Transcript Highlights:

• Should we take testimony from commissioners, perhaps Commissioner Dalberg first and then Commissioner
• Commissioner. Commissioner. Commissioner. Thank<00:25:04.480> you,<00:25:04.560> Mr.
• Um thank you, Commissioner. Um oh, um Senator Commissioner Augustson.
• Um thank you, Commissioner. Um oh, um Senator Commissioner Augustson.
• Um thank you, Commissioner. Um oh, um Senator Commissioner Augustson.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I currently have the pleasure of serving as a commissioner.
• Thank you so much for joining us, Commissioner Yaltman.
• As Commissioner Yaltman said, we've already seen a number of...
• I do want to ask the same thing I asked from Commissioner Yaltman.
• Courtney, Commissioner Yautman. Thank you, Cyrus.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Nominations held its final nomination hearing of the session and considered three nominees: J.B. Goodwin for the Texas Real Estate Commission, Courtney Yaltman for the Public Utility Commission of Texas, and Thomas Gleason as PUC chairman. Goodwin described his long career in real estate and charitable work, and senators questioned him extensively about the Real Estate Commission’s self-directed, semi-independent status, housing affordability, institutional homebuyers, property insurance costs, disclosure issues, and the Burnett v. National Association of Realtors case. Yaltman and Gleason were questioned about PUC oversight of ERCOT, post-Winter Storm Uri reforms, utility resilience and vegetation management after Hurricane Beryl, water and telecommunications oversight, staffing and transparency, and rising infrastructure and utility costs. Much of the discussion focused on housing and utility affordability, with several senators urging the nominees to keep consumer protection and public trust at the forefront. Goodwin said housing affordability and large-scale investment purchases were not within the Real Estate Commission’s direct purview, though he supported further study. Yaltman and Gleason said the PUC had increased oversight of ERCOT, improved communication and accountability with utilities, and was working on resiliency plans, rate-setting issues, and infrastructure planning while trying to avoid overburdening ratepayers. The committee first voted to favorably report nominees left pending from the May 5 agenda by a 6-0 roll call vote. After public testimony was opened and closed, the committee then voted on the nominees heard that day and favorably recommended all three to the full Senate for confirmation by a 7-0 vote. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'd like to start with Commissioner Walton Simpson. Commissioner, thanks for being here today.
• Commissioner, thanks for being here today.
• Commissioner Simpson, this was for you.
• Thank you, Commissioner. Thank you, Commissioner. Thank you, Commissioner. Thank you, Commissioner.
• Thank you, Commissioner.

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee met to organize for the session, confirm a quorum, and hear introductory remarks from members about their districts and interests. Chair Esposito outlined the committee’s jurisdiction and budget overview, noting a total budget of about $7.2 billion, with major funding tied to the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Citrus. She also described major cost drivers such as Everglades restoration, water quality, resiliency, land acquisition, and rural family lands, and asked members to review agency requests in small groups later in the process. Agency leaders then presented budget and program updates. Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson emphasized department efficiency efforts, including IT modernization, staff reorganization, rural and family lands conservation, best management practices, Fresh From Florida marketing, hurricane recovery loans for farmers, and completion of the Connor Complex headquarters. DEP Secretary Alexis Lambert highlighted record investments in Everglades restoration, water quality projects, resilience grants, land acquisition, state parks, and enforcement. FWC Executive Director Roger Young discussed conservation research, fisheries and wildlife management, law enforcement, disaster response, and pressures from growth, boating, invasive species, and derelict vessels. Department of Citrus Executive Director Shannon Shep reviewed the industry’s decline due to hurricanes and citrus greening, current research and marketing efforts, and e-commerce campaigns to support Florida citrus sales. Members asked questions about citrus production declines, future replanting and therapies, rural family lands, PFOS cleanup, mangrove restoration, flooding and pump infrastructure, agricultural theft, and derelict vessel removal. Officials generally responded with updates, emphasized science-based management and enforcement, and in several cases said they would follow up with more detailed information later. No formal votes were taken; the meeting ended with the chair directing members to provide feedback on agencies for further budget review and then adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assistant Commissioner Cadelka, MPCA. Assistant Commissioner Cadelka, MPCA.
• Assistant Commissioner Cadelka. Assistant Commissioner Cadelka.
• >> Assistant Commissioner, go ahead. >> Assistant Commissioner, go ahead.
• and assistant commissioner. Uh we have and assistant commissioner.
• Assistant Commissioner, all?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 110 that commissioner does mean the<00:48:21.280> commissioner<00:48:21.800> of the commissioner
• So the commissioner is required to call the first meeting, and the commissioner may have a designee in
• going back to the commissioner going back to the commissioner um<00:53:24.079> when<00:53
• <00:53:57.400> of designates that the the commissioner of designates that the the commissioner
• um um the vice chair so the commissioner um um the vice chair so the commissioner um<00:54:39.280

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Commissioner Olson.
• Thank you, Commissioner Olson.
• Thank you, Commissioner Olson.
• Is that correct, Commissioner Olson? Commissioner Olson: Yeah, I would say it's one of the factors.
• Thank you, Commissioner.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So Commissioner Reynolds, thank you for stepping up.
• TPUC commissioners attended only 65 hearings.
• And so I do continue to doubt the current structure of five commissioners.
• I used to be a Public Works Commissioner.
• In the city of Los Angeles, I was one of five commissioners.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So,<01:14:30.360> Commissioner, So, Commissioner, So, Commissioner, how<01:14:32.120> can
• :30:46.600> the Commissioner, since you've become the Commissioner, since you've become the commissioner
• Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Brown.<01:31:02.320> Uh<01:31:02.400> Madam<01:31
• Commissioner Brown.
• And thank you, Commissioner. Thank you. And thank you, Commissioner.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• commissioner thank commissioner thank you<00:20:38.640> any<00:20:38.880> other<00
• Commissioner Schnell, Mr.
• Commissioner Schnell, yeah, Mr.
• Commissioner Schnell, yeah, Mr.
• Commissioner Schnell, yeah, Mr.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to welcome the Washington County commissioner and former mayor of Oakdale, Commissioner
• I would like to welcome the Washington County commissioner and former mayor of Oakdale, Commissioner
• I've been commissioner since 2016.
• Commissioner Holberg, welcome.
• <01:23:47.280> uh thank you thank you commissioner uh thank you thank you commissioner uh

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently it says the Department of Health in consultation with the Board of Land Commissioners and the
• The Department of Health in consultation with the City of Lander, the Board of Land Commissioners, and
• the Board of Land Commissioners. the Board of Land Commissioners.
• But it's the Board of Land Commissioners and the State Land Investment.
• But it's the Board of Land Commissioners But it's the Board of Land Commissioners and<00:13:42.400

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The conference committee met on House Bill 69, which concerns Department of Health land transfers involving property from the Wyoming Life Resource Center in Lander. Members reviewed the two main pieces of the bill: a transfer of land to WYDOT for a maintenance yard, and a separate parcel intended for possible residential development. Much of the discussion focused on clarifying that the residential parcel would still be subject to zoning and likely sold through a public process, while the WYDOT parcel would remain a state-to-state transfer. A central issue was whether the City of Lander should be specifically included in the consultation language. Committee members agreed the city should be consulted on both sections, but there was debate over whether the bill should say the department is “authorized and directed” to convey the WYDOT parcel or use more permissive language such as “may” or simply “authorized.” Members noted that the city would have zoning authority over the residential parcel, but not necessarily a veto over the WYDOT transfer. The discussion also covered the practical need for a new WYDOT facility because the current yard is too small. The committee ultimately agreed to add the City of Lander to the consultation language, keep the WYDOT transfer directed, and leave the residential section permissive. They also approved a reporting requirement so the legislature would be notified when the transfers are completed. The committee then voted unanimously to adopt the compromise and prepare a conference committee report for signing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to introduce Courtney Yachtman, Commissioner for the PUC.
• It's his willingness and support that allows me to take on the role as Commissioner.
• As director, in being elevated to... ...PUC commissioner and chairman.
• I do want to ask, the same thing I ask from the Commissioner.
• So the first thing is we have now another commissioner who sits on the ERCOT board.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Commissioner.
• Thank you, Commissioner.
• Thank you, Commissioner.
• Thank you, Commissioner.
• Thank you, Commissioner.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard budget testimony from Department of Mental Health Commissioner Brooke Doyle, who said DMH serves about 29,000 people and is facing rising demand, higher operating costs, and uncertainty about federal funding. She explained that the FY26 budget prioritizes fully funding the state-operated inpatient system, which is at 100% occupancy and often serves people transferred from Bridgewater State Hospital, while making reductions in other areas to balance the budget. Those reductions include a 50% cut to case managers, a pause on closing the Pocasset unit pending a working group on Cape access, and changes to youth and contracted services such as right-sizing IRTP and CIRT, reducing Youth PACT from seven teams to three, scaling back flex and jail diversion grants as ARPA funds wind down, and preserving the behavioral health helpline and community-based crisis services. Members from Western Massachusetts and the Cape raised concerns about access, staffing, and the impact of cuts, and Doyle said the department would continue operating IRTP services, improve the referral process, and work with stakeholders on the Pocasset review and other access issues. The committee also discussed school-based mental health, 988, loan forgiveness for workforce recruitment, and the role of co-response programs for law enforcement. Secretary Robin Lipson then testified for the Executive Office of Aging and Independence, describing a proposed FY26 budget increase of about 21% to support councils on aging, home care, elder abuse investigations, caregiver support, care transitions, and nutrition programs. She said the agency is managing rising demand, especially from the growing 80-plus population, and noted uncertainty around federal Older Americans Act funding after the federal disbursement agency was disbanded. To control costs, the office will manage intake and caseload growth in a fully state-funded home care program, but current clients will not lose services. Lipson also highlighted a new $1 million line item for local mini-grants to support age-friendly initiatives. In questions, members focused on elder scams, and Lipson said scams are increasing and the agency is working with banks, district attorneys, and public awareness campaigns. The Health Policy Commission’s Executive Director David Seltz presented the agency’s FY26 request and said the biggest challenge is health care affordability, with family premiums near $29,000 annually and many residents delaying care because of cost. He emphasized that recent legislation significantly expands HPC’s role through a new Office of Pharmaceutical Policy and Analysis, which will examine the drug supply chain and pricing, and a new Office of Health Resource Planning, which will support statewide planning around closures and access gaps. The new law also creates task forces on maternal health access and primary care, and adds transparency and oversight for private equity in health care. Members asked about pharmaceutical costs, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, 340B, and maternal health closures; Seltz said the data show rapid growth in GLP-1 spending and that the new offices will help the state better understand cost drivers and access problems. The Center for Health Information and Analysis then began its testimony, describing its role as the state’s data hub for health care spending, utilization, quality, and affordability analysis.

Transcript Highlights:

• Specifically, SB 1642 replaces TDI's current single commissioner model with a three-commissioner structure
• Oversee day-to-day operations, and the bill would identify one commissioner from industry and one commissioner
• TDI used to have this three-commissioner structure and was changed to a single commissioner by the legislature
• It's much better with a single commissioner.
• We moved to the single commissioner.

Summary: The committee first took up several bills and voted them out favorably without amendment: SB 2857, relating to prescription drug purchasing proof for certain health benefit plan issuers and employers; SB 1307, relating to the biennial health coverage reference guide; and SB 527, relating to health benefit coverage for general anesthesia for certain pediatric dental services. Each of those motions passed on a 7-0 roll call. The main discussion centered on SB 1643, which would require prior approval from the Texas Department of Insurance for property and casualty rate changes above 10% from a previously filed rate. The chair framed it as a response to rate volatility and rising homeowners and auto premiums, while several members questioned whether it would slow a market that is already stabilizing and could encourage insurers to file repeated increases just under the threshold. Witnesses from consumer groups supported tighter oversight and argued for a lower threshold, while insurance industry representatives opposed the bill, saying Texas’s file-and-use system and competitive market work better and that the proposal could increase costs or create uncertainty. After testimony, SB 1643 was left pending. The committee then heard SB 1642, which would replace the single Texas Department of Insurance commissioner with a three-commissioner structure and an executive director. Supporters said it could improve accountability and transparency, while opponents argued the current single-commissioner model is more efficient and avoids confusion and added cost. Witnesses also raised concerns about open meetings issues, administrative expense, and the lack of a clear model from other states. SB 1642 was also left pending. Finally, the committee heard SB 2530, the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association omnibus bill. The bill would make a number of changes to TWIA’s governance and finances, including exempting TWIA from certain taxes, moving its headquarters to a coastal county, changing board composition and voting rules, and lowering the probable maximum loss standard from 1-in-100 to 1-in-50. Supporters said the bill would strengthen TWIA’s reserve funding and improve local relevance, while opponents warned it could increase assessments, reduce reinsurance protection, and create operational risks by relocating the headquarters to the coast. The bill was left pending, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Specifically, SB1642 replaces TDI's current single-commissioner model with a three-commissioner structure
• TDI used to have this three-commissioner structure and was changed to a single commissioner by the legislature
• It's a one... ...commissioner, you know, a one-commissioner agency that reports to the governor.
• It's much better with a single commissioner.
• We moved to a single commissioner.

Bills: SB1642, SB1643, SB2530

Keywords: Texas Department of Insurance, commission appointments, insurance regulation, oversight, consumer advocacy, insurance rates, property insurance, commercial automobile insurance, rate approval, consumer protection, windstorm insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, administrative penalties, coastal counties, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I saw I see from commissioners.
• Yes, I see commissioners are both here. Yes, I see commissioners are both here.
• Well, both commissioners are here. Well, both commissioners are here.
• Thank you, Commissioner Strommen. Commissioner. Commissioner. Thank<01:40:59.160> you.
• But let's Commissioner Kadlec.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee took up Senate File 203, a broad housing bill authored by Senator Port. Port described the measure as a package including $50 million in housing infrastructure bonds, MHFA administrative and investment reforms, expanded Greater Minnesota infrastructure grants for workforce housing, manufactured housing bill of rights provisions, and a private equity restriction on large investors buying certain single-family homes starting in 2026. Fiscal analyst Eric Olafson walked through the spreadsheet and said the $50 million bond authorization would add debt service costs over time, with the total estimated debt service for that authorization at about $75.8 million. Senator Draheim raised concern about the growing cost of bonding and said the state should rely more on cash than debt. The committee then adopted two technical amendments. The A21 amendment, described by Port as correcting manufactured housing bill of rights language, aligning MHFA board meeting language, conforming a lived-experience exemption to federal law, and fixing a capacity-building grants reference, was approved without objection. The A20 amendment, offered by Draheim, was also adopted and would give the legislature more control and visibility over MHFA funding and how quickly program dollars are reinvested after agency operations. Members then debated Draheim’s A22 amendment, which would delete the manufactured home park provisions from the bill. Draheim and several Republicans argued the section could function like rent control, could burden good park owners, and might have unintended consequences for park operations and purchases. Port, Senator Boldon’s allies, and other supporters said the provisions were needed to protect residents from rent spikes and private equity abuses in manufactured home communities, where residents own their homes but not the land. The transcript ends during that debate, before any final disposition on A22 or the bill itself is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Yeah, Commissioner Richtorm.
• some discussions with with Commissioner some discussions with with Commissioner Storm<00:15:43.360
• >> Commissioner. >> Commissioner. >> Commissioner.
• Uh my question is for uh Commissioner Storm.
• Uh are what what uh Commissioner Storm.

Keywords: Meeting start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:37 SB 39 discussion: 04:10 SB 39 vote: 26:35, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor met with a quorum and first heard a brief presentation from Vice Chair Frommeyer on a resolution recognizing January as Kentucky Mentoring Month. She highlighted mentoring as important for personal, academic, and professional development and cited partnerships such as Northern Kentucky University’s Norse Network Hub and local community mentoring efforts. The committee then took up Senate Bill 39, sponsored by Senator Gary Boswell, which would treat fish in private lakes and ponds as the property of the landowner and allow landowners to extend fishing rights by written or electronic permission. Boswell and supporter Jason Kenner argued the bill would strengthen property rights, reduce burdensome regulation, support selective harvest and stocking decisions, and could boost tourism, local economies, and aquaculture. Kenner also described bass fishing’s economic impact, youth fishing growth, and examples of tournaments and habitat projects in Kentucky. Boswell said the bill does not change fishing license requirements and does not alter invasive species rules except to clarify that largemouth bass, including F1 Florida bass, are not invasive. Commissioner Rich Storm and other members raised concerns that the bill’s language could affect the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s fee-based funding, federal grant eligibility, enforcement authority, and creel-limit cases, especially if written permission on private waters were interpreted broadly. Senator Webb said she supported the idea of bass stocking but wanted more guardrails and a pilot approach. Senator Howell asked whether Boswell would consider further work on the language, but Boswell declined to accept a committee substitute or amendment at that time. The committee then voted 8-1 with one pass to report the bill favorably, and the chair announced the bill would be reported with favorable expression that it should pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• Commissioner, welcome. Thank you for your phone call.
• For the record, I am the commissioner of the Department of Revenue.
• So with that, back to you, Commissioner. Thank you very much.
• Chair and Commissioner, thank you for coming in, your team as well.
• Commissioner Mike wrote to Mr.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• How would that work, Assistant Commissioner McKinnon?
• Who wants to talk, Assistant Commissioner?
• who wants to talk assistant commissioner who wants to talk assistant commissioner just<00:57:27.640
• My question is for Deputy Commissioner.
• My question is for Deputy Commissioner.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• never, this is hard work, Commissioner. never, this is hard work, Commissioner.
• Commissioner, thank you into a debate. Commissioner, thank you for<00:30:16.559> coming.
• Madame<01:09:48.080> Commissioner, Madame Commissioner, Madame Commissioner, actually<01:09:50.000
• Hennon or Commissioner Clark.
• representative commissioner Mr. Mr. representative commissioner Mr. Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all