Transcript Highlights:

• The approach does not shut teens and children out of generative AI altogether, but rather enables them
• You know, obviously Google is at the forefront, we'll say, of generative AI.
• We want to recognize that, you know, with the great benefits of generative AI, there also come risks
• Benefits of generative AI, there also come risks for minor users, and we want to make sure that we're
• Because I think the privacy implications are very poorly understood by the general consumer.

Summary: The committee met in a special morning session and heard several bills related to artificial intelligence and energy. HB 2371 would allow consenting divorcing parties without minor children to use AI-assisted arbitration in simple divorce cases, with the judge retaining final authority; members raised concerns about binding language, privacy, asset division, and spousal support, but the sponsor said amendments were welcome. The bill passed 7-0 with a do pass recommendation. HB 2311 would require conversational AI systems to disclose to minors that they are interacting with AI, restrict sexual content, prohibit deceptive human impersonation, and require self-harm response protocols; Google testified in support, noting similar safeguards already exist in its products, while one public commenter opposed the bill as government overreach. The committee adopted an amendment and advanced the bill 7-0. The committee then heard HB 2409, which would create a statewide summer AI education program focused on digital hygiene, civic integrity, privacy, media literacy, critical thinking, and algorithmic bias. The sponsor argued Arizona needs to prepare students for AI-driven job disruption and teach practical use of the technology, but several members objected to the statewide curriculum and funding implications; the bill passed 4-3. HB 2410 would treat communications with AI as privileged in the same way as communications with human professionals, with the sponsor arguing courts should develop the doctrine through common law as AI use evolves. A criminal justice speaker supported the bill as a privacy and Fourth Amendment safeguard, and the measure passed 6-0 with one present. Finally, the committee considered HB 4005, requiring school districts and charter schools to provide instruction on the ethical, moral, and educational uses of AI. Supporters said students need basic AI literacy and prompt-writing skills, but opponents cited funding and staffing concerns and said districts are already struggling with existing mandates; the bill passed 4-2 with one present. The committee also advanced HB 2456 and HB 2457, both related to energy infrastructure and small modular reactors, after amendments replacing references to large industrial energy users with extra high-load factory customers. Supporters tied the bills to AI-driven data center growth and future energy demand, while opponents raised local zoning, environmental, and public participation concerns; both bills received do pass recommendations by 4-3 votes. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 5609 protects places that hold meaning for tribal members for generations.
• Senate Bill 5609, House Protect Places that hold meanings for tribal members for generations.
• Site surveys are a general reconnaissance to see if you can come up with anything that might lead you
• And since this committee doesn't generally deal with property and casualty insurance issues, we would
• You mentioned both Attorney General enforcement and a private right of action.

Bills: SB5609, SB6284

Keywords: cultural resources, land use, environmental policy, exemptions, state laws, artificial intelligence, consumer protection, regulation, data privacy, technological impacts, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Miller: It depends on how it is defined in general law and some of those things will be clarified in
• Are you going to go into statute and change how they are able to generate revenue?
• So how are they going to generate $200 million? Chair Duggan: Asked and answered. Rep.
• It's protecting the revenue generation but it is not providing for expense escalations.
• Where are they going to generate the revenues? Think about how many people rent in your county.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, the Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government will now
• This projection is based upon the FY 26 ad valorem that was generated.
• The $131 million in district-generated revenue, $125 million of that is generated through ad valorem
• And how close are you generally? On projections versus actual? Oh, well, you know, like Mr.
• And how close are you generally? On projections versus actual. Oh, well, you know, like Mr.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard budget presentations from all five water management districts for FY 2026-2027: Northwest Florida, Suwannee River, St. Johns River, Southwest Florida, and South Florida. Each district described its preliminary budget, major funding sources, staffing levels, and how most of its spending is tied to the four core missions of water supply, water quality, natural systems, and flood protection. Several directors noted budget reductions from the prior year largely because major projects were completed or because grant/appropriation funding is not yet fully reflected in preliminary budgets. Committee members repeatedly asked how districts project operations and maintenance costs, how projects are selected, and what share of staff and spending is devoted to core missions versus administration or regulatory work. Northwest Florida Water Management District said its preliminary budget is $93.4 million, down about 15%, with 97% of spending tied to core responsibilities and a request for additional regulatory services funding. Suwannee River Water Management District presented a $70.4 million budget, emphasized its rural/agricultural character and spring protection work, and highlighted the Water First North Florida reclaimed-water recharge project; members also discussed its need for an additional FTE to handle consumptive use permit reviews tied to a new lower Santa Fe rule. St. Johns River Water Management District presented a $181 million budget, highlighted major water supply, water quality, flood protection, and land management projects such as Taylor Creek Reservoir, Water First North Florida, Black Creek, Crane Creek, and Lake Jessup restoration, and said about 93% of its budget supports core missions. Southwest Florida Water Management District presented a $227.6 million budget, with major spending on alternative water supply, water control structure repairs, watershed projects, and land management; officials said 93.4% of the budget supports core missions and discussed rising construction costs for aging infrastructure. South Florida Water Management District presented the largest budget at $1.05 billion, focused on Everglades restoration, flood control, water supply, and ecosystem recovery; the director described major reservoirs and treatment projects, the EAA Reservoir, and ongoing efforts to improve water quality and restore flows to the Everglades and Florida Bay. The committee took no formal votes on the district budgets and adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• So any other resolution to a 9-1-1 call generally does...
• So any other resolution to a 9-1-1 call generally does...
• So any other resolution to a 9-1-1 call generally doesn't generate income for EMS providers.
• No, I'm talking about the bill that's generated by the ambulance company that transported.
• So we've seen more fires and larger fires in general. We evacuated the town of Paradise.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules convened with quorum and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Courtney Welsh to the California Housing Partnership Corporation Board, Janessa Goldbeck to the California Veterans Board, and Tom Huntington to the State Parks and Recreation Commission, each by 3-0 vote. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees, the 2026 committee chair and membership appointments, the 2026 session schedule, the 2026 Senate holiday schedule, and floor acknowledgments, all by 4-0 votes. The committee then heard confirmation testimony from Hernando Garzon, M.D., nominated as Chief Medical Officer of the Emergency Medical Services Authority. Senators asked about EMSA’s strategic plan, data integration, local flexibility in statewide standards, ambulance patient offload regulations, stakeholder engagement, disaster response, rural access, and alternatives to transporting 9-1-1 callers to emergency departments. Garzon emphasized data-driven decision-making, technical assistance to local EMS agencies, collaboration with hospitals and providers, and the use of community paramedicine, telehealth, and pre-positioned resources in disasters. Public commenters and members supported his confirmation, and the committee approved the appointment 4-0 for referral to the full Senate. The committee also heard from Stephanie Weldon, nominated as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health. She described her tribal background, prior state, county, tribal, and nonprofit experience, and her focus on serving communities facing health disparities. Senators questioned her about how the office sets priorities, measures outcomes, balances equity work amid political opposition to DEI language, and tailors technical assistance to rural and tribal communities. Weldon pointed to work on tribal consultation, behavioral health, youth mental health, the California Reducing Disparities Project, gender-affirming care, reproductive health, housing and climate-related supports, and community advisory boards. Numerous public witnesses, including tribal and health equity advocates, spoke in strong support, and the committee approved her appointment 4-0 for the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2674 seeks to protect that freedom for future generations.
• I'm Eric Bentley, Vice Chancellor and General Counsel for Texas Tech University System.
• I'm the Deputy General Counsel at the A&M System, Office of General Counsel.
• I guess you guys, you have a general counsel, you should probably know a lot about it.
• This generation is worth it. More than what big tech is making off of them. Thank you.

Bills: HB322, HB126, HB3062, HB1481, HB2310, HB2674, HB121, HB2243, HB3627, HB1178, HB367, HB5515, HB126, HB121

Keywords: JET Grant Program, career education, technical education, community colleges, technology solutions, high demand jobs, student athletes, name image likeness, compensation, intercollegiate athletics, representation, fentanyl prevention, drug poisoning awareness, higher education, mental health resources, substance abuse education, student policy, communication devices, school regulations, disciplinary measures

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee had a general fund target in fiscal years 26 and 27 of a $50 million cut and a $175 million
• That amount is inclusive of a general fund cut in 26 and 27 of $3.4 million, and in 28 and 29 of $5.1
• Chair Beerman, members of the committee, the health board's net impact to the general fund is $350,000
• Line 1414 is our general fund cost track for the non-opioid directives authorization.
• House File 1379, line 1418, is our cost out of the general fund track at the Minnesota Department of

Bills: HF2435

Keywords: healthcare, dementia services, public health funding, opioid prevention, women's health, community health boards, mental health

Transcript Highlights:

• There were a lot of mistakes made, and unfortunately, the general population has been impacted by the
• I have a general distrust. Um, I'm not convinced that it actually did help people.
• So I have a general distrust of the CDC and of the people telling us that this stuff is actually, uh,
• Over the past 28 years, we've generated thousands of jobs and attracted millions in private investment
• You might recall that is why we have targeted funding on general medical education slots for medical

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, recommending beneficial changes to our laws and mentoring the next generation of legal minds.
• On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston and issued the General Order Number
• It's the ceremonial site for our annual reading of General Order Number 3.
• Brought joy, unity, and economic vitality to Gulf Coast for for generations.
• Assign the General Land Office to coordinate planning and development of the trail.

Bills: HCR6

Keywords: Meals on Wheels, senior services, nutrition, community support, volunteerism

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I wanted to give you the general, and I'm gonna...
• and excess general liability.
• But that's generally what's happening in TWIA, and we're writing.
• David Durden, General Manager, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association.
• I'm General Counsel.

Bills: HB778, HB 1266, HB1576, HB2213, HB2517, HB2518, HB2841, HB3306, HB3320, HB3388, HB3508, HB3520, HB3689

Keywords: credentialing, healthcare, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, managed care, hurricane, windstorm, loss mitigation, grants, insurance discounts, property retrofitting, insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, board composition, coastal counties, property insurance, taxation, Texas FAIR Plan Association, premium taxes, maintenance taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• General fund resources to support program integrity enhancements, modernization of the child welfare
• As a result, the net Impact to the general fund for fiscal years 25 through 27 is a savings of $16.5
• It also cancels two and a half million dollars to the general fund.
• Generally speaking, that support amount would be 25% of their net income.
• This might generate that, considering, well, five fines in a single day would generate an extra of, what

Bills: HF2436, HF470, HF2643, HF2456, HF102, HF1367

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, early education, scholarships, funding, children, families, Minnesota education, child care licensing, family child care, child care center, Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families, correction order, conditional license, fix-it ticket, documented technical assistance, license suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, Representative Feist is going to move House File 104, um, that it be placed on the general register
• It'll go to the general register. Obviously, we're divided.
• The motion prevails, and the bill is on its way to the general register.
• c><00:18:15.919><c> register</c><00:18:16.400><c> and</c><00:18:16.600><c> representative</c> the general
• register and representative the general register and representative Feist<00:18:17.360><c> Clos</c><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it was the adjutant general that testified on a couple weeks ago.
• General. Thank you for being here General. Yes, good morning.
• your names organization and For the record, I'm Brigadier General Andrew Camacho.
• I'm the Deputy Adjutant General for the Texas – Deputy Adjutant General. air for the Texas Military Department
• Any other questions for General Camacho? Thank you for being here as a resource witness.

Bills: HB39, HB227, HB930, HB 1078, HB39, HB227

Keywords: highway designation, veteran recognition, commemorative, transportation, Brazoria County, Texas National Guard, combat duty, military activation, state requirements, emergency response, active combat duty, military service, Congressional action, Governor responsibilities, Congressional declaration, state law, conflict, armed forces, congressional approval, war declaration

Transcript Highlights:

• For generations, the American Red Cross of Colorado has been delivering shelter, food, and comfort after
• So until we are fully funding our DMV through the general fund, we need to figure out how to pay for
• And so we are doing the best with what we have since there is insufficient, uh, general fund support
• I agree the general fund is not supporting this as it should, but there's a whole lot in our general
• I agree the general fund is not supporting this as it should, but there's a whole lot in our general

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That included property general liability auto umbrella.
• I'm a seventh-generation Texan.
• I'm a seventh-generation Texan.
• Or are those generalizations justified?
• Personal injury cases are generally very fact-driven.

Bills: SB 30, SB 517, SB 1313, SB 1314, SB 1316, SB 1541, SB 1698, SB 1845, SB 1860, SB 2420, SB 2429

Keywords: gambling, criminal offenses, penalties, defense, electronic devices, tobacco advertising, youth protection, public health, criminal offense, retailer regulation, e-cigarettes, nicotine products, health, public safety, regulation, advertising restrictions, health and safety, elections, election audit, county elections

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs convened to discuss several critical pieces of legislation including SB30 and SB38. Senator Betancourt introduced a committee substitute for SB38 which underwent a smooth adoption process, moving it favorably toward the Senate. The meeting featured a mix of invited testimonies where both proponents and opponents took the floor. One notable highlight included a testimony from Melissa Casey, who criticized the current legal state as prone to fraud and detrimental to both insurers and the public at large, contending that it inflated insurance costs across the board. The discussions delved deeply into the implications of the bills on judicial processes and potential insurance ramifications, with spirited debates surrounding issues of non-economic damages and jury rights. The atmosphere remained engaged as committee members heard varied perspectives on the bills, showcasing a robust democratic process. The meeting underscored the importance of public testimony in shaping legislation, ensuring that multiple voices were considered as the committee pressed on towards making decisions that affect the legal landscape of Texas.

Transcript Highlights:

• Testifying first is the Attorney General.
• Testifying first is the Attorney General. Thank you.
• Uh, Elis Oyama, Deputy Attorney General from the Department of the Attorney General.
• </c> there's an officer behind them generally there's an officer behind them generally as<00:42:01.680
• </c><00:45:34.800><c> fund</c> right there's an there's a general fund right there's an there's a general

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of transportation-related bills. SB 21 on water carriers would create an inflationary cost index mechanism; DOT, Agriculture, DCCA, the PUC, and several harbor and logistics interests supported it, while Pacific Transfer opposed. SB 1478 would require vessel masters to follow harbor master evacuation orders during emergencies; DOT clarified it applies only to commercial ports, with support from Hima and the Harbor Users Group and opposition from the Hailongm Association. SB 108 would authorize DOT to regulate vessel noise near commercial harbors; the White Harbor Users Group opposed, while DOT said it supported the intent but warned the bill may be preempted by federal law. SB 1475 would raise the bond ceiling for harbor improvement projects from $100 million to $600 million, and SB 1473 would cap central services assessments on DOT funds at $5 million and tie them to CPI; DOT supported both, and Budget and Finance explained the central services fee is generally a 5% deduction from special funds with some statutory exceptions. The committee also heard SB 1402 on securing mooring lines in state commercial harbors, which drew support from the General Contractors Association of Hawaii and the Hawaii Longline Association. SB 1522 on vehicle title transfers was supported by the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Customer Services. SB 599 would require DOT or counties to scan deceased cats and dogs for microchips before disposal; DOT said it would provide scanners, the Hawaiian Humane Society and a private witness strongly supported the bill, and the committee discussed that the measure would not charge pet owners and that Oʻahu microchip rates are about 80% for dogs and 70% for cats. SB 1025 would allow service and non-service animals on mass transit under certain conditions; DHS offered comments, Maui and Honolulu opposed, while the Hawaiian Humane Society, the Environmental Caucus, and others supported it, and an opponent raised concerns about large pets, service animals, and the need for size and off-peak restrictions. Later, the committee heard SB 1096 on license plate-flipping devices, with DOT and Honolulu police supporting it. SB 384 would expand victim restitution in DUI-related negligent homicide cases to include child support for surviving minor children; DOT, MADD, and the Kiki Injury Prevention Coalition supported it, while the Public Defender opposed, arguing the restitution amounts would be unverified and better handled through civil remedies. SB 597 would extend the deadline for the administrative driver license revocation office to issue decisions, and the Attorney General, police, and Maui prosecutors supported it because of drug-testing delays, especially on neighbor islands. Finally, SB 1285 would create a lower-level impaired driving offense and authorize administrative action; the Attorney General and Public Defender both raised concerns about charging discretion and resource impacts, while county, public health, alcohol policy, and victim advocates strongly supported the bill as a life-saving measure. The transcript ends partway through testimony on SB 1285, with no final committee votes or actions recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• any other general comment to make?
• The total local tax generated will climb to 10.3 million, nearly a 30% increase.
• This has generated 8.2 million in Paul.
• Attorney General, into the locker room following the gold medal victory.
• Attorney General, into the locker room following the gold medal victory.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> um we uh this was prior to the general um we uh this was prior to the general election election
• </c> important to look at that's generally important to look at that's generally compared<02:20:09.520
• </c><02:36:12.080><c> by</c> estate transfer tax that's generated by estate transfer tax that's generated
• ><c> 20</c> think retail in general over the last 20 think retail in general over the last 20 years<02
• </c> way over on the left these are General way over on the left these are General and<04:43:18.000><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was a Ways and Means briefing opened by the vice chair, who introduced Jason Wong of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston to discuss the national and regional economy. Wong focused on inflation, asking why it had fallen from about 9% in 2022 to the 2%–3% range, and what that meant for monetary policy and the risk of an economic downturn. He said the Fed’s target is 2%, noted that recent PCE inflation was about 2.4% and core PCE about 2.7%, and described the ongoing debate over whether interest rates should stay tight or be lowered further to protect the labor market. Wong explained that the improvement in inflation has been driven largely by goods prices, especially durable goods such as cars, appliances, and furniture, as well as non-durable goods like food. He said supply-chain disruptions during the pandemic caused major price spikes in 2022, but those pressures have eased and many goods prices are now at or below the Fed’s target. He also referenced the New York Fed’s Global Supply Chain Pressure Index, saying it showed extreme pandemic-era disruptions that have since receded. The main remaining inflation problem, he said, is in services, especially housing. Wong broke services into rent of shelter and all other services, explaining that shelter is a large share of household budgets and that housing inflation has a lag because rent measures often reflect older lease terms rather than current market rents. He said monthly Zillow data suggest market rents have cooled and may eventually feed through to official inflation measures. Members asked several questions about the chart’s time scale, the treatment of real estate, property taxes, and utilities, and Wong clarified that housing costs are counted in services and that the slides would be shared digitally. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Facilities generate continuous noise from cooling systems, HVAC equipment, and backup generators operating
• /c><00:51:00.079><c> cooling</c> generate continuous noise from cooling generate continuous noise from
• </c> generators operating 247. generators operating 247.
• <00:53:32.800><c> daily</c> [snorts] centers generate minimal daily [snorts] centers generate minimal
• </c> noise uh that is generated from these. noise uh that is generated from these.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we want to generate less power in our state.
• In order to generate power.
• Generally speaking, we have. So do we have any grounds to pursue that?
• We need more generation, we need generation all of the above, but we absolutely need generation such
• And in France, they have about 66% of their electrical generation and...

Keywords: 1146, all