Transcript Highlights:

• Decades of research has shown that peer support services are highly effective.
• Decades of research has shown that peer support services are highly effective and can promote a sense
• Our rural communities are key here because the peer support coordinators are navigating a geographical
• Mitch Fuller, legislative director for the Texas VFW, and we enthusiastically support this.
• Mitch Fuller, legislative director for the Texas VFW, and we enthusiastically support this.

Bills: HB39, HB114, HB1875, HB1894, HB1965, HB2513

Keywords: veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, cemetery, General Land Office, burial plot, remembrance, monthly designation, honoring military, Texas legislation, rural services, paid leave, fire protection personnel, military service, public employees, employment benefits

Summary: The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs heard several House bills related to veterans’ services, mental health, military leave, burial access, suicide data, and Veterans Month. House Bill 114 would transfer administration of certain veterans’ mental health initiatives from HHSC to the Texas Veterans Commission, create a TVC grant program for community-based mental health services, require a statewide veteran suicide prevention action plan, and mandate annual reporting. A committee substitute was mentioned, but members said they were not prepared to adopt it yet. No one testified for or against the bill, and it was left pending. House Bill 1965 would direct TVC to study ways to expand access to mental health services through the military veteran peer network, including increasing peer support coordinators, with emphasis on rural communities and broader use in veterans treatment courts. Support testimony came from the Texas VFW, which emphasized the value of peer-to-peer support and the network’s role in suicide prevention. The bill was left pending after testimony. House Bill 2513 would clarify military leave rules for state-employed firefighters by counting their 24-hour or 48-hour shifts appropriately so they do not have to use vacation time to fulfill military duty; a firefighters’ representative testified in support, and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 1875, which would require the General Land Office and TVC to study veterans’ burial needs, access to cemeteries, and cemetery operational needs, and House Bill 39, which would require DSHS to provide TVC de-identified death certificate data when a veteran dies by suicide or homicide to improve understanding of veteran deaths. The Texas VFW supported HB 39. House Bill 1894 would designate November as Veterans Month in Texas. All of these bills were left pending, and members indicated they were waiting on committee substitutes before voting, with possible action later on the floor or in committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the mayor of Fayte, Texas, and we do support this bill, but we also have a recommendation.
• So I am in support of the bill. I'm for it because today we're speaking of just notice.
• As you said, my name is Megan Serks, and I'm here to testify in support of this bill.
• Every one of our projects has a MU or another type of special district, and we are in support of this
• Um, in the Houston area, and we support good government, we support good collaboration, and this bill

Bills: HB23

Keywords: property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support, youth programs, community education, county population threshold, large county, local government revenue, leasehold interest, possessory interest, county property tax, nonprofit-owned property

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have anyone sign up in support or opposition on this bill.
• One, two, three, four, and support online.
• We didn't have anyone sign up in support or opposition on this bill.
• Did you have any public organized support, anyone you wanted to call on?
• I'll support. It's ridiculous. I could go off.

Bills: SB132, SM16, SM17

Keywords: SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement, technology funding, revolving fund, capital equipment, enterprise services, state IT budgeting, software budgeting, amortization, depreciation, State Treasurer, Department of Finance and Administration, New Mexico, information technology, IT infrastructure, fund accounting, legislative appropriation

Transcript Highlights:

• We'd appreciate your support on this bill. Thank you.
• Did you have any organized support?
• Anyone online support or opposition?
• One in support online. None in opposition. Anyone online? Support online? None in opposition.
• I'll support. It's ridiculous. I could go off.

Bills: SB132, SM16, SM17

Keywords: SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement, technology funding, revolving fund, capital equipment, enterprise services, state IT budgeting, software budgeting, amortization, depreciation, State Treasurer, Department of Finance and Administration, New Mexico, information technology, IT infrastructure, fund accounting, legislative appropriation

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 132, a Department of Information Technology modernization measure sponsored by Senator Padilla. The bill would update state IT statutes to explicitly include software and cloud-based services alongside hardware and equipment, with the goal of improving planning, procurement, security, and efficiency. Secretary Manny Budettas said the change would help modernize secure services, reduce emergency fixes, and better align state purchasing with current software-as-a-service models. Members asked about centralized integration across branches of government, cybersecurity protections, the revolving fund, and agency billing; the bill was reported out with a do pass on the committee substitute. The committee then considered Senate Memorial 16, which asks Higher Education to convene a task force on parenting students in New Mexico’s higher education system. Senator Harmeo and witnesses described barriers such as child care, transportation, flexible scheduling, and financial hardship, and said the memorial would gather data and recommendations rather than create a new program. Members discussed how the survey would be administered, whether it would include full-time and part-time students, and how online or out-of-state students would be handled; the memorial was approved with a do pass. Finally, the committee heard Senate Memorial 17, sponsored by Senator Lopez, directing DPS and the New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs to study the current state of sexual assault examination kits. Witnesses reviewed the 2016 task force that addressed a backlog of more than 5,000 untested kits and said a new backlog of 1,419 kits is now beyond the 180-day testing target. Members expressed strong concern about the delays, asked about lab capacity, possible use of private or additional labs, and the lack of penalties for missing the deadline. The memorial passed with a do pass, and the committee then recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• And one more bill, House Bill 2429, supporting children and youth behavioral health.
• they are nominated by the Governor's Indian Health Advisory Council, and that their participation supports
• I just want to support that through there to work this through all the way, so thank you.

Bills: HB2230, HB2364, HB2389, HB2429

Keywords: community oversight, residential services, regulation, service providers, monitoring, poverty, task force, legislative, executive, social programs, juvenile justice, youth sentencing, juvenile rehabilitation, DCYF, Department of Children Youth and Families, community supervision, community transition services, suspended disposition, less restrictive alternative, sentencing grid

Summary: The Early Learning and Human Services Committee met in executive session on four bills. House Bill 2230, which streamlines DHS monitoring and oversight of community residential service providers and limits duplicate routine reviews, was amended with Harrow 796 to clarify that Adult Protective Services investigations are not subject to the routine review limits. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the substitute bill out of committee unanimously, 11-0, with a do pass recommendation. House Bill 2364, which renames and expands the Legislative Executive Workforce Poverty Reduction Oversight Task Force into the Legislative Executive Economic Justice and Well-Being Task Force, was reported out with a do pass recommendation on an 8-3 vote. Supporters said the bill updates language, broadens membership, and aligns duties; some members voted no or without recommendation due to concerns about the title change and other provisions. House Bill 2389, dealing with juvenile offender sentencing and juvenile rehabilitation capacity procedures, had no amendments to the proposed substitute and was passed out of committee 7-4. Members described it as a complex, balanced effort to modernize juvenile justice policy, address facility capacity, and preserve rehabilitation and public safety. House Bill 2429, supporting implementation of the Washington Thriving Strategic Plan for Children and Youth Behavioral Health, was amended with Wickham 846 to adjust leadership council membership and add two representatives of federally recognized Indian tribes, nominated by the Governor’s Indian Health Advisory Council, while preserving tribal consultation requirements. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the substitute bill unanimously, 11-0, with a do pass recommendation. At the end of the meeting, staff noted amendment requests for upcoming executive session bills were due by 10 a.m. Monday and to the EBB by 4 p.m. Monday, and the committee adjourned after announcing three bills would be up for possible executive session on Tuesday.

Bills: HB 101, HB1819, HB1875, HB1965, HB2193, HB2914, HB3248, HB3354, HB3531, HB101

Keywords: Texas State Guard, task force, professionalization, state missions, critical infrastructure, veterans, veterans' affairs, mental health, community mental health, behavioral health, grant program, matching grant, non-state match, community services, family support, county population, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC, public safety, homeland security

Transcript Highlights:

• Educate the public, support family, and save baby lives. That Mr.
• Stephen Price, is our only invited witness to testify in support of this bill.
• I am for the bill, and I support this 100% plus.
• I am for the bill, and I support this 100% plus.
• What I'm asking for today is to support the Senator. I was looking for one day.

Bills: SB2959, HB3096, HCR29, HCR56, HCR12, HCR55, HCR74, HCR78, HCR116, HCR117, HCR6, HCR50, HCR107, HCR80, HCR58, HCR70, HCR71, HCR72, HCR75, HCR93

Keywords: firearm safety, awareness month, public safety, responsible ownership, storage, recreational use, profound autism, awareness day, caregiver, disabilities, support, counseling, mental health, awareness, support services, community health, necrotizing enterocolitis, premature infants, breastfeeding, health awareness

Summary: The Senate Committee on Administration met with a quorum and took up a series of pending resolutions, bills, and the local uncontested calendar. The committee first reported HCR 80 favorably and placed it on the May 9, 2025 local and uncontested calendar. It then heard and approved several commemorative resolutions, including HCR 12 designating September as Deaf Awareness Month for 10 years, HCR 55 reaffirming Poteet as the Strawberry Capital of Texas, HCR 56 designating May as NEC and Breastfeeding Awareness Month, and HB 3096 creating Profound Autism Awareness Day on March 17. Each of these measures was reported favorably to the full Senate, with no opposition in testimony except HB 3096, which included supportive testimony from Tara Duval describing the needs of individuals with profound autism and their families. The committee also approved HCR 58 redesignating Dripping Springs as the Wedding Capital of Texas, SB 2959 designating August as Firearm Safety Month, HCR 74 naming Carthage the Country Music Capital of Texas, HCR 78 establishing Lone Star Santa’s Charities Day, HCR 116 redesignating Brownsville as the Bicycling Capital of the Rio Grande Valley, and HCR 117 designating Port Aransas as the Fishing Capital of Texas. SB 2959 drew supportive testimony from Stephen Price, who emphasized gun safety, suicide prevention, and public awareness, while other measures received no public testimony. All were reported favorably and recommended for the May 9 local and uncontested calendar. Later, the committee approved HCR 6 naming Galveston the Juneteenth Capital of Texas, HCR 50 naming Galveston the Mardi Gras Capital of Texas, HCR 107 making the Texas Almanac the official State Book of Texas, HCR 70 designating Jim Hogg County as the Vaquero Capital of Texas, HCR 71 recognizing LaSalle County for wild hog hunting and related traditions, and HCR 29 designating April as Counseling Awareness Month. HCR 6 received testimony from a Galveston city representative in support of the Juneteenth designation, and HCR 29 received testimony from the Texas Counseling Association supporting recognition of counselors. Finally, the committee certified the May 9, 2025 local and uncontested calendar after removing 32 bills for reasons including penalties, fiscal notes, or opposition, specifically noting SB 317 was removed due to criminal and civil penalties, and then recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Thank you. and<00:35:41.359><c> support.</c> and support. and support.
• Also in support, Ela Yamashita. Support, Anton Tr, the City and County of Honolulu support.
• support.
• </c> um supporting uh the wages. um supporting uh the wages.
• </c><02:01:51.599><c> That</c> in support. Amanda Shaw in support. That in support.

Bills: SB2024, SB896, SB2613, SB494, SB2391, SB2125, SB2614, SB2615, SB3262, SB3325, SB3118

Keywords: charter schools, public-private partnership, school facilities, education funding, community need, education, capital improvement, reporting, transparency, technical expertise, public school land transfer, Department of Education, DOE, land conveyance, fee simple title, tax map key, TMK, Act 307, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, Act 139

Transcript Highlights:

• Standing in support, and just wanted to congratulate the introducers for such a creative bill.
• In support, please proceed.
• In support, please proceed.
• In support, please proceed.
• In support, please proceed.

Bills: HB2391, HB2294, HB2374, HB1997, HB2147, HB2185, HB1641, HB2195, HB2023, HB2031, HB2033, HB1937, HB2586, HB2575, HB2030, HB2115, HB2233, HB1801, HB1546, HB2132, HB2102, HB2356, HB2457, HB2292, HB2554, HB676, HB1528, HB2061, HB2094, HB2095, HB2181, HB2369, HB2578, HB2493, HB1642, HB1991, HB1652, HB2104, HB2593, HB1553, HB1823, HB1918, HB1860, HB2604, HB2605, HB2001, HB2437, HB1947, HB2384, HB2473, HB2140, HB1458, HB2603, HB2411, HB1611, HB2138, HB2141, HB2284, HB1568, HB1924, HB1928, HB2570

Keywords: tax holiday, school supplies, general excise tax, Hawaii, consumer savings, education, land transfer, public schools, Department of Education, property conveyance, Act 307, Kauai, Maui, shade trees, fruit trees, educational program, climate change, tree canopy, environmental education, native plants

Transcript Highlights:

• Those in the audience, those in support and any in opposition, if supporters would like to come up and
• We strongly support SB 242.
• I just want to stand here in support.
• We will show you in support. We'll show you in support. Do anyone online?
• And we support heritage.

Bills: SB201, SB226, SB242, SB249

Keywords: rural libraries, education, cultural funding, library services, community resources, contaminated sites, environmental cleanup, uranium mining, state funding, abandoned sites, tribal affairs, Indian Child Welfare Act, appropriation, children, youth, compliance, field liaison, Indigenous rights, missing persons, law enforcement

Bills: SB 711, SB 746, SB 942, SB 1403, SB 1404, SB 1448, SB 1536, SB 1559

Keywords: property owners' association, condominium, management company, homeowner rights, architectural review, child support, family law, Title IV-D agency, administrative adjustment, enforcement, legal representation, probate, decedents' estates, inheritance, community property, court procedures, electronic filing, guardianship, training, Alzheimer's disease

Bills: SB 711, SB 746, SB 942, SB 1403, SB 1404, SB 1448, SB 1536, SB 1559

Keywords: property owners' association, condominium, management company, homeowner rights, architectural review, child support, family law, Title IV-D agency, administrative adjustment, enforcement, legal representation, probate, decedents' estates, inheritance, community property, court procedures, electronic filing, guardianship, training, Alzheimer's disease

Transcript Highlights:

• It has strong bipartisan support.
• I urge your support of this bill.
• We support House Bill 2523.
• I am here today to support HB 2523.
• support local economies. ...help small businesses stay compliant, retain jobs, and support local economies

Bills: HB2104, HB1903, HB1909, HB1982, HB2034, HB2105, HB2210, HB2215, HB2271, HB2345, HB2355, HB2384, HB2389, HB2397, HB2418, HB2429, HB2442, HB2479, HB2481, HB2681, HB2688, HB2714

Keywords: aviation, wildland fires, funding, disaster relief, emergency response, energy assistance, low-income, utility costs, state program, energy affordability, court unification, task force, Washington courts, judicial administration, court reform, access to justice, local court rules, uniformity, centralization, rural courts

Transcript Highlights:

• ABOR's staffing budget is supported in two ways. It's supported by...
• A-BOR's staffing budget is supported in two ways. It's supported by...
• A-BOR's staffing budget is supported in two ways.
• Business would say, like, no, I don't support that.
• Of things they supported they've asked for.

Bills: HB4138, HB4139, HB4140, HB4141, HB4142, HB4143, HB4144, HB4145, HB4146, HB4147, HB4148, HB4149, HB4150, HB4151, HB4152, HB4153, SB1831, SB1832, SB1833, SB1834, SB1835, SB1836, SB1837, SB1838, SB1839, SB1840, SB1841, SB1842, SB1843, SB1844, SB1845, SB1846

Keywords: appropriations, education funding, health care, general fund, state budget, local funding, gaming, pari-mutuel, horse racing, regulatory assessment, first-time starters, budget implementation, federal funds, government services, budget stabilization, financial reporting, capital outlay, infrastructure, veterans services, highway construction

Transcript Highlights:

• I strongly support HCR 102 HD1.
• I strongly support HCR 102 HD1.
• </c> in support, the Department of Education. in support, the Department of Education.
• </c> support of HCR 102 HD1. support of HCR 102 HD1.
• </c> I strongly support HCR 102 HD1. I strongly support HCR 102 HD1.

Bills: HCR67, HCR102, HR61, HR94

Keywords: disability, communication access, healthcare, sign language interpreters, deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, auxiliary aids, effective communication, peer counselor, youth mental health, social disconnection, Hawaii schools, wellness program, student support, cultural responsiveness, trauma-informed care, disability rights, peer counseling, education

Summary: The joint Committee on Human Services and Homelessness and Committee on Health heard two measures on April 7, 2026. HCR 67/HR 61 would request the Disability and Communication Access Board to study communication needs in health care settings for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind and develop guidelines. Written testimony supported the measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, DCAB, Local Independent Living Hawaii, and one individual. A DCAB representative noted the proposal could serve as a backup if related measures do not move forward. No one testified in opposition, and both committees voted to pass the measure unamended. The second measure, HCR 102/HR 94, urged the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health and the Office of Wellness and Resilience, to establish a statewide peer counselor program to address youth loneliness and social disconnection in schools. Support came from the Department of Education, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, and individual testifiers Katie Smith and Ray Ward. Smith said peer support can reduce stigma, increase belonging, and improve school climate. Ward, speaking from lived experience, described the harms of loneliness and trauma and said a peer counselor program could provide culturally grounded support and safer pathways to help. No opposition was offered, and both committees voted to pass the measure unamended.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's also more supports facilities.
• </c><01:21:33.600><c> House</c> respectfully ask you to support House respectfully ask you to support
• </c> I am here today to ask for your support I am here today to ask for your support to<01:23:34.880>
• </c> They deserve the same level of support They deserve the same level of support and<01:24:21.600><
• However, Minnesota we support it.

Bills: HF3492, HF3493, HF3494, HF3495, HF3602

Keywords: school safety, grants, education funding, Northern Lights Express, security improvements, rural schools, safe schools, charter schools, nonpublic schools, Tribal education, funding increase, safe schools aid, school security, mental health support, Tribal schools, cybersecurity, funding, mental health, evidence-based plans, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• I support this, and I want to tell you why I support it. I've got family that lives in...
• I sitting here, I support the concept. I support us being able to open...
• Concept, I support us being able to open up education as freely as we can to allow students to advance
• I just want to deliver that report to you and thank you all for supporting that.
• Yeah, so let me just... ...supporting that. Yeah, so let me just interject.

Bills: SB175, SB195, SB196, SB199

Keywords: aircraft, tax exemption, sales tax, lease tax, maintenance, Alabama, health insurance, Medicare, retirees, public education, contracts, education, high school, community college, dual enrollment, secondary credit, Move on When Ready, parental leave, state employees, local education agencies

Transcript Highlights:

• Army garrison, they postured themselves to support the state.
• Army garrison, they postured themselves to support the state.
• Army garrison, they postured themselves to support the state.
• We asked for support search and rescue.
• </c><01:30:19.960><c> that</c> DFM has been there um supporting that DFM has been there um supporting

Bills: SCR21, SCR75, SCR50, SCR149, SCR47, SCR163, SCR169, SCR170

Keywords: healthcare, rural clinic, feasibility study, access to care, community health, Volcano community, Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation, emergency services, health assessment, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, health care, interdepartmental collaboration, public awareness, support services, education, health insurance, affordable healthcare, working group, Hawaii Health Plan, Medicaid expansion

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Garcia: In support. Please proceed. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• So, for those reasons, in support, and also permission to insert written comments. So ordered.
• </c><00:18:52.600><c> Please</c> Representative Garcia In support.
• Please Representative Garcia In support.
• Um I'm<00:18:54.720><c> in</c><00:18:54.800><c> support</c><00:18:55.280><c> of</c><00:18:55.400><c>

Bills: SCR21, SCR75, SCR50, SCR149, SCR47, SCR163, SCR169, SCR170

Keywords: healthcare, rural clinic, feasibility study, access to care, community health, Volcano community, Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation, emergency services, health assessment, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, health care, interdepartmental collaboration, public awareness, support services, education, health insurance, affordable healthcare, working group, Hawaii Health Plan, Medicaid expansion

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:23:34.880><c> food</c> the bianium toward supporting food the bianium toward supporting food
• Um, you know, I do support, staggering.
• <00:58:54.559><c> House</c><00:58:54.880><c> File</c> supports House File supports House File 1112.<00
• </c> Having additional funding would support Having additional funding would support the<00:59:52.880
• </c> the community the committee to support the community the committee to support House<00:59:59.839

Bills: HF2078, HF777, HF841, HF1112, HF1098, HF1926

Keywords: child care, day care, child care center, licensing, license requirements, parent access, guardian access, custody order, court order, furnishings, equipment standards, learning materials, early childhood education, infant care, toddler care, preschool, school-age child care, play materials, sensory materials, gross motor equipment