Transcript Highlights:

• WE DON'T NORMALLY DO THIS BUT SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION WHAT DID WE ALL DO IF ANYTHING.
• AS WELL AS THE TRIAGE AND TREATMENT AT THE IF THEY LACK THE REGULAR CARE AND SERVICES FOR THE PRIMARY
• RESULTS OF THE PLAN INCLUDING NUMBER OF PATIENTS PRESENTING AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT WITH LACK OF REGULAR
• MANY ISSUES AND PROVIDED TECHNICAL GUIDANCE TO HOSPITALS AND PLANS IN ADDITION TO OTHER TRAINING SESSIONS
• THE CURRENT MOST RECENT LEGISLATIVE SESSION DID MAKE A COUPLE OF CHANGES TO THE TEACH PROGRAM AND ADDED

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, attending tutoring sessions is not a priority when you're worried about securing a safe
• Two sessions ago, I received an email from a librarian at Kilgore College.
• I do want to mention that the bill passed the House floor in the 87th and 88th sessions.
• We have, like all organizations, a regular docket of employment litigation matters, and we prefer that
• I was a regular student at Texas State University and also at Austin Community College.

Bills: HB2476, HB2893, HB4848, HB5062, SB37, SB60, HB2860, HB4930, SB646, SB 37

Keywords: living expenses, higher education, student support, homeless students, financial aid, grant program, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, workforce development, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, competency-based education, baccalaureate degree, cost of attendance, dual credit, computer science, course credit, foreign language requirement, curriculum review, governing board, faculty council

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 5200 also complements the important work this committee has already championed this session
• This bill passed out of this committee unanimously last session, but ran out of time at the end of session
• it obviously started when, uh, we stopped electing our senators from the states and allowed a, a regular
• , um, or from the legislature and started allowing a regular popular vote, uh, because then you just
• Uh, if you think about what we're doing at this session, this session in the, in this committee in particular

Bills: HB 551, HB 1281, HB 1378, HB 1617, HB 2868, HB 2881, HB 3374, HB 4439, HB 4726, HB 4732, HB 4878, HB 4914, HB 4921, HB 4958, HB 5200, HB 5318, HB 5360, HB 5402, HB 5568, HB 5573, HB 5623, HJR 218

Keywords: political contributions, address privacy, Texas Ethics Commission, election transparency, campaign finance, international organizations, World Health Organization, jurisdiction, state law, enforcement, United Nations, World Economic Forum, attorney general, Texas attorney general, state sovereignty, legal enforcement, Texas Attorney General, electric energy storage, municipal regulation, county regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• State policy on water infrastructure funding, a significant conversation this session, aims to encourage
• I filed this bill, a version of this bill, probably six, probably four sessions ago, because we had another
• That's what we've been talking about and what this session is about.
• And so, whatever that life cycle might be, it needs to be updated on a regular basis to make sure the
• This whole water session has failed to recognize.

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:

• This is our number one priority bill for the session.
• And we had a bill that was intended to address that this session that unfortunately hasn't moved forward
• <00:26:44.600> that to address that this session that to address that this session that unfortunately
• is not hiring sufficient staff at is not hiring sufficient staff at regular<01:05:14.040> pay<
• basis to make sure that they are regular basis to make sure that they are addressing<01:16:17.920>

Bills: HB1984, HB1593, HB2423, HB1691, HB2283, HB2386, HB1824, HB1697, HB2164, HB2165

Keywords: renewable energy, solar energy, self-certification, building permits, environmental regulations, HB1593, affordable housing, pet-inclusive housing, pet friendly housing, rental housing, affordable rental housing, HHFDC, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, tenant pets, companion animals, dogs, cats, landlord-tenant law, security deposit, pet deposit

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1984 HD2, which would require government entities issuing building permits to create a self-certification process for certain behind-the-meter rooftop solar and energy storage systems, allowing approved applicants to proceed without waiting for standard permit review. The Public Utilities Commission and DLNR offered comments, and the Hawaii Solar Energy Association, Holoholo Energy, Photon Works Engineering, Malama Solar, RevoluSun, and others testified in strong support. Supporters said the bill would reduce permitting delays, lower costs, and help meet Hawaii’s renewable energy goals while still relying on licensed engineers, electricians, and county inspections for safety. Committee members asked about risk, existing county pilot programs, and whether self-certification had been used before; witnesses said the professional liability remains with licensed signers and that current automated review systems often flag minor issues that slow projects. The committee also noted 16 additional written testimonies in support. The committee then took up HB 1593 HD1, which would require HHFDC-financed affordable rental housing projects to allow residents to own or keep common household pets. The Hawaiian Humane Society testified that the bill is a top priority because housing restrictions are a major reason pets are surrendered and because many unhoused residents with pets avoid housing that does not allow animals. In response to questions, the Humane Society said concerns about pet-related damage are overstated, suggested pet behavior screening as a safeguard, and said it would be willing to work on broader private-market pet-friendly housing policies. Members raised concerns about whether allowing pets in public housing could create problems for residents who later transition to the private market, and the witness said California has a similar law and no major negative effects had been identified. Finally, the committee heard HB 2423 HD2, which would require that by January 1, 2028, diesel fuel sold in Hawaii for on-highway vehicles contain at least 5% biodiesel by volume. The Hawaii State Energy Office offered comments, and Hawaii Transportation Association and Pacific Biodiesel Technologies testified in support. Pacific Biodiesel argued the mandate would improve energy security, stabilize fuel prices amid global supply disruptions, and support local clean-fuel production. In response to questions, the company said its nameplate capacity is 5.5 million gallons per year and it has produced over 6 million gallons annually, but much of its output is tied up in standby generator contracts that can fluctuate. Witnesses said the mandate would provide a stable market signal and could support future investment in expanded local biodiesel production, including agricultural feedstock development and a possible second refinery. No votes or final actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• . session.
• <00:36:45.359> Um in executive session. Um in executive session.
• We're in a regular session. Are you good on timing?
• executive session? executive session?
• in executive session. in executive session.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• years and sessions to come. years and sessions to come.
• Last session for emergency aid.
• they pay us versus what um regular they pay us versus what um regular insurance<00:52:35.280>
• You helped make EMS a priority last session and again this session, and most importantly to AMC's members
• You helped make EMS a priority last session and again this session, and most importantly to AMC's members

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A regular audit, just like a public school has to go through regular audits.
• <00:38:38.560> basis got kids on a daily and regular basis got kids on a daily and regular
• .<01:32:53.160> It<01:32:53.240> currently<01:32:53.600> has, session.
• It currently has, session.
• This is just designed to, session yet.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 25 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, dispensed with the reading of the journal, and welcomed several student and FFA groups from around the state, including chapters from Tippah, Forrest, Newton, and Wheeler counties, as well as the Puckett High School student council and an AP government class from Madison-Ridgeland Academy. After announcements, the chamber moved to the Ways and Means calendar and took up a series of tax and finance measures. House Bill 327 would extend Mississippi’s existing film tax credit to television production businesses, with a $42 million aggregate cap and a requirement that qualifying production activity occur in-state. House Bill 343 would create a tax credit for employers offering private health insurance to employees, set at $400 per employee in the first year and $200 in the second, capped at $10 million. House Bill 420 would lower the age threshold for an existing full homestead exemption for honorably discharged veterans and spouses from 90 to 85; members discussed the local cost impact, but the sponsor said the state cost would be zero. House Bill 489 would exempt from income tax any capital gains from a forced sale through eminent domain, so the property owner would not owe tax on that transaction. The House also passed House Bill 715, clarifying that both perishable and non-perishable food sold to food pantries are exempt from sales tax. House Bill 1063 would adjust an alternative energy/local tax provision by allowing a fee-in-lieu rate down to 10% and adding energy storage, such as large-scale batteries, to qualifying projects. House Bill 1793, by committee substitute, would add gun safes to the state’s Second Amendment sales tax holiday. House Bill 1941 would raise the Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund’s administrative fee from 2% to 3% and authorize $5 million in bonds. House Bill 1942 would create a conduit bond mechanism under the TIF code for local development projects. House Bill 1944, by committee substitute, would expand the Children’s Promise Act tax credit program from $18 million to $40 million over three years and add a new $1 million credit for facilities serving adults with mental handicaps; members debated its effects on private schools, foster care entities, and public education funding. Most bills passed overwhelmingly, including several unanimous votes; House Bill 327 passed 115-1, House Bill 343 passed 118-0, House Bill 420 passed 120-0, House Bill 489 passed 120-0, House Bill 715 passed 120-0, House Bill 1063 passed 115-0, House Bill 1793 passed 109-3, House Bill 1941 passed 118-0, House Bill 1942 passed 116-0, and House Bill 1944 passed after extended debate. The discussion on House Bill 1944 featured questions about whether the credits favored private schools over public schools, whether schools could also receive ESA-related funds, and how much money individual institutions could receive; the sponsor said the credits are separate from tuition, are administered by DOR on a first-come, first-served basis, and do not reduce direct public school funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Senator Dibble and I learned a new term this session here: House graduates. Oh, there.
• apply for a regular driver's license. apply for a regular driver's license.
• <01:20:06.880> to over the course of this session to over the course of this session to assemble
• Um this would on regular route transit.
• The top priority this session for the department was our operating adjustment. closure.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• administration to merge concepts, ideas, and bills to move forward in these final months of the legislative session
• I'm open to considering those ideas through the regular order, committee process, not through, hey, you
• We look at this next year through the regular process.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee met in a special hearing and took up SB 638 by Senator Padilla, a workforce development bill aimed at creating a coordinating entity called the Middle Class Pipeline Project. The bill would streamline interagency education and workforce programs, improve career technical education and career pathways, and direct resources toward high-unemployment, low-income regions through changes to the CTE incentive grant program. Supporters, including the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, the California Edge Coalition, National University, Long Beach City College, and United Ways of California, argued that California needs a statewide coordinating body to reduce silos, improve access to high-quality jobs, and better align education with labor market needs. Committee members focused heavily on whether the proposed entity would duplicate existing bodies such as the California Workforce Development Board and other education/workforce agencies, and whether its broad duties could be carried out with the $1.5 million budget allocation. The author said the bill is intended to move an operational coordinating entity into broader tri-party negotiations with legislative leadership and the Governor, and that the final structure and staffing would depend on those talks. Some members supported the concept but raised concerns about scope, duplication, and whether the bill should be delayed or audited; one member opposed it as too broad and underfunded. The committee ultimately voted to pass SB 638 to the Assembly Appropriations Committee on a courtesy vote. The roll call showed five ayes and three noes, with one member not voting, and the chair later allowed additional members to add on, including an additional aye from Assemblymember Haney. The hearing then adjourned with the chair noting that further conversations would continue on the coordinating entity and its responsibilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><01:00:08.839> was<01:00:09.200> granted<01:00:09.760> in<01:00:09.960> session
• specific amounts was granted in session specific amounts was granted in session law<01:00:10.760
• <01:10:22.640> not<01:10:22.840> on<01:10:22.960> the employees not on regular
• not on the employees not on regular not on the regular<01:10:23.840> schedule<01:10:24.840>
• schedule and she said said it's regular schedule and she said said it's just<01:10:25.840> a<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Labor Committee heard Senate File 560, a bill to require the Commissioner of Labor and Industry to establish a cost-per-square-foot valuation for residential building permits. Senator Dornink said the measure is intended to make permit fees more fair, reasonable, transparent, and predictable, and to reduce housing costs by limiting large differences in permit fees between municipalities. He said the bill would be sent to the Housing Committee without recommendation, and members discussed but did not act on a related amendment that would have shifted plan review and inspection fees to hourly and trip-based charges and made fee information publicly available. Testimony from Housing First Minnesota supported the bill’s goal, arguing that Minnesota’s housing shortage and high new-home prices make it important to reduce inefficiencies in the permitting system. The witness said permit valuations are often increased by cities, leading to higher costs for homebuyers, and cited examples of large fee differences between municipalities and claims of overcollection. He said some other states, including Texas and Wisconsin communities, use square-footage-based approaches. A League of Minnesota Cities representative opposed the amendment language and cautioned that trip charges and hourly billing would make fees less certain, could raise costs, and would be especially burdensome in Greater Minnesota; he said current valuation-based fees better reflect the actual cost and complexity of service and can be appealed if disputed. A representative of the Association of Minnesota Building Officials also raised concerns about the amendment, saying building departments provide consultations, inspections, plan review, and other services beyond a single trip, and that trip charges would not fit a responsive fee-for-service model. He said the current valuation system helps cover the full range of permitting work, though he acknowledged that a consistent square-foot valuation standard could improve transparency and reduce disputes over project value. Committee members asked about other states’ approaches and the scope of the bill, and the discussion emphasized that the proposal applies to one- and two-family dwellings.

Transcript Highlights:

• session as asset preservation for the construction of a residence hall.
• And as we move through, we send Katherine on a pretty regular basis.
• Katherine on a on a pretty regular Katherine on a on a pretty regular basis.<00:42:51.680> The
• And we'll be in session at 12 o'clock. So, 12. 12 o'clock. I'm sorry. Did I say two?
• We'll be in session.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first received several information items, including University of Kentucky reports on medical and research equipment purchases, five school districts’ planned bond issues, and a School Facilities Construction Commission list of prior debt issues. Members then heard and approved an appropriation increase for a federally funded University of Kentucky project at the Central Kentucky Regional Airport in Richmond. The project will construct a terminal building and is tied to EKU’s airport operations and planned flight school; members asked about the public funding, the role of EKU, and possible aviation expansion, and the item was approved by roll call. The committee next approved a University of Kentucky lease purchase for an 85,000-square-foot facility at 415 West Sun Street in Morehead for $6.4 million. UK said the property, formerly the Rowan County Board of Education site, is directly across from UK St. Clair and will be used for multiple purposes; members questioned the quarterly payment structure and why the county preferred not to receive the full amount upfront, but the item was approved. The committee then heard three appropriation increases in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet: a Fish and Wildlife pump project at Ballard Wildlife Management Area and two Lake Barkley State Resort Park repair projects. Finance staff explained the Lake Barkley increases were mainly to cover construction contingencies after bids came in close to available funding, and the committee approved the action items. Janice Thomas then presented four pool projects requiring no action: HVAC upgrades at the Future Farmers of America Leadership Training Center in Hardinsburg, geothermal and HVAC work at the Kentucky School for the Blind, a Brady Hall HVAC project at the Kentucky School for the Blind, and a renovation of Shanti Hall at Kentucky State University for the School of Engineering Technology. Members asked no substantive questions on those items. Finally, Natalie Broner presented a new CHFS lease in Wayne County and a Transportation Cabinet lease modification in Christian County. The Wayne County lease drew the most discussion, with members questioning the rent, the lack of other bids, and whether another county location might be preferable; CHFS said it maintains county-seat offices statewide and that the Wayne County site would replace an existing office. The Christian County item was described as a replacement site for driver licensing services with renovation costs largely absorbed by the lessor. Both lease items were presented for action after the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're back in regular session and we're, as soon as we're ready, we will start 1088. it.
• We're back in regular session and it.
• We're back in regular session and we're<00:12:46.160> soon<00:12:46.320> as<00:12:46.480
• We are in executive session.
• executive session. And we have a second. executive session. And we have a second.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that the Senate adjourn from the late session. All in favor say aye. Aye.
• We are now in the early session.
• We're now moving on to the regular calendar. The Senate will be attentive to the clerk.
• I move that the Senate adjourn from the early session, that the business of the late session be in order
• The early session is adjourned.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He's championed workers' comp reform for us for several sessions now.
• Last session, this bill passed unanimously out of the House of Representatives.
• So last session, there was a lot of witnesses that came in and testified and shared their story, but
• So last session, there was a lot of witnesses that came in and testified and shared their story, but
• I understand the bill passed unanimously last session.

Summary: The subcommittee heard testimony on a broad agenda of workforce, labor, and workers’ compensation bills. HB 4676 would require political subdivision workers’ compensation networks to follow the same notice, access, and complaint rules as certified TDI networks; supporters said public employees and first responders deserve equal access to care, while municipal risk pool representatives opposed added regulation and said existing 504 networks already perform well. HB 4479 would create a rural workforce development grant program at TWC to support college-and-career readiness and local workforce alignment, and HB 3844 would define “opportunity youth” in state law to improve data, coordination, and access to services for disconnected young Texans; both drew strong support from rural, education, and chamber witnesses. HB 5545 would clarify federal tax treatment for wage-replacement benefits in non-subscriber injury benefit plans, with proponents calling it a win for employers and injured workers. HB 5118 would direct TWC and DIR to study AI and automated employment decision tools in hiring, including bias and oversight concerns. HB 1667 would move existing PTSD workers’ compensation language into a broader Labor Code chapter so more first responders, including state and campus officers, could qualify for benefits; supporters called it a technical fix to extend coverage more evenly across agencies. The committee also heard several first-responder and workers’ compensation bills. HB 2369 would speed up claims handling for injured first responders by allowing a single medical evaluation, giving carriers 60 days to accept or deny a claim, and letting workers seek treatment while disputes proceed; law enforcement supporters said it would help injured officers return to work faster, while opponents warned it would revive extent-of-injury waiver problems and increase litigation. HB 4483 would reclassify certain workers’ compensation maintenance taxes as surcharges to reduce retaliatory taxes imposed by other states on Texas-domiciled carriers, and HB 875, as revised by committee substitute, would create a small-project exception to municipal workers’ compensation and bonding requirements for certain low-value construction contracts in small cities; both were presented as cost-saving measures for Texas employers and local governments. HB 4415 would extend anti-retaliation protections for workers’ compensation claimants from first responders to all public employees and expressly waive sovereign immunity for those claims, with supporters describing it as closing a loophole that leaves public workers without the same remedy available in the private sector. The committee also took testimony on HB 5400, which would expand remedies for sexual harassment victims by removing the requirement to first file an administrative charge, extending the filing deadline from 300 days to two years, clarifying retaliation, and eliminating current damages caps. Supporters, including employment lawyers and a parent of a victim, said the current deadlines and caps prevent many survivors from obtaining counsel or full relief, especially younger workers and those in small workplaces or franchises. Across the agenda, witnesses repeatedly emphasized access to care, fair treatment for injured workers, rural workforce development, and stronger protections for vulnerable employees. After each bill was laid out and testimony heard, the chair generally closed the public hearing and left the bill pending; no final votes were taken, and the subcommittee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Commissioner Schnell, uh, Madame Chair and members, beyond the second agency request this session is
• We can do regular testing, and Mr.
• This is one of the topic areas that keep me awake at night. we can uh we we do do regular testing we
• We did not request anything this session.
• We did not request anything this session.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:31:00.600> the dealing with autistic kids and the dealing with autistic kids and the regular
• 01.559> totally<00:31:02.080> different<00:31:03.080> uh<00:31:03.240> I regular
• kids are totally different uh I regular kids are totally different uh I I<00:31:03.600> don't
• targeted bill aimed at hearing some of the feedback you received from folks to see what can we do this session
• targeted bill aimed at hearing some of the feedback you received from folks to see what can we do this session

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In just last session, we passed into law allowing the fund balance of aid entitlement by removing this
• <00:29:17.159> we<00:29:17.320> passed years in just last session we passed years in
• just last session we passed into<00:29:17.840> law<00:29:18.080> allowing<00:29:18.440
• But one of the biggest reasons I asked... area the last sessions bill was a net area the last sessions
• show the end of session show the end of session forecast<01:24:36.239> and<01:24:36.480><

Bills: HF56, HF780

Keywords: HF56, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, Hutchinson Area Transportation Services, Hutchinson, McLeod County, transportation facility, vehicle storage, equipment storage, fueling facility, temperate storage, local infrastructure, public works, general obligation bonds, education finance, school funding, state aid, appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• or at the the deliberative session or at the deliberative<00:55:34.720> session<00:55:35.040>
• , public hearings and informal sessions, public hearings and informal sessions, not<01:24:49.520>
• deliberative session? deliberative session? >> I<04:24:21.359> have.
• <04:31:36.159> It's session. So, it's a huge problem. It's session.
• up for deliberative session up for deliberative session >> about<04:40:18.400> 10%.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if we can move into an executive session on this, I'll close the work session.
• open the work session on 1052.
• open the work session on 1052.
• I'll close the work session wonderful. I'll close the work session on<02:02:44.880> 1328.
• executive session on House Bill 1126. executive session on House Bill 1126.

Keywords: 1189, house, all