Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1470 is a simple bill to allow the Secretary of State to obtain data from DPS regarding cross-state
• There are resource witnesses from DPS and the Secretary of State. ...for the Secretary of State to use
• As you mentioned, this is a rare system among the states. Most states have one single high court.
• The only other state that has two high courts is Oklahoma.
• State your name and position. My name is Allen Place.

Bills: SB16, SB76, SB310, SB311, SB396, SB505, SB827, SB964, SB1209, SB1210, SB1386, SB1470, SB2035, SJR37

Keywords: voter registration, proof of citizenship, Election Code, criminal offenses, limited federal ballot, transportation, infrastructure, funding, public safety, state regulation, election, polling places, voter access, state oversight, electronic voting, voting, polling place, elections, countywide program, election integrity

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs met and heard several bills related to legislative process and court jurisdiction. Senate Bill 1386, by Senator Huffman, would change compelled legislative testimony from blanket transactional immunity to testimonial immunity, allowing compelled statements or documents to be used against a witness in criminal prosecution only if not derived from the compelled testimony, while preserving protection against perjury and false statements and retaining the right to counsel. No public witnesses testified, and the bill was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1470, by Chairman Hughes, which would require DPS to share existing data on cross-state driver’s license cancellations with the Secretary of State for voter-roll maintenance. Hughes said the bill does not create new data collection and is intended to improve list maintenance. A DPS resource witness was present, there was no substantive opposition, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1210, also by Hughes, would address conflicts between the Texas Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeals on constitutional questions by making the Supreme Court the final arbiter in limited circumstances. Chris Hilton supported the bill, but Allen Place, Jack Rohde, and Philip Furlow opposed it, arguing it was unconstitutional, unnecessary, and could create practical problems in criminal post-conviction litigation. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard Senate Bill 311, which would conform the Government Code to the Texas Constitution by clarifying the Supreme Court’s original writ authority against lower courts and officials other than the governor. Justice Evan Young and Chris Hilton supported the bill as a clarification of existing authority, while no one testified against it; the bill was left pending. The committee then recessed to allow the chamber to rearrange for the Senate session.

Transcript Highlights:

• across the state and providers working across the state to<00:37:27.119><c> give</c><00:37:27.680><c
• </c><00:45:57.680><c> As</c> every community in our state. As every community in our state.
• </c><01:18:43.760><c> Um,</c> uh, throughout the state. Um, uh, throughout the state.
• debt, show that the state is managing its state and setting internal limits.
• ><c> billing</c> state assessment systems, state billing state assessment systems, state billing systems

Bills: HF4736, HF4737, HF3806, HF3352, HF4840, HF3748

Keywords: emergency shelter, grant program, homelessness, capital investment, Minnesota Statutes, appropriation bonds, public funding, housing, infrastructure bonds, funding, appropriation, Minnesota constitutional amendment, public debt, state bonds, general obligation bonds, information technology, IT infrastructure, software licenses, technology modernization, capital improvements

Transcript Highlights:

• It's already been done in many, many states.
• And this has been being done for many decades in many other states.
• And this is a good idea, tried and done in other states. And so I'm so glad to see you.
• Police are required to wear body cameras in most states.
• One of my children whose story is still very much on the state is Rebecca Baptiste.

Bills: HB2049, HB2178, HB2179, HB2307, HB2322

Keywords: radiation therapy, particle accelerator, critical access hospitals, patient care, rural healthcare, HB2178, Arizona, state agencies, chief medical officer, medical license, physician license, osteopathic license, licensure requirement, Title 41, Title 32, Arizona Revised Statutes, A.R.S. 41-5902, public health administration, agency leadership, state government personnel

Transcript Highlights:

• Not sure if y'all know a lot about it, but it was a nuisance to the state of Texas.
• They were bypassing a lot of the laws that the state of Texas put in place.
• The state of Texas allows the officers to give it to their discretion.
• People just think, oh, people just got to get to to work and they have to live their lives and the state
• capability and aerospace technology, and these contributions have brought profound benefits to our state

Bills: HCR 10, HCR 9

Keywords: balanced budget amendment, federal budget, deficit reduction, deficit spending, fiscal restraint, constitutional amendment, U.S. Constitution, Congress, PAYGO, Gramm-Rudman-Hollings, national debt, budget deficit, taxpayer dollars, balanced budget resolution, memorial resolution, Texas Legislature, federal spending, budget reform, fiscal conservatism, HCR 9

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill converts those four to one at-large seat in the United States and three at-large in the state
• I understand completely because you remember the 1963 state Senate districts.
• We know four state at-large, and then y'all have them in state Senate districts.
• We represent the 14 public four-year universities in the state.
• You are the future of this state. ...state. You are the future of this state.

Bills: SB278, HB459, HB61

Keywords: SB278, released time, religious instruction, elective credit, public schools, K-12 education, Alabama Released Time Credit Act, church-state separation, First Amendment, school choice, parental consent, elective course, off-campus instruction, private religious entity, State Board of Education, local board of education, attendance credit, core curriculum, religious education, Bible class

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it the state or the plaintiffs? >> Uh, the state.
• state Senate districts that will state state Senate districts that will be<00:16:22.680><c> impacted
• It only affects two state Senate districts. state in and all the registrars offices state in and all
• </c> [music] state. [music] state.
• </c> United States Congress? United States Congress?

Bills: SB1

Keywords: special primary election, redistricting, State Senate districts, federal court ruling, injunction, vacated order, election calendar, 2026 general election, 2026 primary election, runoff election, party nominee, Governor proclamation, Alabama elections, district boundaries, court-ordered redistricting, special election, nomination process, Secretary of State, election law, 1136

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> represent the state of Alabama. represent the state of Alabama.
• Our state house is built by the people of this state.
• </c> state of Alabama. state of Alabama.
• </c> affected state Senate districts. affected state Senate districts.
• <00:57:54.080><c> services,</c> state services, state services, um<00:57:55.800><c> state</c><00:57:56.080

Bills: SB1

Keywords: special primary election, redistricting, State Senate districts, federal court ruling, injunction, vacated order, election calendar, 2026 general election, 2026 primary election, runoff election, party nominee, Governor proclamation, Alabama elections, district boundaries, court-ordered redistricting, special election, nomination process, Secretary of State, election law, 923

Transcript Highlights:

• , to act on military bases and provide more state resources.
• State your name, who you represent, and your position on the bill. ...the bill.
• If you would, please state your name as well. I'm Jeff Hahn.
• From 1984 to 1988, I served in the United States Army.
• State contracts in the past have shown us how difficult the process can be.

Bills: SB 390, SB 1197, SB 1271

Keywords: veteran-owned businesses, state contracting, historically underutilized business, economic opportunity, small business, economic development, veterans, certification, Texas legislation, unmanned aircraft, spaceport, criminal offense, aviation regulations, airspace safety, military installations, concurrent jurisdiction, governor's approval, state agency, land acquisition, Veteran Affairs

Summary: The meeting of the Committee on Veteran Affairs addressed several significant bills aimed at supporting veterans and their businesses. Among the bills discussed was SB390, which seeks to expand the definition of historically underutilized businesses to include all veteran-owned businesses, regardless of disability status. This change aims to create a more equitable economic landscape for veterans and to foster their participation in state procurement opportunities. The committee heard strong testimony supporting this initiative, emphasizing the importance of providing veterans with fair chances in business development.

Bills: SB893

Keywords: foreign land ownership, military protection, critical infrastructure, whistleblower rewards, state security

Summary: The Chair opened the CCR Committee for Health and Human Services and took up Senate Bill 893. Representative Colwell explained that the bill is intended to protect military institutions and installations from foreign ownership in surrounding areas and offered to answer questions. No questions or objections were raised. The Chair then asked members to sign the bill out of committee. With no further objections, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please state your name for the record and begin your testimony. Thank you for coming today.
• Please state your name for the record and begin your testimony. Thank you for coming today.
• I think we're not doing the best we could do for agriculture in this state.
• best we could do for agriculture<00:45:08.800><c> in</c><00:45:08.880><c> this</c><00:45:09.080><c> state
• </c> agriculture in this state. agriculture in this state.

Bills: HF3548

Keywords: farm assistance, down payment, agriculture, state funding, loan modification, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In the rest of the state, that percentage is likely even higher.
• At both the state and local At both the state and local level, Massachusetts has made some progress in
• Whether preemption of the federal government to states, or states to municipal governments, preemption
• This is a top issue with my colleagues in other states.
• And also put useful and state resources at risk.

Bills: H5009

Keywords: collective bargaining, worker rights, labor relations, public counsel services, state employees

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 25-03, House Bill 5000, which would allow single-family homes on smaller lots in areas with public water and sewer service. The hearing began with committee members outlining the Article 48 initiative process and then hearing from two subject-matter experts. Under Secretary Chris Clutchman of Housing and Livable Communities explained how the proposal would amend Chapter 40A, noted that Boston would be excluded, and said municipalities would still be able to adopt reasonable regulations on setbacks, bulk, height, and short-term rentals. He also flagged unresolved implementation questions, including how to treat wetlands, infrastructure capacity, and pre-existing nonconforming situations. Attorney Susan Murphy said the measure would significantly alter local zoning, could create conflicts with existing zoning districts and Section 3A/MBTA Communities rules, and raised concerns about infrastructure capacity and the lack of any home-size or affordability limits. Supporters of the petition argued that Massachusetts faces a severe housing shortage and that large minimum lot sizes are a major barrier to building starter homes. Proponents said the measure would legalize single-family homes on lots as small as 5,000 square feet with 50 feet of frontage where public sewer and water are available, and they cited polling showing public support for lot-size reform. They said the proposal could produce thousands of additional homes per year, help young families and seniors, and expand housing choices in high-cost suburbs. Committee members pressed the proponents on how the measure would interact with affordability, home size, frontage requirements, 40B compliance, and whether the bill would actually produce starter homes rather than larger expensive houses. The Massachusetts Municipal Association testified in opposition, urging the committee to take no action. MMA representatives argued that zoning is fundamentally a local decision and that the proposal would preempt municipal authority with a one-size-fits-all mandate. They also said the bill is impractical because public water and sewer service does not guarantee available capacity, citing examples of communities facing water and wastewater limits and costly infrastructure upgrades. MMA further argued the measure lacks affordability requirements and could be counterproductive, and pointed to existing and pending state tools such as Chapter 40Y, 40R-related proposals, and other housing funding or zoning reforms as better approaches. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• HR1 was extremely harmful to our country and our state budget as state legislators.
• HR1 was extremely harmful to our country and our state budget as state legislators.
• </c> our state. our state.
• For example, state residence. People say, 'I'm living in the state of Minnesota.'
• </c> "I'm living in the state of Minnesota. "I'm living in the state of Minnesota.

Bills: HF3396

Keywords: property tax, task force, assessment, state revenue, local government, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That provides $300,000 in General Fund-State to the Secretary of State for the Humanities Washington
• What they do is they provide state and federal funding for a state-based oral health foundation to connect
• outlook, $153,000 near General Fund-State.
• It's 100% General Fund-State.
• State Historical Society.

Bills: SB5998

Keywords: fiscal appropriations, budget, state funding, financial management, operating expenses, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To general fund state at $375 million.
• Former State Senator Jim Hargrove and former state chair of Senate Ways and Means was with us last year
• I'm Nicole Gomez representing the Washington Federation of State Employees at over 40 state agencies,
• for Washington State.
• It is a state service. This is not just a local responsibility. It is a state service.

Bills: SB5998

Keywords: fiscal appropriations, budget, state funding, financial management, operating expenses, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• many other states.
• One of the reasons TTK has grown across the state is because educators across our state are recognizing
• One of the reasons TTK has grown over the state is because educators across our state are recognizing
• in the state.
• state does.

Bills: SB5998

Keywords: fiscal appropriations, budget, state funding, financial management, operating expenses, 904, all

Summary: The Senate Ways and Means Committee heard an overview of Governor Ferguson’s 2026 supplemental budget from OFM Director Katie Chapman See. She said the budget was built in response to higher caseloads and inflation, a $390 million revenue decline, federal changes tied to H.R. 1, and a relatively small ending fund balance. The proposal prioritizes core services, affordability, and limited targeted responses to federal policy impacts. It includes about $1.1 billion in new near-general-fund spending, about $800 million in reductions, revenue shifts and tax preference changes, use of other funds, and about $1 billion from the budget stabilization account. She also noted the budget is balanced over two years but not fully over four years. Chapman See highlighted major reductions in child care, long-term care, developmental disabilities, higher education, K-12 support programs, and administrative costs, alongside increases for wildfire preparedness and suppression, health care subsidies, housing-related work, energy assistance, One Washington IT replacement, and some education and public safety items. She also described about $155 million in costs tied to H.R. 1, including SNAP and Medicaid system changes and food assistance impacts, and said the budget would close or modify several tax preferences, including data center and prescription drug wholesaler preferences. In response to questions, she said some spending was classified as “non-mandatory but necessary” based on the governor’s judgment, that Working Connections Child Care reductions would rely on attrition rather than cutting current families, and that the budget assumes future changes to developmental disability eligibility and maintains services for some clients affected by federal immigration-related eligibility losses. Statewide officials and advocates then testified. Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove urged full wildfire-prevention funding, saying the governor’s proposal falls short of the legislature’s prior commitment. Secretary of State Steve Hobbs objected to fund sweeps from his office, warning they would hinder cybersecurity and election-related needs. Public testimony on K-12 education was overwhelmingly opposed to the budget’s cuts to transition to kindergarten, local effort assistance, Running Start, and other programs, while some witnesses supported restoring funding for Ninth Grade Success, Graduation Success for foster youth, and homeless student supports. Higher education witnesses from community colleges and universities opposed across-the-board cuts and higher self-insurance costs, warning of reduced course offerings, staffing cuts, and harm to access and workforce training. Several speakers also criticized the proposed shift of Climate Commitment Act funds and urged new progressive revenue, including a millionaire’s tax, to avoid deeper cuts.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we hit that floor, we can stop sending any money to state highway fund and preserve ESF.
• Those are dollars that are not state generated. And roughly how much is that?
• So should our state revenues dry up, we haven't really set aside 10% of them.
• My guess is that we're in a much stronger fiscal position than most states, so most states don't have
• Uh, the waitlist for the state hospital, we need to eliminate the IDD waitlist.

Bills: SJR 4

Keywords: term limits, state offices, constitutional amendment, governor, lieutenant governor, election reform

Transcript Highlights:

• It takes it from all governmental units, which we passed in the last one, to just move it to state agencies
• Under subsection 2, a state agency may request immediate publication?

Bills: SB2069

Keywords: legal notices, publication requirements, transparency, state agency, public access, 908, all

Summary: The Political Subdivisions Committee met to reconsider Senate Bill 269, which concerns legal notices and newspaper publication requirements. Representative Motschenbacher explained that a prior version had a mistake in Section 2 and that the revised amendment, worked out with the Public Service Commission and the North Dakota Newspaper Association, would limit the change to state agencies rather than all governmental units because the broader version would have required thousands of affidavits and been too burdensome. The committee also discussed the meaning of “immediate publication,” with the newspaper association stating the intent was to post notices on the website as soon as a print notice is received, even before newspaper publication, so notices would still appear online if the print version was missed. Members raised questions about whether posting notices online before print publication could affect statutory notice periods, such as 30-day notice requirements. The response given was that the clock would begin when the notice is published on the agency website. After discussion, the committee adopted the amendment 11-0, with two members absent and not voting. The committee then approved Senate Bill 269 as amended and further amended on a 11-0 vote, again with two absent and not voting. Representative Motschenbacher agreed to carry the bill, though members noted it would likely go to a conference committee because of differences between the House and Senate versions. The chair thanked those who worked on the bill and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:07.360><c> auditor</c> studied the office of the state auditor studied the office of the state
• </c><00:22:47.720><c> of</c> revenue for the state of revenue for the state of Minnesota<00:22:49.400
• state state government<00:28:04.519><c> so</c><00:28:04.760><c> quickly</c><00:28:05.519><c> um</c><
• </c><00:28:23.200><c> of</c> management and budget on the state of management and budget on the state
• </c><00:51:09.079><c> and</c> service heavy in the state and service heavy in the state and employment

Bills: HF3

Keywords: legislative auditor, reporting, accountability, state finance, executive agency oversight, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Often they'll be like, we're a different state, and it looks like this because of that.
• She is state budget director and assistant commissioner. Good morning, Mr. Chair, members.
• But the Paid Family Leave program operates in a different part of the state treasury.
• </c><01:34:50.679><c> State</c> different part of the State State different part of the State State Treasury
• </c> we should all uh throughout state we should all uh throughout state government<01:44:28.960><c>

Bills: HF3

Keywords: legislative auditor, reporting, accountability, state finance, executive agency oversight, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That's all covered in current state law.
• That's all covered in current state law.
• State certified.
• </c> or 20% reduction of federal or state or 20% reduction of federal or state receipts.<00:15:24.000
• Other states do this. By consolidate. Other states do this.

Bills: HB3, HB116, HB165, HB178, HB3, HB116, HB165, HB178

Keywords: illegal alien, enhanced sentencing, criminal offenses, minor victims, felonies, Alabama legislature, HB116, Alabama Sunset Law, sunset bill, sunset review, Alabama Professional Bail Bonding Board, bail bonding, bail bonds, bail bond industry, professional bail bondsman, licensing board, state agency continuation, agency reauthorization, regulatory board, criminal justice