Video & Transcript Research : 'commuting use'

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HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

FIN Info Briefing - Tue Jan 13, 2026 @ 9:00 AM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It using the funding that you gave us.
  • who helps us. who helps us.
  • maybe use that area to benefit us. maybe use that area to benefit us. >> Yeah.
  • <02:24:26.399> by us who but you could give it to us by us who but you could give it to us
  • it's used. it's used.
Keywords: 910, house, all
MA
Transcript Highlights:
  • I’ll start us off.
  • Thank you for joining us. We’re going around.
  • How should I use that? That’s the key piece.
  • or has used the drug?
  • or has used the drug?
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Working Group on Education and Training of the Special Commission on Xylazine held its first meeting to begin developing findings and recommendations on education and training for first responders, the medical community, the substance use treatment community, and people who use drugs. Members discussed the need for baseline information on what xylazine is, its clinical effects and harms, signs of exposure or poisoning, wound care, and immediate response steps, while also noting that training should be tailored by audience, geography, and role. Several members emphasized that the training should be practical and action-oriented, helping people recognize xylazine exposure and know what to do next, including whether naloxone is relevant and how to reduce risk and mitigate harm. A major theme was whether the group should recommend a needs assessment or survey to identify what different audiences already know and what they still need to learn. Members suggested that BSAS, DPH, local public health departments, licensing boards, and other stakeholders could help gather this information, and that existing resources such as DPH materials, MADS data, Brandeis materials, and trainings already being funded at BMC should be reviewed. The group also discussed the importance of using plain language for non-clinical audiences while still including clinical detail for providers, and of distinguishing between clinical and non-clinical training tracks. The working group agreed to divide into subgroups: Senator Keenan will focus on first responders, Dr. Simon on the medical community, and Millie Batiya on the substance use treatment community, while Chair Domb will focus on people who use drugs. Staff will send meeting notes, an early draft PowerPoint framework, and a shared Google Drive folder for materials. Members were asked to gather sources and ideas by November 25 ahead of the December 11 public meeting. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, a second, and unanimous thanks to staff and participants.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Final Moments of the 2025 First Special Session - 06/10/25

Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • None of us got Minnesota forward.
  • day in and day out, to the sergeants who stand with us, to those that feed us, and to the janitorial
  • day in and day out, to the sergeants who stand with us, to those that feed us, and to the janitorial
  • day in and day out, to the sergeants who stand with us, to those that feed us, and to the janitorial
  • To those sergeants who stand with us, to those that feed us, and to the janitorial staff that keep us
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Oct 8th, 2025

Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • will need it or end up using medications for opioid use disorder, but methadone naltrexone.
  • So they used.
  • practices, recommended job titles for us to use in the state.
  • It is the first in the country, following a 'by us for us' model.
  • , For Us' model.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • use to um or traditionally uh have used use to um or traditionally uh have used to<00:19:53.760>
  • it's important to us.
  • it's important to us.
  • it's important to us.
  • <01:31:23.920> used<01:31:24.159> for of art special fund can be used used for of art
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.
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE Mar 2nd, 2026

ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:
  • So I just want us to get everybody.
  • So I just want us to get everybody.
  • So I just want us to get everybody, I want us to have an opportunity for us to make sure those people
  • ...feedback loop as to if someone's not using it, why are they not using it?
  • So they would bill us monthly.
Keywords: 1204, all
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House State Government Committee Feb 4th, 2026

State Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • Florida has uh made it into law to use Florida has uh made it into law to use the<00:16:47.120><
  • The response was, “use a hyphen.”
  • The response was, “use a hyphen.”
  • >> use a hyphen. >> use a hyphen.
  • from us. On that, I've cut it way short. from us. On that, I've cut it way short.
ND
Transcript Highlights:
  • Not all state's attorneys use it. Your Cass County, your home county, uses it.
  • And they, those are the funds that are used for what we call an eligible use.
  • There's a wide variety of uses that they can use those for. The, the, um...
  • Variety of uses that they can use those for.
  • So those things have to also and can be used. All that combined leads us to an increase.
Summary: The committee met to review the Attorney General’s budget and related agency operations, beginning with Legislative Council staff walking members through compliance reports and a blue-sheet base budget document. Staff highlighted current-biennium items such as FTE changes, one-time appropriations, litigation funding, opioid settlement receipts, continuing appropriations, and major special and federal funds. Members asked for clarification on items including the Missing Indigenous People Grant Fund, the Internet Crimes Investigation Fund, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit grant funding. Assistant Attorney General Clare Ness then gave an overview of the office’s structure, staffing, and budget pressures. She emphasized the office’s broad statutory duties, the value of its legal services to state and local government, and concerns about attorney pay lagging behind other agencies. Members discussed whether attorney compensation should be benchmarked more consistently across state government and whether some legal work could be consolidated within the AG’s office. Ness also addressed questions about AG opinion turnaround times, boards-and-commissions training, the new-and-vacant FTE pool, operating expense cuts, office leases, and the state’s criminal justice information systems. The crime lab presentation drew significant attention. Director Jennifer Penner described severe space, safety, and infrastructure problems at the current lab, including cramped work areas, glycol leaks, outdated fire and burglar alarms, air-handling limits, and equipment failures that have delayed toxicology work. She said the 2024 study projected a much larger facility would be needed and that the preferred location would be near the current health department site, but in a new building. Members asked about possible evidence risks, backlog status, and whether the proposed building would solve the current problems; Penner said it would and noted backlogs have improved overall, though some delays remain. The committee also heard from the new Medicaid Fraud Control Unit director, who described the unit’s civil and criminal work, federal-state funding split, and examples of fraud such as billing for services not provided or upcoding. The gaming division reported continued growth in charitable gaming and e-tabs, with members expressing concern about large trust-account balances, site competition, and possible misuse of proceeds. Finally, BCI outlined its caseload, cybercrime work, missing Indigenous persons task force, and the surge in CSAM cyber tips; members asked about AI-generated CSAM, and the AG’s office noted that last session’s law increased penalties and expressly allowed AI-generated CSAM to be prosecuted like other CSAM. No formal votes or actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Civil Law and Procedure Apr 27th, 2026

Civil Law and Procedure

Transcript Highlights:
  • It could be used for anything. This simply ensures that the funds are being used for their intent.
  • Am I going to be able to use my health insurance and then use the money in this account to pay whatever
  • survivors of sexual trauma and to allow them to come forward to tell us who abused them and for us to
  • And to be very clear, like I use, even to this day, even though my traffickers are now deceased, I use
  • I use a different first name for them. I do not... I use a different first name for them.
Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 476, which would add clearer warning language for garnishees responding to interrogatories and create a limited procedure for a new trial when a garnishee can show it never held property or owed the debtor during the garnishment period. After brief questions about how garnishment works, the bill was reported favorably without objection. Senate Bill 260, a youth athletics coaches training bill, was then amended to remove language about the department using donated funds to purchase courses and was reported as amended. House Bill 79, by Chairman Carter, would remove the damages cap for carbon capture release claims. Carter argued carbon capture should be treated like other industries and not receive special liability protection, and the committee reported the bill favorably without objection. The committee also took up Senate Bill 424, which clarifies that electronic service applies only to counsel of record representing a party, and Senate Bill 180, a constitutional amendment allowing a surviving spouse of a deceased disabled veteran to make a one-time transfer of an expanded property tax exemption to another qualifying homestead. SB 180 received a ballot-language amendment and a 6.88 report before being reported as amended. The longest discussion centered on House Bill 1089, which creates “care accounts” for future medical damages in delictual actions. Supporters said the bill would ensure future medical awards are used for medical care, reduce abuse, and function like a restricted account with a card or similar payment mechanism; opponents raised concerns about the account being owned by the judgment debtor, possible reversion of unused funds to the wrong party, administrative confusion, and impacts on survivors of trafficking and sexual abuse who may need flexible, trauma-informed care outside standard billing codes. After extensive testimony and debate, the committee adopted an amendment set and reported the bill favorably by a 6-1 vote, with Representative Carter voting no. Finally, House Bill 437 was heard and amended. The bill would prohibit expert witnesses from having a pecuniary interest in the outcome of the case, while still allowing inquiry into an expert’s prior testimony history. An amendment excluded criminal traffic and juvenile proceedings, and the committee continued discussion with testimony from supporters and opponents as the transcript ended.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House environment panel considers HF3007 4/3/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • state wanting to appropriate large uses state wanting to appropriate large uses of<00:01:49.719>
  • We're concerned about water and energy use.
  • We're concerned about water and energy use.
  • We're concerned about water and energy use.
  • We're concerned about water and energy use.
Keywords: 1183, house
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • That doesn't come from us.
  • That means something to us.
  • What is before us? The request that's before us...
  • That is the issue before us. That is what's been asked of us.
  • That is the issue before us. That is what's been asked of us.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Senate first took up several local bills and resolutions. It amended and passed to be engrossed Senate No. 1831, providing line-of-duty death benefits for the surviving spouse of Detective John DeSongy of Rutland, and passed to be engrossed House bills concerning police officer age requirements in Haverhill, Newton, and Stoneham, including exemptions for named individuals and a local age-waiver measure. The chamber also adopted congratulatory resolutions for the Florence Community Band’s 25th anniversary and for the Italian Consulate in Boston on Italian National Day. The Senate then considered House No. 5501, the fiscal year 2027 state budget, after the House nonconcurred in the Senate’s amendment and appointed conferees. On motion, the Senate insisted on its amendment and appointed a committee of conference. The chamber also referred a House petition on a temporary liquor-license/public-consumption pilot to the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technology after suspending Joint Rule 12. A major floor debate centered on Senate No. 3104, a resolution responding to the Supreme Judicial Court’s May 7, 2026 order regarding the State Auditor’s request for Senate financial records. Supporters said the resolution would provide records in the clarified scope while preserving constitutional objections to broader requests; opponents argued the Senate should comply more fully and seek the court’s guidance earlier. After a roll call, the resolution was adopted 33-6. The Senate then adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of William F. “Bill” Howard of Beverly and adjourned until the following Monday at 11:00 a.m.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session - 02/17/26

Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Let us pray.
  • here with us today. here with us today.
  • defines us is courage. defines us is courage.
  • us to be steady. us to be steady.
  • now greet us every morning. now greet us every morning.
Keywords: 918, senate, all
Summary: The Minnesota Senate convened for opening day with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a roll call establishing a quorum. The agenda included receipt of executive and official communications, first reading of introduced Senate bills, and adoption of authors’ motions, all handled without recorded debate. Senator Fateh was noted as intending to vote remotely under Rule 40.7. The main focus of the meeting was a series of remarks centered on grief, recovery, and the start of the session after recent violence and loss. Senator Hoffman delivered an emotional address describing the attempted assassination that injured him, his wife Evette, and their daughter Hope, thanking family members, first responders, law enforcement, medical staff, and colleagues from both parties for their support. He said the experience reinforced the importance of family, community, decency, and governing in good faith, and he pledged to protect vulnerable Minnesotans and pursue truth and fairness. Senate leaders responded with tributes and messages of support. Senator Johnson acknowledged the deaths of former Speaker Melissa Hortman and Bruce Anderson, the injuries to the Hoffman family, and the chamber’s increased security measures, while welcoming new members Senators Holmstrom and Hemmingsen-Jaeger. Senator Murphy praised Hoffman’s return and his commitment to lead with dignity and compassion. The Senate then moved to adjourn, and the motion prevailed, adjourning the body until February 19 at 11:00 a.m.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • From us.
  • That has been tremendous support for us that allowed us to bring in some very talented people, and their
  • Once these polar icebreakers come online, they will help us with defense readiness, help us. online,
  • they will help us with defense readiness, help us with environmental stewardship, and enforcement of
  • What's the intended use?
Summary: The committee heard updates from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Navy Region Northwest, Fairchild Air Force Base, the Coast Guard, state licensing agencies, the Professional Educator Standards Board, the Washington National Guard, and a veterans behavioral health presenter. Across the military briefings, common themes were readiness, infrastructure, and quality-of-life issues for service members and families, especially child care, housing, food insecurity, medical and dental access, and military spouse employment. JBLM highlighted its role in Indo-Pacific readiness, ongoing PFAS cleanup, 212 new family housing units under construction, efforts to expand child care, and continued work to keep the Lewis Army Museum open. Navy Region Northwest discussed its major installations and economic impact, the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Plan, future carrier and submarine homeporting needs, and asked the legislature to continue support for licensure compacts, educational stability for military children, housing, and medical access. Fairchild emphasized its tanker and survival missions, child care shortages, food insecurity, aging housing, and concerns about wind turbine development near flight paths, while the Coast Guard focused on rebuilding Base Seattle for new icebreakers and on rural access to housing, medical care, and child care at dispersed stations like Neah Bay. Members repeatedly raised food insecurity and asked for follow-up on solutions. JBLM and Fairchild both described increased demand for food assistance during the shutdown, and committee members noted progress in getting mobile food vans onto JBLM. The presenters also praised state action on military spouse licensure and child care, including Senate Bill 5545 and related compact and portability efforts. The Department of Licensing reported about 9,000 self-identified military members or spouses licensed, with average time-to-license just under nine days, and said applications are prioritized when military status is self-identified. The Department of Health said its military-to-civilian crosswalk now covers more than 35 health professions, that temporary practice permits and expedited processing are in place, and that 1,300 credentials were issued to military spouses and domestic partners and 129 to military-trained health professionals in the last fiscal year, all within 30 days. The Professional Educator Standards Board explained that military spouses and service members can receive expedited teacher certification with reduced documentation, and that they are moved to the front of the review queue when they self-identify. Members asked about verification, and staff said the process relies on attestation with investigatory safeguards if needed. The Washington National Guard briefed on its dual state and federal mission, the impact of the recent shutdown on nearly 700 employees who worked without pay, and policy and budget requests including youth academy protections, alignment of the Washington Code of Military Justice with the UCMJ, making Civil Air Patrol a division of the Military Department, 911 funding, disaster assistance, and capital funding for headquarters and readiness facilities. The Guard also warned about drone threats and said it wants authority to identify, track, and monitor suspicious drones. A veterans behavioral health presenter, an Army combat veteran and clinical social worker, described high suicide risk, barriers to care, and the need for more culturally competent services, especially for women veterans and caregivers. He said Washington veterans’ suicide rate remains above the national average and emphasized that childcare, transportation, and provider shortages can prevent timely treatment. Members generally responded supportively throughout, asked for follow-up on food security and other issues, and encouraged agencies to bring forward legislative ideas for future sessions.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • In the last nine years, we did not used to, I had fire personnel tell me, we never used to lose whole
  • That means nothing to us.
  • And I’ll use my example again.
  • keyed up for us.
  • But we do use IBHS to help us set those codes. Thank you. Appreciate us being able to do that.
Keywords: 988, house, all
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • But I would just want to remind us all that we don't have any map before us today.
  • Kathleen Thomas, are you there with us? Kathleen Thomas, are you there with us?
  • and fights like us.
  • Kathleen, are you there with us? Kathleen, are you there with us?
  • IDEA calls us now a backsliding democracy. The Economist calls us flawed.
Summary: The Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting held its first regional hearing, focused on South and Central Texas, including Bexar County, Travis County, and the Rio Grande Valley. After establishing a quorum, the committee adopted its rules on a 6-3 roll-call vote, with Senators Alvarado and Miles voting no. Chair Phil King explained the regional-hearing format, the use of 2020 census data, the online testimony process, and the availability of written comments and future hearings. Several members then gave opening remarks, with Republicans emphasizing public input and Democrats arguing the special session and mid-decade redistricting were unnecessary and aimed at minority districts. A major procedural issue arose over whether the committee should invite or subpoena the DOJ attorney who authored the July 7 letter that prompted the redistricting discussion. Senator Miles moved to subpoena the attorney; the motion was seconded but then set aside after the chair said the committee could not take formal action on a non-procedural matter during a regional hearing under the adopted rules. The chair said he would consult legal counsel about issuing an invitation, and members discussed the August 7 deadline referenced in the DOJ letter. The committee then moved on to public testimony. Witnesses, including Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, law professor Ellen Katz, and Texas NAACP president Gary Bledsoe, argued that the DOJ letter misread the law and that the targeted districts were lawful opportunity or coalition districts. They said the Fifth Circuit’s Pettway decision was limited to Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and did not declare coalition districts unconstitutional, and they cited Bartlett v. Strickland as warning against intentionally dismantling effective minority districts. Garcia and Bledsoe said the hearing was politically motivated and would harm Black and Latino representation; Katz said Texas would act illegally if it followed the DOJ letter’s instructions. Members asked questions about the legal status of coalition districts, the 2021 map-drawing process, and the difference between opportunity, coalition, and crossover districts. The hearing continued with additional public witnesses, including labor representative Emily Amps, who said workers and communities of color were being harmed by the proposed redistricting effort.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Senate in Session Mar 11th, 2026

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • of us.
  • They're just simply wanting to continue to use a strategy that they've used.
  • They're just simply wanting to continue to use a strategy that they've used.
  • for any of us.
  • It is used as a resource.
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and included several member introductions recognizing guests, interns, firefighters, and a doctor of the day. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and began taking up a series of bills, often substituting House companions for Senate measures before final passage. The first major bill, health care patient protection, required hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric emergency care policies, training, a pediatric emergency care coordinator, and readiness assessments; it passed 36-0. A public records bill protecting victim identities and temporarily exempting the name of a law enforcement officer who is a victim also passed after questions about access for victims of police misconduct, with a 33-4 vote. The Senate next approved a local government cybersecurity bill creating a state-administered program through Florida Digital Service to help counties and cities strengthen cyber defenses, with priority for rural and fiscally constrained governments; after amendments, it passed 37-0. A clerks of court bill allowing clerks to retain all revenue above projections and, through a House amendment, revising legal notice and traffic citation distribution provisions, passed 38-0 despite debate over impacts on municipalities and law enforcement. The chamber also passed a trademark modernization bill and a septic system permit bill intended to reduce delays for builders; the septic bill was amended to align the House and Senate versions and passed 38-0. The longest and most contested item was the elections bill, which updated citizenship verification procedures using REAL ID and state databases, changed candidate qualification rules, and altered election administration provisions. Numerous amendments were offered and rejected, including proposals to exempt certain seniors, preserve student and retirement-center IDs, allow attestations in place of documentary proof of citizenship, and require human review over automated systems. One amendment to delay implementation until July 1, 2027, was also debated. The transcript ends while debate is still underway on the elections measure, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Science, Technology and Energy (01/29/2026)

Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • In 2001, it was used used three times.
  • they're going to be charging us. they're going to be charging us.
  • using miles of road. using miles of road.
  • They took us to use of the right away.
  • <06:14:36.240> for<06:14:36.400> wind US would have to be used for wind US would have
Keywords: 1189, house, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Taxes - 02/25/25

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • the things that we use each and every day, from the cars that we drive to the cell phones that we use
  • We all are going to use this, so one way or the other you're going to be using that power, you're going
  • to be using those databases.
  • in things like World War II to help us in things like World War II to help us win<00:02:55.680><
  • <00:04:42.320> in going to use each and every one of us in going to use each and every one
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Give us a little software and give us a whole bunch more FTEs, hoping that will fix it.
  • I've used the service.
  • And it really hasn't affected us.
  • The funding you gave us last session was tremendous for our agency and really moved us ahead.
  • The funding you gave us last session was tremendous for our agency and really moved us ahead.
Bills: SB 1
Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard a presentation from the Legislative Budget Board on the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Article 5 budget. LBB recommended $3.7 billion in all funds for 2026-27, a 5.2 percent decrease from the base, while FTEs would rise by 856.7. Major items included funding for driver license services, DPS facilities, troopers and recruit schools, crime labs, vehicle and aircraft operations, border security, and rider changes. The committee also reviewed DPS exceptional items not included in the recommendation, including additional staffing, technology, and facility requests. Members focused heavily on driver license operations, criticizing long wait times, call abandonment, and repeated staffing increases without clear process improvements. LBB said the agency’s call-answer rate was about 9 percent in fiscal 2024, with average hold times around 34 minutes, later reduced to roughly 22-25 minutes. Senators questioned whether more FTEs alone would solve the problem and urged a broader efficiency study and better use of technology. DPS officials said they were pursuing process changes, including appointment-system upgrades, online pre-population of forms, and remote issuance options, while noting that Real ID requirements and population growth continue to drive demand. DPS leadership then outlined the agency’s priorities: completion of the Williamson County training academy, recruitment and retention of troopers, capital needs for vehicles and aircraft, and expanded responsibilities at the Capitol complex and the Alamo. Officials said the new trooper funding would help address staffing shortages, public safety, and border operations, and that overtime and deployment patterns had been adjusted to reduce burnout and improve flexibility. They also discussed Operation Lone Star, saying DPS spending is largely overtime, travel, and fuel, and that the agency continues to coordinate with federal partners while awaiting clarity on possible federal reimbursement for border security costs. Senators also raised concerns about oilfield theft, cartel activity, high-speed pursuits, bilingual pay, and the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, and DPS said it would follow up on some of those issues.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Select Federal Natural Resource Management Committee, July 13, 2026

Select Federal Natural Resource Management Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Do we need can those uses coexist? well. Do we need can those uses coexist?
  • It works for us.
  • It works for us.
  • It works for us.
  • It works for us.
Keywords: 916, all