Transcript Highlights:

• in Minnesota, especially how those are addressed at a legislator’s home rather than so much in the capitol
• There's lots of charts and comparisons for ease of the committee's viewing.
• So just for ease of being able to more a simplified view of where are all the training sessions in this
• All the new people instantly got a nice spot with a great view.
• And I've reached out to John to sort of express my views on what their mission should be.

Summary: The committee met to organize upcoming legislative session arrangements and staffing, and to review several rule and security-related items. It first approved a Joint Rule 211 change, recommended by the Employee Benefits Committee, that clarifies the deadline and statutory references for introducing health insurance mandate bills so required cost-benefit materials can be completed in time. Members noted the change would streamline the process, though it would not solve all timing and mandate-determination issues. The committee then discussed a draft bill on confidentiality protections for certain public officials and candidates, but members raised concerns about the statute’s complexity, the practical difficulty of administering it, and whether it would meaningfully improve safety; no action was taken and the topic was set aside for further discussion. The committee received an update on the new NCSL Legislator Security Fund. Staff explained that North Dakota is in process to apply for grant funding that could reimburse up to about $200 per legislator for personal security-related expenses such as home cameras, locks, lighting, or monitoring services, with reimbursement handled through Legislative Council and subject to Emergency Commission approval. Members asked about eligible expenses, timing, and whether new legislators would be included, and staff said the program would likely cover current legislators only for this round. The committee also approved the 2027 joint session schedule for the State of the State, tribal-state message, and State of the Judiciary on January 5, with the tribal and judiciary addresses in the morning and the governor’s address later in the day. The committee next approved the statutory reporting schedule for the Commerce Commissioner and agricultural commodity groups, setting the Commerce report for January 13, 2027, and the agriculture reports and pesticide container disposal update for January 14, 2027. Members questioned the usefulness of some of these recurring reports, but agreed to follow the existing statutory requirements. The largest discussion centered on Legislative Council staffing for the 2027 session: the committee approved reducing session staff to 36 Senate and 41 House employees, eliminating procedural clerk positions in standing committees in favor of permanent policy analysts, while retaining quality assurance clerks and adding a House parking lot attendant. It also approved a 3% salary increase for those staff positions, matching the increase given to state employees. Finally, the committee reviewed a revised organizational session and new legislator training agenda. Staff proposed moving some orientation content into a separate pre-session training day for new legislators on November 30, including laptop setup, mock committee and floor sessions, parliamentary procedure, and HR/benefits training, while adding more security and budgeting instruction. Members strongly supported earlier and more practical training, including follow-up reinforcement during the first week of session, and suggested using experienced or term-limited former legislators as mentors. Staff also described efforts to expand training materials into podcasts, flowcharts, and other formats, and Legislative Council leadership outlined the office’s remaining vacancies and a proposed expansion of policy analysts, program evaluators, legal staff, and training support to better serve the legislature and improve oversight of state programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• because he's our most studied member in the body on this issue, at least from a legislative point of view
• You are as knowledgeable as anyone in the Capitol, and I mean anyone in any position here.
• 12 would violate the basic principle of open and robust discussion and turn the halls of the Texas Capitol
• We listen to them and to opposing views.
• And we are certain that anyone who has an opposing view, a dissenting view, is getting in our way, and

Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB5, SB11, SB12

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• She's going to do, in our view, some amazing things. Welcome to the table.
• What is your view, pages, or what's your affiliation?
• One of my favorite shows here at the Capitol just because he has a good name and he's a good guy, Mr.
• That will give us 3 minutes to run up to the Capitol part of the session floor. >> Good morning, Mr.
• handouts that show what we're measuring, just to give you a sense of, from the economics point of view

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• As a girl growing up in Tallahassee, the Capitol and Florida politics have always been in the background
• I visited Smithsonian museums, all three branches of government, and viewed the actual founding documents
• I visited Smithsonian Museums, all three branches of government, and viewed the actual founding documents
• Within this program, I get a close view of the military community and the struggles they face, and I
• Chairman, is tomorrow is Scuba Dive Day at the Capitol, and you'll have a lot of experts about sharks

Bills: S1062, S1718, S7038

Keywords: speech education, debate, high school, Florida Debate Initiative, civics, competitive teams, student participation, educational advancement, educator preparation, certification, professional development, temporary certificate, military service, collaboration, teaching effectiveness, education, Florida College System, tuition waivers, vocational rehabilitation, state universities

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met to consider several education bills and the proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 Department of Education budget. The committee first took up CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate, which would formalize Florida’s Speech and Debate Week, strengthen the partnership between the Department of Education and the Florida Debate Initiative, require annual public reporting, and support statewide speech and debate programming. The bill drew extensive supportive testimony from students, alumni, and advocates who said debate improved civic engagement, literacy, confidence, and school performance, while also noting the need for equitable access and funding for travel and competition. The committee adopted a delete-everything amendment and then reported the bill favorably as amended by a unanimous vote of members present. The committee then heard SB 1718 on educator preparation and certification, which expands access to educator preparation coursework, broadens eligibility for temporary certification for some formerly certified professionals, and allows prior subject-area exam results to satisfy requirements. Public testimony largely supported easing barriers for experienced educators while emphasizing that certification changes are only a partial solution to teacher shortages and should be paired with better pay, retention, and professional respect. The bill was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered SB 7038 on education, which included a wide range of higher education and workforce-related changes, including a tuition waiver for Florida State Guard members, residency clarifications, oversight changes for blind services and vocational rehabilitation providers, licensure updates for private colleges, dual enrollment and assessment revisions, scholarship and funding changes, and reserve-fund requirements. An amendment restored the Classical Learning Test as a qualifying option for a grandparent tuition waiver, adjusted a Pell Grant performance metric, changed accreditation timing, and made other technical revisions. A dental education stakeholder raised concerns that one provision could disrupt long-standing exemptions for dental assisting programs, and the Florida Dental Association said it was working with the sponsor to avoid unintended impacts. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as amended. The final major item was a high-level review of the proposed pre-K-12 budget, totaling $34.9 billion with local funds. Highlights included $30 billion for public schools and K-12 scholarships, a $50 increase in the base student allocation, a 1.64% increase in total funds per FTE, $4.5 billion for family empowerment scholarships as a separate FEFP categorical, $25 million for districts facing future enrollment declines, $65.3 million to help districts with current-year enrollment losses, $432.8 million for VPK, and $30.4 million for regional education consortia. Senators asked about reductions or flat funding in some allocations, teacher pay, declining enrollment support, Schools of Hope funding, and support for non-teaching school staff. Public testimony on the budget focused heavily on concerns about charter and voucher funding, especially the $6 million for Schools of Hope, with speakers urging more investment in traditional public schools, teacher compensation, and school infrastructure. The committee concluded the meeting by adjournment after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, Senate Bill 1968 addresses the common scenario in which a prospective buyer wants to view homes
• Second, Senate Bill 1968 addresses the common scenario in which a prospective buyer wants to view homes
• You’ll see three of our cranes flying as we expand your Capitol complex.
• And to say, you must do this or must do that is not, in my view, a good approach.
• But without a comprehensive view of the system, there is limited visibility into cost.

Bills: SB75, SB715, SB776, SB1299, SB1405, SB1968, SB2021, SB2077, SB2148, SB2321, SB2330, SB2411

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 committee first took up pending business and favorably reported several bills without objection or by recorded vote, including SB 783, SB 1238, SB 1706, SB 1791, SB 458, SB 1644, and SB 1810, with some of them also sent to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then moved into hearings on additional bills. SB 1968, by Senator Schwertner, would update the Real Estate License Act by repealing subagency, requiring written buyer-agent agreements before showings, and clarifying when a formal buyer representation agreement must be signed. Texas Realtors testified in support, saying the bill modernizes agency rules and increases transparency, while a committee substitute corrected drafting issues. SB 2411, the annual update to the Texas Business Organizations Code, was also laid out and left pending after supportive testimony from the Texas Business Law Foundation and drafting committee representatives. The committee also heard SB 2321, which would codify ERCOT’s current practice of notifying TCEQ when backup generation needs enforcement discretion for grid reliability; Sierra Club and a chamber of commerce witness supported it with suggestions for clearer emissions reporting, and the bill was left pending. SB 2077 would broaden eligibility for the Texas Mutual Insurance Company board by narrowing conflict restrictions tied to insurance-related interests; Texas Mutual supported the change and the bill was left pending. SB 1405, a broadband bill, would align state law with FCC standards and streamline Broadband Development Office processes; it was left pending after supportive testimony. SB 1299, protecting nonprofit donor privacy, drew support from privacy advocates and concerns from one witness about transparency for publicly funded nonprofit operations; it was left pending. The committee then heard SB 776, which would bar government construction contracts from shifting delay damages to contractors when delays are caused solely by the public owner. Contractors, surety representatives, and water infrastructure advocates supported the bill, arguing it would improve fairness and reduce inflated bids, while water utilities and critical infrastructure entities opposed it, warning of more litigation and higher costs; the bill was left pending. Finally, SB 715, which would apply reliability requirements retroactively to all generation resources in ERCOT, drew opposition from renewable and storage groups and support from some critics of renewable subsidies, with witnesses split over whether it would improve reliability or raise costs; testimony was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• then the second piece is to direct them to a landing page on the state website where applicants can view
• There's a list view, there's a map view I have instructed staff that this must be up and operational
• didn't acknowledge that your letter was received, so you might want to give me a call. 911 Day at the Capitol
• information so that you can reserve those tables and chairs and reserve that day for 911 Day at the Capitol
• So get ready to come with us to 911 Day at the Capitol. That's all I have, Mr. Chair.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, later there will, of course, be hearings here at the Capitol.
• You cannot view the hearing from the waiting room, so you should continue to view the live stream that's
• The letter's assertion that these districts are unconstitutional is, in my view, flatly wrong.
• I'm not here to call anyone a racist, but the actions we are viewing are racially discriminatory.
• Lastly, do you view this letter from the DOJ as a threat?

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It would be a hearing in the Capitol.
• Do you share President Trump's DOJ's view about the racial composition of these districts and agree that
• But anyone in the state of Texas could view those. Those are informational gathering hearings.
• redistricting process, what’s your view on kind of your evaluation criteria and what you want to see?
• But they will be in person here at the Capitol, as all bills in the normal course of business of the

Bills: SR5, SB5, SB11, SB12, SB25, SB26, SB28, SB35, SB5, SB11, SB12, SB25, SB26, SB28, SB35, SB5, SB11, SB12, SB25, SB26, SB28, SB35, SR5

Keywords: redistricting, Senate procedures, public input, Texas Legislature, amendments, Texas Senate, congressional districts, legislative procedures, legislative transparency, Senate rules, public hearings, committee procedures, hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes

Transcript Highlights:

• the agenda, I would like to recognize the gentleman from Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity who is at the Capitol
• Welcome to Senate Health and Welfare and welcome to the Capitol. Happy to have you all here today.
• Welcome to Senate Health and Welfare and Welcome to the Capitol. Happy to have you all here today.
• So welcome to the Capitol, welcome to Senate Health and Welfare.
• So welcome to the Capitol, guys.”

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 13 with a quorum present and approved the prior meeting minutes. The committee first heard HB 971, which would equalize Medicaid reimbursement rates between independent clinics and hospital-owned rural health clinics; supporters said independent clinics are disadvantaged by a large payment disparity, and the bill was reported favorable without objection. The committee also recognized visiting Alpha Phi Alpha members and other guests during personal privilege remarks. Members then considered HB 414, which would bar hiring certain health care workers and direct support professionals with serious disqualifying convictions from other states and address background-check issues for therapeutic group homes. After adopting three amendment sets, the bill was reported as amended. HB 740, creating an independent review process for Medicaid behavioral health claim disputes in the coordinated system of care, was amended to clarify applicability and CSOC definitions and then reported as amended. HB 288, which would place the term “miscarriage” alongside “spontaneous abortion” in medical documentation, drew emotional testimony from affected parents and advocates; the committee reported it favorable. The committee also advanced several more bills: HB 405, updating the name of the national acupuncture certifying body, was reported favorable; HB 786, prohibiting extrapolation in certain managed-care claims recoupments, was reported favorable; HB 1095, allowing alternative backup power sources for nursing homes, was reported favorable; HB 403, raising the cottage food gross-sales cap, was amended from $50,000 to $150,000 and then reported favorable; HB 930, modernizing cosmetic-product regulation and creating a small-producer exemption, was reported favorable; HB 557, defining long-term pharmacies for policy purposes, was reported favorable; HB 779, on expedited partner therapy for sexually transmitted diseases, was reported favorable; HB 915, setting utilization-management timelines and standards, was reported favorable; HB 546, expanding criteria for peace officers to take someone into protective custody during a mental health crisis, was reported favorable; HB 796, creating a chiropractic preceptorship program, was reported favorable; and HB 933, authorizing commemorative birth certificates, was reported favorable. The final major item was HB 1041, a “no-mandate” bill barring discrimination based on medical intervention status. The sponsor and Surgeon General said it was aimed at healthy, asymptomatic individuals and not at public health quarantine powers, but Senator Boudreaux objected to exemptions for schools and hospitals and offered an amendment to restore broader coverage. That amendment failed on a roll-call vote, and the bill remained under discussion as the transcript ended, with no final committee disposition shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• It always resonates with me, his comments on 2023 on the front steps of the Capitol.
• She's planning a June 10 activation at Capitol Square, which aligns with the governor's priorities.
• She highlighted the Jackson... ...at Capitol Square, which aligns with the governor's priorities.
• We still have fresh voices, fresh views up at Yorktown.
• Where they've curated and where they maintain, in my view, priceless artifacts.

Keywords: American Revolution 250 Commission, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to your Texas Capitol. It is so amazing to see so many of you here.
• Thank you so much for joining us today at your Texas Capitol. The chair recognizes Ms.
• Members, today is Montague County Day at the State Capitol.
• State Capitol. Thank you. Members, we are adjourned.
• Patterson to explain the resolution as Upbring Advocacy Day at the Texas State Capitol.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, we actually kick off Equal Ground Day at the Capitol, an opportunity for us to bring advocates
• Today, we actually kick off Equal Ground Day at the Capitol, an opportunity for us to bring advocates
• from across the state to the Capitol, to talk to their legislators about the issues that matter most
• I think we have heard such brilliant testimony this morning on how we must present a realistic view of
• we honored their memory today at 4 o'clock at 219 Appalachia Parkway, across the street from the Capitol

Bills: S0014, S0016, S0024, S0052, S0308, S0504, S0506, S0564, S0572, S0590, S0594, S0806, S1396, S7020, S7024, S7026

Keywords: negligence, settlement, police conduct, municipal liability, personal injury, compensation, injuries, Miami-Dade County, places of worship, house of worship, church, mosque, synagogue, religious security, armed security, volunteer security, private security, security guard licensing, licensure exemption, Florida Statutes chapter 493

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with 14 members present and considered a long agenda of bills, including several open-government sunset reauthorizations, consumer and election measures, claims bills, and policy bills on public safety, ethics, and child protection. The committee reported favorably SB 7024 and SB 7026, which extend and consolidate public-records/public-meeting exemptions for cybersecurity information and trade secrets held by agencies, and SB 7020, which reenacts the aquaculture records exemption for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. It also approved SB 14 and SB 24, two uncontested Miami-Dade County claims bills, and SB 16, a claims bill for Heriberto Sanchez Mayan involving severe injuries after an unlawful arrest and transport incident in St. Petersburg. Several bills drew substantial testimony. SB 308, creating the Florida Museum of Black History Board of Directors and designating St. Johns County as the museum site, received extensive support from advocates and lawmakers who emphasized preserving the full and accurate history of Black Floridians; some speakers urged safeguards to ensure historians and community members help shape the museum’s content. The committee also favorably reported CS for SB 564, allowing registered or pre-registered high school students to volunteer at polling places for community service hours, with supporters saying it would build civic engagement and help election offices. CS for SB 52, which exempts unpaid volunteer armed security at houses of worship from Class D and G licensing requirements, was also reported favorably after testimony both supporting the need for church security and cautioning that congregations should retain control over whether weapons are allowed. The committee approved CS for SB 1396 on litigation financing and consumer protection after a lengthy debate over transparency, foreign funding, and whether the bill would chill access to courts. Supporters said it would create guardrails and disclose foreign involvement; opponents argued it could burden plaintiffs and reveal litigation strategy. The committee also reported favorably CS for SB 504 and SB 506, creating a framework and related public-records exemption for code inspector body cameras, with discussion about notice to property owners and protection of sensitive footage. Additional favorable actions included CS for SB 572, updating ethics law to reflect foster family relationships, and CS for SB 590, tolling the statute of limitations for failure-to-report child abuse offenses until the offense is known to law enforcement or another charging authority.

Transcript Highlights:

• Capitol.
• unwilling to stand up for the Capitol unwilling to stand up for the Capitol police<02:35:22.000>
• Capitol on January 6, 2021.
• /c><02:50:37.279> Capitol<02:50:37.680> Police Howard Levengood, a Capitol Police Howard
• Do the front of the Capitol building.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're convening the 10 a.m. conference committee here in State Capitol Conference Room 329 on one measure
• We're convening the 10 a.m. conference committee here in State Capitol Conference Room 329 on one measure
• conference committee here on Wednesday, April 23rd, in the House conference room at the Vice State Capitol
• <00:54:20.240> from amber, blue appearances as viewed from amber, blue appearances as viewed
• We'll also be a license plate from view.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• available. within hours or even minutes, and offers the ability to search and download the data, not just view
• We'll start at 10,000 feet. view. What's your philosophy? You receive a complaint.
• This project is really transforming the area of Congress Avenue from the Capitol over to UT.
• And of course, a point of civic pride, the Texas Capitol Mall that you can all see.
• Areas that you that you testified on one just on the the Capitol complex.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was so scared coming to the Capitol as a teen by myself. ...I'm going to be vulnerable to a room of
• Capitol, facing the issue of having her privacy violated.
• Here in the Capitol, men have been coming into my bathroom for this session and last session.
• The first time I came to the Capitol to fight back was for the first bathroom bill in 2017.
• Members, this, in our view, is not a pro-life policy, and we ask you to oppose this bill.

Bills: HB7, SB 8, HB7, SB 8

Keywords: abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam, prohibition, state law, sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please give them a warm welcome to their Texas State Capitol.
• But certainly to celebrate the Tigers in the capitol today.
• that these children get to see the Capitol.
• Communities in Schools Day at your state capitol.
• Let's welcome them to our state capitol.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for coming down to the Capitol, Mr. Way.
• the team for food and beverage more view the team for food and beverage more concession<00:37:28.200
• And as a chair of the delegation of our Capitol of St.
• can buy tickets and and watch and view can buy tickets and and watch and view the<00:39:41.560><
• And as a chair of the delegation of our Capitol of St.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Culture, and on Arts, Energy, and Intergovernmental Affairs, on our 3 p.m. agenda here in the State Capitol
• Thank you. ...be a legislative aide here at the State Capitol, and when you have a bill this unpopular
• I just think that it's something that should be viewed more as part of our health system and not just
• more as like part of our health viewed more as like part of our health system<00:49:31.720> and
• to this committee today manow and Views to this committee today Aloha<00:52:48.839> thank<00:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees first heard House Bill 229, which would establish a statewide speed restriction for motor vehicles under certain circumstances. Testimony on the bill was limited and came in support from the City and County of Honolulu’s transportation services, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. No one testified in opposition, and there were no questions. The committees then took up House Bill 860, which would grant immunity from liability to the state or counties when they repair or maintain a street whose ownership or jurisdiction is disputed between them. The Department of Transportation and the Department of Land and Natural Resources submitted written testimony, and the Hawaii State Association of Counties, Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee, Hawaii County Council member Heather Kimble, and the Iolani Homestead Community Association for Justice testified in support. The Ho Association for Justice opposed the bill, arguing the immunity was too broad and that the issue had already been addressed by prior legislation. In discussion, members raised concerns about liability and asked whether a different approach, such as extending the 2017 law transferring Oahu roads in limbo to the counties, would be acceptable; county representatives said that path could be considered if immunity were removed. House Bill 1161, which would authorize counties to use a road usage charge mechanism similar to the state’s, drew support from the Department of Transportation, the Energy Office, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, several county and city offices, and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. Rental car companies and industry groups supported the concept but asked for amendments, including a flat fee instead of a per-mile charge, relief for plug-in hybrid vehicles, and a delayed implementation date. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii also supported relief for hybrids. Members questioned the rental car representatives about the flat-fee proposal, and they said a per-mile charge would be difficult to calculate and pass on to customers. At the end of the joint agenda, the committees deferred decision-making on HB 1161 to Tuesday, March 18 at 3:00 p.m., and the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee also deferred the three measures to that date and time. The Transportation and Culture and the Arts committee then began hearing House Bill 925, which would create a Performing Arts Special Fund, and House Bill 1378, which would establish a Performing Arts Grants Program and Special Fund and revise the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts’ responsibilities and funding sources. HB 925 received support from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and written support or comments from DBEDT, the Hawaii Arts Alliance, and others. HB 1378 drew extensive testimony and discussion focused on preserving arts funding while addressing concerns about the use of Works of Art Special Fund dollars for positions and programming. The Governor’s office said it supported the intent but had concerns; the Attorney General warned that the bill’s cap and transfer provisions were unclear and could affect the tax-exempt status of bond-funded dollars; and the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts opposed the measure, urging an audit, tracking of deposits, and a shift of positions and programs to general funds instead of changing the law. The chair explained that the bill was intended to protect arts funding while tightening the legal guardrails around bond-financed dollars and preserving federal support, and asked testimony to focus on new points as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, today you may have noticed quite a bit of color in the Capitol.
• and well Delta's are not here today myself and Senator Akilah Weber do represent them here in the Capitol
• This is the 26th annual day at the Capitol and as they meet with your offices please make sure that you
• And it's in room 1100, usually it's in the Capitol.
• anyone today who will agree with everyone's views. views and stop pretending that we do.

Keywords: 988, house, all