Transcript Highlights:

• You got it straight this time next time, please. Let's not be there.
• and I laugh every time. >> Thank you, Representative Pringle. >> Yes, sir.
• They set up the exam times at the applicant’s convenience.
• This one adds time and money. The original contract was for two years for $800,000.
• Uh, one you've seen many times before, PBS.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At this time, the chair lays out Senate Bill 2926 and recognizes Senator Eckhardt to lay out Senator
• All right, at this time we'll open up public testimony on Senate Bill 2926.
• Not seeing any at this time, the chair opens up public testimony on Senate Bill 2543.
• Senate Bill 2543 will be left pending at this time.
• Thank you for your time. Hi, good morning.

Bills: SB2007, SB2104, SB2543, SB2545, SB2926, SB2938

Keywords: military status, vehicle registration, veterans, Texas transportation, state records, discrimination, employment rights, spouses of service members, labor code, SB 2543, Texas veterans cemeteries, state veterans cemetery, Texas Veterans Commission, Veterans Land Board, Natural Resources Code, veterans land fund, veterans housing assistance fund, veterans burial, burial eligibility, cemetery location

Summary: The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs heard several bills focused on veterans’ mental health, criminal justice coordination, cemetery expansion, housing, vehicle registration, and anti-discrimination protections. SB 2926 would transfer administration of veterans’ mental health initiatives from HHSC to the Texas Veterans Commission, create a community-based mental health grant program, require a statewide veteran suicide prevention action plan, and add annual reporting requirements. SB 2938 would require county jails to verify and report veteran status at intake, help veteran inmates apply for federal benefits, and provide access to county veteran services and free visitation with service coordinators. Both bills were described as joint or practical efforts to improve coordination and service delivery for veterans, and both were left pending after no public testimony was offered. The committee also heard SB 2543, which would give more flexibility to expand the Texas veterans cemetery system, and SB 2545, which would explore using manufactured homes as another affordable housing option for veterans through the Veterans Land Board. SB 2545 drew questions about how manufactured-home loans would work; a Texas Veterans Land Board witness said implementation would likely require closing at a title company rather than through a retail bill of sale, and the Texas Manufactured Housing Association testified in support. Both cemetery and housing bills were left pending. Members then heard SB 2007, which would let vehicle registration applicants voluntarily designate military status so the DMV could record it and help with benefits and towing/impound issues involving deployed service members. Witnesses from the towing industry and DMV supported the bill, saying the current system lacks enough identifying information to run military-status checks and that the indicator could help prevent vehicles from being sold while owners are deployed. SB 2104 would add military status as a protected class under state anti-discrimination laws for employment, housing, and utilities; the author said it would address ongoing discrimination against service members, veterans, and military families. The Texas VFW supported the bill, citing the Leroy Torres case as an example of why additional state protections are needed. After discussion about overlap with federal law and existing state protections, SB 2104 was also left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next time moves to a reconsideration of the objection.
• Senate's time with final passes of House Bill 861.
• Next time, moves to a re-connected objection.
• on state highways for the purpose of taking up the resolution at this time.
• on state highways for the purpose of taking up the resolution at this time.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Many times our donors will come up to us and give us feedback.
• It would be on the Diamond Head side of that Diamond Head end zone.
• It would be on the Diamond Head side of that Diamond Head end zone. Okay. Okay.
• So appreciate your time and here for any questions. Thank you.
• I'm hoping timing-wise, if this audit is completed in a fairly timely manner, that it'll provide an unbiased

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education heard several Senate concurrent resolutions related to University of Hawaiʻi programs, audits, and workforce development. Testimony on SCR 50, which urged establishment of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the Maui campus, was strongly supportive, with witnesses citing the state’s nursing shortage and Maui’s acute physician and nurse shortages. The committee later recommended passage with a technical HD1 amendment, and the measure was adopted unanimously by the members present. The committee also heard SCR 137, SCR 138, and SCR 142, all involving proposed audits. SCR 137 sought a performance audit of the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation; the Foundation opposed it, and the chair recommended deferral after noting the legislative auditor’s view that the office lacks jurisdiction over the private nonprofit. SCR 138 proposed a management and performance audit of the Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy, and SCR 142 proposed an audit of the UH Mānoa athletics department. UH representatives provided comments on both, with athletics explaining existing NCAA-required financial audits, internal performance evaluations, and a strategic plan that includes self-review. The committee ultimately recommended passage of SCR 138 and SCR 142 with technical HD1 amendments. For SCR 192, which proposed a veterinary medicine expansion working group, UH and other witnesses discussed the idea of exploring a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program, but the chair said a community college is not the appropriate venue for a doctoral program. The committee recommended substantial HD1 changes removing Windward Community College from the title and shifting the effort to the UH system level, adding the UH president or designee and a Hilo campus representative to the working group; the amended resolution was adopted. The committee also heard SCR 193, calling for community colleges to identify bachelor’s degree and workforce pathways aligned with regional needs, and SCR 203, which sought exploration of an Alzheimer’s disease research center and federal funding requirements; both drew supportive comments and no opposition. The meeting recessed briefly for lack of quorum, then reconvened for decision-making and adopted the chair’s recommendations on the measures considered.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, it does extend the time that we have to work on our water right.
• Good morning, Mark Smith, on behalf of Zone 7 Water Agency in support. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• That's why it takes time.
• Respectfully asked for an I vote at the proper time. Thank you.
• Respectfully asked for an I-vote at the proper time. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Any requests for leave at this time? Any requests for leave at this time?
• And that was a very, very difficult time, and with all the different changes in the world.
• Anyway, we're glad to have this time. It was a much deserved honor.
• I've said Dismang so many times. Senator Leding, you're recognized. That's okay.
• If anybody has time to come by the red and blue building after we adjourn, I'd appreciate it.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• times like we have today, when small businesses feel the pressure first and hardest.
• Unfortunately, our timely filed opposition letter was not included in the analysis.
• So, Unfortunately, our timely filed opposition letter was not included in the analysis.
• Over time, these financing costs can consume a significant share of project budgets.
• for a very long time.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll let you do it right this time, but if you want to testify in future bills, please sign up.
• Go ahead, Miss Angela Young. one do any kind of prison time despite one do any kind of prison time despite
• other states um typically um land zoned other states um typically um land zoned agricultural<01:
• So I would not like to see any expansion at this time.
• I would not like to see any expansion at this time. Understood.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a series of transportation and public safety bills, beginning with HB 706, which would require skateboard users under age 16 to wear helmets. The Department of Transportation supported the measure, and the chair noted written support from AAA Hawaii, Kulani Medical Center for Women and Children, and several individuals. No opposition was mentioned, and the bill appeared to draw no questions. Members then heard HB 860, which would grant immunity to the state or county that repairs or maintains a street when ownership or jurisdiction is disputed. DOT and DLNR supported the bill, with county support from Maui and a Hawaii Island county representative, while the Hawaii Association for Justice opposed it. The committee also heard HB 1162, requiring applicants for a motorcycle instruction permit to complete an approved basic rider course, with DOT support and a recommended amendment to exempt motorcycles used for training; the Public Defender asked about the current process, and DOT explained the bill was intended to improve safety given motorcycle fatalities. HB 1259, allowing speed-limit reductions within 10 mph of the current limit without an engineering study, also drew DOT support and support from the AAHU Metropolitan Planning Organization and individuals. The committee next considered HB 1158, a governor’s package bill limiting civil liability for people who provide firefighting services with vessels at commercial harbors or roadsteads to gross negligence or wanton conduct. DOT Harbors said the bill was prompted by lessons from the Lahaina fires and was intended to encourage privately owned firefighting-equipped vessels to assist without hesitation; the Hawaii Harbor Users Group and an individual supported it. HB 54, which would make a third or subsequent excessive speeding offense a Class C felony and allow vehicle forfeiture, drew DOT support but strong opposition from the Public Defender, who argued the bill was overly harsh, would force jury trials, and could create sentencing problems; the Public Defender also said existing penalties were already significant. The committee then heard HB 1334, which would exempt donations of wild game meat, including axis deer, to charitable and nonprofit organizations from certain meat inspection and transportation laws; DLNR and multiple community and food-related groups supported it, and no opposition was noted. Finally, the committee took up HB 698 on animal cruelty, which would increase criminal penalties for various offenses. The Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing the cases are rare, enforcement is limited, and the proposed penalties—up to Class A felony treatment in some cases—were too severe; animal welfare advocates strongly supported the measure, saying cruelty cases are widespread, underreported, and under-enforced, and that stronger penalties are needed as a deterrent. No votes or final actions were taken on any of the bills in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• times like we have today, when small businesses feel the pressure first and hardest.
• Unfortunately, our timely filed opposition letter was not included in the analysis.
• So, Unfortunately, our timely filed opposition letter was not included in the analysis.
• Over time, these financing costs can consume a significant share of project budgets.
• for a very long time.

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met and first approved the consent calendar, which included AB 2028, AB 2425, and committee bill AB 2795, all sent to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee also noted that AB 2558 and AB 2746 had been pulled from the agenda. The chair reviewed hearing procedures, including acceptance of written testimony and rules against disruptive conduct. The committee then heard AB 2116, which would require registration and basic conduct standards for certain small-business financing providers, including merchant cash advance companies, and prohibit confessions of judgment and power-of-attorney provisions before default. Supporters argued the bill would close an oversight gap and improve transparency for small businesses; a small business owner testified that a purported 13% loan turned out to have a 235% APR. Opponents said the bill mixed consumer and commercial regulation and could restrict access to capital, though they supported banning confessions of judgment. The bill passed on a roll call vote and was sent to Appropriations. AB 2243, by Assembly Member Haney, proposed creating a state bank commission to study whether California should establish a state bank or other public financing tools. Supporters said a public banking model could reduce borrowing costs, keep more public money in-state, and better finance housing, infrastructure, and other public priorities; opponents from banking groups raised concerns about taxpayer exposure, deposit guarantees, and the use of public funds and existing lending structures. The bill passed and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 2350, which would set guardrails on rent-now-pay-later products for rental housing; supporters said these products can lead to high fees, debt, and eviction risk, while industry groups opposed the bill unless amended. AB 2350 passed as amended and was sent to Appropriations. At the end of the meeting, the committee completed roll calls for absent members and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what a pleasure to get to spend so much time with you all this morning.
• Timely response, I think we all agree, is essential after a natural disaster.
• I've taken the time to review the regulations with many of our members.
• We drill on hurricanes all the time.
• I believe this is a timely and responsive step, and I respectfully ask for your support. Mr.

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met and first took up CS/HB 567, a broad transportation bill by Rep. McFarland. The bill, as explained, covered a range of transportation policy changes including higher speed limits, local regulation of e-bikes and e-scooters, parking accommodations for pregnant women, advance land acquisition for DOT projects, changes to FDOT contracting, elevation of roads in capacity projects, MPO quality metrics, and repeal of the Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council. Two amendments were adopted: one added a prohibition on driving too fast through flooded roads and creating excessive wake, and another updated language to allow for future technology in traffic management systems. The strike-all removed several items from the original bill, including utility-right-of-way language, private-public-use airport funding, and an electric vehicle tax redirect, and added MDX board changes. The bill then passed favorably on a recorded vote. The committee next considered CS/HB 1535, also by Rep. McFarland, a lengthy hurricane recovery and preparedness measure. It requires local governments to post storm-preparedness and recovery information online, expands special needs shelter information, mandates emergency management training, improves debris removal planning, and adds provisions for fiscally constrained counties. It also addresses shelter access, rebuilding rules, permitting timelines and fees after storms, homestead rebuilding limits, and election flexibility after disasters, including a process for supervisors of elections to request emergency changes through the Secretary of State. Members asked several questions about local rebuilding ordinances, election “super sites,” and the request/approval process. The bill drew support from several groups, including disability advocates, builders, waste and recycling interests, crane owners, and restaurant and lodging representatives, and it passed favorably. The committee then heard CS/HB 561 and CS/HB 563 from Rep. Cobb on manufacturing. HB 561 would elevate a chief manufacturing officer within the Department of Commerce, create a voluntary Florida manufacturing promotional campaign, and require biennial reporting on manufacturing efforts; an amendment removed the grant portion of the program, and the bill passed favorably with support from industry groups. HB 563 established an annual fee, capped at $100, for participants in the voluntary manufacturing promotional campaign and also passed favorably. Finally, Rep. Spencer presented HB 827, which directs a statewide study on the impact of automation and artificial intelligence on Florida’s workforce, to be updated every three years and developed with business, academic, and local input; it too passed favorably. The meeting then adjourned with notice that the subcommittee would meet again the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• That lunch period in school is a time to engage in the joy and challenge of face-to-face interaction
• It is not time to be distracted by a smartphone.
• That lunch period in school is a time to engage in the joy and challenge of face-to-face interaction
• It is not time to be distracted by a smartphone.
• And so I know the intent is really the instructional time, but also there are times in the day where,

Keywords: House Committee Room A, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I think in terms of staff resources, it's going to save time, certainly for any state agency that
• It's a good time, sir. Take your time. It's been... what do I do? What do I say?
• There's a point in time in every dad's life where you guide and teach. Thank you.
• And so a lot of times our veterans will choose to opt out of putting that they're a veteran on their
• It's that time of year. Thank you. Okay, so members, we're going to begin with HCO.

Bills: HCR46, HB1389, HB3359, HB5629

Keywords: commemoration, military, navy seal, honor, January 12, Nathan Gage Ingram, military funeral honors, JROTC, veterans, training, grant program, military honors, community engagement, funeral services, education grants, community service, HB 3359, veteran status, Texas Veterans Commission, veterans services

Transcript Highlights:

• It'll be a little bit of speed dating; I don't want to take up too much of your time.
• If we have time at the end, I'll be happy to answer questions. Next slide.
• I don't know, Chairman, if we had time for any questions.
• There was no planning at the time. Let's go to the next slide.
• He actually became a volunteer and is now a part-time retired state employee of the archives.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Many post-9/11 veterans have spent their entire adult lives in a combat zone, only to face their greatest

Summary: The meeting was a Texas Capitol press event in support of House Bill 3717, which would advance ibogaine research and create a public-private pathway to move the treatment toward FDA approval. Speakers included Brian Hubbard of the American Ibogaine Initiative, Rep. Cody Harris, and VETS co-founders Marcus and Amber Capone. They framed the bill as a chance for Texas to lead on treatment for opioid use disorder, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and other “diseases of despair,” especially among veterans and their families. Testimony focused heavily on the veteran suicide crisis and personal stories of loss and recovery. Marcus Capone described his Navy SEAL service and said conventional treatments had not been enough for many veterans, while Amber Capone cited VETS’ support for roughly 1,000 veterans and a Stanford collaboration that she said showed large reductions in PTSD, anxiety, depression, and suicidality after ibogaine treatment. Supporters also argued ibogaine may have broader applications, including for other substance use disorders and some neurological conditions, and emphasized the need for research, supervised clinical use, and insurance coverage. No formal committee vote or legislative action was taken in the transcript. The event ended with a brief Q&A and a call for Texas legislators to support HB 3717 and help move the bill forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• So aligning the two will help ADHS conduct more timely surveys, so I concur. Thank you.
• So just making sure that patients have access to their medical records in a timely fashion, especially
• So just making sure that patients have access to their medical records in a timely fashion, especially
• , as passed the House, House Bill 2440 allows the Department of Corrections to grant inmates a one-time
• In the USFR within specified time frames, the Senate amended the bill by requiring SBE to direct ADE

Summary: The Republican caucus reviewed a long list of House bills with Senate amendments, mostly hearing brief staff summaries and sponsor comments on whether they concurred. Topics included tax filing penalties, water and court procedures, vaccination and mask rules, bullion investment, nursing care complaint timelines, privacy protections for property and voter records, medical-record access, professional licensing procedures, school and family law changes, public records access for legislators, AI procurement, fingerprint clearance for traffic survival school instructors, development fees, infrastructure districts, distracted driving penalties, health aide scope of practice, eviction record sealing, backyard structure rules in planned communities, inmate transition services, nuclear-ready community designation, DCS parent-rights notices, domestic-violence evidence standards, inmate mental health study committee, legislative subpoena enforcement, trade office oversight, public power reporting, Native American language proficiency, mental health judicial review timelines, mobile food vendor licensing, medical-intervention requirements in schools, and school board training and meeting transparency. In most cases, the sponsor or a representative indicated concurrence with the Senate amendments, and the caucus generally moved through the bills without extended debate. A few bills drew brief explanation from sponsors about the policy purpose, such as aligning nursing-facility oversight with federal requirements, improving access to medical records, clarifying rules for licensed health aides, and adjusting school-related provisions. Some bills were noted as being sent back to the Senate or otherwise set aside, including HB 2035 and HB 2249. No formal votes were taken in the transcript; the meeting functioned as a caucus review of Senate amendments and sponsor concurrence before floor action. The caucus concluded after HB 2380, with members thanked for attending.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:23:54.799> for a um a financial analysis in time for a um a financial analysis in time
• appropriate at this time. Thank you. appropriate at this time. Thank you.
• <03:12:02.720> is thing about logging that the timing is thing about logging that the timing
• <03:15:17.439> Not buffer zone. Not everyone does. Not buffer zone. Not everyone does.
• <04:29:33.439> by various points in time by various points in time by um um um politicians

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• debate<01:05:27.920> that times during this debate that times during this debate that I've
• It's just we ran out of time because things were done at a snail's pace at times.
• done at a at a snail's pace at times. done at a at a snail's pace at times.
• always taken the time to go through it. always taken the time to go through it.
• Uh the first time in 17 committee.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• it all the time. it all the time.
• that time? that time?
• for the second time. for the second time.
• For the third time. Okay.
• For the second time, go ahead. >> Okay. For the second time, go ahead. >> DIA.

Bills: HB1846, HB2205, HB1802, HB1571, HB2047, HB2434, HB2426, HB2361, HB2395, HB1712, HB2544, HB1619

Keywords: coastal erosion, shoreline properties, regional planning, mitigation districts, sediment management, environmental impact, public access, community financing, shoreline erosion, emergency permits, coastal management, erosion control, Hawaii Revised Statutes, HB1802, conservation banking, conservation bank, mitigation banking, compensatory mitigation, incidental take permit, incidental take license

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1846, relating to shoreline mitigation districts. DLNR and the Office of Planning opposed the bill, arguing it would improperly shift regulatory roles between the agencies and prioritize private land interests over public trust and natural and historic resources. Supporters, including the Shoreline Preservation Coalition, Kahana Bay residents, and Hawaii Realtors, said regional planning is needed to address severe erosion, especially in Kahana, and that better coordination between state and county agencies could help move stalled projects forward. Testifiers emphasized that shoreline conditions vary by area and that science-based, region-specific solutions are needed. Members asked questions about whether existing law already allows regional planning and emergency shoreline responses. DLNR said it already has authority to process regional projects and cited an existing draft EIS for Kahana Bay that would proceed through normal permitting and public hearing channels. Supporters responded that the bill would provide a clearer regional planning framework and help communities facing urgent erosion impacts. No vote was taken on HB 1846 in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 2205, relating to emergency erosion mitigation. DLNR opposed the bill, saying it already has authority to issue emergency permits and had recently done so quickly for a collapsed sidewalk at Queen Surf Beach, and warning that the bill’s language could weaken Act 16 by changing a prohibition on shoreline hardening to a requirement to merely minimize it. Kahana Bay representatives and other supporters argued the bill would create a limited, regulated short-term pathway for emergency shoreline solutions while long-term plans are developed, and said current permits have expired or stalled, leaving dangerous sandbags and no practical relief. Additional testimony from a private homeowner stressed that erosion is threatening homes and that private owners are often bearing the cost of protecting public shoreline access. The discussion remained focused on balancing emergency protection, public access, and long-term shoreline management, and no final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It puts a time limit on the court and makes sure that people get their hearing scheduled in a timely
• reject this not ready for prime time reject this not ready for prime time bill?
• every time we've had one of these bills. every time we've had one of these bills.
• My<04:30:19.440> first<04:30:19.720> time. My first time. My first time.
• given time. given time.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That needs to be a one-time. 241 is a one-time object. One-time? Correct. So, the table... Okay.
• rather quick time. rather quick time.
• why is it just a one-time funding? why is it just a one-time funding?
• one time for every member. one time for every member.
• we got the 300,000 one-time. we got the 300,000 one-time.

Keywords: 916, all