Transcript Highlights:

• I am the program director as well for Wilson State College for their paramedic and E&T program.
• The testing and things like that will have to be proctored.
• They may end up in Oklahoma or Texas after that.
• Schools have the same thing set up with their sports boosters.
• The biennial appropriation for this program is $846,000.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee was called to order, a quorum was established, and the minutes from the prior meeting were approved. The first major presentation came from Montana Public Employees Retirement System executive director William Hollahan, who gave an overview of Montana’s Volunteer Firefighters’ Compensation Act plan. He explained that the plan covers volunteer firefighters in unincorporated areas, is funded by 5% of state fire insurance premium taxes, and currently serves 228 departments with about 2,936 active members and 1,242 retirees. He described eligibility rules, annual training and reporting requirements, benefit levels for partial and full pensions, disability, death, medical, and funeral benefits, and said the plan is actuarially sound with roughly $60 million in assets and a funded ratio slightly above 100%. Committee members asked about prior-service credit, whether EMS personnel are included, the effect on recruitment and retention, and whether expanding coverage would require a funding analysis; Hollahan said prior service is not credited, EMS is not currently included, and any expansion would need financial review. Tim Walleen of Workforce Safety and Insurance then presented a draft North Dakota workers’ compensation solution for volunteer firefighters and volunteer EMS personnel. He explained that volunteer responders are already covered by workers’ comp for medical and wage-loss benefits, but the proposal would set a minimum annual wage of $30,000 for calculating wage-loss benefits for qualifying volunteers, with the benefit paid at two-thirds of that amount. Representative Porter suggested tying the volunteer definition to existing code rather than a fixed dollar amount, and Walleen agreed. Questions focused on whether search and rescue or other volunteer emergency services could be included, whether departments would face new paperwork, and whether volunteer organizations can already elect coverage; Walleen said there would be no additional paperwork and that volunteer coverage is already available. The committee also heard from volunteer fire service representatives and the state fire marshal. An Oakes-area firefighter, Mr. Olson, testified that small departments are struggling with retention, communication, and administrative burdens, especially around separate bookkeeping and funding rules for donated or fundraising money, and he said departments need clearer guidance from the state. State Fire Marshal Dr. Matthew Clark introduced himself and outlined a broader effort to improve education, support, and coordination for fire departments, including a planned 10% audit of certificates of existence beginning in 2027, more outreach through his office, and better assistance with training, reporting, and grant access. He said his office is authorized under current law to provide these services, but the role has been vague and underused. Finally, Arnagard Rural Fire District Chief Rick Schreiber testified in favor of new recruitment and retention ideas, including retirement-style benefits, health insurance, tax incentives, scholarships, grants, and more remote or regional training. He said volunteer departments are losing members, that local tax and donation funds are already stretched, and that any new retirement or incentive program should be sustainable and likely involve a mix of state and local support.

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee substitute for Senate Bill 715 is essential to ensuring the program can also be used to
• Retail electric providers offer demand response programs that actively reduce consumption.
• We're behind Oklahoma and Arkansas on our energy efficiency program, so we think SB 2994 is a good step
• Texas has long established utility efficiency programs, as noted earlier.
• to the portfolio level, as Cyrus mentioned earlier, which allows for program adjustments.

Bills: SB383, SB1012, SB1181, SB1705, SB2075, SB2221, SB2586, SB2864, SB2994

Keywords: SB 383, ERCOT, Texas Utilities Code, interconnection, wind power facility, offshore wind, coastal wind, nearshore wind, Gulf of America, Texas coast, three marine leagues, electric grid, transmission line, distribution facility, renewable energy, battery storage, energy storage, grid access, power grid, electric service

Transcript Highlights:

• But I think by capping it at the $10,000, putting in the means testing, you've targeted the program to
• Louisiana and North Carolina also have programs. Oklahoma does as well.
• Sorry, it's a clarification question. have programs. Oklahoma does as well. have programs.
• The program is a clinical program.
• The program is a clinical program.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The medical center, the law schools, and all that have been taken out for some reason.
• I have not had one for over five months in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
• I want them to benefit from public schools that help develop intelligent and kind students.
• I moved here 24 years ago to attend the University of Texas School of Law.
• Public schools are losing essential funding.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• General, to develop a program for use by school districts that addresses the specific risks of producing
• General, to develop a program for use by school districts that addresses the specific risks of producing
• The cost of maintenance on one high school alone in our last bond program was $12 million.
• Our school system has a dual-language program from kinder all the way up through fifth grade, trilingual
• A bond backed by the program is downgraded to junk status if the district or charter school fails to

Summary: The Senate Education K-16 Committee heard several bills focused on school finance, transparency, student safety, and educator misconduct. SB 843 by Senator Kolkhorst would create a centralized TEA database for school bond elections, tax rates, and project details; supporters said it would improve transparency for taxpayers, while members discussed the fiscal note and suggested adding charter schools. SB 1224 by Senator Sparks would require superintendents to report alleged romantic, sexual, or abusive conduct between staff and students directly to law enforcement within 48 hours, with penalties for failure to report; testimony from advocates and survivors strongly supported the bill and urged that it also apply to private and charter schools. SB 747 by Senator Paxton on behalf of Senator King would require school district policies addressing AI-generated sexually explicit images of minors as cyberbullying and direct the School Safety Center to develop guidance; the committee heard emotional testimony from a student victim and discussed school authority to discipline off-campus conduct and the role of cell phones. The committee also heard SB 1636 by Senator Hinojosa, which would limit use of interest and sinking tax revenues to debt service for voter-approved capital projects and not deferred maintenance; school finance witnesses raised concerns that the bill’s language could restrict needed facility maintenance spending and asked for a clearer definition of deferred maintenance. SB 2185, also by Senator Hinojosa, would expand access to the bilingual education allotment for dual-language programs; district officials and educators testified in support, saying it would remove barriers to funding and better support bilingual instruction. SB 604 by Senator West would require the Permanent School Fund Corporation to publicly track bonds backed by the state guarantee program that are downgraded to speculative or junk status, with West arguing the information would provide an early warning sign of district financial distress. Across the hearing, much of the testimony centered on student protection and accountability in schools. Multiple witnesses described educator misconduct cases, failures to report abuse, and the need for outside law enforcement involvement rather than internal district investigations. Committee members repeatedly discussed extending reporting and safety requirements to private and charter schools, and several witnesses urged independent oversight. No bills were voted out; each measure heard was left pending, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, my biggest concern is what I've heard about the pilot program.
• I would be concerned that there would be some counties that would be voting while the pilot programs
• Well, my biggest concern is what I've heard about the pilot program.
• Well, my biggest concern is what I've heard about the pilot program.
• Even our neighbors in Oklahoma launched a full online voter registration system just last year.

Bills: HB311, SB447, SB505, SB2217, SB2753

Keywords: voter registration, electronic, Texas election law, Signature verification, DPS, internet application, Texas Election Code, signature verification, online application, data security, electronic application, Department of Public Safety, information security, electronic voter registration, voting technology, voter access, state election laws, digital signature, election irregularities, audit

Summary: The committee heard several election-related bills. SB 447 would let the City of Mission in Hidalgo County permanently move its municipal elections from May to the uniform November election date if it chooses. The bill was described as permissive and intended to increase turnout and reduce costs. Mission’s mayor testified in support, saying voters had already approved the change by a wide margin in a charter amendment election. The bill was left pending after no objection. SB 2217 focused on standardizing election data reporting and reconciliation across counties to improve transparency and comparability. Testimony was generally supportive of the goal, but Dr. Laura Presley and others flagged technical issues, including a discrepancy between a three-ballot mismatch threshold in existing law and a 1% threshold in part of the bill, plus a definition issue involving central accumulators. Supporters said consistent auditing and reconciliation would help election integrity, while the bill was also left pending. The committee then took up SB 2753, a major proposal to create a continuous in-person voting period that would combine early voting and Election Day into one uninterrupted process, with precinct consolidation and other changes. Supporters said it could simplify administration, reduce equipment changes, and improve security by using one set of machines. Opponents and neutral witnesses raised concerns about cost, staffing, ballot security, reporting changes, weekend voting, and whether the bill was ready for implementation; several urged a pilot or study instead. The committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. SB 505 would create a process for election workers, candidates, party officials, and measure proponents or opponents to request explanations of election irregularities, with escalation to the Secretary of State for audit or enforcement if responses were unsatisfactory. Supporters said it would provide a way to resolve irregularities and restore confidence, while opponents argued it was too broad, lacked guardrails against abuse, and could be used by partisan actors to pressure counties. The bill was left pending. Finally, HB 311 would expand Texas’s online voter registration system to first-time registrants and others, with supporters citing efficiency, lower costs, and broader access, and opponents raising concerns about signature verification and implementation details. Testimony was cut short because of the session deadline, and the bill had not been disposed of in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• years zero the same was true in Oklahoma years zero the same was true in Oklahoma so<00:07:50.240
• <02:11:42.400> districts harder for low-income school districts harder for low-income school
• National Blue Ribbon School status for NES High School.
• of Midlothian Heritage High this school of Midlothian Heritage High School School School for<07:58:28.878
• School.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• concerning the examination of a school concerning the examination of a school district<00:33:39.200
• projects for qualified charter schools projects for qualified charter schools in<00:33:43.440>
• <00:33:46.559> district's examination of the school district's examination of the school district's
• Currently, to $300,000 for the program.
• program, three member advisory<02:27:20.880> committee.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, approved the journal, and received several routine messages, including House-passed bills transmitted to the governor and the revisor. During moments of personal privilege, senators welcomed guests including members of the Persian Cultural Circle for the annual Naruse breakfast, a niece shadowing Senator Judah, and leadership from the Netherland Public Library. A tribute recognizing March 20, 2026 as Naruse Day was read into the record, celebrating the Persian New Year and the Iranian-American community. On the consent calendar, House Bill 1191 passed 33-0. The bill concerns audits of school districts receiving state education fund money for capital construction projects for qualified charter schools, making the state auditor’s examination discretionary rather than mandatory. The Senate then laid over third reading of bills until March 24, 2026, pulled House Bill 1098 off consent for later consideration, and authorized the Joint Budget Committee to conduct business while the Senate was in session. The chamber then resolved into Committee of the Whole and adopted House Bills 1180 and 1189 on second reading. HB 1180 continues the Business Intelligence Center Advisory Board sunset process by repealing the board, while HB 1189 addresses property held by a community property spouse under the Uniform Community Property Disposition at Death Act. The committee report was adopted 33-0 and the bills were ordered revised and placed on the third-reading calendar. The committee also took up Senate Bill 112, concerning defendants who fail to appear in court and allowing certain pretrial release conditions for repeat failures to appear. Sponsor testimony emphasized that the bill was amended to use language from prior legislation and now focuses on repeated, willful failures to appear in the same case, with safeguards for municipal courts and situations where counsel is present. Supporters, including Senator Carson, argued the measure gives local courts a narrow tool to address repeated nonappearance and reduce burdens on judges, law enforcement, victims, and taxpayers; the discussion continued as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, Sasha Horwitz, Los Angeles Unified School District.
• That it would be part of this program.
• And that's one of the designs of this bill is to set up a program that has all the protections necessary
• Now, the GKN facility is next to a residential area and just down the street from an elementary school
• The bill also gives regulators better tools to oversee program compliance and target enforcement where

Summary: The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee heard several bills focused on wildfire preparedness, industrial safety, and recycling oversight. SB 1153 by Senator Caballero would require urban retail water suppliers to add wildfire-specific procedures to emergency plans and coordinate with fire agencies; supporters said it would improve planning while recognizing water system limits, and the bill was framed as protecting ratepayers and infrastructure. SB 811, also by Senator Caballero, would create a comprehensive DTSC permitting and regulatory framework for metal shredding facilities; supporters argued it would set clear statewide standards and protect communities, while opponents said it would weaken hazardous waste protections and carve the industry out of existing law. SB 883 by Senator Umberg would impose new safeguards for facilities storing reactive chemicals such as methyl methacrylate after the Garden Grove evacuation, including backup cooling, public review, emergency planning, and state tracking; industry groups opposed the breadth of the bill and sought further clarification, while environmental and community groups supported it. SB 1010 by Senator Ashby would strengthen oversight of appliance recyclers by improving reporting, inspections, certification, and funding for enforcement; supporters said it would reduce emissions and improve compliance, while recyclers raised concerns about fees and certification requirements. Each bill drew extensive testimony from industry, environmental, labor, local government, and community representatives. Supporters generally emphasized public safety, transparency, and the need for clearer statewide standards, while opponents warned about overregulation, reduced flexibility, or unintended impacts on existing hazardous waste and recycling systems. Committee members also raised questions about transparency, liability, size-based treatment of facilities, and whether the bills were narrowly tailored enough to address the problems identified. The committee voted to advance all four measures to the Committee on Appropriations, with votes taken on call and some members voting no or not voting on certain bills. The final add-on votes showed SB 811, SB 883, SB 1010, and SB 1153 all passing out of committee, with the roll left open for absent members before the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• are to do them after kinds of programs are to do them after school. school. school.
• would<04:12:35.760> have in the school in this program would have in the school in this program
• Um, there are School programs.
• This program is an optional schools.
• <05:18:47.760> because schools in this program solely because schools in this program solely

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with some assurance that in Oklahoma with some assurance that in Oklahoma it's<01:05:13.359>
• So that piece of it would fall away, and so you'd be left with the program.
• How is that going to impact the program? I mean, is that problematic?
• undergrad they go through medical school undergrad they go through medical school they<03:41:18.239
• and also the fire chiefs they have test and also the fire chiefs they have test they<04:17:30.840

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up several bills and repeatedly chose to retain or table them rather than advance them. House 167, dealing with past wax, was voted ought to pass; House 312 was retained because members said NCAA-related advertising and uniform policy issues were still unresolved; House 434, requiring insurers to provide rental cars for at least seven days, was voted inexpedient to legislate; and House 454, on biodegradable packaging claims, was also voted inexpedient to legislate after members said the proposal lacked a workable enforcement mechanism and would likely be only a symbolic state-by-state measure. House 721, making gold legal tender, was retained, with members saying the bill needed more work and that the issue was less compelling in New Hampshire because the state has no sales tax. The committee then discussed House 310, which was amended to create a study commission on blockchain and related regulatory issues. The amendment expanded the commission’s charge to include legal, regulatory, financial, technological, and environmental considerations, added review of federal developments, included blockchain-based trust and stable token issues, broadened membership, and extended the repeal and report dates by a year. Members said the commission would help New Hampshire develop expertise and a report for future legislation, while also noting that federal action could affect the state’s role. The amendment was adopted 8-1, and the bill itself was then retained. Finally, the subcommittee heard a revised amendment to House 406 on business filings and registered agents. The Secretary of State’s office explained that the amendment, drafted with input from the Business and Industry Association, narrows the bill to address fraudulent or unauthorized entity filings after a written complaint and sworn statement, sets minimum requirements for registered agents, bars use of commercial mail-drop addresses as registered offices, and allows removal or cancellation of fraudulent filings with penalties for false filings. Members asked about which entities must maintain registered offices and how the rules would affect home-based businesses; the sponsor said most New Hampshire business entities must have a registered office, with some exceptions such as domestic nonprofits and trade names. The discussion emphasized concerns about synthetic entities, identity misuse, and the need for a physical in-state registered agent address.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, Sasha Horowitz, Los Angeles Unified School District.
• Good afternoon, Sasha Horwitz, Los Angeles Unified School District.
• So it's... ...that it would be part of this program.
• And that's one of the designs of this bill: to set up a program that has all the protections necessary
• Why is it that this facility gets to be so close to homes and schools?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know that they're out of school, so this is nice that you're here too.
• Of that 20, 18-year-olds, we needed to determine how many of those children would graduate high school
• , Out there is that our cavalier attendees today from the law school might be able to draft a letter
• So having a robust consultation program... ...would be great.
• Oklahoma has a model that's beneficial not only to the tribes, but also the state.

Keywords: Commission on Updating Virginia Law to Reflect Federal Recognition of Virginia Tribes, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, when I was in school, you paid $200 for the book at the start of the school year, and you got
• A really large one is called the 340B drug discount program.
• Those of you familiar with these programs know there are challenges.
• And we had a couple of programs, 100% results.
• What are the blood tests to follow?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hospital Bill 3469 is a bill a request from the Oklahoma Energy Producers Association, which represents
• state, this is not a silver bullet, it is not magically going to cure our orphan and abandoned well program

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sentinel is an innovative program that encompasses the entire school safety program conducted by TEA.
• do test prep in our classrooms and they enjoyed the school experience more.
• My own son tried to run away from school because of all the test prep that was happening in his school
• Early public charter schools were mostly dropout recovery programs, but school models now include college
• The goal is to get the middle schools to an A. Our finance program is strong.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To address this, the 87th legislature created the two programs, the Small Business Disaster Loan Program
• We have other disaster relief programs.
• Uh, this is where the good schools are.
• this neighborhood to go to a good school, that all the schools, that the realtor will be able to answer
• , it doesn't matter where you live, all our schools are good.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 1268 creates the Texas Technology Innovation Program, TTIP housed within the office.
• I, I don't, I don't believe that this would be a program. That would be cut.
• Um, see a connection with school discipline or academic performance.
• So what are the impacts on, on our schools and our educational outcomes? Absolutely.
• Disseminating their artistic expression, uh, researching assignments for schools.

Bills: HB 186

Keywords: public funds, lobbying activities, political subdivisions, government expenditure, transparency, local government, political subdivision, county, city, municipality, special district, taxpayer-funded lobbying, lobbying restriction, registered lobbyist, government association, county association dues, Texas Legislature, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, Chapter 556

Transcript Highlights:

• To address this, the 87th Legislature created two programs: the Small Business Disaster Loan Program
• We have other disaster relief programs.
• I know you were a big part of the original creation of this program.
• The Texas REALTORS® Professional Standards Program has done its job.
• This is where the good schools are, you should be here if you want to go to a good school, and these

Bills: SB1361, SB2105, SB2690, SB2713, SCR38, SB2637, SB2881

Keywords: SB 1361, Texas disaster recovery loan, small business loan, micro-business loan, community development financial institution, CDFI, economic disaster assistance, post-disaster financing, business recovery fund, Texas Economic Development Bank, zero-interest loan, working capital, payroll support, health benefits, job retention, declared disaster, small business relief, microenterprise, franchise exclusion, private equity-backed business

Transcript Highlights:

• Smaller school districts in my district, but also still a very, very important one.
• The land survey program has never been increased since it was established in 1969.
• That will keep that program going and serving our constituents.
• That will keep that program going and serving our constituents into the future.
• The third graders from Merrimack Elementary School in Clayton. Hey, guys. Welcome.

Summary: The House opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the previous day by roll call vote, 126-0. Members then offered several points of personal privilege, including recognition of National Fentanyl Awareness Day and a moment of silence for journalist Ray Hartman. The chamber also welcomed numerous student groups, interns, and other special guests in the gallery. The main floor action centered on the conference committee report for House Bills 2637 and 3155, a very large public safety/criminal justice package. Supporters said it refined earlier legislation, including narrowing juvenile certification to certain A and B felonies, sex offenses, and repeat offenses, adding mental health and cyberstalking provisions, addressing sex offender registry issues, and including a drone-related section with an emergency clause. Critics argued the bill was overly long, multi-subject, and difficult to vet. The House adopted the conference report 124-13, passed the bill 119-18, and then adopted the emergency clause 125-15. The House also passed Senate Bill 834, a consumer protection measure on mortgage modifications and residential sale-leaseback transactions, by 139-1 after members described it as a companion to a House bill and a way to protect homeowners from predatory practices. Senate Bill 937, a land transfer bill authorizing the governor to dispose of certain state properties, passed 137-2 after amendment. Senate Bill 938, which raises recording fees to support the land survey program and recorder of deeds offices, passed 121-21-2 after supporters said the fee had not been increased since 1969 and was needed to keep the program operating. Finally, House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 973, dealing with wholesaler disclosures and land banks, passed 110-36 after an amendment removed a school property right-of-first-refusal provision and added land bank language. The House then moved several other bills to the informal calendar, made announcements, and adjourned until the next day.