Video & Transcript : 'Alabama Department of Insurance' :
Page 126 of 500
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Department of Research and Development, Department of Research and Development, they<00:05:25.039><c>
- </c> Department of Agriculture the same Department of Agriculture the same authority<00:30:37.120><c>
- </c> testifying on depart on behalf of the testifying on depart on behalf of the Department<00:43:53.119
- </c><00:58:36.799><c> of</c> EPA and the local Department of EPA and the local Department of Agriculture
- </c> [clears throat] the Department of [clears throat] the Department of Agriculture<01:28:29.280><c>
Committee:
Senate Agriculture and Environment
Keywords:
agriculture, aquaculture, livestock, agribusiness, Department of Agriculture, regulatory functions, employee benefits, restorative practices, sustainability, environmental stewardship, local food systems, Native Hawaiian, workforce development, agricultural development, Hawaii Island, property manager, state employment, SB3320, Hawaii, Agribusiness Development Corporation
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on SP 2350, which would transfer oversight of the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Development Division and the aquaculture and livestock support services branch to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. The Department of Agriculture and ADC both testified, with ADC opposing the bill as written while supporting the goal of strengthening agriculture. ADC said the transfer could create federal operational and coordination risks, jeopardize federal funding and program continuity, and was unnecessary because ADC is a business development entity, not a regulatory agency. The Hawaii Farmers Union also expressed concern that moving the programs could weaken the department’s ability to access federal resources, while the Hawaii Farm Bureau submitted written testimony and the Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association and H-Plan were noted as supporting the measure; the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council was noted as opposing it.
Much of the discussion focused on aquaculture’s economic potential and the role of regulation, permitting, and funding. Committee members questioned why aquaculture had not grown faster, citing current gross revenues of about $66 million last year, a prior high of $82 million, and a possible long-term target of $500 million. Testimony identified permitting and feed costs as major barriers, along with market conditions and water quality issues affecting producers. ADC described ongoing efforts on feed development, permitting streamlining, coastal-state collaboration on seaweed and restorative aquaculture, and national advocacy for more parity in seafood import standards.
Members also pressed the Department of Agriculture on its leadership and priorities, criticizing the lack of bills and resources dedicated to aquaculture and asking whether the department should have more authority to pursue land purchases and development opportunities. The department said it relies on divisions and industry feedback for bill ideas, noted it funds an annual aquaculture survey, and said it was pursuing congressional earmarks and other funding for aquaculture parks, research, and export/import issues. ADC said it would work with the department if the bill passed, but that its current statute does not give it regulatory authority and any such change would require a statutory amendment.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- This replaces the Department of Labor Industrial Relations with the Department of Law Enforcement as
- </c> Department of Accounting and General Department of Accounting and General Services.<00:12:53.279
- of the other<00:14:09.680><c> departments.
- > Office</c> Department of Attorney General's Office Department of Attorney General's Office with<01:
- > department</c><01:10:20.560><c> of</c><01:10:20.719><c> accounting</c> director of the department of
Committee:
House Labor
Keywords:
workforce development, craftspersons, skilled trades, artisan, craftsmanship, trade recognition, award program, DLIR, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Meilleur Ouvrier de France, vocational education, career pathways, cultural preservation, workforce excellence, apprenticeship, Hawaii trades, economic diversification, public nominations, governor awards, historically significant venue
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, published by the United States Department of
- I'm the General Counsel for the Department of Finance and Administration.
- , Secretary of State, and cybersecurity at the Department of Information Technology.
- Were there discussions in terms of what that estimate might be with the Department of Environment?
- There were a number of other initiatives that CTE, that the department was funding out of that pot of
Committee:
Senate House Appropriations & Finance
Keywords:
general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, auditing, financial reporting, state auditor, public agencies, capital outlay, compliance, federal audits, agriculture, New Mexico Department of Agriculture, fee update, regulatory fees, egg inspection, egg grading, egg dealer, pesticide control
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 143, which would raise caps on certain agriculture fees so they can keep pace with inflation. Senator Woods explained that the bill only adjusts fee ceilings, not automatic increases, and an amendment was adopted to tie the caps to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the U.S. Department of Labor. There was no public support or opposition testimony, and the bill was then passed on an 8-0 do-pass vote, with several members excused.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 145, which would change the state audit system by raising thresholds for smaller local public bodies and creating a statewide federal single audit for state agencies. The State Auditor and DFA said the bill was intended to streamline audits, reduce delays, and align New Mexico with federal rules and other states, but multiple CPA and audit witnesses opposed the statewide single-audit concept, warning it could reduce transparency, weaken accountability, and increase the risk of fraud, waste, and abuse. Committee members pressed for clarification on how the audit structure would work, which agencies would be covered, and whether DFA or independent auditors would conduct the work; the sponsors said amendments were needed to clarify the bill and remove problematic language, including the appropriation and references to gifts and donations. The committee adopted an amendment striking the appropriation language and then continued questioning without taking final action in the excerpt.
The final portion of the meeting shifted to the House Bill 2 budget presentation. Committee members reviewed the Senate Finance version of the budget, which included about a 2.7% increase in recurring spending, 30% reserves, and major investments in health care affordability, early childhood, public education, housing, clean energy, water, and agriculture-related priorities. Members asked about water testing needs, water settlement funding, career technical education funding, and the contingency fund/disaster reserve structure. The presenters said some items still needed technical work and that additional adjustments would be made before final passage.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Early Learning & Human Services Jan 21st, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Early Learning & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- After the juvenile has served at least six months in the custody of DCYF, the Department of Children,
- the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to develop rules for the rated bed capacity of juvenile
- in adult court to the custody of the Department of Corrections when continued placement of the person
- in adult court to the custody of the Department of Corrections when continued placement of the person
- To the custody of the Department of Corrections when continued placement of the person in that DCYF facility
Committee:
House Early Learning & Human Services
Keywords:
juvenile justice, youth sentencing, juvenile rehabilitation, DCYF, Department of Children Youth and Families, community supervision, community transition services, suspended disposition, less restrictive alternative, sentencing grid, juvenile confinement, juvenile prison, rehabilitation, recidivism, mental health treatment, substance use disorder, chemical dependency, trauma-informed care, racial disparities, equity
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture & Natural Resources Jan 20th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- By way of brief background, in 2019, the legislature established a process for the Department of Ecology
- The Department of Agriculture has a variety of responsibilities related...
- The Department of Agriculture has a variety of responsibilities related to the regulation of fertilizers
- as required by the Department of Agriculture.
- Department of Agriculture to our local food security system.
Committee:
House Agriculture & Natural Resources
Keywords:
PFAS chemicals, agriculture, environmental impact, regulation, food safety, farmers, food security, Washington, support for farmers, cannabis, cooperatives, marijuana industry, HB 2238, HB2238, statewide food security, food security strategy, hunger, food insecurity, food access, food assistance
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment & Energy Jan 19th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Environment & Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- According to the Department of Ecology's own 2022 study, nearly 38 million pounds of litter accumulate
- The Department of Ecology is authorized to adopt rules.
- I'm Kimberly Getz here on behalf of the Department of Ecology on House Bill 2421.
- We support the programs that the Department of Ecology, the Department of Natural Resources— ...them
- We support the programs that the Department of Ecology, the Department of Natural Resources—I think the
Committee:
House Environment & Energy
Keywords:
6PPD, tires, environmental impact, public health, chemical regulation, HB1652, Salish Sea Protection and Marine Clean Fuels Act, marine fuel, low-sulfur fuel, sulfur emissions, ocean-going vessels, shipping, maritime pollution, air quality, particulate matter, Department of Ecology, port visit, regulated waters, fuel switching, vessel emissions
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- WSDOT and the Oregon Department of Transportation, or ODOT, sponsor the...
- The Department of Transportation is in the unique position among state agencies of being a retail service
- There is no requirement in law for the Department of Licensing to replace license plates free of charge
- I met with the Department of Licensing and found out it cost the state $6.76 for a set of plates.
- I met with the Department of Licensing and found out it cost the state $6.76 for a set of plates, and
Committee:
House Transportation
Keywords:
transportation improvement board, TIB, transportation improvement account, motor vehicle fund, arterial streets, local match, private match, grant funding, transportation grants, county roads, city streets, transportation benefit district, urban county, small city program, active transportation, pedestrian, bicycle, bike routes, transit, public transit
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Early Learning & Human Services Jan 13th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Early Learning & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- By way of background, the Office of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection Programs within the Department
- The Advisory Committee is staffed by the Department of Commerce.
- And I think that, to me, this is a great model of requiring agencies within the different departments
- So, and— Each of the departments, but not necessarily coordinating with each other.
- the Department of Health.
Committee:
House Early Learning & Human Services
Keywords:
homelessness, youth programs, advisory committee, prevention, protection, developmental disabilities, residential settings, data access, safety, stability, community oversight, residential services, regulation, service providers, monitoring, HB 2319, residential habilitation center, state school renaming, Rainier School, Firecrest School
NV
Transcript Highlights:
- My specialty, for 17 of the 35 years I worked for a department, was technical rescue. Thank you.
- I worked for a department for 35 years, for 17 of those years. My specialty was technical rescue.
- a problem within the jurisdiction of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
- a problem within the jurisdiction of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
- jurisdiction of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Committee:
Assembly Judiciary
Keywords:
elderly, vulnerable persons, criminal penalties, theft, civil penalties, criminal justice reform, traffic stops, law enforcement, data recording, public safety, racial profiling, SB323, Nevada, Department of Corrections, offenders, inmates, incarcerated people, prison phone calls, free phone calls, family communication
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I work for the City of Minneapolis Water Department.
- He works at the Department of Disabled American Veterans now.
- This initiative is supported by funds from the legislature and the Department of Agriculture, aiming
- This initiative is supported by funds from the legislature and the Department of Agriculture, aiming
- </c> from the legislature and the Department from the legislature and the Department of<00:24:35.360>
Keywords:
HF1439, Minnesota Grocers Association Foundation, Carts to Careers, workforce development fund, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, grocery industry, food industry, food retail, retail workforce, job training, career pathways, scholarships, certifications, workforce pipeline, one-time appropriation, industry training, labor shortage, youth employment, apprenticeship
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 3/3/25
Transportation Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><01:00:04.559><c> of</c> the depart uh for the Department of the depart uh for the Department of
- Department does own facilities over Interstate right-of-way.
- ><c> Minnesota</c><01:27:06.239><c> Department</c><01:27:06.960><c> of</c> the Minnesota Department of
- with the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
- the Department of Transportation.
Committee:
House Transportation Finance and Policy
Keywords:
Minnesota income tax, dependent exemption, personal income tax, tax relief, family tax relief, children, dependents, tax deduction, tax exemption, state revenue, inflation indexing, tax year 2025, taxable income, household tax policy, family tax credit, HF268, Joshua Schmidt Memorial Highway, memorial highway, highway naming, road designation
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Local Government Jan 22nd, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- The Department of Fish and Wildlife issues HPAs to ensure proper protection of fish life.
- The Department of Fish and Wildlife may, after consultation The Department of Fish and Wildlife may,
- To obtain an emergency HPA, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the county legislative authority, or
- This bill provides that a permittee of an HPA may apply to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for an
- State Department of Fish and Wildlife to inventory our county-owned fish barriers.
Bills:
SB6132 , SB6181 , SB6154 , SB6189 , SB5903 , SB6037 , SB5983 , SB5995 , SB6016 , SB5820 , SB6064 , SB6077 , SB6101 , SB6013 , SB6066
Committee:
Senate Local Government
Keywords:
indebtedness limits, inland port districts, federal funding, infrastructure improvements, economic development, city incorporation, local governance, municipalities, state law, government structure, culvert replacement, fish passage, hydraulic project approval, Department of Fish and Wildlife, stream crossing, bank stabilization, flood control, erosion control, emergency permit, expedited permit
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 3/10/26
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:02:39.840><c> his</c> of the son taking advantage of his of the son taking advantage of his mother's
- Is it a SWAT team leaves one piece of form, or does each person that each department have to leave it
- </c> can sort of hide out for that period of can sort of hide out for that period of time<00:45:48.720
- kind of crucial to kind of figure that's kind of crucial to kind of figure out<01:15:23.440><c> this
- ><01:19:08.320><c> of</c><01:19:08.560><c> crimes</c> victim of one of these kinds of crimes victim of
Committee:
House Public Safety Finance and Policy
Keywords:
theft, vulnerable adults, public safety, penalties, Minnesota statutes, chemical irritants, law enforcement, transparency, building owners, tenant rights, notification, remediation, firearm restrictions, domestic violence, court orders, criminal convictions, firearms prohibition, gun surrender, order for protection, protective order
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Department of Education reports there's no evidence restraint or seclusion is effective... The U.S.
- The New Mexico Department of Public Safety fully supports House Bill 60 because it clarifies that when
- We're seeing it in Maryland, where the Department of Juvenile Services faces 10,000 lawsuits, subjecting
- So, Representative, I heard from the schools or the school of, you know, insurance groups that you were
- So those wouldn't be investigations of a current crime; that would be for the Department of Justice or
Committee:
House House Judiciary
Keywords:
constitutional amendment, legislative sessions, veto override, New Mexico legislature, session length, legislative session, even-numbered years, New Mexico Constitution, student behavior, physical restraint, seclusion, public schools, training, de-escalation, student safety, behavior interventions, criminal offenses, peace officer, Victims of Crime Act, law enforcement
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
House Floor Session Jan 23rd, 2026 at 09:00 am
North Dakota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And the erosion of the practice of medicine by pharmacists is, of course, a question.
- They worked alongside the Department of Human Services beginning in October.
- The department did an outstanding job of providing public input into the process to the citizens of our
- Additionally, Legislative Council was with the department and the committee every step of the way and
- In the end, in this area, working with the Department of Human Services, we have passed four policy bills
Keywords:
presidential physical fitness test, physical education, fitness assessment, student fitness, school curriculum, graduation requirements, elementary school, middle school, high school, public schools, nonpublic schools, superintendent of public instruction, exceptions, disability accommodations, North Dakota studies, computer science, cybersecurity, health education, concept-based fitness class, school standards
Summary:
The North Dakota House convened in special session with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then took up several rural health-related bills. Senate Bill 2401, as amended, required physicians to complete one hour of continuing education in nutrition and metabolic health each renewal cycle and also added language allowing criminal history background checks for the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice. Supporters emphasized the role of nutrition in reducing chronic disease, and the bill passed 92-0.
The House then considered Senate Bill 2402, which expanded pharmacists’ limited prescriptive and therapeutic substitution authority for certain low-acuity conditions and clarified related lab-test and communication requirements. Members discussed examples such as motion sickness, cold sores, lice, hypoglycemia, COVID and flu testing, emergency access to medications and supplies, and limits excluding certain drug classes; the bill passed 91-1. Senate Bill 2403 created a temporary medical facility emergency operating loan option through the Bank of North Dakota for qualifying rural hospitals facing severe financial distress, with extensive debate over the targeted nature of the aid, anti-gifting concerns, repayment terms, and the hospital’s turnaround plan; it passed 80-12.
Senate Bill 2404 appropriated funds for NDIT to address federal digital accessibility requirements and for the Public Service Commission’s litigation efforts related to transmission costs, with a backup loan authorization available if needed; it passed 92-0. At the close of the session, leaders thanked members and staff for their work on the rural health transformation package, a committee notified the Governor and the Senate that the House had completed its business, absent members were excused, and the House adjourned sine die.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
House Floor Session Jan 22nd, 2026 at 08:30 am
North Dakota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- down from the federal government, Department of Health and Human Services.
- Come down from the federal government, Department of Health and Human Services.
- of the And the process began with the Department of Health and Human Services as to how we would not
- Section 2 of the bill allows the department Section 2 of the bill allows the department to transfer between
- So, in order to facilitate this plan that the Department of Transportation has, there's a couple of things
Keywords:
presidential physical fitness test, physical education, fitness assessment, student fitness, school curriculum, graduation requirements, elementary school, middle school, high school, public schools, nonpublic schools, superintendent of public instruction, exceptions, disability accommodations, North Dakota studies, computer science, cybersecurity, health education, concept-based fitness class, school standards
Summary:
The House convened in special session, opened with prayer and the Pledge, confirmed a quorum, and recognized visiting students from Shiloh High School. Members also observed a moment of silence for former Representative Cindy Shriver Beck, and the House adopted the Employment Committee report approving special-session staff appointments.
The chamber then considered House Bill 1621, which would require the presidential physical fitness test in K-12 physical education courses with exemptions for students with disabilities and an effective date of August 1, 2027. Supporters framed it as a return to a historic fitness standard and a response to federal direction; the bill passed 90-0. The House next took up House Bill 1624, a universal school meals bill that would place the program in statute rather than the Constitution, start it a year earlier than the initiated measure, and appropriate $65 million for the first year. Debate centered on whether universal meals were needed, whether the bill would preserve legislative flexibility and property-tax relief, and whether it would help families or subsidize those who could pay. The bill passed 55-38.
Finally, the House began debate on House Bill 1623, the rural health transformation package tied to federal grant funds and a Bank of North Dakota loan program to support rural health projects, EMS, behavioral health, and related infrastructure. The sponsor and supporters emphasized North Dakota’s strong grant award, the need to move quickly, and the bill’s role in filling rural health gaps statewide. Some members raised concerns about federal spending, inflation, and telehealth, while others stressed the need to address EMS and workforce shortages. The transcript ends during debate on HB 1623, before any final vote is shown.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
House Floor Session Jan 21st, 2026 at 08:30 am
North Dakota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The House of Representatives for the Great State of North Dakota will come to order.
- of State.
- Speaker, without any objection, we will dispense with reading of the names of all the members of the
- Constitution of the State of North Dakota, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of representative
- Chairman of the committee.
Keywords:
presidential physical fitness test, physical education, fitness assessment, student fitness, school curriculum, graduation requirements, elementary school, middle school, high school, public schools, nonpublic schools, superintendent of public instruction, exceptions, disability accommodations, North Dakota studies, computer science, cybersecurity, health education, concept-based fitness class, school standards
Summary:
The North Dakota House convened in special session with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the reading of communications from the Secretary of State and Governor Kelly Armstrong certifying the special session call. The governor’s executive order said the session was called to act on funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program so the state could accept and appropriate federal funds and avoid interruptions to government services. Three new members, Representatives McNally, Scraw, and Timmons, were sworn in, and the roll showed 91 members present, establishing a quorum.
The main business was a Rules Committee report outlining temporary special-session rules. The changes were designed to speed up floor action, including allowing second reading the same day a bill is reported from committee, final passage one day after first reading, and immediate transmission to the other chamber unless reconsideration is noticed. The report also replaced the regular standing committee structure with two joint committees: Joint Appropriations and Joint Policy, allowed remote testimony and remote member participation with approval, and limited bill introduction to Legislative Management-approved bills or bills approved by a two-thirds vote. Several deadline changes for resolutions and bill filing were also described, with some provisions delayed until the special session ends.
The House adopted the Rules Committee report after a motion by Representative Bosch and no opposition. During announcements, the clerk listed the membership of the Joint Appropriations and Joint Policy committees, and the Highway Patrol announced safety sessions for legislators in the Rough Rider Room at 11 a.m. that day and the next day. The House then recessed until the joint session scheduled for 10 a.m. the following day.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
89th Legislative Session - Second Called Session Aug 27th, 2025
Texas House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Jones of Dallas because of important business in the district. On motion of Ms.
- to be taking care of this and all of our pharmacists who take care of this and all of our healthcare
- Schaffner: I'm totally against any sort of tracking of our Texan citizens, of your... constituents, of
- And so we had a very, very long process of creating a budget that was established for that department
- Schofield's amendment fits into this, is that it deals with the budget of that department in situations
Keywords:
ivermectin, pharmacist authority, prescription-free, healthcare regulation, patient access, 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
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- of Texas and that you are in favor of the bill.
- of the bill.
- I also go by the name of "Trash Man of Buffalo Bayou."
- I also go by the name of "Trash Man of Buffalo Bayou."
- Um, kind of more of a step is what we generally see.
Bills:
HB1730 , HB1823 , HB2048 , HB2266 , HB2440 , HB3333 , HB4086 , HB4271 , HB4413 , HB4839 , HB4841 , HB5151
Committee:
House Environmental Regulation
Keywords:
PFAS, perfluoroalkyl substances, polyfluoroalkyl substances, forever chemicals, public health study, environmental regulation, drinking water, groundwater, surface water, food packaging, chemical exposure, firefighters, chemical manufacturing workers, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, Railroad Commission of Texas, Department of State Health Services, University of Houston, occupational exposure, contaminants
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the chief of police of the city of Houston, and I'm here representing the Houston Police Department
- Department, the fantastic men and women of the Houston Police Department, testifying in support of Senate
- Harris County is getting the benefit of the scale of a world-class fire department without supporting
- Yes, which is a substantial amount of calls on your department. Correct.
- And last, Chief Deas, were any of these calls that police department made, were any of these calls that
Committee:
Senate Transportation
Keywords:
commercial motor vehicle, truck liability, motor carrier, trucking, civil liability, respondeat superior, negligent entrustment, negligent maintenance, negligent loading, negligent repair, bifurcated trial, exemplary damages, punitive damages, personal injury, collision, employer liability, vicarious liability, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Texas tort reform, commercial truck accident
Summary:
The Senate Transportation Committee reconvened on SB 2722, as substituted by Senator Bettencourt, which would redirect a portion of Harris County Toll Road Authority surplus revenues to the City of Houston and impose audit and tax-rate penalty provisions. Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz and Fire Chief Thomas Munoz testified in support, arguing that Houston bears a large share of toll-road public safety burdens, citing thousands of police and fire responses on toll-road property and the need for compensation for emergency services. Bill King, testifying neutrally, said the toll authority generates large excess revenues and urged stronger oversight and clearer controls on how the money is spent. Opponents, including Harris County officials, business and neighborhood representatives, and toll-road critics, argued the bill would divert transportation dollars, create a precedent for taking toll revenues for general municipal use, and could worsen project delivery and incentives; several also questioned the accuracy and interpretation of the revenue figures and the lack of comparable audit requirements for the city. The committee took extensive testimony but left SB 2722 pending without a vote.
The committee then heard SB 2129, which would increase fines for motorists who disregard railroad crossing gates or flaggers, and SB 2323, which would redact railroad crew members’ personal information from public accident reports. Both bills were presented as safety measures, with railroad labor testimony in support, and both were left pending after brief public testimony. The committee also heard SB 2141, a Zaffirini bill concerning specialty license plates for judges, with the substitute aimed at reducing security risks by changing how judges are identified on plates; it too was left pending.
Finally, the committee heard SB 2439, another Zaffirini bill, described as a TDLR cleanup measure related to ATV and off-highway vehicle safety certification. The bill would abolish the current training and certification program, which supporters said was burdensome and underused given the small number of approved instructors statewide. With no significant opposition on the record, the committee closed testimony and left SB 2439 pending as well.