Video & Transcript Research : 'educational efficiency'

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FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

FL House Floor Session - 2026-05-12 (10:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Because we are being efficient in our time today, ...in budget conference.
  • Because we are being efficient in our time today, we will begin conferencing this afternoon.
  • By Representative Boussada, House Bill 5601E, a bill to be entitled an act relating to higher education
  • By Representative Boussada, House Bill 5601E, a bill to be entitled an act relating to higher education
  • By Senator Burgess, Senate Bill 2514E, a bill to be entitled an act relating to pre-K through 12 education
Keywords: 998, house, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Public Health Mar 17th, 2025

Public Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • The educational requirements are pretty stringent, period.
  • You can't lower your continuing education requirements. So in Texas.
  • And they also they don't need to like miss out on education.
  • That's not my definition of efficiency.
  • Some people think that consolidating. any two things make them efficient.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

November 18, 2025 - 10:30 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • A Florida certified contract managers and negotiators by 800 and we educate vendors on how to respond
  • Those are big obstacles for 3 streamlining from an efficiency standpoint from a state agency.
  • State term contracts are meant to provide efficiencies, but we have heard agency sometimes find them
  • That's kind of an education thing.
  • You can go with this value as we all discussed earlier so they might get education thing.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Feb 3rd, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • And if no objection, the trust may conclude the administration efficiently. That is the bill, Mr.
  • Jason Crawford, Home Education Foundation, is waiving in support. Chris Pagel is waiving against.
  • Harris, Panhandle Area Education Consortium, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
  • Harris, Panhandle Area Education Consortium, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
  • The relentless CCP attacks on the U.S. educational system, especially our crown jewels in higher education
Summary: The committee heard a series of bills, most of them claims or civil-law measures, and reported each favorably. Among the bills approved were SB 326 on curators of estates, SB 1096 clarifying filing deadlines under the Florida Civil Rights Act, SB 28 and SB 26 on claims against the City of Lakeland and the estate of Mark Legata, SB 6 involving a DCF-related claim for Layla Estrada/Sapphire Williams, SB 786 creating a nonjudicial process for closing trusts, SB 18 and SB 2 on claims involving the estate of McKenzie Navarre and Daniel Mosley, and SB 50 expanding veterans’ courts statewide. The committee also approved SB 538 on extracurricular activities, SB 1004 on pet sales and financing disclosures, and SB 1366, the sovereign immunity bill, which was presented as a starting point for negotiations with the House over higher claims caps and related provisions. Most of these bills were explained by sponsors as clarifying existing law, modernizing procedures, or resolving uncontested claims, and several had support from affected organizations or individuals; some also drew opposition or concerns from speakers, especially on trust notice issues, sovereign immunity, and the scope of the extracurricular and pet-sale bills. Several bills were amended before passage. SB 326 was narrowed by removing a section and changing reporting language for curators. SB 786 received a technical clarification amendment, while SB 18 removed an unneeded Medicaid-related section. SB 50 on veterans’ courts drew broad support from veterans’ groups and criminal-justice organizations. SB 538 on extracurricular activities was amended multiple times to address home education eligibility, activity fees for homeschool participants, technical cross-references, and compensation for extracurricular sponsors. SB 1004 was supported by animal-welfare advocates and consumer-protection interests. SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools was amended to limit the bill to head coaches, require personal funds, and allow similar bylaws by other athletic associations; it passed after discussion of a Miami Northwestern coaching controversy. The committee also took up two major policy bills with substantial testimony and questions. SB 1178 on foreign influence would create a state framework for foreign-agent registration, restrict gifts and contracts tied to foreign countries of concern and designated foreign terrorist organizations, limit certain sister-city and university linkage activities, and increase penalties for crimes committed to benefit foreign governments or terrorist groups; supporters framed it as a national-security and transparency measure, while the sponsor withdrew one amendment before passage. SB 1632 on ideologies inconsistent with American principles generated the most extended questioning, especially about its domestic-terrorism designation process, references to Sharia law, notice and due-process protections, and potential effects on students and speech; supporters argued it targets conduct, not belief, while opponents warned it could chill protected activity and unfairly target Muslim communities. The committee heard many public speakers on both sides, but no floor debate followed before the bill was moved forward.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Education Apr 28th, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill does not attack higher education.
  • education from its very origins.
  • Back when the state was fully funding higher education...
  • We cannot reliably tell... ...once they leave K-12 education.
  • It is efficient.
Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 399 by Senator Bass, which would create the Louisiana Higher Education Research Security Council to review and potentially block certain gifts, contracts, academic partnerships, and research partnerships involving foreign adversary sources. Bass said the bill is intended to protect university research, intellectual property, and students from foreign influence, and would also require public disclosure of certain foreign-linked arrangements and a plan to eliminate foreign-adversary-linked software. Supporters from State Armor argued Louisiana universities have been vulnerable to Chinese Communist Party influence and intellectual property theft. Representatives from Tulane University and Lenovo raised concerns that the bill could create duplicative review, delay research, raise costs, and sweep in legitimate private or multinational entities; a proposed amendment to exempt entities operating under a CFIUS national security agreement failed 4-8. After debate, the committee moved SB 399 favorably. The committee then considered Senate Bill 310 by Senator Cloud, presented by Representative Carlson, which would require public school and college health centers to display information about pregnancy resources available in Louisiana. Supporters from Louisiana Right to Life said the bill would help connect pregnant students with existing state and private assistance programs, while the ACLU submitted a red card in opposition without speaking. The bill was moved favorably without objection. The committee also advanced House Resolution 171 by Representative Turner, which calls for a study of the workforce-oriented TOPS Tech and M.J. Foster programs, with business and workforce groups supporting the study as a way to measure outcomes and return on investment; it was moved favorably. Next, the committee took up House Bill 1084 by Representative Turner, a tuition autonomy bill for public post-secondary institutions. An amendment was adopted to add a conceptual framework for tuition-setting considerations, but the bill would still remove the existing 10% over two years cap and allow institutions to set tuition more freely. Turner argued universities need more flexibility because state funding has declined and campuses face deferred maintenance and operating pressures. Several members, especially Representative Carlson, warned that higher tuition could reduce access and that the bill did not address broader structural problems in higher education. Despite those concerns, HB 1084 was moved favorably by an 8-3 vote. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 351 by Senator Jackson Andrews, which would let families apply for child care assistance through CCAP once pregnancy is known, rather than waiting until after birth, to help move them up the waiting list. An amendment was adopted to have BESE, rather than the department, handle rulemaking and to allow the House and Senate education committees to approve the implementation process. The bill was then discussed as a way to help parents return to work sooner, and the hearing continued with questions from members.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Finance Jan 30th, 2026 at 09:14 am

Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Do you see it helping you in any way to be maybe more cost efficient or something like that? Mr.
  • Additionally, we've been discussing implementing more continuing education training for all the agents
  • And really educating—think about who we are educating: young people, right?
  • What works is education. So at any rate, that's all I'll say on that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
  • We're also presenting on education and raising awareness. It's for career technical education.
Keywords: 996, all
NV

Nevada 2025 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Jun 2nd, 2025 at 12:00 pm

Nevada Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • education.
  • education.
  • education.
  • education.
  • education.
Keywords: 909, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Ways and Means Committee 4/23/25

Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:01:10.479> budget 2431, the omnous higher education budget 2431, the omnous higher education
  • It continues funding to 38 Office of Higher Education programs.
  • It cuts funding to education programs.
  • Um those are a few of the Education.
  • That's all. and uh efficiently and effectively. So and uh efficiently and effectively.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Edpol Committee Meeting - 2025-03-26

Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think it helps to manage the large and complex requests more efficiently.
  • A more educated workforce benefits our entire community and state.
  • Minnesota is at the front of the pack in educational outcomes nationally.
  • Hopkins here, I was just kind of trying to ask higher education questions.
  • . government data practices and higher education.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Transportation Dec 9th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • FSTED supports a range of seaport infrastructure projects that increase capacity and efficiency.
  • They're essential to handle today's vessels and to keep goods moving efficiently and reliably.
  • Delivering an efficient transportation system is critical to meet port and market needs.
  • We didn't have any other option but to do this, and it's actually running extremely efficiently.
  • We didn't have any other option but to do us, and it's actually running extremely efficiently.
Summary: The Transportation Committee heard SB 356 by Senator Wright, which would create an opt-in framework allowing counties and municipalities to designate certain roads for utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs) under local conditions, including driver licensing, insurance, and speed-limit restrictions below 55 mph. Senator Wright said the bill would give law enforcement clearer authority and mirror the local-option approach used for golf carts. Supporters included a retired Volusia County sheriff and county commissioner, who argued UTVs are safer than golf carts and are already being used on roads, while opponents from the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association and Honda warned that UTVs are designed for off-road use, lack federal safety standards, and pose crash and tire-blowout risks on public roads. Several senators raised safety concerns, especially about speed and crash severity, but the committee ultimately voted to report SB 356 favorably. The committee then held a lengthy discussion on seaport infrastructure and funding, beginning with a moment of silence for JaxPort COO and former FDOT employee James Bennett. FDOT presented data showing Florida’s 16 deepwater seaports generate major cargo volume, jobs, and economic impact, and described state funding programs such as FSTED, SPI, and the construction aggregate grant program. Port representatives from Port Everglades, PortMiami, Port Tampa Bay, and the Port of Palm Beach described record cargo and cruise activity, major capital projects, and the need for continued state and federal support for dredging, bulkheads, cranes, rail, and terminal expansion. Senators asked about ROI, trade shifts, intermodal connections, fuel and LNG availability, leverage and reserves, and operational risks such as flooding, sea level rise, and channel depth; port officials emphasized resiliency, private partnerships, and long-term master planning. The committee also confirmed appointees to the Tampa Hillsborough County Expressway Authority and the Tampa Port Authority in one vote, with no objection. Finally, FDOT presented the statewide mapping programs work group report required by SB 1662, explaining that coordinated statewide use of LiDAR and aerial imagery could reduce duplication, improve emergency management and planning, and support insurance and storm-damage assessment. FDOT recommended a formal statewide coordination program, shared procurement and cost-sharing agreements, dedicated staffing, and statutory updates to Chapter 334 to support interagency agreements and recurring funding.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Transportation Dec 9th, 2025

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • FSTED supports a range of seaport infrastructure projects that increase capacity and efficiency.
  • They're essential to handle today's vessels and to keep goods moving efficiently and reliably.
  • Delivering an efficient transportation system is critical to meet port and market needs.
  • We didn't have any other option but to do this, and it's actually running extremely efficiently.
  • One of them, South Florida Container Terminal, we're finalizing right... extremely efficiently.
Summary: The Committee on Transportation heard SB 356 by Senator Wright, which would create an opt-in framework for counties and municipalities to allow utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs) on certain local roads with posted speed limits below 55 mph, subject to local safety determinations, licensing, insurance, and other restrictions. Supporters, including a retired sheriff and a Florida Sheriffs Association representative, argued the bill would give law enforcement clearer authority and reflect the reality that UTVs are already being used on roads, while opponents from the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association and Honda warned that UTVs are not designed for public roads and lack key safety features. Several senators raised safety concerns, especially about speed and crash risk, but the bill was reported favorably after debate, with Senators Martin, McClain, and Truenow expressing reservations. The committee then held a lengthy discussion on seaport infrastructure and funding. FDOT presented data showing Florida’s 16 deepwater seaports generate major cargo volume, jobs, and economic impact, and described state funding programs such as FSTED, SPI, and the construction aggregate grant program. Port representatives from Port Everglades, PortMiami, Port of Palm Beach, and Port Tampa Bay described record cargo and cruise activity, major capital projects, and the importance of state and federal grants, private partnerships, and long-term planning. They also discussed challenges including limited land, bulkhead and berth maintenance, channel deepening, workforce needs, fuel access, resiliency, and intermodal connectivity. Senators asked about return on investment, trade patterns, financing, cruise-versus-cargo balance, and operational risks; the ports emphasized that they are largely enterprise-funded but still depend on public investment for major infrastructure. The committee also approved a block of appointments to the Tampa Hillsborough County Expressway Authority and the Tampa Port Authority without objection. In addition, FDOT presented the statewide mapping programs work group report required by SB 1662, recommending a coordinated statewide aerial imagery and LiDAR program, shared procurement and cost-sharing arrangements, and statutory updates to improve interagency coordination and access to geospatial data. Senators briefly discussed potential uses for the data in insurance, emergency management, and property assessment, and the presentation concluded without further action.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

FL House Floor Session - 2026-05-29 (9:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Of course, I'm going to start with education.
  • I'm good with higher education now based on your responses.
  • I'm good with higher education now based on your responses.
  • And my other concern has to do with the education system.
  • to conform to the proposed higher education budget.
Keywords: 998, house, all
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • QUALITY HEALTHCARE FOR FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS IN NEED BUT THE BUDGET INVESTS IN MODERNIZATION AND EFFICIENCY
  • THE MORE EDUCATION WE GET OUT THERE FOR FAMILIES TO KNOW THE SIGNS, THE EARLY SIGNS OF TYPE I DIABETES
  • AVAILABLE TO NURSING HOME CARE AND HOW THEIR ADOPTION CAN IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF CARE AND OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES
  • THE BILL FOCUSES ON RESEARCH, CLINICAL CARE, EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY TO SUPPORT CHILDREN WITH RARE DISEASES
  • DEVELOPING ADVANCED GENETIC CLEANING AND DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS CHEMICAL PROVIDING CONFERENCE OF CARE TRAINING, EDUCATORS
Keywords: 999, senate, all
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • We have an update on the work to provide new resources for educators.
  • The efficiencies<00:15:35.279> that<00:15:35.519> my<00:15:35.760> counties<00:15
  • :36.160> depend<00:15:36.480> on efficiencies that my counties depend on efficiencies that
  • We heard from educators in the special education space.
  • Um, the special education professionals did a phenomenal job offering their input and demonstrating just
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
Summary: The program focused first on Minnesota Republicans’ efforts to combat fraud and improve government accountability, featuring Sen. Mark Koran. He argued that fraud in programs such as Medicaid, childcare assistance, PCA, autism services, housing support, and food aid harms both taxpayers and vulnerable recipients, and he cited cases where people in need were left without services. Koran said the problem stems from weak agency oversight, overreliance on self-attestation, and poor use of available data and site visits. He described a bill and related work to strengthen an independent inspector general structure, standardize eligibility checks, require better verification and external data use, and improve agency accountability; he also said federal involvement is necessary because many programs include federal dollars. No vote was taken in the interview, but he said the Senate had already passed an inspector general-related measure and that broader reform is still needed. The second major topic was the Senate DFL’s “ICE accountability agenda” in response to federal immigration enforcement activity in Minnesota. The package includes bills to protect sensitive spaces such as schools and hospitals, ban law enforcement officers from wearing masks while on duty, and allow Minnesotans to sue the federal government in state court. DFL members framed the issue as one of constitutional enforcement tactics rather than immigration policy, and said the measures are intended to prepare the state if ICE returns. No committee vote or final action was described. The final segment covered school seclusion policy. Sen. Judy Seeberger explained that seclusion is intended as an emergency safety tool, not discipline, but said the 2023 law banning it through grade 3 removed a resource without replacing it. She said supporters of the ban point to misuse and trauma, while she and a working group sought a compromise with tighter safeguards: extending the policy through grade 12, requiring explicit parental consent and access to the room, interpreter services when needed, and reporting if seclusion is used repeatedly. She said the working group’s recommendations were largely reached by consensus, but the issue remains unresolved and it is unclear whether further legislation will advance this session.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Education Finance - 03/11/25

Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • It is 8:34 in the Minnesota State Senate Committee on Education Finance.
  • It didn't fail because people don't value education.
  • <00:07:24.479> it because people don't value education it because people don't value education
  • which are important into the educational which are important into the educational process<01:19:
  • a is the state total general education a is the state total general education entitlement<01:35:
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Revenue Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am

Joint Committee on Revenue

Transcript Highlights:
  • I am at the National Education Association meeting, so I apologize, but now I'm here. Thank you.
  • As you know, we represent about 117,000 educators across the Commonwealth, pre-K through higher ed.
  • As you know, we represent about 117,000 educators across the Commonwealth, pre-K through higher ed.
  • The source of our prosperity, he said, and I would argue, is an educated population.
  • Everyone here knows that, at the federal level, public education, like I mentioned, is under assault.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing on H. 4975, Governor Healey’s bill to manage the impact of the federal “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OB3) on Massachusetts tax law and state revenues. Administration officials, led by Secretary of Administration and Finance Matt Gorowitz, said OB3 would otherwise reduce FY26 revenue by about $442 million and argued for a phased-in conformity approach that would preserve the current-year budget while still adopting selected federal business tax provisions over time. The proposal would phase in the research and experimental expenditure deduction first, delay other major corporate provisions for two years, extend the pass-through entity excise to income subject to the 4% surtax, add a one-year delay mechanism for future federal tax changes over $20 million, limit opportunity zone benefits to Massachusetts investments, and make smaller technical changes to DFML contributions and casino reporting thresholds. Committee members questioned the rationale for phasing in rather than fully decoupling, the effect on the budget if the bill did not pass, and the treatment of opportunity zones, the surtax, and future federal tax changes. Public testimony was split. MassBudget, Progressive Massachusetts, and several labor and public-sector groups urged the committee to permanently decouple from the federal corporate tax changes rather than delay them, arguing that the bill would still send state revenue to corporate tax breaks, often for investments outside Massachusetts, and that the state should protect funding for schools, health care, human services, and other public services. The Massachusetts Society of CPAs supported the administration’s timing and the research-and-development provisions, citing filing deadlines and the importance of certainty for businesses and startups. Business and tax experts also testified that rushed conformity can create revenue losses and that the governor’s review-and-delay framework was a prudent improvement, though some said decoupling should be the default if the Legislature does not act. Unite Here Local 26 testified against sections 3 and 4, which would raise the slot-machine jackpot reporting threshold from $1,200 to $2,000, arguing the current threshold helps with problem-gambling intervention, preserves slot attendant jobs, and generates revenue. Several union leaders, including the Massachusetts Teachers Association, AFT Massachusetts, SEIU 509, the Massachusetts Building Trades, the AFL-CIO, and 1199 SEIU, urged permanent decoupling, warning that OB3’s federal tax cuts and related spending reductions would worsen budget pressures, harm public services, and shift costs onto workers, patients, and schools. No votes were taken at the hearing.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Elections - 03/24/26

Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • acting chair of the Elections Committee, my job is to make sure our committee runs smoothly and efficiently
  • Our goal is to conduct these proceedings efficiently while ensuring everyone the opportunity to observe
  • conduct these proceedings efficiently conduct these proceedings efficiently while<00:01:55.640><
  • I'm a proud to serve on the Board of Education of Rochester Public Schools, Independent School District
  • discussing substantive education issues. discussing substantive education issues.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Finance Nov 18th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • And so if we're able to add this continuing education component, we can kind of keep them here in New
  • Okay, now members, we're going to go pretty efficiently through our district courts.
  • We also provide a lot of training, education, and technical assistance.
  • We're just asking for this efficiency.
  • So this is the biggest piece... on efficiency that we are asking for from the Water Trust Board.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • due to L&PS raised their efficiency due to L&PS raised their possibility<02:07:18.800> of
  • But uh, we have a situation when, if they need to have medical practice in hospitals for their education
  • But uh, we have a situation when, if they need to have medical practice in hospitals for their education
  • But uh, we have a situation when, if they need to have medical practice in hospitals for their education
  • But uh, we have a situation when, if they need to have medical practice in hospitals for their education
Keywords: 1189, house, all
Summary: The committee met as a special House committee on COVID response efficacy, noted absences, and restated its mission to review New Hampshire’s pandemic response, including federal guidance, federal funds, emergency use authorization vaccination efforts, long COVID treatment, patient bill of rights implementation, and vaccination policies. The main business was discussion of a proposed letter or report language concerning current COVID vaccine recommendations for young children, especially those under age two, and how to support any conclusions with cited scientific and state sources. Representative Polozov argued that the committee should ask the governor or agencies to reconsider current recommendations, saying the committee should focus on whether vaccination is needed for that age group, whether it is effective, and whether the risks outweigh the benefits. He said he had distributed articles and wanted the committee to pair its conclusions with scientific and statistical data. Other members asked him to identify the specific New Hampshire DHHS and American Academy of Pediatrics sources for the recommendation, clarify the age range being discussed, and separate any evidence about adverse effects in other age groups from the infant/toddler demographic so the letter would be transparent and not misleading. Members generally agreed the letter should be carefully sourced and refined, with citations for each claim. The chair said the committee would treat the request as urgent and try to finalize a version by the next meeting, noting that some members would be traveling. The committee also discussed scheduling additional testimony in September and October, possibly with extra meetings, to continue gathering evidence and to hear from witnesses. The chair then began reviewing supporting articles, including studies he said were new since the 2024 report, and introduced a 2025 South Korea cohort study and another 2025 Italian cohort study as examples of the evidence he wanted to incorporate into an updated 2026 report.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session May 14th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's also fair and efficient.
  • HB 4 to Education. HB 46 to State Affairs. HB 101 to Veteran Affairs.
  • HB 224 to Education K through 16. HB 219 to Education K through 16. HB 2215 to State Affairs.
  • HB 5154 to Education K through 16. HB 5263 to Education K through 16.
  • HB 5263 to Education K through 16.
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered an invocation, approved the previous day’s journal, and received a House message announcing passage of HB 4 on public school accountability and assessment. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, adopted SR 520 honoring Rosser Coke-Newton Sr. for his biography of former Governor Richard Coke, and adopted SR 518 recognizing Texas Moral Injury Awareness Day, with remarks focused on the impact of moral injury on veterans and first responders. The Senate later adopted SR 395 honoring the ninth class of Governor William P. Clements, Jr. Scholars, and several other resolutions were adopted by voice vote, including college savings awareness recognition and other member-sponsored recognitions. The body then took up several bills and resolutions on the floor. HB 3307, allowing online continuing education for arbitrators in property tax appeals, passed unanimously after suspension of the rules and the three-day rule. HB 913, renaming and reorganizing certain state hospitals, and HB 2970, governing the Gulf Coast Protection District and coastal barrier design, also passed unanimously. HJR 1 and HB 9 advanced a proposed constitutional amendment and statutory change to raise the business personal property tax exemption from $2,500 to $125,000; both measures passed, with HJR 1 receiving one no vote and HB 9 passing unanimously after a clarifying amendment. The Senate also passed HB 1151, which limits child removals and termination of parental rights based solely on parental medical treatment decisions, and HB 116, which revises grounds for involuntary termination of the parent-child relationship by removing the “O grounds” and requiring support from financially able parents whose rights were terminated. HB 1899 lowered the age for pyrotechnic operator licenses and fireworks display permits from 21 to 18. SB 1285, as amended, passed to protect bats by prohibiting entombment while preserving removal options from unoccupied spaces, and SB 2847 passed to promote innovations in core curriculum for faster bachelor’s degrees. On criminal justice, SJR 87, a proposed constitutional amendment requiring denial of bail for certain repeat violent felony offenders, passed after two floor amendments clarifying due process and representation language; Senator Eckhardt spoke against it on final passage, arguing it lacked judicial discretion and a clear-and-convincing standard. SB 3073, requiring magistrates to make written findings in certain criminal proceedings, also passed. Later, SB 128, requiring hospitals to report suspected child abuse-related information to HHSC, advanced on a divided vote, and SB 2619 and SB 2972 passed on public school accountability and expressive activities at public colleges, respectively, with Senator Eckhardt opposing SB 2972 as too restrictive on campus protest rights. The chamber also heard extended debate on HB 21, targeting “traveling” housing finance corporations and their use of tax exemptions for apartment projects, with supporters arguing it curbs abuse of the tax code and critics warning about unintended effects on affordable housing; the discussion continued with questions but no final action shown in the excerpt.