Video & Transcript : 'code city' :
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AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/10/2026 - House Democratic Caucus Calendar #5
Transcript Highlights:
- then they were... mentoring program, appropriates 300,000 in fiscal year, 27th of fiscal year 29, City
- in the Arizona Revenue Code to match...
- It creates tax credits and deductions in the Arizona Revenue Code to match all line items in H.R. 1.
- in the Arizona Revenue Code to match It creates tax credits and deductions in the Arizona Revenue Code
- level, and they believe that because they've worked with the cities and county to put this together,
Summary:
The committee worked through a long Minority Caucus calendar covering a wide range of bills, with many items on consent and several pulled for discussion. Early items included resolutions on Judea and Samaria, bullion depository bills, a produce incentive appropriation, a biennial budget proposal, and a veterans services appropriation. Members also heard transportation-related bills on driver permits, citations, boat insurance, English proficiency for commercial drivers and motor carriers, photo enforcement, and a measure restricting incarceration for unpaid fines and fees. Several members raised concerns about constitutional issues, public safety, or whether bills were duplicative or targeted at specific groups.
A large portion of the meeting focused on education and school governance bills. These included proposals on school district bond advisors, restrictions on school property leases and purchases, public meeting requirements, term limits and training for school board members, patriotic youth group access to students, computer science proficiency, and a bill requiring fingerprint clearance cards for traffic school instructors. Members repeatedly criticized what they described as inconsistent treatment of public schools versus ESA/private school programs, and several education bills were pulled from consent for further discussion. Other bills addressed child safety and family law, including DCS credit freezes, recorded child interviews, parents’ rights notices, mandatory reporting of threats by minors, sex offender residency and GPS monitoring, and a bill on guardianship rights during DCS investigations.
The committee also considered a number of social services, health, and labor/consumer bills. These included SNAP work requirement and verification measures, a SNAP error-rate audit, dementia care telemonitoring funding, a Braille transcription appropriation, court fee limits, a physician assistant compact, pediatric licensure compact, and a kratom regulation bill. Members debated an earned wage access licensing bill at length, with opponents calling it predatory and akin to payday lending, while supporters argued it provided a regulated consumer option. Other measures covered cash acceptance by businesses, 529-to-Roth IRA rollovers, AI rules for state agencies, and a bill on public nuisance actions by the Attorney General. Several of these drew warnings about constitutional problems, preemption, or burdens on vulnerable populations.
Energy, water, and tax policy also featured prominently. The committee heard bills on fuel formulations, gas tax relief, data centers and small modular nuclear reactors, utility reporting, and a Commerce Authority mandate to reduce fuel prices. Members criticized some proposals as favoring industry, preempting local control, or lacking a clear funding plan. The meeting ended after additional items on veterans, sample ballot mailing dates, and other miscellaneous measures, with multiple bills noted as pulled from consent or subject to later votes; no final roll-call results were detailed in the transcript excerpt.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government & Tribal Relations Jan 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Petitions must include a place for each petitioner to sign and print his or her name and the address, city
- Voters in Kansas City do not have the ability to choose a member of Congress of their choice anymore
- The bill also... ...prior to forwarding it to the Code Reviser for a review certificate.
- It will not be reviewed by the Code Revisor's office. You have to go through this entire process.
- For contrast, the city of Olympia is just over 17 square miles.
Summary:
The committee heard House Bill 2260, House Joint Resolution 4209, and House Bill 2259, with testimony and questions on each. HB 2260 would require petition signature gatherers to sign and date each petition sheet, provide their address and county, and require voters’ residence addresses for signature verification; supporters said this would improve accountability and help prevent fraud or duplicate signatures, while opponents argued it would burden volunteers, risk disenfranchising voters who move or use incomplete addresses, and add unnecessary penalties. The Secretary of State and former Secretary of State opposed the bill, saying existing verification methods are effective and that the measure could create costly, unintended barriers. HB 2259 would require 1,000 registered-voter signatures before filing an initiative or referendum and prohibit pay-per-signature compensation, with civil penalties and a private right of action; supporters said it would reduce frivolous filings, title shopping, and fraud incentives, while opponents said it would chill initiative activity, especially for rural communities and referenda with tight timelines. The Secretary of State and former Secretary of State also opposed HB 2259, saying the initiative process should remain accessible and that the bill would add barriers and workload.
House Joint Resolution 4209 would amend the state constitution to allow the legislature to modify congressional districts mid-decade by simple majority if another state adopts a new congressional map absent a court order. The prime sponsor argued Washington should not unilaterally stay passive if other states engage in partisan mid-decade redistricting, while opponents said the proposal would weaken Washington’s bipartisan redistricting system, set a bad precedent, and invite retaliation. Testimony on the resolution was sharply divided, with supporters warning that partisan redistricting elsewhere threatens fair representation and opponents saying Washington should preserve its existing commission-based process rather than respond in kind. The hearing on HJR 4209 was concluded after testimony.
No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt. The chair suspended and reopened hearings as planned, and testimony was taken on all three measures, with HB 2260 and HB 2259 drawing extensive public comment and questions about fraud, access, and administrative burden.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Finance Oct 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Let's move over to the Tri-City area and we have Let's move over to the Tri-City area and we have a winery
- 135 zip codes.
- And you just pay a proportional amount of retail sales tax based on that pool code.
- Pool code is also allowed for the MPU, again, in a similar situation.
- , you are also able to use the pool code in that instance.
Summary:
The committee first received a presentation from Dr. Reich on the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (ERFC), including how the council’s joint executive-legislative forecasting process works, the main state revenue sources, and recent economic conditions. He said Washington’s economy is slowing, with weak employment growth, softer taxable sales, and uncertainty from tariffs, federal spending, and the federal shutdown. He also noted that the September forecast was reduced, mainly because of lower sales tax and real estate excise tax collections, and that the state still expects modest growth rather than a recession. Members asked about whether Washington tends to lag national downturns and how forecast information should affect budgeting; Dr. Reich said the forecast is a revenue tool, not a budgeting decision, and that spending choices remain with elected officials.
The Department of Revenue then presented on Washington’s sales and use tax structure and the implementation of Senate Bill 5814, which expands retail sales tax to several services effective October 1, 2025. Steve Ewing explained how sales and use tax are sourced, how reseller permits and the multiple points of use exemption work, and how the new law applies to live presentations, temporary staffing, investigations and security services, IT services, custom website development, advertising services, and custom software. He said DOR held listening sessions, issued interim guidance, and set up a centralized landing page and outreach efforts to help taxpayers understand the changes. He also described a six-month grace period for certain pre-existing contracts through March 31, 2026, but said penalties and interest still apply under the statute.
Committee members raised concerns about how businesses and individuals will know when a service is taxable, who is responsible for collecting and remitting tax, and how sourcing will work for services delivered across multiple locations or online. DOR staff walked through examples involving accounting services, live lectures, virtual events, advertising campaigns, and search engine marketing, including the use of reasonable allocation and pool codes when exact sourcing data is unavailable. Members also questioned the administrative burden on small businesses and professionals newly subject to tax, and whether additional legislative fixes or relief from penalties and interest may be needed. No votes or formal actions were taken in the work session.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- So I've been working with the cities, some of my city friends, and especially... ...districts that service
- those cities, if they overlap, to also go to the 15% cap.
- Under the current code, they can only capture 1% of that into their budget.
- It allows it in the cities and the counties.
- For cities, it's 60%. It ties back to 802, where those standards are set.
Committee:
House Revenue and Taxation
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Government, Elections And Indian Affairs Feb 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- impacted county clerk, or a voter who has experienced intimidation, as it's defined in the election code
- impacted county clerk or a voter who has experienced intimidation as it's defined in the election code
- or has been prevented from voting due to obstruction or disturbance of the polling place as a code or
- You could be violating multiple sections of the election code at once.
- Are city police and sheriffs and local...
Summary:
The subcommittee heard a bill aimed at protecting New Mexico elections from outside interference and codifying emergency election procedures. The sponsor argued New Mexico already ranks first nationally in election administration, but said the bill was needed in response to threats of federal interference, including possible deployment of federal agents at polling places. The bill would create state prohibitions on stationing troops or armed federal personnel at polling places, interfering with election workers or voters, or changing voter qualifications or election rules contrary to state law. It would also create civil enforcement authority for the Attorney General, Secretary of State, county clerks, or affected voters, with injunctions and civil penalties, and make violations a fourth-degree felony.
A second major section would allow emergency changes to polling locations and voting procedures during declared disasters such as wildfires or floods without first obtaining a court order, including use of mobile voting units and secure online ballot return options for some voters. The Secretary of State’s office said these procedures were already largely in rule and that the fiscal impact would be minimal, with existing voter education materials and law enforcement guides covering implementation. The office also said the bill would extend who may request law enforcement assistance and strengthen existing election offenses by adding “under color of law” language and a new offense for intentionally obstructing access to a polling place.
Committee members raised concerns about definitions, possible effects on military personnel, police, federal officers, county clerks, tribal jurisdictions, and polling places on federal property, as well as the scope of civil penalties and how intent would be proven. Several members questioned whether the bill was rushed, whether all analyses had been received, and whether the emergency provisions could disadvantage rural communities if notice requirements could not be met during disasters. The sponsor and Secretary of State representative responded that the bill would not prevent qualified voters, including military members, from voting, that local police were treated differently from federal personnel, and that courts would determine intent and appropriate defendants. No vote was taken; the chair said the hearing was being held as a subcommittee and would reconvene later, likely the next day, for a vote.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- or county requirements, to permit certain city or county regulation, to provide for a duty to approve
- The Sharia legal code cannot be insinuated into America without violating the Constitution's Article
- This bill secularizes Idaho Code. Why is that a problem?
- And this legislation secularizes our codes even more.
- They will just repeal it and add in their code if they have the capability to do so.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Feb 5th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- They had, they had a connection with somebody, went to college with somebody, and the city manager.
- And, you know, the cities were telling them that's not going to be collected.
- We focus on these are trusted, vetted, no Florida code, specifically our building codes.
- Vendors from out of state, yeah, they can do the work to their codes.
- codes.
Summary:
The committee received a program review from the Florida Division of Emergency Management on the 2024 hurricane season and FEMA reimbursement process. Deputy Director Keith Pruitt described the impacts of Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, including major storm surge, flooding, tornadoes, debris removal, power restoration, flood-control deployments, sheltering, and logistics missions. He emphasized that Florida’s approach is “federally funded, state managed, locally executed,” and said the division has already obligated large amounts of public assistance funding and mitigation dollars while continuing to work on remaining missions and reimbursements.
A major focus of the discussion was how local governments can better document and vet debris-removal and other disaster costs so they are eligible for FEMA reimbursement. Chair DiCeglie and other senators raised concerns about local planning, commercial debris collection, and whether counties and municipalities that spend money up front will be reimbursed. Pruitt explained that eligibility depends on documentation, scope of work, insurance, and FEMA rules, and that the state’s FROC process is intended to help counties identify eligible work before costs are incurred. He also said commercial debris may be eligible in some cases but is not guaranteed, and that counties should coordinate early with FDEM and FEMA.
Senators also asked about possible FEMA reforms, the age of outstanding reimbursement claims, and a proposed state fund to advance money to fiscally constrained counties while they wait for FEMA payments. Pruitt said Florida’s system is a national best practice, but that more county-level training and clearer coordination would help reduce de-obligations and audit problems. He said the reimbursement-advance idea is still being developed, and that the state continues to look at ways to streamline mitigation through programs like Elevate Florida. The committee took no formal action beyond hearing the presentation, and the meeting adjourned after closing comments from senators praising FDEM’s work.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Transportation Committee Mar 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So the solution that the AV companies have presented to us as a city is that they provided the city with
- The, for city... ...for cities that have 201 rights to provide their own ambulance service in San Jose
- , which are the most congested part of the cities.
- We think AVs are not necessarily the future of cities because geometrically cities still require public
- We think AVs are not necessarily the future of cities because we think geometrically cities still require
Summary:
The Senate Transportation Committee held an informational hearing on autonomous vehicle technology in California, with testimony from industry, safety advocates, first responders, drivers, and state regulators. The chair framed the hearing as an overview of AV deployment, safety, first responder interactions, and current and future regulation. Witnesses from the AV industry argued that autonomous vehicles can reduce crashes and injuries, create jobs, and support California’s leadership in innovation, while critics and crash survivors described serious safety failures, including phantom braking, inadequate transparency, and crashes involving Tesla’s Autopilot/Full Self-Driving systems. Several witnesses urged stronger disclosure, data preservation, independent safety validation, and clearer accountability for companies deploying these systems.
First responder and labor witnesses described operational problems in San Francisco and elsewhere, saying AVs have blocked fire engines, ambulances, and police responses, shut down in emergency scenes, and caused major delays during outages. They asked for faster and more reliable remote support, a public safety manual override, clearer enforcement authority, and limits on deployment in complex conditions. A police chief representative said law enforcement supports innovation but needs standardized protocols, training, and clear statutory authority. A Teamsters representative criticized proposed DMV rules for heavy-duty autonomous trucks, arguing they rely too heavily on manufacturer self-certification and do not impose enough independent safety review or geographic limits.
State regulators from the DMV and CPUC defended California’s existing AV framework, saying the state has regulated AVs since 2014 and now has an end-to-end system with permits, reporting requirements, enforcement tools, and first responder coordination. DMV officials said the new rulemaking would add more reporting, address heavy-duty AVs, and require compliance with emergency geofence messages and law enforcement direction. CPUC testimony emphasized that its role is limited to passenger service and ride-hail operations. Committee members asked about crash data, remote operations, liability, response times, and whether California should adopt more uniform standards and stronger guardrails. No votes or formal actions were taken, as the hearing was informational.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee Mar 24th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- It pays 42% of our property taxes in the city of Red Wing.
- Their employees sit on many boards and commissions and nonprofits in our city.
- We are, our city is a big supporter of the relicensing.
- But for the most part, our city is well behind Xcel Energy.
- Most of, I think, if I remember right, that we have in Century Code...
Committee:
Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Administration of Criminal Justice Apr 14th, 2026
Administration of Criminal Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- city courts.
- Deputy marshals are city employees in all the cities.
- cities, our life insurance is through the cities.
- City Constable, LCCMA, Byron Hatch, Baton Rouge City Constable, and Terica Williams, City Constable.
- Byron Hatch, Baton Rouge City Constable, Terica, Williams City Constable, and we have Baton Rouge City
Committee:
House Administration of Criminal Justice
Summary:
The Committee on Criminal Justice met on April 14, 2026, and first handled several voluntary deferrals, including HB 343, HB 491, HB 523, HB 426, HB 439, HB 378, and later HB 1025. HB 676 by Rep. Spell, which creates the crime of fraudulent patient referrals or “body brokering,” was amended and reported favorably. Testimony from Louisiana Blue, Odyssey House, and others described the practice as exploiting vulnerable addiction and mental health patients for profit, while supporters said the bill targets organized fraud and protects patients, families, and insurers.
The committee also reported HB 394 by Rep. Chenevert, which extends the conditional parole period from nine months to 24 months for offenders who must complete programming before release. Supporters, including the Louisiana Parole Project, said the change gives the parole board more flexibility and does not create new parole eligibility, while the bill was amended to remove some language tied to rehabilitation programming review. HB 622 by Rep. Coates, dealing with confidentiality and handling of criminal history records, was reported favorably after testimony that it is needed to align state law with federal FBI/CJIS requirements and tighten safeguards on background-check information.
HB 396 by Rep. McMakin, concerning admissibility of autopsy photographs, was amended to apply to criminal proceedings generally and then reported favorably. HB 772 by Rep. Martinez, which modernizes notice requirements for arrest warrants by allowing electronic notice and clarifying mailing procedures, was also reported favorably despite concerns from Orleans Parish prosecutors about costs and surety liability. HB 1038 by Rep. Boyer, addressing marshal authority to issue deputy commissions and related liability/insurance issues, drew substantial testimony from marshals, city officials, and local government groups; after amendments requiring insurance coverage and clarifying funding and applicability, it was reported favorably on an 8-2 vote. HB 1025, which would have created an exception allowing reconciliation after a protective-order violation, drew strong opposition from domestic violence advocates and prosecutors and was voluntarily deferred by the author.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Jan 27th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Environment, Energy & Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- Because, to the bill that Scott's speaking of, the cities haven't actually done the work.
- I love when the City of Redmond is highlighted.
- I'm the director for planning and community development for the City of Bellingham.
- We at the City of Bellingham are absolutely in support of the need to At the City of Bellingham, we are
- That's the validation, verification, that the code does what the code is supposed to be doing.
Committee:
Senate Environment, Energy & Technology
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS House Floor - 4 February, 2026; 10:00 AM
Mississippi House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:24:05.039><c> section</c> is going to amend SE code section is going to amend SE code section
- </c><00:24:16.159><c> and</c> state aid road division uh codes and state aid road division uh codes and
- </c> left that code section in this be all? left that code section in this be all?
- ><c> forward</c><05:44:01.840><c> that</c> have brought code sections forward that have brought code
- </c><05:49:32.480><c> It</c> of our existing procurement code. It of our existing procurement code.
ND
Transcript Highlights:
- City State University.
- Again, speaking as a young Watford City student who watched all the opportunities the city kids had,
- Again, speaking as a young Watford City student who watched all the opportunities the city kids had,
- Code that's done once a year.
- North Dakota Century Code does define what the licensed positions are, North Dakota Century Code does
Committees:
Joint Education , Joint Education Committee
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session - Session 2 - 39th Legislative Day Jun 23rd, 2026
Delaware Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Title 11 of the Delaware Code relating to criminal procedure, witnesses, and evidence.
- And the penalty is between $1,000 and $5,000 for a violation of the section in the code.
- So I will, you know, just be straightforward to agree in code.
- The legislation also updates the code to include these terms.
- An act to amend Title 29 of the Delaware Code relating to electric vehicles.
Summary:
The Senate received House communications listing numerous House-passed bills, substitutes, amendments, and concurrent resolutions, and then took up committee reports and a consent calendar. Consent Calendar 65 passed unanimously with 20 yes votes and included Senate Resolution 26 recognizing Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, House Concurrent Resolution 131 on apprenticeship programs for school-based mental health professionals, House Concurrent Resolution 137 on mathematics instruction review, and House Concurrent Resolution 148 on a statewide menopause education strategy. Later, Consent Agenda N also passed with the required two-thirds vote and included a large group of bills on evidence and witnesses, Family Court jurisdiction, theft by impersonation, realty transfer tax, auto insurance practices, child services and educational services, STD prevention, agricultural and forestry matters, menstrual disorder materials, a Smyrna charter change, massage/body work, dry needling, and lead poisoning screening.
Several substantive bills were debated and passed. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 314, modernizing Delaware’s rape shield law and clarifying how courts handle evidence of prior false sexual assault allegations, passed 21-0. Senate Bill 347, a cleanup bill to the Medical Debt Protection Act that expands prohibited collection actions and requires disclosure when a collector is a large health care facility, also passed 21-0. House Bill 300, creating a statewide Title IX coordinator in the Department of Education to support compliance and data collection for interscholastic athletics, passed after debate; Senate Amendment 1 to the bill, which would have required athletes to compete according to biological sex, was defeated 6-14 with one absent, and the underlying bill then passed 20-0 with one absent.
The Senate also passed House Substitute 1 for House Bill 84, which limits mandatory employee attendance at meetings where employers convey political or religious views, after questions about employer, union, and exemption coverage; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 301, which clarifies criminal penalties for violence, threats, and intimidation at polling places and election-related sites, passed after discussion of what conduct it would cover; House Bill 63, addressing fireworks disclosures and related regulation, passed 19-2 after senators discussed enforcement and impacts on veterans, children, and pets; and House Bill 348, updating the electric vehicle rebate program to give DENREC more flexibility and expand eligibility, passed 16-5. The chamber then recessed until the next day.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- I've got Meridian and a little tiny slice of the city of Boise.
- Representative Soñia Galaviz, I represent District 16, West Boise and Garden City, but like the chairman
- It'll provide you the code references for where that fund was introduced in code, what the breakouts
- Idaho Code requires them to submit that performance measure as part of their budget request.
- That is all laid out in Idaho Code at 67-1904.
Committee:
House Resources and Conservation
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/17/26 - Part 6
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The amendment is coded A2.
- The amendment is coded A5.
- Very complicated stuff. our staff code.
- </c><00:45:08.960><c> Levy</c> thresholds, um, the Lake City Levy thresholds, um, the Lake City Levy
- For example, for the city of St. taxes. For example, for the city of St.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee on Housing Construction Innovation Jan 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- versus prescriptive-based building code.
- And we were learning about performance-based building code versus prescriptive-based building code, which
- of performance codes and prescriptive codes.
- A mix of performance codes and prescriptive codes.
- Since 2010, we've had the first-in-the-nation green building code.
Summary:
The committee held its second hearing on housing construction innovation, focusing on factory-built and modular housing as a way to lower costs, speed delivery, and expand housing supply. The chair framed the effort as a search for practical innovation paired with land use, financing, and regulatory changes that could make housing more affordable for working families. Government witnesses from HCD, the Strategic Growth Council, and the tax credit and bond allocation agencies explained how factory-built housing is regulated, how California standards and third-party approvals work, and how state programs are trying to build regional demand and financing pipelines for modular production.
Testimony from investors and developers emphasized both the promise and the risks of modular construction. JP Morgan Chase and the Housing Accelerator Fund described projects that achieved meaningful time and cost savings, but said lenders still see elevated risk because of manufacturer solvency, upfront deposits, transportation and installation issues, and the need for standardized designs and experienced teams. They urged more standardization, more local factories, better alignment between financing timelines and construction schedules, and state support such as backstops, top-loss capital, and scoring preferences in tax credit and bond programs. Several speakers noted that recent federal changes to the 4% tax credit program increased production capacity, but warned that without continued state investment the pipeline could face a future funding cliff.
The workforce panel, including union contractors, factory supervisors, and labor representatives, said modular construction can support good jobs if it is paired with union labor, training, and fair standards. They described benefits for workers such as steadier schedules, less commuting, improved safety, and better work-life balance, while also stressing the need for wages, health coverage, retirement benefits, and apprenticeship opportunities. Union representatives supported a model that keeps both factory and on-site work unionized and said the industry could create more jobs overall if California builds more factories and develops a stable, long-term demand pipeline. No formal votes or actions were taken during the hearing.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- It includes the cities of Lone Jack, Lake Lotawana, Lake Tapawingo, and partial cities of Blue Springs
- I represent District 147, the beautiful city of Cape Girardeau.
- Louis to Kansas City of a hot dog.
- Oscar's Classic Diner here in Jeff City has been sued.
- We wanted code level, and they wanted the overlay put on to it.
Committee:
House General Laws
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- And we cover Midwest City and Del City and Do a lot of the same services they do.
- I'm in two cities, Midwest City and Del City. So, is this by remote? Who?
- Um, for we've been in Midwest City and Del City for 54 years. Um, we provide hope.
- We have a contract with the City of Midwest City. We have a contract with the City of Del City.
- and Del City.
Committee:
House Common Education
Summary:
The committee held an interim study on how to educate and support students with severe violent or disruptive behavior while protecting classmates, teachers, and school staff. Members framed the issue as one involving students who have often experienced trauma and may be removed from class through suspension, expulsion, or juvenile placement, but who still need a meaningful path back to school. Several legislators shared personal experiences as former educators or administrators and emphasized that schools need clearer criteria for removal and return, along with stronger support for families and staff.
Dr. Michelle Butler, an alternative education director, testified that Oklahoma’s current alternative education system is not designed to serve students removed for major discipline issues because placement is generally voluntary and programs are built around students who need a different learning environment, not punitive removal. She argued for early intervention, stronger attendance enforcement, trauma screening, teacher training, and a regional or cooperative model that would combine credentialed educators, social workers, therapists, and family counselors. She also described existing programs such as Trace Academy, Rogers County Youth Services diversion programs, and the limitations of virtual-only models and current funding, saying the system lacks sufficient resources and staffing.
Representatives and senators asked about funding, staffing, credentials, and whether statutes should be changed to prevent alternative education dollars from going to programs that do not provide direct services. Other testimony came from Family and Children’s Services and Mid-Del Youth and Family Services, both of which described embedded school-based mental health, crisis response, intensive outpatient services, family engagement, and juvenile diversion programs. Witnesses stressed that wraparound services, school-community partnerships, and a bridge back to the home school are essential, and that many students and families need mandatory or strongly supported participation rather than purely voluntary help. The study concluded with members noting possible next steps, including expanding or supplementing alternative education, improving early intervention, and examining participation requirements and transition supports; no votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the presentations.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Delivery of Government Efficiency Apr 9th, 2025
Delivery of Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- I tried to color code. Thank you. Mr.
- I sought text messages between the city manager and a local hotelier.
- our goal really is to make city officials and the city staff feel comfortable requesting written legal
- We just want to make sure that our city officials and city staff staff are always going to feel comfortable
- of Houston, we can see that not only did the city of Houston do this.
Bills:
HB 111 , HB1545 , HB2145 , HB2467 , HB2520 , HB4136 , HB4181 , HB4214 , HB4218 , HB4219 , HB4359 , HB4437 , HB4822 , HB111
Committee:
House Delivery of Government Efficiency
Keywords:
Texas Public Information Act, open records, public records, government transparency, confidentiality, attorney-client privilege, governmental body, Chapter 552, public information law, nonprofit association, quasi-governmental entity, economic development, trade secrets, proprietary information, commercial financial information, Alamo restoration, local workforce board, TDCJ contract facility, civil commitment facility, water supply corporation