Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Veterans Affairs also does it.
• The Department of Veterans Affairs also does it. It took a village.
• For a lot of years, I served as a veteran in the United States Army as a physician.
• The Veterans Administration did that same thing in 2016.
• The Veterans Administration did that same thing in 2016.

Bills: SB2 , SJR36 , SB2 , SB2 , SR29 , SB2

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, how do you integrate with the Department of Veteran Services on, because you did mention a veteran
• How do you, how do you integrate with the Department of Veteran Services?
• So the veterans have a priority status, but we don't have regular communication with the veterans organizations
• we talked about, you got the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Veterans Services as
• Pretty regularly with, you know, veterans services facilities across the state.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me start first with my disgust, that veterans are being used as window dressing on a bad bond.
• That veterans are being used as window dressing on a bad bond.
• Everyone loves veterans. Shameful. The window dressing on an absolutely awful package.
• This isn't about helping veterans. That's the most offensive thing about this.
• now for veterans is under half a billion dollars, and yet we'll borrow during a record budget.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then handled a series of procedural motions to re-refer bills, suspend rules, and remove items from the consent calendar. The chamber also heard guest introductions recognizing family milestones, a youth leadership program from Assembly District 13, a delegation of Japanese business leaders, and a Michoacan delegation. Later, members adopted several resolutions and consent items, including California Craft Beer Week, the Freedom Flag as a 9/11 remembrance symbol, Probation Services Week, and California Wildfire Week, along with other consent-calendar measures. The main floor debate centered on SB 417, a $10 billion housing bond for the ballot, with supporters emphasizing the state’s housing shortage, homelessness crisis, and funding for multifamily housing, supportive housing, homeownership, farmworker housing, student housing, tribal housing, infrastructure, and preservation of existing affordable units. Opponents criticized the proposal as adding debt without enough reform and objected to the use of veterans in the measure’s messaging. The Assembly passed SB 417 on urgency and on the measure, 54-7, and sent it to the Senate. Members then adopted ACA 20, which would expand and modernize the state Rainy Day Fund by increasing its cap and changing deposit rules; it passed 54-8 and was transmitted to the Senate. The Assembly also approved SB 623, a transportation-related bill addressing rideshare safety and medical lien practices. Supporters said it would curb abusive billing, restrict attorney conflicts and kickbacks, require stronger background checks for TNC drivers, and allow women riders and drivers to request women-only matches. The measure passed unanimously, 67-0. Later, the House adopted ACA 21, which removes ACA 13 from the November ballot, by 62-0, and ACA 22, which amends a ballot measure affecting taxation and local fiscal resources, by 64-0. The session concluded with an adjournment in memory of Dr. Dorothy Viola Calvin, followed by announcements, recesses, and final adjournment until the next scheduled floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Excuse me for veteran treatment courts and mental health courts.
• Folks have serious mental health issues, veterans... serious mental health issues, veterans... you know
• Veterans in trouble with the law must apply to be in the program.
• Eventually, the veterans could see their...
• Veterans are...

Bills: SJR 18 , SCR 5 , SCR 13 , SCR 25 , SB 3 , SB 6 , SB 10 , SB 11 , SB 12 , SB 13 , SB 15 , SB 17 , SB 18 , SB 35 , SB 388 , SB 412 , SB 441 , SB 495 , SB 666 , SB 687 , SB 706 , SB 740 , SB 815 , SB 842 , SB 917 , SB 925 , SB 995 , SB 1006 , SB 1281 , SB 1300 , SB 1379 , SB 1451 , SB 1902 , SJR 36 , SJR 18 , SJR 12 , SCR 13 , SCR 25 , SCR 5 , SCR 22 , SB 565 , SB 372 , SB 495 , SB 842 , SB 765 , SB 62 , SB 19 , SB 18 , SB 666 , SB 707 , SB 888 , SB 687 , SB 706 , SB 847 , SB 290 , SB 11 , SB 10 , SB 13 , SB 412 , SB 441 , SB 1248 , SB 740 , SB 14 , SB 1006 , SB 504 , SB 917 , SB 925 , SB 388 , SB 1902 , SB 1121 , SB 995 , SB 857 , SB 305 , SB 296 , SB 284 , SB 35 , SB 6 , SB 815 , SB 3 , SB 1281 , SB 1379 , SB 1300 , SB 1497 , SB 1499 , SB 1498 , SB 1451 , SB 1061 , SB 15 , SB 65 , SB 241 , SB 304 , SB 402 , SB 499 , SB 621 , SB 974 , SB 1023 , SB 1024 , SB 1025 , SB 1106 , SB 686 , SB 112 , SB 371 , SB 204 , SB 400 , SB 609 , SB 1447 , SB 670 , SB 502 , SB 427 , SB 850 , SB 854 , SB 413 , SB 1555 , SB 1362 , SB 1346 , SB 1033 , SB 1220 , SB 1073 , SB 810 , SB 987 , SB 1539 , SB 893 , SB 447 , SB 875 , SB 406 , SB 509 , SB 985 , SB 965 , SB 17 , SB 1119 , SB 1505 , SB 12 , SB 24 , SB 57 , SB 1194 , SB 1253 , SB 1215 , SB 1532 , SB 1268 , SCR 12 , SCR 24 , SB 1302 , SB 856 , SB 650 , SB 583 , SB 673 , SB 840 , SJR 18 , SB 11 , SB 441 , SB 10 , SB 18 , SB 412 , SB 495 , SR 238 , SR 264 , SR 266 , SR 267 , SR 268 , SR 270 , SR 271 , SR 272 , SR 278 , SB 1169 , SB 1169

Transcript Highlights:

• And the Veterans Falls Veterans Home.
• </c> active duty for these veterans. active duty for these veterans.
• </c> veterans program here in Minnesota. veterans program here in Minnesota.
• So, a large number of our veterans population are Vietnam-era veterans.
• So, a large number of our veterans population are Vietnam-era veterans.

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• seeking help preparing claims for federal veterans' benefits.
• The legislation protects veterans from... ...preparing claims for federal veterans' benefits.
• The legislation protects veterans from deceptive or predatory practices while preserving their right
• The legislation requires disclosure of free assistance options, written consent from the veteran, and
• . ...growth in paid non-accredited claims assistance targeting veterans.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• And I wish we could thank all the veterans who served the SGU veterans.
• :22:25.440><c> who</c> legislation honors the veterans who legislation honors the veterans who fought
• uh who served uh the SGU uh veterans uh who served uh the SGU veterans.<01:22:49.679><c> Uh</c><01:22
• Uh some of them were here veterans.
• And so we want to thank the veterans.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• She was a psychiatric nurse for the Veterans Administration and dealt a lot with veterans and health
• Ending veteran homelessness is right within our grasp.
• funds from the veteran donation fund and have been able to put that to use.
• And anything we can do for the veterans, I'm a, as you know, I'm a huge advocate.
• This is one of the organizations that gets it and mentors veterans with veterans.

Committee: House House Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills and resolutions, many of them on property, local government, and memorial topics. HB 2079, authorizing a memorial for journalist Don Bolles at Wesley Bolin Plaza, passed unanimously after sponsor testimony about the 50th anniversary of his assassination and the memorial’s no-cost nature. HB 2080, as amended, advanced 7-0 on deed and title fraud prevention measures, including photo ID requirements, notarization and deed-filing safeguards, an assessor alert program, and a felony penalty for knowingly submitting false or forged real-property claims. HB 464, which moves the petition process for municipal improvement districts earlier in the process, passed 5-2 after testimony from Camp Verde, the Yavapai Apache Nation, developers, and the League of Arizona Cities and Towns; opponents argued it could force property owners into infrastructure they do not want, while supporters said it improves transparency and financing certainty. HB 2048, a proposed constitutional referral to withhold pay from state elected officials if the budget is not enacted by April 30, passed 4-3, with supporters saying it would create accountability and opponents saying broader process reforms are needed first. The committee also heard HB 2324, which would allow municipalities with their own fire codes to petition for county-owned buildings inside city limits to be exempt from separate state fire code inspections when conditions are met. County and state fire officials supported the concept, saying it would resolve conflicting statutes and formalize intergovernmental agreements, and the bill passed 7-0. HB 4087, authorizing a memorial plaque for former legislator Barbara Leff, also passed unanimously, with the sponsor noting her service in both chambers and her work on veterans and health care issues. HB 2239, creating a child care grant program and infrastructure fund for underserved and low-income communities, drew extensive testimony from rural parents, child care advocates, and early childhood experts describing child care deserts, workforce losses, and safety concerns with unregulated care. Supporters said the bill would fund the facilities and infrastructure needed to expand regulated child care, especially in rural Arizona; the committee approved it 5-1 with one member present and one not voting. Members also discussed HB 2375, a historic-preservation-related middle housing bill, but the transcript cuts off before final action is shown; testimony reflected a sharp divide between preservation advocates supporting exemptions for historic districts and housing advocates warning the bill could worsen exclusion and housing shortages.

Transcript Highlights:

• us and affect other veterans as well.
• A lot of veterans don't even have a home. So now we're doing this.
• us and affect other veterans as well.
• Who is actually a veteran from the state of Missouri.
• Speaker, veterans deserve better.

Transcript Highlights:

• Veterans, thank you.
• And like Representative Griffith, who's a veteran himself and on the Veterans Commission, is an advocate
• I am not a veteran.
• So to that end, you know, I think this is a bill that helps veterans and is good for veterans.
• He's a veteran.

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise in proud support of this bill as the only veteran in the Assembly.
• I rise in proud support of this bill as the only veteran in the assembly. It is about time.
• Assembly Bill 264 by Assembly Member Carrillo and others, an act relating to veterans.
• California veterans and their families will appreciate this, so I rise in support.
• , as well as Medal of Honor winners and deceased veterans, as much help as we can.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long daily file with numerous guest introductions and recognitions, including tributes to outgoing University of California President Michael Drake, student and community advocates, and visitors connected to foster care, military appreciation, and college savings. The chamber also took up several procedural items, including concurrence in Senate amendments to ACR 75 on California Farm Week, which passed 59-0. Members then adopted AJR 7 on protecting federal special education funding and services for students with disabilities, with broad bipartisan support and a 65-0 vote after 63 co-authors were added. The Assembly also adopted ACR 82 recognizing Foster Care Month and ACR 85 recognizing 529 College Savings Day by voice vote after adding co-authors, and ACR 89 recognizing Military Appreciation Month, also adopted by voice vote after co-authors were added. These resolutions featured testimony and remarks emphasizing support for vulnerable children, foster youth, military families, and access to higher education. On policy bills, the Assembly passed AB 929 on groundwater and managed wetlands (41-14), AB 1026 on utility connection timelines for housing projects (52-0), AB 1332 on direct shipment of medicinal cannabis under specified conditions (55-0), AB 1356 on follow-up reporting in DHCS death investigations at treatment facilities (54-0), and AB 671 on streamlining restaurant openings through self-certification of certain plans (62-0). The chamber also approved AB 715 on anti-Semitism and school climate after extensive debate and cross-caucus support, 64-0, and AB 33 on autonomous vehicle deliveries requiring a human safety operator, 52-6. Later, AB 5 on election ballot-counting timelines passed 66-0, AB 27 and AB 28 addressing the Chiquita Canyon landfill disaster passed 61-0 and 44-6 respectively, and the Assembly began consideration of AB 43 to extend state authority over wild and scenic rivers.

Transcript Highlights:

• It helps veterans community resources.
• </c> you mentioned that you're not a veteran. you mentioned that you're not a veteran.
• Well, I'm not a veteran, but attention?
• </c><00:21:22.320><c> about</c><00:21:22.640><c> the</c> veterans, they're not open about the veterans
• Well, and that wasn't your only bill this session to help veterans.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, in 2022, the suicide rate among U.S. veterans was more than double the rate for non-veteran
• services for veterans across the state.
• How is the veteran selected? The board would select the veteran.
• For example, our Veterans One Stop Center is more than... just a clinic; it's a trusted space where veterans
• Many of our Veterans One Stop Center staff are veterans or family members of those who've served, which

Bills: SB623 , SB1266 , SB1310 , SB1373 , SB1580 , SB1952 , SB2032 , SB2269 , SB2544 , SB2653 , SB2796

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Closer to our hearts, USF is recognized as a top school for veterans, earning the Collegiate Purple Star
• SB 910 focuses on veteran transition when they leave active duty and enter into the VA.
• I shared the stats with you about 1.2 million veterans waiting.
• Understand that 200,000 veterans leave service every single year.
• And I will tell you, veterans are tired of half measures.

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and gallery introductions, and several recognitions, including USF Day at the Capitol and visitors from Miami Gardens, Teach For America Florida, and Pathways to Prosperity. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and considered a series of bills, with several measures temporarily postponed and others passed after debate and roll call votes. The Senate unanimously passed several Open Government Sunset Review bills, including SB 7010 and SB 7008, which preserve public records exemptions related to insolvent insurance company receiverships and financial technology sandbox applications. It also passed SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings for terrorism victims, SB 910 on veterans benefits assistance, SB 796 on general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems, SB 28 and SB 22 as claims bills involving South Broward Hospital District, SB 8 for relief related to a Pasco County School Board accident, SB 1718 preserving a public records exemption for minors seeking abortions without parental consent, and SB 994 on driver’s license education requirements. SB 832 on former phosphate mining lands also passed, but with two amendments and some opposition. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 700, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, which included technical updates, restrictions on certain additives in public water systems, limits on ESG practices in farm lending, drone-related penalties, truth-in-labeling provisions for meat, milk, poultry, and eggs, charity registration requirements, agricultural worker housing, and support for FFA and 4-H. The most contentious debate centered on fluoride provisions in the bill: multiple amendments by Senators Berman and Polsky to remove the fluoride language, require targeted fluoride assistance, or order an OPAGA study were all defeated, while a technical amendment by Senator Truenow was adopted. The bill remained on the calendar for third reading after extensive debate and questioning. At the end of the session, the Senate adopted motions to certify passed bills to the House, retain postponed bills on the special order calendar, and return CS for SB 7016 to second reading, then adjourned until April 16.

Transcript Highlights:

• House File number 4492, an act relating to veterans. The message is signed Thomas S.
• Luckily, we had a very wise and astute chair of veterans, who was able to find another bill for us to
• to refine literacy law, including the READ Act in Minnesota, and provide high school diplomas to veterans
• Every member of the chamber cares about both literacy and veterans.
• </c> both literacy and veterans. both literacy and veterans.

Transcript Highlights:

• SENATE BILL 910, A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT RELATING TO VETERANS BENEFITS.
• HAVING ALL THE TOOLS AVAILABLE TO A VETERAN IN THEIR TIME OF NEED TO HELP THEM GET ACCESS TO VETERANS
• I SHARED THE STATS WITH YOU ABOUT 1.2 MILLION VETERANS WAITING.
• UNDERSTAND 200,000 VETERANS LEAVE SERVICE... EVERY YEAR.
• THEY DESERVE BETTER, AND VETERANS ARE TIRED OF HALF MEASURES.

Bills: SJR39 , SB22 , SB30 , SB33 , SB34 , SB37 , SB75 , SB209 , SB310 , SB505 , SB552 , SB618 , SB626 , SB636 , SB732 , SB747 , SB762 , SB769 , SB819 , SB825 , SB870 , SB926 , SB964 , SB1030 , SB1080 , SB1099 , SB1124 , SB1177 , SB1208 , SB1233 , SB1314 , SB1325 , SB1333 , SB1405 , SB1455 , SB1506 , SB1524 , SB1541 , SB1577 , SB1579 , SB1596 , SB1646 , SB1667 , SB1727 , SB1750 , SB1758 , SB1760 , SB1791 , SB1804 , SB1806 , SB1869 , SB1923 , SB1927 , SB1951 , SB1960 , SB1962 , SB2023 , SB2024 , SB2056 , SB2078 , SB2122 , SB2129 , SB2180 , SB2183 , SB2185 , SB2207 , SB2252 , SB2361 , SB2365 , SB2368 , SB2405 , SB2411 , SB2420 , SB2425 , SB2569 , SB2717 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR39 , SJR63 , SJR68 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SCR38 , SCR37 , SCR42 , SCR29 , SB762 , SB1596 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB1539 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB957 , SB1502 , SB507 , SB1026 , SB1349 , SB1433 , SB1434 , SB310 , SB505 , SB264 , SB1364 , SB1376 , SB1585 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1163 , SB619 , SB1122 , SB1877 , SB732 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1333 , SB1436 , SB964 , SB287 , SB2143 , SB261 , SB1247 , SB1882 , SB618 , SB393 , SB2243 , SB2226 , SB1919 , SB1791 , SB22 , SB651 , SB1080 , SB826 , SB1079 , SB1243 , SB1504 , SB1851 , SB1879 , SB2237 , SB1257 , SB2034 , SB1522 , SB1151 , SB596 , SB1191 , SB226 , SB570 , SB870 , SB991 , SB60 , SB1401 , SB1728 , SB586 , SB529 , SB217 , SB209 , SB1923 , SB1839 , SB387 , SB1874 , SB1872 , SB1873 , SB1921 , SB1883 , SB1620 , SB1838 , SB2024 , SB2429 , SB1999 , SB511 , SB2309 , SB2166 , SB510 , SB33 , SB2420 , SB1860 , SB1541 , SB1314 , SB1398 , SB1869 , SB1750 , SB855 , SB1233 , SB2425 , SB2037 , SB1758 , SB1759 , SB2365 , SB1924 , SB1818 , SB1405 , SB1762 , SB1968 , SB1977 , SB2077 , SB2321 , SB1662 , SB1663 , SB2124 , SB2204 , SB1855 , SB863 , SB37 , SB819 , SB2078 , SB2252 , SB1962 , SB2253 , SB825 , SB1577 , SB1184 , SB2018 , SB2206 , SB1901 , SB1030 , SB2368 , SB1963 , SB1960 , SB1643 , SB1625 , SB1299 , SB841 , SB668 , SB584 , SB231 , SB2411 , SB1085 , SB2431 , SB2231 , SB1490 , SB530 , SB34 , SB1261 , SB552 , SB1099 , SB1646 , SB2180 , SB1804 , SB1937 , SB1936 , SB2569 , SB1372 , SB1208 , SB1124 , SB1506 , SB1806 , SB1868 , SB2361 , SB2314 , SB769 , SB1409 , SB2122 , SB434 , SB1214 , SB1951 , SB2183 , SB2046 , SB1667 , SB1870 , SB1727 , SB2405 , SB2127 , SB1975 , SB1760 , SB1734 , SB1335 , SB2066 , SB2129 , SB2246 , SB2439 , SB1624 , SB1244 , SB1468 , SB2717 , SB1612 , SB1262 , SB604 , SB2395 , SB2185 , SB1832 , SB1745 , SB1746 , SB2207 , SB2023 , SB1784 , SB1524 , SB626 , SB528 , SB437 , SB269 , SB1137 , SB968 , SB636 , SB747 , SB1325 , SB1789 , SB1455 , SB2056 , SB75 , SB1940 , SB2052 , SB1927 , SB2010 , SB1579 , SB2068 , SB3034 , SB844 , SB1920 , SB1177 , SB1558 , SB1236 , SB1044 , SB926 , SB884 , SB463 , SB331 , SB227 , SB240 , SB517 , SB1200 , SB1410 , SB1626 , SB1845 , SB1863 , SB2216 , SB2681 , SB1717 , SB2053 , SB546 , SB2141 , SB2949 , SB2323 , SB2200 , SB2332 , SB2199 , SB1642 , SB1150 , SB1757 , SB2050 , SB1138 , SB2051 , SB2626 , SB2458 , SB1864 , SB30 , SB2201 , SB1862 , SB1583 , SB1583 , SB1055 , SB2660 , SB1898 , SB2662 , SB2662 , SB2161 , SB2161 , SB2964 , SB2881 , SB1065 , SB1065 , SB801 , SB2743 , SB2533 , SB2533 , SB1413 , SB1413 , SB1 , SB34 , SB310 , SB819 , SB1030 , SB1124 , SB1208 , SB1233 , SB1333 , SB1405 , SB1541 , SB1750 , SB1758 , SB1869 , SB2078 , SB2365 , SB2411 , SB762 , SB33 , SB37 , SB505 , SR402 , SR409 , SB2695 , SB2695

Transcript Highlights:

• SENATE BILL 910 A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT RELATING TO VETERANS BENEFITS.
• HAVING ALL THE TOOLS AVAILABLE TO A VETERAN IN THEIR TIME OF NEED TO HELP THEM GET ACCESS TO VETERANS
• I SHARED THE STATS WITH YOU ABOUT 1.2 MILLION VETERANS WAITING.
• UNDERSTAND 200,000 VETERANS LEAVE SERVICE EVERY YEAR.
• THEY DESERVE BETTER AND VETERANS ARE TIRED OF HALF MEASURES.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the VA Vietnam award honors the dedication and bravery of U.S. veterans who served during the Vietnam
• Well, around 75% of Vietnam-era veterans are no longer with us.
• There are still some in this body, Vietnam-era veterans, including one who we're going to honor today
• with the VA veteran, a VA Vietnam-era veterans medal challenge coin.
• Affairs, being a veteran.

Summary: The House meeting consisted of announcements and a series of tributes honoring Representative Larry Gagne, a Vietnam-era Navy veteran and longtime member of the Veterans Committee. Representative Moffett introduced the recognition, describing the VA Vietnam-era veterans award and noting Gagne’s service, including his Navy enlistment in 1961, his role in the honor guard for Alan B. Shepard, and his service aboard the USS Noah, which recovered John Glenn after his 1962 spaceflight. Gagne was escorted to the front of the chamber and applauded by members. Former Speaker Steve Shurtleff also spoke in tribute, recalling his long acquaintance with Gagne dating back to police training and their later work together in the House, especially on the Criminal Justice Committee. He emphasized bipartisan cooperation, saying criminal justice should not be partisan, and praised Gagne as a friend and effective legislator. Shurtleff also noted Gagne’s later service on the State and Federal Veterans Affairs Committee and thanked Chair Moffett, saying they could disagree without being disagreeable. Gagne then responded briefly, joking about his long tenure and recalling shared memories from the police academy, including a graduation snowball fight and finding an old photo of himself and Shurtleff. He said he planned to run again, reflected on both good and difficult times in the House, and closed by stressing respect across party lines and the importance of getting along. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Stephen Price, and he heard the A veteran who wanted to testify on this, Mr.
• The fact that our veterans—and mine—it's not just about our veterans.
• So veterans' lives matter. That's why I'm here.
• The fact that our veterans—and mine—it's not just about our veterans.
• So veterans' lives matter. That's why I'm here.

Bills: SB2959 , HB3096 , HCR29 , HCR56 , HCR12 , HCR55 , HCR74 , HCR78 , HCR116 , HCR117 , HCR6 , HCR50 , HCR107 , HCR80 , HCR58 , HCR70 , HCR71 , HCR72 , HCR75 , HCR93 , HCR12 , HCR6

Committee: Senate Administration

Summary: The Senate Committee on Administration met with a quorum and took up a series of pending resolutions, bills, and the local uncontested calendar. The committee first reported HCR 80 favorably and placed it on the May 9, 2025 local and uncontested calendar. It then heard and approved several commemorative resolutions, including HCR 12 designating September as Deaf Awareness Month for 10 years, HCR 55 reaffirming Poteet as the Strawberry Capital of Texas, HCR 56 designating May as NEC and Breastfeeding Awareness Month, and HB 3096 creating Profound Autism Awareness Day on March 17. Each of these measures was reported favorably to the full Senate, with no opposition in testimony except HB 3096, which included supportive testimony from Tara Duval describing the needs of individuals with profound autism and their families. The committee also approved HCR 58 redesignating Dripping Springs as the Wedding Capital of Texas, SB 2959 designating August as Firearm Safety Month, HCR 74 naming Carthage the Country Music Capital of Texas, HCR 78 establishing Lone Star Santa’s Charities Day, HCR 116 redesignating Brownsville as the Bicycling Capital of the Rio Grande Valley, and HCR 117 designating Port Aransas as the Fishing Capital of Texas. SB 2959 drew supportive testimony from Stephen Price, who emphasized gun safety, suicide prevention, and public awareness, while other measures received no public testimony. All were reported favorably and recommended for the May 9 local and uncontested calendar. Later, the committee approved HCR 6 naming Galveston the Juneteenth Capital of Texas, HCR 50 naming Galveston the Mardi Gras Capital of Texas, HCR 107 making the Texas Almanac the official State Book of Texas, HCR 70 designating Jim Hogg County as the Vaquero Capital of Texas, HCR 71 recognizing LaSalle County for wild hog hunting and related traditions, and HCR 29 designating April as Counseling Awareness Month. HCR 6 received testimony from a Galveston city representative in support of the Juneteenth designation, and HCR 29 received testimony from the Texas Counseling Association supporting recognition of counselors. Finally, the committee certified the May 9, 2025 local and uncontested calendar after removing 32 bills for reasons including penalties, fiscal notes, or opposition, specifically noting SB 317 was removed due to criminal and civil penalties, and then recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Honorable Cole Hefner, Chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety. and Veterans
• I'm joined today by Chairman Cortez, Chair of the Subcommittee on Defense and Veterans Affairs, and my
• Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs.
• Come here and represent various organizations that advocate for our veterans here in the Capitol.
• We want to thank you for helping Texas become one of the great states for veterans.