Transcript Highlights:

• Item number 40 for DFA is $670,000 for technical training and assistance to support water conservation
• Item number 40 for DFA is $670,000 for technical training and assistance to support water conservation
• And then our last item here is $5 million for rental assistance program statewide.
• On 47, when it says for rental assistance program statewide, in this definition of statewide, does it
• On 47, when it says for rental assistance program statewide, in this definition of statewide, does it

Keywords: 996, all

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• I should have brought my water.
• I should have brought my water.
• Yes, we have an opt-out program.
• and other energy-related programs.
• It would also require a DPU-approved training program.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several energy-related bills, with the main focus on H. 3534/S. 2255, which would ban or sharply restrict residential third-party electric suppliers, and on related reform proposals. Supporters included the Attorney General’s office, municipal and regional planning officials, environmental justice groups, consumer advocates, and city officials from Boston and Chelsea. They argued that the residential competitive supply market has produced higher bills, deceptive sales tactics, auto-renewals into higher rates, and disproportionate harm to low-income residents, seniors, communities of color, and people with limited English. Witnesses cited AG reports estimating hundreds of millions of dollars in overcharges over time, described door-to-door and storefront marketing abuses, and said municipal aggregation programs have saved residents money while offering more stable rates. Several supporters said the Legislature should either ban residential competitive supply or adopt strong guardrails such as ending automatic renewals, banning incentive-based commissions, and capping rates relative to basic service. Opponents or industry representatives from the Retail Energy Advancement League, Vistra, and Constellation argued that the market can provide savings, longer-term price stability, and value-added products such as renewable options and time-of-use offerings. They said Massachusetts has already improved consumer protections through DPU proceedings, that complaints are relatively few compared with the size of the market, and that a ban would eliminate consumer choice. They also defended direct sales and commissions as normal features of a retail market, while saying they would support additional protections, licensing, bonding, and stronger oversight of bad actors. Committee members pressed both sides on whether the market truly saves money, whether automatic renewals should be banned, and whether the AG’s proposed reforms would be enough. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3972, a bill to extend utility shutoff protections during extreme heat, with Rep. Mindy Domb arguing that Massachusetts should treat extreme heat like extreme cold and protect customers facing financial hardship. Rep. Barrett also testified for H. 3450, a municipal broadband/right-of-way bill, arguing that communities need easier and cheaper access to utility poles and public rights of way to build municipal broadband. In addition, Senate Majority Leader Creem testified for S. 2239, which would bar utilities from recovering ratepayer funds for lobbying, promotions, trade association dues, and similar expenses. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 130-plus assisted living facilities in Louisiana.
• Relative to psychedelic-assisted therapy, to establish a psychedelic-assisted therapy initiative within
• The program would create a state-supported pathway for clinical research into certain assisted therapies
• You can in Texas, and you can in Florida.
• You can in Texas and you can in Florida.

Bills: SCR37, SB145, SB237

Keywords: informed consent, healthcare, medical procedures, patient rights, surgeon general, regulatory review, adult residential care, generators, emergency power, health safety, Louisiana Department of Health, compliance, regulations, child welfare, Department of Children and Family Services, mandatory reporting, abuse prevention, investigative teams, child ombudsman, forensic interviews

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on April 28 with a quorum and took up several health-related bills. SB 113, concerning the local health care provider participation program in Calcasieu Parish, was amended with a technical set and reported favorably with amendments after the author explained it would shift the local sponsor from the parish to the city. SB 23, which exempts certain assisted living facilities from the definition of food service establishment, was reported favorably. SB 150, allowing LDH to scan and return supporting documents for vital records changes, was also reported favorably. SB 221, which would allow EMS providers to be reimbursed by Medicaid for treating patients on scene without transport, drew questions about billing, coding, and implementation but was reported favorably, with members noting it could reduce unnecessary ER use and costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Program.
• The same situation occurred with the local food procurement assistance program, which also experienced
• program.
• Our program will continue to conduct inspections and provide compliance assistance; however, this reduction
• We are happy to see that this is starting to assist with our programs and help us achieve our goals within

Transcript Highlights:

• dual credit programs.
• in the program.
• funding for programs like the Golden State Teacher Program.
• is the leadership program.
• is the leadership program.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals on dual enrollment, reading difficulty screeners, special education, school facilities, and Commission on Teacher Credentialing programs. On dual enrollment, the Department of Finance described a $100 million one-time Proposition 98 investment to expand the Dual Enrollment Opportunities Grant Program, along with changes to make regional occupational centers eligible, add funding for justice-involved youth, prioritize higher-need LEAs, support teacher professional development, and reduce daily instructional minute requirements for some dual enrollment students. The LAO recommended rejecting the new funding as not clearly addressing implementation barriers, while CDE supported the proposal and suggested reserving $10 million for technical assistance. Committee members and public commenters generally supported the expansion, with some asking for technical assistance and broader access, including adult dual enrollment. The committee also reviewed a $40 million one-time Proposition 98 proposal for reading difficulty screener implementation and related trailer bill language that would require screening after 91 school days for kindergarten and 46 school days for grades 1-2. Finance said the timing was intended to reduce over-identification and align with evidence from preliminary data; the LAO recommended rejecting the funding and redirecting it to a discretionary block grant. CDE supported the funding and the general approach but acknowledged the need for local support and training. Several committee members and public witnesses raised concerns that the proposed timing restrictions were too rigid and could delay early intervention, while others supported the delay as a way to improve accuracy and avoid misidentification. For special education, Finance proposed ongoing Proposition 98 increases to adjust for COLA and enrollment changes and to raise the statewide special education base rate to $99 per ADA, equalizing rates across SELPAs. The LAO said the proposal should be adopted but estimated it could be funded for less than the Governor’s figure. CDE and multiple local education representatives strongly supported the increase, citing rising special education enrollment, cost pressures, and large local funding gaps. The committee also heard a brief overview of the school facilities proposal, which continues $1.5 billion in Proposition 2 bond funding for the School Facility Program; OPSC reported significant remaining bond authority but also substantial pending demand, and explained that natural disaster school rebuilding draws from the broader new construction and modernization pools. Finally, the committee reviewed Commission on Teacher Credentialing proposals, including the already-funded $300 million Student Teacher Stipend Program, new state operations resources for misconduct investigations and grant administration, and a $250 million one-time continuation of the Teacher Residency Grant Program. CTC said its grants management system is ready and that it expects better data tracking; public testimony broadly supported the educator workforce investments and urged continued funding for the Golden State Teacher Grant Program and additional support for rural and leadership pipeline programs. No votes were taken, and the hearing adjourned after public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the state of Texas has almost 3000 water districts, and they also vary in size, location, and function
• So the sewer and water, etc. Uh, so it's both, uh, taxes and water and sewer rates, right?
• Now, because I'm in North Texas.
• Uh, is located in AWBD North Texas region.
• I'm the mayor of Fayte, Texas.

Transcript Highlights:

• dual credit programs.
• in the program.
• funding for programs like the Golden State Teacher Program.
• is the leadership program.
• is the leadership program.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm from South Texas. I'm from South Texas.
• Early on, water-based drilling fluids were used. Water is the key word.
• Uh, we lived in Texas our own lives. Um, water is a priority.
• Texas Pacific owns interest in more than 6800 oil and gas wells, mostly in West Texas.
• in Texas schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't want the project accounting to say, 'All right, New Mexico got its water and Texas got its water
• In order to make water to go to Texas, you have to do water savings three out.
• We have now an equation showing how much water needs to get to Texas, given inflows.
• for produced water and send them to Texas?
• Turning the page, River Stewardship, Surface Water Quality Permitting Program, etc.

Transcript Highlights:

• financial assistance on their means.
• financial assistance on their means.
• We will provide financial assistance.
• Again, head coaches on the left, assistant coaches on the right.
• So the way that Texas and Georgia have...”

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Florida High School Athletic Association Executive Director Craig Damon, joined by student athletes Sydney Daniel and Taylor White, on current issues in high school sports. Damon said the association received more than 309 allegations this year, including 113 recruiting complaints, but only two coaches were suspended for recruiting violations, and those were self-reported. He focused on rising sportsmanship problems, violent incidents, and ejections, saying the association is working with coaches and athletic administrators on prevention and positive-behavior campaigns. He also discussed mental health pressures on student athletes, the effects of frequent transfers and school choice on team stability and community pride, and the need for more qualified coaches on campus who understand interscholastic rules and student support responsibilities. Senators asked about the transfer system, violent conduct, and whether the association would propose changes; Damon said he would support guardrails that protect school choice while limiting midseason athletic transfers. The committee then took up a panel on high school coaches’ compensation led by Florida Coaches Coalition Executive Director Dr. Andrew Ramgett, with Coach Mike Hickman, Coach Charlie Ward, and superintendents from Okaloosa and Walton counties. Ramgett argued that coaching supplements are outdated, often amounting to very low hourly pay despite year-round duties, and said Florida’s system has not kept pace with increased responsibilities, inflation, or neighboring states. He also criticized restrictions on booster-club support, minimal coaching certification requirements, and turnover among coaches, and urged changes that would allow coaches to negotiate fairer compensation and receive external funding. Hickman and Ward emphasized the long hours, family strain, and mentoring role of coaches, while the superintendents said districts face finite budgets and must balance coach pay against teacher, bus driver, and other staffing needs; they also warned that booster-funded pay could create inequities between wealthy and less affluent communities. Senators discussed whether booster-club funding should be allowed, whether compensation should vary by performance, and whether any new funding should be categorical. Public comment followed from Florida Athletic Coaches Association Executive Director Shelton Cruz and former coach Tyrone McGriff, both of whom stressed the broader educational and safety impact of coaches and asked lawmakers to support the next generation of coaches. After the presentations, the committee took up confirmation hearings for appointments on tabs 3 through 6 and, by a single roll-call vote, recommended all appointees favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• IPDD assists land-grant associates and all entities in New Mexico with technical assistance in several
• Training on capital outlay, funding assistance.
• We figure out how we can assist them with technical assistance and project guidance.
• We also had to replace the water heater.
• Those people sold their water rights. Who are they selling these water rights to?

Transcript Highlights:

• We would be a leader for those other states moving forward to assist.
• Thank you. moving forward to assist. Thank you for your comments.
• Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.
• Military programs I mentioned... ...consent.
• Studies show that aerosolized particles can harm respiratory systems, pollute water, and damage crops

Bills: HB248, HB311

Keywords: weather modification, atmospheric pollution, chemical dispersion, environmental law, public health, improvement districts, assessment collection, property taxes, local governance, foreclosure procedures, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that the individual received assistance. that the individual received assistance.
• flexibility in federal highway programs. flexibility in federal highway programs.
• , which assists veterans facing mortgage challenges prior to setting up their backstop program.
• They canceled the program. They cheerleaded for the secretary to cancel the program.
• They canled the program. after VASP. They canled the program.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, May 21, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because if we want Texas to be the best place to raise a family, we have to make sure Texas is the best
• Lieutenant, Cushing ISD, East Texas.
• Importantly, it invests in teacher preparation funding, paid residency programs, and grow-your-own programs
• I know the worth of Texas children, and I'm sorry to say this bill does not reflect the worth of Texas
• Our program unifies Grow Your Own initiatives and residency programs.

Bills: HB2

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• PUC is currently appropriated $5 billion. to implement the four programs within the Texas Energy Fund
• Page four gives an overview of all the programs within the Texas Energy Fund and page 5 provides a timeline
• So the Texas Energy Fund was created by the legislature in 2023 to support four programs. The in.
• The Texas Energy Fund is a program that's currently underway by the state of Texas.
• I would say the responsibility for the state of Texas, the electric and water... electric and water utilities

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• FTE to support the Texas Energy Fund programs and a new rider that directs the Comptroller to make a
• PUC is currently appropriated $5 billion to to implement the four programs within the Texas Energy Fund
• Page four gives an overview of all the programs within the Texas Energy Fund, and page five provides
• The Texas Energy Fund is a program that that's currently underway by the state of Texas, but expanding
• I would say the, the responsibility for the state of Texas, the electric and water, uh, electric and

Transcript Highlights:

• Foster program.
• Those programs.
• Senate Bill 351 by Senator Jackson Andrews provides relative to children and family assistance programs
• Senate Bill 351 by Senator Jackson Andrews provides relative to children and family assistance programs
• The CCAP program is a program for families needing assistance with child care.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 399 by Senator Bass, which would create the Louisiana Higher Education Research Security Council to review and potentially block certain gifts, contracts, academic partnerships, and research partnerships involving foreign adversary sources. Bass said the bill is intended to protect university research, intellectual property, and students from foreign influence, and would also require public disclosure of certain foreign-linked arrangements and a plan to eliminate foreign-adversary-linked software. Supporters from State Armor argued Louisiana universities have been vulnerable to Chinese Communist Party influence and intellectual property theft. Representatives from Tulane University and Lenovo raised concerns that the bill could create duplicative review, delay research, raise costs, and sweep in legitimate private or multinational entities; a proposed amendment to exempt entities operating under a CFIUS national security agreement failed 4-8. After debate, the committee moved SB 399 favorably. The committee then considered Senate Bill 310 by Senator Cloud, presented by Representative Carlson, which would require public school and college health centers to display information about pregnancy resources available in Louisiana. Supporters from Louisiana Right to Life said the bill would help connect pregnant students with existing state and private assistance programs, while the ACLU submitted a red card in opposition without speaking. The bill was moved favorably without objection. The committee also advanced House Resolution 171 by Representative Turner, which calls for a study of the workforce-oriented TOPS Tech and M.J. Foster programs, with business and workforce groups supporting the study as a way to measure outcomes and return on investment; it was moved favorably. Next, the committee took up House Bill 1084 by Representative Turner, a tuition autonomy bill for public post-secondary institutions. An amendment was adopted to add a conceptual framework for tuition-setting considerations, but the bill would still remove the existing 10% over two years cap and allow institutions to set tuition more freely. Turner argued universities need more flexibility because state funding has declined and campuses face deferred maintenance and operating pressures. Several members, especially Representative Carlson, warned that higher tuition could reduce access and that the bill did not address broader structural problems in higher education. Despite those concerns, HB 1084 was moved favorably by an 8-3 vote. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 351 by Senator Jackson Andrews, which would let families apply for child care assistance through CCAP once pregnancy is known, rather than waiting until after birth, to help move them up the waiting list. An amendment was adopted to have BESE, rather than the department, handle rulemaking and to allow the House and Senate education committees to approve the implementation process. The bill was then discussed as a way to help parents return to work sooner, and the hearing continued with questions from members.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 2568 by Assembly Member Johnson, an act relating to water. Ms.
• AB 2568 is sponsored by West Valley Water District and supported by the Association of California Water
• Assembly Bill 2568 by Assembly Member Johnson, an act relating to water. Ms.
• AB 2568 is sponsored by West Valley Water District and supported by the Association of California Water
• But right now, those steps can knock students out of their program entirely.

Keywords: 988, house, all

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• for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs. >> Pursuant
• programs.
• programs.
• Expanding program approvals for new programs is now misguided.
• action to exclude them from eligibility for the Department of Defense's Tuition Assistance Program in

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, February 2, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In um Texas and South Dakota, frames.
• So in Texas um the codified happen.
• <02:41:06.640> I enforcement, ACE, the ACE program. I enforcement, ACE, the ACE program.
• Well, I know you guys are... the water and I'm under pressure and I choke myself in the water.
• hours and I should have got some water. hours and I should have got some water.

Keywords: 916, all