Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we have the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners.
• Examiners.
• This is a new day at the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.
• Now, these are just examined applications. This doesn't reflect the passage of the examinations.
• Okay, Board of Plumbing Examiners, LBB. Be Kelsey Sims. Lisa Hill, Executive Director.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• From there you examine all humanity, our comings and our goings, our thoughts and our actions.
• Examine our hearts and hold us accountable to your divine will.
• From there you examine all throne.
• <00:03:39.599> Examine<00:03:40.080> our<00:03:40.319> hearts<00:03:40.640><
• Examine our hearts and hold the wicked.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, September 26, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So within the urban growth area, an administrative decision or a hearings examiner option makes sense
• Many cities direct appeals of a hearing examiner plat approval to the city council.
• So this is a plat that has gone through a process with a public hearing before the hearing examiner,
• Many cities direct appeals of a hearing examiner, plat approval to the city council.
• I kind of want to look at this hearing examiner situation.

Summary: The committee heard a series of presentations on comprehensive plan updates, permitting reform, special purpose district coordination, and subdivision reform. Pierce County and the City of Redmond described their recent comprehensive plan updates, emphasizing housing production, transit-oriented development, middle housing, preservation of affordable housing, and the need for technical assistance and clearer state guidance. Both jurisdictions said the planning process took years and was complicated by overlapping state requirements, changing legislative mandates, and multiple review authorities. Redmond in particular said mid-course legislative changes forced supplemental environmental review and added significant cost and delay, and both local governments asked for more stability, clearer statutes, and better-aligned timelines. Presenters from the architecture, building official, and development sectors focused on permitting delays and proposed ways to speed housing delivery. Dave Boucher of AIA Washington argued for a provisional construction permit process for projects stamped by licensed professionals, along with mandatory deadlines and fewer stalled review cycles. Tim Woodard of WABO described existing tools such as pre-application meetings and phased approvals, noting they can improve certainty but also require staff time and careful coordination. Representatives from Master Builders and D.R. Horton said permit and subdivision delays add substantial cost to housing, citing studies showing months of delay and tens of thousands of dollars added per home, and urged administrative approvals, concurrent review, self-certification, and limits on repeated review cycles. The committee also reviewed a Commerce-led task force report on integrating special purpose districts into Growth Management Act planning. The task force recommended early invitation and notice to water, sewer, school, port, and other service providers during countywide planning policy and comprehensive plan updates, better coordination on grants and capital projects, updated water system coordination plans, and improved school siting and funding alignment in fast-growing areas. Speakers stressed that the recommendations were intended to be light-touch and focused on better communication rather than major statutory overhaul, while also noting that rural and slow-growing areas should not be burdened with the same requirements as rapidly growing jurisdictions. On subdivision reform, FutureWise and the City of Spokane discussed making more subdivision decisions administrative, preserving vesting, clarifying exemptions, and reducing unnecessary notice and appeal steps. Spokane described local reforms such as smaller minimum lot sizes, unit lot subdivisions, and reduced-process “minor engineering review” for simple plats, while raising concerns about new notice requirements and appeals to city councils for technical plat decisions. Across the hearing, members repeatedly returned to the theme that local governments, builders, and state agencies need clearer, more coordinated rules to reduce delay and uncertainty while still protecting safety and planning goals.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I had numerous complaints about the speed with which examinations are done, people being able to
• book appointments for examinations, um, has been a great issue.
• So, we may need to increase the amount of examiners, but it has taken people an undue amount of time
• hasn't heard this is, um, examinations. hasn't heard this is, um, examinations.
• , for examinations, for examinations, um,<00:56:53.599> has<00:56:53.839> been<00:56

Keywords: Public Health - Room 216, 27 January, 2026; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 3, a Medicaid and certificate-of-need measure described as a revised version of a bill vetoed by the governor the previous year. The bill would remove a prohibition on a psychiatric residential treatment facility in one county from Medicaid participation, add 20 beds for a Madison County facility, allow crossover status for a Harrison County hospital, require MC to obtain a certificate of need for facilities outside the original Jackson campus area, increase capital expenditure limits, and remove the provision the governor had objected to. Members discussed whether the bill was really a study item or a substantive new requirement, especially a provision tied to acute adult psychiatric units treating uninsured patients or paying a fee. The chair explained the policy concern as preventing “cherry-picking” of insured patients and shifting more uncompensated care to public facilities. The committee voted that the title was sufficient and the ayes appeared to have it, then voted to rise and report. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2453, a clarifying bill on window tinting/glazing exemptions. The sponsor explained that current law requires a physician’s affidavit for an exception, and the bill would clarify that licensed optometrists, along with physicians, may sign the affidavit for people whose eyes are sensitive to light. After brief questions, the committee again voted that the title was sufficient and the ayes appeared to have it. The chair said the two bills were being moved quickly to the docket room for processing and that the committee would reconvene immediately afterward. The final portion of the meeting was a hearing on Senate Bill 2566 involving the Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. The chair explained that the hearing was prompted by complaints from last session about inspectors being overly aggressive, fines for technical violations, and delays or problems with licensing. Board representatives said the newly appointed board had met for the first time, elected officers, and intended to focus on workforce development, easing burdens on the industry, and protecting public health and safety. They said the board had already restored prior passing scores for exams, adjusted work-permit timing to help students, reviewed contracts and staffing, and planned further meetings. Members and the chair discussed possible legislative changes, including mobile barber establishments, reducing fines, and extending license terms from two years to three years, with the chair asking the board to work with Senator Johnson on amendments before the deadline.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:53:23.760> to<00:53:24.040> attain necessary examinations to attain necessary examinations
• and evidence collection, such as the sexual assault nurse examiners or the sexual assault forensic examiners
• and evidence collection, such as the sexual assault nurse examiners or the sexual assault forensic examiners
• On the neighbor islands, those are what we call sex assault nurse examiners.
• Okay, thank you. seeing examiners uhhuh what what does seeing examiners uhhuh what what does that<01:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to housing, homelessness, caregiving, and tax relief. On HB 431, which appropriates funds for the CAL initiative and HHFDC, the Department of Human Services supported the bill and noted the Governor’s request for $50 million per year for HMS, the need for more permanent supportive housing, and a technical issue with establishing a special fund in session law. The Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions strongly supported the measure, describing it as unprecedented funding for CAL projects and linking it to goals of reducing homelessness and expanding housing inventory. Catholic Charities Hawaii, the ACLU of Hawaii, and the Reimagining Public Safety in Hawaii Coalition also supported the bill, emphasizing permanent supportive housing, diversion from jail, and public safety benefits. The chair redirected one testifier to stay on the measure when testimony drifted to another program. Written support was also noted from several organizations and agencies. The committee then heard HB 225 on squatting. DHS said it appreciated the intent and deferred to the Attorney General and task force members, while noting that outreach on public lands differs from private land, where owner consent is required. The Office of the Public Defender supported the bill and wanted a voice in finding a solution. The Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions also said it supported the intent, while opposition from the Kingdom of the Hawaiian Islands and support from one individual were noted. For HB 280, which would make the community outreach court permanent and appropriate funds, the Judiciary strongly supported the bill, describing the court as a mobile, community-based program serving vulnerable populations and connecting participants to services. The Office of the Public Defender also supported the measure, saying the program has helped people move off the streets and into stable housing and that permanent funding would allow expansion. Written support from the Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition was noted. The committee then moved to HB 71, creating a refundable family caregiver tax credit, where the Department of Taxation provided comments, the Executive Office on Aging and AARP Hawaii supported the measure, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii raised concerns about duplication with an existing dependent care credit and the lack of incentives for cost control. The committee next heard HB 753, which would increase the applicable percentage for the household and dependent care services tax credit. Support came from the Executive Office on Aging, Catholic Charities Hawaii, AARP Hawaii, and Hawaii Children’s Action Network, while the Tax Foundation again raised technical concerns about complexity and administration but noted the bill adds guardrails against abuse. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:42:58.320> to as our Board of dental examiners to as our Board of dental examiners to
• Commission on National Dental Examinations, or another examination accepted by commissioner rule.
• 01:50:20.440> examination examinations or another examination examinations or another examination
• c> discipline hand skills examination of of discipline hand skills examination of of candidates<02:11
• the independent third-party examination the independent third-party examination is<02:11:55.199>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Examinations. Each year we issue approximately 200 reports.
• The attestation engagements we conduct are examinations of subject matters or assertions that are the
• For example, we're required to periodically examine the records of school districts and other entities
• The attestation engagements we conduct are examinations of subject matters or assertions that are the
• For example, we're required to periodically examine the records of school districts and other entities

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee met to receive annual overviews of its oversight responsibilities and the work of the Auditor General and OPAGA. Committee staff reviewed the committee’s authority over state and local governments, enforcement of audit-report filing requirements, repeated audit findings, Transparency Florida reporting, and lobbying compensation audits. Auditor General Cheryl Norman described her office’s independence, audit standards, quality control, and major audit areas, including the state’s annual financial and single audits, school district and university audits, operational and performance audits, and attestation work. She also noted staffing shortages, recruitment efforts, and a request for carry-forward funds to study salaries. Members asked about whether audits can quantify recoverable dollars, how school district spending comparisons are handled, and how to raise concerns about DCF-related audits or a local city audit that has been pending for years. Norman said her office can quantify findings when possible, sometimes compares costs across districts in operational audits, and that members can bring specific concerns to the appropriate deputy auditor general or the committee. She also explained that citizen or local-government audit requests may require payment of audit costs. OPAGA Coordinator Kara Collins-Gomez outlined OPAGA’s role as a legislative research unit that conducts studies directed by law, the presiding officers, or the committee, and described its policy areas, methodologies, contract monitoring, and recurring statutory reports. Deputy Auditor General Matthew Tracy explained how to read operational audit reports, including findings, criteria, condition, cause, effect, recommendations, and management responses. Deputy Auditor General Greg Senators explained financial audit reports, including audit opinions, required supplementary information, internal control and compliance findings, federal program compliance, and management letters. The meeting concluded with thanks to the presenters and a motion to adjourn, which passed without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Mitchell had an opportunity to be heard and to cross-examine witnesses.
• Senator Mitchell did, in fact, cross-examine witnesses through her lawyer beyond the shadow of a doubt
• cross-examine cross-examine Witnesses<00:36:43.760> and<00:36:44.240> um<00:36:44.680>
• cross-examine cross-examine Witnesses<00:37:11.400> Senator<00:37:11.800> Mitchell<00:
• <00:37:14.319> Witnesses<00:37:15.280> through<00:37:15.520> her cross-examined

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened under call, established a quorum, and adopted the committee reports. It then moved through second reading of Senate File 334 and first readings/referrals of Senate Files 645, 684, and 700, with SF 645 sent to State and Local Government and SFs 684 and 700 sent to Health and Human Services. The chamber also approved a motion to withdraw Senate File 567 from State and Local Government and re-refer it to Elections. The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 5 and Senate Resolution 6, both recognizing Senate employees for years of dedicated service, including a specific recognition of David Jorgenson. The most significant floor action was a motion by Senator Rasmusson to expel Senator Nicole Mitchell and declare her seat vacant. Senator Rasmusson argued that Mitchell’s pending felony burglary case and delay of her trial justified expulsion; Senator Frentz opposed the motion, arguing the Senate should wait for the criminal process and that due process requirements had not been met. After a point of order and appeal, the President ruled the Frentz point of order well taken, and the Senate upheld that ruling by a 33-33 vote. The meeting also included several recesses and procedural calls of the Senate while the expulsion issue was debated. During announcements, members noted committee schedule changes, including cancellations or postponements for Energy and Jobs, and meetings for Judiciary, Policy, and Human Services. The Senate then adjourned until Thursday, January 30th at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:45.680> All RSA and their examiners, please. All RSA and their examiners, please.
• And I don't know if everybody knows, but most everybody knows that the examiners of public accounts examine
• <00:32:55.200> of everybody knows that the examiners of everybody knows that the examiners
• :57.600> agencies public accounts examine these agencies public accounts examine these agencies
• So I'd of Examiners of Public Accounts.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Medical examiners and death investigators frequently respond to the same scenes as law enforcement and
• He's been a law enforcement officer in addition to being a medical examiner for almost 50 years.
• We show you registered as Carl Rogers, Ector County Medical Examiner, and yourself testifying for the
• The medical examiners and death investigators are a dedicated group of people across the state who have
• These people, death, death investigators and medical examiners have served all kinds of, uh, or have

Transcript Highlights:

• ensuring climate-resilient infrastructure to meet Washington's growing energy needs; and number two, examining
• Washington's growing energy needs, and number two, examining fines for human trafficking and sexual exploitation
• potential improvements to the civil asset process and included several topics for the work group to examine
• They are both from the State Auditor report examining Washington's concurrent Medicaid enrollments.
• We decided to also examine fines for related sexual exploitation crimes.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee I-900 Subcommittee heard JLARC’s annual update on the status of legislative implementation of State Auditor recommendations, followed by two State Auditor performance audits. JLARC staff reported that for the 2024 review period there were three new legislative recommendations and three unresolved older recommendations. They said the legislature did not convene a work group on civil asset forfeiture, and no formal action was taken on two water-use-efficiency recommendations. Two recommendations related to concurrent Medicaid enrollments were addressed in a bill introduced this session, but that bill was not adopted. The first audit examined how Washington can ensure climate-resilient electricity infrastructure. The State Auditor found the state has opportunities to better adapt new energy infrastructure by using more site-specific climate information, broader collaboration, and vulnerability assessments. The report recommended expanding climate analyses through the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group if funding is available, using forecasted information in DNR wildfire maps, designating a non-regulatory office to coordinate siting and conflict resolution, and expanding vulnerability assessments in Ecology and Commerce processes. Agency witnesses generally agreed resilience is important but emphasized existing efforts, the need to avoid duplicative requirements, the importance of affordability and efficiency, and the role of current forums such as the Clean Energy Siting Council and SEPA processes. The second audit reviewed fines for human trafficking and related sexual exploitation crimes. Auditors found courts assessed fines inconsistently, collection rates varied, some revenues were sent to the wrong local government, and some jurisdictions did not use the money as required for enforcement, prevention, or survivor services. The audit recommended courts work with prosecutors to improve awareness of mandatory fines, and that King and Pierce County improve coding, templates, and tracking so revenues are routed and used correctly. King County testified that it appreciated the audit and described its existing prevention and survivor-support work. The committee took no votes or formal actions and adjourned after the presentations and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• This was a conversation with the chief medical examiner.
• This was a conversation with the chief medical examiner.
• This was a conversation with the chief medical examiner.
• This was a conversation with the chief medical examiner.
• Um, so just a little further clarification on the chief medical examiner and the associate medical examiner

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Up to $300,000 to medical examiners working within the facility.
• Maybe just for staff: Are the existing employees, medical examiners, already above $300,000?
• The $300,000 rate was approved last year, and the existing examiners are already there.
• . the estimated. up to $300,000 to medical examiners working within the facility.
• The $300,000 rate was approved last year, and the existing examiners are already there.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:58.120> under associate Deputy medical examiner under associate Deputy medical examiner
• um associate Deputy medical examiners um associate Deputy medical examiners who<00:12:41.199>
• things have come together in examining things have come together in examining how<00:13:25.040><
• 13.160> examiners<00:15:13.759> where<00:15:14.199> the Deputy medical examiners
• <00:15:44.440> who Deputy medical examiner who Deputy medical examiner who performs<00:15:

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:24.240> and the kbma the board of examiners and the kbma the board of examiners and
• have a structure to discip examiners have a structure to discip identify<00:14:12.240> and<00
• <00:15:48.880> May um the board KV the examiners May um the board KV the examiners May establish
• representing Examiner representing Examiner uh<00:15:59.880> for<00:16:00.120> legacy<
• My name is Michelle Shane, Executive Director for the Board of Veterinary Examiners.

Keywords: Reuploaded to restore full meeting 00:00 – Meeting Start 00:37 – Attendance Roll Call 02:20 -Discussion on SB 69 18:10- Roll Call Vote, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Agriculture Committee met to reconsider a committee substitute for a bill dealing with equine dental care and the regulation of non-veterinarian dental practitioners. The chair reopened the bill after prior testimony, and members focused on how the bill would set standards for training, testing, insurance, continuing education, and a registry for practitioners. Discussion also centered on whether the measure would affect veterinary practice or create a precedent for other animal care areas; supporters said it was meant to preserve access and affordability for horse owners, especially in rural areas where veterinarians are scarce or unavailable for routine work. A major topic was the bill’s grandfathering or “legacy candidate” provision. Senators asked how existing practitioners would qualify, whether they would need to apply, and what documentation would be required. Committee witnesses, including a Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association representative and the Board of Veterinary Examiners executive director, said the board could set licensing terms by regulation, including an application process, background/history checks, and letters of recommendation from licensed veterinarians. They also said the process would include an application window to allow current practitioners time to comply. Several members explained their votes in favor, while noting lingering concerns they wanted addressed on the floor. Supporters emphasized that the bill was the product of years of work, surveys, stakeholder meetings, and multiple drafts, and that it was intended to legitimize existing practitioners while protecting animal welfare. The committee substitute was approved, the bill passed the committee unanimously, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about data from self-funded plans that we're looking at in this affiliate pricing examination.
• Well, that's what we're looking at in this examination.
• We're conducting this examination to find out whether they are compliant with the law when it comes to
• Well, that's what we're looking at in this examination.
• The examination itself is conducted under a state law. Right.

Summary: The meeting opened with prayer, approval of the prior minutes, and a monthly revenue report from the Bureau of Legislative Research. The report showed gross general revenue collections up year to date and net general revenue above forecast, with the increase attributed in part to income tax growth, a fiscal-year shift, and lottery-related collections. Members asked no questions, and no action was required on the revenue report. Several subcommittee reports were then presented and adopted, including executive, administrative rules, game and fish/state police, hospital/Medicaid/developmental disability, occupational licensing, PEER, revenue, state insurance programs, and personnel. The executive report noted a waiver request for Jackson County School District construction services and an audit with no findings. The administrative rules report covered agency directives, rulemaking updates, and a few rules pulled for later consideration. The revenue subcommittee held one District 4 tire removal contract until its next meeting, while the state insurance subcommittee reviewed the EBD contract with Boston Consulting Group and approved pharmacy formulary and drug recommendations. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the State Insurance Department’s examination of pharmacy benefit managers, especially Navitus Health Solutions. Commissioners and staff explained that Navitus objected to producing certain claims data for self-funded plans, raising an ERISA preemption argument, and that the matter was being set for an administrative hearing, likely in April. Members questioned compliance, due process, and the implications of the objection, while the department said the state initiated the examination and was continuing to seek resolution. The committee also reviewed an Arkansas Teacher Retirement System agreement, with one member noting a potential conflict and abstaining. The meeting ended after members reviewed additional reports with no further action and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about data from self-funded plans that we're looking at in this affiliate pricing examination.
• Well, that's what we're looking at in this examination.
• We're conducting this examination to find out whether they are compliant with the law when it comes to
• Well, that's what we're looking at in this examination.
• The examination itself is conducted under a state law. Right.

Summary: The committee met and opened with a prayer, then approved the prior meeting minutes and received the monthly revenue report from the Bureau of Legislative Research. The report showed gross general revenue collections up year to date and net general revenue above forecast, with the staff noting changes driven by casino gaming transfers, income tax growth, and a lottery-related collection. No action was required on the revenue report. Several subcommittee reports were then presented and adopted, including the executive committee, administrative rules, game and fish/state police, hospital/Medicaid/developmental disability, occupational licensing, PEER, revenue, state insurance programs, and personnel. Topics included a Jackson County School District cooperative purchasing waiver, rulemaking updates from several agencies, federal immigration and wildlife issues, SNAP and Medicaid waiver reimbursement rates, occupational authorization reviews, temporary appropriations and transfer requests, a tire removal contract held for later review, EBD pharmacy and medical drug recommendations, and personnel items. The PEER report also included questions to the State Broadband Director about a provider with delinquent property taxes; he said the provider would not be brought forward until the issue is resolved and that broadband grant payments are tied to performance milestones. The most extended discussion came during review of a State Insurance Department report on pharmacy benefit manager oversight. Commissioners and members questioned Navitus Health Solutions’ refusal to provide certain claims data for self-funded plans in an affiliate pricing examination. The department said the matter is being briefed and set for an administrative hearing, likely in April, and that the dispute centers on ERISA preemption and state authority to request the data. Members also asked about the status of the other PBMs under review and whether they had raised similar objections. After all reports were adopted or filed as reviewed, the meeting adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Dixie Thomas, with the examiner, public account for District Three.
• The sunset committee again did a very thorough examination on this board, and they've done a great job
• As you said, the sunset committee reviewed this one as well, and they had a very thorough examination
• You're up presenting House Bill 117 of the Alabama Board of Examiners in Marriage and Family Therapy.
• Okay, uh, it’s the State Board of Chiropractor Examiners.

Bills: HB25, HB108, HB109, HB111, HB112, HB113, HB117, HB118, HB119, HB120, HB121, HB122, HB124, HB126, HB127, HB128, HB129, HB130, HB131, HB25

Keywords: emergency services, 911, local districts, joint operations, contracting, HB108, Alabama Sunset Law, sunset reauthorization, board continuation, speech-language pathology, audiology, licensing board, professional regulation, healthcare regulation, occupational licensing, speech therapist, speech pathologist, audiologist, Sunset Committee, Code of Alabama 1975

Transcript Highlights:

• to help us keep psychological examiners to help us keep Pace<00:08:54.080> with<00:08:54.240>
• to meet the find Qualified examiners to meet the growing<00:19:04.799> need<00:19:05.120>
• <00:19:55.039> from rate for forensic examiners from rate for forensic examiners from $125
• paper rates across review of examiner paper rates across various<00:20:30.360> markets<00:20:
• <00:20:39.120> to contract examiners to contract examiners to $175<00:20:41.039> per

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee met to approve the January 16 minutes and then heard a budget presentation from State Court Administrator Jeff Shorba on behalf of the Minnesota judicial branch. Shorba described the courts’ structure, mission, and workload, noting 322 judges, about 2,800 staff, roughly 1 million district court filings annually, and a current budget of about $479 million. He emphasized the branch’s constitutional obligation to provide fair and timely access to justice and said the courts are funded almost entirely through legislative appropriations. He also highlighted recent accomplishments made possible by prior legislative funding, including eliminating the pandemic felony and gross misdemeanor backlog, expanding remote and hybrid hearings, improving courtroom technology, sustaining treatment courts, and increasing pay for interpreters and psychological examiners. Shorba outlined the judicial branch’s 2026–27 budget request, which he said totals a 12% increase over the starting biennial base. Major requests included $77.3 million in 2026–27 and $104 million in 2028–29 for a 6% judicial salary increase and related compensation costs; $5.1 million in 2026–27 and $1.76 million in 2028–29 for digital accessibility compliance with new federal ADA rules; $4 million in 2026–27 and $800,000 in 2028–29 to modernize justice partner access to court records; $7.2 million in 2026–27 to raise pay for contract psychological examiners; and $18 million in 2026–27 to increase juror pay from $20 to $100 per day and align mileage rates with federal rates. He also discussed ongoing funding needs for interpreter services, jury costs, cybersecurity, and other statutorily required court services, saying temporary funding provided in the prior session will expire and that permanent support is needed. Members asked questions about treatment courts, employee bargaining, and mental health competency issues. Representative Eric requested more detail on funding for newly launched and existing treatment courts, and Shorba said many treatment courts begin with federal grants before transitioning to state support after about three years. He confirmed the judicial branch negotiates its own employee contracts rather than the executive branch doing so, and said the branch has three unions plus many unrepresented employees. On mental health and competency, Shorba said the branch is focused on obtaining timely psychological evaluations and is not responsible for treatment services themselves, but acknowledged a shortage of examiners and treatment beds and said a related competency board would be testifying the following week. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond adoption of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• They may have to do a necropsy examination or things along those lines.
• We're going to item number 10, the Board of Plumbing examiners.
• Examination center, possibly even something in in Abilene eventually.
• We've got to have examiners, capable examiners and uh To staff those locations.
• The Board of Plumbing Examiners, the State Securities Board.