Transcript Highlights:

• And where additional clarity is needed.
• Um Council and uh fiscal analysis staff.
• <00:43:12.960> And the need mean the need goes away.
• And the need mean the need goes away.
• will allow motans to keep their needed will allow motans to keep their needed prescriptions<00:57

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• inspections, you need to go and do whatever due diligence you need to do," But understand this, you
• That the state needs, the industry needs, that this will delay and confuse and frustrate to the point
• Scientific analysis indicates that we will need to sequester 6 to 7 billion tons of carbon dioxide per
• We need to set that model and export it.
• For a road, whatever you need.

Transcript Highlights:

• In other words, we need to know where we need to go with the infrastructure in order to be able to plan
• We need generational jobs, right?
• We need to have that, right?
• That's all I needed.
• See, that's all I needed.

Summary: The committee heard several water- and environment-related bills. SB 72, by Senator Caballero, would modernize the California Water Plan and set long-term water supply targets, including an interim goal of 9 million acre-feet of additional water by 2040. Supporters from water districts, local governments, business groups, and agricultural interests argued the bill is needed to address climate-driven shortages, protect the economy, and improve planning for droughts, flooding, recharge, recycling, storage, and conveyance. Opponents, including environmental and conservation groups, argued the bill could overstate demand, increase costs, and make it harder to protect instream flows and ecosystems. The committee discussed the science behind the 9 million acre-feet target and the need to balance water supply planning with fish and ecological needs. SB 72 passed on a do-pass motion to Appropriations. SB 369, by Senator Padilla, would require a local skilled and trained workforce for all Salton Sea restoration work. The author and sponsors said the bill would protect workers exposed to hazardous conditions at the Salton Sea, create good local jobs in Imperial County, and ensure long-term workforce standards for publicly funded restoration projects. Support came from labor organizations, contractors, and other regional stakeholders; no opposition testified. Members emphasized the region’s high unemployment and the importance of workforce development. The bill passed on a do-pass motion to Labor and Employment. SB 697, by Senator Laird, would update the stream system adjudication process by allowing the State Water Board to use modern technology, such as stream gauges and digitized records, when investigating water rights claims, while still allowing field investigations when needed. The author said the process has not been updated since 1976 and should be streamlined. After amendments addressed stakeholder concerns, there was no opposition testimony. The committee asked whether the bill would affect pre-1914 water rights, and the author said it would not. SB 697 passed as amended to Judiciary. The committee also approved consent calendar items SB 599, SB 609, and SB 765 earlier in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Workforce demands and needs differ by region.
• Senate Bill 1961 addresses these needs by enhancing data collection and analysis, ensuring that Texas
• But we didn't connect the dots between what the businesses really needed and what our institutions needed
• So that needs to go to the floor. Got it, OK.
• I need to explain the bill. Thank you, Madam Chair.

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, if a juror needs to have a lactation space, you know, if a clerk needs it, it's there for everybody
• You are trustworthy, you're thoughtful, and tough when you need to be.
• You did what needed to be done.
• it to us when we needed it.
• On behalf of me, you have been the big sister I never knew I needed.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, several introductions, and an announcement that there would be no conference that weekend. The chamber then took up a long special order calendar and passed a series of bills, often by substituting House companions. Early measures included trust law modernization to create a nonjudicial trustee discharge process, military affairs changes expanding leave and retirement-related provisions, a bill to prepare for the end of penny use by standardizing cash rounding, and a podiatric medicine bill regulating cellular or tissue-based products and informed consent. The Senate also approved veterans court expansion, RV park assessment clarification, alcohol-loss tax deduction authority, bail bond and pretrial release revisions, and a military-installation jurisdiction bill to allow juvenile cases on bases to be handled in state juvenile court under certain conditions. Most bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously, with the bail bond bill passing 36-1 after questions about charitable bail bonds and confirmation that existing law on return of charitable bail funds would remain unchanged. The chamber then paused for a lengthy farewell presentation honoring Senator Lori Berman, featuring a video, remarks from many senators, and Berman’s own closing speech reflecting on her 16 years of service, her legislative priorities, and her call for civility, bipartisanship, and continued support for issues such as school safety, Israel, anti-Semitism, and affordability. After the tribute, the Senate resumed and passed additional bills, including one expanding insurance coverage definitions for portable electronics and eyewear, a workforce and nursing education funding bill broadening support for health science programs, a recovery residences regulatory streamlining bill, a felony battery enhancement bill adding resisting an officer with violence as a qualifying prior offense, and a child welfare bill extending visitor thresholds in out-of-home placements, making the Step Into Success program permanent, and creating a best-practices program. The chamber also advanced a candidate qualification bill tightening party-affiliation requirements and adding a House provision on recent legal name changes; debate began on that measure as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• But once you start to see private sector investment in SMRs, if that's needed, it'll be needed, and it'll
• And what we need to do is we need to make sure that we can reinvigorate those pipelines, but also make
• You needed to go to college.
• we would need.
• So you need to know what those are. You need to know those are baked into their business model.

Summary: The Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee met to hear a series of presentations on the economics, financing, workforce, and community impacts of advanced nuclear deployment in North Dakota. William Bridge of Nucleon Energy presented the committee’s economic impacts and private-sector financing report, estimating construction and operating job impacts, local spending, and state/local tax effects for hypothetical SMR projects. He said the report assumes first-of-a-kind costs are still high, used a $6 million per megawatt nth-of-a-kind proxy, and estimated peak construction workforces of about 500 for a 200-MW plant and 1,000 for a larger facility, with roughly 100 operating jobs for a 200-MW plant. Committee members questioned security costs, capital cost assumptions, water and transmission siting constraints, and whether the model included fuel and waste; Bridge said the report included initial fuel in capital cost and that waste disposal is funded through existing federal mechanisms. Lori Brady of the Nuclear Energy Institute then outlined national nuclear workforce needs and NEI’s strategic workforce planning efforts. She described declining labor-force participation, retirements, and the need for a much larger future workforce, and said NEI has organized recommendations around career awareness, pipelines, training and qualification, policy support, retention, and nontraditional recruitment. She highlighted tools such as the Nuclear Works career website, the Nuclear Energy Academic Roadmap, the new federal Energy and Natural Resources career cluster, and the Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program for community colleges. Members asked about AI, timing for training relative to plant development, and whether advanced manufacturing would reduce staffing needs; Brady said AI is not expected to replace workers and that training timelines depend on the specific project and staffing plan. The committee also heard from Gary Yaco, mayor of Red Wing, Minnesota, who described Prairie Island’s role in his community. He said the plant provides a large share of local property tax revenue, supports well-paid jobs, contributes to emergency preparedness funding and training, and is broadly supported by the city despite periodic protests and public concerns. He emphasized the plant’s security, regular drills with local and federal responders, and the absence of problems with dry cask storage. Later, Benton Arnett of NEI discussed the current financing landscape for advanced nuclear, explaining how tax credits, federal loan support, off-take agreements, and new business models are helping projects move forward. He said early projects face high upfront costs and long lead-time procurement, but that investor confidence is improving as federal policy and regulatory streamlining continue. The committee asked about waste funding, comparisons with natural gas, the effect of political shifts on investor confidence, and whether the market will narrow to a few winning technologies; Arnett said the industry is still sorting that out, but expects clearer winners in the late 2020s and early 2030s. The meeting concluded with an introductory presentation from Julie Kazeraki of DOE’s Office of Energy Dominance Financing, who said the office is focused on accelerating nuclear deployment through financing support.

Transcript Highlights:

• First thing is to take a look at the minutes, and I need a motion to approve the minutes.
• But they really requested and needed more flexibility and support to make all of that happen.
• And we really need to, I think I've shared this before, we needed to work on our communication, both
• What is it that you need? And so that information was helpful.
• Do y'all have anything else you need us to know? No, ma'am.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee first approved the prior meeting minutes, then heard a presentation from Maddie San Juan of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas on the report “Holding It All Together: Working Moms and Child Care in Arkansas.” She said the research found Arkansas moms are working and want to work, but face major barriers from inflexible schedules, high child care costs, and the mental load of balancing work and caregiving. The report cited survey and focus group findings showing most mothers want full-time work, with flexibility as the top requested workplace support. It also highlighted that child care costs can consume a large share of family income, with one infant care averaging about $8,900 annually and infant-plus-toddler care about $17,500. She also discussed paid leave, noting many mothers returned to work before six weeks after birth, and shared a personal story from a working mom in Monticello to illustrate the strain families face. Committee members asked about labor force data, flexibility examples, child care voucher changes, and whether state or employer policies could help. San Juan also referenced partnerships with Excel by 8 and business leaders to address child care as both a family and economic development issue. The committee then received an update from the Department of Education’s Office of Early Childhood on several administrative issues. Officials said new internal dashboards had gone live to improve transparency and data tracking for school readiness assistance, including enrollment, applications, and provider participation. They also said the state is continuing the CLASS transition and expects to release transition funding to providers soon, while emphasizing that OEP awards based on CLASS scores are separate from OEC’s work. They warned providers that a system transition from ACE to a new platform will likely delay payments from June 30 through about July 13, with payments owed during that period to be processed once the system is back online. Members also asked about Head Start audit requirements, market rate survey work, and an overpayment case involving a child care center that is under appeal. Additional updates covered early childhood special education funding, with one member raising concerns that inflation has eroded the value of the funds and that rural areas need more early intervention support. Department officials said they would follow up with special education staff to review funding sources and needs. They also discussed the upcoming QRIS work, including a June 23 webinar, and said the local lead network has been recompeted and will consist of 23 local leads covering all counties starting July 1. Officials said the local leads’ job duties remain the same, and that a new stakeholder group has been formed to provide ongoing feedback on PDG and broader early childhood issues. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just to be clear, there is a framework, but it needs a lot of work. It needs a lot of polishing.
• We just need that plan we've talked about that we need to give you guys in the legislature.
• Well, why the need for collaboration?
• We don't need to duplicate facilities. We need to build on the strengths that we have.
• But we don’t need immediate.

Summary: The Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission met on May 14, 2026, with a quorum present and approved the July minutes. Leadership gave opening remarks welcoming new members and noting that the commission is now administratively housed with the Office of Multimodal Commerce, which is expected to provide staff support, resources, and help restart the commission’s strategic planning work. Commissioners said the next major agenda item will likely be consultant support and further work on the strategic plan. The commission then repealed a prior July resolution that had requested a Louisiana Ports Infrastructure and Development Fund and identified critical projects for international trade and economic development. Members said the resolution was well-intentioned but premature because the projects had not been fully vetted, LED had not been sufficiently involved, and there was no clear funding plan. The repeal passed by motion and vote, with commissioners emphasizing that the projects themselves remain supported and will be revisited in a more thorough format through the strategic plan. A major portion of the meeting focused on the collaborative marketing study for the five Lower Mississippi River ports. Joe Toomey and Ken Erickson of Polaris described a regional marketing strategy built from cargo analysis, stakeholder interviews, and port data, aimed at increasing trade, economic growth, foreign direct investment, infrastructure funding support, and long-term coordination. Commissioners and LED representatives said the effort shows stronger cooperation among the ports, will live at LED with a cooperative endeavor agreement, and is already being used in foreign investment outreach and as a possible template for other port regions. The commission also received an update from the navigation and safety task force. Steve Wall, the new NOBER president, said he would continue the work begun by the late Captain Toby Waddington, who was honored with a moment of silence. Commissioners reported that recommendations from the task force are being implemented, including air gap sensors, bridge-related planning, and bundled dredging projects in the current capital outlay process. The meeting ended with no public comment and adjourned after commissioners indicated they would meet again in the next quarter.

Transcript Highlights:

• We acknowledge you as our provider of all we need each day.
• Chief Clerk, do you need a minute? Are there any communications? Do you need a minute?
• I said, hey, do you need me now? She said, well, when can you...
• I said, hey, do you need me now? She said, well, when can you step out?
• She said, I need you to step out now.

Summary: The House received a series of Senate communications and committee reports, then took up a long consent calendar and several individual measures. Early actions included passing consent calendar items, recognizing Freedom of Speech Week and Juneteenth, and hearing numerous introductions and tributes, including remarks honoring House fellows, Father’s Day, and Representative Mara Gorman. The chamber also adopted several procedural motions and recesses, with roll calls recorded throughout. Among the bills considered, the House passed House Bill 134 on animal cruelty, increasing penalties for repeat offenses; House Bill 131 with Senate Amendment 1 on pet stores and animal welfare; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 320 on technical corrections to the Delaware Constitution; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 407 on technical updates to the Hazardous Substance Control Act; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 425 on salary supplements for certain school employees; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 450, the Road Delaware Act, on land use and permitting reform; House Bill 459 on restricting energy drink sales in schools; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 439 on electric moped and motorcycle disclosures; and House Bill 444, the Delaware John Lewis Voting Rights Act, after amendment delaying its effective date to July 1, 2027. House Amendment 1 to House Bill 459 was adopted, and House Amendment 1 to House Bill 444 was adopted before final passage. The House also rejected House Amendment 1 to House Substitute 1 for House Bill 425 after debate over salary supplement policy for school-related certifications, then passed the substitute bill itself. House Bill 407 prompted questions about the increase in civil penalties, which DENREC said was intended to update outdated fines and align the penalty structure with other laws. House Bill 444 drew floor speeches emphasizing voting rights protections and concerns about voter suppression and dilution. The session ended with the House moving to recess after continuing consideration of House Bill 355, the Speaker Truth Act, which had just adopted an amendment changing damages language to attorney’s fees and costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we need to get it to the House where they're still on the floor. Mr.
• President, and I don't need anyone to yield.
• Especially when systems are broken, we need help.
• In addition to these three, this gentleman needs no introduction at all.
• She's seen the mental health needs and many of the other things.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, you know, we all need it, right?
• This is the essential budget request that's needed to complete the statutorily required work.
• This is the essential budget request that's needed to complete the statutorily required work.
• The request that's needed to complete the statutorily required work.
• from around a comprehensive um analysis from around a comprehensive um analysis of<01:24:10.719>

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Judiciary and Civil Law Committee met to hear an informational presentation from the Board of Judicial Standards. After brief member and staff introductions and a review of committee rules, the board’s executive secretary, Sarah Bas, and Mary Pat Maher explained the board’s history, mission, and operations. They described the board as an independent state agency that handles complaints about judicial misconduct and disability, issues advisory opinions, and educates judges on ethics. The presentation covered the board’s composition, complaint intake and screening process, and the levels of discipline available, ranging from summary dismissal and letters of caution to private admonitions, deferred disposition agreements, public reprimands, and formal complaints that can lead to Supreme Court review. Members asked about the board’s budget, public access to discipline records, confidentiality of complaints, and how the board balances accountability with protecting public confidence in the judiciary. The board said public discipline is posted on its website, while private admonitions, deferred dispositions, dismissals, and letters of caution remain confidential. It also said judges generally are told who complained so they can respond, though the board can withhold the source for good cause. Questions also focused on whether attorneys are underreporting misconduct, how many complaints are nuisance complaints, and whether the online complaint system changed the types of complaints received; the board said nuisance complaints make up more than half, the complaint types have not changed much, and it does not have data comparing complaint sources to outcomes. No votes or formal committee actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Veterans are very singular in their mission, and they need to be able to trust you.
• Veterans are very singular in their mission, and they need to be able to trust you.
• If the Secretary would like to testify on the needs of what the department will be...
• However, you need to be prepared. And so I have one, two, three, four explanations.
• Because that's what we need here in this state, especially when it comes to workforce.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The House Labor, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee met with a quorum and heard two bills from Representative Martinez. House Bill 56 would appropriate $1 million to the Department of Veterans Services to expand behavioral health and suicide prevention efforts for veterans. Supporters, including the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, the Department of Veterans Services, the Disability Coalition, New Mexico Professional Firefighters, the New Mexico Veterans and Military Families Caucus, and NAMI New Mexico, said the funding would help veterans navigate a difficult system, improve outreach in rural areas, and address New Mexico’s high veteran suicide rate and related alcohol and drug deaths. Committee members asked about whether the program was new or an expansion of an existing effort, how services would be delivered, and whether outreach would reach homeless and rural veterans. The secretary explained that the bill would augment an existing Suicide Prevention Act program, use contracts with outside providers rather than direct services, and require two term employees for contract management and outreach. The committee voted 7-1 to give HB 56 a due pass and send it to the next committee. The committee then heard House Bill 55, which would create an income tax deduction for retirement income earned by first responders, similar to an existing benefit for military retirees. Supporters argued it would help recruit and retain firefighters, law enforcement, and other first responders, and could encourage retirees to move to New Mexico and contribute economically. Several members raised concerns about the fiscal impact, the lack of a sunset, the narrow definition of first responder, and Taxation and Revenue Department concerns that the bill could reduce general fund revenue by about $6.1 million in the first year and might not attract retirees on its own. The sponsor said he had not yet met with Tax and Rev but would do so, and noted he was open to a sunset if it helped the bill move forward. Despite concerns, the committee voted 7-1 to pass HB 55 to the next committee, with members explaining their votes and emphasizing that the bill would receive further vetting in Tax and Revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• And members, yeah, this is a time where families need every dime.
• detailing the number of housing units needed to achieve functional zero overall.
• Don't need. What? It doesn't. I don't get before a year. No, I'm just kidding.
• Participants also typically must have high care needs.
• This is a good bill for people that really truly need it.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard several homelessness, public benefits, and aging-related bills. SB 748 would expand Encampment Resolution Funding to support safe parking sites for people living in cars or RVs, require quarterly reporting from HCD on outcomes, and direct LAO evaluation; supporters said it would help local governments reduce RV encampments while connecting people to housing and services. SB 290 would repeal the CalWORKs immunization sanction that reduces aid when parents cannot provide acceptable proof of a child’s vaccination; supporters argued the penalty unfairly harms families already in poverty and can worsen instability, while no opposition testified. SB 606 would define “functional zero” for overall and unsheltered homelessness and require local jurisdictions to plan for and report on the housing and interim shelter needed to reach that goal; supporters said it would add accountability and focus on reducing unsheltered homelessness, and one group moved from opposition to neutral after amendments. SB 433 would create an income-based room-and-board cap and personal needs allowance for all Medi-Cal assisted living participants in residential care facilities for the elderly, not just SSI recipients; supporters said it would prevent eviction and homelessness among low-income seniors and people with disabilities, and facility groups withdrew opposition or moved to neutral after amendments. SB 761 would require students applying for Cal Grants to be notified that they may be eligible for CalFresh and given information on how to apply; supporters said it would address widespread student food insecurity and low enrollment among eligible students. The committee accepted amendments on the bills, and all of the measures discussed were reported out on 7-0 or similar unanimous votes to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, with the consent calendar also approved unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill removes a major hurdle standing in the way of desperately needing needed housing.
• We need accountability.
• We don't need one? You don't need an audit? Yeah, we... How much money do you collect again?
• answer, I need clarity on this.
• a workaround or need to share a student may be in probation custody and need a workaround or need to

Summary: The committee first adopted its 2025-26 rules on a 7-0 roll call, then approved three consent items—AB 88, AB 240, and AB 313—on a due-pass motion to Appropriations. The hearing then moved to AB 648, which would give community college districts the same zoning authority as the UC and CSU systems to build student and staff housing on property they own or lease. The author and supporters argued the bill would help address severe housing insecurity and homelessness among community college students, while opponents and some members raised concerns about local control, zoning exemptions, and the impact on nearby communities. AB 648 passed the committee on a 5-2 vote and was sent to the Local Government Committee. The committee next heard AB 466, which would require California Community Colleges and CSU campuses to provide organ and tissue donor registry information during student orientation, and request UC campuses to do the same. Supporters shared personal stories about transplants and donation, saying college orientation is a good opportunity to increase registrations. Some members worried about information overload during orientation and suggested campuses have flexibility in how they present the material, but the bill advanced on a unanimous 7-0 vote to Appropriations. AB 326 followed, proposing campus-by-campus external audits of the CSU every three years and public release of the audits. The author, faculty supporters, and a student argued that systemwide audits do not provide enough transparency about how money is spent at individual campuses, citing examples of financial mismanagement and fee increases. CSU opposed the bill, saying it already conducts annual consolidated external audits and that campus-level audits would add cost without added benefit. After extensive discussion about transparency, audit scope, and implementation, the bill passed 6-1 to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 335, which would create a California Black-Serving Institution Grant Program to support Black student success and broader underserved student services; supporters emphasized persistent equity gaps and low completion rates, while an opponent argued the bill needed to be carefully amended to comply with Proposition 209 and equal protection requirements. The transcript ends during that item’s discussion, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, we're— get the full analysis. get the full analysis. >> Right. >> Right.
• So they need to change that.
• So So it was So we need to limitation. So So it was So we need to change<00:22:18.360> that.
• need to have representation here. need to have representation here.
• >> that's all I needed. Thank you. >> that's all I needed. Thank you.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we produced a community landscape analysis out of that.
• They wanted to ask families directly what they needed.
• there was still a need for transportation help within Lawrence.
• We need to maybe look at the other options.
• And students need real-world experiences so that they can have the adaptability that employers need.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Employment Subcommittee of the Permit Commission on Status of Persons with Disabilities met on April 27 and approved the prior meeting minutes before hearing a presentation from the Lawrence Partnership for Transition to Employment (LPTE). Presenters from UMass Boston’s Institute for Community Inclusion, the Arc of Greater Haverhill-Newburyport, Northeast, and Lawrence Public Schools described LPTE as a five-year grant focused on improving transition outcomes for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Lawrence through community partnerships, work groups, and family engagement. A major focus was a family survey designed to better understand barriers to transition planning and IEP participation. Presenters said the survey response rate increased sharply after Lawrence Public Schools helped distribute it, rising from about a dozen responses to more than 200. Survey findings showed common barriers such as scheduling conflicts, language access, childcare, transportation, and limited understanding of IEPs and transition planning. The data also suggested that many families expect college or employment outcomes for their children, but fewer reported access to pre-employment training, indicating a communication gap rather than a lack of services. Lawrence school staff explained that the district has a five-person transition team, bilingual resources, workshops, and a developing online transition hub, and that they are using the survey results to improve visibility and access to existing supports. Committee members discussed the need to start transition planning earlier, expand real-world work experiences, improve outreach to Latino families, and better connect students with college, trade, and employment pathways. Several members suggested partnerships with summer youth employment, volunteer programs, and college or alumni panels. The presenters said the grant ends in September, but the resource hub will continue through the Arc and they are exploring ways to sustain the consortium model. The meeting ended with thanks to the presenters, an update that committee members would meet with Seed on Massachusetts as a model employer, and notice that the next meeting would feature the Office of Veteran Affairs before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need, I believe we need just way more of it. That is actual, I don't know.
• They all need staff.
• . need.
• some need some help.
• he said about what we need.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Technical expertise needed to evaluate and plan a cultural center.
• So, you know, no need to reinvent the wheel.
• I saw an edit needed.
• I just need to reformat it. Okay. Great.
• So what do we need to look at next and how do we go through?

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission met to advance planning for a proposed Cape Verdean Cultural Center in Massachusetts, with members emphasizing the historical significance of Cape Verdeans in the Commonwealth and the need to complete a feasibility study over the next year. After roll call and introductions of new participants, the commission unanimously approved the prior meeting minutes. Members also reviewed and approved a draft nomination criteria document, with a small edit to explicitly include Cape Cod in the geographic representation language. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on expanding commission membership. Rochelle Barbosa presented criteria aimed at ensuring regional, gender, generational, and sector diversity, along with needed expertise in areas such as history, museums, architecture, fundraising, nonprofit governance, language preservation, legal issues, and community organizing. The commission discussed several organizations and institutions that should have designees, including Bridgewater State’s Cape Verdean studies program, Mili Mila, the Schooner Ernestina Morrissey Advisory Board, and the New Bedford Whaling Museum. Members also reviewed a long list of suggested nominees and identified possible gaps, including legal expertise and representation from Taunton and Cape Cod-area communities. Because the commission had 16 additional nominees for 12 remaining seats, members agreed that more vetting was needed before final appointments. Representative Vieira proposed, and the commission approved, forming a three-member nominating committee consisting of Senator Miranda, Commissioner Monica Vega, and Commissioner Manny Lopes. The committee was tasked with narrowing the list and bringing back recommendations for a vote at a later meeting. Members also discussed scheduling another meeting before the end of the month so appointments could be finalized and the commission could begin its work plan, including monthly meetings, listening sessions, and visits to cultural institutions. The meeting adjourned after those next steps were outlined.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't need all these fancy stadiums. We don't need all this fancy stuff for these kids.
• If she has special needs, because one of the things I am aware of is students with special needs going
• needs.
• Wolfe's analysis.
• We need to just need to be putting that money where it's needed the most.

Bills: HB3, HB3

Keywords: education savings account, educational expenses, certified educational assistance organization, school choice, funding, special education, tuition reimbursement, emergency communication, public safety, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, grant program, emergency communications, public safety radio, first responders, radio system, dispatch, 911, emergency management, Texas Division of Emergency Management

Transcript Highlights:

• That is a key thing that we need in the state in state government and it will.
• in the state and also go out and fill the needs across the state.
• I read the bill analysis.
• We need to create that as well.
• We just need to modernize our own systems to make sure that we can have access to.

Keywords: 999, senate, all