Transcript Highlights:

• 00:16:17.680> state<00:16:17.920> department<00:16:18.160> of<00:16:18.320> ed
• <00:16:18.639> already with what state department of ed already with what state department
• of ed already has<00:16:19.120> in<00:16:19.279> place.
• /c><00:16:28.880> policy<00:16:29.279> has<00:16:29.680> any hear if our chair ed
• policy has any hear if our chair ed policy has any thoughts<00:16:30.240> on<00:16:30.480>

Bills: HB517, HB520, HB233, HB354, HB517, HB520, HB233, HB354

Keywords: underground damage prevention, one-call notification system, utility locating, excavation safety, dig safe, call before you dig, 811, utility lines, underground utilities, pipeline safety, gas pipeline, electric utility, telecommunications, water utility, wastewater, cable television, locate request, premark, tolerance zone, positive response

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair calls Ed McCarthy, Raul Sassine, and Cyrus Reed. Good morning, Ed.
• Ed McCarthy. Ed McCarthy. Let's just go ahead and start with you, Ed, and start two minutes.
• My name is Ed McCarthy.

Bills: SB863, SB1190, SB1261, SB1413, SB1624, SB1662, SB1663, SB1855, SB1967, SB2124, SB2204, SB1623

Keywords: Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, water loss, municipally owned utilities, Texas Water Development Board, administrative penalties, water audit, water infrastructure, water supply, state water plan, water management strategies, water financing, municipal bonds, revenue bonds, public debt, obligations, TWDB

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs heard several water-related bills, with testimony focused on drinking water quality, groundwater contamination notice, flood infrastructure funding, water rights conservation, and utility service areas. SB 1662 would limit TCEQ’s advance notice to public water systems to no more than 24 hours before testing after a consumer complaint, to reduce the chance of temporary treatment affecting results. SB 1663 would allow TCEQ to notify private well owners, groundwater conservation districts, and nearby residents by direct means about known groundwater contamination, rather than relying mainly on first-class mail and annual reporting. SB 2124 would move the deadline for publishing the Texas Groundwater Protection Committee’s annual report from April 1 to June 1. Witnesses on the first two bills described long-running water quality problems and delayed notice in their communities and supported the measures. No opposition was recorded, and each bill was left pending for a later vote. The committee also heard SB 1967, which would expand eligibility for Flood Infrastructure Fund financing to multipurpose projects that both reduce flooding and create water supply. Senator Hinojosa and Hidalgo County representatives described the Delta Reclamation Project as a shovel-ready example that would capture flood and drainage water, treat it, and produce new potable supply while also providing detention and flood mitigation. A Sierra Club witness also supported the bill, saying such projects could help manage floodwaters and reduce polluted discharges to bays and estuaries. The bill was left pending. A lengthy and divided discussion followed on SB 1413, which would expand the streamlined expedited release process for landowners seeking removal from a water or sewer CCN in additional counties. Senator Nichols said the bill was a property-rights measure aimed at legacy monopolies and bad actors who use CCNs to hold landowners hostage, while supporters described cases where developers could not get timely service, including fire flow, or were asked to fund infrastructure without reasonable recoupment. Opponents from rural water corporations and utility associations argued the bill would undermine investment in water infrastructure, strand debt, and weaken the return on planned expansion. PUC and TCEQ resource witnesses explained that compensation is handled case by case through appraisal and can include stranded costs, planning, design, construction, and some legal fees, but members noted the statute is unclear and discussed possible committee substitute language. Public testimony was closed with the bill left pending. Later, SB 1624 would allow the Texas Water Trust within the Texas Water Bank to hold donated water rights for conservation purposes and protect them from use-it-or-lose-it cancellation, and SB 863 would address Edwards Aquifer utilities that straddle the aquifer boundary by allowing them to continue using Edwards water within their certificated areas under specified conditions. Both bills were laid out, received no public opposition in the hearing, and were left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a reminder, we will have a walk-through of the A3 Ed Policy Omnibus proposal.
• As a reminder, we will have a walk-through of the A3 Ed Policy Omnibus proposal.
• Thank you. >> And I just want to, on behalf of Ed Policy, Mr.
• on behalf of Ed Policy, Mr. Mr. on behalf of Ed Policy, Mr. Mr.
• I would like to encourage, um, Ed today.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Vice Chair, members of the committee, my name is Martin R.
• Chair, Vice Chair, members of the committee, my name is Martin R.
• Chair, Vice Chair, members of the committee, my name is Martin R.
• Robin Martin in support on Zoom.
• Robin Martin.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Getting the budget to hire an ED. Yes. Thank you, Tanya. Absolutely. Huge. Lynn.
• How did we get an ED? How did we get a website developed?
• How did we get an ED? How did we get a website developed?
• How did we get an ED? How did we get a website developed?

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Aging opened its March quarterly meeting by welcoming Alison Bauer as its first full-time director, effective March 30. Bauer briefly introduced her background in law, social work, public health, state government, philanthropy, and teaching, and said she planned to meet one-on-one with each commissioner. The commission then approved the December quarterly meeting minutes by motion and vote. The main portion of the meeting was a workshop led by Adriana Boulin on diversity, equity, inclusion, power, belonging, and intersectionality. Boulin defined key terms, guided participants through reflection exercises on personal values and conditions that support or undermine power, and discussed the history of intersectionality. Commissioners and guests shared examples of DEI work, including listening sessions, inclusive trainings, equitable hiring, LGBTQ+ aging advocacy, and community programs. Participants also reflected on how the commission has felt powerful, citing the strategic plan, the hiring of an executive director, the website, listening sessions, and passage of the LGBTQI+ and HIV long-term care bill of rights. The group then focused on how to apply an equity lens to the commission’s strategic priorities, especially improving representation and inclusion. Commissioners discussed the need for more racial, ethnic, trans, immigrant, and other marginalized representation, as well as barriers such as recruitment challenges, the size of the commission, and CORI/background-check concerns for some governor-appointed seats. They also explored whether an advisory board or expanded outreach to community organizations could help broaden participation. No formal votes or final actions were taken beyond approving the minutes, but the meeting ended with agreement to continue the equity work and with the next quarterly meeting scheduled for June.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> [clears throat] So we had some communication in the fiscal note that maybe the Department of Ed
• 16.720> of fiscal note that maybe the department of fiscal note that maybe the department of Ed
• :18.000> that<00:06:18.120> they<00:06:18.160> don't<00:06:18.400> need Ed
• think thinks that they don't need Ed think thinks that they don't need need<00:06:19.000> this.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's no surprise to teachers trying to figure out how to make do, especially around special ed, with
• 39.040> especially<00:03:39.360> around<00:03:39.680> special<00:03:40.080> ed
• make do, especially around special ed make do, especially around special ed with<00:03:40.640>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting centered on Minnesota’s budget outlook, with the governor and budget officials saying the state remains in a stronger fiscal position than expected despite national economic uncertainty. He emphasized that Minnesota has a surplus, historic rainy-day funds, and continued economic growth, and said the administration plans to continue budgeting over the horizon, using inflation assumptions and long-term planning to avoid abrupt cuts. He also defended last year’s budget compromises and said another budget proposal would be released early next year. A major theme was the governor’s criticism of President Trump and federal actions, which he said were creating economic chaos and harming Minnesotans. He condemned Trump’s comments about Somali Minnesotans and the state, called them racist and dangerous, and argued that elected officials should denounce such rhetoric. He also raised concerns about federal immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota, saying masked agents were causing fear and confusion and that state and local law enforcement lacked communication from federal authorities. The governor and commissioners also discussed fraud in state programs, saying the state has paused certain programs for 90 days and brought in independent forensic auditors to determine the scope of losses. He said the administration is using new stop-payment authority and referrals to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to prevent and prosecute fraud, while avoiding broad cuts to programs that help children, families, and vulnerable Minnesotans. In response to questions, he said the fraud total is not yet known, the audit should conclude around the end of January, and the state will use the findings to add safeguards and address program growth and health care cost pressures in the upcoming session.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 912 seeks to modernize the outdated paper-based continuing ed tracking systems currently used by the
• SB 912 would direct state healthcare licensing agencies to modernize their continuing ed tracking systems
• standards and ensures that only information directly related to a licensee's compliance with continuing ed
• The, the TDLR tracks licenses across the state in, in this case, but they don't track continuing ed credits

Transcript Highlights:

• for our community colleges so the concept here is maybe we try the same thing for traditional higher ed
• bills that the state has been doing at the K through 12, where we're increasing, we're doing the bad ed
• problems now since we're going to be looking at a population of people who feel prepared to go to higher ed
• Explicitly authorizes higher ed institutions to provide self-funded health benefits. something the insurance

Bills: SB530, SB757, SB769, SB1085, SB1241, SB1242, SB1409, SB1878, SB2138, SB2314, SB2231, SB2361, SB2431, SJR59

Keywords: accreditation, postsecondary education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, program delivery, faculty recruitment, higher education, performance standards, student loan debt, degree programs, funding, students with disabilities, accessibility, enrollment, report, SB 1085, Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande College, Del Rio

Transcript Highlights:

• I currently represent Ed Couch, ELSA ISD, as one example in one of these matters.
• The insurance companies then sued Ed Couch in New York and got a New York federal judge to appoint a
• He even wrote that Ed Couch could enjoy a cost savings by forcing school officials to do the traveling
• Now in this school district, Ed Couch, it costs, on average, about $12,000 to educate each student each

Bills: SB388, SB455, SB917, SB925, SB1006

Keywords: dispatchable generation, electricity, natural gas, ERCOT, energy credits, utilities regulation, renewable energy, arbitration, insurance contracts, surplus lines, Texas law, insurance policy, boiler inspection, boiler safety, inspection report deadline, certificate inspection, authorized inspector, inspection agency, Health and Safety Code, board of boiler rules

Transcript Highlights:

• guess it's it's a challenge for the district's pain recapture when they are underfunded for special ed
• it, but is there a gap between in the statewide a gap between what districts are spending on special ed
• They have to be identified as special ed.
• item on this subject and then the conversation Representative Gonzales and I had about the Special Ed

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ed Noh, Executive Director of the Charter School Commission.
• > Good afternoon, chair, vice chair, Good afternoon, chair, vice chair, committee.<00:34:00.240> Ed
• Ed no, executive director of committee.
• Ed no, executive director of the<00:34:01.679> charter<00:34:01.919> school<00:34:02.159
• So this measure ensures that the ED is So this measure ensures that the ED is thoroughly<01:14:23.679

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Education met on March 19 and moved through several bills under time pressure, hearing mostly brief testimony. SB 2024 SD2 and SB 896 SD2, both concerning public-private partnerships for charter school facilities, drew support from the Department of Education, the Charter School Commission, White Kids Can, and Hawaii Technology Academy. DOE said any P3 model should apply only to charter schools on private land and not affect public schools on DOE land. Supporters argued the approach could speed construction, reduce costs, and keep public money in public assets, while UPW and HGA raised concerns about privatization. In response, SFA said the intent was to mirror the existing conversion charter school model, with public ownership of assets and unionized staff, and noted some regions have waited years for schools. SB 2613 SD1 on TMK transfers was heard next. DOE said the bill had originally been supported as part of the governor’s package but was amended to require DOE to convey lands for 13 libraries on DOE property, which DOE said would create “donut holes” in campuses and was unnecessary because existing agreements already govern library use. The State Public Library System supported the bill, saying it has long coexisted with DOE but needs clearer separation and more reliable control over its sites. The Attorney General’s office said the library system currently lacks express statutory authority to own real property and flagged implementation issues because some of the affected parcels are not currently owned by DOE. Committee members questioned both sides about current agreements, communication, and how the bill would change operations. SB 494 SD2, concerning charter school audits, received comments from the Charter School Commission, which said the bill was redundant because charter schools already undergo annual audits during the term of their contracts. The Office of the Auditor was also present. SB 2391 SD2, relating to automatic pay increases for teachers, drew strong opposition from the Office of Collective Bargaining, which said step movement and longevity increases are negotiated in each contract and do not automatically carry over when a contract expires; it warned the bill could affect upcoming negotiations with HSTA. HSTA and several other supporters argued the bill would standardize annual step movement, improve retention, and reflect existing contract language. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And a level four is basically different from a regular ED. It's structured.
• basically different from a regular ED. basically different from a regular ED.
• That's what's different from a trauma center versus a regular ED. That's important.
• They have to prove themselves before they are given the right to do this lead in an ED as the trauma
• <00:46:08.800> as<00:46:09.119> the right to do this lead in an ED as the right to

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled several referred administrative regulations, including a package from the Board of Respiratory Care described as a substantive housekeeping update to its regulations and incorporated materials. There were no questions from members, and the committee also heard from the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, which was present in case questions arose but did not require action. Members then took up an amendment to the state health plan for facilities and services, specifically 900 KAR 5:02. Wesley Duke explained that a previously proposed criteria related to mega-voltage requirements, originally suggested by the Kentucky Hospital Association, was now being removed because the association no longer considered it necessary. The committee moved to accept the agency amendment, with a motion and second, and approved it without opposition. The committee next considered Senate Joint Resolution 23, a “food is medicine” resolution sponsored by Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer. Supporters from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Kentucky Hospital Association described the initiative as a voluntary, statewide effort already adopted by 52 hospitals, aimed at improving patient health while supporting Kentucky farmers and local food systems. Members discussed access to healthy food, grocery-store availability, school nutrition, and the need to reduce barriers to local procurement; the resolution was adopted unanimously after a roll call vote, with one senator briefly explaining a late vote due to weather. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 12, which would allow mid-level practitioners to serve as the leader of a Level IV trauma center under physician direction. The sponsor and witnesses from Appalachian Regional Healthcare argued the change would help address rural trauma-care shortages, align with national standards, and improve access without changing scope of practice or other trauma-center requirements. Several members raised questions and comments about rural access, liability, costs, and the broader health impacts, but no vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• state<00:19:15.200> uh<00:19:15.600> board<00:19:15.760> of<00:19:15.919> ed
• giving props to the state uh board of ed giving props to the state uh board of ed or<00:19:16.400
• My school districts make some payments to charter schools to pay for special ed services for our students
• My school districts make some payments to charter schools to pay for special ed services for our students
• My school districts make some payments to charter schools to pay for special ed services for our students

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• as well but I probably go to higher ed as well but I don't<00:59:02.240> serve<00:59:02.480><
• c> on<00:59:02.640> higher<00:59:02.920> ed<00:59:03.119> so<00:59:03.280>
• > that's<00:59:03.440> not<00:59:03.559> a don't serve on higher ed so that's not a
• don't serve on higher ed so that's not a motion<00:59:03.960> I<00:59:04.119> would<00
• discussion would should also higher ed discussion would should also be<00:59:12.720> warranted

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HR1 eliminated the SNAP Ed further.
• But then we were told on 10/1 to pause SNAP Ed operations due to the federal shutdown.
• So, currently, our SNAP Ed operations are paused.
• <01:18:49.880> We're SNAP Ed operations are paused. We're SNAP Ed operations are paused.
• My son has a special ed degree, and he wasn't taught anything about fetal alcohol.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its September 24 meeting after a motion and second. It then heard a presentation from New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Secretary Elizabeth Gragensky on that state’s early childhood system and planned universal child care rollout. She described how New Mexico consolidated multiple prenatal-to-age-five programs into a cabinet-level department, expanded pre-K to a longer day, and uses a cost model to set reimbursement rates intended to cover true provider costs, including wages, benefits, occupancy, food, and reserves. She also said the state created an Early Childhood Trust Fund and secured a constitutional amendment to dedicate 0.60% of the land grant permanent fund to early care and education, with the department’s budget growing from about $400 million in 2021 to just under $1 billion this year. Gragensky said families can begin applying for universal child care on November 1, with participation voluntary for both families and providers. She reported that New Mexico is aiming to expand capacity by adding 1,000 registered home providers, 120 group homes, and about 55 more centers, supported in part by a $13 million low-interest loan fund and a request for an additional $20 million. She said the state has seen growth in early childhood professionals, including a 64% increase over the last three to four years, and pointed to reported outcomes such as a 21% increase in literacy and a 75% kindergarten readiness rate, while noting that some measures are new and baseline comparisons are still being developed. Members asked about the funding sources, provider profitability, workforce development, and measurable outcomes. Gragensky said the program is designed to support provider sustainability through rates tied to true cost and includes allowances for sick leave, vacation, benefits, and reserves. She also said maternal labor force participation is 10% higher than the national rate and attributed that in part to child care access. The committee then moved to a separate presentation by Department for Community Based Services Commissioner Lisa Dennis and Division of Family Support Director Roger McCann on anticipated cuts to TANF and SNAP, beginning with an overview of TANF as a federal block grant with a fixed annual Kentucky allocation of about $180.7 million.

Transcript Highlights:

• they can—we can do some work behind the scenes to strengthen that and make adjustments in the Higher Ed
• committee um f one last the higher ed committee um f one last Quick<01:25:10.360> progam<01:25
• I'm Ed Schultz, President and CEO of Hawaiian Host Group.
• first I committee chair and vice chair first I committee chair and vice chair I'm<01:39:33.880> Ed
• Schultz president and CEO of I'm Ed Schultz president and CEO of Hawaiian<01:39:36.000> host<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint House Agriculture and Food Systems and Tourism hearing focused on HB 189 and HB 966, both dealing with agricultural tourism. HB 189 would require counties to adopt ordinances governing review and permitting of agricultural tourism as secondary uses on working farms, require the principal agricultural use to pre-exist any tourism-related permit, and limit ag tourism to land where productive agriculture is occurring. HB 966 would create statewide uniform standards for agricultural tourism, require county registration of activities, require ag tourism to coexist with agricultural activity on a farming operation, and end the tourism use when agricultural activity ceases. Testimony on HB 189 was mixed. The Department of Agriculture and Kualoa Ranch opposed the bill, arguing that the proposed restrictions and income-based limits could burden bona fide farms and ranches, reduce flexibility for counties, and harm food production, jobs, and diversification efforts. Kualoa Ranch said ag tourism supports its food sales and community market and warned the bill could cost more than 350 jobs. The Hawaiʻi Cattlemen’s Council also opposed the measure for similar reasons. The Hawaiʻi Farmers Union supported the bill with suggested amendments, including clearer language around agricultural dedication. The Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau supported the intent of the bill but urged caution, saying ag tourism should remain tied to actual agricultural production and that counties need flexibility to address abuses without imposing overly rigid standards. Members discussed how to define a bona fide agricultural operation and whether property tax agricultural dedication could serve as a clearer qualifier. They also raised concerns about how counties would enforce revenue thresholds or separate accounting for tourism and farm income, and whether state law should better target clearly non-agricultural uses such as gondolas or other abusive developments. The Department of Agriculture and Farm Bureau said counties already have authority to regulate ag tourism through ordinances, but that any new standards should avoid unintended burdens on true farmers and ranchers. HB 966 was then introduced, and initial testimony again reflected support for the bill’s intent from some agricultural groups and opposition or caution from others. Kualoa Ranch said ag tourism can help educate visitors and support agriculture, the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union supported county flexibility, and the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau reiterated concerns about the bill’s income comparison provisions and the need to distinguish legitimate agricultural tourism from misuse. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• behalf of a constituent special ed behalf of a constituent special ed Advocate<01:01:50.000>
• district or with the Department of Ed district or with the Department of Ed and<04:09:08.279>
• 306 rules, and I spent 12 years on a school board and I never heard of the Ed 306 rules.
• <04:21:24.560> 306 changes to what are called The Ed 306 changes to what are called The Ed
• <04:21:29.399> 306 board and I never heard of the Ed 306 board and I never heard of the Ed

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Children and Family Law Committee opened a hearing on House Bill 285, which would add language to the parental rights and responsibilities statute directing judges to consider known mental health or medical conditions that could affect parenting. Representative Ball, the bill’s sponsor, said the intent was not to require disclosure of private records, but to give judges a reminder to ask whether anything in a parent’s condition could interfere with parenting and to help ensure children’s safety and best interests, especially in high-conflict or pro se family court cases. He said the proposal was meant as a guardrail and not as a way to reduce parenting time or take children from parents. Committee members questioned whether the existing best-interest factors already cover parenting ability, whether the new language could invite stigma or weaponization in custody disputes, and whether judges already have authority to ask these questions. Ball responded that judges often do not ask, that family court can be difficult for unrepresented parties, and that the language would simply make the issue explicit. He also said he would be open to amendments, including language that more directly instructs judges to ask the question. One member raised concerns about whether the bill should say judges “shall” ask rather than “may,” and Ball said he was willing to work with the committee on wording. Sarah Horn, a NAMI New Hampshire board member and parent, testified in opposition. She described her own history with OCD, ADD, PTSD, hospitalization, and recovery, and said mental illness had not harmed her ability to parent; she warned the bill could increase stigma and discourage people from seeking treatment. In response, Ball said her testimony was part of why he had considered an amendment to include physical health as well, so the bill would not single out mental health. The hearing ended without a vote in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• My brother was a special ed teacher. My sisters special ed teachers.

Keywords: Department of Education, Ms. McMahon, educational reform, public testimony, federal responsibilities, local governance

Summary: The meeting of the legislative committee encompassed discussions on key bills including HB22, SB4, and HB2214, with significant focus on the implications surrounding the Department of Education. Members expressed varying opinions on the nomination of Ms. McMahon to lead the department, underlining the need for reform and accountability. The committee witnessed passionate exchanges regarding educational values and the responsibilities of the federal government versus local authorities. Public testimonies contributed to the discussions, highlighting the community's concerns about educational policies and their impact on students from diverse backgrounds.

Transcript Highlights:

• all have in your packet a copy of a draft consultant services agreement between the Bureau and Work Ed
• Attachment A to this contract sets out the statement of work that Work Ed would perform for this subcommittee
• Work Ed has set out their fees and estimated expenses in Attachment B to the contract.

Keywords: 1204, all