Transcript Highlights:

• from this, I mean, of course, they don't have children that are, you know, in school level, school grade

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee met in executive session with a quorum present and took up House Bill 2379, first adopting a pre-distributed House Committee Substitute with no amendments. The sponsor explained that the substitute was revised to align with Senate language and would clarify definitions, limit applicability to certain counties, rename the fund the Early Childhood Education Fund, broaden eligible uses to include child care services, move fund custody to the county treasurer, expand eligible recipients, and prioritize children with the greatest financial need. Most of the discussion focused on how the bill would work in practice. Members asked whether the measure created a new tax; the sponsor repeatedly said it did not, but instead would govern how any local sales tax for early childhood education, if approved by voters in St. Louis City or St. Louis County, would be deposited and spent. Supporters said the bill would add transparency and ensure funds are dedicated to early childhood purposes rather than diverted to general revenue or other uses. Some members raised concerns about taxpayers, including seniors, paying a tax from which they would not directly benefit, while others said the bill simply clarifies management of already authorized local tax authority. After discussion, the committee adopted the substitute by voice vote and then voted on the bill itself. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2379 was reported do pass by a roll call vote of seven ayes and two nos. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• from this, I mean, of course, they don't have children that are, you know, in school level, school grade

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee met in executive session and took up House Bill 2379, which had a House Committee Substitute. The sponsor, Rep. Cecily Williams, explained that the substitute was intended to align the bill with a Senate version and to clarify how local early childhood sales tax revenues would be handled. The bill would define key terms, limit application to certain counties, rename the fund the Early Childhood Education Fund, expand eligible uses to include child care services, move fund custody to the county treasurer, broaden the types of eligible providers, and prioritize children with the greatest financial need. Members spent much of the discussion clarifying that the bill does not create a new tax. Instead, it would require that if a city or county already authorized to seek an early childhood sales tax places the measure on the ballot and voters approve it, the revenue would be deposited into a dedicated Children’s Service Fund rather than general revenue. Supporters said this would improve transparency and ensure the money is used for early childhood education and licensed providers, while some members raised questions about whether the bill changed existing tax authority or simply redirected funds. Rep. Taylor and others expressed support for the clarified licensing and dedicated-fund provisions. The committee first adopted the House Committee Substitute by voice vote, then voted on the bill itself. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2379 was reported do pass by a roll call vote of 7 ayes and 2 noes. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Everyone, my name is Ayan Moladena, and I'm a 10th-grade high school student here in Austin.

Keywords: student advocacy, SB12, SB13, public education policy, youth engagement, marginalized communities, legislative representation

Summary: Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT) held an advocacy event at the Texas Capitol focused on youth participation in policymaking and opposition to recent education-related legislation. Speakers, including student organizers and SEAT leaders, argued that students should have a direct voice in decisions affecting public schools, curriculum, and school governance. Representative Donna Howard briefly attended to support the group, praised their advocacy, and referenced the idea that if young people are not given a seat at the table, they should “bring your own chair.” Several student speakers criticized the newly passed school vouchers bill as a threat to public education and said it would divert resources from public schools. Others opposed bills such as Senate Bill 12 and Senate Bill 13, describing them as harmful to LGBTQ+ students and inclusive education. One speaker also condemned book bans and library censorship, arguing that students need access to diverse books and truthful, inclusive curricula. The speakers framed these issues as matters of student rights, belonging, and free expression. SEAT executive director Cameron Samuels closed by describing the organization’s history of student-led activism against book bans and exclusion from school policymaking. Samuels said the group had distributed challenged books, pursued legal action over blocked internet resources, and delivered a Student Bill of Rights to superintendents and legislators. The event ended without any formal legislative vote or committee action, serving instead as a press conference and advocacy rally urging lawmakers to listen to students.

Transcript Highlights:

• Administrative code 89.1 requires that each district provide services for gifted students at all grade

Bills: SB2053, SCR19, SCR23, SCR29

Keywords: Governor's Medal of Service, Texas award, state honor, public service recognition, Governor's office, Governor's award, Texas Government Code Chapter 3108, ceremonial award, honorary medal, state service award, local government retirees, private sector contributions, Texas Legislature recognition, gift acceptance, donations, grant funding, executive recognition, Texas Life Monument, human life, preservation

Transcript Highlights:

• Administrative code 89.1 requires that each district provide services for gifted students at all grade

Transcript Highlights:

• In fourth grade my gifted and talented teacher asked us to create a type 3 project that pushed the boundaries

Bills: SB2232, SCR1, SCR6, SCR15, SCR27, SCR32

Keywords: Unplug Texas Day, digital detox, family activities, outdoor recreation, community engagement, crossing guard, school crossing guard, crosswalk safety, school safety, student pedestrian safety, traffic safety, elementary school, campus safety, pedestrian awareness, bicycle safety, traffic regulations, commemorative resolution, appreciation day, Texas Legislature, honorary designation

Transcript Highlights:

• In 4th grade, my gifted and talented teacher asked us to recreate a type 3 project that pushed the boundaries

Transcript Highlights:

• It will actually, it's from HED, stating that they do have to maintain enrollment in a 3.0 grade point

Transcript Highlights:

• on-air and digital programming, live events opportunities for presentation of programs that enrich grade
• schools and the entire Community grade schools and the entire Community um<00:53:52.319> things
• He would tell you himself, as someone who's in a chair, that ADA is at best to see grade for the way
• He would tell you himself, as someone who's in a chair, that ADA is at best to see grade for the way
• He would tell you himself, as someone who's in a chair, that ADA is at best to see grade for the way

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Third grade is a really tough year in the lifespan of a kid.
• Third grade is a really tough year in the lifespan of a kid.
• Third grade is a really tough year in the lifespan of a kid.
• We started this in 2021, and so we're looking at the kids who are now in first grade and in kindergarten
• and in Kinder and their in first grade and in Kinder and their assessment<01:08:26.679> scores

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because what it sounds like to me is we have a bit of a chicken-and-egg thing, right?
• <00:48:52.079> chicken<00:48:52.319> and<00:48:52.480> an<00:48:52.640> egg
• have a a bit of a chicken and an egg have a a bit of a chicken and an egg thing,<00:48:53.040>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That has access to a large clientele where a bad egg, shall we say, can cause a lot of damage because
• clientele where<01:17:11.840> a<01:17:12.520> a<01:17:12.679> bad<01:17:13.000> egg
• > we<01:17:14.199> say<01:17:15.199> uh<01:17:15.440> you where a a bad egg
• shall we say uh you where a a bad egg shall we say uh you know<01:17:16.520> can<01:17:16.760

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held public hearings on House Bill 144 and House Bill 145, both related to professional licensing for dietitians and dental hygienists. HB 144 was described as a technical fix to align statute with existing Board of Dental Examiners rules allowing dental hygienists to administer nitrous oxide and local anesthesia, with supporters saying the bill would add needed training and examination requirements to statute. A dentist and dental society representative testified that the practice is already being done safely within scope, and committee members discussed whether nitrous oxide is still used and whether the bill was mainly to keep the paperwork and law consistent. The committee moved HB 144 forward on a 12-0 vote and placed it on consent. HB 145 would join New Hampshire to a dietitian licensure compact and add a criminal history check for initial licensure to match compact language. The sponsor and board witnesses said the compact would improve portability, support telehealth, help military families and spouses, and maintain public safety by ensuring qualified practitioners and information-sharing among member states. Committee members asked about withdrawal from the compact, the difference between single-state and compact licensure, and why a background check was included; the witness said the compact is not yet active, with four states enacted and seven needed, and that the background check is required by the compact language. Additional testimony from a private-practice dietitian supported the bill, citing continuity of care, rural access, and workforce mobility, while some members raised concerns about telehealth across state lines and the practical effect of the background check.

Transcript Highlights:

• legislation is it is a classic, uh, cart before the horse—or should I say, it's more like the chicken or the egg
• legislation is it is a classic, uh, cart before the horse—or should I say, it's more like the chicken or the egg
• legislation is it is a classic, uh, cart before the horse—or should I say, it's more like the chicken or the egg
• Never. ...the chicken or the egg.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 167, a PFAS-related measure to add ski, snowboard, and boat wax to the state’s list of banned consumer products containing PFAS. The sponsor said the product is already banned in many other places, alternatives exist, and the concern is that these products go directly into water rather than landfills. She cited high PFAS levels in several New Hampshire lakes and argued the bill would help stop further contamination. A member of the public also described personal experience with ski wax products disappearing from the market, suggesting PFAS may have been the reason. The chair then closed the hearing on HB 167. The committee next opened a hearing on House Bill 312, dealing with college athletes’ name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. Representative Moffett explained the bill was prompted by the U.S. Supreme Court’s NCAA v. Alston decision and was modeled on New Jersey law. He said the bill would prevent colleges from restricting NIL compensation, require athletes to use licensed attorneys or registered sports agents, and limit certain endorsements involving addictive drugs, adult entertainment, firearms, and weapons. He framed the measure as a proactive response to a changing college sports landscape and noted possible future conflicts involving schools, agents, and endorsements. Committee members raised several concerns and suggested changes. One member questioned the bill’s exclusion of two-year institutions, another objected to the weapons restriction, and others asked how the bill would affect scholarships. The sponsor said the intent was to protect scholarships, especially athletic scholarships, and clarified that need-based scholarships were not meant to be affected. He also acknowledged discomfort with the endorsement restrictions and said the committee might want to broaden or revise the language. The hearing remained open for further consideration, with no vote taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and before they came into our program they were at least a grade, if not a grade and a half, behind
• > at<00:10:07.600> least<00:10:08.000> a<00:10:08.399> a<00:10:08.720> grade
• our program they were at least a a grade our program they were at least a a grade if<00:10:09.600
• > not<00:10:09.760> a<00:10:09.920> grade<00:10:10.080> and<00:10:10.240>
• if not a grade and a half behind. if not a grade and a half behind.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the May 12 minutes, then deferred item 285 on the routine personal service contract green list for Western Kentucky University to the July 2026 meeting. It also noted that several deferred university contracts had been withdrawn by the institutions, and then approved the remaining agenda items without objection, including personal service contracts, amendments, memoranda of agreement, Kentucky Entertainment incentive agreements, deferred items, and corrections, except for items pulled for further review. The main pulled item was a Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts contract supporting Fayette District Court’s juvenile treatment court through Fayette County Public Schools. Court officials explained that the program, created under Supreme Court rules in 2022, serves court-connected juveniles with mental health and related needs, operates at the courthouse, and uses a school-employed program manager funded through a pass-through arrangement with Fayette County Public Schools and the Urban County Government. They said the program has had over 100 referrals, accepted about half, and had at least 25 successful graduates, with 11 high school graduates among participants. Members asked about who pays for drug screens, family involvement, and what counts as successful completion; the officials said the Urban County Government’s Division of Youth Services pays for drug screens and services, and that parents must participate in classes and support services. The committee then approved the contract review, with some members explaining their votes in support and one member emphasizing the committee’s role in reviewing contracts in the public interest. The committee also reviewed two Auditor of Public Accounts contracts. The auditor’s representative said contract 11, with Vantage Point Solutions, will examine the Kentucky Communications Network Authority/Kentucky Wired network for $700,000, well below the $1.5 million appropriated, and that a report is expected before the 2027 regular session. Contract 12 funds a special examination of investment managers used by Kentucky’s retirement systems, prompted by a Legislative Oversight and Investigations request to assess whether investments tied to ESG factors are consistent with fiduciary duties; the representative said the retirement systems have been cooperative and that findings are expected on a similar timeline, with some flexibility built into the deadline. After questions about the Texas litigation referenced in the explanation, the committee approved both auditor contracts without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• It started in the fifth grade.
• started in the fifth grade. started in the fifth grade.
• When I walked in there when I was a little boy, the fifth grade, that's what it was.
• ><01:45:40.080> fifth when I was a little boy, the fifth when I was a little boy, the fifth grade
• <01:45:42.560> Concrete, grade, that's what it was. Concrete, grade, that's what it was.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the first six questions are age, sex, grade, race, height, and weight.
• This leads to incorrect data. are age, sex, grade, race, height, and are age, sex, grade, race, height
• In one school, based on what the surveys did, they were showing a bullying video to kids in fourth grade
• <03:08:29.520> You<03:08:29.840> used<03:08:30.000> to grading.
• You used to grading. A went down to 94.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• high was in high school that that I I school that that I I school that that I I uh oh, I was in 10th grade
• and my uh oh, I was in 10th grade and my uh oh, I was in 10th grade and my biology teacher had a experiment
• this young lady and by the seventh grade this young lady was targeted by online lady was targeted by
• have important to me is is any of y'all have important to me is is any of y'all have had a fourth grade
• field trip, one of had a fourth grade field trip, one of had a fourth grade field trip, one of the musts

Keywords: 920, all

Transcript Highlights:

• entertaining video about state flags and, um, showing that ours is among those that get a failing grade
• 39:52.800> a<00:39:52.960> failing those that get a failing those that get a failing grade
• <00:39:56.119> so<00:39:57.119> this grade so this grade so this Bill<00:39:58.839>
• Flockton, because I had, I believe, five fourth grade classes come visiting the State House this fall
• I had, I believe, five fourth grade classes come visiting the State House this fall, and I told all of

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing opened on House Bill 192, which concerns the Joint Committee on Employee Classification process for state employee positions. Representative Peter Schmidt explained that the bill is a procedural step to send already-reviewed classifications to Korn Ferry and then into statute and the budget. Department of Corrections staff and Commissioner Helen Hanks testified that one Deputy Director of Medical Services position had been omitted from the bill by mistake even though it had already gone through the JCEC process, and they asked for an amendment to add it. Hanks clarified that the position is an existing classified job being converted to unclassified status, not a new position. The committee discussed how the amendment would work and the quorum requirements for the JCEC, then closed the hearing on HB 192 after no further testimony. The committee then heard House Bill 435, sponsored by Representative Don McFarland, which would clarify professional engineering licensure law. McFarland said the bill is intended to make clear that work in IT security, electronics, digital systems, computing, and software is not the practice of engineering requiring a professional engineer license, while preserving licensure requirements for fields such as civil, structural, and building-related engineering. He said he had consulted with the American Council of Engineering Companies and that the bill is meant to remove ambiguity and legal risk, not deregulate engineering. Several members with engineering backgrounds spoke in support, describing the distinction between licensed PE work and other technical fields, and one member noted that software development and regulated software work typically do not require a PE license. The committee voted ought to pass on HB 435 by a roll call of 16-0 and placed it on consent. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 210, which would create a commission to study the New Hampshire state flag. Representative Tom Corman argued that the current flag is a generic “state seal on a blue bedsheet” and does not meet common vexillological design principles such as simplicity, meaningful symbolism, limited colors, and distinctiveness. He said the proposed commission would include legislative members plus representatives of the New Hampshire Historical Society and the New England Vexillological Association, and would review the flag’s history and recommend whether to redesign it and how to do so. He also indicated he intended to add language to avoid costs, but the bill discussion was not completed in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• pointed out, practicing in this same section that I very focused on 332.02, protection of medical-grade
• products that are being introduced to the market that are being sold to patients that have research grade
• and a USP grade or an FDA approved.
• grade and a USP grade or a an FDA grade and a USP grade or a an FDA approved.<01:18:29.040> So
• :18:42.240> about<01:18:42.880> using<01:18:43.320> research<01:18:43.920> grade

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , or would they have to be promoted into a higher grade?
• That gets you into a higher pay grade, so, you know, that's more of a general kind of thing we can do
• <04:37:45.879> so<04:37:46.639> you<04:37:46.760> know into a higher pay grade
• so you know into a higher pay grade so you know that's<04:37:47.240> more<04:37:47.400> of
• levels above them than somebody to grade levels above them so<04:38:20.639> I<04:38:20.760>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard from the Personnel Appeals Board, which explained that it became an independent state agency after Senate Bill 487 and was presenting its first standalone operating budget. The board described its quasi-judicial role in hearing appeals from classified state employees over disciplinary actions such as warnings, suspensions, and terminations, and said it handles about 25 to 35 cases a year, with some cases lasting longer because of their complexity. Members also outlined the need for a chair and vice chair who are attorneys, the board’s current staffing and space needs, and its plan to move away from reliance on Administrative Services for office support and website functions. The board requested about $353,500 for fiscal year 2026, including startup costs, routine operating expenses, and two new part-time positions: a program director and a paralegal. Members said the budget reflects the new independent status, includes funding for only four board members rather than the authorized five, and is designed to avoid full-time staffing costs and benefits. Legislators asked about the cost per case, the board’s relationship to DAS, whether appeals must go through the board before court, and how often cases are appealed further. The board said appeals must first go through it, that court appeals are infrequent but have increased recently, and that the board’s process is intended to resolve disputes more quickly and less expensively than court litigation. Committee members also asked about the board’s caseload, outcomes, and staffing. The board said that in the prior year there were 22 cases, with four decisions overturned in favor of employees, nine dismissals, and nine settlements, and that many disputes are resolved before reaching the board through a multi-step internal process. A member noted the governor and council had recently approved a new board member and were expected to approve a fifth soon. The discussion ended with questions about the board’s website and records access, which members said would need to be moved from Administrative Services as part of the agency’s transition. The committee then moved to the New Hampshire Council on Developmental Disabilities. The executive director explained that the council is 100 percent federally funded under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act and develops a five-year plan to address the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She said the council works with state agencies and advocacy organizations on quality-of-life issues, accessibility, voter rights training, and plain-language or easy-to-read materials, and that 60 percent of its membership must be individuals with disabilities or family members/guardians. She also described the council’s funding structure, including reimbursement to the state for operating costs, and noted that it currently has three full-time and three part-time positions, with no new positions requested but one full-time position being eliminated and replaced after a pandemic-era staffing change did not work out as planned.