Transcript Highlights:

• And, uh, this deals with the public notice that our public notices that are published in newspapers and
• I appreciate the opportunity to speak in favor of this bill concerning the publication of public notices
• In Hemphill County to get a public notice out, is there? No, there isn't.
• Seeing none, we'll begin public testimony. Chair calls Jason Ryan.
• Safety and local public safety agency.

Bills: HB 1951, HB 2715, HB 3092, HB 3237, HB 3278, HB 3511, HB 3592, HB 3675, HB 3778, HB 3782, HB 3826, HB 3970, HB 4016, HB 4049, HB 4341, HB 4344, HB 4406, HB 4427

Keywords: collective bargaining, public works, government contracts, labor agreements, state funding, removal from office, political subdivisions, local government, judicial proceedings, administrative judicial region, electric transmission, public convenience, landowner consent, utility regulation, energy infrastructure, energy consumption, higher education, governmental entities, sustainability, electricity reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• This deals with the public notice. ..that are public notices that are published in newspapers.
• I appreciate the opportunity to speak in favor of this bill concerning the publication of public notices
• I have the Geothermal Energy Alliance and the public.
• Safety and local public safety agencies.
• For the public good, this would be a silo-busting approach.

Bills: HB1951, HB2715, HB3092, HB3237, HB3278, HB3511, HB3592, HB3675, HB3778, HB3782, HB3826, HB3970, HB4016, HB4049, HB4341, HB4344, HB4406, HB4427

Keywords: collective bargaining, public works, government contracts, labor agreements, state funding, removal from office, political subdivisions, local government, judicial proceedings, administrative judicial region, electric transmission, public convenience, landowner consent, utility regulation, energy infrastructure, energy consumption, higher education, governmental entities, sustainability, electricity reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• As stated in the hearing notice, there will be a time limit of two minutes per witness during public
• field for public works contracts to build projects utilizing state funding or credit.
• The bill promotes competition in the awarding of public contracts, leading to a more competitive and
• These are local public projects funded with taxpayer dollars.
• Where's the public outcry? Everything you heard today is from one group.

Bills: HB1951, HB2715, HB3092, HB3237, HB3278, HB3511, HB3592, HB3675, HB3778, HB3782, HB3826, HB3970, HB4016, HB4049, HB4341, HB4344, HB4406, HB4427

Keywords: collective bargaining, public works, government contracts, labor agreements, state funding, removal from office, political subdivisions, local government, judicial proceedings, administrative judicial region, electric transmission, public convenience, landowner consent, utility regulation, energy infrastructure, energy consumption, higher education, governmental entities, sustainability, electricity reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• chair lays out House bill 1368 by representative Jones relating to notification requirement if a public
• Thank you, Chairman Buckley, Vice Chair Bernal, and esteemed members of the Public Education Committee
• . 1368 is a vital piece of legislation that addresses a critical gap in communication between public
• Before you is a bill that truly truly supports parents' rights in public education.
• Unfortunately, that is too often not the case on Texas public school campuses.

Bills: HB367, HB497, HB549, HB983, HB 1188, HB 1290, HB1368, HB2243, HB2310, HB2849, HB3099, HB3546, HB3629, HB3627

Keywords: education, absences, severe illness, life-threatening, school policy, verification, healthcare, insurance, affordability, coverage, patient rights, school health, respiratory distress, airway clearance devices, medication training, public health, HB 983, Texas Education Agency, TEA, educator privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Standards for Texas public schools.
• In public, in every public classroom has access to high quality curriculum.
• It took public outcry to get additional teachers added. And here we are again.
• I was in Del Valle ISD. at two charter schools, KIPP and Harmony Public Schools.
• Our kids are in public school.

Bills: HB367, HB497, HB549, HB983, HB 1188, HB 1290, HB1368, HB2243, HB2310, HB2849, HB3099, HB3546, HB3629, HB3627

Keywords: education, absences, severe illness, life-threatening, school policy, verification, healthcare, insurance, affordability, coverage, patient rights, school health, respiratory distress, airway clearance devices, medication training, public health, HB 983, Texas Education Agency, TEA, educator privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:13.679> Service who are in positions of Public Service who are in positions of Public
• and healthy public there uh and public and healthy public and<00:37:30.839> uh<00:37:31.040><
• public health and safety and uh public health and safety officials<00:37:32.359> can<00:37:32.520
• <00:38:34.839> health information to our local public health information to our local public
• Shouldn't it be public?

Bills: HF1379, HF1596, HF2260, HF1429

Keywords: nonopioid directive, opioid refusal, opioid-free care, pain management, health care directive, advance directive, patient autonomy, informed consent, substance use disorder, opioid epidemic, prescriber immunity, provider liability, emergency medical services, EMS, health record, Minnesota Department of Health, health care agent, medical power of attorney, Metropolitan Council, Minnesota government data practices

Transcript Highlights:

• > colleges<00:20:14.720> and believe our public colleges and believe our public colleges
• And there is no better place to do public dialogue than in a public building.
• I think that would be a problem if they were saying, no, the public, you may not hold a public event
• It's really about the public bill.
• borne I think for a public institution. borne I think for a public institution.

Bills: HF4479, HF4368, HF4889

Keywords: higher education, public university, college campus, postsecondary institution, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, University of Minnesota, town hall, town hall meeting, elected official, legislator, public forum, constituent meeting, campus access, free meeting space, parking fees, civic engagement, public outreach, chapter 135A, HF4368, Minnesota State

Summary: The committee approved the April 9 minutes and then took up House File 4479, which would require public postsecondary institutions to make space available for town halls and similar official events by elected officials, with limits intended to keep the events on the official side and not campaign-related. Representative Frederick said the bill is meant to prevent universities from creating barriers such as fees or parking charges and to ensure a neutral, accessible venue for community conversations. The bill was laid over for possible later action. The committee heard supportive testimony from Jim Dimmick of Minnesota State University, Mankato, who argued that town halls should be public, open, moderated, and dialogic rather than speeches, and said universities should be centers for public discourse. He also said charging fees can undermine neutrality and that using partisan student groups to sponsor events can create the appearance of bias. Minnesota State official Mr. Omen said campuses often host these events, fees are set locally to cover costs, and student government sponsorship can sometimes avoid charges; he also noted the fee at Mankato is discounted and depends on room size. Several members raised concerns about the bill. Representative Scott, Chair Robbins, Representative Schwarz, Representative Allen, and others argued that campuses should not be required by statute to give legislators special treatment, that fees and parking costs cover real expenses, and that universities should remain focused on education rather than political events. Questions also focused on who would decide what room size is reasonable, how disputes would be handled, and who would pay for security if protests or safety issues arose. Representative Frederick responded that room selection would be a good-faith partnership with the university, that the bill does not require a town hall or guarantee a specific room, and that security funding is not spelled out in the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• that's<00:09:27.680> out<00:09:27.920> over<00:09:28.240> a<00:09:28.560> public
• ><00:09:28.800> water<00:09:30.000> and<00:09:30.240> it's that's out over a public
• water and it's that's out over a public water and it's shading<00:09:31.040> the<00:09:31.279
• That's public data. And when then the agency makes that decision, there's no timeline on that.
• That's public data. And when then the agency makes that decision, there's no timeline on that.

Bills: HF4253, HF4257, HF3236, HF4264, HF4149, HF4019

Keywords: boat storage structures, public waters, natural resources, rule amendments, watercraft canopy, PFAS, environmental regulation, manufacturers, public health, product safety, groundwater, water appropriation, water-use permit, water permit, aquifer test, aquifer, well construction, groundwater permit, Department of Natural Resources, DNR

Transcript Highlights:

• through social media or how to address the comments section regarding data practices and the public
• HF 3295 would clear all that up and hopefully lead to more public bodies live broadcasting meetings,
• body to live broadcast through public body to live broadcast through social<00:12:37.200> media
• practices and the public comment portion of<00:12:42.160> the<00:12:42.399> meeting.
• permissive and uh, trying to give public permissive and uh, trying to give public bodies<00:15:49.680

Bills: HF4319, HF3295, HF3589, HF3587, HF3588, HF4295, HF3571, HF3895

Keywords: public utilities commission, Lake City, port authority, Red Wing, terms of appointment, local government, elections, open meeting law, transparency, public engagement, social media, government accountability, voter access, polling place, ballot, unexpected needs, election judge, public information, political parties, HF4295

Transcript Highlights:

• bill to be re-referred to the Public bill to be re-referred to the Public Safety<00:02:42.840>
• public dollar in Minnesota. public dollar in Minnesota.
• jobs elsewhere and choose to be public jobs elsewhere and choose to be public servants<00:43:52.120
• that the public is aware of that, too. that the public is aware of that, too.
• We are transparency with the public.

Bills: HF2354, HF3621, HF3429, HF3483

Keywords: medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud, payment withholding, withheld payments, program integrity, public funds, state agency, program participant, credible allegation of fraud, administrative reconsideration, contested case, chapter 14, data practices, confidential data, protected nonpublic data, anti-fraud

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from March 5 by voice vote and welcomed new member Representative Van Binsbergen. It then took up House File 2354, which Chair Liebling moved to re-refer to the Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee. Representative Norris presented the bill as an updated version of the Medical Assistance Protection Act, aimed at strengthening the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, closing loopholes, equalizing fraud penalties, and increasing penalties for large-scale Medicaid fraud. Attorney General Ellison said the bill would add 18 specialized staff to the unit, moving it from 32 to 50 positions, and argued the federal-state matching structure makes the Attorney General’s office the proper home for the funding because the unit is dedicated to Medicaid fraud work. Nick Wonka, director of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, explained the bill’s provisions affecting committee jurisdiction: expanded subpoena authority to obtain financial account contents in provider-fraud investigations, conforming legal representation language to preserve the unit’s authority, venue changes to allow charging in counties where parts of the offense occurred, and a restitution change to let courts order restitution for related conduct in the same scheme. He said the subpoena change would speed investigations and align the Attorney General’s authority with other agencies, and that the restitution change would help recover more fraudulently obtained Medicaid funds. No public testimony was offered. Members questioned why the funding should go to the Attorney General’s office rather than the BCA, whether the new records authority was federally required, how the venue language would work across state lines, and whether the added FTEs indicated the fraud problem was larger than expected. Ellison and Wonka responded that the federal grant requires the work to stay within the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, that the unit’s investigators are specialized and work with, but separate from, law enforcement, and that the venue provision applies only within Minnesota while out-of-state matters would be referred to the appropriate authorities. The amendment that had been posted was withdrawn and not offered.

Transcript Highlights:

• But what we do want to do is make sure that on any property that's not private property—any public property
• I think that, you know, the money that you would spend on this, you could spend on other public services
• Senators, that does it for our public speaker cards. We are now in debate.
• The current makeup of the commission is two state attorneys and two public defenders.
• The current makeup of the commission is two state attorneys and two public defenders.

Bills: S0086, S0642, S0712, S0758, S0896, S1224, S1300, S1370, S1712

Keywords: unauthorized aliens, commercial motor vehicles, safety regulations, civil penalties, law enforcement, bail bond, insurance regulation, foreign insurers, financial disclosure, premium reporting, pyramid schemes, consumer protection, fraud prevention, legal affairs, penalties, justice, administrative commission, membership, state attorneys, public defenders

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 1300 on education and workforce development for current and former inmates. Senator Claudio explained that the bill is intended to expand collaboration between the Department of Transportation and the Department of Corrections to provide training opportunities tied to Florida’s need for CDL drivers. The bill was reported favorably without debate. Members then considered SB 896 on campus safety, as amended by strike-all and late-filed amendment. The bill would require postsecondary institutions to adopt active assailant response plans, conduct security risk assessments, improve threat reporting and information sharing, and allow voluntary participation in the guardian program; the late-filed amendment removed a prohibition on guardians wearing uniforms. After questions about the firearm-discharge provision near campuses and testimony both for and against, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also reported favorably SB 86 on commercial motor vehicles operated by unauthorized aliens, SB 642 on foreign and alien bail bond insurers, and confirmed appointees listed on tabs 10 through 19. The committee next heard SB 712 on pyramid promotional schemes, which would create a new prohibition and increase penalties while preserving legitimate direct sales plans. Members raised concerns about whether participants in such schemes might themselves be victims, and the sponsor said prosecutorial discretion would distinguish victims from primary wrongdoers; the bill was reported favorably. SB 1224 on rental housing application fraud was also amended and reported favorably after testimony from apartment and realtor groups in support. In the latter part of the meeting, Chair Martin presented SB 1370 to expand habitual traffic offender status to repeated unlicensed driving, and SB 1712 to create a statewide FDLE counterintelligence and counterterrorism unit. SB 1370 was reported favorably unanimously. SB 1712 drew extensive questioning and public opposition over concerns about broad language, surveillance, and possible impacts on speech and protest, but the sponsor said the unit would focus on protecting the state from adversary intelligence threats and operate within constitutional limits; it was reported favorably. Finally, SB 758 on the Justice Administrative Commission was amended to adjust commission membership and reported favorably unanimously. The committee then recorded additional votes for members and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• yesterday, but that doesn't make her any less valuable to all of us here in the Senate and to the public
• Senate and to the public. Thank you, Mr. Senate and to the public. Thank you, Mr. President.
• But that's what makes us as a body more reflective of the overall public.
• It makes us able to the overall public.
• <00:18:19.200> It's place of bad publicity as well. It's place of bad publicity as well.

Bills: SB2445, SB2125, SB2355, SB2834, SB3237

Keywords: pedestrian, fines, traffic laws, economic vulnerability, safety, walking, public transportation, teacher licensing, teacher shortage, emergency hire, unlicensed teacher, out-of-field teaching, licensed teachers, charter schools, Department of Education, DOE, Board of Education, licensure requirements, teacher certification, alternative licensure

Bills: HB38, HB39, HB181, HB38, HB39, HB181

Keywords: district attorneys, prosecutorial function, law enforcement, criminal procedure, legal advice, paternity, putative father registry, adoption, legal rights, parental rights, HB181, Alabama Building Renovation Finance Authority, bond authorization, state bonds, capital improvements, public buildings, State Capitol, renovation finance, public office facilities, infrastructure financing

Transcript Highlights:

• anyone that applied that's under that income cap requirement for the first year is able to be accommodated
• that was already... aside in a program that was already overfunded for us to move money around to accommodate
• Those are both Senate items that we're accommodating.
• The Department of Public Examiners receives $500,000 more.
• But we are committing more than that funding into the public schools.

Bills: SB113, SB114, SB305, SB111, HB600, SB112, SB150, SB109, SB122

Keywords: education funding, appropriations, local education boards, school safety, workforce development, Alabama, technology, higher education, career technology centers, public institutions, grants, local education agencies, RAISE Act, student outcomes, public schools, accountability, weighted allocations, special education, English language learners, gifted students

Transcript Highlights:

• public testimony periods.
• The public is well informed about spending matters.
• It is recorded in the public records in the county.
• I think the public is not able to see it.
• We show you registered as David Dunmoyer on behalf of Texas Public Public Policy Foundation and you are

Bills: HB150, HB869, HB876, HB 1043, HB1494, HB1522, HB150

Keywords: cybersecurity, state command, information resources, data protection, incident response, information technology, classification officer, job descriptions, state positions, competency-based, information sharing, government efficiency, public sector, private sector, distributed ledger, title registry, real estate, property liens, pilot program, healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• about complaints regarding those public officials in certain circumstances, including when a public
• data should be public for everybody.
• Inception uh he believed that uh public Inception uh he believed that uh public data<00:04:39.440
• > everybody<00:04:40.919> he data should be public for everybody he data should be public
• <00:25:28.880> wishing<00:25:29.120> to public wishing to public wishing to testify<00:

Bills: HF1917, HF1083, HF367

Keywords: data practices, public official, transparency, government accountability, employment data, domestic abuse, domestic violence, battered women, victim advocate, advocacy, confidentiality, privilege, evidence law, witness privilege, court-ordered disclosure, shelter, crisis intervention, sexual assault counselor, victim services, protective services

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, there are no public witnesses wishing to testify on Senate Bill 688.
• Seeing and hearing none, public testimony is closed.
• And we will be, uh, hearing public testimony after Mr. Withers.
• Public testimony is closed, bills left pending at this time.
• We'll cut off all public funds from cities and from the state.

Bills: SB 18, SB 19, SB 666, SB 688, SB 707, SB 888

Keywords: municipal libraries, state funding, gender identity, public events, children's literature, SB 19, Texas, political subdivision, local government, county, city, municipality, taxpayer-funded lobbying, lobbying ban, public funds, registered lobbyist, Chapter 305, Government Code, Local Government Code, county association dues

Bills: SB319

Keywords: hazardous duty, Barbour County, court costs, law enforcement, public safety, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and you know uh Speaker Eda Hortman led with a lot of um uh commitment to public service, um a lot
• We had a public comment that we opened up for a couple of weeks in September.
• of the public input that went into that. of the public input that went into that.
• public input into it.
• Um we had a public public input into it.

Bills: HF1925

Keywords: nurse licensure, multistate license, healthcare, public safety, interstate compact, nursing regulation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to just praise the public.
• It should be a group of legal and mental health, public health, and public safety professionals with
• It should be a group of legal and mental health, public health, and public safety professionals with
• public defender said. public defender said.
• Thank you for the opportunity to comment. public defender. public defender.

Bills: HB1531

Keywords: emergency announcements, American Sign Language, accessibility, public safety, broadcast media, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1913, which would create a mental health coordinator position within the Office of Veteran Services for the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home and appropriate funds for it. Supporters said veterans, especially on the neighbor islands, need more mental health access and coordination. Several witnesses, including Sean Sonatada and Tom Driscoll, supported the intent but urged amendments to broaden the position beyond one facility and make it a statewide resource. Committee members questioned whether the bill would duplicate existing services at the veterans home and whether the position would be reimbursable through federal VA funding; testimony indicated the state would appropriate the money, while existing home services are already covered through current staff and federal reimbursement structures. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 9, which would designate Hawaii as a Purple Heart state. Testifiers generally supported the measure as a way to honor wounded veterans and their families, though one member asked what benefits the designation would confer. Witnesses clarified that the bill was mainly symbolic and did not appear to create new benefits, and one testifier noted Honolulu County had already adopted a similar Purple Heart designation. The committee then took up House Bill 1628, which would establish a compassionate release protocol for certain seriously ill or debilitated incarcerated persons. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Hawaii Paroling Authority opposed the bill, arguing that an existing administrative process already works, that the bill could improperly extend eligibility to people serving life without parole or mandatory minimum sentences, and that it lacked victim and family input and sufficient resources. In contrast, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission strongly supported the bill, saying it would reduce the high cost of incarcerating people with complex medical needs, ease burdens on staff and the prison population, and better reflect human dignity. The commission described having seen severe suffering and deaths in custody and said compassionate release is warranted in some cases. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.