Transcript Highlights:

• Both the Caldwell County Commissioners Court and the Lockhart City Council unanimously passed resolutions
• Thank you, Madam Chair and members for the opportunity to lay out House Joint Resolution 58.
• This resolution would allow the Texas...
• I'm Zinovia Joseph, testifying in opposition to House Joint Resolution 58.
• There's a resolution from 2023, which says since 2005, the city of Austin encouraged transit-oriented

Bills: HJR58, HJR63, HB263, HB542, HB905, HB 1288, HB1402, HB2003, HB2262, HB2323, HB2429, HB2876, HB3019, HB263

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, elderly, retirement, benefits, transit-oriented projects, constitutional amendment, state highway fund, funding allocation, voter approval, highway fund, funding, public transportation, transit projects, transportation, local transit, fund allocation, voting rights, election integrity, ballot access

Transcript Highlights:

• > 103<00:17:50.559> by Senate Joint Resolution number 103 by Senate Joint Resolution number
• > 110<00:18:00.400> by Senate Joint Resolution number 110 by Senate Joint Resolution number
• > 114<00:18:26.160> by Senate Joint Resolution number 114 by Senate Joint Resolution number
• 18:43.679> by<00:18:44.000> Senator joint resolution number 115 by Senator joint resolution
• Have a resolution. Clerk, say the resolution.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we are here today for that resolution.
• we are here today for that resolution.
• I think that uh having a resolution I think that uh having a resolution saying<02:13:31.360>
• <02:16:56.760> further<02:16:57.160> discussion resolution further discussion resolution
• <02:19:23.479> does government so what this resolution does government so what this resolution

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• right, like anything else in this world, there's always room to negotiate and talk and come to a resolution
• 53:06.760> a to negotiate and talk and come to a a to negotiate and talk and come to a a resolution
• thank<03:53:07.880> you<03:53:08.199> yep<03:53:08.880> representative resolution
• thank you yep representative resolution thank you yep representative pateni<03:53:09.720> you

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held a hearing on HB 566, which would require permit applications for new landfills to include a detailed leachate management plan. The bill sponsor said the measure was prompted by recent reporting on leachate problems at New Hampshire landfills, including alleged violations at a Bethlehem facility and deficiencies at other sites, and argued the bill is meant to improve public health protections without dictating specific treatment methods or hindering innovation. The sponsor also said the proposal was developed with input from the Department of Environmental Services (DES) and industry representatives, and that a forthcoming amendment would revise the bill’s language to better fit the permitting process. The sponsor explained that the amendment would move several requirements out of the contract section and into the planning section, change references such as “permit for construction” to “operating approval,” include landfill expansions, and remove language that could be read as requiring long-term contracts. Questions from members focused on whether the bill would create enforceable consequences if a plan is not followed, whether it would limit operators’ flexibility, and whether existing DES rules already cover the subject. The sponsor said enforcement details should be addressed by DES and emphasized that the bill would not lock operators into any particular contract or technology. The Business and Industry Association testified in opposition to the bill as introduced, saying it appeared unnecessary because DES already regulates leachate through existing rules, including Env 806.53, and has authority to update those rules as technology changes. The witness argued that putting the requirements into statute could freeze the regulatory framework, create conflicts with future rulemaking, and make it harder for DES to respond quickly to new treatment methods or operational issues. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• time-sensitive resolution. time-sensitive resolution. >> Any<00:14:46.240> objections?
• <00:16:09.440> to adoption and ask for the resolution to adoption and ask for the resolution
• Clerk now reading the resolution.
• Clerk now reading the resolution.
• All in favor of the resolution say I. >> All opposed? The resolution is adopted.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As you can imagine, we don't know what that will be yet since we are in a continuing resolution, and
• we've kind of gotten our little chunks of funding through the continuing resolution period.
• um through the continuing resolution um through the continuing resolution period<00:37:00.319>
• and then once Congress uh resolution and then once Congress uh decides<00:37:12.000> on<00:37
• They still are not at resolution, and it's about finding a resolution and it's about finding a solution

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard from the Personnel Appeals Board, which explained that it became an independent state agency after Senate Bill 487 and was presenting its first standalone operating budget. The board described its quasi-judicial role in hearing appeals from classified state employees over disciplinary actions such as warnings, suspensions, and terminations, and said it handles about 25 to 35 cases a year, with some cases lasting longer because of their complexity. Members also outlined the need for a chair and vice chair who are attorneys, the board’s current staffing and space needs, and its plan to move away from reliance on Administrative Services for office support and website functions. The board requested about $353,500 for fiscal year 2026, including startup costs, routine operating expenses, and two new part-time positions: a program director and a paralegal. Members said the budget reflects the new independent status, includes funding for only four board members rather than the authorized five, and is designed to avoid full-time staffing costs and benefits. Legislators asked about the cost per case, the board’s relationship to DAS, whether appeals must go through the board before court, and how often cases are appealed further. The board said appeals must first go through it, that court appeals are infrequent but have increased recently, and that the board’s process is intended to resolve disputes more quickly and less expensively than court litigation. Committee members also asked about the board’s caseload, outcomes, and staffing. The board said that in the prior year there were 22 cases, with four decisions overturned in favor of employees, nine dismissals, and nine settlements, and that many disputes are resolved before reaching the board through a multi-step internal process. A member noted the governor and council had recently approved a new board member and were expected to approve a fifth soon. The discussion ended with questions about the board’s website and records access, which members said would need to be moved from Administrative Services as part of the agency’s transition. The committee then moved to the New Hampshire Council on Developmental Disabilities. The executive director explained that the council is 100 percent federally funded under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act and develops a five-year plan to address the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She said the council works with state agencies and advocacy organizations on quality-of-life issues, accessibility, voter rights training, and plain-language or easy-to-read materials, and that 60 percent of its membership must be individuals with disabilities or family members/guardians. She also described the council’s funding structure, including reimbursement to the state for operating costs, and noted that it currently has three full-time and three part-time positions, with no new positions requested but one full-time position being eliminated and replaced after a pandemic-era staffing change did not work out as planned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I had a motion to make under motions and resolutions, if I may. I turned it into the desk.
• Uh, simply it says that if we can't come... resolutions if I may.
• I turned it into resolutions if I may. I turned it into the<00:14:23.519> desk.
• President, at some point we're going to need this resolution.
• We have worked all session long in bipartisan form to try and find a resolution for motions with this

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Carries out HJR 175 as recognized on that bill, on that resolution. Well, again, Mr.
• Members, questions on the House Joint Resolution? There is one individual.
• Well, we're real close to getting a resolution passed in this chamber. It's made it through.
• Resolution. I signed on to his resolution. Right. Just put it in the Texas Constitution.
• That's what we're trying to do with this bill or resolution. Senator Nichols.

Bills: HB106, HB144, HB145, HB252, HB1732, HB2221, HB2467, HB2468, HB2517, HB2518, HB2963, HB3016, HB3689, HB3960, HB4386, HB4490, HB4751, HB5247, HJR175, HB2213, HB106, HB144, HB145, HB252

Keywords: HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund, production safety, leasehold operations, electric utility, distribution poles, inspection

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, and Senate Joint Resolution 25. 27 anyway so this is a cost one way or 27 anyway so this is a cost
• Senate Joint Resolution 25 deals with providing our farmers with an efficient manner of doing business
• <00:25:59.120> 25 members um senator joint resolution 25 members um senator joint resolution
• All right, so we have a motion on the resolution from Senator Givens.
• All right, so we have a motion on the resolution from Senator Givens.

Keywords: Due to a technical issue in the room, the quality of the stream will be diminished. We apologize for the inconvenience. Meeting start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:02:00 SB 61 Discussion Only 00:03:25 SB 13 Discussion Only 00:07:19 SJR 25 Discussion 00:25:33 SJR 25 Vote 00:28:40 SB 61 Discussion Only 00:29:44, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 61, relating to swimming pools, but initially had no representative from the governor’s office or cabinet available to explain the fiscal estimate. Senators questioned why the executive branch’s estimate was $4.25 million to $8.5 million while the committee’s internal fiscal note showed little or no impact. When Department for Public Health staff later joined, they explained their estimate was based on a roughly $85,000 cost for a large outbreak investigation, using a 2014 outbreak as a benchmark, and said the bill could increase workload and outside laboratory costs if private swimming pools became more common as rental properties. They reported 822 waterborne cases in 2024, with 8 tied to private swimming pools, and later corrected an earlier figure to 14 private-pool-related investigations over five years. Senators pressed on the discrepancy between those numbers and the projected 50 to 100 incidents, and staff said the higher figure was a ballpark estimate. The discussion also clarified that private pools are generally excluded by definition, while pools held out for rent may be treated as public pools under current definitions. No vote on SB 61 was taken in the portion provided. The committee then heard Senate Bill 13, concerning the reprocurement of managed care organizations for Medicaid. Department for Medicaid Services officials said the bill would require work on a new RFP, system changes, and oversight improvements, and estimated the cost at $2.8 million based on prior procurement spending of about $2.5 million in 2018-2019, with a 10% growth adjustment. They explained that the work is administrative and therefore matched at 50/50 federal-state funding, not the 80/20 rate used for benefits, and said the expense would be incurred whether the bill passed or not if the state proceeded with an RFP. Senators discussed possible savings from reducing the number of MCOs from five to three, but agency staff said those savings were hard to quantify and that provider and member disruption could create offsetting costs. The committee later moved on to Senate Joint Resolution 25, which would ask the Revenue Department to report on the cost of issuing farmers a wallet-sized tax-exempt card instead of a paper certificate. The resolution was adopted by roll call, with all members present voting aye, and it was reported favorably to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a resolution that I'm going to read in its entirety because I think she is worthy of that.
• I have a resolution that I'm going to read in its entirety because I think she is worthy of that.
• So with that, I'm going to read the resolution honoring Ms. Lori McDonald.
• Resolution is adopted. Thank you. Mr. Chair, if I may speak, please. Members, thank you so much.
• This is a request to review the proposed new resolution. Office of State Technology.

Summary: The Arkansas Legislative Council met and first adopted the previous meeting minutes, then honored Lori McDonald of the Department of Human Services for nearly 28 years of state service. Members read a resolution recognizing her legislative, constituent, and leadership work at DHS, and the council adopted it unanimously. McDonald thanked members for their support, and the Senate also presented her with a citation, a flag flown over the Capitol, and a commemorative coin. The council then received the May 2026 revenue report, which showed gross adjusted collections of $7.76 billion year-to-date, up 4.4% from the prior year, and net available for distribution of $6.36 billion. The Bureau of Legislative Research noted collections were running above last year and that the updated forecast reflected a surplus. The Executive Subcommittee report was adopted after members were told it had approved captive insurance premiums and deductibles, a claims administration contract, emergency DHS rules, waiver requests, committee fund allocations, and the cancellation of the regular July ALC meeting in favor of only meeting for urgent matters. Several subcommittee reports were then adopted, including Administrative Rules, Game and Fish and State Police, Hospital/Medicaid/Developmental Disabilities, Lottery Oversight, Occupational Licensing Review, Peer Review, Review, State Insurance Programs Oversight, and Personnel. During the Administrative Rules discussion, members questioned the Department of Education about delays and vendor performance under the ClassWallet contract; department officials said they were meeting regularly with the vendor, keeping expense review in-house, and would consider other options if needed. In Personnel, the Department of Commerce clarified that a reallocation request was part of a broader departmental realignment and shared services move, not the Arkansas Workforce Connection waiver. The council also reviewed and took action on several communications, including filing retirement system investment summaries as reviewed, approving rural community grant funding, giving favorable advice for state park acquisitions/expansion, approving special maintenance funding for state parks, and filing proposed Office of State Technology service rates as reviewed before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a resolution that I'm going to read in its entirety because I think she is worthy of that.
• I have a resolution that I'm going to read in its entirety because I think she is worthy of that.
• So with that, I'm going to read the resolution honoring Ms. Lori McDonald.
• Resolution is adopted. Thank you. Mr. Chair, if I may speak, please. Members, thank you so much.
• This is a request to review the proposed new resolution... Office of State Technology.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members remaining in the motions and resolutions, we revert to the third order of business.
• Members, remaining in the motions<00:17:22.000> and<00:17:22.160> resolutions,<00:17:23.439
• > we<00:17:23.679> revert<00:17:24.000> to motions and resolutions, we revert to
• motions and resolutions, we revert to the<00:17:24.319> third<00:17:24.559> order<00:17
• the bill is passed and its title agreed to. >> [clears throat] >> Remaining on the motions and resolutions

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate was called to order under a call of the Senate, then proceeded to House File 3426, a natural resources bill appropriating money from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. The House message reported adoption of the conference committee report, and Senator Her explained that the conference version was similar to the House bill but did not include a proposed grazing rotation amendment or the provision related to taking children to the Boundary Waters. He said the report instead included a two-year expiration for a community grant capped at $2 million and a 12-member approval requirement for certain emerging account grants, with the bill reduced from 109 to 108 projects and totaling a little over $102 million. Senator Green said the conference committee reforms were good but he still could not support the bill because of the amount of spending and the value of some projects. Senator Her then gave closing remarks thanking conferees and staff, expressing disappointment that the fiscal agent requirement remained, warning it could burden smaller grant recipients and small-town nonprofits, and noting that 83% of Minnesotans had approved the trust fund amendment. He urged that the fund not be used as a political bargaining tool and asked for support. The Senate adopted the conference committee report and then took final passage on House File 3426. The roll call showed 46 ayes and 19 nays, and the bill passed with its title agreed to. The Senate also took House File 3067 from the table, gave it a second reading, and placed it on the general orders calendar. The chamber then adjourned until Friday, May 15 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair lays out Senate Joint Resolution 4.
• Improve joint resolutions that allow us to send up to $100 million to the Texas University Fund.
• All right, so is there anyone else wishing to testify for or against Senate Joint Resolution?
• I close, and at this time, House Joint Resolution. Senate Joint Resolution 4 will be left pending.

Bills: SJR4, SJR 4

Keywords: economic stabilization fund, state finance, constitutional amendment, budget management, financial security, term limits, state offices, governor, lieutenant governor, election reform, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• same with the following resolution same with the following resolution resolved<00:55:54.480>
• following resolution resolved that is<01:52:33.520> inexpedient<01:52:34.159> to<01:52
• resolved that it is following resolution resolved that it is inexpedience<02:44:57.920> to<02
• following resolution resolved that is<05:14:33.920> inexpedient<05:14:34.480> to<05:14
• Report the same with the following resolution: resolved, that it is inexpedient to legislate.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rausch, has presented resolutions, which the clerk will read. By Ms.
• Rausch, resolutions congratulating the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection on the 50th
• The question now comes on adoption of the resolutions. All those in favor say aye.
• The ayes have it, and the resolutions are adopted. The Senate being in brief recess.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted an order declaring the First Middlesex District seat vacant following the death of Edward J. Kennedy, with a precept issued for a special election on March 3, 2026. The chamber also adopted a resolution congratulating the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection on its 50th anniversary and observed a moment of silence in memory of Mary O'Connor Blancher, with remarks honoring her service as an educator and longtime Sturbridge public servant. The Senate then advanced several local and special legislation items, generally by unanimous consent and voice vote. These included bills on residency limits for Wells police and fire personnel, a Boston police age waiver for Antonio Perez, additional liquor licenses for Palmer, cemetery-related and treasurer-payment matters in Norton, increasing the Lanesborough select board, bond-related legislation, and a Quincy telecommunications revenue bonds bill that was amended with a new draft before being engrossed. The chamber also considered Massachusetts Water Resources Authority service bills for parcels in Sharon, adopting emergency preambles and passing them to engrossment, and a bill removing Hull from regional commissions on the status of women. The Rules Committee reported several matters for immediate consideration, including suspensions of rules and Joint Rule 12 for certain Senate petitions. The Senate also adopted a special order governing future consideration of House No. 4615, the fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill, setting deadlines and procedures for amendments and requiring immediate third reading and engrossment after amendment. The session closed with remarks recognizing Diwali and wishing the clerk a happy birthday, followed by adjournment to meet again on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. in formal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Motions and resolutions.
• Motions<00:07:23.440> and<00:07:23.960> resolutions.
• <00:07:24.960> There<00:07:25.199> are Motions and resolutions.
• There are Motions and resolutions.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• First order of business today will be Senate Resolution 125 by Senator Alon.
• This resolution asks the Navy to expedite the program. Happy to answer any questions. All right.
• Senator Talbot moves that we report Senate Resolution 125 favorably.
• Seeing no objection, Senate Resolution 125 is reported favorably. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• the way that they... ...with your local officials to really try to reach a resolution.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the next question is, should we create a resolution in the Senate to Congress? Thank you.
• And the next question is, should we create a resolution in the Senate to Congress instead of, you know
• Should we create a resolution in the Senate to Congress instead of, you know, going this route with this
• I think passing a statute is as strong a resolution as we can send to Congress to let them know that
• advocated, going back two years in this process, exactly what the chairman was talking about: strong resolutions

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum present and heard four bills. CS/SB 150, by Senator Gates, would make it a third-degree felony to abandon a restrained animal during a declared weather emergency, such as a hurricane or tornado, and was presented as “Trooper’s Law” in response to a widely publicized rescue of a dog during Hurricane Milton. The bill drew supportive public cards and brief supportive remarks from Senator Boyd, then passed unanimously and was reported favorably. SB 374, by Senator Truenow, would refine the definition of farm product to include plant and plant products and bar local governments from adopting ordinances that limit the collection, storage, and processing of farm products on bona fide agricultural land. An amendment was withdrawn to allow further discussion on food waste issues. Speakers from composting, recycling, and poultry interests supported the bill, and it was reported favorably. SB 560, by Senator Martin, would restrict certain chemical additives in food products. The sponsor said the bill targets 10 chemicals he believes are harmful, noted that two have already been banned by the FDA, and argued Florida should act rather than wait for federal action. Industry and retail witnesses opposed the bill as creating a patchwork of state rules, raising costs, and disrupting supply chains, while some senators said they supported the bill for now but expected further changes. The committee reported the bill favorably, with Senator Rouson voting no. SB 572, the Pam Rock Act by Senator Collins, would create a statewide dangerous dog registry, add criminal penalties for certain dangerous-dog attacks, and require permits, microchipping, spay/neuter, and $100,000 liability insurance for dangerous dogs. The sponsor and the Rock family described severe attacks and deaths involving dangerous dogs and argued the registry would help protect the public. Some senators questioned the registry’s usefulness, the amount of information collected, and insurance availability, but the bill passed and was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Item Number Six, Introduction of Resolutions. Mr. Clerk, are there any resolutions for action?
• Madam Speaker, there are no resolutions for action. May all others be referred to print?
• Item Number Six, Introduction of Resolutions. Mr. Clerk, are there any resolutions for action?
• Madam Speaker, there are no resolutions for action. May all others be referred to print?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• right, like anything else in this world, there's always room to negotiate and talk and come to a resolution

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held a hearing on HB 566, which would require permit applications for new landfills to include a detailed leachate management plan. Representative German introduced the bill and explained that it was prompted by recent reporting on leachate management problems at New Hampshire landfills, including alleged violations and deficiency letters from DES. He said the bill was intended to address public health concerns, PFAS contamination, and increased leachate volumes tied to more severe rainstorms, while still allowing innovation in treatment and transportation methods. He also described a set of proposed amendments developed after discussions with DES and a landfill operator, including changing “permit for construction” to “operating approval,” applying the bill to landfill expansions, moving contract-related language into the planning section, and removing a proposed new subparagraph. Committee members asked whether the bill would limit operator flexibility or duplicate existing DES rules. Representative German said the bill would not dictate specific treatment methods or lock operators into long-term contracts, but would require a plan showing how leachate will be managed, transported, and disposed of, with later contract changes reported to DES. Several members and the BIA representative questioned whether the bill was necessary given existing Env 806 rules and DES enforcement authority. The Business and Industry Association opposed the bill as introduced, arguing that DES already has rules and technical expertise, that the issue is better handled through rulemaking, and that moving requirements into statute could freeze the framework and make future adjustments harder. Supporters countered that a statute would provide a stronger, more durable policy commitment in response to ongoing problems. No vote or final committee action was taken during the hearing. The discussion ended with the bill still under consideration and with the sponsor indicating that a revised amendment would likely be brought forward for later work session or executive session review.