Transcript Highlights:

• approval and then submit the scientific data that they believe indicates it's safer, or they can do the science
• in-house, not reveal the science to anyone, and not necessarily reveal the presence of the ingredient
• And I hope that as we move further, that we let the science dictate, not just the sounding of a substance
• That as we move further, that we let the science dictate, not just the sounding of sodium acid pyrophosphate
• Do these labeling requirements apply to— it says retailers—does it apply to farmers markets, farm stands

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Agriculture Committee met for its first 2026 meeting and took up a full agenda of bills focused on food safety, agricultural programs, consumer transparency, and farm-related policy. Early measures included S.592 on a youth and agriculture entrepreneurship summer employment program, which was reported to finance without opposition, and S.1239E, the Food Safety and Technical Disclosure Act, which would require disclosure of certain food ingredients to the state and public and also ban three substances outright. Senator Kavanaugh described the bill as closing a loophole in federal food safety law; Senator Borrello opposed it as a state-by-state approach that could raise costs and disrupt the supply chain, while Senator O’Rourke supported it as a science-based measure with available substitutes. The bill was reported back to the board with one no vote and one without recommendation. The committee also advanced S.1783A on liquefied petroleum/propane fee disclosures, with supporters saying it would prevent consumers from being charged for improper or hidden fees and opponents arguing it should not single out state-related charges; the bill moved to the board. S.4041, creating a sanitary retail food store grant program, was reported to finance. S.4162, relating to the Fresh Connect program and local produce purchases, prompted discussion about whether state resources should instead be concentrated on the Double Up Food Bucks program; sponsors said both programs are needed and that Double Up has capacity limits, and the bill was moved to finance. Later, the committee advanced S.6286A, establishing an agricultural tax viability pilot program tied to agrivoltaics; supporters said it would address a need raised in recent hearings and work with farm groups, while Senator Borrello voted no. The final bill, S.7618 on food safety and quality date label requirements, drew debate over whether New York should act without a federal standard and whether the bill could create confusion or unintended costs, especially for dairy and other perishables. Supporters said the bill would reduce food waste and simplify the many existing date labels without forcing new labeling on those who do not already use it; members also discussed refrigeration references in the bill, and the sponsor said the language could be adjusted. The committee then adjourned and announced that future meetings will be held on the third floor in the new location.

Transcript Highlights:

• communities, I was like I hate computer science, but computers...
• I hate computer science, but computers are moving.
• But do I stop it because I hate computer science? I know it's moving.
• So from 7th to 12th grade, this would apply to you.
• Um, really wouldn't apply to you if you're in fifth grade because you don't have or you don't really

Bills: SB311, SB322, SB304, SB313, SB315, SB316, HB489, SB90

Keywords: electric transmission, public highways, permit processing, economic growth, infrastructure, rural development, condemnation actions, state regulations, community development district, CDD, annexation, municipal annexation, wet municipality, dry county, wet county, Sunday alcohol sales, ABC Board, alcohol licensing, on-premises consumption, golf course

Transcript Highlights:

• Almost 50,000 high school seniors in Texas have applied to go to Texas State University.
• We'll offer job credentials that can be applied immediately in the workforce and be utilized as on-ramps
• This session, we're seeking funding to further expand our forensic science program, which is internationally
• Also important, we seek support to build a science and engineering technology complex to address the
• Rural Texas is especially at risk as strong science on water availability, recharge, and projections

Transcript Highlights:

• Almost 50,000 high school seniors in Texas have applied. go to Texas State University.
• We'll offer job credentials that can be applied immediately in the workforce and be utilized as. on ramps
• This session, we're seeking funding to further expand our forensic science program, which is internationally
• Also important, we seek support to build a science and engineering technology complex to address the
• Rural Texas is especially at risk as strong science on water availability, recharge, and projections

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But do those numbers impact your ability to apply for funds or raise the necessary funds?
• This includes a lot of flood science and data collection.
• As a result, almost all Texas projects that have applied for funding were selected.
• As a result, almost all Texas projects that have applied for funding were selected.
• And so it's a pretty logical step for them to then apply for fifth financial assistance.

Summary: The House Committee on Natural Resources met to focus on flooding issues across Texas, with particular attention to South Texas and the recent catastrophic flooding in Central Texas. Chair Harris and Vice Chair Martinez emphasized that flooding is a statewide problem requiring continued legislative attention. The committee heard invited testimony from Hidalgo County Commissioner David Fuentes and Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 General Manager Raul Sassine, who described the March flood event in Hidalgo County, including more than 20 inches of rain, six deaths, over $100 million in local damage, widespread road flooding, and repeated shutdowns of Interstate 2 and its frontage roads. They argued that existing drainage systems are under capacity, that TxDOT projects must account for downstream drainage impacts, and that local governments have already invested heavily in mitigation through bonds and partnerships. Fuentes and Sassine also described the county’s long-term flood mitigation and water-reuse efforts, including the Delta region water management project, which would capture stormwater, runoff, and treated effluent, reduce flooding, and create potable water supply. They said the drainage district manages about 780 miles of channels and 1,100 acres of detention facilities, has used prior Flood Infrastructure Fund and GLO grants, and has ongoing applications for additional state and federal assistance. Members discussed the need for TxDOT coordination, emergency access on frontage roads, local “skin in the game,” and the possibility of combining flood control with aquifer recharge and water supply projects. Texas Water Development Board Executive Administrator Brian McMath then presented an overview of the state’s flood planning and funding framework, including the post-Harvey legislative changes that created the Flood Infrastructure Fund, the Texas Infrastructure Resiliency Fund, and the regional/state flood planning process. He summarized the first state flood plan adopted in 2024, noting that about one in six Texans live or work in known flood hazard areas and that regional plans identified 4,609 flood risk reduction solutions with an estimated cost of $54.5 billion. He also reviewed TWDB programs for flood grants, community assistance, flood insurance compliance, stream gauges, TexMesonet, flood mapping, and the TexasFlood.org viewer. Members asked about drainage fees, technical assistance, gauge placement, the relationship between flood maps and FEMA FIRMs, and whether flood mitigation funds could support aquifer storage and recovery or recharge projects; TWDB staff said such projects can be eligible if they include flood mitigation components, but direct technical assistance cannot be paid from Flood Infrastructure Fund dollars. The committee concluded by expressing interest in further study of combining flood mitigation with aquifer recharge, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• , there's National Science Foundation, there's National Science Foundation, National<00:26:10.720
• University of Wyoming has a very shiny science lab.
• University of Wyoming has a very shiny science lab.
• science lab. science lab.
• <00:31:30.800> lab that I'm referring to the science lab that I'm referring to the science

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If a property owner applied for property tax refunds under current law prior to September 15, 2026, any
• And then if any property owner applied for property tax refunds under current law after September 15,
• <00:01:50.160> for Um, if a property owner applied for Um, if a property owner applied for
• And then if any property owner applied And then if any property owner applied for<00:02:04.040><
• You know, the Science Museum in St. Paul is struggling to get by.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 4906, adopted the H4906A1 amendment, and heard a staff explanation that the bill would create a one-time property tax refund in calendar year 2026 for residential homesteads and the house/garage/1-acre portion of agricultural homesteads. As amended, the bill would appropriate $4 billion in fiscal year 2027, distribute payments based on 2026 property tax due, include a clawback for delinquent taxpayers, and coordinate with existing property tax refund programs so recipients would not receive more than they paid in taxes. House Research also discussed a disagreement with the Department of Revenue over whether the refund would be taxable federally, with House Research suggesting it would likely be treated as a non-taxable recovery of prior taxes. Public testimony was largely opposed. Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota argued the proposal was too large, would create a deficit and force future service cuts, and would disproportionately benefit higher-income homeowners. Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project said the bill would create a major budget hole, threaten funding for health care, food support, schools, and other services, and exclude renters and lower-income Minnesotans. Members echoed those concerns, citing impacts on public safety, rural EMS, hospitals, education funding, and equity, while noting that renters and many seniors would receive nothing. Representative Howard questioned whether the bill was a cautious use of state resources, and Representative Norris said it missed the mark for struggling renters. Chair Davids defended the concept as a way to put money back in people’s pockets and said the proposal was scalable and intended to start a discussion. Representative Wiener strongly supported the bill, saying many homeowners and farmers in his district are not wealthy and need relief from property taxes; he said the bill should be even bigger. No vote on final passage was taken in the portion of the meeting provided, and the committee moved on after testimony and member discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• So our proposal is to have the penalty apply if you're not complying with those standards, 1, and then
• Where we would suggest having the penalty apply. Are you in compliance with the standards? Yes, no.
• If no, penalty should apply. Thank you. Thank you for your testimony, Mr. Ryan.
• I hold a master's degree in library sciences.
• It's so vague that it could apply to a book that depicts something as innocent as kissing.

Bills: HB 45, HB 755, HB 1232, HB 1555, HB 2460, HB 2702, HB 2973, HB 3120, HB 3225, HB 3314, HB 3356, HB 3371, HB 3634, HB 3638, HB 4247, HB 4283, HB 4290, HB 4302, HB 4503, HB 4511, HB 4565, HB 4581, HB 4627, HB 4632, HB 4660, HB 4668, HB 4960, HB 5042

Keywords: housing, affordable housing, rent control, landlord-tenant laws, housing rights, lobbying, public entities, expenditures, government code, transparency, Texas Ethics Commission, government regulation, lobbying restrictions, government accountability, taxpayer money, HB 1232, whistleblower, whistleblower protection, public employee, retaliation

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not rocket science, and I don't know what—like, I urge you to use the power of your positions to
• All of these are energy. climate tech, life science, advanced manufacturing, AI.
• Two years ago, Boston University completed the Center for Computing and Data Sciences.
• And I apologize if I mispronounced that last... statute applies to them.
• Additionally, we hope that Section 21 will not apply to municipal aggregation programs.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on H. 4144, the Governor’s Energy Affordability, Independence, and Innovation Act, with the administration arguing the bill would lower bills in the short and long term while expanding clean energy supply and innovation. The Governor and Secretary said the bill would reduce or restructure charges on customer bills, reform Mass Save, expand securitization as a financing tool, speed interconnection, create energy-ready zones, strengthen consumer protections in competitive supply, and allow broader state procurement of energy resources. They said the package could save consumers billions over time and would help address high energy costs, especially during extreme heat and winter spikes. Committee members pressed the administration on several provisions, especially securitization, asking whether the bill requires an apples-to-apples comparison of total costs over time, including interest and lost tax revenue, versus paying through rates. Administration witnesses said DPU review and public comment would be required and said they would work to clarify the language if needed. Members also questioned the bill’s solar and procurement provisions, including reduced net metering compensation for some large facilities, the scope of all-resource procurements, and whether hydro, solar, and nuclear would be included; the administration said those resources were contemplated and that procurement would still be reviewed by DPU. Other questions focused on the short-term relief from bill changes, the treatment of low- and moderate-income discounts, and whether the bill’s heat pump and Mass Save reforms would help customers who cannot afford upfront costs. Several witnesses and committee members discussed Mass Save reforms, including securitization of program costs, on-bill financing, pre-approval of rebates, and shifting program administration away from gas utilities. Administration witnesses said the changes were intended to reduce volatility, lower administrative costs, and better align costs with long-term savings. Questions also touched on geothermal permitting, municipal participation in offshore wind procurement, and the proposed repeal of the ballot requirement for nuclear power, which the administration defended as preserving future options under heavy review. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described. Supportive testimony came from labor, environmental, business, planning, and development groups. The AFL-CIO, NECA, and the Environmental League of Massachusetts backed the bill, emphasizing lower bills, job creation, labor standards, just transition protections, and cleaner energy. NAIOP, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, and MAPC supported provisions on energy-ready zones, interconnection reform, microgrids, extreme-heat shutoff protections, and Mass Save improvements. A HEET representative praised the bill’s use of securitization, geothermal, and utility financing tools but urged guardrails and workforce protections. Overall, testimony was broadly favorable, with most witnesses calling for refinements rather than opposing the bill outright.

Transcript Highlights:

• Australia also blocks on species, you know, fake science grounds the export of fresh and frozen U.S.
• A few years ago, we passed the Chips and Science Act.
• Thank you, thank you the people who voted for the Chips in Science Act in the past administration.
• You are applying tariffs, too.
• to apply for a White House exclusion?

Keywords: tariffs, Trump administration, economy, public testimony, trade policy, market access, export controls

Summary: The meeting focused on various significant topics concerning the recent tariff policies and their wide-ranging implications on the American economy. Members expressed their concerns regarding the negative impact of increased tariffs as proposed by the Trump administration, with specific emphasis on how families might suffer from higher costs and market access issues. The discussion was lively, with members questioning the clarity of the tariff plan and raising concerns about its potential effects on small businesses and American exports.

Transcript Highlights:

• science important in supporting science important in supporting and<01:28:47.920> getting<01:28
• wisely and follow the best science wisely and follow the best science possible<03:00:56.800>
• <03:21:28.560> behind the innovation and the science behind the innovation and the science
• <04:42:07.360> to this whole thing doesn't apply to this whole thing doesn't apply to nursing
• But it does actually apply.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We would love to see some clarification in specifically 10-5-14, applying that if it is not handled by
• I mean this is all done with mathematical formulas that were never meant to be applied to analyzing a
• If you'll draw from like when we all took elementary science, it goes kingdom, yum.
• We want a round table conversation of what the science could be, what the science is, and what it should
• That's why we dropped row and we're like, this is what it is, this is what the science is, and we're

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• haven't been applying it over the past several<00:07:55.120> years.
• <00:21:31.679> backs that we do not feel the science backs that we do not feel the science
• I'm also currently applying to with it.
• We're trying to make as much relaxation as we can based on the science.
• We're trying to make as much relaxation as we can based on the science.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee met on October 14, approved the minutes, and then took up a large group of staff-suggested amendments to multiple regulations. Those staff amendments were approved without objection and were described as technical changes needed to comply with KRS Chapter 13A and other governing law. The committee then moved out of order to consider Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure regulation 2011 KAR 9:270, which governs buprenorphine prescribing and related standards. Board representatives said the regulation has been updated over time since 2015 and that the current amendments are intended to streamline the rule, remove outdated federal references such as the X-waiver, narrow education requirements to addiction-related topics, and create exceptions for settings like emergency rooms and certain pain treatment situations. The agency amendment would also allow buprenorphine monoproduct for up to 30 days when a patient is transitioning from a full opioid agonist, and would add physicians certified in addiction medicine as eligible specialty consultants. Board officials said the regulation was developed through a two-year process with a work group, informal outreach to medical organizations, and multiple comment periods, and they argued the rule is working because overdose deaths have declined and provider numbers have increased. Several witnesses and committee members raised concerns that the regulation remains too restrictive. Senator Rocky Adams noted that major medical organizations had said the proposed language could restrict access and worsen overdose risk, and he questioned whether the committee was being asked to choose between conflicting expert views. Opponents, including a medical student, a recovery advocate, and Dr. Colleen Ryan of the Kentucky Society of Addiction Medicine, argued the rule is outdated, creates unnecessary barriers to buprenorphine treatment, and should be repealed or substantially revised to align with federal guidance and evidence-based care. They said rigid requirements can discourage treatment and that addiction should be treated like other chronic illnesses. No final vote on the medical licensure regulation is reflected in the transcript excerpt, and the discussion ended with the chair preparing to hear from additional opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• the reality is that there is no science the reality is that there is no science behind<00:30:40.640
• If you like it, you apply a low discount rate. If you dislike it, you apply a high discount rate.
• like it, you apply a low discount rate. like it, you apply a low discount rate.
• So the key is the generator must apply.
• <01:38:40.080> and titans of the house science and titans of the house science and technology

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The science is clear.
• To my colleague's point, I want to bring science into this.
• I oppose this based on science and the broad definition.
• Bipartisan, common sense, and science-based.
• to cancer, that are linked by our best science to neurobehavioral harms.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Science doesn't care about politics.
• Science doesn't care about politics.
• The new policy, she says, is rooted in common sense, facts, and science.
• This is not rocket science.
• This is not rocket science.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We are not applying this ban to any legalized CBD or CBG.
• They want to apply testing.
• It's the sneaky science, and I'll promise you.
• It doesn't apply because that's not lobbying.
• I don't think that exception would apply.

Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB 5, SB 11, SB 12

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• This does not apply to certificates or resolutions, which may be requested any time.
• Unanimous consent for the reader to read the certificate for Family and Consumer Sciences Day.
• And whereas family and consumer sciences includes... ...rapidly changing world.
• Home ec teachers who are now our consumer sciences educators are Dr.
• He comes... ...the University of New Mexico studying political science and Arabic.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in environmental sciences.
• We have one of the top environmental science programs in the country.
• <00:06:23.280> We<00:06:23.520> are science programs in the country.
• We are science programs in the country.
• , and they do the nature, and the science, and they do it<00:20:01.600> together.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• within a certain time window who applies within a certain time window to<00:27:40.320> ensure
• science.
• science, physics, construction, and computer science all within the top 10.
• Chair recommends to apply retroactively to the 2025 tax year.
• Chair recommends applying it retroactively to the 2025 tax year.

Bills: HB1813, HB2429, HB2423, HB1996, HB1851, HB2546, HB2028, HB2583, HB2490, HB2545, HB2114, HB1859, HB2534, HB2474, HB1863, HB2475

Keywords: taxation, general excise tax, use tax, exemptions, Hawaii Revised Statutes, tax expenditure, tax expenditure evaluation, tax credit review, tax incentive, tax exemption, use tax exemption, income tax credit, DBEDT, Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism, Department of Taxation, fiscal oversight, budget accountability, tax policy, revenue loss, public spending

Summary: The committee opened with HB 1813 on taxation and HB 2429 on tax expenditure evaluation, taking mostly written testimony and limited oral discussion. On HB 2429, the Tax Foundation and Department of Taxation raised privacy and federal-law concerns, warning that the bill could require taxpayers to file duplicative returns and could risk disclosure of federal tax information if released publicly. Members and witnesses discussed using anonymized or summary reporting instead of individual public release, with the department saying summarized data would be preferable and that the state can ask for the information as a policy matter, but individual public release could create problems. The committee then heard HB 2423 HD1 on biodiesel, where Pacific Biodiesel said it can supply all biodiesel needed for B5 in Hawaii without imports and asked to move the implementation date earlier to November 2027 to allow rollout planning. HB 1996 HB1 on hearing aids drew broad support; a disability access representative said earlier insurance-based efforts had run into administrative problems and that this bill would immediately lower costs for consumers. HB 1851 HD1, also related to hearing aids, received support from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, while the Tax Foundation argued the program would be better funded directly rather than through the tax system, citing overhead costs and blank provisions that should be filled in before passage. On HB 2546, the research activities tax credit, HCDC said the credit supports long-term R&D and should be converted from a first-come, first-served system to proration so more applicants receive some benefit; the agency described the credit as helping companies move from idea to commercialization and noted the state is leaving potential jobs and federal dollars on the table. HB 2028 HD1, relating to Labor Day for construction workers, drew support from labor representatives who said it recognizes construction workers and helps offset cost-of-living pressures, while the Tax Foundation opposed it as an industry-specific subsidy and flagged technical issues with undefined terms and blank credit amounts. The committee also heard HB 2583, HB 2490, HB 2545, HB 2114, and HB 1859 HD1. HB 2490, concerning coastal erosion at Mokuhiki Bay, received strong support from a temple representative who described severe shoreline loss, years of temporary emergency work, and the need for a long-term, nature-based solution in coordination with state agencies. HB 2545, involving HCDC and SBIR commercialization, was supported as a way to turn R&D into economic development; HCDC said it had more applications than it could fund and that the bill could help create high-wage jobs. HB 2114, the Hawaii Benefits Hub, received comments from ETS and DHS emphasizing support for the concept but cautioning that operational, policy, cybersecurity, and data-sharing standards must be carefully aligned. HB 1859 HD1 on workforce development drew strong support from workforce and philanthropic groups, who said Hawaii faces a long-term gap between projected living-wage jobs and the number of young people entering the workforce, and argued the bill would create durable infrastructure for coordination and long-term planning. No formal votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.