Transcript Highlights:

• What's the essence of your testimony today? I mean.
• Right, you may proceed with your testimony. You have 3 minutes.
• Thanks for, thanks for your testimony, Mr. Huffman, and thank you, Mr.
• All right, sir, you may proceed with your testimony.
• Steer, for your testimony today.

Transcript Highlights:

• What's the essence of your testimony today? I have a ranch. Sure.
• All right, sir, you may proceed with your testimony. Vice.
• You may proceed with your testimony.
• You may proceed with your testimony. You have three minutes.
• All right, sir, you may proceed with your testimony.

Bills: HB3619, HB3652, HB4572, HB4891, HB4941, HB5103, HB5105, HB5106, HB5224, HB5600

Keywords: surface estate, well plugging, Railroad Commission, landowner rights, liability, strategic reserve, gas supply, petroleum products, disaster response, Railroad Commission of Texas, energy security, emergency planning, oil and gas waste, environmental regulation, waste management, mining pits, groundwater monitoring, regulation, commercial disposal facilities, environmental standards

Transcript Highlights:

• There will be a time limit of three minutes per witness during the public testimony period.
• Thank you for your leadership and the opportunity to provide testimony. Thank you.
• We submitted our written testimony, and I will just focus on the highlights here.
• We submitted our written testimony, and I will just focus on the highlights here.
• As I mentioned earlier, more detailed comments are in our written testimony.

Bills: HB16, HB16, HB1618, HB2692, HB2712, HB2970, HB3609, HB3628

Keywords: judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments, water infrastructure, Texas Water Development Board, financial assistance, water supply projects, rural municipalities, water access assessment, aquifer storage, Edwards Aquifer, water injection, environmental regulations, groundwater management, San Antonio River, pollution control

Transcript Highlights:

• Showing none, we do have some public testimony.
• Showing none, do we have any public testimony?
• I'm showing no other public testimony. Senators, we are in debate.
• Thank you very much for your testimony. And then finally we have Mr.
• Thank you very much for your testimony. Members, don't see any other questions.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 794, as amended by a late-filed strike-all, which would require a human being to make insurance claim denial decisions and prohibit artificial intelligence from being the sole basis for a denial. The sponsor said the bill was intended to preserve human oversight while allowing innovation in claims processing. Public testimony included support from the Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate and the Florida Medical Association, along with one speaker urging additional protections for homeowners. The committee adopted the strike-all and reported SB 794 favorably with committee substitutes. Members then heard SB 134, which removes the $500 threshold on the sales tax exemption for bullion, making sales of gold, silver, and platinum bullion fully exempt and eliminating certain dealer documentation requirements. Supporters argued the change would reduce a regressive tax and help consumers preserve savings; the sponsor estimated a revenue impact of about $300,000. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also adopted a strike-all on SB 888, which directs the Office of Insurance Regulation to create a more consumer-friendly homeowners insurance website with premium comparison information, market data, rate filing access, and educational resources. The sponsor and Leader Boyd said the goal was to improve transparency and help consumers navigate a stabilizing market. SB 888 was reported favorably with committee substitutes. The final bill heard was SB 1578, covering mammograms and supplemental breast cancer screenings. The sponsor said it would expand coverage requirements in ACA plans and private insurance policies, including annual mammograms for women ages 40 to 50 and supplemental screening coverage, while noting Medicaid already provides these services. The Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate waived in support, and the bill was reported favorably. After the bills, the committee held a lengthy panel discussion on gold and silver as legal tender and transactional money, with testimony from officials from Utah and Florida, industry representatives, and advocacy groups. Panelists discussed constitutional authority, consumer protections, depository oversight, taxation issues, and possible transactional platforms for precious metals. No further action was taken after the discussion, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• My no vote is based on HPD's opposition in their testimony and the bill presenting problems in being
• My no vote is based on HPD's opposition in their testimony and the bill presenting problems in being
• The reservation I have is based on opposition testimony from Hy Hy pyro, which is supposedly the only
• And according to their testimony, the language of this bill would prohibit them from proceeding with
• The reservation I have is based on opposition testimony from Hy Hy pyro, which is supposedly the only

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I appreciate your testimony.
• . testimony. testimony.
• testimony? testimony?
• <03:30:13.279> that they understood our testimony that they understood our testimony that
• > testimony<03:36:03.520> gave<03:36:03.680> you represent Rhodess's testimony gave

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thanks, Matt, for your testimony. It's wonderful.
• Great testimony. Any other questions on the task force? Great testimony.
• We've heard that in this testimony.
• We did hear a number of testimony in this area.
• So we did hear a number of testimony in this area.

Summary: The meeting focused on Missouri’s substance use prevention and treatment system, with repeated emphasis on recovery support services, peer support, recovery housing, transportation, and harm reduction. Dan Haniken of Into Action described his own recovery from addiction and incarceration and argued that treatment alone is not enough; he urged greater investment in recovery housing, peer support, employment, and community-based supports that help people stay sober and avoid relapse. Members asked about funding sources, program capacity, referrals, treatment court, transportation, and how Into Action supports people on medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Haniken said the organization is funded through a mix of federal, state, county, city, foundation, and private donations, and that housing and transportation remain major barriers, especially because support is often funded for too short a period compared with the longer time people need to stabilize. Matt Cushman of the Raytown Fire Protection District gave a strong endorsement of harm reduction, including naloxone distribution, syringe service programs, and broader decriminalization of harm reduction tools. He argued that stigma is a major barrier to care and that Missouri should expand access to clean needles, test strips, and other services, while also improving access to MAT in jails and communities. Committee members questioned the evidence base, the role of faith-based providers, and whether safe consumption sites should be pursued; Cushman said syringe exchange decriminalization should be the immediate priority, while safe consumption sites are a longer-term issue. He also described community paramedicine and mobile integrated health as valuable but funding-dependent, and said naloxone distribution is improving but still uneven, especially in rural and minority communities. Representatives from Central Ozarks Medical Center and Four Rivers Community Health Center highlighted the importance of peer support specialists, community health workers, care coordinators, and wraparound services in rural health centers. COMC’s Morgan McClure and Monet Lehman described a jail reentry program in Pulaski County, with Lehman sharing her trauma and recovery story and explaining how she helps incarcerated people prepare for release with housing, employment, benefits, transportation, and treatment connections. Four Rivers’ Devon Polarys and Cassandra Trout said their CEO would change Missouri policy to allow FQHCs to receive reimbursement for peer support and community health worker services similar to CCBHCs, arguing that these roles are essential for addressing barriers like transportation, housing, food insecurity, and insurance. Members discussed confusion over reimbursement rules, the differences between FQHCs and CCBHCs, and the need for better funding and clearer policy for peer and community health worker services. No votes were taken; the discussion ended with a suggestion to bring in a subject matter expert on community health workers for a future session.

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll hear this statement and theme throughout the testimonies today.
• Thank you for your testimony and for your work with fosters.
• and for your work you for your testimony and for your work with<00:20:45.039> fosters.
• and thank you director as well testimony and thank you director as well because<00:30:59.520> your
• What she's being able to give testimony to can save the next mom, can save the next kid.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:46:46.800> or And if you listen to the testimony or And if you listen to the testimony
• Um, the defer to their testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. >> And thank you. >> And thank you. See no further testimony.
• Appreciate the testimony.
• Appreciate the<03:56:59.439> testimony. the testimony. the testimony.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began with procedural announcements about report turnaround, amendment submission methods during split operations, a possible January 29 session, the governor’s State of the State on February 5, parking, cafeteria opening, and the plan to finish work by February 10. It then moved into executive session on HB 1123, which would require certain companies to post salary ranges on public job listings. Representative Granger moved ITL, arguing the bill would interfere with negotiations, especially for higher-level jobs, and raise compelled-speech concerns. Supporters, including Representatives Schultz, Sullivan, Cahill, Staub, and others, said salary ranges help applicants avoid wasted time and travel, improve transparency, and are already a common workplace disclosure. The committee voted 10-9 to ITL HB 1123. The committee next took up HB 177, concerning a definition of remote work in labor law. Representative Murphy moved ITL, saying the bill could burden employers, create vague obligations, duplicate existing protections, and potentially require intrusive compliance measures. Representative Sullivan described a proposed amendment that would narrow the bill to a definition of remote work and remove broader requirements, but the committee ultimately voted 11-9 to ITL HB 177. Members also noted that the amendment had not been fully circulated in time and that the issue might merit further review. Finally, the committee opened HB 1352, a workers’ compensation bill focused on repricing and payment practices. The sponsor withdrew an initial ITL motion and moved OTP after amendment review. Members discussed concerns raised at the hearing about delayed payments, third-party administrators, and the need for better accountability. Representative McKenzie’s amendment would define good faith, create a voluntary three-year dispute-resolution pilot, restore fines to prior levels, and add reporting/accountability requirements for carriers that miss the 30-day payment deadline. Several members supported the amendment as a way to help small businesses and providers, while others said repricing needed broader study through the workers’ compensation advisory council. The Department of Labor explained that the amendment would require carriers and related payers to report missed determinations to the department and would increase oversight of payment timeliness.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, thank you for your testimony. Thank you very much.
• Thank you for your testimony. Next up in support, please state your name and begin when ready.
• Seeing none, thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. Next up in support... Thank you very much.
• Seeing no other questions or comments, thank you for your testimony. Thank you.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any public testimony? There is public testimony, William B.
• Any other public testimony Seeing none.
• Okay, I think we do have public testimony.
• And the question: Any further public testimony? No further public testimony and to debate.
• You're relying on a similar level of testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to proceed to public testimony and we do recognize your right to close.
• Thank you for that testimony. I just have one question. Yes, sir. Right now.
• Thank you so much for your testimony. It's a pleasure. Thank you. The Chair calls Steven Price. Mr.
• Seeing then we're going to proceed to public testimony, sir. We recognize your right to close.
• Public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to proceed to public testimony, and we do recognize your right to close.
• Thank you for that testimony. I just have one question. Yes, sir.
• Okay, seeing none, we're going to proceed to public testimony.
• Price, I'm not sure if you've done testimony.
• We have no... public testimony.

Bills: HB4458, SB651, SB1227, SB1931

Keywords: veterans, service members, military transition, Texas Veterans Commission, pilot program, self-reliance, employment assistance, housing assistance, mental health services, career training, veterans service organizations, spouses and dependents, military families, Texas military forces, post-separation support, reentry services, workforce development, benefits navigation, transition assistance, SB 651

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your testimony members any questions for mr. Rody All right here now. Thank you.
• Thank you for your testimony. Is there anyone else who wishes to speak?
• Thank you for your testimony. Thank you. Chair calls John Riddle. Thank you.
• All right, thank you for your testimony. Thank you. Chair calls Roger Esparza. Thank you.
• All right, thank you for your testimony. All right, is there anyone?

Bills: HB467, HB318, HB503, HB198, HB318, HB198

Keywords: hospital district, Cedar Creek, scholarship, dissolution, county judges, healthcare funding, grant program, rural counties, law enforcement, sheriff's departments, funding, public safety, deputy shortages, sheriff, prosecutor, salary assistance, HB 198, Wade Cannon Act, firefighter cancer screening, occupational cancer screening

Transcript Highlights:

• John Dupnick: ...that I'll point to throughout my testimony.
• Glad to hear that based on your testimony today.
• We just heard testimony that that could happen.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• Great testimony. Representative Zwiener: Thank you, Chairman.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• just quick go through a quick testimony just quick go through a quick testimony and<00:04:09.519
• Thank you so much for your testimony and for joining us.
• Um, next, testimony and for joining us.
• testimony and welcome to you. Thank you. testimony and welcome to you. Thank you.
• <00:16:02.000> Um testimony and for being with us. Um testimony and for being with us.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you can state your name for the record and begin your testimony.
• Thank you very much for your testimony.
• So thank you again for your testimony.
• So thank you again for your testimony.
• So thank you again for your testimony.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Shoemaker, if you want to come up. written testimony. All in support. Um so written testimony.
• We stand on our written testimony and support.
• We have written testimony and support.
• heard and tried to adjust our testimony heard and tried to adjust our testimony accordingly.<00:
• But in your testimony, are you Yes.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard three University of Hawaiʻi-related measures. HB 718 HD1 would appropriate funds for faculty and staff positions at the John A. Burns School of Medicine in cardiovascular, law, biology, tropical medicine, quantitative health/biostatistics, and environmental health and safety. Testimony was in support, including from university representatives and others who submitted written testimony. Members asked whether the positions were additional and how they would affect enrollment; the university said the hires would teach medical students and conduct biomedical research, helping increase the class size to about 77 and eventually 80, and noted a workforce paper requested by the committee would be provided soon. The committee then discussed SB 1170 HD1, which would grant resident tuition at any UH campus to certain graduates of Hawaiʻi high schools enrolling in undergraduate programs. UH supported the bill and said it had adjusted its testimony in response to prior committee concerns. Members focused on the proposed four-year window, asking why that timeframe was chosen and whether the change was needed at all. UH explained that four years would allow students who left the state to return and still complete an undergraduate degree or prepare for graduate school, and said the bill would help students who come back after one or two years but otherwise would have to wait a year to reestablish residency under current rules. UH also said it was discussing possible administrative rule changes as an alternative if the bill did not pass. Finally, the committee heard HB 1300 HD1, which would fund a University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center pilot study on cancer disparities among Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Filipinos, and people living near landfills in Nanakuli, focusing on social determinants of health, lifestyle, environmental exposures, and resilience factors. Testimony from researchers and advocates strongly supported the measure, saying the study could help explain cancer disparities and support future research funding. Members questioned the cost, the reliance on future federal or foundation funding, and the practical outcome of the study. The Cancer Center said the pilot would cost about $500,000 per year for two years, with later funding sought from federal, nonprofit, or private sources; it said the study would produce longitudinal data that could help identify at-risk groups and provide evidence for policy decisions, though members expressed concern that the project needed a clearer end goal and stronger case for public investment.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have our written testimony in support.
• Bureau um you have a written testimony Bureau um you have a written testimony and<00:54:18.040><
• You have a written testimony in support.
• You heard in our testimony the station was built in 1950.
• You heard in our testimony the station was built in 1950.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Committee on Higher Education and Agriculture heard Senate Bill 1158, which would authorize general obligation bonds and appropriations for a controlled environment agriculture research and demonstration facility at the Magoon Research and Teaching Site in Manoa. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive from the University of Hawaiʻi, Department of Agriculture, Farm Bureau, Maui County, MetroGrow Hawaiʻi, and other agricultural groups, who said the project would strengthen food resilience, support year-round production, create clean jobs, and provide a demonstration site for urban vertical farming. University representatives said the project would include demolition of an existing condemned building, a research and lab component, and a multistory vertical farm, with an estimated cost of $6 million and a projected two-year build time. Members questioned whether Manoa was the best location, whether the project fit the university’s broader strategy, and whether the request would displace other priorities. The University said the site is tied to SEAR activities, close to students and faculty, and intended to support hands-on training and commercial-scale production. In response to concerns about soil testing and stakeholder needs, the University said it would restart the soil testing lab using internal funds, though not as part of this bill, and would request additional staff for efficiency. The committee then recessed and later reconvened in decision-making, where the chairs recommended and the committee adopted amendments to SB 1158, including a name correction and deferral to July 31, 2050, and the bill passed with amendments. The committee then took up Senate Bill 663, relating to the University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and SEAR research and experiment stations. The University testified that the stations are important for locally relevant agricultural research but are short staffed, with 34 positions down since 2005, and that the bill requests eight new positions, including agricultural technicians and four county community coordinator positions, to improve station operations, community engagement, and workforce development. The Farm Bureau supported the measure, saying the positions are needed to revamp extension services and that Manoa is an appropriate urban location for the vertical farming component. Members questioned why vacant or existing positions could not be used instead of new ones, and the University explained that some listed vacancies reflected old federally funded positions or inaccurate counts, promised a written update, and said it was working to fill current openings. No final vote on SB 663 was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Testimony may be limited to 4 minutes.
• If there are, uh, we will proceed to testimony. The chair calls, uh, Lena Mann.
• Seeing none, we will proceed to testimony. The chair calls Tyler Carlson.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony.