Transcript Highlights:

• invited to isolation, you have brown grass, and then they receive an excessive watering fine from their utility
• I listen to them, I find out who their water provider is, I call the general manager of the utility.
• So it's some of the highest growth areas in the entire country, just like other water utilities.

Bills: HB186, HB517, HB 1093, HB 1268, HB1395, HB186

Keywords: social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, property owners' association, residential watering restrictions, vegetation, fine limitations, drought, technology, innovation, economic development, grants, Texas Economic Development, business funding, HB 1395, private passenger vehicle rental, car rental, vehicle rental

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm really glad that we're utilizing, Mr. Chairman, existing funds.
• The money is given to them to utilize in all the ways that they're allowed to do it, so it's very broad
• My name is Marla Schultz, registered lobbyist for Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority

Transcript Highlights:

• readiness is number one. readiness, uh, training, those dollars that we're talking about, uh, are utilized
• authorized on that Title 32 funding side that the governor has given versus how we, how do you, how we utilize
• So they are forward and they are not currently in state to be utilized. In the deployment cycle.

Bills: HB39, HB227

Keywords: public school finance, property values, homestead exemptions, funding allocation, education policy, HB227, kratom, Mitragyna speciosa, kratom products, kratom processor, kratom retailer, controlled substances, Texas Controlled Substances Act, Health and Safety Code, Penalty Group 1, tianeptine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, mitragynine, synthetic kratom, kratom alkaloids

Transcript Highlights:

• With that said, we're talking 401 Permian, the likelihood of utilizing those wells for reinvestment is
• couldn't agree more with the notion that those wells. that have exhausted their economic use and utility
• We utilize background the worst case across the 16 different regional offices of the TCEQ.

Bills: SB1150, SB763, SB1061, SB1146, SB1198, HB279, HB310

Keywords: concrete plants, environmental regulation, permit process, air quality, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, SB 1061, uranium mining, production area authorization, TCEQ, Water Code, groundwater, groundwater conservation district, restoration table value, restoration values, contested case hearing, Chapter 2001, mineral rights, surface owners, notice requirements, environmental permitting

Transcript Highlights:

• we're able to see not only large amounts about who's being served... but also what that service utilization
• testified to as it relates to a snapshot of what it looks like for a given city to implement and to utilize
• As an example, we as a community were able to fully utilize pandemic emergency housing vouchers from

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that may be practicing under, uh, without the adequate, um, educational background to Uh, setting utility
• rates or water rates when a large water utility comes and takes in over a local water utility.

Transcript Highlights:

• members a higher or lower co-pay. team members a higher or lower co-pay and better costs if they utilize
• We utilize a mail import model that helps us acquire specialty pharmacy medications at 50% lower than
• Not only do we utilize it for the laws there for that pharmacy, but we now fill prescriptions for the

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• private person or entity, regardless of the number of contracts or qualified community rehab programs utilized
• re starting to see, because of staffing shortages, is that other employer jurisdictions are also utilizing
• re starting to see, because of staffing shortages, is that other employer jurisdictions are also utilizing

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology heard several labor-related measures. SB 183 would allow arbitration to resolve disputes over state and county contributions to the EUTF benefits trust fund; labor groups supported it, and the committee advanced it with amendments. SB 185, concerning indebtedness to the state, drew support from unions and discussion with DAGS about tiered repayment options for lower-paid employees; DAGS said the system could be programmed to accommodate the bill, and the measure was also advanced with amendments. SB 458 would expand the definition of employer for wage-payment laws to include the state and counties when no comparable public-employee provision exists; HSTA testified in support, citing repeated delayed pay for teachers, while DAGS and county representatives raised operational concerns. The committee deferred SB 458 for further administrative work. SB 425, on qualified community rehabilitation programs and the aggregate contract cap, was advanced with technical amendments after UPW said employers were splitting contracts to exceed the statutory threshold. The committee also considered SB 1287, which would apply unfair and deceptive practices law to tipped food and beverage establishments and require tip-pool signage with wage-division contact information. The Attorney General’s office recommended a savings clause to avoid retroactive application issues, and the committee passed the bill with amendments. SB 1660 would require hospitality employers to adopt anti-harassment measures, training, panic buttons, and anti-retaliation protections; the Commission on the Status of Women and worker advocates supported it, while DLIR noted existing complaint systems and the need for rulemaking. The committee adopted amendments incorporating sexual assault hotline information, panic-button guidance, and employer flexibility on translation languages, then passed the bill with amendments. SB 631, relating to the Department of Human Resources Development, was deferred, with the chair noting a prior law already allows departments to screen and select applicants from initial pools.

Transcript Highlights:

• Was there any accountability measure put into place to ensure that money was effectively utilized?
• about 75%, will go directly to the counties with the greatest needs as defined by our assessments, utilizing
• This is similar to other programs that we run where we utilize a mix of internal and contracted personnel

Bills: SB 1, SB1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SERVICE COMMISSION AND ITS REGULATORY ACTIVITIES INCLUDING THE REGULATION OF INVESTOR-OWNED ELECTRIC UTILITIES
• , INVESTOR OWNED NATURAL GAS UTILITIES, INVESTOR-OWNED WATER AND WASTE BOARD UTILITIES AND THE CERTIFICATION

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:47:24.640> before already have are being utilized before already have are being utilized
• We need something specific that allows people a clear path to utilize the specific instructions already
• allows people a clear path to utilize allows people a clear path to utilize the the the um<01:25
• as if we need to focus more on utilizing as if we need to focus more on utilizing specific<01:32
• utilizing AI resources to our benefit. utilizing AI resources to our benefit.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• consolidate the libraries and utilize consolidate the libraries and utilize the<01:05:38.920>
• We're not utilizing the law enforcement.
• <01:36:23.239> the it's for the equipment to utilize the it's for the equipment to utilize
• We look at space and capacity and site utilization.
• We look at space and capacity and site utilization.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope the committee will utilize S-33 as the primary vehicle to advance this conversation in Massachusetts
• App developers are smart; they figure them out and they're utilizing them.
• has a lot of loopholes yeah to it and app developers are smart they figure them out and they're utilizing
• Simply stated, retailers utilize consumer data for the principal purpose of serving their customers as
• But when it comes to protecting someone's privacy or protecting someone's rights, we can't utilize that

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing focused on a package of Massachusetts privacy and technology bills, especially measures to ban the sale of location data, establish a comprehensive consumer data privacy law, and regulate biometric recognition and surveillance pricing. Chairs and sponsors argued that self-regulation has failed, that data brokers and large tech companies routinely collect and monetize sensitive information, and that state action is needed because federal protections are weak or absent. Several speakers tied the bills to reproductive health, gender-affirming care, domestic violence, children’s data, and other sensitive uses of location and biometric information. Supporters included legislators and advocates who backed H. 86/S. 197 (Location Shield), H. 78/S. 45/H. 104/S. 29 (comprehensive privacy bills), H. 99/S. 47 (surveillance pricing in grocery stores), and H. 36/S. 36 (biometric recognition accountability). They emphasized data minimization, bans on selling sensitive data, consumer rights to access, delete, and opt out, and in some cases a private right of action. Several witnesses said Massachusetts should lead or align with other states, while others argued that stronger protections are needed because data can be weaponized by stalkers, anti-abortion actors, abusive partners, insurers, or law enforcement. Industry and coalition witnesses urged the committee to favor a more standardized, interoperable framework modeled on laws already adopted in other states, warning that novel definitions, data-minimization rules, and private rights of action could create compliance burdens, confusion, and costs for businesses, including small businesses. They argued that entity-level exemptions for sectors already covered by federal laws like HIPAA or GLBA promote consistency, and that Attorney General enforcement is preferable to private lawsuits. Committee members questioned witnesses on patchwork concerns, the scope of exemptions, and whether the proposed bills would harm or help consumers and small businesses. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; written testimony was noted as due later, and the committee continued taking testimony from multiple panels and virtual witnesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• When you can’t afford your housing, how are you going to be able to afford your utilities that are continuing
• When you can’t afford your housing, how are you going to be able to afford your utilities that are continuing
• And that sales tax goes to fund police and fire and utility workers in your city or county.
• Arizona families are trying to pay rent, keep the lights on, utilities, buy groceries, and afford childcare
• Rent increases, rising property taxes, insurance costs, and utility bills all hit families at once.

Summary: The House convened, approved the journal, and spent much of the opening portion recognizing guests and interns from both parties, along with former lawmakers and a newly seated member, Representative Sylvia Allen. The chamber then took up House Concurrent Resolution 2065 honoring the late Alfredo Gutierrez. Members from both parties gave extended remarks about his life as a civil rights advocate, student activist, legislator, and mentor, and the resolution was unanimously adopted and transmitted to the Senate. Family members of Gutierrez were recognized in the gallery during the memorial tribute. The House then moved into Committee of the Whole on the first budget-related measures. On House Bill 4138, the “feed bill”/budget operations measure, Democrats argued the budget favored corporations and data centers over seniors, health care, housing, universities, and vulnerable families, while Republicans defended it as a continuation of prior policy and said it preserved tax conformity and modest agency cuts. After debate and questions, the committee recommended the bill do pass and the House adopted that report, sending HB 4138 to engrossing. The chamber next considered House Bill 4139, the amusement/gaming-related budget bill. Members debated whether it was essentially unchanged from last year’s budget language, with Republicans saying it was a continuation bill and that gaming-related provisions would support rural economies and tourism, while Democrats questioned the broader budget context and its effects on working families. The committee recommended HB 4139 do pass, and the House adopted that recommendation. The House then began debate on House Bill 4140, the state budget implementation bill, focusing on the budget stabilization fund and a proposed government efficiency initiative; discussion was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recently, utilization of ABA services has grown significantly in both Medi-Cal and the commercial market
• services based on stakeholder input and federal guidance, and report to the Legislature on BHT utilization
• as automated license plate readers, or ALPRs, facial recognition scans, driver's license records, utility
• We represent 94 regulated drinking water utilities serving roughly 6 million Californians, which is about
• For water utilities, preventing metal theft is about more than just protecting equipment.

Summary: The committee met without a quorum and operated as a subcommittee while hearing several bills, with members repeatedly noting that votes would be taken later once a quorum was established. Early in the meeting, the committee heard SB 1446 on parole en banc review and SB 1278 on elderly parole eligibility for certain sex offenses. SB 1446’s author said the bill would give commissioners more discretion in en banc review, make votes public, and allow referral for sexually violent predator evaluation in certain cases; supporters included the California District Attorneys Association, while opponents from Uncommon Law, the Ella Baker Center, and public defender groups argued it would add confusion, create constitutional and litigation concerns, and duplicate existing safeguards. SB 1278 would exclude certain rape, child sexual abuse, and habitual/serial sex offense convictions from elderly parole eligibility; district attorneys and police chiefs supported it as a victim-safety measure, while civil rights and defense organizations opposed it as unnecessary, costly, and inconsistent with evidence on aging and recidivism. Both bills were discussed but not voted on due to the lack of quorum. The committee then heard SB 1354, which would bar out-of-state military or law enforcement personnel from entering California to perform such functions without the Governor’s permission. The author and supporters framed it as protecting state sovereignty and limiting unauthorized armed incursions; the committee accepted an amendment removing a criminal penalty and leaving enforcement to the Attorney General. No opposition testimony was offered, and members expressed support, but no vote was taken because quorum was still lacking. The committee also heard SB 926, a bill to fund implementation of Proposition 36. Supporters, including sheriffs, district attorneys, probation officials, and the League of California Cities, said local agencies need funding for treatment, supervision, and administration; opponents argued the proposal was fiscally reckless, lacked accountability, and overemphasized incarceration. Amendments removed a specific appropriation and shifted funding decisions to the budget process, but the bill was also held pending quorum. Later, the committee heard SB 874, which would require background checks for unlicensed providers of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, create a stakeholder workgroup, and direct DHCS to issue guidance and report on program integrity. Support came from local health plans and behavior analysis providers, who said the bill would improve safety and consistency; there was no opposition testimony. The committee then heard SB 1210, which would extend CalGang oversight and due process protections to local gang databases as well as shared ones. Supporters described privacy abuses, racial disparities, and personal harm from inaccurate gang labels; law enforcement opposition argued the bill would impose CalGang standards on informal investigative files and would significantly change the gang definition. The author said the bill closes a loophole and preserves prior reforms, but no vote was taken. The committee also began hearing SB 1019 on creating a California Cargo Thief Task Force, with strong support from BNSF, trucking, shipping, port, and supply-chain representatives who described organized, multi-jurisdictional cargo theft and rail sabotage; no opposition was heard, and members indicated support, but action was deferred pending quorum. The meeting then moved to SB 1217 on a non-consensual intimate image clearinghouse, with the chair and author describing privacy-related amendments and the bill’s focus on helping survivors remove exploitative images; the transcript cuts off as that presentation began.

Transcript Highlights:

• to report that these changes Colorado Association of Municipal Colorado Association of Municipal Utilities
• ,<02:02:40.400> Delta<02:02:40.800> Montro's<02:02:41.440> Electric Utilities, Delta
• Montro's Electric Utilities, Delta Montro's Electric Association,<02:02:43.040> and<02:02:43.360
• website, requiring a process for approving additional collars with the utility, establishing minimum
• website, requiring a process for approving additional collars with the utility, establishing minimum

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• briefly, the cost to TRA is estimated to be approximately 2 million per year if this benefit is fully utilized
• briefly, the cost to TRA is estimated to be approximately 2 million per year if this benefit is fully utilized
• ><01:04:36.560> fully per year if this benefit is fully per year if this benefit is fully utilized
• 37.400> So,<01:04:37.640> if<01:04:37.840> everybody<01:04:38.240> who's utilized
• So, if everybody who's utilized.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The commission first approved the minutes and then took up several pension omnibus items. Representative Rapinski’s item, related to an I-RAP issue, was moved ahead of the agenda and passed without further information after members noted the State Board of Investment and Minnesota State had not identified additional facts; the bill, as previously amended, was recommended for inclusion in the 2026 Pension Omnibus Bill. The committee also corrected a procedural issue on Senator Gustafson’s bill, SF 3897/HF 3703, after realizing an amendment referenced earlier belonged to a different bill; the motion was restated without the amendment reference and the bill was then recommended to pass and be incorporated into the omnibus bill. The main policy discussion centered on SF 3897/HF 3703, which would change how terminating firefighter relief association plans value benefits for firefighters under age 50. Senator Gustafson said the current statute can unfairly reduce benefits by requiring present-value discounting and that the bill would instead allow benefits to be based on accrued benefit under the plan formula, while still leaving relief associations flexibility to use present value if they choose. Staff confirmed the bill applies only to relief associations under chapter 424B, not PERA or the statewide plan. Senator Rasmussen raised concerns about consistency between SVF and non-SVF reliefs and about differing treatment on termination; the bill author acknowledged the difference. The committee ultimately voted to recommend the bill for inclusion in the omnibus pension bill. The final major item was House File 4162, as amended by an A1 amendment, which requires employers of reemployed annuitants in TRA to make employer contributions during reemployment, including Minnesota State Colleges and Universities employees covered under section 354.445. Representative O’Driscoll argued the bill would direct existing education-formula pension dollars to TRA, prevent districts from using those funds elsewhere when retirees are rehired, and keep the employee neutral because the annuitant’s benefit would not change. Supporters said the measure would help pension funding and address situations where districts rehire retired teachers, often in hard-to-fill specialties. Opponents, including Senator Rasmusson, questioned the added cost to school districts, citing an estimated $5.385 million in annual TRA revenue from the change and warning it could reduce districts’ ability to hire or retain staff. After discussion, the committee had not yet taken final action on this item in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• :15:45.279> um office, they are exploring ways to um office, they are exploring ways to um utilize
• 15:48.320> a<00:15:48.560> close<00:15:48.800> period<00:15:49.120> of utilize
• same exams in a close period of utilize same exams in a close period of time<00:15:49.759> in
• 16:06.800> make<00:16:07.040> arrangements<00:16:07.600> to<00:16:07.920> utilize
• courts did make arrangements to utilize courts did make arrangements to utilize that<00:16:08.639

Bills: HF2825

Keywords: expungement, criminal justice, background check, security industry, private detective, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Wyoming has significant potential in carbon management, including CO2 utilization and sequestration,
• management, including CO2 utilization management, including CO2 utilization and<01:08:16.080>
• I won't go through where all those are, but I would propose that we open this up so that we can utilize
• <01:10:45.120> some<01:10:45.360> of<01:10:45.520> our so that we can utilize
• some of our so that we can utilize some of our largest<01:10:47.040> resource<01:10:48.000>

Bills: HB0120, HB0043, HB0128

Keywords: energy production, natural gas, industrial sovereignty, manufacturing, tax exemptions, money laundering, illegal investment, financial institutions, criminal activity, Wyoming legislation, severance tax, oil production, tax exemption, energy sector, economic impact, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Inflation, utility costs are rising.
• <01:30:20.800> We're<01:30:21.120> currently a utility pole.
• We're currently a utility pole.
• The reason we do this because the shiitake mushroom is utilizing the wood waste, and particularly the
• We need to utilize the brick now to conduct workshops. >> Thank you. >> Yeah.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 20 January, 2026; 2:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: Mississippi State University officials testified in support of the university’s separately funded agricultural, forestry, and veterinary units, emphasizing their economic impact, research output, and need for continued state support. Keith Cobalt, vice president for the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine, said the division generates a $1.7 billion impact on Mississippi, but warned that state and local funding has not kept pace with federal dollars or inflation. He argued that global competition, especially from China and Brazil, is hurting row crop and forestry producers, and highlighted a Vision 2030 study finding about $10 billion in agricultural and forestry value leaves the state through value-added processing. He also raised concerns about rural depopulation and proposed rural innovation hubs to help retain population and jobs. Nick Frank, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, said state appropriations make up about 25% of the college’s operating budget and are needed to support salaries, staffing, and service capacity. He described the college’s education, diagnostic, and clinical missions, including disease surveillance and responses to threats such as avian influenza, screwworm, and equine herpes virus. Frank said the college is expanding facilities with $18 million in 2024 state funding for a new farm animal hospital and cattle handling facility, but still needs additional support for equine and small animal renovations. He also requested support for rural veterinary scholarships and said inflation and salary competition from other schools and private practice are making retention difficult. In response to committee questions, Frank said the college enrolls about 118 to 119 students per class, with roughly 54 to 55 in-state students and tuition of about $29,900 for in-state and $53,000 for out-of-state students. He clarified that the “vet assistants” program is a four-year bachelor’s degree in veterinary medical technology, not a certificate. He also explained that staffing growth has largely been in the hospitals to address clinical shortages and improve care. Dr. Westberger, dean of the College of Forest Resources and director of the Forest and Wildlife Research Center, said Mississippi’s forests support a $19 billion economic impact, 84,000 jobs, and a $4.5 billion payroll, while also providing environmental benefits. He said the college and research center are nationally recognized, including an NSF ranking placing Mississippi State 10th in natural resource conservation research expenditures for a small university. Westberger highlighted research on forest management, pest detection, mass timber, wildlife disease surveillance, and value-added bioproducts, including efforts to attract mills and manufacturing. He said Mississippi has added 10 mills or mill expansions in five years with more than $1.5 billion in investment and over 1,000 high-paying jobs, and noted the college is planning a new mass-timber annex to address capacity and showcase the material. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.