Transcript Highlights:

• Texas and in other states that used a standardized writing test.
• The CEA did not recommend that that pilot get made standard across the state.
• The STAAR right now does not meet TEA's own standards for being able to get standards. grades across
• Is high standards yes, we agree are good, and you have an increasing of the standard. in the bill, but
• There's no way to assess. all of the standards that are taught.

Bills: HB4, HB54, SB 10, SB 24, HB4, HB54, HB775, HB850, HB 1122, HB 1249, HB1405, HB2336, HB2757, HB3372, HB3622, HB4442, HB4687, HB4893, HB5089, HB5515, HB5606, SB10, SB24, HB1573, HB3369

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, citizenship, U.S. citizen, non-citizen, public office, advisory board, task force, state government, local government, political subdivision, commission board, appointment eligibility, officeholder qualifications, public service, naturalization, Texas Government Code

Transcript Highlights:

• focused on real-world issues that shape the future of Texas, like training the next generation of engineers

Bills: HB4, HB54, HB775, HB850, HB 1122, HB 1249, HB1405, HB2336, HB2757, HB3372, HB3622, HB4442, HB4687, HB4893, HB5089, HB5515, HB5606, SB10, SB24, HB1573, HB3369, HB4, HB54, SB 10, SB 24

Keywords: non-human behaviors, education, Texas schools, policy, regulation, funding, teacher salaries, school districts, state budget, non-enrolled students, University Interscholastic League, participation, eligibility standards, school participation, academic standards, Texas education, interscholastic league, extracurricular activities, academic proficiency, AED

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1465 extends the sunset for the state board of licensure for engineers and surveyors to 2031

Bills: SB1465, SB2110, SB1771, SB206, SB1584, SB1386, SB1696, SB1806, SB1428, SB1390, SB1381, SB201, SB1778, SB1332, SB1836, SB1369, SB1794, SB1290, SB175, SB1379

Keywords: professional engineers, surveyors, licensure board, sunset extension, state board, occupational licensing, engineering license, surveying license, professional regulation, regulatory board, sunset review, emergency clause, Oklahoma O.S. 59, board appointments, lay member, Oklahoma Workforce Commission, workforce development, data collection, economic development, outside counsel

Transcript Highlights:

• Um when it provide those standards.
• , does require more than just engineers, does require more than just engineers, more<00:52:50.720
• <01:00:39.119> and dual major in mechanical engineering and dual major in mechanical engineering
• <01:01:21.599> uh engineers of our community as well. uh engineers of our community as well
• and being able to pursue engineering and being able to pursue engineering outside<01:07:56.960><

Bills: HB1813, HB2429, HB2423, HB1996, HB1851, HB2546, HB2028, HB2583, HB2490, HB2545, HB2114, HB1859, HB2534, HB2474, HB1863, HB2475

Keywords: taxation, general excise tax, use tax, exemptions, Hawaii Revised Statutes, tax expenditure, tax expenditure evaluation, tax credit review, tax incentive, tax exemption, use tax exemption, income tax credit, DBEDT, Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism, Department of Taxation, fiscal oversight, budget accountability, tax policy, revenue loss, public spending

Summary: The committee opened with HB 1813 on taxation and HB 2429 on tax expenditure evaluation, taking mostly written testimony and limited oral discussion. On HB 2429, the Tax Foundation and Department of Taxation raised privacy and federal-law concerns, warning that the bill could require taxpayers to file duplicative returns and could risk disclosure of federal tax information if released publicly. Members and witnesses discussed using anonymized or summary reporting instead of individual public release, with the department saying summarized data would be preferable and that the state can ask for the information as a policy matter, but individual public release could create problems. The committee then heard HB 2423 HD1 on biodiesel, where Pacific Biodiesel said it can supply all biodiesel needed for B5 in Hawaii without imports and asked to move the implementation date earlier to November 2027 to allow rollout planning. HB 1996 HB1 on hearing aids drew broad support; a disability access representative said earlier insurance-based efforts had run into administrative problems and that this bill would immediately lower costs for consumers. HB 1851 HD1, also related to hearing aids, received support from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, while the Tax Foundation argued the program would be better funded directly rather than through the tax system, citing overhead costs and blank provisions that should be filled in before passage. On HB 2546, the research activities tax credit, HCDC said the credit supports long-term R&D and should be converted from a first-come, first-served system to proration so more applicants receive some benefit; the agency described the credit as helping companies move from idea to commercialization and noted the state is leaving potential jobs and federal dollars on the table. HB 2028 HD1, relating to Labor Day for construction workers, drew support from labor representatives who said it recognizes construction workers and helps offset cost-of-living pressures, while the Tax Foundation opposed it as an industry-specific subsidy and flagged technical issues with undefined terms and blank credit amounts. The committee also heard HB 2583, HB 2490, HB 2545, HB 2114, and HB 1859 HD1. HB 2490, concerning coastal erosion at Mokuhiki Bay, received strong support from a temple representative who described severe shoreline loss, years of temporary emergency work, and the need for a long-term, nature-based solution in coordination with state agencies. HB 2545, involving HCDC and SBIR commercialization, was supported as a way to turn R&D into economic development; HCDC said it had more applications than it could fund and that the bill could help create high-wage jobs. HB 2114, the Hawaii Benefits Hub, received comments from ETS and DHS emphasizing support for the concept but cautioning that operational, policy, cybersecurity, and data-sharing standards must be carefully aligned. HB 1859 HD1 on workforce development drew strong support from workforce and philanthropic groups, who said Hawaii faces a long-term gap between projected living-wage jobs and the number of young people entering the workforce, and argued the bill would create durable infrastructure for coordination and long-term planning. No formal votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Bills: HB25, HB108, HB109, HB111, HB112, HB113, HB117, HB118, HB119, HB120, HB121, HB122, HB124, HB126, HB127, HB128, HB129, HB130, HB131, HB25

Keywords: emergency services, 911, local districts, joint operations, contracting, HB108, Alabama Sunset Law, sunset reauthorization, board continuation, speech-language pathology, audiology, licensing board, professional regulation, healthcare regulation, occupational licensing, speech therapist, speech pathologist, audiologist, Sunset Committee, Code of Alabama 1975

Transcript Highlights:

• Vaccination requirements, infection control protocols, return-to-care standards — they all exist to reduce
• The bill outlines subjects the rules must address, including updated standards, curriculum, training,
• The board currently...” “...and additionally we will also address standards of conduct.
• of conduct the board currently and additionally we will also address standards of conduct the board
• in any context, inadvertently eliminates all controls because access has appropriately standardized,

Bills: HB2048, HB2189, HB2248, HB2403, HB2728, HB2729, HB2730, HB2731, HB2906, HCR2058

Keywords: orders of protection, domestic violence, court procedures, legal guardian, enforcement, healthcare, licensed health aides, scope of practice, ventilator care, training standards, medical freedom, healthcare mandates, employment requirements, public health, government regulation, elderly, physical disabilities, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, home and community based services, funding increase

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) on homelessness in Maricopa County and CASS programs for single adults, families, and older adults. The witness described rising homelessness, especially among older adults, and said recent declines were linked to American Rescue Plan Act funding for shelters and flexible rental assistance. Members asked about CASS partnerships with mutual aid and service organizations; the witness described collaborations for food, banking, haircuts, digital access, and behavioral health. No vote was taken on this presentation. The committee then considered HB 2248, the Arizona Medical Freedom Act, which would bar businesses, schools, and government entities from denying services or employment based on medical interventions and limit employer medical requirements, with a school outbreak amendment adopted. Proponents framed the bill as protecting bodily autonomy and informed consent, while opponents argued it would weaken employers’ ability to control communicable diseases and protect public health. The committee adopted the amendment and advanced the bill on a 4-3 vote. It also advanced HB 2906, requiring one oral and maxillofacial surgeon on the State Board of Dental Examiners, and HB 2189, directing the Nursing Board to implement rules for licensed health aides performing routine ventilator care; both passed with amendments and strong support from sponsors and board representatives. Later, the committee approved HB 2403, appropriating $2.5 million in FY2027 for home- and community-based services providers serving elderly and physically disabled Arizonans. Supporters said the funding would help retain caregivers and reduce more expensive hospital or facility care. The committee also passed several continuation bills, including HB 2731 for the Physician Assistants Board, HB 2730 for the Occupational Therapy Board, and HB 2729 for the Nursing Board, all on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes after testimony from board staff emphasizing public protection and oversight. The committee then took up HB 2728, a DES continuation bill that also incorporated nine previously vetoed policy bills affecting SNAP, unemployment, and related benefits. Opponents argued it would make access to essential benefits harder and turn a routine continuation bill into a vehicle for controversial policy changes; supporters said it was needed for oversight and program integrity. The bill advanced on a 4-3 vote. Finally, the committee approved HB 2048, a strike-everything amendment requiring AHCCCS to treat a new non-opioid pain medication no more restrictively than opioids in utilization controls, and ACR 2058, which would require a comprehensive Medicaid claims audit funded by recoveries. Both measures drew support from sponsors and some personal testimony, while opponents warned about cost, duplication of oversight, and incentives that could bias audits; each advanced on 4-3 votes. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Brings the state standards in line with national standards by removing the requirement for in-person
• So just to clarify, this does bring it up to the national standard.
• So just to clarify, this does bring it up to the national standard.
• >> They're licensing. >> Yes, sir. >> They don't require that I meet standards. >> Yes, sir.

Bills: HB462, HB477, SB210, HB462, HB477, SB210

Keywords: emergency medical services, military training, licensure, public health, veterans, health benefits, nonprofit organization, agriculture, insurance regulation, taxation, hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, HB462, chiropractic, chiropractor, State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, professional licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• In 1995, Florida passed the Labor Pool Act, establishing standards of conduct for labor pools to guarantee
• currently have implemented various queue systems, this pilot program will establish a measurable standard
• accessibility and timeliness of our government services to Floridians and will help achieve the standard
• set by the Florida Customer Service Standards Act.

Bills: S0002, S0026, S0354, S1112, S1192, S1220, S1352, S1670

Keywords: negligence, settlement, appropriation, highway safety, damages, law enforcement, motorcycle accident, compensation, Department of Transportation, legal claim, land use, development, sustainability, environmental protection, housing policy, labor pool, employment, temporary work, placement fee, Department of Commerce

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard several bills and reported most of them favorably. The first major measure, CS/SB 1220, was described as a broad transportation package expanding FDOT authority over trails, seaports, aviation, advanced air mobility, delivery devices, and related technology, while also addressing toll revenue use, autonomous vehicle penalties, digital driver licenses, and an FDOT study on alternative-fuel vehicles. An amendment narrowed some provisions, including local regulation of personal delivery devices and FDOT airport language. Senator Smith and others raised concerns about language involving FDOT assistance to local governments on federal grant applications, but the bill passed unanimously after support from industry and local-government appearance cards. The committee also approved SB 1112, the Labor Pool Act, which would prohibit labor pools from charging placement fees when workers are hired permanently by a third-party employer and require annual registration with the Department of Commerce. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would reduce barriers to full-time employment, improve oversight, and help returning citizens and low-wage workers; multiple witnesses testified in support, including labor advocates and individuals describing high placement fees. Senators from both parties praised the bill’s worker and reentry benefits, and it passed unanimously. The committee then favorably reported SB 2, a claims bill for the estate of Danielle Maudsley arising from a fatal FHP arrest incident and settlement, and SB 26, another claims bill providing relief for the estate of Mark Legata after alleged FDOT negligence. Senate Bill 1352 on motor vehicles also passed without opposition. It would create a secure online portal for license plate seizure processing, allow disabled veterans to retain their DV plate designation upon reissuance or transfer, ban license plate covers and similar devices that obscure plates, and route certain online driver license and ID transactions through county tax collectors. SB 1192, a customer service pilot requiring callback queues for certain calls to the Department of Commerce and Department of Children and Families, was likewise reported favorably to improve response times and reduce hold times. The most extensive debate centered on CS/SB 354, the Blue Ribbon Projects bill, which would create a new process for very large developments on 10,000-acre or larger parcels if the owner sets aside 60% of the land for conservation or reserve uses. Supporters said it was intended to promote long-range planning, preserve land, and provide certainty for infrastructure and services, while opponents from counties, planning groups, and environmental organizations argued it would preempt local land-use authority, weaken public participation, and allow conservation requirements to be too vague. An amendment added more detail, but concerns remained about administrative approval, timelines, and the definition of reserve areas. Despite opposition from some members, the committee reported the bill favorably on a divided vote. SB 1670 was temporarily postponed, and the committee adjourned after recording one member’s vote on SB 1220.

Bills: HB 12, HB 149, SB 229, SB 1361, SB 1749, SB 1897, SB 2113, SB 2566, SB 2677, SB 1652, SB 2327, SB 2344, SB 2696

Keywords: artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance, automobile sales, finance, retail seller, motor vehicle purchase, motor vehicle sales, pricing restrictions, third-party financing, education, funding, student assessment, accountability, standards, motor vehicle, financing

Transcript Highlights:

• The folks that we hire are going to be engineers.
• And we're very specific on the type of engineers that we do hire. So this bill helps you.
• Engineers.
• This bill provides a uniform standard to ensure fairness and alignment across the state.
• So it's my intent for the Higher Education Coordinating Board just to provide a standard, a uniform standard

Bills: SB1998, SB646, SB2786, SB2076, SB2615, SB1961, SB1418, SB2647, SB1322, SB2788

Keywords: pediatrics, medical education, subsidiary, preceptorship, medical training, student programs, mental health, loan repayment, education funding, mental health professionals, healthcare access, Texas Success Initiative, exemption, public officers, employees, higher education, Capitol view, Austin, urban planning, construction

Transcript Highlights:

• While effective in ensuring quality, these standards have not supported the state's priority to align
• Agency standards go beyond traditional peer-reviewed metrics by integrating outcome-driven indicators
• This bill provides a uniform standard to ensure fairness and alignment across the state.
• It's my intent for the Higher Education Coordinating Board to provide a standard, a uniform standard,
• Once the standards are created, we leave the universities. Is there any flexibility to add to you?

Bills: SB1998, SB646, SB2786, SB2076, SB2615, SB1961, SB1418, SB2647, SB1322, SB2788

Keywords: pediatrics, medical education, subsidiary, preceptorship, medical training, student programs, mental health, loan repayment, education funding, mental health professionals, healthcare access, Texas Success Initiative, exemption, public officers, employees, higher education, Capitol view, Austin, urban planning, construction

Transcript Highlights:

• helped increase the pay for most. through these very rural counties, to get them to these minimum standard
• to fund proper equipment or training that our organization believes is paramount to professional standards

Bills: HB467, HB318, HB503, HB198, HB318, HB198

Keywords: hospital district, Cedar Creek, scholarship, dissolution, county judges, healthcare funding, grant program, rural counties, law enforcement, sheriff's departments, funding, public safety, deputy shortages, sheriff, prosecutor, salary assistance, HB 198, Wade Cannon Act, firefighter cancer screening, occupational cancer screening

Transcript Highlights:

• Engineering techs, all those chemical engineers, and all those other engineering disciplines could be
• Electrical and chemical engineering.
• technology, to a four-year engineering degree.
• Right, and you're hiring engineering technologists as well as, on some occasions, engineers themselves
• Right, and so over half of that is probably engineering, engineering technology services, etc., that

Bills: SB530, SB757, SB769, SB1085, SB1241, SB1242, SB1409, SB1878, SB2138, SB2314, SB2231, SB2361, SB2431, SJR59

Keywords: accreditation, postsecondary education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, program delivery, faculty recruitment, higher education, performance standards, student loan debt, degree programs, funding, students with disabilities, accessibility, enrollment, report, SB 1085, Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande College, Del Rio

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a retired professional engineer and business executive and a 30-year volunteer in education with
• With this bill, universities can consider other standard assessments to determine both automatic and
• general admissions eligibility, broadening student access to various standard standardized tests aligned
• Likewise, the security of our examination has been vetted for highest standards by Florida, Arkansas,
• It's a betrayal, and it puts our standards, our students, and our economy at risk.

Bills: SB530, SB757, SB769, SB1085, SB1241, SB1242, SB1409, SB1878, SB2138, SB2314, SB2231, SB2361, SB2431, SJR59

Keywords: accreditation, postsecondary education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, program delivery, faculty recruitment, higher education, performance standards, student loan debt, degree programs, funding, students with disabilities, accessibility, enrollment, report, SB 1085, Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande College, Del Rio

Transcript Highlights:

• It keeps the same standards in place for an evidentiary hearing and would include the solicitation attempt
• This keeps the same standards as those currently working with Ania's law and just adds those crimes to

Bills: SB210, SB225, HB280, HB287, HB94, HB88, SB157, HB7, HB8, HB42

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, blood tests, DUI, law enforcement, traffic offenses, chemical analysis, public nuisance, event liability, local government, community health, legal action, transparency, reporting, public safety, regulation, accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• So, it creates kind of a predictable standard for everybody that we work off of.

Bills: SB210, SB225, HB280, HB287, HB94, HB88, SB157, HB7, HB8, HB42

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, blood tests, DUI, law enforcement, traffic offenses, chemical analysis, public nuisance, event liability, local government, community health, legal action, transparency, reporting, public safety, regulation, accountability

Bills: SF3045, HF2783, HF1943

Keywords: omnibus, state government, local government, elections, campaign finance, voter registration, absentee voting, election administration, electronic rosters, lobbying, lobbyist disclosure, state budget, appropriations, biennial budget, Minnesota Secretary of State, Minnesota Management and Budget, state personnel, civil service, affirmative action, disability employment

Transcript Highlights:

• Veterans are a proven economic engine, and we are competing.
• There's minimum standards for zoos.
• There's minimum standards for short-term rental homes, but there are no minimum standards for shelters
• There are no minimum standards for these facilities statewide.
• , a degree of high standard for animal shelters and other things, and yet we can't have a standard for

Bills: HB165, HB175, HB198, HB272, HB457, HB488, HB566, HB603, HB763, HB902, HB909, HB971, HB981, HB1066, HB1125, HB1154, HB1231

Keywords: HB165, lottery proceeds, Lottery Proceeds Fund, Veterans Service Grant Fund, constitutional amendment, veterans, military veterans, veterans' benefits, veterans services, family support, state lottery, education funding, Minimum Foundation Program, problem gambling, compulsive gaming, state treasurer, ballot proposition, constitutional referendum, lottery revenue, Louisiana resident veterans

Transcript Highlights:

• HF 3684 is a bill that sets standards for the use of competitive grants issued by the department.
• Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of HF 36 ad for a bill that sets standards for the

Bills: HF3727, HF3684, HF3467

Keywords: veterans property tax, homestead exclusion, disabled veteran, totally and permanently disabled, service-connected disability, property tax relief, market value exclusion, surviving spouse, family caregiver, county veterans service officer, Minnesota property tax, assessment year 2027, homestead tax benefit, veterans tax exemption, DD214, VA disability rating, veterans, veterans affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, grant standards

Transcript Highlights:

• The title is a form of public recognition of trust and safety and upholds the standards for a variety
• Those standards apply in hospitals, schools, and nonprofits in every space across the state.
• There should not be an exemption for a profession from its standards.
• If you were told a county doctor or nurse didn't need to meet education standards because they worked
• Title protection reinforces professional standards and recognition of expertise.

Bills: HF3454, HF3917, HF2906, HF3832, HF3769

Keywords: social work, licensure, employment titles, health occupations, professional standards, medication repository, drug donation, healthcare, Minnesota Statutes, pharmacy, public health, controlled substances, psilocybin, psilocin, psychedelic, psychedelic medicine, hallucinogen, mushrooms, magic mushrooms, therapeutic use