Transcript Highlights:

• And when they decided to sell, Miami-Dade bought the bulk of them, but then some cities bought...
• And when they decided to sell, Miami-Dade bought the bulk of them, but then some cities bought Thank
• Miami-Dade bought the bulk of them, but then some cities bought some of them.
• Did they get this land for free, or did they purchase the land? I believe they purchased the plant.
• Or are we talking about something a university might purchase? Thank you for the question.

Summary: The committee took up several bills and reported each favorably after brief debate and roll call votes. SB 578 would allow wine to be sold in recyclable containers, aligning wine with beer container rules; it had support from Americans for Prosperity. SB 606 clarified when nonpaying guests may be removed from public lodging establishments, updated notice and checkout provisions, and removed a mandatory arrest requirement, with support from Florida Realtors, the Asian American Hotel Association, and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. SB 202 addressed a long-running dispute between Miami Gardens and North Miami Beach over a water utility surcharge, requiring the utility to charge residents in the city where the plant sits the same rate as its own residents; supporters argued it was a fairness issue, while North Miami Beach opposed it as a burden on its residents. All three bills were reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 570, which updates and clarifies the scope of work for swimming pool and spa contractors, and CS/SB 928, which targets non-approved disposable nicotine devices by restricting advertising and display visible to minors, increasing inspections and penalties, and adopting an amendment to clarify the bill does not cover fully unlawful products and to add a 500-foot school buffer for smoke shops. SB 346, dealing with state preemption of local regulation of hoisting equipment, was reported favorably after testimony about the St. Petersburg crane collapse during Hurricane Milton; supporters said local governments need authority to address hurricane-related crane safety, while builders and contractors warned against patchwork regulation and urged a more targeted approach. The committee then considered SB 652, creating Veterinary Professional Associates to perform certain tasks under veterinarian supervision, including limited surgical procedures after an amendment clarified those procedures are limited to spay/neuter and non-cavity surgeries. Supporters said the bill would expand access to veterinary care and help shelters, while some veterinarians expressed concern about training and safety; the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee took up SB 354 on the Public Service Commission, adopting a substitute amendment that would expand the commission, require stronger financial expertise and more detailed rate justifications, set rate-filing schedules, tighten storm-hardening review, and add transparency rules for nonprofit water and wastewater utilities; the bill drew support from consumer advocates and AARP, while Florida Rural Water warned of unintended consequences for nonprofit systems. The transcript ends while testimony on SB 354 is still underway, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to CARS 45765, the University of Louisville reported several research equipment purchases.
• Pursuant to House Bill 6, KCNA provided a status report on its infrastructure upgrades and purchases.
• infrastructure upgrades and purchases. infrastructure upgrades and purchases.
• The rest of the bulk of the bonds, um, you know, when we refinanced in 17, it was favorable terms.
• of the bonds um you >> The rest of the bulk of the bonds um you know<00:24:07.120> when

Keywords: 0:00:02 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:30 Approval of Minutes 0:00:49 Information Items 0:01:54 Louisville Arena Authority 0:24:50 Project Rpt from Postsecondary Institutions - MSU 0:26:35 Project Rpt from Finance and Admin. Cabinet 0:37:52 Lease Rpt from Finance and Admin. Cabinet 0:40:13 Rpt from OFM – KIA 0:56:00 Rpt from OFM – EDF Grants 0:58:45 Rpt from OFM – OFM 1:01:46 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including a roll call, approval of the prior meeting minutes, and a set of informational reports. Those reports covered University of Louisville research equipment purchases, a Kent County school district debt issue for elementary school renovations, the University of Kentucky’s planned use of construction management risk for a new engineering building, APA certification reports for underwriter and bond counsel selection committees, and a KCNA status report on infrastructure upgrades and purchases. The main presentation was an informational update from the Louisville Arena Authority. Board representatives said the arena was created to drive economic development and reported about $1.4 billion in economic impact from 2010 to 2013. They explained the authority’s financial structure, including arena operating revenues, TIF revenues, debt service, and a long-term capital plan for major repairs and replacements. Members questioned the low net revenue figures, the long timeline before TIF revenues are projected to exceed debt service, the size of capital expenditure spikes, and the University of Louisville revenue-sharing arrangement. The authority said the $2.42 million annual UL payment is fixed under a 2017 refinancing agreement, while other amounts vary with ticket sales and related revenues. They also said the COVID-era state and Metro funds, combined with authority cash, were used to prepay debt and reduce interest, lowering the debt service schedule. The committee then considered and approved a new capital project for a new HVAC system for the student wellness center pool area. The project, presented by university staff, was approved by the board and required committee action. The committee took a roll call vote, and the project passed unanimously. Finally, Janice Thomas of the state budget office presented two tourism, arts, and heritage cabinet grid resilience projects at Kincaid Lake State Resort Park and Kentucky Down Village State Resort Park. Each project costs $7,834,600 and is funded mostly by a federal grid resilience grant, with the remainder from state utility infrastructure replacement funds and energy policy funds. Staff explained that the projects will move park electrical service ownership and maintenance to regional utilities, allowing the state to exit the infrastructure-management role while continuing to pay utility bills through normal metering. The committee approved the action item by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• bulk of them<00:58:04.240> came<00:58:04.359> in<00:58:04.480> the<00:58:04.599
• People have invested in purchasing PWCs, knowing their current classification as boats.
• them for fishing visiting sandb purchase them for fishing visiting sandb bars<01:09:10.279> or
• <01:31:17.960> the not only in uh in purchasing the not only in uh in purchasing the properties
• <01:42:07.360> a coverage unless they've purchased a coverage unless they've purchased a separate

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first discussed scheduling and notice for upcoming executive sessions on a larger slate of bills, including plans to take up eight bills in the morning and possibly the last three bills in the afternoon, with caucus time provided if needed. The chair emphasized advance notice, publication, and flexibility if more bills are added later. The hearing then opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and proceeded to HB 568, a bill allowing local planning boards to request water supply studies for subdivisions to ensure water adequacy as housing density increases. Representative Kat McGee, the prime sponsor, said HB 568 was developed after constituent concerns about private wells being affected by nearby development. She described the bill as narrowly tailored, non-mandatory, and intended to preserve local control while clarifying that planning boards may request studies under local regulations. She noted bipartisan support, an exclusion for community water systems and larger groundwater withdrawals regulated elsewhere, and said the bill would help prevent water shortages and related problems for new and existing homes. Questions from members focused on whether the bill should specify that it applies to subdivisions of four or more lots, since that language had been in an earlier version. Testimony on HB 568 was mixed. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors opposed the bill, arguing it lacked a definition of “water supply study,” could lead to expensive hydrology studies, and might raise housing costs; he suggested more work with DES or a study committee. DES administrator Brandon Kernin said the department had worked from a 2010 groundwater commission report, that such problems arise only intermittently in certain areas, and that the bill would make explicit local authority to adopt such ordinances. He also said DES data and homeowner surveys can help identify problem areas and that more robust wells could be considered in the long term. The committee noted 10 online submissions in favor and 3 opposed, plus blue-sheet testimony of 2 in favor and 1 neutral, and then closed the hearing on HB 568. The committee immediately opened HB 582, a bill on safety requirements for operation of personal watercraft. Representative Darby, the sponsor, said the bill responds to the speed and maneuverability of modern personal watercraft, which he described as more like motorcycles on water than traditional boats, and cited a fatal accident on Lake Monomonac as an example of the risks. He said the bill is not intended to restrict ordinary recreation or wake surfing, but to update safety standards for a newer class of larger, quieter three-person PWCs. The hearing began with Darby’s presentation, and no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So well yeah we the bulk of the money we So well yeah we the bulk of the money we spend<00:24:24.880>
• We covered a lot of these in bulk.
• We covered a lot of these in bulk.
• We covered a lot of these<01:33:01.760> in<01:33:02.000> bulk.
• We covered a lot of these in bulk.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:07 Chair Comments 00:00:36 Approval of Minutes 00:04:01 Volunteers of America 00:04:21 Soil and Water Conservation/Energy and Environment Cabinet 00:14:52 Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy/Justice & Public Safety Cabinet 00:21:05 Kentucky Department of Agriculture 00:26:01 Early Childhood Advisory Council 00:45:18, 958, all

Summary: The Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight Committee met to review how tobacco settlement dollars are being used and to press recipients for detailed information on total funding, administrative versus program spending, and measurable outcomes. The chair emphasized that the committee was not there for general program overviews, but to assess return on investment and whether each program should continue to receive tobacco settlement support. The committee approved the minutes from its December 22, 2025 meeting and then heard presentations from several agencies and organizations. Volunteers of America Mid-States described its southeastern Kentucky restorative justice program, which uses an evidence-based New Zealand model for juvenile cases in nine counties. The group reported tobacco settlement funding of $516,000 in FY24 and $233,500 in FY25, representing about 17% and then about 5% of the program budget, respectively. It said the funding helped expand the program from 13 cases in 2021 to 180 youth served, and cited an independent evaluation showing recidivism of 24.5% compared with 40.4% in AOC data, along with a cost of a little under $20 per day versus detention and other placements. Some members questioned whether the program fit the tobacco settlement funding categories and suggested it might be better supported through other justice-related funding sources. The Energy and Environment Cabinet’s Division of Conservation explained that tobacco funds support $1 million in direct aid to conservation districts and $2 million in cost-share projects for farmers, with 5% of the cost-share appropriation allowed for administration, or about $100,000 in FY26. Officials said the direct-aid line was moved into tobacco funding in 2019, reducing money available for farmer cost-share, and described a multi-year project approval and reallocation process. Senator Webb asked for a more specific breakdown of the $850,000 direct-aid amount, and the cabinet said it would provide that information. The Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy reported that in FY24 it expended just under $30 million across tobacco funds, general funds, restricted funds, and a one-time federal grant, with less than 2% used for administration. Officials said most tobacco settlement money goes to Kentucky ASAP local boards in all 120 counties, supporting prevention, treatment, and some law enforcement work. The Department of Agriculture then began its presentation, describing strategic investments, loan programs, county funding, administrative costs, and a reported return of about $2.30 for every dollar spent, but the transcript cuts off before that presentation was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're focused on forest because it's a natural way to do it, and that's where the bulk of the carbon
• 09.760> the and that's that's what really where the and that's that's what really where the bulk
• c> carbon<00:48:11.359> credits<00:48:11.839> are<00:48:12.079> generated bulk
• management project, which are the bulk management project, which are the bulk of<01:20:22.320>
• <01:25:15.679> conservation has been able to purchase conservation has been able to purchase

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was called to order, the Pledge of Allegiance was led, and the clerk called the roll, establishing a quorum. The committee approved the prior minutes after correcting the date and changing a reference so that a draft-legislation note attributed to Representative Wlette was corrected. After that, the chair introduced a carbon presentation by Mr. Charlie Lebec and invited members and guests to move closer to view the slides. Mr. Lebec’s presentation focused on forest carbon science and forest carbon offset markets, with emphasis on how forests store, sequester, and emit carbon. He explained greenhouse gases and the relationship between atmospheric CO2 and temperature, then defined key terms such as carbon storage, sequestration, flux, sinks, and sources. He also described forest carbon pools, noting that soils contain a large share of forest carbon, and discussed how forest age affects storage and sequestration, arguing that younger forests often sequester carbon faster while older forests store more carbon overall. He also addressed how harvested wood products can continue to store carbon, responding to a question from a member about mass timber and carbon sinks. The presentation included regional comparisons showing New Hampshire’s forest density, carbon storage, and sequestration relative to other New England states, and noted that New Hampshire forests offset more than 30% of the state’s annual greenhouse gas emissions from nonforest sources, while Maine and Vermont offset even larger shares. Mr. Lebec said eastern forests are generally carbon sinks, unlike some western forests affected by wildfire, and stressed that forest management, soil protection, and forest age all influence carbon outcomes. No votes or substantive policy actions were taken beyond approving the minutes; the meeting was primarily informational.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:07:53.199> personal small meat lockers purchase personal small meat lockers purchase personal
• 05:38.079> as<01:05:38.400> me purchase assistance program as me purchase assistance program
• plan to purchase pets from a breeder. plan to purchase pets from a breeder.
• support people's choice to purchase support people's choice to purchase animals<01:44:51.920>
• Chair, I purchased my dog from a breeder.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It has to be a licensed teacher to teach these programs, so that is the bulk of the cost.
• Now, again, with the volunteers teaching our life skills, that's not a part of that bulk of money.
• <01:36:06.960> that<01:36:07.280> bulk that's not a part of that bulk that bulk that's
• not a part of that bulk that bulk of<01:36:07.639> that<01:36:07.760> money<01:36:07.960
• proposes funding for Grants to purchase proposes funding for Grants to purchase or<02:04:21.079>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesotan families already adopt responsibly from shelters and rescues or purchase from responsible
• Minnesotan families already adopt responsibly from shelters and rescues or purchase from responsible
• ABV currently pays the bulk of our discounts, $229 million, to hospitals.
• Another Minnesota hospital's 340B purchases rose from $3.6 million in 2022 to $17 million in 2025.
• Another Minnesota hospital's 340B purchases rose from $3.6 million in 2022 to $17 million in 2025.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you're collecting native seeds or you're purchasing these seeds from off-site suppliers?
• A seed nursery where they are growing prairie plants and seeds, and that's where the bulk of that comes
• So yes, there's definitely, with more funding, we could theoretically purchase businesses, you know,
• So what we've done right now as far as our next steps, we've asked for capital request and land purchase
• The next step that we'll do is look at purchase and sale agreement with state funds if it gets approved

Summary: The Joint Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs heard presentations on several military and veterans-related topics. Dr. Dan Calvert briefed the committee on the JBLM Sentinel Landscape Partnership, explaining its voluntary conservation work to reduce encroachment around the base by protecting prairie habitat, supporting agriculture, and managing sensitive species. He described REPI funding, recent and proposed projects, and possible policy support such as state designation, dedicated funding, management endowments, prescribed fire flexibility, and water-right transfer tools. Members asked about seed sourcing, the distinction between natural-resource encroachment and development-related encroachment, and the impact of federal REPI staffing cuts. David Puente of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs updated the committee on plans for a new state veterans cemetery in the Tri-Cities area and a replacement Spokane Veterans Home. He said the cemetery project has two candidate sites near Richland/West Richland, with pre-design funded by the legislature and a future request expected for land purchase and construction; he also noted the current cemetery funding source is limited and would not support a second cemetery without additional state operating funds. On the Spokane home, he described the current facility’s limitations and said the replacement would be a 120-bed, small-house model on a larger site, with the VA expected to cover 65% of construction costs if the state provides the match. He also reviewed agency budget reductions, including vacant positions, reduced outreach, cuts to counseling and wellness funding, and reduced support for veterans service organizations. Blue Star Families’ Puget Sound chapter also presented on its programs for military-connected families, including Coffee Connects, a children’s book club, outdoor programming, career support, and Blue Star Welcome Week. The group said it is expanding beyond the South Sound and is using local outposts and online networks to reach more families, while also helping with food insecurity through grocery gift cards and partnerships with local nonprofits. Committee members discussed the need to expand the organization statewide and the ongoing food-security challenges facing military families. During the final discussion on potential legislation, members raised ideas including restoring Washington National Guard retention efforts, expanding E-CAP eligibility to military families, revisiting the composition of the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, and addressing veterans’ preference issues for service members who have not yet received a DD-214. The committee did not take any formal votes or actions, but members and presenters discussed future policy and budget requests, and the chairs thanked the presenters and staff before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the intent, on bulk salt uh sales.
• bulk salt. Um I'm not sure that they bulk salt.
• That might be some place to start if we talk about prioritizing things is the current purchasers of bulk
• the current purchasers of bulk salt. the current purchasers of bulk salt.
• salt, are there the vendors that bulk salt, are there the vendors that sell<04:00:54.560> this?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then someone else unknowingly goes and purchases that gift card, and the people who tampered with
• Once a customer purchased a loaded gift card, the funds were immediately drained.
• Once a customer purchased<00:21:17.039> a<00:21:17.200> loaded<00:21:17.520> gift
• card, the funds purchased a loaded gift card, the funds were<00:21:18.640> immediately<00:21:
• So that's another substantial update, and the bulk of the bill is updating terminology. Great.

Bills: HF2354, HF3407, HF4359, HF4192, HF3356, HF3695, HF1597, HF3155, HF3871, HF4437, HF4446, HF3990

Keywords: medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, ghost guns, unserialized firearms, 3D-printed guns, 3D printer firearms, CNC milling, home-built firearms, firearm serialization, serial numbers, unfinished frame, unfinished receiver, ghost gun ban, gun control, firearm design files, CAD files, digital gun blueprints

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, that much is being right that we are going to lose, but the bulk of those repairs are going out
• Well, that much is being right that we are going to lose, but the bulk of those repairs are going out
• The bill further specifies that the system may be purchased by a contractor and installed in a residence
• The system may be purchased by a contractor and installed in a residence homestead under a lump sum contract
• , or may be purchased by or on behalf of the owner of the residence homestead in which the system is

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard several tax and economic development bills. SB 935 would exempt counties from the motor fuels tax on fuel used exclusively in county vehicles; Sen. Hall and Cass County Judge Travis Ransom argued it would save counties money without changing fund allocations, and the bill was left pending while the committee waited for the House version. SB 2206 would extend and revise Texas’s research and development incentives by tying the franchise tax credit more closely to federal law and changing the program’s effective date; supporters from business, manufacturing, and tax policy groups said it would protect innovation jobs and help startups, while the Comptroller’s office explained the fiscal note and said the committee substitute was no longer needed. The committee later withdrew the substitute and left the bill pending before ultimately voting it out favorably. The committee also heard SB 2020, which would repeal the “rehab tax” on nonresidential remodeling. Sen. Campbell said a large fiscal note led him to delay a full presentation, but builders, architects, and contractors testified that the tax raises remodeling costs, complicates audits, and discourages reuse and reinvestment in existing buildings. The bill was left pending. SB 2018 would create a two-year “strong families” tax credit for businesses donating to nonprofits that provide family support services; supporters from Family First, Buckner International, and Texas Baptist said it would strengthen families, father engagement, and upstream prevention, while the author said the Comptroller and HHSC were still working on administration details. That bill was also left pending. After a quorum was established, the committee heard and later reported several bills favorably. SB 1030 would exempt certain aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul parts from sales tax for general aviation; industry, airport, and local economic development witnesses said it would keep high-wage aviation work in Texas and improve competitiveness with neighboring states, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 214 would create a temporary sales tax holiday for qualifying residential HVAC systems; it was laid out and left pending. SB 1901 would make administrative and ethics changes to the Opioid Abatement Fund Council, including staggered terms, conflict rules, and fund reallocation procedures; it was reported favorably. SB 266 would repeal the Texas Research Incentive Program and use the appropriation to address the existing backlog of unmatched donations; the chair and Sen. Paxton said the state should honor past commitments, and the committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm in one of those counties where, if the senator from Iowa gets his way, they will purchase the lower
• I'm in one of those counties where, if the senator from Iowa gets his way, they will purchase the lower
• I'm in one of those counties where, if the senator from Iowa gets his way, they will purchase the lower
• <00:11:40.720> property<00:11:41.279> whether whether it's purchase property whether
• whether it's purchase property whether it's<00:11:41.920> Insurance<00:11:42.920> uh<00

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Minnesota House Commerce Committee held its inaugural meeting with Chair Tim O’Driscoll and co-chair Representative Greg Davids opening the session and inviting members to introduce themselves. Members briefly described their districts, business backgrounds, and priorities, with recurring themes including small business competitiveness, insurance and health care access, property and real estate issues, agriculture, and making Minnesota easier to do business in. Committee staff also introduced themselves and reminded members and testifiers about sign-in procedures and microphone use. The committee then heard an overview from Eric Toell, interim director of the Office of Cannabis Management, on the agency’s work and budget priorities. He said the office now oversees adult-use cannabis, medical cannabis, and hemp-derived cannabinoid products, has grown from about nine employees to 90 full-time staff plus temporary workers, and has been working with a Cannabis Advisory Council on testing, warning labels, and implementation issues. He also described outreach efforts, including webinars, newsletters, guidebooks for local governments, and office hours for applicants, along with enforcement of hemp-derived product rules through more than 3,000 inspections and an increase in compliance rates from about 35% to 75%. Toell also reported that the medical cannabis program has surpassed 51,000 patients and nearly 2,500 registered health care providers, and that a chronic pain report found more than a third of patients reported decreased pain. On the adult-use side, he said the office has posted proposed rules for public comment, plans to adopt them after review, and will open a licensing window from February 18 to March 14. He explained that the office is also managing community reinvestment grants and a technical assistance grant, with an emphasis on safeguards to ensure funds reach intended recipients. No votes were taken during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bulk of the meeting will be discussion questions on possible recommendations.
• middle own their own homes for the most part, which have substantially increased in value since they purchased
• If you live in a private home right now and you need to purchase home care, you have to purchase minimum
• So you subsidize the purchase, which is roughly, you know, how I think some of the 40B...
• We do want to spend the bulk of this meeting discussing potential recommendations.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission meeting focused on continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), beginning with a presentation from Two Life Communities on its Opus Newton model, which is opening in the fall. Two Life described Opus as a middle-income, modern CCRC built around affordability, care coordination in residents’ apartments rather than separate care buildings, and resident-driven community life. Commissioners asked about financing, home care arrangements, affordability, Medicaid/MassHealth access, and the role of resident councils versus board representation. Two Life said it wants to remain within the CCRC framework, but expressed concern about proposals that would require multiple discrete care levels, impose deadlines on entrance-fee refunds, or require resident board seats. The commission then discussed possible recommendations. There was broad support for Senate Bill 478, which would require clearer disclosure of entrance-fee refund terms in a separate document for prospective residents. On refund timing, members were divided: some favored a one-year deadline or a deadline with waivers, while others opposed a fixed deadline because of financing risks and the potential impact on new development and current residents. Several members suggested keeping the status quo but adding better data collection and reporting on refund timing. On the CCRC definition and marketing, members debated whether the current statutory definition is too vague and whether the commission should recommend clearer standards or a certification-like process, while also noting resource limits for state oversight. Members also discussed the Age CCRC Consumer Guide, with general agreement that it should be updated and made more useful to consumers, possibly with clearer questions to ask and more information about facilities, though some cautioned against adding subjective financial-risk statements that would be hard to administer. On resident representation, several commissioners strongly supported requiring resident voting members on boards, while providers argued that strong resident associations and regular meetings with boards may be preferable and that communities should retain flexibility. The meeting ended with a request for written comments by July 11, draft recommendations to be circulated July 18, and a possible final meeting on July 21, with the commission aiming to finish by August 1.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as you all know, a bulk of our resources goes towards our people: about 80 cents of every dollar
• And as you all know, a bulk of our resources goes towards our people: about 80 cents of every dollar
• And as you all know, a bulk of our resources goes towards our people: about 80 cents of every dollar
• And as you all know, a bulk of our resources goes towards our people: about 80 cents of every dollar
• And as you all know, a bulk of our resources goes towards our people: about 80 cents of every dollar

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Education Policy Committee met under a co-chair arrangement and heard opening remarks emphasizing civility, direct testimony from school leaders, and a focus on whether state policy is meeting student needs in the least intrusive and most cost-effective way. Chair Coleman asked testifiers to keep remarks brief and policy-focused, and the committee began with a series of superintendents describing local budget pressures and the cumulative impact of state mandates. Anoka-Hennepin Superintendent Corey McIntyre said the district, the state’s largest, is serving about 37,000 students and faces a roughly $26 million deficit even after major reductions, including cutting about $44 million and roughly 250 central office jobs. He cited rising costs tied to compensation, special education and multilingual cross-subsidies, unemployment, paid leave, READ Act implementation, student/staff safety and K-3 discipline requirements, and transportation, saying the district still faces about $50 million in mandate-related shortfalls and may need to reduce class size and student supports. Senator Kunesh responded that summer unemployment claims are paid from a separate state budget line, not the district general fund, and asked about paid leave costs; McIntyre and the chair clarified the district’s concern was the possibility of future costs if state funding ends. Prior Lake-Savage Superintendent Michael Thomas said district revenues are rising only about 2.5% to 3% while expenses are growing 5% or more, driven by inflation and vendor costs. He argued that the state’s inflationary funding tie should be maintained, and asked for an increase in local optional aid of $250 per pupil and more flexibility for districts that struggle to pass local levies. Minnetonka Superintendent David Law argued that schools are being asked to absorb broader community burdens, including food and mental health needs, while still being judged on academics and graduation; he said REACT funding fell short, forcing the district to shift reading funds to staff development, and urged the committee not to roll mandates forward without funding. Fergus Falls Superintendent Jeff Drake said expanded unemployment, earned sick and safe time, and paid family leave are creating staffing and budget challenges for rural districts, estimating unemployment costs could reach $240,000 annually and sick and safe time about $25,000, with added difficulty recruiting support staff and substitutes. No committee votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative, do we know what income brackets make up the bulk of lottery ticket sales?
• Do we know what income brackets make up the bulk of lottery ticket sales?
• purchasing discounts.
• Costs, especially with educational and bulk purchasing discounts.
• These are available for purchase.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, pledges, and several ceremonial recognitions, including Wilson County Day, San Antonio Mission Indian Descendants Day, and Blue Ribbon Lobby Day, along with acknowledgments of visiting groups and a birthday greeting. The chamber also announced committee meetings and then moved into floor business, including conference committee action on Senate Bill 1, the state budget. A series of motions to instruct House conferees on SB 1 were debated and voted on. One motion sought to restore salary for Attorney General Ken Paxton after his impeachment-related suspension; it passed 88-56. Another, from Rep. Olcott, directed conferees to support amendments requiring data collection on the costs of undocumented immigrants in hospitals and prisons; after extended debate and a failed amendment from Rep. Martinez Fischer to also study immigrants’ economic contributions, the motion passed 86-61. The House also adopted instructions to eliminate Texas Lottery Commission funding, to support amendments restricting public education institutions from affirming gender identities inconsistent with biological sex, and to seek an additional $4 billion in property tax relief, with each motion passing on recorded votes. The House then took up a supplemental calendar and passed several bills, including HB 39 on veteran death data, HB 102 on priority registration for certain students entering military service, HB 126 on student-athlete compensation and representation, HB 290 on tuition and fee assistance for members of the Texas military forces, HB 300 on Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program updates, and HB 2143 naming a highway in honor of Army Specialist Joey Lins. The chamber also postponed consideration of HJR 2 and HJR 6. Later, the House considered HB 120 on career and technology education pathways and HB 20 on applied science pathway programs for high school students. HB 120 received a perfecting amendment and was advanced after discussion about workforce preparation. HB 20 prompted extensive questioning about transportation, costs, and how students would access partner campuses such as community colleges and TSTC sites; debate continued as the transcript ended, with members examining how the program would operate and whether approval authority would rest with TEA.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to move on to that next slide because it is the bulk of our ask.
• The bulk of this request is for the pre-prosecution diversion program.
• So, that will be the bulk of the FY26.
• So that will be the bulk of the FY26 supplemental request.
• My office is currently in the process of purchasing an AI platform. It's fully CJIS compliant.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the way this bill is written, ATCs could purchase CBD oil, for example, in bulk.
• So the way this bill is written, ATCs could purchase CBD oil, for example, in bulk.
• So the way this bill is written, ATCs could purchase CBD oil, for example, in bulk.
• So the way this bill is written, ATCs could purchase CBD oil, for example, in bulk.
• So the way this bill is written, ATCs could purchase CBD oil, for example, in bulk.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We didn't have to worry about all the purchasing laws, going through cabinets.
• But we had our own purchasing policy. It was modeled after the state, but a lot simpler.
• You don't go through state purchasing. And that's not to avoid anything.
• G, purchase and sell electric power.
• Does the state have the power to purchase and sell electricity?

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You don't go through state purchasing. And that's not to avoid anything.
• G, purchase and sell electric power.
• Does the state already have the power to purchase and sell electricity?
• Already has the power to purchase and sell electricity?
• Does the state have the power to purchase and sell electricity?

Summary: The meeting focused on finalizing recommendations from the Delaware Nuclear Energy Task Force, with most of the discussion centered on how the state should organize itself to evaluate and potentially pursue nuclear power. Public commenters strongly supported nuclear energy, emphasizing energy reliability, economic competitiveness, data center demand, and the need for Delaware to act quickly. Several speakers argued that Delaware is falling behind neighboring states and should not delay if it wants to attract developers and preserve access to federal tax incentives. Members then worked through revisions to the recommendations, especially the section on state actions moving forward. There was broad agreement that Delaware needs a clearly empowered leadership structure, but disagreement over the best form: a cabinet-level energy agency, an expanded existing agency such as DENREC, a dedicated coordinator, an expanded Sustainable Energy Utility, or a separate quasi-independent authority. Some members favored a nimble, one-off entity with bonding and financing authority; others cautioned against creating a new body outside state government and stressed the need for coordination with existing agencies, public oversight, and cost discipline. The group also discussed adding responsibilities such as site identification, public engagement, coordination with PJM and federal agencies, and financing tools, while removing or folding in items that seemed duplicative or too broad. The committee also revised earlier modules to broaden the focus from small modular reactors to nuclear power more generally, while keeping the task force’s original SMR work in view. Members agreed to keep recommendations on state and local regulatory readiness, financial mechanisms, permitting coordination, and public engagement, and to add a recommendation for Delaware to participate as an observer in the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative through NASEO and NARUC. The committee approved the revised Module Four recommendations by vote, with one abstention from Tom Noyes. Minutes from the prior meeting were also approved with minor corrections.