Transcript Highlights:

• West suspended all prairie ground use.

Bills: SB614, SB872, SB1199, SB1212, SB1278, SB1573, SB1588, SB1602, SB1660, SB1704, SB1723, SB1833, SB1858, SB1946, SB2009, SB2146, SB2177, SB2373, SB2460, SB2785

Keywords: forensic science, capital writs, criminal justice, case review, Texas Forensic Science Commission, SB 872, burglary of a vehicle, vehicle burglary, theft of a firearm, stolen gun, firearm theft, Penal Code Section 30.04, third-degree felony, Class A misdemeanor, criminal penalty enhancement, gun theft, vehicle break-in, property crime, sentencing enhancement, Texas criminal law

Bills: HCR 21, HCR 22, HCR 23, HCR 24, HCR 25, HCR 26, HCR 27, HCR 31, HCR 41, HCR 42, HCR 43, HCR 44, HCR 45, HCR 52, HCR 53, HCR 66, HCR 67, HCR 73, HR 8, HR 10, HR 13, HR 20, HR 21, HR 50, HR 59, HR 61, HR 71, HR 74, HR 79, HR 84, HR 86, HR 90, HR 91, HR 102, HR 103, HR 107, HR 113, HR 125, HR 126, HR 132, HR 142, HR 145, HR 149, HR 150, HR 152, HR 167, HR 179, HR 181, HR 183, HR 186, HR 192, HR 196, HR 199, HR 207, HR 211, HR 212, HR 213, HR 216, HR 249, HR 256, HR 259, HR 261, HR 263, HR 272, HR 281, HR 285, HR 294, HR 295, HR 300, HR 305, HR 311, HR 313, HR 315, HR 316, HR 323, HR 331, HR 339, HR 340, HR 346, HR 349, HR 352, HR 357, HR 358, HR 360, HR 363, HR 374, HR 377, HCR 20, HCR 28, HCR 30, HCR 32, HCR 49, HR 14, HR 15, HR 19, HR 23, HR 24, HR 25, HR 26, HR 27, HR 29, HR 47, HR 48, HR 55, HR 56, HR 66, HR 85, HR 92, HR 93, HR 95, HR 96, HR 140, HR 155, HR 164, HR 204, HR 241, HR 242, HR 250, HR 253, HR 260, HR 262, HR 265, HR 279, HR 310, HR 312, HR 328, HR 332, HR 359, HR 362, HR 367

Keywords: recognition, award, petroleum industry, leadership, community service, HCR 22, House Concurrent Resolution, Texas Legislature, commendation, honorary resolution, Dr. James Olson, James Olson, University of Texas Permian Basin, UT Permian Basin, psychology professor, 50 years of service, faculty recognition, academic award, Piper Professor Award, Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award

Transcript Highlights:

• You can go to other lakes in the prairie pothole region.
• You can go to other lakes in the prairie pothal region.
• You're seeing similar activities relative to groundwater. to other lakes in the prairie pottle region

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we go to places like a Expo, uh Prairie Grains Conference, Extension Women's Conference.
• like<01:21:46.159> a<01:21:46.400> Expo,<01:21:47.280> uh<01:21:47.440> Prairie
• <01:21:47.840> Grains places like a Expo, uh Prairie Grains places like a Expo, uh Prairie

Bills: HF2103, HF4508

Keywords: energy, renewable energy, ammonia, hydrogen, certificate tracking, funding, environment, elk, cervidae, cervid importation, chronic wasting disease, CWD, animal health, livestock, wildlife disease, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, state veterinarian, zoo, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, AZA

Transcript Highlights:

• We might be talking about the native prairie that supports pheasants, songbirds, and pollinators while
• We might be talking about the native<00:52:42.000> prairie<00:52:42.400> that<00:52:42.720
• > supports<00:52:43.119> feeasants, native prairie that supports feeasants, native prairie

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee first approved the March 3, 2026 minutes by voice vote. It then heard a presentation from the Minnesota Zoo on its aging facilities and bonding needs. Zoo staff highlighted the zoo’s economic and educational role, its 1.4 to 1.5 million annual visitors, and its Free to Explore program, while stressing that many of its 50-year-old buildings are in poor condition, with more than $78 million in backlog and safety concerns for visitors, staff, and animals. The zoo said the governor recommended $4 million for critical life-support systems and asked for an additional $6 million in asset preservation to renovate the original animal hospital building so a new hospital wing can function properly. Testimony emphasized that the renovation is necessary for staff space, storage, code compliance, asbestos removal, and safe animal care, and described recent injuries and close calls tied to outdated facilities. Members asked questions about porcupine quills, natural predators, and the meaning of the zoo’s incident rate. Zoo staff explained that quills are not poisonous but are barbed and can be difficult to remove, and that predators include larger cats, owls, and fishers. On incidents, staff said they include close calls and injuries linked to aging infrastructure, such as a tiger reaching farther through a wall after fencing shifted over time, and staff injuries during animal procedures in older spaces. Members also confirmed that the hospital project has shifted from a standalone building to a wing attached to the existing hospital because of rising construction costs. The committee then heard from Perpich Center for Arts Education. Perpich described its statewide role as both a public high school and an arts education resource center, serving students and educators across Minnesota. It said it hosted 313 events last year for nearly 2,000 educators and administrators and worked with 275 school districts across all 67 Senate districts. Perpich emphasized that nearly seven in 10 students rely on its residential programs because there are no comparable arts high school options in greater Minnesota, and noted strong student outcomes including a 100% graduation rate and national recognition as an exemplary school. For capital needs, Perpich said it received $1.26 million last year for HVAC and building automation work, is grateful for the governor’s recommended $1.3 million this year, and requested $6 million to create a secure, accessible main entrance and upgrade outdated restrooms to ADA compliance.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, when I was still teaching uh many years ago now, then um my community of Eden Prairie would have
• now and then um my the community<00:04:28.720> of<00:04:28.880> Eden<00:04:29.120> Prairie
• /c><00:04:29.440> would<00:04:29.600> have<00:04:29.759> a community of Eden Prairie
• would have a community of Eden Prairie would have a school<00:04:30.720> district<00:04:31.440

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, my name is Joan at Prairie Drifter Farm in Lynfield, Minnesota.
• my name<00:33:57.120> is<00:33:57.279> Joan<00:33:58.120> at<00:33:58.279> Prairie
• c><00:33:58.600> Drifter<00:33:58.960> Farm<00:33:59.200> in name is Joan at Prairie
• Drifter Farm in name is Joan at Prairie Drifter Farm in lynfield<00:33:59.799> Minnesota<00:34

Bills: HF2446, HF2878, HF2667, HF1795, HF2683, HF2916

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we had an appropriation for enhancing prairies and grasslands on WAS.
• Um we had an appropriation for enhancing<00:27:03.039> prairies<00:27:03.520> and<00:27
• :03.760> grasslands<00:27:04.400> on enhancing prairies and grasslands on enhancing prairies

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• four-year-old, Muhammad, drowned in Hopkins, and an 11-year-old, Muhammad Muhamud, drowned in Eden Prairie
• 51.240> Eden years old Muhammad muhamud drawn in Eden years old Muhammad muhamud drawn in Eden Prairie
• Prairie Prairie after<00:52:55.200> eclub<00:52:55.880> in<00:52:56.079> and<00

Bills: HF2296, HF1566, HF1854, HF1385, HF1142

Keywords: landlord-tenant, victim confidentiality, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, tenant privacy, housing law, eviction, unpaid rent, damages, release of information, shared database, protective order, victim of violence, Minnesota Statutes 504B.206, housing finance, civil law, autism, rental properties, reasonable accommodation

Transcript Highlights:

• You may have heard him on Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion many times, but before he was that
• 51:16.240> on<00:51:16.599> Garrison<00:51:17.119> keeler's<00:51:17.599> Prairie
• heard him on Garrison keeler's Prairie heard him on Garrison keeler's Prairie Home<00:51:18.280>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a fellow Eden Prairie resident, so you bring up a great question and an amazing, wonderful point.
• um I'm a zinski good to see you as well um I'm a fellow<00:40:35.480> Eden<00:40:35.839> Prairie
• residents<00:40:37.200> so<00:40:38.200> um<00:40:38.640> you fellow Eden Prairie
• residents so um you fellow Eden Prairie residents so um you bring<00:40:39.040> up<00:40:39.160

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• when we start talking about endangered species like, you know, the bobwhite quail or the greater prairie

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• corner of the state: the boreal forest of the north, hardwood forest of the southeast, lake country, prairie

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• partners, including the Grand Rapids Public Utilities, Minnesota Power for a battery pilot in Long Prairie

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• educators, the granddaughter of a grandmother who taught school in a one-room schoolhouse out on the prairie

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, the same Maxwell, the woman who groomed many, many kids to be abused on Epstein Island.
• The indigenous cultures of Turtle Island and all other lands knew gender was not a binary, but a beautiful
• Little house on the prairie. Hors cartwright, whatever is the bonanza. Y'all know those shows.

Bills: SB7, SB14

Keywords: gender designation, civil penalties, private civil rights, multiple-occupancy spaces, Texas Women's Privacy Act, law enforcement, confidentiality, personnel files, employee records, misconduct

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on Senate Bill 7, the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, with the author and committee substitute explaining that the bill would require public facilities to designate multi-use private spaces by biological sex, restrict access to women’s restrooms, locker rooms, showers, sleeping quarters, shelters, and correctional facilities, and create civil penalties and enforcement mechanisms. Members asked about how the bill would apply to family violence shelters, children in mixed-family settings, venue layout, and venue for lawsuits; the author said the bill was similar to prior legislation but with stronger penalties and the 15th Court of Appeals as the exclusive intermediate appellate court for challenges, while clarifying that trial venue should generally be local except for state agencies. The committee also heard that the bill would be amended to better address local venue concerns and shelter-related issues. Invited testimony was largely in support of the bill from witnesses who described personal experiences in women’s sports, prisons, shelters, and public facilities, arguing that single-sex spaces are necessary for privacy and safety. Supporters included parents, former incarcerated women, a Republican county chair, a legal advocate, and a prison educator, who cited incidents involving transgender-identifying individuals in locker rooms, shelters, prisons, and restrooms, and said the bill would restore sex-based boundaries and protect vulnerable women and girls. One witness from Texas Values said the bill was needed despite the recently enacted Women’s Bill of Rights, and another ADF witness said the measure would protect privacy in schools and shelters. Opponents testified that the bill would harm transgender and intersex Texans, create harassment and “gender policing,” and expose cisgender women and children to invasive enforcement. Several witnesses argued there is no evidence that transgender women pose a restroom safety threat, while others said the bill would worsen mental health, employment, and school conditions for trans people and could conflict with prison standards and federal law. Family violence advocates urged changes to protect shelter operations and clarify that children can stay with parents, while other witnesses said the bill would create barriers for victims seeking help. The hearing featured extensive public testimony on both sides, but no final vote or committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I can talk about whether it's Lubbock or Slayton or Grand Prairie. or Brazoria County, or Austin, it
• Why do you think they created Rhode Island, smallest one? one of the counties or colonies.
• colonies adopted the entire decalogue in their civil and criminal law. and the one holdout Rhode Island

Bills: HB4, HB54, SB 10, SB 24, HB4, HB54, HB775, HB850, HB 1122, HB 1249, HB1405, HB2336, HB2757, HB3372, HB3622, HB4442, HB4687, HB4893, HB5089, HB5515, HB5606, SB10, SB24, HB1573, HB3369

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, citizenship, U.S. citizen, non-citizen, public office, advisory board, task force, state government, local government, political subdivision, commission board, appointment eligibility, officeholder qualifications, public service, naturalization, Texas Government Code

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul, Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Eden Prairie, Edina, Marshall, Minnetonka, Moorhead
• Brooklyn Park, Eden Prairie, Edina, Brooklyn Park, Eden Prairie, Edina, Marshall,<01:00:50.760> Minnetonka

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My ancestors came to Minnesota in 1855 and relied on the people on the prairie to help them build a sod
• You know, our communities, we didn't cross these borders of Turtle Island.

Transcript Highlights:

• He decided to see what would happen if he tilled up that virgin prairie ground and planted every year
• They broke it out of the tallgrass prairie.

Summary: The meeting focused on the use of biosolids on farm and ranch land, with testimony from Oklahoma State University experts, a conservation official, and an engineering representative about the benefits, risks, and regulatory implications. Dr. Lusk described OSU’s long history of soil fertility research and said biosolids can provide nutrients and organic matter, but also may carry contaminants such as PFAS, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, microplastics, and pathogens. He emphasized that many questions remain unanswered, especially about contaminant uptake into soil, crops, livestock, and humans, and said existing EPA and Oklahoma DEQ regulations address some treatment and application standards but may not fully cover PFAS. Dr. Arnell expanded on nutrient management, explaining that biosolids can function similarly to manure as a fertilizer source, especially for nitrogen and phosphorus, but should be tested, incorporated into soil, and applied under permit conditions to reduce runoff and other losses. He said PFAS testing methods are not yet standardized and that more research is needed to determine sampling protocols, movement in soil, and long-term effects. Committee members asked whether farmers and ranchers should be notified of risks, whether PFAS is currently tested, how many counties use biosolids, and what research would be needed for a dissertation-level study. The witnesses generally agreed that landowners should be informed of known risks and uncertainties, but said the science is still developing. Dr. Arnell said a unified testing method is needed before reliable PFAS monitoring can be done, and suggested that a multi-year study would be required to understand soil movement, crop uptake, and livestock impacts. Greg Scott of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission framed the issue as a waste-management problem, noting that human waste streams contain contaminants and that soil type affects how pollutants move; he said sandy soils pose greater movement risks than clay soils and that current best practice is incorporation, careful timing, and avoiding steep or sensitive sites. He also said PFAS are widespread and not naturally occurring in the way some other compounds are, and that liability and cleanup costs are major concerns. Mary Elizabeth Mock of Garver Engineering focused on the practical and financial consequences of a possible moratorium on land application, saying most of Oklahoma’s biosolids are currently land applied and would otherwise have to go to landfills. She warned that many landfills are nearing capacity, tipping fees could rise sharply, and cities such as Tulsa and Norman could face large increases in disposal costs, which would ultimately be borne by ratepayers and taxpayers. She also said septic system maintenance costs could rise if land application options shrink, potentially leading to deferred maintenance and system failures. Mock urged a tiered, data-driven approach to PFAS regulation and said advanced treatment technologies may help in the future, but they are still emerging and expensive. No votes were taken; the session consisted of presentations and member questions.