Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:22.840> lower<00:21:23.279> empyema<00:21:24.039> rates<00:21:24.840>
• lower<00:21:25.360> smoking rates lower empyema rates lower smoking rates lower empyema rates
• lower smoking rates<00:21:26.360> y<00:21:26.679> lower<00:21:27.039> youth<00:
• 21:27.400> smoking<00:21:27.880> rates<00:21:28.240> in rates y lower youth smoking
• rates in rates y lower youth smoking rates in these<00:21:28.799> 44<00:21:29.440> communities

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:05 Attendance Roll Call: 00:17 HB 30 (Rep. Blanton): 01:12 HB 27 (Rep. Osborne: 05:22 HB 45 (Rep. Hodgson): 08:29 HB 211 (Rep. C. Lewis): 15:54 HB 441 (Rep. Tipton): 36:38 Adjournment: 41:20, 958, all

Summary: The Senate State and Local Government Committee met and first took up House Bill 30, which addresses pension spiking and retired state troopers returning to work. The sponsor and Kentucky Public Pensions Authority staff said the bill would codify court language clarifying that across-the-board raises from the General Assembly do not count as pension spiking, and the committee substitute would also give retired troopers rehired on a year-to-year basis the same vacation, sick leave, and bereavement benefits as new troopers. The committee adopted the substitute and a title amendment, and HB 30 passed 9-0. The committee then considered House Bill 27, which removes an arbitrary 2023 date from the Planned Communities Act that had created confusion over political signage rules in HOA and planned community phases. The sponsor said the change would preserve HOA authority to regulate sign size, duration, and placement while eliminating inconsistent treatment of neighboring properties. The bill passed 10-0. House Bill 45 followed, proposing to ban foreign funding in Kentucky elections and ballot measures and to require disclosure for express advocacy ads related to ballot measures. Supporters said the bill would put ballot measures on the same footing as candidate and PAC restrictions and prevent foreign nationals from influencing Kentucky elections; one senator raised concerns that the language could unintentionally chill participation by noncitizens, especially in one-on-one discussions, and the sponsor said he would work on that issue. The committee adopted the bill as amended, and it passed 8-1. The final major item was House Bill 211, which would create a narrow exemption allowing cigar bars under defined conditions, including a revenue threshold, age restrictions, ventilation requirements, and local permitting options. The sponsor said the bill would not roll back general smoke-free laws but would allow tightly regulated cigar bars and grandfather existing ones from some requirements. Public health witnesses, including a nurse, a physician, and a thoracic surgeon, opposed the bill, warning it would weaken strong smoke-free protections, harm workers and patrons, and reverse progress against tobacco-related disease. The transcript provided did not include a final vote on HB 211.

Transcript Highlights:

• the risk of which may increase the rate the risk of harmful<01:09:55.480> encounters.
• We have the lowest turnover rate of any department in the county. We pay above market salaries.
• <01:31:14.800> We rate of any department in the county.
• We rate of any department in the county.
• calculates the rates it charges private<01:53:09.320> partners<01:53:09.800> and<01:53

Bills: HF3753, HF4299, HF4700, HF4282, HF4139, HF3530, HF4031

Keywords: school safety, threat assessment, pilot project, education, real-time monitoring, public safety, HF4299, school safety specialists, Minnesota School Safety Center, appropriation, general fund, fiscal year 2026, school security, school violence prevention, student safety, Department of Public Safety, school resource support, education funding, peace officer, training reimbursement

Transcript Highlights:

• Rating agencies are looking at how we're going to resolve and remediate the current situation.
• Rating agencies are looking at how we're going to resolve and remediate the current situation.
• Rating agencies are looking at how we're going to resolve and remediate the current situation.
• That is the one that the rating agencies monitor the most.
• The rating agents this conversations.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Capital to bear at uh discounted rates Capital to bear at uh discounted rates relative<01:04:25.640
• For market-rate housing, that can be passed on down to the renters.
• , then you can have whatever you want for interest rate.
• <01:39:03.599> I Hampshire the maximum interest rate I Hampshire the maximum interest rate
• <01:39:17.239> but writing that's an interest rate but writing that's an interest rate but

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a recession-level rate, the highest rate since the pandemic.
• rate is now 7 and a half%. rate is now 7 and a half%.
• ,<00:24:53.039> the That's a recession level rate, the That's a recession level rate, the
• 40 years ago, our fertility rates 40 years ago, our fertility rates started<08:26:00.718> to<
• It's a crap rate of return.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of answering the calls but the rates of answering the calls but that's<00:11:44.959> something
• the recidivism rate in New Hampshire<01:00:11.359> the<01:00:11.520> cost<01:00:11.720
• Um, those recidivism rates, uh, that—that’s tremendous when you talk about impaired driving.
• Uh, we're really attacking the refusal rate here in New Hampshire.
• <03:07:11.760> was 2022 was 70%. 2023 the refusal rate was 68%, and in 2024 the refusal rate

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My question has to do with the fact that we keep hearing from the hospital that the reimbursement rate
• participate in a uniform or broad-based tax program, and in the sense that you might be taxed at a higher rate
• participate in a uniform or broad-based tax program, and in the sense in that you might be taxed at a higher rate
• you're going to have patients who are not accessing care, because we're seeing how high the cancer rate

Summary: The Legislative Budget Commission met with a quorum present and considered two budget amendments for the Agency for Health Care Administration. The first, EOGB 2026-0831, authorized $2.1 billion in budget authority for the Low-Income Pool to support safety-net providers for uncompensated charity care. Members asked about the timing of CMS approval and whether the program addressed hospital shortfalls for insured patients and children; AHCA said the program is for uncompensated care and would follow up on specific questions. The amendment was adopted without objection. The second amendment, EOGB 2026-0875, placed $7.9 billion in reserve for Florida’s Directed Payment Program for hospitals, pending final CMS approval. Discussion focused on hospital attestations that no hold harmless agreements were in place, the meaning of those federal requirements, and whether any agreements had to be unwound; AHCA said attestations had been received from all hospitals and submitted to CMS. Members also asked about the approval timeline and whether another amendment would be needed after final approval, and AHCA said approval was hoped for soon but could not confirm the budget process. Representative Woodson raised concerns about cancer hospitals not participating in the DPP; AHCA responded that those hospitals participate instead in a separate Florida Cancer Hospital supplemental program, which had already been approved. This amendment was also adopted without objection, and the commission then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• to veterans who are disabled with a physical or mental impairment that has received a disability rating
• it can also address a non-service-connected disability if there is a service-connected disability rated
• there's a service connected<00:08:22.400> disability<00:08:23.039> at<00:08:23.199> rated
• <00:08:23.520> at<00:08:23.680> at connected disability at rated at at connected disability
• at rated at at least<00:08:24.000> 50%<00:08:25.039> disabling.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And on the last page of this contract addendum, it gives the hourly rate of each of these attorneys.
• I wanted to ask if this is a continuing Rate that was in place before or have the rates changed under
• These are the rates that were sent to us. They haven't changed.
• So, these were the rates that were sent to us by that firm.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And they said they had cut the indirect cost rate from 55% to 15%.
• cuts, Department of Education, absolutely, through some of their cuts, as well as... tell you, the rate
• So the rate cap was another one. And then also, they did.
• And they have been able A very high retention rate, have a very high graduation rate, doctors, accountants

Transcript Highlights:

• retail trade for purposes of determining whether a company should pay franchise tax at the retail tax rate
• Allowing our industry to file at the lower rate would level an uneven playing field and free up much-needed
• We're a very capital-intensive industry, and any reduction in rates would allow us to meet that goal.
• the top five producers that we have in the state, Pioneer went from a 57 percent wastewater... usage rate
• in 2020 up to a 74 percent rate in 2022.

Bills: SB1211, SB1574, SB2774, SB2873, SB2900, HJR4

Keywords: hydraulic fracturing, sales tax exemption, oil and gas, environmental impact, water reuse, justice, judicial council, centers of excellence, court operations, recognition program, franchise tax, retail trade, tax classification, business regulation, economic impact, SB 2873, Texas Tax Code, electronic filing, e-filing, tax reports

Transcript Highlights:

• grid innovation, strengthens tools for business expansion, and provides economic development utility rates
• This not only cleans up our books, but sends a strong message to the bond rating agencies that we are
• This not only cleans up our books, but sends a strong message to the bond rating agencies that we are
• We're building market-rate housing at $100 above Section 8 prices.
• But the non-union work prevailing wage or the collective bargaining rate, but the non-union workers,

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on Governor Healey’s economic development proposal, H. 5386, also referred to as the Mass Winds Act, focused on global investment, talent, innovation, housing, and business competitiveness. Governor Healey, Secretary of Economic Development Eric Paley, and Secretary of Administration and Finance Matt Gorzkowicz described the bill as a response to federal uncertainty and global competition, building on the 2024 Mass Leads Act. They highlighted proposed investments in a Global Mass initiative, including a $50 million innovation access fund and $20 million for sites to help international companies locate or expand in Massachusetts, along with support for AI, quantum, robotics, defense innovation, climate tech, downtown revitalization, and creative/cultural economy projects. They also emphasized measures to lower business costs, including reducing the LLC filing fee, expanding the small business energy tax exemption, and streamlining housing and development rules. Committee members questioned the administration about non-compete reform, AI and data-center infrastructure, housing affordability, and whether the bill would help retain workers and companies in Massachusetts. The governor and secretaries argued that the non-compete changes would restore the original compromise by requiring any alternative to garden leave to be negotiated at separation, and they said the bill’s housing and workforce provisions are intended to help young workers stay in the state. They also said Massachusetts is already investing in AI training, an AI hub, and energy-related planning, while acknowledging that data-center growth will require careful attention to water, electricity, and ratepayer impacts. Several witnesses testified on specific sections. Northeastern University supported the internship tax credit, saying experiential learning helps students gain jobs and remain in Massachusetts. The Latino Empowerment Advisory Council supported the waiver of redundant English testing for internationally trained nurses, saying it would speed entry into the workforce without lowering clinical standards. Russell Beck opposed the non-compete changes, arguing they would undermine the 2018 compromise and could reduce other forms of employee compensation. The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office opposed the LLC fee reduction, citing revenue loss and fraud concerns. Municipal and regional groups, including the MMA and the Metro Mayors Coalition, supported site plan review codification and downtown/arts investments, while urging continued municipal input. The AFL-CIO asked for trigger language to preserve labor protections if federal law changes, and business and industry witnesses generally supported the bill’s competitiveness and global investment provisions. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with written testimony invited after the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The program already has low utilization rates.
• The program already has low utilization rates, and I think this threatens to alienate even more people
• It cataloged hanging materials and rated their effectiveness. Thank you.
• It cataloged hanging materials and rated their effectiveness.
• It calculated survival rates from local landmarks.

Summary: The committee heard several bills. SB 911, by Senator Becker, would require notification and verification of defensible-space compliance when homes in high wildfire severity zones are transferred, using the preliminary change of ownership report; supporters said it would improve wildfire resilience and insurance availability, while county assessors opposed the use of the PCOR and urged a different recorded document. Members generally supported the bill but raised concerns about the 12-month compliance window and the need to keep working with assessors; the bill was held pending a quorum and later placed on call. SB 1016, by Senator Blakespear, would create a pathway for a higher-level mental health evaluation when a Care Court petition is dismissed because the person is too ill to participate or otherwise needs more intensive care. Supporters, including psychiatrists, family members, and local officials, said Care Court is leaving many severely ill people untreated and that the bill would connect them to existing LPS processes. Opponents, including Disability Rights California, county behavioral health directors, counties, and other advocacy groups, argued it would expand involuntary detention, bypass existing pre-petition screening safeguards, and undermine Care Court’s voluntary nature. The bill passed the committee on a roll call vote and was placed on call. SB 1112, by Senator Archuleta, would create a faster court process for victims of illegal or excessive “bandit towing” to recover their vehicles by posting a bond and obtaining a release certificate. Support came from Enterprise Mobility and the author, who said the bill targets bad actors and helps equalize leverage for vehicle owners; the California Auto Body Association sought an amendment to exclude auto repair shops. The committee passed the bill as amended to Appropriations and placed it on call. SB 1119, by Senator Padilla, would impose child-safety requirements on AI chatbots, including risk assessments, crisis-response protocols, parental controls, limits on time and data use, reporting, audits, and a private right of action. The bill was driven by testimony from the mother of a teenager who died by suicide after prolonged chatbot interactions; industry and business groups opposed or sought amendments, citing overlap with recent law, vague standards, and prescriptive design mandates. Members expressed strong support for the bill’s goals while urging tighter definitions, and the bill was moved on a roll call vote and placed on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota has some of the highest electric rates in the country, and it's continuing to climb.
• The way to fix that is by tax relief, is by rate relief, is by just frankly government relief from the
• It began to degrade and the crime rates went up, and his mother was eventually mugged.
• at a reasonable rate and achieve the<00:21:59.919> public<00:22:00.320> purpose<00:22:
• <00:31:28.480> So prevention of foreclosure rate. So prevention of foreclosure rate.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up House File 1141, the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency supplemental budget bill. Representative Howard described it as a bipartisan housing package aimed at addressing Minnesota’s housing shortage by funding housing infrastructure bonds, Greater Minnesota workforce housing, homeowner education, a senior housing pilot, and family homelessness assistance and prevention. He said the bill is budget-neutral, using unspent interest earnings and other redirected funds, and includes transparency and accountability reforms for MHFA. Several members spoke in support, emphasizing housing supply, affordability, and the need for more homes across the state. The main floor debate centered on the Norris A6 amendment and the Igo A1 amendment to it. Norris proposed changing rent-increase limits in low-income housing tax credit properties from area median income to the lower of area median income or the consumer price index, arguing that seniors on fixed incomes were being priced out as rents rose faster than Social Security COLAs. Igo’s A1 amendment instead would have preempted cities, counties, and townships from adopting or renewing rent control ordinances statewide, with supporters arguing rent control harms development and affordability. Opponents said the proposal had not been fully vetted in committee and that public subsidies justify rent limits. Both the A1 amendment to the amendment and the underlying A6 amendment failed on tied 67-67 votes. After the amendments were defeated, the bill received its third reading and further discussion. Howard and other supporters reiterated that the bill would help produce an estimated 2,000 to 2,200 housing units, with HIB-funded projects historically spread across the metro and Greater Minnesota. Members also highlighted the bill’s support for first-time homebuyers, manufactured housing, senior housing, and homelessness prevention. No final passage vote is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• , I mean, you heard my concerns from the last time we spoke, and the flipping of units into market-rate
• <00:45:46.920> Okay,<00:45:47.040> thank or less will be market rate.
• Okay, thank or less will be market rate.
• I recommend that we move forward in HD1, that we blank out all the proposed rates, and add those rates
• the proposed rates, and add those rates the proposed rates, and add those rates to<01:23:59.840>

Bills: SB2069, SB2177, SB2342, SB2060, SB2544, SB3011, SB2061, SB2552

Keywords: SB2069, Hawaii housing, HHFDC, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund, equity pilot program, housing affordability, homeownership, first-time homebuyer, for-sale housing, transit-oriented development, TOD, transit-oriented development zone, bus route, bus stop, critical workforce housing, health care workers, educators, law enforcement, correctional officers

Summary: The House Housing Committee opened its Friday morning hearing by noting potentially catastrophic flooding on the island and acknowledging that some members were absent helping their communities, so quorum for voting was uncertain. The committee then heard testimony on several housing-related measures, with most bills drawing support from housing agencies and community organizations and little or no opposition in the room. On SB 2069 SD2, SB 2177 SD2, and SB 2342 SD2, witnesses largely supported the measures. HHFDC supported SB 2069 and SB 2177, and HPHA supported SB 2342. For SB 2342, HHFDC raised concerns that the bill would alter the Qualified Allocation Plan outside the normal open, public process required by federal law and could exclude stakeholders; Kathy Charities echoed those concerns and also objected to changing point allocations in ways that could raise rents and weaken long-term affordability. Members questioned HHFDC about how the QAP is normally updated, the meaning of the point system, and whether a legislative working group could mandate changes; HHFDC said recommendations would still need public hearing and board approval. The committee also heard SB 2060 SD2, which would create a mixed-income subaccount in the rental housing revolving fund. HHFDC said the subaccount would likely use tier-two funds, estimated at about $100 million total, to support mixed-income projects above 60% AMI, citing Front Street Apartments as a possible example. Members asked about project selection and funding needs. On SB 2544 SD2, OHA opposed the bill’s Chapter 6E-related exemptions and mandatory review timelines, arguing that burial review protections should not be weakened and that the SPEED Task Force process was a better venue for streamlining. The sponsor later clarified that the bill was not meant to eliminate the 60-day review process but to make the deadline clearer. For SB 3011 SD1, which concerns public housing and pet ownership, HPHA and several humane organizations supported the measure, saying it would help low-income residents and seniors keep pets and benefit from animal companionship. HPHA explained its existing pet policy, including deposits, monthly fees, and restrictions, and said the requested funding would support ADA-accessible pet areas and related administration. Finally, on SB 2061 SD2, HCDA supported the bill while OHA opposed it unless protections for Hawaiian Crown and Government lands were strengthened. Committee members questioned the project’s 60/40 split between income-restricted and market-rate units, the 10-year owner-occupancy restriction, and the procurement exemption; the sponsor said the exemption was tied to a real estate transaction and that the project would still use 103D-like solicitation procedures. No votes were taken during the hearing, and several items were left for later action because quorum was uncertain.

Transcript Highlights:

• The research is clear: requirements raise vaccination rates and strengthen herd immunity.
• Preventable diseases already cost the health care system billions when vaccination rates drop.
• Okay. $1.5 billion is if we continue to see a 1% drop in vaccination rates.
• And our vaccination rate did not drop.
• every year since 2020, our school vaccination rate has dropped by more than half a percent.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and recognition of the Doctor of the Day. Members also read a proclamation honoring National School Social Work Week, with remarks emphasizing the role of school social workers in supporting students’ mental health, safety, and access to services. The House then handled a long series of first readings and committee/calendar actions before moving into multiple Committee of the Whole sessions. In the first major round of floor action, the House advanced HB 2123, HB 2140, and HB 2144 after adopting amendments. HB 2123 would affirm gold and silver as legal tender and allow their use through electronic systems; HB 2140 would let the state treasurer invest up to 10% in gold and silver; and HB 2144 would require child support to begin at pregnancy, prompting debate over paternity, genetic testing, rape-related pregnancies, and recourse for mistaken paternity. The House also advanced HB 2492 on urban growth boundaries, HB 2875 with clarifying language, HB 2946 on housing affordability and construction sales tax, and HB 4115/HCR 2051 on ballot initiative petition rules and disclosure. Supporters framed those measures as transparency reforms and protections against out-of-state influence, while opponents argued they would make it harder for citizens to qualify initiatives and local measures for the ballot. Later Committee of the Whole action advanced HB 2175, HB 2270, HB 2416, HB 2557, HB 2697, HB 2940, and HB 4010, along with HB 2324, HB 2573, HB 2601, HB 2876, and HCR 2004. HB 2175 drew debate over whether political affiliation should be included in hate-crime law; a proposed Garcia amendment to add gender identity and remove political affiliation failed, and a later motion to add it to the report also failed by roll call. HB 2557 clarified a medical-records timeline to business days. HB 2697 created a good-Samaritan style protection for use of expired opioid antagonists such as Narcan. HB 2940 was defended as reducing improper enrollment in Access/SNAP-related programs and opening managed-care bidding, while opponents said it would cut benefits and burden vulnerable residents. HCR 2004, dealing with photo enforcement, was amended to let cities put the issue to local voters; supporters called it a compromise and opponents argued photo radar saves lives and reduces speeding-related crashes. In third-reading votes, HB 2264 passed overwhelmingly on Arizona Geological Survey matters, HB 2373 passed unanimously on income tax refunds for veterans, HB 2413 failed on sex offender monitoring, and HB 2862 passed on sentencing enhancements for crimes committed while wearing a mask. The House also reconsidered and revived HB 2055, HB 2150, HB 2426, and HB 2755 related to state land and groundwater measures. The transcript ends with the House beginning third-reading consideration of HB 2941 on motorcycles, with members speaking in support of roadway safety and personal experience.

Transcript Highlights:

• sent a letter to our congressional delegation back in Washington to ask about changing our royalty rate
• And just kind of where we are right now, recall the federal rate on coal used to be a floor of 12.5%.
• Well, by a shift of that, uh, to trying to get that rate changed just by moving that administrative rate
• De Tai. uh recall the federal rate on coal uh recall the federal rate on coal used<00:35:21.680> to
• rate over, moving that administrative rate over, you're<00:35:46.840> basically<00:35:47.200>

Bills: SJ0001

Keywords: mineral leasing, federal lands, Wyoming, energy policy, local control, federalism, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Since the social media revolution, the depression rates amongst teens have more than doubled.
• Suicide rates have also skyrocketed during that same time.
• And so there's, I heard a statistic about a 97% accuracy rate among the tech platforms.
• And so there's, I heard a statistic about a 97% accuracy rate among the tech platforms.
• And so there's, I heard a statistic about a 97% accuracy rate among the tech platforms.

Keywords: Meeting start: 00:00 Roll call: 00:05 HB 227 discussion: 01:10 HB 227 voting: 49:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum to consider House Bill 227, a time-sensitive measure focused on social media use by minors. The bill sponsor, Rep. Matt Lockett, and supporters including counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, the Attorney General’s office, and the Family Foundation argued that social media is addictive and harmful to children, contributes to mental health problems and exploitation, and that the bill would give parents more control while regulating addictive features rather than banning speech. Supporters said the bill is narrowly tailored, content-neutral, and designed to withstand constitutional scrutiny; the Attorney General’s office said it would defend the bill if challenged and described ongoing multi-state litigation against major platforms. One committee member also described seeing inappropriate AI-generated content on a 16-year-old’s phone as an example of the problem the bill seeks to address. Opposition testimony came from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, NetChoice, and the Computer and Communications Industry Association. They argued the bill raises First Amendment concerns because it conditions minors’ access on parental consent, regulates how private platforms communicate with users, and could function as a de facto speech ban. They also warned that the age-estimation requirement could force platforms to collect more sensitive data, creating privacy and security risks, and that the ban on “addictive features” was overly broad and could sweep in personalized feeds, notifications, autoplay, and other common tools. Opponents said the bill could especially harm vulnerable youth who rely on online access for community or safety information and urged the committee to craft a constitutional alternative. During questions, members asked how the state could enforce the law against national companies and were told enforcement would come through the Attorney General within Kentucky and potentially through multi-state litigation. Members also discussed the bill’s practical effects, including advertising revenue from youth users and the need for guardrails to protect children. The discussion continued with questions about the bill’s scope, parental consent, age estimation, and liability provisions, but no final vote or other committee action was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we're talking about one base rate for all these institutions, which is pretty difficult.
• But then we reduce the effect of that by having a lower rate.
• So their base rate is 50% lower than the smaller institutions.
• So we get regular tuition rate for that.
• So if you are in lower total credits, you get at 1.8 times the base rate of 119.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Higher Education Funding Committee met to discuss possible changes to North Dakota’s higher education funding formula, with a particular focus on separating the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences MD program from the general formula. Dr. Jenkins outlined several options for the MD program, including a fixed-funding model, a hybrid model, or keeping it in the formula, and emphasized the need to preserve strong support for medical education while making future funding clearer. He also discussed efforts to increase the share of North Dakota students in the MD program through ND85, expanded recruiting, early acceptance pathways, MCAT prep, a four-plus-one program, and the Primary Care Accelerated Track, along with future cost pressures such as AI licensing and residency growth. The committee then reviewed a simplified funding model from the University System Office that would base funding more heavily on student FTE, credentials awarded, and a few incentive factors such as small institution and research adjustments. Members questioned the use of placeholder numbers, the lack of a clear methodology for the small institution and research factors, and whether the model would adequately account for differences among institutions, high-cost programs, and graduate education. Several members raised concerns that arbitrary factors would be hard to defend politically and could distort funding or create competition between schools, while others said the exercise was useful as a starting point for discussion. Alex presented a second alternative that kept the current SIP-code structure but increased CTE weighting, added a progressive economic size factor, and separated out the MD program. His model also added an on-campus face-to-face headcount component and a credentials component, with the intent of rewarding in-person enrollment and completions. Members questioned the use of headcount instead of FTE, how hybrid, online, dual-credit, and off-campus students would be treated, and why face-to-face enrollment was weighted more heavily than completion. No formal votes or final actions were taken; the committee instead continued discussion and asked members to provide direction on which elements, if any, should be developed further.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is not low-interest rate loans. And I think some of these are reimbursements, right?
• Since the passage of HB 22, only one full accountability year of ratings has been released.
• We also will not assign 'not rated' anymore in our A through F ratings.
• And it's obvious that maybe they don't want these accountability ratings out in public.
• Yeah. decides to sue over the A through F ratings?

Summary: The Senate first adopted a motion by Senator Zaffirini to suspend Senate Rule 5.14 and move the intent calendar deadline to 8:00 p.m. that day, also allowing the Secretary to make the calendar available as soon as practicable. The chamber then took up and passed several House bills, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. HB 2128, relating to a study of rural firefighting and technical rescue capabilities, passed unanimously. HB 4157, on liability protections for commercial spaceflight and exploration, passed 28-3. HB 2240, concerning certain void marriages, passed after adoption of a Birdwell amendment extending filing deadlines to 90 days for certain active-duty service members and Foreign Service officers. HB 367, on verification of excused absences for students with severe or life-threatening illnesses, passed unanimously after clarifying school district forms and TEA model forms. HB 1506, expanding expedited handgun license eligibility to certain retired county court judges, passed 29-2. HB 4449, on alcohol sales in annexed municipal areas, passed 29-2. HB 3812, on health plan prior authorization requirements, passed 30-1. The Senate also announced a long list of bills and resolutions signed in the presence of the Senate. A major portion of the meeting centered on HB 521, a voting-related bill on curbside voting for voters with disabilities. Senator Paxton described it as an anti-misuse measure requiring a signed eligibility form for curbside voting, creating a 20-foot electioneering buffer, limiting election officer assistance in marking ballots unless a second officer is present, and adding reporting requirements for people who assist seven or more curbside voters. Senators Miles, Menendez, Johnson, Campbell, Cook, and others questioned whether the bill would burden disabled voters, create a de facto registry of volunteers, and impose a harsh Class A misdemeanor penalty for failing to complete the form. Paxton said the bill was intended to protect legitimate curbside voters and curb abuse, and the chamber adopted Paxton Floor Amendment No. 1 after a recorded vote. Zaffirini’s Floor Amendment No. 2, allowing an escorting voter to receive his or her own ballot at the curbside or entrance, was adopted. Menendez’s Floor Amendment No. 3 to reduce the penalty failed. The bill was then passed to third reading on a 20-11 vote, with a motion by Senator Miles to have the exchanges reduced to writing and placed in the journal adopted. The Senate also passed HB 3000, creating a grant program for rural ambulance service providers, after a comptroller-related amendment; HB 5616, establishing the Texas Presidential Library Promotion Program and funding for traveling exhibits, after narrowing the bill to mobile exhibits only; HB 4211, addressing certain residential property interests controlled by entities, which passed 30-1; HB 1178, creating temporary educator certificates for out-of-state certified educators and military spouses, which passed unanimously; HB 2243, creating the Texas Commission on Teacher Job Satisfaction and Retention, which passed after debate over the need to streamline education mandates; and HB 42, increasing and reallocating the constitutional Higher Education Fund appropriation by 50% to $1.18 billion, which passed 31-0. Finally, HB 2512, a Fort Worth-specific bill limiting ETJ release for land subject to active development agreements, passed after debate over broader ETJ and de-annexation policy, with a local-only clarifying amendment adopted and a proposed broader amendment withdrawn. The meeting ended with the Senate beginning consideration of HB 3372, which would bar school district administrators from receiving financial benefits tied to outside consulting or contracting with education entities, though the transcript cuts off during questions on that bill.