Transcript Highlights:

• But that is actually different than the conversation we're having today.
• My office has engaged in productive conversations with stakeholders in opposition.
• Just appreciate the conversation and we'll continue to work with our agriculture chair.
• I've had conversations with a few of you about this.
• I've had conversations with a few of you about this.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call and first dealt with a procedural dispute over four amendments to AB 1240. The Speaker ruled the amendments out of order as not germane, and the Assembly sustained that ruling on a 49-16 vote. Members then added co-authors to several consent-calendar resolutions, including measures on the National Conference of State Legislators, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, ALS Awareness Month, and Men’s Mental Health Month, before adopting the consent calendar. The chamber also heard guest introductions, including a welcome for Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, and took up a motion to bring AB 41 up out of file, which failed 19-48. The bulk of the meeting was floor action on a long series of bills and resolutions, many of which passed with broad bipartisan support. Measures approved included ACR 40 supporting immigrant students and FAFSA privacy; AB 917 on permanent status for certain school employees; AB 985 on anesthesia access; AB 7 and AB 42 on higher education and student services; AB 245 providing property tax relief for wildfire victims; AB 255 allowing funding for drug-free recovery housing; AB 279 updating K-12 library standards; AB 289 creating a pilot for automated speed enforcement in highway construction zones; AB 291 on an educator apprentice program; AB 327 addressing swatting; AB 340 on confidential union communications; AB 341 creating an oral health technical assistance center for people with disabilities; AB 356 on San Diego health care infrastructure; AB 410 on bot disclosure; AB 476 on copper theft enforcement; AB 477 on educator pay targets; AB 485 on stolen wages and business licensing; AB 487, the insurance committee’s technical omnibus bill; AB 573 on tobacco retail license fees; AB 598 on school mapping technology; AB 635 on mobile home law enforcement referrals; AB 651 on remote participation for incarcerated parents in dependency hearings; AB 654 on homelessness hotline assistance in Los Angeles County; AB 662 creating a South County higher education task force; AB 667 on language access in professional licensing; AB 669 limiting early denial of addiction treatment; AB 670 on naturally occurring affordable housing; AB 695 on online continuation of community college for deported students; AB 723 on disclosure for digitally altered real estate images; AB 727 placing Trevor Project information on student IDs; and AB 736, a $10 billion affordable housing bond for the June 2026 ballot, which passed on a 61-11 urgency vote after extensive debate. Debate on AB 736 was the most extensive of the day, with supporters arguing the bond would help address California’s housing crisis and give voters a chance to weigh in, while opponents criticized the state’s bond debt and past spending results. The Assembly then recessed for caucus meetings and later returned to continue the daily file, where additional measures were taken up, including AB 798 adding diapers and wipes to the emergency food bank reserve program, which passed 56-0, and AB 821 on career technical education, which was presented as bipartisan-supported as the transcript continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a great conversation.
• Um, tough conversations to have.
• These are real conversations. Uh, it's a beginning of a conversation.
• Uh it's a are real conversations.
• Um my beginning of a conversation.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• There's so many conversations and so many things that I think we can really work on at the University
• There's so many conversations and so many things that I think we can really work on at the University
• There's so many conversations and so many things that I think we can really work on at the University
• And a similar question to before around your level of engagement in conversations with students: how
• level of Engagement in conversations level of Engagement in conversations with<00:45:23.119>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• even took place or even what the context of the conversation was.
• Just listening to the conversations, I want to—it, you know, in almost all of our emergency, like I've
• So I think I saw Representative Painter in here earlier about some of those conversations around how
• So in short, Yes, we are having extensive conversations around what that looks like.
• We’ve had a lot of conversation here today about what changes can be made at the agency level moving

Summary: The Joint State Agencies committee met to approve the October 8, 2025 minutes and then held an extended hearing on the death of Zachary Moore at the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center. DHS officials Lori McDonald, Jennifer Brise, and Melissa Weatherton described the HDC system, staffing and resident needs, and said Moore died after being held in a prone restraint for about 13 minutes, followed by a delayed chemical restraint and delayed CPR. They said the family settled a wrongful death claim for $725,000, 13 staff were terminated, the facility leadership was changed, and at least five staff had been criminally charged, with the death certificate later described as homicide and the cause of death as physiologic stress associated with struggle and prone restraint. Members pressed DHS on why the family was not kept informed, whether there was a written restraint protocol, how staff are trained, and why the agency did not have more complete information ready for the hearing. DHS said staff receive CPI restraint training, annual restraint training is mandatory, and a consultant is reviewing policies, retraining staff, and conducting a root cause analysis under a directed plan of correction from the Office of Long-Term Care. Legislators also raised broader concerns about low pay, staffing shortages, use of float and contract staff, and a waiting list of about 2,000 people for home- and community-based care. DHS said it is working on a retention and recruitment plan and a rate report for certain PASS services, but that the PASS rate study does not cover CNA pay. Several members said the incident reflected both a failure of restraint practice and a broader staffing and oversight problem. DHS acknowledged that prone restraint should not have been used, that the chemical restraint was given at the wrong time, and that multiple breakdowns occurred in supervision, communication, and equipment use. The committee also discussed whether there should be more regular independent audits of HDC policies, and DHS said it does not currently have a separate annual policy audit beyond existing oversight. At the end of the meeting, the committee asked DHS to keep it updated on recruitment, consultant reports, and to contact Moore’s mother about the communication she had been promised. The meeting adjourned without any additional formal action beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• even took place or even what the context of the conversation was.
• Just listening to the conversations, I want to—it, you know, in almost all of our emergency, like I've
• So I think I saw Representative Painter in here earlier about some of those conversations around how
• So in short, We are having extensive conversations around what that looks like.
• We’ve had a lot of conversation here today about what changes can be made at the agency level moving

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The Joint State Agencies committee met to approve the October 8, 2025 minutes and then held an extended oversight discussion with the Department of Human Services about the death of Zachary Moore at the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center (later clarified in testimony as the Warren facility). DHS officials described Moore’s background, said he died after being restrained in a prone position for about 13 minutes, and reported that a nurse later administered a chemical restraint before CPR was attempted. They said the agency settled with the family for $725,000, terminated 13 staff members, changed facility leadership, and brought in consultants under a directed plan of correction from the Office of Long-Term Care to review policies, retrain staff, and conduct a root-cause analysis. Later testimony clarified that the death certificate listed the manner of death as homicide and the cause as physiologic stress associated with struggle and prone restraint; committee members also noted that six people had been charged with manslaughter and neglect of a vulnerable person. Members focused on restraint policy, staff training, chain of command during emergencies, family communication, and whether warning signs had been missed. DHS said it has written restraint protocols, annual restraint training, and a mortality review process, but acknowledged that the Warren facility had multiple failures, including use of a prone restraint, improper chemical restraint, poor supervision, inadequate communication, and problems with equipment and behavior plans. Officials said they were revising policies, creating clearer crisis-team roles, and retraining staff, and that the consultant work would be shared across the other human development centers. Several members pressed DHS on why the family had not been kept informed, why the agency was not prepared with basic facts, and whether a more formal independent audit of facilities should exist. The committee also discussed broader staffing and funding issues across the human development centers. DHS said CNAs start at about $39,000 a year, that the centers rely heavily on float and contract staff, and that there are about 2,000 people on a waiting list for services. Members argued that low pay, turnover, and rural staffing shortages contribute to risk and asked for recruitment and retention plans, possible regional pay differentials, and more legislative support. DHS said it is drafting a systemwide retention and recruitment plan and expects to bring it to ALC, while also implementing a separate rate study for certain PASS program services in January 2027. The meeting ended after comments from Zachary Moore’s mother, Angela Stevens, who said money cannot replace her son and urged the state to ensure no other family experiences the same loss; the committee asked DHS to keep members and Ms. Stevens updated on consultant reports and recruitment efforts before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Take conversations outside.
• Could you please take your seats and take conversations outside?
• This amendment to Result a conversation to have with my good friend from Bosville, Representative John
• The amendment is based on conversations that I've had with some of the other members, and what it does
• Members, please take your seats to take conversations outside. We Can't hear questions and answers.

Bills: HB3407, HB1242, HJR1081, HB3443, HB3781, HB1939, HB4237, HB3430, HB3321, HB3905, HB3329, HB4253, HB4421, HB4311, HJR1046, HB2015, HB3244, HB4265, HB3941, HB4203, HB2941, HB3695, HB3380, HB3132, HB3673, HB3134, HB3383, HB4490, HB4058

Keywords: property rights, abandoned homes, manufactured homes, notification, salvage, real estate, Oklahoma Tax Commission, landowner liability, redemption, HB1242, cervidae, deer, elk, sales tax exemption, agricultural exemption, livestock, ranching, farm tax, agricultural sales tax, agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:21.920> was couple years ago, the conversation was couple years ago, the conversation
• Dolly. >> He, uh, he loves Dolly, and uh so that's normally the subject of conversation.
• Dolly. >> He, uh, he loves Dolly, and uh so that's normally the subject of conversation.
• Dolly. >> He, uh, he loves Dolly, and uh so that's normally the subject of conversation.
• Um any other we do have a conversation.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: Senate Joint Resolution 54, sponsored by Senator Cassie Chambers Armstrong, was heard in committee on expanding Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Kentucky. Testimony came from Libby Settles, Bill Shy, and Lindsay Westerfield, who described the program’s impact on early literacy and family reading habits, and outlined ways to increase enrollment. Proposed expansion ideas included automatic enrollment for children in foster care, outreach through WIC and health departments, and exploring enrollment through the birth certificate process. Witnesses also highlighted related efforts such as bilingual books, Braille Tales, and a prison-based reading space program tied to Imagination Library books. Supporters emphasized the program’s low cost and broad educational benefits, citing statewide coverage, 52% enrollment of eligible children ages birth to five, and a goal of reaching 65%. Members asked about sustaining local matching funds and handling children who move between counties. Witnesses said local partners use a five-year cost estimator, diversify funding through grants and foundations, and rely on postal change-of-address systems to transfer enrollments seamlessly. Senator Chambers Armstrong also noted that about 2,200 foster children eligible for the program were not enrolled and said the resolution would help address that gap while protecting confidentiality. The committee adopted a small oral amendment removing the word “is” from line 19 on page two, then approved the resolution as amended on a 10-0 vote with favorable expression. Members spoke in support of the measure, praising the program’s literacy benefits and bipartisan history, and the committee then voted to roll the amendment into the committee report. The resolution was reported favorably and was said to be expected to pass the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's<00:15:41.680> been<00:15:41.839> several<00:15:42.240> conversations<00:
• 15:42.959> with There's been several conversations with There's been several conversations with
• a true statement after our conversations a true statement after our conversations this<00:16:27.360
• Um, there have been some tough conversations about things like, uh, if I wear my school jersey, um, or
• > things<00:25:39.120> like, tough conversations about things like, tough conversations

Bills: SF0014, SF0053

Keywords: literacy, education, reading assessment, intervention program, public school funding, department of education, amateur status, high school athletics, student eligibility, sports regulation, monetary compensation, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Leek: This amendment is a product of conversations with various stakeholders, but it also moves
• So I get a little concerned when we have wording and conversations of things that could possibly mean
• We haven't had a conversation with.
• When we start having those conversations it's like those things are being taken away. Sen.
• We've always had it in our private conversations and I appreciate the way that you work.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in this particular political climate, community media provides open space for community conversation
• Please refrain from the passing of notes and conversation during a roll call.
• the passing of notes and conversation the passing of notes and conversation during<00:22:55.440>
• They are eager to join you in a conversation about their education.
• <00:33:38.799> about<00:33:39.120> their you in a conversation about their you in a

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional reading, then proceeded to first readings and committee referrals for six bills: H.841 on miscellaneous animal welfare procedures, H.842 creating a commission on public school employee health benefits, H.843 on monitoring municipal wastewater discharges, H.844 on sales tax and a surcharge related to short-term rental and second-home properties, H.845 on an income tax deduction for snow tires, and H.846 on artificial intelligence and elections. H.611, a bill with an appropriation affecting the Department of Vermont Health Access, was also referred to Appropriations under House Rule 35A. The chamber also read HCR 175, a concurrent resolution honoring the life of J. Stannard Baker of Shelburne, highlighting his role in Baker v. State, his work in mental health and the Episcopal Church, and his death in June 2025. During announcements, members welcomed guests including Baker’s husband and sister, representatives of the Vermont Access Network, a devotional speaker, Human Rights Commission participants, and students from rural community schools visiting for Rural Schools Day. The House also heard remarks about the Human Rights Commission’s upcoming press conference and a caucus meeting on state permit reform. Later, the member from Georgia gave a lengthy historical reflection on Henry Knox and the Fort Ticonderoga cannon expedition, followed by a correction from the member from Stow noting that teams of oxen pulled most of the cannon. On the floor, the House considered H.648, the Department of Financial Regulation’s annual housekeeping bill on banking, insurance, and securities. Representative Olsen offered an amendment clarifying section 48 on federally exempt securities and state notice filings; the amendment was adopted by voice vote, and the bill then passed. The House then took up H.790, the fiscal year 2026 budget adjustment bill. Representative Shai offered an amendment reallocating $45,000 in HIV/AIDS funding among Vermont CARES, the AIDS Project of Southern Vermont, and the HIV/HCV Resource Center; that amendment was also adopted. The bill passed on a roll call vote, 133-0, and the House suspended rules to message its action to the Senate forthwith. The session ended with a motion to adjourn until Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., which was put to the body.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had a very good conversation, and I mentioned with two judges had a list of things they were asking
• It was very simple to go look and make a conversation, but the conversation wasn't happening.
• I'm happy to have this conversation with you and to kind kind of go through it.
• So, if they have that conversation with them if they're giving you a different answer, let me know and
• When that time comes, we will have robust conversations if that's the path we go down.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know I've had some conversations with some of you, and this is a bill that can get rather tech-heavy
• This is what I'm about to touch on at least, not this exact conversation—but if they have, let's say
• And some of the conversations—I'll go back to Apple because they were more security-minded than some
• We'd be happy to help get—Matt here has been having conversations with ACC. Oh, great.
• I just would like to see more conversation around the budget, like Representative Cavero brought up,

Bills: HB2121, HB2134, HB2451, HB2700

Keywords: modification, electronic equipment, consumer rights, OEM restrictions, civil penalties, intellectual property, critical infrastructure, foreign adversaries, China, communications, security, Arizona Space Commission, strategic plan, aerospace, economic development, space industry, education, workforce training, assistive technology, disability services

Summary: The House Committee on Science and Technology convened for its first meeting of the session, with members and staff introducing themselves and the chair reviewing committee rules and amendment deadlines. The committee then heard several bills focused on technology policy, infrastructure security, and a new study committee on assistive technology. Testimony was generally supportive of the bills’ goals, though several members raised concerns about implementation, costs, and the role of the Arizona Corporation Commission on the infrastructure bill. HB 2121 would prevent manufacturers from disabling consumer electronic devices when owners make modifications, such as using third-party parts or firmware changes, and would allow owners or the Attorney General to sue for damages. After discussion about consumer ownership, security, and possible manufacturing impacts, the committee adopted the Fink amendment narrowing the bill to consumer products and gave HB 2121 a do pass recommendation by a 7-1 vote with one present. HB 2134 would restrict Chinese-produced equipment from critical infrastructure and limit contracts with Chinese companies; the sponsor and supporters framed it as a national security measure, while opponents focused on cost, implementation, and utility coordination. The committee heard testimony from the Arizona Corporation Commission, which said the bill would require new staff and resources, and from outside witnesses who said the bill was prospective and aligned with federal restrictions. HB 2134 passed 5-4. HB 2451 would adjust Arizona Space Commission board terms, extend the strategic plan deadline, and add astronautic educational opportunities to the commission’s duties. Supporters described the commission as a bipartisan effort to grow Arizona’s space industry, and the bill passed 8-0. HB 2700 would create a Technology Study Committee focused on assistive technology and technology-first approaches for people with disabilities. The sponsor and a constituent advocate described how assistive technology can improve independence and service delivery, and members expressed support for the concept. After adopting the Connolly amendment, the committee approved HB 2700 as amended by an 8-0 vote. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've had conversation back and forth. We've had ongoing conversations with the Dental Association.
• So during conversations, we had early indications there were going to be some issues.
• We were having the conversation around 1025.
• That’s a conversation we intend to have with CMS.
• And we had a conversation. They said they would put options back to us in writing.

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council reviewed several agency rules and requests. The Insurance Department’s amendment to its holding company system rule was reviewed and approved, as were two State Board of Election Commissioners rules: one clarifying poll watcher conduct, vote challenges, and provisional voting, and another increasing pay for certified election monitors and defining training, observation, and report-writing compensation. The Arkansas Financial Education Commission also had its rule reviewed and approved after removing membership requirements tied to DEI language to comply with Act 938. The committee held over the Department of Education’s request to be excluded from reporting requirements for one month to allow further discussion about who should write or implement the rules. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Human Services’ request to be excluded from reporting requirements for Acts 567, 568, 967, and 1025. DHS said CMS had raised comparability and other federal approval concerns, especially for the dental and diagnostic lab provisions, and that it might not be able to meet the acts’ effective dates. DHS described several possible paths forward, including broader benefit changes, waivers, or splitting the dental provisions so the pediatric rate increase could move separately from the special-needs adult cap increase. The Arkansas State Dental Association disputed DHS’s conclusion that the acts could not be implemented as written, argued that Act 1025 is workable, and urged DHS to continue pursuing implementation and preserve the September 1 effective date where possible. Public testimony also supported expanded dental access for adults with disabilities and special needs. After discussion, the committee voted not to exclude DHS from reporting requirements for those acts. The committee then reviewed the Division of Higher Education’s Act 781 report. The division said it has 32 rules in effect, asked to repeal three rules—two replaced by new rules and one no longer supported by authority or current law—and to continue the remaining 29 rules. The committee approved that request, with the repeals effective upon adjournment of the Legislative Council meeting on January 16, 2026. The meeting concluded with no questions on the remaining written rulemaking updates from prior and current sessions, which were filed without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• I deeply appreciate the conversation, but with that, I am proud to move this bill. And Ms.
• I think conversations still need to be held.
• But I still think conversations can be held, especially multiple times where they do do it.
• And I'm happy to be a part of those conversations or not.
• I appreciate all the conversations that have already been had and just look forward to more conversations

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• After a couple conversations with Senator Wickland, I asked her if I could, or would it be okay with
• After a couple conversations with Senator Wickland, I asked her if I could, or would it be okay with
• <00:23:53.840> led<00:23:54.080> to<00:23:54.799> uh<00:23:55.039> conversations
• led to uh has led to uh conversations led to uh has led to uh conversations here<00:23:56.720>
• conversations conversations um<00:27:56.640> such<00:27:56.880> as<00:27:57.039> they

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to move the bill today and would love to have more conversation, but I'd like to move the
• And would invite you to come up and have a conversation.
• But I do appreciate the conversation and like I shared earlier, I don't have a.
• Conversely, the cost of wireless has gone down 44%. That is the data.
• Appreciate the conversation. Thank you. I'm seeing no other comments from members.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you so much, Chair, and thanks for all the conversations. Thank you.
• Thanks for all the conversations we've had on this bill.
• Chair, and thank you for the spirited conversation this afternoon.
• Rep Schof, I appreciate our conversation before committee on... criminal behavior.
• Representative Schof, I appreciate our conversation before committee.

Summary: The State Affairs Committee met with a quorum present and took up several measures. It first considered HJR 1215, an ad valorem tax exemption for farmers and agricultural lands. The committee adopted an amendment making technical changes and removing a requirement that implementing language be set by general law. Several agricultural and business groups supported the measure, and it was reported favorably by a vote of 22-4. The committee then heard CS for CS for HB 1169, a bill revising water management district planning, budgeting, reporting, and business practices, including restrictions on lobbyist expenditures and additional budget disclosures. An amendment removing the statutory section on management review teams was adopted after debate over whether those teams were still useful. The bill was reported favorably 19-8-7. Members then debated PCS for CS for HB 1221, which would redirect local option tourist development tax revenues toward property tax relief and give counties more control over certain local taxes. County, tourism, beach preservation, and hospitality groups opposed the bill, warning it would weaken tourism marketing, beach renourishment, and local services, while supporters argued it would provide property tax relief and accountability. The bill passed 14-12. Finally, the committee considered HB 4079, which would dissolve the town of White Springs. The sponsor and supporters described years of mismanagement, intimidation, and illegal conduct, while opponents argued dissolution was an extreme step and pointed to the ongoing election and other remedies. After extensive public testimony and debate, the bill was reported favorably 19-6. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, there's a lot of conversation about setting up a regulatory framework around the Guys that
• The conversation we had, and they got a walk last session or in the sunset.
• Conversations going on internally, so we were in a mess over there.
• So in the course of that conversation, after he was verbally warned that he wasn't supposed to do that
• It's been, I think, a very enlightening conversation.

Bills: SB1406, SB1681, SB2480, SB2721

Keywords: body donation, medical science, forensic science, willed body program, informed consent, boarding home, boarding home facility, adult care home, group home, assisted living, county reporting, municipal reporting, annual report, reasonable accommodation, fair housing, disability accommodation, local ordinance, permit requirement, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we're going to have some conversation, not in committee today, but with regard to 2265, which
• And so I had a conversation with Senator Shibli.
• So we had conversations, and we felt it was best just to leave the dollars attached to the policy bill
• But as we had conversations, that really has to be a conversation that we have amongst the whole enterprise
• So I'm just offering that for conversation. You guys have it in front of you.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee began with roll call and a brief update on remaining work, then took up Senate Bill 2213, the “science of math” bill. Members clarified that the appropriation for the program was not included in the DPI budget and would remain attached to the policy bill for now. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave the bill a do pass recommendation, 21-2. The committee next considered Senate Bills 2036 and 2037, both juvenile justice/Human Services bills involving mental health and criminal responsibility evaluations for minors. Testimony explained that the bills create new processes and require DHS to contract with specialized providers, with appropriations of $500,000 in 2036 and $300,000 in 2037. Members debated whether the funding should come from existing DHS resources or remain as separate appropriations, and whether the programs were one-time or ongoing. The committee adopted amendments on both bills and then recommended both do pass, with 2036 passing 14-6 and 2037 passing 17-4. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2021, the Information Technology Department budget. Representative Bosch outlined major themes in the budget, including migration from PeopleSoft and the mainframe, onboarding/off-boarding automation, double-counting of IT spending, and the transition of education technology from PowerSchool to Infinite Campus. Members also discussed a study amendment related to a statewide enterprise resource planning system, and added language on grant management and compliance management. The committee adopted the amendments and gave the budget a do pass recommendation, 20-0-3. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2011, the Highway Patrol budget. Representative Pyle explained the House changes, including shifting some one-time costs to the motor carrier electronic permit fund, funding for body armor, breath tests, road course resurfacing, fleet costs, handgun replacement, and carryover authority for federal technology funds. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the budget 21-0-2. The committee then began Senate Bill 2399, a Human Services bill on Medicaid reimbursement for psychiatric residential treatment facilities, but deferred action after testimony from a facility representative and committee discussion about therapeutic leave days, reimbursement rates, and whether a cap on reimbursable days should be set in statute or rule. The chair said the committee would seek more information from DHS and take the bill up the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've had extensive conversations with a judge and our county commissioners on why they grant them a PILOT
• Birdwell, I mean, maybe you can shed some light, and we've had a little conversation here...
• Those conversations are very early.
• We might have to agree to disagree, but we are always open to have a conversation and talk.
• Thanks for the conversation. Thank you. Members, any questions?

Bills: SB913, SB1086, SB1087, SB1143, SB1534, SB1553, SB1718, SB1754, SB2004, SB2322, SB2448

Keywords: hotel occupancy tax, municipal revenue, tax code, local government funding, Texas legislation, county taxation, economic development, hotel industry, local government, counties, taxation, tourism, workforce development, youth programs, employment, education, technical training, health physics, higher education, nuclear energy

Summary: The Senate Economic Development Committee met to hear a series of bills and informational primers, with several resource witnesses from the Governor’s Office, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The chair opened by noting the death of Senator King’s son and asking members to keep the family in their prayers. Most bills were laid out and left pending subject to the call of the chair after brief author presentations and public testimony. The committee heard several local hotel occupancy tax bills: SB 1553 for Kerr County, SB 1086 for Childress County, SB 1087 for Mason County, and SB 913 for Alpine. Supporters, including the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association and local officials, said the measures would allow counties or the city to use hotel tax revenue for tourism-related projects and local development. The committee also heard SB 1534, which would direct a study on health physics education and workforce needs in Texas; resource witnesses from TWC and THECB testified on the bill. All of these measures were left pending. A major portion of the hearing focused on SB 1754, which would prohibit local tax abatements for renewable energy facilities selling power at wholesale, with an exception for certain battery storage tied to dispatchable generation. The bill drew strong support from witnesses who argued counties should not subsidize wind and solar projects that can harm neighboring landowners and that renewables already receive substantial federal support. Opponents from the solar and storage industry argued the bill would remove a voluntary local economic development tool, raise power prices, and discourage investment. Senators also debated landowner impacts, grid reliability, and whether the bill was the right policy tool; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard SB 2322, a committee substitute related to the Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act, which would exempt electric generation facilities from the program’s compelling-factor test so they can qualify for school tax limitation agreements. Supporters said the change would correct an unintended barrier for dispatchable generation, while Senator Johnson argued it would weaken the program’s purpose by subsidizing projects that would locate in Texas anyway. SB 1718 would add the NRA annual meeting to the major events reimbursement program; the NRA supported it, while gun violence prevention advocates opposed using state incentives for the organization. SB 2004 would add the Arlington Grand Prix to the major events program, and SB 2448 would create a rural workforce development grant program; both drew supportive testimony and were left pending. The committee also heard SB 1143, a substitute bill aimed at improving transparency and coordination in programs serving opportunity youth ages 14 to 24, with witnesses supporting better reporting and workforce alignment. At the end of the meeting, Senator Johnson moved that the committee stand in recess subject to the call of the chair.