Transcript Highlights:

• AI is going to be a large part of that.
• <00:02:35.640><c> those</c><00:02:35.800><c> will</c><00:02:36.040><c> consume</c><00:02:36.640><c> AI
• </c> electricity that those will consume AI electricity that those will consume AI is<00:02:37.319><c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So when I ran it through AI with coconuts, it, uh, if you see my report to you guys, the coconut industry
• when I<00:09:40.160><c> ran</c><00:09:40.360><c> it</c><00:09:40.480><c> through</c><00:09:40.760><c> AI
• </c><00:09:41.480><c> coconuts</c><00:09:42.120><c> it</c><00:09:42.360><c> uh</c> I ran it through AI
• with coconuts it uh I ran it through AI with coconuts it uh if<00:09:42.560><c> you</c><00:09:42.680

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard two measures relating to dogs and coconut trees. On SB 301 SD1, which would add penalties for dog owners whose dogs destroy property on land zoned for a use, testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Ranchers, farmers, and other testifiers described dogs attacking livestock, trespassing on property, and in some cases injuring people and killing goats or chickens. Several speakers urged stronger penalties, owner accountability, and in some cases insurance requirements. The Hawaii Farm Bureau also supported the bill, saying it would strengthen existing law and help protect agricultural producers. The committee noted there were 13 testimonies in support, none opposed, and no comments. The committee then heard SB 1582, which recognizes the coconut palm as an official sustainable staple food source in the state. Testimony was uniformly supportive from DLNR, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Niu Now, and individual speakers who described the cultural, spiritual, and practical importance of niu/coconut in Hawaiian life, as well as its value as a food source and the need to protect it from the coconut rhinoceros beetle. Several speakers also emphasized biosecurity and continued funding for invasive species control. The committee stated there were 20 testimonies in support, none opposed, and no comments. In decision making, the committee recommended both measures be passed as is. SB 301 SD1 was adopted with four votes in favor and one no vote. SB 1582 was adopted unanimously, with five votes in favor.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can talk about Waymo, we can talk about AI.
• sure that the state is ensuring their systems and processes are in place for private companies to use AI
• to ensure that we are managing our public spaces responsibly and that we’re holding companies using AI

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on 41 bills covering accessibility, motorcycles, vehicle operation, and water transportation. The chair and vice chair outlined the hearing process and noted the committee members present. Testimony was taken in person and remotely, with written testimony accepted throughout the hearing. Several bills drew testimony in support. Representative Lee Davis supported H. 4130, which would renew and expand the accelerated bridge program, arguing it would speed repairs to structurally deficient bridges, especially in rural areas, and reduce long-term costs. Testimony also supported H. 4402 and S. 2639, which would authorize automated curb enforcement and improve parking violation procedures; witnesses said automated curb management could reduce double parking, improve safety and traffic flow, and should include privacy protections and local opt-in authority. The committee also heard strong testimony for S. 2611, which would require motor coach passengers to wear seatbelts, with witnesses from Sarah’s Wish Foundation citing a fatal crash involving their daughter and low seatbelt usage on buses. Senator O’Connor and Vincent DeAndrea testified for S. 2430, which would tighten motorcycle permit rules for drivers under 18 by requiring rider training, a junior operator’s license, and a clean driving record; they cited teen crash risks and Mr. DeAndrea’s son’s death in a motorcycle crash. The hearing ended after a brief recess and a final request to report out another bill concerning breakdown lanes and fines, followed by a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• national forecasts project record electricity demand in 2026 and 2027, driven in part by data center and AI
• And I'm thinking especially about pretty much anything related to social media, currently AI.
• We're falling behind on regulating AI.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Priority 31 adds funds and one permanent FTE for a data and AI Equity manager.
• Priority 32 adds funds to establish a data AI office and AI risk management tools and geospatial license
• Priority 32 adds funds to establish a data AI office and AI risk management tools and geospatial license
• </c> establish a data AI um office and AI establish a data AI um office and AI risk<01:09:39.080><c>
• </c><01:10:32.600><c> including</c> ...effectively with regards to AI, including AI.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Government Operations committees received a biennium budget preview from Keith Regan, Comptroller and Director of the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS), who introduced department leadership and described DAGS’ broad responsibilities across accounting, public works, procurement, elections, archives, risk management, and other attached agencies. He emphasized that DAGS supports nearly every state department and cited ongoing workforce challenges, while noting progress in reducing the department-wide vacancy rate from 21% in 2023 to 17.7% in 2024. He also highlighted recruitment efforts, including new salary schedules for engineers and architects, job fairs, internships, and outreach to retiring federal employees. A major focus was modernization of the state’s aging financial systems, especially the 55-year-old FAMIS platform and the Enterprise Financial System (EFS) project. DAGS said it expects to release the RFP for the FAMIS replacement by the end of January and is seeking a second tranche of CIP funding, including $35 million, plus position augmentation and creation of a Business Transformation Office to manage EFS and future modernization work. The department also described major capital projects such as the Aloha Stadium Entertainment District, Wahiawā Civic Center, Kauaʻi Civic Center, and Ahuimanu Community Correctional Center, and reported that Public Works is managing 455 projects statewide valued at more than $2.5 billion. Other budget requests discussed included funding for cemetery operations, with DAGS asking for two positions and $1 million in operating funds to support maintenance of eight cemeteries; a $200 million ceiling increase tied to anticipated insurance proceeds for West Maui fire-related recovery and rebuilding; and several staffing and operating items for district offices and facilities. These included full-year funding for positions in West Hawaiʻi and East Hawaiʻi, support for a small business coordinator at the State Procurement Office, funding for cloud hosting and PeopleSoft licensing, six positions and staff augmentation for the EFS project, electricity costs, and security-related funding. DAGS also noted that two requested reductions totaled $7.9 million, including transferring the security contract to the Department of Law Enforcement and reducing nonrecurring expenses; members discussed whether some security funding should remain with or be moved to DLE, and DAGS said it would not object to that transfer. No votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, members, Senate Bill 623 is a companion bill to SCA 4, which was just presented, and thank

Summary: The committee heard several tax and local government measures. SB 288 would clarify Proposition 19 rules for inherited homes in probate so the one-year timeline to claim the property tax benefit starts when the home is legally transferred; it had support from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and passed 5-0 to Appropriations as amended. SB 347 would reduce the state’s minimum annual tax on LLCs, LLPs, limited partnerships, S corporations, and C corporations from $800 to $600; it also passed 5-0 to Appropriations as amended. SB 762 would authorize the city of Hercules to ask voters to approve a local sales tax increase of up to 1% to support city services and infrastructure; it passed 4-1 to Local Government, with one no vote from Senator Valadares. The committee also considered veteran property tax relief measures. SCA 4 would remove a constitutional restriction so eligible veterans could stack the homeowners’ exemption with the disabled veterans’ or veterans’ exemption, and SB 623 would make conforming statutory changes to implement that constitutional amendment. Both measures were supported by veterans’ organizations, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, and county representatives, and both passed unanimously 5-0 to their next committees, with SCA 4 going to Elections and Constitutional Amendments and SB 623 going to Military and Veterans Affairs. The consent calendar, including SB 575 by Senator Laird, was adopted 5-0 after technical amendments were accepted. The committee then lifted the call on SB 288 and confirmed its 5-0 vote. The meeting concluded after all listed items were acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this is the companion to House Bill 1403 by Chairman Harris that we heard previously relating

Bills: SB 2041, SB 1777, SB 1681, SB 2311

Keywords: child welfare, foster care, Department of Family and Protective Services, DFPS, Family Code, conservatorship, placement selection, contract residential care, kinship care, relative placement, designated caregiver, best interest of the child, least restrictive setting, placement stability, child protective services, residential treatment, group home, family reunification, Texas foster system, residential care

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this referred Senate bill is the companion to HCR89 by Representative Heffner, designating the

Bills: SB2801, SB2232, SCR18

Keywords: SB 2801, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Parks and Wildlife Code, field trial permit, hunting dog field trial, coonhound trial, dog trial, squirrel hunting, fur-bearing animals, nongame animals, hunting license exemption, wildlife management, public land permit, private land hunting, game fish and water safety account, permit fee, commission rules, Parks and Wildlife Department, Unplug Texas Day, digital detox

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a companion to SCR12, which was passed unanimously out of the Senate committee.

Bills: SCR3, SCR30, SB2375, HCR35

Keywords: cowboy culture, Bandera, cultural heritage, historical significance, Texas identity, Birding Capital, Matagorda County, wildlife, conservation, Texas Legislature, statutory revision, code corrections, laws omitted, legislative updates, spaceports, tax-exempt bonds, aerospace investment, Texas space economy, Federal legislation, 1185

Transcript Highlights:

• This is companion legislation to Senate Bill 1281 by Senator Parker, which was approved by the Senate

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We actually went to the Senate hearing on the companion bill this morning.

Bills: HB227, HB556, HB543, HB542, HB482, HB483, HB484

Keywords: firefighter benefits, occupational disease, line of duty, disability pension, death benefits, retirement benefits, hypertension, heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer presumption, HIV, hepatitis, municipal firefighters, state firefighters, fire districts, workers' compensation, public safety employees, post-retirement benefits, benefit eligibility cutoff, occupational illness

Transcript Highlights:

• Um AI hasn't caught up with become law.
• It's definitely true with AI video and AI audio. And it's getting better and better.
• It's definitely true with AI video and AI audio. And it's getting better and better.
• </c> with the use of AI. with the use of AI.
• AI video and AI definitely true with AI video and AI audio.<03:23:21.840><c> And</c><03:23:22.080><c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, you have been, um, a constant companion on this journey, and, um, I understand your commitment as
• Um, you have been, um, a constant companion on this journey, and, um, I understand your commitment as
• You have been a constant companion on this journey, and I understand your commitment as a lawyer.
• You have been a constant companion on this journey, and I understand your commitment as a lawyer.
• Um, you have been, um, a constant companion on this journey, and, um, I understand your commitment as

Bills: SF856, HF4482, HF3672, HF1234, HF4591, HF3554, HF936

Keywords: Inspector General, fraud prevention, state audit, public funds, misuse, transparency, government accountability, HF4482, Minnesota Historical Society, state historic sites, historic site management, historic preservation, county historical society, local historical society, municipality, county government, admission fees, grants-in-aid, site operations, site maintenance

Transcript Highlights:

• behalf of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, we stand in strong support of HB 316, the companion
• And if this body intends to mirror any of the changes in the companion bill that were made yesterday,
• changes</c><01:13:47.880><c> uh</c><01:13:48.080><c> in</c><01:13:48.400><c> the</c><01:13:48.679><c> companion
• </c><01:13:49.239><c> bill</c> the changes uh in the companion bill the changes uh in the companion bill
• Mahalo so much for hearing our bill, and thank you for your support of our companion bill 157 that you

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several water, land, and conservation measures. HB 86, which would fund a permanent DLNR Makai Watch coordinator position, drew strong support from DLNR and community advocates. Testifiers said the coordinator is needed to connect community-based nearshore monitoring groups with government, support training and reporting, and provide stable civil-service funding instead of relying on grants and philanthropy. The committee discussed the position’s duties and cost, estimated at about $110,000 with fringe benefits, and noted broad support from organizations including Kuaʻulu, The Nature Conservancy, OHA, and others. HB 36, relating to state water code penalties, was also supported in principle by DLNR, but the agency proposed amendments to create two tiers of violations, distinguish first-time/non-harmful violations from repeat or harmful ones, and give the commission discretion on whether each day counts as a continuing violation. DLNR said the bill is intended to address egregious cases such as Red Hill while avoiding undue impact on small farmers and others without malicious intent. Testifiers from the Board of Water Supply, Lono Initiative, and others supported stronger penalties and transparency, while Earthjustice raised concerns about broader structural issues and the risk of penalties being applied unfairly. The committee then heard HB 316, which appropriates funds to continue the Green Jobs Youth Corps program. DLNR, the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, Kōkua, The Nature Conservancy, and other groups testified in support, describing the program as a workforce pipeline that places young professionals in communities, builds trust, and helps recruit future state employees. Supporters said the program has expanded capacity in watershed and reef management and has drawn extensive public backing. Finally, HB 506, funding equipment for the Oʻahu branch of DOCARE, received support from DLNR and others. DOCARE said recent recruit classes are moving through training, that the new positions will expand patrol capacity, including nighttime enforcement, and that the Oʻahu-specific funding is tied to priorities such as the Māʻili Bay herbivore rules. The committee also began hearing HB 510 on water shortage and emergency declarations. DLNR proposed limiting shortage declarations to 90 days unless extended, capping groundwater reductions at 20% for lower-priority permits, removing climate-crisis language as a standalone criterion, and moving the process into rulemaking for more public input. The Board of Water Supply supported the bill and the proposed changes, while Earthjustice urged deferral absent broader Water Commission reforms. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided; the chair indicated the committee would be decision-making after the hearing on items on the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alternatively, we are seeking funding from the companion bill that tries to raise the WIF fund cap to
• Alternatively, we are seeking funding from the companion bill that tries to raise the WIF fund cap to
• Alternatively, we are seeking funding from the companion bill that tries to raise the WIF fund cap to
• bill</c><00:49:03.799><c> uh</c><00:49:03.960><c> that</c><00:49:04.119><c> tries</c> from the uh companion
• bill uh that tries from the uh companion bill uh that tries to<00:49:04.559><c> raise</c><00:49:04.880

Bills: HF220, HF230, HF240, HF241, HF295, HF429, HF490, HF505, HF574, HF576, HF581, HF865, HF918, HF1085, HF1449, HF1452, HF1454, HF602

Keywords: HF220, Minnesota transportation, highway user tax distribution fund, trunk highway fund, Minnesota Department of Transportation, MnDOT, transportation finance, dedicated funds, funding restrictions, arts in transportation, cultural strategies, transportation project planning, project design, project construction, placemaking, public art, infrastructure spending, state statutes 161.045, HF230, Wyoming

Transcript Highlights:

• And we spoke with their leaders on quantum and advanced AI.
• New Mexico State University and Fujitsu, where they will be deploying their next-generation Marjorie AI
• I know a lot of you have made these priorities. and advanced AI.
• New Mexico State University and Fujitsu, where they will be deploying their next generation Marjorie AI
• very hard to align that with advanced technologies as it relates to media, whether that's looking at AI

Summary: The committee first recognized Mark Roper of the Economic Development Department for his long service and retirement, with members and the secretary praising his work on economic development across the state. Secretary Rob Black then presented EDD’s budget and special appropriation requests, describing strong recent job and income growth and outlining the department’s strategy around science and technology, site readiness, workforce development, foreign direct investment, and rural/community programs. He highlighted wins in advanced energy, quantum, space and defense, and biosciences, and asked for funding for quantum/DARPA matching funds, additional site readiness work, LIDA closing funds, JTIP training support, New Mexico Partnership, and healthy foods and other community programs. Members asked detailed questions about the quantum proposal, site readiness, the new mapping tool for industrial sites, workforce participation, trade missions, foreign investment, tariffs, water and produced water, tribal site evaluation, and public engagement on major projects. Black said the quantum request was intended to match federal dollars and build a workforce pipeline, that the site-readiness software would be a set enterprise license, and that the department was working with tribes and local partners on future site evaluations. He also said tariffs have created uncertainty but New Mexico’s infrastructure and foreign trade zones could help attract manufacturing, and he acknowledged concerns about transparency and community input while noting that some projects, such as Pacific Fusion, had gone through extensive public processes. The committee also discussed specific projects and funding balances, including Mantis Space’s move to Albuquerque, the status of Virgin Galactic’s spaceport lease, and the current LIDA fund balance and encumbrances. Black and Deputy Secretary Isaac Romero said the department was trying to use State Investment Council-backed venture funds to attract companies and that the new investments were already producing deals and jobs. Members generally supported the department’s direction but pressed for more targeted expertise, faster deployment, and stronger community involvement in future economic development decisions. Later, Secretary de Blassie of the Department of Health presented the department’s budget request and progress report. He said DOH had improved revenue cycle management, reduced old Medicaid-pending cases, increased census at facilities, improved budget and contract timeliness, and responded effectively to the measles outbreak. The department requested additional base funding for epidemiology and response, the DOH helpline, the Vital Records Virtual Vault, state labs, and the veterans home, along with special requests for respiratory vaccinations and marketing and lab equipment replacement. He also noted progress on MOUD and the medical psilocybin program, and said the department was not seeking to launch new programs given the limited time left in the administration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seventy-two percent of teens have used AI chatbots; half are regular users.
• With that, I respectfully ask for your aye vote. generative AI becomes a part of their job.
• Empowered Initiative. ...held an information hearing to review the CSU's AI Empowered Initiative.
• This bill ensures that our students, staff, and faculty know how to use an AI product and are aware of
• usage ...privacy policies associated with that AI product are strictly followed.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We continue to see an expansion of AI in various frauds.
• individuals to seek and commit frauds through the use of AI.
• We continue to see an expansion of AI in various frauds.
• individuals to seek and commit frauds through the use of AI.
• We continue to see an expansion of AI in various frauds.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, we've had data centers, but AI is really the emerging industry.
• The AI business model and the AI revenue model in particular is still sort of in its infancy compared
• back on AI usage.
• AI data centers being installed locally, and there are also business cycles.
• But I'm also an AI guy. I led the team that built the eBay fraud detection engine.

Summary: The Senate Business and Commerce Committee held its third interim hearing on Texas electric grid reliability and 765 kV transmission lines/private property rights. Chair Schwertner opened by noting record ERCOT summer demand of 91,089 MW and emphasized the committee’s focus on managing rapid load growth, ensuring adequate generation, and protecting homeowners, businesses, landowners, and ratepayers. The committee also adopted strict two-minute limits for public testimony and planned to hear invited witnesses first, then public testimony. PUC Chairman Thomas Gleeson, ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas, and OPUC Chief Counsel Benjamin Barclay testified on Senate Bill 6 implementation, large-load interconnection, transmission cost allocation, and market design. Gleeson said the PUC has adopted or is finalizing rules on net metering/co-location, large load interconnection standards, and a transmission cost recovery rule that would move from 4CP to 12CP, lengthen the interval to 30 minutes, and add a minimum demand charge to better allocate costs to large loads. Vegas explained ERCOT’s new batch process for large loads, saying it provides year-by-year capacity allocations, clearer financial obligations, and a transmission plan; he reported 205 GW eligible for Batch Zero, with 65 GW classified as baseload, 25 GW in an intermediate category, and 114 GW as allocated load. Barclay supported the changes as better protection for residential and small commercial customers, while warning that the minimum demand charge may need an exit-fee concept to address stranded costs if large loads leave. Members pressed witnesses on whether additional market changes are needed to attract dispatchable thermal generation and whether DRS/DRRS Plus could become a capacity-market substitute. Gleeson and Vegas said the current market still favors solar, batteries, and other low-variable-cost resources, and that more incentives may be needed for gas and other thermal generation; Gleeson said the commission’s reliability standard assessment will begin this year and conclude next year with a 2029 outlook. They described DRS as an ancillary service for intraday reliability and DRS Plus as a proposed real-time revenue mechanism for thermal resources during scarcity, not a forward capacity market. Senators also questioned whether 12CP could still be gamed, whether curtailment authority under SB 6 should be expanded from EEA 2 to earlier stages, and whether the batch process should be bifurcated so traditional industrial loads are handled differently from data centers. Witnesses said the batch process is intended to prevent speculative projects from driving transmission costs, that most large-load projects are data centers, and that future rules may need to better distinguish among types of large loads.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so widespread AI usage could have positive or negative effects depending on your perspective and
• how AI plays out.
• think states are less likely to say, we're going to try to do a very specific forecast and say, aha, AI
• And so wide thread AI usage could have positive or negative effects depending on your perspective and
• how AI plays out. or negative effects, depending on your perspective and how AI plays out.

Summary: The committee held its first meeting, with co-chairs and members introducing themselves and staff outlining the committee’s statutory charge under the 2026 supplemental operating budget. Staff explained that the committee is tasked with studying budget transparency and fiscal sustainability in two phases: first, revenue growth, spending assumptions, statutory cost drivers, and carryforward/maintenance levels; and later, staffing, overhead, performance management, and public reporting tools. The committee also discussed its goals, with members emphasizing a shared factual understanding of Washington’s fiscal situation, the causes of projected structural deficits, and possible paths to a more sustainable operating budget. Staff then gave a detailed operating budget basics presentation. They reviewed the size and composition of the operating budget, explaining that most spending is concentrated in grants and client services, salaries and benefits, and goods and services, with K-12 education, DSHS, the Health Care Authority, DCYF, corrections, and higher education making up most NGFO spending. They also walked through the distinction between constitutional, federal, statutory, and discretionary spending; the role of caseload and per-capita forecasts; how maintenance level and policy level budgets are built; and how the four-year outlook works, including revenue forecasts, reversions, budget stabilization account reserves, and the official outlook adoption process. Members asked several questions about what is or is not included in the outlook, especially future collective bargaining agreements, health care inflation, court-ordered liabilities, and whether the budget could better separate mandatory from discretionary spending over time. Staff said some of those questions would require follow-up and noted the existence of an outlook accuracy report. The committee then heard from Josh Goodman of the Pew Charitable Trusts, who introduced Pew’s state fiscal work and its role as the nonprofit partner supporting the committee. He said Pew would help analyze long-term fiscal sustainability, reserve policies, recession preparedness, and practices from other states, and would draw on its 50-state data and subject-matter experts. No votes were taken and no formal actions were reported at this meeting.