Transcript Highlights:

• And they were saying that they have plots and plots and zonings that are decades old.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those plots that they were able to get are a half-acre plot.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs met to hear updates from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the Washington Military Department, the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Commerce on federal and state impacts affecting veterans, military families, and military installations. JBLM’s garrison commander said the base remains focused on housing, child care, and spouse employment, but is facing workforce reductions tied to federal personnel actions, especially in air traffic control, 911 dispatch, and firefighting. He also said JBLM is preparing for increased mutual-aid needs during fire season, and that the Army Transformation Initiative could change unit composition at JBLM over time without a major overall population shift. He confirmed that the Lewis Army Museum is on a closure list, but said the building will remain in use for training and that the base is exploring partnerships to keep museum functions operating, possibly with volunteers or local partners. The Washington Military Department reported about 400 Guard members deployed on federal missions and described ongoing state missions in cybersecurity and firefighting. The department said the Army National Guard’s 81st Stryker Brigade will transition to a mobile combat team, with associated changes in equipment, manning, and end strength. It also warned that continuing resolutions are delaying funding, limiting new military construction starts, and increasing costs. The Washington Department of Veterans Affairs outlined a $3.2 million reduction from the governor’s budget and related cuts affecting internships, vacant positions, outreach travel, claims support contracts, counseling and wellness, veterans’ innovation assistance, and the military transition and readiness council staff position. WDVA said it is ending or scaling back several programs, including in-house nursing assistant training, the veteran farm at Ordean, Vet Corps due to AmeriCorps funding changes, and the tobacco cessation program, while noting that the legislature funded about $23.7 million in capital projects for veteran homes, cemeteries, and transitional housing. The Department of Commerce presented on the Defense Community Compatibility Account, which funds projects that reduce conflicts between military installations and nearby communities. The program currently has 10 projects across five legislative districts, including school and child care improvements, water wells, land acquisition, and a joint firefighting training center in Everett. The presenter said the main challenge is that DCCA projects often need non-state funding secured before they can compete, which can make it hard to leverage federal Defense Community Infrastructure Program dollars; he recommended more flexible state timing to help projects qualify for federal funding. In closing discussion, members raised possible future agenda items including child care near bases, veteran homelessness, suicide prevention, Navy Day, military family housing, and a possible Department of Licensing issue involving guard and reserve designations on driver’s licenses. No formal votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after members were invited to suggest topics for the October and December committee meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• recognized were given not just individual lands and requirements to settle, uh, Communities with private plots
• He took many of those individuals to court and extended their sentences severely for some of the plots

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, they separated me from you guys, and I feel like you're plotting against me sometimes.
• There's no plotting going on, Mr. Chair. Yeah, I'll take your word for it. What we know, you know.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate Appropriations HR Division met with all members present to review the medical services portion of the HHS budget. Sarah Aker, Executive Director of Medical Services, walked the committee through several budget items, including HCBS cost-to-continue adjustments, the DD bed assessment, expansion of value-based purchasing, targeted rate increases for home health and QSP services, and the cross-disability waiver. Members generally supported the targeted increases for home health and QSP, and Aker explained that the cross-disability waiver funding would support startup work, service design, and infrastructure ahead of a planned July 1, 2028 implementation. The committee spent significant time on rate-setting and provider payment issues. Members discussed ambulance rate rebasing, with several senators expressing concern that the proposed increase was too high relative to peer states; the committee ultimately moved toward reducing that item to $1 million rather than zero so it could be revisited in conference committee. They also discussed a House-added critical access hospital networking grant and similarly leaned toward reducing it to $1 million. Aker explained the department’s value-based purchasing plans, including use of a vendor selected through RFP, and clarified how the department’s existing Medicaid managed care and hospital value-based programs work. A major portion of the meeting focused on long-term care and basic care payments, including a House-added extension of the $5 per day basic care add-on and a proposed shift in nursing facility incentive grants toward a withhold-based model. Senator Mathern indicated he would bring an amendment to delay or modify the withhold change, and Aker said the department would prefer language that directly addresses whether a withhold may be implemented. Members also discussed 1915(i) services, FMAP changes, the Medicaid legacy system modernization carryover, and a House-added legislative intent section on medical assistance. The committee adjourned for the morning with plans to return later to continue Human Services budget work and revisit unresolved items in conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• because it was declassified last year when Austria worked with our community to make sure to expose a plot
• is through open sources, documented 59 incidents, including cyber attacks, spreading propaganda, plotting

Keywords: national security, cyber threats, civil liberties, transnational crime, FISA Section 702, public-private partnership, intelligence community, Annual Threats Hearing

Summary: The Senate Intelligence Committee convened for a significant meeting focused on the Annual Worldwide Threats Hearing. Prominent officials from various intelligence agencies presented their insights on emerging national security threats, including concerns over increasing cyber threats, particularly from China and non-state actors. A major discussion point included the balance between national security and civil liberties, as evidenced by conversations surrounding Section 702 of FISA and its implications for privacy protection. The challenges posed by cartels and transnational criminal organizations, especially related to narcotics trafficking, were emphasized as pressing issues necessitating coordinated responses from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. This meeting underscored the necessity of public-private partnerships to tackle these multifaceted threats effectively.

Transcript Highlights:

• Getting to more local info, and you know what I'm going to plot? Population as well.
• He said he wants to plot this on a map and begin doing some cross tabbing and analysis of where people
• > um<00:45:08.680> I<00:45:08.800> want<00:45:08.920> to<00:45:09.079> plot
• <00:45:09.359> this<00:45:09.480> on Masters are in um I want to plot this on Masters
• are in um I want to plot this on a<00:45:09.720> map<00:45:09.960> and<00:45:10.119>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's HB 2104 HD2 SD1, relating to island burial councils. I am present. Um, Tarnas is not excused.

Bills: SB2876, SB3253, SB2125, SB2781, HB549, HB1768, SB2053, SB2494, SB2851, SB3073, HB1678, HB1721, HB2475, HB2246, HB1667, HB1516, SB2532, SB3131, SB3154, HB2297, HB1737, SB2143, SB2398, SB2623, HB1740, HB1920, HB1682, SB2153, SB3140, HB1515, SB2835, HB2282, SB3083, SB2031, SB2519, SB2667, SB2140, SB2544, SB2069, SB2697, SB874, SB2043, SB888, SB2721, HB2152, HB1334, HB2385, HB1643, HB2314, HB1688, HB1692, SB2568, SB2983, SB2108, SB3136, HB1959, SB3156, HB1511, HB1753, HB1824, HB2137, HB1810, HB2279, HB2309, HB1548, HB2078, HB2293, SB3262, SB2169, SB2607, SB2964, SB3255, HB2576, HB1481, HB1864, HB1550, SB2818, SB3067, SB2061, HB1728, HB1881, HB2361, HB2395, HB1823, SB2050, SB2397, SB2175, SB2852, SB847, SB3001

Keywords: natural hair braiding, hair braiding, braids, braider, braiding license, cosmetology, barbering, barber board, Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, registration, licensure exemption, sanitation training, health and safety, hair extensions, cornrows, twists, locks, protective hairstyles, beauty industry, occupational licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• So what I hear you saying is if you've got direct burial cable that's going from the box, from the panel

Bills: HB1237, HB2663, HB3071, HB4384

Keywords: occupational licenses, renewal, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, registration, license expiration, HB 2663, inactive well, plugging extension, Railroad Commission of Texas, RRC, oil and gas, orphan wells, well cleanup, well plugging, abandoned wells, surface equipment removal, electric service termination, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, Section 89.029

Transcript Highlights:

• also includes, at the bottom of that table, striping, contract trucking, field supplies, and some burial

Transcript Highlights:

• Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and carry out a pilot program to furnish a headstone or burial
• as a borough in 1925, but its roots go back to 1850 when Squire Plymouth Beckwith laid out a town plot

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• rage and the rage, why do the nations rage and the rage, why do the nations rage and the people's plot
• in vain against the Lord people's plot in vain against the Lord people's plot in vain against the Lord

Bills: SCR 4, SCR 18, SCR 43, SB 227, SB 269, SB 330, SB 434, SB 437, SB 438, SB 463, SB 528, SB 584, SB 604, SB 663, SB 668, SB 682, SB 747, SB 841, SB 912, SB 968, SB 1013, SB 1020, SB 1044, SB 1137, SB 1138, SB 1143, SB 1164, SB 1169, SB 1200, SB 1236, SB 1244, SB 1299, SB 1325, SB 1335, SB 1369, SB 1410, SB 1418, SB 1422, SB 1455, SB 1468, SB 1495, SB 1534, SB 1579, SB 1580, SB 1612, SB 1624, SB 1667, SB 1734, SB 1745, SB 1746, SB 1760, SB 1784, SB 1860, SB 1862, SB 1864, SB 1896, SB 1898, SB 1920, SB 1940, SB 1952, SB 1998, SB 1999, SB 2004, SB 2032, SB 2052, SB 2068, SB 2073, SB 2121, SB 2127, SB 2141, SB 2145, SB 2161, SB 2167, SB 2196, SB 2207, SB 2216, SB 2246, SB 2323, SB 2332, SB 2395, SB 2429, SB 2431, SB 2439, SB 2443, SB 2581, SB 2601, SB 2629, SB 2702, SB 2705, SB 2717, SB 2798, SB 2873, SB 2881, SB 2964, SB 3034, SCR 4, SCR 38, SB 39, SB 227, SB 240, SB 330, SB 401, SB 407, SB 467, SB 506, SB 512, SB 527, SB 584, SB 618, SB 619, SB 636, SB 648, SB 663, SB 715, SB 732, SB 758, SB 801, SB 843, SB 847, SB 870, SB 957, SB 1013, SB 1020, SB 1065, SB 1152, SB 1164, SB 1181, SB 1183, SB 1257, SB 1283, SB 1299, SB 1325, SB 1349, SB 1395, SB 1433, SB 1455, SB 1490, SB 1558, SB 1574, SB 1624, SB 1626, SB 1640, SB 1717, SB 1718, SB 1727, SB 1734, SB 1756, SB 1757, SB 1789, SB 1832, SB 1845, SB 1868, SB 1920, SB 1924, SB 1964, SB 2004, SB 2018, SB 2031, SB 2037, SB 2052, SB 2073, SB 2075, SB 2080, SB 2111, SB 2117, SB 2154, SB 2161, SB 2196, SB 2206, SB 2253, SB 2268, SB 2322, SB 2323, SB 2349, SB 2533, SB 2540, SB 2570, SB 2623, SB 2626, SB 2658, SB 2660, SB 2692, SB 2705, SB 2717, SB 2722, SB 2742, SB 2743, SB 2753, SB 2788, SB 2877, SB 2900, SB 2920, SB 3031, SB 5, SB 260, SB 1786, SB 1, HJR 4, HB 135, HB 1109, SJR 36, SJR 50, SJR 63, SJR 84, SJR 59, SCR 12, SCR 39, SCR 38, SCR 4, SCR 18, SCR 43, SCR 46, SCR 48, SCR 19, SB 2023, SB 1257, SB 240, SB 1727, SB 870, SB 618, SB 62, SB 666, SB 847, SB 284, SB 854, SB 1073, SB 810, SB 1505, SB 583, SB 1502, SB 507, SB 1026, SB 1349, SB 1433, SB 1434, SB 1376, SB 1585, SB 1772, SB 2016, SB 1163, SB 619, SB 1122, SB 732, SB 731, SB 397, SB 508, SB 1436, SB 287, SB 261, SB 1882, SB 393, SB 1791, SB 529, SB 209, SB 2429, SB 1999, SB 511, SB 2309, SB 510, SB 1860, SB 2037, SB 1924, SB 2253, SB 2018, SB 2206, SB 1299, SB 841, SB 668, SB 584, SB 1085, SB 2431, SB 1490, SB 1868, SB 2314, SB 434, SB 2046, SB 1667, SB 2127, SB 1975, SB 1760, SB 1734, SB 1335, SB 2246, SB 2439, SB 1624, SB 1244, SB 1468, SB 2717, SB 1612, SB 1262, SB 604, SB 2395, SB 1832, SB 1745, SB 1746, SB 2207, SB 1784, SB 1524, SB 528, SB 437, SB 269, SB 1137, SB 968, SB 636, SB 747, SB 1325, SB 1455, SB 2056, SB 1940, SB 2052, SB 1579, SB 2068, SB 3034, SB 1920, SB 1558, SB 1236, SB 1044, SB 884, SB 463, SB 227, SB 517, SB 1200, SB 1410, SB 1626, SB 1845, SB 1863, SB 2216, SB 2681, SB 1717, SB 2141, SB 2323, SB 2200, SB 2332, SB 2199, SB 1757, SB 2050, SB 1138, SB 2458, SB 1864, SB 2201, SB 1862, SB 1055, SB 2660, SB 1898, SB 2662, SB 2161, SB 2964, SB 2881, SB 1065, SB 801, SB 2743, SB 2533, SB 2073, SB 3014, SB 3013, SB 2702, SB 2629, SB 2443, SB 2349, SB 2167, SB 2145, SB 2121, SB 758, SB 648, SB 647, SB 512, SB 438, SB 1721, SB 2268, SB 1495, SB 2705, SB 2366, SB 1422, SB 1369, SB 1013, SB 682, SB 2692, SB 2570, SB 2797, SB 2111, SB 1896, SB 1164, SB 1020, SB 663, SB 2371, SB 1152, SB 2196, SB 2383, SB 2581, SB 2798, SB 330, SB 646, SB 843, SB 1998, SB 1418, SB 2788, SB 1169, SB 2873, SB 1754, SB 1534, SB 1718, SB 2779, SB 2004, SB 1143, SB 1756, SB 912, SB 2119, SB 2032, SB 527, SB 1580, SB 1952, SB 2601, SB 2322, SB 2448, SB 1777, SB 1283, SB 407, SB 2392, SB 2076, SB 2786, SB 3031, SB 2877, SB 2876, SB 2284, SB 2225, SB 1540, SB 2920, SB 2929, SB 1395, SB 1972, SB 2540, SB 1183, SB 2742, SB 2595, SB 2217, SB 2117, SB 715, SB 2330, SB 1964, SB 1383, SB 500, SB 1640, SB 39, SB 2001, SB 2080, SB 2722, SB 506, SB 2514, SB 2623, SB 2658, SB 1574, SB 2900, SB 2753, SB 2398, SB 401, SB 1241, SB 2927, SB 2173, SB 2538, SB 898, SB 467, SB 1449, SB 2529, SB 1531, SB 2846, SB 2476, SB 2031, SB 986, SB 1181, SB 2075, SB 2154, SB 2864, SB 31, SB 2880, SB 1359, SB 2386, SB 771, SB 2844, SB 2550, SB 1351, SB 1423, SB 1931, SB 2245, SB 2589, SB 2707, SB 2807, SB 2351, SB 410, SB 659, SB 816, SB 2776, SB 2693, SB 2580, SB 1980, SB 1886, SB 1234, SB 739, SB 482, SB 456, SB 127, SB 1666, SB 2843, SB 2801, SB 800, SB 2055, SB 784, SB 2986, SB 735, SB 1012, SB 324, SB 2926, SB 2938, SB 2007, SB 2138, SB 1242, SB 843, SB 1152, SB 1164, SB 1299, SB 1349, SB 1868, SB 2037, SB 2349, SB 2788, SB 39, SB 1183, SB 1717, SB 1832, SB 2743, SR 429, SR 432, SCR 38, SB 39, SB 240, SB 618, SB 870, SB 1183, SB 1257, SB 1717, SB 1727, SB 1832, SB 2743, SB 2, SB 3058, SB 3059, HB 6, HB 14, HB 43, HB 100, HB 136, HB 149, HB 204, HB 206, HB 307, HB 467, HB 685, HB 1130, HB 1393, HB 1644, HB 2027, HB 2118, HB 2176, HB 2468, HB 2488, HB 2525, HB 2596, HB 2890, HB 2894, HB 3077, HB 3114, HB 3204, SCR 4, SCR 18, SCR 43, SB 269, SB 330, SB 434, SB 437, SB 438, SB 463, SB 528, SB 604, SB 663, SB 668, SB 682, SB 747, SB 841, SB 912, SB 968, SB 1020, SB 1044, SB 1138, SB 1143, SB 1236, SB 1244, SB 1325, SB 1335, SB 1369, SB 1418, SB 1422, SB 1455, SB 1468, SB 1495, SB 1534, SB 1579, SB 1580, SB 1612, SB 1624, SB 1667, SB 1734, SB 1745, SB 1746, SB 1760, SB 1784, SB 1860, SB 1862, SB 1864, SB 1896, SB 1898, SB 1920, SB 1940, SB 1952, SB 1998, SB 2032, SB 2052, SB 2068, SB 2073, SB 2121, SB 2127, SB 2141, SB 2145, SB 2161, SB 2167, SB 2196, SB 2207, SB 2216, SB 2246, SB 2323, SB 2332, SB 2395, SB 2431, SB 2439, SB 2443, SB 2581, SB 2601, SB 2629, SB 2702, SB 2705, SB 2798, SB 2873, SB 2881, SB 2964, SB 3034, SB 227, SB 584, SB 1013, SB 1137, SB 1169, SB 1200, SB 1299, SB 1410, SB 1999, SB 2004, SB 2429, SB 2717, SB 3058, SB 3059, HB 6, HB 14, HB 43, HB 100, HB 136, HB 149, HB 204, HB 206, HB 307, HB 467, HB 685, HB 1130, HB 1393, HB 1644, HB 2027, HB 2118, HB 2176, HB 2468, HB 2488, HB 2525, HB 2596, HB 2890, HB 2894, HB 3077, HB 3114, HB 3204

Keywords: Pflugerville, Trail Capital, health and wellness, outdoor recreation, community connectivity, patriotism, town designation, community engagement, Trophy Club, Texas Town of Patriotism, Port Aransas, Mustang Island, Fishing Capital of Texas, Texas fishing, coastal tourism, charter fishing, deep-sea fishing, bay fishing, pier fishing, angling

Transcript Highlights:

• The only thing I heard on there for Vernon was the burial.
• Vernon—in fact, it was 85, 90%—were not into just being... ...were not into just being, having this burial
• The only thing I heard on there for Vernon was the burial.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SCR 27 by Eckhardt, authorizing the burial of Guy Herman in the State Cemetery.
• SCR 27 by Eckhardt, authorizing the burial of Guy Herman in the State Cemetery. Mr.
• This is a resolution authorizing or recommending the burial of Probate Judge Guy Herman in the State

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, heard the invocation and pledges, and then took up a series of memorial resolutions and recognitions. Members adopted memorial resolutions honoring former President Jimmy Carter and Dr. Alice Gail Hudgens, with remarks highlighting their public service and community impact, and adopted resolutions recognizing Victoria College’s 100th anniversary and May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month. The chamber also recognized Texas A&M system interns and later granted permission for several committees to meet while the House was in session. The House then moved through a long third-reading calendar, passing a number of bills on wide margins. Measures approved included SB 304 on municipal court jurisdiction over nuisance abatement ordinances, SB 608 on reporting evidence collection kits, SB 2312 creating a Texas Advisory Committee on Geopolitical Conflict, SB 494 creating a petroleum theft task force, SB 530 on postsecondary accreditation, HB 45 giving the Attorney General a role in prosecuting human trafficking cases, HB 35 on peer support for first responders, HB 47 and HB 3073 on sexual assault policy and prosecution, HB 318 and HB 3000 creating rural sheriff and ambulance grant programs, HB 554 on Juneteenth fireworks sales with county opt-in authority restored, HB 705 and HB 932 joining licensure compacts for cosmetology and occupational therapy, HB 849 allowing county park boards to meet by video conference, HB 1119 on mental health bed reporting, HB 3041 on students with nontraditional secondary education, HB 713 on maternal mortality review reporting, HB 3104 on Webb County bailiff appointments, HB 3970 on electricity planning for large loads, HB 4042 on Railroad Commission safety provisions for gas distribution pipelines, HB 4490 protecting next-of-kin information, HB 1731 on the physician assistant compact, HB 2607 on Walker County Hospital District governance, HB 3689 on Texas Windstorm Insurance Association funding, HB 1788 on continuing education for barbers and cosmetologists about abuse and trafficking, HB 1612 on hospital direct payments for uninsured patients, and HB 138 on health impact cost and coverage analysis. Several bills drew extended debate or amendments. HB 353, creating a trespass offense near schools and daycares, prompted questions about constitutional concerns and property rights before passing. HB 3211 on optometrists in managed care plans received a perfecting amendment and a Medicaid-related amendment setting a minimum payment level. HB 1056 on gold and silver specie and a state-based currency prompted detailed questioning about its mechanics and fees, followed by a point of order challenging the caption. The House also adopted or postponed a number of items, including postponing HB 2520 and HB 1359 until later in the calendar before later passing both, and laying several bills on the table subject to call. Many measures passed overwhelmingly, while a few, including HB 3326 on loan forgiveness for adjunct professors and HB 3237 on energy consumption goals, passed with narrower margins.

Transcript Highlights:

• aged, Greenland provided them with goods and services, including firewood, medical assistance, and burials
• Hampshire, and now she rests in Greenland in a grave that is cared for by a Greenland family. and burials
• . and burials.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• because of that rotational grazing practice, that farm specifically had a better system of grass on that plot
• specifically had a better system of grass<01:00:43.760> on<01:00:44.079> that<01:00:44.400> plot
• Um,<01:00:45.599> and<01:00:45.839> so<01:00:46.000> that's grass on that plot
• Um, and so that's grass on that plot.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 219, which would revise the renewable portfolio standard by changing several class definitions, eliminating Class 2, lowering the utility obligation for Class 1 thermal renewable energy certificates from 2.2% to 1.7%, and adjusting alternative compliance payments. Representative Vose said the bill would save ratepayers an estimated $5.7 million annually, arguing that Class 2 is already saturated and that the changes would not materially affect renewable energy development. Members questioned the fiscal impact, with an amended fiscal note cited as showing a $1.2 million reduction in general fund revenue, and some members raised concerns that the bill could weaken one of the remaining incentives for renewable investment. The committee also reviewed the bill’s history, including that it had been added to HB 2 and then removed in conference committee. No vote was taken in the work session. The committee then heard House Bill 164, concerning local records retention and the creation of a local records manager position. Secretary of State David Scanlan testified that the position has existed in statute for years but has never been funded, and said the need has grown as records management has become more digital and ADA accessibility has become more important. He described the bill as a way to help towns preserve and digitize records, especially for smaller communities with limited resources, while keeping records locally when possible. Members asked about the fiscal note, the potential cost of a public website and storage system, and whether the state could start by funding the position alone; the secretary said the staffing cost estimate remained accurate but that storage costs could rise over time. Several members expressed support and suggested further discussion with the Department of Information or other agencies. The work session was then closed without action. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 365, which would provide proof of U.S. citizenship assistance for indigent voters. Secretary Scanlan said the bill is intended to help voters comply with the new voter registration documentation requirements by allowing the state to verify eligibility through federal, private, and other state databases, and by providing vouchers to cover the cost of obtaining documents such as birth certificates. He compared the proposal to the earlier voter ID law, which he said was successfully implemented with accommodations for voters lacking acceptable ID. Members asked how “indigent” would be defined and how the process would work for out-of-state-born applicants; the secretary said indigency would likely be based on a voter’s statement of inability to pay and that the state would help identify where to obtain records and, if necessary, verify them through outside databases. The discussion continued as the transcript ended, with no vote recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Originally, it was a 60-acre plot. Now I own 50 and he has 10 acres.
• c> a<00:03:49.400> 6<00:03:49.760> 60<00:03:50.200> acre<00:03:50.560> plot
• <00:03:50.920> now<00:03:51.120> it's originally was a 6 60 acre plot now it's originally
• was a 6 60 acre plot now it's um<00:03:52.319> I<00:03:52.560> own<00:03:52.920> 50

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard Senate File 59, authored by Senator Green, which would require counties to locate and restore original public land survey monuments and related boundary markers. Green argued that newer GIS/GPS-based surveys have sometimes shifted long-established property lines, creating disputes for landowners, counties, and state agencies. He described examples involving his own property and constituents, including a case where a neighbor allegedly lost access to a well and septic system after a new survey and another where a landowner was told he was farming school trust land based on a newer plat reference. Testimony in support came from Allan Roger Olen, who said a newer survey changed his family’s property lines and created a dispute over land, a building permit, and ownership of well and septic systems. Senator Green also said county plat books are not legally binding and that the bill is intended to force counties to find original monuments before more disputes arise. Committee members raised concerns from the Association of Minnesota Counties about the bill’s timeline, funding, and requirement that counties employ a land surveyor. Green responded that counties had already been told to hire surveyors in some disputes, acknowledged the funding concerns, and said he would look for funding sources while emphasizing protection of property rights. A committee member who teaches surveying explained that adverse possession is a real legal doctrine in Minnesota and noted that restoring all monuments would cost far more than the $10 million already appropriated, estimating the total need at about $300 million. Phil Reigns of the Minnesota Society of Professional Surveyors testified that the Public Land Survey System underlies Minnesota’s land tenure system, that the original monuments were set mostly between 1850 and 1908, and that surveyors aim to restore them as accurately as possible using historical records and modern tools. He said the work is expensive because many counties lack staff surveyors and must hire consultants. Members discussed whether the bill would create boundary conflicts or authorize counties to alter lines, and Green said his intent was to restore original monuments and avoid litigation. Co-Chair Lang moved that Senate File 59, as amended, be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Judiciary. The motion prevailed on a voice vote. Afterward, the committee began receiving an overview from the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs.

Transcript Highlights:

• the size of the bridge, the geographical elements around the bridge, and also even tribal issues on burial
• It takes, you know, how many actual... ...tribal issues on burial grounds.

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The committee first received an informational update on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project from Carly Francis and Travis Brower. They described the project’s purpose as improving seismic resilience, safety, freight movement, transit, and bicycle/pedestrian access across the Columbia River, and said the updated cost estimate is $13.2 billion to $14.4 billion for the full corridor. They explained the increase from the 2022 estimate as driven by construction inflation, a more conservative inflation curve, schedule delays, more detailed engineering, and risk modeling. They also outlined the funding plan, including $2.1 billion in federal funds, $1 billion each from Oregon and Washington, and $1.5 billion in projected toll revenue, and said they are working to obligate federal funds by the end of September. The panel described a first funded phase that would include the bridge, highway connections, tolling infrastructure, bridge removal, and transit design, with light rail to Vancouver still intended but dependent on additional funding. Members questioned the risk of losing federal transit funds, whether bridge design decisions were being made with legislative input, and whether the space reserved for light rail could be used for buses if transit funding does not materialize. The committee then heard testimony on maintaining Oregon’s existing roads and bridges from representatives of Knife River, the Asphalt Pavement Association of Oregon, and CRH. Witnesses said pavement and bridge preservation is severely underfunded, with ODOT needing about $400 million per year for pavement preservation but receiving roughly $100 million annually. They showed examples of deteriorating highways such as U.S. 97 and I-84 and argued that delaying maintenance leads to much higher reconstruction costs, more safety risks, and higher user costs. Knife River described layoffs and reduced work in Oregon because of limited preservation funding, while witnesses also said rising wages, equipment costs, fuel, and permitting delays are increasing project costs. Committee members asked about the role of prevailing wage, diesel equipment, hauling distances, and whether preservation work could be prioritized more effectively. Finally, economist Joe Cortright presented on recent ODOT megaproject cost overruns. He said Oregon has experienced persistent overruns driven by overly optimistic revenue forecasts, heavy reliance on debt, consultant costs, inflation above forecast, and projects that have become much larger in scope than originally presented. He cited major increases in the Interstate Bridge, Rose Quarter, and Abernathy Bridge projects and argued that some designs are far wider and more expensive than necessary. Cortright said better accountability, clearer priorities, and more disciplined project sizing are needed, and committee members pressed him on why agencies proceed with larger designs even when consultants recommend narrower, less expensive alternatives.

Transcript Highlights:

• submit an application for an exemption from ad valerum taxation for certain property used for human burial
• Simply put, HB 2723 will protect our sacred and historical burial grounds from wrongful foreclosures.

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:

• But I think no two people in this room, elected or unelected, would plot that on a graph at the exact
• No two people would plot it in the same place.

Transcript Highlights:

• whether it's a shopping mall or a school or a prison, built 50 years ago, might not necessarily be plotted
• in an area that is enjoying or suffering huge population growth. ...be plotted in an area that is enjoying

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum and took up several education bills. SB 1150, by Senator Calatayud, was presented as a measure to help school districts retain school social workers by removing an exam requirement unrelated to the profession. With no questions or debate, the committee voted the bill favorably. The committee then moved to SB 1514, by Senator Smith, on anaphylaxis response in public schools. After adopting a delete-all amendment and a late-filed amendment clarifying FDA-approved epinephrine devices and weight-based dosing, the committee heard support from Orange County Public Schools and reported the bill favorably. The most extensive discussion centered on SB 1708, also by Senator Calatayud, which would expand Schools of Hope by broadening the definition of low-performing schools from those in the bottom 10% in both math and reading to those in the bottom 10% in either subject, and would authorize co-location of Schools of Hope in underused public school facilities. Senators questioned how co-location would work, who could enroll, how liability and contracts would be handled, and whether the bill would help the specific students most in need. Many public speakers opposed the bill, arguing it would strain already underfunded public schools, reduce space and resources, and unfairly favor charter operators. The sponsor said the bill would not reduce classroom space in use, would require contracts to address safety and liability, and would provide a net positive to districts through a $600-per-student facility payment plus associated funding. After debate from both supporters and skeptics, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also considered CS for SB 822, by Senator Rodriguez, which would give charter schools more autonomy over governance and operations, including deadlines, enrollment caps, student conduct policies, and data sharing. The Florida Charter School Alliance supported the bill, arguing it would create parity and reduce burdens on charter schools, while committee members pressed the witness on claims of district “harassment” and the basis for those concerns. The bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. At the end of the meeting, members recorded votes on prior tabs, thanked staff, and adjourned.