Transcript Highlights:

• Take, for example, the semiconductor industry.
• These areas ensure long-term sustainability for Texas agriculture and energy industries.
• further the commercialization of breakthrough technologies to assist patients and the healthcare industry

Bills: HB 1240, HB1353, HCR76, HCR90

Keywords: border region, infrastructure, economic development, government operations, education, international cooperation, infrastructure investment, bond issuance, state agencies, shrimp industry, federal regulations, foreign imports, economic impact, public health, Gulf Coast communities, Texas-Israel relations, Israel, Jerusalem, trade office, foreign relations

Transcript Highlights:

• Can't just blame it on targeting one industry or not.
• But there's no telling with the volatility of that industry that we're going to be able to sustain these
• As Secretary Rodriguez shared, this is a growth industry in higher ed and in the teacher prep programs
• As Secretary Rodriguez shared, this is a growth industry in higher ed and in the teacher prep programs
• As Secretary Rodriguez shared, this is a growth industry in higher ed and in the teacher prep programs

Bills: SB204, SB241, HB34

Keywords: higher education, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, appropriation, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department

Transcript Highlights:

• or possibly a smoke shop, and what they're... ...in the hemp industry or possibly a smoke shop, and
• So they were asking for a higher threshold of, I guess, performance maybe in the hemp industry.
• The two industries don't want to mix.
• It's rare that you have an entire industry that is thriving, no less, asking to be taxed and regulated
• For over eight years now, I've worked in the kratom industry.

Bills: HB305, HB395, HB341

Keywords: hemp, marijuana, THC regulations, cannabis products, adult-use industry, public health, youth protection, child support, reunification, Department of Services for Children, family court, liability

Summary: The committee met in late June with Senators Hansen, Buckson, Siegfried, Townsend, and Huxable present, and first approved the meeting minutes by voice vote. The opening bill, HB 341, would limit DFS from filing child support in foster care cases unless doing so would not hinder reunification; Children’s Department staff said the department has already decided to stop filing in all such cases, with an estimated fiscal impact of about $140,000 annually. Public testimony from the League of Women Voters supported the bill as a compassionate measure to help families reunite. The committee then heard HB 446/related anaphylaxis legislation for colleges and universities, which would allow institutions to stock and use intranasal epinephrine alongside auto-injectors and update training and reporting requirements. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America supported the measure, emphasizing the need for needle-free options and faster treatment of anaphylaxis. The committee also took up HS1 for HB 356 on PFAS, which would ban firefighting foam containing PFAS beginning in 2028, require disclosure if PPE contains PFAS, and address recalls; DNREC and the fire service supported it, saying most departments have already transitioned away from PFAS foam. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 305, a diabetes wellness pilot program that would use continuous glucose monitoring, app-based care coordination, lab testing, and DHIN data analysis to shift care toward prevention and remission. Sponsor Senator Siegfried described the bill as a response to Delaware’s high diabetes costs and prevalence, and the Medical Society of Delaware supported it as a proactive model. The committee also discussed HB 395, which would regulate intoxicating hemp-derived products and synthetic cannabinoids by classifying products over a THC threshold as marijuana and creating penalties for unlicensed sales; the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner supported the bill, while hemp industry representatives and Senator Hoffner warned it could harm legitimate hemp retailers and access to hemp products. The final item, HS1 for HB 332, would ban sales and marketing of kratom products to those under 21 and direct the state to study testing and regulation of kratom and synthetic variants. Supporters, including the Delaware Healthcare Association and several recovery advocates, said age-gating is a reasonable first step and that synthetic products are the main concern; opponents and some senators argued the bill should go further and fully ban kratom or better distinguish synthetic products from natural leaf kratom. No formal roll-call votes were taken on the substantive bills during the transcript, and the meeting adjourned after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• pass the H-2B-certified seasonal employer designation and reclassify all job duties of the crawfish industry
• pass the H-2B-certified seasonal employer designation and reclassify all job duties of the crawfish industry
• We, you know, we're heavy in the crawfish industry and rice industry, but as far as the crawfish, all

Bills: HCR77

Keywords: crawfish, agricultural labor, H-2B program, H-2A program, labor shortage, temporary workers, Louisiana economy, HCR77, crawfish industry, H-2B visa, seasonal labor, agriculture, immigration

Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum and considered only one item, House Concurrent Resolution 77. The resolution urges Congress, the President, and federal agencies to take action to allow crawfish industry job duties to be treated as agricultural labor for H-2A purposes and to support an H-2B-certified seasonal employer designation. Chairwoman Butler explained that the measure was prompted by problems with H-2A/H-2B worker availability and denials that have affected crawfish processors and other agricultural businesses in Louisiana. Several members spoke in support. Representative Coates said he wanted to co-author the resolution, Representative Henry described similar problems in his district and thanked the chair for advancing the issue, and Representative Schamerhorn also supported the resolution while noting concerns about reliance on foreign labor and stating that employers cover travel, background checks, housing, and wages averaging about $18 per hour. Representative Omaday moved to report HCR 77 favorably, and the committee approved the motion without objection. After the favorable report, the committee adjourned.

Bills: SB265, HB593

Keywords: data processing centers, tax abatements, economic development, construction related taxes, energy infrastructure, small craft distilleries, wineries, alcoholic beverages, licensing, craft beverage industry, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Corry continued: "...subsidies. It relies on all of this money just to survive.
• The pulp and paper industry is an iconic industry that's essential for the economy of our state.
• Our industrial complex, the industries that are being impacted by this are about 40 major companies.
• racing industry in Japan.
• These are foundational industries that provide the base of our economy.

Bills: HB2689, SB5420, SB5868, SB5877

Keywords: Working Connections Child Care, child care subsidy, subsidized child care, Washington DCYF, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, low-income families, child care providers, licensed child care centers, family child care, market rate survey, subsidy rates, income eligibility, state median income, SNAP, Basic Food, collective bargaining, provider reimbursement, daily payment, half-day care, partial-day care

Transcript Highlights:

• Over 50% of eligible students are in work-based learning programs, some of them getting industry certifications
• Over 50% eligible students are in work-based learning programs, some of them getting industry. eligible
• students are in work-based learning programs, some of them getting industry certifications, such as
• on a personal level, many of you know me as having spent a lot of time here before in a different industry
• on a personal level, many of you know me as having spent a lot of time here before in a different industry

Bills: HB2, SB204, SB241, HB34

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, higher education, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, appropriation, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool

Transcript Highlights:

• pass the H-2B-certified seasonal employer designation and reclassify all job duties of the crawfish industry
• pass the H-2B-certified seasonal employer designation and reclassify all job duties of the crawfish industry
• We, you know, we're heavy in the crawfish industry and rice industry, but as far as the crawfish, all

Bills: HCR77

Keywords: crawfish, agricultural labor, H-2B program, H-2A program, labor shortage, temporary workers, Louisiana economy, HCR77, crawfish industry, H-2B visa, seasonal labor, agriculture, immigration, 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representatives that are over the cattle industry, the swine industry, and we have a member of the Shaka
• Representing swine industry, companion animals, and even aquatics.
• Representatives that are over the cattle industry, the swine industry, and we have a member of the Shaka
• Obviously, Minnesota's livestock industry is a cornerstone of our state's economy.
• Peterson talking about the value of the livestock industry.

Bills: HF601, HF271, HF1101, HF979

Keywords: agriculture, depredation compensation, livestock, crop damage, elk, wolves, wildlife management, skills path program, career and technical education, CTE, dual credit, postsecondary options enrollment, apprenticeship, apprenticeship readiness, dual training, work-based learning, career pathways, skilled trades, workforce development, high school to career

Transcript Highlights:

• UFCW local 663 and 1189 industry.
• These hardworking men and industry.
• </c><00:08:08.960><c> When</c> repeatedly in the grocery industry.
• When repeatedly in the grocery industry.
• </c> store, combined with an average industry store, combined with an average industry profit<00:08:55.440

Bills: HF4080, HF3693, HF1857, HF4350

Keywords: agriculture, livestock, retailers, ownership interest, exclusive contracts, meat packing companies, dominant retailers, state law, Department of Agriculture, appropriation, funding, agriculture policy, state budget, animal welfare, cat declawing, animal cruelty, therapeutic procedures, civil penalties, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, aquatic life

Transcript Highlights:

• Child care subsidy base rates are currently set at the 85th percentile of the 2024 market rate survey
• The second change is related to subsidy rates.
• from the rates in the subsidy region in which the provider is located.
• DCYF must adopt rules that allow child care providers to accept state subsidy payment to claim a full
• For the Department of Labor and Industries, $385,000...

Bills: HB2689, SB5832, SB5922, SB5944, SB5988, SB6151

Keywords: Working Connections Child Care, child care subsidy, subsidized child care, Washington DCYF, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, low-income families, child care providers, licensed child care centers, family child care, market rate survey, subsidy rates, income eligibility, state median income, SNAP, Basic Food, collective bargaining, provider reimbursement, daily payment, half-day care, partial-day care

Transcript Highlights:

• school and post-secondary courses. to earn a high school diploma along with an associate degree or industry-based
• , the program partners with Texas institutions of higher education. and regional businesses and industries

Bills: HB 1209, HB4746

Keywords: school funding, instructional days, education, public schools, school performance, four-day school week, performance rating, school governance, school calendar, education funding, emergency closures, school district, school operations, Texas education, public school accountability, academic distinction designation, postsecondary readiness, career and technical education, CTE, P-TECH

Transcript Highlights:

• And gas production, the finance industry, and so many other industries, the film industry can thrive
• Let's build an industry—an industry where the world of producers and financiers. are going to want to
• And the I stands for industry.
• I share your desire for Texas to be number one in every industry, including the film industry.
• That does not happen in our industry.

Bills: HB4568, HB5458, HB4543, HB2703, HB3728, HCR113, HCR126

Keywords: film industry, incentives, grants, Texas, moving image, economic development, production companies, content standards, HB 5458, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, TPWD, chronic wasting disease, CWD, cervids, deer, elk, moose, wildlife management, game animals, disease management

Transcript Highlights:

• My career in industry began at Industrial Light and Magic and Lucasfilm Animation on the West Coast.
• The film industry is a business.
• Post is one of the fastest-growing segments of our industry. our industry, with a global market expected
• the oyster industry.
• The medical industry is the biggest industry there because that's all that's left. Don't do it.

Bills: HB4568, HB5458, HB4543, HB2703, HB3728, HCR113, HCR126

Keywords: film industry, incentives, grants, Texas, moving image, economic development, production companies, content standards, HB 5458, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, TPWD, chronic wasting disease, CWD, cervids, deer, elk, moose, wildlife management, game animals, disease management

Transcript Highlights:

• > verifying</c><00:21:55.320><c> that</c><00:21:55.440><c> they're</c><00:21:55.679><c> there</c> subsidy
• and verifying that they're there subsidy and verifying that they're there is<00:21:56.039><c> something
• really should just treat everybody equally and say that anybody who is taking any kind of public subsidy
• c><00:35:44.800><c> kind</c><00:35:44.960><c> of</c><00:35:45.119><c> public</c><00:35:45.520><c> subsidy
• </c> who is taking any kind of public subsidy who is taking any kind of public subsidy um<00:35:46.640

Bills: HF1169, HF1916

Keywords: child protection, child welfare, paperwork reduction, social services information system, SSIS, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, foster care, children in placement, county social services, Tribal governments, private child placing agencies, case management, administrative burden, information technology, human services, welfare administration, Minnesota tribes, child care assistance, CCAP, program integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• So the answer is not to give one industry preference.
• We can go backwards for the workers in the industry.
• Child care providers are essential to every other industry in this state.
• First, student safety: the school bus industry, much like the auto industry, advances student technology
• First, student safety: the school bus industry, much like the auto industry, advances student technology

Bills: SB5808, HB2254, HB2385, SB6006, SB6351, SB6198, SB6260, SB6353, SB5949, SB6129, SB6228, SB6231, SB6229, SB6173

Keywords: health insurance, premium assistance, funding, healthcare access, state budget, HB 2254, Washington, Health Care Authority, partnership access line, psychiatric consultation line, first approach skills training, behavioral health, mental health, assessment, administrative costs, health carriers, self-funded plans, multiple employer welfare arrangement, MEWA, employers

Summary: The committee first suspended the five-day notice rule for Senate Bills 6260 and 6353, then held public hearings on several measures. Senate Bill 5808 would require nonprofit health carriers with excess surplus to pay 10% of that surplus to the state health care affordability account for Cascade Care Savings; staff said it could raise about $330 million one time, while supporters said it would redirect unneeded reserves to premium assistance and opponents argued it would weaken nonprofit insurers’ financial stability and competitiveness. House Bill 2254 would let administrative costs for the Partnership Access Line assessment be included in the assessment itself, shifting costs off the general fund; it drew support from HCA and Seattle Children’s. House Bill 2385 would extend the deadline for the Medicaid Access Program, which cannot currently be implemented because of federal restrictions, and was supported as preserving a future path to Medicaid rate increases. Substitute Senate Bill 6286 would impose escalating fines on private detention facilities that block Department of Health inspections and place the proceeds in a community repair account; supporters framed it as accountability and repair, while the fiscal note showed implementation costs to DOH. The committee also heard tax-preference bills. Senate Bill 6006 would exempt food banks from sales tax on certain services, with supporters from Northwest Harvest, Food Lifeline, and tribal representatives saying it would free up resources for food distribution. Senate Bill 6351 would exempt K-12 schools, before- and after-school care, arts and cultural nonprofit classes, and some related activities from the new sales tax on certain services enacted last session; school districts, arts groups, and PTA representatives supported it, though some asked for clarifying language. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1717 would let cities and counties create local sales tax remittance programs for affordable housing projects, and it drew support from builders, housing nonprofits, counties, and city officials as a local incentive to lower development costs. Senate Bill 6198, the annual accounts bill, would close obsolete accounts, adjust the abandoned recreational vehicle account’s administrative cap, and redirect certain deposits to the general fund; OFM supported it. In executive session, the committee took action on several bills. It adopted a substitute and passed Substitute Senate Bill 5949, which narrows a B&O tax exemption related to insurance premiums; a proposed amendment to remove retroactivity failed. It adopted amendments and passed Substitute Senate Bill 6129 on cigarette, tobacco, and nicotine taxes, including a change to avoid double taxation, while rejecting amendments that would have replaced the bill with studies or enforcement task forces. It passed Substitute Senate Bill 6228 repealing the preferential B&O rate for prescription drug resellers, and Substitute Senate Bill 6231 repealing data center sales tax exemptions, despite opposition that both would raise costs and harm competitiveness. It also adopted an amendment and passed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5965 on retail bags, removing the proposed ban on reusable film plastic bags and retaining a fee structure instead. The committee then began discussion of Senate Bill 6173, the Apple Health employer assessment, with a lengthy proposed substitute and multiple amendments described, but no final action on that bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a couple bills today and then a presentation from the Department of Labor and Industry.
• Josiah Moore, Department of Labor and Industry. Representative Grieman summed up the bill nicely.
• Josiah Moore, Department of Labor and Industry. Representative Grieman summed up the bill nicely.
• Dean Hunter, Department of Labor and Industry.
• Um this the class A Labor and Industry.

Bills: HF3707, HF3732, HF2581, HF3731

Keywords: unemployment insurance, judicial officials, paid leave, economic development, worker protections, workforce development, unemployment benefits, youth training, grants, job creation, grant funding, revolving loan, underserved communities, disadvantaged groups, electrical licensing, installation, Class A installer, regulations, labor and industry, 1183

Summary: The committee first adopted the minutes from February 26 and then heard House File 2581, authored by Representative Frazier, which sought $1 million for Fortis Capital, a nonprofit economic development lender. Frazier and Fortis CEO Brian Smith described Fortis as a gap-financing lender that helps underserved entrepreneurs who cannot meet traditional bank underwriting standards. They said the organization has made 37 loans totaling more than $4 million since 2021, leveraged another $29.5 million, and created 314 jobs. Smith said Fortis typically charges around 6.5% interest, has had two defaults, and uses a revolving loan fund model that recycles repayments; members discussed how the proposal fits with other state economic development programs and whether Fortis should instead be part of a competitive grant process. The chair laid HF 2581 over for possible inclusion in a budget bill. The committee then heard House File 3707, brought by Representative Berg, which would extend confidentiality protections to unemployment insurance and paid leave judges and related staff by adding them to the definition of judges for purposes of protecting personal information. Berg and testifiers from the Department of Economic Development and MAPE said the bill responds to harassment and safety concerns, including threats, doxxing, and an attack near an office, and is intended to protect people making sensitive determinations. MAPE supported the bill as an update to existing protections for similar workers. Members raised concerns that the bill’s language was too broad, especially the reference to the paid leave division, and questioned whether it should cover only judges or also call-center and other staff. Department and committee members agreed the language likely needed narrowing and discussed possible amendments and whether to move the bill to Judiciary and then revisit it. No final vote was taken on HF 3707 during the discussion, and the bill remained under consideration for further language work.

Transcript Highlights:

• While our industry came back industry.
• </c> headwinds in our industry. headwinds in our industry.
• industry has been the hotel industry industry has been very<00:43:03.359><c> weak.
• The bourbon industry is a signature industry of Kentucky.
• The bourbon industry is a signature industry of Kentucky.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:13 Kentucky Small Business Update 00:01:50 Kentucky Angel Investment Tax Credit Program Update 00:14:16 State of the Tourism Industry 00:38:03, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with a quorum call and approval of the August minutes, then moved to an update from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce on small business conditions. Chamber representatives John Hughes and Amit Patel said Kentucky has benefited from pro-growth policies such as lower income taxes, regulatory modernization, and workforce development, but they emphasized ongoing challenges including workforce shortages, child care access, housing availability, rising insurance costs, and inflation. Patel, speaking as a hotel operator, said recruiting and retaining staff has become difficult and that his company is considering child care stipends and other benefits to help employees. Members asked about child care benefits, community involvement, and health care costs; Patel said the business is discussing additional support for employees and noted that health care costs have tripled over three years. The chamber said it will prioritize child care and housing policy in the upcoming session. The committee then received an update from the Cabinet for Economic Development on the Kentucky Angel Investment Tax Credit program from David Brock of KY Innovation and Matt Wingate. Brock outlined the state’s broader innovation and entrepreneurship programs, including innovation hubs, SBIR/STTR matching funds, the Kentucky Enterprise Fund, SSBCI, and STEP, and said these programs have helped create jobs, raise capital, and support exports. He explained that the angel tax credit is intended to encourage private investment in innovative Kentucky small businesses with high growth potential. The credit is generally 25% of investment in non-enhanced counties and 40% in enhanced counties, with annual and per-investor caps and eligibility rules for both businesses and investors. Brock reported that 317 businesses have been certified, 117 have received at least one investment, 445 investors have made 750 investments, $57.2 million has been invested, $19 million in credits has been awarded, and 373 new jobs have been reported since 2021. Committee members asked about the relationship between the program’s industry verticals and university research, the difference between enhanced and non-enhanced counties, and where investments are occurring geographically. Cabinet staff said the verticals align with the original Innovation Act framework, and that enhanced counties are defined by statute, including distressed and disaster-impacted areas. They said most investments and credits have been in non-enhanced counties, though some examples were cited in Bath County and Auburn. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Industry. We have been having conversations with various stakeholders about this.
• Independent of the EPA speeding up industry growth, the industry is cautiously optimistic that that primacy
• Task Four refers to a state agency's action on monitoring the CCS industry.
• , and we can remain an energy leader by staying engaged with that industry.
• For both the water that we need and for the industries that need to be coming.

Bills: HB1647, HB2612, HB3125, HB3158, HB3240, HB3506, HB3516, HB3707

Keywords: carbon sequestration, environmental policy, Texas, energy, climate change, regulatory council, geothermal energy, workforce development, education and training, energy industry, apprenticeship, energy production, energy policy, renewable energy, state council, administrative law, public information, transparency, government accountability, judicial process

Bills: HB34, HM7, HM8, HM17, HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM21, HM25

Keywords: HB34, school nurse, school nurses, nurse licensure, licensure, charter school, charter schools, school district, public education, Department of Health, Public Education Department, registered nurse, RN, mentorship, evaluation, competency, teacher salary parity, minimum salary, level one license, level two license