Transcript Highlights:

• And it looks at standards. Different protocols have a different number of standards.
• It looks at standards. Different protocols have a different number of standards.
• There are standards.
• The international standard, which is widely accepted around the world, is a standard The international
• standard, which is widely accepted around the world, is a standard called ISO-27001.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Members from both parties emphasized education as a major issue, while several Republicans framed the committee’s work around school choice and parent empowerment. Senator West and other Democrats stressed protecting public schools, listening to Texans, and considering the effects of vouchers or education savings accounts on school districts and communities. Chairman Creighton laid out Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, describing it as a universal education savings account program modeled on similar programs in other states. He said the bill would provide about $200 million for a universal eligibility pool and additional funding for students with disabilities and lower-income families, with priority weighting for former public school students. He also highlighted anti-fraud measures, vendor pre-approval, criminal background checks, cybersecurity protections, annual testing requirements for participating students, and the use of the Comptroller rather than TEA to administer the program. Creighton repeatedly said the bill is not a voucher and argued it would not take money from public schools, which he said would receive separate historic funding increases. Members questioned Creighton about the 500% of federal poverty line definition, the adequacy of the $10,000 ESA amount, whether the program would favor students already in private school, how microschools and homeschool pods would fit, and whether the bill protects religious liberty and private-school autonomy. Democrats raised concerns about disability protections, 504 students, foster children, public-school funding, open records, and the historical context of vouchers. Republicans generally supported the bill as a way to expand options for parents and students, while also asking about administration, fraud prevention, and data security. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, with EdChoice President Robert Inlow presenting in support of SB 2 and citing the growth and reported success of school choice programs nationwide.

Transcript Highlights:

• optional a standard deduction, right? optional a standard deduction, right?
• In the case of changing that standard deduction from 25,500 to standard deduction from 25,500 to standard
• But I do know the standard has the case. But I do know the standard has the case.
• been the standard for all of uh has been the standard for all of these years.
• They haven't. that standard for that? They haven't. that standard for that?

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> bienium this be included in the standard bienium this be included in the standard budget. budget
• . standards. standards.
• </c> in their standard budget. in their standard budget.
• </c> prohibitions in the standard budget. prohibitions in the standard budget.
• </c> their standard budget. their standard budget.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That standard isn't about wages pay.
• </c> civic education to a standardized civic education to a standardized checklist,<01:05:58.880><c>
• For those implementing standards.
• This higher standard is necessary.
• This higher standard is world. This higher standard is necessary. necessary. necessary.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , or civic standards.
• , or civic standards.
• , or civic standards.
• , or civic standards.
• , or civic standards.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this process of getting a standard so that whether I get a ticket, which I don't want to get one,
• in Winchester or I get it in Virginia Beach, that the Commonwealth has set a standard.
• adjudicated in the subcommittee was around those sort of things: we've got to set a precedent and standard
• class of folks who can do this certification, if I received one of these citations... has set a standard
• Because right now there's no training, there's no standardized training, so how, who do they question

Keywords: House Committee Room B, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, this bill requires the Professional Educator Standards Board's ongoing review of approved teacher
• and principal preparation programs to include the following components: program standards, educator
• role standards, evidence submitted by programs, and input from community constituents and pre-kindergarten
• This is requiring the Professional Educator Standards Board to actually review on an ongoing basis those
• approved teacher and principal preparation programs and to particularly pay attention to program standards

Summary: The House Education Committee met in executive session to consider several Senate bills. On Substitute Senate Bill 5242 concerning anaphylaxis medication in schools, staff described the underlying bill as expanding school authority to administer epinephrine and related protections, and a striking amendment by Representative Marshall was adopted after a technical correction to fix an albuterol reference. Members spoke in support of broader access to life-saving epinephrine in schools, and the bill was reported out with a do pass as amended recommendation by a 19-0 vote. The committee also advanced Substitute Senate Bill 5346 on student use of mobile devices in public schools. An amendment sponsored by Representative Santos was adopted to update terminology, adjust reporting timelines, and clarify that districts may limit possession and use of mobile devices during instructional hours while considering OSPI research and recommendations. Supporters said the bill balances local flexibility with guidance to reduce classroom disruption and bullying; it passed 17-1 and was reported out as amended. Substitute Senate Bill 5841, which strengthens high school and beyond plan requirements related to financial aid information, was amended to add College Bound Scholarship identification and more explicit review of financial aid application completion. Members supporting the bill said it would help students understand scholarship and grant opportunities and improve college-going rates, though one member noted the added burden on school counselors. The committee also passed Substitute Senate Bill 6268, requiring OSPI to keep a freely accessible 20-year online record of final special education complaint decisions, and Senate Bill 6278, which codifies ongoing review of teacher and principal preparation programs by the Professional Educator Standards Board. Both bills were reported out unanimously, and the committee adjourned after reminding members about amendment deadlines for future executive sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• with some of the courses that we teach for CTE and beyond, that is met in accordance with state standards
• that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards
• If it isn't inappropriate according to state standards, which are virtually non-existent.
• In this, we have struck out 'in accordance with state standards.'
• And I think that state standards, when I read that, that could almost give me an opportunity where you

Summary: The committee first considered RS 33-117, a proposal from Rep. Levitt to give charter school enrollment priority to children of school founders, siblings, foster children, and then active-duty Title 10 military families. Members moved to introduce the bill, and the committee approved introduction by voice vote. The next item was House Bill 599 on digital curriculum funding. Rep. Raymond said the bill would change the program from first-come, first-served grants capped at $50,000 per district to a needs-based process administered by the State Department of Education. Superintendent Critchfield described a scoring rubric focused on underserved and rural districts, alignment with reading/math/college-and-career goals, implementation and evaluation plans, prior funding history, and sustainability. Some members questioned how “need” would be defined and worried the criteria were too discretionary. A motion to send the bill to the floor was replaced by a substitute motion to hold the bill in committee until a date certain, and the committee agreed to hold HB 599 until the 19th. The committee then heard House Bill 516, a cleanup bill related to last year’s law restricting classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity. Rep. Hawkins and a lobbyist supporting the bill said the measure would remove leftover language from the earlier version and clarify that the K-12 restriction was intended to be broad. Opponents, including Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, argued the bill would erase age-appropriate discussion of LGBTQ topics and create vague censorship concerns. Idaho Family Policy Center supported the bill, saying schools were not complying with the prior law. Members raised questions about possible effects on CTE and health-related courses, parental opt-in rules, and legal conflicts with existing code. After testimony and discussion, the committee voted to send HB 516 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are educators who were previously certified in Florida and already met state standards.
• education requirements are newly completed and the teachers are still held to the Florida academic standard
• nbsp; 372 THESE ARE EDUCATORS WHO WERE PREVIOUSLY CERTIFIED&nbsp; IN FLORIDA AND ALREADY MET STATE STANDARDS
• nbsp; ARE NEWLY COMPLETED AND THE TEACHERS ARE STILL&nbsp;&nbsp; 381 HELD TO THE FLORIDA ACADEMIC STANDARD
• THE THIRD, THE BILL CORRECTS A REFERENCE&nbsp;&nbsp; 382 HELD TO THE FLORIDA ACADEMIC STANDARD.

Summary: The Pre-K-12 Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered three bills. HB 157, School Teacher Training and Mentoring Program, would create a Department of Education program allowing school districts and charter schools to place current or retired high-performing teachers in D- or F-rated schools as mentors, with a proposed $3,000 stipend per mentor per mentee. Members questioned the funding source and contract-time implications; the sponsor said the program would use previously decategorized education funds and that mentoring could be done within existing planning, before-school, after-school, or weekend time. An amendment clarifying that the bill would use a contract template rather than a DOE contract was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard CS/HB 859, Exceptional Students and Video Cameras in Public Schools, which would require school boards to adopt policies for video cameras in self-contained ESE classrooms upon a parent request, with redaction of other students from footage. Public testimony strongly supported the bill, including emotional accounts from a parent of a nonverbal adult with autism who described past abuse in a classroom and from the Autism Society of Florida, which argued cameras are a necessary safety measure for vulnerable students and noted other states already allow or require them. Members emphasized student safety and the need to fund the policy, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered HB 561, Educator Certification, which aims to reduce barriers for experienced educators returning to the classroom by expanding temporary certificate eligibility to those with expired Florida certificates, allowing prior subject-area exam results to count for reinstatement, and updating references related to educator professional learning support. The sponsor said the bill preserves standards while making reinstatement more efficient and less costly. There was broad support from members, who noted the value of retaining experienced teachers, and HB 561 was also reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So for the purposes of this bill, meeting the standard of removing the strict liability, the Department
• That is a current standard in this state, and I'm just trying to bring parity to that.
• I very much look forward to the visa legislation you're going to file to upend the buyer-beware standard
• Further question... ...standard in the state. It will be a riveting debate. Further questions?
• haven't seen what the compelling state interest was initially that created the strict liability standard

Summary: The State Affairs Committee opened with a tribute to the late Representative Joe Casello, with remarks from the chair and Ranking Member Eskamani honoring his service, especially his advocacy for first responders, veterans, and working people. The committee then turned to its only bill, HB 167, which would remove strict liability for certain previously mined phosphate lands if the landowner notifies the county and requests a Department of Health radiation survey. The sponsor said the bill is intended to create a voluntary process, add data about the land, and provide notice through the public record and title process. Members asked extensive questions about who pays for the surveys, how notice would reach future buyers, whether the bill affects renters or construction workers, and whether it would impact pending lawsuits. The sponsor said the landowner would pay for the survey needed to remove strict liability, plaintiffs would pay for surveys in litigation, the bill does not address OSHA or rental disclosures, and it would not apply retroactively to current cases because the complaint must include a survey. Supporters argued the bill simply replaces automatic liability with recorded notice and due diligence, while opponents said it could leave families and renters without adequate warning and should include stronger disclosure protections. Public testimony was in support from the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Associated Industries of Florida, and one individual. After debate, the committee voted 18-8 to report HB 167 favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• The current habeas standards are very clear.
• The standard that this bill seeks to achieve to implement is fair. It is reasonable.
• It's a standard, the prejudice standard that we apply in Strickland v. Washington.
• , officer accountability standards.
• Training, certification, use-of-force standards, officer accountability standards — you know, I truly

Summary: The committee began without a quorum and heard several bills in subcommittee format. AB 1546, which would increase penalties for repeat DUI offenders by allowing a third DUI within 10 years to be charged as a wobbler, requiring a fifth DUI to be a felony, and lengthening ignition interlock and license revocation periods, drew strong support from law enforcement and district attorney groups and opposition from public defenders and reform advocates who argued the bill would further criminalize substance use and mental health issues. No vote was taken because there was no quorum at the time. AB 1595, aimed at standardizing post-conviction procedures for wrongful conviction claims and clarifying courts’ authority to consider new evidence, was supported by innocence and public defender organizations and opposed by district attorneys, who said existing habeas law is already clear and that the bill would add complexity and burden courts. AB 292, which would impose mandatory jail time for repeat felony domestic violence offenders within seven years, was supported by sheriffs, prosecutors, probation officers, and local governments, but opposed by domestic violence survivor advocates and public defender groups who warned it would not deter abuse and could criminalize survivors and divert resources from services. AB 1816, allowing courts to extend probation up to one additional year for sex offenders who have not completed required treatment, drew support from probation and law enforcement groups and opposition from public defenders and civil liberties advocates concerned about longer supervision, technical violations, and barriers such as poverty and treatment access; the committee later took a roll call and passed the bill 3-1, with one member not voting, sending it to Appropriations. After quorum was established, the committee also passed AB 1627, which would bar people with misconduct in immigration enforcement from becoming California peace officers, and AB 1927, which would create a misdemeanor for falsely impersonating a bail agent to solicit bail, both on due pass motions to Judiciary/Appropriations as amended. AB 1854, a shield-law measure expanding protections for reproductive and gender-affirming health care providers, patients, and related businesses from out-of-state legal process, was supported by the Attorney General’s office and reproductive rights groups and opposed by anti-abortion and family policy organizations; it was moved on a due pass motion to Judiciary. The committee then heard AB 1872, which would make repeat adult swatting offenses a felony/wobbler and require restitution for property damage, with support from law enforcement, prosecutors, and civil liberties advocates and opposition from public defenders and justice reform groups who argued the bill would not deter conduct and could disproportionately affect people with mental illness or undocumented status. A motion to advance AB 1872 was made, but the transcript cuts off before any final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• So consider a reporting category like a grouping of standards.
• In the top left, you see our North Dakota content standards.
• It's most likely due to that standard-setting process.
• We know it's too tough because of the standard-setting process.
• I'll obviously explain to him how standard setting works.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> question um we follow auditing standards question um we follow auditing standards on<00:12:28.440
• </c> and it is considered the gold standard and it is considered the gold standard for<00:15:04.240><
• </c> them I agree they're the gold standard them I agree they're the gold standard and<00:18:25.080><
• </c><00:20:13.400><c> of</c> government to the highest standards of government to the highest standards
• </c> on Election Day the the sort of standard on Election Day the the sort of standard uh<01:14:37.159

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so if we make the technical corrections in Seasonal Communities, which is a pretty standard, right
• That's pretty standard operating procedure up here.
• That's pretty standard operating procedure up here.
• That's pretty standard operating procedure up here.
• That's pretty standard operating procedure up here.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held a hybrid hearing on two bills: H. 5447, a home rule petition concerning the Town of West Tisbury’s affordable housing trust fund, and H. 5317/H. 5314, relating to condominium conversion or partition of co-owned two-unit buildings. Chair Richard Haggerty and Senate co-chair Julian Cyr opened the hearing and explained the format, including three-minute testimony limits and a July 31 deadline for written testimony. Peter Harrington testified in support of updating the partition law so courts could use condominium conversion when dividing co-owned property. He said the current law is rooted in medieval-era rules and can hinder preservation of middle-class housing, especially where a two-family home might otherwise be sold and redeveloped. He argued the change would give judges a modern tool to preserve existing housing stock and noted the issue arises in some partition cases, though not every day. Laura Silber testified for West Tisbury in support of H. 5447, saying the town wants its affordable housing trust fund expanded to serve households up to 180% of area median income and to support seasonal-community workforce needs, including public sector essential workers. She said the town and Martha’s Vineyard Commission also support broader seasonal-community housing tools and a future local option transfer fee. Senator Cyr questioned whether the home rule petition was necessary given the Seasonal Communities law, and Silber responded that the petition was a short-term measure while technical fixes and a pooled year-round housing trust are developed. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended with adjournment after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• at a hearing earlier this month, a shift to either permanent daylight savings time or permanent standard
• While I know there are strong opinions on this issue, whether daylight saving time or standard time,
• My amendment Young 1 proposes making standard time permanent.
• start their day in darkness supported by the American Academy of Sleep medicine moving to permanent standard
• Actually, the voters of Texas decide whether Texas will be under Standard Time or Daylight Savings Time

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the standard by doing this.
• </c><00:50:57.080><c> to</c> wage ordinances or labor standards to wage ordinances or labor standards
• </c><00:58:52.280><c> in</c> be able to to meet the the standards in be able to to meet the the standards
• </c> Standards Division. Standards Division.
• </c> works in our division of labor standards works in our division of labor standards in<01:10:08.800

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:08.440><c> and</c> of interest standards and of interest standards and statute<00:10:10.680
• </c><00:14:48.480><c> uh</c> expense and to provide a standard uh expense and to provide a standard uh
• </c> which would be sort of the gold standard which would be sort of the gold standard in<00:32:38.600
• fees and assessments, creating standardized fines and fees and assessments.
• fees and assessments, creating standardized fines and fees and assessments.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But anyway, 750 has been our aquatic standard from, I believe, 1967.
• Is it a federal standard or is it a state standard?
• So I've got my standards person back there at Tate, Libinau.
• As evidence of that, the NRCS has a different standard.
• apply that 99 standard retroactively.

Summary: The committee met for its third interim meeting, approved the prior meeting minutes, and heard a series of statutory reports from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Water Resources. Chair Hauck noted that Legislative Management had denied the committee’s earlier request for a fertilizer capacity study, and that the committee would also revisit the proposed Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern merger later in the day. Commissioner Doug Goring reported on several agriculture topics, including uncrewed aerial systems grants to detect noxious weeds, irrigation expansion potential, the low-carbon fuels program for ethanol plants, the Environmental Impact Mitigation Fund, model zoning ordinances for animal feeding operations, and fertilizer production and usage in North Dakota. He emphasized that fertilizer supply depends heavily on natural gas and water, that most nitrogen fertilizer is imported, and that large-scale fertilizer plants require very large capital investments. Members discussed fertilizer storage, natural gas pipeline capacity, water availability, and the role of state infrastructure in supporting value-added agriculture. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Water Resources’ economic analysis tool for water conveyance and flood-related projects. Dr. Dwayne Poole explained that the tool was created under 2017 legislation to help evaluate projects expected to cost $1 million or more, and that the department is proposing adjustments to better account for end-of-useful-life conditions and changing hydrologic data. He said the changes would remain focused on direct, demonstrable costs and benefits, not indirect impacts, and would be implemented through guidance and operating procedures rather than statutory changes. Committee members and water users discussed whether the revisions would better reflect real-world conditions, including deferred maintenance, changing rainfall patterns, and downstream effects. A representative from the Water Resource District Association said the group was working with DWR and hoped to review test scenarios before the June meeting. The committee then received a detailed presentation on Devils Lake, its outlets, and the Tolna Coulee control structure. State Engineer John Paskowski reviewed lake history, outlet capacities, sulfate and downstream flow constraints, and the purpose of the Tolna Coulee structure in limiting head cutting and preventing uncontrolled downstream releases. Members questioned whether the structure was effectively a dam, whether the lake would naturally overflow without it, the last time the outlets ran, and whether water quality in Devils Lake has improved over time. Paskowski said the outlets last operated in August 2025, that sulfate levels still limit operations, and that the lake has freshened somewhat but not enough to eliminate water-quality concerns. The discussion also touched on whether water from flooded areas or closed-basin systems could be reused for irrigation, and on the broader implications of wet cycles, inundated land, and drainage management across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know that it's a panel discussion regarding the updates to some of the adequacy standards as well as
• Comparing from before to now, it's been beneficial regarding the adequacy standards change and the square
• Of course, I think there's still a lot of work to do, not only on the adequacy standards, but I would
• So what was done is staff scrubbed the APG based on the already approved adequacy standards, so that
• These roundtables were done and took that information to compile the new adequacy standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our audit tested 40 expenditures totaling over $39 million. ...standards.
• Is this just kind of a standard operation within the Racing Commission?
• And it just doesn't live up to the standard. So we'll be working on that.
• And it just doesn't live up to the standard. So we'll be working on that.
• , security standards, and there’s multiple levels of NIST standards.

Keywords: 908, all