Video & Transcript Research : 'Texas occupations code'
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TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband Mar 24th, 2025
S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband
Transcript Highlights:
- It's not a Texas.
- of the Texas Cable Association Board of Directors, and Julia Harvey, Texas Electric Cooperatives.
- Uh, Texas has not done so.
- the Texas Broadband Association.
- timeline for Texas.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-MEDICAID SUBCOMMITTEE Feb 12th, 2026
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-MEDICAID SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- Federal code requires states and territories to establish programs to contract with one or more Medicaid
- The agency notified legislative audit of the apparent theft of public funds as required by Arkansas Code
- a fee-for-service state, which is we cover programs and we pay when it is utilized using different codes
- Texarkana or just over the line, actually lives in Texas.
- Occasionally, we've had to reach out to, say, Texas or Tennessee, Oklahoma.
Summary:
The Medicaid Subcommittee of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee met to receive a primer on the subcommittee’s history and on how Medicaid oversight works in Arkansas. Legislative audit staff reviewed the subcommittee’s origins in response to earlier Medicaid audit concerns and explained that Medicaid is audited every year in the statewide single audit because it is a high-risk, large federal program. Staff summarized recent audit findings, including issues with eligibility controls, data matching, contractor charging, incarcerated juveniles’ coverage handling, provider eligibility support, and the state’s Medicaid recovery audit contractor exception request. They also noted a DHS departmental audit finding involving employees who improperly received benefits, which was referred for possible prosecution.
The Department of Human Services gave an overview of the Medicaid program, describing eligibility groups, delivery systems (fee-for-service, managed care/PASSE, and premium assistance for expansion adults), the size of the program, and the agency’s budget and provider base. DHS also outlined the difference between state plan amendments and waivers and said other committee materials would be sent to members. The Office of Medicaid Inspector General described its role in detecting and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse, explaining that it investigates suspected intentional fraud, suspends providers when there is a credible allegation of fraud, recovers improper payments in mistake cases, and recommends policy changes when trends are identified.
The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit explained that it prosecutes provider fraud criminally and civilly, handles neglect, abuse, and exploitation cases in long-term care settings, and works with DHS, OMIG, and federal partners. Members asked about where cases are filed, how provider suspensions work, whether beneficiary fraud is investigated, and how education is provided to providers. DHS confirmed that beneficiary fraud cases are referred to local prosecutors and said the expansion population will move toward community engagement/work requirements under federal changes, with a soft launch planned before full implementation. The meeting ended with no formal votes beyond adoption of the prior minutes and no other committee actions.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Committee on Administration is electronic public comment process for all Texans. be posted on the Texas
- Legislative Information System, also known as TLIS, Texas Legislative Metro Online, which is known as
- Commissioner of Higher Education, Texas Higher Education of Education, Texas Education Agency, and Mr
- Representing the public for the Texas Workforce Commission to please come forward and in order to testify
- Texas. And we have then used this as a tool to help people understand the relative.
Summary:
The committee meeting focused on several administrative matters, alongside public comments and expert testimonies regarding the proposed legislation. Representative Shaheen highlighted concerns regarding the parameters for public comment, ensuring that only embodied testimonies would be allowed during this session. The meeting was well-attended, and members frequently moved in and out due to overlapping committee schedules. The atmosphere was one of collaboration, underscored by a strong presence of both committee members and the public.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So, Chairman and Senator West, I'm pleased to present Senate Bill 2847, which amends the Education Code
- Greater flexibility and structure of core curricula for bachelor's degree programs in Texas.
- Last session, the Texas Legislature passed historic reforms to community college funding and education
- SB 2847 simply seeks to afford our Texas public four-year universities the same opportunity to seek a
- Sarah Keaton with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Education K-16 heard two bills. SB 2847, by Senator Hagenbuch, would give Texas public four-year universities the same option community colleges already have to seek approval from the Higher Education Coordinating Board for core curricula of fewer than 42 semester credit hours. Hagenbuch said the bill is intended to add flexibility, support career-focused programs, and help students finish degrees faster. There was no public testimony, and the bill was left pending.
The committee then heard SB 3039, by Senator West, which addresses transferability and credit loss for students moving from community colleges to four-year institutions. West said the bill responds to ongoing problems with rejected transfer credits and seeks better data, study, and recommendations from the Coordinating Board. Deputy Commissioner Sarah Keaton testified that transfer remains a major policy issue, that reporting requirements from SB 25 have improved data collection, and that the main reasons credits do not transfer are grades and degree applicability. She also described the Texas Direct degree program and field-of-study curricula designed to transfer as blocks.
Members discussed the cost of lost credits, the need for better communication to students, and concerns that some institutions still reject credits or require duplicate coursework. No public witnesses signed up on SB 3039, and it was left pending subject to the call of the chair. A quorum was later established, the agenda was completed, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 2/25/25
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- there are other states that are using this program and they've been successful—Georgia, Colorado, Texas
- there are other states that are using this program and they've been successful—Georgia, Colorado, Texas
- there are other states that are using this program and they've been successful—Georgia, Colorado, Texas
- My question has to do around the stipulation of kind of how long the owner-occupant has to live in the
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE - SENATE AND HOUSE May 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- My question is for Austin, Texas.
- My question is for Austin, Texas.
- My question is for Austin, Texas.
- The number of unsheltered homeless in Texas is in the tens of thousands.
- Texas, like Arkansas, has a legislature that meets every other year.
Summary:
The committee first heard a presentation on homelessness in Arkansas, with speakers from law enforcement, behavioral health, homeless service providers, and policy groups. Presenters argued that Arkansas should focus more on treatment, accountability, better data, and stronger coordination among providers, and they highlighted the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model as a way to expand Medicaid-reimbursed crisis, mental health, substance use, jail-based, and homeless outreach services. Testimony emphasized that Arkansas has relatively low overall homelessness numbers but a significant unsheltered population with serious mental illness or substance use disorders, and several members asked about sex offender tracking, provider accountability, statewide coordination, and whether the state could apply for federal funding or a statewide continuum of care arrangement. Speakers also discussed workforce supports, family homelessness, and the need for more transparent reporting and outcomes-based funding.
The committee then reviewed several Department of Energy and Department of Health/Board of Nursing rules. DEQ sought to raise the threshold for commission review of certain post-closure cleanup expenditures from $50,000 to $2 million to match Act 791 of 2025, and members asked about financial assurance and oversight; the rule was reviewed without objection. The Board of Nursing presented multiple rule changes implementing recent acts, including adding fees for dialysis patient care technician registration, updating contact-information requirements, clarifying APRN authority to sign death certificates and prescribe certain durable medical equipment, implementing delegation of certain nursing tasks to unlicensed workers, adding a declaratory-order process, revising certified medication assistant training and insulin-injection authority, and conforming independent-practice rules for clinical nurse specialists. Each nursing rule was reviewed without objection after brief questions.
In closing remarks, Senator Irvin announced that UAMS had completed its National Cancer Institute designation submission, calling it an important step for the state. The committee then adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 3/10/26
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- licensing, we have a lot of occupational licensing, we have a lot of places<00:20:38.240>
where competency occupational competency occupational measurement.<00:21:12.240>- have occupational places where we have occupational licensing<00:20:40.320>
and <00:20:40.480>So <00:21:12.480 - have occupational places where we have occupational licensing<00:20:40.320>
- Geological Survey unit code.
- Geological Survey unit code.
Keywords:
groundwater, water use permit, data centers, public health, environmental regulations, municipalities, state park license plate, specialty license plate, Minnesota DNR, Department of Natural Resources, license plate design contest, North Shore, Lake Superior Agate, AI-generated art, artificial intelligence, Minnesota resident, state parks, specialty plates, vehicle registration, contest requirements
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII Feb 26th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII
Transcript Highlights:
- Item one discusses the Texas Energy Fund.
- to the Texas Energy Fund to $10 billion.
- Lastly, item 4, the Texas Advanced Nuclear Reactor, um, Texas Nuclear Energy Fund and Texas Nuclear Energy
- So the Texas Energy Fund.
- The Texas Energy Fund is a program that that's currently underway by the state of Texas, but expanding
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Public Safety Apr 7th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- In addition to the CTE programs at CCWF, the Occupational Mentor Certification Program, OMCP, is offered
- update vocational programs to reflect current job market needs by incorporating digital literacy, coding
- update vocational programs to reflect current job market needs by incorporating digital literacy, coding
- We look at livable wage calculators to determine what occupations we think would be very helpful for
- She's saying that they go by this Penal Code, but that's not true from my experience.
Summary:
The hearing focused first on sexual abuse, harassment, and retaliation in California’s women’s prisons, with testimony from CDCR wardens, the Office of Inspector General, advocacy groups, and formerly incarcerated survivors. Legislators and witnesses described a pattern of staff misconduct, fear of retaliation, gaps in reporting, and the need for stronger accountability, better investigations, and more outside access for survivor support organizations. CDCR said it has expanded training, body-worn and stationary cameras, outside partnerships, and PREA-related response procedures, while the Inspector General requested additional funding and staff to monitor more grievances and staff sexual misconduct cases under SB 1069. Members pressed CDCR on why accused staff are not always placed on leave, how cases are referred to prosecutors, and whether current protections are enough; several members argued the state should aim to investigate all complaints and do more to prevent retaliation and repeat abuse.
The second issue was rehabilitative and reentry programming in women’s prisons. CDCR’s Division of Rehabilitative Programs and the wardens highlighted education, vocational training, substance use treatment, peer support, and community reentry programs, citing increased enrollment and recent graduates earning diplomas, degrees, and certifications. They said these programs are intended to reduce recidivism and improve public safety. Formerly incarcerated advocates and community providers argued that current offerings are still too limited, outdated, and not aligned with today’s job market, especially around digital literacy and transferable credentials, and they urged more funding for community-based, trauma-informed, gender-responsive programming. A coalition representative asked for a $20 million continuation and expansion of the Wright Grant program, and members discussed additional budget requests for reentry and related women’s services.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Regulated Industries Feb 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- WE HAD TO GO FIND OUT WHAT THE CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY WAS.
- MOST OF THEM HAVE CODE ENFORCEMENT.
- IF IT IS A CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OR AN UNSAFE STRUCTURE HAS THE REQUIREMENT OF LOCAL REGULATION.
- IS HOW WILL THIS BENEFIT THE CODE APPROACH.
- HOW DO WE MAKE THE CODE BETTER? REMEMBERING THAT THE CODE IS MINIMUM NOT MAXIMUM.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Every student, regardless of zip code, background, or income, deserves access to the full promise of
- Every student, regardless of zip code, background, or income, deserves access to the full promise of
- In terms of the actual occupation... ...there's still to be the demonstrated workforce need for that
- I think even in this code section, we've added, you know, one every other year.
- I think even in this code section, we've added, we've added, you know, one every other year.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- It is almost entirely within the civil code, so we're not talking for the most part about any criminal
- It is almost entirely within the civil code, so we're not talking, for the most part, about any criminal
- , and it's sort of very, very finely and narrowly tailored now within the, mostly within the civil code
- , and it's sort of very, very finely and narrowly tailored now within the, mostly within the civil code
- , and it's sort of very, very finely and narrowly tailored now within the, mostly within the civil code
Bills:
SB1004, SB1012, SB1100, SB1110, SB1170, SB1213, SB1317, SB1402, SB1413, SB1416, SB1476, SB1511, SB1573, SB1655, SB1656, SB1709, SB1720, SB1723, SB1725, SCR1040
Keywords:
sex offender registration, sex offender registry, A.R.S. 13-3821, sexual offenses, public safety, GPS monitoring, electronic monitoring, transient offender, homeless registrant, online identifiers, internet identifiers, sheriff notification, Department of Public Safety, DPS, DNA collection, juvenile adjudication, kidnapping of a minor, unlawful imprisonment of a minor, lifetime registration, community notification
Summary:
The committee heard Senate Bill 1170, which would impose enhanced sentencing for selling dangerous or narcotic drugs to minors when the sale contributes to the minor’s death, and would treat the offense as a dangerous crime against children if the victim is under 15. The sponsor and families of overdose victims urged passage as a way to hold dealers accountable, while ACLU/AACJ opposition argued the bill would sweep too broadly, remove judicial discretion, and increase prison terms for people with substance use disorders. The committee recommended the bill do pass on a 5-2 vote.
Members then considered Senate Bill 1012, which would change concealed-carry signage rules for Series 12 restaurants and limit liquor-license consequences in those settings. The sponsor and gun-rights groups said the bill was a narrow correction that would not expand carry rights or property rights, while liquor-industry opponents said it would override restaurant owners’ decisions about whether to allow firearms. The committee approved the bill 6-2.
The committee also advanced Senate Bill 1511, requiring proof of lawful presence for drivers using non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses in Arizona and allowing citations and possible impoundment when proof is not provided. The sponsor tied the bill to trucking safety and fatal crashes, while no outside speakers testified. The bill received a 6-2 do-pass recommendation. Later, the committee adopted a strike-everything amendment to Senate Bill 1100 creating a state registration/disclosure system for lobbyists representing foreign adversary principals, with Homeland Security supporting the measure and CAIR Arizona opposing it as overbroad; the amended bill passed 8-0.
Additional bills were heard and recommended do pass, including SB 1004 on GPS monitoring for homeless sex offenders, SB 1213 denying probation to unlawfully present defendants and requiring ICE notification, SB 1402 requiring probationers on electronic monitoring to pay the fee, SB 1709 mandating revocation and consecutive prison terms for probation violations by adults convicted of dangerous crimes against children, SB 1413 removing the $100,000 restitution cap for serious injury or death from moving violations, and SB 1416 updating missing-child notification and photo-distribution procedures. The committee also heard SB 1725, which would create a civil cause of action and petty offense for excessive marijuana smoke or odor drifting onto neighboring property; supporters, including a 13-year-old student and the sponsor, said it would protect neighbors and schoolchildren, while opponents argued existing trespass law is sufficient and the bill could conflict with medical marijuana protections. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 1725, before a final vote is shown.
NV
Transcript Highlights:
- Why people have to be limited by the zip codes where they live?
- Why people have to be limited by the deep codes where they live?
- Chapter 288 of the Nevada Revised Statutes lists the occupational groups eligible for collective bargaining
- So, for example, the occupational group made up of category one peace officers is Group G, while the
- occupational group made up of firefighters is Group K.
Bills:
AB49, AB93, AB108, AB169, AB188, AB212, AB221, AB224, AB251, AB282, AB284, AB296, AB304, AB331, AB356, AB366, AB375, AB409, AB467, AB475, AB476, AB479, AB494, AB514, AB515, AB533, AB542, AB550, AB558, AB567, AB568, AB571, AB581, AB583, AB584, AB585, AB595, AB596, AB597, SB170, SB427, SB460, SB508
Keywords:
educational personnel, teacher licensing, reciprocal licensure, provisional teaching, school counselors, school nurses, school social workers, state education standards, public employees, police officers, benefits, appropriation, law enforcement, outdoor education, recreation, grant program, environment, funding, health insurance, speech-language pathology
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee Mar 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And the Century Code is structured that way.
- Right now, that's a challenge within the current Century Code.
- The requirement to file those reports is in Century Code.
- And then how many occupational boards exist in the state? Mr.
- Dan, 42, 42 occupational boards.
Summary:
The committee met to receive a series of audit presentations, beginning with the statewide Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for fiscal year 2025. The State Auditor’s Office and OMB reported a clean, unmodified opinion for the state, with strong financial results including a $40.6 billion net position, $30.99 billion in assets, $1.81 billion in liabilities, and continued Legacy Fund growth. OMB also explained the new GASB 101 compensated-absences reporting change and discussed pension-liability fluctuations tied to discount-rate assumptions and investment performance. Members asked about how the state compares to others and about the effect of short-term commodity price swings, and OMB said the report reflects actual fiscal-year results rather than forecasts.
The committee then heard the University System audit, which also received a clean opinion but included four findings: misreporting of Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund revenue, insufficient monitoring of service organizations at CTS, NDSU, and UND, improper bank reconciliations at Dakota College of Bottineau, Dickinson State, and Williston State, and investment/cash reconciliation problems at Bismarck State College related to bond proceeds. University officials agreed with the findings and said corrective actions were underway, including internal review of bank reconciliations. Members raised questions about NDSU’s use of certificates of deposit, and university staff explained that CDs are used to earn interest on funds being accumulated for future projects.
Several other audits were presented, most with clean opinions and no findings, including the State Auditor’s Office, Workforce Safety and Insurance, Housing Finance Agency, Housing Incentive Fund, Job Service North Dakota, the Retirement and Investment Office, PERS, the Center for Distance Education, the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents, the Ethics Commission, and the Office of Administrative Hearings. Notable exceptions included a State Fair Association audit with an adverse opinion on the foundation component unit because its financial statements were not available for audit, and a Securities Department performance audit finding that performance-based pay increases and bonuses were issued without required evaluations. The committee also discussed the State Auditor’s future needs, including more staff capacity, data analytics, cybersecurity reviews, possible subpoena authority, independent legal counsel, and whether some audits—such as the Ethics Commission and State Fair—should be handled by independent third parties or under different statutory arrangements.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- district has conducted in response to petitions to annex property filed by landowners in the 85th Texas
- It's the reserve MMD in Mansfield, Texas. 56. So that's on the next page because it's a substitute.
- bill conforms all aspects of the agreed-upon template for the addition of road powers adopted by the Texas
- bill conforms all aspects of the agreed-upon template for the addition of road powers adopted by the Texas
- It amends the Special District Local Laws Code to allow Harris County Municipal Utility District Number
Bills:
HB103
Summary:
The Senate Local Government Committee met to hear and act on a series of municipal utility district and municipal management district bills, most of them presented as template or cleanup measures. The committee first heard HB 5672, which redefined the boundaries of the Driftwood Conservation District in Hays County to match acreage added through landowner petitions; no one testified, and the bill was reported favorably and placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then took up HB 5696 for the Reserve Municipal Management District in Mansfield, where Senator Birdwell explained a committee substitute that conformed the bill to the standard MMD template; the bill was left pending subject to call of the chair. Similar template or technical bills followed, including HB 5680 (Bayou Bell No. 1 MMD in Liberty County), HB 5654 (Montgomery County MUD No. 263), HB 5662 (Fort Bend County WCID No. 12 with road powers), HB 5658 (Craver Ranch MMD in Denton County), HB 5661 (Fort Bend County MUD No. 286), HB 5699 (an exclusion/contract provision for Harris County MUD No. 405), HB 5679 (Hills of Walnut Creek MUD in Parker County), HB 5437 (validation language for Austin County MUD No. 1), HB 5665 (Waller County MUD No. 70), HB 5656 (Fort Bend County MUD No. 263), HB 5670 (Montgomery County MUD No. 259), HB 5651 (Montgomery County WCID with drainage powers), HB 5682 (Comina Ranch MMD No. 1 in McKinney), HB 5320 (merging Starr County drainage-related districts), HB 5677 (Pura Vida MMD No. 1), and HB 5666 (Fencey Road MUD in Harris County). In each case, the sponsor described the district, acreage, location, and powers, and committee substitutes were often used to align the bills with the chamber’s standard template language or correct drafting errors.
Public testimony was repeatedly opened and closed with no witnesses appearing for or against the bills. The committee consistently adopted committee substitutes when offered, then voted to report the measures favorably, usually with recommendations that they do pass and be printed, and to place them on the local and uncontested calendar. Most roll calls showed 4 or 5 ayes and 0 nays, with some members absent or not voting. HB 5680 and HB 5682 were reported with committee substitutes in lieu of the filed versions; HB 5658 was reported with a do-not-pass recommendation on the filed bill but do-pass on the substitute; HB 5677 was handled similarly as a companion/template cleanup measure. The committee also noted a few procedural issues, including quorum concerns early in the meeting and a mislabeled bill number that required clarification.
At the end of the meeting, the committee adopted several motions in writing and then recessed to reconvene 15 minutes after adjournment of the floor, anticipating possible additional bills later in the day.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So the ERCOT grid or the Texas grid. is 90% of the Texas electric load. 75% of the land, more than 1,200
- To now, we have X number of new jobs in Texas, new businesses in Texas.
- Texas, right?
- And Texas is a.
- University of Texas? Well, that's what I said.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE - SENATE AND HOUSE May 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Before that, you said, is it your company’s from Austin, Texas, that you work with? Yes, sir.
- My question is for Austin, Texas.
- The number of unsheltered homeless in Texas is in the 10,000s.
- Texas, like Arkansas, has a legislature that meets every other year.
- Texas, like Arkansas, has a legislature that meets every other year.
Summary:
The committee first approved a motion, then heard a lengthy presentation on homelessness policy and behavioral health. Testimony focused on the view that Arkansas should shift toward more data-driven, outcomes-based responses to homelessness, including stronger treatment options for serious mental illness and substance use disorder, better data collection, provider accountability, and possible statewide use of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model. Speakers from Fort Smith, Restore Hope, Our House, and Western Arkansas Counseling described local work, the need for better coordination across providers, and the role of crisis services, ACT teams, and employment support. Members asked about sex offender tracking, the difference between sheltered and unsheltered homelessness, how to scale successful programs statewide, and whether Arkansas could apply for a statewide Continuum of Care or CCBHC planning grant. The discussion also touched on camping bans, civil commitment, and federal funding changes, with several speakers urging the state to pursue the CCBHC planning grant and more transparent reporting systems.
After the homelessness discussion, the committee moved through a series of Department of Energy and Board of Nursing rule reviews. DEQ proposed updating the post-closure cleanup threshold for solid waste matters from $50,000 to $2 million to match Act 791 of 2025, and members asked about financial assurance and oversight; the rule was reviewed without objection. The Board of Nursing then presented multiple rule changes tied to recent acts, including adding fees for dialysis patient care technician registration, expanding contact-information requirements, implementing APRN delegation authority to unlicensed workers, clarifying APRN authority for death certificates and durable medical equipment prescriptions, updating certified medication assistant training and insulin-injection authority, and conforming independent-practice rules for clinical nurse specialists. Each rule was reviewed without objection.
Near the end of the meeting, Senator Irvin announced that UAMS had completed its NCI designation submission for the Winthrop Rockefeller Cancer Institute, calling it an important milestone for the state. The committee then adjourned.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in Session Mar 9th, 2026 at 06:35 pm
Transportation and Infrastructure
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill amends one section of the Highway Code on the Parkways Authority that covers tolls and competitive
- And those amendments actually modified a different section of code that currently already specifies public
- This bill amends two sections in the traffic code related to the operation of a vehicle at or near the
- Mariah, is there anything in code that forces DOH to remove their construction signs when they're done
- not only the safety of the workers that are there, but it's also the safety of the vehicles, the occupants
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Finance (Part II) Jan 29th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So your Texas Tech University system, your Texas State University system, North Texas, University of
- and move to Texas.
- , and when you marry a Texas girl, you retire in Texas.
- , and when you marry a Texas girl, you retire in Texas.
- , Texas—this is 200.
Summary:
The Senate Finance Committee heard budget presentations for the Texas Historical Commission, the Pension Review Board, the Employees Retirement System (ERS), Social Security and benefit replacement pay, the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System (TESSRS), and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). The Legislative Budget Board outlined recommendations and major changes for each agency, including reductions tied to one-time projects at the Historical Commission, continued funding for courthouse grants, heritage trails, and Holocaust/genocide education, as well as new or modified riders and capital items. For the pension-related items, LBB described funding changes for PRB, ERS, Social Security, and TESSRS, including ERS health plan cost growth driven largely by pharmacy costs, the status of pension funding reforms, and TESSRS’s request for additional state support to address its unfunded liability and staffing needs.
Members asked extensive questions about the Historical Commission’s one-time funding, unexpended balance authority, courthouse preservation, the Presidio La Bahia and National Museum of the Pacific War projects, and coordination of Texas history messaging across sites such as the Alamo, San Jacinto, Washington on the Brazos, and other heritage locations. The Historical Commission chair emphasized heritage tourism, economic development, and the need for continued investment in historic sites, staffing, IT modernization, and vehicles. On the pension items, senators discussed PRB oversight of local systems, including the Dallas police and fire pension situation, and ERS investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health costs. ERS officials said the plan remains well funded overall, noted a 2021 cash balance reform and a planned supplemental legacy payment, and explained that GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro are a major driver of pharmacy spending; they also said the agency is working with the Texas Pharmacy Initiative and that rebates are contractually returned to ERS.
For TESSRS, LBB and agency staff said the system serves volunteer and part-paid emergency personnel, is facing an infinite amortization period, and is requesting additional appropriations, staffing, and IT funding, along with a statutory change to allow an actuarially determined state contribution. The agency said it may otherwise need to cut benefits for volunteer firefighters. For CPRIT, LBB reported about $600 million in recommended funding for the biennium and a 10-FTE increase, while the agency described its $6 billion voter-approved program, $3.75 billion in grants awarded to date, and $10.4 million in revenue sharing since 2011. CPRIT’s only exceptional item was a request for a 10% salary increase for two exempt positions. No committee votes or formal actions were taken in the transcript.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Feb 23rd, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Bills:
SB683, SB1579, SB1389, SB1387, SB1390, SB1391, SB2063, SB1829, SB2060, SB1842, SB1398, SB1212, SB2158, SB102, SB1772, SB1958, SB2010, SB1595, SB1687, SB1684, SB2049, SB1966, SB1989, SB1191, SB1258, SB1920, SB1936, SB2143, SB2122, SB330, SB2071, SB2169, SB2069, SB2095, SB2157, SB1806, SB1430, SB206, SB1547, SB1849, SB1428, SB1653, SB1984, SB1644, SB1561, SB1813, SB1570, SB1796
Keywords:
education, tax credit, student support, private school, Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit, financial assistance, homeschooling, qualified expenses, property tax, valuation increase, taxpayer rights, homestead, protest process, school choice, tuition assistance, income limits, parental choice, accreditation, sales tax, motor vehicles