Transcript Highlights:

• Army Corps of Engineers on a daily basis, including this morning as recently.
• Army Corps of Engineers had potentially had discussions with as far as solicitations for interest in
• Army Corps of Engineers is in the acquisition process.
• Just candidly, I think historically, we do not have a good track record with the Army Corps of Engineers
• But I think the data that we have... a good track record with the Army Corps of Engineers on expediting

Summary: The joint hearing focused on preparedness for the New World screwworm threat and brought together the House Committees on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism and Agriculture and Livestock. USDA officials, Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, and Texas Animal Health Commission leadership described the pest as a serious risk to livestock, wildlife, rural economies, and beef prices, and emphasized coordination among federal, state, industry, and Mexican partners. Witnesses repeatedly stressed that Texas is currently seeing no confirmed U.S. detections, but that recent confirmed cases in northern Mexico, including Nuevo León, remain a concern because of their proximity to the border. USDA testimony outlined current surveillance and response efforts, including more than 120 screw worm-specific traps along the Texas border and neighboring states, thousands of additional dual-purpose traps, wildlife inspections, weekly coordination with Mexico’s Senasica, and a new USDA New World Screwworm Directorate. Officials said the existing Panama sterile fly facility is maxed out at about 100 million flies per week, while a dispersal facility in Tampico is helping move flies farther north in Mexico. They also described plans for a retrofitted sterile fly facility in Metapa, Mexico, expected to come online in 2026, and a new domestic production facility at Moore Air Base, with phase one targeted for late 2026 or early 2027 and phase two adding substantially more capacity later. Members pressed USDA on timelines, production capacity, the reliability of Mexican reporting, the risk from wildlife, and whether modular or mobile facilities could be deployed faster. USDA said it is also exploring innovative technologies, including a genetically engineered sterile male fly, but that such tools still require EPA review and field validation. Commissioner Miller highlighted Texas biosecurity efforts, five permanent inspection stations, cooperation with FDA and EPA on treatments such as Exzolt, and other pest issues affecting Texas agriculture. He also noted research into fly bait and private-sector efforts to speed sterile fly production. Texas Animal Health Commission officials described extensive state preparedness work, including weekly coordination calls, field response trainings, outreach to producers and veterinarians, and a Texas Screwworm Response Team. They said Texas has trained more than 100 inspectors and other personnel, with additional trainings planned, and that the state is expanding its cattle fever tick rider program. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing; the main action was the exchange of testimony and questions about readiness, surveillance, and facility timelines.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, Hannah Pritchard, I am an engineer with MnDOT's Office of Transit and Active Transportation.
• Um Hannah Pritchard, I am an engineer Um Hannah Pritchard, I am an engineer with<00:02:22.720>
• So, bike advocates and city officials, law enforcement, health care professionals have all expressed
• <01:05:20.359> have<01:05:20.480> all<01:05:20.600> expressed uh professionals
• <02:01:21.160> in the Society of Automotive Engineers in the Society of Automotive Engineers

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• they try to rent to somebody and they realize this is not for them and they do not want to be a professional
• not want to be a professional landlord. not want to be a professional landlord.
• 01:36:22.480> check inspection process, the those check inspection process, the those check engine
• lights that can cost thousands engine lights that can cost thousands and<01:36:24.880> thousands<
• And from my professional life, I can say the Census Bureau data is really good at the moment a lot of

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the framework, teachers must undergo intrusive, cult-like professional development as a condition
• intrusive cult-like professional intrusive cult-like professional development<00:08:47.640> as
• As social studies educators, we have been equipped through academic training and ongoing professional
• I think that's an insult to our schools and our teachers, who are professional professionals.
• parents teachers health professionals parents teachers health professionals and<01:27:18.280>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• with resident board members engineers with resident board members engineers and<00:07:47.440>
• The biggest change, in my opinion, was that they brought professionalism to our industry.
• They had professional management teams. They had new streets, new water, new electric.
• Professional industry they had Professional industry they had Professional Management<01:42:31.960
• new in investors were professionals new in investors were professionals those<01:42:39.520> investors

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Appropriate medical care by a responsible medical professional.
• Representative Engin said this shouldn't be a debate at all.
• Often, there is no medical professional. Please support the amendment.
• . professional.
• And it never specified if there were going to be medical professionals on site or not.

Transcript Highlights:

• What AB 2575 does is codify the guardrails necessary to ensure that human health care professionals are
• In those moments, nurses must be able to use our professional judgment to override inappropriate and
• What AB 2575 does is codify the guardrails necessary to ensure that human health care professionals are
• Medical professionals can and should use their professional judgment when using AI tools.
• Mitch Steiger with CFT, a union of educators and classified professionals, in support.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes ensuring reimbursement rates for mental health and physician and professional services
• Our professionals are burnt out and are leaving the field, which is further decreasing capacity.
• <01:04:44.680> company with two MTS a fire an engine company with two MTS a fire an engine
• requirements uh recruiting professionals requirements uh recruiting professionals especially<01:
• We also know that 80% of our counties qualify as mental health professional shortage areas, and only

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Revised Statute 37, COLA 701, and that would give him the ability to review architectural plans and engineering
• I have one from Barker-Durman with ACC Louisiana, and Ryan Haney with the Louisiana Engineering Society
• This bill also professionalizes the inspection process by requiring all inspectors to be licensed at
• regulatory actions and some disciplinary things clearly defined under the standard rules that the engineers

Bills: HCR66, HB387, HB617, HB797, HB950, HB975, HB1186, HB1222, HB1223, HB1228, HB1256

Keywords: economic development, rural communities, infrastructure, workforce training, Louisiana Economic Development, engineering, land surveying, construction, state fire marshal, plan review, hidden fees, junk fees, drip pricing, price transparency, mandatory fees, surcharges, consumer protection, unfair trade practices, advertising disclosures, total price

Summary: The Senate Commerce Committee met on April 20, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then heard a series of bills and resolutions. It first advanced H. CR 66, which directs Louisiana Economic Development, working with the Governor’s Office of Rural Development, to study rural parish economic assets, infrastructure, workforce, and development opportunities. The committee also moved HB 387, a clarification allowing the fire marshal to review architectural and engineering plans equally, and HB 1223, which seeks to promote clinical trials in Louisiana by having LED market the state’s research capacity and by adjusting internal review board procedures. HB 1228, a cleanup bill for hearing aid dealers that updates definitions, contracts, testing periods, licensing, and related requirements, was also reported favorably, as was HB 950, which would create an elderly consumer perception program through the Office of Elderly Affairs to help seniors recognize scams and fraud. The committee spent the most time on HB 617, a broad “hidden fees” consumer transparency bill. The author and supporters said it would require mandatory fees to be included in upfront pricing so consumers can make informed choices, while opponents from grocery, restaurant, hotel, housing, retail, and business groups argued the bill was vague, overly broad, and likely to create compliance burdens and litigation risk. Housing advocates objected to the bill’s housing exemption, warning it could weaken renters’ ability to bring claims over undisclosed fees. After extensive debate over variable pricing, sales taxes, enforcement, and the scope of the bill, Senator Morris moved to defer HB 617, and the committee agreed without objection. The committee also heard HB 797, which would create a “Bayou Gold” certification program for certain gold vendors and transactional gold products. The sponsor said the program would encourage vendors to keep gold insured, segregated, and closer to Louisiana consumers, with the Treasury administering the certification through participant fees. Several senators and an outside witness raised concerns that the state seal could be mistaken for an endorsement, could create liability or consumer confusion, and would favor a narrow set of vendors. Despite opposition, the committee reported HB 797 favorably, with members noting it still had to go to Finance. Later, the committee advanced HB 1186, which would create a more uniform statewide building code and licensing system for inspectors, add disciplinary authority, and impose a small permit fee to support the program, and HB 1222, which would let LED develop a grocery initiative to address food deserts and food insecurity. The meeting concluded with the committee hearing HB 1256 on abandoned digital assets, which would require dormant digital assets to be held in original form for three years so owners can reclaim them.

Transcript Highlights:

• They depend on engineered infrastructure like retaining tension basins, levees, and stormwater systems
• codes is essential, as more modern building codes make a reference to the American Society. of Civil Engineers
• My understanding from the maps that I've seen from a floodplain engineer, particularly for the camps
• camps from putting cabins in known flood zones, require real emergency plans that are vetted by professionals

Bills: HB48, HB 66, HB 68, HB71, HB75, HB164, HB171, HB254, SB 3, SB 18, HB123, HB149, HB117

Keywords: HB 48, Texas alert notification systems, emergency alerts, public warning systems, alert fatigue, notification fatigue, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Department of Public Safety, DPS alerts, emergency management, State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, STEAR, disaster notifications, weather alerts, Amber Alert, Silver Alert, Blue Alert, missing persons alerts, accessible alerts, hearing impaired

Transcript Highlights:

• At times, we serve as technical staff for them if they need IT support or technical support on engineering
• The next step is environmental remediation, the design, engineering, and we are slated to be on what's
• They've been just wonderful and they're professional in crossing the commercial traffic. So Mr.
• This means that we have two people in the locomotive: the engineer, who is actually at the controls operating

Transcript Highlights:

• disaster management cycle is an analytical framework that is commonly used by disaster management professionals
• generally begin with FEMA, but also can include the Environmental Protection Agency, Army Corps of Engineers
• Army Corps of Engineers for households that have opted in.
• EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers, is still leading the debris removal activities.

Summary: The committee heard a broad public safety budget hearing focused on youth justice funding, probation incentive grants, and disaster response and recovery. On the youth justice item, the Office of Youth and Community Restoration described a proposed change to the JJRBG funding formula that would shift resources away from a DJJ-based measure and toward county youth population, serious offenses, and step-down placements in less restrictive programs. Members asked about data on Native American youth; OYCR said statewide data are limited, but its SYTF data show about 1% of youth in secure youth treatment facilities were Native in 2024. The Department of Finance had no objections, and the item was discussed as a way to support alternatives to long-term incarceration. The committee then reviewed the community corrections performance incentive program for county probation departments. The Department of Finance proposed stabilizing the program with a maintenance payment, updating the performance baseline, and adding a growth factor; the LAO agreed the formula needed changes but recommended using 2022-23 data instead of 2021-23, using marginal rather than average cost assumptions, rejecting the growth payment and minimum guarantee, and adding stronger oversight through the BSCC. Finance said it was open to some technical changes but opposed a new BSCC audit framework, noting Judicial Council already surveys probation departments and that evidence-based practice use has increased over time. Members and staff indicated the proposal still needed further work. A major portion of the hearing focused on the January 2025 Southern California wildfires and state disaster response. A resident of Altadena gave emotional testimony about evacuation failures, loss of home, and the need for accountability. LAO and Cal OES outlined the disaster response and recovery system, including mutual aid, alert and warning, debris removal, FEMA and state funding streams, and the long timeline for reimbursement. Cal OES said it had pre-positioned resources, temporarily took over the county’s wireless emergency alert function for about three weeks, coordinated debris removal and recovery operations, and had already allocated more than $286 million in state funds. Officials also discussed the 100% federal cost share for emergency work for 180 days and the uncertainty created by changing federal processes and the cancellation of the BRIC resilience program. The committee also heard two smaller Cal OES items: a request to reappropriate about $22 million for the law enforcement mutual aid reimbursement program, which the LAO said should be placed in statute with clearer goals and reporting, and an update on Victims of Crime Act funding, where Cal OES said federal VOCA allocations have fallen sharply and that roughly $224 million would be needed to maintain current service levels if federal funding does not improve. Public comment included a request for funding to expand datacasting and emergency alert receivers for wildfire and earthquake warning.

Transcript Highlights:

• And please, please, dear Lord, let the lawyer help the engineer to understand the legal part of this.
• When the engineer speaks with lawyers, I feel like I'm at a disadvantage. I'm just not that smart.
• there's actually three million dollars that the Railroad Commission has analyzed with respect to the professional
• We had to go to two hearings, consisting of a total of six examiners, one of them having an engineering

Bills: HB3619, HB3652, HB4572, HB4891, HB4941, HB5103, HB5105, HB5106, HB5224, HB5600

Keywords: surface estate, well plugging, Railroad Commission, landowner rights, liability, strategic reserve, gas supply, petroleum products, disaster response, Railroad Commission of Texas, energy security, emergency planning, oil and gas waste, environmental regulation, waste management, mining pits, groundwater monitoring, regulation, commercial disposal facilities, environmental standards

Transcript Highlights:

• If that's the case, if the local government needs to get, whether it's engineers or others, to be able
• If that's the case, if the local government needs to get, whether it's engineers or others, to be able
• do we not think that we are tying the hands of local government who possibly need to get more professional

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills. SB 330, by Sen. Bradley, clarified the heart disease presumption for firefighters, law enforcement, and correctional officers, including allowing a prior physical exam to count if a transferring officer is not given a new one; an amendment declaring the act an important state interest was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. SB 594, by Sen. Burton, would make mobile home residents eligible for local housing assistance programs such as SHIP for lot rent and home repairs; it received supportive testimony from manufactured-home advocates and passed favorably. SB 840, by Sen. DeSigley, revised hurricane-related land-use restrictions from prior legislation by shortening the affected area from 100 miles to 50 miles, ending certain temporary limits on June 30, 2026, and exempting some water, flood, and state/federal planning matters; it passed favorably after supportive comments from local-government interests and members noting the need to fix unintended consequences of prior law. The committee also approved SB 526, by Sen. Grawe, which addresses no-damages-for-delay clauses in public construction contracts, creates a uniform commercial permit application, requires permit fee reductions when private providers are used, and adds mitigation to statewide product approval categories. County representatives testified with concerns about the contracting language, unfunded mandates, and fee reductions, but the bill passed favorably. SB 504, by Sen. Burgess, creates a statewide framework for code inspector body camera use, and SB 506, its linked public-records bill, exempts certain sensitive content from disclosure; both passed favorably with support from the sponsor and no opposition in committee. The most heavily debated measure was SB 354, by Chair McLean, which creates a “blue ribbon project” framework for very large developments that trade state preemption over local land-use regulation for reserving at least 60% of the land for conservation, agriculture, recreation, utilities, and related uses. The bill drew significant testimony from environmental groups, counties, smart-growth advocates, and local residents who argued it could weaken local control, reduce public review, and allow sprawl or inadequate infrastructure planning; supporters argued it could help address housing needs and preserve large amounts of land. The committee adopted two amendments clarifying reserve-area easements and requiring certain easements to be granted without charge, and the committee then reported the bill favorably, with some senators noting they supported it in concept but wanted further changes before later stops.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just had a county commissioner, a professional, an educated family speak to me about how it's killing
• they need to get some of these funds or get a direct build system built, or if they need help with engineering
• communities get some money so they can leverage other funding, or if they need help with permitting or engineering

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, I'll show you registered as Scott Stewart on behalf of the American Council of Engineering
• I represent the American Council of Engineering Companies of Texas. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• accomplish. that we must act now and in a very bold way this session. industry site selection professionals

Bills: HB 1089, HB 1163, HB 1177, HB 1238, HB1318, HB1400, HB1407, HB1532, HJR7, HJR7

Keywords: coastal protection, environmental management, Gulf Coast, storm risk management, funding, Texas General Land Office, healthcare, insurance reform, patient access, insurance regulation, affordable care, health insurance, consumer rights, coverage transparency, claims process, insurance regulations, aggregate production, environmental impact, financial responsibility, reclamation

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a licensed engineer in the state of Florida with a focus on water resources, a civil engineer with
• proactively and comprehensively managing risk and adhering to the highest ethical fiduciary and professional

Summary: The Government Operations Subcommittee met with a quorum and began with member introductions and remarks from the chair emphasizing the committee’s focus on government efficiency, accountability, and oversight of executive branch agencies. Members shared their districts and backgrounds, with several noting hurricane recovery in their communities and a shared interest in reducing bureaucracy and improving service to Floridians. The committee’s only presentation was from Chris Spencer, Executive Director of the State Board of Administration, who gave an overview of the SBA’s governance structure, investment responsibilities, and divestment policies. He explained the SBA’s management of more than $257 billion in assets, including the Florida Retirement System, the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, and Florida PRIME, and reviewed the Protecting Florida’s Investments Act restrictions covering Northern Ireland, Cuba, Venezuela, Israel, Sudan, Iran, and China. He also described the implementation of HB 7071, including the required divestment from direct holdings in Chinese companies, and said the SBA had reduced its direct Chinese holdings from 33 companies totaling over $172 million to 13 companies totaling about $64 million, with completion expected ahead of the September 1, 2025 deadline. Members asked detailed questions about the Israel boycott list, Morningstar and MSCI, how the SBA gathers information, whether Cuba’s federal designation changes affect Florida law, how companies are removed from scrutinized lists, and whether divestment timing could affect returns. Spencer said the SBA uses public and paid research sources, gives companies a 90-day cure period in some cases, and brings list changes to the trustees for approval. He also explained that the China benchmark change is intended to reduce passive exposure while still allowing active investment decisions, and said the PFIA restrictions have had a modestly positive overall effect on pension performance. The chair also asked about the Florida Retirement System funded ratio and the CAT Fund’s capacity; Spencer said the pension fund is at 80.7% funded, that actuarial assumptions are reviewed regularly, and that the CAT Fund currently has more than $10.5 billion in liquid claims-paying capacity and is expected to remain well positioned for hurricane losses. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Participants are introduced to the job training process, setting personal and professional goals while
• In my professional opinion, the students who participated in this first session weren't quite there yet
• <00:52:14.640> development have to be professional development have to be professional development
• As I sit before you today, I'm a full-time maintenance engineer with Hennepin County.
• a Ed full-time as a maintenance engineer a Ed full-time as a maintenance engineer with<01:36:55.400

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SF 818, a request for funding for the Block Builders Foundation, which provides financial literacy and job-readiness training for youth. Senator Fate and testifiers described a 12-week program covering budgeting, savings, banking, credit, debt, career exploration, job preparation, entrepreneurship, and mentorship. They said the program served youth ages 13 to 19, had expanded to multiple cohorts, and had produced graduation ceremonies and job placements. Testifiers also said the organization had transportation challenges and limited space, and that additional funding would help with staffing, participant support, and transportation partnerships. Committee members asked extensive questions about the program’s outcomes, funding sources, and finances. Block Builders said it had 40 graduates in the most recent cohort, with 30 placed in jobs, and that participants who complete the program receive a $500 stipend. The organization said it had been operating since 2023 in North and South Minneapolis, had received $50,000 from the state previously, and raised additional community support. Members also asked about IRS filing status, audits, and how outcomes were measured; the organization said outcomes were tracked through graduation and certificates, and that it had not yet filed a 990 because it had not reached the threshold. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion, with committee members noting the current language makes the appropriation available only through June 30, 2026 unless amended. The committee then began hearing SF 927. An A1 technical amendment was adopted without objection. Senator Pappas introduced the bill, which would appropriate $1.5 million to the Mung American Partnership for workforce development and business lending. The transcript cuts off before further testimony or committee action on SF 927.

Transcript Highlights:

• I understand how OSHA Engineers Union.
• ironic about that is if you went 49 miles and you went to Durango, Colorado, they've got a steam engine
• Colorado, they've got a steam engine Colorado, they've got a steam engine train<01:55:04.000>
• to the companies and the economic engine to the companies and the economic engine of<03:12:39.680
• <03:12:46.560> without spokes of that economic engine without spokes of that economic engine

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, our various types of businesses have professional associations. That challenge.
• That cost that developer a whole lot of money in wait time and engineering fees.
• That cost that developer a whole lot of money in wait time and engineering fees.
• In the case of the septic permit, six months in, when the engineer went in to say, 'What's the status
• I frequently—I was, my undergraduate degree is in aerospace engineering—and so there is this concept

Keywords: 1184, house, all