Transcript Highlights:

• families imagine the excitement that<00:08:27.120><c> comes</c><00:08:27.879><c> um</c><00:08:28.000
• His team, as we call them, are some of the kindest, most caring people you can imagine.
• </c><00:23:40.840><c> at</c> most caring people you can imagine at most caring people you can imagine
• </c><00:42:15.800><c> how</c> the program um I can't imagine how the program um I can't imagine how challenging
• Imagination were temporarily suspended Imagination were temporarily suspended when<01:24:24.520><c> he

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I can't imagine it can't be. We're adding, I mean, we're adding staff and meetings.
• So being able to develop a library that could have everything from overviews of agencies that provide
• training that Legislative Council holds that is maybe recorded, and then everything flows into the library
• Every quarter, it's live, then it's recorded and it's put in the library.
• If you go to our homepage and you click on the library and research tab and you go to that homepage,

Summary: The Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and then took up a draft bill to make legislators’ and candidates’ residential addresses confidential in public records. Legislative Council and the Secretary of State explained the proposal was prompted by security concerns and would protect residential addresses while still allowing election officials to verify residency and keep candidate names and offices public. Members raised concerns about unintended consequences, transparency, and how the change would affect rural districts and residency enforcement. The Secretary of State suggested an amendment to end the confidentiality when a candidate’s term ends, and the committee agreed to hold the bill over for further discussion at the next meeting. The committee also reviewed follow-up materials on legislator security and best practices, including advice on situational awareness, internet hygiene, varying routines, and reporting threats, along with NCSL materials comparing capitol security practices in other states. Members discussed a recent security incident and the need to keep alert contact information current, and staff said they would continue working with the Highway Patrol on legislative-specific notifications. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to Garrity Consulting’s final report on mitigating the effects of legislative term limits. The consultants summarized survey, focus group, and stakeholder input showing concerns about loss of institutional knowledge, leadership turnover, onboarding demands, and workload pressures, while also noting public support for term limits and annual sessions. Recommendations included considering annual sessions or shifting biennial sessions to even-numbered years, restructuring organizational session and interim committee work, creating office hours and more structured orientation and mentorship, expanding ongoing training and staff support, improving public communication and virtual testimony rules, and addressing barriers to service such as employer support and travel costs. Members discussed the tension between making the legislature more effective and preserving a citizen-legislature model, and the report was received as a roadmap for future implementation rather than immediate action.

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> play</c><00:21:20.880><c> area</c><00:21:21.159><c> that</c><00:21:21.240><c> would</c> and Imagination
• play area that would and Imagination play area that would have<00:21:21.440><c> served</c><00:21:21.720
• There'll also be a four-story courts tower holding 11 courtrooms, space for County Attorney, law library
• :04:55.720><c> County</c><01:04:55.960><c> Attorney</c><01:04:56.559><c> Law</c><01:04:57.000><c> Library
• </c><01:04:58.000><c> Court's</c> for County Attorney Law Library Court's for County Attorney Law Library

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So imagine you, the hardworking Texas legislator, come home to your daughter Martha.
• Just imagine her walking into a restroom and there's a biological male and they're changing with her.
• Imagine how you'd feel in a disturbing situation like that, in public, with a stranger.
• But it's not hard to imagine a case where I am sleep-deprived and recovering from a stomach flu, but
• Imagine how traumatic that could be for my little sister to see some random guy in the restroom with

Bills: SB7, SB14

Keywords: gender designation, civil penalties, private civil rights, multiple-occupancy spaces, Texas Women's Privacy Act, law enforcement, confidentiality, personnel files, employee records, misconduct

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on Senate Bill 7, the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, with the author and committee substitute explaining that the bill would require public facilities to designate multi-use private spaces by biological sex, restrict access to women’s restrooms, locker rooms, showers, sleeping quarters, shelters, and correctional facilities, and create civil penalties and enforcement mechanisms. Members asked about how the bill would apply to family violence shelters, children in mixed-family settings, venue layout, and venue for lawsuits; the author said the bill was similar to prior legislation but with stronger penalties and the 15th Court of Appeals as the exclusive intermediate appellate court for challenges, while clarifying that trial venue should generally be local except for state agencies. The committee also heard that the bill would be amended to better address local venue concerns and shelter-related issues. Invited testimony was largely in support of the bill from witnesses who described personal experiences in women’s sports, prisons, shelters, and public facilities, arguing that single-sex spaces are necessary for privacy and safety. Supporters included parents, former incarcerated women, a Republican county chair, a legal advocate, and a prison educator, who cited incidents involving transgender-identifying individuals in locker rooms, shelters, prisons, and restrooms, and said the bill would restore sex-based boundaries and protect vulnerable women and girls. One witness from Texas Values said the bill was needed despite the recently enacted Women’s Bill of Rights, and another ADF witness said the measure would protect privacy in schools and shelters. Opponents testified that the bill would harm transgender and intersex Texans, create harassment and “gender policing,” and expose cisgender women and children to invasive enforcement. Several witnesses argued there is no evidence that transgender women pose a restroom safety threat, while others said the bill would worsen mental health, employment, and school conditions for trans people and could conflict with prison standards and federal law. Family violence advocates urged changes to protect shelter operations and clarify that children can stay with parents, while other witnesses said the bill would create barriers for victims seeking help. The hearing featured extensive public testimony on both sides, but no final vote or committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• While my district can claim Libraries.
• </c><01:37:06.000><c> in</c> established a public school library in established a public school library
• </c><01:39:36.960><c> can</c> balance helps ensure that libraries can balance helps ensure that libraries
• I don't want that's coming out of the<01:44:07.280><c> library.
• That's not unilaterally the library.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• class, they could be free-ranging, following in the footsteps of their grandfather, who was a PhD in library
• Senator Andrew Lang is online. grandfather was a um PhD in library grandfather was a um PhD in library
• 00:07:57.080><c> the</c> science so maybe something with the science so maybe something with the libraries
• 58.520><c> father</c><00:07:59.039><c> for</c><00:07:59.560><c> a</c><00:07:59.599><c> little</c> libraries
• or my father for a little libraries or my father for a little while<00:08:00.000><c> was</c><00:08:00.120

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The breach occurs in the library system. It breach occurs. And it Breaches occur in all platforms.
• The breach occurs in the library system. A breach occurs in a credit union.
• Paxton, has been found to be constitutional, and I would imagine the sponsor is trying to start with
• You know, just about half of U.S. states already have that requirement, and I imagine most will catch
• On top of that, you have to imagine it in the broader landscape that the regulatory authority of a state

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2112, which would require commercial entities, including some social media companies, to use age verification before allowing access to websites where more than one-third of the material is sexual content harmful to minors. Staff explained that the bill would require reasonable age verification methods, prohibit retention of identifying information, exempt bona fide news and public-interest sites, and authorize the Attorney General to enforce the law through civil penalties. The bill would also require warning notices on landing pages and advertisements, with content to be developed by the Department of Health. Prime sponsor Representative Mari Leavitt said the bill is intended to protect children from harmful online sexual content and argued that parental controls are not sufficient. She cited pediatric and public-health concerns, said the bill is modeled on laws upheld elsewhere, and emphasized that the measure is aimed at commercial entities rather than school-based sharing or general adult access. Supportive testimony from parents, clinicians, and advocates described early exposure to pornography, mental health harms, and the need to place responsibility on platforms rather than families alone. Opposition testimony focused on privacy, free speech, enforcement, and scope. Several witnesses argued that age verification systems create data-security risks even if data is not retained, that the bill’s definitions and one-third threshold are vague and could sweep in LGBTQ, health, educational, or artistic content, and that enforcement would be difficult against out-of-state websites. Some opponents said the law would push users to less-compliant sites and would not effectively protect children. A technology industry witness said the bill is narrow and comparable to carding for alcohol or tobacco, while a Free Speech Coalition representative said the law is ineffective in practice and offered to discuss amendments. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So they will be out at bingo on Tuesday night, not with us, at the library, or at the bar, you know,
• As you can imagine, this involves many moving parts, but today we're just going to highlight or talk
• Some of those are larger organizations such as the Metropolitan Library System, while others are small
• While attending a Tai Chi class at Southern Oaks Library, the instructor noticed that several of our
• While attending a Tai Chi class at Southern Oaks Library, the instructor noticed that several of our

Summary: The meeting focused on integrated employment and related services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with testimony from several provider agencies and state officials. Robin Arder and Belinda Stevens of ThinkAbility described how their organization supports people through residential services and self-created businesses because community employers often are not ready to hire people with disabilities. They said rigid service rules, difficulty fitting individuals into existing job definitions, and reimbursement requirements can prevent person-centered employment supports. They also reported that, in their experience, employees had not lost benefits when work was coordinated carefully with Social Security and benefits management. Tina Hannah of South Central Industries described a broad business model that includes manufacturing, janitorial and highway contracts, state-use products, a food truck, and an entertainment trailer, along with an adult day program and residential services. She said the organization uses a temp-service style model to make employers more comfortable and noted barriers such as employer concerns about productivity, lack of awareness of tax credits and accessibility resources, and the need for consistent job coaches. Miranda Figueroa of A New Leaf said her agency is moving toward a more person-centered model, including a Transition Academy for young adults that combines independent living instruction, community college classes, internships, and follow-along support; she said the program has an 85% placement rate but is expensive and not eligible for traditional student aid because it is not accredited. She also cited barriers including dual diagnoses, workforce readiness, and low reimbursement rates. Angela Decker and Deborah Copeland of DRTC described their long-running enclave contracts and a new Community Skills and Connection program that uses interest-based cohorts, community exploration, and volunteer experiences to build skills and networks tied to employment. They said the agency is phasing out its 14(c) subminimum wage certificate by the end of the year and is trying to expand community-based opportunities. DRTC and other providers emphasized the need to blend DDS and DRS services more effectively, reduce restrictive rules such as line-of-sight requirements, and better support people in congregate living settings. DRS representatives said the agency does provide school-based transition services, employer accommodations, and job carving support, and noted federal reporting requirements tied to wage outcomes. Members also discussed safety concerns, employer education, data collection, ABLE accounts, and the role of schools in preparing students for work and community life. The co-chairs proposed organizing the task force into three working groups: in-school/transition services, program support and service blending, and community integration/employer engagement. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with plans for further working-group discussion and follow-up on data and policy ideas.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's a big ask for them to find time, go to a public library while that library is open, and
• But because they're living on such slim margins anyway, you can imagine that maybe people are only able
• And so if we're getting rid of a bunch of things, I can imagine I lived myself for a year in Bonne Terre
• You will have to fill out a form if you are testifying, and then please state whether it's, I imagine
• You will have to fill out a form if you are testifying, and then please state whether it's, I imagine

Summary: The committee met with 13 members present and first went into executive session on House Bill 1730, which was voted due pass by a 10-3 roll call. It then considered House Bill 2504, where a committee amendment was adopted to let school districts optionally require a mental-health professional letter for school protection officers, the amendment was rolled into a committee substitute, and the substitute was voted due pass 11-0 with two present. After that, the committee moved to public hearing on House Bills 2481, 2468, and 1974. The three public bills focused on restrictions and verification for public assistance programs. HB 1974 would restrict TANF cash assistance use, including prohibiting ATM cash withdrawals and certain purchases, with a three-strikes style penalty structure; sponsors said it was intended to prevent misuse of taxpayer funds, while opponents argued TANF is a small cash-assistance program for very poor families and that cash access is necessary for rent, laundry, childcare, and other basic needs. HB 2468 would tighten SNAP and Medicaid eligibility verification by requiring documentary proof of citizenship or eligible immigration status, using federal verification systems, and counting ineligible household members’ income; sponsors said it aligns Missouri with federal law and new federal accountability rules, while opponents warned it would add red tape, delay benefits, and increase error rates and costs. HB 2481, along with related SNAP language discussed in HB 174, would implement the governor’s SNAP waiver to restrict purchases of soda and junk food and place those restrictions into statute. Sponsors said the goal was to steer benefits toward healthier foods and reduce waste, while witnesses from industry and advocacy groups said the waiver process was already underway, the definitions were too broad, and the bills could be hard for retailers to implement and could burden eligible recipients, especially in rural areas and among children and vulnerable adults. No final committee action was taken on the three public hearing bills during the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've asked also if we could have it at the State Library, and that didn't work.
• I've asked also if we could have it at the State Library, and that didn't work.
• I've asked also if we could have it at the State Library, and that didn't work.
• I've asked also if we could have it at the State Library, and that didn't work.
• I've asked also if we could have it at the State Library, and that didn't work.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 118 in executive session and adopted Amendment 0882H, which would remove the House and Senate members from the Child Care Commission while leaving the commission in place. Members said the amendment was a continuation of earlier committee discussion and supported it as a needed change. The committee then voted 12-0 to recommend ought to pass as amended, and HB 118 was placed on consent. The committee next considered House Bill 142, dealing with Gold Star Mother’s Day. The sponsor explained that the bill was unnecessary because existing statute already directs the governor to issue a proclamation for Gold Star Mother’s Day and to urge appropriate observance, including flag-related ceremonies. Several members discussed how to ensure the proclamation and flag observance would happen and whether the committee report should note the existing statute. Other members said they would oppose killing the bill because the recognition was important. The committee voted 9-3 to table/ITL the bill, and HB 142 was declared inexpedient to legislate. The final major item was a public hearing on a non-germane amendment to House Bill 456, with a related draft amendment also discussed. The sponsor said the amendment would raise the annual membership allowance from $20 to $75, rename fees as dues, prohibit dues from being used to pay lobbyists, require NHMA dues to be brought before voters as a separate warrant article for transparency, and require separate accounting so lobbying funds are not co-mingled with other funds. Supporters said the goal was to keep taxpayer-derived money from funding lobbying while preserving non-lobbying services such as legal advice and training. Opponents argued the proposal was an overreach and would micromanage local towns. No vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• replacement cost policies and the costs were extraordinary—the joke is they found more rare book libraries
• The joke is they found more rare book libraries in Oakland than anybody ever thought existed.
• They're seeing rebuilds of $1,600 a square foot, which is something no one would have even imagined.
• No, I'm just wondering, coming into an outcomes review hearing on a program, I would have imagined that
• I would have imagined that you talked to member companies and clients about the program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe it's a comprehensive cost-of-living adjustment, and so I imagine that would include electricity
• Since you're still waiting on some of that data, I imagine this is also one of the data points that you're
• I was in the library for a bit, but on the provision that allows for English language arts and math,.
• A lot of times they ended in my library.
• Because I would imagine if I'm 17, 18, 16, and I've decided I'm going to go to college, I get there and

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You can imagine it was very dynamic during the pandemic.
• So you can imagine in each of our subgroups that can go very deep.
• services, whether it was in K-12, whether it was in the hospital, emergency room, any space you can imagine
• I am currently sitting and he's patiently waiting for me to pick him up from volunteering at the library
• From volunteering at the library.

Summary: The House Education Committee held a work session on the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group and its school-based behavioral health and suicide prevention subgroup, followed by a public hearing on House Bill 1634, as amended in a proposed second substitute. Work group leaders Lisa Callan and Tisha Kirschbaum described the group’s statewide, cross-agency structure, its Washington Thriving strategic plan, and the goal of moving toward a more integrated “system of care” for children and youth. They emphasized that behavioral health, physical health, and education are interconnected, that families and schools often face a fragmented system, and that Washington’s youth flourishing outcomes show a need for stronger supports. Committee members raised concerns about regional disparities, rural access, language and cultural responsiveness, and the burden on schools and educators, while the presenters stressed that schools should be supported to identify needs and connect students to outside clinical services rather than carry the full burden themselves. Representative My-Linh Thai and Christian Stark then outlined the school-based subgroup’s work and recommendations. They said the subgroup meets monthly, includes students, parents, educators, providers, and agencies, and has focused on prevention, early identification, early intervention, and crisis response in schools. For the 2026 session, the subgroup recommended maintaining current investments in school behavioral health programs, strengthening statewide guidance on school behavioral health, and creating a coordinated technical assistance and training network for schools. They explained that the proposed substitute for HB 1634 would direct OSPI and the educational service districts to work with behavioral health agencies and community partners to conduct a needs assessment, map resources, and build a statewide framework for technical assistance and training, with public posting required by August 1, 2027. Testimony in support came from school staff, OSPI, behavioral health professionals, students, parents, and advocacy groups, who described high student anxiety, suicide risk, staffing shortages, and the need for coordinated, accessible supports. One witness from a psychiatric watchdog group opposed the bill, arguing it could increase labeling and drugging rather than holistic care. No vote was taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 208-FN would require local school boards and public libraries to adopt curation policies
• </c> guidelines for managing Library guidelines for managing Library collections<01:19:16.199><c> while
• I also, with law enforcement recruitment issues, I can’t imagine us forcing a qualified, experienced
• Why not display it in the public library instead?
• </c><03:09:00.680><c> or</c> offensive that got into the library or offensive that got into the library

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Imagine something taking that long to get approval.
• Imagine that. You know, Dante, great job and a great story.
• So we'll be at the Mildred Johnson Library, Room 106. The meeting will start at 9.
• So we'll be at the Mildred Johnson Library, Room 106. The meeting will start at 9.
• So we'll be at the Milder & Johnson Library, Room 106. The meeting will start at 9.

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met at NDSU and heard an extensive presentation from President David Cook/President Stewart and NDSU leadership on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research growth, and use of New Horizons funding. Leaders emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission, its role in workforce development, and its goal of becoming more distinctive through strategic planning, recruitment and retention, commercialization, and partnerships. They highlighted that NDSU awarded 2,370 degrees in 2025, produces a large share of the state’s engineering, nursing, and agriculture graduates, and reported strong outcomes for graduates staying and working in North Dakota. They also noted enrollment headwinds, competition from other institutions, and the need to manage tuition waivers more carefully through a scholarship optimization effort. Provost Sherry Vale outlined academic stewardship efforts, including review or consolidation of low-producing programs, strategic hiring tied to institutional priorities, faculty workload policy changes, and expanded online and regional offerings. She said the university is using New Horizons dollars to strengthen advising, student support, and programs in engineering, agriculture, and health. NDSU leaders also described new or expanded academic offerings such as robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, material science and engineering, nuclear engineering certificates, accelerated nursing, nurse practitioner certificates, a Master of Health Administration, and a clinical research master’s program with Sanford Health. They stressed that these investments are intended to improve student completion, meet workforce needs, and increase return on public investment. The committee also heard testimony from students and recent graduates who described the value of NDSU’s education, mentorship, internships, research opportunities, and support services. Alyssa Hodges spoke about pharmacy education, public health work, and campus support as a parent and student; Ethan Blessy described engineering coursework, internships with Marvin, and career preparation; and Aiden Freolic discussed neuroscience research, federally funded projects, and plans for graduate study. Their testimony was followed by presentations on partnerships with Gateway to Science for K-12 STEM outreach and with Sanford Research on biomedical research, clinical trials, obesity research, and a joint biostatistics hire. NDSU also highlighted systemwide shared services, Governor’s School programming, and research growth, including a reported 8% increase in research expenditures from $199 million to $215 million. No bill votes were taken; the meeting was informational and featured presentations, testimony, and discussion of future planning and partnerships.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> statutes legislative reference library statutes legislative reference library and<00:47:51.280><
• Imagine for yourselves or your families, how bad something has to get for you to be in a program like
• Imagine for yourselves or your families, how bad something has to get for you to be in a program like
• </c><01:10:57.760><c> Imagine</c><01:10:58.159><c> for</c> public and private.
• Imagine for public and private.

Bills: HF1151, HF1239, HF1240, HF2020, HF2514, HF2515, HF2451

Keywords: Compensation Council, salaries, state officials, judicial compensation, legislative process, public funds, misuse, law enforcement, accountability, state government, legislative auditor, compliance, transparency, retirement benefits, health insurance, dependents, state employees, Medicare, legislative studies, government oversight

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a federal entity that is tasked with museum and libraries.
• That's a federal entity that is tasked with museum and libraries.
• That's a federal entity that is tasked with museum and libraries.
• It was really just prompts to encourage creative thinking and imagination with that as well.
• And then they were able to create whatever they could imagine through watercolor with that.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But I would imagine you and I will continue to go rounds on this as weeks unfold.
• But I would imagine you and I will continue to go rounds on this as a week's unfold.
• I imagine there was very mixed reaction.
• We do have $6 million here, which is the difference from the GovRec on the Imagination Library.
• Hoping they can either work with Imagination Library or it seems like very popular.

Summary: The committee heard extended discussion of the chair’s House budget substitute, especially House Bill 2 for elementary and secondary education and House Bill 3 for higher education. The chair said the operating budget leaves roughly $300 million in reserve, explained several cuts and restorations, and described proposed changes to child care, including cutting enhancement payments and keeping attendance-based rather than enrollment-based subsidy payments. Representative Fogle objected to the child care cuts and the proposed language limiting the department’s move to prospective payment and enrollment-based reimbursement; State Budget Director Dan Hogg testified that the governor’s office still intended to move to payment on enrollment in May if the budget language did not block it, while prospective payment remained under review because of federal funding concerns. The chair also explained a restriction on Parents as Teachers services for children already in public pre-K, and members debated whether that would reduce duplication or improperly limit services. The chair further proposed a new competitive Title I innovation grant program funded by a reallocation of some Title I dollars, with questions raised about what services would be reduced to offset it. The bulk of the meeting focused on a major higher education funding overhaul in House Bill 3. The chair and vice chair proposed replacing the current base-plus model with an FTE-based formula that would distribute the same overall state funding according to student credit hours, with community colleges funded on a 12-hour FTE, four-year undergraduate students on a 15-hour FTE, and graduate enrollment discussed as a separate issue. They said the goal was to make funding follow students rather than institutions and to reduce long-standing disparities between schools. Several members supported the idea as overdue and more transparent, while others warned it was being done too quickly and could harm institutions with high-cost programs, research missions, or smaller enrollments. Concerns were raised about possible closures, accreditation problems, and unintended effects on workforce programs such as nursing, engineering, and technical training. The chair and vice chair said there was no intent to force consolidation, but acknowledged that some institutions would gain and others would lose under the new model. Members also questioned how the formula would treat research and doctoral funding, especially at the University of Missouri, and whether graduate programs were properly counted. The chair said some special-purpose lines were retained, but a large portion of MU’s research and doctoral funding was folded into the broader pool and redistributed through the FTE model. Several members asked for clarification on whether graduate hours were counted at nine credits, and the chair said he was not certain and would seek follow-up from staff or the department. Community college representatives were discussed as having unanimously opposed the recommendation, and the chair noted that the institutions were briefed only shortly before the hearing. No votes were taken during the exchange, and the committee appeared to be gathering testimony and concerns ahead of markup and future action on the budget bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Imagine being forced to choose between being all alone by yourself for years and being raped, not just
• To be honest, not me imagined, has almost 10 years having to do this one and other time.
• Libraries, parks, event spaces, and domestic violence shelters.
• And imagine if we could expand that across the United States.
• And imagine if we could expand that across the United States.

Bills: SB6, SB7, SB8, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB15, SB17

Keywords: hemp, consumable hemp, hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, cannabidiol, CBG, cannabigerol, delta-8, delta-9, intoxicating hemp, hemp gummies, hemp vape, edibles, cannabinoid regulation, hemp licensing, retailer registration, product registration, QR code labeling, child-resistant packaging, minor access

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 8, the Texas Women's Privacy Act, and heard extensive public testimony both for and against the measure. Supporters, including representatives of Texas Values and Texas Values Action, argued the bill was needed to protect women’s privacy and safety in restrooms, locker rooms, showers, prisons, domestic violence shelters, and other government-controlled spaces, and said it would provide clear, sex-based rules. Opponents, including many transgender Texans, civil rights advocates, clergy, business and public safety voices, and others, argued the bill would invite harassment, gender policing, lawsuits, and invasive inspections, while harming trans, intersex, and gender-nonconforming people as well as cisgender women who do not fit stereotypes. Several witnesses said the bill would conflict with federal law or prison standards, worsen safety in shelters and prisons, and hurt Texas’s reputation and economy. The chair repeatedly noted the compressed special-session schedule and said flood relief remained the session’s top priority. Public testimony on SB 8 was eventually closed, and the bill was left pending. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 6, dealing with consumable hemp product restrictions. Testimony on SB 6 focused on whether the bill went too far in restricting hemp-derived THC products. Opponents argued hemp and THC have medical and economic value, that the bill would criminalize conduct and burden courts, and that regulation—not prohibition—was the better approach. Some witnesses supported tighter rules such as testing, child-resistant packaging, and limits on marketing to children, but still opposed the bill’s broad THC ban, higher fees, and age restrictions. Several speakers emphasized benefits for veterans, chronic pain patients, and small businesses, and warned that prohibition would push consumers toward the illicit market. The committee heard the testimony and then continued with additional witnesses, with no final vote or disposition reported in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that just my imagination? Is that...?
• Representative Sanford, members of the committee, I don’t think that’s your imagination.
• I don’t think that’s your imagination.
• This is the lower level of our library.
• So keep in mind their knowledge base is a very large library of documentation.

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met on the Minot State University campus for presentations on campus operations, enrollment, and new academic initiatives. President Shirley reviewed recent audits, noting mostly clean results with only minor technical findings, and highlighted MSU’s broad academic offerings, specialized accreditations, athletics, and partnerships with Minot Air Force Base and the MSU Development Foundation. Members asked about declining interest in teacher education, tuition waivers for athletes, dual credit incentives, and how MSU decides when to launch new programs and avoid duplication within the university system. Shirley also discussed several workforce-focused initiatives supported by the Legislature’s Workforce Education Innovation Funds, including the purchase of the Trinity Health Center West building for a downtown health sciences hub, a new daycare/preschool partnership near campus, the Aspire program to recruit rural students into teaching, and a paraprofessional-to-special-education degree pathway. Enrollment data showed overall headcount was flat at just under 2,750, but full-time equivalent enrollment rose slightly and new student numbers increased, including the largest freshman class in 15 years. The committee also discussed Minot State’s in-state tuition rate for all students, its dual credit “Emerging Scholars” scholarship, and concerns about the share of high school graduates who do not immediately pursue postsecondary education. Faculty then presented two new programs funded in part by WEAF: an Innovation Engineering degree and a master’s program in counseling with an integrated addiction studies focus. The engineering program was described as industry-driven, designed with broad early coursework, hands-on learning, and local employer input to prepare students for western North Dakota workforce needs; officials said it had already drawn more applicants than expected and would use renovated library space and donated or grant-funded equipment. The counseling program will be mostly face-to-face with hybrid options, aims to address shortages in mental health and substance use providers, and is structured to help students meet licensure requirements. Committee members asked about startup costs, licensure supervision hours, and whether the programs would be on campus rather than online, and presenters said both programs had recently received required approvals and were moving forward.