Transcript Highlights:

• Uh we had a group of folks got program.
• It's 21 uh to put together this program.
• introductory one is done every summer. introductory one is done every summer.
• <00:16:47.279> we professional certification program we professional certification program
• where<01:32:51.760> they programs or welding programs where they programs or welding programs

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved corrected minutes from October 6 after members noted and fixed several transcription and spelling errors, including a clarification that a comment about SAU numbers came from former Senator Jim Rubin. The vote to approve the corrected minutes was moved, seconded, and adopted with one abstention. The main presentation came from Chuck Bates of the New Hampshire Association of School Business Officials (ASBO), who described the organization, its certification program, and the role of school business administrators. He explained that ASBO members handle accounting and financial management, facilities, food service, HR, information systems, transportation, and risk management. He also outlined the certification program, which includes 21 courses, most online, plus four in-person workshops unique to New Hampshire, and noted that many members are not certified because the state licensure requirement was removed. Bates then addressed the committee’s interest in SAU consolidation and county-wide restructuring. He said business administrators often manage multiple budgets, attend school board meetings, and serve as a visible point of contact for the community. He argued that consolidation would create operational and financial challenges, including staff and facility relocation, differing accounting systems, lack of a standardized chart of accounts, and uncertain return on investment. He said the biggest obstacle would be local control, especially in small towns that do not want outside decisions affecting school closures, class sizes, or student transportation. Committee members questioned him about the distinction between administrative and academic control, the size of district offices in larger cities, and what might reduce administrative costs; Bates responded that many administrative costs stem from legislation and that consolidation would be difficult to implement without local support.

Transcript Highlights:

• related to program integrity measures. related to program integrity measures.
• or the childcare assistance program. or the childcare assistance program.
• assistance program.
• . program.
• my focus is on licensed uh programs. my focus is on licensed uh programs.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• child health programs.
• Medicaid to schools program is another program that we administer.
• Medicaid to schools program is another program that we administer.
• Medicaid to schools program is another program that we administer.
• Medicaid to schools program is another program that we administer.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fitting up a program. fitting up a program.
• the program will be in The 2028 program the program will be in place<01:58:19.920> in<01:58:20.120
• The program that the bridge program is The program that the bridge program is should<02:03:06.320>
• these programs. these programs.
• the program is working. the program is working.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was a member of the study committee to study Fish and Game funding and partnerships over the summer
• My understanding from the study committee I was on over the summer is that the numbers continue to increase
• so I think broadening the definition of family would encourage more people to participate in the program
• /c><01:03:37.920> the<01:03:38.000> hike<01:03:38.319> safe<01:03:38.559> program
• <01:03:38.960> and participate in the hike safe program and participate in the hike safe program

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• state of Texas. all across the state, and a special thanks to Senator Hinojosa for initiating this program
• I mean, does the software allow you to break through the firewalls and, you know, those programs that
• around the particular and specific ways in which the hospital defrauded Texas Medicaid insurance programs
• You can reference page 3 of my second handout for this information of what was done last summer and last
• Furthermore, the Supreme Court said last summer that it does not violate the Second Amendment to deprive

Bills: SB29, SB406, SB447, SB875, SB893, SB1033, SB1346, SB1362, SB1539, SCR22, SB 29

Keywords: business organization, internal management, corporate governance, partnerships, liability reduction, birth certificate, biological sex, gender identity, health and safety, sex assignment, SB 875, Texas, independent school district, ISD, school board trustee, superintendent, campus administrator, electioneering, political signs, early voting

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't want to undermine the five programs that they funded last year.
• But I don't want to undermine the five programs that they funded last year.
• But I don't want to undermine the five programs. I... Who they funded last year.
• I don't want to undermine the five programs that they funded last year.
• So the projects are identified along I-40 here on out that we're programmed, that we're programming in

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The committee first heard TRIP’s annual New Mexico transportation report from Carolyn Boniface Kelly, which described deteriorating roads and bridges, congestion, safety concerns, and a large transportation funding gap. The report said more than half of major roads statewide are in poor or mediocre condition, over 170 bridges are rated poor, congestion costs drivers significant time and money, and traffic crashes and road conditions impose billions in annual costs. Members broadly agreed the report underscored the need for more stable transportation funding, with several noting the state’s recurring underinvestment and the safety risks to motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2, a transportation bonding and revenue package. Senator Gonzales and Governor’s office and NMDOT representatives said the bill would authorize about $1.5 billion in additional bond debt for ready-to-go highway projects, while also increasing certain motor vehicle excise, registration, weight-distance, and EV-related fees to help support debt service and transportation funding. Supporters, including contractors, the Greater Albuquerque Chamber, the Department of Finance and Administration, and transportation officials, argued the bill would improve safety, economic development, project delivery, and funding stability, and help preserve federal dollars. Opponents, including the Rio Grande Foundation and some committee members, objected to the tax and fee increases, argued the state should use existing surpluses or other funds instead, and raised concerns about impacts on families, businesses, and local governments. Committee members questioned how projects would be selected, how the new fees were calculated, how EV surcharges would work, and whether local government distributions would be affected. NMDOT said the projects would be reported to the legislature annually, selected using crash data, asset management, and project readiness, but bond approval would remain with the State Transportation Commission. After debate, Representative Romero moved do pass on SB 2 as amended, Representative Hochman-Vigil seconded, and the committee approved the bill 7-2, with Representatives Brown and Dow voting no and several members expressing reservations despite supporting the need for transportation investment.

Transcript Highlights:

• BEYOND THAT AS WELL I DO AS AN ATTORNEY HAVE AN INTEREST IN THE PREVIEW LAW PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY
• I UNDERSTAND THAT THE PROGRAM WAS DOING WELL AND ANYTHING I CAN DO TO SUPPORT THAT MOVING FORWARD IS
• WE WILL INVEST IN STAFF AND PROGRAMS THAT ALIGN WITH TODAY'S JOB MARKET TRENDS.
• WHY CAN'T WE EXPAND OUR DOCTORAL PROGRAM AND ENGINEERING. WHY CAN'T WE HAVE OUR OWN MEDICAL SCHOOL.
• THAT WILL IMPACT THE ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, THE ACCREDITATION PROGRAMS, THE BUDGET, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The pilot program worked; food truck operators liked it.
• We learned some lessons from the pilot program and are implementing a few changes.
• Counties can charge what it actually costs to run the program, no more, no less.
• program, a revolving loan fund like this.
• There are many times in the summer that we actually do not work for days at a time.

Bills: HB386, HB1449, HB1701, HB2142, HB2675, HB2857, HB3063, HB3171, HB3641, HB3732, HB4045, HB4370, HB4491, HB4505, HB4626, HB5267, HB5356

Keywords: construction contracts, change orders, local government, budget limits, Texas legislation, HB 1449, mobile food vendors, food trucks, mobile food service establishments, permits, county health permit, municipal permitting, Health and Safety Code Chapter 437A, Chapter 437, inspection agreements, permit reciprocity, fee cap, preemption, large counties, population over one million

Transcript Highlights:

• And when you've used it before, you've used it where, here in Texas, in terms of a pilot program?
• I oversee quality programming for students who need additional intervention to be successful with our
• Our early literacy support program is one-on-one or one-on-two brief reading tutoring sessions with a
• I would like to mention the Talking Book program.
• As we think about other programs that this bill references... ...As we think about other programs that

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met with a quorum and announced a full agenda, including combined public testimony for two bills related to student personal communication devices. The committee first took up Senate Bill 1262 by Senator Nichols, a school safety cleanup bill following House Bill 3. The bill would allow TEA to commission peace officers for school safety purposes, require annual renewal of good-cause exceptions to armed guard requirements, create a new report based on intruder detection audits and vulnerability assessments, and require behavioral threat assessment teams to include someone with specific knowledge of a special education student’s disability. Committee members asked about the difference between TCOLE licensing and TEA commissioning, the scope of the officers’ authority, and how the good-cause exception would work. The committee substitute was adopted, and public testimony included support from school safety and drone-response advocates, Disability Rights Texas in favor of the special education provisions, and a student witness raising concerns about the mental health impact of repeated lockdowns and the need for immediate, reliable school safety responses. The bill was left pending after testimony, then the committee briefly recessed and later reopened testimony to hear the student witness. The committee then laid out Senate Bill 2252 by Senator Creighton, a major early literacy and numeracy bill for kindergarten through third grade. Creighton said the bill builds on prior literacy efforts by funding teacher stipends for literacy and math academies, providing free and clearly administered screeners and assessments, expanding screening options, clarifying how results are used, supporting high-quality pre-K, and increasing the early education allotment. He emphasized low reading performance and the need for early intervention. Members discussed how the bill differs from earlier academy models and whether the assessments are diagnostic or high-stakes; Creighton and witnesses said the tools are intended to identify students needing support, not to serve as punitive testing. The committee adopted the substitute. Witnesses for SB 2252 largely supported the bill. A Uplift Education representative described strong gains from small-group literacy tutoring and said students receiving targeted support can make more than a year of growth in a year. An education specialist explained that the bill aligns general education screening with existing dyslexia and special education practices and helps districts identify students who need intervention before a disability evaluation is required. A Commit Partnership witness cited statewide reading data, the importance of high-quality pre-K, and the need for transparent, consistent progress monitoring and parent engagement. Members asked about the meaning of the growth data, how dyslexia screening works, and how the bill would help identify struggling students earlier. Before finishing all questions, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair after the floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• fiscal year 2027 from the State General Fund to the Department of Health Services to establish a grant program
• So this program, what does giving coverage or giving protection to health care workers?
• So is this seen as a pilot program? Because I’m sure there’s much more need than 20.
• Highlight program because I’m sure there’s much more need than 20, so this is just for the rural and
• Trail restoration, visitor programs, scientific research, Colorado River management, educational programs

Bills: SB1063, SB1118, SB1153, SB1154, SB1209, SCM1001

Keywords: appropriation, transportation, safety improvements, Route 70, infrastructure, housing, zoning, middle housing, urban development, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, historic preservation, Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park, special license plate, special plate, license plate, vanity plate

Transcript Highlights:

• One of our major thoroughfares every 72 hours last summer.
• wants to yeah, I was just gonna say in the idea of remediation We have a science-based remediation program
• So we're looking for a small amendment to the bill that asks that Cal OES implement the program.
• We just think it makes the program more robust and brings in all these other voices.
• So so I just coincidentally spent the last two years creating safety programs for COEs.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . programs. programs.
• or programs or meth cocaine? or programs or meth cocaine?
• to support that program. to support that program. Senator<00:30:01.559> Rosenol.
• . programs. programs.
• point in time from back in the summer. point in time from back in the summer.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A key part of this effort is the summer fellowship program, a 10-week paid fellowship that places participants
• The program recognizes women ages 60 and older who volunteer, lead, and commit to having helped honor
• These women, recognized through the program, have devoted countless hours to improving...
• She's more than a program leader, but a living example of the values she champions every day.
• She leads outreach, education, and program implementation efforts for the sidewalk vending program, helping

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of the programs that are exempt from the Bureau's oversight include those that cost under $2,500
• This was meant to exclude programs like test prep programs and courses such as the MCAT, or LSAT.
• Each and every day, we must ensure that commercial driving programs are properly regulated to ensure
• You know, in researching about this issue, I checked in with our Teamster apprenticeship program about
• the program they operate.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The goal of these programs is to identify defendants who have mental illness and ensure they receive
• The program is intended for nonviolent offenders.
• The bill also expands the types of programs the criminal justice, mental health, and substance abuse
• reinvestment grant program may be used for.
• This pilot program helps to restore competency and provide more comprehensive treatment.

Summary: The committee met and took up several criminal justice, public safety, and boating measures. It first heard SB 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, which would create mental health diversion options for eligible misdemeanor and felony defendants, expand mental health and substance abuse grant uses, require evaluations and treatment recommendations in certain cases, add Hillsborough County to a forensic diversion pilot list, and create a behavioral health data repository. After adopting a technical amendment, the bill received strong support from NAMI Florida, family advocates, sheriffs, and the Murphy family, and was reported favorably on a unanimous vote. The committee also approved SB 86, expanding peer support programs for certain law enforcement support personnel, and SB 472, allowing inmates who complete approved education in correctional facilities to receive credit toward professional licensure requirements. Both bills were amended and then reported favorably without opposition. SB 276, which increases penalties for unlawfully sheltering or aiding an unmarried minor and creates a defense for actions taken to protect a minor from danger, drew questions about runaway youth, LGBTQ youth, and the scope of the defense; the sponsor said he was open to further amendment, and the bill passed favorably. Members then approved SB 402, updating the unlawful use of uniforms, medals, or insignia statute to reference the armed forces by definition rather than by branch. SB 490, as amended, would let law enforcement, correctional, and correctional probation officers carry concealed off duty and exempt law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and active military service members from the three-day waiting period for rifle and shotgun purchases; it passed 8-1 after debate over the waiting period and equal treatment concerns. Finally, the committee passed SB 628, Lucy’s Law, to strengthen boating safety and penalties, after adopting an amendment that removed proposed changes to warrantless blood draws and boating education requirements; the bill was supported by the family of Lucy Fernandez and passed unanimously. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:24:35.960> and Childhood educator stien program and Childhood educator stien program and
• through the whole preparation program through the whole preparation program they've<00:31:02.440
• over is Educator preparation programs over is Educator preparation programs that<00:35:55.640>
• Family child interaction learning programs are multigenerational programs that include a caregiver.
• programs.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• after school and during the summer months.
• :15:51.320> over Delivering nature-based programs to over Delivering nature-based programs to
• And we've talked a lot about different programs, different needs.
• ,<00:48:49.440> um existing systems, programs, um existing systems, programs, um associations
• , apprenticeships, grow-your-own programs.

Bills: HF4213, HF4198, HF3930, HF3585, HF3451

Keywords: education finance, school funding, K-12, prekindergarten, pre-K, early childhood education, general education aid, special education, literacy aid, school meals, free school meals, school breakfast, school lunch, charter school lease aid, charter schools, nonpublic pupil aid, private school aid, transportation aid, desegregation aid, integration aid

Transcript Highlights:

• We have experienced this firsthand last summer with the murders of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, Mark
• We have experienced this firsthand last summer with the murders of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, Mark
• We have experienced this firsthand last summer with the murders of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, Mark

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson and State Patrol Colonel Christina Bogey announced that weapon screening will begin Tuesday at the Minnesota State Capitol at the start of the 2026 legislative session. They said the change is based on an independent security assessment and the Axtell report’s top recommendation, and framed it as an added layer of protection rather than a weapons ban or a change in state law. Both emphasized that the Capitol will remain open, accessible, and welcoming while reducing preventable risks, citing heightened threats to public officials and the recent murders and shootings involving Minnesota lawmakers and their families. Bogey outlined the screening plan: visitors will use four public access points, with the south ground-level entrance as the primary entry, while other exterior doors will not be open for public entry. She said the process should take only seconds for most people, with bags going through separate scanners and additional screening only if needed. The Capitol will close to the general public at 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, though accommodations will be made when hearings or floor sessions run later. She also said the entrances and screening areas are ADA accessible and that staff will be available to help guide visitors. In questions, officials said prohibited items are defined by statute and administrative rules and referred reporters to the State Patrol website for the full list. They confirmed that lawful permit-to-carry holders may still bring firearms, but must declare the permit, show government ID, and go through screening; elected officials are exempt, while staff are not. They also said the State Patrol will fund the rollout from its own budget, with costs to be evaluated over time, and that tunnel key-card access will be restricted to everyone. The briefing ended with a plan to demonstrate the screening equipment upstairs.

Transcript Highlights:

• which I understand is in the design mode right now and we'll be hoping to break ground later this summer
• which I understand is in the design mode right now and we'll be hoping to break ground later this summer
• Later this summer. We actually paid for that with supplemental appropriations in the last session.

Bills: HB447, HB897, HB993, HB2673, HB3671, HB3680, HB3897, HB4506, HB4753, HB4812, HB4894, HB5148, HB5437, HB5650, HB5652, HB5654, HB5656, HB5661, HB5665

Keywords: traffic impact studies, municipal utility district, bonds, road projects, eminent domain, HB 897, Texas land sale, state property, Austin real estate, Travis County, General Land Office, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission, state records facility, archives building, library funding, capital improvements, lease of state land, public land disposition

Summary: The committee heard testimony and took action on several land use, housing, municipal utility district, and cemetery-related bills. House Bill 447, dealing with transportation impact analysis requirements tied to MUD bond issuance, drew opposition from a witness who argued it would duplicate work, strain agency resources, and delay development; after the sponsor’s closing remarks, the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1202, on third-party review of home backup power installations, was substituted and reported favorably to the full House by a unanimous roll call. House Bill 2494, on disannexation for failure to provide municipal services, and House Bill 1835, removing barriers to HUD-code manufactured homes, were also substituted and reported favorably; HB 1835 passed on a 5-1 vote. Senate Bill 15, limiting lot size and density requirements in certain large municipalities, was substituted and reported favorably unanimously. The committee also heard House Bill 897, which would authorize the sale or long-term lease of two state-owned Austin properties used by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and HHSC. The sponsor said the properties are in poor condition and that proceeds would benefit the state; after questions, the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. Several template MUD bills were then laid out, including HB 5652, HB 5654, HB 5661, and HB 5656, each creating or authorizing municipal utility districts in Montgomery or Fort Bend counties for water, wastewater, drainage, road, and recreational improvements. These bills drew limited testimony in support and were left pending without objection. A major portion of the meeting focused on House Bill 2673, which would repeal last session’s change allowing new cemeteries within certain distances of municipalities and restore the prior rule limiting cemetery placement near growing urban areas. The sponsor and supporters argued the 2023 change created unintended consequences, removed valuable taxable land from future use, and complicated city planning; opponents, including a funeral service industry representative, argued the current law gives communities local control and helps address cemetery land shortages. After extensive testimony, the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4753, a bill allowing a property owner to use a municipal record showing a certificate of occupancy was issued when the original document is lost; it was left pending. Finally, HB 3680, a Cameron County-specific bill modifying subdivision/model rule procedures to reduce replatting burdens while preserving colonia protections, and HB 4812, clarifying that condominiums follow Chapter 82 of the Property Code rather than full subdivision platting, both received supportive testimony and were left pending.