Transcript Highlights:

• believe that the student's disability interfered with his or her ability to conform to the student code
• Number two, unfortunately, this occupational hazard, as it's being referred to now, often leads to teachers
• Chairman, I'll end my comments. this occupational hazard, as it's being this occupational hazard, as

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee opened with roll call, recognized homeschool families and Military Kids Day guests, and then took up two bills sponsored by Senator Matt Nunn. Senate Bill 124 would let local school districts create an optional sick-leave cash-out program for teachers, with payouts at current salary rates, a 15-day minimum remaining balance, and a cap discussed in the testimony. Supporters, including Scott County Superintendent Billy Parker, said the measure is intended to reduce substitute shortages, give teachers more flexibility, and avoid adding state pension liability; committee members also noted a related provision allowing use of sick days for religious holidays not on the school calendar. The committee adopted a sub on Senate Bill 124 and then passed the bill unanimously after a motion, second, and roll call vote. During discussion, members emphasized the compounding value of the cash-out option for teachers and the potential benefit to families, while Senator Higdon and others praised the bill as a win-win for districts and staff. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 101, also by Senator Nunn, and adopted a committee substitute by voice vote. Nunn said the sub removed a provision that would have allowed county attorneys to charge some 14- and 15-year-olds as adults. As amended, the bill requires local boards to adopt a policy imposing at least a 12-month expulsion for students in grades 6-12 who assault, batter, or abuse school personnel without provocation, with an exception for disability-related conduct under an IEP, and requires immediate reporting of intentional assaults or attempted assaults on school employees to law enforcement, with penalties for noncompliance. Nunn and a teacher who submitted a written statement described the bill as a response to repeated assaults on educators and the fear and injuries that can drive teachers from the profession. Members began questioning the bill, with Senator Carroll asking about alternative school options for expelled students; discussion was still underway when the transcript ended, and no final vote on Senate Bill 101 was shown in the provided text.

Transcript Highlights:

• answer any questions that you might have on behalf of the Fire Protection Licensing Board and our occupational
• answer any questions that you might have on behalf of the Fire Protection Licensing Board and our occupational
• Moving on to item E, which is a review of reports from occupational authorization entities, the Arkansas
• We appreciate the opportunity to be here and present our occupational licensing report for this cycle
• So ADH started Opportunity to be here and present our occupational licensing report for this cycle.

Summary: The committee met and first welcomed a visiting group from Arkansas State University’s Medical Laboratory and Radiation Sciences program. It then suspended the rules to take up a supplemental report, which was approved and noted as reviewed without objection. Members reviewed the Arkansas Fire Protection and Licensing Board’s occupational report. Counsel for the Department of Labor and Licensing said there had been no fee increases, and the report was accepted without objection. The committee then heard from the Arkansas Department of Health’s Radiation Control Section, which described its radiologic technologist licensing program, including full and limited-scope licensure, unchanged fees since 1999, and a recent operating deficit covered through cost allocation. Members asked about the deficit, possible future fee changes, and whether apprenticeship pathways might be added; the agency said it was not currently planning fee increases and would accommodate apprenticeship if such programs are created. That report also stood as reviewed. Finally, the Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy presented its report, outlining its licensing and disciplinary role, current licensee counts, compact participation, and recent growth in licensees. The board highlighted lower fees, a $200,000 scholarship program for 10 recipients per year, and a large fund balance that is being reduced through fee cuts and scholarships. Members asked about the scholarship details and the effect on reserves. The report was accepted without objection, and the meeting concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hidalgo, relating to the consequences of a criminal conviction on a person's eligibility for an occupational
• Senate Bill 1080 by West and Middleton, relating to the issuance of a provisional occupational license
• Senate Bill 1086 by Perry, relating to the authority of certain counties to impose a hotel occupancy
• Senate Bill 1087 by Perry, relating to the authority of certain counties to impose a hotel occupancy
• by Paxton, proposing a constitutional amendment prohibiting the enactment of a law imposing an occupation

Summary: The Senate met briefly and referred a large number of first-reading bills and resolutions to standing committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including hemp regulation, dementia research funding, parental rights and public education, municipal library funding, tax and local government issues, criminal justice, health care, education, transportation, natural resources, and election law. Several constitutional resolutions were also referred, including proposals related to the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and a severance tax revenue fund. Most of the transcript consists of the reading of bill captions and committee referrals, with no substantive debate or testimony recorded. The listed measures included proposals on school uniforms, charter schools, Medicaid fraud remedies, insurance practices, occupational licensing for people with criminal convictions, water and sewer utility cybersecurity, agricultural protections, public meeting broadcasting, and various local and state governance matters. No votes were taken on the bills in this segment. The only formal action reflected was referral of the bills and resolutions to the appropriate committees, followed by adjournment of the Senate until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And communities like mine in South Central, too many workers remain concentrated in low-wage occupations
• Barrow said, when workers are dispatched to our job sites, we cannot send them back based on the zip code

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• operator of the vehicle turn on the vehicle's interior light so that there can be visibility for the occupants
• know that you are also trying to find a nexus between some of these ideas and the Uniform Commercial Code

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several bills and procedural matters. It adopted an emergency preamble and passed to be enacted a sick leave bank for Anisee Contreras of the Trial Court, and it also passed a bill reauthorizing the town of Swansea to issue additional on-premises liquor licenses. The chamber ordered several other bills to third reading, including a Wellesley bill on police and fire residency limits and a House bill on Commonwealth bond terms, along with multiple calendar items that were advanced without debate. The Senate then considered and passed the bill increasing access to disposable menstrual products in prisons, homeless shelters, and public schools. Senators Comerford and O'Connor spoke in strong support, describing the measure as a continuation of prior Senate action and a response to period poverty, with O'Connor highlighting community efforts by Free Period and related funding support. The bill was amended, ordered to a third reading, and passed to be engrossed by a unanimous roll call. The Senate also passed a bill on menstrual product ingredient disclosure after adopting a Ways and Means amendment; Comerford said the measure would require manufacturers to disclose ingredients and chemicals, citing concerns about PFAS and other harmful substances. That bill also passed to be engrossed by roll call. The chamber next took up a major public safety bill strengthening the move-over law. Senator Tarr described the bill as expanding protections to utility workers and disabled vehicles and adding escalating penalties, while Senator Feeney emphasized the dangers faced by workers on roadways and the need to protect them. Several proposed amendments were considered: one on municipally owned utility vehicles was adopted, while amendments on interior lights during stops, higher penalties, non-surchargeability, green lights for municipal emergency management vehicles, and public access to driving records were rejected or withdrawn. The amended bill was then ordered to a third reading and passed to be engrossed by a 39-0 roll call. The Senate also paused to honor the late Senator Edward J. Kennedy of Lowell, adopting a motion to adjourn in his memory after a tribute to his public service and community advocacy. Earlier, the chamber recognized a guest, Rocco LaGrasso, during Italian-American Heritage Month. The session ended with the Senate adjourning to meet again the following Monday at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• municipalities and counties from adopting, enforcing, or maintaining any law or ordinance that sets lower occupancy
• requires the installation of solar energy devices to meet the requirements of fire, safety, and building codes

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of Senate bills covering elections, transportation, health care, land use, water, criminal justice, and local government. Several election-related measures were described, including SB 1037 on voting equipment custody and internet/port restrictions, SB 1568 on election system software timekeeping, and SB 1687 moving the primary date to May starting in 2028. Members also discussed bills on photo enforcement fines, roadable aircraft registration, motor vehicle booting, assisted living occupancy limits, and municipal permit and exaction rules. A number of measures were noted as third-read consent items, while others were flagged for further discussion or amendments. Health and public safety bills drew substantial discussion. The committee heard bills on insurance coverage for breast cancer screening, safe-haven hospital surrender of newborns, dialysis documentation, behavioral health licensing compliance, naturopathic IV drug administration, traumatic event counseling for public safety employees, sex offender registration limitations, and probation rules for dangerous crimes against children. Members raised concerns or requested removal from consent on several items, including SB 1095 and SB 1094 related to gender-affirming care for minors, SB 1346 on AHCCCS claims processing, and SB 1178 on naturopathic drug administration. There was also debate over SB 1520 on immigration data sharing and SB 1635 on warning someone about an imminent arrest, with objections citing civil liberties and First Amendment concerns. The committee also considered multiple property, water, and development bills. These included measures on effluent water use for landscaping, groundwater fee diversion in Pinal County, increasing the Water Supply Development Revolving Fund loan cap, creating a foreign entity review commission for real property transfers, and restricting transport of Mexican gray wolf pups into Arizona. Members discussed SB 1419 on solar roof inspections and financing disclosures, and SB 1787 on municipal exactions and appeals, with an amendment proposed to limit it to commercial property. Several members explained their votes or asked to pull bills from consent, and some items were noted as having split votes or anticipated floor amendments. The caucus ended with Rhonda’s election-related bills and a note that the group would move immediately into a closed caucus afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, skilled care in the home, such as nurses and occupational therapists.
• Palliative care is not a reimbursable code or a benefit that Medicare provides.

Transcript Highlights:

• which we hear all the time is needed to produce more welders within the state for a variety of occupations
• So these again, training students for specific occupations.
• with our partners at Florida Commerce, CareerSource to help us identify some of those emerging occupations
• They can identify occupations that they're interested in, and then simultaneously... ...they can identify
• occupations that they're interested in.

Summary: The Higher Education Appropriations Committee met for its first meeting of the session and heard presentations focused on workforce education in the Florida College System and district technical colleges. Members introduced themselves and discussed their personal connections to higher education, then heard from Department of Education senior chancellor Kevin O’Farrell, South Florida State College president Fred Hawkins, and Pinellas Technical College representative Mark Hunt. O’Farrell outlined the department’s budget request, including increases for adult education, Florida College System program funds, workforce development capitalization grants, apprenticeship and teacher apprenticeship programs, Open Door scholarships, and CAPE industry certification funding. He emphasized record growth in enrollments, completions, dual enrollment, and program offerings, and described grant-funded expansion in fields such as health sciences, manufacturing, logistics, aerospace, and AI-related programs. Committee members raised concerns about whether current programs match actual labor-market demand, how artificial intelligence may reduce future human labor needs in some fields, and how the state should avoid unwarranted duplication of programs. O’Farrell said the department uses economic forecasts, employer demand data, and a CTE audit process to review programs and phase out those that do not meet performance thresholds. Members also asked for more detail on the teacher apprenticeship model, the transition from technical college clock hours to college credit, job placement and salary outcomes, and the LPN-to-RN pathway. O’Farrell said he would provide additional information later. Hawkins described South Florida State College’s rural service area, low college-going rates, and difficulty recruiting and retaining faculty and staff because salaries lag behind local market alternatives and nearby school district pay. He said the college has had to turn away students in high-demand programs due to staffing and operational limits, while also noting strong outcomes in nursing, dental hygiene, EMT/paramedic, and radiography. Hunt said Pinellas Technical College serves about 5,000 students annually, including many dual-enrolled high school students, and reported a placement rate above 90% and strong local economic returns. He said many programs have waiting lists and that additional operational funding is needed to meet demand, maintain equipment, and keep pace with salary and cost increases. The meeting ended after public comment was opened and no further business was brought before the committee, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:53.720> is<00:02:53.879> a occupant is a occupant is a trespasser<00:02:55.840><
• After that, the judge can issue an order for the occupant to leave.
• After that, the judge can issue an order for the occupant to leave.
• The judge would then issue an order for the sheriff to remove the occupant.
• <00:19:18.960> as which defines unlawful occupants as which defines unlawful occupants as

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard Senate File 558, a bill to create a formal process for removing unauthorized occupants from real property, often described as a “squatters bill.” The author presented an A2 amendment, which was adopted, and explained that the bill would give sheriffs a structured complaint and verification process, allow fees, provide immunity when the process is followed, and impose civil remedies for wrongful removal and criminal penalties for false complaints. The bill also includes a provision on holdover situations, clarifying that certain unauthorized guests of tenants are unlawful occupants rather than tenants, and a use-of-excess-force provision was mentioned. Supporters said the measure is intended to give property owners and law enforcement a clearer, faster, and more consistent way to handle situations where people occupy property without a lawful basis, especially in rural or seasonal properties and in some landlord-tenant disputes. Senator Uty read a letter from Hubbard County Sheriff Corey Oas describing recurring problems with rental issues, couch hopping, and subletting without landlord knowledge, and a testifier from Pine Island described several local examples of prolonged and costly occupancy disputes, including a restaurant tenant who stopped paying rent and a rural property trespass incident. Committee members in support emphasized the need to balance tenant rights with property rights and to avoid leaving sheriffs to make ad hoc decisions. Michael D. from Homeline opposed the bill, arguing that existing trespass and harassment restraining order laws already address unlawful occupants and that the proposal creates due process concerns by allowing removal without a court hearing. He also warned that the bill’s definition of unlawful occupant could jeopardize oral leases, which are allowed under Minnesota law. In response, supporters said the bill is meant to distinguish true landlord-tenant relationships from trespass situations and to provide a workable process consistent with Minnesota law. At the end of the discussion, the chair announced that Senate File 558 would be laid over for possible inclusion. He also said Senate File 222 would be laid over, Senate File 559 would be moved with a recommendation to pass to the Judiciary Committee, and the fourth bill on the agenda was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the basics of this is it establishes a new office of occupational and professional licensing.
• It establishes the office of occupational professional licensing and appoints the executive director.
• <00:18:45.200> and new office of occupational and new office of occupational and professional
• <00:19:02.880> the<00:19:03.120> office<00:19:03.440> of<00:19:03.840> occupational
• establish the office of occupational establish the office of occupational professional<00:19:04.880

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The preferences do... ...business and occupation tax rates for travel agents and tour operators.
• These occupations have median annual wages of nearly $160,000. ...of jobs.
• These occupations have median annual wages of nearly $170,000.
• Nationally, travel agents are the leading occupation and represent one quarter of jobs, with higher paid
• DOR has not consistently received the notices of occupancy from developers.

Summary: The Citizens Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on August 6, 2025, with five commissioners present and a quorum. The commission approved the May 7, 2025 meeting minutes and welcomed new commissioner Scott Edwards, who introduced himself. Staff also confirmed the September meeting date had been changed to September 22, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. to accommodate his schedule, and noted that testimony questions for the public hearing would be used at that meeting. JLARC staff then presented preliminary 2025 tax preference performance reviews covering nine preferences. For natural gas used as a transportation fuel, staff said the preferences reduce fuel costs but do not meet emissions-reduction goals, and recommended continuing the public utility tax and natural gas use tax exemptions while modifying reporting requirements; they also recommended continuing the marine-use LNG sales tax exemption and considering the Department of Revenue work group’s findings. For travel agents and tour operators, staff said the small-beneficiary rate appears to support smaller firms, while the larger-beneficiary rate should be reviewed and both should have clearer objectives and metrics. For nonprofit low-income housing development, staff said the preference is helping produce housing but the current metric does not align well with the objective, data/reporting problems remain, and the legislature should decide whether to continue and possibly modify the exemption, including considering annual renewal. Staff also reviewed the multipurpose senior citizen centers exemption, concluding it meets its objective and recommending continuation, with possible consideration of making it permanent. For disabled veteran adapted housing, staff said the preference has very low uptake despite eligible veterans and recommended continuing it but modifying it in consultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve use. For trade convention attendance, staff said the preference aligns Washington with other states and recommended continuation. For agricultural fertilizer and seed wholesaling, staff said the exemption reduces tax layering and recommended continuation, with clarification on whether it is exempt from expiration/performance-statement requirements. For agricultural crop protection products, staff said the preference met its revenue-growth metric and recommended extending it while considering better metrics or recategorizing it as tax relief. Finally, for energy sales to a silicon smelter, staff said the preferences were unused because the facility was never built and recommended allowing them to expire. The meeting ended with reminders about written testimony and the September public testimony session.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 373 to licensing occupations and administrative regulations.
• House Bill 373 to licensing occupations<00:31:32.000> and<00:31:32.320> administrative
• occupations and administrative occupations and administrative regulations.<00:31:33.840> House
• ,<00:32:20.000> and Licensing, Occupations, and Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative
• <00:32:20.799> Regulations, And reassigned to Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 06:30 Calendar/2nd Readings 07:18 Report of Committees 08:19 Orders of the Day 09:04 HB 96 09:16 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 15:21 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 21:24 Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 23:35 ConC and Rules Report 31:06 Floor Amendments 32:42 Return to Rules Report 33:28 Adjournment 34:27, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum of 98 members, excused absent members, and suspended rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications. The chamber approved the journal from January 21, 2026, and received notice that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 29, 38, and 49, along with Senate Concurrent Resolution 9, requesting concurrence. The House also took second reading on several bills, including measures on agriculture programs, milk transportation, food donation, criminal trespass, concealed firearms and deadly weapons, human trafficking, sexual material involving minors, reading and writing in schools, and educators. Committee reports advanced House Resolution 7 on Kentucky election principles, House Bill 134 on sexual assault nurse examiners, and House Bill 168 on boating under the influence. The House then considered House Bill 96, which would revise the membership of the postsecondary education performance-based funding work group, adding more legislators and changing the work group timeline to calendar years; the sponsor said the bill had support from university presidents and the Council on Postsecondary Education. After a question about geographic representation, the House passed HB 96 by a vote of 79-16 and applied the clincher. During motions and announcements, the House brought House Resolution 34 to the floor and heard it reported as recognizing January 22, 2026 as Kentucky Arts Day. Rep. Burke spoke in support, citing the economic impact of Kentucky’s arts and culture sector, and the resolution was adopted without objection. Members also announced upcoming events, including a Holocaust survivor program, a breakfast, and a conservation district reception, and one member withdrew House Bill 284. The House introduced a large slate of new bills and resolutions, including measures on real property, civil rights, local boards of education, peer support specialists, Medicaid coverage for doula services, public contracts, foster care, residential safety, gender, reproductive rights, hate crimes, a child welfare and family court reform task force, memorial highway designations, and constitutional recognition days. The Committee on Committees and Rules later referred and reassigned several bills to standing committees, posted selected bills and amendments for Friday’s calendar, and the House adjourned until 9:00 a.m. on Friday, January 23, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, what 529 does, it doesn't change building codes.
• So, what 529 does, it doesn't change building codes.
• It itself doesn't change building codes.
• It does not weaken our building codes.
• The parents year of birth and zip code.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:12:36.560> an would simply been purchased by an would simply been purchased by an owner-occupant
• . owner-occupant. owner-occupant.
• <00:14:21.160> buyers, to owner-occupant buyers, to owner-occupant buyers, a<00:14:22.800>
• , sold to owner-occupants, sold to owner-occupants, a<00:14:26.959> deed<00:14:27.320>
• , selling to owner-occupants, selling to owner-occupants, continued<00:14:31.600> investment

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 2687, as amended by a DE1 amendment. The amendment narrowed the bill to prohibit private equity companies from buying single-family homes and to limit corporations and partnerships to owning no more than 50 single-family homes, with enforcement through the Attorney General’s office. The committee adopted the DE1 amendment, and the author, Representative Bajaj, described the bill as a step toward expanding homeownership and reducing corporate concentration in the housing market. Representative Bajaj and supportive testimony argued that corporate ownership of single-family homes makes it harder for first-time buyers and working families to compete, especially in lower-income neighborhoods, and can lead to absentee ownership and poor maintenance. Ellen Sahli of the Family Housing Fund cited research on single-family rentals showing that larger portfolios are associated with worse renter experiences, higher rents, and more repair problems. Rachel Ruby Jones testified in support based on her experience renting from Havenbrook, describing flooding, delayed repairs, safety concerns, and poor treatment by management, and said private equity ownership can shift risks and costs onto vulnerable tenants. Opposition focused on market effects and the bill’s scope. Mark Brunner of the Minnesota Manufactured Home Association said the language was too broad and could unintentionally affect manufactured home communities on leased land. Paul Eger of Minnesota Realtors warned that market prohibitions could create unintended consequences, especially in a cyclical housing market, and suggested alternatives such as tax incentives for sales to owner-occupants and more first-time buyer assistance. In member discussion, Representative Nash questioned whether the problem was widespread and pressed for details on enforcement and divestiture; Representative Agbaje said the current language is forward-looking, would not force existing owners below the cap, and would rely on lawsuits and remedies the Attorney General deems appropriate, with more detail to be worked out later. The chair indicated the bill would be laid over for further consideration and likely move next to Judiciary, with some discussion of whether Commerce should also be a stop.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an act relating to occupational safety and health.
• <00:04:45.520> health<00:04:45.840> and help align ky's occupational health and help
• align ky's occupational health and safety<00:04:46.400> rules<00:04:46.919> with<00:04
• Representative Walker Thomas responded that Kentucky is a state occupational safety and health plan.
• I am by no means an expert on Kentucky's occupational safety and health laws.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 01:37 HB 398 Discussion 02:18 HB 398 Vote 30:35, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Economic Development and Workforce Investment met for its first 2025 session meeting, took roll, and established a quorum. The committee adopted a committee substitute for House Bill 398, an act relating to occupational safety and health, before hearing testimony. Sponsor Representative Walker Thomas said the bill is intended to align Kentucky’s occupational safety and health rules more closely with federal standards, provide clearer reference points for employers, and improve consistency and compliance while maintaining worker safety. He also explained that the substitute added and clarified a de minimis citation provision and defined “qualified representative,” and he noted a typo in the substitute would be corrected on the floor. Members asked whether the bill would change Kentucky’s OSHA structure or affect state offices, and Thomas said Kentucky remains a state-plan state with its own offices and enforcement staff, and that the bill would not eliminate those offices. He said the measure is meant to streamline rules and clarify that certain notices would carry no penalty when there is no substantial impact on safety or health. He also said employers must be given an opportunity to be present for inspections, typically with 45 minutes to an hour to arrange representation. Opposition testimony came from Dustin Ryan Stadler of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO and Gerald Atkins of Working Strategies 2 on behalf of the Kentucky State Building and Construction Trades Council. They argued the bill weakens worker protections, reduces accountability, limits who may request inspections, and could prevent family members from seeking inspections after a fatal workplace incident. Stadler described a fatal construction accident he witnessed in 2006 and said OSHA protections exist for a reason. Atkins cited workplace deaths and injuries, said the bill would go beyond prior 2021 changes, and warned that allowing Franklin Circuit Court to award uncapped costs and attorney fees against OSHA could chill enforcement. Several members then questioned whether federal standards are sufficient, with supporters saying the bill simply aligns Kentucky with federal rules and opponents arguing Kentucky should retain the ability to keep stronger protections for certain industries. No final vote on House Bill 398 was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Occupancy is still soft, even if the numbers are high.
• So here's the real picture of our hotel occupancy.
• You can see that in In 2019, we were nearly full with 82.5% occupancy.
• Our occupancy for hotels is currently at 72.9 percent through June.
• Full occupancy in our hotels and actually bringing people back. Sure, sure.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• teens, early 20s will no longer be sufficient to address the changing dynamics of the economy and occupations
• The emergency communications, including the code blue phones that we have, are approaching the end of
• And it also makes improvements to the generator room and correct several electrical code violations that
• about I've heard several times this morning discussion about the fire marshal's office and building codes
• We have to have professionally designed facilities that need to meet all the building codes that anybody

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing reconvened with testimony from several agencies on their capital budget requests. The Department of Environmental Services requested a little over $38 million, with major emphasis on dam repairs and design work for aging state-owned dams, including a $5.25 million match for possible FEMA BRIC funding at Pawtuckaway/Tuckaway and other projects such as Milton Three Ponds, Murphy Dam, and Lakeport Gates. DES also requested funding for state revolving loan fund matches, a Superfund match for the Savage Well site, IT and air-monitoring upgrades, and a new $750,000 cybersecurity request for water and wastewater systems. Committee members asked about FEMA eligibility, the distinction between design and construction money, and the timing and risk of banking funds if federal grants do not materialize. The University System of New Hampshire requested $20 million in state support, primarily $15 million for a major Diamond Library renovation at UNH to create a student support hub and reduce/repurpose collection space, plus $2.5 million each for deferred maintenance at Plymouth State and Keene State. The Community College System requested about $16.6 million across seven projects, led by critical maintenance, campus safety/security upgrades, IT infrastructure, parking and site improvements, HVAC replacement at White Mountains Community College in Littleton, a building management/energy system, and modernization of NHTI’s dental clinic and radiology spaces. The Department of Education requested $29.5 million, including a $4.9 million internal management platform to replace paper-based and siloed systems, plus career and technical education capital projects; Milford’s CTE project was described as being revised after repeated failed bond votes, while ConVal said its revised project would focus on modernizing existing CTE space and adding a security vestibule. Fish and Game requested $1.075 million for three facilities: Sewall Falls in Concord, the Lancaster Armory, and the Bunker Lane Barn in Durham, focusing on structural repairs, security, reconfiguration, and in one case replacement of a failing barn with a new 40-by-60 building. The department also said hatchery work is ongoing but that it is taking a cautious approach because of the planned New Hampton Hatchery and future capital needs. The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources requested $9.26 million for eight projects, including campground electrical upgrades at Ellacoya and Lake Francis, White Lake water system replacement, Mount Washington fuel tank and safety work, Odiorne Point visitor center work funded through parks revenue, roofing and parking lot repairs, Fox Forest office safety upgrades, and historic site repairs at White Island and Fort Constitution. Members asked about revenue-based capital, the stability of the parks fund, and flexibility in choosing projects as bids come in. The Department of Transportation began its presentation at the end of the transcript, but its detailed requests were not yet discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• This just closes the loophole in state law and amends the Health and Safety Code to classify intentionally
• Members, under current law, an individual whose occupational water license or registration has expired
• HB 1237 amends the Water Code to extend the grace period for TCEQ license renewal from 30 days to 12
• HB 4400 modernizes Section 7.067 of the Water Code to better align with the SEP program with its original
• HB 4400 modernizes Section 7.067 of the Water Code to better align with the SEP program, with its original

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 1904, which would classify intentionally released helium balloons as litter and create criminal penalties for balloon releases. The author and supportive witnesses argued that balloon releases harm wildlife, livestock, waterways, and infrastructure, and that the bill would close a loophole in current litter law. Several members questioned whether criminal penalties were appropriate, and the author said he was willing to work toward civil penalties and fines instead. No vote was taken, and HB 1904 was left pending. The committee then took up several pending bills and reported them favorably to the full House, including HB 3249, HB 3866, HB 4112, HB 1768, HB 1499, HB 573, and HB 464. These measures dealt with topics such as TCEQ contested-case procedures, outdoor storage containers, high-level radioactive waste, concrete plant permitting and grants, unannounced concrete batch plant inspections, and a scrap tire grant program. Most were adopted with substitutes and passed on recorded votes, generally with unanimous or near-unanimous support. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 3997, which would create expedited permitting timelines for LNG facilities and related wastewater permits. Industry witnesses said the bill would provide certainty for multibillion-dollar projects without eliminating public participation, while environmental groups opposed parts of the bill that they said could limit contested-case participation and be unrealistic for SOAH timelines. TCEQ staff described the current wastewater permitting process and said some of the bill’s timing provisions could be workable, especially with an expedited fee. The bill was left pending after the author said he would continue working on committee substitute language. The committee also heard HB 1237 on extending the renewal window for expired TCEQ occupational water licenses, and HB 4519, a TERP consolidation bill that would combine several clean transportation grant programs into fewer programs. HB 1237 was left pending without testimony, while HB 4519 drew broad support from environmental and industry witnesses who favored simplifying the program, though some asked for stronger emphasis on particulate matter and hydrogen funding. The committee withdrew the substitute on HB 4519 and left it pending. Finally, HB 5033, which would eliminate the motor vehicle emissions inspection and maintenance program if federal authority changes, drew opposition from environmental and inspection-industry witnesses who warned it would weaken air-quality protections and could remove an important enforcement tool. The author said the bill was intended as a trigger mechanism and would be refined, and HB 5033 was left pending. The committee also heard HB 1227 on municipal solid-waste franchise fees and private-provider access; the author said he would bring a substitute after hearing concerns from cities, and the bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 294 would amend Chapter 217 of the Local Government Code and Chapter 202 of the Property Code
• Two acts from the 81st legislative session amending the Texas Agricultural Code sections resulted in
• does, it addresses these inconsistencies, strikes out the conflicting subsections of the agriculture code
• , it's not a dire situation, but it's going to be significant, and we'll see a drop in feed yard occupancy

Bills: HB294

Keywords: energy efficiency, tax exemption, residential properties, sustainability, real estate

Transcript Highlights:

• , if you're viewing electronically, there's a direct link that will tie you to the website or a QR code
• if you're viewing electronically, there's a direct link that will take you to the website or a QR code
• I'm an occupational therapy practitioner.
• The codes aren't familiar. And so ACA has seen reimbursement for a total of 35. ...babies.
• So not all these codes represent individual babies.

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting of the 2025-2026 term, took attendance, confirmed a quorum, and heard introductory remarks from members and staff. Chair Anderson outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction over access and affordability issues, including health facility regulation, insurance, Medicaid, CHIP, and state employee health coverage. The main agenda item was an update on implementation of HB 391, which created a family home health aide program for medically fragile children. Representative Tramont, the bill sponsor, explained that the law was intended to let trained family caregivers be paid through Medicaid to care for their children, reduce reliance on private duty nursing, and relieve families. He and several members expressed frustration that implementation had taken nearly two years and that families still faced barriers. Deputy Secretary Brian Meyer of AHCA and Bridget Royce of DCF said the program was implemented October 1, 2024, with billing available, but no home health agencies had yet launched the required 80-hour training program and no claims had been paid. They described the program’s requirements, including agency employment, background screening, training, a $25-per-hour Medicaid rate paid to the agency, and an annual assessment report. A major issue discussed was that income earned by family caregivers counts toward Medicaid eligibility and could cause families to lose coverage. AHCA and DCF outlined two possible fixes that would require CMS approval: disregarding the income for eligibility purposes or treating the child as a family of one. Members and public witnesses strongly urged changes to avoid forcing families to choose between income and coverage. Several providers said they had begun preparing training programs, but asked for clearer approval processes and more patient-specific training requirements. The committee then heard extensive public testimony from parents and caregivers of medically fragile children, who described the financial, emotional, and logistical strain of caring for children with severe disabilities and argued that the bill should be expanded to include Florida KidCare families and others in the coverage gap. They also raised concerns about the eight-hour-per-day limit, low pay, and the need for simpler rules and direct support. Home health providers and associations supported the concept but asked for modifications, including more targeted training and clearer implementation guidance. The meeting then shifted to a second agenda item on the Andrew John Anderson Rapid Whole Genome Sequencing Program, which was funded in the 2023 budget. Deputy Secretary Meyer said the program has been implemented since January 1, 2024, but utilization has been lower than expected, with only about 60 claims paid and many denials occurring through managed care. Public testimony from a lab, a hospital, and a pediatric rare disease expert said the program is clinically valuable and cost-saving, but managed care billing barriers, prior authorization issues, and DRG-related denials are limiting access; they urged direct billing to Medicaid and possible expansion to all newborns.