Transcript Highlights:

• requiring those that are licensed through the Real Estate Commission to hold a certain level of competency
• and a certain level of competency about the geographic area.
• When you are competing against cash buyers, we have a relatively large office and presence in San Antonio
• I make no statement of competence, but in the event that that person is not performing, having come from
• This creates competing interests since there's always some work for them to perform.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are a lot of robotics teams that have been building and competing throughout the state and throughout
• So Missouri is competing on the national stage, starting this afternoon and tomorrow and whatnot.
• And so robotics is an expensive thing to compete in just by its nature.
• And so robotics is an expensive thing to compete in just by its nature.
• In a few hours, I will be on a plane to Houston to compete at the highest level of student robotics in

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development heard House Bill 3359, presented by Rep. Travis Wilson on behalf of Rep. Riggs. The bill would create a state income tax credit for donations to school robotics/STEAM programs, including cash, equipment, software, materials, curriculum, and employee volunteer hours, beginning with the 2027 tax year. The credit would be 20% of the donation value, capped at $10 million annually, with a six-year sunset. Committee members raised questions about whether the credit applies to individuals or businesses, how volunteer hours would be valued and limited, whether the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education or the Department of Economic Development would administer reporting, and whether the 20% rate should be higher. Several members also questioned the fiscal note and the impact on a tight state budget. The main witness in support was Sarah Waldron, an 18-year-old Westminster Christian Academy senior and robotics team leader who said she wrote the bill. She argued that robotics programs are expensive, that private investment is needed to improve workforce readiness, and that the bill would help schools in both urban and rural areas. She clarified that the volunteer-hours provision was intended for business employees, not general individual volunteerism, and said the bill could be amended to add guardrails and better target under-resourced schools, including a possible tiered credit based on free-and-reduced-lunch percentages. Committee members praised her initiative and testimony. One witness testified in opposition, State Public Advocate Arne C. Dinoff, who said robotics is worthwhile but the state cannot afford another tax credit given the budget deficit and the cumulative cost of tax credit programs. He objected particularly to subsidizing volunteerism and said schools should support robotics locally rather than through a state tax credit. No vote was taken; the hearing was closed and the committee adjourned after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• They actually leave today to go and compete nationally as well.
• <00:22:28.080> and they actually leave today to go and they actually leave today to go and compete
• <00:22:28.520> compete<00:22:29.000> nationally<00:22:29.679> as<00:22:29.840>
• > well<00:22:30.840> this compete compete nationally as well this compete compete nationally

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, showing competency without education versus showing education without competency, I think the
• default is to lean towards competency, regardless of how you get it.
• And I think that what we talked about earlier is to really ensure that you are competent in the work
• <00:27:25.799> would<00:27:25.960> be examination or competency would be examination
• or competency would be different<00:27:26.440> for<00:27:26.679> those<00:27:26.919>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard House Bill 2712, which would remove the exam requirement for licensure as a Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA). Members expressed concern that the exam requirement was only added in 2021 and has not been in place long enough to evaluate, but they also questioned whether licensure should be granted without a meaningful measure of competency. Testimony was split: supporters argued the exam is a barrier for applicants without formal social work education, while opponents said licensure should still require some standard of competency, especially because the title carries public expectations and insurance reimbursement implications. Karina Bonia, speaking for NASW New Hampshire, said there is very limited data because only one person in New Hampshire currently holds an LSWA. She explained that LSWA applicants may have degrees outside social work, unlike licensed social workers, and that the current exam is the same national social work exam used for higher levels of licensure. She argued that this creates a significant barrier for LSWA applicants and noted that LSWA holders are already required to complete 30 hours of training and substantial supervised hours. Members asked for data on pass/fail rates and whether a different exam or practical skills test would be more appropriate. Committee members and OPLC representatives discussed whether the current statute and board rules already provide enough authority for the board to set other criteria, and whether the exam requirement is tied to the social work compact. OPLC indicated that the current rule requires passage of a national proctored exam approved by the board, but that no national exam exists specifically for this level, and that the board may need legislative authority to develop different criteria. The discussion ended with interest in obtaining the existing rule language and possibly revisiting the issue through amendment or future legislation rather than immediately removing the exam requirement.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 59, K through 2 Language and Literacy Program, an act relating to language and literacy competency
• :02:12.720> literacy relating to language and literacy relating to language and literacy competency
• . competency. competency.
• local law enforcement agency, that's a lot to unpack in a 30-second decision or less, right, to evaluate
• local law enforcement agency, that's a lot to unpack in a 30-second decision or less, right, to evaluate

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• reduced provider reimbursement, further limiting the number of providers who can provide culturally competent
• Services must be rendered by providers specially trained and experienced in providing culturally competent
• But, you know, it was, it was, we're balancing a lot of different competing, you know, authorities that
• And they include topics specific to LGBTQ... ...care and enhanced cultural competency, and they include
• Many also rely on culturally competent care and trusted provider relationships to remain healthy and

Summary: The Select Committee on Older LGBTQ Californians held an inaugural hearing focused on the health care and support landscape for older LGBTQ Californians, including people aging with HIV and transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex seniors. Opening remarks emphasized the long history of discrimination faced by older LGBTQ adults, the growth of the aging LGBTQ population, and the need to translate existing state commitments into concrete services. Senators highlighted concerns about nursing home vulnerability, the aging of people living with HIV, and the impact of federal actions and Medicaid cuts on California’s safety net. The first panel featured Justice in Aging, CalHHS, the Department of Aging, and the Aging and HIV Institute. Testimony described widespread inequities, including discrimination, social isolation, economic insecurity, and gaps in culturally competent care. State officials outlined the Master Plan for Aging, the first statewide survey of LGBTQIA older adults, gender-affirming care protections in Medi-Cal, and efforts to improve coordination across departments. Advocates argued the state has been too slow to respond to federal threats and that services are often hard to find or fragmented. Committee members pressed the departments on how survey findings are being turned into action, how rural and underserved communities are being reached, and whether more formal stakeholder coordination or “no wrong door” access systems are needed. The second panel focused on seniors living with HIV. A long-term survivor gave emotional testimony about the “survivorship penalty,” loss of benefits, housing insecurity, and the need for legal and navigation support, housing assistance, and protection from outdated disability standards. The Department of Aging reported on implementation of SB 258, which added HIV status to the definition of greatest social need for area agencies on aging; it said 20 of 33 area plans now identify HIV as a target population and many include specific strategies, such as LGBTQIA mental health connections programs. The Office of AIDS described Project Cornerstone, Ryan White, ADAP, HOPWA, the Medi-Cal waiver, and PrEP-AP, noting these programs serve thousands of older clients and rely on whole-person case management. Case management testimony underscored persistent needs for medication subsidies, transportation, food, and housing. Committee members questioned how ADAP rebate funds might be used, how SB 258 is enforced across local agencies, and how to reduce administrative barriers and auto-connect eligible people to benefits. The final panel began with the Department of Social Services outlining protections for TGI seniors in licensed care facilities, including SB 219’s nondiscrimination requirements and related provider notices and resident rights materials. The hearing remained focused on identifying service gaps, improving coordination across aging, health, and social service systems, and ensuring state programs better reflect the lived experience of older LGBTQ Californians.

Transcript Highlights:

• uh formal evaluation. uh formal evaluation.
• Procedures include appropriate psychiatric evaluation and neuropsychiatric evaluations or neurology consults
• <00:25:03.679> and<00:25:03.840> neurosychiatric evaluation and neurosychiatric evaluation
• and neurosychiatric evaluations<00:25:05.520> or<00:25:05.679> neurology<00:25:06.320>
• evaluations or neurology consults. evaluations or neurology consults.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Even with the support of a principal and great evaluations, her position would have to be posted, and
• full-time experience, one year of part-time experience, all teaching visual arts with exemplary evaluations
• Even with the support of a principal and great evaluations, her position would have to be posted, and
• Even with the support of a principal and great evaluations, her position would have to be posted, and
• Even with the support of a principal and great evaluations, her position would have to be posted, and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Independent dealerships compete for your business.
• Independent dealerships compete for your business every day.
• When manufacturers are permitted to compete directly with their own dealers, it undermines confidence
• Locally owned dealerships compete for customers and talent, reinvesting profit...
• We should let them compete.

Bills: SB22, SB310

Keywords: motor vehicle manufacturers, licensing, dealers, franchise agreements, consumer protection, water supply, sewage improvements, environment, funding, Mora County, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• are in their skills and abilities, and how do we manage that and move them forward toward being competent
• , both readers and competent in the area of mathematics.
• and understanding, and the... ...to the level of their math competency and understanding.
• So just wanted to ask you all how cultural competence will be inserted into these measures. Mr.
• And so competent schools and teachers and all would be doing all of these things in both languages.

Bills: SB29, SB64

Keywords: SB29, math requirements for teaching license, teacher licensure, teacher endorsement, mathematics methods, elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, reciprocity, Public Education Department, Mathematics and Science Education Act, mathematics instructional leadership framework, professional learning plan, K-3 screening, mathematics screening assessment, mathematics difficulty, support plan, multilevel support, intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• requiring those who are licensed through the Real Estate Commission to hold a certain level of competency
• And when you are competing against cash buyers, we have a relatively large office and presence in San
• So it's, you know, mission for... ...competence, et cetera, the totality of the agency.
• And that is a tribute to her, her competency, and the staff that we have and retain at the agency.
• And so you have competing interests because there's always some work for them to do.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Nominations held its final nomination hearing of the session and considered three nominees: J.B. Goodwin for the Texas Real Estate Commission, Courtney Yaltman for the Public Utility Commission of Texas, and Thomas Gleason as PUC chairman. Goodwin described his long career in real estate and charitable work, and senators questioned him extensively about the Real Estate Commission’s self-directed, semi-independent status, housing affordability, institutional homebuyers, property insurance costs, disclosure issues, and the Burnett v. National Association of Realtors case. Yaltman and Gleason were questioned about PUC oversight of ERCOT, post-Winter Storm Uri reforms, utility resilience and vegetation management after Hurricane Beryl, water and telecommunications oversight, staffing and transparency, and rising infrastructure and utility costs. Much of the discussion focused on housing and utility affordability, with several senators urging the nominees to keep consumer protection and public trust at the forefront. Goodwin said housing affordability and large-scale investment purchases were not within the Real Estate Commission’s direct purview, though he supported further study. Yaltman and Gleason said the PUC had increased oversight of ERCOT, improved communication and accountability with utilities, and was working on resiliency plans, rate-setting issues, and infrastructure planning while trying to avoid overburdening ratepayers. The committee first voted to favorably report nominees left pending from the May 5 agenda by a 6-0 roll call vote. After public testimony was opened and closed, the committee then voted on the nominees heard that day and favorably recommended all three to the full Senate for confirmation by a 7-0 vote. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've competed there, so.
• If they take an NAL payment, they will become ineligible to compete in high school.
• How can they possibly compete?
• The people who want to compete at a higher level have extrapolated that into where we are today. day
• First of all, when we compete When we are on a team, we should all be equal, especially with the school

Bills: HJR5, HB39, HB 102, HB 126, HB290, HB300, HB1330, HB2110, HB2143, HCR64, HCR101

Keywords: education funding, Texas State Technical College System, constitutional amendment, capital projects, workforce education, military education, early registration, ROTC, corps of cadets, higher education, military academy, student athletes, name image likeness, compensation, intercollegiate athletics, representation, tuition assistance, military, Texas State Guard, education

Transcript Highlights:

• uses of contracted<00:16:32.360> case<00:16:32.680> management,<00:16:33.360> evaluating
• contracted case management, evaluating contracted case management, evaluating our<00:16:34.480><
• Innovation grants have driven real progress, including culturally competent, community-driven services
• this— driven real progress, including driven real progress, including culturally<00:20:22.320> competent
• ,<00:20:23.160> community-driven culturally competent, community-driven culturally competent

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our caseworkers and our foster parents Go through cultural competency training that is designed to make
• I do believe that there's a very big Commitment to cultural competency within CYFD.
• In terms of the cultural competence aspect, I Certainly agree that we need to be more collaborative moving
• This bill represents a targeted workforce investment designed to compete Nationally for physicians and
• In addition to this bill, they are now in this bill competing with other allied health professionals,

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We asked for an amendment to ensure diversity in the cultural competency clause that this bill wants
• we were disappointed that was rejected was when we had specifically said diversity in cultural competency
• And that there's a wide reach. in terms of that culturally competent outreach. Thank you.
• We're trying to make sure we have diversity and cultural competency. And so that makes sense to me.
• Who's going to do the training and is this going to be culturally competent?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He can't compete. He's got to have a nickname. Give Adam a nickname now. He can't compete.
• This would give Fort Bend County an advantage when competing with other states for new industrial sites
• So this would give us an ability at least to compete, in some cases, and have a little advantage over
• It cleans up language relating to reviewer and inspector competency requirements.
• And last, it limits eligibility. ...inspector competency requirements.

Bills: HB1532, HB2731, HB3483, HB4308, HB4580, HB4582, HB5509, HB5663

Keywords: Lake Houston, dredging, maintenance district, flood control, environment, public works, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code, unincorporated areas, right-of-way, public highway, parking lot, livestock sales, live animals, vendor regulation

Summary: The committee heard and discussed several local-government-related bills, mostly with committee substitutes. House Bill 2731 would let certain border counties regulate roadside vendors selling live animals in unincorporated areas and along public rights-of-way; the substitute narrowed the bill to live animal sales only and excluded livestock and other roadside commerce. House Bill 3483 would streamline TCEQ review of special utility district revenue bonds by removing tax-bond requirements that do not apply to SUDs. House Bill 4308 would create a county industrial development district framework, limited in the substitute to certain counties including Fort Bend County, to help finance industrial sites and related infrastructure. House Bill 5663 would create a Wood County Hospital District memory-care-focused district with no taxing power, intended to help pursue grants and other funding for a new facility. House Bill 4582 addressed attainable housing in Dallas and Tarrant counties, allowing local reimbursement tools for developers under a uniform, optional framework. House Bill 5509 would let municipalities suspend or revoke a hotel’s certificate of occupancy if law enforcement and a criminal court both find probable cause of human trafficking, with the substitute adding due-process protections. House Bill 1532 created a Lake Houston dredging and maintenance district funded by revenue from dredged material sales and revenue bonds, with no taxing authority or eminent domain. House Bill 23, heard as pending business, would revise the process for local governments to rescind development documents and adjust third-party reviewer liability and eligibility rules. House Bill 4580, concerning property tax exemptions for charitable organizations such as the Houston Rodeo, was amended to remove language about exempting revenue from property use and instead focus on land used for agricultural, youth, and educational support. Public testimony was generally supportive on the bills heard, with witnesses including county officials, utility and water association representatives, hotel industry representatives, and housing developers. Several speakers emphasized the need for faster financing or permitting tools, flood mitigation, housing affordability, anti-trafficking enforcement, or local economic development. Some members raised concerns about scope, precedent, consultation with affected senators, and due process, particularly on House Bill 4582 and House Bill 5509, but the committee largely accepted the committee substitutes as improvements. No public testimony was offered on several bills, and most measures were left pending before later being voted out. The committee took recorded votes on multiple pending bills and reported them favorably, often with committee substitutes adopted in lieu of the filed versions. House Bills 1532, 2731, 3483, 5509, 5663, and 4580 were reported out, with 1532 and 5663 passing unanimously and 3483, 2731, and 5509 also receiving favorable votes despite one present-not-voting on 3483. House Bill 23 and House Bill 4582 were left pending subject to call of the chair. The committee then recessed until adjournment or later.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:26:04.240> um you look at that, we are competing um you look at that, we are competing
• >> Excellence. >> Who are you competing with?
• >> Excellent. >> And who are you competing with?
• >> Excellent. >> And who y'all competing with?
• >> Excellent. >> And who are you competing with?

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the September meeting minutes, and heard presentations from Carter G. Woodson Academy in Lexington and related school programs in Fayette County Public Schools. School leaders described the academy as an all-male public school option focused on culture, belonging, and opportunity, with a mission to educate, empower, and equip young men academically, socially, and morally. They emphasized culturally responsive instruction, restorative practices, mentorship, brotherhood circles, and access to advanced coursework, dual enrollment, and career pathways. Student speakers highlighted school culture, leadership opportunities, and clubs such as SGA, Beta Club, FFA, and the Bow Tie Club, along with service and community engagement. Presenters said the academy began in 2012, is housed with Frederick Douglass High School, uses an application and lottery process, and can serve up to about 350 students but is intentionally kept near 300 because of space. They reported 302 enrolled students, about 38 seniors, a 100% graduation rate, 95% average attendance, 100% postsecondary success, and $1.8 million in scholarship offers last year. They also shared demographic and achievement data, noting growth in MAP scores, strengths in reading and writing, and math as an ongoing focus area. The school said 90% of high school scholars are taking at least one dual credit class this year, and some students have earned opportunities at selective programs such as Gatton Academy and Craft Academy. Committee members praised the school’s results and asked about enrollment, funding, and whether the model could be replicated statewide. School leaders said the program is fully funded through Fayette County Public Schools, could be replicated with committed staff and training, and that teachers receive preparation through the Gearing Institute to better understand how boys learn. They also noted that Fayette County has other specialized programs, including girls’ academies and other options for underrepresented students. Members expressed interest in long-term tracking of graduates, and the school said it is preparing to study outcomes as the first graduating class approaches its 10-year anniversary.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can't compete with them. We got to compete on other means.
• We can't compete with them. We got to compete on other means.
• We can't compete with them. We got to compete on other means.
• We can't compete with them. We got to compete on other means.
• We can't compete with them. We got to compete on other means.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We would be holding something that competes with something that's very informative and useful for folks
• We would be holding something that competes with something that's very informative and useful for folks
• And then culturally and linguistically competent, I would add responsive here as well.
• And it’s— Clinical staff do not feel competent to care for that, and there is a liability issue.
• What do you need in order to be competent and confident to serve this population and others that need

Keywords: 907, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to deal with people waiting in jails for prolonged periods of time while they were waiting for a competency
• evaluation or restoration treatment.

Summary: The committee held its first meeting, with co-chairs and members introducing themselves and staff outlining the committee’s statutory mandate under the 2025-27 supplemental operating budget. Staff explained that the Joint Legislative-Executive Committee on Budget Transparency and Fiscal Sustainability will receive technical assistance from a nonpartisan organization, with work split into two phases: first on revenue growth, spending assumptions, and cost drivers in the four-year outlook, and later on staffing, overhead, performance management, and public reporting. Members broadly said they hoped the committee would build a shared factual understanding of the state’s fiscal situation, structural deficits, and budget processes, and identify a sustainable path forward for the operating budget. Staff then gave a detailed presentation on operating budget basics. They reviewed the size and composition of the operating budget, noting that most spending is concentrated in grants/client services and salaries/benefits, with K-12, DSHS, HCA, DCYF, DOC, and higher education making up most NGFO spending. They explained the distinction between constitutional, federal, statutory, and discretionary spending, using examples such as K-12, Medicaid, collective bargaining agreements, court-driven obligations like McCleary and Trueblood, and one-time appropriations. They also walked through how the state uses incremental budgeting, carry-forward and maintenance-level calculations, caseload and per-capita forecasting, and the four-year balanced budget outlook, including reserve calculations and the budget stabilization account. Members asked extensive questions about what is and is not included in the outlook, especially future collective bargaining agreements, health care and compensation growth, tort and other liabilities, and whether the state could better distinguish mandatory from discretionary spending. Staff explained that current CBAs and other already-enacted obligations are included, but future CBAs are not; some liabilities are reflected as expenditures when appropriated, while broader long-term liabilities are not fully captured in the outlook because they depend on future policy choices. Staff also noted that the legislature and ERFC can adopt assumptions such as reversions and growth factors, and that an outlook accuracy report is produced every five years to compare projected and actual maintenance-level spending. The committee agreed to follow up on some of the more complex liability and assumption questions. After a short break, Josh Goodman of the Pew Charitable Trusts began a presentation on Pew’s role and approach to state fiscal sustainability. He described Pew as a nonpartisan organization with long-standing state fiscal research, emphasizing its 50-state comparative data, interviews with state officials and experts, and focus on long-term sustainability, reserve policies, and recession preparedness. The presentation was ongoing when the transcript ended.