Transcript Highlights:

• in the beginning of all this, you know, like again, we kept being told that this was going to be controlled
• And my frustration is it has not been controlled by the budget. We have still expanded.”
• “It's an excellent question, and certainly we're putting as many of the controls as we can on those type
• If you're that concerned about sediment and water quality and water control, have you ever put money
• And just a few years ago, sitting here in this room, we had the federal government wanting to control

Summary: The committee met to consider a series of temporary appropriation requests, reserve fund transfers, federal grant appropriations, and review items. Early items included a $32 million appropriation and matching reserve transfer for the Department of Education’s educational freedom account program, a $476,000 request for the State Crime Lab, and a $90,000 assessment coordination request from DFA. Members asked questions about the assessment contract costs, and the item was approved. The committee also approved a $1 ARPA return to the CDC and a Department of Human Services reallocation package that moved general revenue and positions among divisions to meet client needs. The most extensive discussion centered on a $32 million restricted reserve transfer for the educational freedom account program. Members questioned the growing number of participating students, the program’s long-term funding needs, and safeguards against improper purchases. Agency representatives said about 44,000 students were being funded, that reimbursements and marketplace purchases are reviewed, and that reporting and audit controls are in place, though not every instance of fraud can be prevented. The committee approved the transfer after discussion. Members also approved smaller cash and federal grant items, including funding for a teacher shortage data dashboard, All Kids Bike grants, crime lab outsourcing, veterans cemetery operations, and a podiatric medicine licensing investigation fund. The most contentious item was a $7 million federal Forest Legacy grant request for Central Arkansas Water and the Department of Agriculture to acquire land in the Maumelle watershed, including acreage in Perry County and Pulaski County. Members debated water quality, development pressure, property tax impacts, local support, and whether Perry County had been adequately consulted. Agency and company representatives argued the acquisition would protect drinking water, preserve forested watershed land, and support recreation, while some legislators emphasized the county’s tax and development concerns. Senator Davis moved to defer the item to the full Legislative Council and to request removal of the Perry County portion; that motion passed. The committee then reviewed the remaining items, including a Veterans Affairs pay plan request, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• ACA 8 exists because Trump and the Republican controlled Texas legislature and other states like Indiana
• They want to retain control in Congress at any cost to continue their goals.
• are proposing to rip this power away from the independent mission and put it back under political control
• When control is back in the game, it never leaves.
• Once partisan control is back in the game, it never leaves, and the people will lose their voice.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On page two, Pollution Control Agency: statewide drinking water, $6 million; capital assistance program
• :02:11.680> page<00:02:12.080> two,<00:02:12.800> pollution<00:02:13.280> control
• <00:02:13.760> agency, On page two, pollution control agency, On page two, pollution control
• The program would be administered by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and it provides grants to
• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and it provides grants to design and construct projects to provide

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're talking about several local option taxes that they're going to have the control to look at, too
• And so we're giving all of that control back to the county commissions. Ms.
• So, I mean, I guess my question is, how much control does a local area even have to pursue that when
• We are taking all of these local taxes and giving the control to the county commission to get rid of
• They are clearly out of control, and I would do anything in my power to lower those property taxes.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• “I mean, we’ve had a lot of bills in here trying to take away local control. Sure.
• They can also control the pricing, so they can have affordable cemetery pricing for their community.
• They get to control that. Exempt from the state overseeing their trust fund.
• They get to control that 100%.
• So by supporting Representative Lujan's bill, we're restoring the control back to the municipality.

Bills: HB447, HB897, HB993, HB2673, HB3671, HB3680, HB3897, HB4506, HB4753, HB4812, HB4894, HB5148, HB5437, HB5650, HB5652, HB5654, HB5656, HB5661, HB5665

Keywords: traffic impact studies, municipal utility district, bonds, road projects, eminent domain, HB 897, Texas land sale, state property, Austin real estate, Travis County, General Land Office, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission, state records facility, archives building, library funding, capital improvements, lease of state land, public land disposition

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of land use, housing, and local government bills. House Bill 447, relating to TIA requirements for certain MUD bond issuances, drew opposition from a witness who argued it would duplicate work already done, strain agency resources, and delay development; after the author’s closing, the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. The committee then voted out Senate Bill 1202 (third-party review of home backup power installations), House Bill 2494 (disannexation for failure to provide services), House Bill 1835 (removing barriers to HUD co-manufactured homes), and Senate Bill 15 (lot size and density limits in certain municipalities), with House Bill 1835 receiving one no vote and the others passing unanimously. House Bill 897, authorizing sale or lease of two state-owned Austin properties, was laid out and left pending after brief questions and no public testimony. The committee also heard and left pending several MUD creation bills for Montgomery and Fort Bend counties, including House Bills 5652, 5654, 5661, and 5656, each presented as template district bills with local support and no opposition recorded at the table. A major portion of the meeting focused on House Bill 2673, which would restore prior restrictions on new cemeteries near growing urban areas by repealing changes made last session. Representative Lujan and supporters argued the current law created unintended consequences, including loss of developable land, tax-exempt property in urban cores, and conflicts with infrastructure planning; they said cities already have authority to establish their own cemeteries if needed. Opponents, including a funeral services industry representative, argued the 2023 change was intended to let communities decide and that the bill would take local decision-making backward. After extensive testimony from both sides, the bill was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 3680, which would create a Cameron County-specific process allowing local discretion under the model subdivision rules. Supporters said the bill would preserve colonia protections while reducing costly platting and replatting burdens on families trying to sell or pass down land; county officials and realtors testified in favor. The bill was left pending after closing. House Bill 4812, a clarification to the Texas Uniform Condominium Act to prevent counties from imposing subdivision platting requirements on condominiums, received support from builders and a condominium attorney who said current county practices create duplicative hurdles and higher costs; it too was left pending. Finally, House Bill 5148, which would allow certain single-stair apartment buildings up to six stories, generated the most detailed policy debate. Supporters, including housing advocates and architects, said the bill would lower costs, improve unit design, and expand affordable, family-friendly housing while maintaining safety through sprinklers and other safeguards. Fire officials from Corpus Christi opposed the bill, warning that a single stairwell could hinder firefighting and occupant evacuation, especially if sprinklers fail or smoke spreads. The author said the bill was aimed at new construction only and was part of a broader effort to reduce outdated housing regulations; the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending at adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, we've had a lot of bills in here trying to take away local control. Sure.
• They can also control the pricing so they can have affordable cemetery pricing for their community.
• They get to control that. Exempt from the state overseeing their trust fund.
• They get to control that 100%.
• So by supporting Representative Lujan's bill, we're restoring the control back to the municipality.

Bills: HB447, HB897, HB993, HB2673, HB3671, HB3680, HB3897, HB4506, HB4753, HB4812, HB4894, HB5148, HB5437, HB5650, HB5652, HB5654, HB5656, HB5661, HB5665

Keywords: traffic impact studies, municipal utility district, bonds, road projects, eminent domain, HB 897, Texas land sale, state property, Austin real estate, Travis County, General Land Office, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission, state records facility, archives building, library funding, capital improvements, lease of state land, public land disposition

Transcript Highlights:

• So we are faced with the choice: to regulate and get control of it or do we just get rid of it?
• Their medical students, nurses are working in a very controlled environment with donated bodies.
• They have been working closely with us to get this under control.
• What I find we do a lot of times is think, 'Well, maybe we can control it,' and we need to really take
• We don't need to control what shouldn't exist. You hear all the stories, the last gentleman there.

Bills: SB1406, SB1681, SB2480, SB2721

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Being able to treat a stop sign controlled intersection as a yield and treat a traffic light controlled
• And undertake steps to control disease.
• Control it.
• If they don't come forward and tell us, then we can't help them resolve the issue and get control of
• So this is all about getting people to come forward so we can help them control what's happening, plus

Transcript Highlights:

• Controlled substances.
• A 2018 study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention...
• in annual kratom-related reports to poison control from 2015 to 2025.
• Annual kratom-related reports to poison control from 2015 to 2025.
• It is not something under my control or our control.

Summary: The meeting focused on Missouri’s substance use prevention and treatment system, with repeated emphasis on recovery support services, peer support, recovery housing, transportation, and harm reduction. Dan Haniken of Into Action described his own recovery from addiction and incarceration and argued that treatment alone is not enough; he urged greater investment in recovery housing, peer support, employment, and community-based supports that help people stay sober and avoid relapse. Members asked about funding sources, program capacity, referrals, treatment court, transportation, and how Into Action supports people on medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Haniken said the organization is funded through a mix of federal, state, county, city, foundation, and private donations, and that housing and transportation remain major barriers, especially because support is often funded for too short a period compared with the longer time people need to stabilize. Matt Cushman of the Raytown Fire Protection District gave a strong endorsement of harm reduction, including naloxone distribution, syringe service programs, and broader decriminalization of harm reduction tools. He argued that stigma is a major barrier to care and that Missouri should expand access to clean needles, test strips, and other services, while also improving access to MAT in jails and communities. Committee members questioned the evidence base, the role of faith-based providers, and whether safe consumption sites should be pursued; Cushman said syringe exchange decriminalization should be the immediate priority, while safe consumption sites are a longer-term issue. He also described community paramedicine and mobile integrated health as valuable but funding-dependent, and said naloxone distribution is improving but still uneven, especially in rural and minority communities. Representatives from Central Ozarks Medical Center and Four Rivers Community Health Center highlighted the importance of peer support specialists, community health workers, care coordinators, and wraparound services in rural health centers. COMC’s Morgan McClure and Monet Lehman described a jail reentry program in Pulaski County, with Lehman sharing her trauma and recovery story and explaining how she helps incarcerated people prepare for release with housing, employment, benefits, transportation, and treatment connections. Four Rivers’ Devon Polarys and Cassandra Trout said their CEO would change Missouri policy to allow FQHCs to receive reimbursement for peer support and community health worker services similar to CCBHCs, arguing that these roles are essential for addressing barriers like transportation, housing, food insecurity, and insurance. Members discussed confusion over reimbursement rules, the differences between FQHCs and CCBHCs, and the need for better funding and clearer policy for peer and community health worker services. No votes were taken; the discussion ended with a suggestion to bring in a subject matter expert on community health workers for a future session.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:53:48.800> environment<00:53:49.359> where the same controlled environment where
• the same controlled environment where alcohol<00:53:50.079> is<00:53:50.319> currently
• products in a controlled environment. products in a controlled environment.
• in Somerset, rendering<01:49:26.080> its<01:49:26.639> supervisory<01:49:27.440> control
• <01:49:27.840> and rendering its supervisory control and rendering its supervisory control

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He lost control of his bowels and bladder, and he could only move his right arm a few inches.
• <00:21:46.559> He<00:21:46.799> lost<00:21:47.120> control<00:21:47.440>
• He lost control of His feet curled up.
• He lost control of his<00:21:47.840> bowels<00:21:48.159> and<00:21:48.320> bladder,
• So when you become a ward of the state, so when you are under the care and control of the Department

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing on best practices for medical or compassionate release programs used by correctional systems nationwide and how Hawaii’s current approach compares. Kristen Johnson of the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission introduced Molly Crane of Families for Justice Reform, noting that the commission, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the Hawaii Paroling Authority have all been involved in developing proposed legislation, though the bill itself was written by community advocate Bob Merse. Crane described FAM’s work on justice reform and said the group has studied compassionate release programs across the country, including federal reforms, to help Hawaii align with best practices. Crane argued that compassionate release is intended for people who are too ill or cognitively impaired to pose a public-safety risk and who are often the most expensive and resource-intensive people to incarcerate. She said Hawaii is the only state without a compassionate release statute and currently relies on an agency policy, which she described as complex and slow. She cited examples of severe medical cases in custody, including people with advanced dementia, multiple sclerosis, kidney failure, and hospice needs, and said the burden on correctional medical staff, overtime, off-site transport, and specialized care can consume a disproportionate share of staff time and state resources. She also said the recidivism rate for this population is under 1 percent, citing Vera Institute research. Members asked about the source of the recidivism figure, how a statute would streamline the process, and why the issue had not advanced in the past. Crane said the proposed bill would reduce layers in the process by moving cases from the medical director to the director and then to the Hawaii Paroling Authority, with a target timeline of about 30 business days from petition to hearing. Johnson said prior efforts failed in part because the agencies most affected were not included early in drafting and revision, and she said one attempt was vetoed, another was removed in conference committee, and another passed one chamber but did not advance. Johnson also explained that incarcerated people’s medical care is paid entirely by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, with no private insurance or Medicaid/Medicare coverage while incarcerated, making severe cases a direct burden on state funds. No votes or formal actions were taken because the briefing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's crowd control.
• And if we're creating the situation where we need crowd control, that's our fault too.
• He also committed possession of a controlled substance, which is a state jail felony.
• He had impulse control issues. He had disruptive mood disorder.
• Chandra Carter: So our internal control...

Transcript Highlights:

• controlling access, etc. controlling access, etc.
• So the inspection program is one of the few things that we have to control that.
• So the inspection program is one of the few things that we have to control that.
• <01:58:24.480> over is legislatively we have no control over is legislatively we have no control
• <01:59:27.280> All control of this law, sir. Okay. All control of this law, sir. Okay.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah. limited um control over how monies and limited um control over how monies and funds<00:36:15.280
• that is where locations are control that is where locations are permitted.<01:23:58.240> So<01
• The number of machines, the type of machines, and frankly, the payout — like, you can control how much
• Like, you<01:24:49.800> can<01:24:50.040> control<01:24:51.120> how<01:24:51.280
• , your policies and procedures controls, your policies and procedures actually<01:31:47.680> comply

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• strategically employed helps control strategically employed helps control invasive<00:10:06.519>
• Because we have a policy that if you're an entity that controls exempt property and you are leasing it
• Because we have a policy that if you're an entity that controls exempt property and you are leasing it
• exempt property and you are you controls exempt property and you are you know<00:18:25.919> leasing
• any types of those methods to control any types of those methods to control noxious<00:20:59.880

Bills: HF1698, HF632, HF1352, HF2197, HF618, HF1248, HF1697

Keywords: property tax, exemption, leased land, public use, commercial property, HF632, Minnesota property tax, conservation easement, conservation restriction, assessed value, property valuation, tax assessment, real property, land conservation, farmland preservation, natural areas, riparian buffer, water quality, water quantity, county assessor

Transcript Highlights:

• And I see this bill as giving the voters control over what projects move forward because the bill really
• I see this bill as giving the voters control over what projects move forward because the bill really
• But what we want to do is get to that point where local governments feel more in control of what they're
• But what we want to do is get to that point where local governments feel more in control of what they're
• governments um feel uh more in control governments um feel uh more in control of<01:37:40.920>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is the ultimate local control. I moved here from Nevada 35 years ago.
• Local control is fundamental to conservatism. This takes this away.
• I'm here to tell you ...government-controlled options that are run by experts.
• With the tax credit, the government never controls my money or my choice.
• a nation, they had to control the kids and the education.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Several senators emphasized support for public education, teacher pay and safety, parental choice, and the combined K-16 jurisdiction of the committee. The chair also reviewed hearing procedures, including public testimony registration and time limits. The main item was Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, laid out by Chairman Creighton. He described the bill as an education savings account program intended to expand school choice, with a $200 million universal eligibility pool and an additional $800 million targeted to students with disabilities and lower-income families. He said the bill includes anti-fraud safeguards, criminal background checks for vendors, reporting requirements, data protections, and annual testing for participating students, while not imposing STAAR on private schools or homeschoolers. He also said the bill removes a prior hold-harmless provision for public schools and is separate from public school funding and teacher pay legislation. Members questioned the bill’s income threshold, lottery and priority structure, treatment of homeschoolers, microschools, charter schools, religious freedom protections, citizenship/lawful presence language, cybersecurity, open records, and disability-related issues, including whether 504 students and foster children should be included. Creighton said the bill is designed to prioritize former public school students with disabilities or lower incomes, while also allowing universal eligibility within the program’s first funding tier, and that the Comptroller would oversee vendor screening and cybersecurity rules. He said the bill does not direct curriculum or interfere with religious beliefs and that amendments may be offered later on citizenship and other issues. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, starting with EdChoice representative Robert Inlow, who testified in support of SB 2 and cited national growth in school choice programs and studies he said show positive effects for students and public schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's in our control as to what do we do with this technology.
• impact you right and it's in our control impact you right and it's in our control as<00:13:46.079
• And so if you're not controlling those data points, you've got to think about that.
• points and so if you're not controlling points and so if you're not controlling those<00:57:03.720
• <00:57:25.599> of<00:57:25.880> the of losing control of the of losing control of the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with stressful situations, and you get blamed for things that you didn't do, and that you had no control
• that<00:02:04.080> you<00:02:04.240> had<00:02:04.479> no<00:02:04.800> control
• didn't do, and that you had no control didn't do, and that you had no control over.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Novotny delivered a farewell speech on the House floor reflecting on his years of service and announcing his departure from the legislature. He described the job as similar to his 33 years in law enforcement, emphasizing long hours, stress, criticism, and the need for perspective, and he joked about the demands of session life, including caffeine, junk food, and long meetings. He also thanked House staff, especially the clerk staff and Chief Clerk Patrick Murphy, for keeping the chamber running smoothly despite the disruptions caused by legislators working in their space. Novotny offered personal thanks to colleagues and allies, including members of the COP Caucus, Representative Moller, his legislative assistant Mary McNamara, and John Hallquist, whom he credited with helping him remember past ideas and discussions. He singled out Representative Nathan Nelson as a close colleague and hunting partner, and he also thanked former Representative Nick Zerwas for encouraging him to serve. He spoke warmly about his family, including his daughters, his wife Nicole, and a future grandchild expected around July 4. The speech was largely humorous and sentimental, with repeated expressions of gratitude to constituents, colleagues, and staff. Novotny said serving in the House had been an honor and that he was ready to hand the role off to someone else. Speaker Demuth thanked him for his service and for presiding with the gavel, and the chamber responded with applause.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I see this as another way that our government is enhancing the control and power of law enforcement
• And I am very, very concerned about the amount of authority and control that your body's wanting to give
• But I think you all are out of control, and the state's getting out of control, and people's civil rights

Keywords: 959, house, all