Video & Transcript : 'curriculum development' :
Page 313 of 500
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Appropriations - S/C on Article III Feb 27th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Article III
Transcript Highlights:
- Developing, um, antivenom right for, for, for farm use or ranch use obviously, uh, livestock get bit
- We're proud to be a part of helping to fill this gap and have a successful track record of developing
- Our agents also make a powerful impact on community health and youth development.
- Research, workforce development, and technology transfer.
- Both will advance research, development and applications in the state of Texas.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> of planning and sustainable development of planning and sustainable development and<00:22:12.320
- </c><00:24:56.960><c> and</c> plan for Transit orian development and plan for Transit orian development
- <00:25:32.559><c> and</c> developed and developed and 203<00:25:35.919><c> or</c> 203 or 203 or 25,000
- </c><00:26:23.480><c> the</c> that in the process of developing the that in the process of developing
- </c> an integral part of developing an integral part of developing residential<01:04:33.440><c> um</c
Summary:
The Housing Committee heard testimony on several housing-related bills. On SB 26, SD 2, relating to affordable housing, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development explained a prior transit-oriented development study that identified roughly 59,000 possible units and about 25,000 affordable units from known projects, and said the bill would help fill gaps by evaluating additional public lands for housing suitability and possible co-use with existing facilities. Members asked about the need for resources and staffing to do that work, and OPSD said it would need time and consultant support to carry it out. Testimony on the bill included support from state and county housing agencies and comments from planning and land use entities.
On SB 66, SD 2, relating to housing and historic preservation review, SHPD and OHA both testified. SHPD said the bill would not override existing burial-site protections and that county staff with proper qualifications could make historic-property determinations locally, while OHA asked for clearer language requiring consultation when Native Hawaiian historic sites are involved and clearer procedures if an adverse effect is found. Committee members and SHPD discussed whether the bill should explicitly preserve existing Chapter 6E processes, whether counties have qualified staff, and how quickly a county would have to decide if it cannot complete the review itself and must use a third-party reviewer. Supporters said the measure could speed permitting and keep decisions local; one opponent argued it could rush approvals and strain infrastructure. The committee also heard support from housing, construction, business, and food-industry groups, and opposition from some preservation and community advocates.
The committee then heard SB 332, SD 1, on foreclosure-related protections, with testimony focused on Lānaʻi and concerns about speculative real estate after the foreclosure moratorium ended. SB 414, SD 2, on restoring access to disaster-affected areas, drew support from HHFDC, DHS, and the Maui Chamber; HHFDC noted DOH plans for a temporary paved access road to the Kayola temporary housing site and said agencies were discussing which parcels would be needed. On SB 102, SD 2, relating to affordable housing and third-party historic review, SHPD said it would need to do more upfront screening and that the bill’s timelines and third-party provisions should be clearer; OHA said the measure should include a sunset and better staffing, and asked that the department fill positions to meet review demand. No votes or final committee actions were reported in the transcript.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to Regulate Artificial Intelligence - 03/09/26
Transcript Highlights:
- There is just nothing safe for the developing brain.
- </c> of the products that they're developing of the products that they're developing and<00:13:30.520
- </c><00:13:57.600><c> eating</c> dying by suicide, uh developing eating dying by suicide, uh developing
- </c> just nothing safe for the developing just nothing safe for the developing brain.<00:15:24.880><c
- It should also be a crime for a tech developed by an adult to do that to a young person, right?
Summary:
Senators Erin Maye Quade, Eric Lucero, Liz Boldon, and Chair Ron Latz discussed a package of bipartisan bills aimed at regulating artificial intelligence and related technology in Minnesota. The speakers argued that AI can be beneficial but has been rolled out without adequate safeguards, citing concerns about consumer surveillance, insurance claim denials, dynamic pricing, chatbot harms to children, and the use of AI in healthcare utilization review. Maye Quade and Boldon emphasized protecting kids, consumers, and constitutional rights, while Lucero framed the issue as keeping law aligned with rapidly changing technology and protecting individual liberties.
A major focus was the “reverse warrant” bill, which would restrict law enforcement from using warrants that start with an unknown suspect and sweep up data from everyone in a location or search terms in a broad area. The senators said such warrants are the opposite of the Fourth Amendment’s particularity requirement, though they noted ongoing conversations with the BCA and police chiefs about balancing privacy and public safety. They also discussed a bill to prohibit minors from accessing chatbots, describing chatbots as conversational, addictive, and uniquely harmful to developing brains; Maye Quade cited examples of self-harm, sexual content, and dangerous advice allegedly given to minors.
The senators said the package was intentionally heard in Judiciary first so it could be referred to Commerce, and they expressed hope for further hearings there and in the House. Lucero said he did not support all the bills, naming the dynamic pricing bill and the AI utilization review prohibition as measures he had reservations about, while supporting the reverse warrant, disclosure, and minor-access restrictions. The discussion also touched on federal preemption concerns, with the senators saying states are stepping in because federal action has lagged and the harms cross party lines. No formal votes or committee actions were described in the transcript.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
January 15, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- It said affordable—excuse me, attainable—being developed in Orlando, land donated by Universal.
- Wendover is a Central Florida-based real estate development company.
- And we get federal funding as well, Community Development Block Grant. We get HOME dollars as well.
- We want those incentives to spur private development, but that means we collect less.
- in the multifamily arena, the development arena, that we have.
Summary:
The committee met to hear a panel on workforce and attainable housing, with presentations from Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, Wendover Housing Partners, the City of Tallahassee, and Escambia County. Speakers described how state and local tools such as SHIP, the Live Local Act, land trusts, accessory dwelling units, infill development, and public-private partnerships are being used to expand housing supply and preserve long-term affordability. Several panelists emphasized that housing demand is rising across income levels, that workforce households often need subsidy to buy or rent, and that housing location, transportation access, and proximity to jobs and services are critical. They also highlighted challenges including rising construction costs, limited land, insurance, NIMBY opposition, and the need for more flexible financing tools and employer participation.
Members asked about area median income thresholds, whether current programs are reaching the households most in need, and what additional tools might help. Florida Housing said its traditional rental programs generally serve households at or below 60% AMI, while need is increasingly reaching up to 80% AMI statewide and higher in some regions; staff also provided examples of AMI levels by county. Other discussion focused on the impact of local government opt-outs, tax abatements, corporate ownership of single-family homes, insurance costs, Fortified construction standards, and whether bonuses or other income calculations can unintentionally disqualify applicants. Panelists urged more political will, more local flexibility, and additional incentives for employers and landowners to support housing near jobs.
The committee also used an anonymous interactive polling exercise, and members identified partnerships, SHIP funding, local government action, cost, and insurance as key issues. In closing, the chair said the committee would continue a member-driven process and likely hold a workshop on housing-related topics. No formal votes or bills were taken up in the meeting, and the session adjourned after the discussion.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Local Government Jan 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- This facility would provide. to support the development of an aquatic center.
- fees if the purpose of the transfer is to meet conditions set forth by the governmental entity to develop
- The proposed substitute amends the exemption to specify that the permitted development must be for a
- for freight rail dependent uses, to include development of freight rail dependent uses on land adjacent
- lands adjacent to short line railroads may be developed for freight rail dependent uses to include development
Summary:
The committee heard several local government bills. Senate Bill 6181, sponsored by Senator Conway, would let county legislative authorities in certain large western Washington counties file a city incorporation petition without collecting resident signatures if the area is fully within an urban growth boundary and has more than 25,000 people. Supporters from Pierce County said the current signature requirement makes incorporation too difficult for large urban unincorporated areas like South Hill, while opponents argued the signature threshold is an important test of community support and raised concerns about boundaries, taxes, and the adequacy of the bill’s details. Senate Bill 6132 would give the Port of Moses Lake additional bonding authority tied to a tax increment financing area to help finish a rail project; the port said rising costs and a pending federal grant made the extra flexibility necessary.
The committee also heard Senate Bill 6154, which would give local governments more flexibility in how they use hydraulic project approval permits for culvert replacement. Counties and cities testified that many emergency culvert repairs are expensive and that some sites provide little fish habitat benefit, so they want the option to redirect equivalent resources to higher-priority fish passage projects elsewhere in the watershed. A few commenters supported the bill as a practical way to improve habitat and flood resilience, while one remote witness objected to the broader legal framework for salmon habitat projects. Senate Bill 6189 would extend from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2028 the deadline for creating an additional public facilities district for regional aquatics and sports facilities; Olympia, Tumwater, and regional partners said they need more time to complete feasibility and coordination work for a proposed aquatic center.
In executive session, the committee took action on several bills. It adopted a substitute and passed Senate Bill 6037 to Ways and Means, adopted a substitute and passed Senate Bill 5983 to Rules, and passed Senate Bills 5995 and 6013 to Rules without amendments. For Senate Bill 6066, the committee adopted an amendment into a new substitute and passed the bill to the Transportation Committee. The committee did not take action on Senate Bills 5820 or 6064.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee Apr 22nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- It has the power to shape a developing brain.
- Experiences during development create superhighways in our brains.
- Either accelerate your development of your technology platform and share that.
- And ideally technology works best when the worker is at the table and is able to help develop it.
- This unconstrained scope of regulatory authority would allow a board to force AI developers...
Summary:
The committee first heard AB 56, which would require social media platforms to display a warning label about potential mental health harms from prolonged use, with amendments shortening the initial warning and allowing immediate access to the platform. The author and supporters, including a parent who lost a daughter to suicide and a therapist, argued that social media contributes to teen anxiety, self-harm, and other harms and that families need clearer public health information. Opponents from tech and civil liberties groups argued the bill would be ineffective, burdensome, and likely unconstitutional, saying it would create warning fatigue and should be replaced by more targeted tools and digital literacy measures. Several members discussed emergency access concerns, language access, and whether the warning should be more actionable; the bill was moved on a 9-0 vote to the Judiciary Committee.
The committee then took up AB 358, which would amend CalECPA to allow law enforcement, with the victim’s consent, to inspect certain abandoned tracking or surveillance devices found in a victim’s home, vehicle, or personal property without first obtaining a warrant. The author and a San Diego prosecutor said the bill is narrowly tailored to devices used solely for spying and is intended to help stalking and domestic violence survivors act quickly before evidence is lost. Opponents from EFF and the ACLU warned the bill would weaken warrant protections, create a loophole around CalECPA, and reduce transparency and accountability. Members debated Fourth Amendment issues, abandonment, and the practical need for rapid access; the bill passed the committee on a 9-0 vote to Appropriations.
The committee also heard AB 1137, which builds on last year’s CSAM reporting law by allowing any user to report child sexual abuse material, requiring clearer reporting mechanisms, adding human review in some cases, and mandating third-party audits and public reporting. Supporters, including survivor advocates and a parent of a child victim, said the bill would reduce the burden on survivors and improve removal of abusive content. Tech industry opponents said they support the goal but objected to the human-review mandate, public audit disclosures, and enforcement provisions, arguing they could create security risks and compliance burdens. Members generally supported the bill’s intent but raised questions about audit frequency and human review; the bill was moved on call with seven votes at the time of the transcript.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- as part of a large development, then would that recycled water manager be someone that the large developer
- as part of a large development, then would that recycled water manager be someone that the large developer
- </c><00:57:02.240><c> a</c> should analyze the issues and develop a should analyze the issues and develop
- Gis Saki, Chief Financial Officer, Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority.
- </c><01:08:22.480><c> of</c> with um especially the development of with um especially the development
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several agriculture, water, invasive species, and land-use bills. HB 299 and HB 1220, both relating to invasive species, drew broad support from the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, DLNR, the Department of Agriculture, C-GAPS, Sierra Club, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, and others. Testifiers said HISC funding fills gaps between agency mandates, supports research and technology, and helps respond to both terrestrial and marine invasive threats. On HB 1220, C-GAPS described a marine anemone infestation in Kāneʻohe linked to aquarium release and said control and restoration would be difficult without the bill’s funding. A committee member asked for tracking information on the species, and the Division of Aquatic Resources said it maintains monitoring data and annual reports. No opposition was noted on either measure.
HB 506, relating to conservation enforcement, also received support from DLNR and Malama Pu‘u Ma. Committee discussion focused on the bill’s scope and how the funding would be used. Members asked about a prior boat purchase mentioned in opposition testimony and about whether mainland vendors were being used; the department said it did not buy that boat and that procurement follows the normal state process, with total bid price including delivery, taxes, and other fees. The department explained that the bill’s funding is primarily for marine enforcement work in nearshore fisheries, including herbivore protection around O‘ahu.
HB 915, relating to water use, had mixed testimony. DLNR supported alternative water sources and amendments to the water code, while the Department of Agriculture opposed the bill as drafted, saying its irrigation program is designed for non-potable agricultural use and is not structured for residential or mixed-use development. The Department of Health said it needed more information on its reuse guidelines and noted concern about removing the recycled water manager requirement, which it said helps ensure safe operation and maintenance of reuse systems. Members questioned the bill’s preemption language and whether county or state rules would be displaced, and Agriculture suggested county water agencies might be better suited for some of the proposed uses.
HB 502, concerning land use, drew support from the Attorney General’s office, the Land Use Commission, Hawaii Realtors, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Farmers Union, with the Department of Agriculture standing on its written testimony. The Attorney General warned that allowing important agricultural lands to be redistricted through a declaratory ruling process could conflict with the state constitution and recommended excluding IAL from the bill. The Land Use Commission said it has an inventory of IAL lands and did not believe the bill would affect them, and it agreed to the suggested protection. Supporters said the bill could help move lands with limited agricultural value into the rural district, reduce pressure on productive farmland, and better align land use with actual farming potential. HB 929, relating to the agricultural land conveyance tax, received comments from the Department of Taxation and opposition from Hawaii Farm Bureau and Hawaii Realtors; Farm Bureau said it supports preserving agricultural land but was concerned about unintended consequences and questioned whether speculative flipping of ag land is a current problem.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
ECD Public Hearing - Wed Mar 19, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST
Economic Development & Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- Agri Business Development Corp and what Agri Business Development Corp and what this<00:20:21.080><c>
- </c><00:40:29.599><c> but</c> investments in Workforce Development but investments in Workforce Development
- Moving on to our next testifier: Stanford Carr Development LLC, in support.
- Stanford Carr Development LLC, in support.
- </c> when it comes to Workforce Development when it comes to Workforce Development making<01:12:16.040
Summary:
The committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on several measures, with most witnesses either supporting the bills or offering technical concerns and suggested amendments. On SB 338, testimony came from the Department of Taxation, Tax Foundation of Hawaii, and Surpac, and the bill later moved forward with amendments. On SB 558, testimony was largely in support from the Department of Agriculture, Ulupono Initiative, Local Food Coalition, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the Agribusiness Development Corporation, which described the measure as supporting rural jobs, food-system development, and use of off-grade agricultural products. ADC requested flexibility for neighbor-island siting and funding allocations, while the committee also discussed whether the bill’s language should be made more general and whether it could raise constitutional concerns about overly specific site designations. The bill was advanced with amendments and a noted appropriation allocation of $350,000.
The committee also heard SB 186, which drew support from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Department of Agriculture, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Public Health Institute, DED, ADC, AAHU RC&D, and the Hawaii Youth Food Council. Supporters said the measure would improve coordination among agencies on food systems, help address food security and the state’s 30% by 2030 farm-to-school goal, and create a more organized statewide food systems effort. SB 328 received support from the Department of Taxation and Hawaii Farm Bureau, with Farm Bureau describing it as a way to repurpose existing dairy infrastructure to revive hog production and support livestock and farm-to-school goals; the Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed the measure as a potentially narrow industry incentive that could unfairly benefit a specific taxpayer and said a direct appropriation would be more transparent. SB 89 was described by Hawaii Farm Bureau as a labeling measure intended to protect the integrity of a culturally relevant local product, though the group raised concerns about wording and implementation timing.
Later, SB 742 received support from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the University of Hawaii System, Hawaii KidsCAN, the Hawaii Workforce Funders Collaborative, and the State Commission on the Status of Women. Testifiers said the bill would improve cross-agency data sharing, support workforce and education planning, and create public-facing dashboards; the Commission on the Status of Women asked to be included in the working group or as an advisory member. In decision-making, the committee adopted amendments and advanced SB 338, SB 558, and SB 1186. For SB 1186, the chair’s recommendation added three positions, specified committee-note funding amounts for those positions and operating funds, and revised working-group membership to have co-chairs appoint five members with relevant experience and expertise.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 66 Jul 8th, 2026
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Third reading of the bill: An act relative to economic development in the Commonwealth.
- Today I rise in support of House 5562, an act relative to economic development in the Commonwealth, a
- I rise in support of this economic development bill and Consolidated Amendment A.
- This economic development bill answers that call.
- With regards to faith-based housing development, we allow multifamily housing to be built as of right
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Environment and Natural Resources Jan 14th, 2025
Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- Once we establish the TMDLs, we work with stakeholders and develop our restoration plans, which are our
- And it's more of a optional voluntary plan that they develop together.
- or BMAP development, and they want to go ahead and start identifying projects.
- Haven't started TMDL development or BMAP development, and they want to go ahead and start identifying
- And so this is the water quality improvement grant dashboard that we're currently in development.
Summary:
The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources convened with a quorum present, heard opening remarks from Chair Rodriguez and member introductions, and discussed broad priorities including water quality, climate change, budget oversight, and accountability for environmental investments. Members emphasized concerns about nutrient pollution, springs, Lake Okeechobee, the Everglades, and the need for better data and measurable results.
The committee then received a presentation from DEP Deputy Secretary Adam Blaylock on the state’s water quality restoration framework. He explained how water quality standards, total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs), and reasonable assurance plans work together to address impaired waters, and noted that BMAPs are updated every five years with annual reviews in between. He also described recent statutory changes requiring five-year milestones, restrictions on new septic systems in certain areas, and public-facing data tools to track projects and water quality trends.
Members questioned whether BMAPs are producing enough improvement and whether the five-year update cycle is too slow. Blaylock said results can take years because of project lag and environmental variability, but that the department can adjust plans if data show they are not working. He also highlighted $2.9 billion in statewide water quality funding since 2019, nearly 1,100 funded projects, and a $1.1 billion water quality improvement grant program that now covers impaired waters beyond BMAP areas. The committee discussed agricultural projects, DEP and FDACS funding roles, and a new dashboard and centralized monitoring platform under development. No formal votes or other actions were taken, and the meeting ended with adjournment moved by the vice chair.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I believe received funds to look at X-ray development, yes.
- And so they just don't have the development; the feed manufacturing side of their world is not as developed
- We work with them to develop their first research machine.
- That system has been developed and refined.
- The playbook itself was developed by USDA with employees.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Local Government Committee Apr 29th, 2026
Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- VTA has a robust transit-oriented development program.
- We can do development. We just want to do it in the right scale.
- The Bernou Development Corporation is one of the examples.
- We can do development. We just want to do it in the scale.
- And the Bernou Development Corporation is one of the examples.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 13th, 2026 at 09:32 am
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- The fourth pillar we call it community development.
- But another good development. Next slide is Venus Aerospace.
- . ...and that's about space vehicle development.
- So it's pretty hard... ...to predict the developments.
- And workforce development. And then a capital projects leader.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Higher Education and Workforce Development Feb 10th, 2026
Higher Education and Workforce Development
Transcript Highlights:
- All right, folks, the Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development will come to order.
- I'm here for economic development and things of the like, not at the expense of community development
- He said the goal is to help high schools develop a pathway into higher learning and workforce development
- and workforce skills that accompany these kinds of developments.
- And I appreciate all the economic development stuff.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee Jan 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And welcome to the Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development.
- track home developments.
- This is just really for single-family and small multifamily developments under 10 units.
- And I think it could be kind of frustrating, you know, for the developers.
- It's still up to the private developer.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development met first as a subcommittee because quorum was initially lacking, then later established quorum and heard five housing-related bills. AB 748 would require local governments to create preapproved housing plan programs for single-family and small multifamily projects under 10 units, expanding a model already used for ADUs; the author and Habitat for Humanity argued it would save time and money, and there was no opposition. The committee later passed AB 748 unanimously to the Assembly Committee on Local Government.
AB 739 would require managing agents for common interest developments to provide HOAs a summary of fees charged and paid to management companies. Realtors and community managers supported the bill as a transparency measure, while the California Association of Community Managers initially opposed it but said it would remove opposition if committee amendments were adopted to avoid blanket mailings and cost increases. The committee adopted the amendments and passed AB 739 7-0 to Appropriations.
AB 939 would remove the 180-day resale restriction for certain income-restricted for-sale units when a developer is under contract with a qualified nonprofit affordable housing organization, allowing units to be sold sooner to low-income buyers. Habitat for Humanity, the California Building Industry Association, and several housing groups supported the measure as a no-cost fix to reduce vacancy and carrying costs, while the California Association of Realtors opposed it, warning it could create a right of first refusal and set a precedent affecting property rights and competition. After discussion about the narrow scope and committee amendments, the bill passed 6-1 to Appropriations.
AB 1070 would direct the state to study and potentially modernize building code treatment for small, middle-housing projects so that low-rise buildings with three to ten units could be regulated more like residential structures rather than commercial ones. Supporters said the current code makes small multifamily projects unnecessarily expensive and that other states have adopted similar approaches; there was no opposition. The committee passed AB 1070 unanimously to Appropriations. Finally, AB 1184, by the vice chair, would increase HOA transparency and resident access to records, including recordings of HOA meetings; it had no witnesses in opposition and passed 8-0 as amended to Appropriations. After the meeting, absent members later added votes, and the final recorded votes were 10-1 for AB 939, 11-0 for AB 1070 and AB 1184, and unanimous support for AB 739 and AB 748.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- Learning about Interstate 82 economic development improvements on the east-west corridor.
- Kevin Chudy, Mason County Economic Development Council, and Mr.
- development.
- Kevin Chudy, Mason County Economic Development Council, and Mr.
- deliver the state's economic economic development council.
Bills:
HB2495
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
November 18, 2025 - 10:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- So we do have a Le cover scope of our development. We discuss lessons learned.
- It scope of work development we touch on. >> Thank you. Thank you.
- So more than just a developing your RFP, it's really understanding that need.
- And that's why he's asking 6 asked Model versus development.
- Not necessarily have a development staff on that side.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Economic and Rural Development Aug 12th, 2025
Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Let's begin and reconvene the meeting of the Economic and Rural Development Policy Committee.
- It's a new marketplace that is developing quickly.
- That's our name, Center for Border Economic Development.
- there. of economic development there.
- And if someone were to come in and develop it the way that space exploration has been developed recently
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Stay focused on workforce development.
- Workforce development is an area of the institution I'm very interested in.
- Workforce development is humongous for me because of our staffing firm from the state.
- Giles is the Director of Business Development for TransWestern in Houston.
- She is recognized for her contributions to the development and well-being of local students.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Nominations met to consider several gubernatorial nominees and first approved a slate of nominees left pending from the March 31 agenda. The committee voted 5-0 to favorably report those nominees to the full Senate for confirmation. Public testimony was then opened and later closed, with some listed witnesses not appearing.
The committee heard testimony on Jerry K. Weldon II for the Brazos River Authority Board of Directors. Senators focused on stewardship of the Brazos River, the authority’s relationship to the legislature and the public, Sunset review, water quality and nutrient runoff, impaired waterways, and possible uses of constructed wetlands for aggregate mine reclamation. Weldon emphasized collaboration, transparency, and keeping the citizens of Texas as the authority’s primary customer.
Commissioner Robert Vaughn was considered for reappointment to the Texas Transportation Commission. Discussion centered on TxDOT’s management, rural funding, population growth, project delivery, and the commissioner’s role on the audit committee. Doug McCreakin was considered for the Texas Tech University Board of Regents, with questions about legislative priorities, compliance with DEI-related state law, workforce development, rural medical education, and university partnerships. Jody Giles was considered for reappointment to the University of Texas Board of Regents, and Bernadette Carrasco Coleman for reappointment to the Texas Woman’s University Board of Regents; both discussed higher education priorities, PUF funding, compliance with state law, and student support programs. John Rutherford was considered for reappointment to the Teachers Retirement System Board of Trustees, with questions about fiduciary oversight, investment understanding, and keeping the retirement system solvent. Brigadier General Michael Boyd was also considered for appointment to the Texas Military Preparedness Commission, where discussion focused on military retention, child care, spouse licensing, base infrastructure, and grant funding for Texas installations. The committee did not take final votes on these later nominees during the hearing and left them pending subject to the call of the chair.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- On our testifiers list, I have State Health Planning and Development Agency, Dr. Leuen in support.
- We're on STR16 SD1 requesting the Department of Health to convene a task force to identify and develop
- ,</c> advancing professional development, advancing professional development, advocacy,<00:15:48.560>
- Uh, State Health Planning and Development Agency, Dr. Leuen.
- </c> and development agency Dr. and development agency Dr.
Summary:
The Committee on Health met on April 11, 2025, and heard testimony on a series of Senate concurrent and Senate resolution measures focused on health system oversight, workforce standards, and access to care. Topics included an auditor study on mandated insurance coverage for intravenous ketamine therapy for depression (SCR 8 SD1), a working group on prior authorization reform (STR 10 SD2), a task force on minimum professional standards for community health worker training (STR 16 SD1), a pharmacy benefit manager reform working group (SCR 69 SD1), a pharmacy reimbursement working group (STR 70 SD1), an aeromedical services working group (STR 86 SD1), a catchment-water feasibility study for business use (STR 118 SD1), an auditor study on mandatory coverage for continuous glucose monitors (STR 120 SD1), and a resolution encouraging reduced use of disposable surgical equipment and more sustainable health care practices (STR 194 SD1). Testimony was generally supportive across the measures, with several agencies and organizations noting the need to address complex health policy issues and improve access, transparency, and sustainability.
For STR 16 SD1, community health worker advocates strongly supported the resolution but asked for amendments to include the Hawaii Community Health Worker Association on the task force and to require that at least half of the task force members be community health workers. For the PBM-related measures, SHPDA said it was willing to convene the work group and described the issue as complex, while the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association asked that PBMs be included in the working group. For STR 10 SD2, SHPDA supported the effort to reduce prior authorization burdens and said the process is a "black box" that needs reform; the chair later noted the administration’s commitment to the issue. For STR 86 SD1, the Department of Health supported the aeromed working group, and the chair proposed a House Draft 1 with technical changes and added representation from independent provider operators.
In decision making, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations on all measures considered. SCR 8 SD1 was passed as is. STR 10 SD2 was deferred. STR 16 SD1, STR 70 SD1, STR 118 SD1, STR 120 SD1, and STR 194 SD1 were passed as is. SCR 69 SD1 was passed with amendments, and STR 86 SD1 was passed with amendments. The meeting concluded with adjournment after all votes were taken.