Video & Transcript Research : 'chapter 91'
Page 126 of 356
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Health Committee Jun 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- California chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, in support. Thank you so much.
- I'm also a member of the American College of Surgeons, Southern California Chapter, which is in support
- I'm also a member of the American College of Surgeons, Southern California Chapter, which is in support
- June Dutis, San Diego family member and representing the California chapter of the National Shattering
- I'm part of the California chapter of the National Shattering Silence Coalition, and I'm in support of
Summary:
The Assembly Health Committee heard a series of bills focused on behavioral health, cancer screening, provider reimbursement, research funding, workforce licensing, and tobacco regulation. SB 16 would require counties to maintain procedures for designating and training professionals authorized to perform 5150 evaluations and initiate involuntary holds; supporters said it would expand the pool of qualified clinicians and reduce reliance on law enforcement, while opponents raised concerns about local control and implementation. SB 1124 would require CDPH to create and post lung cancer screening eligibility signage at tobacco point-of-sale locations; supporters emphasized low screening awareness and early detection, and the bill was advanced with amendments. SB 28, a CARE Court cleanup bill, proposed an ombudsperson, reporting, electronic petitions, remote participation, and other changes to improve accountability and access; it drew both strong support and significant opposition over concerns about coercion, scope, and whether the program is working as intended, but it passed the committee as amended to Judiciary.
The committee also heard SB 874, which would strengthen oversight of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, including background checks for providers and a stakeholder workgroup to develop standards; it passed to Public Safety. SB 1049 would let providers resubmit corrected claims within 90 days after a plan’s denial or recoupment action when the original claim had a correctable technical defect; supporters described delayed and withheld payments harming practices, while insurers argued the bill could duplicate existing dispute processes. The bill passed to Appropriations on call. SB 1224 would create a state framework to compete for federal ARPA-H funding for emerging therapies research, with testimony from a UC Davis psychiatrist and veterans’ advocates supporting expanded research into treatments for PTSD, depression, and other conditions; it passed to Military and Veterans Affairs.
Later, SB 1057 would change how the Department of Public Health evaluates conviction history for certified nurse assistants and home health aides, shifting from automatic denial toward individualized assessment based on the offense, time elapsed, and rehabilitation; it passed to Appropriations with some no votes. Finally, SB 1314, a tobacco-related bill, sought to create a 600-foot buffer around schools and day care centers for certain tobacco retailers and address related issues such as cigar lounge definitions and nitrous oxide sales; several local government and public safety groups supported it, while health organizations and business groups opposed it unless amended. The chair announced that committee amendments were being set aside for now and the bill would move forward to Business and Professions with a commitment to continue working on the language; it passed out of committee.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Kappa Alpha serves people around the world through the efforts of the 360,000 members and over 1000 chapters
- The Texas chapter of the American Public Works Association are here in the gallery today.
- congratulating Heather Keister of Lubbock for being named 2024 Engineer of the Year by the South Plains chapter
- congratulates Heather Keister of Lubbock in being named the 2024 Engineer of the Year by the South Plains chapter
- Way, the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, and the Texas Society of Professional Engineers South Plains chapter
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We show you're representing the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club and that you're registered against
- Plan that is currently required under Chapter 395 of the Local Government Code.
- And those programs or products would need to be included per Chapter 395.
- The local chapter of the Home Builders Association, about 10 years ago, worked with the LCRA to develop
- On behalf of the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club, I am testifying for the bill.
Bills:
HB158, HB714, HB 1198, HB1630, HB1998, HB3509, HB3788, HB3875, HB3948, HB3977, HB4097, HB4313, HB4314, HB4317, HB158
Keywords:
housing, veterans, surplus government property, affordable housing, funding sources, housing assistance, homeless prevention, landlord incentives, rural housing, domestic violence, community development, tenant readiness, program participants, financial assistance, homelessness, rental support, Texas Tenant Readiness Program, tenant assistance, housing stability, Texas Department of Housing
NV
Nevada 2025 Regular Session
Assembly Committee on Health and Human Services May 30th, 2025 at 12:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- members of the committee, Leanne McAllister, M-C-A-L-L-I-S-S-E-R, Executive Director of the Nevada Chapter
- There are a few references in the securities chapter and in the banks and financial institutions chapter
- for penalizing or prosecuting a health care provider could address such a situation, referencing Chapter
- 41A, Professional Negligence, and Chapter 630, which is the chapter for physicians' licensure.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- resolution, um, system created under the Texas Workers' Compensation Act, uh, under Texas Labor Code Chapter
- the, the biggest, uh, ambiguity I can see in the bill as it's written now is under Texas Labor Code Chapter
- Uh, judicial review under Chapter 410, there are two types. Uh, if it is a.
- If it's any other matter, judicial review under Labor Code Chapter 410 is substantial evidence review
- That's exactly what House Bill 4144 addresses with the addition of post-retirement coverage to Chapter
TX
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Some years you're solving 91% of homicides.
- That means just the number of cases solved in that year is 91% of the cases reported in that year.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs held an informational briefing on violent crime clearance rates and what resources law enforcement and prosecutors need to improve them. Chair and members noted there would be no public testimony. The briefing was led by Marshall Clement of the Council of State Governments’ Justice Center, with later participation expected from state and county law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies.
Clement argued that solving violent crime is a systemwide issue, not just a local police function, and said clearance rates have declined nationally over decades for homicide, rape, aggravated assault, and robbery. He said Hawaii’s reported data, limited to Oʻahu and Kauaʻi, shows overall violent crime rates are lower than the national average and have been relatively flat with a pandemic-era spike followed by declines in 2023 and 2024. He reported that Hawaii’s overall violent crime solve rate fell from about 52% in 2014 to about 40% in 2024, with 2024 rates of 50% for homicides, 48% for aggravated assaults, and 26% each for rapes and robberies. He also estimated unsolved cases over the past three years at about 17 homicides, 3,300 aggravated assaults, 1,200 rapes, and 1,700 robberies.
Members asked about victim and witness support, staffing shortages, the Denver example, whether clearance rates include cases not prosecuted, and whether HPD’s size or structure might affect solve rates. Clement said support can include victim-witness programs and coordinators that help maintain cooperation and trust, especially where clearance rates are low. He said resources, training, technology, and detective caseloads matter, citing Boston, Denver, and Omaha as cities that improved solve rates through relatively low-cost operational changes; he highlighted Denver’s increase in non-fatal shooting clearance from 39% to 65% in seven months after dedicating more resources. He said he had no research showing that breaking up a large department would improve solve rates, and noted that clearance data can include exceptional clearances such as victim noncooperation, prosecutorial declination, or a suspect’s death. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 02/25/25
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- reforms generally to chapter reforms generally to chapter 515b<00:48:38.440>
um <00:48:39.400 - 515, then that was replaced by chapter 515A in the later 80s, and those only applied to condos.
- 515, then that was replaced by chapter 515A in the later 80s, and those only applied to condos.
- 515, then that was replaced by chapter 515A in the later 80s, and those only applied to condos.
- <01:03:43.119>
515b interest Community statute chapter 515b interest Community statute chapter
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 3/20/25
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- 2024 uh chapter 2024 uh chapter 48040<00:21:52.240>
was <00:21:52.679>created <00:21 - and that is section to this chapter and that is section eight<00:22:21.400>
of <00:22:21.559>< - The newly added section 3 also contains a second change to Chapter 13.46, subdivision 3, online 8.18.
- The newly added section 3 also contains a second change to Chapter 13.46, subdivision 3, online 8.18.
- The newly added section 3 also contains a second change to Chapter 13.46, subdivision 3, online 8.18.
Keywords:
nonopioid directive, opioid refusal, opioid-free care, pain management, health care directive, advance directive, patient autonomy, informed consent, substance use disorder, opioid epidemic, prescriber immunity, provider liability, emergency medical services, EMS, health record, Minnesota Department of Health, health care agent, medical power of attorney, Metropolitan Council, Minnesota government data practices
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Jan 20th, 2026
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- they were incompetent to proceed can be housed in the same secure setting as other residents under Chapter
- We also make changes to our parental rights law, Chapter 1014, and...
- We also make changes to our parental rights law, Chapter 1014, and add similar provisions in that area
- Related to Chapter 456, the amendment clarifies that both individuals and the Attorney General, versus
- Related to Chapter 1014, the amendment synchronizes with the language in Chapter 456 to clear up ambiguity
Keywords:
child welfare, psychotropic medication, Department of Children and Families, community-based care, liability insurance, forensic services, defendants, mental health, judicial system, defense, legal definitions, minors, healthcare, parental rights, criminal penalties, civil action, sex-reassignment, investigations, economic damages
Summary:
The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs considered four bills. SB 590, by Sen. Bradley, would toll the statute of limitations for failure to report suspected child abuse by mandatory reporters until the offense is known to law enforcement; an amendment clarified retroactive application for offenses not already time-barred by the bill’s effective date. Sen. Bradley said the bill is intended to ensure accountability in institutional abuse cases and not to change the reasonable-suspicion reporting standard. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably.
The committee also heard SB 778, by Sen. Simon, which would update the definition of forensic client so certain individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism whose charges were dismissed for incompetency can be housed with other Chapter 916 residents, reducing duplicative staffing and space needs at the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. Barney Bishop appeared in support, and the bill was reported favorably without amendment.
SB 560, by Sen. Garcia, would streamline procedures for psychotropic medication prescriptions for children in DCF custody, reduce duplicative background checks and reporting, and simplify consent documentation. Amendments removed language allowing licensed clinical social workers and marriage and family therapists to serve as evaluators and narrowed changes to the Road to Independence Program’s postsecondary education services and supports, extending eligibility ages from 18 to 26 while keeping the five-year cap. Senators discussed the fiscal impact and funding blend for the education stipend. The committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably.
The committee then took up SB 1010, by Sen. Yarbrough, which adds criminal and civil enforcement for violations involving sex-reassignment prescriptions or procedures for minors and related parental-rights provisions. An amendment clarified that the civil action authority applies to minors and that damages benefit the affected minor. Public testimony was heavily divided, with supporters saying the bill enforces existing protections and opponents warning it would chill care, counseling, and school-based support for transgender youth. Senators Harrell, Sharief, and Rouson raised concerns about vagueness, standing, and impacts on teachers and health professionals; Sharief voted no, while the bill was still reported favorably.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Transcript Highlights:
- Chapter 90 helps us to partner with the municipalities that you serve.
- The Chapter 90 supplemental bill provides $1.2 billion over four years.
- I close by highlighting some important aspects of the Chapter 90 bill.
- That's why it's so important for Chapter 98 to be flowing to them.
- The multi-year Chapter 90 money, well, the only problem with that is it's flat-funded.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing at UMass Amherst on Governor Healey’s fiscal year 2027 budget, focusing on energy/environment-related transportation issues and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The chairs and members opened with thanks to UMass, university leadership, court officers, and legislative staff, and Chancellor Javier Reyes highlighted UMass Amherst’s research, workforce, sustainability, and transportation contributions, including energy research, transit operations, and partnerships with MassDOT. The hearing then moved to MassDOT and MBTA testimony on the administration’s transportation funding package, including House 2, the FY26 Fair Share supplemental, and a proposed four-year Chapter 90 authorization.
MassDOT officials described the budget as part of a broader multi-year transportation investment strategy, citing funding for operations, snow and ice removal, regional transit authorities, the MBTA, the Merit Rating Board, sustainable aviation fuel credits, micro-transit and last-mile grants, unpaved road improvements, bridge and pavement work, and housing-related transportation infrastructure. They emphasized workforce expansion, capital delivery capacity, safety improvements, and local aid, including the new lane-mile-based Chapter 90 formula intended to benefit rural communities. Officials also discussed major projects and programs such as Grant Central, culvert and unpaved road grants, work zone speed cameras, congestion hotspot fixes, the Sagamore and Bourne Bridge projects, and MBTA operating support and safety upgrades.
Testimony from the MBTA and rail/transit staff focused on improved ridership, service frequency, accessibility, and safety, including progress on the Green Line Train Protection System, reduced delays, expanded bus and commuter rail service, and the South Coast rail extension. Regional transit authorities reported increased ridership and described new fare-free, connectivity, and community transit grants. Aeronautics testimony covered airport capital work, drone and data programs, sustainable aviation fuel efforts, and workforce development in aviation maintenance. Committee members then asked questions, especially about Western Massachusetts priorities, Chapter 90 funding, bridge repairs, snow and ice costs, Cape Cod bridges, Buzzard’s Bay rail, and Compass Rail/West-East Rail. Officials said several federal rail grants were moving forward, that Sagamore Bridge procurement would begin soon, and that the administration remained committed to pursuing federal funding and multi-year transportation investments.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Thu Mar 20, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- language is being added to the chapter language is being added to the chapter 356D<01:20:14.480>
- On page seven, used in the new chapter.
- it with this new chapter.
- <01:38:16.239>
Uh replace it with this new chapter. Uh replace it with this new chapter. - And then we'll make new chapter.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several measures. SB 1296 HD1, relating to disaster recovery, would exempt reconstruction of lawfully constructed structures damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster from special management area permits under certain conditions. OPSD, DLNR, the County of Maui, Front Street Recovery, and the Grassroot Institute supported the bill, saying it would speed rebuilding after disasters like the Maui fires; one witness noted the bill would not cover shoreline parcels unless amended, and members asked about the five-year rebuild window, the meaning of “lawfully constructed,” and whether unlawful structures were excluded. Testimony was also heard on SB 1413, which would allow the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to dispose of abandoned property in federal public housing projects after notice and within five days; HPHA said the bill would help address illegal dumping and clarify procedures. SB 31 HD1, concerning discriminatory restrictive covenants, was briefly described and had support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission and comments from the Uniform Law Commission, with no in-person testimony.
The committee then heard SB 1341, which would add HEMA and the Office of Homeland Security to agencies allowed to review energy industry information and would expand the program’s emergency-management purpose. The Hawaii State Energy Office supported the measure, saying the data is important for emergency response and fuel-supply planning. SB 10008 HD1 would authorize counties to adopt ordinances enforcing accessible parking space requirements and clarify county enforcement of EV-related parking provisions; the Disability and Communication Access Board strongly supported the accessible-parking provisions, saying current enforcement is weak, while noting section three on EV spaces is already largely in statute and could be struck if the committee preferred. Tina Yamaki of the Retail Merchants of Hawaii testified in opposition.
Finally, the committee heard SB 1028 SD1 HD1, which would eliminate fees, fines, and court costs for offenses committed by minors, discharge existing related debt, limit community service for minors to 72 hours, and repeal certain penalties tied to minors and their parents or guardians. The Office of the Public Defender, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council, Community Alliance on Prisons, and DebtFree Justice Hawaii supported the bill, arguing that youth fines burden families, worsen poverty, and disproportionately affect Native Hawaiian youth. The Department of the Attorney General offered comments, raising possible constitutional title issues because the current draft incorporates material from HB 129 and includes sections that may relate more to restitution or curfew than to fines and fees; supporters responded that the title is sufficient and cited case law. No votes or final actions were taken on the measures in the portion of the meeting provided.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- In AOT, you're talking about the same chapter. Yes, the same chapter.
- What the representative is Proposing that we have consistency of language throughout the chapter.
- Okay, and what is the chapter? Sorry, it's 43 1 1. And that's that entire chapter.
Keywords:
Public Regulation Commission, PRC, utility oversight fund, public utilities, utility regulation, commissioners, commission staff, chief of staff, ethics, Gift Act, revolving door, post-employment restrictions, consumer complaints, telecommunications, pipeline safety, natural gas pipelines, oil pipelines, license fees, regulatory oversight, administrative cleanup
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- However, in our wisdom, we created Chapter 89. Chapter 89 was unique in the United...
- in our wisdom, we created Chapter 89. in our wisdom, we created Chapter 89.
- in<00:02:30.000>
the <00:02:30.120>United Chapter 89 was unique in the United Chapter - chapter.
- But<00:08:32.360>
under <00:08:32.599>chapter <00:08:33.080>89, But under chapter
Keywords:
teacher pay, teacher salaries, salary step increase, annual increment, longevity step, public school teachers, public charter school teachers, collective bargaining, Hawaii Department of Education, teacher retention, teacher recruitment, cost of living, educator compensation, public employee bargaining, appropriation, salary schedule, school staffing, teacher shortage, HB1888, Hawaii
Summary:
The committees heard three measures, beginning with HB 1890 HD3, which would provide automatic step increases and a COVID-era retention bonus for teachers. Supporters included HSTA, the Democratic Party’s Education Caucus, and a student who said higher pay and predictable salary growth would help retain teachers in Hawaii. The Department of Education supported the intent but asked that the bill be expanded to cover all department employees. The Attorney General’s office said the draft needed clarification to avoid conflict with Chapter 89 and to make clear any funding was subject to legislative appropriation. The Office of the Public Defender and B&F testified in opposition, and committee members questioned whether the step increases were already in the current contract and whether the bill was needed. HSTA said the current contract includes automatic step increases subject to funding, but argued the bill was still needed because funding is not guaranteed and the measure would codify the policy. HSTA also said the COVID bonus would apply only to active teachers who worked during the pandemic and estimated the total cost at roughly $150 million to $200 million over four years. No vote was taken in the portion provided.
The committee then took up HB 1888 HD3, which would require DOE and charter schools to report harassment incidents and strengthen penalties for harassment of educational workers from a petty misdemeanor to a misdemeanor. DOE supported the bill and suggested narrowing language about assisting workers with temporary restraining orders, saying that function would be better handled through the Attorney General’s pilot program. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing the harassment language was overly broad, vague, and potentially unconstitutional, and that existing assault and terroristic threatening statutes already protect educational workers. HSTA, the State Commission on the Status of Women, and several individual testifiers supported the measure, describing increased intimidation and harassment of teachers and other school staff, especially since COVID. The Special Education Advisory Council opposed the bill’s language on “disrupting and interfering” with school functions, saying it could chill parents of students with IEPs from advocating for their children. Testimony was split, with the chair noting 20 in support and 16 in opposition in the portion shown.
A final witness, Michelle Pestana, testified in opposition based on her family’s experience with special education services, describing alleged seclusion and restraint of her daughter and expressing concern that DOE testimony in prior hearings had targeted special education parents. Her remarks were cut off as time expired. The transcript ends before any committee action or vote on HB 1888 was taken.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- But I do have an individual, a chapter official, who's here to add his insight to this. Excellent.
- When chapters are requesting funding in this sense, they don't have access to the money that's there.
- I'm the director for Sierra Club's Grand Canyon Chapter, which is the Arizona chapter, and we are opposed
- chapter, and we are opposed to Senate Bill 1419.
- So in this case, a chapter request, has that ever been provided? Has that ever been provided? Mr.
Keywords:
electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, marijuana, rural opportunity, dispensary, economic development, licensing, social equity, unserved communities, Arizona, small modular reactors, energy regulation, environmental compatibility, utility construction, agricultural use
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And also, under the Texas Local Government Code Chapter 149, Chapter 143, meet and confer agreements
- may modify that chapter.
- And now Austin is a Chapter 143 city, and Chapter 143 does state...
- That currently exists or meet and confer negotiated under Chapter 143.
- Insertion of Senate Bill 60 which goes to Chapter 141 of the Health and Safety Code.
Bills:
SB8, SB4, SB43, SB1, SB2, SB13, SB6, SB10, SB16, SB14, SB3, SB8, SB4, SB43, SB1, SB2, SB13, SB6, SB10, SB16, SB14, SB3
Keywords:
education, accountability, public school assessment, state law, transparency, intervention, performance ratings, Texas congressional redistricting, U.S. House districts, congressional map, redistricting, gerrymandering, 2020 Census, census tracts, block groups, voting districts, election law, Texas House of Representatives districts, federal congressional districts, 2026 elections
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 10, 2026 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill seeks to update court statutes and family law proceedings in Chapter 61, dissolution of marriage
- And as I have seen different families involved in the child welfare system where there can be a Chapter
- Even if this body amended the chapter to include Black History Month to resolve the singular problem,
- I'm a member of the Jacksonville chapter of the National Organization for Women.
- In federal law Chapter 683, not all minority recognition months and days are necessarily included.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Apr 7th, 2025 at 01:00 pm
North Dakota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Engrossed House Bill 1063 is a bill for an act to create a new section of Chapter 49-02 of the North
- Chapter 49-02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to Public Service Commission requirements for
- Engrossed House Bill 1437 is a bill for an act to create and enact a new section of Chapter 15-10 of
- Engrossed House Bill 1058 is a bill for an act to create and enact a new chapter to Title 23.1 of the
- Re-engrossed Senate Bill 2354 is a bill for an act to create a new section of Chapter 15.1-107 of the
Summary:
The North Dakota House convened with prayer, roll call, and recognition of guests and student visitors, then moved through a long calendar of resolutions and bills. Early in the session, members honored Mandan High School’s e-sports team for state championships and recognized House Minority Leader Zachary Ista’s birthday. The House then passed HCR 3037 unanimously, urging mandatory reporting requirements for public officials, after committee support and remarks emphasizing accountability in public office.
The chamber then considered numerous Senate amendments and final-passage votes on bills covering ambulance service grants (HB 1597), Public Service Commission records and open meetings (HB 1110 and HB 1063), squatter/trespass law (HB 1305), nonconforming structures in local governments (HB 1500), academic tenure policy (HB 1437), retirement eligibility for correctional officers and state radio dispatchers (HB 1274 and HB 1419), a Medicaid dental study (HB 1567), above-ground fuel storage tank regulation (HB 1058), gaming site authorization procedures (HB 1615), an oil extraction tax incentive outside the Bakken and Three Forks formations (HB 1483), and simple assault protections for hospital workers (HB 1341). Most of these measures passed, though HB 1231, which would have created a study on early discontinuation of sex offender registration, failed on final passage.
A major point of debate was Senate Bill 2354, which would restrict student use of personal electronic devices during the school day in public and nonpublic schools, with exceptions for medical and special education needs and annual reporting on impacts. Supporters argued it would improve focus, behavior, and mental health, while opponents raised concerns about private-school regulation, logistics, liability, and duplication with a similar bill. The House passed SB 2354, and also passed SB 2112, which temporarily authorizes the Life Skills and Transition Center to serve certain non-eligible youth in crisis, despite objections that the facility should remain focused on developmental disabilities and concerns about repeating past institutional problems. The House also debated and rejected HB 1300 on legislative term limits after extensive discussion about whether the Senate’s date change altered the effect of the voter-approved measure. The session ended with announcements, committee notices, and adjournment until April 8, 2025.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, for the record, Cyrus Reed, Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club. Please. Hi. Go ahead. Okay.
- For the record, Cyrus Reed, Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club.
- In statute today, in Local Government Code Chapter 174, you have these first responder organizations
- In statute today, in Local Government Code Chapter 174, you have these first responder organizations
- We are convinced that the substitute is going to include Chapters 143 and 147.
Keywords:
electric generation, reliability, ERCOT, Public Utility Commission, penalties, performance requirements, energy policy, construction contracts, compensatory damages, government delays, contractor, legislation, nonprofit donor privacy, membership lists, supporter confidentiality, volunteer privacy, association rights, public records exemption, Texas Public Information Act, government transparency
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce heard Senate Bill 2021 by Senator Johnson, as substituted, on distributed energy resources (DERs). Johnson said the bill was intended to create a regulatory framework for DERs and virtual power plants, address interconnection and registration issues, and prevent regulatory capture as the industry grows. Testimony was split: Texas Electric Cooperatives asked for clarification so co-ops would not be unintentionally excluded from owning or operating DERs; AECT supported the bill as providing needed rules and customer protections; TABA, Texas Solar and Storage Association, Sierra Club, Texas Solar Energy Society, and several others opposed it or raised concerns that it was too utility-centric, imposed red tape, and could burden homeowners and small businesses with registration and interconnection requirements. Johnson repeatedly said the bill was not meant to stop rooftop solar or backup systems and that he was open to specific redlines and further changes. SB 2021 was left pending after testimony.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 2330 by Senator Parker, which would end government payroll deduction for dues to certain public employee organizations, while exempting first responders under Chapters 143 and 147 and making other conforming changes in a committee substitute. Parker argued the bill was about government neutrality, transparency, and employee freedom from coercion, and said organizations can collect dues directly using modern payment methods. Supporters from Texas Public Policy Foundation, Texas Business Coalition, Freedom Foundation, ABC Texas, and Texans for Fiscal Responsibility said taxpayer-funded payroll systems should not be used to collect dues for private organizations, especially ones involved in political activity. Opponents, including ATPE, Texas Classroom Teachers Association, Texas Public Employees Association, and correctional employees, said payroll deduction is a convenient, secure service that helps professional associations and employee groups, and argued the bill would burden teachers and other public employees.
Several witnesses and senators focused on the bill’s exemptions and whether it treated teachers differently from first responders. Senator Menendez questioned why some public employees were excluded while others were not, and a Houston police union representative said he moved from opposing to supporting the bill after being told the substitute would preserve meet-and-confer deductions under Chapters 143 and 147. Senator Parker closed by saying the bill was not meant to eliminate associations or payroll deduction entirely, only to remove the state as a middleman. SB 2330 was left pending, and the committee then recessed subject to call.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Lifetime firearms ban for persons convicted of certain domestic assault offenses 3/10/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- domestic violence against an individual in a relationship and is not otherwise prohibited in this chapter
- domestic violence against an individual in a relationship and is not otherwise prohibited in this chapter
- domestic violence against an individual in a relationship and is not otherwise prohibited in this chapter
- 00:09:45.440>
prohibited <00:09:45.920>in <00:09:46.160>this <00:09:46.320>chapter - , otherwise prohibited in this chapter, otherwise prohibited in this chapter, the<00:09:47.279>