Transcript Highlights:

• It would be fine for a larger state like Texas or California, but we have a smaller population.
• state.<00:24:18.320> It<00:24:18.559> would<00:24:18.640> be<00:24:18.720> fine
• It would be fine for a larger state.
• It would be fine for a larger state<00:24:19.840> like<00:24:20.080> Texas<00:24:20.400

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with routine business, approving the prior meeting minutes and adopting the consent calendar without objection. It then postponed the Board of Licensed Dieticians and the Board of Accountancy items to next month, with a waiver granted for the dieticians item so it could be carried over. The committee also noted that the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources interim rule would be discussed further, and staff flagged a specific concern about authority over kindling size for category 3 fires under NCR 5601.04. The Board of Registry and Optometry received conditional approval. Staff said the board had addressed editorial comments, but raised one substantive issue about the drug formulary: the statute requires posting it online but does not clearly exempt it from rulemaking, suggesting a possible legislative carveout may be needed. The committee agreed to add that issue to a list of legislative suggestions for later consideration. The DNCR interim fire rule was the main contested item. Committee members and staff discussed whether the rule exceeded authority by regulating kindling for category 3 fires, and the agency explained that the regular rules had expired and interim rules were needed quickly for public safety and permit enforcement. The committee ultimately granted conditional approval on the interim rule 25-4, with the understanding that the agency would continue regular rulemaking and address the objection. The Board of Examiners’ dental rules were then reviewed. The agency explained that it revised the rules to address prior concerns about anesthesia and sedation for children, including a pathway for oral surgeons and dentist anesthesiologists to obtain exemptions for under-13 patients, a pediatric minimal sedation permit, and a moderate sedation permit with pediatric qualification. Members also discussed whether the rules were consistent with House Bill 470; staff and members concluded they appeared compatible and would not require additional rulemaking. The committee approved the dental rules, and then adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3385 creates a fine, a farm winery permit, a subordinate permit designated to help Texas wineries
• 5 satellite locations, sell an extra 250,000 gallons of Texas wine per year, um, contribute to the fine
• Growers Association's mission. is to promote the production and appreciation of premium grapes and fine
• These drivers, many of them students or gig workers, are then hit with a fine to remove the boot, disabling

Transcript Highlights:

• So some of our concerns are about clarity on the matter of what is mentioned as a violation fine.
• It's fine, but I think the question is, you know, is there enough attention paid to the fact that a lot
• You represent fines, GCD, and other clients of the firm and you're testifying for the bills, correct?
• This bill would mandate the dissolution of those districts, and we just think the current law works fine

Bills: HB29, HB685, HB1633, HB1689, HB1690, HB1918, HB2010, HB2500, HB2608, HB2626, HB29

Keywords: water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• The yellow light comes on at one minute. 30 seconds, even when you're fine.
• We want the help, so if we can designate more, that's fine.
• So I would never, I would never support that as far as fines.
• Your first question I think addressed arrests or fines. Is that where you were going, Senator?

Bills: SB27, SB226, SB326, SB570, SB605, SB870, SB991, SB1871, SB1872, SB1873, SB1874, SB1924, SB1925

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, antisemitism, student conduct, education, disciplinary actions, Texas Education Code, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district

Transcript Highlights:

• We also, at the last stop, Senator Fine, added a very good amendment that expands eligibility for the
• We also, at the last stop, Senator Fine, added a very good amendment that expands eligibility for the
• These fine schools are growing. They're growing quite a bit.
• These fine schools are growing. They're growing quite a bit.

Summary: The committee first heard CS/SB 270, which would extend Bright Futures eligibility by 12 months for certain students whose parent was serving overseas in public service and then retired, giving military and diplomatic families more time to return to Florida without losing scholarship eligibility. Senator Burgess also explained a late-filed amendment to set the bill’s effective implementation for the 2025-26 school year, and the committee adopted the amendment without objection. The bill received supportive testimony, including from Senator Smith, and was reported favorably by a roll call vote. The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmation hearings for appointees to state college boards of trustees, with the chair emphasizing a new process of hearing from each nominee individually rather than taking a blanket vote. Nominees from Tallahassee State College, St. Johns River State College, South Florida State College, Broward College, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, Palm Beach State College, Pasco-Hernando State College, and Valencia College described their backgrounds and priorities, which largely centered on workforce development, nursing and health sciences, dual enrollment, fiscal responsibility, student retention, and partnerships with local employers and communities. Several nominees highlighted their own educational or professional ties to the colleges, and some noted the importance of serving rural or military-connected communities. One nominee, John Aloko for Pasco-Hernando State College, was not present because he was attending a conference in Hawaii and was deferred to a later hearing. After hearing all other nominees, the committee voted to recommend confirmation of the remaining appointees in a block vote, covering Tabs 2 through 22 except Tab 8, and the motion passed. Two members later asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on earlier items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sure, that'd be fine. Osgood, Senator Yarborough, Senator Claudio, Chair Simon. Yes.
• Sure, that'd be fine. The delete-all amendment? Sure, that'd be fine. All right.
• No, you're fine.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 considered a series of education-related bills, many of them after adopting amendments. SB 1122 on Florida Virtual School was amended to remove virtual preschool provisions and then passed favorably, with the sponsor describing it as a clarifying bill about FLVS operations, revenue sources, reporting, and student access. SB 1374, on school district reporting requirements for educator arrests and misconduct, was also approved; it requires faster district action and reporting when instructional personnel are arrested for certain offenses and clarifies that self-reports are not admissions of guilt. SB 1402, on student enrollment and dropout retrieval programs, was amended and passed to broaden eligibility for dropout retrieval services and allow certain virtual providers to receive a school improvement rating instead of a school grade. SB 364, moving the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys from the Department of Education to Florida Memorial University, was amended and reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 772 on diabetes management in schools, which would allow districts to obtain and store glucagon for emergency use by trained school staff or nurses, with liability protections included. SB 1102 on school readiness programs for children with disabilities passed after testimony that it would expand identification of disabilities, require more training for providers, and direct special-needs funding toward better-supported classrooms. SB 1382, also on school readiness, was approved and would change the definition of economically disadvantaged families, adjust priority tiers, and update the waitlist and forecasting process for child care assistance. The most debated measure was SB 140, which was substantially rewritten by delete-all amendment to create “job engine charter schools,” allow municipalities to seek charter schools aimed at attracting industry, authorize parent votes for conversion of existing public schools, and set requirements for district five-year property plans and surplus property use, including affordable housing and charter school purposes. Supporters argued it could aid economic development and repurpose underused property, while opponents raised concerns about privatization, reduced stakeholder input, unclear voting procedures, and loss of district control over property. Despite extensive debate and multiple public speakers against it, the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 430, a merged AED and cardiac emergency response bill requiring public schools to have a cardiac emergency plan, trained staff, and an operational AED in a publicized location, with reimbursement provisions and liability protections; it passed after supporters emphasized life-saving benefits and manageable training costs. The committee adjourned after recording additional members’ votes on selected bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we want the best teachers to be able to stay in the classroom. administration that's that's fine
• They might just need to be at home and. to be raising their kids, and that's fine, too.
• heard in committee, from a special ed teacher that, and I think it was a. bilingual ed teacher, and a fine
• teachers. and help them be able to have a pathway, even if they're in special education, bilingual or the fine

Bills: SB26, SB28, SJR36, SB26, SB616, SB565, SB384, SB28

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement

Transcript Highlights:

• ability on coal-fired generator plants to have funding to upkeep the coal-fired generators, which I'm fine
• upkeep the coalfire generators<00:18:08.000> which<00:18:08.480> I'm<00:18:08.679> fine
• <00:18:09.159> with<00:18:10.159> the generators which I'm fine with the generators
• which I'm fine with the difficulty<00:18:10.960> that<00:18:11.120> I<00:18:11.320>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:12 Introduction of Guests 01:09 HB 88 Discussion 01:46 HB 88 Roll Call Vote 03:24 HB 346 Discussion 04:20 HB 346 Roll Call Vote 21:58 Chair Comments 24:31, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 88, which was described as a short bill to clarify procedures for Waste Management boards, including term limits, appointments, and making sure consolidated governments actively recruit community members and make openings easier to find. The sponsor said the bill was intended to resolve confusion about members staying on after terms expire. The bill received no opposition, passed the committee unanimously, and was reported favorably for the floor. The committee then took up House Bill 346, as amended by a committee substitute. The sponsor explained that the bill responds to a dispute over air emission fees, especially for emergency generators and backup generators used for worker safety and limited non-emergency testing. The bill would exempt emergency generators and backup generators operating 100 hours or less for maintenance/testing from fees, while also removing an existing 4,000-ton cap so the per-ton fee would drop for most permitted sources. Members discussed the possible impact on utilities and ratepayers, with concerns raised that costs could be passed through to consumers and affect coal-dependent areas. The sponsor and another member argued the change would generally reduce fees for most sources and incentivize emissions reductions; the cabinet was described as neutral, and the affected utilities were identified as TVA, LG&E, East Kentucky Power, and Big Rivers, with only TVA having raised comments. The committee substitute was adopted, and the bill passed the committee with a favorable recommendation, though one member voted no and several members explained yes votes while expressing ongoing concerns about future rate impacts. At the end of the meeting, members briefly discussed broader concerns about utility surcharges and the need to monitor the effects of legislation on ratepayers, but those comments were not part of the bill under consideration. The chair noted that future meetings may include more bills and could start earlier if needed, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And yet it could be considered a burden because it's a $10,000 fine. That's a heavy fine.
• /c> considered a burden because it's a considered a burden because it's a $10,000<00:24:05.960> fine
• /c><00:24:06.279> that's<00:24:06.400> a<00:24:06.559> heavy<00:24:06.840> fine

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing of the House Committees on Tourism, Housing, and Economic Development and Technology began with House Bill 604, which would raise the transient accommodations tax by 1 percentage point starting January 1, 2026 and direct the revenue to the Hawaiian Homes General Loan Fund. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands supported the bill as a source of consistent funding, while the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed it, warning that Hawaii already has very high tourism taxes and that further increases could hurt visitors, workers, and the broader economy. The committees later voted to pass HB 604 with amendments as an HD1 and to defer the date; the vote was adopted, with one member noted as having reservations in the housing committee vote and one no vote in that committee. The committees then heard House Bill 973, which would require transient accommodations brokers and others to display all resort fees, taxes, and government-imposed charges upfront in advertised prices and would establish penalties. The Office of Consumer Protection expressed concerns about the bill’s intent requirement and noted a forthcoming federal FTC rule on junk fees; the Hawaii Hotel Alliance strongly supported the measure as promoting transparency and uniformity, and a public witness also supported price transparency while questioning the size of the penalties. After questions about federal rescission of the FTC rule and enforcement authority, the committees voted to pass HB 973 with amendments as an HD1, including removal of the intent requirement and technical changes, and the recommendation was adopted unanimously. House Bill 594, relating to hotel service disruptions, would require hotel keepers to give notice of disruptions to guests and third-party vendors and allow damages. The Attorney General’s office recommended amendments to add a purpose section and savings clause to address First Amendment and contract clause issues, and Unite Here Local 5 supported the bill, saying guests are not always notified of disruptions and that the measure would improve transparency; the union agreed with the legal amendments. The committees voted to pass HB 594 with amendments as an HD1 and to defer the date, adopting the recommendation. The final measures were House Bill 448 and House Bill 449, both related to technology enablement and economic development for small businesses, including tourism-related businesses. HTDC strongly supported both bills but emphasized that technology should be targeted to the actual problem and coordinated with sister agencies rather than applied broadly; the Hawaii Food Industry Association and Chamber of Commerce also supported HB 448, and HB 449 received support from HTDC and HFIA. The committees adopted amendments to HB 448, including moving a $250,000 appropriation to the committee report, and to HB 449, including deleting duplicative language tied to HB 448 and moving a $500,000 appropriation to the committee report; both bills were passed as HD1s with deferred dates, and the hearing adjourned after the votes were adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm fine with the program and I'm fine with ending the sunset. Okay. All right.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is To modify the fines on the used motor vehicle to get it in line with the new motor vehicle
• fines and also increase their FTEs in within these two divisions, which are self-regulated.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• identify this difference, clarifying that **SB 456** **SB 456** only applies to authorized works of fine
• opportunity to contribute to the state while being acknowledged for their work as professionals painting fine

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Employees who were not involved in the Lottery Commission's activities that got us into this mess are fine
• Those other employees have done a fine job and are probably the best people to continue.

Bills: HB668, HB677, HB766, HB3133, SB3070

Keywords: HB 668, Texas, handgun license, license to carry, LTC, concealed carry, open carry, firearm permit, gun license renewal, public safety, Department of Public Safety, DPS, Government Code Section 411.185, renewal fee, handgun permit, Second Amendment, carry permit, firearms regulation, HB 677, Texas Election Code

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to be very clear: we are not looking to increase the fines that are on the books.
• This is just looking to actually enforce the fines that are on the books.
• that are on the books this is just looking to actually enforce the fines that are on the books these
• This would not have any impact on the actual fines themselves.
• You're fine. Okay. I'm just saying that I have never had my due process in housing court.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee opened with procedural guidance for a very large hearing, explaining testimony limits, written testimony procedures, and rules for maintaining order. Members then heard testimony on a wide range of bills, including proposals to define antisemitism using the IHRA definition, regulate facial recognition technology, restrict weaponized robotics and drone use, expand protections for journalists’ confidential sources, address access to decedents’ email accounts, and create or adjust rules around municipal enforcement and animal cruelty fines. Several sponsors and advocates asked for favorable reports, and committee members asked clarifying questions on implementation, costs, and how the bills would interact with existing law. On facial recognition, sponsors and advocates described the technology as a threat to privacy, due process, and civil liberties, and urged adoption of the Special Commission’s recommendations, including warrant requirements, notice to defendants, and limits on untargeted surveillance. Support came from legislators, the ACLU, CDT, EFF, and a UMass professor, while committee members asked about current state law and municipal bans. On robotics, Senator Moore and industry witnesses from MassRobotics, Boston Dynamics, and AUVSI supported a bill prohibiting weaponized robots and requiring warrants for certain law enforcement uses, describing it as a public-safety and trust-building measure. On the shield law bill, newspaper publishers, journalists, NEFAC, and the Reporters Committee argued Massachusetts needs statutory protection for confidential sources, citing costly subpoenas and chilling effects on reporting. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to expand the right of publicity to cover image and voice, with SAG-AFTRA members supporting protections against AI-driven exploitation and some discussion about viral content and consent. Another bill would allow limited access to a decedent’s email accounts, with one witness describing a family’s inability to use a deceased relative’s email to notify friends. The committee then took testimony on psilocybin-related bills: supporters described medical and personal benefits and argued for narrow decriminalization or study, while an opponent warned of public-health risks, impaired driving, and youth exposure; the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society supported limited, safety-based decriminalization. Finally, the committee heard strong support for a “safe reporting” bill for sex workers and trafficking survivors, with advocates saying immunity would encourage victims and witnesses to report crimes without fear of arrest, and members raised questions about how the immunity would work in practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we've got um several bills that I have been asked to carry over, and that's fine.
• Uh, we've got several bills that I have been asked to carry over, and that's fine.
• And if this is a systemic problem, then fine job a minute ago uh, citing some fine job a minute ago uh
• I believe I skipped over you, and I apologize. >> No, that's fine. I'll be brief.
• >> No, that's that's fine. I'll be brief. >> No, that's that's fine.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Given the high compliance rate and the increased fine for non-compliance, the original authorized amount
• Given the high compliance rate and the increased fine for non-compliance, the original authorized amount
• the high compliance rate and the given the high compliance rate and the increased<00:10:34.600> fine
• for non-compliance the increased fine for non-compliance the original<00:10:36.240> authorized
• They would be together, or if there's only one of you, that's fine too. Is Nick LaFond present?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:31:41.440> so<00:31:41.799> I<00:31:42.000> had their designation and say fine
• so I had their designation and say fine so I had been<00:31:42.320> looking<00:31:42.559>
• No, that's fine. That's all the speakers? Oh, I'm sorry, Julie. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Small world can pay its own taxes just fine, plus they are a significant consumer of City resources and
• <00:41:24.200> plus<00:41:24.440> they pay its own taxes just fine plus they pay its

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The premise of this bill is fine.
• Under that proposal, the employer still has to pay a fine. Still has to pay a fine.
• And it's smuggled into the fine print of all of these line items. How?
• That's fine.
• That's perfectly fine. And Jersey City and their issues, that's perfectly fine.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 275 on that page, the Senate is picking up the governor's proposal to increase fines and establish
• new fines to promote licenser safety.
• That's fine. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• <01:23:53.720> That's<01:23:53.960> fine.
• That's fine. Thank you, Madam All right. That's fine.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It ended up working perfectly fine.
• It ended up working perfectly fine.
• That's fine. Thank you. All right. Um, Chair Navick.
• I I appreciate that and this will fine.
• <01:30:00.880> Um, That's fine. Thank you. All right. Um, That's fine. Thank you.

Bills: HF2354, HF3407, HF4359, HF4192, HF3356, HF3695, HF1597, HF3155, HF3871, HF4437, HF4446, HF3990

Keywords: medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, ghost guns, unserialized firearms, 3D-printed guns, 3D printer firearms, CNC milling, home-built firearms, firearm serialization, serial numbers, unfinished frame, unfinished receiver, ghost gun ban, gun control, firearm design files, CAD files, digital gun blueprints