Transcript Highlights:

• We haven't seen the cost decrease specifically in the electrical energy and gas going towards Missourians
• That's an interesting concept because, you know, places like Texas export things like oil, and they have
• a good way of bringing in... ...places like Texas, they export things like oil, and they have a good

Committee: House Rules - Legislative

Summary: The Missouri House Legislative Rules Committee held a hearing on House Bill 2243, sponsored by Rep. Bryant-Wolfen, which would repeal a 2021 provision that exempted certain manufacturing and mining-related industries from local sales tax. The sponsor argued the change unintentionally stripped counties of revenue they had already approved through local votes, shifting the burden onto ordinary Missourians and leaving local governments without a replacement source of funding. Committee members questioned whether the bill would amount to a tax increase, whether a referendum or local voter approval should be required, and whether the measure could discourage investment or job growth. The sponsor said the bill simply restores local taxing authority and noted the fiscal note showed roughly $35 million in local revenue at stake statewide. Testimony in support came from local officials from Iron County, Adair County, and St. Genevieve County, including commissioners, a sheriff, and a 911 board official. They said the exemption reduced revenue for roads, ambulance service, law enforcement, and 911 operations, forcing service cuts and higher local levies. Iron County witnesses said the loss hit a county dependent on mining and reduced ambulance coverage and sheriff funding; Adair County officials said the exemption affected expected revenue from a large solar project and other energy infrastructure; St. Genevieve County officials cited sharp monthly declines in sales tax receipts and said inflation made the loss even more severe. Supporters emphasized that these were locally approved taxes and that the affected companies still benefit from county services. Opposition came from Associated Industries of Missouri, which argued the original exemption was part of Missouri’s effort to comply with the U.S. Supreme Court’s Wayfair decision and keep tax rules uniform for out-of-state sellers. The group warned that removing the exemption could make Missouri’s tax system less simple and potentially jeopardize local use-tax collections statewide, with a much larger possible revenue loss if the law were challenged. The committee chair said the hearing would continue with a hard stop for floor business, and at the end of testimony he indicated he planned to take executive action on the bill later in the week. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if it's carpentry, if it's welding, if it's HAC, if it's electrical, they're all growing pretty rapidly
• Are they being pulled into Texas and Arkansas and stuff like this?
• Arkansas may be one of our biggest competitors, but Texas for sure, as well as not so much in Kansas,

Committee: House A&B Education Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• :14.480><c> the</c> Specifically in northeast Texas, the Specifically in northeast Texas, the Bureau<
• The gentleman from Texas is recognized for five minutes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• </c><05:14:25.120><c> all</c> encompasses areas from East Texas all encompasses areas from East Texas
• The gentleman from Texas yields. The gentleman from Minnesota's reserves.
• I again thank my colleague from Texas, Mr.

Bills: HB3187 , SB284 , HB2400 , HR1098 , HB3872 , HB3176 , HB3620 , HB2815 , SB2878 , HR1045 , HR972 , HB2876 , HB3962 , HB4183 , SB216 , HR923 , HB5457 , HB5810 , SB222

Keywords: Perry County Arkansas, Perryville, Forest Service land, federal land conveyance, quitclaim deed, public purpose, education, youth development, land transfer, property disposal, reversion clause, CERCLA, environmental liability, historic preservation, National Historic Preservation Act, USDA, federal property, county government, public use, surplus land

Transcript Highlights:

• with a Texas subpoena, which is what the original bill would have done.
• If she misstepped, she could go to jail in Texas.
• Texas in 1991 has the same gas tax they have today. I think it's 20 cents.
• And by the way, someone was talking about the population of Texas, Madam President.
• The population of Texas, Madam President, they're increasing dramatically in population.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, family from Gardener and time on ranches in Texas.
• Colorado is telling private capital to go elsewhere to Texas, Florida, Arizona, to any state that still
• The innovative motor vehicle tax credit is available for purchases of electric and plug-in hybrid electric
• And the reality is electric vehicles are very, very Electric vehicles are very, very heavy.
• vehicle to a very large gas Electric vehicle to a very large gas-powered vehicle, then that's a whole

Transcript Highlights:

• We're trying to get air conditioned, but our electrical can't handle it. It needs to be upgraded.
• They put a lot of transmission lines, got some people electricity out there.
• It's taking us two years just to get them online because to order the electrical switches, you buy it
• Yes, part of this project is building the electrical transmission system.
• So NTUA is responsible for building that, and actually, we are meeting with their electrical manager

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, but if you look a Florida and Texas.
• It was on the weekend when that flood hit on that Friday, and electricity went out in Pineville.
• We do have a big flood wall around my hometown, but when the electricity goes out, it doesn't matter
• Luckily, the electricity came back on and I got him stopped.
• And thank goodness the KU had got the electricity back on.

Summary: The first meeting of the Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force focused on the task force’s mission and on recent Kentucky flooding disasters. The co-chairs described the need to better prepare for increasingly frequent and costly natural disasters, including flooding, tornadoes, wildfires, and ice storms, and emphasized coordination among local, state, federal, and interstate partners. The discussion also stressed the importance of budgeting for mitigation, infrastructure resilience, housing, insurance, and recovery planning, with several members sharing personal experiences with disaster impacts in their districts. Kentucky Emergency Management Director Eric Gibson gave the main presentation, responding to questions about the February and April flooding events. He said the February event affected the entire state, with 11,825 individuals registering for assistance and 1,194 public-assistance projects written so far; he also reported 134 households still sheltered, 190 households moved to permanent housing, and three disaster recovery centers still open after a regional consolidation. For the April event, he said 37 counties had individual assistance, 83 counties were still pending public assistance, and no hazard mitigation had yet been declared; 5,893 people had registered for individual assistance, and 144 households were sheltered, with 83 families already moved to permanent solutions. He noted that counties without public assistance would have to cover expenses locally unless state or federal aid is approved. Gibson also outlined Kentucky Emergency Management’s tools and resources, including a 24/7 state operations center and warning point, embedded National Weather Service meteorologists, five regional warehouses stocked with water, MREs, blankets, and kits, a statewide web-based damage reporting system, laundry trailers, generators, a disaster needs hotline that has received 6,972 calls, and a mutual aid system used to deploy resources such as water tankers. He highlighted ongoing work on urban search and rescue, qualification systems for emergency operations personnel, and aerial documentation of storm damage. No votes or formal actions were taken at this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 585 by Business Committee regarding electrical, plumbing, and HVAC inspections.
• We were going up and down the river with the Texas Rangers. It was absolute chaos.
• doing this and have had a modest growth in their ag economy, they've deferred to other states like Texas
• Texas and Idaho are up 30-some percent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, members of the committee, my name is Jenna Morales, and I'm representing the National Electrical
• The state that comes to the top of my mind is Texas.
• Texas has put a ridiculous amount of resources towards development in this sector, and their commission
• out nationally to let people know that they are very interested in commercial space development in Texas

Bills: SB241 , SB145 , HB2

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, members of the committee, my name is Jenna Morales, and I'm representing the National Electrical
• The state that comes to mind is Texas.
• Texas has put a ridiculous amount of resources toward development in this sector, and their commission
• out nationally to let people know that they are very interested in commercial space development in Texas

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 7, the Apprenticeship Assistance Act, which would keep apprenticeship trust fund distributions at $2.5 million rather than reducing them and remove a reference to the tobacco settlement permanent fund. Labor, construction, business, and environmental groups testified in support, emphasizing workforce development, retention of workers in New Mexico, and expansion of apprenticeship opportunities. The bill was moved and adopted without opposition. Members then considered House Bill 66, as amended, to increase funding for health professional loan repayment and related workforce supports. The amendment struck an appropriation because the funding was already included in House Bill 2. Testimony from health care providers, chambers of commerce, social workers, and physical therapy advocates supported the bill as a way to address provider shortages and improve recruitment and retention. After questions about eligibility, repayment terms, and overlap with similar Senate bills, the committee voted to do pass the bill as amended. House Bill 96, creating a working group to study a possible New Mexico Space Commission, was also amended to strike an appropriation. Support came from the chamber, Virgin Galactic, and aerospace advocates, who said a commission could help coordinate economic development and workforce efforts in the space sector. Members asked about other states’ commissions, workforce pathways, and the working group’s timeline, and the sponsor agreed to add clearer dissolution language later. The committee then passed the bill as amended. The committee then took up House Bill 80, a committee substitute to redirect more of the oil and gas conservation tax to the reclamation fund for orphan well plugging and site remediation. Supporters from industry, environmental groups, tribal advocates, and chambers said the bill would better align the tax with its original purpose and provide stable funding for cleanup, while an opponent argued the bill shifts costs from industry to the public and should instead raise the tax or bonding requirements. After discussion of backlog, phase-in timing, and procurement reforms, the committee voted do pass. The committee also heard House Bill 4, as amended, which phases in a larger share of premium surtax revenue to the Health Care Affordability Fund over three years. Supporters said it would sustain BeWell enrollment and affordability programs, while opponents questioned the burden on private payers and the size of the general fund impact. The committee adopted the substitute and then passed it on a 10-7 vote. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 65, as amended, creating a Foster Care Plus pilot project for children in CYFD custody, with testimony both supporting the need for better services and cautioning that implementation should respect tribal law, cultural practices, and family reunification. The committee also tabled House Bill 68 at the sponsor’s request. The transcript then began discussion of House Bill 88, which would make minor changes to the land grant assistance fund, including capturing reverted payments that currently go back to the general fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• I can call Director James Chavez up to give us a specific breakdown of how many electric vehicles we
• move forward, I just want to suggest to the colleagues here that as we move forward, you know, in Texas
• under the Department of Transportation, they have a very effective campaign called "Don't Mess with Texas
• It's kind of a Texas thing that we need as a state to take a more serious, almost like a big ad campaign

Committees: Senate Senate Finance , Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• On the Texas flag, I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas. One state, under God, one...
• Yes, that's in South Texas.
• Texas, our own Texas.
• The people of Texas spoke, and the leaders of Texas ignored them.
• I'm from Fort Worth, Texas.

Bills: HB4 , HB4

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> stepped in a marine stationed in Texas stepped in a marine stationed in Texas who<00:32:10.039><
• I will now yield so much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas.
• Thank you to the gentleman from Texas.
• So thank you again to the gentleman from Texas.
• </c><07:53:15.040><c> I</c> you again to the gentleman from Texas I you again to the gentleman from Texas

Bills: HR77

Keywords: Fred Korematsu, civil liberties, constitutional rights, Japanese internment, historical education, national reflection, personal justice

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and members, Scott Wedger, on behalf of the California State Association of Electrical Workers
• And the only way you have reliability on the grid is to have the battery storage take in the excess power
• And do you happen to be here on behalf of the electrical workers? I am.
• Martin Vignolle on behalf of the California Association of Electrical Workers. Perfect.
• Martin Vindiole, on behalf of the California State Association of Electrical Workers and the Coalition

Summary: The committee first heard SB 753, which would modernize California’s shopping cart recovery rules by allowing cities and counties to return abandoned carts directly to retailers, recover documented retrieval costs, and avoid the current impound-and-wait process. The author and supporters, including San Jose officials and the League of California Cities, said the bill would help clear streets, sidewalks, and waterways and reduce local costs. Grocers and retailers opposed the measure unless amended, arguing it would turn cart retrieval into a new cost burden and could create incentives for cities to charge too much for stolen property. After extensive discussion about notice periods, cost caps, and local ordinances, the committee adopted amendments and passed the bill 6-0 as amended. The committee then took up SB 445, which would speed up permitting and approvals needed for high-speed rail by requiring early engagement, setting rules for third-party coordination, and creating a dispute-resolution process. The author said the bill was narrowed from an earlier, broader transit proposal and was intended to reduce delays caused by utilities, local governments, and other entities. Supporters said permitting bottlenecks add major costs and delays to infrastructure projects, while opponents from utilities, cities, counties, telecoms, and special districts raised concerns about safety, reliability, affordability, and the need to review the pending amendments. The bill passed 8-1 to the Utilities and Energy Committee. The committee also heard SB 9, a narrower housing bill focused on accessory dwelling units. The author explained that it would require local ADU ordinances to be submitted to HCD for review and would make state standards control if a local agency fails to submit a compliant ordinance or respond to HCD findings. Supporters from housing and YIMBY groups said the bill would improve enforcement of state ADU law and prevent local barriers from slowing housing production. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 6-0. The committee then began hearing SB 79, which would allow more housing near major transit stops; the author and supporters framed it as a response to the housing shortage and transit underuse, and the hearing continued with extensive support testimony as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the reason we're doing this, uh, couple our friendly states, Louisiana and Texas, have both done
• Uh, the reason we're doing this, uh, couple our friendly states, Louisiana and Texas, have both done
• &gt;&gt; Yes. um looking at it um Texas and &gt;&gt; Yes. um looking at it um Texas and Louisiana<06:
• Tonight there's been a rescheduling for the EPA's Delta Electric, Koma Electric, Magnolia Electric, Dixie
• Electric, Central Electric, and Southern Pine Electric.

Transcript Highlights:

• representative for the 143rd district, which is Mary's Phelps, and the largest county in the state of Missouri, Texas
• their TANF card, which is supposed to be for, you know, for their family use for, you know, for electric
• I used to run a food pantry, and I was the director of the food pantry and Salvation Army in Texas County
• And he's leaving now, but I understand your long relationship with the gentleman from Texas.
• He's leaving now, but I understand your long relationship with the gentleman from Texas.

Committee: House General Laws

Summary: The committee met with 13 members present and first went into executive session on House Bill 1730, which was voted due pass by a 10-3 roll call. It then considered House Bill 2504, where a committee amendment was adopted to let school districts optionally require a mental-health professional letter for school protection officers, the amendment was rolled into a committee substitute, and the substitute was voted due pass 11-0 with two present. After that, the committee moved to public hearing on House Bills 2481, 2468, and 1974. The three public bills focused on restrictions and verification for public assistance programs. HB 1974 would restrict TANF cash assistance use, including prohibiting ATM cash withdrawals and certain purchases, with a three-strikes style penalty structure; sponsors said it was intended to prevent misuse of taxpayer funds, while opponents argued TANF is a small cash-assistance program for very poor families and that cash access is necessary for rent, laundry, childcare, and other basic needs. HB 2468 would tighten SNAP and Medicaid eligibility verification by requiring documentary proof of citizenship or eligible immigration status, using federal verification systems, and counting ineligible household members’ income; sponsors said it aligns Missouri with federal law and new federal accountability rules, while opponents warned it would add red tape, delay benefits, and increase error rates and costs. HB 2481, along with related SNAP language discussed in HB 174, would implement the governor’s SNAP waiver to restrict purchases of soda and junk food and place those restrictions into statute. Sponsors said the goal was to steer benefits toward healthier foods and reduce waste, while witnesses from industry and advocacy groups said the waiver process was already underway, the definitions were too broad, and the bills could be hard for retailers to implement and could burden eligible recipients, especially in rural areas and among children and vulnerable adults. No final committee action was taken on the three public hearing bills during the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• She said she was glad to see that NESSUS is in the information system, but the special ed service grid
• ><c> Service</c> however listed in the special ed Service however listed in the special ed Service Grid
• c> dropdown</c><02:35:16.840><c> where</c><02:35:17.040><c> people</c><02:35:17.880><c> choose</c> Grid
• in the dropdown where people choose Grid in the dropdown where people choose who<02:35:19.080><c> is
• in the IEP and it has a provider Grid in the IEP and it has a provider listed<02:39:12.000><c> next<

Summary: The House Education Policy and Administration Committee heard testimony on HB 222, which would repeal the requirement that a chartered public school and the resident school district sign a memorandum of understanding on how students with disabilities will receive special education services. The prime sponsor, Rep. Peggy Balboni, said the bill was requested by the New Hampshire Association of Special Education Administrators and the New Hampshire Alliance for Public Charter Schools. She argued that federal and state law already require districts to provide FAPE and that the MOU requirement has created extra work, legal costs, and delays without improving services. She said many MOUs remain unsigned, but students are still receiving services and complaint numbers have not changed. Rep. Mooney also supported repeal, calling the MOU duplicative and impractical because IEPs and 504 plans already govern services. Testimony from Jane B. Brulu of the special education administrators’ association and Beth McLure of the charter schools alliance echoed that view, saying the MOU has not helped students, has added hours of work and legal fees, and has mostly been a source of disputes over funding and service costs. McLure said her school has worked with more than 15 districts and has always been able to reach agreements, though the first year of the requirement took substantial time and money. Committee members asked about the original purpose of the law, unsigned MOUs, and whether disputes could be resolved without the requirement. A representative from the Department of Education said the MOU was originally proposed to address reports that some students were not getting services on time and to provide some oversight, but the department has no authority to order charter schools or districts to agree and no appeal process if they cannot. The department also said it does not currently audit charter school special education services because it lacks authority to monitor charter schools directly, and it urged the committee to consider some alternative oversight if the MOU requirement is repealed. The hearing on HB 222 was then closed, and the committee announced it would begin the hearing on HB 699 after a short break.

Transcript Highlights:

• Electricity, but I think very importantly, it's zero-emissions electricity that does not require battery
• We recently made an agreement with Texas Tech to have a veterinary school over there in Amarillo, close
• myself, At UNM, I did get to see a couple of good athletes, one at Florida and one at the University of Texas
• Because we're driving the same route from Arizona to Mexico to Texas, we probably ought to ask for fewer
• Can anyone comment on that with a model that we're looking at from Texas and so on? Yeah.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><02:14:52.639><c> and</c> officers from New Bronals, Texas, and officers from New Bronals, Texas
• I was Texas town called Sweetwater.
• </c> wonder has my colleague from Texas wonder has my colleague from Texas condemned<02:23:04.319><c>
• Gentleman from Texas is recognized.
• </c><07:49:42.478><c> The</c> Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back. The Texas. Mr.

Bills: HCR24 , HR352 , HB2243 , HR405 , HB2215

Keywords: Jewish American Heritage Month, Jewish Heritage Week, antisemitism, anti-Jewish hate, Jewish Americans, Jewish community, Hamas, October 7, Israel, hate crimes, civil rights, religious freedom, campus antisemitism, synagogues, public education, heritage month, diversity, inclusion, Holocaust remembrance, community safety

Transcript Highlights:

• period<01:01:37.119><c> of</c><01:01:37.280><c> time</c><01:01:37.599><c> in</c><01:01:37.920><c> Texas
• State Prison 5 period of time in Texas State Prison 5 years<01:01:40.720><c> afterwards.
• </c><02:07:53.920><c> Utah,</c><02:07:54.480><c> Texas,</c> carry on college campuses.
• Utah, Texas, carry on college campuses.
• Utah, Texas, for<02:07:54.960><c> example,</c><02:07:55.760><c> and</c><02:07:56.000><c> they</c><02:

Committee: Senate Judiciary