Transcript Highlights:

• Or that public official's behavior. I can't do that.
• by finding that behavior perfectly legitimate?
• I feel that jails require a separate analysis of the document, and that will be closed.
• Now, that is just a narrow analysis of one law and one situation. When you say you are making...
• That analysis would be superseded by this new analysis.

Bills: SB 15

Keywords: law enforcement, department file, employee records, misconduct, confidentiality, Texas occupations code, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• by finding that behavior.
• It manifests in a myriad of disabling emotional and behavioral problems ranging from panic attacks to
• Um, I feel that jails require a separate analysis of the documents that will be closed.
• Analysis of one law.
• That analysis would be superseded superseded by this new analysis.

Bills: SB 15

Keywords: law enforcement, department file, employee records, misconduct, confidentiality, Texas occupations code

Transcript Highlights:

• They work with behavioral.
• outreach, economic analysis.
• Developing a behavior management program has taken time.
• They really do change behavior and they are safe futures for victims.
• They really do change behavior and they are safe futures for victims.

Bills: SB1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee heard a Legislative Budget Board presentation and then testimony from the Department of Public Safety on the Article 5 public safety budget. LBB said DPS’s 2026-27 recommendation totals $3.7 billion, down from the prior base, while FTEs rise by 856.7. Major items included increased funding for driver license services and customer support, new trooper funding and recruit schools, crime lab operations, border security, and reductions tied to one-time facility, vehicle, and aircraft spending. The committee also discussed new riders, including one to lapse unused trooper funds and require reporting after recruit schools. Members focused heavily on driver license operations, questioning why prior staffing increases and a prior efficiency study had not solved long wait times, high call abandonment, and appointment delays. DPS and LBB said the agency receives about 22,000 calls per day, answers only about 9 percent, and is seeking more staff plus technology upgrades such as automation, kiosks, and better online processing. Senators also raised concerns about rural access, REAL ID document requirements, and whether the department should rethink its processes rather than simply add employees. DPS leadership then described needs for the Williamson County training academy, additional troopers, Capitol and Alamo security, border operations, aircraft and vehicle replacement, and regional headquarters in El Paso and San Antonio. Members asked about Operation Lone Star costs, overtime, pursuit safety, border crime, oilfield theft, and sexual assault kit and toxicology backlogs. DPS said border deployments remain focused on criminal threats, that overtime is partly driven by deployments and staffing shortages, and that the sexual assault kit backlog is down to 118 cases with a goal of zero by April. The committee later recessed and began the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission budget presentation, where LBB outlined a $115.1 million recommendation and noted ongoing costs for the AIMS technology project.

Transcript Highlights:

• Continuing to item eight, behavioral health funding. We provided.
• Oh, I have a question on a fund of behavioral health funding.
• For individuals in a behavioral health hospital?
• So our items related to behavioral health are less direct service delivery.
• CHIP, Healthy Texas Women, and Behavioral Health Services.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As we're thinking through how that works with our behavioral health services and that. Handoff.
• I'm the Deputy County Manager for Behavioral Health. It's a relatively new position.
• Our County Commission, on June 28th of last year, passed the Behavioral Health Ordinance.
• Throughout my career, which now spans 53 years in behavioral health, most of that has been focused on
• So we take a very behavioral health-centered approach to this.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's in part that the There was some sort of massive behavioral change, psychological behavior change
• you always want to base that inflationary analysis on a per pupil analysis right so at least It factors
• We're trying very hard to encourage wellness and healthy behaviors.
• There were some tweaks made to the cost-benefit analysis.
• Texans, but also know how this cost-benefit analysis worked.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just on the last bill, just contact them to make sure that my analysis was in the ballpark.
• or for us to be able to give them plans to work on modifying behavior.
• time to modify that behavior as quickly as possible.
• That's the the on modifying behavior. That's the the whole<01:10:45.960> framework.
• as quickly as to modify that behavior as quickly as possible.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To ensure we hear from as many people as possible, disruptive conduct, including behavior that incites
• So I'm happy to accept the amendments outlined in the analysis, and to the extent that any additional
• I was one of the authors of the white paper that cited in the analysis describing the numerous consumer
• I think the only thing that I'll add, other than your analysis being really superb, is congratulations
• I too would like to commend the analysis on this bill; it is excellent. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• collected through the job task analysis collected through the job task analysis for<01:20:46.040
• /c><04:23:21.000> behavior<04:23:21.359> for scratching is a natural behavior for scratching
• Behavioral problems.
• Behavioral problems.
• <04:33:24.959> problems litter behavioral problems litter behavioral problems they're<04:33

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 153, which would require two or more law enforcement officers in each county to receive animal cruelty training through the police standards system. Representative Barbara Coma, the sponsor, said the bill was prompted by problems in animal cruelty cases, especially in rural areas without animal control officers, and she described it as a limited training measure. She said an amendment was forthcoming that would add an eight-hour approved course and a two-hour refresher every three years, and she emphasized that the trained officers would serve as resources rather than being required to take action themselves. Members asked about cost, due process, overlap with animal control officers, how trained officers would be identified and notified, and whether veterinarians could fill the role. Coma responded that the bill would not be a heavy financial lift, would not interfere with animal control officers, would apply to livestock as well as companion animals, and would still require law enforcement involvement because veterinarians cannot lawfully remove animals from property. She also said the training could improve due process by helping officers better understand when animal removal is appropriate and how cases should proceed. Sheriff William Wright, speaking for the New Hampshire Sheriffs Association, testified in opposition. He said training itself was acceptable, but the bill went beyond training by creating an obligation for sheriffs and state police to respond to and potentially investigate animal cruelty cases, which he argued would be ambiguous, unfunded, and burdensome for staffing and resources. He said some sheriff’s offices do not have investigative deputies and that the bill could create liability and uncertainty about who would lead investigations. In response to questions, he said the association would likely have no objection if the bill were limited to training, but it opposed the assistance/investigation mandate as written.

Transcript Highlights:

• First will be a presentation and discussion focused on behavioral health programs for first responders
• turn to tab one, we will take a presentation discussion and questions related to First Responder Behavioral
• mental health workforce for first responders, the second alarm project focuses on enhancing the behavioral
• Behavioral health services for first responders depend on diverse state.
• Next, I will highlight our key initiatives intended to improve upon the behavioral health concerns with

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Like, we already serve some of the sexualized behavior work in the local Bismarck.
• I apologize for hesitating, but problematic sexual behavior—so I think you said there's 26, and is it
• So there's navigators within behavioral health. We have work that's being done within CHINS.
• The max is three years, but the actual range could vary based on behavior.
• But human behavior, no matter what, behavior change takes time.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So AB 311 incentivizes safer, good driving behavior through the use of telematics technology.
• This is exactly the kind of proactive, health-conscious behavior we as a state should be encouraging.
• That's an analysis. And I would also like to thank opposition... Amendment—that's an analysis.
• analysis deserves more context.
• Like, so you cannot consider it in your analysis.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There were Senate and House analysis done for both bills. Senator Bernard. Thank you, Mr.
• This bill is aimed at improving Florida's behavioral health system.
• No staff analysis. Leader Berman.
• No staff analysis. Leader Berman.
• If there's bad behavior, we want to make sure it stops.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and heard several member introductions before moving to the special order calendar. The chamber first took up SB 200/HB 295 on a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan, which directs DEP to develop a statewide recycling strategy by 2026 with stakeholder input and a three-year implementation roadmap; the House bill was substituted and passed 38-0. Senators then approved CS/CS/SB 492 on mitigation banking and land development after adopting two McLean amendments, including one on out-of-service credits and another incorporating phosphate mining lands provisions; the bill passed 35-3 after debate over possible constitutional issues. CS/SB 494 on aggravated animal cruelty was also amended and substituted with the House companion to add a searchable FDLE database of convicted animal abusers and a sentencing multiplier, with an agriculture-related exemption; it passed 37-0. The Senate next passed CS/CS/SB 500/HB 711 creating the Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism, including training and coordinated alert procedures, with a House amendment to align implementation timing and funding; it passed 37-0. CS/CS/SB 524/HB 1089 added Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening tests and passed 36-0. CS/CS/SB 592/HB 393 revised the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program by lowering approval thresholds, clarifying eligibility and ownership issues, and adding sliding-door wind-driven rain mitigation devices; it passed 37-0 after discussion about funding and insurance premium credits. CS/SB 742/HB 1145 on workforce education allowed charter schools direct access to grant funding and expanded money-back guarantees for certain programs, and it passed 37-0. CS/CS/SB 822/HB 443 on charter schools generated extensive debate and multiple amendments, including a Jones amendment requiring parent acknowledgment of school rules; the bill would expand charter autonomy, reporting flexibility, enrollment capacity, and governance provisions, and it was placed on the calendar for third reading after the amendment process. Later, the Senate passed HB 827 on a statewide study of automation and workforce impact, which would examine job displacement, wages, vulnerable regions, and training needs, by a 35-0 vote. It also passed CS/CS/SB 964/HB 181 on parole guidelines, CS/SB 976/HB 901 on court-appointed psychologists, and CS/SB 1084/HB 1451 on sexual cyber harassment and digitally forged intimate images, all unanimously. CS/CS/SB 1156 on a Home Health Aid for Medically Fragile Children Program was amended to clarify training requirements and passed 37-0 after supportive debate about helping parents care for medically fragile children. Finally, CS/CS/CS/SB 1240/HB 1091 on substance abuse and mental health care was amended to allow designated facilities to retain certain stabilized patients during the 72-hour involuntary examination period and passed 37-0. Several other bills were temporarily postponed, and the chamber also recognized guests and interns throughout the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• They were incentivized, the evidence shows, financially to have looked the other way, behaviorally to
• have The evidence shows, financially, to have looked the other way, behaviorally to have allowed this
• The behavioral impact destroys families, prevents people from getting jobs, destroys marriages.
• So that really rebalances the risk analysis on our side as an employer, as a large employer: hey, how
• By grounding that in comprehensive root cause analysis, we're able to extract more meaningful insights

Summary: The committee held a work session on tort liability and parole, with the chair explaining that the topics were linked because criminal justice reform and state liability often intersect, especially in cases involving child welfare and corrections. Staff first outlined Washington’s tort liability framework, including the state’s broad waiver of sovereign immunity, statutes governing mandatory reporting and investigation of abuse, the childhood sexual abuse statute of limitations, and the lack of caps on non-economic damages. Staff and presenters also compared Washington to other states and noted that Washington remains among the broadest states for state liability and childhood sexual abuse claims. Presenters from the Attorney General’s office, Washington State Association for Justice, DCYF, DSHS, and DOC discussed how tort exposure has grown, especially in claims involving DCYF, historical child abuse, juvenile rehabilitation, vulnerable adults, employment discrimination, medical negligence, and negligent supervision. DCYF and AG staff said claims and payouts are rising, with many claims tied to older abuse and new theories of liability, while defense counsel emphasized the human harm behind the claims and argued that tort cases have historically driven accountability and reform. Agency witnesses said they face large volumes of old claims with limited records, rising verdicts and settlements, and staffing and systems challenges, and they highlighted efforts such as early resolution programs, electronic health records, medication-assisted treatment, and improved incident review processes. The committee then shifted to parole. Sentencing experts reviewed Washington’s move from indeterminate sentencing to the current determinate sentencing system under the Sentencing Reform Act, and explained how parole could be integrated with sentencing guidelines through different models used in other states. They also summarized Criminal Sentencing Task Force recommendations related to a determinate-plus approach for three-strikes and persistent offender laws and a second-chance review process, noting there was no consensus on those ideas. Judges from the Minority and Justice Commission and the Superior Court Judges Association said a parole system could support rehabilitation and reduce disparities if it includes data collection, fairness, transparency, due process, and meaningful judicial review; they also pointed to research suggesting parole and structured reentry can reduce recidivism and costs, while warning that access and outcomes can vary by geography and other factors.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Moody's analysis that we're doing better than a lot of other states.
• Our analysis from December was that maybe about 57% of that construction activity could be attributed
• And then just finally wrapping it up here on the trend analysis Part of the deviation that Secretary
• Based on my analysis, I've been Working on with Eric Cheney, I believe the program's overfunded by at
• We have got to figure out that we haven't done a salary analysis for that that I'm aware of. of.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• policy and advocacy for Action Behavior Centers.
• We provide applied behavior analysis or ABA therapy in 180 centers across Texas, having served over 8,000
• We provide applied behavior analysis, or ABA therapy, in 180 centers across Texas, having served over
• policy and advocacy for Action Behavior Center.
• We provide applied behavior analysis, or ABA therapy, in 180 centers across Texas, having served over

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Further analysis of that data Gambling.
• Further analysis of that data is<00:53:08.640> included<00:53:09.040> in<00:53:09.200><
• River Valley Behavioral Health where the<00:54:06.240> calls,<00:54:06.640> texts,<00:
• Based on analysis of other ...
• in all behavioral health areas, and we are working with the workforce development.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from its August 21 meeting and then received an update from Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation leadership on implementation of Senate Bill 299 and House Bill 566. Jamie Eids and staff described the agency’s new structure after charitable gaming was brought under the corporation, including new divisions, staffing, banking, payroll, insurance, procurement, and reporting systems. They also unveiled the corporation’s new logo and tagline, and said the transition had been designed to avoid interruption for charities, licensees, and racing operations. A major focus was the fee structure required by House Bill 566. Eids outlined current licensing fees across racing, sports wagering, and charitable gaming, compared Kentucky’s fees with other states, and recommended keeping the status quo for one more year because the agency has only recently brought all three components fully in-house. Members asked about whether charitable gaming had harmed veterans’ groups or other nonprofits, whether any revenue should be transferred back to the state, and whether the charitable gaming licenses cover one-off raffles as well as standing operations. Eids said she had not heard complaints, said the licenses include all such activity with some exemptions, and agreed to look at the question of future transfers. The committee then heard from Melissa Combs Wright on pari-mutuel wagering and Hannah Sims on sports wagering. They reported continued growth in historical horse racing, more than $11 billion in total pari-mutuel wagering in fiscal year 2025, over $10.5 billion in HHR wagers, and about $161 million in pari-mutuel tax revenue, with most of that supporting the general fund and horse-breeding development funds. They also said sports wagering has generated nearly $5 billion in wagers since launch, $73 million for the public pension fund, and more than $2 million for problem gambling services, while expanding to 13 retail locations and 92 additional sports events. Members raised concerns about players being cut off after winning, the lack of local government revenue sharing from gaming facilities, and the growth of computer-assisted wagering; the witnesses said they were reviewing CAWs and that Kentucky does not license poker rooms through the corporation.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've also put on the agenda a little bit of of what I'm calling a framework for analysis.
• Framework for analysis because we do try to approach the many bills that come to this committee in a
• We brought it to the Attorney General in the full analysis.
• Do you all, I think I remember, do you do a sentencing commission analysis on bills?
• I think what can happen is if you do an agency analysis, it gets sucked up into the LFC, FIR, and it

Transcript Highlights:

• Anyone that will be causing disruption, behavior that would incite, threaten, or violence, our officers
• As reflected in the analysis, we are opposing.
• I want to thank the committee staff for their thorough analysis.
• on both the implementation and policy concerns addressed in the analysis.
• The analysis points out Back to the committee. I have one question for you.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation met under suspense-file procedures, with the chair explaining limits on testimony, position letters, and that bills with fiscal impacts of $150,000 or more would generally be sent to suspense rather than voted on immediately. Several bills were pulled from hearing, and a consent calendar of committee bills later passed 4-0. AB 761 by Addis, the only item initially slated for a vote, was ultimately held over to the next hearing. The committee heard testimony on a series of tax-related proposals. AB 232 would create catastrophe savings accounts for homeowners to save pre-tax money for wildfire, flood, or earthquake-related expenses; it drew support from the Department of Insurance and the California Bankers Association, but was sent to suspense. AB 1443 would exempt tips from state income tax for five years and was supported by the California Restaurant Association and a restaurant owner, but also went to suspense. AB 1435 would provide relief to businesses and property owners facing cleanup and security costs from unauthorized encampments and illegal dumping; it received broad support from business, real estate, trucking, retail, and local government representatives, and was referred to suspense. The committee also heard AB 1428, which would create a California Affordable Child Care Fund financed by a 0.5% tax on income above $10 million; child care workers and SEIU-backed witnesses supported it, while taxpayer and business groups opposed it as harmful to competitiveness and affordability. AB 691 proposed a tax credit for adopting shelter pets and covering veterinary costs, AB 1219 proposed a middle- and low-income personal income tax cut, AB 1354 proposed a credit for increased homeowners insurance premiums, AB 19 proposed an education savings account/voucher-style program, and AB 567 proposed insurance rate stabilization and related tax/fund changes; each drew testimony for and against where present, but all were referred to suspense. The meeting ended with the committee adjourning after the held-over AB 761 item was postponed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, I understand it from the JLBC analysis that I read, on JLBC's list they have a number three that
• Chair, I understand it from the JLBC analysis that I read, on JLBC's list they have a number three that
• And I would also just remind lawmakers that while your JLBC analysis... ...does take these and makes
• Employers may change behavior based on what a worker is now receiving.
• Employers may change behavior based on what a worker is now receiving.

Bills: SB1638

Keywords: taxation, income tax, internal revenue code, deductions, tax benefits, retroactive, standard deduction, 1182, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee took up SB 1638, a tax conformity bill that would update Arizona’s tax code to the Internal Revenue Code as of January 1, 2026 and incorporate federal changes from 2025. The bill also included individual income tax subtractions for tips, overtime, seniors, and auto loan interest, along with changes to the standard deduction and charitable contribution deduction. Committee discussion focused heavily on whether Arizona should conform broadly to federal changes or limit the bill to more targeted, temporary provisions. Two amendments were considered. The chair’s amendment was described as clarifying only, addressing retroactivity and foreign dividend language, and it was adopted. Senator Epstein’s amendment would have removed the broader conformity provisions and the modified charitable deduction, limited the standard deduction change to tax year 2025, and kept the individual subtractions; she argued the business-related conformity items mainly benefited corporations and should be negotiated in the budget. Opponents said the amendment would create unnecessary recalculations and uncertainty for taxpayers and businesses, while supporters of the underlying bill said conformity was needed quickly to match Department of Revenue forms and avoid filing-season confusion. Epstein’s amendment failed. Public testimony split along similar lines. Business and tax group representatives supported prompt conformity, saying taxpayers and small businesses needed certainty and that the department’s forms should be codified. Opponents argued the bill would reduce state revenue substantially and mainly benefit higher-income taxpayers and corporations, while diverting money from education, child care, and health care. After debate, the committee voted to move SB 1638 as amended with a do-pass recommendation, passing it by about 4-3, and then adjourned.