Transcript Highlights:

• My assumption is it's going to be management's decision is that we will... ...continue to fund this program
• if this federal funding runs out, will the department be coming in looking for general funds to continue
• But we have some thoughts on how we can continue to address that.
• And I wondered if you anticipate And I wondered if you anticipate that will continue at the same pace
• So that number, I think, will continue. >> Could I have a follow-up?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee opened by approving the May 15 minutes and then recognized Pam Ellis for her long service with the Legislative Budget Assistant’s office and upcoming retirement. The committee adopted the consent calendar with two items removed for separate consideration, then approved transfers for the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Department of Environmental Services after questions about court benefit costs and dam project funding. The Department of Health and Human Services also received approval for a general fund transfer item. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Youth Development Center settlement fund. New administrator Jared Boyle, joined by the Attorney General, described the fund’s remaining caseload, the payment matrix, and the need for additional funding to begin hearings in August. Members raised concerns about administrative costs, attorneys’ fees, payday loans, structured settlements, and the long-term fiscal impact on the state. Boyle requested $55 million, but the committee ultimately approved a reduced appropriation of $20 million, with members noting the possibility of returning for more funding later depending on revenues and the October revenue review. The Department of Corrections then received approval for a smaller shortfall transfer and a larger overtime-related transfer, with officials citing a 52% corrections officer vacancy rate, ongoing recruitment, academy classes, and efforts to use civilian staff in some non-security roles. A late item from the Veterans Home was also approved to cover overtime, holiday pay, and indirect cost shortfalls within its existing budget. The committee then heard an informational presentation on implementation of Senate Bill 134 and the new federal Medicaid work-requirement rule. DHHS said it plans to submit a state plan amendment, seek approval for hardship exceptions, start with one eligibility check cycle, and use existing federal grant funding to make system changes. Finally, the committee received a performance audit of the Doorway opioid treatment program, which found weak written procedures, incomplete data use, reimbursement delays, and problems with the Governor’s Commission on Addiction Treatment and Prevention. Members discussed follow-up reporting, and the next Fiscal Committee meeting was scheduled for August 21 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• But they also have a right to continue their appeal to the tax commission.
• Representative Boyko continued that without the amendment, the committee would be creating a windfall
• Representative Boyko continued that the 15% floor, with the ability to still have the appeal, saves the
• And then it also includes the statutory language related to the blind pension fund that the chairman
• We will continue to visit with them on these issues.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Both my sons play soccer for Milton, and now my granddaughter is continuing the tradition.
• continuing the tradition. continuing the tradition.
• :19.360> Act<00:09:19.760> 76 Vermont continues to implement Act 76 Vermont continues to
• Sections 3901, 3902, and 3903 primarily update statutory language to be person-first.
• Section 3901, 3902, and 3903 primarily update statutory language to be person-first.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional by Representative Brenda Steady and then suspended the rules to introduce 12 House bills by number only, referring them to committees. Members also read a House concurrent resolution congratulating the 2025 Milton High School Yellow Jackets boys soccer team on winning the Division 2 championship, and the chamber welcomed the team and coaches to the gallery. The Speaker announced that HCR 163 had been mistakenly placed on the consent calendar and removed it, and also announced committee appointments following a resignation. A series of guest recognitions followed, including visitors from the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative, the 2026 Snelling Early Childhood Leadership Institute cohort, mentoring organizations observing National Mentoring Month, the Vermont Historical Society, and former Representative Mari Cordes. Members also highlighted an upcoming Act 73 overview, the first Farmers Night concert, and a Caucus for Vermont’s Economy meeting. No votes were taken on these announcements, but the House formally welcomed the guests and recognized new House leadership and a new committee assistant. On the action calendar, the House passed H.649 on captive insurance companies and concurred in S.60 establishing the Farm Security Special Fund for weather-related farm losses. The House then approved H.534 on community action agencies, with the Human Services Committee describing it as a statute update that changes terminology, strengthens planning and governance requirements, and uses people-first language; the committee reported a 10-0-1 vote. The House also advanced H.84, which allows telehealth appointments to be recorded only with patient and provider consent; the Health Care Committee said it modernizes telehealth law without weakening privacy protections and reported a 10-0-1 vote. The chamber ordered third reading or passage on each bill and then adjourned until Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• to find ways to avoid having to continually re-inject at very high pressures that are causing seismic
• Produced water is not ready to be used outside of oil and gas operations, only Chris Noonan continued
• The demand continues to grow for those seeking products made from renewable feedstocks.
• “However, due to the nature of the materials involved, the fire continued to smolder for weeks.
• In making this clarification in statute, the bill will continue to ensure that no other facilities can

Bills: SB3074, HB49, HB2440, HB3556, HB3619, HB3866, HB4042, HB4112, HB4271, HB4413, HB4426, HB5033

Keywords: SB 3074, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Water Code, permit applications, environmental permitting, administrative record, ex parte communications, legislative communications, governor, lieutenant governor, state legislators, district projects, public records, recusal, conflict of interest, substantial interest, agency transparency, environmental regulation, permit renewal

Summary: The committee heard and laid out several natural resources and environmental bills, with testimony focused on balancing development, public health, wildlife protection, and regulatory authority. SB 3074 would allow the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislators to communicate in writing with TCEQ about matters before the commission, with safeguards requiring the communication to be part of the record and allowing other parties to respond; a committee substitute narrowed it to written communications about permits only, limited legislator communications to facilities in their districts, and adjusted conflict-of-interest rules. HB 3556, as substituted, would require notice to Texas Parks and Wildlife for certain very tall structures in specified coastal counties and give TPWD a limited right to seek injunctive relief if mitigation is insufficient to prevent material harm to migratory birds; supporters said it would address ignored wildlife recommendations and protect key flyways, while opponents argued the bill was too broad, singled out wind energy, and gave one agency unusually strong enforcement power. HB 49 would expand liability protections for produced-water recycling and beneficial use; supporters said it would encourage reuse of a large wastewater stream and reduce disposal pressures, while opponents warned it could shield operators from responsibility before the science and standards are mature. HB 4413 would authorize mass-balance accounting for renewable biomass feedstocks, and HB 3866 would regulate intermediate bulk container recycling facilities near homes, with a committee substitute adding a grandfather clause and making implementation contingent on funding. The committee also heard bills affecting air and energy regulation. HB 5033 would create a trigger to end vehicle emissions inspections if federal law changes to allow it; the substitute removed a Supreme Court-related trigger, and the lone public witness opposed the bill, warning it would worsen air quality and harm nonattainment areas. HB 4112 would clarify that on-site storage of high-level radioactive waste is allowed at current and future nuclear reactors and university research reactors only for waste generated at that site; the substitute clarified the language and removed an inoperative permit condition, and witnesses from environmental and nuclear groups said the clarification was needed to prevent unintended restrictions while avoiding off-site storage. HB 2440 would prohibit state agencies from using air-quality rules to ban or restrict vehicles based on energy source, including internal combustion vehicles, and no public testimony was offered. HB 4271 would require TCEQ to hold public meetings on request for composting facility authorizations; the substitute limited the requirement to future applications and was presented as a transparency measure after a denied local request and extensive public comments. Additional bills addressed landowner protections and Railroad Commission oversight. HB 3619 would require the Railroad Commission to restore surface land after plugging or replugging operations and indemnify landowners from damages tied to authorized entry; a witness supported the bill but urged fixing a separate statutory loophole that he said allowed operators to enter unrelated tracts without notice. HB 4042 would extend Railroad Commission pipeline safety and fee provisions to propane distribution systems by removing the word “natural” from the relevant definitions. HB 4426 would set a 10-year permit term for commercial surface disposal facilities, allow renewal based on compliance history, and require renewal applications 120 days before expiration. The committee took no votes because a quorum was not initially present, and each bill was left pending after testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:20:55.880> to that of concern that have continued to that of concern that have continued
• He said they are strained by the fact that Kentucky does not have a legislature that meets continuously
• Representative Thomas continued that Kentucky would be following the federal framework and would not
• He explained that the bill applies to the administrative regulatory process, not the statutory process
• All right, seeing none, secretary please call the roll. reduce some barriers continued momentum reduce

Keywords: Call to Order 00:00 Roll Call 16:20 HB 90 Discussion 17:00 HB 90 Vote 25:40 HB 398 Discussion 30:55 HB 398 Vote 38:52 HB 580 Discussion 40:10 HB 580 Vote 42:10 HB 87 Discussion 44:12 HB 87 Vote 44:54 HB 422 Discussion 46:00 HB 422 Vote 46:43 Adjournment 47:20, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met on March 12, 2025, after waiting for the Senate to adjourn so the committee could officially convene. The committee first took up House Bill 90, which concerned freestanding birthing centers and related medical language. Testimony from Representative Jason Nemes, Dr. Jeffrey Goldberg of ACOG Kentucky, and a representative from Kentucky Right to Life focused on clarifying what medical procedures are not abortions under Kentucky law, including miscarriage management, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, sepsis, hemorrhage, and stillbirth. Supporters said the committee substitute was intended to reduce confusion and barriers to care for physicians and patients, while Senator Armstrong and Senator Berg raised concerns about the late-arriving substitute, terminology, and whether the bill was being accurately described as supported by ACOG. The committee substitute and title amendment were adopted, and House Bill 90 passed with favorable expression. The committee then considered House Bill 398, relating to occupational safety and health. Representative Walker Thomas said the bill would prevent Kentucky from adopting or enforcing regulations stricter than federal OSHA standards, arguing it would create uniformity for businesses operating in multiple states while preserving worker safety. Senator Armstrong questioned what would happen if federal OSHA were eliminated and argued the bill could reduce Kentucky’s ability to address state-specific workplace hazards; Representative Thomas responded that Kentucky is a state-plan state and would retain the ability to act if needed, and that the measure was about administrative regulation rather than legislation. After a committee substitute was adopted, the bill passed 8-1, with Senator Armstrong voting no. House Bill 580, concerning alcohol and drug counselors and peer support specialists, was presented next. Representative Kim Moore and Elena Sweezy explained that the bill would add structure, training, and supervision requirements for peer support specialists, limit group settings to eight patients, shorten temporary peer support status to nine months, and require additional supervision hours so trainees can complete required training. The bill passed with favorable expression, with Senator Nemes voting no. House Bill 87, relating to employment and occupational licensing, followed; Representative Emily Callaway said it would reduce barriers for people with felony records and help “second chance” citizens enter the workforce. Several senators supported the goal but Senator McDaniel noted caution about substance-use billing and oversight, and the bill passed with favorable expression. Finally, House Bill 422, relating to administrative regulations, was described by Representative Derrick Lewis as a streamlining measure that would reduce paperwork and simplify the regulatory process. It also passed with favorable expression, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:44.520> to them to to sell into the continue to them to to sell into the continue to
• points and I'm wide open to continuing points and I'm wide open to continuing this<00:53:16.800>
• to continue to collaborate on this. to continue to collaborate on this.
• <01:36:33.360> to<01:36:33.640> operate and we continue to operate and we continue
• <01:59:52.400> to bill finds itself in to continue to bill finds itself in to continue to

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• violations by increasing the penalty for violations of<00:09:56.920> the<00:09:57.040> statutory
• to work with her and anyone continuing to work with her and anyone else<00:15:50.640> as<00:15
• However, I did want to flag my concerns and I hope we can continue to address them. Thank you, Mr.
• Continue, Clerk. Okay. Senator Tichenor. Senator Richardson. Senator Smith. Senator Stivers.
• Continue, Clerk. Okay. Senator Tichenor. Senator Tichenor.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, roll call, and approval of the February 5, 2026 journal. The House clerk then delivered messages that the House had passed House Bills 103, 188, 189, 258, 276, and 419 and requested concurrence. The chamber also received second-reading reports for Senate Bills 2, 4, 71, 136, and 183, which were sent to the Rules Committee, and later committee reports that posted SB 2, SB 4, and SB 71 for Monday, February 9, and SB 136 and SB 183 for Tuesday, February 10. The Committee on Committees also referred several bills to standing committees, including SB 155, 118, 153, 158, 160, 72, 98, and 145. The main floor action was passage of Senate Bill 132, relating to massage therapy. The sponsor said the bill was intended to help local governments investigate businesses posing as massage parlors and to strengthen enforcement against unlicensed practice, including raising the penalty for certain violations from a class B to a class A misdemeanor and treating each unlicensed session as a separate offense. Supporters said it would aid efforts to combat human trafficking and preserve local zoning and licensing authority. Several senators voiced concerns that the bill could be too broad and might unintentionally affect trafficking victims or impose harsh penalties for unlicensed massage without injury or fraud, but they still voted yes. SB 132 passed 32-0. The Senate also adopted Senate Committee Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 18 and then passed the bill 32-0. SB 18 updates Kentucky’s podiatry laws, formally recognizes podiatric assistants and residents, gives the Board of Podiatry authority to license and regulate them, allows podiatrists to supervise physician assistants with board approval, limits supervision to four assistants, and requires new podiatrists starting in 2027 to complete at least two years of residency training. The sponsor said the measure modernizes oversight and improves access to foot and ankle care, especially for patients with diabetes. After the floor work, the Senate recessed for meetings of the Rules Committee and Committee on Committees, and later received the committee reports noted above.

Transcript Highlights:

• It offers opportunities to lower energy costs, and it respects clear statutory authority.
• it respects clear statutory authority. it respects clear statutory authority.
• Second, it improves planning and continuity.
• Second, it improves planning and<00:21:21.600> continuity.
• Energy investments often and continuity.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you think it continues to be accurate?
• <00:22:42.720> to<00:22:42.960> be Do you think it continues to be Do you think it
• continues to be accurate?
• Conservation Committee is a statutory Conservation Committee is a statutory committee<00:56:30.079
• to support their means to continue to support their business.<01:01:33.200> Um<01:01:33.520><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 219, which would revise the renewable portfolio standard by changing several class definitions, eliminating Class 2, lowering the utility obligation for Class 1 thermal renewable energy certificates from 2.2% to 1.7%, and adjusting alternative compliance payments. Representative Vose said the bill would save ratepayers an estimated $5.7 million annually, arguing that Class 2 is already saturated and that the changes would not materially affect renewable energy development. Members questioned the fiscal impact, with an amended fiscal note cited as showing a $1.2 million reduction in general fund revenue, and some members raised concerns that the bill could weaken one of the remaining incentives for renewable investment. The committee also reviewed the bill’s history, including that it had been added to HB 2 and then removed in conference committee. No vote was taken in the work session. The committee then heard House Bill 164, concerning local records retention and the creation of a local records manager position. Secretary of State David Scanlan testified that the position has existed in statute for years but has never been funded, and said the need has grown as records management has become more digital and ADA accessibility has become more important. He described the bill as a way to help towns preserve and digitize records, especially for smaller communities with limited resources, while keeping records locally when possible. Members asked about the fiscal note, the potential cost of a public website and storage system, and whether the state could start by funding the position alone; the secretary said the staffing cost estimate remained accurate but that storage costs could rise over time. Several members expressed support and suggested further discussion with the Department of Information or other agencies. The work session was then closed without action. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 365, which would provide proof of U.S. citizenship assistance for indigent voters. Secretary Scanlan said the bill is intended to help voters comply with the new voter registration documentation requirements by allowing the state to verify eligibility through federal, private, and other state databases, and by providing vouchers to cover the cost of obtaining documents such as birth certificates. He compared the proposal to the earlier voter ID law, which he said was successfully implemented with accommodations for voters lacking acceptable ID. Members asked how “indigent” would be defined and how the process would work for out-of-state-born applicants; the secretary said indigency would likely be based on a voter’s statement of inability to pay and that the state would help identify where to obtain records and, if necessary, verify them through outside databases. The discussion continued as the transcript ended, with no vote recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• That will continue.
• And we all know the issues of continued rising electric bills.
• And we all know the issues of continued rising electric bills.
• And we all know the issues of continued rising electric bills.
• Continues this simple little bill.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, there continues to be a flexible.
• This means continuity and stability.
• <01:08:25.040> funding you as well for the continued funding you as well for the continued
• <01:20:55.120> to retention issues will continue to retention issues will continue to worsen
• The speaker continued, “Unemployment helps ensure continuity of workers across the year.

Bills: HF1388

Keywords: BARR Center, Building Assets, Reducing Risks, education finance, school funding, grant appropriation, evidence-based program, student achievement, social and emotional learning, school climate, teacher effectiveness, high school graduation, students in poverty, students of color, BIPOC, equity in education, Minnesota Department of Education, urban schools, suburban schools, rural schools, school coaching

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:34:23.879> to continue to continue to allow,<00:34:26.000> not<00:34:26.360> have
• However, as long as we<01:06:38.600> continue we continue we continue with<01:06:40.400> this
• This provides some needed statutory clarity.
• This provides some some needed statutory This provides some some needed statutory clarity. clarity
• continue to wrestle? continue to wrestle?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As we continue to have money that's vested in workforce development, workforce housing, things like that
• , I think it's important that we continue to have an oversight since we're the ones that vote to move
• We continue to have an oversight since we're the ones that vote to move that money in that direction.
• will still be sitting at this table in the future to make sure that once this tool is connected, we continue
• So this is a statutory cleanup bill that repeals these functionally obsolete reports.

Bills: HB4409, HB4414, HB4484, HB4486, HB3057, HB2588, HB4434

Keywords: housing, legislative committee, affordable housing, Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency, policy improvement, HB4414, Oklahoma Homebuilder Program, OHFA, single-family housing, homebuilder loans, 0% interest loan, housing finance, workforce housing, Legislative Workforce Housing Committee, housing needs assessment, community housing assessment, disaster recovery housing, federally declared natural disaster, rural housing, urban housing

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, so again, I think these puzzle pieces will continuously move, but this is where we'd like to
• start the conversation as we continue to review riders and possibilities.
• in four we're gonna article 11 it and we do know that some people have writers on this so We'll continue
• That doesn't need a statutory change? No, it's all in the budget.
• The this that's moving here the writers that are coming next week and then as we continue to build out

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But that wasn't the statutory intent.
• And I suspect if we statutory intent.
• Sorry, that's a statutory authority.
• It will be continued further.
• It will be continued further.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you think it's worth for us to continue you think it's worth for us to continue to<00:24:58.320>
• You know, it would continuing be served.
• I heard they are, they continue to be. I heard they are, they continue to be.
• How are you going to make your operation continue?
• elected officials that have statutory elected officials that have statutory authority<02:03:58.400

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I continue? Okay.
• So we continue to think about ways to improve the statutory framework.
• So we continue to think about ways to 660 improve the statutory framework. 661 Those three right now
• That's continuous.
• So, I mean, isn't there something there 6496 That's continuous.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce held its first interim hearing on securing critical infrastructure and supply chain integrity, with a focus on Texas’s electric grid and the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act. The chair also highlighted Texas’s relatively low electricity prices and welcomed new committee members. ERCOT, the Public Utility Commission (PUC), and the Attorney General’s office were invited to explain how the state screens market participants and grid equipment for ties to China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, and how the agencies respond to noncompliance. ERCOT testified that it has implemented the requirements of three related Senate bills by requiring attestations on corporate affiliations and on critical grid equipment and services. ERCOT said it has processed thousands of attestations, used additional requests for information and third-party verification tools such as Dun & Bradstreet, and terminated nonresponsive market participants. ERCOT also said it has not seen a case requiring direct Attorney General involvement, but it does refer matters to the PUC when needed. The PUC said it can investigate suspected violations and impose penalties of up to $1 million per violation per day, and that most investigations into late or missing attestations have been resolved through compliance, market exit, or removal by ERCOT. The Attorney General’s office said its role is currently limited to audits and court involvement, and that it lacks broad independent investigatory authority under the act. Members pressed the panel on whether the current system is too reliant on self-reporting and whether it adequately addresses indirect foreign influence, especially through supply chains for batteries, inverters, transformers, and other equipment with routable connectivity. ERCOT acknowledged that the current attestation process has gaps and said it plans to refine definitions of critical grid equipment and grid services, improve information requests, and continue stakeholder rulemaking. The panel also discussed possible legislative changes, including tying prohibitions to the Department of Defense Section 1260H list and the Texas Prohibited Technologies list, clarifying warranty and service access, and expanding the statute to cover grid services more directly. Several senators raised concerns about cost, reliability, and the extent to which foreign-sourced components remain embedded in Texas infrastructure, while others suggested incentives for domestic manufacturing and stronger verification tools, including possible work with national labs such as Sandia.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, we're continuing to work through that.
• That's we'll continue to work on that.
• We work wildlife and poultry continue.
• statutory goals. statutory goals. All<00:51:47.280> right.
• So, are able to continue going forward.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Of this appropriation, $900,000 will continue to be ongoing in the fiscal 2020 budget.
• This continues with a $900,000 cancellation in fiscal 26 and 27 and ongoing in fiscal 28 and 29.
• And the statutory transfer to the account.
• We are eager to see this initiative continue.
• Manufactured housing continues to be one of the most cost-effective forms of unsubsidized housing.

Transcript Highlights:

• supersede parts of this law, um, so that those agreements that have already been put in place can continue
• So I would imagine that if it's, if that's happening in a small police department, it's gonna continue
• If you continue, if you continue down this path, I ask that you exclude jails and jailers jailers from
• For more than 20 years, the state legislature has provided statutory coverage to certain municipal police
• Missing from that statutory coverage is every sheriff's office.

Bills: SB 15

Keywords: law enforcement, department file, employee records, misconduct, confidentiality, Texas occupations code