Video & Transcript Research : 'National Electrical Code'

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NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Public Works and Highways (03/18/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • I thought they just wanted a little better facility with a bathroom and electricity, and this seems a
  • I thought they just wanted a little better facility with a bathroom and electricity, and this seems a
  • I thought they just wanted a little better facility with a bathroom and electricity, and this seems a
  • I thought they just wanted a little better facility with a bathroom and electricity, and this seems a
  • It's got no electricity. It's got no bathroom there.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee held a public hearing and work session on House Bill 25/25A, the capital improvements budget. Representative David Mills introduced HB 25A, which makes appropriations for capital improvements for the biennium and extends certain lapses from prior appropriations, noting it is based on Governor Ayotte’s budget. The hearing then focused on requests to add or restore funding for several projects, including community college capital needs, Veterans Home ADA and safety upgrades, career and technical education renovations in Milford, and airport infrastructure funding. Shannon Reed of the Community College System of New Hampshire asked for an additional $2.6 million for IT infrastructure, critical maintenance, and energy management systems, citing failing boilers, roof work, cybersecurity needs, and a recent costly water damage incident at Lakes Region Community College. John Graham, representing the New Hampshire Veterans Home, requested $1.5 million for ADA compliance and safety improvements such as floor replacement and wider doors, saying the work would help the home before an upcoming VA inspection and protect federal funding. Lance Whitehead testified for Milford CTE, asking the committee to keep $9.9 million in the budget for a scaled-down renovation; members discussed the town’s failed vote, the need for local matching funds, and the possibility of another vote next year. Tim Thompson of Concord and Margaret Burns of NHMA urged restoration of airport matching funds, arguing that about $3.6 million in state money would leverage roughly $62 million to $65 million in federal FAA funds for safety and infrastructure projects. Trisha Lambert and Andrew Pomroy of the Bureau of Aeronautics and airport management association explained the airport program, the 12 federally funded airports, and how projects are selected through airport master plans and a capital improvement program. After public testimony, the committee closed the hearing on HB 25A. In the work session that followed, staff distributed supporting documents, including cost breakdowns and comparison sheets. The chair indicated the committee would work from the governor’s $143 million capital budget as a baseline and proposed reducing it by about $10 million, largely by removing the Milford CTE item because both towns had voted it down and would not have another vote for a year. The chair said the goal was to bring the overall budget to about $133 million and then repurpose the remaining funds through straw polls and further committee action.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (01/29/2026)

Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um Jameson can speak to that nation.
  • the cyber tip line run by the National the cyber tip line run by the National Center<02:16:16.159
  • <02:33:26.800> act, the age appropriate design code act, the age appropriate design code act
  • <03:43:44.399> it's broadly, regionally, nationally, it's broadly, regionally, nationally,
  • <04:13:30.159> of for the National Federation of for the National Federation of Independent
Keywords: 1189, house, all
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • So this bill hard codes a specific funding formula into the constitution.
  • events by nationally recognized sanctioned bodies.
  • And that constitutes a national security threat.
  • The national security. Well, I wouldn't say that it is more important than national security.
  • Again, my question is could These procedure codes and then looking at the cost.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Transportation Committee Aug 25th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • , specific to electric vehicles, that depending on some different electric vehicle adoption forecasting
  • So electric vehicles mainly.
  • So electric vehicles mainly.
  • The problem is with electricity, right? We don't just use electricity for cars, right?
  • Why are electric vehicles something that the nation has and, you know, what sometimes states have incentivized
Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee first took up three highway naming resolutions on its consent calendar: ACR 109, SCR 78, and SCR 90. The committee approved the consent calendar with 11 aye votes and no no votes, then adjourned the bill-hearing portion. Members also recognized committee science fellow AJ Mendeola for his service, noting his contributions to bill analysis and staff support. The committee then held an informational hearing on alternatives to the gas tax, focused on the projected decline in fuel-tax revenue and the need for a more sustainable transportation funding model. The chair and invited experts described how inflation, improved fuel efficiency, and growth in electric and other alternative-fuel vehicles are eroding gas-tax revenues. Presenters from the National Conference of State Legislatures and the University of California discussed state options such as higher or indexed gas taxes, EV registration fees, road usage charges, delivery fees, public EV charging fees, transportation network company fees, and managed lanes, emphasizing tradeoffs among revenue adequacy, fairness, administrative cost, and public acceptance. Committee members raised concerns that mileage-based fees or EV fees could function as new taxes on commuters and lower-income drivers, especially if the gas tax is not repealed. Presenters responded that road usage charges are generally intended as replacements for the gas tax, not additions, and argued that mileage-based systems better preserve the user-pays principle while being less tied to vehicle fuel efficiency. They also noted that flat EV registration fees are easy to administer but can be less equitable because they are not linked to actual road use. Officials from Hawaii, Utah, and Oregon described their state programs and policy choices. Hawaii said its new road usage charge began July 1, 2025, for EVs, offers a choice between a per-mile charge and a flat annual fee through 2028, and will transition to mandatory EV participation before expanding to all light-duty vehicles by 2033. Utah described its voluntary EV road usage charge program, quarterly reporting, privacy protections, and legislative scenarios for removing the cap or making participation mandatory. Oregon outlined its constitutional cost-responsibility framework and broader transportation funding challenges, including reliance on user fees and limited use of general-fund support.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Day 33 (2-24-26)

Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Our nation has a proud heritage America.
  • This strengthens their nations as world.
  • Nor must we cease our demands nation.
  • that European nations do the same. same. same.
  • <01:55:30.880> Senator Junth National Freedom Day. Senator Junth National Freedom Day.
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and a declared quorum. The chamber excused an absent senator, approved the prior journal, received House communication that the House had passed HB 168, 185, 249, and 455 and requested concurrence, and heard committee reports advancing SB 37 and SB 214 from Agriculture, SB 157 and SB 189 with a committee substitute from Banking and Insurance, and SJR 54 with a committee substitute from Families and Children. The Senate also introduced SB 226 on pre-need burial contracts and SR 113 honoring Robert Connley Young. The main floor debate centered on SB 101, an act relating to children, which would require a mandatory 12-month expulsion for students in grades 6-12 who assault a school employee, with exceptions for certain students with disabilities under an IEP and for incidents involving provocation by a school employee. The bill also creates a mandatory reporting requirement for assaults and penalties for intentionally failing to report them. The sponsor argued the measure responds to widespread, underreported assaults on teachers, citing 25,000 reported incidents since 2021 and sharing testimony from a teacher whose career ended after repeated assaults. Supporters said the bill would improve school safety, accountability, and classroom control, while opponents argued it is too harsh for children, could permanently remove students from school, and should leave more discretion to principals and districts. After debate, the Senate adopted Senate Committee Substitute 1 for SB 101 and then proceeded to final passage. Several senators spoke for and against the bill during roll-call explanation, with supporters emphasizing teacher safety, parental responsibility, and consequences for repeat offenders, and opponents warning about lost educational opportunities and the need for second chances. The transcript cuts off during the roll call, but the chamber had already adopted the committee substitute and moved to vote on SB 101 as amended.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight May 28th, 2025

Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh, but compared to the FHA, the national averages are delinquency rates are lower.
  • Based housing assistance on Section 8 and some home and National Housing Trust fund programs.
  • Um, this number is from the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
  • And again this is from the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
  • So nationally and New Mexico is no exception.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Local Government Committee Jun 23rd, 2026

Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • already inspected the majority of the build and really what the local inspectors have to oversee is electrical
  • already inspected the majority of the build and really what the local inspectors have to oversee is electrical
  • This bill allows customers served by Lassen Municipal Utility District to prepay for electricity, applying
  • In Northern California, we serve about 11,000 customers, and our cost of electricity is less than half
  • remodels to projects necessary to comply with California's energy efficiency, green building, and other code
Keywords: 987, senate, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

Transcript Highlights:
  • This includes hitting, pinching, and electric shock.
  • The United Nations and human rights advocates describe the use of electric shock as an extreme form of
  • Despite this, Massachusetts is the only state in the entire nation that still sanctions the use of electric
  • Another time, I was trying to enter a national bank.
  • A commercial stun gun delivers 3.5 mil amperes of electric shock.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee held a hybrid hearing on a range of bills affecting children, families, disability rights, homelessness, and social services. Early testimony focused on H.215, which would support children experiencing homelessness by speeding access to child care vouchers and early intervention screenings. Boston officials, Horizons for Homeless Children, Head Start, pediatric and early education advocates, and families described delays in child care and early intervention, the developmental risks of homelessness, and the need for automatic referrals and faster access to services. Testimony also supported H.216, which would improve emergency housing assistance by restoring presumptive eligibility, reducing documentation barriers, extending shelter stays from six to nine months, and creating an ombudsperson; providers and legal advocates said current rules leave families sleeping in cars or outside and create unnecessary administrative hurdles. The committee also heard strong support for H.210, which would repeal the “Learn Fair” school attendance sanction that cuts cash assistance to families when children miss school. Advocates from legal aid, education, and anti-poverty organizations argued the policy is punitive, burdensome, and ineffective, disproportionately affecting low-income, disabled, and Hispanic/Latino families. Several speakers said chronic absenteeism should be addressed through supports such as family outreach, wraparound services, and school engagement rather than benefit cuts. Legislators and school officials from Salem also testified that their districts reduced absenteeism through supportive strategies, not sanctions. Additional testimony addressed children’s vision bills H.202 and H.166, with optometrists and researchers urging better screening, data systems, and treatment access to close achievement gaps caused by untreated vision problems. Senator Lovely also presented S.2714, proposing a study of discrimination in public accommodations for people with service animals. Later, testimony on H.279 supported changing social work licensure rules to remove exam requirements that speakers said disproportionately exclude multilingual candidates and candidates of color. The hearing also included testimony on bills related to the Judge Rotenberg Center and electric shock devices, with disability rights advocates opposing continued use of the devices and urging the committee to reject licensing or authorization for them. No votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 03/26/26

Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:
  • It requires that land within tribal reservation boundaries first be offered for sale to the tribal nation
  • cooling with electricity. cooling with electricity.
  • I live by the code of forgive those who know not what they're saying.
  • I I live<01:51:06.120> by<01:51:06.240> the<01:51:06.360> code<01:51:06.560>
  • of um forgive those who live by the code of um forgive those who know<01:51:08.960> not<01:51
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Chamber Meeting Feb 11th, 2026 at 11:17 am

New Mexico House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I pledge allegiance to the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
  • And whereas, J.B. was classified as a top 100 player in the nation by the website Rivals.com.
  • The school code, the public schools code, defines law enforcement in a different section. Mr.
  • Speaker, gentlemen, according to the Public Schools Code, these officers that you are describing are
  • And this is from the Public Schools Code, not from this bill, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Is that nationally or is that a comparison on the states around Texas of the market?
  • Is that nationally or is that a compliment on the states around Texas of the market?
  • Standards Institute and the National Accrediting Board.
  • Texas today is 46th in the nation in indigent defense funding per capita.
  • If you look at what we spend today compared to the national average, to get us to the national average
Bills: SB 1
Summary: The Senate Finance Committee held its first hearing of the 89th regular session, adopted nearly identical committee rules from the previous legislature by a 15-0 vote, and began review of Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-27. Chair Huffman outlined the budget framework, emphasizing conservative spending, a $332.9 billion all-funds budget, and major priorities including property tax relief, public education, border security, health and human services, transportation, energy, and water infrastructure. She also introduced committee and leadership staff and described the hearing schedule and public testimony procedures. Comptroller Glenn Hager presented the biennial revenue estimate, saying the state has $194.6 billion available for general-purpose spending, including a $23.8 billion ending balance, but warned that revenue growth is returning to more normal levels and that lawmakers should avoid using temporary spikes for ongoing commitments. Senators questioned him extensively about the Economic Stabilization Fund cap, sales tax trends, inflation, and whether the state should consider raising the cap or using severance-tax revenues differently. Hager said the Rainy Day Fund is expected to hit its cap, which would leave more severance-tax revenue in general revenue, and he stressed that infrastructure needs remain significant. The Legislative Budget Board then gave a detailed overview of SB 1 and the budget’s major components. LBB staff explained that the bill includes continued funding for the Foundation School Program, $850 million for the Texas State Technical College endowment, $1.3 billion for the Texas University Fund, $6.5 billion for border security, salary increases for correctional officers and state troopers, $3 billion for dementia research, higher community attendant wages, expanded community-based care, $5 billion for the Texas Energy Fund, and funding to clear volunteer fire department grant backlogs. They also outlined supplemental priorities such as water infrastructure, retirement legacy payments, rail grade separations, wildfire aircraft, and emergency facilities, and said the current controlling budget limit is the tax spending limit. A major portion of the hearing focused on property tax relief. LBB explained that prior-session relief grew from an expected $18 billion to $22.7 billion because of higher-than-anticipated property values and interactions among hold-harmless provisions, and that SB 1 continues and expands relief with $51 billion in total property tax relief, including $3 billion more for compression, $3 billion to raise the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000, and a $500 million placeholder for business tax relief. Senators discussed the automatic nature of some of these costs, the effect of the non-homestead circuit breaker, the role of federal COVID funds, and the need to maintain school finance commitments if the state continues to compress school tax rates.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • So you say we rank it the lowest—is that nationally, or is that a comp on this?
  • Standards Institute and the National Accrediting Board.
  • Standards Institute and the National Accrediting Board.
  • Texas today is 46th in the nation in indigent defense funding per capita.
  • If you look at what we spend today compared to the national average, to get us to the national average
Bills: SB 1
Summary: The Senate Finance Committee convened for its first hearing of the 89th regular session, confirmed a quorum, adopted committee rules by a 15-0 vote, and began review of Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-27. Chair Huffman outlined the committee’s organization, introduced staff, and described the budget as conservative and focused on one-time investments. She highlighted major SB 1 priorities including property tax relief, full funding for public education formulas, teacher pay, school safety, border security, Medicaid growth, dementia research, energy and water infrastructure, transportation, wildfire suppression, and other capital and public safety needs. Comptroller Glenn Hager presented the biennial revenue estimate, saying the state has $194.6 billion available for general-purpose spending in 2026-27, with a projected $23.8 billion ending balance from the current biennium. He cautioned that revenue growth is returning to more normal levels and that lawmakers should avoid committing short-term surpluses to ongoing expenses. He also explained that the Economic Stabilization Fund is projected to hit its constitutional cap, meaning an estimated $5.6 billion in severance tax and related revenue would remain in general revenue in the upcoming biennium rather than flow into the fund. Senators discussed whether to raise or rename the fund and the implications of keeping more severance-tax revenue in general revenue. The Legislative Budget Board then gave an overview of SB 1 and the budget’s major funding changes. LBB staff explained that the bill is essentially flat at $332.9 billion in all funds, but includes large method-of-finance shifts and major property tax relief. They detailed how prior property tax relief enacted in the 88th Legislature grew from an estimated $18 billion to $22.7 billion because of higher property values and hold-harmless provisions, and said SB 1 continues that relief with a total of $51 billion in ongoing and new property tax support. Members asked extensive questions about the automatic growth in school tax compression, the constitutional homestead exemption, COVID-era federal funding, Medicaid assumptions, and the sunset of the non-homestead circuit breaker. No additional votes or final budget actions were taken beyond adoption of the committee rules.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • We got the electrical union, the elevators, the plasters, the cement bases, installators, brick layers
  • We got the electrical union, the elevators, the plasters, the cement bases, installators, brick layers
  • We got the<00:18:50.080> electrical<00:18:50.559> union,<00:18:51.039> the<00:18
  • :51.280> elevators,<00:18:51.919> the the electrical union, the elevators, the the electrical
  • underpinning this, we can start to answer questions about our students' long-term earnings outcomes, job codes
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/3/26

Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • By positioning Minnesota as a national By positioning Minnesota as a national leader<00:34:58.640
  • agriculture and electricity generation. agriculture and electricity generation.
  • So number one is to keep pushing on 100% clean electricity, or carbon-free electricity by 2040.
  • Um but our electricity by 2040.
  • electrical generation. electrical generation.
Bills: HF3556
Summary: The committee approved the February 26, 2026 minutes and then took up House File 3556, which would rename Minnesota’s community solar garden program the Melissa Hortman Community Solar Garden Program. The bill’s author described the measure as a tribute to Hortman’s leadership and her role in creating the program, noting its importance to Minnesota’s solar industry and the broader clean energy transition. The author moved HF 3556 to the general register, and the committee proceeded to testimony. Testifiers from the Public Utilities Commission, Department of Commerce, solar industry groups, clean energy organizations, and community solar advocates all supported the bill. They credited Hortman with authoring and advancing the 2013 legislation that created Minnesota’s community solar program and said it became a national model that expanded access to solar for renters, lower-income households, and others who could not install rooftop systems. Several witnesses highlighted the program’s growth, including more than 1 gigawatt of approved projects, strong participation by low- and moderate-income subscribers, and job creation and private investment in Minnesota. Witnesses also emphasized Hortman’s personal leadership style, describing her as prepared, persuasive, collaborative, and deeply committed to clean energy and public service. Some recounted personal interactions with her and said the name change would preserve her legacy and ensure future Minnesotans remember her impact. No vote on the bill itself was taken during the testimony shown, beyond the motion to send HF 3556 to the general register.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 16th, 2026 at 09:09 am

House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Agency Code 418, Tourism Department.
  • Roswell National Championship Air Race Representatives. Great to see you there.
  • 10,000 to 100,000 and it's the oldest Navajo Nation Fair.
  • They're a nationally acclaimed research firm.
  • And then just Trying to watch the rapid changes of technology nationally.
Keywords: 996, all
NY

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York State Senate Session - 05/26/2026

New York Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • As a national vice president of the National Caucus of Black State Legislators, I am proud to join my
  • As a national vice president of the National Caucus of Black State Legislators, I am proud to join my
  • OUT AND BUY ELECTRIC VEHICLES.
  • So how could those actually using more natural gas to generate electricity have much lower electricity
  • Generate electricity have much lower electricity prices?
Keywords: 993, senate, all
Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and then moved through a series of budget-related and ceremonial items. The chamber accepted Rules and Finance Committee reports and took up several budget extender and budget implementation bills, including the main appropriations extender and later a transportation, economic development, and environmental conservation budget bill. Senators questioned the sponsor extensively about the status of the remaining budget bills, the use of messages of necessity, and the absence of joint budget conference committees. The extender bill passed 59-2, and later budget-related measures were advanced after reconsideration and amendment. A major portion of the session focused on the environmental and energy provisions in the budget bill, especially changes to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Senators debated extending emissions targets, the role of cap-and-invest, utility affordability, ratepayer impacts, and the structure of a proposed blue-ribbon commission. Supporters said the changes were needed to give the state more time to implement the law and to protect affordability, while opponents argued the bill was a political delay that would not lower energy costs and relied too heavily on subsidies and future planning. The bill also drew questions about electric vehicle rebates, thermostat control programs, emergency diesel generation for Micron, and how imported electricity and out-of-state emissions would be treated. The Senate also adopted several previously adopted resolutions honoring the 50th anniversary of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, India Independence Day, the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame, and the 50th anniversary of Interfaith Works of Central New York. Senators spoke in support of each resolution, highlighting the contributions of Black legislators, Indian-American communities, veterans, and refugee and interfaith service organizations. The Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony was specifically noted as a chamber event, and guests were recognized from the floor and gallery. In addition, the Senate restored recalled bills to the third reading calendar through reconsideration votes and amendments, including a highway law bill and another recalled bill, and then stood at ease for scheduled conferences and a Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony before resuming session. The transcript ended with discussion of a separate bill affecting automobile insurance serious-injury standards, with questions about what claims would remain available and whether the change would improve affordability.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

December 11, 2025 - 09:00 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill was the brainchild, actually, of DOD, stemming out of the 2019 Defense National Appropriation
  • As Florida grows, land becomes scarce, and with the nation facing a severe housing supply crunch, this
  • rural district, in my opinion, is not something that was compatible with the original land development code
  • who actually does the painting, lays concrete, clears the sites, you know, puts a roof on houses, electrical
Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee heard a full agenda of local and policy bills, with most measures receiving favorable reports. Early in the meeting, the committee approved HB 4019, capping Lake County inmate health care and emergency transport reimbursements at percentages tied to Medicare; HB 97, allowing small counties to opt back into transportation concurrency; HB 267, expanding SHIP/local housing assistance eligibility to mobile home owners paying lot rent; HB 351, creating a framework for concurrent state jurisdiction over certain matters involving military installations, with an amendment changing the bill to say the state “may accept” jurisdiction; HB 4013, revising and merging fire district boundaries in Lee County; HB 481, increasing public nuisance fines and strengthening nuisance abatement and foreclosure procedures; HB 4025, conveying state land to the Village of Tequesta for continued park use; and HB 4017, repealing an obsolete Nassau County recreation and water control district, as amended. The most extensive discussion centered on HB 299, the “Blue Ribbon Projects” bill, which would create a voluntary framework for very large developments that dedicate 60% of land to conservation while allowing compact, walkable development and affordable housing on the remainder. The sponsor argued it would balance growth, conservation, and housing affordability without new bureaucracy, while opponents from Audubon Florida, county groups, and local governments warned the bill could weaken local planning, lack enforceable conservation safeguards, and allow nonconservation uses within reserved areas. Supporters said it could preserve large tracts of land at no taxpayer cost and improve long-range planning. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying reserve areas, allowing use of the state’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, requiring easements be provided without charge, and aligning affordability definitions with existing programs. The bill then passed favorably as amended, with some members voting no. The committee also approved HB 4023, a local bill adjusting the boundaries of the Ave Maria Stewardship Community District in Collier County, with no change to the district’s powers and duties. Several bills drew supportive testimony from local officials, industry groups, or affected residents, and some had amendments adopted without objection. At the end of the meeting, the chair noted it was the last interim committee week meeting, thanked members and staff, and encouraged continued stakeholder engagement ahead of session.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Senate Session Apr 3rd, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • management, nuclear operations, and national security.
  • But, Nuclear operations, national security, the list is endless.
  • You've pushed Texas to be one of the best states in the nation to live in.
  • That's one of the fastest-growing in the nation.
  • And it is vitally important for our nation. That wasn't because I said so.
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, and adopted the previous day’s journal. Members then adopted Senate Resolution 358 honoring the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on its 10th anniversary, with remarks highlighting UTRGV’s growth, degree production, research expansion, medical school, and role in serving the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas. The chamber also recognized the doctor of the day and adopted additional resolutions, including one for Denton County Days at the Capitol and another recognizing Texas HBCU Day. The Senate gave extensive recognition to outgoing Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp through Senate Resolution 368. Senators from both parties praised his long public career, leadership of the A&M System, support for regional universities, and bipartisan approach. The resolution was adopted after multiple members added their names. The chamber also heard from advocates with the Texas Streets Coalition, and received gubernatorial nominations for the State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors and the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. On legislation, the Senate passed several major bills. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 27, relating to rights and support for public school educators, was debated and amended to address teacher vacancies, bilingual certification testing, paid leave options, classroom removals, and appeal rights, then passed unanimously. Senate Joint Resolution 12, proposing a constitutional amendment on parents’ right to direct a child’s education, advanced on a 22-9 vote. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1741, aimed at preventing foreign influence and intellectual property theft at public institutions of higher education, passed unanimously. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 29, the business entities bill, also passed after debate over corporate governance and shareholder protections. Senate Bill 857, authorizing law enforcement to tow certain vehicles driven by unlicensed or uninsured drivers, passed despite some concern about towing abuses during disasters. The Senate also took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1536 on dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain guardians, but the transcript ends as that bill is being laid out.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • One nation under for which it stands.
  • <00:20:41.760> And the second lowest in the nation. And the second lowest in the nation.
  • electricity than traditional industry. electricity than traditional industry.
  • we need the demand for the electricity. we need the demand for the electricity.
  • electric. They're asking for grid space. electric. They're asking for grid space.
Summary: The committee meeting began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the prior minutes. Members also observed a moment of reflection for Charlie Kirk and offered condolences to Representative Bobby McCool on the death of his mother. Representative Fugate then made announcements about the ongoing ATV/UTV trail system, including an October 21 opening in Letcher County and an October 2 groundbreaking in Knott County, and staff was asked to circulate the dates to members. The main agenda item was Senate Bill 137, presented by Senator Cassie Chambers Armstrong with testimony from George Ecklan of the Coalition of the Homeless and Wesley Bryant, a flood survivor and Eastern Kentucky resident. The bill would prohibit utility disconnections for non-payment during dangerous weather and emergencies, including extreme cold, excessive heat, and declared natural disasters. Supporters said the measure is narrow, does not forgive past-due balances or change reconnection policies, and is intended to protect vulnerable residents, reduce risks to first responders, and create a minimum statewide standard amid a patchwork of utility policies. They cited weather thresholds and historical examples of extreme weather and disaster declarations in Kentucky. Testimony emphasized the human impact of shutoffs, especially for low-income households, older adults, and families facing illness or disaster recovery. Bryant described experiences with people shivering without heat or struggling to keep children cool when power was cut off, calling electricity a lifeline rather than a luxury. Representative Gu raised concerns that utility bills have become unaffordable due to broader policy and rate issues, argued that some customers may not pay if shutoffs are prohibited, and questioned whether the bill was needed. Senator Chambers Armstrong responded that the proposal is limited to non-payment shutoffs during short periods of dangerous conditions and is meant to keep people safe during emergencies. No vote or final action on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.