Transcript Highlights:

• Missouri does well.
• Well, I'm thinking about it.
• Well, but even going back, Well, but even going back, did we not participate in some way in the initial
• It would be hard for me to imagine that, well, I mean, 600..." "...me to imagine that, well, I mean,
• Well, or just... MTC in general?” “Yes.

Summary: The House Budget Committee heard the Department of Economic Development’s fiscal year 2027 budget presentation, beginning with Director Michelle Hadaway and division leaders. The department emphasized that most of its budget is federally funded and walked through requests for regional engagement, international trade and investment offices, business recruitment and marketing, Delta Regional Authority dues, business and community solutions, tax increment financing, MODESA, DRPP, CDBG, disaster recovery, Missouri Main Street, AmeriCorps, Missouri One Start, the Missouri Technology Corporation, semiconductor and API reshoring efforts, SSBCI, and other economic development items. Members repeatedly asked about lapses, one-time appropriations, whether general revenue could be reduced or replaced with other funds, and how the department prioritizes federal and other non-GR sources. Several members also praised regional engagement, Missouri Partnership, and rural economic development efforts. A major portion of the discussion focused on specific one-time or performance-based projects. Members questioned the large GR transfer for TIFs and MODESA, the use of funds for the Urban League plaza renovation, the Northeast Missouri housing fund, the Highway MM corridor, and the Missouri Technology Corporation. Department witnesses explained that many of these amounts are based on projected performance or are tied to multi-year obligations, and that some unspent balances reflect project timing, federal reimbursement timing, or delayed construction. The committee also discussed the Missouri Main Street program, with staff explaining it supports both new and existing Main Street communities and can be adapted for county-wide models. The committee spent significant time on workforce and innovation programs. Missouri One Start described its customized training and upskilling programs, including a statutory fund switch to align with existing law, while members asked for more data on participation and impact. Missouri Technology Corporation explained that reduced funding last year limited some entrepreneur-support programs, and that its venture fund has leveraged state dollars into private capital and jobs. Members also discussed the API reshoring item and semiconductor funding, asking what the money would do, what companies would benefit, and how much federal leverage the state could expect. Witnesses said the API request supports a nonprofit center working with existing Missouri companies to reshore pharmaceutical production, while the semiconductor item is tied to federal matching opportunities that have moved slowly. The committee did not take final action on the budget during the portion of the hearing provided. The chair recessed the committee to go to session, stating that the hearing would resume afterward and that public testimony on House Bill 2007 would follow completion of the department presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you for the presentation.
• Some of these projects are probably ARPA projects as well.
• The energy safety corridor goes through the backyard as well.
• Oh, well, you got to go back where you're at.
• But we do issue those letters, and other tribes do as well.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, this is a...
• Well. I just want to be clear.
• Well, you know, you could...
• Well, you keep saying we fixed it. Well, what I'm saying is— Ron, Ron, we disagree.
• Well, I'm not sure.

Bills: HB4 , HB 4

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I mean, do they get the same dosage?
• Well, no, you said that multiple times.
• Well, that's not what we're talking about.
• Well, what is the proper policy response to that?
• I suppose, well, you know what? They're probably...

Bills: HB25 , HB48 , HB149 , HB254 , HB26 , HB192 , HCR3 , HCR4 , HCR5 , HCR6 , HCR8 , HCR14 , HCR16 , HR1 , HR2 , HR3 , HR4 , HR6 , HR7 , HR8 , HR9 , HR12 , HR11 , HR13 , HR14 , HR15 , HR16 , HR20 , HR22 , HR23 , HR24 , HR25 , HR26 , HR27 , HR28 , HR29 , HR30 , HR31 , HR32 , HR33 , HR45 , HR48 , HR49 , HR51 , HR52 , HR55 , HR56 , HR57 , HR59 , HR60 , HR61 , HR62 , HR63 , HR64 , HR65 , HR66 , HR70 , HR71 , HR72 , HR74 , HCR2 , HCR7 , HR10 , HR21 , HR35 , HR36 , HR37 , HR38 , HR39 , HR40 , HR42 , HR43 , HR44 , HR46 , HR47 , HR50 , HR53 , HR54 , HR67 , HR69 , HR75 , HCR 5 , HCR 6 , HCR 8 , HCR 14 , HCR 16 , HR 1 , HR 3 , HR 4 , HR 6 , HR 7 , HR 8 , HR 9 , HR 12 , HR 11 , HR 13 , HR 14 , HR 15 , HR 16 , HR 20 , HR 22 , HR 23 , HR 24 , HR 25 , HR 26 , HR 27 , HR 28 , HR 29 , HR 30 , HR 31 , HR 32 , HR 33 , HR 45 , HR 48 , HR 49 , HR 51 , HR 52 , HR 55 , HR 56 , HR 57 , HR 59 , HR 60 , HR 61 , HR 62 , HR 63 , HR 64 , HR 65 , HR 66 , HR 70 , HR 71 , HR 72 , HR 74 , HCR 7 , HR 10 , HR 21 , HR 35 , HR 36 , HR 37 , HR 38 , HR 39 , HR 40 , HR 42 , HR 43 , HR 44 , HR 46 , HR 47 , HR 50 , HR 53 , HR 54 , HR 67 , HR 69 , HB 25 , HB 48 , HB 149 , HB 254 , HB 26 , HB 192

Keywords: ivermectin, pharmacist authority, prescription-free, healthcare regulation, patient access, HB 48, Texas alert notification systems, emergency alerts, public warning systems, alert fatigue, notification fatigue, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Department of Public Safety, DPS alerts, emergency management, State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, STEAR, disaster notifications, weather alerts, Amber Alert

Transcript Highlights:

• Well again, Mr.
• Well, yes.
• Oh, no, well, no.
• Yeah, well, that's the same as true in federal buildings as well, too.
• Well, again, thank you, Mr.

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:

• Well, thank you.
• Well, thank you. I'm already over time. It's amazing.
• Well, I certainly had a role in it.
• Well, I'd like to tell you, Senator.
• Well, that's not true. Well, here's how it looks.

Committee: Senate Finance Committee

Keywords: tariffs, Trump administration, economy, public testimony, trade policy, market access, export controls

Summary: The meeting focused on various significant topics concerning the recent tariff policies and their wide-ranging implications on the American economy. Members expressed their concerns regarding the negative impact of increased tariffs as proposed by the Trump administration, with specific emphasis on how families might suffer from higher costs and market access issues. The discussion was lively, with members questioning the clarity of the tariff plan and raising concerns about its potential effects on small businesses and American exports.

Transcript Highlights:

• Happy birthday as well.
• We're being charged for those as well.
• Well, we still have pay phones. You do.
• Well, we require a really good staff.
• My team is investigating as well.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held its sixth public hearing on the Governor’s FY27 H-2 budget proposal, focused on public safety and judiciary agencies, at the Foxborough Community Center. After opening remarks and local welcomes, the committee heard testimony from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), led by Secretary Gina Kwan, who described the $1.72 billion budget as a 4% increase over FY26 and emphasized readiness, local partnerships, and support for core operations rather than expansion. She highlighted ongoing work on firearms-law implementation, State Police academy reforms, DOC’s new strategic plan, disaster response, hate-crime prevention, and planning for major 2026 events including the World Cup, Marathon, and America’s 250th anniversary. Members also raised concerns about State Police capacity, DNA backlog reporting, academy boxing/training reforms after a trooper’s death, ICE coordination, diversity in public safety leadership, the disaster relief fund, crime lab funding, reentry programming, and whether OEMS should move from DPH to EOPSS; Kwan said she would keep an open mind on some issues but was not ready to commit to an OEMS transfer. The committee then questioned EOPSS officials and the State Police colonel on several operational matters. The colonel said the academy boxing program remains suspended and likely will not return in its prior form, pending an IACP review, and that future training will likely emphasize jujitsu-style control techniques. He also said the State Police uses the civil service exam, with current advancement scores ranging from 83.72 to 98.78 for the most recent class, and acknowledged the need to improve recruitment, preparation, and diversity. On the DNA and sexual assault kit backlog, EOPSS said it supports extending the statute of limitations and is working with the courts and crime lab to identify and collect lawfully owed DNA. On disaster preparedness, officials said the new disaster relief fund is being developed with MEMA and A&F, is currently capitalized at $14 million with another $14 million expected, and should be designed to respond flexibly to different regional needs. They also said the crime lab increase is largely to cover core operations and a structural deficiency rather than expansion. Several members focused on public safety coordination and staffing. Questions from legislators from Bristol, Plymouth, Cape Cod, and elsewhere stressed the need for State Police to absorb additional forensic work if county resources shift, and to maintain strong communication with local chiefs and federal partners. Rep. Holmes pressed EOPSS on racial and gender diversity in the department and State Police; Kwan and Colonel Noble said diversity has improved but will take time to show up in senior leadership, and they pointed to internships and hiring practices as ways to broaden the pipeline. The hearing also included discussion of the World Cup security plan, with Kwan saying planning has been underway for about 18 months through 14 working groups and that current staffing and overtime resources appear sufficient for now. After EOPSS concluded, the committee recessed briefly and then began testimony from district attorneys, led by Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden, who said prosecutors are seeking a 10% budget increase to address staffing and salary pressures, especially the widening pay gap between assistant district attorneys and newly hired public defenders after recent CPCS funding increases.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's a big change as well.
• </c> introduce himself and speak as well. introduce himself and speak as well.
• Well, they cannot. They're not.
• Well,<00:57:20.280><c> the</c><00:57:21.280><c> in</c> Well, the in Well, the in section<00:57:23.280
• Well, anybody as for in section two, Well, anybody as for in section two, correct?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up an amended bill, sponsored by Rep. Lily Walsh, aimed at requiring certain foreign principals involved in New Hampshire real estate transactions to file an affidavit electronically with the Department of Justice. Walsh explained that she revised the proposal after the first hearing by limiting it to leases longer than 14 days, removing notarization, allowing electronic filing, shortening notification timelines, and clarifying that lessors or agents would not have to verify the affidavit’s truthfulness. She asked the committee to recommend the bill ought to pass with amendment and also noted a technical correction to use “real estate licensee” rather than “realtor.” The main opposition came from a real estate practitioner on the committee, who argued the bill was burdensome, could create discrimination concerns, and would place real estate professionals in an improper enforcement role. He also questioned the bill’s practical effect and pointed to existing federal CFIUS procedures as a better mechanism for handling foreign investment concerns. Several members echoed concerns about whether the state had authority to regulate in this area, whether the bill would actually stop bad actors, and whether it could be enforced without discriminatory impacts. Representatives from New Boston Space Force Station testified in support, saying the legislation was critical to national security because proximity to the installation could allow adversaries to observe operations or interfere with radio frequency communications. They argued federal processes were too slow or ineffective and that state action could better push hostile actors away from the base. Committee members questioned the technical basis for the 10-mile buffer, whether it would really help, and why federal agencies were not handling the issue. No vote was taken during the exchange shown in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:36.480><c> it</c> the state of Minnesota as well it the state of Minnesota as well it recognizes
• Well, the commission is newer.
• Well, you don't.
• well used but that have been well-loved well used but have<00:55:09.400><c> come</c><00:55:09.640><c
• used, and that they work out well.

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And so you can assess that as well. There may be times where parties That as well.
• Well, actually, I was prompted.
• Well, do you... Just please don't ask me about oil and gas. Well, do you have an opinion? I do not.
• Well, actually, I will step back.
• “Class consolidations help us with that as well.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee first handled several routine items, approving two governor appointments not required to appear: Armin Meyer to the Division of Consumer Financial Protection and Uca Danka to the California State Lottery Commission. The committee also approved referral of bills to committees, a Rules waiver request to suspend SR 55 for guest access on the Senate floor on April 6, and floor acknowledgments, with each action passing 5-0. The committee then heard from Arania Ortega, appointed to the Public Employment Relations Board. Members asked about her background at CalHR and the Department of Finance, her approach to board decision-making, recusal rules, the status of AB 288, PERB’s caseload and backlog, ride-share enforcement, and the legislative employees’ unionization process. Ortega said PERB currently has no backlog, is preparing for possible new workloads, and has recusal procedures that would automatically exclude her from certain state employee and child care cases for one year. Public testimony supported her appointment, and the committee voted 5-0 to move her nomination to the full Senate. The committee also heard from Monica Erickson, nominated to lead the Department of Human Resources. Questions focused on state labor negotiations, CalPERS, recruitment and retention, telework, discipline and HR training, DEIA efforts, hiring pipelines, degree requirements, veteran hiring, return-to-office implementation, and the gender pay gap. Erickson said CalHR has reduced the vacancy rate from 20% to 17%, is expanding recruitment tools and class consolidations, is working on a skills-matching tool and career counseling, and has helped reduce the gender pay gap from 21.1% in 2013 to 12.2%. Public witnesses spoke in support, and the committee approved her nomination 5-0 to advance to the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, they fixed that.
• It’s true nationally as well.
• Well, they fixed that.
• I think that was really well done.
• Well, home houses...

Committee: Senate Energy And Telecommunications

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications met under Chair Senator Kevin Parker and considered several bills related to clean energy, transmission, storage, schools, and microgrids. Bill 1456, which would require certain watercraft, aircraft, and trains to be zero-emissions and direct NYSERDA studies and incentives, was discussed as technology-neutral and advanced with one no vote to the Finance Committee. Bill 286, increasing statewide energy storage capacity, drew concerns about battery safety, fire risk, and volunteer fire department training, but was advanced to the floor with two no votes. Bill 2482, the Go Green Schools Act, would let schools convert to renewable energy and keep savings for school operations; it advanced to the floor despite concerns about siting solar on school grounds. Bill 2485 on expanding electric transmission lines and Bill 5510 directing NYSERDA to develop microgrid recommendations were both advanced to the Finance Committee, each with one no vote. The committee then heard testimony from Marguerite Wells, executive director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York. She argued that wind, solar, storage, and transmission have made New York a leader in clean energy and said renewable energy is increasingly cost-competitive, with much of recent bill increases driven by grid upgrades and gas prices rather than renewables. She also said clean energy helps hedge against volatile fossil fuel prices, pointed to community solar and offshore wind as savings and reliability tools, and said the state’s permitting and interconnection processes have improved. Members questioned Wells about farmland use, decommissioning, recycling of solar and wind equipment, battery storage safety, local control, and misinformation. Wells said utility-scale projects require decommissioning plans and financial assurances, farmland must be restored under agricultural guidelines, and recycling capacity is developing. On battery storage, she said New York has rigorous codes and monitoring requirements, that not all storage is lithium-ion, and that state-level permitting is appropriate for large facilities. Several senators raised concerns about fires, contamination, winter performance, and siting projects in densely populated areas or on farmland, while others emphasized farmland protections and the value of renewable projects to host communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• not have to come back after that as well.
• Well, thank you for that.
• That could be a piece of it as well.” “That could be a piece of it as well.
• Well, and that's fine. What I'm trying to do is... ...they're working on as well.
• Well done. Thank you all.

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• online spaces, not well.
• Well, I was just going to say, no.
• Well, you know, I'm happy to take that.
• I don't know if I said that well, but...
• Can I have it in my 40s as well?

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, there's a lot of things.
• So anyway, um well, Right. Right. Right. So anyway, um well, thank<00:21:02.240><c> y'all.
• Well, that's fine. Just when Yeah. Okay. Well, that's fine.
• So um yeah.<00:37:40.560><c> Well,</c><00:37:40.880><c> yeah,</c> yeah. Well, yeah, yeah.
• Well, I might. don't have that. Well, I might.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 409, 28 January, 2026; 1:30 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The point of order is not well taken.
• Well, the bill in Congress outlines that.
• Well, the answer is no.
• And that was completely simple as well.
• Well said. Okay, all right.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by a 117-1 vote. Members then spent a large portion of the morning introducing guests, including students, civic groups, fraternity and sorority members, county officials, and visitors from various districts. The Speaker also suspended business several times to sign enrolled bills, including Senate substitute for House Bill 261, House Bill 2641, Senate substitute for House Bill 2423, and House Bill 2934. The chamber then debated House Concurrent Resolution 48, which urges Congress to pass the SAVE Act requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote. Supporters argued it would protect election integrity and prevent non-citizens from voting, while opponents said it would create burdens, function like a poll tax, and disenfranchise eligible voters, especially women, rural residents, students, military members, and people who move or change names. After a motion for the previous question passed 93-42, the House adopted HCR 48 by a vote of 92-43. The House also passed House Concurrent Resolution 23, a federalism resolution affirming state control over elections, by a unanimous 137-0 vote after committee leaders said it had broad bipartisan support. The House then perfected and printed House Bill 2855, which adjusts workers’ compensation fund tax increments from 0.5% to 0.1% to better match receipts with expenditures; an amendment allowing replacement of attorneys in long-running permanent total cases was adopted first. Members also perfected and printed House Bill 1906, a short bill allowing township counties to authorize annual, semiannual, or quarterly payment of real and personal property taxes by ordinance. The session ended with announcements and a motion to recess until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• , I mean QRTPs, as well as any of your treatment facilities as well.
• DCS is doing really well on placing with kin.
• We work with Collaborative Safety well with well over 40 jurisdictions across the United States, not
• We do well with well over 40 jurisdictions across the United States, not just in child welfare, but also
• Well, what went bad, what needs to improve.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on the Department of Child Safety

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that was, we were well aligned.
• they'll do well in.
• The last couple are just wellness.
• We're really committed to making sure that people are well, that they're well from every standpoint that
• Last couple are just wellness.

Committee: All TASK FORCE ON AUTISM

Summary: The committee heard presentations on three Arkansas programs serving students and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. University of Arkansas representatives described the Empower Program, a non-degree, four-year inclusive postsecondary program for young adults with mild intellectual disabilities, and the Autism Support Program, which provides intensive academic, peer, and career coaching for degree-seeking students with autism. They explained the programs’ person-centered planning, residential and employment supports, fee structure of $5,000 per semester for each program, and scholarship/fundraising efforts to offset costs. Members asked about dorm arrangements, mentoring, individualized plans, and how students move in and out of support services, and the presenters emphasized independence, integrated campus life, and transition planning. Pulaski Technical College staff then presented the 3D program, a three-year transition program in culinary, baking, and hospitality for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They outlined integrated classes, internships, job placement outcomes, and data showing strong completion and employment retention rates. Questions focused on how success is measured, tuition and financial aid, and the challenge of securing community partners for practicum and employment sites. The presenters said the program uses rubrics that include technical and professional skills, charges $5,700 per semester, and is pursuing accreditation through the Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council. The final presentation was from SLS Community, a Fayetteville nonprofit serving neurodivergent adults through residential supports, supported employment, and community initiatives. Leaders described their vision for a future mixed-use “live-work-play” development at Cato Springs, current residential and vocational services, and community events such as a 5K and a neurodiversity health care conference. Family members testified about the need for adult services, trained direct support professionals, and better reimbursement and behavioral health supports after age 21. No formal votes were taken beyond approving the prior meeting minutes, and members also announced upcoming autism-related events and requested future discussion on task force appointments and ABA-related issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, here's... Well, again, their current research and development funding isn't based on FTE.
• Well, here's... Well, again, their current research and development funding isn't based on FTE.
• There's no goal of, well, we think this will happen over time.
• Well, I mean, yeah, I'd say your comments are well taken.
• Well, somehow right now, Well, somehow right now, Missouri State University is running a Doctor of Physical

Committee: House Utilities

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, those are too expensive. And so I'm going to look at this really close.
• Well, here's... Well, again, their current research and development funding isn't based on FTE.
• Well, here's per FTE. Well, here's...
• There's no goal of, well, we think this will happen over time.
• Well, I mean, yeah, I'd say your comments are well taken.

Committee: House Utilities

Summary: The committee spent most of the meeting discussing a proposed overhaul of Missouri’s higher education funding model, centered on shifting core funding toward an FTE-based formula. The chair and vice chair argued the current system is outdated and inequitable, saying the new approach would better align state dollars with student enrollment and workforce outcomes. Several members supported the need for change but raised concerns about the speed of implementation, the lack of advance consultation with universities, and the possibility that some institutions could face severe budget cuts, accreditation problems, or even closure. Community college representatives were noted as unanimously opposing the recommendation, and members repeatedly asked for clarification on whether graduate programs would be counted at 9, 12, or 15 credit hours, with no definitive answer provided during the meeting. Testimony and comments focused heavily on the consequences for specific institutions and programs. Some members warned that the proposal could hurt schools with expensive programs such as nursing, engineering, doctoral study, research, and specialized missions, while others argued that institutions should be rewarded for producing graduates who are in demand in the workforce. Truman State, Harris-Stowe, Missouri State, and several community colleges were discussed as examples of schools that could either gain or lose substantially under the model. The chair and vice chair said the proposal was not intended to force consolidation, but several members said the size of the cuts could indirectly lead to consolidation or closure and would require a phase-in to avoid harming students. After the higher education discussion, the committee moved through other budget items. The chair described cuts and restorations in several areas, including removing easement funding at the Department of Revenue, adding hearing officers for the State Tax Commission, restoring some MODOT requests, and shifting interest earnings from I-70 and I-44 project funds back to general revenue. Members also asked about Bartle Hall funding, a Bolivar road project, and new language restricting personal-service spending unless appropriations explicitly allow it. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided; the chair indicated the committee would continue moving through the budget items and follow up on unresolved questions with the department.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I'll just say and then we'll go forward.
• Well, thank you.
• Let me ask about this Facebook group as well.
• , the taxes as well.
• Well, apparently we don't.

Committee: Senate Finance Committee

Keywords: Customs and Border Protection, Rodney Scott, border security, asylum, transparency, Hernandez Rojas, migrant treatment, public testimony

Summary: The meeting centered on the nomination of Rodney Scott to serve as the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Throughout the session, various senators expressed concerns regarding CBP's recent practices, including issues related to border security and the treatment of migrants. Questions were raised about Scott's involvement in previous incidents, particularly surrounding the controversial death of Mr. Hernandez Rojas while in custody, which sparked a heated discussion about accountability and transparency in current border policies. Senators emphasized the importance of balancing efficient border security with humane treatment of individuals seeking asylum.