Transcript Highlights:

• SJR 59 establishes a constitutionally dedicated permanent endowment to fund the capital infrastructure
• SJR 59 establishes a constitutionally dedicated permanent endowment to fund the capital infrastructure
• The Texas Education Agency is required to develop a template for a return-to-class plan that schools
• It expands on reforms made to curriculum development and approval, refining the general education and
• The advisory council was established in 2020 and is tasked with developing recommendations to address

Summary: The committee heard and discussed several higher education and public school bills. Senator Burwell presented SB 1242 to remove an outdated Coordinating Board approval requirement for Texas State Technical College land and facility acquisitions, and SJR 59 to create a constitutionally dedicated endowment for TSTC capital needs; both drew strong support from industry and workforce groups and were left pending. SB 757, by Senator Middleton, would create a debt-to-earnings accountability system for public college programs, with supporters saying it would protect students from low-value degrees and opponents warning it could unfairly penalize programs with long-term value, especially graduate, medical, and public service fields; it was also left pending. SB 1241, by Senator Millington, would expand acceptable college entrance exams beyond the SAT and ACT, including the Classic Learning Test, and was left pending after testimony from CLT, homeschool, and student groups in support. SB 1085, by Senator Blanco, would let Sul Ross State University offer lower-division courses at its satellite campuses in the Middle Rio Grande region; it too was left pending. The committee then took up a series of public school and higher education measures, voting several out favorably. SB 605, as substituted, limits commissioner approval of charter school expansion amendments for schools under conservatorship or a management team and was reported favorably 9-0. SB 1871 and SB 1873, both by Senator Perry, were revised to narrow teacher immunity, clarify removal and suspension procedures, require periodic review of in-school suspension placements, and align discipline rules; both substitutes were adopted and reported favorably. SB 1872, SB 1874, SB 762, SB 1962, SB 1750, SB 2252, SB 2253, SB 2365, SB 1924, and SB 37 were also considered, with most reported favorably on party-line or near-unanimous votes. SB 1750 would replace a flat charter school facilities funding cap with an attendance-based formula; SB 2252 and SB 2253 address kindergarten readiness, early literacy/numeracy, and educator preparation; SB 2365 concerns student phone use during instructional time; SB 1924 restores local citation authority for certain school offenses and adds reporting, notice, and completion requirements; and SB 37 would expand state oversight of higher education curriculum, governance, faculty senates, and compliance with state law. Other measures heard included SB 769, which would require a Coordinating Board report on barriers faced by students with disabilities in higher education; supporters emphasized the need for better data and accessibility, while witnesses suggested broader reporting on race, disability types, and K-12-to-college transitions. SB 2231 would designate a Free College Application Week in October and was left pending. SB 1878 would modernize the Josie School statute and provide formula funding and aid eligibility for Polytechnic College. SB 1409 would authorize universities to offer self-funded student health benefit plans, with Rice University and Texas 2036 supporting the measure as a way to lower costs and expand coverage. SB 2431 would require universities to give foreign language credit for study abroad programs, SB 2314 would require schools to inform students about opting in or out of record sharing for direct admissions through My Texas Future, and SB 2138 would extend the state’s anti-ESG contracting restrictions to public higher education endowments and governing boards; these later bills were introduced and left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to... develop a roadmap with policy and develop a roadmap with policy and funding<00:26:40.720
• So, where are we in terms of our EV charging infrastructure planning?
• <00:48:23.200> needs electric vehicle infrastructure needs electric vehicle infrastructure
• infrastructure planning? infrastructure planning?
• So that's a high-level overview of where we're at with EV infrastructure.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting was the first session of the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Electricity as a Vehicle Fuel Working Group. Commissioner Nancy Doenberger opened with introductions from members representing state agencies, legislators, utilities, local governments, industry groups, advocacy organizations, and others. The group then elected its leadership: Senator Anne Johnson Stewart was nominated and unanimously elected chair, and Representative Steve Elkins was nominated and unanimously elected vice chair. Senator Johnson Stewart said she would ensure all viewpoints are heard and asked MnDOT to continue running the meeting for practical reasons. Austin Turman of the Legislative Coordinating Commission reviewed the authorizing legislation. He explained that the working group must analyze electricity used as vehicle fuel infrastructure opportunities and barriers, develop a roadmap with policy and funding recommendations for sustainable transportation funding consistent with the Minnesota Constitution, and study other states’ approaches to equitable fuel assessment methods for electric vehicles. The group’s report is due February 13 and will go to the governor and legislative transportation leaders. Turman also briefly reviewed open meeting law requirements, noting the group must operate publicly when a quorum discusses official business, though public comment is not required. Members then discussed the purpose of the group and the need to find a fair replacement or supplement for declining gas tax revenue as EVs increase. Senator Johnson Stewart emphasized balancing system funding needs with user-based fairness, including differences in vehicle weight and road use. Representative Murphy stressed the need to consider rural Minnesota, taxpayer impacts, and current science, including climate and CO2 issues. Drive Electric Minnesota said EV drivers should pay their fair share and not be overburdened, while the Department of Revenue said it wants to administer the new EV charging-station tax fairly. A trucking representative highlighted that passenger vehicles and freight vehicles have very different operating and charging needs, suggesting the group consider those differences in any fee structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• And at this time, the election infrastructure was designated as a critical infrastructure subsector.
• infrastructure is a meaning critical infrastructure is a particular<00:03:28.200> designation
• was designated as a infrastructure was designated as a critical<00:05:08.680> infrastructure<
• <00:05:18.600> and that it's critical infrastructure and that it's critical infrastructure
• overall technological infrastructure overall technological infrastructure ensuring<00:47:02.040>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you've heard the reading of the resolution, and it will be referred to the Committee on Economic Development
• <00:27:26.559> Four<00:27:26.799> years on civilian infrastructure.
• Four years on civilian infrastructure.
• Uh, Senate Economic Development and Housing and General Affairs will be addressing this resolution at
• Senate Economic Development and Housing Senate Economic Development and Housing and<00:30:07.600>

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lastly, I think this could actually harm economic development. Let's give the example.
• interest of both the state and the business because we are ensuring that they have the reliable infrastructure
• So I know, like, yeah, and like water, big part of energy infrastructure, so I guess the last thing is
• We have had a member be told by an assessor that, hey, there's been a lot of residential development
• want to emphasize that this is a good bill, and I think as Sister Cook exemplified, our policy development

Bills: SB1180, SB1215, SB1270, SB1290, SB1292, SB1294, SB1430, SCR1028

Keywords: income tax, conformity, Arizona Revised Statutes, taxpayer, federal regulations, firefighters, occupational disease, workers compensation, cancer presumption, police officers, hazardous duty, SB1270, Arizona retirement system, public safety personnel, defined contribution plan, correctional officers, corrections officers, retirement contributions, supplemental contributions, retention incentive

Transcript Highlights:

• Utility infrastructure.
• zero and other regulatory development.
• , we need capacity development, we need implementation funding.
• My third one is really around workforce development.
• And then those fires can develop and spread within the community.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker and members, AB 2071 requires the Department of Education to develop a plan to expand digital
• This is to get to yes more quickly on these types of critical infrastructure projects, and with that
• This is to get to yes more quickly on these types of critical infrastructure projects, and with that
• Members, AB 2051 convenes a working group to develop a coastal resiliency permitting roadmap to recommend
• Those are places where we can build up, where we already have the infrastructure, we have the transit

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance before moving through the daily file. Several measures were taken up and passed, including bills on county jail accountability (AB 2257), claims against public agencies (AB 2529), affordable housing management metrics (AB 2689), digital wellness instruction in schools (AB 2071), pedestrian and bicycle safety project streamlining (AB 1976), manufactured home transport permits (AB 2012), a Surplus Land Act amendment tied to an Inland Empire soccer project (AB 2139), a Monterey Bay stewardship authority (AB 1548), online electrician licensing (AB 1707), a Caltrans study of navigation apps’ traffic impacts (AB 2105), coastal resiliency permitting reforms (AB 2051), downtown housing streamlining and financing (AB 2074), Cal Fire compensation (AB 2129), emergency care authority for Del Puerto Health Care District (AB 2282), charter school facilities hardship relief (AB 2316), theft by a peace officer under color of authority as serious misconduct (AB 2337), an Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander-serving institution designation (AB 2374), energy and cannabis support bills (AB 2464, AB 2537), and a suicide prevention plan requirement for treatment facilities (AB 2562). Most of these measures passed with broad bipartisan margins, and several were described as support bills with no opposition. The floor also debated a major criminal justice measure, AB 2727, which would raise the threshold for elderly parole eligibility for people serving sentences for violent sex offenses and add screening safeguards. Supporters from both parties emphasized child protection, survivor trauma, and specific local cases involving offenders who had become eligible for release; the bill passed 66-0. Another significant debate centered on AB 1958, which would clarify procedures under the California Racial Justice Act by refining how disparity claims are established and rebutted; the author said he would take Senate amendments to address concerns from district attorneys. The Assembly also considered AB 2313, a gas-to-electric transition bill allowing customers with planned service line replacements to opt out of gas service and use funds to electrify their homes. Members raised concerns about cost shifts and equity, and the author responded that the bill includes no-cost-shift language, larger credits for disadvantaged communities, and would not proceed if the math does not work; it passed 41-21. The final major item was AB 1709, a high-profile social media safety bill creating a minimum age of 16 for accounts on platforms using addictive features and establishing an e-safety commission. The author and many supporters from both parties framed the bill as a response to youth mental health harms, addictive design, and the need for age-based safeguards, while some members raised concerns about impacts on LGBTQ youth and other isolated young people who rely on online spaces. Supporters said the bill targets addictive design rather than speech and is intended to preserve safe online connection while limiting harmful features. The measure drew extensive bipartisan support and was still under debate at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Build a list and get started on economic development in Las Vegas. Thank you, gentlemen.
• Vegas focal point for membership to where, again, we can have economic development.
• So my goal is to produce opportunities for economic development.
• Bipartisan infrastructure law.
• We've developed some plans for buffer zones, but Mr. Chair, the reality is...

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a right to develop and prosper without the threat of losing our communities.
• I had a subdivision that came through our community development probably six or seven years ago, and
• Authority board member Zoning commissioner, La Paz County Industrial Development Authority board member
• They're trying to develop a crop that will be very valuable across Arizona.
• Staff also mentioned that the Natural Resource Conservation Board would be in charge of developing those

Bills: HB2014, HB2031, HB2078, HB2102, HB2103, HB2117, HB2261, HB2262, HB2264, HB2278, HB2428, HB2494, HB2756, HB2758, HB2762, HB2782, HB2932, HB2933, HB2986

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, water rights, groundwater, Willcox, active management area, certificate of grandfathered rights, Arizona legislature, aggregate mining, reclamation plans, environmental protection, public safety, land use, domestic water, improvement district, water delivery, water hauling

Transcript Highlights:

• Transportation with an emphasis on Workforce Development, and that's something that I serve on.
• We are all committed to Workforce Development and have passed several bills to support it.
• There were three top things that we found that were barriers to Workforce Development: housing, which
• They also have just one $1 million for a transit-oriented development that has to be matched.
• Both parties talk about economic development. Public transportation is… development driver.

Bills: HB52, HB89, HB141, HB52, HB89, HB141

Keywords: income tax, CHOOSE Act, education funding, ABLE account, tax credits, poverty threshold, legislative funding, HB89, Medicaid, pregnant women, pregnancy, prenatal care, ambulatory prenatal care, presumptive eligibility, temporary Medicaid coverage, Alabama Medicaid Agency, maternal health, low-income women, health coverage, eligibility determination

Transcript Highlights:

• And with more cuts coming to federal infrastructure of employees, we are seeing longer and longer wait
• We urge the legislators as you're developing your budget in the governor's proposal.
• We urge the legislators as you're developing your budget in the governor's proposal.
• <01:26:26.760> your legislators as you're developing your legislators as you're developing
• <01:42:06.639> is Supportive Housing infrastructure is Supportive Housing infrastructure is

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So certainly we're seeing locally our public health infrastructure being weakened.
• And so certainly we're seeing locally our public health infrastructure being weakened.
• We've partnered with Covered California and our agency and UCSF to develop this cross-sector network
• I am incredibly proud and thankful to be part of our California efforts to develop collaborations and
• We’ve developed a procedure for making changes to immunization and preventive services recommendations

Summary: The Assembly Subcommittee on Health heard an overview of the California Department of Public Health budget, including a $5.1 billion department budget and 19 non-IT budget change proposals spanning environmental health, healthcare quality, infectious disease, healthy communities, health statistics, preparedness, and laboratory sciences. CDPH also presented estimates for WIC and the Genetic Disease Screening Program, both of which were described as relatively stable, with WIC food costs rising mainly due to inflation and participation holding near 1 million monthly participants. Members and public commenters raised support for several proposals, including funding for the California Reducing Disparities Project, AB 1264 implementation on school food standards, childhood lead poisoning prevention, the hospital bed capacity registry, sickle cell care networks, and WIC protections amid federal policy changes and shutdown-related uncertainty. Dr. Erica Pond then presented the 2026 State of Public Health report, highlighting major gains such as record-low mortality rates, all-time high life expectancy, and the first decline in overdose deaths in 14 years, while warning about persistent disparities in maternal and infant outcomes, rising severe maternal morbidity, and worsening mental and behavioral health trends, especially among younger adults. She emphasized racial and geographic inequities, the role of social drivers like poverty and education, and the importance of prevention investments through the Behavioral Health Services Act. Members discussed the need for upstream public health spending, environmental health preparedness, and how to translate data into action, while public comment largely focused on sustaining community-based prevention and equity programs. In a separate update on federal actions and public health partnerships, Dr. Pond and CDPH staff described California’s response to federal funding threats, vaccine policy changes, and measles outbreaks. They outlined new collaborations such as the West Coast Health Alliance, the Governor’s Public Health Alliance, the WHO outbreak network, and the FACT Coalition, along with CDPH’s process for reviewing and updating immunization and preventive service recommendations under AB 144. Members questioned the rise in measles and declining vaccination coverage, and CDPH said it is using trusted messengers and tailored outreach while continuing to evaluate federal recommendations. The committee then heard an ADAP estimate showing lower projected budget authority needs due to reduced caseload and one-time funding expiring, followed by public support for using ADAP rebate funds to expand HIV prevention, PrEP, testing, and disease intervention staffing. The final issue focused on public health information technology systems, including Sapphire, CalReady, CalConnect, CARE, MyTurn, MyCAVAC, and the digital vaccine record. CDPH explained how these systems support disease reporting, contact tracing, immunization tracking, vaccine ordering, and outbreak response, while the Department of Finance said only Sapphire and CalReady are funded in the Governor’s budget and the rest are under review because of the state’s budget deficit and declining utilization. Local health department representatives strongly opposed losing the systems, arguing that lower usage reflects post-pandemic conditions and that the tools save staff time, improve outbreak response, and prevent a return to manual spreadsheets and phone calls. Members echoed concern that cutting the systems would undermine public health capacity and waste prior state investment, and urged the administration to present a funding plan that matches its stated commitment to public health.

Transcript Highlights:

• bill focused on protecting Representative Bartleman: Florida's most critical water management infrastructure
• The impoundment areas that this bill seeks to protect are part of Florida's water infrastructure.
• of our population of 150,000 residents as well as other municipalities that face the threat of development
• We're threatened by the development of new technology right at our Mayor Wayne Messam: Border, decided
• management practices for solar facility construction, specifically related to stormwater and infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill No. 431, introduced by the Committee on Revenue and Economic Development, revises provisions
• When you talk about the infrastructure bank and the promises that we've made through that bank, it's
• When you talk about the infrastructure bank and the promises that we've made through that bank, it's
• When you talk about the infrastructure bank and the promises that we've made through that bank, it's
• Seeing none, the Chief Clerk will open the roll. the infrastructure bank and the promises that we've

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to focus on our country's economic development.
• Infrastructure will be less volatility.
• We know that infrastructure can freeze.
• Uh infrastructure and energy generation.
• <03:34:24.720> that paying for private infrastructure that paying for private infrastructure

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you are the economic development you are the economic development agricultural<00:22:37.679>
• So it coincides with this development.
• Um, and you infrastructure, and so on.
• What the the big infrastructure piece.
• was largely to create an infrastructure was largely to create an infrastructure and<05:02:28.000

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:01.720> GIS they had minutes, they developed GIS they had minutes, they developed GIS
• <00:12:04.920> between partnerships could be developed between partnerships could be developed
• Other agencies infrastructure as well.
• and stuff like innovate and to develop and stuff like that
• c><01:09:11.920> for<01:09:12.560> um developed transmission lines um for um developed

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have training and staff development.
• We have training and staff development.
• <01:03:31.359> to agreement with the developer to agreement with the developer to finance<
• The selected developer will design the facility based on the 30 to 60% design and performance specs developed
• of p3s is bringing in the developers of p3s is bringing in the developers Innovative<01:58:39.560

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the ability to build linear infrastructure for inputs in and outputs out for not only the oil and
• And I think this project is going to go down as one of the top five modern North Dakota infrastructure
• of all the natural gas in the Bakken, and I think this is the most critical piece of interior infrastructure
• I think this is the most critical piece of interior infrastructure for the Bakken: having that pipeline
• For the 2025-27 biennium, funded projects were selected from the Deferred Maintenance Report developed

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum present and approved the March 18 minutes. The committee first heard an update from the Petroleum Council on oil and gas activity, which described North Dakota production as holding steady around 1.1 to 1.2 million barrels per day despite lower prices and market volatility. The presentation emphasized that efficiency gains, longer laterals, and improved completion technology are allowing operators to sustain output while activity shifts north in the Bakken. Members asked about gas taxation, natural gas liquids, flaring, and enhanced oil recovery; the witness said gas is taxed by volume, most liquids are handled through oil lines or gas processing, and the state’s EOR pilot projects and new gas infrastructure are intended to help hold production flat and expand future recovery. The committee then received a presentation from the Tax Department on the federal “big beautiful bill” and its effect on North Dakota income tax collections. The department explained that most of the federal changes were extensions of existing Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions, but several items — including the larger standard deduction, senior deduction, tip and overtime exclusions, auto loan interest deduction, and business expensing changes — affect state collections. Revised estimates showed a smaller-than-expected impact on individual income tax, with the department suggesting a net cash effect in the range of roughly $30 million to $35 million when business and individual effects are combined, plus a possible one-time distortion from large oil-field transactions in fiscal year 2025. Members asked which provisions apply to standard versus itemized returns, and the department clarified that most of the individual provisions apply broadly, while the SALT-related item is itemizer-specific. OMB then reported on major capital projects and facility funding. Updates included Capitol grounds improvements such as 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding, augmented reality displays for the Rough Rider Hall of Fame, tree management and lighting studies, and restroom and parking reconfiguration in the tower. OMB also described security upgrades at the governor’s residence, where human remains were discovered on site and are being handled with historical and legal review. The state hospital project in Jamestown remains on schedule for substantial completion in winter 2027 and opening in spring 2028, with costs currently estimated a little over $292 million and a line of credit expected to be drawn in April 2027. The North Central State Office Building in Minot is under construction, with a $5.6 million line of credit already accessed. OMB also reported on the State Facility Maintenance Fund, noting about $1.1 million spent so far on projects such as the Liberty Memorial Building roof and foundation work, Capitol window replacement, boiler replacement, and kitchen remodeling. Finally, Legislative Council staff reviewed the interim compliance report on legislative intent and state trust funds. The report highlighted the status of multiple lines of credit, including those for the state hospital and Minot office building, and noted that the executive budget will likely need to include repayment planning for about $350 million of expected outstanding balances. Other updates included the Bank of North Dakota profit transfer schedule, litigation pool spending, the new Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, the Missouri River Correctional Center planning effort, HHS items such as FMAP and child care assistance, Job Service’s unemployment insurance modernization project, and DPI school aid turnback estimates. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is exactly what you would think in terms of the IT infrastructure at the university.
• Cost-cutting research has been developed as a result of needs that have popped up around the state at
• Cost-cutting research has been developed as a result of needs that have popped up around the state at
• It also fluctuates depending on the age of infrastructure and the size of your plant.
• What improvements and what are your suggestions for developing a funding model that is perhaps fair,

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on higher education funding, focusing on how Florida’s university system should be financed and whether a new funding model is needed. University system financial officers and Chancellor Ray Rodriguez discussed major cost drivers, including wages and benefits, utilities, maintenance, financial aid, research, and the effects of geography, institutional mission, and student mix. UF highlighted the cost of research and graduate programs; UCF and FAU pointed to growth, location, and cost of living; FAMU emphasized recruiting top-tier talent while relying on other revenue sources; and UNF noted the challenges of growth and long-term planning. Members also discussed the role of internal controls and audits in addressing excessive spending and questioned whether out-of-state tuition should be adjusted to help offset costs. On revenue sources beyond state appropriations and tuition, the panel described auxiliaries, restricted funds, capital projects, and component units such as foundations and health systems. Several universities noted that some revenues are restricted to specific purposes and cannot be used for general operations. FAMU explained that a large share of its capital project funding reflected active campus construction, while UF said its component-unit revenue is largely tied to UF Health. The Chancellor emphasized that the system’s low tuition and strong state support are central to Florida’s national standing, but also noted that some auxiliary revenues are pledged to debt and must be managed carefully. When discussing the current funding process, witnesses praised Florida’s performance-based funding model for aligning incentives with student success, transparency, and accountability. They also raised concerns about non-recurring appropriations, rising employee benefit costs, unfunded mandates, deferred maintenance, and the difficulty of multi-year planning. Suggestions for improvement included more recurring funding, better coverage of mandated costs, greater flexibility in fee-setting, and possible weighting for mission, geography, and institutional type. The Chancellor said the Board of Governors is considering a “version 3.0” of performance-based funding that would benchmark institutions against peers and Carnegie classifications, but any changes would require legislative action. On out-of-state tuition, most universities said they would prefer local board flexibility, while the Chancellor cautioned that increasing out-of-state enrollment or fees could affect future state support and should be balanced carefully.