Transcript Highlights:

• But as I mentioned to you last week in the hallway, we like the idea that you're bringing this forward
• the Arizona Beef Council, and you all heard our update and explanation of what the council is a few weeks
• Vice, has anybody signed in this week? We have two people signed in, if necessary.

Bills: SB1041 , SB1176 , SB1197 , SB1198 , SB1199 , SCM1004

Committees: Senate Natural Resources , Senate Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference

Keywords: electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, stormwater, water storage, replenishment credits, groundwater, aquifer, Arizona Revised Statutes, irrigation rights, water duty, water allocation, management areas, Salt River horse herd, wild horses, feral horses

Transcript Highlights:

• She found her through a haunting national news story on the body industry.
• And it sounds like Texas is going to maybe lead the nation on this.
• A veteran of our nation took an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States.
• I also first found out about Dale's passing via NBC National News Report.
• We will have, of course, a hearing next week.

Bills: SB1406 , SB1681 , SB2480 , SB2721

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

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

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 2480, which would clarify that the Texas Medical Board may collect license renewal surcharge fees from all licensees to fund the Texas Physician Health Program and related administrative costs. The bill author explained the funding fix was needed after prior language was found to allow surcharges only for physicians and physician assistants. Witnesses from the Texas Physician Health Program supported the measure and described the program’s confidential monitoring and treatment services; members asked about the fee amount, which was described as capped at $15 per two-year registration cycle. The bill was left pending. The committee then took up Senate Bills 1406 and 2721, both authored by Senator Parker, addressing the handling of human remains by non-transplant anatomical donation organizations, willed body programs, and related facilities. Senator Parker and several witnesses described alleged abuses involving unclaimed bodies, consent problems, body leasing, hotel-based dissections, and mishandling of cremains, and argued for strict licensing, inspections, transparency, and criminal penalties. Supporters included families of deceased veterans and other relatives, a biomedical ethicist, the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, and some public safety and hotel industry representatives who said legitimate training should continue but bad actors should be shut down. Opponents or cautious witnesses from accredited donation organizations and bioskills labs said they support stronger oversight but warned the bills could unintentionally disrupt legitimate medical education and urged clearer language and implementation of existing law. Both bills were left pending. Senate Bill 1681, by Senator Menendez, would require counties and municipalities that regulate boarding homes to report facility standards and related information to the Health and Human Services Commission. The author said the bill is intended to improve state oversight of boarding homes that serve elderly and disabled residents and to address abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The bill was left pending after brief discussion. After the testimony portion, the committee returned to voting on pending business and unanimously reported Senate Bills 527, 912, 1580, 1952, and 2032 to the Senate with recommendations that they do pass and be printed, and each was also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 407 and reported the substitute favorably, with six ayes and three nays. The committee then moved on to Senate Bill 500 as pending business.

Transcript Highlights:

• And for many the National Sports Center.
• As I gave our agency overview a few weeks ago, you all saw all the great work we're doing.
• As I gave our agency overview a few weeks ago, you all saw all the great work we're doing.
• Sorry, it's been a few weeks. Um, thank you, Chair. Thank you, Representative. Um, yes.
• Sorry, it's been a few weeks. Um, thank you, Chair. Thank you, Representative. Um, yes.

Bills: HF1007 , HF1152 , HF1671 , HF2258

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: tourism, World Junior Hockey Championships, funding, economic impact, sports events, Minnesota, economic development, livability, marketing, partnerships, labor and industry, electrical licensing, electrical inspection, continuing education, online course approval, Internet continuing education, power limited technician, maintenance electrician, master electrician, technology circuits

Transcript Highlights:

• National Board Certified Teachers.
• I am a National Board Certified teacher.
• I'm advocating for national awards.
• I'm Diego Leal, National- a-more Certified Teacher in Secondary Science with a Master's in Chemistry
• Our funding is $4,400 per student below the national.

Bills: HB2 , HB2

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace

Transcript Highlights:

• I can increase that number because in the last couple of weeks, we've had three.
• In my district, I've just seen multiple fires, including just this past week.
• Randy Pollack, on behalf of the American Chemistry Council.
• I want to align my comments with the representative from the American Chemistry Council.
• California has led the nation in collection, but collection alone isn't enough.

Summary: The committee heard AB 839, which would allow up to three sustainable aviation fuel projects to qualify for expedited CEQA judicial review. The author and airline and airport supporters argued SAF is a key emissions-reduction strategy for aviation and that California needs to signal investment certainty after prior project litigation. Environmental Justice and Earthjustice opposed, saying the bill weakens the public’s ability to challenge polluting projects and that SAF facilities can harm already overburdened communities. The committee later took a roll call on the bill and it was held on call after a 3-0 vote, with the motion being due pass to Judiciary. Members then took up AB 762, which would ban the sale of disposable nicotine vapes in California. The author and a broad coalition of waste, public health, local government, and environmental groups said the devices create fire hazards, add lithium batteries to the waste stream, and burden local recycling and hazardous waste systems. Opponents, including retailers and business groups, argued the bill would mainly affect a small legal market while the illicit market would continue to supply most disposable vapes, and warned of unintended consequences. After discussion about illicit sales, EPR ideas, and reuse alternatives, the committee voted 2-2 on the motion to pass as amended to Revenue and Taxation, so the bill was kept on call. The committee also heard AB 907, which would compensate the six local air district representatives who serve on the California Air Resources Board the same as other board members. The author and supporters said the change would improve equity and help ensure local representation on CARB, and no opposition was presented. The chair expressed support, noting similar legislation had passed the committee previously, and the bill was held for a later vote once quorum issues were resolved.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's a national, I think it's a statewide crisis. And I think unless...
• Just eight weeks ago, a farmer in the small town...
• I’m Logan Harrell, General Counsel for the Texas Chemistry Council, respectfully opposing HB1674.
• This is in part informed by national legislation where TCEQ can implement these key programs.
• Chairman, just a week ago? That's right.

Bills: HB1341 , HB1674 , HB4028 , SB2321

Committee: House Environmental Regulation

Keywords: hydrogen sulfide, public health, environmental regulation, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, ground level concentrations, emissions limit, emissions limits, ground-level concentrations, air quality, PFAS, agriculture, environmental protection, health risks, criminal offense, chemical regulation, preproduction plastic, water quality, pollution control, industrial waste, emissions

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Filer, National Guard to the Governor's office.
• National Guard to the Governor's office.
• </c> so, I have been talking to my national so, I have been talking to my national folks<01:15:15.040
• My other role is the Wyoming director to the National Association of School Nurses.
• So we are fully in support of the National Association of School the National Association of School Nurses

Bills: SF0071 , SF0088 , SF0056

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a, or in, in, uh, California, there's a national movement pushing for this.
• More than every war we have ever fought as a nation die annually.
• I'm the president of the Texas Chemistry Council.
• And all of our, uh, things are made based on science and chemistry.
• Um, but then I remember shampoo is chemistry, right?

Bills: HB25 , HB38 , HB997 , HB 1119 , HB25 , HB38

Committee: House S/C on Disease Prevention & Women's & Children's Health

Keywords: HB 25, Texas nutrition, nutrition education, healthy living, public health, school physical activity, recess, physical education, nutrition and wellness course, health curriculum, State Board of Education, Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee, ultra-processed foods, artificial colors, food additives, chronic disease, metabolic health, culinary medicine, functional medicine, dietary guidelines

Transcript Highlights:

• They're already held to very stringent standards at the national levels that they have to comply with
• Uh, last week these three gentlemen, as well as the Council for Proprietary Education, the Council for
• They will do that throughout the week, and then there are different things that some schools do.
• They will do that throughout the week, and then there are different things that some schools do.
• And so, it proceeds to say that it's a citizen, national, um, Thank you, Chairman.

Committee: House Postsecondary Education

Transcript Highlights:

• chemistry.
• National home security, John touched on that.
• It's a chemistry that needs to be worked out.
• It was built here in Idaho National Laboratory. It was built here in Idaho National Laboratory.
• It was built in here in Idaho National Border. It was built in here in Idaho National Bordery.

Committee: Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• And then just for the future of the public that are listening, on Wednesday of next week at 10:30 in
• And then just for the future of the public that are listening on Wednesday of next week at 10.30 in the
• So, yeah, next week you for sure will hear a number of that. But this is short notice.
• They cite a national act for regulation.
• I mean, this medicinal chemistry paper out of University of Florida is outstanding. Complicated.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:24:28.080><c> year</c><00:24:28.400><c> talking</c> United Nations just last year talking United Nations
• I think I understand chemicals and chemistry is a brilliant thing.
• I think I understand chemicals and chemistry is a brilliant thing.
• I think I understand chemicals and chemistry is a brilliant thing.
• I think I understand chemicals and chemistry is a brilliant thing.

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Internationally, nations have already admitted to implementing it.
• It could cause erratic precipitation patterns in a non-participatory nation.
• As I watched this pattern week after week, I looked into it more and learned that heavy metals like aluminum
• Any activity that could alter atmospheric chemistry or growing conditions.
• Since 2021, I have seen spring in our skies two to three times a week.

Committee: House Environment, Energy and Technology

Transcript Highlights:

• chemistry.
• National home security. John touched on that.
• It was built in here in Idaho National Border. It was built in here in Idaho National Bordery.
• It became operational three weeks back, I think, two weeks back, when Bob and Boston and E5 lead Ted
• It became operational three weeks back, I think, two weeks back, when Bob and Boston and E5 lead Ted

Summary: The meeting was an extended briefing from Idaho National Laboratory officials on the lab’s mission, its role in nuclear energy research, and the federal push to accelerate advanced reactor deployment. Speakers described INL’s size and capabilities, including test reactors, fuel and materials facilities, cybersecurity and critical infrastructure work, and partnerships with DOE, the NRC, the Department of Defense, and private companies. They emphasized that the lab is supporting both commercial nuclear development and national security work, while also training a large intern workforce. A major theme was the current federal effort to streamline nuclear regulation and speed up licensing and demonstration. The speakers said recent executive orders and DOE/NRC coordination are reducing redundant requirements, shortening environmental review timelines, and aiming for three new nuclear systems to reach criticality by July 4, 2026. They argued that regulatory uncertainty has been a major driver of nuclear cost and that the administration’s actions, along with DOE’s pilot and demonstration programs, are intended to rebuild the domestic supply chain and industrial base. The discussion also focused on advanced reactor types, including small modular reactors, microreactors, molten salt concepts, and liquid-metal designs. Officials said these technologies are being developed for data centers, military bases, remote communities, industrial heat, hydrogen production, and other nontraditional uses. They highlighted several projects and companies, including Oklo, Aalo, Radiant, X-energy, TerraPower, Kairos, and DOE’s MARVEL and Project Pele efforts, and said some reactors are expected to reach criticality or operation in the next few years. Questions from attendees covered safety, public health impacts, materials and heat management, waste or used fuel handling, costs, and whether nuclear could remain competitive against other energy sources; the speakers responded that advanced reactors are designed with passive safety features, that used fuel should be viewed as a resource, and that cost remains highly design- and supply-chain-dependent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it like a week? Is it a month that you wait? Is it six months? Is it...?
• Specifically, I was able to take AP Chemistry in my junior year.
• Most of the schools that I applied to have various STEM requirements, such as AP Chemistry.
• Specifically, I was able to take AP Chemistry in my junior year.
• Most of the schools that I applied to have various STEM requirements, such as AP Chemistry.

Summary: The committee began with a work session on Washington’s child care oversight and subsidy system, focusing on Working Connections Child Care, licensing, audits, and fraud prevention. DCYF officials said the program serves over 63,000 eligible families, with about 6,600 licensed providers and roughly 2,200 license-exempt family, friend, and neighbor providers. They described annual unannounced licensing visits, complaint investigations, attendance tracking, eligibility verification, random and focused audits, and referrals to the Office of Fraud and Accountability or Office of Financial Recovery when needed. Senators asked about voucher amounts, visit frequency, and what happens when children are not present; officials said the average subsidy is about $2,200 per month, providers are paid directly, and repeated failed visits can lead to license closure. Child Care Aware and provider testimony emphasized the quality system, Early Achievers, and a virtual provider described the practical realities of home-based care and unannounced inspections. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5952, which would standardize the process for waiving high school physical education requirements. The bill’s sponsor said the goal was to make PE waiver decisions consistent across districts so students who move schools are not disadvantaged, especially in six-period schedules with limited room for electives. Student supporters said a uniform process would improve fairness and help students fit in AP, career, or other coursework. Opponents, including PE teachers and the Washington Association of School Principals, argued that PE is a core academic subject, that athletics is not interchangeable with PE, and that local flexibility should remain. The State Board of Education supported the bill, saying current district policies vary widely and a standardized process would improve equity and transparency. Next, the committee took testimony on Senate Bill 5961, which would transfer the Imagination Library of Washington from DCYF to OSPI. The sponsor called it a simple administrative move to align the book-gifting program with early literacy and K-12 education, noting the program serves about 120,000 children in all 39 counties. OSPI and program representatives supported the transfer, saying it better fits the birth-to-grade-three literacy continuum and strengthens accountability. Testifiers highlighted the program’s role in school readiness, early brain development, and access to physical books for young children. Finally, the committee opened Senate Bill 5969, which would allow a student’s IEP transition plan to satisfy high school and beyond plan requirements if the IEP team chooses. The sponsor, a special education teacher, said the bill would reduce duplication and better support students with disabilities as they transition to postsecondary life. The committee then began hearing testimony on the proposal.

Transcript Highlights:

• UC Davis is also ranked number one in the nation.
• UC Davis is also ranked number one in the nation in agriculture and campus sustainability.
• We were the first state in the nation to make such an investment in alternative protein research.
• We were the first state in the nation to make such an investment in alternative protein research.
• It has biomanufacturing capacity and downstream processing, natural product chemistry and chemistry labs

Summary: The hearing of the Select Committee on Alternative Protein Innovation was held at UC Davis and focused on how alternative proteins can support California agriculture, the bioeconomy, and farmers. Opening remarks from UC Davis leaders and committee members emphasized the university’s food science, fermentation, and sustainability strengths, and the state’s prior investments of $5 million for UC alternative protein research and an additional $1 million for ICAMP. Members framed the topic as a way to grow new markets, keep more value in-state, and address climate, food security, and commercialization challenges. The first panel featured Sana Beg of the Plant-Based Foods Institute, who argued that California agriculture and alternative proteins are complementary, not competing, and stressed that farmers are essential to the sector. She highlighted the need for ingredient processing capacity, technical assistance for growers, and predictable demand through public procurement, including schools, hospitals, and state facilities. Committee members asked about financing and market development, and Beg said guaranteed loans, grants, and state- and USDA-backed support could help de-risk investment and build the supply chain. The second panel focused on research and development. Beam Circular described the circular bioeconomy in the San Joaquin Valley, including efforts to turn agricultural residues into higher-value products, build shared infrastructure, and expand workforce training. ICAMP and UC ANR described UC Davis-centered research, pilot facilities, and a proposed plant innovation center to bridge lab-scale work to commercial manufacturing. USDA researchers discussed using byproducts such as brewer’s spent grain, tomato pomace, lima beans, and chickpeas for new food ingredients. Members repeatedly emphasized the importance of public R&D funding, consumer acceptance, and food-grade scale-up facilities. The final panel highlighted company perspectives from Optimized Foods and Blue Diamond Growers. Optimized Foods described using fungi fermentation to convert almond hulls, cocoa waste, and tomato pomace into protein-rich ingredients and stabilized nutrients. Blue Diamond outlined its grower cooperative model, sustainability practices, almond ingredient portfolio, and the Sacramento almond innovation center. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with discussion centered on research, commercialization, infrastructure, and market-building for California-grown alternative protein products.

Transcript Highlights:

• UC Davis is also ranked number one in the nation ...program in the country.
• UC Davis is also ranked number one in the nation in agriculture and campus sustainability.
• We were the first state in the nation to make such an investment in alternative protein research.
• We were the first state in the nation to make such an investment in alternative protein research.
• It has biomanufacturing capacity and downstream processing, natural product chemistry and chemistry labs

Transcript Highlights:

• Caleb Rudeen, I represent the American Chemistry Council.
• I was here a few weeks ago with HB 7. Some of you may remember me.
• It's not a national thing. This is a global thing.
• You don't want to save it for next week? Questions. You don't want to save it for next week?
• It's been voluntarily deferred till next week.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 804, the Louisiana Energy Protection Act, which was presented as a narrowly focused ban on climate-change damages lawsuits rather than a measure affecting emissions claims, pollution claims, or private property rights. The author and supporters said the bill was intended to stop speculative suits targeting energy producers, farmers, truckers, manufacturers, and other businesses for global climate impacts, while preserving claims for actual legal violations under state or federal environmental and safety laws. After a substitute amendment was adopted to clarify and streamline the bill, the committee heard extensive support from oil and gas, chemical, business, port, and legal reform groups, along with a few opposition speakers who argued the bill could still be read to shield industry too broadly or weaken climate accountability. HB 804 was reported favorably as amended. The committee then considered HB 802, as amended, which creates a watershed conservation fund tied to the Amite River Basin. The author explained that the bill was narrowed from a statewide proposal to a basin-specific program to reduce flood risk and restore watershed areas using existing severance revenue from sand mining, modeled in part on coastal restoration funding. Supporters from the concrete industry, landowners, levee boards, and conservation groups described it as a practical, low-cost, non-government solution to help remediate old sand and gravel pits and improve flood control. With no opposition cards and no objections, HB 802 was reported favorably as amended. Finally, the committee heard HB 934, as substituted, which would allow licensed wildlife rehabilitators to possess white-tailed deer fawns under specific conditions, including disease monitoring, release only within the same management zone, and other handling requirements. The author said the bill was meant to prevent the euthanizing of orphaned fawns that could be rehabilitated and to create a lawful pathway for licensed care. A supporter described her experience rescuing an orphaned fawn that was later confiscated and killed, while the Louisiana Wildlife Federation opposed the measure, warning it could effectively create a captive deer program, undermine wildlife conservation principles, and lead to dangerous or inhumane facilities. The transcript ends during testimony on HB 934, before final committee action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The problem with molten salt reactors is chemistry.
• chemistry.
• National home security. John touched on that.
• It's a chemistry that needs to be worked out.
• It was built in here in Idaho National Border. It was built in here in Idaho National Bordery.

Committee: Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Summary: The meeting was a presentation and Q&A at Idaho National Laboratory focused on the state of nuclear energy, advanced reactors, and the lab’s role in testing, regulation, and commercialization. Speakers described INL’s broader mission beyond nuclear, including cybersecurity and critical infrastructure, but emphasized its major nuclear capabilities: the Advanced Test Reactor, TREAT, the Materials and Fuels Complex, and other test beds used to accelerate fuel and materials testing. They also highlighted the lab’s size, workforce, internship pipeline, and partnerships with DOE, DHS, DOD, and private companies. A major topic was the federal push to speed up nuclear deployment through executive orders and regulatory reform. Speakers said DOE and the NRC are reducing unnecessary bureaucracy, streamlining environmental reviews, and working toward a goal of having three new nuclear systems achieve criticality by July 4, 2026. They discussed the difference between microreactors, small modular reactors, and traditional gigawatt-scale plants, arguing that advanced reactors can be factory-built, safer, and better suited for data centers, military bases, remote communities, industrial heat, and other nontraditional uses. They also said the U.S. is rebuilding its nuclear supply chain, including enrichment and fuel fabrication, and that states willing to host parts of the fuel cycle could see major economic benefits. The speakers addressed questions about cost, safety, waste, and international competition. They said advanced reactors rely on passive safety features, TRISO fuel, and natural circulation, and that the industry’s challenge is often cost uncertainty rather than a precise fuel or materials limit. They argued used nuclear fuel should be viewed as a resource rather than waste if recycling becomes policy, and said microreactors should produce relatively small amounts of spent fuel. They also noted that China and Russia continue to build aggressively, with China on pace to surpass the U.S. in total nuclear generation, while U.S. projects such as Palisades, Crane Clean Energy Center, Duane Arnold, Oklo, Aalo, MARVEL, and Project Pele are moving forward under DOE and private-sector partnerships.

Transcript Highlights:

• A couple of weeks ago, we had a team from Poland that was part of their cyber security national defense
• This school is a strategic asset to the state of Alabama and to our nation.
• These facilities have all been funded by industry throughout our nation.
• We also have two National Merit...
• out to Nebraska for nationals.

Bills: SB1 , HB176 , HB86 , SB1 , HB176 , HB86

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: workers' compensation, public education, employee injury, insurance trust fund, on-the-job injury, administrative procedures, HB176, Alabama sales tax, use tax, sales and use tax exemption, optical aids, eyeglasses, contact lenses, prescription glasses, vision care, optometrist, ophthalmologist, optician, medical devices, local option tax exemption