Transcript Highlights:

• So it's just been a passion of mine. Thank you. Thank you. Follow-up? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Summary: The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee met with a quorum present and considered two bills. HB 361, by Rep. Nix, would reclassify registered interns as registered associates for clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental health counseling, and would streamline supervision rules by removing the requirement that licensed supervisors be physically present in private practice settings. Supporters said the bill would modernize terminology, reduce barriers to practice, and expand access to mental health care while maintaining supervision and public safety. Several members raised concerns about possible unintended effects on community health centers and Medicaid workforce issues, but the bill drew broad support and passed 17-0, reported favorably. The committee then heard HB 1341, by Rep. Gonzales Pittman, which is aimed at preventing misuse of physician specialty titles and limiting those titles to practitioners who are actually board-certified in the specialty they claim. The sponsor emphasized that the bill does not address the general use of “doctor” or “physician,” only specialty designations such as dermatologist, gynecologist, neurologist, or plastic surgeon. Testimony in support came from medical and professional groups, including anesthesiologists and plastic surgeons, who said clearer titles help patients know who is treating them and improve safety. The Florida Optometric Association opposed the bill, arguing it could create confusion or omit optometric titles and other designations. Two amendments were adopted without objection. One removed a hospital name-tag requirement from the bill. The other changed a claims-denial provision so that denial letters need only disclose that a Florida-licensed physician in good standing made the decision, while the insurer must retain the physician’s identifying information for potential litigation or discovery. Some members supported the privacy protections, while others questioned whether the amendment was germane to the bill. As amended, HB 1341 passed 13-4 and was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, Flo Rice is a good friend of mine. Um, we advocate.

Bills: SB108, SB318, SB507, SB511, SB533, SB1026, SB1386, SB1433, SB1434, SB1596

Keywords: elections, Election Code, poll workers, election clerks, presiding judge, alternate presiding judge, polling place, central counting station, county chair, political party, gubernatorial election, vote counting, election administration, Texas elections, precinct officials, ballot counting, county election officials, election integrity, election fraud, Attorney General

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1596, which would remove short-barreled rifles from the list of prohibited weapons in the Texas Penal Code. The author, Sen. Hagenbuch, said the bill would align state law with federal realities and argued that the current prohibition is arbitrary and unnecessary. Supporters, including representatives from Gun Owners of America and Texas Gun Rights, said the bill would reduce confusion, protect lawful gun owners, and preserve the ability to use shorter firearms for self-defense, hunting, and for smaller shooters. One supporter also described a recent case in which an AR pistol was mistaken for a short-barreled rifle and led to a state charge that was later dismissed. Public testimony was split. Supporters said stabilizing braces and shorter firearms can improve accuracy, safety, and accessibility for women, children, and smaller-statured shooters. Opponents, including Texas Gun Sense and two Santa Fe shooting survivors, argued that short-barreled firearms are more concealable and dangerous, and pointed to the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting as evidence of the risks of easier access. They urged the committee to keep the existing restrictions in place to protect public safety. After public testimony closed, the committee took up pending business. Senate Bill 1505, relating to the Compassionate Use Program, was reported favorably to the full Senate on an 8-0 vote. Senate Bill 17, relating to the acquisition of real property by certain aliens or foreign entities, was first amended by adopting a committee substitute and then reported favorably to the full Senate by a 7-1 vote. The committee then recessed until after the Senate’s adjournment or final recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cuts they know will negatively impact their constituents just like they would mine in North Texas.
• bomb, grenade, rocket, missile with an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one quarter ounce, mine
• 02:57:37.760> one<02:57:38.080> quarter<02:57:38.560> ounce,<02:57:38.880> mine
• <02:57:39.840> device,<02:57:40.240> and than one quarter ounce, mine device, and than
• one quarter ounce, mine device, and so<02:57:40.640> on.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, May 15, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In communities like mine, families face real barriers to care, cost, transportation, and long wait times
• a patient-centered approach, and at its core is a carefully structured test and treat model. like mine
• , families face real barriers like mine, families face real barriers to<01:38:44.880> care,<01
• through this work in the legislature, I have realized that rural communities and a community like mine
• through this work in the legislature, I have realized that rural communities and a community like mine

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Prevention or recovery for families like mine.
• Over this session, I've heard a lot of falsehoods about businesses like mine.
• It keeps products out of the wrong hands and allows responsible businesses like mine to continue helping
• Mine did a really good job.
• Yes, he's a good friend of mine. I actually had a conversation with him.

Bills: HB5

Keywords: hemp, cannabinoids, regulation, occupational licenses, consumable products, marketing, criminal offenses, labeling requirements, health and safety, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• From the mines on the Iron Range to the meatpacking plants in Worthington, the refineries in the metro
• From<01:37:39.280> the<01:37:39.440> mines<01:37:39.760> on<01:37:40.000> the
• > Iron<01:37:40.480> Range<01:37:40.800> to<01:37:40.960> the From the mines
• on the Iron Range to the From the mines on the Iron Range to the meat<01:37:41.440> packing<01
• interest in our current administration, I wanted to capitalize on it since it's been such a passion of mine

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd also like to thank Representative NTO, behind the table, who happens to be a former student of mine
• I'd also like to thank Representative NTO, behind the table, who happens to be a former student of mine
• at any one of the versions of the teacher pension bill that are going to be before you, including mine
• that are going to be before you, bill that are going to be before you, including<01:31:19.199> mine
• , you will see that it has including mine, you will see that it has strong<01:31:21.440> bipartisan

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The issue that we encountered actually was a constituent of mine who was a member of the National Guard
• The issue that we encountered actually was a constituent of mine who was a member of the National Guard
• was a issue that we encountered actually was a constituent<00:53:28.400> of<00:53:28.520> mine
• was<00:53:29.319> a<00:53:29.440> member<00:53:29.880> of constituent of mine
• who was a member of constituent of mine who was a member of the<00:53:30.240> National<00:53:

Bills: HF1082, HF1042, HF1295, HF1686, HF1998, HF1775, HF1163

Keywords: public safety, law enforcement, mental health, domestic violence, appropriations, criminal justice, Minnesota corrections, victim services, task force, personal safety, Independent Use of Force Investigations Unit, criminal sexual conduct, sexual assault, peace officers, law enforcement oversight, Minnesota National Guard, U.S. armed forces, military installation, armory, air base

Transcript Highlights:

• 09.440> someone<01:27:09.760> said Fast forward to today: last year, a family friend of mine
• to today last year um a family friend of to today last year um a family friend of mine<01:27:28.920><
• 30.119> has<01:27:30.239> a<01:27:30.400> medical<01:27:30.719> marijuana mine
• uh he has a medical marijuana mine uh he has a medical marijuana card<01:27:32.760> and<01:27
• I submitted mine last name I called.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committees on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs and Agriculture and Food Systems heard testimony and began decision-making on HB 1246, which would establish the Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office within DCCA to regulate cannabis. Chair Tarnas described the bill as divisive and noted the hearing had received 95 testimonies in support, 135 in opposition, and 11 comments. Members were told the office would be administratively attached to DCCA, and the department emphasized it would not direct day-to-day operations. DCCA also raised concerns about banking access due to federal law, while the Department of Agriculture supported a one-plant, one-agency approach and noted its current authority over cannabis plant importation and movement. Several agencies and advocates supported the bill with cautions or requested amendments. The Department of Health said it appreciated the bill’s public health protections but remained concerned about increased adult-use access, youth mental health, pregnancy-related risks, and effects on developing brains; it requested a 12-month delayed effective date. The Attorney General’s office said legalization should include safeguards, recommended a longer implementation timeline and seed funding, and flagged issues in the bill involving impaired driving, open-container language, and penalties for under-21 possession. The Office of the Public Defender supported the bill but objected to new driving and possession offenses, saying existing law already covers impaired driving. Doctors for Drug Policy Reform supported the measure, citing regulation of intoxicating cannabinoids, testing, childproof packaging, and public education as public-health benefits. Opponents focused on youth access, public safety, and the bill’s broader social effects. The Honolulu Police Department opposed the bill over access and diversion concerns, and the City and County of Honolulu Prosecutor strongly opposed legalization, citing higher-potency cannabis, youth harms, psychiatric risks, and increased poison-center calls. The Hawaiʻi Substance Abuse Coalition argued legalization should wait until prevention programs are in place and funded first, while the Hawaiʻi Family Forum and Hawaiian Republican Women also opposed the measure, citing concerns about youth exposure, added bureaucracy, and taxpayer costs. The Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi questioned the purpose of the proposed cannabis taxes, asking why cannabis should be taxed heavily if legalization is intended. The hearing continued with additional testimony after a brief audio issue for one testifier.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's look at mining taxes on extracted minerals from the land, and they pay taxes on that.
• Let's look at mining taxes on extracted minerals from the land, and they pay taxes on that.
• Let's look at mining taxes on extracted minerals from the land, and they pay taxes on that.
• Let's look at mining<01:04:42.960> taxes<01:04:43.280> on<01:04:43.599> extracted
• ><01:04:44.400> minerals<01:04:44.880> from mining taxes on extracted minerals from mining

Transcript Highlights:

• Herman, maybe if we have other speakers coming up, they might be able to address that question of mine
• address that that that question of mine address that that that question of mine >> because
• And I know that there are many thousands of small companies like mine that exist downstream from the
• <04:47:13.440> that<04:47:13.920> exist of small companies like mine that exist of
• small companies like mine that exist downstream downstream downstream from<04:47:17.120> the<04

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have some of the best in this operation of mine: meteorologists, We have some of the best in this
• operation of mine: meteorologists, geologists, everybody.
• And so these homes suffered the most damage, and families like mine don't know how we'll ever be able
• And so these homes suffered the most damage and families like mine don't know how we'll ever be able
• And as Representative Moody noted last week, ...like mine are falling through the cracks.

Summary: The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness hearing convened in Kerrville with quorum, public testimony limited to three minutes and invited testimony to 10 minutes. Leaders from both chambers, along with the lieutenant governor and speaker, framed the hearing as an unprecedented joint effort focused on learning from the July 4 flood, honoring victims, and identifying actions to reduce future loss of life. The committee also heard opening remarks about decorum, logistics, and the intent to continue work in future sessions. The first panel included Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, Emergency Management Coordinator William B. Thomas IV, Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr., Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice, Upper Guadalupe River Authority representative William Rector, Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk, and Real County Judge Bella Rubio. They described the flood as sudden and catastrophic, with Kerr County reporting 108 deaths and two missing. Local officials emphasized that they received no timely warning of the scale of the event, that responders and volunteers acted heroically under extreme conditions, and that communications, cell coverage, and rural emergency resources were strained. Several witnesses said the county’s existing alert systems were limited by geography, sparse broadband, and the speed of the flood. Testimony focused on possible improvements, including real-time flood gauges and predictive monitoring, stronger rural emergency management staffing and training, better interoperability and alerting tools such as IPAWS, CodeRED, WENS, and sirens, and expanded broadband and radio coverage. Kerrville asked for a flood warning system before next summer and state help for stormwater, floodplain, and disaster recovery funding. UGRA described its past and current flood-warning and mitigation efforts, including gauge funding, a new software-based flood prediction project, and consideration of additional retention dams. Kendall and Real counties highlighted successful or needed alerting and evacuation practices, while also stressing the difficulty of funding and maintaining such systems in small rural counties. Members asked detailed questions about the timeline of the flood response, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and whether regional consolidation or additional infrastructure could improve future preparedness.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so these homes suffered the most damage, and families like mine don't know how we'll ever be able
• Maidman, your accent's a little different than mine, and this room's...
• Your accent's a little different than mine, and this room's really hard to hear.
• Your accent's a little different than mine, and this room's really hard to hear.
• And then I think, uh, I forgot who, somebody gave me y'all's name, a friend of mine.

Summary: The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness and flooding hearing opened with quorum calls, prayer, testimony time limits, and remarks from legislative leaders emphasizing decorum, respect, and the goal of learning from the July 4 flood to prevent future loss of life. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dustin Burrows said the special session and hearings were intended to hear directly from local officials and residents, and that the state would pursue immediate and longer-term legislation and continue working beyond the current session. The committee then heard invited testimony from Kerr County, Kerrville, Kendall County, Real County, and the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, followed by member questions. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, and emergency management coordinator William B. Thomas described the flood as a sudden, unprecedented event that overwhelmed local systems before many officials or residents understood the danger. They said the county received multiple National Weather Service and IPAWS alerts, but the rain fell in remote upstream areas with limited gauges, and the flood rose too quickly for normal response. They detailed the emergency response, including dispatchers handling heavy call volumes, deputies and volunteer firefighters conducting rescues, and state and federal partners assisting. County officials said 108 people died, including 37 children, and two remained missing. They called for better real-time flood detection, stronger rural emergency management resources, improved broadband and cell coverage, and more funding for swift-water rescue and warning systems. Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring and City Manager Dalton Rice said the city had floodplain rules, emergency plans, and prior preparedness efforts, but the event exposed gaps in communications and regional warning capacity. They urged the Legislature to fund a flood warning system, whether sirens, automated alerts, or a hybrid, and asked for support for predictive weather modeling, broadband expansion, a hazard mitigation fund, and disaster recovery resources. The Upper Guadalupe River Authority said it had long funded gauges and pursued flood-warning and mitigation projects, including a new software-based flood prediction system and possible retention dams, and planned to dedicate reserve funds to feasibility studies and infrastructure improvements. Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk said his county’s emergency action plan and early alerts helped prevent deaths there, and he recommended easier access to alerting tools, a river-wide warning system, simpler grant applications, and regional coordination. Real County Judge Bella Rubio said rural counties face major challenges because of limited cell service, broadband, staffing, and funding, especially for camps and visitors along the Frio and Nueces rivers, and argued that reliable alert systems should be treated as a necessity, not a luxury. Members asked about the timeline of the flood, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and funding, and several witnesses said the key lessons were better communications, better warning systems, and more investment in rural flood mitigation and emergency response.

Transcript Highlights:

• that,<00:59:39.359> a<00:59:39.599> buddy<00:59:39.839> of<00:59:40.000> mine
• <00:59:40.240> who In addition to that, a buddy of mine who In addition to that, a buddy of
• mine who you<00:59:40.720> may<00:59:40.880> know,<00:59:41.280> Representative
• And if they were on a field together, I'm pretty sure your daughter would beat mine.
• And if they were on a field together, I'm pretty sure your daughter would beat mine.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• realize at the time is I accidentally ordered the books on her account, my daughter's account, not mine
• ><02:23:36.880> not account, my daughter's account, not account, my daughter's account, not mine
• And because it was on her account, mine.
• Obviously, uh, give it a good proofread since mine have some errors. report with the police, I think
• uh give it a good proof read since mine uh give it a good proof read since mine have<03:15:33.279

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:16:40.519> actually discuss one bill that is mine actually discuss one bill that is mine
• Again, as was stated, my right to vote is mine.
• Again, as was stated, my right to vote is mine.
• Again, as was stated, my right to vote is mine.
• Again, as was stated, my right to vote is mine.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A full reset is a future dream of mine. and no more and really no less so that and no more and really
• c><03:37:50.520> future<03:37:50.880> dream<03:37:51.199> of<03:37:51.800> mine
• <03:37:53.080> yeah um a a future dream of mine yeah um a a future dream of mine yeah representative
• That's one of the expenses, but the recorder itself is mine. Okay, you said fees are $25.
• ><05:25:29.680> okay<05:25:30.000> um<05:25:30.320> you recorder itself is is mine

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first reviewed House Bill 1, focusing on the legislative branch budget, especially the Senate and House lines. Members discussed that the Senate’s fiscal year 2025 adjusted authorized amount was higher than 2024 actual spending, largely due to personnel, benefits, and travel, and one member proposed a $500,000 annual cut. Staff explained that any reduction would need to be allocated across specific line items such as personnel, benefits, and travel, and noted that the Senate budget is entirely General Funds. After discussion of how the adjusted authorized figures were calculated and why the branch no longer staffs some joint committees as it once did, the committee moved on without taking a vote on that section. The committee then heard a detailed presentation from the New Hampshire Retirement System. NHRS officials described their statutory administrative budget, which is funded through the retirement trust rather than the General Fund, and said the FY 2026-2027 increase is driven by IT modernization, cybersecurity, a new strategic plan, and additional staff positions. They also reviewed the system’s funding progress, clean audit opinions, investment performance, and changes to asset allocation, while noting that several recent pension-related laws required major database changes. Members questioned the large increase in salaries and benefits, the need for new employees versus contractors, the purpose of training costs, and the source of the Group Two benefit funding. NHRS said the governor’s budget includes General Funds for Group Two benefit changes, with $5 million in FY 2026 and $27.9 million in FY 2027, and that the figures reflect the governor’s recommendation and related HB 2 provisions. Committee members also asked about employer and employee contribution rates for Group Two police and fire members, which NHRS said were not included in the budget document but were about 31.2% for police and 30.35% for fire, with employee shares around 11.55% and 11.8%. The committee did not make a decision on the NHRS budget during this exchange and indicated it would review the details further before returning to it later. The committee then heard from the Community Development Finance Authority on the State Treasury Department budget line for the required state match to administer the federal Community Development Block Grant program. CDFA explained that its $280,000 annual request for FY 2026 and FY 2027, totaling $560,000, supports administration, technical assistance, contracting, and monitoring of roughly $19 million in annual federal CDBG funds. Members asked about the leverage of the state match, oversight of projects, staffing, and grant prioritization. CDFA said it has 18 employees, uses public hearings and a scoring system to prioritize awards, and conducts both desk and on-site monitoring, with annual audits to ensure compliance. No vote was taken on the CDFA item in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• On the night of October 30, 2023, I received a text message with screenshots from a friend of mine in
• <07:22:14.478> in screenshots from a friend of mine in screenshots from a friend of mine in
• :48:30.718> written<07:48:31.398> vengeance<07:48:31.958> is<07:48:32.160> mine
• <07:48:32.398> and<07:48:32.520> I<07:48:32.638> will is written vengeance is mine
• and I will is written vengeance is mine and I will repay<07:48:33.440> says<07:48:33.680>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, February 10, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bipartisan Senate bill, SB 81, was doing the same thing, but their bill is a little more aggressive than mine
• bipartisan Senate bill, SB 81, was doing the same thing, but their bill is a little more aggressive than mine
• ><00:13:08.440> it<00:13:08.639> actually<00:13:09.320> calls aggressive than mine
• it actually calls aggressive than mine it actually calls for<00:13:10.720> in<00:13:10.959>
• The effort is coming from families like mine who are caring for the special needs of our adults while

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 530, a bill to increase funding for New Hampshire’s Affordable Housing Fund. Representative Jessica Lontine, the sponsor, described the state’s housing crisis, citing high rents, low vacancy, and the lack of affordable units. She said the bill would double the annual transfer-tax deposit into the fund from $5 million to $10 million, and she later presented an amendment to hold the Education Trust Fund harmless by directing the housing-fund deposit from remaining revenue after that trust fund is funded. She also explained a prospective appropriation idea tied to a possible future sale of the Laconia State School property, with the goal of supporting community housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Much of the testimony focused on the shortage of accessible and supportive housing for people with disabilities and aging family caregivers. Lontine, Ben Saul of Visions for Creative Housing Solutions, Lori McIntosh of Our Place NH, and Maddie Mandelbaum all described the difficulty families face in planning for adult children with disabilities as parents age or die. They emphasized that many people need not only affordable housing but accessible, supportive settings, and they argued that state investment would help nonprofit providers build such housing and prevent homelessness or inappropriate institutional placement. Several witnesses also noted that existing projects rely on capital funding and that operating revenues are limited because residents often depend on SSI and Medicaid. Committee members asked questions about the fiscal impact of the bill and amendment, including whether the proposal would shift money from the general fund or education trust fund and whether the Finance Committee should have final say over spending priorities. Lontine said she understood those concerns but argued that housing should be prioritized. Housing Action New Hampshire’s Tom Duroza also testified in support of the bill, saying the state’s housing shortage is driving record prices and vacancy rates below 1%, and that the Affordable Housing Fund has leveraged more than $500 million in private investment and helped build thousands of rental homes. He said his organization supported the underlying bill but had not yet reviewed the amendment. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I went at once, and a colleague of mine from the other side took me to one of the train stations.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Cities 1 met on May 14, 2026, with a quorum present and Chair Erik Bottcher presiding. The committee considered a series of bills affecting New York City and related tax, housing, and municipal issues. Early measures included a neighborhood small business rent increase exemption (S.1451A), notice to community boards before locating transitional housing (S.3884), a solar and energy storage tax abatement credit (S.4272A), towing protection enforcement (S.4793), safety policies and training for correction and health workers (S.543?), and a proposal to create the city of Staten Island (S.8578). Most of these bills were advanced to other committees after brief discussion and voice votes. The most extensive debate centered on S.8578, which would incorporate Staten Island as a separate city. Senator Lanza argued that Staten Island has long been neglected by New York City, cited past referendums and historical grievances, and urged the committee to let the bill continue through the process. Chair Bottcher and other members responded that Staten Island is an important part of New York City and discussed housing, transit, environmental preservation, and the City of Yes zoning changes; several members said they did not support secession but were open to continued conversation about Staten Island’s needs. After debate, the bill was defeated in committee. The committee also considered an artist housing preferences bill (S.9652), a facade-work tax abatement bill (S.9559), a parkland discontinuance measure (S.9987), and a credit/debit card surcharge prohibition bill (S.1005). S.9652, S.9559, S.9987, and S.1005 were reported out after voice votes. One homeless shelter placement bill (S.5554) failed. The meeting concluded after the final votes and adjournment.