Transcript Highlights:

• been active with preserving East Austin's murals as part of Arte Tejas and attempting to prevent the closure

Bills: HCR21 , HCR22 , HCR23 , HCR24 , HCR25 , HCR26 , HCR27 , HCR31 , HCR41 , HCR42 , HCR43 , HCR44 , HCR45 , HCR52 , HCR53 , HCR66 , HCR67 , HCR73 , HR8 , HR10 , HR13 , HR20 , HR21 , HR50 , HR59 , HR61 , HR71 , HR74 , HR79 , HR84 , HR86 , HR90 , HR91 , HR102 , HR103 , HR107 , HR113 , HR125 , HR126 , HR132 , HR142 , HR145 , HR149 , HR150 , HR152 , HR167 , HR179 , HR181 , HR183 , HR186 , HR192 , HR196 , HR199 , HR207 , HR211 , HR212 , HR213 , HR216 , HR249 , HR256 , HR259 , HR261 , HR263 , HR272 , HR281 , HR285 , HR294 , HR295 , HR300 , HR305 , HR311 , HR313 , HR315 , HR316 , HR323 , HR331 , HR339 , HR340 , HR346 , HR349 , HR352 , HR357 , HR358 , HR360 , HR363 , HR374 , HR377 , HCR20 , HCR28 , HCR30 , HCR32 , HCR49 , HR14 , HR15 , HR19 , HR23 , HR24 , HR25 , HR26 , HR27 , HR29 , HR47 , HR48 , HR55 , HR56 , HR66 , HR85 , HR92 , HR93 , HR95 , HR96 , HR140 , HR155 , HR164 , HR204 , HR241 , HR242 , HR250 , HR253 , HR260 , HR262 , HR265 , HR279 , HR310 , HR312 , HR328 , HR332 , HR359 , HR362 , HR367

Keywords: recognition, award, petroleum industry, leadership, community service, HCR 22, House Concurrent Resolution, Texas Legislature, commendation, honorary resolution, Dr. James Olson, James Olson, University of Texas Permian Basin, UT Permian Basin, psychology professor, 50 years of service, faculty recognition, academic award, Piper Professor Award, Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award

Transcript Highlights:

• > increase</c> The cumulative effect of this would seem to me to say, well, if I can go to Hampton Beach
• So if somebody visits Hampton Beach, they're not going to pay more for out-of-state fees than out-of-state
• So if somebody visits Hampton Beach, they're not going to pay more for out-of-state fees than out-of-state
• So if somebody visits Hampton Beach, they're not going to pay more for out-of-state fees than out-of-state

Summary: The committee first adopted amendment 2026-2021S to correct a drafting issue in the budget language so that the $2.5 million appropriation for Medicaid per diem rate stabilization at county nursing homes can be spent during the biennium rather than lapsing at the end of the fiscal year. Senator Lang explained that the funds are matched with federal dollars for a total of $5 million and are intended to prevent rate reductions that could shift costs to county property taxpayers. The amendment was adopted unanimously by both chambers, and the committee proceeded on the bill as amended by the Senate. The main discussion then focused on HB 155 and a proposed amendment to the business enterprise tax. The House proposal would lower the BET rate in stages when combined business tax revenues exceed certain thresholds, while the Senate opposed an immediate rate reduction and argued that tax changes should be handled in a budget year. Senators emphasized that raising the filing threshold to $375,000 had already removed about 3,500 small businesses from filing requirements, and they preferred further relief through threshold changes rather than rate cuts. House members argued that the trigger-based reduction was a reasonable, tested mechanism and would provide future tax relief without taking effect unless revenues rose enough. Members debated whether the trigger could be distorted by one-time revenue spikes, such as the recent tax amnesty receipts and prior federal repatriation-related revenue, and Representative Sweeney said he was willing to adjust the effective date or carve out amnesty revenue. The committee did not reach agreement on the BET reduction, and the chair called a break and then continued the meeting later with a new proposal to delay the trigger’s effective date to January 1, 2028. Senator Lang rejected that version but offered a counterproposal to raise the filing threshold to $400,000, and the parties ultimately agreed to continue discussions and reconvene later. The meeting also took up HB 1102, concerning the research and development tax credit and state park fees. The House position was to support the R&D tax credit but remove the park-fee provisions, citing testimony from the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources that it did not need the increase and concerns about discouraging tourism, especially at border parks. Supporters of the park-fee language argued that the department had not raised rates in years, could set its own rates, and should be able to charge nonresidents more while keeping New Hampshire residents’ fees lower. The discussion remained unresolved, with members debating the likely effect on tourism and fairness to residents versus the need for additional revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• They go two places, New Hampshire or Florida, beach or ski, I guess.
• They go two places, New Hampshire or They go two places, New Hampshire or Florida,<01:38:04.320><c> beach
• </c><01:38:06.159><c> Um</c><01:38:07.199><c> and</c> Florida, beach or ski, I guess.
• Um and Florida, beach or ski, I guess.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• Long Lake Beach is widely considered one of the nicest public beaches in Otter Tail County, and it draws
• Because of this combination of the beach access and trail connectivity, Long Lake Park functions as a
• The Vergas Community Club regularly hosts community and seasonal events at the Long Lake Beach that bring

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• said and you know, I hate to romanticize about the past again, your word not mine, but you know, the Beach
• :25:21.440><c> the</c> your word not mine, but you know, the your word not mine, but you know, the Beach
• 25:23.360><c> to</c><01:25:23.440><c> your</c><01:25:23.600><c> school</c><01:25:24.640><c> and</c> Beach
• Boys um be true to your school and Beach Boys um be true to your school and how<01:25:25.360><c> can

Bills: HF3490 , HF4040

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: education finance, scholarship-granting organizations, charitable purposes, student scholarships, nonpublic schools, K-12 education, tax credit, advance payment, Minnesota tax law, child education expenses, taxpayer assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• Boswell could probably be sitting on a beach somewhere, uh, you know, enjoying time and not going through
• Boswell could probably be sitting on a<01:22:30.000><c> beach</c><01:22:30.719><c> somewhere</c><01:22
• :31.920><c> uh</c><01:22:32.320><c> uh</c><01:22:32.560><c> you</c><01:22:32.639><c> know,</c> a beach
• somewhere uh uh you know, a beach somewhere uh uh you know, enjoying<01:22:33.440><c> time</c><01:22

Bills: HB0002 , HB0022

Committee: Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Transcript Highlights:

• as can be in the summertime, to hear shouts of 'Wabanaki woo' or some other song being said on the beach
• being</c><01:08:54.759><c> said</c><01:08:55.040><c> on</c><01:08:55.159><c> the</c><01:08:55.440><c> Beach
• </c> other uh song being said on the Beach other uh song being said on the Beach campfires<01:08:56.480

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• purpose of this measure because the legislature already has the power to prevent a shooting range closure
• a legislative committee, if I'm not mistaken, and if I am, I know you'll correct me, reviews the closure
• But I want to point out that if we want to prevent the shooting range closure, that power is already
• of spurious necessity to avoid that responsibility to act, or in this case not act, to prevent the closure
• . ...that responsibility to act, or in this case not act, to prevent the closure, and therefore, my vote

Transcript Highlights:

• So basically, it's just allowing the families to get some closure, some way to get some closure on an
• I'm guessing I'm not understanding how the family gets closure when the Department of Justice is not
• I guess I'm not understanding how the family gets closure when the Department of Justice is not required
• So there is some closure there.
• If the courts feel that there is something untoward or there's no closure there, they can have an evidentiary

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• So with that said, Beaches Handling is next, and um Rohan Sharma is online.
• So with that said, Beaches Handling is next, and um Rohan Sharma is online.
• So with that<00:10:14.640><c> said</c><00:10:15.200><c> um</c><00:10:16.000><c> beaches</c><00:10:16.480
• handling</c><00:10:17.519><c> um</c><00:10:17.680><c> is</c><00:10:17.920><c> next</c> that said um beaches
• handling um is next that said um beaches handling um is next and<00:10:19.120><c> um</c><00:10:19.839

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The most recent example is with regards to the half-a-billion-dollar Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom Redevelopment
• a huge amount of its capital tied up in a major water-sewer separation project and also the school Beach
• also um the sewer separation project and also um the the<02:14:15.520><c> school</c><02:14:15.960><c> Beach
• c><02:14:16.239><c> Street</c><02:14:16.520><c> school</c><02:14:16.880><c> project</c> the school Beach
• Street school project the school Beach Street school project so<02:14:17.760><c> Manchester</c><02:14

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• He recalled being invited to go to the beach with his family and realizing he could not go into the water
• 01:05:26.440><c> to</c><01:05:26.680><c> the</c><01:05:26.799><c> ocean</c><01:05:27.520><c> it</c> beach
• sand down to to to the ocean it beach sand down to to to the ocean it was<01:05:27.960><c> at</c><01
• Your family wants to go to the beach.
• Going to the beach with my kids and saying, all right, if my kid goes under, I have to make the choice

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Then number 12 is, uh, birthing services, and this was to increase services because of the closure of
• Then number 12 is, uh, birthing services, and this was to increase services because of the closure of
• c> um</c><02:17:56.559><c> within</c><02:17:56.800><c> the</c> Because, you know, I still see the closure
• know I still this area um because you know I still see<02:18:16.800><c> the</c><02:18:16.960><c> closure
• rate um for people who see the closure rate um for people who end<02:18:19.760><c> up</c><02:18:19.920

Summary: The House Finance Division 3 work session continued its review of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Medicaid budget and related policy issues, with CFO Nathan White and Medicaid Director Henry Litman presenting updated materials. The discussion focused on a crosswalk between the adjusted FY 2025 Medicaid budget and the governor’s FY 2026 recommendation, plus handouts showing service additions, eligibility changes, dental rates, and other Medicaid changes since 2019. The department also said it would provide a clearer breakdown of the pharmacy cost-sharing item by general, federal, and other funds. Members asked detailed questions about the Medicaid enhancement tax, the 80% plan, and how funds are allocated between hospital payments, directed payments, and DSH uncompensated care. The department explained that the MET is being used more toward rates and directed payments to better align with federal matching rules, while DSH remains important for uncompensated care. They also noted that a pending Senate Bill 249 would keep the 80% structure and move to Senate Finance. On the trigger law, the department identified the governing provision as Chapter 342:12, Laws of 2018, and explained that if the federal match for Medicaid expansion falls below 90%, the state must notify legislative leaders and participants and the program would sunset after 180 days unless the legislature acts. The committee also reviewed current Medicaid expansion enrollment and program trends. Officials said enrollment was just under 59,000 as of March 3, with about 87,000 people enrolled over the past year and more than a quarter-million residents having used the program over its lifetime. They said enrollment has fallen from a post-pandemic high of nearly 97,000 and may eventually settle in the low 50,000s. Finally, the department discussed federal DSH funding risk, saying New Hampshire could face a significant reduction if Congress does not extend current protections, which is part of why the state has shifted more funding toward payment rates and directed payments.

Transcript Highlights:

• these thousands of acres and they have to keep jumping that while they file with us and get a road closure
• So that the 19 megawatts gas unit was there prior to the closure of the...
• So how many megawatts did you lose by the closure of the coal facility at Sydney?

Summary: The committee met at the Coteau Freedom Mine in Mercer County, approved the June 2 minutes, and heard an overview of the mine from Coteau Properties president Andrew Hawbaker. He described the Freedom Mine’s production history, customer mix, safety record, reclamation practices, workforce, community involvement, and economic impact. Members asked about how long land stays in production before reclamation, how quickly it returns to agriculture, labor shortages, groundwater impacts, and which skilled trades are hardest to fill. Hawbaker said the mine typically disturbs land for three to five years, reclamation returns much of the land to agricultural use, and the biggest hiring challenges are electricians, welders, mechanics, operators, engineers, and accountants. The committee then heard from Public Service Commission Chairman Randy Christman on coal mining reclamation. He reviewed the history of North Dakota and federal reclamation laws, the PSC’s permitting and inspection authority, bonding requirements, contemporaneous reclamation standards, and how the state handles topsoil, subsoil, drainage, and revegetation. He emphasized that North Dakota’s program is well regarded, with frequent inspections and no corrective-action issues in recent federal reviews. Christman also discussed problems caused by federal coal ownership that can delay mine plans, and he answered questions about reclamation timing, wildlife easements, wind and pipeline reclamation, and whether similar bonding concepts could apply to data centers. In the afternoon, the committee received an update from Lignite Energy Council President and CEO Jonathan Fortner on the lignite industry. He highlighted the industry’s long-term role in providing reliable electricity, jobs, and tax revenue, along with North Dakota’s low electricity rates and strong grid reliability. Fortner discussed severance and conversion tax revenues, federal regulatory changes, litigation over EPA rules, carbon capture, critical minerals, and the potential for large-load customers such as data centers to support new coal generation. He said the industry sees a window of opportunity for growth and expressed support for new large-load development, while noting that diversified energy companies are also pursuing natural gas and other resources. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and adjourning for the tour.

Transcript Highlights:

• alongside three other male survivors at the federal trial, I had hoped his incarceration would bring closure
• loss of our living children every single day, a grief that is worse than death because we never see closure
• A grief that is worse than death because we never see closure.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy hearing on a wide range of bills involving domestic violence, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, trafficking, victim compensation, and related criminal justice reforms. Testimony focused on measures to support survivors and close perceived legal gaps, including bills to protect domestic violence survivors in child welfare proceedings, expand victim compensation for homicide families and trafficking survivors, create a DNA exception to the rape statute of limitations, eliminate or extend statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse, and strengthen laws on upskirting, sexual abuse by adults in positions of authority, and sexual assault by rideshare drivers. Several speakers also addressed bills concerning vulnerable adults, harassment and custody-related abuse, and early evidence kits. Witnesses included legislators, prosecutors, advocates, and many survivors who described personal experiences with abuse and barriers to justice. Supporters argued that current laws often leave survivors without meaningful remedies, especially where consent, reporting requirements, evidentiary rules, or statutes of limitations prevent prosecution or compensation. Prosecutors and advocates said the bills would clarify vague statutes, increase penalties in some cases, and better reflect the realities of coercion, grooming, trafficking, and delayed reporting. Some testimony also urged amendments, including changes to victim compensation reporting rules and clarifications to avoid unintended conflicts with other wage-recovery laws. No committee votes or final actions were taken in the hearing itself. The chairs emphasized strict time limits, respectful conduct, and the submission of written testimony, and several witnesses were called out of order to accommodate the large number of speakers.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is not closure.<00:19:48.160><c> It</c><00:19:48.400><c> is</c><00:19:48.559><c> a</c><00:19:48.799
• ><c> child</c><00:19:49.280><c> who</c><00:19:49.679><c> still</c><00:19:50.160><c> carries</c> closure
• It is a child who still carries closure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Errors on drugs and medical expenses, market closures of labor and delivery units that shift patient
• we have that we don't really like to have is the fact that we've led the nation in rural hospital closures
• As you pointed out, Chairman, they are at the edge of closure, and these kinds of things... ...compounded

Bills: HB26 , HB73 , SB 14 , HB46

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• youth right here in Travis County, Region 7 as well as Region 3, including Dallas County, before our closure
• Ironically, our contract had... to quit funding at closure, but a reimbursement structure that didn't
• The area lost its dedicated psychiatric hospital in January 2024. with the closure of Ascension's DePaul

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• We could buy participants a new house, probably a condo, a box from the beach, every year.
• Last year, we joined an amicus brief challenging the attempt in Huntington Beach to enact a new voter

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on civil rights, housing, public safety, and administrative process. Early items included SB 46, which would authorize the Secretary of State to remove constitutionally ineligible presidential and vice presidential candidates from California ballots; SB 1078, requiring notice to the Civil Rights Department when court filings involve civil rights violations; SB 989, expanding access to Care Court by letting first responders refer cases through county behavioral health agencies; SB 998, clarifying and expanding discrimination prevention coordinators in the new Office of Civil Rights; SB 1146, requiring disclosure for AI-generated health advertisements and giving physicians a limited private right of action; SB 1164, a California Voting Rights Act expansion responding to federal voting-rights rulings; SB 1256, a housing bill aimed at limiting repeated litigation over the Harmony Grove Village South project; SB 1267, addressing HOA liability and indemnification for EV charger installations; and SB 1425, authorizing an encroachment permit program for high-speed rail right-of-way management. The committee also later heard SB 873, restricting ICE arrests near courthouses, and SB 1160, requiring eviction data reporting by zip code. Most bills drew support from sponsors, advocacy groups, labor organizations, or local officials, while opposition centered on concerns about county workload, due process, fire safety, civil liberties, or the scope of the policy changes. Members generally expressed support for the bills while noting unresolved issues and the need for amendments or further stakeholder work, especially on SB 1164, SB 1256, SB 1267, SB 1425, and SB 1160. The Judicial Council opposed SB 1160 because of the burden of adding zip-code reporting to court systems, while the author and supporters argued the data would help target eviction-prevention efforts. SB 873 drew strong support from public defenders, immigrant-rights groups, and court-related stakeholders, with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department opposing. SB 989 drew support from firefighters and family advocates, while Disability Rights California opposed, arguing Care Court is too costly and diverts resources from community-based services. SB 1164 received broad civil-rights and voting-rights support, with cities opposing unless amended over definitions, cure periods, and litigation risk. SB 1256 drew support from housing and labor interests and opposition from local residents and environmental groups concerned about fire safety and evacuation. SB 1267 was supported by the HOA and utility stakeholders after amendments addressing liability concerns. After quorum was established, the committee voted to pass a consent calendar and then approved the listed bills, sending them to the appropriate committees or to Appropriations, including SB 46, SB 873, SB 989, SB 998, SB 1078, SB 1146, SB 1164, SB 1256, SB 1267, and SB 1425. The transcript ends with SB 1160 still under discussion, with members indicating support for the bill’s goals but acknowledging the Judicial Council’s implementation concerns and the need for further work.

Transcript Highlights:

• We could buy participants a new house, probably a condo, a box from the beach, every year.
• Last year, we joined an amicus brief challenging the attempt in Huntington Beach to enact a new voter

Committee: House Judiciary