Transcript Highlights:

• Now, that process was not the change of a potential for a cure for cancer or some type of nuclear research
• at Los Alamos For cancer, or some type of nuclear research at Los Alamos, or some type of bio product—I
• In that case, did it work out to give enough authority to investigate, and is it a significant deterrent

Summary: The Senate Committee on Higher Education met with a quorum, adopted its interim rules on a 6-0 vote, and heard opening remarks from members and staff introductions. The chair emphasized higher education’s role in workforce development and noted a Legislative Budget Board survey issue that was resolved after a community college initially did not respond because the survey was marked optional. The committee then focused on monitoring implementation of Senate Bill 37, which governs public higher education boards, curriculum review, faculty senates/councils, training for regents, and the ombudsman office. Testimony from Chancellor Brandon Creighton of Texas Tech, Commissioner Wynn Rosser, UNT Chancellor Michael Williams, and Ombudsman Brandon Simmons described how SB 37 is being implemented. They said boards now have stronger authority, faculty senates are advisory, and institutions are reviewing general education curricula and other programs for rigor, relevance, and workforce value. Rosser said the statewide advisory committee is reviewing the core curriculum and board training requirements are being administered, while Simmons reported the ombudsman office has received 73 complaints, opened two investigations, and expects a third, with many complaints outside its jurisdiction or harassing in nature. Members questioned witnesses about transfer credits, board training content, auditing, conflicts of interest, curriculum decisions, and whether any institutions were missing deadlines. Rosser said non-transferable credits have declined since reporting began under earlier law, and that the most common reason is courses outside degree requirements. Witnesses said they were not aware of institutions missing the SB 37 review deadlines. Senators also raised concerns about an appearance of impropriety in a Texas Tech-related matter and about whether a Dred Scott case should be taught in law school, with Creighton saying the curriculum review process did not prohibit teaching Supreme Court cases and that he would follow up. Later testimony from University of Houston, Texas State, UT, and Texas A&M system officials said their systems had updated policies, abolished prior faculty senates, created compliant advisory councils, and completed or were completing core curriculum reviews and related governance changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the decades, we have designed and built and tested more than 50 nuclear reactors at our site in
• so requiring those in contracts to be removed, basically saying we will inspect your system as a deterrent
• of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, many energy technologies, including solar and battery storage, nuclear

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce convened to discuss critical infrastructure and supply chain integrity, particularly focusing on Texas's power grid and associated vulnerabilities. The meeting highlighted Texas's recent ranking as 10th in electricity affordability, emphasizing the state's commitment to maintaining a reliable and resilient electric grid. New committee members introduced themselves, and the agenda included testimony from ERCOT and the Public Utility Commission regarding the implementation of the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act, which aims to mitigate risks posed by foreign entities to the power grid. Chad Sealy from ERCOT presented updates on the attestation process for market participants, revealing that over 1,500 entities had submitted attestations regarding their corporate structures and affiliations with designated foreign countries. Concerns were raised about the adequacy of the current vetting process, particularly regarding indirect relationships with foreign adversaries. Testimonies from the PUC and the Attorney General's office underscored the challenges of enforcing compliance and the need for improved legislative measures to enhance oversight and security. The committee also heard from experts, including Dr. Emma Stewart from Idaho National Laboratory, who discussed the evolving threats to the grid from foreign adversaries and the importance of securing communication systems. Recommendations included prioritizing inspections of critical components and enhancing collaboration with national laboratories to address vulnerabilities. The discussion concluded with an acknowledgment of the balance needed between ensuring grid security and maintaining affordability for consumers.

Transcript Highlights:

• And realizing that in recent years the EU has included nuclear as part of their clean energy definition
• Clean energy means low greenhouse gas emitting sources including nuclear and other renewable sources.
• </c><00:10:47.040><c> It</c> nuclear energy within the state. It nuclear energy within the state.
• </c><00:10:59.120><c> is</c> as everyone should know, uh, nuclear is as everyone should know, uh, nuclear
• > bills</c> know there's some other nuclear bills know there's some other nuclear bills come<00:11:32.000

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulates nuclear fuel cycle facilities and sets standards
• Instead, the Nuclear sourcing.
• 41.040><c> nuclear</c> Regulatory Commission regulates nuclear Regulatory Commission regulates nuclear
• Compare that to nuclear power at its worst case: 158 miles.
• Representative McGhee. nuclear power. 6.4 g of carbon dioxide nuclear power. 6.4 g of carbon dioxide

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so that deterrent factor that we've already previously legislated is better advertised.
• Um, so that deterrent factor that we've already previously legislated is better advertised.
• </c> deterrent effect. Um, studies show that. deterrent effect. Um, studies show that.
• There's no deterrence in that sense.
• ,</c> on some of the elements of deterrence, on some of the elements of deterrence, but<00:56:32.319>

Summary: The committee on Education heard testimony on HB 1895, which would add education-worker protections by expanding harassment-related offenses. The Department of Education, HSTA, HGA, and several school employees and principals testified in support, describing increased harassment and threats toward teachers and staff, especially since COVID, and saying the bill would help deter bad actors. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, saying the language was vague and overbroad, could criminalize ordinary parental advocacy or speech, and might not survive constitutional scrutiny. In response to questions, the public defender said existing statutes already cover threatening or assaultive conduct against educational workers, while DOE representatives said the bill was aimed at excessive and repetitive disruptive behavior. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt. The committee then took up HB 1592, concerning protections for educational workers and sports officials. DOE, the Charter School Commission, HGA, HSTA, school principals, athletic programs, and many individual testifiers supported the bill, with several describing threats, harassment, and aggressive behavior at schools and athletic events. One principal said he had repeatedly involved law enforcement after threats and incidents on campus, and a teacher testified about the need to keep school environments safe and orderly. The Office of the Public Defender again opposed the bill, arguing that current law already enhances penalties for assaults and terroristic threatening against educational workers and sports officials, and that new offenses would have little deterrent effect. Committee members questioned whether the bill should be a separate statute and how to distinguish passionate advocacy from harassment; DOE said the line was crossed when conduct became excessive and repetitive, while the public defender urged clearer drafting and more emphasis on prevention, education, security, and de-escalation. No vote or final action was announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ruse, is nuclear barred under the ETA?
• Madam Chair, Representative, and panelists, actually, nuclear is renewable.
• this time because it doesn't include a rural electric co-op member and because it doesn't include nuclear
• I just want to say, if we don't have, I mean, nuclear is our future.
• Some people don't like the word, even nuclear, but that boat is sailing.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Summary: During the legislative meeting, House Bill 287 was discussed, which proposes the establishment of a permanent Health and Human Services Committee to oversee the state's $14.4 billion expenditure in this area. An amendment to the bill was adopted, which clarified funding and operational details. Public comments were solicited, but no one spoke in opposition. The committee ultimately voted, with some members expressing concerns about budget implications, but the motion to pass the bill as amended was made and seconded, with several members opposing it. House Bill 371 was also addressed, which focuses on creating an Acequia Infrastructure Fund to support land grant and Acequia communities. The bill aims to provide a financial mechanism for these communities to access funds for infrastructure projects without relying on capital outlay requests. The committee discussed the bill's implications, potential funding sources, and the need for further amendments regarding representation and oversight. A motion to pass the bill was made, with some opposition noted, particularly regarding the lack of specificity in the bill's provisions. Lastly, Senate Bill 143 was presented, which seeks to raise the caps on inspection fees under the Egg Grading Act, among other agricultural regulations. Supportive testimony was provided by representatives from agricultural organizations, emphasizing the need for updated fee structures. The committee engaged in discussions about the bill's implications for consumers and the agricultural sector, ultimately moving towards a vote to pass the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nuclear receipt, but are on a different track.
• I mentioned earlier about small modular reactors and nuclear energy.
• I don't think we have any nuclear in the state, do we?
• With that question, do we have any nuclear power in the state of New Mexico?
• Do we have a nuclear plant in New Mexico? No. However, Palo Alto does provide...

Committee: House Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:57:32.639><c> thank</c> Or deterrence.
• That will serve a deterrent effect.
• So it is a deterrent, I can say that with absolute confidence.
• That will serve a deterrent effect.
• So it is a deterrent, I can say that with absolute confidence.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:06.479><c> plants</c> island nuclear plants island nuclear plants revitalization<00:07:08.479
• And these anti-nuclear family people got the upper hand.
• And these anti-nuclear family people got the upper hand.
• Program after program, we discourage the nuclear family.
• And these anti-nuclear family people got the upper hand.

Bills: HCR22 , HR1039 , HR586 , HR970 , HR877 , HR1228 , HR983 , HR981 , HCR9

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Black health, public health, HIV testing, HIV prevention, PrEP, antiretroviral therapy, viral suppression, U=U, undetectable equals untransmittable, AIDS, Minority AIDS Initiative, community health centers, culturally competent care, health disparities, racial disparities, health equity, Black Americans, African Americans

Transcript Highlights:

• , but I can say for myself, I would feel fine with a nuclear plant in my community.
• Senator Patton and I and others stood within 20 feet of nuclear fuel rods safely.
• A nuclear facility is a quiet operation.
• Senator Patton and I and others stood within 20 feet of nuclear fuel rods safely.
• A nuclear facility is a fuel rods safely. A nuclear facility is a quiet operation.

Committee: Joint Energy Development and Transmission Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The other is nuclear, which is not supported by the ETA. The other is nuclear.
• And emissions—there are zero emissions from a nuclear power plant.
• Zero emissions from a nuclear power plant. And yet, that is not part of the ETA.
• reactors do produce high-level nuclear waste, as I'm aware of.
• Over 6,900 years' worth of seafaring nuclear reactors. No radiological incident.

Transcript Highlights:

• The example of that would be the nuclear power plant in Callaway.
• And as the country's focus returns to dependable baseload energy sources such as nuclear.
• How much does it cost to produce solar energy by the kilowatt hour as compared to coal or nuclear or
• I know that. coal or nuclear or gas? I apologize. I do not have that in front of me.
• energy, A really robust and reliable baseload of more nuclear energy, it's going to take us 10 or 15

Committee: House Utilities

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2383, Representative Simmons’s bill addressing theft of copper and other infrastructure-related property. After a brief executive session and no further discussion, the committee voted the bill do pass by a roll call of 17 ayes, 1 no, and 1 present. The committee then heard House Bill 2711, sponsored by Representative Deal, which would lower the assessed valuation of broadband communications equipment from 33.5% to 12% for new broadband equipment placed in service after August 28, 2026, with a proposed sunset period discussed as part of a substitute. Representative Deal and several industry witnesses, including AT&T, Verizon, Missouri Cable Association, Missouri Broadband Providers Association, Missouri Chamber, and electric co-ops, argued the measure would improve Missouri’s competitiveness, encourage private investment, and help expand broadband in rural and underserved areas. Opponents, including county assessors, argued the bill would reduce local tax revenue, create unequal treatment, and could become a precedent for other industries. Committee members questioned whether the bill would apply only to new builds or also to upgrades and existing infrastructure, and whether the tax relief would actually drive expansion into rural areas. The committee then began hearing House Bills 2402 and 2816, which deal with solar energy siting and taxation. The sponsors described the bills as setting local assessment rules for solar projects, establishing a per-megawatt valuation, requiring larger setbacks from homes, schools, and churches, and limiting the amount of tillable land that can be used for solar in a county, while also addressing Chapter 100 agreements and decommissioning concerns. Supporters, including Missouri Farm Bureau and county officials, said the bills would provide needed guardrails, local control, and more consistent taxation. Opponents and affected landowners said existing solar projects have caused glare, dust, noise, and property value concerns, while some developers said they wanted clearer statewide rules and consistency for future projects. The committee did not take final action on the solar bills before going into recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• use for the construction and operation of data centers, data center facilities, and small modular nuclear
• modular new construction and operation of data centers, data center facilities, and small modular nuclear
• map of all minerals and metals in their reserves, including thorium, that are needed for specified nuclear
• map of all minerals and metals in their reserves, including thorium, that are needed for specified nuclear
• map of all minerals and metals in their reserves, including thorium, that are needed for specified nuclear

Summary: The committee worked through a long Minority Caucus calendar covering a wide range of bills, with many items on consent and several pulled for discussion. Early items included resolutions on Judea and Samaria, bullion depository bills, a produce incentive appropriation, a biennial budget proposal, and a veterans services appropriation. Members also heard transportation-related bills on driver permits, citations, boat insurance, English proficiency for commercial drivers and motor carriers, photo enforcement, and a measure restricting incarceration for unpaid fines and fees. Several members raised concerns about constitutional issues, public safety, or whether bills were duplicative or targeted at specific groups. A large portion of the meeting focused on education and school governance bills. These included proposals on school district bond advisors, restrictions on school property leases and purchases, public meeting requirements, term limits and training for school board members, patriotic youth group access to students, computer science proficiency, and a bill requiring fingerprint clearance cards for traffic school instructors. Members repeatedly criticized what they described as inconsistent treatment of public schools versus ESA/private school programs, and several education bills were pulled from consent for further discussion. Other bills addressed child safety and family law, including DCS credit freezes, recorded child interviews, parents’ rights notices, mandatory reporting of threats by minors, sex offender residency and GPS monitoring, and a bill on guardianship rights during DCS investigations. The committee also considered a number of social services, health, and labor/consumer bills. These included SNAP work requirement and verification measures, a SNAP error-rate audit, dementia care telemonitoring funding, a Braille transcription appropriation, court fee limits, a physician assistant compact, pediatric licensure compact, and a kratom regulation bill. Members debated an earned wage access licensing bill at length, with opponents calling it predatory and akin to payday lending, while supporters argued it provided a regulated consumer option. Other measures covered cash acceptance by businesses, 529-to-Roth IRA rollovers, AI rules for state agencies, and a bill on public nuisance actions by the Attorney General. Several of these drew warnings about constitutional problems, preemption, or burdens on vulnerable populations. Energy, water, and tax policy also featured prominently. The committee heard bills on fuel formulations, gas tax relief, data centers and small modular nuclear reactors, utility reporting, and a Commerce Authority mandate to reduce fuel prices. Members criticized some proposals as favoring industry, preempting local control, or lacking a clear funding plan. The meeting ended after additional items on veterans, sample ballot mailing dates, and other miscellaneous measures, with multiple bills noted as pulled from consent or subject to later votes; no final roll-call results were detailed in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as the country's focus returns to dependable baseload energy sources such as nuclear.
• How much does it cost to produce solar energy by the kilowatt hour, as compared to coal or nuclear or
• And to get it, what can we do that's low cost, because nuclear certainly isn't, but low cost to get us
• And then when we get there, some lower cost source to balance out the higher cost of nuclear, whatever
• It's 77 to 130, nuclear at 141 to 221 per megawatt, and coal is 68 to 168 per megawatt.

Summary: The House Utilities Committee resumed and then concluded a hearing on HB 2402 and HB 2816, both dealing with utility-scale solar development. The chair asked witnesses to testify for informational purposes where they supported some provisions but opposed others, and the discussion centered on setback distances, taxation, cropland conversion caps, local control, and decommissioning/oversight. Several witnesses described concerns about large solar projects encircling farms, impacts on neighbors, glare, fire risk, wetlands, and property values, while others emphasized the need for reasonable statewide standards and the importance of preserving Chapter 100 agreements and county flexibility. Testimony from landowners and advocacy groups largely urged stronger protections: higher setbacks, more local authority, lower caps on cropland conversion, and higher tax rates than the bill’s proposed $2,500 per megawatt. Some witnesses argued solar should be taxed as commercial property rather than agricultural land, while others raised constitutional concerns about changing agricultural assessment. A county commissioner described local regulations his county adopted, including road agreements, decommissioning bonds, hydraulic studies, and buffering, and said counties need clearer rules, especially where there is no zoning. Industry and utility representatives said the bills were generally workable but wanted further discussion on setbacks and tax treatment. They argued tax comparisons should account for the full package of taxes and incentives, not just nameplate taxes, and said higher taxes can raise electricity costs for customers. Ameren Missouri said most of the bill was acceptable, but cautioned about how real property would be assessed and noted its current and planned solar buildout. The committee took no vote; after hearing the final witness, the chair closed testimony on HB 2402 and HB 2816 and adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• courses and degree paths to train the workforce that will construct and operate the next generation of nuclear
• 11.760><c> programs</c><00:25:12.720><c> and</c><00:25:12.960><c> to</c><00:25:13.200><c> expand</c> nuclear
• related programs and to expand nuclear related programs and to expand their<00:25:15.200><c> curricula
• the next will construct and operate the next generation<00:25:24.640><c> of</c><00:25:24.960><c> nuclear
• </c> generation of nuclear generation of nuclear energy<00:25:26.559><c> facilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• navigator, Chief Petty Officer Juan Avicado Acevedo, leading logistics specialist, machinist's mate nuclear
• first class Michael Buck, and electronics technician nuclear second class James Davis.
• Chief Betty Officer Juan Avicado Acevedo, leading logistics specialist, machinist made nuclear, first
• class Michael Buck, electronics technician nuclear, second class James Davis, machinist made nuclear
• Electronics Technician Nuclear, Second Class James Davis, Machinist Nuclear, Second Class Nathaniel Paulinger

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's why today, I am proud to announce that Missouri, and this administration, is all in on nuclear
• And that's why today, I am proud to announce that Missouri, and this administration is all in on nuclear
• And this administration is all in on nuclear.
• Nuclear is a safe, reliable, and clean energy source that can and will power Missouri's economic future
• Before this address, I signed an executive order establishing the Advanced Nuclear Energy Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• to those who are unlawfully deterrent to those who are unlawfully obstructing<00:32:46.880><c> public
• <01:38:52.320><c> jne</c> deterrence jne deterrence jne currently<01:38:55.560><c> the</c><01:38:56.440
• and I heard about I heard deterrence and I heard about I heard some<01:40:07.840><c> testifiers</c><
• challenge we have there's an deterrence challenge we have um<01:41:01.520><c> and</c><01:41:01.679><
• </c> shown by studies not to be a deterrent shown by studies not to be a deterrent on<01:51:32.000><c

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to work on the renewables, but we got to make sure we have your CAM on that nuclear commission
• We're going to work on the renewables, but we got to make sure we have your CAM on that nuclear commission
• We're going to work on the renewables, but we got to make sure we have your CAM on that nuclear commission
• We're going to work on the renewables, but we got to make sure we have your CAM on that nuclear commission
• Keeping our coal-fired plants firing while, by the way, we're working on this nuclear commission.

Summary: The committee met for its third interim meeting, approved the prior meeting minutes, and heard a presentation from the Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2) on Kentucky’s metals industry. Speakers described metals manufacturing and recycling as a major economic backbone for the Commonwealth, including steel, aluminum, stainless steel, and copper operations, with broad impacts across production, fabrication, supply chains, and related businesses. They emphasized that the industry supports high-paying jobs, significant capital investment in Kentucky, and is aligned with broader efforts to expand U.S. manufacturing. A central theme was workforce development. MI2 leaders said the industry faces a persistent talent gap and that current education programs do not always produce the skills needed for modern metals jobs. They argued for stronger exposure and awareness, more direct industry involvement, and a dedicated metals career pathway through high schools, area technology centers, career and technical centers, and KCTCS. They also described pilot efforts in Logan, Warren, and Carroll counties that would introduce students to metals careers in middle school, move them into credits and pathways in high school, and connect them to internships, apprenticeships, and postsecondary training. Recycling and supply-chain security were the other major topics. Testimony stressed that recycled inputs are far cheaper than raw ore extraction and that recycling is increasingly important to competitiveness, environmental performance, and keeping materials from leaving the U.S. Speakers also raised concerns about China’s large steel and aluminum capacity and said unfair trade and global market manipulation make it harder for Kentucky producers to compete. Committee members and presenters framed MI2 as a collaborative effort among industry, state government, and academia to strengthen workforce pipelines, recycling, and long-term industry growth. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:42:23.040><c> the</c><00:42:23.200><c> Kentucky</c><00:42:23.680><c> New</c><00:42:24.000><c> Nuclear
• </c> grants from the Kentucky New Nuclear grants from the Kentucky New Nuclear Energy<00:42:24.960><c
• :42:39.119><c> our</c><00:42:39.359><c> commonwealth</c><00:42:40.319><c> on</c><00:42:40.640><c> nuclear
• </c> within our commonwealth on nuclear. Mr. within our commonwealth on nuclear. Mr.
• </c><00:42:54.640><c> and</c><00:42:54.800><c> and</c> you know, as I promote nuclear and and you know