Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here today on behalf of our adjutant general to provide our best military advice regarding these
• proposed changes. ...on behalf of our adjutant general to provide our best military advice regarding
• So by involving those general officers in the initial action, we are also taking them out from being
• Our promotions in the National Guard are all the way up at the general officer level.
• And by doing that, those senior-level officers at the general officer level would be able to be free

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 742, sponsored by Representative Mitchell. The bill was described as a modernization of Idaho’s vehicle titling system, expanding secure electronic records, allowing the Transportation Department to accept electronic ownership documents and digital titles from other states, and shortening the timeline for lien releases to 10 days after verified funds are received. The sponsor said he had worked with auto dealers and banks and had not heard opposition. The committee moved HB 742 to the floor with a due pass recommendation by voice vote. The committee then agreed by unanimous consent to hold House Bill 508 at the call of the chair while some issues are worked out. After that, it heard House Bill 507, presented by Representative Brown on behalf of Representative Ted Hill. The bill updates the Idaho Code of Military Justice, with testimony from Lieutenant Colonel Lauren Chappell of the Idaho Military Division explaining that many changes are administrative, but the main policy changes would improve commanders’ ability to impose non-judicial punishment, including reduction in rank, and would limit the absolute right of service members to refuse NJP and demand court-martial for minor offenses. She said the changes would better align Idaho’s system with active-duty practice and other states, while preserving appellate review and due process for more serious punishment. Members asked several questions about how the current system works and how the bill would change the chain of command for discipline and appeals. No negative testimony was offered. The committee then moved HB 507 to the floor with a due pass recommendation by voice vote and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• committee hearing invited testimony, and then you open it up that same day for testimony from the general
• to appear before the committee at any time, including to Harmeet Dhillon, the Assistant Attorney General
• said that they were having difficulty testifying with specifics. beyond just the redistricting in general
• I can't remember the specifics of each one's testimony, but in general, as I recall, they testified about
• Tomorrow is reserved for the general public to give testimony on the map. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Redistricting in general, they were having difficulty testifying on specifics because There wasn't a
• Uh, expressed concerns about redistricting in general, but We wanted to give them the opportunity to
• Again, they did express strong concerns, strong feelings about redistricting in general.
• Time restrictions that the general public would be held to except for questions that are being asked,
• Tomorrow is reserved for the general public to give testimony on. The map. Thank you Mr. Chairman.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly, the Italian Consul General of San Francisco and my dear friend, Sergio Strozzi.
• As a proud Italian-American, it has been a privilege to partner with Consul General Strozzi time and
• Thank you Consul General Struzzi, I'm so glad that you are here today.
• California, so please join me in giving Consul General Strozzi a warm welcome and a round of applause
• Council General, members, if I could have your attention. Thank you, members.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a third-generation landowner out here. Well, it meant a lot to my mother.
• I'm third generation, and I want there to be a fourth and fifth generation that has this land out here
• My and my wife's son will make the fifth generation on this land.
• So I was going to say, I was going to make it generic.
• It brings—it is still generating human economy in northwest Louisiana.

Summary: The House Natural Resources Committee met on April 29, 2026, with a quorum present and took up several bills related to property rights, expropriation, renewable energy recycling, and local permitting. Representative Domangue first presented HCR 80 on private property rights, using it to highlight the 2025 landman code of conduct and the need for stronger guardrails in expropriation negotiations. She then deferred the resolution in order to allow Chairman Geymann to present HB 841, which was described as establishing a code of conduct for landmen and expropriation-related negotiations. The committee heard testimony and watched video examples from landowners describing intimidation, inadequate compensation offers, and the need for fair treatment. Amendments were adopted to broaden the bill to all certificate holders, prohibit threats about court costs and attorney fees, shorten response times, and add graduated fines and public posting for violations. HB 841 was reported favorably as amended, with no opposition cards recorded. The committee then considered HB 621 by Representative Coates, which would require recycling of decommissioned renewable energy infrastructure to the extent practical. After discussion with DEQ, the bill was amended to clarify that existing universal waste rules apply and to remove language that would have required the renewable facility owner to pay decommissioning costs in that section; the effective date was set for January 1, 2027. Testimony from renewable energy industry representatives supported the measure and explained that solar panels and related components can be recycled at high rates, with established markets for recovered materials. The committee adopted the amendments and reported HB 621 favorably. Next, Representative Jacob Landry presented HB 595, aimed at preventing local governments from unreasonably delaying or impeding energy projects through permit requirements, especially road permits affecting Haynesville Shale operations. After amendment, the bill required timely action on local road permits and deemed them approved if not acted on within 30 days. Supporters emphasized the economic importance of the Haynesville and the need for predictable permitting, while opponents argued the bill could further erode local authority, particularly regarding carbon capture and sequestration. The committee reported HB 595 favorably. Landry then presented HB 1191, creating a certificate of compliance process for oilfield and exploration and production sites to provide a cleaner path for cleanup, finality, and future investment. The bill drew technical and substantive amendments, including changes to definitions, confidentiality, and the role of DEQ; discussion continued over whether the bill should be deferred to allow more time to work through the remaining issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• of general revenue funding.
• Of course, that's at the will of the General Assembly.
• There might actually be, you know, some general revenue in there.
• So right now, again, roughly $325 million of general revenue.
• revenue, or could we use general revenue and federal funds?

Summary: The House opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the 43rd day by roll call vote, 122-1. Members also used points of personal privilege to honor former state representative and St. Louis public servant Edward L. Bushmeyer with a moment of silence, and to recognize Jean Carnahan during Women’s History Month. The chamber then welcomed numerous guests, including students from California Middle School, Missouri Centers for Independent Living, Southern Boone cheer teams, Conservation Day participants, Project Home woodworking students and veterans, Coro Fellows, YMCA advocacy day participants, Easter Seals guests, and others. The House then took up several appropriations bills. House Bill 2017, the reappropriations bill, was explained as carrying forward previously approved capital and other projects into a new fiscal year; members raised concerns about unspent general revenue and the large $186 million storm-recovery item for St. Louis, but the bill was adopted and perfected. House Bill 2018, the maintenance and repair bill for state facilities, was described as routine upkeep of state buildings and was also adopted and perfected. House Bill 2019, the capital improvements bill, drew more debate over new projects, the $104 million transfer from the Capital Commission Fund, and whether some projects had been adequately vetted; an amendment by the gentleman from Texas to shift $3 million from the Conservation Commission Fund to help repair a state-owned road to the George O. White Nursery was adopted, and the bill then passed through committee substitute adoption and perfection. House Bill 2020, the ARPA spending bill, was described as the final year for spending federal pandemic funds, with any unspent amounts to flow to the foundation formula; members discussed how much might remain and whether funds could be used to offset education costs, and the bill was adopted and perfected. The House also considered House Bill 2760, the “Praise Act,” which would bar government from imposing stricter emergency restrictions on houses of worship than on comparable private entities, while preserving emergency carve-outs for disasters, terrorism, and civil unrest. Supporters framed it as a religious liberty bill and argued it would prevent unequal treatment during emergencies; opponents warned it could undermine public health protections during pandemics and noted past restrictions on church gatherings. The debate included extended exchanges over whether churches were treated differently from airports and other venues during COVID-19. The transcript ends during continued discussion of House Bill 2760, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have general rulemaking authority under RSA 365:8.
• We also have general rulemaking authority under RSA 365:8.
• Uh, we also have general statute.
• </c> for being able to impose and generally for being able to impose and generally regulate<00:17:27.679
• These are very general fines.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and adopted the consent calendar without objection. It then took up Department of Safety Rule 25161 on administrative license suspension forms. After discussion of a staff concern that the rule text should expressly require a defendant’s signature or refusal to sign, and the officer’s witness signature, the agency agreed to revised language. The committee voted to grant conditional approval with those edits. The committee next considered Department of Agriculture rule 192, concerning importation of bovines and domestic animals. Staff identified several issues, including an overly broad federal citation, an unclear definition of infection, a possible conflict between provisions on telephone-issued permits and documents that must be carried, and missing struck-through repeal language. Because the department had not proposed written fixes, members moved to postpone the item until next month, and the motion passed. A second Agriculture item, 25207, was discussed as a long-expired set of rules that the agency said were still needed to run its programs; the committee granted conditional approval. The Public Utilities Commission’s competitive natural gas supplier and aggregator rules prompted the most extensive debate. Staff argued the cited statutes did not clearly authorize the commission to impose fines on natural gas suppliers, while the agency responded that authority could be read from related Department of Energy transition language and general rulemaking provisions. Members discussed whether the issue reflected a statutory gap created when responsibilities were split between the Department of Energy and the commission. The committee ultimately voted to waive and postpone the item to next month so the attorneys could work out the authority question. The committee also postponed Department of Energy items 219 and 220 at the agency’s request, and it noted that the Liquor Commission’s emergency rule had been revised to reduce reporting from monthly to quarterly before being reissued, with the item also postponed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Haidt wrote the book, Anxious Generation.
• Haidt wrote the book, Anxious Generation.
• Haidt wrote the book, Anxious Generation.
• Haidt wrote the book, Anxious Generation.
• Haidt wrote the book, Anxious Generation.

Keywords: Judiciary, Division A (Part 2) - Room 409, 3 March, 2026; 4:15 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It feels like a generation ago legislatively.
• Mixing Com, I think I said all this, next generation mobility. Have you all seen this graph?
• And, you know, we're going to get a new generation of transit.
• One is, you know, it seems like there really isn't a lot of housing being built generally.
• So this leaves a whole generation out of homeownership that you have discussed in the generational wealth

Summary: The hearing was an outcome review of AB 2011, the Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act of 2022, focused on whether the law is being used as intended to speed housing production on commercially zoned land while maintaining labor and affordability standards. Chair Haney and Assembly Member Wicks emphasized that the point of the review was not to relitigate the bill, but to assess implementation and results. The first panel of researchers and policy experts said AB 2011 has had real but still limited uptake so far, with roughly 5,800 homes proposed, entitled, or permitted under the law through 2024, concentrated mainly in San Francisco and Los Angeles counties. They also noted that the broader housing market remains constrained by high construction costs, interest rates, and flat rents, making it hard to isolate the bill’s effects from overall market conditions. Witnesses generally agreed that AB 2011 has been most effective for 100% affordable projects and for projects already using public subsidies or prevailing wage, where the ministerial process and CEQA streamlining help move developments forward. Several speakers described the law as a useful bargaining tool that can push jurisdictions to rezone or approve projects more quickly even when AB 2011 is not formally invoked. At the same time, developers and advocates said the mixed-income pathway is much less usable in most of the state because prevailing wage and the 15% affordability requirement add significant cost, especially in lower-rent markets. They also pointed to implementation issues such as narrow site eligibility rules, the “substantially surrounded by urban uses” test, industrial-use exclusions, and confusion about whether the law applies to homeownership projects. The second panel, made up of practitioners using the law, described specific projects that moved forward under AB 2011, including affordable housing developments in the San Joaquin Valley and large mixed-use projects in San Francisco. They said the law’s biggest benefit is certainty: projects that once took years to entitle can now move in months. However, they repeated calls for changes such as clarifying homeownership eligibility, loosening density and site restrictions, narrowing the industrial-use exclusion, and making the law easier to understand for developers and local staff. Members also raised concerns about uneven use across regions, especially the relative lack of AB 2011 activity in Los Angeles and Santa Clara County, and about the accuracy and lag in annual progress report data. The final panel, including the original sponsors, said they remain supportive of the law but are open to adjustments to reduce costs and improve usability while preserving labor protections and affordability goals.

Transcript Highlights:

• And finally, with our third panel, we will hear from the California Department of General Services, or
• I'm the Orange County Cemetery District General Manager.
• You know, generally when a state veteran cemetery is cited, it is by itself.
• The study is generally built around the veteran cemetery grant program requirements.
• And so that generally shakes out what the next steps could look like.

Summary: The hearing focused on the long-delayed Southern California Veterans Cemetery project at Gypsum Canyon in Anaheim, with opening remarks from Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva, Senator Tom Umberg, and Assemblymember Avelino Valencia emphasizing the project’s importance to Orange County veterans and families. Anaheim city leaders, including the mayor pro tem and council members, voiced strong support and described the city’s role in planning, utilities, and final approvals. Quirk-Silva reviewed the project history, including prior legislation, county and state funding commitments, and the recent federal determination that the site meets VA criteria for a state veterans cemetery. The first panel, representing the veterans community, included the American Legion, American Gold Star Mothers, and Valor. They argued that Orange County—home to a large veteran population—still lacks a local veterans cemetery, forcing families to travel long distances to Riverside or elsewhere. Testimony stressed the emotional and practical burden on aging veterans and grieving families, and called for immediate action and possession of the property. Some speakers were sharply critical of CalVet and the pace of the process, saying veterans have waited too long and that the project should move forward without further delay. The second panel, from Orange County, described the county’s and cemetery district’s support and the unique opportunity to develop a shared site for a public cemetery and a separate state veterans cemetery. County officials said the county has dedicated land and funding, and that shared infrastructure—roads, utilities, grading, and access—could reduce costs substantially if the two projects are coordinated. They also said the county is ready to transfer the property to CalVet when appropriate and that the project has already cleared major local approvals and litigation. The final panel from DGS and CalVet explained the state’s feasibility study and current planning work. DGS said the 2023 study estimated the state’s portion of phase one at about $126 million, largely driven by site work and grading, though that estimate may change as assumptions are updated. CalVet said it is working with DGS and the county on a revised concept plan to lower costs and refine the timeline, and that legislative budget action will be needed to authorize spending from the Southern California Veterans Cemetery fund. No formal vote was taken; the hearing was informational, and the main action was continued coordination among the state, county, city, and veterans groups, with public comment at the end overwhelmingly urging faster construction.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to house the F-35 or next generation to house the F-35 or next generation fighter<00:43:21.599><
• So LRIP and local bridge have to be general obligation bonds.
• The pavement general obligation bonds.
• </c><01:47:44.400><c> to</c> visitors today and for generations to visitors today and for generations
• </c><01:48:27.520><c> to</c> and also preserved for generations to and also preserved for generations

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But, you know, generally, you know, we want to look at what is in the market and, you know, if the general
• But, you know, generally, you know, we want to look at what is in the market and, you know, if the general
• But you know generally generally generally um<00:28:40.159><c> you</c><00:28:40.399><c> know</c><00:28
• But generally it would be if they're not licensed in a health care professional way, it generally would
• </c> people don't see Medicaid as a generous people don't see Medicaid as a generous reimburseed<01:05

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met to begin work on HB 742, which would require catastrophic special education aid to be drawn from the education trust fund, and more broadly to study special education aid/differentiated aid and related costing issues. The chair said the group was starting early because the issue has been debated for years without resolution, local districts are being forced to absorb prorated costs, and the committee wants to send the Department of Education and HHS Medicaid a clear request for data and recommendations before retained bills return in the fall. A committee clerk was also selected, with Representative Reverend volunteering to take notes for the meeting. Members reviewed background materials on special education enrollment, high-cost students, and possible funding formulas, including data on students in high-cost brackets and prior ideas such as category-based funding and caseload-based approaches. The chair also referenced research on other states, including Arkansas, which uses a different special education funding structure and audits IEPs. The committee emphasized that it was focused on the funding mechanics and costs, not on questioning whether services should be provided. Henry Lipman of HHS explained how Medicaid-to-schools currently works in New Hampshire. He said 172 school districts participate, but utilization dropped during the pandemic and remains below historical levels, in part because districts need the capacity to bill Medicaid. Under the current system, schools receive reimbursement based on half of the Medicaid fee schedule, with the school district effectively providing the state share. He said the federal government is requiring a shift by July 1, 2026, to a true certified public expenditure model based on actual costs, which should allow schools to recover 50% of their true costs and some administrative overhead. The department has received a roughly $2.5 million grant to hire a vendor and support districts through the transition, and an RFP and stakeholder meetings are underway. Committee members asked about how costs would be determined, whether the new system would use actual district-specific costs rather than averages, and how the department would support districts that do not currently participate. Lipman said the cost model would be based on each district’s own reasonable costs, subject to audit standards, and that the department expects to provide templates and technical assistance through the vendor because its staff is limited. He also said about one in four New Hampshire children are enrolled in Medicaid, that child enrollment has been relatively stable, and that continuous coverage rules should reduce churn. No votes or formal actions on HB 742 were taken during the meeting beyond organizing the subcommittee and beginning testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, this is general funds, is that correct?
• This is general funds, everything we're talking about right now is general funds. that's Ada compliance
• funds is that correct this is General funds is that correct this is General<01:21:27.000><c> funds</
• </c> the general the general bonding<03:40:08.000><c> funds</c><03:40:09.319><c> um</c><03:40:10.319>
• </c> this on the top section on the general this on the top section on the general fund<03:47:04.040>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing and work session on House Bill 25/25A, the capital improvements budget. Representative David Mills introduced HB 25A, which makes appropriations for capital improvements for the biennium and extends certain lapses from prior appropriations, noting it is based on Governor Ayotte’s budget. The hearing then focused on requests to add or restore funding for several projects, including community college capital needs, Veterans Home ADA and safety upgrades, career and technical education renovations in Milford, and airport infrastructure funding. Shannon Reed of the Community College System of New Hampshire asked for an additional $2.6 million for IT infrastructure, critical maintenance, and energy management systems, citing failing boilers, roof work, cybersecurity needs, and a recent costly water damage incident at Lakes Region Community College. John Graham, representing the New Hampshire Veterans Home, requested $1.5 million for ADA compliance and safety improvements such as floor replacement and wider doors, saying the work would help the home before an upcoming VA inspection and protect federal funding. Lance Whitehead testified for Milford CTE, asking the committee to keep $9.9 million in the budget for a scaled-down renovation; members discussed the town’s failed vote, the need for local matching funds, and the possibility of another vote next year. Tim Thompson of Concord and Margaret Burns of NHMA urged restoration of airport matching funds, arguing that about $3.6 million in state money would leverage roughly $62 million to $65 million in federal FAA funds for safety and infrastructure projects. Trisha Lambert and Andrew Pomroy of the Bureau of Aeronautics and airport management association explained the airport program, the 12 federally funded airports, and how projects are selected through airport master plans and a capital improvement program. After public testimony, the committee closed the hearing on HB 25A. In the work session that followed, staff distributed supporting documents, including cost breakdowns and comparison sheets. The chair indicated the committee would work from the governor’s $143 million capital budget as a baseline and proposed reducing it by about $10 million, largely by removing the Milford CTE item because both towns had voted it down and would not have another vote for a year. The chair said the goal was to bring the overall budget to about $133 million and then repurpose the remaining funds through straw polls and further committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:18.200><c> in</c> again I think the Attorney General in again I think the Attorney General
• So if you're just generally testifying on matters of general interest or general tax matters, that would
• </c> could be just the low amount in general could be just the low amount in general and<01:07:50.079
• </c><01:09:25.040><c> it</c> um and I I think in in general it um and I I think in in general it if<01
• </c><02:11:48.320><c> election</c> days prior to a primary general election days prior to a primary general

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs held its first hearing of the 33rd Legislature and heard several measures, beginning with HB 131, which would allow agencies to disclose government records to researchers for certain purposes and direct the Office of Information Practices to adopt uniform rules. OIP supported the bill, saying it would help researchers access government records, while DLNR questioned whether the bill was necessary, raised concerns about costs and exemptions, and suggested a definition change regarding media. The Public First Law Center and other supporters said the bill would not remove existing exemptions or create new disclosure requirements, but would simply authorize rulemaking to create a clearer process for research access. Common Cause Hawaiʻi raised concern about including news media in the measure. The chair emphasized that the rulemaking process would allow agencies and the public to work through details, and the committee moved on without a recorded vote in the transcript. The committee then heard HB 411, which would create uniform administrative penalty procedures under the state ethics code and lobbyist law, and HB 412, which would expand lobbying definitions to cover certain communications with high-level executive officials about procurement and make some contracts voidable if awarded through unethical lobbying. The Ethics Commission supported HB 411 as an efficiency measure that would streamline the charge process without changing substantive rights, while HB 412 was described as a narrow transparency measure modeled on other states. The State Procurement Office warned that voiding contracts could cause delays, warranty issues, third-party complications, and higher reprocurement costs. The Ethics Commission responded that any contract revocation would be at the Attorney General’s discretion and likely reserved for egregious cases, and that the threat of voiding a contract would help deter noncompliance. The committee also heard HB 413, which clarifies that lobbyist campaign contribution prohibitions apply during periods when both houses of the Legislature are in session; the Ethics Commission and Campaign Spending Commission both supported the bill and the Ethics Commission requested amendments to clarify jurisdiction between state and county lobbyist enforcement. Finally, the committee took up HB 149, which would require domestic and foreign corporations to report independent expenditures and political contributions to shareholders. The only testimony noted in the transcript was written comments from Matson, which said the requirement would be expensive and cumbersome and that the information is already publicly available through existing campaign finance reporting websites. No votes or final committee actions on the bills were recorded in the provided transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are not an unbiased representative sample of the general hunting population.
• Our general seasons have contracted over time.
• Fewer opportunities will mean less general hunts and the slow death of our pastime.
• Let’s keep it that way for the sake of our resource and future generations.
• I am a fifth-generation Idahoan.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee heard three Idaho Department of Fish and Game rule dockets brought through the governor’s zero-based regulation process. The first docket, 13-01-04-24-01, covered licensing and tag rules, including the new nonresident draw framework for deer and elk, added definitions, a change to the landowner appreciation program acreage threshold, consolidation of licensing and refund provisions, and updates to special tag programs. Members asked about the 79-acre figure for landowner permission hunts, and staff explained it was derived from dividing the 640-acre standard. The committee voted to approve this docket. The second docket, 13-01-17-24-01, repealed the bait rule chapter because its content was moved into the big game taking rules. The third and most heavily debated docket, 13-01-08-24-01, revised rules on taking big game animals, including smart optics, electronic tagging, archery and muzzleloader equipment, motorized hunting restrictions, herd-health kill authorizations, bait rules, and a permanent grizzly-bear bait reporting rule. A large portion of testimony focused on the Hunting and Advanced Technology working group process and whether restrictions on thermals, night vision, transmitting trail cameras, drones, and aircraft were needed to preserve fair chase and hunting opportunity. Supporters argued the rules would protect hunting tradition and prevent future reductions in seasons and tags, while opponents said the rules would unfairly limit tools, especially for predator control and wolf management. Committee discussion centered on whether the proposed technology restrictions conflicted with Idaho constitutional and statutory protections and whether they would hinder wolf control. One motion to adopt the docket except for section 410 subsections 4(g) and the entirety of 4(h) failed on a 4-5 vote. After further parliamentary discussion, the committee voted to hold docket 13-01-08-24-01 subject to the call of the chair, leaving final action unresolved at the close of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the House Proposed General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 26-27.
• Can you explain the General Appropriations Act, Chair Persons-Maleka?
• This includes $167.7 million in general revenue and nearly $2.4 billion in trust funds.
• Inflation and just general cost of living. You are recognized, Madam Chair.
• This removes the next generation traffic light modernization program from the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, there's going to, you know, any teacher knows that those standards are generally broad, and
• However, there's going to, you know, any teacher knows that those standards are generally broad, and
• I'm also, when we talk about transfer generational wealth, I sit as chair of Human Services.
• So SB 5849 will help make this generation more financially literate and prepared for the future.
• Students did not do the work in this class, and photography in general was not a required class.

Bills: SB5849, SB6278, SB6130, SB6222, SB6206, SB6260, SB5346, SB6263, SB6268, SB6247

Keywords: financial education, graduation requirement, student curriculum, financial literacy, education reform, teacher preparation, principal preparation, educator preparation, alternative route certification, teacher certification, principal certification, Washington Professional Educator Standards Board, PESB, field placement, student teacher, residency, mentoring, school district partnerships, K-12 education, preK-12

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, events that generate economic activity, tourism, revenue, uh, at both local and at the state level
• In many cases, the economic impact they generate exceeds the amount the state provides to this program
• The 2022 event in Houston generated an economic impact of more than 23 million with over 13,000 rooms
• So in 2024, South by Southwest generated $377.3 million economic impact for the city of Austin.
• It attracts international tourism and it generates incremental tax revenues. Uh, as Ms.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Assistant General Counsel for Texans for Lawsuit Reform, and I'm here in support of this bill
• In 2022, 14 attorneys general joined in a letter to then-Attorney General Merrick Garland, warning that
• When you're asking a court to take judicial notice of something, it's generally a fact that the parties
• Those problems were all uncovered as a result of our 2020 general election procedural audit.
• The general custodian of electronic election records is required to place security seals on each... .

Bills: SB801, SB1200, SB1410, SB1717, SB1862, SB1863, SB2216, SB2681, SB506, SB2626, SJR63

Keywords: SB 801, birth certificate, birth record, certified copy, homeless, homelessness, unhoused, vital records, state registrar, local registrar, county clerk, fee waiver, identity documents, ID access, housing insecurity, shelter, transitional housing, Health and Safety Code, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on several bills, with most measures left pending after public testimony closed. SB 801, by Sen. Menéndez, would require DSHS and local clerks to issue birth certificates at no cost to people experiencing homelessness. The author and Maria Benavides of SA Youth said the fee and mailing requirements are major barriers to obtaining ID, housing, and work, and Benavides described clients who were able to secure housing and employment after getting birth records and IDs through her program. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard a set of bills related to the Gulf of Mexico/Gulf of America naming issue: SB 1410 would require state agencies to use “Gulf of Mexico” in official documents, SB 1717 would conform state law to the federal renaming to “Gulf of America,” and SJR 63 would amend the Texas Constitution to match that change. Support testimony for the latter two emphasized alignment with federal action and the use of different geographic names by different countries. All three measures were left pending. Members then heard SB 1200, which would require plaintiffs suing defense contractors to disclose in discovery whether they are receiving litigation funding from adversarial nations such as China, Russia, or Cuba. The author and Texans for Lawsuit Reform said the bill targets third-party litigation funding and foreign influence on lawsuits, especially those affecting defense contractors; the committee substitute narrowed the definition of defense contractor and expanded applicability to actions involving defense contractors’ activities. SB 2626, which requires continuing medical education on pregnancy-related emergencies for OB-GYN physicians and nurses, drew support from witnesses who said it would reduce confusion about Texas abortion law and improve care in emergencies. SB 506, SB 2681, SB 1862, SB 1863, and SB 2216 all focused on elections, including ballot language standards, voter registration challenges, interstate voter-roll cleanup, procedural audits, and election equipment security; testimony split between supporters who said the bills improve transparency and integrity and opponents who warned of vague standards, added costs, and possible voter disenfranchisement. Each of those bills was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• The exhibit comes from Chicago, and when it happened there, it generated over a hundred earned media
• The exhibit generated $5.6 million in direct sales and $9.5 million overall for the economy.
• I think these are things that generally people do support.
• I think generally we do like the grant process and the guardrails that are in place.
• , but for future generations.