Transcript Highlights:

• Members, as a companion to, uh, House Bill 3782 by Chairman Smith relating to the publication to publications

Bills: HB 229, HB 3990, HB 5082, HB 5510

Keywords: biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, flags, display, state law, municipalities, government buildings, drug enforcement, local control, home rule, municipal charter, county policy, ordinance preemption, state preemption, attorney general enforcement, civil penalties, mandamus

Transcript Highlights:

• HJR4, of course, is the companion bill to SJR50, which passed unanimously out of the Senate business

Bills: SB1211, SB1574, SB2774, SB2873, SB2900, HJR4

Keywords: hydraulic fracturing, sales tax exemption, oil and gas, environmental impact, water reuse, justice, judicial council, centers of excellence, court operations, recognition program, franchise tax, retail trade, tax classification, business regulation, economic impact, SB 2873, Texas Tax Code, electronic filing, e-filing, tax reports

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2122 is the companion to House Bill 3158 by Representative Darby.

Bills: SB2122, SB2050, HB16

Keywords: oil and gas waste, application fees, permit amendments, environmental regulation, Texas natural resources, battery recycling, battery disposal, consumer batteries, energy storage modules, electrochemical devices, lithium-ion battery, household hazardous waste, solid waste, municipal recycling, waste management, battery stewardship, producer responsibility, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, recycling program

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not aware of a companion bill, but it should be assuming the same amendment was made.

Bills: SB210, SB225, HB280, HB287, HB94, HB88, SB157, HB7, HB8, HB42

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, blood tests, DUI, law enforcement, traffic offenses, chemical analysis, public nuisance, event liability, local government, community health, legal action, transparency, reporting, public safety, regulation, accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator, this is a companion; yours is it not? Okay, yes sir, Mr. Chairman, and it.

Bills: HB191, HB35, HB29, HB123, HB35, HB29, HB191, HB123

Keywords: sales tax, use tax, sales and use tax, local tax exemption, county tax, municipal tax, county commission, municipality, Alabama Department of Revenue, tax exemption, ordinance, resolution, fiscal year, September 1 effective date, notice requirement, local government, tax administration, revenue law, state and local taxation, volunteer firefighters

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Kittens, your bill is a companion bill for HB286. Which one are we going to do?

Bills: HB287, HB280, HB57, HB252, HB286, SB36, HB287, HB280, HB57, HB252, HB286, SB36

Keywords: law enforcement, transparency, reporting, public safety, regulation, accountability, public nuisance, event liability, local government, community health, legal action, education, property acquisition, municipality, land use, annexation, competitive bidding, procurement, disclosure statements, state contracts

Transcript Highlights:

• THINKING ABOUT THE USE OF SENSORS OR AI AND TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND I NO OFTEN TIMES WE HAVE TO WAIT BEHIND
• BUT NEXT WEEK WE WILL HAVE AN IMPACT OF DATA CENTER ON ELECTRIC UTILITIES AND AI UTILITY INSTRUCTOR AND

Transcript Highlights:

• The companion piece of that in conjunction with impaired driving just heightens this issue even further
• The companion piece of that in conjunction with impaired driving just heightens this issue even further
• The companion piece of that in conjunction with impaired driving just heightens this issue even further
• The companion piece of that in conjunction with impaired driving just heightens this issue even further
• The companion piece of that in conjunction with impaired driving just heightens this issue even further

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And AI is a new thing to me.
• So just this year, just a few weeks ago I went into AI and I showed it what I was finding.
• And AI is a new thing to me.
• And AI is a new thing to me.
• And AI is a new thing to me.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 102, which would make informational materials about type 1 diabetes available on the Department of Education website. Senator Ward said the bill is intended to help parents, teachers, and school staff recognize early symptoms such as thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and weight loss so children can be referred for care before they develop diabetic ketoacidosis. He noted that a newer blood test can identify some children at risk earlier than in the past. Members asked how people would be directed to the website, and Ward said the information would be posted online and also distributed in handouts, with school personnel helping spread awareness. He emphasized the bill is informational only and not a diagnostic or treatment tool. Several supporters testified in favor, including representatives from the Dartmouth Diabetes Link and students with type 1 diabetes who described delayed diagnoses, emergency hospitalizations, and the difficulty of having symptoms misunderstood as stress, athletics, or normal teenage changes. They said the bill could help parents, teachers, and peers recognize warning signs earlier and reduce the risk of life-threatening ketoacidosis. One witness noted that New Hampshire ranks high in childhood type 1 diabetes, and another said even a single person seeing the information could make a difference. A retired diabetes educator and state representative also testified in support. The hearing on SB 102 was then closed. The committee then opened the hearing on Senate Bill 211, which would require school sports teams to be designated as male, female, or co-ed, bar biological males from female-designated teams and locker rooms, and create a cause of action for violations. Senator Avard said the bill responds to constituent concerns and is meant to protect fairness, safety, and privacy for biological females. In questioning, he said girls could still play on boys’ teams, but boys could not play on girls’ teams, and he said he would be open to changes. Opponents, including an attorney from LGBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders, argued the bill is substantially the same as a law passed the previous year that was already challenged in federal court and found likely unconstitutional under equal protection and Title IX; they urged the committee to mark it inexpedient to legislate. The transcript cuts off before any committee vote or further action on SB 211.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have deployed... ...statewide an AI assistant that helps them.
• Yeah, it's to build proactive, use AI. AI you couldn't use in state government.
• And what... use AI to find things as your... ...in state government.
• And what... use AI to find things as your...
• So I think uniform data is key for scaling up and utilizing algorithms and AI. Thank you.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, this includes translational drug development, early-phase clinical trials, and data and AI and R&
• trials<00:04:35.360><c> and</c><00:04:35.680><c> data</c><00:04:36.080><c> and</c><00:04:36.320><c> AI
• </c> trials and data and AI and R&amp;D. trials and data and AI and R&amp;D.
• The low-hanging fruit in media was film, but also as we pursue towards AI and creative, we do need to
• </c><00:10:22.720><c> and</c> also as we pursue towards AI and also as we pursue towards AI and creative

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've seen indications of fraudulent AI-generated healthcare records.
• I've seen indications of fraudulent<00:14:21.120><c> AI</c><00:14:21.600><c> generated</c><00:14:22.160
• ><c> healthcare</c> fraudulent AI generated healthcare fraudulent AI generated healthcare records.<00
• </c><00:26:02.880><c> to</c> state services and are using AI to state services and are using AI to supplement
• then we need to be use going to use AI then we need to be able<00:47:52.480><c> to</c><00:47:52.640>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, with that, I would encourage all the members, uh, when you have a chance to take a tour of AI
• So, um, with that, I would encourage all the members, uh, when you have a chance to take a tour of AI
• I'm the executive director of AI, and I just, uh, first of all, just want to thank you for your past
• uh and I the executive director of AI uh and I just<00:33:01.519><c> uh</c><00:33:01.639><c> first</
• We want to mention kind of how we collaborate with our friends at AI, who you just heard from.

Bills: HF770, HF857, HF38, HF1500, HF43

Keywords: HF770, Rural Finance Authority, RFA, capital investment, state bonds, general obligation bonds, bonding bill, agricultural loans, farm loans, beginning farmer, new farmer, seller-sponsored loans, loan restructuring, agricultural improvement loans, livestock expansion, modernization loans, rural development, Minnesota agriculture, farm credit, chapter 41B

Transcript Highlights:

• But, you know, also with AI, it's so easy to be like, tell me all the resources that are available to
• We're also hearing about an emerging reliance on AI tools for information and support, and while these
• We're also hearing about an emerging reliance on AI tools for information and support, and while these
• tools can be useful, merging reliance and AI tools for information and support.
• If it's... ...or engage, the companies are well aware and have the potential and resources with AI to

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, it's system improvements by expanding access to tools like Data Depot, automation and AI, improving
• First, it's system improvements by expanding access to tools like Data Depot, automation and AI, improving
• 00:02:13.760><c> and</c> tools like Data Depot, automation and tools like Data Depot, automation and AI
• 15.080><c> user</c><00:02:15.400><c> interfaces</c><00:02:16.160><c> to</c><00:02:16.280><c> replace</c> AI
• , improving user interfaces to replace AI, improving user interfaces to replace outdated<00:02:17.280

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• cryptography protections, and the department's both practices and intentions with respect to autonomous AI
• own state equipment or to allow network egress from their browsers for autonomous or semi-autonomous AI
• Always happy for the conversation, and we are in compliance with all CDT policies regarding AI.
• maybe this is a question for finance, in a year, whether it's this one or next year of some of the big AI
• companies do their IPOs, you know, a general, of some of the big AI companies do their IPOs, you know

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That includes leveraging technology, including AI, That includes leveraging technology, including AI,
• With regard to AI in particular, California is the birthplace and center of the AI universe, and its
• It is incumbent upon us to be leaders in the ethical and responsible adaptation of AI.
• And we talked about AI. We talked about STEM, engineering, and everything else.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education held its first 2026 hearing on higher education, focusing on UC and CSU system updates, student housing, enrollment, and core operations. In opening remarks, the chair noted recent state fiscal stress, the prior rejection of proposed UC/CSU cuts, and the Governor’s proposed 5% ongoing compact increases. UC President James B. Milliken and CSU Chancellor Mildred Garcia described the systems’ public value, research and workforce roles, and the impact of federal actions on grants, financial aid, and campus operations. Both also emphasized Title IX and civil rights efforts; CSU said it had implemented nearly all state auditor recommendations and was on track to finish the remaining one, while UC highlighted its systemwide civil rights and Title IX offices. Both leaders said federal investigations, grant cancellations, and litigation demands were consuming staff time and money, with UC reporting more than 200 grants lost or affected and CSU citing more than $161 million in lost grants and more than 1,600 grants affected overall. The committee then heard on student housing. Finance and LAO staff said the Governor’s budget made no major new housing proposal but continued support for the Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program. CSU reported 12 supported projects that will add about 5,047 beds, most below market rate, with four already open and seven more expected this year; it also said it has about 68,000 beds systemwide, a 92% occupancy rate, and ongoing emergency housing support. UC said the program has supported seven UC projects and two joint community college projects, adding more than 7,000 beds total, but nearly 10,000 UC students were on housing waitlists at the start of fall 2025. UC asked for additional state support, including possible bond funding and a statutory change to allow UC participation in public-private partnership housing projects. Members discussed rapid rehousing, student homelessness, faculty and staff housing, and community college housing partnerships, with both systems describing existing emergency beds and support services. On enrollment, LAO recommended maintaining UC’s 2026-27 resident undergraduate target, funding enrollment growth separately from base increases, pausing the nonresident reduction plan, and holding UC flat in 2027-28. For CSU, LAO recommended revising the 2026-27 target downward to reflect current projections, funding growth separately, and holding 2027-28 flat. CSU said it had rebounded from COVID declines, now exceeds its funded target by about 3,000 FTE, and is shifting about $89 million and 10,000 FTE spots from lower-demand campuses to higher-demand ones while developing turnaround plans for seven campuses with sustained enrollment declines, including Sonoma State. CSU also described direct admissions, transfer success pathways, and new degree programs aimed at workforce needs. UC said it had surpassed its compact enrollment goals, planned to add 2,721 California undergraduates in 2026-27, and was seeking $5.5 million for health professional programs. Members raised concerns about underprepared freshmen, K-12 alignment, nonresident caps at UC San Diego, deferred maintenance, ROTC access, and the need for stronger turnaround plans and teacher preparation pipelines. The final item on core operations addressed the Governor’s proposal to defer 3% base funding again, moving the one-time deferral to 2027-28 and allowing short-term zero-interest loans to cover it.

Transcript Highlights:

• Which now is becoming broadband, which is becoming AI, which is becoming all of these other things.
• Are there folks related that are just focused on telecom, broadband, AI, that kind of stuff within the
• Have you looked at any new technology that might help with that, AI, anything like that? Yeah, Mr.
• Once you have the business intelligence laid out, then you can really start looking at what AI can do
• Chair, Senator Lanier, I think as far as data analysis, a lot of people are thinking about how AI fits

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• consumption, which you would figure: data integration, technology integration, reliability, and the growth of AI
• us take a look at what kind of resources and training can be provided to schools and the growth of AI
• consumption, which you would figure: data integration, technology integration, reliability, and the growth of AI
• us take a look at what kind of resources and training can be provided to schools and the growth of AI
• us take a look at what kind of resources and training can be provided to schools and the growth of AI

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard an Office of Education Technology presentation on the Kentucky Education Technology System (KTS) and a request to increase its annual budget from $15.4 million to $30 million, including an additional $14.6 million. The witness described KTS as a statewide service model that provides districts with student information and financial systems, internet bandwidth, regional support, cybersecurity, online registration, learning management and email services, and collaborative instructional technology support. He argued the state’s centralized purchasing saves districts 40% to 60% compared with buying services individually, and said federal internet discounts and district matching funds create a strong return on investment. He also said KTS has faced long-term funding cuts, has not received a cost-of-living increase since 1992, and is now at a “breaking point” where some services may have to be shifted to districts at higher cost. The request was broken into six main items: restoring funding for the computer science and information technology academy; strengthening cybersecurity defenses in response to sharply rising attacks on K-12 systems; funding online registration through Infinite Campus; stabilizing ongoing support costs for Infinite Campus; providing cost-of-living increases for KTS services; and increasing the KTS financial assistance sent to districts, which requires local matching funds. Members asked about the current appropriation, and the witness said it is $15.4 million. One member praised the office’s work and support for districts, while another noted the district had been an early adopter of one-to-one technology. The committee then received an overview of the KRS 156 salary schedule and step-and-rank system for state-operated career and technical education staff at area technology centers. Officials explained that salaries are set under statute and regulation based on years of service and educational rank, with annual calculations tied to statewide teacher salary averages and retroactive adjustments to July 1. They said the current ABR request is $325,000 over the biennium to cover step and rank increases. The presentation noted that KRS 156 salaries are generally comparable to local districts but are less competitive with business and industry, making recruitment and retention difficult, especially for instructors coming from the trades. Members agreed that trade instructors are underpaid relative to the market and said the issue deserves further review, with department officials indicating they are considering possible statutory revisions and a delayed implementation in a future biennium.

Transcript Highlights:

• I talk about this when it comes to AI.
• Now we're in the AI race and stuff like that.
• quantum computing relative to the kind of, I guess, the slower rollout of the web, for instance, and AI
• to some extent, although AI has been over basically two years, it seems like, that would be left in
• This has been a great session regarding big initiatives and big thoughts, whether it's AI or nuclear

Bills: HB 106, HB144, HB145, HB252, HB1732, HB2221, HB2467, HB2468, HB2517, HB2518, HB2963, HB3016, HB3689, HB3960, HB4386, HB4490, HB4751, HB5247, HJR175, HB2213

Keywords: HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund, production safety, leasehold operations, electric utility, distribution poles, inspection

Summary: The committee first handled pending business, including reconsidering SB 715 and then voting out several measures. The committee substitute for SB 1978 was reported favorably, and HB 431, HB 1522, HB 1922, HB 3228, HB 3229, HB 3803, HB 3804, HB 3805, HB 3806, HB 4219, HB 4238, HB 434, HB 1584, and HB 4739 were all reported favorably, many with objections sent to the local and uncontested calendar. HB 1522 and HB 4238 were adopted as committee substitutes before passage. The committee then moved into public testimony on HB 2963, a right-to-repair bill for consumer electronics. Supporters argued it would reduce waste, lower costs, and help independent repair shops by requiring manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and information on fair terms, while opponents said the bill was too broad and the automotive MOU exemption was problematic. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard HB 2467, which would align State Fire Marshal Office investigators’ pay with other commissioned peace officers at TDI; testimony was strongly supportive, emphasizing the office’s arson-investigation role, and the bill was left pending. HB 252, a bill allowing certain state agencies flexibility to pay Schedule A employees twice monthly, was laid out and left pending after limited testimony. HB 2468, dealing with public improvement district notice in real estate transactions, would let buyers terminate within seven days if required PID notice was not provided before contract execution; it drew no public testimony and was left pending. HB 4386, an annuity exchange and surrender process bill, was presented as a consumer-protection measure with deadlines and penalties for insurer delays; it received support from industry witnesses and was left pending. The committee then heard HB 4751, creating the Texas Quantum Initiative within the Governor’s Office to coordinate quantum research, workforce, industry partnerships, and possible future grant funding. Witnesses from universities and industry supported the bill, while several senators questioned whether a new state structure was necessary; the bill was left pending. HJR 175 proposed a constitutional amendment protecting Texans’ right to use mutually agreed forms of exchange, including cash, bullion, digital currency, or private script, and was discussed at length in the context of central bank digital currency and barter; it was left pending after testimony. HB 2221, updating insurance anti-rebating laws to allow wellness and value-added services, drew supportive testimony from the insurance industry and discussion about incentives versus monitoring; it was also left pending. Finally, the committee heard a series of utility wildfire and infrastructure bills: HB 106, requiring oil and gas operators to maintain certain electrical infrastructure near well sites; HB 144, requiring electric utilities to submit pole inspection and management plans to the PUC; and HB 145, requiring wildfire mitigation plans and allowing self-insurance under certain conditions. Utility, insurance, and cooperative witnesses generally supported the wildfire-related bills while asking for clarifications and less burdensome reporting, and the bills were left pending.