Transcript Highlights:

• reunified or adopted, wouldn't this in the long run increase the number of children in foster care and drive
• Representative Schatzlein, the right to freedom of speech...

Bills: HB29, HB 125, HB145, HB171, HB255, HB50, HB796, HB363, HB 116, HB491, HB589, HB1495, HB368, HB 1285, HB1905, HB1360, HB2002, HB917, HB2723, HB2067, HB 1238, HB2337, HB745, HB 1188, HB1606, HB2003, HB2147, HB2391, HB2355, HB2546, HB2495, HB2818, HB2249, HB1749, HB3109, HB3228, HB3240, HB1507, HB658, HB1748, HB1851, HB1922, HB2001, HB2798, HB 107, HCR29, SB5, SB262, HB 11, HJR72, HB 106, HB18, HB48, HB27, HB37, HB1481, HB581, HB1696, HB2216, HB 1035, HB1633, HB742, HB754, HB1689, HB1690, HB2669, HB391, HB517, HB 1024, HB1607, HB252, HB1716, HB1562, HB4116, HB1866, HB1741, HB2103, HB2637, HB2884, HB503, HB 1089, HB2986, HB972, HB502, HB29, HB 125, HB145, HB171, HB255, HB50, HB796, HB363, HB 116, HB491, HB589, HB1495, HB368, HB 1285, HB1905, HB1360, HB2002, HB917, HB2723, HB2067, HB 1238, HB2337, HB745, HB 1188, HB1606, HB2003, HB2147, HB2391, HB2355, HB2546, HB2495, HB2818, HB2249, HB1749, HB3109, HB3228, HB3240, HB1507, HB658, HB1748, HB1851, HB1922, HB2001, HB2798, HB 107, HCR29

Keywords: water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• Respectfully, TechNet is opposed to this bill, as we believe it violates the Federal Internet Tax Freedom
• aid on top of the over hundred million in cost shifts onto counties from the other committees will drive
• other cost shifts onto counties from the other committees<02:00:59.280> will<02:00:59.520> drive
• ><02:00:59.760> up<02:01:00.080> property<02:01:00.480> taxes committees will drive
• up property taxes committees will drive up property taxes that<02:01:01.360> is<02:01:02.040>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's give our Wyoming workers, all of them, the freedom to decide what they do with their money that
• to decide what all of them, the freedom to decide what they<00:32:00.559> do<00:32:00.640>
• I think we have the right and freedom to do that back in 1965 when we were just talking about the fire
• I think we have the right and freedom<00:32:37.760> to<00:32:37.919> do<00:32:38.000>
• to do that back in 1965 when freedom to do that back in 1965 when we're<00:32:41.120> just<00

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• name is Matt Flanders, and I'm the legislative and policy director at Citizens Council for Health Freedom
• ,<01:49:05.520> a Citizens Council for Health Freedom, a Citizens Council for Health Freedom
• Um, but we certainly recognize and we don't want to do anything that would undermine individual freedom
• ,<01:54:48.560> liberty,<01:54:49.040> anything individual freedom, liberty, anything
• individual freedom, liberty, anything like<01:54:49.440> that.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > Bill<04:31:46.800> 2 ...of the sections in House Bill 2 relative to the Education Freedom
• They're listed here on page two at the bottom of 34. felony, where their freedom was going to felony,
• where their freedom was going to be<06:03:40.240> taken<06:03:40.558> away<06:03:40.718
• Certainly, we don't want motorcyclists driving their motorcycles in December and January to try and get
• their motorcycles in December driving their motorcycles in December and<06:13:58.000> January

Keywords: 10am HB 1 & HB 2, 928, house, all

Summary: The committee of conference for HB 1 and HB 2 reviewed the side-by-side budget comparison and began working through agreed and disputed items. Members first confirmed that grayed-out items were already settled and discussed a process for making later technical and intent changes, especially to true up abolished positions after additional decisions were made. They then moved through several budget sections, including judicial branch reductions, retirement systems, the Department of Justice, the Human Rights Commission, liquor enforcement, corrections, and the Department of Information Technology. Several items were agreed to or treated as settled package items, including the judicial branch position, the Department of Justice reduction, the Human Rights Commission item being held until related HB 2 language is finalized, the Housing Appeals Board being moved into the Board of Tax and Land Appeals, and the Office of Child Advocate. The committee also agreed to update the House bill language as needed based on HB 2 decisions, and to keep certain IT support rows in place unless related boards and commissions are eliminated. The effective date remained July 1, 2025, with no change. The main unresolved discussion centered on the retirement systems budget, where the Senate defended a large increase for deferred IT security and investment-function improvements, while the House argued the increase was too large and favored a back-of-the-budget cut. The Senate said the funds would support strategic IT and investment changes and would remain in the trust if cut, while the House emphasized the size of the increase and suggested a compromise. The committee ultimately retained the Senate position on retirement systems for the moment and said it would return to the issue later. On corrections and liquor enforcement, the committee described a negotiated back-of-the-budget cut structure, including a $10 million cut for corrections with some restoration of POS offices and administrative aides, and a liquor enforcement cut that was treated as part of a broader package. The Department of Safety item related to commercial enforcement and motor vehicle inspections was held for later discussion. The meeting ended with several items agreed, several held for coordination with HB 2, and some major budget questions still open.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the last time I was in this room, one of the services we provided was defensive driving.
• I can't, I don't want to drive my combine through very pragmatic types of things.
• I'd like to be able to drive my combine past. Yep.
• It was a nice drive over here. As she mentioned, my name is Steve Cottingham.
• Again, falling back to the residents that are the driving force in our rural communities.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Energy Development and Transmission Committee met in interim session and approved the November 6 minutes. Chair Novak outlined the committee’s study agenda, including large energy users such as data centers, geothermal, landowner relations, wind and solar, and other energy topics across the state. The meeting was framed as informational only, with no bills or formal legislative action taken beyond the minutes approval. Testimony focused first on landowner relations. Oliver County Commissioner Dave Berger described the county’s energy history and local support for coal and related development. North Dakota Farmers Union President Matt Perdue emphasized proactive, face-to-face communication with landowners, respect for property rights, and the need for developers to be transparent about tradeoffs; he also discussed insurance and liability concerns tied to easements. Committee members asked about eminent domain, local versus state authority, and how communities can better understand the revenue and infrastructure implications of energy development. Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Tom Bodine then described the department’s ombudsman programs for pipeline restoration and reclamation, wind restoration, and royalty oversight. He said the programs provide confidential, third-party assistance on reclamation and royalty disputes, but do not provide legal advice. Senators raised concerns about post-production deductions in royalty leases and whether the ombudsman can explain them; Bodine said the program can clarify statements and deductions but cannot resolve legal disputes. He also said the department has not received requests related to fiber lines. Representatives from Grid United and One Oak described their project development and landowner engagement practices. Grid United’s Brent Johnson discussed the North Plains Connector transmission project, its route selection process, voluntary acquisition approach, and efforts to avoid eminent domain by working closely with regulators, counties, townships, and landowners. One Oak’s Danette Welsh and Tom Giltner described the company’s midstream operations, extensive North Dakota footprint, and emphasis on direct landowner communication, consistent local regulation, careful construction practices, and post-construction reclamation. Members asked about setbacks, zoning consistency, invasive species prevention, outside advocacy groups, and eminent domain use; One Oak said it has not used eminent domain on its North Dakota projects, largely because most gathering lines are negotiated easements.

Transcript Highlights:

• You saw that even in our darkest moment, that America's light for freedom still shine incredibly bright

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted two congratulatory resolutions recognizing IBEW Local 103’s 125th anniversary and the Town of Tewksbury’s 375th anniversary. It then took up several local and private bills, including a revised charter bill for the City of Somerville and a sick leave bank bill for a Department of Corrections employee, both of which were advanced to engrossment. The chamber also suspended various joint rules to refer several House and Senate petitions to the appropriate committees. During the session, Senator Carr delivered a personal privilege statement reflecting on the 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks and urging unity, compassion, and resolve in the face of division and violence. Later, the Committee on Ways and Means reported favorably on bills updating Nikki’s Law and the MassHealth day habilitation program, allowing fentanyl test strips, and regulating affordable car rentals; the Senate suspended the rules to consider these matters forthwith and ordered the first two to third reading, while adopting a Ways and Means amendment and advancing the car rental bill as amended. The Senate also concurred in House amendments to the Cambridge and Medford charter bills, adopted emergency preambles for two sick leave bank bills, and passed several measures to be enacted, including sick leave bank bills, the Cambridge and Medford charter bills, and a charter bill for the City of Saugus. The chamber adopted an order to reconvene the following Monday at 11 a.m., approved a motion to adjourn in memory of the victims of September 11, and observed a moment of silence before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The firing of cannons remains an important tradition reminding Texans of their struggle for freedom and

Transcript Highlights:

• the way, in addressing a critical public health crisis affecting those who have sacrificed for our freedom

Transcript Highlights:

• We pray that the call of evil falls on deaf ears, that those who fight for freedom and justice always

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with a prayer recognizing International Holocaust Remembrance Day, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The Secretary then read Governor DeSantis’s proclamation calling the Legislature into special session from January 27 to January 31, 2025, limited to five subjects: combating illegal immigration, condominium regulation, agricultural relief after natural disasters, replenishing the My Safe Florida Home Program, and changes to the citizen initiative petition process. The chamber read the filed bills within the call, including several Senate bills on illegal immigration and petition process issues, all referred to Fiscal Policy. A motion was adopted to send any bills filed outside the call to the Rules Committee to determine whether introduction was warranted. The Senate President then discussed President Trump’s immigration executive orders and said Florida would align with federal efforts while preserving the Legislature’s constitutional role. He announced that Senator Gruters would sponsor legislation to implement Trump’s border and immigration plan, including funding to reimburse law enforcement costs and incentives to recruit more officers. He said the bill would be posted, referred to Appropriations later that day, and heard on the floor the next day. The session then adjourned sine die by motion without objection, with senators told the chamber would reconvene momentarily for the special session.

Transcript Highlights:

• going to hear a lot about that term today, and it's a very important term to understand because it drives
• I want to drive it home because a lot of what we talk about is new water supply.
• onto your freedoms if you're dependent on foreign powers to feed and clothe you.
• And I think that drives home the point here that we're making.
• I've been driving to East Texas the first 10 years in my life every Thanksgiving from Miami, Florida,

Summary: The committee held a hearing on high-capacity groundwater wells proposed in Anderson, Henderson, and Houston counties, with members framing the issue as one of local water supply, fairness, and the need to modernize groundwater law while protecting private property rights. Opening remarks focused on the scale of the proposed Redtown Ranch and Pine Bliss projects, the potential export of tens of thousands of acre-feet of groundwater annually, and concerns that the applications lacked sufficient technical detail and could harm nearby landowners, cities, agriculture, and manufacturing. Members also noted the broader context of the recent flooding tragedy in central Texas and the Legislature’s intent to address water-related loss of life in the upcoming special session. Witnesses from the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts and the Texas Water Development Board explained the current groundwater management framework. They described groundwater conservation districts as the state’s preferred management method, the role of groundwater management areas and desired future conditions, and how the Water Development Board uses those conditions to calculate modeled available groundwater. They emphasized that districts rely on local data, monitoring wells, and planning processes, but that information is often more limited in areas without a district, where the rule of capture applies. Members pressed witnesses on recharge rates, export permits, subsidence, the effect of pumping on nearby wells, the age and real-time availability of model data, and whether the proposed project would exceed modeled available groundwater in some counties. TCEQ explained its limited oversight role over groundwater conservation districts, including inquiries, compliance actions, and, in extreme cases, dissolution authority. Water Development Board staff also outlined funding programs, saying the New Water Supply for Texas Fund is limited to projects such as brackish desalination, reuse, ASR, and other new-supply projects, and does not fund fresh groundwater exports alone. They said the project at issue had not applied for board funding. A water lawyer then testified on the rule of capture, ownership in place, and district regulation, arguing that districts must use permitting and other tools to manage production within modeled available groundwater and that the Legislature could consider additional authority over groundwater exports under current law.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Hmong community, we all oppose this AB 928, as it will violate our freedom of religion.
• The Hmong community, we all oppose this AB 928, as it will violate our freedom of religion.
• I believe in freedom of choice.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Nate Williams, Executive Director of Choice for Freedom. Thank you all for...
• Nate Williams, Executive Director of Choice for Freedom. Thank you all for...
• Nate Williams, Executive Director of Choice for Freedom. Thank you all for...

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He availed himself of our legal system to win back his freedom.
• perspectives to elected office, to stop the corruption that robbed him of 28 and a half years of freedom
• And I want everyone just to take a moment to think about the unfathomable loss of freedom for those 28

Bills: SB256

Keywords: court consolidation, judicial administrative, Orleans Parish, civil district court, criminal district court, court clerk, judicial funding

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard Senate Bill 256, which would combine the Orleans Parish clerks of criminal district court and civil district court into one office, with the bill taking effect upon gubernatorial signature. Senator Jay Morris said the change would align Orleans with other parishes, improve efficiency, and eventually help consolidate funding and operations, noting that Orleans is the only parish with two clerks and that the criminal side lacks the civil-side revenue streams used elsewhere. Committee members questioned the timing because the election for the next term had already been held and certified, and repeatedly raised concerns that the bill would effectively eliminate an office after voters had already chosen Calvin Duncan as criminal clerk. Much of the discussion focused on whether the bill would be constitutional or fair if enacted before the new term began. Opponents argued it would disenfranchise voters, target Duncan personally, and set a dangerous precedent by abolishing an office after an election. Supporters and witnesses for Duncan said the bill was rushed, lacked a fiscal note, and would create confusion about staffing, records, training, and the transition between the two court systems. Several witnesses also argued that the criminal clerk’s office is essential to access to justice and that the data and efficiency rationale did not justify the timing or effect of the bill. Calvin Duncan testified that he ran to improve access to court records after his own wrongful conviction and incarceration, and said the bill sends the message that votes do not count. Other witnesses, including teachers, voters, attorneys, former officials, and advocacy representatives, echoed that the measure undermines democracy and appears aimed at preventing Duncan from taking office. Senator Morris denied personal targeting and said the bill was about abolishing an unnecessary office, but acknowledged litigation was likely. The committee also adopted a three-minute rule for testimony by a 10-3 vote, then began hearing public testimony, with the first witnesses overwhelmingly opposing the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• seriously and protects the rights of our everyday citizens who are expressing their First Amendment freedom
• seriously and protects the rights of our everyday citizens who are expressing their First Amendment freedom
• seriously and protects the rights of our everyday citizens who are expressing their First Amendment freedom

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I absolutely agree that market drives demand, or I should say demand drives... perhaps some other
• What would you say would drive what you were saying is what we're lacking?
• And I absolutely agree that market drives demand, or I should say demand drives... perhaps some other
• What would you say would drive what you were saying is what we're lacking?
• What would you say would drive what you were saying is what we're lacking?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We found out that, amazingly enough, people don't like to drive to St.
• We found out that, amazingly enough, people don't like to drive to St.
• We found out that, amazingly enough, people don't like to drive to St.
• We found out that, amazingly enough, people don't like to drive to St.
• to St Paul to have a like to drive to St Paul to have a three-hour<00:16:23.920> compliance<00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and making missing a single ballgame, and making that<00:15:49.640> long<00:15:50.120> drive
• to<00:15:51.160> and<00:15:51.320> from<00:15:51.560> Frankfort that long drive
• to and from Frankfort that long drive to and from Frankfort every<00:15:52.360> day<00:15:52.760
• officer, to pull him over while driving officer, to pull him over while driving around<01:26:23.840
• To learn safe driving skills.

Bills: SB141, SB124, SB56, SJR116, SB94, SB37, SB127, SB197, SB66, SB70, SB133, SB160, SB214, SB312, SB52, SJR62, SJR75

Keywords: legal advertisements, tax rates, public hearings, transparency, local government, sick leave, education, teacher retirement, benefits, employee compensation, Medicaid, nonopioid analgesics, pain management, health care regulation, utilization controls, physician shortage, health care access, medically underserved areas, medical education, workforce development

Transcript Highlights:

• American families have overcome major challenges including displacement, resettlement, and barriers to freedom

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House began with announcements centered on a resolution expressing support for Minnesota’s Somali American community. Several members read the resolution’s whereas clauses, which highlighted the community’s history in Minnesota, contributions to civic, cultural, social, and economic life, and the importance of welcoming and inclusive communities. The resolution also stated that language questioning any group’s inclusion can foster division and fear, and it called for public safety, community trust, and dignity for all residents. Representative Long explained that the resolution was being offered in honor of guest Mohamed Abdirizak, a former Somali foreign minister and longtime peace, governance, and democracy advocate. Members were asked to stand and honor him, and the chamber applauded. After that, reports of standing committees and divisions were adopted without objection, and the House moved to the second reading of Senate File 4401. The meeting then shifted to announcements and procedural business. Representative Long said the Rules Committee was ready to meet in G3, and Representative Olson moved a recess to the call of the Speaker. The motion prevailed on voice vote, and the House recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• HUMAN LIFE, PROMOTE PEACE AT HOME AND ABROAD, STRENGTHEN FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES AND UPHOLD THE FREEDOMS

Keywords: 998, house, all