Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and members, House Bill 2598 relates to a school psychologist licensed under the Occupations Code
• My name is Amanda Afifi, and I chaired the Government and Professional Relations Committee for the Texas
• currently, Texas... ...licensed over 4,000 school psychologists, and ensuring that the legislative code
• with state agency rules and regulations is essential for clarity, accountability, and effective governance
• Immunity covering open enrollment charter schools authorized under Subchapter D of the Education Code

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• section 19 becomes section 18.
• All in favor of the amendment, please raise a hand. section 18. section 18.
• He says there is no subparagraph A in this section or any other section he can find.
• um fire marshall determinations of code. um fire marshall determinations of code.
• <04:19:44.560> or building code or the state fire code or building code or the state fire

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the state government.
• You know, the procurement code— we're all subject to the procurement code.
• The district offices are subject to the procurement code.
• The next item on the agenda is the Legislative Staff Code of Conduct.
• By the newly adopted language of the Code of Conduct.

Transcript Highlights:

• specific insurance code and regulations. specific insurance code and regulations.
• <02:38:53.600> of lot younger in life called the code of lot younger in life called the code
• We're in title six, section one of the bill uh crosswires uh this new text uh to the core section of
• I'll to the core section of the consumer to the core section of the consumer protection<02:57:57.359>
• Bill 26 1196 and the local government Bill 26 1196 and the local government and<03:01:32.720>

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:22.280> shared governments are working from shared governments are working from shared
• Sections two, three, and four in the bill take the opportunity to clean up code governing transportation
• <00:10:07.360> governing<00:10:07.680> transportation<00:10:08.400> planning code
• governing transportation planning code governing transportation planning documents.<00:10:09.800>
• , elected representatives in government, elected representatives in government, but<01:35:58.240>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 1390 by Assemblymember Salace and others, an act relating to public and school governance
• At a time when the federal government is dismantling environmental programs and defunding scientific
• Assembly Bill 940 by Assemblymember Wicks and others, an act relating to local government.
• federal tax-exempt status under Section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code.
• 23701d of the Revenue Taxation Code.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, one of the codes that we follow is the National Electrical Code.
• we govern our installations. we govern our installations.
• , Title 15, Section 9401.
• <00:33:53.480> seems enterprise of state government seems enterprise of state government seems
• c> judiciary,<00:48:05.080> then government, we think judiciary, then government, we think

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , On the program money transfer section, section 6, section 22, R9, both bodies require the agency
• uh governing manufactured home parks. uh governing manufactured home parks.
• 16A section 28. 16A section 28.
• c> coding<00:13:55.520> of new proposed coding of new proposed coding of um<00:13:56.880><
• modify a section of law Section 30 would modify a section of law that<00:16:08.960> prohibits

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The conference committee on the housing omnibus bill began with member introductions and a staff walk-through comparing House and Senate provisions. House Research staff reviewed major policy differences affecting Minnesota Housing Finance Agency operations, including limits on how much the agency may retain from state appropriations for administrative costs, new reporting requirements, restrictions on transfers between appropriated accounts, and House-only language requiring annual expenditure of investment income from state appropriations. Senate provisions were also summarized, including tighter rules on when appropriations may be placed into Housing Development Fund bookkeeping accounts, updated operating-cost reporting, and Senate-only changes to how investment earnings may be used. Staff also described shared and differing provisions on program-money transfers, a lived-experience earnings exemption, and a long list of Senate-only policy changes, including manufactured home park tenant protections, low-income housing tax credit and bond-related changes, a task force on housing taxes and fees, and repealers affecting Housing Development Fund authority and certain older programs. Fiscal staff then reviewed the budget impacts. The House side included one-time appropriations for workforce housing development, family homeless prevention and assistance, a Minnesota Nice Home Share pilot, and homebuyer education, along with debt service for $100 million in housing infrastructure bonds and transfers/cancellations that produced a net zero general fund impact across the budget window. The Senate side noted a fiscal note for the housing taxes and fees task force and a smaller housing infrastructure bond authorization, with corresponding debt service costs and a total Senate budget-window impact of about $1 million in general fund debt service. After the staff presentations, the committee moved to public testimony. Commissioner Jennifer Ho of Minnesota Housing said the bill’s housing infrastructure bonds and continued support for family homeless prevention were important, and she supported the lived-experience earnings exemption, while noting concerns about the interest-earnings provisions. Testifiers from Greater Minnesota groups praised the workforce housing investments and Senate updates to the state housing tax credit and infrastructure grant program, though they suggested changes to the geographic distribution language. HOME Line urged funding for statewide tenant hotline services, citing rising demand and asking for $1 million if additional money becomes available. The Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers supported the bill’s investments and emphasized the need to pair housing development with supportive services. Housing First Minnesota praised housing infrastructure bonds and other investments but criticized the omission of the Minnesota Starter Homes Act. The Minnesota Multi Housing Association began testimony opposing certain rent-control-related provisions in the House bill. No votes or final actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And people also must understand government isn't the only one who is using these vendors.
• And people also must understand government isn't the only one who is using these vendors.
• And people also must understand government isn't the only one who is using these vendors.
• <00:12:52.639> they<00:12:52.880> see government has looked at you. they see government
• Um but if if we procurement uh section.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The August 2025 interim meeting of the Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity began with roll call, confirmation of a quorum, approval of the June meeting minutes, and welcoming a new member, Ivonne Smith, who noted her background in MWBE and DBE work. The chair also offered condolences to a member whose father recently passed away and explained that the committee had invited agency officials to answer questions raised at the prior meeting. The first presentation was from Singer Buchanan of the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, who described the state’s equal opportunity and contract compliance office and its certification programs for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses and minority/women business enterprises. He outlined outreach efforts, including partnerships with veterans’ organizations, the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, UK, and transportation-related groups; explained that the programs are intended to expand market access rather than provide grants; and said the office has moved to an online application portal that has processed 227 new applications since December 2023. He reported 536 total vendors across the programs, including 29 service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and said the office is considering website testimonials to improve outreach. Members asked about staffing, application assistance, and whether the state program conflicts with federal policy; Buchanan said the office has three staff members and that the program is state-funded and, based on legal advice, should continue under Kentucky law. Tony Yusefi of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet then presented on the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program. He explained the program’s legal basis under federal DOT regulations, its eligibility standards, and its purpose of creating a level playing field while helping firms grow and eventually compete without assistance. He described certification requirements, annual documentation, prompt-payment protections, commercially useful function reviews, good-faith effort requirements, and sanctions for violations. He also discussed barriers facing DBEs, including access to capital, bonding, insurance, training, and prequalification requirements, and noted that 50 firms were removed last month for noncompliance with annual documentation rules. Yusefi said the cabinet has expanded supportive services, including an online application platform, bid notifications, and a nine-class business development program; 95 DBEs are enrolled this year, and the bid-matching system reaches an average of 377 DBEs monthly.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:24:34.720> from the switch in the section from the switch in the section from 63710<00
• <00:54:29.760> section under that section section under that section section three<00:54:32.119
• Sorry, oh, I was in section two.
• Sorry, oh, I was in section two.
• Sorry, oh, I was in section two.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With housing, we adopt a zoning code. We all have the community input to adopt that zoning code.
• We agree as a community to adopt that zoning code.
• Section 13351, subdivision (a), paragraph 3.
• , the Nevada County Association of Governments, and the Tulare County Association of Governments.
• AB 2263, do pass to Local Government, Avila Farías. AB 2263, due pass to Local Government.

Summary: The committee heard several transportation and public safety bills, largely focused on traffic violence, e-bike regulation, and DUI enforcement. AB 1588 on sideshows and street takeovers drew support from the author, San Francisco officials, law enforcement, and the League of California Cities, who said the bill would close loopholes, add motorcycles and dirt bikes to the sideshow framework, and align penalties with speed contests. ACLU California Action opposed it, but members generally supported the bill, noting the need for stronger tools against dangerous takeovers. The committee also heard AB 1654 on commercial driver’s licenses and federal verification rules, with the author arguing California must comply with federal law to avoid losing CDL authority; the chair and others objected that the bill could wrongly affect U.S. citizens and codify changing federal rules. The bill was discussed but not advanced in the portion provided. AB 1976 sought to speed delivery of bicycle and pedestrian safety projects by limiting some public meetings, restricting cancellation of contracts without findings, lowering petition thresholds for traffic calming, and updating the Pedestrian Mall Act. Supporters said current procedures delay life-saving projects and give too much power to opponents, while counties and cities opposed the limits on local public input and budget authority. After discussion, the committee voted to send AB 1976 to Local Government, with several members expressing support but also concerns about preserving community participation. The committee also heard AB 2015, which would direct Caltrans to study the effects of navigation apps on local roads and safety. Supporters said apps can divert traffic onto residential streets and undermine local traffic calming, while members suggested the bill should also consider built-in vehicle navigation systems. AB 2168, on the Active Transportation Program, would update the definition of safe routes to transit, prioritize transit-rich and underserved areas, and add stronger spending accountability; it drew support from bicycle and transit advocates and some local agencies, with a few technical concerns left to resolve. Finally, AB 1942 on e-bike registration and license plates for Class 2 and 3 e-bikes drew strong support from law enforcement and medical witnesses citing rising injuries, but broad opposition from bicycle groups, micromobility advocates, and some local governments who said it would burden lawful riders, create DMV problems, and not address illegal e-motos. The committee also heard AB 1685 and AB 1687, both DUI-related bills from the same author: AB 1685 would increase DMV points for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and AB 1687 would extend license revocation for a third DUI conviction to eight years with an interlock option after four years. Both bills received strong support from law enforcement and victims’ advocates, with ACLU California Action opposing them as duplicative or overly punitive; both bills were advanced by committee vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• counties can join if their governing counties can join if their governing bodies<00:06:38.199>
• :14:41.519> partners page two um section five the partners page two um section five the partners
• <04:27:51.279> 81 associated with taking a section 81 associated with taking a section 81
• not and the owner nature of this Section not and the owner nature of this Section 8<04:28:11.840
• <04:29:08.600> 8<04:29:08.920> but Here, Section—I'm sorry, not Section 8, but HUD

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that income is needed for local governments.
• Um, and we needed for local governments.
• local units, all local governments local units, all local governments increasing<00:24:28.559>
• <00:34:48.480> to are things that rely on government to are things that rely on government
• . section. section.

Bills: HF4119, HF3959, HF3792, HF3913, HF3752

Keywords: property tax, renter credits, co-pay, housing affordability, tax relief, homestead, tax refund, Minnesota, tax increase, financial relief, homeowners, AmeriCorps, taxation, individual income tax, living allowances, stipends, national service, tax compliance, revenue, analytics

Transcript Highlights:

• We have well-governed and well-run school districts.
• , specifically the Education Code statute. 14500 and 41020 at all.
• Section 30 needs to be amended. Thank you.
• of the highest profiles functions of a governing board.
• Governing Board Governing Board would be forced to begin the substantial engagement process multiple

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you mentioned the Fusion Center is coordinating with local governments.
• So you mentioned the fusion center is coordinating with local governments.
• We have had communication with the federal government.
• How does the federal government know that that person is actually there?
• Daly Weber: So the federal government says, hey, this person...

Keywords: House Committee Room A, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So in the past, we have seen a select number of municipal governments actually have no appropriation
• This bill makes a targeted but important update to Section 3 of Chapter 32B, ensuring that insurance
• House 2888 would amend Section 32B, which governs municipal insurance advisory committees.
• A few sections of that were dispensed to this committee.
• Cities, counties, local governments cannot; the federal government cannot; and any employer with more

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service heard testimony on a wide range of retirement, municipal workforce, and public employee labor bills. Early testimony focused on H. 2749, a Plymouth home rule petition to classify Plymouth harbormaster employees as Group 4 for retirement purposes. Supporters, including local officials and retirement board representatives, argued the employees perform law-enforcement and rescue duties comparable to police and fire personnel, that the change would be fair, and that it would have little or no fiscal impact on the town. A separate harbormaster-related bill, H. 2743, was also introduced later in the hearing. The committee also heard testimony on provisions of the Municipal Empowerment Act (H. 56), including a temporary critical-shortage exemption allowing retired state or municipal employees to return to work in hard-to-fill positions, and a renewed OPEB commission to study retiree health care costs. Administration and municipal officials said the measures were needed to address staffing shortages and rising benefit liabilities, while emphasizing the shortage exemption would be time-limited and require proof of recruitment efforts. Related retirement bills drew support and caution: advocates for higher COLA bases and enhanced COLA benefits urged relief for retirees, but some asked the committee to wait for recommendations from the special COLA commission before acting. A major portion of the hearing concerned labor rights at the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and the Committee for Public Counsel Services. Union representatives and employees backed bills to extend just-cause protections, promotional rights, and collective bargaining rights to MWRA and CPCS workers, arguing they currently lack protections available to most other public employees. Testimony described unfair discipline, delayed promotions, and high turnover, and committee members indicated prior favorable action on similar MWRA bills and expressed support for addressing CPCS labor rights. The committee also heard from representatives of the Massachusetts Municipal Association and public higher education employees in support of H. 2820, which would require timely funding of ratified state employee contracts, with witnesses describing long delays in receiving negotiated raises and back pay. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair repeatedly invited written testimony and closed each panel after questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Madam Chair Roers and members of the State and Local Government Committee.
• Like, in code. You can't just say one member from West Fargo and one from Fargo.
• Because nothing in code is keeping us from doing it or not doing it.
• Under Century Code 23, Section 1, a perpetual care cemetery is required to allocate 20% of lot sales
• There is certain reporting that's required under the trust codes and kind of the uniform trust code,

Bills: HB1162

Keywords: Lake Agassiz, water authority, board of directors, state highways, water management, 908, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1162, which would add the West Fargo mayor as a voting member of the Lake Agassiz Water Authority board. The sponsor and Fargo’s mayor argued West Fargo has grown into a major regional water stakeholder and should have a formal vote, while members questioned the board structure and why the change was not framed more specifically. The bill was supported in testimony, closed without opposition, and received a 6-0 do pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 1259 on annual legislative sessions and session structure. Members adopted an amendment that left the structure and logistics of sessions to legislative management rather than prescribing details in statute, after discussion about flexibility, committee workload, annual versus biennial sessions, and concerns about preserving debate and committee process. The amended bill received a 4-2 do pass recommendation, with some members voting no because they preferred a different committee recommendation or had concerns about the broader change. House Bill 1254, which would allow any North Dakota resident to obtain a State Library card, drew supportive testimony from the bill sponsor and State Library staff. They said the change would align law with current practice and expand access to books, e-materials, and other resources statewide, including for military families and out-of-state state employees. The committee closed the hearing and approved the bill 6-0. The committee also considered House Bill 1469, which narrows financial disclosure requirements so only business or trust interests directly related to the office sought or held must be disclosed. After brief discussion that the change would reduce unnecessary disclosure burdens, the committee adopted the amendment and then gave the bill a 6-0 do pass recommendation. House Bill 1368, dealing with administrative rules and the standard for challenging them, was opposed by committee counsel as too broad and legally problematic; the committee rejected it on a 4-2 do not pass vote. Finally, House Bill 1219, which would reduce the required perpetual care fund set-aside for certain cemeteries from 20% to 10%, received supportive testimony from the sponsor, cemetery representatives, and local users, but also concern about long-term fund health. The committee ultimately recommended do pass on a 5-1 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• about 9,000 of about the 60,000 codes about 9,000 of about the 60,000 codes that<00:04:22.360>
• Medicare so these are the top 10 codes Medicare so these are the top 10 codes paid<00:06:51.720>
• code and then a followup on that chair code and then a followup on that chair is<00:29:44.600> the
• Thank you, Representative Gilman. coded swinging a golf club is is in that coded swinging a golf club
• You can see that they're just on this screen—these are just the top 10 codes of a slight section of the

Bills: HF1005

Keywords: health insurance, medical assistance, behavioral health, reimbursement rates, primary care services, physician fee schedule, managed care, residential services, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And then Code Plus construction.
• The Florida Building Code has also Yes, ma'am.
• That’s a part of the Florida Building Code now.
• That’s a part of the Florida Building Code now.
• And every home is built to local building codes.

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum present and heard two hurricane-recovery presentations focused on Florida’s response and long-term recovery efforts. Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, reviewed response and recovery operations for Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, including meals, water, sheltering, search and rescue deployments, power restoration, debris removal, flood-control efforts, and generator distribution. He also described ongoing public assistance and mitigation funding, the state’s FROC system for standardizing and speeding reimbursement documentation, and the Elevate Florida residential mitigation program, which will use about $400 million to elevate or reconstruct eligible flood-insurance properties and may expand to county-run programs. Senators asked about manufactured homes, school shelter hardening, mobile home tie-downs, reimbursement for USAR teams, debris hauling, regional sheltering, and FEMA review delays; Guthrie said the state is trying to move recovery faster and more proactively, while acknowledging some limits and federal bottlenecks. The committee then heard from Justin Domer, Deputy Secretary of Community Development at Florida Commerce, on HUD Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery programs. He explained that Commerce administers long-term recovery funds through its Office of Long-Term Resiliency for housing, infrastructure, and economic development, with funds used as a last resort after FEMA and insurance. Domer outlined the process for the most recent $925 million allocation covering multiple disasters, including Idalia, Debby, Helene, Milton, Broward flooding, and North Florida tornadoes, and said the state currently manages about $3.4 billion in DR funds, rising to over $4 billion with the new allocation. He highlighted completed and ongoing housing programs for Hurricane Irma, Michael, and Ian, plus workforce recovery programs and subrecipient infrastructure grants. Senators asked about Broward and Fort Lauderdale funding, homeowner turnaround times, and mobile home eligibility; Domer said Broward and Fort Lauderdale will have separate HUD-directed programs, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It adds the definition, as used in this section, that the term drug means any substance or combination
• Yes, we were clarifying to match what the federal code now says.
• Just things that it's hard for a government office to do.
• Is there a bad section where there were accidents? Yeah, thank you for that question, Mr. Chairman.
• Section 807, paragraph Bravo.

Bills: SCR58, SB309, SB514, HCR63, HCR69, HB401, HB487, HB722, HB730, HB745, HB988, HB989, HB1001, HB1024, HB1032, HB1050, HB1081, HB1086, HB1108, HB1172, HB1173, HB1175, HB1192, HB1218, HB1244

Keywords: SCR 58, Senate Concurrent Resolution, DOTD, Department of Transportation and Development, public-private partnership, P3, public-private partnership contracting, Belle Chasse Toll Bridge, Belle Chasse Bridge, toll bridge, tolling, tolls, transportation infrastructure, roads and highways, Plaquemines Parish, bridge project, toll fees, unauthorized charges, contract oversight, procurement