Transcript Highlights:

• Well, do yours in a flash. There's nobody here. Okay, okay, 2517. You ready?
• A situation was brought to light where an original certificate of occupancy was lost, and a municipality
• A situation was brought to light where an original certificate of occupancy was lost, and a municipality

Bills: HB198, HB303, HB1535, HB2742, HB3305, HB3348, HB3505, HB3711, HB4753, HB2715, HB21, HB30

Keywords: HB 198, Wade Cannon Act, firefighter cancer screening, occupational cancer screening, fire protection personnel, local government, political subdivision, Texas Commission on Fire Protection, National Fire Protection Association, NFPA standards, occupational medical examination, public safety, firefighter health, cancer prevention, annual health screening, confidential medical exam, pulmonary function test, electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, blood test

Summary: The Committee on Local Government heard and discussed a series of House bills dealing with municipal structure, tax payment timing, local provider participation funds, firefighter cancer screenings, sunset review of the Trinity River Authority, replacement certificates of occupancy, and open meetings enforcement. HB 303 would remove the 501-resident floor so very small type A and B municipalities can convert to type C cities; HB 2742 would give property owners a later first split-payment deadline when tax bills are mailed after November 30; HB 3305 and HB 3348 were local provider participation fund measures with committee substitutes; HB 198 would require political subdivisions to offer occupational cancer screenings for firefighters; HB 1535 was a sunset bill for the Trinity River Authority; HB 4753 would allow a municipality-issued proof of a certificate of occupancy to substitute for a lost original; and HB 3711 would treat certain Open Meetings Act violations as offenses against public administration and require public explanation when prosecutors decline to act. Testimony was generally supportive or limited, with several witnesses and senators emphasizing practical fixes, firefighter health and cost savings, local government transparency, and administrative cleanup. For HB 198, firefighter representatives gave emotional testimony about cancer deaths and the value of early screening. On HB 3711, a witness supported the bill but urged stronger enforcement and broader application. Several senators raised policy concerns on HB 2715 about routing removal proceedings through a regional presiding judge rather than the local county, arguing it could politicize the process. The committee took no public testimony on most bills and repeatedly left them pending subject to call of the chair before later voting them out. HB 21, HB 30, HB 1535, HB 1520, HB 198, HB 303, HB 2742, and HB 4753 were reported to the full Senate, generally by unanimous or near-unanimous votes, and several were also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. HB 30 passed on a 5-1 vote, while the other reported bills were approved unanimously or with no recorded opposition. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• flashing on the road.
• flashing on the road.
• flashing on the road.
• Let us not be the generation that allowed the lights of local discourse to go dark.
• of local discourse to allowed the lights of local discourse to go<02:01:32.400> dark.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to also discuss the planning and projects specifically in, quote, "Flash Flood Alley."
• Extent of Flash Flood Alley in Texas.
• Just to point out on the maps, there's a correlation between Flash Flood Alley and, of course, coastal
• This session, we have been talking about ways that we can identify these flash flood areas.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Although flashing yellow lights and crash trucks are utilized, they're often not enough to prevent disaster
• People ignore yellow lights because they think it is a tow truck.
• When it's dark at night, the lights blend into the road. Combined with distracted...
• At night, the lights blend into the road.
• My name is Paul DeNaro, senior engineering technician for the Littleton Electric Light and Water Department

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service heard testimony on a wide range of retirement classification and benefit bills affecting municipal and state employees. Much of the hearing focused on proposals to move various workers from Group 1 to Group 2 or Group 4, including municipal building officials (H. 2776), MassDOT highway workers (H. 2908/Sousa’s Law), DCF attorneys (H. 2771), probation officers, licensed electricians, drinking water operators (H. 3000/S. 1834), MWRA non-clerical workers (S. 1803), transitional parole officers (H. 2878), Plymouth BCI criminal investigator officers (H. 2975/S. 1863), Beverly fire alarm operators/public safety telecommunicators (S. 1876), Massport pipefitters and refrigeration technicians (H. 2788/S. 1829), and other public safety or hazardous-duty classifications. Witnesses generally argued that their work is physically dangerous, understaffed, or comparable to already higher-classified employees, and several said the changes would help recruitment and retention with little fiscal impact because the affected groups are small. The committee also heard testimony on H. 4508, a home rule petition to grant a disability pension to Boston principal Patricia Lampron. Supporters, including Representative Dan Hunt, Boston city councilors, and Lampron herself, described a severe 2021 assault at the Henderson Inclusion School that left her with lasting physical and psychological injuries and forced her into early retirement. They urged the committee to advance the bill quickly. One witness, Pamela McLaughlin, testified in opposition, arguing the bill would set the wrong precedent and describing alleged prior misconduct by Lampron, and asked that the bill be sent to study. Several witnesses and committee members asked brief questions, mainly about the scope of the bills, whether certain workers were already in higher groups, and the fiscal or precedent concerns. No votes were taken during the hearing. At the end, the chairs announced that testimony was complete, asked whether anyone else wished to speak, and then the committee voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• number of bidders has substantially increased with using the online platform, We are still left in the red
• The Chicos red pelein. We show you registered as Ray Pelephant.
• apps use techniques that we see in casinos, um, to hook kids with dopamine in their brains and the flashing
• red notifications and the dinging, all this kind of stuff is, is meant to hook you.

Bills: HB 186

Keywords: public funds, lobbying activities, political subdivisions, government expenditure, transparency, local government, political subdivision, county, city, municipality, special district, taxpayer-funded lobbying, lobbying restriction, registered lobbyist, government association, county association dues, Texas Legislature, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, Chapter 556

Transcript Highlights:

• One afternoon, Kevin, on his computer screen, the screen turned red. It was flashing.
• One afternoon, Kevin, on his computer screen, the screen turned red. It was flashing.
• Red. Red. Red. Wow. Wow. Wow. Red. Red. Red.
• So,<04:47:33.040> push<04:47:33.320> red So, push red So, push red and<04:47:34.680>
• the red button. Thank you. the red button. Thank you.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> That's a news flash for us. >> Gentlemen from Adams, Mr. Johnson. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Speaker. >> That's a news flash for us. >> Thank you, gentlemen. We will do that.
• Speaker. >> That's a news flash for us. >> Senators been down here 1 minute and they're trying to take
• Speaker. >> That's a news flash for us. >> All right, further announcements. >> Gentleman, lady from

Keywords: MS House Floor - 6 January, 2026; 12:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened to open the 2026 legislative session with a color guard presentation by the Madison County JROTC program from Germantown High School, followed by prayer. The Speaker praised the program’s achievements and urged support for stronger JROTC resources in state education policy. The chamber then swore in new Representative Justin Crosby of House District 22, and the House was declared organized and ready to proceed with business. The House received several gubernatorial veto messages. Governor Reeves vetoed House Bills 50, 569, 1126, and 924, citing constitutional concerns, separation-of-powers issues, and the need for further study or reconsideration. Members responded by moving to return HB 19, HB 50, and HB 1126 to the Appropriations A Committee, HB 569 to the Public Health Committee, and HB 924 to the appropriate committee; those motions were adopted. The House also announced committee assignments to notify the Governor and Senate that the chamber was organized, introduced the session’s head pages, and recognized numerous guests and visitors. Members made several adjournment-in-memory requests for deceased relatives and community figures, and the body observed a moment of remembrance for the wife of Representative Casey Year. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 2:00 p.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• and flash and flash flooding<01:12:38.000> tsunamis<01:12:38.639> hurricanes<01:12
• You know, this bill actually brings this torturous policy into the light.
• You know, this bill actually brings this torturous policy into the light.
• You know, this bill actually brings this torturous policy into the light.
• um this torturous policy into the light um this torturous policy into the light it<01:42:43.599>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: At the joint hearing on SB 951 SD2, the committees heard testimony on a child protection measure requiring mandatory child abuse and neglect reports to include military status and to improve communication between DHS and the Department of Defense. The U.S. Department of Defense testified in support and described its coordinated community response process for abuse reports, saying the bill would help ensure child safety and better coordination with DHS. DHS was initially absent, later appeared, and said it supported the measure but was still working with DOD on implementation details and staff training. Members asked about how DHS becomes involved and whether there were gaps in the current process. The chair recommended passage with technical amendments, including changing the effective date to 7/1/25 and conforming related language, and both committees adopted the recommendation by vote. The Public Safety committee then heard SB 1377 SD2, which would create a Veterans Cemeteries Board within the Office of Veterans Services in the Department of Defense to provide guidance, education, and technical assistance to state veteran cemeteries. DOD supported the bill and explained that county-run cemeteries must meet National Cemetery Administration standards to remain eligible for federal reimbursements and grants; witnesses described past compliance problems at several cemeteries, including one still not compliant in Hilo, and said the board would help counties prepare for future site visits and improve oversight without taking over operations. Members asked about costs, reimbursement amounts, and whether the state would assume cemetery operations; DOD said the current reimbursement process runs through the state to the counties and that direct takeover would be costly. The committee adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass the bill with amendments. The committee also heard SB 1382, which would make intentionally or knowingly causing bodily injury to a National Guard member performing duty a class C felony. The Hawaii National Guard and HPD supported the bill, citing incidents during the Maui response where Guard members encountered noncompliant and sometimes physically confrontational individuals while assisting police and protecting impacted areas. Testimony emphasized that Guard members are often unarmed and should receive protections similar to first responders. One witness opposed the bill, but the committee moved forward and adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass with amendments. Finally, the committee took up SB 1379 SD2 on emergency preparedness and Community Readiness Centers. Hawaii Emergency Management supported the bill, and supporters said it would create a statewide framework for resilience hubs that can provide supplies, action plans, and refuge during disasters. Testimony highlighted recent hurricanes, wildfires, and other hazards, and argued the measure would complement existing county efforts rather than replace them. County of Hawaii testimony opposed the bill, raising concerns about overlap and cost, while members asked about estimated expenses and implementation. The discussion ended with questions about planning and whether the bill would enhance existing programs; no final vote was captured in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've got two more to go, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
• Chairman, Jamie, so help me understand why NDSU, on the bigger one, the sheet, is $6.7 million in the red
• And when I say you’re light on your feet, I sincerely believe because you can adjust quickly.
• understand, hopefully, if a recess are there, that that’s going to be additional funding to see me light
• The campuses in red would be positively impacted. There are no hold harmless dollars in this.

Summary: The Higher Education Funding Review Committee met to continue work on a draft higher education funding formula and related capital building fund changes. Lisa Johnson of the North Dakota University System updated the committee on the board’s developing policy for low-producing academic programs. She said the board is using a five-year rolling window, with thresholds of fewer than 10 undergraduate graduates or fewer than 5 graduate graduates, and that programs flagged in three consecutive review cycles would go to the board for review. Possible outcomes include continuation, continuation with modifications, inactivation, or termination. Members asked about how the policy would account for enrollment, program costs, workforce need, and programs that serve students outside their major. Johnson said the board would likely use an accompanying procedure to consider those factors. She also reported that about 200 programs could potentially be reviewed under current guidance, with 135 inactivated and 112 terminated, and said the process is intended to support quality and stewardship rather than simply cut programs. Jamie Wilkie then reported on the Capital Building Fund. He reviewed the fund’s history, matching requirements, and use for extraordinary repairs, deferred maintenance, and some legislatively authorized projects. He said about $334 million in state and matching dollars has been invested overall, with roughly 78.7% going to deferred maintenance and extraordinary repairs. Committee members pressed for updated information on how much deferred maintenance has actually been reduced, and several members said they wanted clearer reporting on the return on investment from new buildings versus repairs. NDSU representatives said the tier funding has helped significantly reduce deferred maintenance and allowed demolition and renovation work on campus. The committee also discussed the need for updated five-year facility plans and space-utilization information from the institutions. The committee then began a section-by-section review of a draft bill that would replace the current higher education funding formula with an FTE-based model and restructure the capital building fund. The draft would fund UND and NDSU differently from the other nine institutions, use fall enrollment rather than completed credits, add performance funding for completions in in-demand fields, create research incentives for UND and NDSU, and combine capital building fund tiers while changing matching requirements and eligible uses. Members raised concerns about the treatment of professional students, the use of CIP codes, incentives for waivers, and whether the formula should rely on more current data. The committee did not take final action on the draft during this meeting, but it continued detailed discussion and indicated more review would follow.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've got two more to go, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
• Chairman, Jamie, so help me understand why NDSU, on the bigger one, the sheet, is $6.7 million in the red
• And when I say you're light on your feet, I sincerely believe, because you can adjust quickly.
• understand, hopefully, if a recess are there, that that's going to be additional funding to seek me light
• The campuses in red would be positively impacted. There are no hold harmless dollars in this.

Summary: The committee met to discuss higher education funding and capital building policy. Members first heard an update from NDUS Deputy Commissioner Lisa Johnson on low-producing academic programs. She described a proposed board policy using a five-year rolling window and thresholds of fewer than 10 undergraduate graduates or fewer than 5 graduate graduates, with programs flagged for three consecutive review periods going to the board. Possible outcomes would include continuation, continuation with modifications, inactivation, or termination. Members asked about how the review would account for program costs, service to other students, workforce demand, and the difference between inactivation and termination. Johnson said the board would consider broader factors and that campuses already do detailed program analysis. Several members also asked about cost savings and staffing impacts from program terminations, and Johnson said the board would try to provide more information later. The committee then received a report on the Capital Building Fund from Jamie Wilkie. He reviewed the program’s history, matching requirements, and recent uses, noting that about $334 million in state and matching dollars has been invested overall, with most going to deferred maintenance and extraordinary repairs. Members discussed whether the program is reducing deferred maintenance and requested updated systemwide data on deferred maintenance and campus space utilization. Wilkie said the board is considering a new study to update deferred maintenance figures, which are based on information more than 12 years old. He also reported that several institutions have used current biennium funds for projects such as residence hall renovations, health sciences housing, generators, and building repairs. Later, the committee began a detailed walkthrough of a draft bill that would replace the current higher education funding formula with an FTE-based model and also revise the capital building fund structure. The draft would use fall enrollment FTEs, add completion incentives for degrees in in-demand fields, and create a separate research funding component for UND and NDSU tied to doctoral completions and external research expenditures. Members raised concerns about the use of older data in the formula, the treatment of waivers, the weighting of professional and health sciences programs, and the use of CIP codes to define CTE and education incentives. The bill draft would also combine capital building fund tiers, broaden eligible uses for deferred maintenance and legislatively authorized projects, change matching requirements, repeal the old formula chapter and the capital pool, and transfer funds from the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund into the capital building fund. No final votes were taken during the portion provided; the meeting was primarily discussion and review.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a flash, there's nobody here. Okay, okay, 2517, you ready? Okay.
• A situation was brought to light; we're in an...

Bills: HB198, HB303, HB1535, HB2742, HB3305, HB3348, HB3505, HB3711, HB4753, HB2715, HB21, HB30, HB21, HB198, HB303

Keywords: HB 198, Wade Cannon Act, firefighter cancer screening, occupational cancer screening, fire protection personnel, local government, political subdivision, Texas Commission on Fire Protection, National Fire Protection Association, NFPA standards, occupational medical examination, public safety, firefighter health, cancer prevention, annual health screening, confidential medical exam, pulmonary function test, electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, blood test

Transcript Highlights:

• Are people flashing at the urinal? Because I've never seen that.
• I'm apparently the type of person that this bill intends to protect—a woman who has been harassed, flashed
• They are happy, charismatic, intelligent beings that light up every conversation they have.
• he was just a little boy who was a candle lighter in his church, but that he grew up and he was a light
• There were instances where individuals were charged but found unsubstantiated, and then it comes to light

Bills: SB7, SB14, SB 7, SB 14

Keywords: gender designation, civil penalties, private civil rights, multiple-occupancy spaces, Texas Women's Privacy Act, law enforcement, confidentiality, personnel files, employee records, misconduct, abortion, civil liability, abortion-inducing drugs, qui tam actions, Texas Citizens Participation Act, Religious Freedom Restoration Act, healthcare regulations, impact fees, water conservation, reuse projects

Transcript Highlights:

• May your light shine on us with grace and mercy. May you look upon us with favor and give us peace.
• Let's light up that board with the color green, the color of life.
• That is why you should all be voting red on this bill.
• Well, news flash: neither does Planned Parenthood, and we fund them.
• neither does Planned well um news flash neither does Planned Parenthood<02:47:14.600> and<02:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:32:40.960> years<00:32:41.159> and<00:32:41.320> I<00:32:41.399> was Flash
• Forward three years and I was Flash Forward three years and I was asked<00:32:41.760> to<00:32
• c><00:36:54.839> he<00:36:54.960> wore<00:36:55.280> specific<00:36:55.680> red
• grader that used to he wore specific red grader that used to he wore specific red boots<00:36:56.119
• I mean, I still have little scars on my shins from a third grader that used to wear specific red boots

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But what was a flashing light of caution is now a bright light with warning alarms signaling trouble
• <01:26:51.840> light<01:26:52.320> of work.
• But what was a flashing light of work.
• But what was a flashing light of caution<01:26:53.600> is<01:26:53.920> now<01:26:54.159
• now a bright light with caution is now a bright light with warning<01:26:56.239> alarms<01:26

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Red means we're on complete lockdown.
• Red means one known people can be here.
• Those videos show several unmarked SUVs with flashing lights suddenly approaching and boxing in her car
• We come from Red Wing and Goodhue County. We come from St.
• We come from Red Wing and County. We come from Red Wing and Goodhue<01:11:51.600> County.

Bills: HF3415

Keywords: child care, day care, licensed child care center, license-exempt child care, immigration enforcement, ICE, Customs and Border Protection, CBP, USCIS, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, judicial warrant, facility access, sensitive locations, immigrant families, Minnesota Statutes chapter 142B, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• events starting on July 4th, we want to also discuss the planning and project specifically in, quote, flash
• And for reference, the approximate extent of flash flood alley in Texas.
• You'll see kind of a, just to point out on the maps, there's kind of a correlation between flash flood
• , Chairman Bell and I over the session have been talking about ways that we can identify, in these flash-flood-prone

Summary: The House Committee on Natural Resources met to focus on flooding issues across Texas, with particular attention to South Texas and the recent catastrophic flooding in Central Texas. Chair Harris and Vice Chair Martinez emphasized that flooding is a statewide problem requiring continued legislative attention. The committee heard invited testimony from Hidalgo County Commissioner David Fuentes and Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 General Manager Raul Sassine, who described the March flood event in Hidalgo County, including more than 20 inches of rain, six deaths, over $100 million in local damage, widespread road flooding, and repeated shutdowns of Interstate 2 and its frontage roads. They argued that existing drainage systems are under capacity, that TxDOT projects must account for downstream drainage impacts, and that local governments have already invested heavily in mitigation through bonds and partnerships. Fuentes and Sassine also described the county’s long-term flood mitigation and water-reuse efforts, including the Delta region water management project, which would capture stormwater, runoff, and treated effluent, reduce flooding, and create potable water supply. They said the drainage district manages about 780 miles of channels and 1,100 acres of detention facilities, has used prior Flood Infrastructure Fund and GLO grants, and has ongoing applications for additional state and federal assistance. Members discussed the need for TxDOT coordination, emergency access on frontage roads, local “skin in the game,” and the possibility of combining flood control with aquifer recharge and water supply projects. Texas Water Development Board Executive Administrator Brian McMath then presented an overview of the state’s flood planning and funding framework, including the post-Harvey legislative changes that created the Flood Infrastructure Fund, the Texas Infrastructure Resiliency Fund, and the regional/state flood planning process. He summarized the first state flood plan adopted in 2024, noting that about one in six Texans live or work in known flood hazard areas and that regional plans identified 4,609 flood risk reduction solutions with an estimated cost of $54.5 billion. He also reviewed TWDB programs for flood grants, community assistance, flood insurance compliance, stream gauges, TexMesonet, flood mapping, and the TexasFlood.org viewer. Members asked about drainage fees, technical assistance, gauge placement, the relationship between flood maps and FEMA FIRMs, and whether flood mitigation funds could support aquifer storage and recovery or recharge projects; TWDB staff said such projects can be eligible if they include flood mitigation components, but direct technical assistance cannot be paid from Flood Infrastructure Fund dollars. The committee concluded by expressing interest in further study of combining flood mitigation with aquifer recharge, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• those additional subdivisions are covering some things I'm not sure were intended to be covering, like flash
• driving through a flashing pedestrian signal, that sort of thing.
• those additional subdivisions are covering some things I'm not sure were intended to be covering, like flash
• driving through a flashing pedestrian signal, that sort of thing.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , if you were a keen observer on the previous slide, you'll see that the number of things that were red
• appears different here is that the pie charts on the previous slide include some projects that were red
• That said, it's worth noting that all three projects that were red last quarter have now closed, showing
• And this is the third red one that I mentioned in the variance report last time, so that one, too, is
• And this is the third red one that I mentioned in being the variance report last time.

Summary: The committee approved the March 26 minutes and then received a quarterly update on major IT projects from NDIT. Staff reported the portfolio included 116 major projects totaling about $546 million, with the overall portfolio under budget but slightly behind schedule. They reviewed projects over the 20% variance threshold, including an Industrial Commission grants management system and DOT’s roadway pre-construction replacement, and then heard startup and closeout reports from HHS, OMB, DPI, and DOT. Several previously troubled projects were closed, including HHS bed management, vital records modernization, and DOT roadway capital planning; some projects finished under budget and ahead of schedule, while others were significantly behind schedule or over budget but were now closed or being remediated. The committee also reviewed NDIT’s annual report, including service-fund financials, peer-state rate comparisons, records management, and customer satisfaction efforts. Members asked about how service-fund revenue and grant administrative charges are accounted for, how chargebacks work, and whether NDIT tracks customer satisfaction scores. NDIT said it does track CSAT-type measures in some service areas and has survey data, but it is not planning another customer survey this summer. Members encouraged more regular reporting of customer satisfaction, service-level metrics, and performance data to help guide future improvements. A major portion of the meeting focused on the state’s mainframe modernization effort. NDIT said the overall effort is still targeting about 2030, with multiple HHS and DOT projects underway and a $15 million tech-debt appropriation already removing some components. Staff described the main obstacles as data cleanup, complex integrations, limited staff capacity, retirements, and vendor constraints, and said they are seeking a vendor with modernization support in the next contract cycle. Members pressed for clearer accountability and faster progress, and NDIT and HHS emphasized that they are working jointly but need continued support and better tools. The committee then heard a cybersecurity update on NDIT’s statewide services and maturity assessments. NDIT explained that it provides vulnerability scanning, endpoint protection, security awareness training, threat briefings, and penetration testing, and that these services are tied to a cybersecurity maturity assessment based on CIS controls. Members questioned the sharp drop in participation since 2020 and whether the self-assessment should be mandatory or tied more strongly to StageNet access or insurance incentives. NDIT said participation is voluntary, but Enderf is now requiring annual assessments to keep a 4% insurance discount, and members discussed whether stronger requirements or audit authority may be needed. The meeting ended as the committee began a follow-up discussion on BEAD broadband connection costs and why some locations are much more expensive to connect than others.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members vote "Red" to overturn the ruling of the Speaker.
• As you correctly ruled, a "no" or a "Red" vote will go against the ruling of the Speaker.
• I would urge a red vote. Thank you, Speaker. Further discussion of the amendment?
• Vote red. I recognize the member from Ramsey, Representative Finke. Thank you, Mr.
• So I rise because I want to keep shining the light here.