Transcript Highlights:

• There was some impact because of the new ERB independent contract challenge.
• What just stuck out to me was my question about Smart Horizons. So that's all I have, Mr. Chair.
• I was just curious about Smart Horizons.
• Okay, that's pretty smart to take advantage of that. Yeah, that's pretty ingenious. Thank you, Mr.
• I am smart." She's only one of the many, many students who find their confidence in my classroom.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They can enter into a contract on a cost-plus basis. That's essentially what the bill does.
• It makes for harder deadlines, and it has a higher contracting threshold.
• House Bill 1233 by Representative Coates is an act to amend Title 38 relative to the contract limit for
• House Bill 1233 by Representative Coates is an act to amend Title 38, relative to the contract limit
• House Bill 1233, relative to the contract limit for hospital service districts.

Bills: SR130, SR131, SR132, SR133, SCR74, SCR12, HB582, HB221, HCR74, HCR58, HB71, HB79, HB158, HB160, HB169, HB227, HB251, HB289, HB330, HB394, HB410, HB429, HB769, HB1017, HB1234, HB712, SCR3, SB54, SB72, SB129, SB164, SB232, SB287, SB322, SB374, SB375, SB386, SB409, SB447, SB458, SB78, SB112, SB124, SB125, SB174, SB190, SB201, SB208, SB236, SB273, SB307, SB347, SB357, SB385, SB387, SB393, SB401, SB415, SB426, SB435, SB487, SB488, SB523, SB222, SCR9, SCR58, SB480, SB514, SB35, SB65, SB215, SB246, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, HCR31, HCR47, HB362, HB363, HB368, HB377, HB380, HB382, HB386, HB392, HB406, HB431, HB441, HB466, HB503, HB533, HB559, HB575, HB590, HB593, HB618, HB655, HB664, HB685, HB692, HB707, HB715, HB732, HB738, HB741, HB748, HB776, HB807, HB822, HB856, HB860, HB868, HB887, HB888, HB905, HB908, HB961, HB980, HB990, HB992, HB999, HB1000, HB1010, HB1146, HB1157, HB1233, HB1243, HB54, HB137, HB180, HB192, HB310, HB321, HB396, HB512, HB552, HB578, HB638, HB663, HB708, HB717, HB718, HB1009, HB1082, HB1104, HB1107, HB1198, HB1246, HB27, HB143, HB205, HB259, HB267, HB288, HB308, HB403, HB405, HB414, HB417, HB478, HB546, HB548, HB555, HB557, HB609, HB670, HB672, HB740, HB779, HB786, HB796, HB812, HB848, HB915, HB917, HB921, HB930, HB933, HB1095, HB1096, HB1103, HB1129, HB1154, HB1166, HB1187, HB1195, HB1230, HB316, HB511, HB514, HB799, HB1039, HB17, HB36, HB41, HB47, HB73, HB126, HB133, HB140, HB159, HB166, HB211, HB226, HB271, HB324, HB337, HB351, HB399, HB571, HB723, HB726, HB750, HB759, HB844, HB966, HB1006, HB1018, HB1036, SB29, SB42, SB43, SB217, SB274, SB300, SB379, SB382, SB441, SB449, HB134, HB258, HB359, HB782, SB149

Keywords: E. Joseph Savoie, Dr. Savoie, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, UL Lafayette, higher education, Louisiana Board of Regents, commissioner of higher education, president emeritus, Carnegie R1, research university, student financial aid, needs-based aid, community and technical college system, teacher education, hurricane Katrina, hurricane Rita, retirement resolution, commendation, senate resolution, public service

Summary: The Senate convened with 29 members present, opened with prayer by Oren Connor, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a musical performance by the Chuck Wagon Gang. The chamber also recognized several guests and observances, including birthdays for Senators Seabaugh, Fesi, and Price, White Coat Wednesday participants, Tourism Day, the Louisiana Oil Marketers Association, Chenault International Airport’s 40th anniversary, and visiting fair queens from Washington and Tangipahoa parishes. The Senate dispensed with reading the journal and received numerous House and Senate messages, committee reports, and resolutions. Several Senate resolutions were taken up and adopted, including commendations for Isaac Herzenberg, condolences for Kathleen Sessomson and former Senator Louis Lambert Jr., recognition of White Coat Wednesday and Tourism Day, and a study resolution on transfer-on-death and payable-on-death accounts. The Senate also adopted a conference committee report on House Bill 782, which concerned vapor and alternative nicotine products and was described as giving the state more tools to combat illegal vapes. A number of Senate bills returned from the House with amendments were either concurred in or rejected, including SB 54, SB 72, SB 129, SB 164, SB 232, SB 287, SB 374, SB 375, SB 386, SB 409, SB 112, SB 124, SB 125, SB 174, SB 190, SB 207, SB 236, SB 307, SB 357, SB 385, SB 387, SB 458, SB 477, SB 590, SB 593, SB 618, SB 655, SB 692, SB 707, SB 732, SB 738, SB 748, SB 776, SB 807, SB 860, SB 868, SB 887, SB 888, SB 905, and SB 961, with votes generally passing by wide margins. The chamber also considered several House bills on final passage. Among those approved were measures on local security districts, budget review authority, school activity access for virtual students, electronic bid forms, brake equipment and trailer safety, construction management at risk contracts, temporary registration plates, the Louisiana Maritime Academy name change, OMV fee and ID issues, ferry operations, group purchasing for local governments, the Green Envelope Program for drivers with disabilities, OMV field office fees, LED fee updates, port development priorities, workforce instructor capacity, and a campus disciplinary process bill tied to hazing prevention. Some House bills were passed after amendments, while others were passed over or rejected for later conference, including bills on virtual school participation, historic preservation, civil service, suicide prevention, local government training, and economic development districts. The Senate also rejected House amendments on SB 78 and SB 208, and rejected amendments on SB 387, sending those matters toward further negotiation.

Transcript Highlights:

• to liability for land surveying services in or connection with certain construction or services contracts
• SB 1332 by Hancock relates to a group health benefit plan policy or contract holder's obligation to pay
• relating to the procedure by which the Attorney General approves or denies approval of a state agency contract
• King to explain the bill. ...in general to approve or deny a state agency's contract for outside legal
• With strong oversight, clear boundaries, and smart financial planning, Texas can take a leadership role

Bills: SB4, SB23, SB3, SJR2, SJR85, SB34, SB60, SB75, SB706, SB1814, SB1220, SB523, SB565, SB1253, SB840, SB764, SB2383, SB2155, SB1535, SB1405, SB1423, SB1566, SB1804, SB1728, SB1816, SB1952, SB1948, SB2037, SB2068, SB1455, SB213, SB243, SB627, SB646, SB670, SB896, SB917, SB1184, SB971, SB1255, SB1261, SB1283, SB1358, SB991, SB1733, SB21, SB231, SB739, SB1252, SB1371, SB664, SB40, SB9, SJR1, SB687, SB1332, SB458, SB482, SB927, SB984, SB651, SB1620, SB2124, SB2448, SB841, SB843, SB402, SB2662, SB2053, SB2332, SB2112, SB745, SB1247, SB1789, SB27, SB207, SB2938, SB1901, SB1227, SB1248, SB912, SB1321, SB2143, SB2145, SB1497, SB1239, SB2180, SB1388, SB1662, SB1951, SB1537, SB493, SB378, SB1020, SB1018, SB992, SB958, SB920, SB1350, SB1762, SB552, HCR109, SB2185, SB4, SB23, SB3, SJR2, SJR85, SB34, SB60, SB75, SB706, SB1814, SB1220, SB523, SB565, SB1253, SB840, SB764, SB2383, SB2155, SB1535, SB1405, SB1423, SB1566, SB1804, SB1728, SB1816, SB1952, SB1948, SB2037, SB2068, SB1455, SB213, SB243, SB627, SB646, SB670, SB896, SB917, SB1184, SB971, SB1255, SB1261, SB1283, SB1358, SB991, SB1733, SB21, SB231, SB739, SB1252, SB1371, HB2970, HB 109, SB2308

Keywords: property tax, homestead exemption, school funding, state aid, constitutional amendment, elderly, disabled, ad valorem taxation, school district funding, SJR 2, Senate Joint Resolution 2, property tax relief, school property tax, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, school district taxes, Texas Constitution Article VIII, public school finance, homeowner exemption, elderly exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill allows you to, frankly, get into a contract with a student before they...
• Now if we enter into a contract...
• Any payments on the contract are not going to affect it, yes sir. Okay.
• The recruiting process, the signing of the contract. That's a great question, do you want to?
• After the contract is signed, up to the time that they enroll in school. What happens?

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:

• I don't think people are fairly smart, despite what we do from time to time, but people are fairly smart
• Just then with closing, that Outcome of a contract.
• When you expand in one area, for whatever reason, you are going to contract in other areas.
• The question was simple: where are we going to contract?
• So once these things keep increasing, it's going to expand and contract somewhere else.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and then finally, um, contracting with providers is more expensive.
• Uh, and then finally, um, contracting with providers is more expensive.
• Uh, and then finally, um, contracting with providers is more expensive.
• that you can act as quickly and as smart that you can act as quickly and as smart as<00:36:44.640
• <01:34:51.199> in were very worried about contractions in were very worried about contractions

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Opposed, no need to testify: Ron Sable, Smart; TD; Joe DeMark, State Council of Sheet Metal Workers;
• Opposed, no need to testify: Ron Sable, Smart; TD; Joe DeMark, State Council of Sheet Metal Workers;
• You said that normally, as the chairman said, the only contracts signs contracts with companies that
• Normally, as the chairman said, the only contracts signs contracts with companies that can provide the
• If AAA cannot confidently contract with independent businesses to provide roadside assistance, AAA's

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for the state of Hawaiʻi because, at the end of the day, you are still entering into a long-term contract
• for the state of Hawaiʻi because, at the end of the day, you are still entering into a long-term contract
• c> long-term you are still entering into a long-term you are still entering into a long-term contract
• We also want to continue to do the SMART food program under SNAP.
• costs for a total contracted costs for a total of<05:30:29.320> a<05:30:29.440> little

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Micah Docteroff on behalf of Smart Justice California.
• Chair and members, Micah Docteroff on behalf of Smart Justice California, we wanted to thank you for
• Micah Docteroff on behalf of Smart Justice, California.
• Chair and members, Micah Docteroff on behalf of Smart Justice, California, we wanted to thank you for
• Additionally, I want to thank you for the deferral of the DMV state-to-state contract with AMVA until

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee heard AB 109, the Budget Act of 2026, and related discussion of the legislative budget agreement. Committee staff and the Department of Finance described a two-year balanced plan with about $253 billion in General Fund spending, roughly $5.5 billion in higher assumed revenues than the May Revision, and about $36.5 billion in combined reserves. They said the package preserves or expands funding for schools and community colleges, child care, IHSS, Medi-Cal-related county administration, housing and homelessness programs, public hospitals, courthouse construction, and some criminal justice and prison-closure savings, while delaying or modifying several prior health care reductions and some Medi-Cal changes. Much of the member discussion focused on Medi-Cal, H.R. 1, and the impact on low-income and immigrant Californians. Several Democrats argued the budget protects vulnerable residents by delaying some cuts, funding county eligibility work, indigent care, public hospitals, and food banks, and rejecting the Governor’s IHSS cuts and asset-limit proposal. Republicans criticized the budget for assuming future revenues, relying on new taxes, and not doing enough to address the structural deficit or improve accountability. Members also raised concerns and support around homelessness funding, Prop. 36, judgeships and courthouse funding, transit and GGRF allocations, local journalism, Caltrans fleet spending, and a proposed “fair share” revenue measure that was not yet before the committee. Public testimony was largely supportive of the budget’s health and human services provisions, especially the rejection of IHSS cuts and the asset-limit proposal, and the inclusion of funding for child care, sickle cell centers, domestic violence services, trauma recovery centers, distressed hospitals, county eligibility work, and transit programs. Some witnesses representing hospitals and health plans cautioned about the effects of moving certain Medi-Cal populations to fee-for-service and about proposed tax changes affecting health care providers. The chair said revenue trailer bills were still being finalized and would likely come back later in the week; the committee then moved to public comment, with the chair limiting speakers to about one minute each.

Transcript Highlights:

• qualifications of the contract qualifications of the contract and<00:18:59.679> provided<
• <00:49:53.040> with they have a a current contract with they have a a current contract with
• I just, I want this bill to be smart.
• I just, I want this bill to be smart.
• I just, I want this bill to be smart.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Solid Waste Subcommittee met to discuss proposed amendments to HB 171 and HB 215. For HB 171, Representative Gerna outlined technical changes to a landfill moratorium bill: DES would be allowed to accept applications only to review them for completeness, a notwithstanding clause would override automatic approval timing rules, the word “fully” would be removed, and an unnecessary reference to perennial water bodies would be deleted. Members raised concern about whether applications deemed complete during the moratorium would still have to comply with later changes in law or rule. Director Mike Whap of DES said applicants would likely need to amend applications if policy changes occurred, and suggested the bill could explicitly state that later changes apply to pending applications. The subcommittee generally supported the revised language and agreed the amended bill could go directly to executive session, though one member said the underlying legislation was ill-advised but preferred the amended version over the original. The committee then turned to HB 215, which would create a two-stage landfill siting review centered on a “net public benefit” determination before full technical review. Representative Gerna explained that the amendment would define net public benefit, require an independent third-party assessment paid for by the applicant, and set up a process for selecting the contractor from a list submitted by the applicant, with DES and the host community involved and the commissioner choosing if no agreement is reached within 60 days. Members asked how “host community” would be defined; DES said it would generally mean the municipal governing body, though that body could appoint others. The amendment also broadened the factors considered in both harms and benefits, including human health, property values, tourism, recreation, wildlife, local economic benefits, and infrastructure improvements. The discussion also added a provision directing DES to consult with the Department of Transportation, the Department of Business and Economic Affairs, and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources as needed when reviewing the third-party assessment. Director Whap said interdepartmental consultation is normal and that DES would likely adopt rules to guide the process. Members questioned whether the new framework would be too vague or burdensome for applicants, but Whap said it would not be designed to stack the deck against applicants and that the process should provide clearer, more balanced criteria. No votes were taken during the meeting, and the subcommittee appeared to continue refining the amendment language before further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• We signed the contract right before the Christmas break, and so I was happy to get that done.
• smart in terms of these new movements.
• smart in terms of these new movements.
• smart in terms of these new movements.
• , and educate people about what's smart, and educate people about what's smart, what's<01:09:49.040

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 20 January, 2026; 2:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: Mississippi State University officials testified in support of the university’s separately funded agricultural, forestry, and veterinary units, emphasizing their economic impact, research output, and need for continued state support. Keith Cobalt, vice president for the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine, said the division generates a $1.7 billion impact on Mississippi, but warned that state and local funding has not kept pace with federal dollars or inflation. He argued that global competition, especially from China and Brazil, is hurting row crop and forestry producers, and highlighted a Vision 2030 study finding about $10 billion in agricultural and forestry value leaves the state through value-added processing. He also raised concerns about rural depopulation and proposed rural innovation hubs to help retain population and jobs. Nick Frank, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, said state appropriations make up about 25% of the college’s operating budget and are needed to support salaries, staffing, and service capacity. He described the college’s education, diagnostic, and clinical missions, including disease surveillance and responses to threats such as avian influenza, screwworm, and equine herpes virus. Frank said the college is expanding facilities with $18 million in 2024 state funding for a new farm animal hospital and cattle handling facility, but still needs additional support for equine and small animal renovations. He also requested support for rural veterinary scholarships and said inflation and salary competition from other schools and private practice are making retention difficult. In response to committee questions, Frank said the college enrolls about 118 to 119 students per class, with roughly 54 to 55 in-state students and tuition of about $29,900 for in-state and $53,000 for out-of-state students. He clarified that the “vet assistants” program is a four-year bachelor’s degree in veterinary medical technology, not a certificate. He also explained that staffing growth has largely been in the hospitals to address clinical shortages and improve care. Dr. Westberger, dean of the College of Forest Resources and director of the Forest and Wildlife Research Center, said Mississippi’s forests support a $19 billion economic impact, 84,000 jobs, and a $4.5 billion payroll, while also providing environmental benefits. He said the college and research center are nationally recognized, including an NSF ranking placing Mississippi State 10th in natural resource conservation research expenditures for a small university. Westberger highlighted research on forest management, pest detection, mass timber, wildlife disease surveillance, and value-added bioproducts, including efforts to attract mills and manufacturing. He said Mississippi has added 10 mills or mill expansions in five years with more than $1.5 billion in investment and over 1,000 high-paying jobs, and noted the college is planning a new mass-timber annex to address capacity and showcase the material. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This request is related to our interagency contract with DIR known as the data services, excuse me, the
• Look at them agency wide across the state in that smart policy, technical expertise in that.
• Which requires the Animal Health Commission to annually report the amount of the contract agreed to in
• Go out for bids, get the construction contract.
• This is a smart data-backed opportunity that aligns with Texas economic and infrastructure priorities

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:

• But a contraction in professional scientific and technical services.
• For FY25, the personal income tax revenue contracted by 2.9 percent, and that's an estimated decrease
• Notable, we've got in the dark gray line the federal employment really contracted here in FY26 and is
• And make smart decisions with regard to the non-recurring money that's available.
• Maybe they'll just get a contract for, like, you know, two months.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HR 340 by Buckley honoring the Bartlett High School FCCLA Life Smarts team on its achievements at the
• Life Smart state and national championship competitions.
• Uh, these students have competed in the Life Smart state and national competitions in 2024 and 2025.
• 2024, Sharon Clawson, DAja Monfort, Jackson Bernstein, Dylan Brown, and Makayla Russell won the Life Smart
• Brown, Sharon Clawson, Jackson Bernstein, Zachary Hubner, and Michaelayla Russell again won the Life Smart

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas has made a lot of very smart moves that other states look at.
• A smart contract can be programmed into a token that moves money onto the blockchain.
• This provides a member bank's customers with access to faster, less costly, smart contract-enabled payments
• Let's see, in March of this year, we did contract with Texas A&M.
• This year, we did contract with Texas A&M.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In short, this bill is smart policy, respectful policy, and urgently needed.
• And I think this is a smart place to look where we can fill a lot of those gaps.
• And I think this is a smart place to look where we can fill a lot of those gaps.
• We ask the government to honor the contract.
• You're not honoring the contract by allowing people to charge for something they can get for free at

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs held its second public hearing of the 2025–26 session, with opening remarks from Chairs John Velis and Joe McGonagle outlining testimony on 20 House bills and 18 Senate bills. The hearing covered a wide range of veterans issues, including municipal veterans assistance funds, pension equity, expanding the Office of the Veterans Advocate, veterans service officer staffing, disability benefits eligibility, service dogs, POW tax relief, courtesy parking spaces, women veterans and motherhood, and workforce-related licensing and employment measures. Chairs emphasized the hybrid format, three-minute testimony limit, and written testimony process. Several bills drew support focused on expanding services and access. Representative Arena-DeRosa spoke for bills to broaden municipal veterans assistance funds to cover housing and legal expenses and to study enhanced pension equity for veterans, citing burn pit exposure and shorter life expectancy among veterans. Senator Fattman, Representative Peas, and Veterans Advocate Bob Notch supported bills expanding the Office of the Veterans Advocate to include active-duty service members and their families, arguing it would improve transition support, coordination with state agencies, and retention of military talent in Massachusetts. Representative Arriaga backed a bill to incentivize municipalities to provide full-time or regional veterans service officers and another to study the impact of combat on women veterans and motherhood. Representative Moulton/another sponsor also sought to exempt veterans’ disability payments from income calculations for other state benefits, and Representative Hong and Senator Scanlan supported a state service dog program, POW income tax relief, and courtesy retail parking spaces for veterans. Testimony also focused on workforce and claims-assistance issues. The Military Officers Association of America and James Keene urged passage of bills waiving duplicative education requirements so qualified veterans and military medics can become licensed practical nurses, arguing it would help address health care shortages and recognize military training. Brave Veterans Inc. called for a Veterans Research Trust Fund to protect data and program evaluation work during budget cuts. On claims assistance, one witness supported criminal penalties for unaccredited agents who charge veterans for VA claims help, while a private consulting firm opposed the bill, arguing it would restrict lawful speech and veterans’ choice and that existing federal and HERO Act safeguards already address abuses. The VFW strongly opposed paid claims consulting, said its accredited service officers provide free help statewide, and urged more public awareness of existing free services. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, when a school board decides to end a superintendent's contract, there are currently no limits
• So this same... ...had been asked to resign by Fort Bend ISD before the end of his contract in the 2022
• This version of the bill proposes a smart, three-year assessment period and. has shown that we can deliver
• I think that's notable, given we have a lot of very, very smart people in the... savvy policy experts
• But to add to what the others have said, you're all very, very smart and very accomplished, and we'll

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, there are times it makes us smart to invest a little bit to give a good long-term savings.
• <00:20:38.559> to Um there are times it makes us smart to Um there are times it makes us smart
• through a state MA contracted through a state MA contracted management.<01:04:28.880> ment
• their contracts with Medicaid managed<01:05:30.079> care<01:05:30.319> organizations.
• essentially non-negotiable contracts essentially non-negotiable contracts with<01:09:55.360>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And I thought, how could she be sent down to the lower reading group when she's so smart, and I know
• that she's smart?
• This happens in schools and schools are smart and they know how to have conversations with experts and
• This would permit you to contract with private defense counsel the same way you do a public defender.
• This would permit you to contract with private defense counsel the same way you do a public defender.

Bills: LB878, LB958, LB958A, LB762, LB1187, LB966, LB929, LB962, LB1209, LB937A, LB962A, LB1050, LB1050A, LB965, LB1022, LB753, LB788, LB913, LB1055, LB1195, LB429, LB721, LB722, LB727, LB745, LB749, LB778, LR293, LR296, LR422, LR495, LR496, LR497, LR498, LR499, LR500, LR501, LR502, LR503, LR504

Keywords: paid parental leave, state employees, workplace benefits, family support, economic impact, Medicaid, Medical Assistance Act, home and community-based services waiver, HCBS waiver, waiver participant, assessment tool, clinical interviewing, service tier, retroactive coverage, doula, doula reimbursement, maternal health, prenatal care, pregnancy, birth outcomes

Transcript Highlights:

• a simple explanation, the way family leave works in New Hampshire is the state of New Hampshire contracts
• the state of New Hampshire contracts the state of New Hampshire contracts with<00:05:58.240>
• Um, MetLife has this contract. They're making money on it.
• <00:50:06.880> They're Um MetLife has this contract.
• They're Um MetLife has this contract.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all