Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:47.080><c> no</c><00:07:47.319><c> votes</c> votes and zero no votes votes and zero no votes
• Further, the committee substitute makes clear that our focus will be on the transition to zero-based
• They actually published a pretty extensive report in 2001, the LRC did, about zero-based budgeting as
• They actually published a pretty extensive report in 2001, the LRC did, about zero-based budgeting as
• Zero-based budgeting actually has a rather long history in government.

Keywords: Consideration of HB 491 02:14 Consideration of HB 738 07:58 Guest presentation by Taiwan Consul General Elliott Wang 25:20 Consideration of HCR 50 36:37 Consideration of SB 19 49:29, 958, all

Summary: The House State Government Committee met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 491 by Representative Steve Riley. The committee adopted a proposed committee substitute, then heard that the bill would raise the threshold for certain capital project and equipment purchases from $200,000 to $500,000, remove a requirement for a special board meeting when replacing a board of regents member, allow certain employees or contractors to perform capital construction work up to $500,000, remove limits on retired police officers working at postsecondary institutions, and speed release of pension information to employers. Members asked about reporting and oversight of the higher threshold, and the witness said the records are maintained by institutions and available upon request. HB 491 passed on a 19-0 roll call vote. The committee then heard House Bill 738 by Representative Griffey, relating to state personnel and the constitutional officers. The bill would give independently elected constitutional officers more flexibility to hire unclassified employees and set salaries for classified employees up to the midpoint without Personnel Cabinet approval, while leaving pay scales, appropriations, and funding limits unchanged. Representative Griffey and witnesses from the auditor’s office said the measure was intended to reduce red tape, address salary compression, improve pay equity, and help recruit and retain staff; they also said it would allow offices to fill policy roles needed for audits and other work. Members questioned the fiscal note, salary caps, and whether the bill would affect future budget requests. The bill passed 18-1, with one pass, and the chair noted it would move favorably to the House floor. After those bills, the committee briefly welcomed Taiwan’s consul general, Elliot Wang, and Representative Adam Bowling spoke about Kentucky’s relationship with Taiwan, including trade, investment, and prior assistance during disasters. Wang described Taiwan’s economic ties with the United States, ongoing trade and investment developments, defense and education cooperation, and people-to-people exchange programs, noting Kentucky was the first state to sign an education cooperation MOU with Taiwan in 2021.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:40:26.240><c> knowledge</c> security challenges in zero knowledge security challenges in zero
• c> using</c><00:53:33.920><c> zero.
• ,</c> And I think if I search for zero, And I think if I search for zero, spell<00:54:21.839><c> it</
• Oh, layer<00:54:24.559><c> zero.
• The zero-knowledge proof...

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with roll call and approval of the prior meeting minutes, which passed unanimously. Members then introduced the day’s presentations, including one on the Canton network and another on tokenizing real-world assets, with a focus on how blockchain systems can support regulated financial institutions and asset tokenization. Julie, the director of policy and government affairs at Digital Asset, presented on the Canton network, describing it as a privacy-enabled public blockchain designed for regulated finance. She said tokenization should preserve the same legal and economic rights as the underlying asset, and argued that blockchain-based books and records can shorten settlement times, improve 24/7 trading, and reduce friction in capital markets. She identified three main barriers to institutional adoption of public blockchains: lack of privacy, limited throughput/scalability, and lack of control for compliance purposes such as freezing assets, pausing transactions, and meeting AML/sanctions obligations. She explained Canton’s structure as a public, permissionless network with application-level privacy controls, a global synchronizer, and super validators chosen by vote. She also highlighted current ecosystem participants and use cases, including Broadridge, Circle, and the DTCC’s planned tokenization of U.S. Treasuries on the network. Members and online participants asked about the relationship between tokenized assets and the Clarity Act, tokenized deposits, safeguards for faster settlement, and whether the platform could be used for municipal or property records. Julie said Digital Asset was not taking a position on rewards, but supported clearer statutory definitions because tokenized securities should carry the same rights as the underlying assets and investors need to know whether a token is a true tokenized security or a synthetic/reference token. She said the company is agnostic on whether the cash leg is stablecoins or tokenized deposits, though it expects both to develop. In response to concerns about rapid settlement, she pointed to institution-level permissions and SEC disclosure expectations as safeguards. She also said the technology could be used for other records, including potentially property-related records, if those assets can be tokenized.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of you may have heard about Mission Zero.
• This kind of question came up in a previous presentation on Mission Zero, and Mission Zero is this very
• is</c><00:31:24.960><c> this</c> Mission zero and Mission zero is this Mission zero and Mission zero
• Looking under Mission Zero again, I have a quick comment.
• zero in the<00:50:29.200><c> mission</c><00:50:29.559><c> zero</c><00:50:30.240><c> it's</c><00:50:30.400

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee convened an informational Division 3 Finance hearing focused on DHHS programmatic issues rather than budget line items. The chair emphasized that members should avoid questions requiring dollar figures and noted that the coming budget cycle would likely be difficult because revenues are expected to be tighter. Commissioner Lori Weaver said the department wanted to use the session to explain its functions at a high level, with more detailed presentations to follow, and to collect questions for later responses. Weaver outlined DHHS’s mission of supporting optimal health for state residents and described the department’s three main responsibilities: protection and prevention, client service delivery, and regulatory oversight. She said DHHS has eight divisions, a $3.6 billion total budget, about $1.217 billion in general funds, roughly a quarter of state positions, and personnel costs that are less than 11% of the budget. She also noted a recent hiring freeze, explained that the department did not request new positions except where required by law, and said vacancy rates had improved from 22% to 14% over the last two years but could rise again because of attrition and the hiring freeze. Weaver and CFO Nathan White then discussed why the DHHS budget is complex, explaining that it is built from multiple funding sources and is shaped by assumptions made months before the fiscal year begins, actual service demand, and cost allocation rules used to draw down federal funds. White highlighted maintenance-of-effort requirements, including TANF, where state spending is needed to secure federal matching funds and shortfalls can trigger penalties. At the committee’s request, DHHS agreed to provide a simplified historical accounting of TANF contributions to show how the match is assembled across positions, contracts, and other factors. The department also reviewed its roadmap, which Weaver described as a framework developed with staff and stakeholders around three themes: culture, community, and customer service. She highlighted priorities such as Mission Zero to end emergency department boarding, expanding access to community-based and residential behavioral health services, reducing reliance on institutional care, improving contract management with nonprofit and provider partners, using data dashboards to guide decisions, and investing in workforce stability and culture. No votes were taken; the main action was DHHS’s commitment to provide additional follow-up materials, including the TANF contribution breakdown.

Transcript Highlights:

• There being seven ayes, zero nays, House Bill 37 is favorably reported. Senator.
• There being six ayes, zero nays, House Bill 913 is favorably reported.
• There being six ayes, zero nays, House Bill 1151 is favorably reported.
• Senator Sparks, Senator Cook, there being six eyes zeroness House Bill 2809 is favorably reported.
• There being an impressive seven ayes, zero nays, Senate Bill 1782 is favorably reported.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Agency request for the upcoming year is zero.
• But you have zero in this table on page 63. So...
• And there's zero on that... Funding source, and there's zero on that funding sources at the bottom.
• It's zero expenditures, but yet we budgeted $161,000. What is that?
• So that goes to zero?

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations and took executive recommendations on several Department of Human Services divisions, including Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services; Children and Family Services; County Operations; Developmental Disability Services; and Medical Services, with most divisions showing little or no significant change in total appropriations. Staff and agency witnesses repeatedly explained that many large appropriations are maintained for flexibility, federal matching requirements, or contingency needs, even when actual spending is much lower than the authorized amount. Members also raised concerns about staffing vacancies, long-vacant budgeted positions, and the use of excess appropriation authority across DHS. In Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health, members questioned federal funding levels for mental health and substance abuse grants, the status of senior centers and Meals on Wheels, the Medicaid tobacco settlement program, community alcohol safety grants, and the veterans mental health grant. Agency officials said federal block grants are largely committed, that senior center funding had been delayed by shutdown timing but was now back on track, that the tobacco settlement program had been moved internally within DHS, and that the veterans mental health appropriation remains unfunded. Senators also criticized the adequacy of support for seniors and asked for more detail on how transportation, meal services, and local contributions are funded. In Children and Family Services, members asked about rising appropriation levels, foster care and adoption subsidies, professional fees, the number of children in foster care, and the Children’s Trust Fund. DHS said increases reflect added flexibility for residential treatment, adoption subsidies, and prevention services, while the foster care population has remained fairly steady at about 3,400 children. The Children’s Trust Fund was described as supporting primary prevention programs such as Baby and Me and community schools, and members asked whether it could be administratively combined with other efforts. Questions also covered TANF subgrants, with DHS explaining that it had reduced outside subgrants after discovering over-obligation and was rebuilding reserves. In County Operations, members focused on the summer EBT program, SNAP employment and training, the farmer’s market program, and the state’s TANF reserve position. DHS said summer EBT is still being funded through temporary appropriations because it is a newer program, SNAP employment and training is largely federally funded and may expand under a pending policy change, and TANF reserves were drawn down after prior over-obligation but are now being stabilized. In Developmental Disability Services, members asked about vacancies, human development center staffing, facility construction funds, and the Booneville work program, and DHS said the program has reopened and staffing recruitment continues. In Medical Services, members asked about FMAP, the Our Kids B CHIP program, school-based Medicaid reimbursements, nursing home distress funds, and several large appropriation lines that far exceed actual spending; DHS said these are maintained for claims payment, nursing home receivership contingencies, and other flexibility needs. Each division reviewed was adopted by executive recommendation after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the ability to set it to zero there will help bring us in balance.
• So, the ability to set it to zero there will help bring us in balance.
• So, the ability to set it to zero there will help bring us in balance.
• So, the ability to set it to zero there will help bring us in balance.
• This is the year that we hit zero.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A vote of 98 yeas, zero nays, and zero present. You passed the bill and the emergency clause.
• A vote of 97 yeas, zero nays, zero present. You've passed the bill.
• The vote of 97 yeas, zero nays, zero present. You pass the bill and the emergency clause.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3419 having received eight ayes and zero nays, I declare the same to have passed.
• That is 8 ayes and zero nays.
• Having received eight ayes and zero nays, I declare the bill to have passed. Thank you, Mr.
• That is 8 ayes and zero nays.
• Having received eight ayes and zero nays, I declare the bill to have passed. Thank you, Mr.

Bills: HB3419, HB3624, HB3748, HB4335

Keywords: corruption, nonpublic information, government accountability, criminal law, public office, counties, property taxation, watercourse, boundaries, effective date, county government, administration, local resources, public institutions, construction, maintenance, animal welfare, pet shops, commercial breeders, county regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• Ninety-eight yeas, zero nays, and the conference committee report is adopted.
• Yes, ma'am, the fiscal note is zero. It is now zero, or I would not be standing here.
• The fiscal note is zero. It's now zero. It is zero or I would not be standing here.
• Yea, zero nays, and the conference report is adopted. I didn't hear me.
• Ninety yeas, zero nays, and the conference committee report has been adopted.

Bills: HB410, HR310, HR314, HR316, HR317, HR321, HR275, HR276, HR279, HR282, HR286, HR289, HR292, HR295, HR302, HR319, HR307, HR273, SCR59, SCR61, SCR62, SCR68, SCR69, SCR70, SCR54, SCR55, SCR64, SCR75, HCR32, HB776, HB42, HB119, HB159, HB302, HB1017, HB1028, SB217, SB283, HB953, SB208, HR74, HB998, HB901, HR20, HCR65, HCR71, HCR98, HB284, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB625, HB646, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1191, HB1240, HB1255, SB82, SB89, SB97, SB123, SB237, HB36, HB74, HB75, HB258, HB259, HB414, HB459, HB784, HB848, HB956, HB1095, HB1220, HB1252, SB469, SB479

Keywords: recording, privacy, notification, direct conversation, law enforcement, first responder, penalties, oil and gas, orphan wells, inactive wells, shut-in wells, marginal wells, plugging and abandonment, well decommissioning, site remediation, site restoration, Oilfield Site Restoration, OSR program, financial security, bonding

Transcript Highlights:

• So, with that zero CO CO2 emissions.
• And I I think say zero emission sources.
• Minimum to zero is the phrase I to zero.
• I uh zero emissions are not possible.
• So going to zero did not make times.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• By your vote of 15 ayes and zero noes, you have voted House Committee substitute for House Bill 3457
• By your vote of 15 ayes and zero noes, you have voted House Committee Substitute for House Resolution
• By your vote of 15 noes and zero noes, you have voted House Committee Substitute for House Resolution
• By your vote of 15 ayes and zero noes, you have voted House Resolution 4661 do pass.
• By your vote of 15 ayes and zero noes, you have voted House Resolution 4661 do pass.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Eight yays, zero nays. A motion has been made and you've passed committee.
• Nine yays and zero nays.
• Nine yays, zero nays. And a motion. All these appointees are approved.
• Nine yays, zero nays. And Miss Marshall is... ...zero nays. And Miss Marshall is approved.

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have eight yay and zero nays. The motion has been made and you've passed committee.
• Nine yays and zero nays.
• Nine yays, zero nays. The motion is approved. All these appointees are approved. And Ms.
• Nine yays, zero nays. And Ms. Marshall is... Zero nays. And Ms. Marshall is approved.

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Brooks, Goodwin, Murdock, Wingard, Vice Chair, Hamilton, Chairman, Weaver, eight ayes, and zero
• Senate Bill 1636 by Hicks having received eight ayes and zero nays, I do declare the bill to have passed
• Senate Bill 1584 by Burns having received eight aye's and zero nays, I declare the bill to have passed
• Vice Chair Hamilton, Chairman Weaver, 8 ayes and zero nays.
• Senate Bill 1730 by Thompson having received eight ayes and zero nays, I do declare the bill to have

Bills: SB1636, SB1584, SB1730, SB1255, SB1627, SB137, SB2062, SB1470, SB1284

Keywords: cold case, unsolved homicide, violent crime, case file review, law enforcement, police records, victim family, immediate family member, designated person, forensic testing, witness reinterview, investigative leads, cold case unit, unsolved murder, public safety, Title 21, Oklahoma statutes, sexual assault, evidence kits, DNA testing

Transcript Highlights:

• By your vote of three ayes, two nays, zero present, zero not voting, you've given HB 2248 a do pass recommendation
• By your vote of three eyes, two nays, zero present, zero not voting, you've given HB 2248 a two pass
• All right, you have a vote of three ayes, two nays, zero present, zero not voting.
• By your vote of three ayes, two nays, zero present, and zero not voting, you have given HB 2688 a do-pass
• By your vote of three eyes, two nays, zero present, and zero not voting, you have given HB 2688 a due

Summary: The committee met for its first hearing of the session, took roll, introduced members and staff, and reviewed committee rules and amendment deadlines. The chair also announced that video recording would not be allowed in the room and set the order and speaking limits for the day’s bills. The committee heard HB 2248, the Arizona Medical Freedom Act, which would bar governmental entities, businesses, schools, and ticket issuers from denying employment, entry, services, or participation based on whether a person has or has not received a medical intervention. Supporters framed it as protecting bodily autonomy, parental rights, and freedom from medical discrimination. Opponents, including physicians, child care and public health advocates, argued the bill was overly broad and could undermine vaccination policies, school and child care illness controls, and protections for immunocompromised people. The bill passed on a 3-2 vote. The committee then heard HB 2086, which would prohibit governmental entities and businesses from requiring vaccination or masks/face coverings, with limited exceptions for workplace safety and infection control. Supporters said it would prevent government coercion and protect individual liberty and business freedom; opponents warned it would interfere with private business decisions and public health measures. After testimony and debate over the scope of the bill and the relevance of Jacobson v. Massachusetts, the committee approved HB 2086 on a 3-2 vote. Finally, the committee considered HB 2688, which would require the Arizona Department of Administration to identify state budget positions vacant for at least 150 days and direct budget units to eliminate those positions each fiscal year, with some exceptions such as Corrections and DPS. The sponsor said the bill was intended to reduce waste and prevent vacant positions from functioning as slush funds, while critics raised concerns about hard-to-fill specialized roles. The committee passed HB 2688 on a 3-2 vote and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are 42 aye, zero nays.
• There are 42 ayes, zero nays.
• There are 42 ayes, zero nays.
• There are 42 ayes, zero nays.
• There are 42 ayes, zero nays.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Zero. Zero interest.
• There being 10 ayes and zero nays, the motion prevails.
• There being 10 ayes and zero nays, the motion prevails.
• There being ten ayes and zero nays, the motion prevails.
• There being 11 ayes and zero nays, the motion prevails.

Bills: HB2963, HB3005, HB3287, HB3288, HB3289, HB3290, HB3344, HB3712, HB3862, HB3874, HB4196, HB4308, HB4901, HB4984

Keywords: digital equipment, repair rights, manufacturers, maintenance, consumer rights, construction contracts, payment regulations, public works, dispute resolution, audit procedures, construction, trust funds, mechanic's lien, contractor, subcontractor, residential properties, disputes, payment obligations, accountability, payment disputes

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 3862, which would restrict social media app use for minors and limit smartphone/social media access in classrooms. Supporters, including representatives from Champions for Childhood, argued that smartphones and social media are linked to addiction, distraction, cyberbullying, and worsening youth mental health, and said the bill would help parents and schools protect children. After testimony, the committee left HB 3862 pending. Members then heard HB 3712, a construction retainage bill that would stop owners from withholding reserved funds on specially fabricated materials once they are delivered, approved, and warranted, while still allowing retainage for labor and installation. Witnesses from the precast concrete industry said current retainage practices delay payment for years and create financial risk for subcontractors and suppliers. The bill was left pending after closing. The committee also heard HB 2963, a right-to-repair bill requiring manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and information for owners and independent repair providers, with carve-outs for medical devices, vehicles covered by existing repair agreements, trade secrets, and security protections. Support came from consumer, environmental, repair, and policy groups, while one witness from Safelite was neutral and urged removal of the MOU reference for auto manufacturers. HB 2963 was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4308, which would create county industrial development districts to attract industrial employers and finance infrastructure through local elections and a board structure. Supporters, including the Fort Bend County commissioner, said the bill would help counties diversify tax bases and create jobs; the bill was left pending. Later, the committee took up several pending bills and voted to report HB 74, HB 112, HB 2214, HB 3016, HB 3133, HB 3173, HB 3807, HB 4063, HB 4115, HB 5008, and HB 2652 favorably to the full House, with some sent to the Local and Consent Calendars. The committee also heard HB 3874 on construction contract transparency and HB 4196 on creating a task force to modernize manufacturing, both of which were left pending. Finally, the committee heard HB 3344, which would create a licensing and regulatory framework for re-roofing contractors; supporters said it would curb storm-chasing and protect homeowners, while one roofing contractor opposed it as too restrictive and argued existing fraud laws are sufficient. HB 3344 was also left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• There being 12 ayes, zero nays, the motion is adopted. The motion prevails.
• There being 12 ayes and zero nays, the motion prevails.
• There being 12 ayes, zero nays, the motion prevails.
• There being 12 ayes, zero nays, the motion prevails.
• There being 12 ayes, zero nays, the motion prevails.

Bills: HB 1301, HB2278, HB2776, HB2820, HB3848, HB3920, HB4172, HB4215, HB4284, HB4285, HB4463, HB4517, HB4690, HB4765, HB4766, HB4767, HB4768, HB4769, HB4773, HB4830, HB5506

Keywords: alcohol, beverages, winery permit, restaurant, malt beverages, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, alcohol production, home brewing, family use, craft beverages, massage therapy, licensing, criminal offenses, sexually oriented businesses, public safety, bingo, charitable gaming, operating capital, regulation, funding

Transcript Highlights:

• There being five ayes and zero nays, the motion prevails.
• There being five ayes and zero nays, the motion prevails.
• There being five ayes and zero nays, the motion prevails.
• There being five ayes and zero nays... Zero nays, the motion prevails.
• Five ayes and zero nays, the motion prevails.

Bills: HCR7, HB1557, HB1608, HB2061, HB2201, HB2210, HB2426, HB2754, HJR165, HB2513, HCR7

Keywords: Veterans of Foreign Wars, veterans, commemoration, military service, recognition, September 29, waiver programs, toll roads, discount programs, transportation, affordable housing, land bank program, low-income households, Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation, HB 2061, Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 225, State Highway 242, Interstate Highway 69, Montgomery County

Transcript Highlights:

• This state is not a net zero state. It should not be a net zero state.
• And as far as net zero, anytime I see net zero anywhere, I think of the Terminator.
• You know, as long as there's humans breathing, we're not going to be net zero.
• And, and, and, net zero in where it's taking the country. That's correct.
• Net zero is a goal to strive toward.

Keywords: 965, house, all