Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, may not replace instructional time.
• Presumably it makes it very clear it doesn't take up instructional time.
• We should recognize the importance of prayer and faith-based instruction for our youth and how prayer
• So I'm confident that the majority of this committee recognize the importance of faith-based instruction
• It does not take away instructional time.

Bills: SB 6, SB 11, SB 33

Keywords: electric power, interconnection, utilities, ERCOT, large load customers, water supply, sewer service, demand management, school prayer, Bible reading, religious text, public schools, Texas Education Code, student prayer, silent prayer, meditation, religious liberty, First Amendment, Establishment Clause, church and state

Transcript Highlights:

• Use of public address systems is prohibited, and the period may not replace instructional time.
• Presumably, it makes it very clear it doesn't take up instructional time.
• We should recognize the importance of prayer and faith-based instruction for our youth and how prayer
• So I'm glad that the majority of this committee recognizes the importance of faith-based instruction
• It does not take away instructional time; it simply allows parents to opt their children in or out of

Bills: SB6, SB11, SB33

Keywords: electric power, interconnection, utilities, ERCOT, large load customers, water supply, sewer service, demand management, school prayer, Bible reading, religious text, public schools, Texas Education Code, student prayer, silent prayer, meditation, religious liberty, First Amendment, Establishment Clause, church and state

Transcript Highlights:

• Enhance mobile and virtual service delivery approaches.
• How can we accommodate that leveraging technology and virtual after-hour service deliveries?
• Expanding access through virtual and mobile services, integrating Perkins, and strengthening CTN youth
• They must be at least eight weeks, but less than 15 weeks of instruction.
• CDL fits within the number of hours, but it doesn't fit within the number of instructional weeks.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Enhance mobile and virtual service delivery approaches.
• How can we accommodate that, leveraging technology and virtual after-hour service deliveries?
• Expanding access through virtual and mobile services, integrating Perkins, and strengthening CTN youth
• They must be at least eight weeks, but less than 15 weeks of instruction.
• CDL fits within the number of hours, but it doesn't fit within the number of instructional weeks.

Summary: The meeting focused on Arkansas’s proposed workforce system overhaul, including a combined WIOA/Perkins state plan and a package of federal waiver requests intended to consolidate workforce governance, reduce administrative costs, and redirect more funding to training and supportive services. Commerce officials said the plan would replace the current structure of 10 local workforce boards and more than 200 board members with a single statewide board and one administrative entity, while keeping local offices open and using regional business councils to preserve employer and local input. They said the state has already reduced Commerce headcount and operating costs, and that the changes would improve coordination with higher education, adult education, vocational rehabilitation, DHS, and Arkansas Industry Connect. Much of the discussion centered on the waiver package, especially the proposal to make the state board function as the local board, allow more flexible movement of funds across regions, eliminate the WIOA “last dollar” requirement for training and supportive services, create affiliate sites instead of requiring every area to maintain a comprehensive center, and relax the 14 youth program element requirement. Officials said the State Board of Workforce Development approved the waiver package 11-3 before it was submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor, and that implementation would begin only after federal approval and a closeout process, likely taking up to a year. They also described plans to streamline referrals and data sharing, expand mobile and virtual services, and use a more centralized model to improve customer service and employer engagement. Members raised repeated concerns about rural representation, local control, board composition, and whether jobs and relationships would be lost if local boards were eliminated. Commerce officials responded that local offices would remain open, some current staff could be rehired by the state, and regional business councils would help ensure local employer voice. Several members also questioned how the funding was being used, citing audit findings that only about $1.8 million to $1.9 million of roughly $14 million to $15 million in federal workforce funds had gone to training and supportive services. Officials said the reorganization could increase annual training spending to roughly $6 million to $7 million by reducing overhead, one-stop operator contracts, and board administration. The committee also discussed how the changes might support workforce training facilities, apprenticeships, child care and transportation assistance, and employer-driven training in fields such as manufacturing, health care, technology, and welding. The Division of Higher Education also briefed members on Workforce Pell. Officials explained that the new federal program would extend Pell eligibility to short-term programs, but only within narrow limits, such as 150 to 599 clock hours and 8 to 15 weeks of instruction, with additional completion and employment benchmarks. They said Arkansas is working with colleges and universities to identify programs that fit the criteria and that the governor has designated the Division of Higher Education to lead implementation. No votes were taken by the committee during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the legislative liaison for the Department of Public Instruction.
• It is a vendor and a contractor to the Department of Public Instruction.
• Not by the Department of Public Instruction.
• As to the superintendent of public instruction, simply put, the buck stops with her.
• The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is a constitutional office.

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• OUR INSTRUCTIONS TO THE DISTRICT IN THE MEMO WE ASKED THEM TO CROSSCHECK THE STUDENT FILES THAT WERE
• ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS WE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO GET IS THERE STUDENT NUMBER AS WELL AS WHERE THEY HAVE
• SCHOOL DISTRICT HERE TO ANSWER THE QUESTION BUT THAT NUMBER MIGHT JUST BE A FICTITIOUS SCHOOL OR A VIRTUAL
• BE EITHER THERAPY RELATED AND REQUIRED THROUGH THEIR THERAPIST OR PART OF THEIR CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL
• SO THEY KIND OF CONSIDER THAT PART OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS INCLUDED, PROVIDE THEM WITH THEIR UNIQUE

Transcript Highlights:

• Peter or Jennifer, are you with us virtually? Okay.
• Brita Lundberg, are you with us virtually? I am with you virtually. Okay. The floor is yours.
• Chris, are you with us virtually?
• How about virtually Tatyana Begalt? Virtually. Tatiana Begalt? All right. Virtually, Moret El...
• I think we have one more person virtually. Is Rick Johnson there?

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on several public safety bills, with testimony first on S.2681, Colby’s Law, which would establish safety standards for BMX and motocross tracks. Supporters, including the family of a child killed at a track, argued the bill is needed because some tracks lack basic protections such as barriers, emergency plans, on-site medical staff, and adequate track maintenance. A motocross track representative opposed the bill as overregulation that could impose major costs and argued existing safety efforts and voluntary safety committees are preferable. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee also heard testimony on S.2680, which would expand emergency preparedness requirements around aging nuclear power plants and nuclear waste sites from a 10-mile to a 50-mile radius. Supporters from Cape Cod Downwinders, Massachusetts Peace Action, physicians, and other advocates said current law is outdated and insufficient, citing risks from radioactive waste storage, limited federal oversight, and the need for broader evacuation and emergency planning. Testifiers urged the bill’s passage, and no action was taken. A major portion of the hearing focused on the Protect Act, H.5158, dealing with limits on cooperation between state/local agencies and federal civil immigration enforcement. Sheriffs testified about how ICE detainers and notification requests work in practice, emphasizing discretion, public safety, and the difference between sentenced prisoners and pretrial detainees. Supporters from labor, education, and health care groups said immigrant communities are living in fear and asked for stronger protections, including bans on 287(g) agreements and clearer limits on ICE activity in schools, hospitals, and other sensitive locations. The hearing also included testimony on H.4697 regarding training and certification of constables and civil deputy sheriffs, with the Hampshire County sheriff saying sheriffs are already working with POST and MPTC on training standards and that the bill may be duplicative.

Transcript Highlights:

• Instructional and staying the same.
• impact of excellent instruction impact of excellent instruction delivered<02:29:57.120> daily
• instruction.
• effectively differentiate instruction effectively differentiate instruction and<02:31:29.840>
• <03:29:59.520> So, highquality instructional staff. So, highquality instructional staff.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• instruction, the teacher could try to take it away from them.
• And that's instruction in the classroom.
• House bill history accurate instruction.
• <02:35:09.680> We signed on virtually for the call. We signed on virtually for the call.
• <02:35:14.280> at forward to seeing everybody virtually at forward to seeing everybody virtually

Keywords: House streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 129 members present, read the prior journal, and then took up a series of third-reading bills. Early action included unanimous passage of HB 159 (mail theft), HB 412 (child support and driver’s license suspension), HB 912 (trap-neuter-return policies for community cats), HB 914 (Worcester County Board of License Commissioners membership), HB 558 (Prince George’s County wine festival licenses), HB 1400 (shellfish aquaculture penalties), and HB 1463 (Anne Arundel County Board of Education constituent services liaison). HB 582, dealing with Prince George’s County alcoholic beverages licenses and voter registration requirements, drew brief debate over whether it removed or retained a voter registration condition; it ultimately passed 119-12. HB 846, a property tax exemption for the Hagerstown multi-use sports and events facility, passed 126-7 after a system delay interrupted proceedings. Several bills prompted more substantive discussion. HB 1218, the Safe and Healthy Homes for All Act, drew opposing explanations over a proposed public registry of properties with housing violations; supporters said it would help identify serious housing problems and improve compliance, while opponents objected to publicly naming private properties based on administrative findings. It passed 99-36. HB 525, the Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act, passed 135-1 after questions about enforcement, with supporters comparing it to ordinary classroom discipline. HB 1483, allowing out-of-state clinical professional counseling and social work providers to use telehealth for continuity of care, passed 135-0 after clarification that it applies to people moving into Maryland and allows a six-month continuity period. HB 1504, the Pedestrian Safety Act, passed unanimously. Later, HB 664 (Cecil County alcoholic beverages license quota) passed 134-1, and HB 837 (cardiovascular pre-screening for student athletic activities) passed 133-2 after the sponsor explained that reporting requirements were removed for cost reasons and the bill now mainly requires screening questions. HB 925, regulating PFAS in sewage sludge applied to farmland, generated the most extended debate: one delegate argued the bill’s limits were too weak and lacked liability for industry actors, while supporters said it establishes the first limits, requires wastewater treatment plants to reduce PFAS, and leaves room for future tightening; it passed 130-7. HB 1370, authorizing a pilot stop-sign monitoring program in Rising Sun, passed 109-26. HB 649, expanding Maryland Commission on Civil Rights enforcement to higher education discrimination claims, passed 100-35 after supporters said current protections are stronger for K-12 than for colleges. The House also passed HB 512 on compensation for Anne Arundel County license commissioners and inspectors, and the session continued into HB 661 on commemorative months.

Transcript Highlights:

• What features they used to assist them and no and no work, forest flow, educational and a instruction
• Essential mentioned numerous times the. >> The translators. >> Have we looked into like a virtual model
• Starting with the virtual remote interpreting that was a priority of the court system before the pandemic
• know there's a need and then the individual can go in the interpreting input on the headsets and be virtually
• The the pandemic happened and zoom really became a de facto way to have virtual remote interpreting and

Transcript Highlights:

• ...Medicaid, or Tricare filing is the typical and normal process, and what we have always been instructed
• Yes, virtually. We've done a lot of work on this. The 100% is virtually never paid.
• So, SB57, which is the virtual parole bill, I'm going to carry that over unless the committee wants to
• This would just give them the ability to attend as well as the victims virtually. Okay. All right.

Bills: SB210, SB225, HB280, HB287, HB94, HB88, SB157, HB7, HB8, HB42

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, blood tests, DUI, law enforcement, traffic offenses, chemical analysis, public nuisance, event liability, local government, community health, legal action, transparency, reporting, public safety, regulation, accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't mean that it can't be virtual, too.
• About 30% of our instruction is occurring online; that's the reality, and that asynchronous learning
• It doesn't mean that it can't be virtual, too.
• About 30% of our instruction is occurring online; that's the reality, and that asynchronous learning
• I will note also that Great Bay, which has primary location at Pease and an instructional location at

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was the first session of a newly created House Education Funding Committee, which also handles career technical education and higher education legislation. The chair explained that the committee was split off from the larger education committee because of the high volume of bills in the prior biennium, and said its focus would be on education funding policy and related fiscal issues. He noted that the committee had already reviewed major topics with the Department of Education, including the foundation formula, building aid, career technical education, special education aid, catastrophic aid, and higher education funding, and that chancellors from the university and community college systems were scheduled to appear later that morning. The bulk of the meeting was an orientation on committee procedures and decorum. The chair reviewed attendance and replacement rules, hearing procedures, time limits for testimony, and how the committee would handle crowded hearings, early bills, and fiscal notes. He emphasized that hearings are not debates, that sponsors and co-sponsors may present but should not use their position to dominate questioning, and that the chair controls whether additional technical questions are asked of witnesses. He also stressed neutrality, saying members should not display buttons or placards or engage in running debates with testifiers, and that the committee should treat all testimony respectfully regardless of party or viewpoint. Additional housekeeping guidance covered security procedures, use of cell phones and computers during hearings, breaks and hydration in the dry hearing rooms, and courtesy toward the clerk and other staff. The chair also asked members to notify leadership in advance of absences and explained that some bills may require larger rooms or overflow arrangements. No votes were taken and no bills were acted on during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• AVAILABILITY INSIDE THE MARKET BUT PREDICTABILITY AND RELIABILITY IMPROVED INVESTMENTS AND GENERATION OF INSTRUCTION
• DISTRIBUTION PLANNING ADVANCE PLANNING PROCESS ALLOWS US TO RUN MILLIONS OF CIRCUIT SIMULATIONS AND CREATE A VIRTUAL
• OUR CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS SUPPORTED BY AI HELP ENABLE VIRTUAL CARE AND EXTEND THE MEDICAL SUPPORT TO
• AT&T HELPS HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS DELIVER HEALTHCARE VIRTUALLY ANYWHERE IN AMERICA.

Transcript Highlights:

• Justice has spent seven years overseas leading teams to combat what the Department of Justice calls virtual
• can actually protect children. for continuing to work on these issues to protect children in the virtual
• space and to rid the virtual space of CSAM.
• Is so instructive in this regard. Thank you for being willing to be here and to share it with us.

Keywords: Stop CSAM Act, child exploitation, online safety, reporting requirements, tech accountability, NCMEC, survivor support, legislative testimony

Summary: The committee meeting centered around the urgent need to address child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online, focusing primarily on the testimony and discussions surrounding the Stop CSAM Act. Several witnesses, including representatives from law enforcement and advocacy organizations, highlighted the significant drop in reports of child exploitation cases despite an alarming increase in actual incidents. Concerns were raised about tech companies' reporting practices, with calls for more stringent requirements to ensure timely and accurate reporting of suspected abuse. The legislation aims to fortify protections for child victims by imposing stricter obligations on tech platforms to report incidents and support law enforcement in investigations.

Bills: HB6, HB27, HB 123, HB210, HB213, HB222, HB610, HB 1085, HB1481, HB6, HB27, HB123, HB210, HB213, HB222

Keywords: mental health, telehealth, public schools, discipline management, behavioral interventions, financial literacy, high school education, curriculum requirements, economics, personal finance, HB 123, kindergarten readiness, early literacy, early numeracy, reading screening, math screening, foundational literacy, foundational numeracy, dyslexia screening, reading intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• Superintendent of Public Instruction. Superintendent of Public Instruction.
• And so as instruction in the classroom.
• education instruction time. education instruction time.
• The superintendent of public instruction The superintendent of public instruction has<03:19:19.280
• the Superintendent of Public Instruction the Superintendent of Public Instruction who<03:19:34.040

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Both virtual assets and funds held by financial institutions exist in a non-physical form, making it
• Little: ...because I don't practice this, I want to know - it calls for a court instruction based on.
• Little: And my question to you is, is that a common jury instruction for a judge in a criminal case to
• And so I don't think that a special instruction for in-custody defendants is a bad thing because again
• There was a very specific jury instruction issue.

Bills: HB200

Keywords: HB 200, emergency communication, backup communications, satellite phone, portable satellite equipment, radio, floodplain, 100-year floodplain, FEMA, natural disaster, disaster preparedness, emergency preparedness, vulnerable populations, children, elderly, seniors, people with disabilities, care facilities, residential care, assisted living

Transcript Highlights:

• Both virtual assets and funds held by financial institutions exist in a non-physical form, making it
• In a way, there was no virtual access, no public access to these types of hearings.
• I'm going to ask you another question about Section 6, the jury instruction, because I practice this.
• I want to note it calls for a court instruction based on... ...on the court is invading the province
• And so I don't think that a special instruction for in-custody defense is a bad thing. ...because again

Bills: HB285, HB795, HB1795, HB1871, HB2407, HB2461, HB2695, HB3507, HB4911, HB200

Keywords: animal cruelty, nonlivestock, prosecution, veterinary defense, animal welfare, aggravated assault, penal code, public servant, deadly weapon, mass shooting, Penal Code, penalties, felony, Texas Penal Code, felony enhancement, first-degree felony, second-degree felony, violent crime, assault punishment, serious bodily injury

Transcript Highlights:

• As interest in release time for religious instruction grows across our state, legislation is needed to
• What are those numbers of actual instructional time? Yes, if you know off the top of your head.
• I think it's 75,000 instructional days or instructional hours for the year in which they're supposed
• to be provided instruction of some sort.
• during a non-essential instruction time.

Summary: The committee heard several education bills, with most of the discussion focused on Senate Bill 1835, Senate Bill 784, Senate Bill 1049, Senate Bill 2942, and Senate Bill 2928. SB 1835 would raise from 5% to 20% the cap on nonresident students who can receive resident tuition and fees through competitive scholarships at certain regional universities in slower-growing workforce development areas, provided the schools have capacity as determined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Supporters, including West Texas A&M University, said the bill would help fill underused capacity, attract students who may stay and work in Texas, and support regional workforce needs. SB 784 would strengthen a prior law allowing peace officers’ children to transfer between public school districts for safety reasons by requiring both districts’ approval, making clear that districts of innovation are not exempt, and prohibiting tuition charges. SB 1049 would require districts and open-enrollment charters to excuse students, at a parent’s request, for religious release-time instruction for up to one hour per day and five hours per week; witnesses said the program is constitutional, voluntary, and already operating in other states and some Texas districts. Each of these bills was left pending after testimony, with no public witnesses opposing them. SB 2942 would expand and adjust the state’s adult charter high school pilot program. Senator Creighton said the bill is intended to help the estimated 7 million Texas adults without a high school diploma by removing barriers to expansion, aligning legal protections with ISDs, changing TEA’s disapproval window for expansion amendments to a 30-day period after receipt, and updating funding to reflect part-year attendance. A committee substitute kept the upper enrollment age at 50 and removed a proposed testing change. Testimony from New Heights students and leadership described the program as life-changing, emphasizing that it combines diplomas with career credentials, childcare, transportation, and other supports to help adults stabilize their families and enter better-paying work. TEA witnesses explained the expansion process and said adult charter schools are overseen by the commissioner rather than the SBOE. The committee substitute was adopted, public testimony closed, and the bill was left pending. SB 2928 would set a uniform school start date for public school districts at the third Wednesday in August, while preserving existing district-of-innovation flexibility for current DOI districts and allowing year-round systems to continue. Senator Creighton argued the bill would reduce the patchwork created by DOI exemptions, support students and families, and preserve summer employment and tourism revenue. A committee substitute was adopted. Testimony came largely from tourism, hospitality, and recreation interests, including hotel, water park, zoo, chamber of commerce, and camp representatives, who said later start dates would extend the summer travel season, improve staffing and revenue, and give students more opportunities for summer jobs and camps. Several witnesses cited large economic impacts from tourism and said early school starts reduce August business. Some senators raised concerns about charter schools being excluded and about year-round calendars, but the bill was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is, in fact, what prompted our... of Superintendent of Public Instruction, which is also a statewide
• Millions of our children are hindered in a Achieving literacy by lack of adequate instruction.
• My passion is to ensure that every child with dyslexia receives proper instruction.
• Two years later, we were still. still half virtual and we still weren't fully operating.
• got vouchers, which will be a third lane, and then if Betancourt's bill passes, that's going to be virtual

Bills: HB3, HB3

Keywords: education savings account, educational expenses, certified educational assistance organization, school choice, funding, special education, tuition reimbursement, emergency communication, public safety, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, grant program, emergency communications, public safety radio, first responders, radio system, dispatch, 911, emergency management, Texas Division of Emergency Management