Video & Transcript Research : 'May primary'
Page 33 of 500
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 2/25/25
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- And if I may, maybe I'll switch over to the computer so that I can use the slides.
- University of Minnesota and if I may University of Minnesota and if I may maybe<00:15:03.440>
- students, and the remainder, $1,281,39, funds primary care resident education.
- <00:32:02.120>
Health Health Care primarily Primary Health Health Care primarily Primary Health - May I add one thing, Madam Chair?
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Office of Inspector General 3/24/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- If the department or agency does not have primary investigation authority under subdivision two, the
- Inspector General may and shall investigate.
- have primary investigation authority under<00:04:43.440>
subdivision <00:04:44.000>two, - General may and shall investigate. General may and shall investigate.
- they don't have primary to freeze the funds.
Summary:
The committee took up Senate File 856, relating to creation of an independent Office of Inspector General to fight fraud in Minnesota. Representative Norris presented a DE6 author’s amendment that he said fixed constitutional appointment language, expanded the office’s fraud-prevention role, and made other noncontroversial cleanup changes. He emphasized that the bill was still not finished and that more work remained before it would be ready for final House passage.
Members raised several concerns. Representative Joy questioned language about who has primary investigative authority in Medicaid-related cases and whether the bill could create confusion over who may freeze funds; Norris responded that federal rules require administering agencies to be primary investigators and said the language was intended to comply with those rules while still ensuring investigations happen. Representative Bahner said the bill was improved, especially on constitutionality and prevention, but noted remaining concerns about agency expertise, duplication of effort, and funding. Representative Quam argued the state already has the Office of the Legislative Auditor and other processes in place, while Norris said an executive-branch office working directly with agencies could help ensure best practices are actually implemented.
Several members, including Representative Cleborne and Representative Craft, said they remained concerned about duplication, cost, and language they believed still placed the new office above state law, though they acknowledged the bill was improved and constitutional issues had been addressed. The chair moved the DE6 amendment, which was adopted, and then the committee voted on Senate File 856 as amended. The bill passed on a roll call vote of 13 ayes and 1 nay and was referred to the Judiciary Committee.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education (2-24-26)
Postsecondary Education
Transcript Highlights:
- You may proceed. Thank you.
- House Bill 94 as amended by primary House Bill 94 as amended by primary House<00:14:17.760>
House - You may truth so help you God? I do.
- >
before <00:15:17.040>you <00:15:17.200>may This may This legislation before you - may This may This legislation before you may seem<00:15:17.720>
familiar <00:15:18.280>because
Keywords:
Call to Order and Roll Call: 0:00
Bills for Consideration:
26RS HB 94 – 2:40
26RS HB 307 – 15:00
Adjournment: 20:15, 958, all
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education met with a quorum, welcomed new member Representative Beverly Chester-Burton, and recognized interns in attendance. The committee then took up House Bill 94, which would require the Council on Postsecondary Education to host an online transfer portal for students, require annual university updates to transfer data, and convene academic officers to study and report on streamlining high-demand pathways such as teaching and nursing. Representative Vanessa Grossl said the bill was revised in response to prior concerns and emphasized that the goal was to improve transparency, reduce time to degree, and lower student debt. Travis Powell of CPE supported the measure, saying the portal and study would improve transparency and help identify barriers to transfer.
The committee adopted the committee substitute for House Bill 94 and then passed the bill out favorably by roll call vote, sending it to the House floor. The committee also reconsidered House Bill 307, dealing with proactive postsecondary admissions, after earlier discussion and additional meetings. Chair James Tipton explained that the new substitute made several changes, including addressing a FERPA concern by having KDE share student information directly with universities, limiting social security number use to the last four digits plus date of birth, and adding provisions for KIA to include a link or QR code to the common online application in KEYS scholarship notifications.
Members adopted House Committee Substitute 3 for House Bill 307, with Representative Stalker noting support for the social security number change. The committee then passed House Bill 307 as amended with a favorable recommendation to the House floor. No other substantive actions were taken.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Revenue Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- The committee may limit availability or redact testimony that includes sensitive personal information
- , information about minors, or information that may jeopardize the health, wellness, or safety of the
- This bill, which applies to their primary residence or vehicle, passed unanimously in both legislative
- I think you may also be hearing testimony... members of the committee.
- every year and things may change depending on your status.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on 32 bills related to veterans and service members, with opening remarks from Chair Madaro and Senator Eldridge emphasizing the committee’s work on tax credits and property tax relief, including follow-up to the HERO Act of 2024. The chairs outlined hearing procedures, noted the August 23 reporting deadline for House-filed matters, and explained that testimony would focus on issues including voluntary contributions, sales tax, property tax, and economic development. No votes were taken during the hearing.
Several bills drew testimony in support of expanding or simplifying veterans’ property tax benefits. Rep. Sylvia supported H. 3255 to raise the veterans’ property tax workoff cap from $1,500 to $2,000, matching the senior workoff program. Rep. Soder and Sen. Moore advocated for stronger property tax relief for disabled veterans, including H. 3245 and S. 2046, with Moore proposing a disability-based exemption and state reimbursement to municipalities. Rep. McGregor supported H. 3175, which would eliminate the need for veterans to refile annually for exemptions unless their status changes, arguing it would reduce burdens on veterans and assessors.
Testimony also addressed line-of-duty death benefits and local implementation concerns. Mary Ann Cardi supported H. 3188 to clarify that surviving spouses of police and fire personnel who died in the line of duty qualify for a full real estate exemption. Chris Clark, Senator Sear, and Counselor Ludke all backed the veterans’ workoff bill, describing it as an equity fix that would align the veterans’ program with the senior program and help municipalities like Barnstable use the benefit more effectively. After hearing from all scheduled speakers and confirming no additional in-person testimony, the chairs adjourned the hearing.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (02/05/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- may you may have question can you you may you may have mentioned<00:34:40.639>
it <00:34:40.879 - followup question further question may followup question further question may inquire<01:29:01.320
- Health carriers to credential primary Health carriers to credential primary care<03:52:07.479>
mental health providers as for primary mental health providers as for primary care<04:14:35.279>- She noted that some people may have a criminal record, or may have done residency in another country,
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on a non-germane amendment to HB 297 that would create the Granite State Home Mitigation and Resiliency Program. Insurance Commissioner DJ Beton, joined by department staff, explained that the proposal is intended to help homeowners afford insurance by funding proactive home improvements that reduce risk and improve insurability. He said the program would be funded by the first $1 million collected annually from the insurance premium tax, with grants of up to $10,000 available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Beton described the problem as rising homeowners insurance premiums, hard-market underwriting, nonrenewals, and the resulting shift to more expensive surplus lines coverage. He said eligible projects could include roof fortification, exterior improvements, flood-related foundation work, and removal of hazardous trees or limbs. He cited similar programs in other states, especially Alabama, Louisiana, and North Carolina, as evidence the model can work and noted that industry representatives were present in support. He also said the program would use means testing aligned with the Department of Energy’s weatherization program to target lower-income applicants.
Members asked about the non-germane process, who would administer the program, and how the bill would prevent misuse of grant funds. The commissioner said the department would administer the program using one repurposed existing position, with Treasury handling fund flow through an MOU. Staff explained that applicants would have to show completed work through a signed contract, itemized work, and a sworn contractor affidavit, with some upfront payment allowed for materials and the remainder paid after completion. The chair and members discussed that the amendment is being attached to a different bill only to move the proposal through committee and on to House Finance for further consideration.
CA
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Elect Committee Meeting - 2025-03-19
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- This takes care of, you may or may not have heard, that Shakopee had some issues with elections.
- But I'll stick around for any questions that the committee may have or that may arise. Thank you.
- May versus March.
- Freeman may have a comment on this. Ms. Freeman. Yeah, thank you, Madam Chair.
- Well, it may be.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Task Force Jun 25th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We are ...primary care driven, yes, we are primary care driven and we just have behavioral health as
- It's both, if I may.
- I may ask after the fact; I may send you an email. that, you know, have quoted some improvements.
- I may ask after the fact, I may send you an email. I may ask after the fact.
- You may not, again, you may not be able to answer.
Summary:
The meeting focused on Missouri’s substance use prevention and treatment system, with repeated emphasis on recovery support services, peer support, recovery housing, transportation, and harm reduction. Dan Haniken of Into Action described his own recovery from addiction and incarceration and argued that treatment alone is not enough; he urged greater investment in recovery housing, peer support, employment, and community-based supports that help people stay sober and avoid relapse. Members asked about funding sources, program capacity, referrals, treatment court, transportation, and how Into Action supports people on medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Haniken said the organization is funded through a mix of federal, state, county, city, foundation, and private donations, and that housing and transportation remain major barriers, especially because support is often funded for too short a period compared with the longer time people need to stabilize.
Matt Cushman of the Raytown Fire Protection District gave a strong endorsement of harm reduction, including naloxone distribution, syringe service programs, and broader decriminalization of harm reduction tools. He argued that stigma is a major barrier to care and that Missouri should expand access to clean needles, test strips, and other services, while also improving access to MAT in jails and communities. Committee members questioned the evidence base, the role of faith-based providers, and whether safe consumption sites should be pursued; Cushman said syringe exchange decriminalization should be the immediate priority, while safe consumption sites are a longer-term issue. He also described community paramedicine and mobile integrated health as valuable but funding-dependent, and said naloxone distribution is improving but still uneven, especially in rural and minority communities.
Representatives from Central Ozarks Medical Center and Four Rivers Community Health Center highlighted the importance of peer support specialists, community health workers, care coordinators, and wraparound services in rural health centers. COMC’s Morgan McClure and Monet Lehman described a jail reentry program in Pulaski County, with Lehman sharing her trauma and recovery story and explaining how she helps incarcerated people prepare for release with housing, employment, benefits, transportation, and treatment connections. Four Rivers’ Devon Polarys and Cassandra Trout said their CEO would change Missouri policy to allow FQHCs to receive reimbursement for peer support and community health worker services similar to CCBHCs, arguing that these roles are essential for addressing barriers like transportation, housing, food insecurity, and insurance. Members discussed confusion over reimbursement rules, the differences between FQHCs and CCBHCs, and the need for better funding and clearer policy for peer and community health worker services. No votes were taken; the discussion ended with a suggestion to bring in a subject matter expert on community health workers for a future session.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Info Briefing - Thu Jan 29, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Human Services Committee Mar 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- You may begin whenever you're ready. Thank you, Mr.
- Do we have any primary witnesses in opposition? Do we have any primary witnesses in opposition?
- Do we have any primary witnesses in opposition?
- Do we have any primary witnesses in opposition?
- Do we have any primary witnesses in opposition?
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard and advanced a series of foster care, benefits, housing, and poverty-related bills. AB 373 would require appointed counsel for nonminor dependents in dependency proceedings to represent the young adult’s expressed wishes rather than substitute counsel’s judgment; supporters said it would respect autonomy for foster youth ages 18 to 21, and the bill passed 4-0, later updated to 6-0 and then 7-0 as absent members were added. AB 42 would exempt merit-based scholarships, grants, loans, and fellowships from income calculations for CalWORKs and CalFresh and align the two programs’ exclusions; student and anti-poverty advocates said it would prevent students from losing benefits when they pursue education, and it passed 6-0, later updated to 7-0. AB 534 would encourage transitional housing providers serving foster youth to move from leasing to owning properties by extending contract terms and improving access to financing; witnesses said ownership would improve stability and reduce landlord barriers, and it passed 4-0, later updated to 7-0. AB 562 would require counties below the state average for family placements to use a family-finding checklist and best-practice support; supporters emphasized family-first placements for foster youth, and it passed 6-0, later updated to 7-0. AB 661 would direct the Department of Social Services to develop an implementation plan for a permanent statewide guaranteed basic income program; supporters described positive results from pilot programs and the bill passed 5-2, later updated to 7-0. The committee also approved a consent calendar of additional bills, all without opposition.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Nov 7th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Some of you may be aware that we are one of 20 states.
- So, if I may, a little fire just recently happened in an Artesia refinery.
- They may extract cold out of the air.
- or may not have Alzheimer's or dementia.
- MCOs suggested that both the networks may be inadequate and that the payments may be too high given what
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Health and Human Services (04/02/2025)
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:27:41.880>
be there are folks behind me that may be there are folks behind me that may - That may be bad news for some people, but it may be good news for others.
- That may be bad news for some people, but it may be good news for others.
- have Medicaid or people have people may have Medicaid or people may<01:09:35.400>
have <01:09: - <01:34:25.199>
care revenue streams which is primary care revenue streams which is primary
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Local Government Committee Jul 2nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We will take up to two primary witnesses in support and up to two primary witnesses in opposition for
- Other instances may be.
- Other instances may ban them entirely.
- Any primary witnesses in opposition? All right. Good afternoon.
- Any primary witnesses in opposition? Any opposition at all?
Summary:
The committee heard multiple bills, with extensive discussion focused on short-term rental regulation, street vending, park/public safety financing, transit-oriented housing fees, and demographic data collection. SB 346 would require short-term rental platforms to provide local governments with listing addresses and related information to help collect transient occupancy taxes and enforce local ordinances; supporters argued cities and counties need the data to identify unlicensed operators and recover taxes, while opposition from platforms raised privacy and due process concerns and said administrative subpoenas already exist. The bill was amended and passed 7-0 to the Judiciary Committee. SB 635, the Street Vendor Business Protection Act, sought to protect street vendors’ personal information from being shared in ways that could expose them to federal immigration enforcement; supporters described raids and fear in vendor communities, and the bill passed 6-1 to Public Safety. SB 499 would clarify that certain park and recreation facilities designated in local safety or hazard mitigation plans can qualify for fee deferral exemptions when they serve emergency or public safety functions; supporters said parks can serve as fire buffers, evacuation sites, and recovery hubs, while some housing advocates sought a clearer nexus to development impacts. The bill passed as amended 6-0 to Appropriations. SB 358, which would modernize traffic impact fee rules to better reflect lower automobile trip generation for walkable, transit-oriented housing, drew support from housing and transportation advocates and passed 8-0 to Appropriations. SB 515, aimed at improving demographic data collection and reporting by local governments and state entities, passed to Appropriations on a 4-0 vote.
The committee also took up SB 276, presented by Assembly Member Stefani on behalf of Senator Wiener, which would allow San Francisco to create a permit-and-enforcement system for the sale of commonly stolen goods on sidewalks. Supporters said the measure is needed to address fencing operations and protect legitimate vendors, while emphasizing it is narrowly targeted and not aimed at food vendors or permitted sellers. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 276, with supporters from the Mission street vendor community and San Francisco Public Works describing enforcement problems and the need for clearer rules and city resources.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Apr 16th, 2025
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, now you may begin.
- She may know some more.
- You may begin.
- He was hospitalized on May 5th of 2023 and passed away on May 6th of 2023.
- You may begin.
Keywords:
body donation, medical science, forensic science, willed body program, informed consent, boarding home, boarding home facility, adult care home, group home, assisted living, county reporting, municipal reporting, annual report, reasonable accommodation, fair housing, disability accommodation, local ordinance, permit requirement, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- May I finish my comments? Thank you.
- You may proceed. In the letter Mr.
- Primary witnesses in opposition, please come to the... This is just for the primary right now?
- You may begin when you're ready.
- If there's primary witnesses in opposition, you may step up to the presentation table.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- May this be the day we come lyric today. May this be the day we come together. together. together.
- May Murphy is a sophomore. She's from Fyeston, Vermont, and May is studying psychology.
- May Murphy is a sophomore. She's from Fyeston, Vermont, and May is studying psychology.
- May Murphy is Mbury shadowing me today. May Murphy is a<00:27:46.960>
sophomore. - Vermont, and May is studying psychology. Vermont, and May is studying psychology.
Summary:
The House began with devotional remarks and then handled several procedural referrals. Senate bills 198 and 323 were referred to the Committee on Ways and Means under House Rule 35A because they affect state revenue, and Senate Bill 326 was also referred to Ways and Means after the Transportation Committee reported it favorably with amendment. House Resolution 18, supporting preservation of the Julian Scott birthplace in Johnson, was read by title and referred to the Committee on Corrections and Institutions under House Rule 52.
The chamber then read a series of adopted House concurrent resolutions honoring Vermont schools and individuals, including the Fair Haven Union High School Slater bowling team, the Hartford High School Hurricanes girls ice hockey team, the Hartford girls basketball team, Theres Black as Vermont Mother of the Year, and the Mount Mansfield Union High School girls tennis team. Members made brief announcements welcoming some of the honorees and guests to the chamber, including the Mount Mansfield tennis team, Theres Black, the Fair Haven bowling team, and others.
The main floor action was on House Resolution 17, affirming that all Vermonters are presumed competent to communicate and must be provided communication resources of their choice. The Human Services Committee chair explained the resolution grew out of testimony on alternative communication methods, including facilitated communication and rapid prompting method, and said the committee heard from people with lived experience, professionals, and written testimony from medical and speech-language organizations. The committee reported the resolution out 9-0-2, and the House adopted it. The House then took up Senate Bill 209, relating to prohibiting civil arrest in sensitive locations, and proceeded to its third reading and concurrence-with-amendment question.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 36 (2-27-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:52:25.599>
or <00:52:25.839>may form of documentation they may or may form of documentation - they may or may not<00:52:26.160>
have. - >> may I speak on the bill? >> may I speak on the bill?
- >> May I speak on the bill? >> May I speak on the bill?
- >> Yes sir, you may. >> Yes sir, you may.
Summary:
The House convened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, excused absent members, suspended rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications, and approved the journal from February 26, 2026. The clerk then reported several bills on second reading, including measures on state personnel, domestic violence, fish and wildlife resources, open records, workforce investment, data centers, guardians ad litem and domestic relations, along with Senate Concurrent Resolution 9 on a Medicaid pilot feasibility study and Senate Joint Resolution 23 declaring Kentucky a “food is medicine” state.
The main floor business was House Bill 2, the Medicaid reform and appropriation bill. The sponsor described it as a response to rising Medicaid costs and federal changes, saying it would improve transparency, oversight, fraud prevention, and program operations. He said the bill would apply mainly to the Medicaid expansion population and include community engagement, cost-sharing, eligibility safeguards, stronger managed care oversight, transportation and dental delivery changes, waiver program prioritization, greater legislative access to CHFS data, a transparency dashboard, periodic auditor review, and limits on certain weight-management drug coverage. A House committee substitute was adopted, and a floor amendment on phasing in a marginal medical loss ratio requirement over four years was offered as a friendly amendment and adopted.
The House then debated House Floor Amendment 1, which would have removed state-mandated co-payments and limited cost sharing to the federal minimum, while also prohibiting reporting medical debt to credit agencies. Supporters argued the amendment would protect low-income Kentuckians from barriers to care and prevent medical debt from worsening poverty. Opponents said the bill’s co-pays were intended to encourage appropriate use of care, especially to reduce non-emergency emergency room visits, and noted that providers and MCOs could waive or work around some charges. After a roll call vote, the amendment failed 20-39.
After the amendment vote, the House continued discussion of the bill, with the sponsor defending the co-payment structure as a way to promote personal responsibility and sustainability while preserving access to primary care. The transcript ends during further debate on House Bill 2, and no final passage vote is shown in the provided excerpt.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 8 (1-15-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- ask you for ample understanding when it comes to the welfare and true needs of our people so that we may
- continue to fulfill what is that we may continue to fulfill what is good<00:08:44.880>
and <00 - To Primary and Secondary Education: House Bills 243, 250, 253, 257, 260, and 277.
- To Primary and Secondary Education: House Bills 243, 250, 253, 257, 260, and 277.
education, To primary and secondary education, To primary and secondary education, House<00:24
Keywords:
Video Starts 00:00
Convene 07:18
Calendar/Second Readings 12:04
Report of Committees 12:31
Motions, Petitions, and Communications 13:30
Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 16:50
Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 20:44
ConC and Rules Report 23:01
Adjournment 25:50, 958, all
Summary:
The House convened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum with 95 members present. Members approved excusing absences, suspended rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications, and approved the journal from January 14, 2026. The clerk reported second readings of House Bills 176, 184, and 265, and the Health Services Committee reported favorably on House Bills 178 and 280, as well as House Joint Resolution 24, which would direct the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to withdraw a previously submitted 1115A waiver application for a mandatory community engagement program; those measures were advanced to first reading and placed on the calendar.
During announcements, members noted a KPA breakfast the next morning, a House Committee on Local Government meeting cancellation, a POB meeting after adjournment, a “Bags of Hope” service project for children in foster care, an open house for higher education leaders, and a Legislative Oversight and Investigation Committee meeting after adjournment. The House then received a large batch of new bill and resolution introductions covering school bus safety, education, literacy funding, local public agency transactions, Alzheimer’s services, tax-dollar restrictions, curriculum, public holidays, trophy catfish, electric generating unit decommissioning costs, sexual offenses against children, fertility treatment, medicinal cannabis, workers’ compensation, occupational license fees, pension supplemental payments, certificate of need, end-of-life patient-directed care, risk protection orders, affordable housing, physician continuing medical education, constitutional term limits for governor and lieutenant governor, jail booking procedures, educators, farmland preservation loans, domestic violence, and several resolutions including Burn Awareness Week, Profound Autism Day, and Suits and Sneakers Day.
The House recessed for a Committee on Committees meeting, then received the committee’s report assigning numerous bills to standing committees and making several membership changes, including appointing Representatives Burke, Gentry, and Camuel to specified committees and removing Representatives Gentry, Watkins, and Stevenson from others. No floor amendments were introduced. The House then adjourned by unanimous consent until 9:00 a.m. Friday, January 16, 2026.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Mar 26th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- So the next question I have is this only for primary or secondary offenses? The primary offense.
- Is current law primary or secondary offense? Primary. Okay. Any further questions?
- The impact financially on the state, our insurance rates, and our primary caregivers...
- If I may... If I may, just one more thing.
- And there... criteria for projects that may be funded by this association. And that is the bill.
Summary:
The committee first reviewed the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget proposal for transportation, tourism, and economic development, which totals about $18 billion and includes major funding for the Department of Transportation work program, Visit Florida, affordable housing, library/cultural/historical initiatives, National Guard tuition assistance, and Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles needs. Members approved staff technical adjustments and then adopted the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee.
The committee then heard and approved CS/SB 666, which creates a specialty license plate for the Miami Northwestern Alumni Association, with proceeds supporting scholarships and school academic, athletic, and arts programs. CS/SB 1318, the hands-free driving bill, drew extensive testimony from the sponsor, law enforcement, advocates, and victims’ families. Supporters argued it would create a clearer, easier-to-enforce prohibition on holding a wireless device while driving and help reduce crashes and deaths; some senators raised concerns about enforcement, privacy, and impacts on drivers with older vehicles, but the bill was reported favorably.
The committee also approved SB 1408, designating memorial highways for Tampa Police Officer Jesse Madsen and Charlotte County Sergeant Elio Diaz, and SB 1516, which would create the International Aerospace Innovation Fund administered by Space Florida to support partnerships between Florida and international aerospace companies. Both bills had supportive testimony and no opposition noted. The meeting ended with adjournment after the final votes.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Weldon, if I may. I was going to do that, so let me introduce my Mr. Weldon, if I may.
- It does like you. ...was not going to be my primary agenda.
- may have serious ramifications with this decision.'
- May I ask the closing question? Absolutely.
- And may God continue to bless y'all. Thank you. He does.
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.