Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, one of the next big steps...
• Of course, one of the next big steps is to expand opportunities within the classroom, and that includes
• currently have a 2+2 program where they can earn their associate's in early childhood education at Navajo Tech
• You know, let's think big. Only $500 to get to Finland right now. You know, let's think big.

Summary: The committee began with a presentation on the 520 Native American Language and Culture certificate, created to let proficient tribal language and culture speakers teach in K-12 schools without a bachelor’s degree. LESC staff, PED, and HED described the certificate’s statutory basis, the role of tribes and pueblos in setting proficiency standards, and ongoing challenges such as uneven MOAs, limited professional development, rural access barriers, data gaps, and retention concerns. PED said oversight of 520 is moving from the licensure bureau to the Indian Education Division, and HED reported that the tribal education technical assistance centers authorized in 2023 are still in procurement but are expected to be awarded in early 2026. A student, Alonzo Hughes, testified about how learning Tewa from 520-certified teachers helped him understand his culture and speak with elders, and members praised the program’s role in language revitalization and asked about funding, teacher pathways, and whether similar models exist in other states. Committee members then discussed several PED rule updates. Staff reviewed an adopted rule implementing HB 54 on AEDs and cardiac emergency response plans, including staff training requirements and staggered compliance dates, and a proposed rule for school nurse licensure under HB 195 that would create a three-tier system and align nurse pay with teacher pay. They also reviewed proposed changes to the Community Schools Act rule, including a full-time community school coordinator requirement, updated grant language, and broader coalition membership criteria; PED said the broader language would not conflict with the Martinez-Yazzie work. A proposed bilingual teacher rule would standardize coursework requirements, add trans-languaging and culturally relevant curriculum competencies, and allow Native American language certification applicants to demonstrate proficiency using tribal standards. In questions, members raised concerns about AEDs being present at athletic events, the need for the amended school nurse bill to move experienced nurses directly into higher levels, and whether the community schools rule’s broader coalition language could affect current education litigation. Members also asked about funding for 520 programs, teacher residency or cohort models, and how to support advanced language instruction and sustainability. PED said the Indian Education Fund and school budgets can support some of the work, but additional strategic funding and cross-training are needed. The committee also heard that New Mexico’s 520 system is unusually robust compared with other states, and members encouraged staff to present the model at national conferences. The meeting ended with the director’s report, which noted a flat budget request of $2,024,300, staff turnover including Natasha Davalos’s departure, and appreciation for the committee’s work before adjournment for the holidays.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just say our concern about the Texas Medical Board is just as big as this other board—a small group
• leading cause of death; it's a really painful and traumatic way for someone to die, and it has a really big
• They made a play out of it, and it was a big hit on Broadway as well.
• The big companies gobble up the smaller companies that do a really good job of service.
• FACN is a joint project between DFPS and several health-related institutions, namely UT and Texas Tech

Bills: HB107, HB742, HB1639, HB1700, HB2071, HB2187, HB2402, HB2516, HB3211, HB4529, HB5342, HB694, HB923, HB4655, HB107

Keywords: sickle cell disease, registry, health data, confidentiality, healthcare access, human trafficking, first responders, health care, training, reporting, protection, cancer, female firefighters, health study, state health services, fire protection, telemedicine, teledentistry, telehealth, health records

Transcript Highlights:

• While the oligarchs and the tech barons are currently raiding every social safety net our country has
• You know, a big long paragraph I'm not going to read to you, and then in subdivision three it's...
• awkward, rumbly time to figure out who you are and what your dreams are and what you want to do in this big
• are fundamental to the experiences. that grow and teach us how to go up and move in the world and do big
• But as somebody whose Ojibwe name literally is Yellow Cloud—a big, bright, booming light and voice, I

Transcript Highlights:

• We can lower energy costs, sell electricity to our neighbors, and entice high-tech firms to locate in
• This is a very big deal.
• That said, Madam Chair and Senator, this is a big deal.
• And therefore, I have a big problem with that.
• One of ours is a big take on that. You can take that to the floor, and I'll look at it.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's what makes up a big chunk of that $4 million difference.
• It's nice to start with the big overview before we go to the district court.
• The other big initiative that you'll see in our requests is.
• In rural areas, one of the big things is that it allows access to justice.
• Okay, now a big thanks to the Vice Chair for keeping us on track.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I, you know, so often our bills are big, the big meaningful bills, right? They're thick.
• , I, you know, so often our bills are big, I, you know, so often our bills are big, the<01:13:38.239
• They're the big meaningful bills, right?
• > school<01:25:53.120> district isn't just a big school district isn't just a big school
• <01:27:31.040> services even as limited as of uh tech services even as limited as of uh tech

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As far as role of government in Washington, I just was laying out some of the big picture items that
• Well, I think everything else I sort of spoke to, so if you didn't see the slides, not a big deal.
• And you probably know this already, but there are really three large, three big, significant sources
• You'll note the red bar is not very big.
• It's about 40% of all taxable sales in Washington, so it's a big chunk of it.

Summary: The committee first received a presentation from Dr. Reich on the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (ERFC), including how the council’s joint executive-legislative forecasting process works, the main state revenue sources, and recent economic conditions. He said Washington’s economy is slowing, with weak employment growth, softer taxable sales, and uncertainty from tariffs, federal spending, and the federal shutdown. He also noted that the September forecast was reduced, mainly because of lower sales tax and real estate excise tax collections, and that the state still expects modest growth rather than a recession. Members asked about whether Washington tends to lag national downturns and how forecast information should affect budgeting; Dr. Reich said the forecast is a revenue tool, not a budgeting decision, and that spending choices remain with elected officials. The Department of Revenue then presented on Washington’s sales and use tax structure and the implementation of Senate Bill 5814, which expands retail sales tax to several services effective October 1, 2025. Steve Ewing explained how sales and use tax are sourced, how reseller permits and the multiple points of use exemption work, and how the new law applies to live presentations, temporary staffing, investigations and security services, IT services, custom website development, advertising services, and custom software. He said DOR held listening sessions, issued interim guidance, and set up a centralized landing page and outreach efforts to help taxpayers understand the changes. He also described a six-month grace period for certain pre-existing contracts through March 31, 2026, but said penalties and interest still apply under the statute. Committee members raised concerns about how businesses and individuals will know when a service is taxable, who is responsible for collecting and remitting tax, and how sourcing will work for services delivered across multiple locations or online. DOR staff walked through examples involving accounting services, live lectures, virtual events, advertising campaigns, and search engine marketing, including the use of reasonable allocation and pool codes when exact sourcing data is unavailable. Members also questioned the administrative burden on small businesses and professionals newly subject to tax, and whether additional legislative fixes or relief from penalties and interest may be needed. No votes or formal actions were taken in the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas is a big state, and it's just common sense.
• Texas is a big state, and it's just common sense that some areas of the state should be avoided.
• Texas is a big state, and it's just common sense that some areas of the state should be avoided.
• It could be a big skyscraper, say, that was over 500 feet. ...It would not just be, to be clear, wind
• It could be a big skyscraper, say, that was over 500 feet.

Bills: SB3074, HB49, HB2440, HB3556, HB3619, HB3866, HB4042, HB4112, HB4271, HB4413, HB4426, HB5033

Keywords: SB 3074, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Water Code, permit applications, environmental permitting, administrative record, ex parte communications, legislative communications, governor, lieutenant governor, state legislators, district projects, public records, recusal, conflict of interest, substantial interest, agency transparency, environmental regulation, permit renewal

Summary: The committee heard and laid out several natural resources and environmental bills, with testimony focused on balancing development, public health, wildlife protection, and regulatory authority. SB 3074 would allow the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislators to communicate in writing with TCEQ about matters before the commission, with safeguards requiring the communication to be part of the record and allowing other parties to respond; a committee substitute narrowed it to written communications about permits only, limited legislator communications to facilities in their districts, and adjusted conflict-of-interest rules. HB 3556, as substituted, would require notice to Texas Parks and Wildlife for certain very tall structures in specified coastal counties and give TPWD a limited right to seek injunctive relief if mitigation is insufficient to prevent material harm to migratory birds; supporters said it would address ignored wildlife recommendations and protect key flyways, while opponents argued the bill was too broad, singled out wind energy, and gave one agency unusually strong enforcement power. HB 49 would expand liability protections for produced-water recycling and beneficial use; supporters said it would encourage reuse of a large wastewater stream and reduce disposal pressures, while opponents warned it could shield operators from responsibility before the science and standards are mature. HB 4413 would authorize mass-balance accounting for renewable biomass feedstocks, and HB 3866 would regulate intermediate bulk container recycling facilities near homes, with a committee substitute adding a grandfather clause and making implementation contingent on funding. The committee also heard bills affecting air and energy regulation. HB 5033 would create a trigger to end vehicle emissions inspections if federal law changes to allow it; the substitute removed a Supreme Court-related trigger, and the lone public witness opposed the bill, warning it would worsen air quality and harm nonattainment areas. HB 4112 would clarify that on-site storage of high-level radioactive waste is allowed at current and future nuclear reactors and university research reactors only for waste generated at that site; the substitute clarified the language and removed an inoperative permit condition, and witnesses from environmental and nuclear groups said the clarification was needed to prevent unintended restrictions while avoiding off-site storage. HB 2440 would prohibit state agencies from using air-quality rules to ban or restrict vehicles based on energy source, including internal combustion vehicles, and no public testimony was offered. HB 4271 would require TCEQ to hold public meetings on request for composting facility authorizations; the substitute limited the requirement to future applications and was presented as a transparency measure after a denied local request and extensive public comments. Additional bills addressed landowner protections and Railroad Commission oversight. HB 3619 would require the Railroad Commission to restore surface land after plugging or replugging operations and indemnify landowners from damages tied to authorized entry; a witness supported the bill but urged fixing a separate statutory loophole that he said allowed operators to enter unrelated tracts without notice. HB 4042 would extend Railroad Commission pipeline safety and fee provisions to propane distribution systems by removing the word “natural” from the relevant definitions. HB 4426 would set a 10-year permit term for commercial surface disposal facilities, allow renewal based on compliance history, and require renewal applications 120 days before expiration. The committee took no votes because a quorum was not initially present, and each bill was left pending after testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is someone from our tech team helping you? Ciara, is she available? Just plug it into the other.
• In order to execute the program, actually, I think, you know, in the big scheme of things, considering
• I know that's a big question.
• numbers and these big business models of fraud, I just looking at whether you look at what we see in
• Because that's a big concern of this committee. So we appreciate your time.

Bills: HF3043, HF2891

Keywords: public safety, illegal remunerations, healthcare fraud, grants, criminal penalties, state law, grants management, state employees training, certification, monitoring grants, accountability, grant fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the, the level of support that we provide for our military and you're a big part of that identifying
• I'll start big to small from macro.
• I'm sure you've all heard of Boy State, which is a big project of the American Legion.
• I'll go to UTMB or I'll go to Texas Tech and I see this person.
• We come up, we have, uh, the, it's a big argument on getting the air conditioning into the system.

Transcript Highlights:

• It could have been a big shout this way and a big shout that way, and I would have to pull up the thing
• So anyways but not as big because cuts. So anyways but not as big because of<00:55:22.400> this.
• One big thing. We can do it all at once. Yeah. One big thing. All right.
• One big we're doing it all at once? One big thing.
• There's a big expense for the 18? There's a big expense for the landfill.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee worked through several HB 2 budget amendments, focusing first on energy-related transfers and then on judicial funding. For the energy item, members discussed moving remaining money from the renewable energy fund into the general fund for the biennium, with later-year amounts going to the general fund rather than ratepayers. They noted the proposal was based on prior House Bill 111 language, that the exact amount was still being worked out with the Department of Energy, and that some language about “incentive payments” was being removed or clarified. Amendment 1211H was moved and adopted on a 5-4 vote. The committee then considered amendment 1040 on the governor’s scholarship fund, which would eliminate the program and sweep uncommitted funds. Members supporting the program argued it helps New Hampshire students afford in-state college and should be reworked rather than repealed; opponents said the remaining balance was limited and the program should be ended. Amendment 1040 was defeated 4-5. The committee then turned to a judicial council request tied to a Franklin Pierce criminal justice clinic that had previously used ARPA funds. Supporters said the clinic cleared 323 cases in nine months, provided training for future attorneys, and could reduce more expensive assigned-counsel costs by helping the public defender system handle cases more efficiently. The amendment would add $100,000 to the judicial council line for that purpose. There was some confusion over the line item and whether the request should be attributed to the judicial branch or judicial council, which was corrected during discussion. Members also discussed a larger issue: the judicial council’s budget request appeared lower than intended because of a possible clerical error in how prior-year funding was calculated, especially after the last budget combined HB 1 and HB 2 funding. The committee compared the public defender line and assigned counsel line, noting that if public defender funding is cut, more cases would shift to assigned counsel, which is more expensive. No final vote on the judicial council amendment is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I turned around and I look at Ron in those big blue eyes and we look up at the state seal.
• And it's really a big thank you to the support I've gotten from the Democratic side.
• You may remember in Big Run, right off I-95, and all their backyards were flooding.
• And it's big money. You want to follow some money, follow that one.”
• Again, a big thank you to Representative Gorman.

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the big issue here is under the Infrastructure Act, we've received a lot of extra money, which is
• match because we have had such a big match because we have had such a big influx<01:05:09.559>
• Well, you got a big chunk today, which was the Department of Corrections.
• There's a big natural gas head there, or a propane head there. A lot of it comes from Selkirk.
• It is a big-ticket item. I think it was $1.5 million.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a Department of Corrections capital budget presentation on HB 25, focused largely on urgent maintenance and security needs at the New Hampshire State Prison for Men and other DOC facilities. DOC officials described the governor’s proposed priorities: boiler surge and radiator tank replacements, electronic controls and camera upgrades, and replacement of HVAC units using R22 refrigerant. They also outlined additional requested projects totaling $15.4 million, including a body alarm/man-down system at Northern New Hampshire Correctional Facility, steam line and trap repairs, fire alarm replacements, and removal of an underground diesel tank in favor of above-ground storage. DOC testified that many systems are well beyond their expected service life, including 40-year-old boilers, outdated analog cameras, and HVAC equipment using discontinued R22 refrigerant. They said the men’s prison is relying on a leased temporary boiler, has significant steam leaks causing major water loss and reduced boiler efficiency, and is dealing with frequent fire alarm faults and deteriorating wiring. On the body alarm system, they said the vendor no longer supports the equipment and replacement parts are no longer available. On the diesel tank, members questioned whether it could be abandoned in place or whether fuel could be reused; DOC said it had not explored all alternatives and would follow up, while noting the tank is underground and tied into the warehouse system. Members also asked whether some current investments could be reused in the planned new men’s prison. DOC said some items, such as air handlers, might potentially be moved, but most projects are needed to keep the current facility operational and would not be practical to transfer. Questions were also raised about the leased boiler arrangement, the use of the man-down system by staff and visitors, and whether the kitchen project could be converted to a modular unit. DOC said the modular kitchen approach is necessary because the existing kitchen cannot remain fully operational during repairs. The committee then moved to lapse extensions, and DOC identified several projects no longer needing extensions, including items numbered 64, 65, and 66 in HB 25, with the chair noting those balances would be deleted and that the lapse amount was $550,500.

Transcript Highlights:

• tech companies looking to profit from their attention.
• And it was this big ordeal that nobody wanted to deal with.
• We wonder if it's a step Toward a low-tech environment.
• That, for us, is a big concern.
• Yes, it's a really big concern.

Bills: HB6, HB27, HB 123, HB210, HB213, HB222, HB610, HB 1085, HB1481, HB6, HB27, HB123, HB210, HB213, HB222

Keywords: mental health, telehealth, public schools, discipline management, behavioral interventions, financial literacy, high school education, curriculum requirements, economics, personal finance, HB 123, kindergarten readiness, early literacy, early numeracy, reading screening, math screening, foundational literacy, foundational numeracy, dyslexia screening, reading intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• Waterfall is still pretty big out there.
• This is just a normal big failure of a big government software system.
• The Department of Defense spends a fortune on big software projects.
• His book came out a couple of years ago, "How Big Things Get Done."
• And only then does the vendor go away and build a really big thing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the leading voice of today's multi-tech clean energy industry representing energy storage, wind,
• 25:59.240> voice<00:25:59.600> of<00:25:59.720> today's<00:26:00.080> multi-tech
• the leading voice of today's multi-tech the leading voice of today's multi-tech clean<00:26:00.880
• references included the International Energy Agency and another source from the North Carolina Clean Energy Tech

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a sales Tech exemption for construction<00:26:32.240> materials<00:26:32.799> for<00:26
• Chair Rest: That's an excellent question, and to be prudent and not get crosswise with big tire, I'm
• So it's a very big number from the grain bin standpoint.
• prudent and not get crosswise with big prudent and not get crosswise with big tire<01:24:04.199>
• number from the grain B standpoint big number from the grain B standpoint I'll<01:25:15.119> also

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe in the big cities they are, but I agree.
• If I may, I'm kind of big on showing progress and results.
• look like a big production.
• That's the big difference, right?
• There's a big pool.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can significantly vary depending on how big the case is or how big, uh, the company is and the number
• I mean, that's a pretty big jump.
• I mean, that's a pretty big jump.
• As the chair say, I'm a big fan of Explore Minnesota.
• As the chair say, I'm a big fan of Explore Minnesota.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, I want to commend you because that's a big step.
• /c><01:27:24.600> the<01:27:25.239> um<01:27:25.840> current<01:27:26.840> tech
• and they don't have the um current tech and they don't have the um current tech technical<01:27:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The hearing began with HB 1113, which would create an intensive mobile team pilot program in the Department of Health for chronically houseless individuals with serious brain disorders such as schizophrenia. The Department of Health Adult Mental Health Division strongly supported the bill, and written support was also submitted by several health and harm-reduction organizations. Members asked about the program’s size and coordination with existing services; the testifier said the team would use a low-caseload, 24/7 mobile model, coordinate with police, ERs, hospitals, housing, dual-diagnosis treatment, and other case-management resources, and continue serving participants even if they cycle through jail or hospital. The committee amended the bill to change the participant language from a maximum of 40 to “at least 40,” blanked out the appropriations section, deferred the effective date to July 1, 3000, and then adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass with amendments by unanimous vote in both committees. The next measure, HB 1140, would appropriate funds for DLNR to clean up homeless encampments on department lands. DLNR testified in support, saying it conducts about 22 to 24 cleanups per year and the bill would help it address homelessness statewide. Members asked whether the funds would be used to sweep people out of areas; DLNR said its practice is to give notice, allow time to leave, and then clean up what remains, with storage procedures for personal property. The department also said people still present are told to move to the county area across the road. DLNR confirmed the bill is not in the governor’s budget, though it is in the governor’s legislative package. The committee then heard HB 1486, which would make it disorderly conduct to remain or loiter within 20 feet of a bus stop without intent to use bus services. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that criminal enforcement is not the right tool, could lead to arrests of people who are simply tired or unhoused, and could create a cycle of repeated low-level cases and constitutional issues around questioning and intent. HPD supported the bill, saying officers would generally try to get people to move first, but could also use field questioning, citations, or arrests depending on the circumstances; HPD said such incidents can be documented and later used in ACT or other mental-health interventions. A private resident testified in support, describing bus stops near her home as occupied overnight and burdening nearby residents and small businesses. Written support came from the City and County of Honolulu Mayor’s Office, and one individual opposed the bill. Members also asked about neighbor-island impacts, property handling, and whether the bill could help connect people to services; HPD said it had not consulted other counties and would follow up. Finally, the committee began hearing HB 877, which would prohibit encampments within 100 feet of the property line of a K-12 public or private school or school facility. DLNR stood on its written testimony, and the Department of the Attorney General raised concerns that the bill did not specify how violators would be removed, what would happen to property or the encampment, or whether the buffer zone applies only to public spaces. The AG suggested making violations petty misdemeanors and adding clearer definitions and due-process guidance. Members asked whether charter schools are included and whether private-property situations within the buffer zone should be clarified; the AG said public schools include charter schools and indicated the bill may need more specificity about private property and trespass situations.