Transcript Highlights:

• We'll provide remarks on construction and businesses within the infrastructure systems before we open
• For example, nearly all water and wastewater systems depend on electricity. for their operations.
• A freight rail incident at a rail crossing can halt an entire transportation. network.
• This emphasizes that our systems are not only as strong as they weakest link.
• Design, innovation, it enhances infrastructure systems, functionality, and supports resilience.

Keywords: Texas, Infrastructure Report Card, ASCE, population growth, climate change, investment, public safety, engineering standards

Summary: The meeting focused on the release of the 2025 Texas Infrastructure Report Card, highlighting key findings and recommendations for improving infrastructure across various sectors in the state. Julie Jones, Vice President of ASCE Texas, opened the session by introducing key speakers, including Dr. Art Wood and committee co-chairs Griselda Gonzalez and Austin Mazzarelli. Throughout the discussion, the report's grades were revealed, showing the state's infrastructure received an overall grade of 'C'—adequate but requiring significant attention and investment. Emphasis was placed on the rising challenges posed by climate change and increased population growth, underscoring the need for strategic investments in infrastructure to support Texas' economic growth and public safety.

Transcript Highlights:

• Incidents with motor vehicles and property.
• And these adults have to know it's over in the public education system.
• when it relates to the education system.
• And we're back not having a public accountability system.
• And we're back not having a public accountability system.

Summary: The Senate first adopted a motion by Senator Zaffirini to suspend Senate Rule 5.14 and move the intent calendar deadline to 8:00 p.m. that day, also allowing the Secretary to make the calendar available as soon as practicable. The chamber then took up and passed several House bills, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. HB 2128, relating to a study of rural firefighting and technical rescue capabilities, passed unanimously. HB 4157, on liability protections for commercial spaceflight and exploration, passed 28-3. HB 2240, concerning certain void marriages, passed after adoption of a Birdwell amendment extending filing deadlines to 90 days for certain active-duty service members and Foreign Service officers. HB 367, on verification of excused absences for students with severe or life-threatening illnesses, passed unanimously after clarifying school district forms and TEA model forms. HB 1506, expanding expedited handgun license eligibility to certain retired county court judges, passed 29-2. HB 4449, on alcohol sales in annexed municipal areas, passed 29-2. HB 3812, on health plan prior authorization requirements, passed 30-1. The Senate also announced a long list of bills and resolutions signed in the presence of the Senate. A major portion of the meeting centered on HB 521, a voting-related bill on curbside voting for voters with disabilities. Senator Paxton described it as an anti-misuse measure requiring a signed eligibility form for curbside voting, creating a 20-foot electioneering buffer, limiting election officer assistance in marking ballots unless a second officer is present, and adding reporting requirements for people who assist seven or more curbside voters. Senators Miles, Menendez, Johnson, Campbell, Cook, and others questioned whether the bill would burden disabled voters, create a de facto registry of volunteers, and impose a harsh Class A misdemeanor penalty for failing to complete the form. Paxton said the bill was intended to protect legitimate curbside voters and curb abuse, and the chamber adopted Paxton Floor Amendment No. 1 after a recorded vote. Zaffirini’s Floor Amendment No. 2, allowing an escorting voter to receive his or her own ballot at the curbside or entrance, was adopted. Menendez’s Floor Amendment No. 3 to reduce the penalty failed. The bill was then passed to third reading on a 20-11 vote, with a motion by Senator Miles to have the exchanges reduced to writing and placed in the journal adopted. The Senate also passed HB 3000, creating a grant program for rural ambulance service providers, after a comptroller-related amendment; HB 5616, establishing the Texas Presidential Library Promotion Program and funding for traveling exhibits, after narrowing the bill to mobile exhibits only; HB 4211, addressing certain residential property interests controlled by entities, which passed 30-1; HB 1178, creating temporary educator certificates for out-of-state certified educators and military spouses, which passed unanimously; HB 2243, creating the Texas Commission on Teacher Job Satisfaction and Retention, which passed after debate over the need to streamline education mandates; and HB 42, increasing and reallocating the constitutional Higher Education Fund appropriation by 50% to $1.18 billion, which passed 31-0. Finally, HB 2512, a Fort Worth-specific bill limiting ETJ release for land subject to active development agreements, passed after debate over broader ETJ and de-annexation policy, with a local-only clarifying amendment adopted and a proposed broader amendment withdrawn. The meeting ended with the Senate beginning consideration of HB 3372, which would bar school district administrators from receiving financial benefits tied to outside consulting or contracting with education entities, though the transcript cuts off during questions on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any incident? I don't mind.
• Any incidents reported that you're aware of? None, no.
• It's up to the local district system. A student? It's up to the district. Okay.
• It's up to the local district system, and we want it to stay up to the local district system.
• So this is something that has been in conjunction with the four public post-secondary systems.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee met on May 12, 2026, and first approved SB 518, which gives LSU limited authority to buy and sell certain real estate within one mile of campus as a two-year pilot program. Supporters said the bill would let LSU respond more quickly to deteriorating properties near campus and improve the student experience, while keeping protections such as appraisals and fair-market-value requirements. Members asked about whether the authority would affect residential property or be expanded to other universities, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then advanced SCR 33, creating a one-year Work-Based Learning Coordination Task Force to study and better align apprenticeships, internships, job shadowing, and related programs across state agencies and employers. Testimony emphasized the need to reduce duplication and improve coordination so students and employers can more easily connect. HR 168 also passed, directing the Board of Regents to study collegiate athletic program funding after concerns raised by athletic directors about deficits and accounting practices. Members next approved SB 488, establishing a school safety drone response pilot program to supplement school crisis plans. The bill drew detailed testimony from a vendor describing drone deployment, response times, and coordination with law enforcement; an amendment was adopted to require coordination with the Department of Education, State Police, and the Sheriffs’ Association. The committee also favorably reported HCR 97, asking BESE and Wildlife and Fisheries to study adding age-appropriate hunting, conservation, and shooting sports education in grades 5-12, with members clarifying that no live firearms would be used on campus. Finally, the committee approved SB 112, allowing local school boards to adopt parental-consent release-time policies for religious instruction, with amendments adding instructor qualifications, reporting requirements, electronic delivery flexibility, and constitutional safeguards. It also reported SB 504, expanding individual graduation plans to include vocational options and apply to charter schools, with an amendment for standalone elementary charters. The committee then passed SB 346 and SB 347, both dealing with deepfakes—one prohibiting their use against K-12 students and the other adding unlawful deepfakes to campus power-based violence rules—and SB 353, authorizing postsecondary systems to digitize student IDs for use in LA Wallet. Several members raised concerns about naming LA Wallet specifically, but the bill was still reported favorably. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• from members to NMSU to NMDA through NMSU for mobile internet access to the New Mexico Livestock Incident
• from members to NMSU to NMDA through NMSU for mobile internet access to the New Mexico Livestock Incident
• Item number 81 for NMSU as well is $750,000 for a Medicaid review system.
• This is a core function of state government, part of our justice system, and I think we need to fund
• Chair, so we would be back to status quo of what the system looked like.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• end up in the court system anyway.
• </c><00:53:09.200><c> on</c> the recent rash of wrongway incidents on the recent rash of wrongway incidents
• </c><03:14:04.160><c> Also</c> identification system or ident. Also identification system or ident.
• </c><03:14:38.880><c> uh</c><03:14:39.439><c> from</c> system uh the records uh from system uh the records
• The system does work. It's been rules. The system does work.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is to address the threat of unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, flying within the security
• Representative Mathias explained that RS 32977 was prompted by a Sunday afternoon incident in October

Summary: The House Judiciary and Rules Committee met for an introduction hearing and briefly outlined that members could question presenters but that the goal was generally to allow bills to be printed. The first RS, 3-2-914, was presented by Representative Hill to address drone threats around correctional facilities. He said the bill would authorize the Department of Corrections and law enforcement to take reasonable measures against drones and operators delivering contraband such as drugs, phones, or weapons into prisons, with penalties described as a fine and up to a year in jail. Members asked whether the measure would apply to county jails and how the restricted-airspace language would work with FAA rules and aircraft over urban areas; Hill said he would verify details, but the committee ultimately moved to introduce the RS unanimously. The committee then considered RS 32977, presented by Representative Chris Mathias, which was prompted by a traffic incident involving an electric-assisted bicycle and a court ruling that existing law did not clearly cover e-bikes under the duty to exercise due care. Mathias said the proposal would clarify that drivers must avoid colliding with electric-assisted bicycles, and would also make clear that traffic laws and related code provisions apply to e-bikes, including rider duties and equipment rules. Members expressed concern that the current code had omitted e-bikes in several places, and the RS was introduced unanimously. At the end of the meeting, the committee approved the minutes from Thursday, January 15, by unanimous voice vote. The chair also noted the committee would meet again on Wednesday and possibly Friday, with timing to be adjusted if needed for floor activity.

Transcript Highlights:

• He's a vice president at Mocha Systems.
• And then, of course, not having a fully documented plan for security incidents.
• And then, of course, not having a fully documented plan for security incidents.
• And then, of course, not having a fully documented plan for security incidents.
• </c><00:41:18.760><c> doesn't</c> know having access to a system doesn't know having access to a system

Bills: HF1867 , HF1240

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: lottery, retailer contracts, Minnesota Statutes, contract qualifications, public integrity, criminal background, legislative auditor, public funds, state government, compliance, transparency, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , our PBA system.
• , our PBA system.
• </c><01:14:49.480><c> of</c><01:14:49.719><c> shared</c> integrated system of shared integrated system
• </c><03:40:05.239><c> then</c> district to learn of the incident then district to learn of the incident
• </c> minors um there is no such rating system minors um there is no such rating system for<04:11:13.080

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 749, which would require high schools to provide at least one hour of instruction on the nature and history of communism. The prime sponsor said the bill was prompted by concerns that students lack basic historical knowledge about communism and its effects, and argued that a short, flexible requirement could be embedded in an existing course without creating a new full class. He described communism as a totalitarian ideology and cited historical examples including the Soviet Union, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Cold War, and current events involving Russia, Ukraine, and Taiwan as reasons students should understand the topic. Members asked whether the subject is already covered in current social studies standards, whether one hour is enough, and whether the bill would apply to public, private, parochial, and charter schools. The sponsor said he did not believe communism is specifically required in current standards, that he would prefer a full course but was proposing a minimal requirement, and that he intended the bill to apply broadly to schools under the Department of Education’s umbrella, though he acknowledged the wording may need clarification for charter schools. He also said the proposal was both reactive and proactive, based on anecdotal concerns and his teaching experience. A second supporter testified that he was born in the Soviet Union and favored the bill, but suggested the instruction should emphasize critical thinking and explain both why communism can appeal to some people and why it can have harmful consequences. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are number one in the incidents.
• Federal law already provides our system.
• I am for a fair legal system, but a fair system requires that rules apply to everyone equally.
• c><02:31:35.439><c> system</c><02:31:36.000><c> requires</c><02:31:36.399><c> that</c> system, but a
• fair system requires that system, but a fair system requires that rules<02:31:36.880><c> apply</c><02

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• grants funded from the Water Resources Institute because we were interested in prehistoric water systems
• I don't know exactly which ones, but the big ones for us, of course, are our system.
• You know, we have the system branch in Roswell Campus in Rio Doce, the Hobbs New Mexico Junior College
• So it's much larger than just, you know, we have some impacts on some computer systems.
• This one system or that one system is where this could be spent; that cannot always be responsive.

Committee: House Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Establishing distribution systems. Time out. Time out. That's not what I have here. Sorry. Pause.
• introduced by Representative Saranjana, is an act relating to taxation, creating the Energy Storage System
• House Bill 51 creates the Energy Storage System Corporate Income Tax Credit.
• of community food and farm initiatives toward ending hunger and strengthening the statewide food system
• . food system.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 96 will help streamline our world-class, high-quality early childhood care system.
• President, that we prioritize putting more funding within the system. That's all. Thank you.
• When costs rise across the system, we have to ask how we stabilize.
• I want to talk to y'all, the body, about an incident that happened there came known.
• I want to talk to y'all the body about an incident that happened there came known.

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, an invocation, pledges, and a series of announcements and guest introductions tied to several recognition days, including Disability Rights Awareness Day, Elevate the Spectrum Day, Geothermal Rising Legislative Day, DWI Awareness Day, and Adult Education and Literacy Day. Senators also welcomed guests for New Mexico Down Syndrome Day and other constituent visits, and the chamber read certificates recognizing the Hurley family and the New Mexico Military Museum, as well as adult education and literacy programs across the state. Testimony and remarks highlighted the service of the Hurley family, the importance of adult education for workforce and civic participation, and the contributions of people with disabilities and their families. The Senate adopted multiple committee reports and received House messages on several bills and resolutions. On third reading, the Senate passed Senate Bill 96, as amended, which streamlines child care licensing and reduces administrative barriers to opening or expanding child care homes and centers; an HOA-related floor amendment was adopted after discussion about local restrictions and neighborhood traffic concerns. The chamber then passed Senate Bill 14, as amended, which expands the state’s health professional loan repayment program with $25 million in funding split between physicians and allied health professionals/nurses, with questions focused on eligibility, prioritization, and whether the funding would be sufficient to address shortages. Senators also debated the bill’s support for part-time service and its role in helping New Mexico compete for medical workers. The Senate next passed Senate Bill 104 unanimously, establishing a process for removing a wildlife commissioner that requires gubernatorial initiation, notice and a hearing, and direct review by the state Supreme Court; debate centered on due process, the removal standard of incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance, and how the new process compares with prior law. Finally, the chamber took up Senate Bill 50, which would give the Law Enforcement Training Standards Council more flexibility to set training curricula for officers, especially in rural departments; sponsors said the bill preserves minimum training while allowing updates for current issues, but several senators raised concerns that the measure could weaken explicit statutory requirements for domestic violence and sexual assault training and asked how those topics would remain protected in the future curriculum.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, for example, this could lower costs throughout the University System of New Hampshire.
• It would be a nice way to help the university system.
• But solar systems already see does.
• The law focuses of our justice system.
• This is an honor system. And I do have some big news to share.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:55.920><c> is</c> New Hampshire's education system is New Hampshire's education system is
• <00:14:21.040><c> level</c><00:14:21.360><c> CEO</c> operates as a systems level CEO operates as a systems
• ,</c><00:18:10.640><c> one</c> those because one incident, one those because one incident, one situation
• </c> but yet absolutely vital support system but yet absolutely vital support system from<01:06:19.039
• system all of<01:50:10.000><c> those</c><01:50:10.239><c> years.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting focused on school governance and a proposed shift in responsibilities related to SAU consolidation, with committee members first discussing how school board members and other local officials would be selected for future testimony. The main presentation came from the New Hampshire Association of School Principals, whose executive director Brady Belair and several principals argued that mandatory statewide administrative consolidation should be approached cautiously and that any consolidation should be voluntary and locally driven. They said anticipated savings may not materialize, citing possible higher personnel, transportation, and technology costs, and warned that forcing changes could create disruption without improving student outcomes. Principals testified that their jobs are already broad and demanding, centered on instructional leadership, student safety, staff supervision, family communication, and day-to-day crisis response. Kathleen Murphy of Amherst described working 60 to 70 hours a week and said principals spend substantial time coaching teachers, handling student issues, and supporting school climate; she said adding more administrative duties would compromise student learning and teacher growth. Adam Osborne of Bow Memorial School similarly described principals as daily problem-solvers who set school-level direction and create conditions for schools to thrive. The witnesses also emphasized that principals, superintendents, school boards, and business administrators have different training and responsibilities, and that specialized tasks such as special education compliance, FERPA/HIPAA issues, and labor matters require appropriate expertise. Committee members questioned the witnesses about overlap between superintendent and principal duties, the completeness of statutory responsibility lists, and whether some functions such as curriculum, discipline, hiring, and evaluation are shared. The principals acknowledged some overlap and collaboration, but said superintendents typically handle broader system-level, legal, and central-office responsibilities while principals focus on building-level leadership and teacher support. One member raised the earlier expectation that districts might move to a principal-plus-business-manager model, but the witnesses said that model did not develop as expected and that district structures vary widely. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was a traffic motor officer, SWAT team member, then I was the SWAT team commander.
• The three continuums of care and Arizona's homelessness system are part of that review.
• Chairman, and that is going to figure into how we see our homelessness system doing a good job.
• Even a small amount of training dollars can generate significant system-wide improvements. Thanks.
• A small amount of training dollars can generate significant system-wide improvements.

Committee: House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met on January 28 and heard several bills, beginning with introductions of members and staff. The committee first considered HB 2056, which would appropriate $100,000 to the Arizona Department of Water Resources for a feasibility study of brackish groundwater desalination sites. Sponsor Rep. Gail Griffin argued the state should explore use of large brackish groundwater reserves amid Colorado River concerns, while one speaker opposed the bill on aquifer-protection grounds. The committee voted 11-6-1 to give HB 2056 a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up HB 2798, as amended, which appropriates $100,000 to the Arizona Geological Survey to compile data on materials relevant to nuclear energy, including thorium and other non-uranium fuels. Rep. Carbone and others framed the bill as an economic development and national security measure, while opponents questioned whether Arizona has meaningful deposits and whether the state should fund the research. The University of Arizona testified that the Geological Survey could do the work. The committee adopted the Livingston amendment and then approved the bill 11-5-1. Next, the committee considered HB 2303, which codifies investment standards for the State Treasurer, emphasizing safety and principal preservation and prohibiting speculative investments and insider misuse. The Treasurer’s Office supported the bill, saying it reflects existing policy and ethics rules, though members asked for clearer definitions of “speculative” and how the bill would interact with other statutes. The committee passed HB 2303 15-0 with two members present and one not voting. HB 2344, which directs the Treasurer to manage the local government investment pool internally and allows a third-party contract only for emergency backup, also passed after questions about local control and whether the bill was necessary; the vote was 12-2-3 with one not voting. The committee later heard HB 2759, a $500,000 appropriation to the Department of Veterans’ Services to partner with an educational institution in Yavapai County for veterans programs. Retired Navy SEAL Chief Richard Rodriguez testified about Embry-Riddle’s veteran population and emergency assistance needs for housing, travel, and equipment, while opponents objected to using state funds for a private institution and argued veterans services should be broader and statewide. The bill received a due pass recommendation 11-6-1. The committee also approved HB 2207, which funds the prison Braille transcription program at $300,000 and was described as a successful rehabilitation and service program, and HB 2224, as amended to $1 million, which funds the Double Up Food Bucks produce incentive program through SNAP; supporters said it helps families, farmers, and local economies, and the committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if you people weren't suffering so much from Trump derangement system, you'd see the right thing
• That's the system we have in California. Yeah, I got that.
• But that's not good enough for the this president or for Republicans following his commands. sons in
• where every state uses a fair, independent districting system.
• Colleagues, their choice is to stand down or support a fair system for every state.

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This system of family-based farmers and ranchers, businesses, small businesses, and what they produce
• These are places where our elders and folks that live on fixed incomes—people who make our food system
• Or the poultry grower payment system, the capital improvement payment system.
• The system in which producers operate needs to be fair and transparent.
• The American people have asked for a secure border and a system where they do not have to be condemned

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> [snorts] Investing in programs and private contractors, but not enough in the people and systems
• were being built marketplace and systems were being built and<00:26:21.600><c> new</c><00:26:21.720>
• This would include collection and reporting of gun-related incidents and deaths.
• ,</c> patients interact with multiple systems, patients interact with multiple systems, such<00:45:06.840
• , system, system, having<00:45:14.880><c> a</c><00:45:14.960><c> centralized</c><00:45:15.760><c> office

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I do believe in the jury system that we have.
• </c> background checks and having a a system background checks and having a a system of<01:15:14.640>
• </c> as like a teacher, if the school system as like a teacher, if the school system needed<01:15:26.560
• ><c> incident</c><01:15:41.520><c> involving</c><01:15:42.000><c> that</c> was another incident involving
• ,</c><01:15:56.480><c> notify</c> they would contact the system, notify they would contact the system

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Effective and efficient response to these incidents is critical to protect members of the public.
• nationally, are not just theoretical, but have proved to minimize injuries and fatalities in vehicular incidents
• read some of the information where there was data that implicated, you know, some of the rates of incidents
• And the reason I'm asking is because it specifically talked about the elevated rate of incidents for
• vehicle and I have on a seatbelt, whether the teen is a teen driver or adult driver, there is an incident

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee met and began without a quorum, first hearing AB 612 by Assembly Member Rogers and later AB 435 by Assembly Member Wilson. AB 612 would direct Caltrans to update the highway design manual so local jurisdictions consult with fire departments on major road improvements. Supporters, including the California Professional Firefighters and labor representatives, said the bill would improve emergency response and prevent road designs from hindering fire apparatus. County representatives said they were not opposed but wanted the bill narrowed to avoid mandatory consultation on minor maintenance projects or in areas without a local fire district. Several members praised the bill as common-sense safety legislation, and it was moved forward to Appropriations. The committee then adopted its rules and approved a seven-bill consent calendar. AB 435 would update California child passenger safety law to require children under 10 to be properly restrained in the back seat, require children ages 10 to 13 to remain in the back seat unless they pass the five-step seat belt fit test, and require the five-step test before a child may ride in the front seat. The author and supporters, including Safe Kids Greater Sacramento, Safety Belt Safe USA, AAA, the Automobile Club, and hospitals, argued the bill would align state law with national best practices and improve child safety. Committee members raised concerns about enforceability, implementation timing, pickup trucks, large families, and low-speed vehicles, and the author said he was open to amendments and additional data, including California-specific information. AB 435 was advanced to the Committee on Appropriations after discussion. AB 612 also received a due pass recommendation to Appropriations. The committee held rolls open to allow additional members to add on, then later confirmed the votes and adjourned.