Transcript Highlights:

• Now I have asked Sunny Brasville to head up our county commission, who works with us and who has spent
• 16:18.639><c> us</c><00:16:19.519><c> and</c><00:16:20.079><c> who</c><00:16:20.320><c> has</c> commission
• who works with us and who has commission who works with us and who has spent<00:16:20.720><c> more</
• I think there's a provision in it that states that the county commission association will put the list
• And I just thank the county commission folks and Representative KS for bringing us something that saves

Bills: HB272 , HB272

Committee: House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections

Keywords: HB272, LASEA, AMSTEP, Alabama Commission on Higher Education, State Department of Education, teacher loan repayment, student loan forgiveness, educator shortage, teacher shortage, acute educator shortage, acute shortage location, public K-12 schools, school systems, math teachers, science teachers, computer science teachers, charter schools, failing schools, underperforming schools, teacher recruitment

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, I'm Rima Griffith, Executive Director for the Transportation Commission.
• Good evening, Chair, and members: Travis Dunn with CDM Smith, consultant to the Commission.
• I will not read it to you, but the budget did direct the Commission to do this work.
• The Commission does have a few recommendations based on this pilot.
• The Commission does have a few recommendations based on this pilot.

Bills: HB2347 , HB2410

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: luxury aircraft tax, tax reduction, economic impact, business aviation, state revenue, HB2410, commercial truck safety, commercial vehicle safety, trucking industry, truck driver training, driver education, highway safety, traffic safety commission, Washington State, commercial motor vehicles, vehicle registration fee, IRP fee, state patrol highway account, safety enforcement fee, public-private partnership

Transcript Highlights:

• They've never had that kind of cover before, that kind of security before, and we are working hard to
• amounts to between 50 and 55 percent of district budgets, this shows the legislature's commitment to securing
• amounts to between 50 and 55 percent of district budgets, this shows the legislature's commitment to securing

Bills: HB2

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Keywords: disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license, volunteer management system, volunteer registration, criminal history check, background check, Texas Division of Emergency Management

Summary: The Senate Education K-16 Committee met to consider HB 2, the major school finance bill, with the chair explaining that the committee substitute would provide about $8 billion in new public education funding. The bill was described as including permanent teacher compensation increases, expanded teacher incentive allotment funding, support for early literacy and numeracy, teacher certification and residency pathways, special education funding, career and technical education, school safety dollars, and facilities support for charter schools. The committee adopted the committee substitute without objection after roll was called and a quorum was present. Members questioned the bill’s structure, especially the balance between across-the-board teacher pay and the teacher incentive allotment, the treatment of uncertified teachers, and differences in requirements between traditional public schools and charter schools. Senator Menendez and Senator West raised concerns about equity, charter-school parity, facilities funding, inflation, and whether the bill should include more support for fine arts and extracurricular programs. The chair responded that the bill was designed to direct most new money to traditional public schools while also preserving flexibility and that charter-school and public-school alignment would need further work. Invited witnesses Dr. Imelda De La Rosa and Val Acri testified in support of the bill, emphasizing that the Teacher Incentive Allotment helps recruit and retain teachers in rural districts and supports mentorship and certification pathways. Public witnesses also supported the bill but urged more funding for fine arts, local flexibility, and full restoration of House-proposed funding levels. Dr. Josh Jones supported year-long teacher residencies, Dr. Philip Morgan asked for more local control and restoration of fine arts funding, Rich Saina supported the bill but warned about hold-harmless reductions, and Dr. Greg Poole supported the bill while asking for flexibility for high-performing districts that already pay high salaries. After the invited testimony and some public testimony, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair so members could attend the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Commission understood that parents in crisis need SSLC information in their ARD meetings, not just
• I think about the Commission on Special Education funding.

Bills: HB2

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Keywords: disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license, volunteer management system, volunteer registration, criminal history check, background check, Texas Division of Emergency Management

Summary: The committee continued public testimony on House Bill 2, which would make major changes to public school funding, teacher pay, special education, early learning, school safety, and related programs. Many superintendents and education advocates supported the bill’s overall direction but urged changes, especially a larger basic allotment and more flexible funding for rural and small districts. Witnesses from Paint Creek, West Hardin, Cushing, Blooming Grove, Mildred, Buffalo, Plano, and rural school groups said the bill’s targeted raises and new requirements would not fully cover inflation, TRS/Medicare costs, transportation, insurance, or support staff salaries, and several asked the committee to restore the House version’s higher basic allotment and small-school allotment. Charter school representatives supported the facilities funding changes and said charter schools need state help because they cannot levy taxes, while also noting the funding gap with ISDs. Fine arts advocates asked the committee to restore the fine arts allotment, arguing arts improve engagement, attendance, and academic outcomes, especially in rural and at-risk communities. Early learning and special education witnesses supported parts of the bill but raised concerns about pre-K restrictions, disability-related pre-K access, and the need to preserve or clarify special education provisions and mental health oversight language. Several witnesses praised the teacher pay raise, teacher incentive allotment expansion, and teacher preparation investments, saying they would help recruit and retain educators and improve student outcomes. Others, including counselors and support staff advocates, argued the bill should also include raises for counselors, nurses, librarians, bus drivers, custodians, aides, and other non-teaching employees who keep schools running. One witness from the Texas Counseling Association opposed the substitute because it removed a counselor pay provision, warning of counselor shortages and inequities. A parent and special education advocate said the bill’s structure creates too many strings attached and asked for a larger basic allotment instead of more targeted funding. Another witness from Mental Health America urged keeping the collaborative task force on public school mental health services through 2031, and a disability rights advocate said the committee substitute appears to omit some special education items that were in the House version. The committee also briefly took up House Bill 6, a school discipline bill. After questions about automatic mandatory expulsion for vape possession and concerns about younger students, the committee adopted the substitute and voted to report HB 6 favorably to the full Senate by a 9-1 vote, with Senator Menendez voting no and Senators West and Menendez expressing reservations but supporting further discussion. After that vote, testimony on HB 2 resumed. Senators used the hearing to ask about the bill’s cost, the difference between the basic allotment and the bill’s targeted funding buckets, and whether the permanent teacher pay increase shifts pressure off districts. The bill’s supporters emphasized that it represents an historic, roughly $8 billion investment and that many of the new funding streams are intended to be permanent or to address specific district needs.

Bills: HB 44 , HB 2200 , HB 1612 , HB 2747 , HB 2038 , HB 3717 , HB 1431 , HB 3800 , HB 3801 , HB 3560 , HB 3246

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: cremation, natural organic reduction, health and safety, environmental concerns, funeral services, medical licensing, physician graduates, healthcare access, occupational licensing, foreign medical graduates, cell-cultured protein, food safety, human consumption, agriculture, food labeling, healthcare workforce, advisory board, Texas Workforce Commission, resource guide, education collaboration

Transcript Highlights:

• It would state that any new water project request anticipated to be submitted to the Water Commission

Bills: SB2004 , HB1600

Committee: Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division

Keywords: ethics commission, immunity, conflict of interest, complaints, public officials, transparency, legislative action, criminal prosecution, complaint resolution, HB 1600, immigration law clinic, University of North Dakota, UND Law, law school clinic, legal aid, immigration attorney, student clinic, pro bono, immigration legal services, caseload limit

Summary: The committee reconvened to continue work on water-related appropriations and related bills, with the chair emphasizing the need to move the water bill to conference committee soon because of differences with the House. Members reviewed project funding levels and carryover balances across several water projects, including NAWS, Southwest, Valley City, Cirrus River flood control, Hart River, Redder water supply, municipal and rural water, general water, and discretionary funding. The discussion focused on reduced revenue forecasts, the use of a $150 million line of credit as a working assumption, and concerns about large carryover amounts and piling up cash. No final changes were made to the water funding numbers, but the chair said the committee would revisit the bill after further cleanup of the draft language. The committee then took up House Bill 1600, which would create an immigration law clinic at the University of North Dakota law school. Members agreed the program should be treated as a one-time pilot rather than ongoing general fund spending, so they adopted an amendment changing the $400,000 appropriation to one-time funding from the strategic investment fund. The amended bill passed unanimously, and Senator Meyer was assigned to carry it. House Bill 1417, dealing with parole and probation-related policy, was also amended. The committee removed Section 8, which eliminated the bill’s appropriations language, based on testimony that the referenced funding was already included elsewhere in the budget. The amended bill then passed unanimously. The committee also discussed possible future amendments to water study language, including earlier reporting deadlines and a proposal to require larger new water project requests to go through the Water Topics Overview Committee before being introduced, but no final action was taken on those concepts. Several other bills, including the AI-related House Bill 1448 and law enforcement bonus bill 1193, were left for later consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• a 40-year sentence, and in two and a half years you're out, walking around downtown in a minimum security
• So, somebody labels this person as a minimum security... ...labels this person a minimum security threat
• around it, but the Birmingham women's... ...around it, but the Birmingham women's facility is minimum security
• Minimum security inmates will generally be assigned to community work.

Bills: SB210 , SB176 , SB167 , SB244 , SB218 , SB9 , SB153 , SB9

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, controlled substances, unlawful distribution, marijuana, violent offense, sentencing guidelines, criminal justice, aggravated theft, employee benefits, retirement funds, criminal penalty, state law, overdose, failure to render aid, public health, Alabama Athletic Commission

Bills: SB3038 , SB3045 , SB3065 , SB3069 , SB3071 , HB2025 , HB2149 , HB3370 , HB4205 , HB4506 , HB5424 , HB5652 , HB24 , HB3687

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: Fort Bend County, Municipal Utility District, MUD, special district, Rosenberg, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, ad valorem tax, bond issuance, assessments, fees, taxes, eminent domain, road district, storm drainage, infrastructure financing, development agreement, municipal consent, temporary directors, public utility district

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government met with a quorum and took up a series of pending bills, mostly local-government measures. Early action included final committee approval of Senate Bill 1633 and S.J.R. 60, followed by Senate Bill 3038 and Senate Bill 3045, both reported favorably and placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also considered House Bill 24, adopted a committee substitute, and reported the substitute version favorably; House Bill 2025 was likewise reported favorably and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. Members then handled several companion and local bills, including House Bill 2713 as the companion to Senate Bill 1331, which was reported favorably and placed on the local and uncontested calendar. House Bill 3348, House Bill 3370, House Bill 3505, and House Bill 4506 were each reported favorably, with no objections to local-and-uncontested placement. House Bill 5424 passed on a 6-1 vote, and House Bill 5652 passed with one present-not-voting, both also sent to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted substitutes and reported House Bill 3687 and House Bill 4205, though both were later reconsidered because the wrong script had been read. After reconsideration, House Bill 3687 and House Bill 4205 were each re-voted and reported favorably to the full Senate, with both placed on the local and uncontested calendar. Senate Bill 3071 was also reported out on a 5-2 vote after adoption of a committee substitute. The meeting ended with no further business and the committee standing at recess subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we'll strive to do the same if I'm selected to serve on this commission.
• What's been your favorite part so far of serving on the tourism commission?
• Commission to serve an unexpired term ending July 2nd of 2027.
• Commission to have passed and on to the full senate.
• The other thing it does is the workforce commission data sharing authorization existing...

Bills: HB1823 , HB3031 , HB3369 , HB3378 , HB3429 , HB3624 , HB3657 , HB3880 , HB4215 , HB4476

Committee: Senate Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism

Keywords: housing finance, Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency, publication requirements, housing policy, state regulations, HB3031, North Pointe Workforce Development Initiative, workforce development, job training, skills training, job placement, local hiring, economic development, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, revolving fund, state treasury, appropriation, budget, workforce investment, employment outcomes

Transcript Highlights:

• What's been your favorite part of serving so far on the Tourism Commission?
• Commission to serve an unexpired term ending July 2, 2027.
• He is exactly the type of person we need on this commission. Clerk, call the roll.
• Commission to have passed and on to the full Senate.
• The other thing it does is the Workforce Commission data sharing authorization.

Bills: HB1823 , HB3031 , HB3369 , HB3378 , HB3429 , HB3624 , HB3657 , HB3880 , HB4215 , HB4476

Committee: Senate Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism

Keywords: housing finance, Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency, publication requirements, housing policy, state regulations, HB3031, North Pointe Workforce Development Initiative, workforce development, job training, skills training, job placement, local hiring, economic development, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, revolving fund, state treasury, appropriation, budget, workforce investment, employment outcomes

Summary: The Senate Economic Development, Workforce, and Tourism Committee met for a work session focused largely on executive nominations and several House bills. The committee advanced nominations for Jared Lundry and Norville Ritter to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission, Amy Blackburn as Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation, and Jason Kays to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, with each nominee describing their background and priorities and receiving favorable roll-call votes. Members also considered and advanced a series of bills affecting housing, tourism, workforce, and related programs. HB 1823 would require the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency to provide advance notice of HOME program changes, limit retroactive rule changes, and give preference to nonprofit grant recipients; it passed 8-1. HB 4476 created a revolving fund related to a music industry rebate program and passed 7-2 after an amendment raising a threshold from 25,000 to 28,000. HB 3880 updated tourism advertising law to include digital media and allowed the Oklahoma Today magazine to move online, with an amendment making publication permissive rather than mandatory; it passed 8-1. HB 3031 created a revolving fund for workforce development tied to skilled trades and the North Point Workforce Development Initiative, and HB 3378 staggered terms on the Oklahoma Science and Technology Research and Development Board; both passed. The committee also passed HB 3369, which aligned LP gas and fire-suppression rules for mobile food vendors and required annual fire safety training, HB 3429, which authorized up to $50 million in bonds for CareerTech-related economic development projects, HB 3657, which clarified agricultural labor reporting and allowed OESC to share workforce data with the Workforce Commission, and HB 4215, which lowered the minimum spend threshold for Oklahoma film post-production incentives from $50,000 to $20,000. Finally, HB 3624, a controversial bill changing how county lines are determined along shifting waterways, drew extensive debate over taxation, property records, and rural impacts before passing 6-5. The chair noted the committee likely had one more meeting remaining and invited further suggested language on the county-line issue.

Transcript Highlights:

• the horse racing commission.
• Daniel Lafortune to serve on the Oklahoma Tax Commission. Senator Hall, thank you, Mr.
• Daniel Lafortune to serve as a board member of the Oklahoma Tax Commission.
• As far as secure data, that is always a concern to keep, our data secure.
• The next three bills are a result of the incentive Evaluation Commission work.

Bills: SB1280 , SB1392 , SB1393 , SB1395 , SB1400 , SB1405 , SB1832 , SB1839 , SB1989 , SB2001 , SB2143

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: excise tax, oil tax, natural gas tax, state revenue, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, income tax, tax credit, aerospace sector, employment, economic development, adaptive reuse, affordable housing, urban renewal, economic impact, program, housing, revitalization, urban development, income tax credit, manufacturing

Transcript Highlights:

• nominations made by the governor for the Horse Racing Commission.
• Daniel LaFortune to serve as a board member of the Oklahoma Tax Commission.
• As far as secure data, that is always a concern to keep our data secure.
• Members, the next three bills are a result of the Incentive Evaluation Commission work.
• These types of incentives, this is what the commission is saying, have been helpful.

Bills: SB1280 , SB1392 , SB1393 , SB1395 , SB1400 , SB1405 , SB1832 , SB1839 , SB1989 , SB2001 , SB2143

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: excise tax, oil tax, natural gas tax, state revenue, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, income tax, tax credit, aerospace sector, employment, economic development, adaptive reuse, affordable housing, urban renewal, economic impact, program, housing, revitalization, urban development, income tax credit, manufacturing

Summary: The Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee took up a mix of tax policy, incentive, and administrative measures, beginning with an annual motion authorizing the chair to request OSBI background checks for any Horse Racing Commission nominees. The committee then passed Senate Bill 1839, as amended, to create a de minimis ad valorem tax exception for personal property valued at $5,000 or less per account. The committee also confirmed Daniel LaFortune to the Oklahoma Tax Commission by a 12-0 vote, with LaFortune emphasizing his IRS background and commitment to customer service and fairness. Several other bills were approved, including Senate Bill 1280 to align the plugging fund sunset date in the tax code with another statute; Senate Bill 1832 to reauthorize income tax refund checkoffs for veterans programs; Senate Bill 2001 to freeze property taxes for three years for homeowners displaced by a turnpike or eminent domain, though members raised concerns about downsizing and future valuation; and Senate Bill 1405 to renew the wildlife diversity checkoff, with testimony clarifying it would fund non-game species rather than predator reintroduction. Senate Bill 1989 also passed, expanding the Oklahoma College Savings Plan to accept digital payment platforms such as Venmo and PayPal, with members discussing how deposits would be tracked. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2143, which would allow counties to use aerial or satellite imagery and fixed-wing aircraft for property assessment while excluding drones; supporters cited efficiency, safety, and accuracy, while opponents raised privacy, foreign-company, and taxpayer-frustration concerns. The bill passed 7-4. Senate Bill 1393, a housing redevelopment tax credit for vacant and abandoned properties, passed 8-3 after discussion about affordable housing requirements and project ranking. The committee also approved three Incentive Evaluation Commission recommendations: Senate Bill 1392 to increase the aerospace engineer employee tax credit, Senate Bill 1395 to limit carryforward of the new jobs tax credit to seven years, and Senate Bill 1400 to consolidate aircraft-related sales tax exemptions. The meeting adjourned after the chairman noted more bills would be heard at a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Texas Veteran Commission is doing a great job.
• For the last 18 years, I've served on various advisory boards at the Texas Veterans Commission.
• Implementation of the Space Commission and Consortium. has gone well.
• by attaching the Consortium. to the commission while maintaining that the commission remains attached
• Yeah, the security measures that are in place at the facility are... Impressive.

Bills: SB524 , SB782 , HB42 , HB1056 , HB2894 , HB3033 , HB3474 , HB3594 , HB4738 , HB5246 , HB42

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: SB 524, Texas franchise tax, veteran-owned business, new veteran-owned business, business tax exemption, filing fee exemption, Tax Code Chapter 171, Business Organizations Code, Comptroller, small business, veterans, entrepreneurship, tax repeal, privilege tax, beginning date, franchise tax exemption, severance tax, oil, gas, restimulation wells

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, notably the the very Commission.
• </c> commission meet to elect our own chair. commission meet to elect our own chair.
• Um, we are Public Service Commission.
• </c><00:57:42.080><c> has</c> predecessor that the commission has predecessor that the commission has
• , commission, commission, uh<00:59:11.240><c> can</c><00:59:11.440><c> you</c><00:59:11.520><c> think

Bills: SB8

Committee: Joint Natural Resources & Energy

Keywords: utilities, public service commission, energy regulation, appointment, emergency declaration, tax increases, consumer protection, The first couple minutes of the livestream was cut off. This recording restored the beginning of the meeting Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:51 Approval of Minutes 00:02:07 Legislator Comments 00:02:18 LIHEAP Public Hearing 00:04:19 PSC Update on RS 26 SB 8 00:32:18 WaterStep Presentation 01:04:08, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, Homeland Security. Our state Department of Homeland Security. Thank you.
• So, Homeland Security. Our state Department of Homeland Security. Thank you.
• </c><02:02:36.239><c> from</c> revenues paid from site commissions from revenues paid from site commissions
• </c> Civil Rights Commission. Civil Rights Commission.
• </c> voluntarily create and manage secure voluntarily create and manage secure personnel<03:22:15.120

Bills: HB676

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: HB676, Hawaii correctional facilities, youth correctional facilities, adult correctional facilities, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Office of Youth Services, inmate phone calls, prison phone calls, jail phone calls, free prison calls, free communication services, incarcerated persons, prison reform, reentry, family visitation, recidivism, video visitation, electronic messaging, commissions, ancillary fees

Summary: The committee heard three public safety bills. HB 2235 would appropriate $1.3 million for the Military Affairs and Community Relations Office to strengthen coordination on military and defense issues. Supporters, including the Hawaii National Guard and DBEDT’s military relations office, said the office helps Hawaiʻi understand federal contracting, USA Jobs, and military-related economic impacts. One member questioned why the state should fund a DoD-related office while Hawaiʻi remains under-reimbursed on impact aid; supporters responded that the office serves Hawaiʻi communities and helps prepare residents for federal jobs. The chair said she intended to recommend the bill pass with a HD1, a blank appropriation to be filled in the committee report, technical amendments, a defective effective date, and updated office title language. HB 2263 would expand Hawaiʻi family leave law to cover qualifying military exigencies. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, DBEDT’s military relations office, and the Hawaii National Guard supported the measure, saying military families often face short-notice deployments, relocations, briefings, and urgent family arrangements that require time away from work, and that aligning state law with federal standards would provide clarity and consistency. The chair said she would recommend passage with a HD1, a defective effective date, and technical amendments. HB 2291 would clarify that certain National Guard Youth and Educational Programs employees are excluded from collective bargaining, rename the program, and codify its Hawaiian name. The Hawaii National Guard said it was a housekeeping bill with no appropriation, but requested an amendment to align the bill with updated authorities and program references; the chair asked for proposed language before the later decision-making. She said she would recommend passage with a defective date and the requested amendment if provided, and then recessed the hearing until 11:30 a.m. for decision-making on all three bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the precursors to secure what I would refer to as the brick-and-mortar money to do these projects
• a preliminary engineering report, a technical memo, and all of those documents are precursors to securing
• The project is shovel-ready, therefore, to take the next step to secure and ascertain some brick-and-mortar

Bills: HM26 , HB243 , HB109

Committee: House House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources

Keywords: insects, ecosystem, education, public awareness, wildlife conservation, state agency involvement, New Mexico, equine welfare, animal rescue, shelter funding, trust fund, veterinary care, water project fund, water project finance act, New Mexico Finance Authority, water infrastructure, water grants, water loans, regional water planning, water rights adjudication

Summary: The committee first heard House Memorial 26, a student-presented memorial encouraging state agencies to participate in insect education and conservation efforts, including free workshops sponsored by Wild Friends. The young witnesses emphasized the ecological and agricultural importance of insects, especially pollinators, and clarified that the memorial would not restrict fishing bait or other insect use. After brief questions about fishing, the University of New Mexico connection, and a planned BioPark bugarium, the committee approved the memorial on a due pass motion by unanimous consent. The committee then heard House Bill 243, which would provide more stable funding for shelters that care for homeless, abused, abandoned, or surrendered horses, donkeys, and mules. The bill would appropriate $500,000 to the existing Equine Shelter Rescue Fund, move administration of the fund from the Livestock Board to the Department of Agriculture, strengthen grant and reporting requirements, and create an Equine Welfare Trust Fund seeded with $5 million. Supporters from Animal Protection New Mexico, the Livestock Board, and the Department of Agriculture said the shelters are essential, underfunded, and at capacity, and that the bill would provide a more reliable funding stream. Some public testimony raised concerns about how animals are tracked and whether any horses could end up at auction or slaughter. Committee discussion focused on whether equine care should be funded through recurring appropriations instead of a trust fund, whether the Livestock Board or Department of Agriculture should administer the money, and whether the bill could affect wild or free-roaming horses. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would not change the Livestock Board’s enforcement role and that the trust fund was intended to create long-term support. A motion to table the bill failed, and the committee then voted 4-4 on the due pass motion, so HB 243 did not advance. One member explained his support but said the bill was not a good long-term solution. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 109, which would temporarily, through December 2029, allow the New Mexico Finance Authority to award water project funds without separate legislative authorization after projects have already been vetted. The sponsor and NMFA and Water Trust Board witnesses said the current authorization step delays projects for months, increases costs, and especially hurts small rural communities and acequias. They said the bill keeps existing oversight and evaluation processes, adds technical assistance for smaller applicants, and was amended to extend the sunset date to 2029 and remove an unconstitutional two-thirds-extension requirement. The committee approved HB 109 on a due pass motion by a vote of 7-1.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:56.000><c> should</c> with statute the commission should with statute the commission should
• ><c> the</c><00:04:17.919><c> legal</c> commission does not have the legal commission does not have the
• </c><00:04:29.199><c> standards</c> So the slide the commission standards So the slide the commission
• ><c> location</c> SharePoint provides a secure location SharePoint provides a secure location for<00:
• </c><00:47:06.960><c> at</c> that that have not been uh secured at that that have not been uh secured

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:03 Summary of Staff Report on the Firefighter Commission Minimum Training Standards and Administrative Spending- 00:01:00 Staff Update on Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel 00:16:00 Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Panel Representatives Available for Questions-00:39:34 Kentucky State Police & Finance Cabinet Status Update on Kentucky Statewide Emergency Responder Voice System-00:52:35 Adjournment-01:46:24, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from December 19 and June 12, then received a staff report on the Kentucky Fire Commission’s minimum training standards and administrative spending. Staff explained that the commission’s current minimum training hours are 115 for volunteer firefighters and 300 for paid firefighters, down from 150 and 400 before January 1, 2023, after the commission removed elective classes not directly tied to NFPA standards. The report found the commission’s certification testing aligns fully with NFPA standards, but recommended that the commission formally promulgate regulations establishing the reduced training hours. On finances, staff said the commission complied with the first statutory cap on administrative reimbursements to KCTCS, but could not verify compliance with a second, more specific cap because the finance system does not break out program-level costs and the statute is vague. Staff recommended the commission work with KCTCS to fix that issue and suggested the General Assembly may wish to clarify the statute. After questions about reimbursement levels and investment income, the committee voted to accept the report. The committee then heard an update on the Kentucky Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel. Staff reported that the panel has implemented two of three prior recommendations: it revised its agency notification letter to clearly state the 90-day response deadline and added response prompts and checkboxes to improve completeness. The third recommendation, to adopt formal written procedures, remains in progress; staff said the panel plans to develop those procedures alongside its new case management system. The panel is meeting its statutory membership and meeting requirements, but agency responses to its recommendations have been inconsistent: 48% were timely and appropriate in 2022, 36% in 2023, and 82% in 2024, though only three of nine timely 2024 responses were fully complete. Staff also described the new case management system project, funded with $200,000 in one-time money, and recommended the panel consult budget staff about use of those funds beyond fiscal year 2025. They reissued the recommendation that the panel develop written procedures for case review, findings, recommendations, and annual reports. Committee members raised concerns about the lack of penalties for noncompliance, the volume and length of panel meetings, and technology barriers to reviewing cases, and one member said the panel’s findings should inform future legislation.

Bills: SB2801 , SB2232 , SCR18

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Keywords: SB 2801, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Parks and Wildlife Code, field trial permit, hunting dog field trial, coonhound trial, dog trial, squirrel hunting, fur-bearing animals, nongame animals, hunting license exemption, wildlife management, public land permit, private land hunting, game fish and water safety account, permit fee, commission rules, Parks and Wildlife Department, Unplug Texas Day, digital detox

Transcript Highlights:

• I do have a question for the Railroad Commission, but I wanted to ask one for you as well.
• So I'm certainly going to bring the Railroad Commission up to talk about that.
• In the legislative session, the legislature moved to make the commission more fee-based.
• The Railroad Commission promulgated rules in our...
• We have Charlie Fritz from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Bills: SB2122 , SB2050 , HB16

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: oil and gas waste, application fees, permit amendments, environmental regulation, Texas natural resources, battery recycling, battery disposal, consumer batteries, energy storage modules, electrochemical devices, lithium-ion battery, household hazardous waste, solid waste, municipal recycling, waste management, battery stewardship, producer responsibility, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, recycling program

Transcript Highlights:

• , and facility air quality and wastewater permits through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
• Let's jump on national security, talking about thousands of jobs on one side of national security versus
• It is very important to our national security, and billions of dollars are being invested.
• I also look at this from a national security perspective.
• You know, national security is at stake.

Bills: SB2037 , SB1757 , SB1758 , SB1759 , HB29

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: rock crushing, permits, air quality, environmental monitoring, aggregate production, seismicity, public meeting, land use, SB 1758, cement kiln, portland cement, aggregate production operation, aggregate quarry, semiconductor wafer manufacturing, chip fabrication, semiconductor plant, vibration, seismic disturbance, liability limitation, TCEQ