, LB815, appropriation, appropriations bill

Transcript Highlights:

• It manages environmental cleanup at legacy waste sites, and it promotes the the development and deployment
• I think they'd be shocked to know that last year 40,000 foreigners visited these national labs and fully
• I think most Americans would be shocked. to know that one out of every five foreign scientists visiting
• It's critical and without without the deployment of sufficient generation the United States It's the
• Yeah, so I think that's, when I first learned about the sheer volume of foreign researchers that came

Keywords: nuclear energy, permitting process, energy production, public lands, national parks, uranium imports, legislative bills, infrastructure development

Summary: The committee meeting was dominated by discussions on a variety of legislative bills including major topics such as nuclear energy advancement, the effects of regulatory hurdles on energy production, and proposals to improve national park staffing and maintenance. Members expressed concerns over the federal government's handling of uranium imports and the necessity for maintaining a robust domestic nuclear supply chain. Efforts to streamline permitting processes to facilitate more efficient energy project development were also a focal point, alongside public testimony from stakeholders in the energy and environmental sectors. The meeting highlighted the urgent need for infrastructure development to meet rising energy demands while addressing climate change impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Barry Hendrickson, the State of Minnesota Veterans of Foreign Wars Adjutant Quartermaster.
• None of these organizations that are speaking today are registered as a foreign corporation.
• One with the Disabled American Veterans, and last but not least, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
• Maybe they had two or three deployments to Iraq.
• Maybe they didn't have the opportunity to deploy, especially in this day and age where the deployment

Transcript Highlights:

• DIR will also evaluate a sample of agencies' information resources deployment review responses for accuracy
• We should all be proud of this and tout this, but the reality is... our foreign adversaries know this
• Our foreign adversaries use these attacks to learn our weaknesses, assess patterns, and find ways to
• Foreign nations invading, all that kind of stuff. department. We have a small group.
• However, if an individual is injured while on deployment, local governments are not fully compensated

Bills: HB146, HB150, HB1500, HB1545, HB1562, HB2067, HB2520, HB2818, HB3214, HB3250, HB3466, HB3512, HB3623, HB4063, HB4395, HB4464, HB4668, HB4690, HB5331, HB3833, HB146, HB150

Keywords: HB 146, Texas Capitol, State Capitol, State Preservation Board, Congress Avenue, Travis County, traffic lanes, lane closure, road closure, municipal authority, local control, Capitol area, downtown Austin, special events, construction traffic plan, pedestrian safety, public works, transportation policy, government code chapter 443, cybersecurity

Transcript Highlights:

• safety when aircraft altimeters and five G interfered with one another, weather forecasting when 5G deployment
• advancing legislation. to free our domestic networks from communications equipment manufactured by foreign
• from a world where, at one point in time, the nation had a dependency on one launch provider and foreign
• I think we can promote more transparency in our foreign ownership in these undersea...
• the cost of broadband deployment.

Keywords: state policy, governance, legislative processes, public concerns, policy improvement

Summary: During the committee meeting, various issues surrounding state policy and governance were deliberated. Although the specifics of bills under discussion were not highlighted, comments from several committee members indicated a focus on improving legislative processes and addressing public concerns. The chairman facilitated discussions that included several points of critique as well as suggestions for enhancement of existing laws. The atmosphere remained constructive despite the complexity of the topics at hand.

Transcript Highlights:

• By passing the Texas Nuclear Deployment Act, Texas will become the epicenter of a national... national
• The bill also establishes a tiered funding mechanism that incentivizes the actual deployment. of nuclear
• Is to fast track nuclear deployment throughout the state of Texas and I think this is the best way to
• education their spouses from soliciting or accepting gifts, grants, donations, or investments of foreign
• for the Subcommittee on Juvenile Justice, SB 1741 by Parker, relating to the measurement to prevent foreign

Bills: HB14, HJR31, HB43, HB18, HB 106, HB36, HB26, HB149, HB 121, HB206, HB136, HB3114, HB2733, HB1732, HB3700, HB467, HB 1130, HB1846, HB1442, HB 1147, HB2176, HB2701, HB805, HB2890, HB 1154, HB1644, HB2118, HB1718, HB2488, HB2596, HB1971, HB2468, HB484, HB2578, HB3204, HB 1041, HB307, HB685, HB1710, HB538, HB2525, HB3125, HB2027, HB2894, HB3077, HB3684, HJR99, HB1399, HJR5, HB1330, HB2110, HJR2, HJR6, HB1587, HB14, HJR31, HB43, HB18, HB 106, HB36, HB26, HB149, HB 121, HB206, HB136, HB3114, HB2733, HB1732, HB3700, HB467, HB 1130, HB1846, HB1442, HB 1147, HB2176, HB2701, HB805, HB2890, HB 1154, HB1644, HB2118, HB1718, HB2488, HB2596, HB1971, HB2468, HB484, HB2578, HB3204, HB 1041, HB307, HB685, HB1710, HB538, HB2525, HB3125, HB2027, HB2894, HB3077, HB3684

Keywords: nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, farm products, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, agriculture, Texas Constitution, livestock, producer, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services

Transcript Highlights:

• We need a wholesale overhaul of our logistics infrastructure and a rapid deployment of unmanned systems
• I observed a number of joint military exercises, met with allied leaders, spoke with. foreign business
• Admiral Pompeo, General Brunson, you engage with our foreign partners. every day, both as a matter of
• We had a hearing in the Foreign Relations Committee earlier this year where it was pointed out to us
• To ensure that our warfighters have foreign medical facility access in the Indo-Pacific.

Keywords: Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. military strategy, China military drills, Taiwan, Philippines, North Korea, defense budget, military modernization

Summary: The meeting focused on significant strategic discussions regarding the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and its military posture in the region. Admiral Paparo and General Brunson were commended for their services, with the Chair noting an alarming shift in the balance of power towards China. Key topics included China's aggressive military drills near Taiwan, the increasing coercion against the Philippines, and the need for the U.S. to reaffirm its commitments to its allies in the region. Concerns were raised regarding China's military modernization and its implications for U.S. forces, alongside discussions on North Korea's threats and its burgeoning nuclear capabilities. The committee emphasized the urgent need for military and defense appropriations to counteract these growing security challenges.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:00:42.240> countries the United States into foreign countries the United States into foreign
• And so we're excited to assist with a stablecoin deployment and tokenization deployments for a very interoperable
• <01:37:46.239> and with a uh a stablecoin deployment and with a uh a stablecoin deployment
• :37:48.800> very tokenization deployments for a very tokenization deployments for a very interoperable
• Um we your your stable coin deployment.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission met with a quorum, approved the agenda, and approved the November 12 minutes after a motion, second, and unanimous voice/online consent. The chair said the meeting would include two presentations—one from Noah Herman of Fortress Global and one from John Kicko and team from Hedera—followed by discussion of the commission’s next steps and public comment. The chair also noted he was still seeking a clerk for note-taking. Herman’s presentation focused on stablecoins, blockchain use cases, and operational considerations for states and other institutions. He described Fortress as an enterprise crypto-wallet and treasury platform serving corporates, governments, and nonprofits, and used examples such as Save the Children and a large global commodities firm to illustrate custody and treasury management on blockchain rails. He said stablecoins are designed to maintain a U.S. dollar peg, are increasingly backed by treasuries and subject to greater transparency, and are being adopted by major firms and payment companies because they can improve speed, reduce cost, and simplify payments. He also highlighted market growth, including claims that stablecoins now represent a significant share of on-chain activity and are a major holder of U.S. Treasuries. He identified custody as a key issue for state and institutional use, outlining qualified custody, managed custody, and self-custody models. He said the main practical challenge for the commodities client was moving funds safely and quickly across global time zones and that blockchain rails could solve problems that traditional banking rails could not. He framed the broader trend as one of accelerating institutional adoption, citing recent acquisitions and product launches by Visa, Stripe, Citi, and PayPal as evidence that stablecoin infrastructure is becoming mainstream.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, HB 149 fills the Texan leadership void on AI by focusing on a human-centric design and deployment
• So first, HB149 fills the Texan leadership void on AI by focusing on a human-centric design and deployment
• of artificial intelligence. by focusing on a human-centric design and deployment of artificial intelligence
• This is going to continue to grow as companies continue the responsible development and deployment of
• third-party lender, whether or not that lender is chartered in the state or not, whether it is a foreign

Bills: HB12, HB149, SB229, SB1361, SB1749, SB1897, SB2113, SB2566, SB2677, SB1652, SB2327, SB2344, SB2696

Keywords: artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance, automobile sales, finance, retail seller, motor vehicle purchase, motor vehicle sales, pricing restrictions, third-party financing, education, funding, student assessment, accountability, standards, motor vehicle, financing

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce heard testimony on HB 149, the Artificial Intelligence Governance Act. Senator Schwertner described the bill as an outcomes-based AI framework that would require disclosure when people interact with AI, prohibit manipulative or social-scoring systems, address biometric capture, discrimination, and deepfake child exploitation, and give the Attorney General enforcement authority. It would also create an AI Sandbox and AI Council. Witnesses from the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a Houston attorney, TechNet, and the Texas Association of Business strongly supported the bill, praising its stakeholder process and pro-innovation approach, while Texas Appleseed suggested regulators should have more examination authority over sandbox participants. The bill was left pending. The committee then heard SB 229, which would prohibit motor vehicle dealers from conditioning a sale on dealer-offered financing or charging more because a buyer uses outside financing or cash. Senator West said the bill is meant to stop forced financing and bait-and-switch pricing, and he noted the bill passed the committee and Senate in the prior session. The Texas Automobile Dealers Association opposed the bill, arguing it would force dealers to accept any third-party lender or cash transaction on terms they cannot control. The Texas Credit Union Association supported the bill, saying consumers should be able to choose outside financing without hidden fees or pressure. After questions about cash purchases and dealer practices, the bill was left pending. The committee also took up SB 2566, which would clarify legislators’ access to information from executive agencies, including confidential information, by setting response deadlines, limiting confidentiality agreements to statutory terms, requiring a standard AG form, and creating a complaint and penalty process for noncompliance. No witnesses testified, and the bill was left pending. Finally, SB 1749, as substituted, would let certain court-related employees and judicial conduct commission personnel keep personal information such as home addresses and phone numbers confidential, with work addresses used in place of home addresses for certain purposes. District clerk and judicial conduct commission witnesses described threats and harassment as the reason for the bill, and a court administration witness answered questions about how the address protections would work with voter registration and precinct records. That bill was also left pending, and the committee recessed without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hidalgo, urging Congress to enhance coordination among federal, state, and local authorities in the deployment
• HCR98 is a resolution that urges Congress to support and coordinate. coordinate the deployment of counter-unmanned
• this bill also contains a legislative finding stating that any individual entering the state from a foreign

Bills: HCR98, HB180, HB180

Keywords: counter-unmanned aircraft systems, C-UAS, counter-drone, drone mitigation, unmanned aircraft systems, UAS, border security, U.S.-Mexico border, aviation safety, airspace regulation, federal preemption, Homeland Security, Department of Defense, Department of Justice, Department of Energy, FBI, state-local coordination, tribal and territorial partners, border patrol, cartels