Transcript Highlights:

• <00:19:32.919> uh emerging technology um competitive uh emerging technology um competitive
• > events events I think competitive events events I think competitive events provide<00:19:35.480
• I am the senior director of the Sanaa Foundation's Workforce Development, or human development, as we
• from both Workforce Development Fund and general fund.
• funding from both Workforce Development funding from both Workforce Development Fund<01:27:41.000

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And all for the board's consideration and the development of a system-wide policy on this very topic.
• can see that development and implementation in the very near future.
• I know some legislators have been sort of exploring this area, developing kind of similar models.
• Some legislators have been sort of exploring this area, developing kind of similar models.
• , some of this isn't competitive.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Public education and workforce development are very important for the future of Texas.
• So workforce development, as Senator Roy said, is very important to me in economic development.
• So workforce development, as Senator Roy said, is very important to me in economic development.
• I think we won't be able to be competitive.
• So the 6% is really important to remain competitive, especially with other state agencies.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee convened for its first hearing of the 89th regular session, confirmed a quorum, adopted committee rules by a 15-0 vote, and began review of Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-27. Chair Huffman outlined the committee’s organization, introduced staff, and described the budget as conservative and focused on one-time investments. She highlighted major SB 1 priorities including property tax relief, full funding for public education formulas, teacher pay, school safety, border security, Medicaid growth, dementia research, energy and water infrastructure, transportation, wildfire suppression, and other capital and public safety needs. Comptroller Glenn Hager presented the biennial revenue estimate, saying the state has $194.6 billion available for general-purpose spending in 2026-27, with a projected $23.8 billion ending balance from the current biennium. He cautioned that revenue growth is returning to more normal levels and that lawmakers should avoid committing short-term surpluses to ongoing expenses. He also explained that the Economic Stabilization Fund is projected to hit its constitutional cap, meaning an estimated $5.6 billion in severance tax and related revenue would remain in general revenue in the upcoming biennium rather than flow into the fund. Senators discussed whether to raise or rename the fund and the implications of keeping more severance-tax revenue in general revenue. The Legislative Budget Board then gave an overview of SB 1 and the budget’s major funding changes. LBB staff explained that the bill is essentially flat at $332.9 billion in all funds, but includes large method-of-finance shifts and major property tax relief. They detailed how prior property tax relief enacted in the 88th Legislature grew from an estimated $18 billion to $22.7 billion because of higher property values and hold-harmless provisions, and said SB 1 continues that relief with a total of $51 billion in ongoing and new property tax support. Members asked extensive questions about the automatic growth in school tax compression, the constitutional homestead exemption, COVID-era federal funding, Medicaid assumptions, and the sunset of the non-homestead circuit breaker. No additional votes or final budget actions were taken beyond adoption of the committee rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• municipalities that are using taxpayer dollars to lobby the legislature or Congress to engage in the competitive
• By subjecting them to the competitive bidding process, we can ensure that taxpayers are getting the best
• This signals to the public that there could be a benefit from adding these services to the competitive
• However, security concerns arose, so a committee substitute has been developed, which appears to be a
• The committee substitute was developed by Senator Hall, and it would limit the prohibition on wireless

Bills: HB223

Keywords: municipal budget, county budget, local government finance, spending cap, expenditure limit, inflation plus population growth, taxpayer impact statement, budget transparency, property tax, fees, Legislative Budget Board, voter approval, disaster spending, fiscal restraint, Texas Local Government Code, city budget, county expenditures, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If this bill passes, it doesn't necessarily stop a development.
• mitigation plan and moving forward with a development.
• If this bill passes, it doesn't necessarily stop a development.
• mitigation plan and moving forward with a development.
• responsible development in, I mean, you agree?

Summary: The committee first considered several local property-transfer and wildlife/fisheries bills, including SB 229 (Bojeur Parish property transfer), SB 71 (Lafayette Parish property transfer), and a series of Department of Wildlife and Fisheries measures. SB 203 simplified possession rules for fish on multi-day trips and remote camps; SB 429 created an administrative path to register “orphan” boats with lapsed registrations; SB 204 removed a residency-based restriction on certain commercial fishing gear licenses; SB 205 reduced duplicate registration requirements for federally documented boats; SB 213 clarified titling rules for vessels and outboard motors; and SB 257 removed Social Security number requirements from certain commercial fishing tags. Each of these bills was reported favorable, generally without objection, after brief explanations from sponsors and department counsel about reducing red tape, improving enforcement, or modernizing records. The committee also heard SB 214, which would allow the Teche-Vermilion Fresh Water District to stop pumping during an imminent flood threat identified by the National Weather Service or GOSEP, addressing liability concerns and giving local officials more flexibility in emergencies. SB 274, as amended, required lead hazard risk assessments for certain child care, early learning, and pre-kindergarten facilities and required hazards found in assessments to be addressed before licensing. Both bills were reported favorable. SB 379, a technical reorganization bill for the Department of Conservation and Energy, received two amendment sets: one changing investment language and another standardizing judicial-review procedures and online notice requirements; it was reported favorable after those amendments. The committee then adopted HCR 62, urging FEMA to review flood maps every five years instead of every ten and to better account for local flood-protection projects, with members discussing the burden of flood insurance and the need for FEMA to recognize levees, pump stations, and elevated homes. HCR 78 was also reported favorable, memorializing Congress to pass the American Seafood Competitiveness Act of 2026 in support of Louisiana’s seafood industry. HB 662, as substituted, was reported favorable after being rewritten to codify the department’s internal protocol for seized sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife, prioritizing release, rehabilitation, placement, and euthanasia as a last resort. Finally, the committee considered two more contentious items. HR 216, which urged repudiation of the Louisiana Climate Action Plan of 2022, drew extended debate over whether the plan had been adopted without legislative input and whether it could affect permits or future policy; after discussion, the sponsor voluntarily deferred the resolution to return with a revised approach focused on a legislative hearing or review. SCR 24, dealing with chronic wasting disease rules, was introduced with amendments that would raise the prevalence threshold, cap samples, allow zone removal after three years without new detections, and lift baiting/feed prohibitions above a higher prevalence level; the transcript cuts off before final action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have to try to stay one step ahead of it as fraud continues to develop with technology.
• Again, back to the recent federal developments. Jessica, I'm sorry. Representative Richter.
• Again, back to recent federal developments, the Federal Anti-Fraud Task Force.
• The committee will go on anything there, but yeah, you do see the competitive nature, and that...
• So it's got, it's very competitive. What we hear, the bars are selling for some pretty good...

Summary: The committee met to review the Attorney General’s budget and related agency operations, beginning with Legislative Council staff walking members through compliance reports and a blue-sheet base budget document. Staff highlighted current-biennium items such as FTE changes, one-time appropriations, litigation funding, opioid settlement receipts, continuing appropriations, and major special and federal funds. Members asked for clarification on items including the Missing Indigenous People Grant Fund, the Internet Crimes Investigation Fund, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit grant funding. Assistant Attorney General Clare Ness then gave an overview of the office’s structure, staffing, and budget pressures. She emphasized the office’s broad statutory duties, the value of its legal services to state and local government, and concerns about attorney pay lagging behind other agencies. Members discussed whether attorney compensation should be benchmarked more consistently across state government and whether some legal work could be consolidated within the AG’s office. Ness also addressed questions about AG opinion turnaround times, boards-and-commissions training, the new-and-vacant FTE pool, operating expense cuts, office leases, and the state’s criminal justice information systems. The crime lab presentation drew significant attention. Director Jennifer Penner described severe space, safety, and infrastructure problems at the current lab, including cramped work areas, glycol leaks, outdated fire and burglar alarms, air-handling limits, and equipment failures that have delayed toxicology work. She said the 2024 study projected a much larger facility would be needed and that the preferred location would be near the current health department site, but in a new building. Members asked about possible evidence risks, backlog status, and whether the proposed building would solve the current problems; Penner said it would and noted backlogs have improved overall, though some delays remain. The committee also heard from the new Medicaid Fraud Control Unit director, who described the unit’s civil and criminal work, federal-state funding split, and examples of fraud such as billing for services not provided or upcoding. The gaming division reported continued growth in charitable gaming and e-tabs, with members expressing concern about large trust-account balances, site competition, and possible misuse of proceeds. Finally, BCI outlined its caseload, cybercrime work, missing Indigenous persons task force, and the surge in CSAM cyber tips; members asked about AI-generated CSAM, and the AG’s office noted that last session’s law increased penalties and expressly allowed AI-generated CSAM to be prosecuted like other CSAM. No formal votes or actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Echoing what Representative Chandler said, this would make New Mexico one of the most competitive programs
• This makes New Mexico more competitive in recruiting and retaining the workforce we desperately need.
• He is an international, competitive para-athlete, and a great union, a great organizer for committee
• Investing in peer support training is more than professional development.
• I understand that our economic development most certainly sees it as favorable.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, if the person is from a foreign country of concern and they are developing the software and it's
• I think that there would be general concern about any of our software being developed in a foreign country
• So we have been working with states across the country to develop foreign agent registration acts that
• Second, while it's true that the competition between the United States and China resides primarily at
• They often undercut U.S. companies by first stealing our technology and then developing it, selling it

Bills: S1622, S1178

Keywords: financial disclosure, statement of financial interests, ethics, late filing, late-filed disclosure, automatic fine, waiver, Florida Commission on Ethics, public officials, state officers, local officers, state employees, ethics enforcement, government transparency, sunshine law, reporting persons, penalty reduction, first-time offender, election ethics, general revenue fund

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and first took up Senate Bill 1178, the Foreign Interference Restriction and Enforcement Act, sponsored by Senator Garcia. The bill would expand state restrictions on foreign countries of concern and designated foreign terrorist organizations, including creating a state registration framework for foreign agents, banning gifts to public officials from covered foreign entities, requiring ethics training on foreign influence, tightening procurement limits for information technology and critical infrastructure, restricting sister-city/sister-state encouragement, revising linkage institute rules and tuition provisions, and criminalizing certain conduct tied to foreign governments or unauthorized enforcement of foreign law. Members asked extensive questions about how the bill would affect election technology, software development, federal foreign-agent registration, educational exchanges, and the treatment of organizations such as CARE; the sponsor said the bill focused on ownership/control and foreign countries of concern, not specific components or general participation in events. An amendment by Senator Grall was adopted to clarify definitions, align penalties with willful violations, and specify that new ethics training content is additive. The committee then heard supportive testimony from Kelly Curry of State Armor and Rob Pierce of American Global Strategies, both of whom argued the bill would help Florida counter foreign influence, protect data and infrastructure, and improve transparency. CS for SB 1178 was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1622, which provides a one-time waiver of the automatic fine for a late-filed financial disclosure under specified conditions, including that the filer submitted the disclosure before the maximum fine accrued and had not previously received such a waiver. Carrie Stillman of the Commission on Ethics testified in support, saying the bill preserves transparency and compliance goals while making the fine and appeals process more workable. The bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. Finally, the committee took up confirmation hearings for appointments in tabs 3 through 26. No separate votes were requested, no public testimony was offered, and the block of appointees was recommended favorably to the full Senate by roll call vote. The meeting then concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• So those locals had planning, design, and funding elements that they were developing.
• We receive feedback in the development of what will the conditions of this grant be.
• Is it competitive? Is it formula-based? If you can share. Yes, I really appreciate it.
• So we're going to ask our staff to be trying to work with you to develop those things.
• We're not developing any new programs or guidelines.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They win by staying competitive. And in today's environment, that competition is intense.
• competitive and deliver value. competitive and deliver value.
• <00:45:33.960> across retail is intensely competitive across retail is intensely competitive
• competitive markets, surveillance In competitive markets, surveillance pricing<01:16:44.320> would
• of competition of competition allowing<01:35:07.640> algorithmic<01:35:08.360> collusion

Bills: HF3794, HF3408

Keywords: surveillance, price discrimination, wage discrimination, automated decision systems, consumer protections, data privacy, biometrics, consumer protection, price setting, biometric data, retail, privacy, 1183, house

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from March 3, 2026, and then received a presentation from the Minnesota Office of the Attorney General on the Minnesota Consumer Data Privacy Act. Assistant Attorney General Caitlin Miko and Deputy Attorney General Jessica Whitney reviewed the law’s scope, consumer rights, business obligations, and enforcement history. They said the law took effect July 31, 2025, gives Minnesotans rights to access, delete, and opt out of sale, profiling, and targeted advertising, and is enforced by the Attorney General with penalties up to $7,500 per violation. They reported more than 200 complaints in the first six months, many warning letters, and a shift from education to active enforcement now that the initial warning-letter period has expired. Committee members asked about how the universal opt-out works, what happens when companies deny deletion or editing requests, how the office determines willful noncompliance, and whether the law could burden small businesses. The AG’s office said the opt-out can be set through privacy-protective browsers or extensions, companies must respond to consumer requests within 45 days, small businesses are exempt as defined by the SBA, and investigations look for patterns and evidence of willful conduct rather than minor technical violations. The office also said it needs additional funding to fully staff enforcement efforts and noted that it has already issued subpoenas and civil investigative demands. The committee then took up House File 3408, the Stop Grocery Surveillance Price Gouging Act. The author explained that the bill would prohibit retail grocers, physical and online, from setting individualized prices based on consumer information, would limit certain uses of facial recognition and electronic shelf labels, and would preserve narrow exceptions for discounts and loyalty programs. Public testimony followed from the Minnesota Farmers Union in support, arguing that grocery consolidation and surveillance pricing could worsen already high food costs and harm fair competition. The Minnesota Grocers Association opposed the premise that grocery stores use surveillance pricing, said shelf prices are generally uniform and set from a single storewide database, and argued electronic shelf labels are efficient and not nefarious. A technology company representative similarly said ESLs do not use personal data or facial recognition, prices are uniform, and a 2025 study found no meaningful price increases after ESL adoption. The bill was laid over for possible further discussion after the testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, they are preparing for regional competition in music, academics, and athletics.
• Additionally, they are preparing for regional competition in music, academics, and athletics.
• I won competitions, I got state recognition, and eventually I ended up at a great college where I sat
• The bill directs the Department of Housing and Community Development to review and develop appropriate
• Senate Bill 285 directs the Department of Housing and Community Development to review and develop criteria

Keywords: March 12, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Over a hundred years of population growth and economic development, we have developed.
• SB6 will also require utilities to develop a protocol.
• My name is Joel Yu with Enchanted Rock, a microgrid developer based in Houston, developing solutions
• LS Power is an owner, operator, and developer of more than 50,000 megawatts of competitive generation
• Support the development of new dispatchable generation.

Bills: SB6, SB11, SB33

Keywords: electric power, interconnection, utilities, ERCOT, large load customers, water supply, sewer service, demand management, school prayer, Bible reading, religious text, public schools, Texas Education Code, student prayer, silent prayer, meditation, religious liberty, First Amendment, Establishment Clause, church and state

Transcript Highlights:

• bill this session to assist our institutions of higher education in taking advantage of a more competitive
• Because, you know, you want competition, I think it's a good thing.
• the Texas State Capitol, impacting the space utilization of the site and limiting the potential development
• As developed and seeks federal recognition, Senate Bill 2647 establishes an interim transition system
• We've been trying to develop an associate's program, and so I've gone through this process of working

Bills: SB1998, SB646, SB2786, SB2076, SB2615, SB1961, SB1418, SB2647, SB1322, SB2788

Keywords: pediatrics, medical education, subsidiary, preceptorship, medical training, student programs, mental health, loan repayment, education funding, mental health professionals, healthcare access, Texas Success Initiative, exemption, public officers, employees, higher education, Capitol view, Austin, urban planning, construction

Transcript Highlights:

• The goal here is seeing New Mexico competitive with surrounding states, give site selectors clarity,
• I would like to introduce Rob Black, the Economic Development Secretary.
• Credit directly ties economic development to real outcomes, higher paychecks, and long-term employment
• In preparation for the work that the LFC did in the interim, the subcommittee developed this piece of
• I have been before the Water Trust Board in competition with the whole state of New Mexico to try to

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been funding the development of career and technical education programs.
• The committee will be responsible for developing program guidelines, including eligibility criteria and
• Our firm is competitively working on hatchery pond improvements and dam rehabilitation work, and these
• The second thing they did was they provided $25,000 in funding for staff development, professional development
• Professional development.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, pledge, and roll call, establishing a quorum. It then took up a series of appropriations and policy bills, with the most extensive debate centered on Senate Bill 2025, the Department of Veterans Affairs budget. The House approved amendments that shifted governance of the department and veterans’ home from ACOVA to the governor, citing concerns about ACOVA’s salary-setting actions and broader appropriation oversight. Members opposed to the change argued ACOVA had studied compensation and acted within its role. The amended bill passed 57-34, and the final bill passed 69-22 with the emergency clause carrying. The House also passed Senate Bill 2001, the legislative branch budget, which funds the 2027 session, legislative staff, chamber upgrades, IT improvements, and salary adjustments for legislative leaders; the bill passed 62-29, but the emergency clause failed. Senate Bill 2019, the Career and Technical Education budget, passed 82-10 with emergency clause. Senate Bill 2021, the Information Technology Department budget, passed 75-17 after discussion of data center migration, service automation, mainframe transition, ERP study, and DPI’s move from PowerSchool to Infinite Campus. Other measures passed included Senate Bill 2228 for rural grocery store sustainability grants, Senate Bill 2390 creating a rural catalyst community grant program, Senate Bill 2188 adjusting the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority, and Senate Bill 2265 authorizing a veterans national cemetery grant and line of credit with added reporting safeguards. Several House bills returned from the Senate were concurred in and then passed, including House Bill 1361 on mandatory minimum sentences for human trafficking offenders, House Bill 1017 for the Game and Fish Department, House Bill 1588 on firearms and dangerous weapons provisions, House Bill 1429 on harassment and stalking involving robots, House Bill 1591 on county fair resiliency grants, House Bill 1537 on service agreement protection for water projects, House Bill 1203 on edible medical marijuana products, and House Bill 1027 transferring administration of the State Fire and Tornado Fund from the Insurance Commissioner to OMB. The House also rejected a motion to reconsider Senate Bill 2307, which dealt with library materials and obscenity-related restrictions, by a vote of 48-51. In addition, the chamber appointed conference committees on several House and Senate measures where concurrence had failed, and laid over Senate Bill 2340 for two legislative days.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:19.360> the<00:09:19.600> application<00:09:20.240> getting developing the
• application getting developing the application getting public<00:09:20.800> input<00:09:21.200
• The allotted funds share will go down and the competitive grant funds will go up.
• the competitive grant funds will go up. the competitive grant funds will go up.
• , workforce development, workforce development, um<00:32:31.039> expand<00:32:31.600> rural

Bills: HF1925

Keywords: nurse licensure, multistate license, healthcare, public safety, interstate compact, nursing regulation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the years, the three hangars have developed structural and safety issues.
• Over the years, the three hangars have developed structural and safety issues.
• Over the years, the three hangars have developed structural and safety issues.
• Over the years, the three hangars have developed structural and safety issues.
• We plan, coordinate, and perform strategy development.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Minnesota Senate Subcommittee on Veterans heard a Department of Military Affairs presentation on bonding, tuition benefits, and cyber response. The department requested $3.5 million in design funding for a new hangar at the 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth, citing safety problems with the aging 1950s-era hangars and the need to improve the wing’s competitiveness for future federal military construction funding. It also sought $2.5 million for asset preservation at Army facilities statewide, emphasizing that state dollars are often matched by federal funds. A National Guard lieutenant also testified about the State Tuition Reimbursement Program, describing how it helped pay for her undergraduate and doctoral education and reduce student debt. The committee also received an update on Minnesota National Guard cyber operations, including the response to the July 2025 ransomware attack on the City of Saint Paul. Testimony described the cyber coordination cell’s role in planning, interagency coordination, and support during the incident, including helping re-image about 500 computers and assisting with network recovery. Members heard that the Guard’s cyber teams conduct extensive partner engagement and are prepared to support state and local entities when civil resources are exhausted and the incident exceeds local capacity. Three bills were then heard and advanced. Senate File 4075, as amended, would implement recommendations from the task force on Special Guerrilla Unit and regular forces veterans from the Secret War in Laos, including eligibility and benefit changes; the committee adopted an amendment and passed the bill to the full committee. Senate File 3956, as amended, would clarify that the Department of Veterans Affairs may partner with veteran-serving organizations using nonmonetary resources to address food insecurity, homelessness, and suicide prevention; it was also referred onward. Senate File 4056, as amended, would add veteran or military status as a protected class under the Minnesota Human Rights Act; testimony supported the change, including concerns about service members losing educational opportunities while on state active duty, and the bill was passed to the full committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• We support the smart development of passenger rail and freight rail in Texas, and we do support House
• Uh, it's all about increasing the economic development and attracting business and industry to these
• Texas needs one to be able to participate in competitive federal grant programs for track and bridge
• I also serve as business support and development leader for TNW Corporation.
• I'm also the CEO and president of the Greenville Economic Development Corporation.

Transcript Highlights:

• infrastructure, education, and community services in base impacted areas, it ensures we remain competitive
• ensures we have a dedicated strategic way to support growth, protect our installations, and remain competitive
• Just like we hear in other economic development activities across the state, the Department of Defense
• process Madam Chair and members of the committee, so at this time, the rule for the fund is still in development
• advances the rest of the world and our nation in planning for these types of improvements and developments

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:57.199> for state to remain competitive for state to remain competitive for businesses
• Um, development committee in my town.
• c><01:08:14.319> a what they're developing, they can get a what they're developing, they can get
• outside of the development. outside of the development.
• increasing the research and development increasing the research and development tax<05:07:26.798

Keywords: 1189, house, all