Transcript Highlights:

• This is why, in 2024, the governor charged the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board with creating
• Force, which is a mouthful, but one and that was very intentional in their work, as a priority from Governor
• I am so appreciative. of Governor Abbott's getting this task force together because it is making a huge
• Members, I ask that you consider my testimony and where I am in life today as a testament to the power

Bills: HB173 , HB184 , HB484 , HB678 , HB 1211 , HB1507 , HB1705 , HB1868 , HB2290 , HB2851 , HB2856 , HB3041 , HB3204 , HB173 , HB184

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: foreign donations, higher education, public institutions, national security, funding, prohibition, Texas law, healthcare, insurance, affordability, access, public health, foreign influence, education policy, student loan repayment, prosecuting attorneys, border prosecution unit, financial assistance, tobacco, cigarettes

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, no question, but I just want to say that from my professional experience, I have seen the power
• The department is commanded by Commissioner Sean DeRee, who is appointed by the Governor and confirmed
• The California Highway Patrol provides security for the governor, state constitutional officers, state
• close, it would be if this funding request were approved by the legislature and approved by the governor

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• existing governor's workforce development board members and a few special appointments made by the governor
• for</c><00:05:10.800><c> a</c><00:05:11.520><c> representative</c><00:05:12.080><c> workers</c> governor
• uh for a representative workers governor uh for a representative workers who<00:05:12.639><c> is</c>
• So I think that what I'm hoping for is that our bipartisanship today will have sticking power in the
• I hope that future power in the future.

Bills: HF3732

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: workforce development, unemployment benefits, youth training, economic development, grants, job creation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• purses to job creation and vital industry reinvestment, Perry Mutual wagering continues to be a powerful
• </c> wagering continues to be a powerful wagering continues to be a powerful driver<00:21:03.280><c>
• assignment uh had received the official assignment from<00:43:29.599><c> the</c><00:43:29.760><c> governor
• > So,</c><00:43:30.480><c> Jason</c><00:43:30.880><c> Chin</c><00:43:31.680><c> has</c> from the governor
• So, Jason Chin has from the governor.

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:

• Then the treatment of unallotment when used by the governor in our tracking documents and fund statements
• </c><00:19:39.799><c> used</c><00:19:40.240><c> by</c><00:19:40.640><c> the</c><00:19:40.799><c> governor
• </c><00:19:41.679><c> in</c> allotment when used by the governor in allotment when used by the governor
• An election certificate is a powerful thing, and having a staff member come to you and say this is kind
• thing and having a staff a powerful thing and having a staff member<00:48:07.200><c> come</c><00:48:

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• From the office of the Governor, June 18, 2026, to the Senate of the 153rd General Assembly of the State
• Meyer, Governor. The nomination of Christy M. Vitola is hereby before the Senate for consideration.
• I'm going to yield to you to introduce the lieutenant governor.
• Well, it is absolutely my honor to introduce the lieutenant governor.
• And she, in addition to being lieutenant governor, keeps up a very busy schedule of focusing on track

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also need prayer for our governor, that your Holy Spirit rest in his mind and in his... and for each
• Let's see, we also, of course, have the distinguished former Governor Jan Brewer.
• And what that term meant, right, when I said it was being born and raised here, there is so much power
• for the transaction of business, and to ask that a like committee from the Senate wait upon the Governor
• She's the Director of Governor Affairs and Strategic Partnerships at Lawrence Semiconductor.

Summary: The House convened for opening-day proceedings with prayers in English and Spanish, the Pledge of Allegiance, and musical performances, then recorded attendance and welcomed the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Jason Jameson. The Speaker introduced numerous guests and dignitaries, including statewide officials, university presidents, former lawmakers, and family members, and delivered remarks about Arizona’s history, the importance of civility, and the role of state government in protecting residents from federal overreach. Coaches Kenny Dillingham and Tommy Lloyd also addressed the chamber, speaking about leadership, talent development, and the ways sports can unite and inspire Arizona communities. The House then took up organizational business. Members adopted proposed changes to Rule 9 and then adopted the amended rules for the 57th Legislature, Second Regular Session. The chamber also agreed to read bills by number and short title only, declared an emergency for that purpose, and announced the creation of two new standing committees: Artificial Intelligence and Innovation, chaired by Representative Justin Wilmeth, and Rural Economic Development, chaired by Representative Teresa Martinez. A House Organizational Committee was appointed to notify the Senate that the House was organized and ready for business and to inform the Governor that the Legislature was ready to receive her message. The remainder of the session was largely devoted to points of personal privilege, with members introducing family, constituents, local officials, educators, veterans, business leaders, and advocacy groups. Several members highlighted issues they intend to work on this session, including affordability, water security, deed fraud, education, health care, rural development, and veterans’ issues. The House later recessed to accommodate the joint organizational proceedings with the Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> What a tragedy, losing such a powerful What a tragedy, losing such a powerful advocate<00:25:43.520
• We have unelected judges who are vetted, nominated by the governor, vetted by the Executive Council,
• The heart of the fact that this bill puts tremendous power in the hands of prosecutors.
• So, um, this is the type of power that we would be transferring into the hands of prosecutors.
• It transfers power to decide jury trial.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I'm appointed by governors confirmed by the Senate.
• First appointed by Governor<00:06:32.200><c> Dayton.</c> Governor Dayton. Governor Dayton.
• So, I'm appointed by governors governors governors confirmed<00:07:31.400><c> by</c><00:07:31.520><c>
• I figure the governor gets to appoint who he wants.
• I figure the governor gets to appoint who he wants.

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're working to balance the power dynamic and regulate leases that control these relationships.
• inbalance but more can address the power inbalance but more can and<00:58:55.240><c> should</c><00:58
• In court, the power imbalance in the system often has landlords with attorneys and renters asserting
• imbalance in the system court the power imbalance in the system often<01:13:04.800><c> has</c><01:13
• recommends cancelling that the governor recommends cancelling that transfer<01:24:14.440><c> to</c><

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, we have limited power. We do have protesters.
• power as that reactor is developed.
• The stuff is in the governor or the mayor's backyard.
• Nuclear power is like that on the front end.
• So the idea is if you want power, we can provide the power.

Summary: The Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee met to hear a series of presentations on the economics, financing, workforce, and community impacts of advanced nuclear deployment in North Dakota. William Bridge of Nucleon Energy presented the committee’s economic impacts and private-sector financing report, estimating construction and operating job impacts, local spending, and state/local tax effects for hypothetical SMR projects. He said the report assumes first-of-a-kind costs are still high, used a $6 million per megawatt nth-of-a-kind proxy, and estimated peak construction workforces of about 500 for a 200-MW plant and 1,000 for a larger facility, with roughly 100 operating jobs for a 200-MW plant. Committee members questioned security costs, capital cost assumptions, water and transmission siting constraints, and whether the model included fuel and waste; Bridge said the report included initial fuel in capital cost and that waste disposal is funded through existing federal mechanisms. Lori Brady of the Nuclear Energy Institute then outlined national nuclear workforce needs and NEI’s strategic workforce planning efforts. She described declining labor-force participation, retirements, and the need for a much larger future workforce, and said NEI has organized recommendations around career awareness, pipelines, training and qualification, policy support, retention, and nontraditional recruitment. She highlighted tools such as the Nuclear Works career website, the Nuclear Energy Academic Roadmap, the new federal Energy and Natural Resources career cluster, and the Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program for community colleges. Members asked about AI, timing for training relative to plant development, and whether advanced manufacturing would reduce staffing needs; Brady said AI is not expected to replace workers and that training timelines depend on the specific project and staffing plan. The committee also heard from Gary Yaco, mayor of Red Wing, Minnesota, who described Prairie Island’s role in his community. He said the plant provides a large share of local property tax revenue, supports well-paid jobs, contributes to emergency preparedness funding and training, and is broadly supported by the city despite periodic protests and public concerns. He emphasized the plant’s security, regular drills with local and federal responders, and the absence of problems with dry cask storage. Later, Benton Arnett of NEI discussed the current financing landscape for advanced nuclear, explaining how tax credits, federal loan support, off-take agreements, and new business models are helping projects move forward. He said early projects face high upfront costs and long lead-time procurement, but that investor confidence is improving as federal policy and regulatory streamlining continue. The committee asked about waste funding, comparisons with natural gas, the effect of political shifts on investor confidence, and whether the market will narrow to a few winning technologies; Arnett said the industry is still sorting that out, but expects clearer winners in the late 2020s and early 2030s. The meeting concluded with an introductory presentation from Julie Kazeraki of DOE’s Office of Energy Dominance Financing, who said the office is focused on accelerating nuclear deployment through financing support.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:59.839><c> recommends</c> Uh to begin, the Governor recommends Uh to begin, the Governor recommends
• </c> the governor the governor what<00:42:53.520><c> does</c><00:42:53.680><c> it</c><00:42:53.800><c
• And to clarify while she's coming forward, um— only the governor can deal with the only the governor
• <c> commissioners</c> The governor hires these commissioners The governor hires these commissioners and
• </c> new governor new governor and<00:58:25.520><c> no</c><00:58:25.520><c> matter</c><00:58:25.760><

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, you know, Governor Moore wrote in his autobiography, The Other Wes Moore, that when he got into
• Well,<00:13:52.160><c> you</c><00:13:52.240><c> know,</c><00:13:52.400><c> Governor</c><00:13:52.800>
• <c> Moore</c><00:13:53.120><c> wrote</c><00:13:53.520><c> in</c> Well, you know, Governor Moore wrote
• in Well, you know, Governor Moore wrote in his<00:13:54.280><c> autobiography,</c><00:13:55.080><c>
• </c> order essentially from Governor Moore. order essentially from Governor Moore.

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, March 12, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House met in Annapolis on February 27, 2026, with 128 members present. After a prayer, the chamber adopted the previous day’s journal and recognized a resolution honoring Brunswick High School’s first Tech Challenge team, Minerva’s Mechanics, for winning the FTC Regional Championships and qualifying for the World Championship in Houston. The resolution was read and adopted with applause. The main legislative item was House Bill 355, concerning the Education, Sexual Abuse and Assault Awareness and Prevention Program and human and sex trafficking; the House adopted the favorable committee report and ordered the bill printed for third reading. The next bill, House Bill 534 on nonpublic school transcripts and prohibiting punitive measures related to student debt, also received a favorable report. Debate then centered on an amendment offered to HB 534 that would have tied school funding to student choice for students in repeatedly one-star-rated schools and allowed parents of habitually violent or disruptive students to consider military boarding school options. The sponsor argued Maryland’s public schools, especially in Baltimore City, were failing students despite heavy spending, citing low literacy, violence, and the book Failure Factory; several members echoed concerns about school performance, bureaucracy, and the need for educational freedom. Opponents and procedural speakers said the amendment was not germane to HB 534, which they described as a narrow bill about transcript access for students leaving nonpublic schools with unpaid fees, often students with disabilities. The floor leader urged the body to resist the amendment and stick to the bill’s actual subject. Despite multiple members explaining their votes in support of school choice and criticizing the Blueprint and school outcomes, the House ultimately took a roll call on the amendment after a voice vote was challenged. The transcript cuts off during the roll call and does not show the final recorded result on the amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• If it's really powerful, it's not an e-bike, and if you can go faster than 28 even pedaling, it's not
• just had cuts to education the governor just had cuts to education 100<00:47:34.640><c> million</c><
• The governor and DVS support efficiencies in government and providing services to customers in the way
• This is why the governor recommended an online renewal option for DLS in the DVS budget.
• This is why the governor recommended an online renewal option for DLS in the DVS budget.

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think that was a really powerful experience for a lot of those students.
• experience for a lot of really powerful experience for a lot of those<00:42:51.200><c> students</c><
• There are three folks appointed by the governor and then two by the respective legislative body.
• </c> three folks appointed by the governor three folks appointed by the governor and<00:50:05.520><c>
• </c><01:36:38.360><c> also</c><01:36:38.600><c> comes</c><01:36:38.840><c> with</c> from the governor

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So what we're have here is something that we do—one group of people we do know who have the power to
• This is a power—this is a consumer beware.
• be in one wealth and store store power be in one individual<01:19:28.040><c> company</c><01:19:28.800
• </c><01:21:03.000><c> just</c> about this the uh Governor just about this the uh Governor just established
• <03:38:53.800><c> since</c><03:38:54.000><c> the</c><03:38:54.120><c> year</c> power since the year power

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first dealt with a brew pub license bill and corrected some sponsor/subcommittee roster confusion before voting to pass it without discussion. The main item of debate was a bill allowing patrons to take purchased alcoholic beverages into restrooms. The bill sponsor argued the current ban is outdated, rarely enforced, and can leave patrons vulnerable if they set drinks down and leave them unattended; he said establishments could still post their own rules if they wished. Liquor enforcement officials said they were neutral overall, noting both the risk of drinks being left unattended and the practical concerns of underage drinking, over-service, and restroom monitoring. Testimony split between those who saw the law as a non-issue and those who viewed it as a safety measure. One member said he had never seen anyone take alcohol into a restroom and opposed changing the law, while others cited drink-spiking concerns and suggested alternatives such as safe zones behind bars, drink covers, and alert apps. Industry representatives said many operators would prefer to keep the law as-is because it helps with policing drinking in their establishments, though they acknowledged the motivation behind the bill. Several members also raised drafting concerns, saying the wording was confusing about whether the rule applied to patrons or establishments. The committee ultimately voted 5-2 to recommend the bill ought to pass. Afterward, members discussed amending the language to clarify that establishments could still prohibit the practice, but one member suggested a simpler fix would be to strike the word “restroom” from the prohibition entirely. The committee then unanimously voted to reconsider its action so the language could be revised later, and the amendment discussion was left for a future meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, Governor to say that I haven't said?
• Um, Governor backs<00:13:54.480><c> this</c><00:13:54.720><c> idea.
• Melissa Davis continued: "So what will they use that power to do?
• ,</c> meaning me, the police, uh the governor, meaning me, the police, uh the governor, uh<01:40:19.520
• </c> widening the tech technological power widening the tech technological power gap<04:19:51.920><c>

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's only the ad hoc appointment that the powers that the Supreme Court have today to ad hoc appoint
• It is a starting point for the governor, 35% of the university average university president pay, and
• It is a starting point for the governor, 35% of the university average university president pay, and
• Some are by the governors. We all know there's a lot of moving parts on this.
• I was just asking if we needed to add it upon signature of the governor, and now she explained why.

Bills: HB398 , HB906 , HB1201 , SB41 , SB47 , SB106 , SB210 , SB218 , SB220 , SB248 , SB289 , SB397

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Keywords: travel expenses, reimbursement, state officials, US General Services Administration, disaster management, nominating petitions, unaffiliated voters, party primaries, political participation, elections, public meeting minutes, transparency, government accountability, publication deadlines, open meetings, boards and commissions, public records, contact information, email addresses, phone numbers

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, food banks use their scale and buying power.
• The other thing that could happen is you could pressure the governor to reappoint new people to that
• Today, the governor is allowed to withhold.
• We are not changing governors' withholdings.
• One of our largest appropriations that the Arts Council got whenever I started lobbying was under Governor

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Knowledge is power. Let people control their own lives. Members, any questions?
• a bill last year on the same issue, but we request from the legislature, the department, and the governor
• ran a bill last year on the same issue but we request from the legislature the department and the governor
• is additional state funding and capacity to address the state's obligation and not a cost ship. governor
• The exposure of the state, of you and this governor, is three beds.

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The committee approved minutes from February 18, February 19, and March 4, then took up several health-related bills. HB 2050, which updates radiologic technologist and radiologic assistant standards, school accreditation, clinical hours, supervision rules, fees, and telehealth definitions, received support from a radiologic technologist and a nurse practitioner and passed 7-0 with a do-pass recommendation. HB 2082, creating a Childhood Cancer and Rare Childhood Disease Research Commission and expanding the research fund, was amended to require at least $5 million in funding before commission allocations and to shift grant-awarding authority to the DHS director; it passed 7-0 as amended, though members raised concerns about oversight. HB 2176, which changes DHS licensing denial criteria and complaint-investigation procedures for health care institutions, also passed 7-0 after testimony from hospital and public health representatives supporting clearer timelines and transparency, with one member noting concerns about possible subjectivity in ownership-related denials. HB 2195, addressing DHS oversight of nursing care institutions, including personnel record access, deficiency timelines, and complaint-investigation deadlines, was amended to delay implementation until July 1, 2027 and allow off-site preliminary reviews; it passed 7-0 as amended, though one member said DHS should have been present to answer questions. HB 2202, appropriating $300,000 annually for a dementia care tele-mentoring program, drew support from the Alzheimer’s Association and a patient with younger-onset Alzheimer’s; it passed 6-1, with one no vote arguing medical schools should teach the material instead of the state funding it. HB 2307, an emergency measure to address placement of dangerous, incompetent, non-restorable defendants, was heavily debated and amended to use up to three beds at the Arizona State Hospital forensic campus temporarily, create a study committee, and sunset after five years; counties and DHS disagreed over whether counties should bear any costs, and the bill passed 4-3 as amended. Finally, HB 2584, which prohibits public funds from being used for genetic sequencing equipment or services tied to foreign adversaries, passed 4-3 after a sponsor and a national security witness argued it would protect genomic data from hostile foreign control. The committee then adjourned.