Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so before we call the roll, "Senator Kitchens, I think you have a group here that you'd like to recognize
• It's our youth leadership group that's in attendance today, and so they're coming by to hear our committee
• Frell Seymour, I think you have a group of principals that you'd like to recognize."
• I know a few of you folks already, but we are bringing a group of principals from secondary schools,
• I know a few of you folks already, but we are bringing a group of principals from secondary schools,

Bills: SB211, SB305, SB300, SB211, SB305, SB300

Keywords: school safety, local law enforcement, superintendent, complaints, school bus regulations, education funding, RAISE Act, student outcomes, public schools, local education agencies, accountability, weighted allocations, special education, English language learners, gifted students, tax exemption, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, business incentives, economic impact

Transcript Highlights:

• 2019, the whole PED language arts staff said, okay, we don't know what we're doing, and we did work groups
• , of colleges for teacher education, better known as the Deans and Directors Group for the state of New
• I am here on behalf of the Deans and Directors Group to put our support behind Senate Bill 37 and want
• You can come to a group meeting if you want more information.
• Because for the past, well, let's see, it's been 22 years now there as a group of women.

Bills: SB29, SB37

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:

• Our next group contains eight appeals where staff is recommending a reduction of fines assessed.
• Our next filer is in Group 2, Exhibit O, Daniella Beth. Or Danielle Bess, excuse me.
• Next in Group 2 is Exhibit Q, James.
• All right, next in Group 2 is Exhibit R, Perla Munoz-Hopkins. Is Ms. Hopkins present?
• Next in group two is Exhibit S, Gocha Alan Ramirez. Is Ms. Ramirez present? No. Okay.

Keywords: Texas Ethics Commission, legislative recommendations, general counsel appointment, foreign lobbying, political contributions, quarterly meetings, public testimony, rule amendments

Summary: The meeting focused on the Texas Ethics Commission's (TEC) evaluation of legislative recommendations and personnel updates, including the appointment of a new general counsel and discussions about upcoming quarterly meetings. Commissioner Schmidt reported on the progress of various bills, including amendments to existing laws, the need for increased regulation on foreign lobbying, and the publication of new rules in the Texas Register. Public testimonies were heard regarding compliance issues and proposed changes in political contribution regulations. The Commission agreed to schedule further review on the legislative items discussed and the proposed rule amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• of those issues as long as they've established, you know, from each of the boards of these legacy groups
• The State Engineer, Mike Hammond, had led a large water group.
• I think some of it still exists as water ambassadors, but there was an entire group set up to figure
• We had lots of great ideas coming out of that group.
• all the initiative of the Finance Authority, but it really is the leadership that was provided—the group

Transcript Highlights:

• And this bill will help achieve this goal for one of the most vulnerable groups of Californians.
• Berman, which required the Bureau to convene a working group that involves representatives from... all
• We also appreciate the work of the committee and are committed to working with the working group going
• We can have working groups, which I support. I support the amendments today.
• But we've also, we've heard from working groups.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Association of Health Plans, Texas Medical Association, Texas Nurse Practitioners, and many other groups
• This bill allows for these contracts only for primary care physicians or primary care physician groups
• There's an annual study done by a benefits consulting group called Mercer, and I can provide the data
• Why aren't there other groups or people that are putting in the seed money for this?
• He works closely with a working group of stakeholders, including, of course, our state agency.

Bills: HB139, HB1818, HB1942, HB1959, HB2221, HB2254, HB2563, HB2067, HB2275, HB3211, HB139

Keywords: HB 1818, Texas Insurance Code, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, health maintenance organization, HMO, insurer, utilization review, preauthorization, prior authorization, medical necessity review, health care services, medical care, insurance regulation, insurance examination, regulatory oversight, confidential records, public information exception, Chapter 843, Chapter 1301

Transcript Highlights:

• It was through a really committed group of musicians and a very small group of supporters, people who
• a in around the 2009 2010 it was through a really<00:23:04.679> committed<00:23:05.120> group
• of musicians and really committed group of musicians and a<00:23:07.279> very<00:23:07.520>
• > small<00:23:07.919> group<00:23:08.240> of<00:23:08.440> supporters<00:23:
• 09.039> people a very small group of supporters people a very small group of supporters people

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Culture and the Arts met on March 14, 2025, and heard two measures. On SB 441 SD1, relating to the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra, the committee received strong support from the orchestra, the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, IATSE Local 665, and an in-person testifier, with testimony emphasizing statewide access to music, education and community programming, cultural value, economic impact, and job stability for musicians and staff. The Attorney General’s office offered comments and suggested language related to the State Endowment Fund. Committee members asked about how the funding would be used, the orchestra’s reach, and its history; the orchestra said it preferred direct operating support and described its audience and employment footprint, neighbor-island outreach, and plans to expand season length and education programs. The committee then heard SB 1581 SD1, relating to the Hawaiʻi Japan Pacific Peace Monument. No testifier from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts was present, and no one testified on Zoom. With no discussion from witnesses, the measure was briefly taken up and later advanced. In decision-making, the committee adopted amendments to SB 441 SD1, including a preamble describing legislative intent and the orchestra’s history, references to the State of Hawaiʻi endowment fund and statewide public benefits, and language ensuring the funds support statewide purposes and neighbor-island access to music and educational opportunities. The committee also added a deferral date of July 1, 3000 and technical amendments, then voted to pass the measure with amendments. SB 1581 SD1 was also passed forward with amendments, including a July 1, 3000 deferral date and technical changes, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• off another group.
• off another group.
• <01:37:22.719> Um it off as a group or one-on-one. Um it off as a group or one-on-one.
• businesses who were part of that group. businesses who were part of that group.
• group are also members of the BIA. Mhm. group are also members of the BIA. Mhm.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 292, which would authorize a governor’s warrant to cover special education aid shortfalls from the education trust fund, and from the general fund if needed, so local school districts would not have to absorb prorated costs or raise local property taxes. Senator Lang said the bill was prompted by a prior $15 million special education funding shortfall caused by higher-than-expected catastrophic aid claims, including more qualifying students and the recent increase in the special education age limit to 22. He emphasized that the bill is intended to ensure the state meets its funding commitment and avoid shifting costs to towns. Members asked about how the bill interacts with House Bill 742 and House Bill 773, including whether the language should be merged or whether the state should fund 100% versus an 80% floor. Lang said he was open to improving the bill and to adding a study committee or performance audit on special education costs, but maintained that the state should not push costs to local taxpayers when it has available funds. The hearing on SB 292 was then closed, with no vote taken. The committee then opened Senate Bill 98, which would extend for five more years a tax credit program for donations to regional career and technical education centers. Senator Waters said the program has been successful in building partnerships between CTE centers and employers, especially through equipment donations that support training and apprenticeships. He cited examples including automotive, marine trades, and advanced manufacturing programs, and said the five-year extension would let lawmakers continue to review whether the incentive is working as intended. Several members questioned whether the credit is effectively a 100% subsidy and how the cap works. Waters and another member explained that the underlying program has an aggregate cap of $500,000 and that credits are prorated if requests exceed that amount; they also said the donations are primarily equipment, not cash. Some members raised concerns about whether businesses could also claim other tax deductions or credits, but the sponsor said the existing structure has been in place for years and has been revisited periodically. No vote was taken during the hearing excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sam Hood, on behalf of Universal Music Group, in support today. Thank you. Hi, I'm Ted Galliano.
• ILM and Industrial Light & Magic is working with a broader group of VFX studios to add some language
• Private companies like Giro Group and Coal Civic profit from caging people like my relatives who had
• Over 100 labor unions, faith-based groups, civil rights groups, and immigrant rights groups support AB
• Good afternoon, Diego Zamojoa, Paula Sintin with Mesabella Group on behalf of Inclusive Action for the

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:06.320> or<00:21:06.559> the to the um the author's group or the to the um the
• author's group or the group<00:21:06.960> that<00:21:07.120> they're<00:21:07.280>
• intending to it to group that they're intending to it to apply<00:21:08.640> to.
• ESPs are predominantly women and the most racially diverse group of adults in nearly every school.
• <00:36:54.000> of and the most racially diverse group of and the most racially diverse group

Bills: HF238, HF3381, HF3754, HF1049

Keywords: microenterprise home kitchen operation, cottage food, home-based food business, home kitchen license, homemade food, prepared food, food entrepreneur, small food business, cottage food law, food safety training, ServSafe, food handler license, agriculture department, Minnesota food law, residential kitchen, local zoning, consumer labeling, allergen labeling, unpasteurized juice, time/temperature control for safety food

Transcript Highlights:

• So the first grouping is by far the largest. The total across all three is $76.9 million.
• The second grouping is much smaller. You can see it's $1.4 million.
• So the first grouping is by far the largest. us that told So the first grouping is by far the largest
• The first grouping by itself is 73.8. So you can tell this is a very large.
• The second grouping is much smaller. You can see it's $1.4 million.

Summary: The Select Committee on Property Taxes met for an educational session focused on how Florida funds public schools and how property taxes are assessed and levied. Dr. Jim Zengali of the Department of Revenue explained the FEFP school funding formula, noting that it is built on weighted student counts, a base student allocation, and programmatic add-ons such as transportation, exceptional student education, school safety, and mental health. He said school funding is roughly split between state general revenue and local property taxes through required local effort, with additional discretionary and capital outlay millages contributing to total school funding. He also described the Department of Revenue’s role in certifying property rolls at fair market value and reviewing them for substantial compliance, including the so-called “nuclear option” if a roll is not approved. Members asked about trends in millage rates, county-by-county funding differences, the effect of growth and enrollment changes, and how property appraisals are reviewed. Zengali said aggregate millage for school funding has declined over the last decade while revenues have still increased, and he agreed to provide additional data on county trends, parcel strata, student growth, and enrollment impacts. He also clarified that school funding is equalized so students receive similar resources regardless of county wealth, and that federal funding plays only a small role in the FEFP. Amy Baker of the Joint Legislative Office of Economic and Demographic Research then discussed existing homestead benefits. She said about half of Florida’s parcels are homestead properties, most fall in the $250,000 to $500,000 value range, and many seniors without mortgages pay property taxes in lump sums rather than through escrow. Baker explained that Florida’s homestead tax burden is middle-of-the-pack nationally and that the main benefits are Save Our Homes and portability on the differential side, plus the $25,000 homestead exemption and related exemptions on the exemption side. She said these benefits reduce taxable value substantially, with homestead properties receiving a large share of the reductions, and noted that the committee requested follow-up data on exemption usage, portability timing, senior exemptions, and county-level patterns. The final presentation, by Lizette Kelly of the Department of Revenue, covered millage rates and the TRIM process. She reviewed the history of truth-in-millage notices, required taxpayer mailings, public hearing notices, and later changes that tied local millage resets to rollback and majority-vote rates. Kelly explained the difference between proposed and adopted millage, the rollback rate, and the majority-vote rate, and described how taxing authorities include counties, cities, special districts, and MSTUs. She also outlined how county taxable value is calculated from just value through assessment differentials and exemptions, and how certain exemptions, such as the additional senior exemption, apply only to the taxing authority that adopted them. No votes were taken during the meeting, but members requested several follow-up data reports for later discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, as part of a working group with the National Association of State Mal Health Officials, um, on that
• And we have internal and external working groups developing response plans.
• working twice a week, uh, with the, the National Association of State Mal Health Officials Working Group
• Uh, we've also been working with that working group, uh, to develop interstate movement, um, plans as
• And, and the, you know, the screwworm group have been um a very productive group.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got a working group formed in that NASAHO group to look at interstate movement protocols and interstate
• There's a technical working group that meets on a regular basis as well, weekly.
• Again, this is the sixth group that's gone down in the last month and a half or so.
• Our industry groups are also on multiple calls.
• Yes, we're attending a lot of the different task forces and coalition groups.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm so proud that that recognition has been provided to that brave group of men and their families
• c><00:20:29.440> of<00:20:29.760> of<00:20:30.480> men provided to that brave group
• with Black veterans or even females of a certain age, you know, being involved in some auxiliary groups
• We do need to recognize other groups of people that have helped our veterans in foreign theaters, and
• <00:36:10.400> that<00:36:10.640> have<00:36:10.800> helped other groups of

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And because this was not established as it is in the counties where these advisory groups had to take
• And because this was not established as it is in the counties where these advisory groups had to take
• And because this was not established as it is in the counties where these advisory groups had to take
• And because this was not established as it is in the counties where these advisory groups had to take
• And because this was not established as it is in the counties where these advisory groups had to take

Bills: HF3006, HF2130, HF1290

Keywords: Department of Corrections, DOC, corrections budget, supplemental appropriation, deficiency funding, public safety finance, incarceration, prerelease services, community supervision, postrelease services, supervised release, probation, reentry, reentry services, prison reform, body-worn cameras, corrections officer cameras, ARMER radio system, PREA, Prison Rape Elimination Act

Transcript Highlights:

• affordable housing funds, the LAA fund resources in the metro, and utilize the interagency stabilization group
• c> stabilization utilize the inter agency stabilization utilize the inter agency stabilization group
• <00:27:05.279> Secondly,<00:27:05.760> we group most effectively.
• Secondly, we group most effectively.
• I served on the legislative working group regarding home ownership associations in common interest communities

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there other groups with massive geographies that are multi-state?
• As a result, those other groups may not be recovering their costs, and that is unfortunate.
• I'm dealing with a group out of Florida; one guy in a group of 12 can speak English.
• You're sitting in one group of stakeholders who is saying there are lots of problems, and the other group
• And I'm willing to again work with the stakeholder groups to try to ferret that out.

Bills: HB3445, HB3448

Keywords: telecommunications, electric cooperative, rights-of-way, infrastructure, provider access, right-of-way, pole attachment, regulatory access, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I do contract with both of those large groups.
• My office and I visit many groups about this bill.
• So the small group market is in freefall.
• Being a smaller group, we can do that.
• Most of those people don't qualify in that group.

Bills: HB139, HB1818, HB1942, HB1959, HB2221, HB2254, HB2563, HB2067, HB2275, HB3211, HB139

Keywords: HB 1818, Texas Insurance Code, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, health maintenance organization, HMO, insurer, utilization review, preauthorization, prior authorization, medical necessity review, health care services, medical care, insurance regulation, insurance examination, regulatory oversight, confidential records, public information exception, Chapter 843, Chapter 1301

Transcript Highlights:

• So yes, we took away the group of countries, um, so anybody can apply, but the application process is
• in our practice group.
• And it's like a group of people you help or a group of men you help and a group of women you help.
• And so it's one of the discussions that we had with different groups that they have to pass just the
• Anytime you add another group, you add another issue. So, thank, thank you, Ms.

Bills: HB163, HB 296

Keywords: judicial liability, personal bond, felony offenses, judges, criminal justice reform, voter registration, election procedures, change of address, residence requirements, Texas Election Code, Texas election law, residence address, precinct voting, county move, same-county move, Election Code, registrar, statement of residence, polling place, local elections

Transcript Highlights:

• So when that bill goes into effect, those statutory groups will go away, but I think they're replacing
• those with some of their own advisory groups.
• of of the groups that they serve,<00:08:20.040> the<00:08:20.160> regions<00:08:20.520
• Uh, this last week that performance funding work group kicked off.
• <00:13:39.520> kicked performance funding work group kicked performance funding work group

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Education met for an overview of the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE). After approving the prior meeting minutes, staff from CPE explained that the council was reconstituted in 1997 and serves as Kentucky’s statewide coordinating body for higher education, with responsibilities including advising the General Assembly and governor, coordinating the postsecondary system, supporting budget and performance funding work, and using data to track outcomes. They described Kentucky’s governance structure, including the KCTCS governing board, independent boards at public universities, and CPE’s role in licensing private institutions and overseeing transfer, closed-school records, and tuition approval. CPE staff emphasized statewide strategic planning and the “60 by 30” goal of having 60% of working-age Kentuckians hold a meaningful credential by 2030. They said the agency uses dashboards, KPIs, and peer comparisons to set targets for institutions and monitor enrollment, retention, and graduation. They also highlighted the Kentucky Graduate Profile, a voluntary effort to embed 10 essential workforce skills into general education and major programs, and noted ongoing work on academic program approval, performance funding, and a biennial budget request. The presentation also focused on student support and workforce alignment initiatives. Staff described the Kentucky Advising Academy, the Commonwealth Education Continuum, and the Kentucky Student Success Collaborative, which work with K-12 partners and campuses to improve advising, transfer, wraparound supports, and career planning. They also discussed GEAR UP, the Futurity career-planning platform, and efforts to connect education pathways to workforce needs, including healthcare, veterans, and other adult learners. CPE reported that student debt at graduation has fallen to $10,168 at public institutions and that six in ten Kentucky undergraduates graduate debt free.