Bills: SB3136 , SB2521 , SB2851 , SB3154 , SB3262 , SB2387 , SB3001 , SB2818 , SB2972 , SB2372 , SB2108 , SB888 , SB3320 , SB2798 , SB2110 , SB3007 , SB2615 , SB2095 , SB2101 , SB3138 , SB2756 , SB3229 , SB2969 , SB3286 , SB3238 , SB2557 , SB3140 , SB2014 , SB3097 , SB3096 , SB3069 , SB99 , SB2930 , SB2268 , SB2543 , SB3022 , SB3109 , SB3215 , SB3152 , SB3156 , SB3234 , SB3053 , SB3067 , SB2673 , SB411 , SB2041 , SB2919 , SB2532 , SB2152 , SB2721 , SB2446 , SB2601 , SB2239 , SB2804 , SB3324 , SB2802 , SB2577 , SB2320 , SB2706 , SB2595 , SB2781 , SB2961 , SB2433 , SB2657 , SB2340 , SB3045 , SB3203 , SB2861 , SB3245 , SB2803 , SB3204 , SB3025 , SB2138 , SB2645 , SB3082 , SB2109 , SB2261 , SB3332 , SB2811 , SB2567 , SB2125 , SB2866 , SB83 , SB874 , SB2386 , SB3137 , SB3132 , SB2175 , SB2272 , SB2271 , SB847 , SB3302 , SB2089 , SB2102 , SB2050 , SB2694 , SB2487 , SB2061 , SB709 , SB3083 , SB2151 , SB2852 , SB2471 , SB2568 , SB2253 , SB2697 , SB2429 , SB2929 , SB3032 , SB2057 , SB148 , SB2353 , SB2075 , SB2907 , SB2074 , SB3219 , SB3218 , SB2367 , SB3048 , SB17 , SB3253 , SB2376 , SB3103 , SB2999 , SB3255 , SB1166 , SB3157 , SB2698 , SB3029 , SB2146 , SB2470 , SB3040 , SB3076 , SB2575 , SB3294 , SB2438 , SB2530 , SB2688

Keywords: lead-free, lead in drinking water, drinking water, water infrastructure, public water system, plumbing, pipe fittings, solder, flux, fixtures, cast iron pipe repair, nonpotable water, Safe Drinking Water Act, Department of Health, water quality, lead exposure, lead contamination, water utilities, backflow preventer, fire hydrant

Bills: SB3136 , SB2521 , SB2851 , SB3154 , SB3262 , SB2387 , SB3001 , SB2818 , SB2972 , SB2372 , SB2108 , SB888 , SB3320 , SB2798 , SB2110 , SB3007 , SB2615 , SB2095 , SB2101 , SB3138 , SB2756 , SB3229 , SB2969 , SB3286 , SB3238 , SB2557 , SB3140 , SB2014 , SB3097 , SB3096 , SB3069 , SB99 , SB2930 , SB2268 , SB2543 , SB3022 , SB3109 , SB3215 , SB3152 , SB3156 , SB3234 , SB3053 , SB3067 , SB2673 , SB411 , SB2041 , SB2919 , SB2532 , SB2152 , SB2721 , SB2446 , SB2601 , SB2239 , SB2804 , SB3324 , SB2802 , SB2577 , SB2320 , SB2706 , SB2595 , SB2781 , SB2961 , SB2433 , SB2657 , SB2340 , SB3045 , SB3203 , SB2861 , SB3245 , SB2803 , SB3204 , SB3025 , SB2138 , SB2645 , SB3082 , SB2109 , SB2261 , SB3332 , SB2811 , SB2567 , SB2125 , SB2866 , SB83 , SB874 , SB2386 , SB3137 , SB3132 , SB2175 , SB2272 , SB2271 , SB847 , SB3302 , SB2089 , SB2102 , SB2050 , SB2694 , SB2487 , SB2061 , SB709 , SB3083 , SB2151 , SB2852 , SB2471 , SB2568 , SB2253 , SB2697 , SB2429 , SB2929 , SB3032 , SB2057 , SB148 , SB2353 , SB2075 , SB2907 , SB2074 , SB3219 , SB3218 , SB2367 , SB3048 , SB17 , SB3253 , SB2376 , SB3103 , SB2999 , SB3255 , SB1166 , SB3157 , SB2698 , SB3029 , SB2146 , SB2470 , SB3040 , SB3076 , SB2575 , SB3294 , SB2438 , SB2530 , SB2688

Keywords: lead-free, lead in drinking water, drinking water, water infrastructure, public water system, plumbing, pipe fittings, solder, flux, fixtures, cast iron pipe repair, nonpotable water, Safe Drinking Water Act, Department of Health, water quality, lead exposure, lead contamination, water utilities, backflow preventer, fire hydrant

Transcript Highlights:

• to the general good by an interchange of acts of kindness, by giving and receiving, and thus by our skill
• one of the worst kids in school, but prior to joining JROTC, my instructors taught me the valuable skill
• to coordinate, promote, and promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, skills
• activities through in-school and out-of-school learning. ...opportunities to increase the project base
• and work-based learning, and then that professional development for career readiness, industry needs

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're often centers for collaboration, technology access, and developing research skills.
• They're often centers for collaboration, technology access, and developing research skills.
• They're often centers for collaboration, technology access, and developing research skills.
• So a couple of things that we're suggesting from based on the census data: the first would be to...
• So a couple of things that we're suggesting from based on the census data: the first would be to...

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Right in the teams we're doing training, we're making sure our members are up to date on their skills
• They must not detain large numbers of people based solely on ethnicity or national origins.
• You have to be detaining people based on what they individually are doing.
• For instance, why use a September 1st cutoff date when existing law was based on January 1st?
• Okay, Representative, yeah, my ventriloquist skills are not that good.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 180, which concerns critical incident stress management teams. Representative Mark PR, the bill sponsor, proposed an amendment to add a definition of “team leader” and to clarify that teams may or may not be affiliated with a municipality. He argued that a certification test offered by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation is unnecessary and too expensive at $400, since team members are volunteers who already receive training and continuing education. Committee members asked about the training structure and certification language, and the sponsor explained that the teams are self-certified and that the amendment was intended to clean up the bill’s language. The committee then voted on HB 180 in executive session. Amendment 0261H was adopted 11-0, and the bill was then moved as amended and passed 11-0. The committee placed the bill on consent. Later, the committee heard House Bill 438, sponsored by Representative Timothy Horan, dealing with immigration detention and related state policy. Horan described the bill as an update to earlier legislation and said it would codify best practices, prohibit state cooperation with mass deportation efforts, bar for-profit operation of immigration detention facilities, and require Executive Council approval before the governor could deploy the National Guard for immigration deportation activities. Committee members questioned whether the bill could be read as authorizing detention facilities and discussed the relationship between the state and Strafford County Jail. An amendment presented on behalf of Representative Patrick Long was described as a technical rewrite that removed several sections and changed language, but the hearing ended before any vote was taken on HB 438.

Transcript Highlights:

• We work closely with the base.
• We work closely with the base.
• Worked with base leadership over the years.
• We've been talking to the Minot Air Force Base.
• We've been talking to the Minot Air Force Base.

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met on the Minot State University campus for presentations on campus operations, enrollment, and new academic initiatives. President Shirley reviewed recent audits, noting mostly clean results with only minor technical findings, and highlighted MSU’s broad academic offerings, specialized accreditations, athletics, and partnerships with Minot Air Force Base and the MSU Development Foundation. Members asked about declining interest in teacher education, tuition waivers for athletes, dual credit incentives, and how MSU decides when to launch new programs and avoid duplication within the university system. Shirley also discussed several workforce-focused initiatives supported by the Legislature’s Workforce Education Innovation Funds, including the purchase of the Trinity Health Center West building for a downtown health sciences hub, a new daycare/preschool partnership near campus, the Aspire program to recruit rural students into teaching, and a paraprofessional-to-special-education degree pathway. Enrollment data showed overall headcount was flat at just under 2,750, but full-time equivalent enrollment rose slightly and new student numbers increased, including the largest freshman class in 15 years. The committee also discussed Minot State’s in-state tuition rate for all students, its dual credit “Emerging Scholars” scholarship, and concerns about the share of high school graduates who do not immediately pursue postsecondary education. Faculty then presented two new programs funded in part by WEAF: an Innovation Engineering degree and a master’s program in counseling with an integrated addiction studies focus. The engineering program was described as industry-driven, designed with broad early coursework, hands-on learning, and local employer input to prepare students for western North Dakota workforce needs; officials said it had already drawn more applicants than expected and would use renovated library space and donated or grant-funded equipment. The counseling program will be mostly face-to-face with hybrid options, aims to address shortages in mental health and substance use providers, and is structured to help students meet licensure requirements. Committee members asked about startup costs, licensure supervision hours, and whether the programs would be on campus rather than online, and presenters said both programs had recently received required approvals and were moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:22:45.280><c> and</c> alone alone raise the skill and alone alone raise the skill and knowledge
• We need these skills in our CTE centers.
• And I wanted to note too that based on these estimates and again based... ... report today.
• </c> take up rate and our estimates are based take up rate and our estimates are based on<02:35:14.399
• So uh based on House is $32 million.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• become the norm to spend $25,000, $50,000, or even $100,000 per year in college tuition to learn skills
• individuals in exchange for the value and learning a skill or trade that could enhance their long-term
• We define clearly what work-based learning means.
• with industry or community professionals that occurs in a work-based environment.
• You should be able to pay people a living wage while they're learning these job skills.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then just all the different brigades report to a different base? Report to...
• Translating military skills into a career after the military can be tough.
• Balthazar, I believe, passed out some testimony from Brooks City Base.
• Based on a lot of the support and service support functions and high skill level positions that...
• So when these guys come out, all these veterans, all these guys have skills.

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• such as confidence, public speaking, and leadership skills.
• She loves learning new leadership skills. She loves getting to know new people. Welcome, Cora.
• It teaches good skills to young people, and we appreciate their being here today. Thank you, Mr.
• It also helped him develop skills for leading effectively in group settings.
• And then Hands, learning new skills, improving skills already developed, instilling pride in work, and

Transcript Highlights:

• It relies on a skilled workforce.
• In turn, a skilled workforce. attracts businesses, driving economic growth, which then... ...then boost
• But our skills development program and our jobs education. for Texans program.
• Skills development is where a business will partner with an education provider to provide training. to
• A lot of those include evidence-based treatment guidelines. using a pharmacy formulary.

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of these industry bases are held back on potential expansions by pipelines that could be improved
• With AI, we need data scientists and those with specialty skills to help with the large-scale digital
• By providing opportunities for community members to learn new skills that are in demand, they will also
• Based on my experience, I read this bill as a simple cleanup that brings Texas law in line with what
• The Higher Education Coordinating Board is a highly regulated board and is based on higher education,

Bills: SB530 , SB757 , SB769 , SB1085 , SB1241 , SB1242 , SB1409 , SB1878 , SB2138 , SB2314 , SB2231 , SB2361 , SB2431 , SJR59

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: accreditation, postsecondary education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, program delivery, faculty recruitment, higher education, performance standards, student loan debt, degree programs, funding, students with disabilities, accessibility, enrollment, report, SB 1085, Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande College, Del Rio

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met with a large agenda and repeatedly recessed for floor activity and other committee conflicts. The committee heard and left pending several higher education bills, including SB 2361 to transfer University of Houston-Victoria from the University of Houston System to the Texas A&M System and rename it Texas A&M University Victoria; testimony from university officials, local leaders, and industry representatives strongly supported the move as a way to better align degree programs with regional workforce needs in engineering, agriculture, and STEM. SB 530, which would align Texas accreditation statutes with federal rules allowing institutions to choose among nationally recognized accreditors, also received supportive testimony and was left pending. SB 1085, allowing Sul Ross satellite campuses to offer lower-division coursework toward bachelor’s degrees, was laid out and left pending as well. The committee also took up a series of education policy bills. SB 1241 would expand the standardized tests Texas public universities may accept for admission beyond the SAT and ACT, with supporters from the Classic Learning Test, homeschool advocates, and student-choice groups arguing it would increase access and competition; it was left pending. SB 769 would require a TEA/Higher Education Coordinating Board report on barriers faced by students with disabilities in higher education, and testimony from The Arc of Texas and others emphasized the need for better data and accessibility; the bill was left pending. SB 2231 would designate the second week of October as Free College Application Week, and SB 1878 would modernize terminology and support workforce-oriented programs at the Josie School; both were laid out and left pending. The committee reported several bills favorably after adopting committee substitutes. SB 605, concerning charter school expansion applications while under conservatorship or a management team, passed on a 9-0 vote. SB 1871, SB 1873, and SB 1874, all related to school discipline and teacher immunity/placement review provisions, were adopted and reported favorably, with members noting the need for further discussion on some language. SB 762, dealing with flag displays in public schools, passed on a 7-1 vote. SB 1962, relating to public school accountability and challenges to school system operations, passed 7-1 after a corrected vote. SB 1750, replacing a $60 million statewide charter facilities cap with an attendance-growth-based allotment, passed 7-1 with one member voting present not voting. SB 2252, supporting kindergarten readiness and early literacy/numeracy, SB 2253, concerning educator preparation and certification, SB 2365, on student use of wireless devices during instructional time, and SB 1924, restoring local peace officer citation authority for school offenses and adding reporting and parent-notification requirements, were also reported favorably. The committee additionally heard SB 37 on higher education governance and compliance oversight, which passed 7-1 after a substitute that refined curriculum review, governing board authority, faculty senate rules, and a new compliance office within the Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Cyber Command, only because it's not on base or next to an existing base, is probably not going to
• It's the density of all these cyber skills that we plug into.
• And so we're trying to provide those skills here in this process. The will of this committee, Mr.
• But at the end of the day, when you look at the cyber skills, the density of those skills, the level
• I'm the founder of State Armor, based here outside of... Austin, Texas.

Bills: HB146 , HB150 , HB1500 , HB1545 , HB1562 , HB2067 , HB2520 , HB2818 , HB3214 , HB3250 , HB3466 , HB3512 , HB3623 , HB4063 , HB4395 , HB4464 , HB4668 , HB4690 , HB5331 , HB3833 , HB146 , HB150

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: HB 146, Texas Capitol, State Capitol, State Preservation Board, Congress Avenue, Travis County, traffic lanes, lane closure, road closure, municipal authority, local control, Capitol area, downtown Austin, special events, construction traffic plan, pedestrian safety, public works, transportation policy, government code chapter 443, cybersecurity

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> critical to deliver evidence-based critical to deliver evidence-based responsive<00:05:31.240><c
• </c><00:21:45.679><c> supervision</c> adequate level of Base supervision adequate level of Base supervision
• </c> volunteers teaching our life skills volunteers teaching our life skills that's<01:36:05.719><c>
• </c><01:36:18.239><c> in</c> help supplement with the life skills in help supplement with the life skills
• </c> diagnosable basing based on her test diagnosable basing based on her test results<01:59:13.960><

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• base period wages were earned, and not necessarily the state where the individual currently lives.
• To accept jobs that don't necessarily match their skill sets, and to take pay cuts as well, and that
• You wouldn't want to create more barriers to running for office based on raising money, right?
• We can just guess based on statistics.
• The fee for a public record must be based on material costs only.

Bills: HB2070 , HB2129 , HB2227 , HB2439 , HB2667 , HB2745 , HB2773 , HB2825 , HB2873 , HB2876 , HCR2005 , HCR2044 , SB1002 , SB1036 , SB1054 , SB1271 , SB1432 , SB1435 , SB1437 , SB1439 , SCR1022 , SCR1031 , SCR1033

Committee: Senate Government

Keywords: flood relief, Gila County, emergency funding, public safety, environmental cleanup, municipal libraries, annual reporting, state legislation, transparency, government accountability, chiropractic, chiropractor, chiropractic board, state board of chiropractic examiners, license discipline, unprofessional conduct, patient records, record retention, HIPAA, conflict of interest

Transcript Highlights:

• If you are a skilled engineer or a skilled construction worker, and there's a whole bunch of job openings
• You don't want these skilled workers going to fast food.
• Florida's growth depends on skilled construction workers.
• That pulls skilled workers out of the industry.
• This bill is based on a desire for convenience.

Bills: S0216 , S0246 , S0356 , S0388 , S0470 , S0488 , S0490 , S0528 , S0584 , S0594

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Keywords: reemployment assistance, fraud prevention, eligibility verification, Department of Commerce, benefit disqualification, specialty license plate, specialty plates, motor vehicle registration, license plate fees, annual use fees, Florida DHSMV, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, deauthorization, financial reporting, nonprofit organizations, college license plates, university license plates, veterans plates, law enforcement plates, Fraternal Order of Police

Transcript Highlights:

• This is common sense and, frankly, a compromise based on feedback.
• If we're talking about home-based instruction, there would be a cost to that.
• Early education shapes their academic futures, teaching critical skills.
• </c><01:15:42.520><c> they</c> doesn't teach students the skills they doesn't teach students the skills
• </c><01:31:31.639><c> conflict</c> repairing harm teaching skills conflict repairing harm teaching skills

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• agreed to by stakeholders that protects co-ops' authority to choose generation and purchase power based
• first that the Public Service Commission would be expanded to include a CPA and financial analyst skills
• Rates of return have to be based on financially sound, generally accepted models in use both within and
• There are different ways to approach getting that kind of skill and competence on the commission or on
• There are different ways to approach getting that kind of skill and competence on the commission or on

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and took up four bills. SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives was presented as a negotiated glitch bill to narrow statutory language so co-ops can choose generation and power purchases based on cost and reliability without exposure to special-interest litigation, while preserving consumer protections. A representative from the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association waived in support, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SB 364 on public accountancy, which was described as a modernization and efficiency measure to expand CPA licensure pathways without lowering standards. An amendment correcting a drafting error and restoring automatic mobility language was adopted without objection. Jason Harrell of FICPA waived in support, while one speaker appeared to discuss a utility issue unrelated to the bill. CS for SB 364 was reported favorably. Chair Bradley’s SB 200 on utilities addressed utility-scale solar decommissioning and storm protection plans. The bill would authorize counties to adopt solar decommissioning ordinances, direct DEP to develop best practices, and require the PSC to consider whether storm protection plan benefits exceed costs. County and AARP representatives waived in support, and the Small County Coalition spoke favorably, saying the bill was a needed step that did not restrict solar development. SB 200 was considered favorably. The committee also heard SB 126 on the Florida Public Service Commission, a strike-all bill focused on PSC reform and utility affordability. The amendment would add CPA and financial analyst expertise, require stronger PSC order support, tighten intervention standards, set return-on-equity and review criteria, require consideration of executive compensation and affordability, and direct the PSC to weigh risk from storm and cost-recovery mechanisms. PSC staff answered extensive questions about utility hardening, storm recovery, and rate-setting. Supporters said the bill would improve accountability and affordability, while others urged stronger enforceable affordability standards and restoration of the return-on-equity cap. Despite concerns, the bill was reported favorably as CS for SB 126.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are simulations in the paper which are based off of a very standard model.
• services that promote stability, parenting skills, and workforce readiness.
• Generally, the bill expands opportunities for mid-skilled workers and benefits Air Force manufacturing
• Do we have the talent and the skills? Do we have the skill set here to be able to do that?
• Do you see this as a workforce issue, developing a new talent and skill set here in Texas?

Bills: SB214 , SB935 , SB1030 , SB1901 , SB2018 , SB2020 , SB2066 , SB2206

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: HVAC, tax exemption, energy efficiency, residential heating, installation services, Energy Star, sales tax, residential, installation, sales tax exemption, Environmental Protection Agency, temporary exemption, motor fuel tax, county exemption, diesel fuel, gasoline tax, transportation funding, SB 1030, Texas Tax Code, use tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:58.000><c> and</c><00:10:58.200><c> talents</c><00:10:58.519><c> of</c> harness the skills
• and talents of harness the skills and talents of international<00:10:59.279><c> to</c><00:10:59.399>
• by requiring appropriate position skills by requiring appropriate training<00:11:16.160><c> and</c><
• </c> take over a decade uh for fully skilled take over a decade uh for fully skilled foreign<00:16:28.199
• </c><00:16:35.639><c> pathway</c> creates a structured merit-based pathway creates a structured merit-based

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all