Transcript Highlights:

• There was the interstate cross-check. I think this has to do with voter registrations.
• Do we still do interstate cross-checks to make sure people are registered in multiple states?
• So I'm glad we're still doing the cross-check.
• And so, just to drill down a little deeper, what do you do to cross-check?
• So just a little bit of background about the agency.

Bills: SB 1

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

Summary: The committee first heard the Legislative Budget Board and Secretary of State Jane Nelson on the Secretary of State budget. LBB said the recommendation would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million overall, with major changes including removing federal HAVA funding and one-time business system replacement money, adjusting the agency’s base request, deleting an outdated Interstate Crosscheck rider, and directing HAVA funds to be drawn down first. Secretary Nelson and staff defended the agency’s needs, emphasizing election security, business filings, international protocol, and the Texas Register, and requested additional staff, a new website, digitization of records, IT and cybersecurity upgrades, and renovation of the Rudder Building. Senators discussed voter-roll maintenance, cross-checking data, call-center response times, and the need for online voter registration and more efficient election administration. No votes were taken. The committee then took up the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB outlined a $2.4 million decrease for the office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs, driven by unexpended balances and the removal of one-time federal and border-security items, while noting continued funding for disaster response, victim assistance, and $2.9 billion for border security at roughly the prior level. Governor’s staff said Texas remains focused on border security, economic development, and public safety, and discussed efforts to seek federal reimbursement for prior border spending. Members asked about the National Guard’s status, possible federal assumption of border costs, the music incubator program, the Semiconductor Innovation Consortium, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, defense economic adjustment grants, and a new $5 million nonprofit security grant proposal. Staff said the semiconductor program has 12 approved projects totaling about 948 jobs and $17 billion in capital investment, and that the nonprofit security request was added late to address threats to houses of worship and other nonprofits. No formal action was taken. Finally, the committee heard the Texas Facilities Commission and lease-payment recommendations. LBB said the Facilities Commission recommendation would reduce appropriations by about $2.0 billion, mainly by removing border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, while adding money for higher utility costs, Rudder Building refurbishment, and additional staff. The lease-payment recommendation would decrease general revenue by $9.3 million. LBB also noted new riders related to completing the State Library and Archives building, tenant communication during disruptions, and a space-utilization report. In agency testimony, members asked about border wall maintenance responsibility, total facilities-related debt, and the status of capital complex construction. The Rudder Building renovation and related security needs were repeatedly discussed as important one-time infrastructure investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:07.079> beyond<00:15:07.399> their background beyond their background beyond their
• and for our office of community checks and for our office of community services<00:24:21.120> for
• the dcc's funding source is background the dcc's funding source is unique<01:00:07.280> among
• Just to give you some background on us also, we are a state agency and we're also a corporation.
• A little background on Kahuku Medical Center: we're out on the North Shore, in Kahuku.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance held an informational briefing with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations on its budget, staffing, and operations. The director reviewed department leadership and reported on recruitment and retention efforts, including a 14% vacancy rate, a 10.5% workforce increase from filling 189 positions, and the Hela Imua internship program, which has placed 516 interns since inception and led to 62 permanent hires. The department also described modernization efforts, including the UI Huakai project and the Disability Compensation Division’s electronic case management system, and said the unemployment compensation trust fund exceeded $71.5 million, triggering Schedule C for calendar year 2025. The department’s main budget requests included $2.9 million for fiscal year 2026 to support maintenance and operations of the electronic case management system, plus restoration of two enforcement specialist positions. Officials said those positions are needed to address a decline in investigators from 11 to six since 2009, improve compliance, and handle Hawaii Compliance Express certificate work. Additional requests included two human resources specialists to address recruitment backlogs, two labor enforcement specialists to reduce a backlog of Chapter 104 prevailing wage and wage cases, and two positions for the Office of Community Services to expand immigrant services and access centers. The department also discussed federal funding for unemployment insurance and workforce programs, including National Dislocated Worker Grants and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds, and said some funding is received in increments and may require extensions. Members asked about Kauai inspection coverage, federal funding uncertainty, the size of the special unemployment insurance fund, and whether the department could ramp up staffing during a future crisis. Officials said Kauai is currently served by inspectors from Honolulu and there are no plans to open a permanent island position because of staffing constraints. They said the department is meeting federal guidelines and is not in jeopardy, and that the special unemployment insurance fund has about $10 million, with current UI operations funded at a little over $15 million, meaning the fund may need to cover roughly $5 million if federal support declines. The director said the department would use the special fund to supplement shortfalls, but noted that federal funding cuts and the loss of ARPA support have already affected operations.

Transcript Highlights:

• They give youth<00:19:28.560> of<00:19:28.760> all<00:19:28.960> backgrounds<00:
• to youth of all backgrounds a chance to feel<00:19:30.400> like<00:19:30.679> their<00
• with is a statistic and I fact-checked with is a statistic and I fact-checked myself<00:53:20.800
• <01:40:24.520> with<01:40:24.720> Chair other, but I want to check with Chair other
• , but I want to check with Chair Kresha<01:40:25.280> if<01:40:25.400> he<01:40:25.520>

Bills: HF4213, HF4198, HF3930, HF3585, HF3451

Keywords: education finance, school funding, K-12, prekindergarten, pre-K, early childhood education, general education aid, special education, literacy aid, school meals, free school meals, school breakfast, school lunch, charter school lease aid, charter schools, nonpublic pupil aid, private school aid, transportation aid, desegregation aid, integration aid

Transcript Highlights:

• You go through that interview, and then you have to do FBI and CIA background checks, and I think it's
• <01:08:35.120> checks<01:08:36.000> and to do FBI and CIA background checks and to
• do FBI and CIA background checks and they<01:08:36.600> I<01:08:36.679> think<01:08:36.839
• who decides to reimburse and<01:33:10.040> writes<01:33:10.400> the<01:33:10.560> check
• <01:33:10.840> for<01:33:11.040> the and writes the check for the and writes the check

Bills: HF747, HF360

Keywords: corporate governance, shareholder rights, beneficial ownership, defective corporate acts, Minnesota Business Corporation Act, trusts, Uniform Trust Code, probate, estate planning, trust protector, directed trust, investment trust advisor, distribution trust advisor, excluded fiduciary, decanting, power of appointment, revocable trust, irrevocable trust, uneconomic trust, rule against perpetuities

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here today to speak in favor of HB 621 FN, and I want to touch on some background about me.
• And then there was concern that if this data was shut off, or basically if the birth mother checked a
• checked a box perhaps<01:09:03.159> saying<01:09:03.600> that<01:09:03.799> she
• during my nearly two and background during my nearly two decades<01:31:25.040> as<01:31:25.199
• <03:37:48.199> CDC safety uh uh actually you can check CDC safety uh uh actually you can check

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a check at retirement for $2,922 at the expense of the school district.
• <00:13:33.839> for district would write them a check for district would write them a check
• <00:13:38.079> at they would they would collect a check at they would they would collect a
• check at retirement<00:13:39.000> for retirement for retirement for $2,922<00:13:41.959> at
• I think it’s important to have folks from the auditor department that has an accounting background to

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:44 Attendance Roll Call: 00:55 SB 193 (Sen. Girdler): 01:53 SB 9 (Sen. Higdon): 03:22 SB 257 (Sen. Tichenor): 34:14 Adjournment: 50:57, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government first took up Senate Bill 193, a simple measure described as restoring wallet cards for jailers to carry when they are outside the jail. The sponsor noted the fiscal impact was essentially zero, there were no questions, and the committee approved the bill 9-0 for passage to the Senate floor. The committee then heard Senate Bill 9, sponsored by Senator Higdon, which would change how the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) treats sick leave, personal leave, and annual leave in retirement calculations. The sponsor argued the bill is intended to address TRS’s financial challenges by standardizing leave rules statewide, limiting TRS retirement credit to 10 sick days and 2 personal days per year, preventing annual leave from being rolled into sick leave, requiring districts to pay the actuarial cost for any leave beyond the cap, and adding reporting and oversight requirements for participating agencies. He also said the bill would add 30 days of maternity leave, allow voluntary district contributions for tier four teachers, and direct the state auditor to audit TRS and report on agencies. Committee members asked about how overages would be audited and billed, the cost of a sick day, and how the bill would interact with local leave policies, including paid parental leave in some districts. The sponsor clarified that existing accumulated leave would not be affected, that the bill applies going forward, and that districts could still offer more leave but would bear the added cost. Members also discussed whether the maternity leave language set a cap or a minimum, and one senator noted the bill was intended to preserve personal days while stopping annual leave from being converted into pension credit. No vote on Senate Bill 9 was shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• for proposal, even if you're the only one who could qualify, it's still a really good way to have checks
• for proposal, even if you're the only one who could qualify, it's still a really good way to have checks
• for proposal, even if you're the only one who could qualify, it's still a really good way to have checks
• <00:49:01.440> in economic development so I'll check in economic development so I'll check
• And I know that Representative Mohler has such a background in this.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• utility bill, something that can be printed off a printer from home, a bank statement, a government check
• and a signature, but in some cases we're accepting a utility bill, a bank statement, a government check
• Deputy Sheriff's Association Grant Program, and establishes new definitions, fingerprints, and background
• check requirements.
• check requirements.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of recognitions for interns, staff, and guests. Members also honored a retiring Senate staffer and a wounded veteran, then moved into returning House messages and special order bills. Several measures were taken up and either concurred in or sent back to the House, with multiple unanimous or near-unanimous votes on noncontroversial bills. Among the bills addressed were SB 118 on recreational vehicle park assessments, SB 572 on ethics for public officers and employees, and HB 991 on election integrity. SB 118 and SB 572 were amended to reflect House changes and passed 38-0. HB 991 drew extensive debate over voter registration and identification requirements, with opponents arguing it would burden students, seniors, disabled voters, and others, while supporters said it would strengthen election security and streamline verification; it passed 27-12. The chamber also approved bills on historic cemeteries, chickee regulation, habitual traffic offender designation, military affairs, and a Department of Health package. The Department of Health bill (SB 902/HB 733) was the subject of detailed amendment work, including changes to medical marijuana rules, NICU educational materials, Early Steps, dental loan repayment, and pediatric trauma center designation. The Senate adopted an amendment to the amendment and then passed the bill 37-0. Other measures included a funeral services bill, which the Senate refused to concur in because the House strike-all would redefine cremation to include composting, and a veterans-related bill that was temporarily postponed. The Senate also recessed briefly, then returned to continue the calendar and additional recognitions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The other thing I want to say, and I'll wrap it up because I know time's getting short: your background
• I need you to check and make sure you filled out your witness testimony or your form online.
• So double-check. And if not, if you just quickly fill one of those out, I appreciate it.
• Please do check that form for me. All right, anybody here for informational purposes only?
• My background is roofing and painting houses in college, and I became interested in renovating older

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am just checking to see how the department made the determinations of where the funding would go versus
• I haven't been up there and checked on it.
• I think one opportunity, and this maybe speaks to my background in litigation, is that the commission
• Representative, we have 127 positions, and of those, well the last time I checked, we were at 12% vacancy
• If we could just check if they're in line with some of the Kevin S. stuff, that would be helpful to make

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to check it out.
• Coming from a working class background where college wasn't always the primary focus, Ms.
• Check your messages. ご視聴ありがとうございました Thank you. Thank you. Okay, all right.
• By way of background, I am a businessman, health food entrepreneur, and father of two This is my third
• Check your email, it's already there. All right, members, any more questions? Thank you. All right.

Bills: HB367, HB497, HB549, HB983, HB 1188, HB 1290, HB1368, HB2243, HB2310, HB2849, HB3099, HB3546, HB3629, HB3627

Keywords: education, absences, severe illness, life-threatening, school policy, verification, healthcare, insurance, affordability, coverage, patient rights, school health, respiratory distress, airway clearance devices, medication training, public health, HB 983, Texas Education Agency, TEA, educator privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Just, I know you all know, but just for a little background, a public notice is a formal announcement
• Where people can come for free and check it out, then they are able to do it.
• Chair, Senator, have you checked with folks on our tribal lands to make sure that there is internet?
• Yeah, I'm checking. Mr. Chair. Yes, let's not ask the same questions.
• So I'm happy to check. Mr. Chair. Senator Mesnard, I think if it's, you know, Thank you. Mr.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mic check, mic check. Mike check. Mike check, mic check. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• I'd have to check on the specific rider that you're talking about, but by law and by our direction, I
• Our schools should be places of learning, of safety, of affirmation, not political backgrounds where
• Our schools should be places of learning, of safety, of affirmation, not political backgrounds where

Summary: The House met in a late-session floor session that began with prayer, pledges, quorum, and a series of excused absences and Senate messages reporting action on numerous bills, conference committee appointments, and conference reports. Members also adopted a memorial resolution honoring Mark James Hanna, a Capitol lobbyist and advocate for nurses, and a congratulatory resolution for Rishi Tarumalasetti, an eighth-grade civics bee winner from Katy. The chamber also received and recorded a parliamentary colloquy about an unusual Senate request on SB 293, with the Chair stating the House could not recede from only part of its amendments and could not suspend the rules because the bill had not been returned from the Senate. The bulk of the session was devoted to taking up conference committee reports and related procedural resolutions, especially the state budget. The House adopted a resolution allowing the SB 1 conferees to go outside the normal bounds, then adopted the SB 1 conference report on a 107-21 vote. Debate on the budget centered on public education funding, tax relief, health care, corrections pay, and judicial compensation, with supporters calling it a responsible compromise and opponents arguing it was overly expansive and insufficient on property tax relief. The House also adopted a technical correction resolution tying judicial pay increases in SB 1 to the House version of SB 293, and members discussed at length the relationship between judicial salaries and legislative pensions. The chamber then adopted a long series of conference reports on measures covering topics such as school library review and book challenges (SB 13), SNAP restrictions on sweetened drinks and candy (SB 379), hospital price transparency (SB 331), nursing home accountability (SB 457), school district personnel compensation conflicts (HB 3372), property notice rules (HB 2011), research and development tax credits (SB 2018), and several other bills affecting elections, permits, education, and criminal justice. Most reports passed by wide margins, though some drew significant opposition, especially SB 13 and SB 379. The House also granted several Senate requests for conference committees and introduced additional resolutions to suspend conferee limits on various bills as the session moved toward adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an amendment that would ensure that they are going to see their stipend, their checks, sooner
• Think about are we measuring outcomes in a good way, because going in once and getting your teeth checked
• Well, when I decided to run for office, someone said to me, "If you get your emotions in check, you might
• The pandemic ended, and the talk about COVID quickly faded into the background of conversations.
• But I want to give you a little bit of background on the Council. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, Madam Chair, Representative Ligori, it looks like I checked with A-Co this morning, and it looks
• I did do some background research to make sure I wasn't losing my mind and that what I knew to be true

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, Madam Chair, Representative Ligori, it looks like I checked with ACO this morning, and it looks
• I did do some background research to make sure I wasn't losing my mind and that what I knew to be true

Summary: The caucus reviewed several bills on its calendar, mostly focused on Senate amendments and whether sponsors intended to concur. HB 2114 would alter Motorcycle Safety Fund distributions and motorcycle registration rules, including a Senate change requiring at least one registered owner to be licensed in Arizona; the sponsor intended to concur. HB 2729 would continue several boards and agencies, including the Board of Nursing, Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners, Board of Physician Assistance, Department of Economic Security, and Board of Pharmacy; the sponsor also intended to concur. Members discussed two agriculture property inspection bills, HB 2104 and HB 2105. HB 2104 would change rules for agricultural property classification and inspections, while HB 2105 would add notice and reporting requirements for inspections; both had Senate amendments that changed inspection timing and exemptions. Some members raised concerns about county assessors’ workload, opposition from county organizations, and possible inequities and insurance or disaster-related consequences for agricultural property owners. HB 2477, the Arizona Education Savings Plan bill, drew the most discussion. The Senate amendment combined the 529-related provisions with several treasurer-related restrictions and investment rules, and members questioned the policy implications of allowing 529 funds to roll into Roth IRAs. HB 4117 would create or expand criminal penalties for interfering with religious worship, and some members expressed concern about civil liberties and equality issues, while the sponsor intended to concur. HB 2311 would require AI service disclosures to minors and, after substantial Senate amendments, to all account holders in some cases; members asked about effects on schools and government systems, and some noted concerns about the expanded scope and AG enforcement limits. The caucus also heard SCR 1004, which would prohibit photo enforcement traffic programs after December 31 subject to voter approval, though existing programs could continue under certain conditions; law enforcement concerns were noted. SB 1110 would establish a home confinement and electronic monitoring program in the Department of Corrections. SB 1618 would revise the Military Affairs Commission’s membership and duties, but one member objected to adding defense-industry representation and warned about military-industrial-complex influence. The meeting ended with the chair noting that only the bills that had gone through rules were on the agenda and adjourned the caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• She did, so we checked her blood pressure, and it was extremely high.
• diverse clientele and populations that we serve in various rural, urban, um, and all racial ethnic backgrounds

Transcript Highlights:

• That way everybody would have access to it if they so desired to come and check it out.
• And so, let me give the background on what's happening here. She had an incident.

Bills: HB407, SB306, SB320, SB321

Keywords: local redevelopment, tax payments, transient occupancy, state revenue, authority powers, transparency, discretionary accounts, government accountability, public access, online publication, liquefied petroleum gas, safety regulations, public gathering places, cylinder storage, proximity regulations, drycleaning, environmental remediation, pollution, hazardous waste, trust fund

Transcript Highlights:

• Many families in our community come from immigrant backgrounds, including my own.
• immigrants background including my own. own. own.
• We<01:22:24.239> are<01:22:24.400> checking<01:22:24.719> in<01:22:24.960> on
• <01:22:25.120> families<01:22:25.600> and We are checking in on families and We are
• And we'll check the boxes and say that we did.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to double-check. Can everyone hear me okay? Yes, we can.
• And I do have some resources like the Bee Check from the Department of Agriculture.
• This is some background on the Natural Lands Protection Committee.
• Plumb for supporters, people who have no background in wildlife.
• Just a bit about my background. I have a PhD in biology and history.