Transcript Highlights:

• This includes a pathway for biodegradable and soluble material.
• With microbeads, polyethylene was the main material used, and...
• Polyethylene was the main material used, and this can be replaced with an abrasive function.
• fill in the gaps by ensuring more demand for that recycled material that is collected.
• Motion is due pass as amended to Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. Chair voting aye.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of natural resources and related bills, with several measures taken up as the committee reached quorum and many others moving on consent or with due-pass recommendations. Early items included AB 80 on carpet recycling, AB 452 creating a local process for state surf reserves, and AB 823 restricting microplastics in personal care and cleaning products. AB 80 drew broad support from recycling, labor, and environmental groups and was described as a follow-up to earlier carpet recycling reforms. AB 452 was backed by surf, tourism, environmental, and local government interests as a voluntary, community-driven way to recognize and protect surf breaks. AB 823 generated the most extensive debate, with supporters citing public health and environmental harms from microplastics and opponents warning the bill’s language could sweep in products such as sunscreens, cosmetics, and fragrance-encapsulation materials; the committee discussed possible ambiguity and EU comparisons before voting the bill out on a due-pass-as-amended basis to Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. The committee also advanced AB 1046, which would create a narrow exemption from SB 1383 organic-waste requirements for certain crop preparers and tree nut processors that do not send organic waste to landfills. Agricultural witnesses said the bill would clarify that their operations already reuse byproducts and should not face duplicative reporting, and the measure passed with support from agricultural and rural county representatives. AB 252, the “Stop Laying Off Firefighters Act,” proposed year-round Cal Fire staffing; the author and Cal Fire supporters argued that wildfire conditions are now year-round and that maintaining trained crews would improve response and prevention, and the bill was sent to Appropriations. AB 571, a targeted CEQA exemption for the Southern California Veterans Cemetery in Anaheim, drew strong bipartisan and veterans’ support and also passed out. Later, the committee approved AB 1455, which would authorize emergency rulemaking and streamline future updates for ember-resistant building regulations after recent wildfire emergencies, and AB 687, which would let public agencies use forest-practice rules and timber-harvest plans for certain publicly funded fuel-reduction projects; AB 687 drew some opposition over scope and enforceability concerns but was still advanced. The committee also moved AB 652, allowing alternate members on the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District board to prevent quorum problems, and AB 317, a first-time homebuyer housing bill that would exempt certain small, lower-cost homes from CEQA and defer some property taxes; AB 317 prompted discussion about guardrails to avoid unintended use on larger subdivisions. Finally, AB 900, requiring the Natural Resources Agency to develop a stewardship plan for 30-by-30 lands, was heard with broad support from land trusts and conservation groups and advanced on a due-pass recommendation, and AB 738, a wildfire-rebuild bill easing solar requirements for certain disaster survivors, was introduced and discussed with questions about its narrow scope and the number of homes affected.

Transcript Highlights:

• practitioners, cooperatives, and in-based programs, and adopt state building codes for hemp-based materials
• practitioners, cooperatives, and in-based programs, and adopt state building codes for hemp-based materials
• <00:30:51.760> So things that are materially amended.
• So things that are materially amended.
• <00:33:47.120> to<00:33:47.360> its law that is material to its law that is material

Bills: SB2178

Keywords: industrial hemp, Hawaii, agriculture, sustainability, Native Hawaiian practices, regulation, cultural stewardship, economic development, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SP 2178, which would create an industrial hemp program in the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, establish an advisory board, support research through the University of Hawaii, and promote hemp-based materials and partnerships with Native Hawaiian practitioners and cooperatives. Testimony was generally supportive from industry, Native Hawaiian advocates, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the department, with supporters emphasizing economic opportunity, community-based development, and potential uses such as hempcrete and fiber products. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity also said it supported the intent, but its representative explained that the bill would require additional staffing and resources for education, monitoring, testing, and enforcement. Members raised concerns about overlapping regulation with USDA hemp licensing and the cost of new positions; the department estimated three additional positions at about $80,000 each and noted current federal licensing does not charge fees. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including removing state licensing requirements to avoid duplication with USDA authority, making technical changes, and blanking the appropriation amount for later consideration, and the recommendation was adopted unanimously. The committee also heard and later took action on several other measures. SB 2702, relating to Hawaiian Homes and an irrigation system inventory, drew support but was postponed for decision-making until February 5 so additional amendments could be prepared. SB 2785, relating to economic development, received mixed testimony but was recommended and adopted for passage without amendments. SB 2790, relating to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Mākai irrigation system, received strong support and was also passed unamended. SB 2314, relating to the Hawaiian language and the legal effect of Hawaiian versions of laws, drew support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission and others, while the Attorney General’s office raised concerns about the wording; the committee adopted amendments incorporating language from the judiciary, clarifying that English and Hawaiian are official languages and that priority goes to the version consistent with legislative intent when there is a material difference, and then passed the bill with amendments. All final votes reported were in favor, with no recorded opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, because we are still in this generation of trying to find the new material to work with, adequate
• and appropriate material to work with, because we care about the dolphins and whales and turtles, we
• that we're working with our materials that we're working with and<00:32:45.159> so<00:32:46.159
• to work with adequate and material to work with adequate and appropriate<00:32:55.159> material
• to work with um appropriate material to work with um because<00:32:57.240> we<00:32:57.360>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm wondering if of the materials.
• the specific curricular material the specific curricular material mentioned<03:11:53.040> the
• the the uh the coverage of the material the the uh the coverage of the material is<04:07:03.040>
• they be um submitting all the materials, they be um submitting all the materials, the<05:37:32.320>
• materials materials but<05:48:31.520> still<05:48:31.840> I<05:48:32.000> don't

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Al Kincaid, I work for Texas Materials, a CRH company.
• CRH is the largest construction materials company in North America.
• I work with Jobe Materials, headquartered out of the El Paso area.
• permits previously at the... ...RCC, the predecessor to the TCEQ, and in consulting, and now with Jobe Materials
• Jobe Materials is a construction materials company in El Paso.

Bills: SB2037, SB1757, SB1758, SB1759, HB29

Keywords: rock crushing, permits, air quality, environmental monitoring, aggregate production, seismicity, public meeting, land use, SB 1758, cement kiln, portland cement, aggregate production operation, aggregate quarry, semiconductor wafer manufacturing, chip fabrication, semiconductor plant, vibration, seismic disturbance, liability limitation, TCEQ

Transcript Highlights:

• vote on the staff recommendations, modifications, and new recommendations listed in the decision material
• The public can follow along with the decision materials available at the back of the room or on the Sunset's
• For each agency, members will briefly lay out their modification as provided in the decision materials
• Members will lay out their new recommendation as provided in the decision materials.
• Members will lay out their new recommendation as provided in the decision materials, and we will vote

Keywords: Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Ethics Commission, recommendations, Angelina River Authority, Natchez Valley Authority, public testimony, legislative session

Summary: The meeting of the Sunset Advisory Commission served as a concluding assembly for the current biennium, where various agencies were reviewed. Notably, the Commission focused on staff recommendations and modifications regarding the Angelina and Natchez River Authority, Lower Natchez Valley Authority, and Texas Ethics Commission. After discussing various modifications, the members voted unanimously on multiple recommendations aimed at improving operational efficiency and accountability within these agencies. The Chair emphasized the collaborative effort of the Commission members and staff, acknowledging their hard work throughout the biennium.

Transcript Highlights:

• vote on the staff recommendations, modifications, and new recommendations listed in the decision material
• The public can follow along with the decision materials available at the back of the room or on the Sunset's
• For each agency, members will briefly lay out their modification as provided in the decision materials
• Members will lay out their new recommendation as provided in the decision materials, and we will vote
• instructions on its website, including an electronic filing service help guide and other training materials

Summary: The Sunset Advisory Commission met for its final meeting of the biennium, established a quorum, approved the December 11, 2024 minutes, and then voted on recommendations for several agencies reviewed earlier in the cycle. It adopted all recommendations for the Angelina and Nettus River Authority, the Lower Nettus Valley Authority, and the Trinity River Authority of Texas, with no modifications offered for those agencies. The Commission then considered the Texas Ethics Commission. Members adopted staff recommendations with modifications, including changes to lobby compensation thresholds and rounding of inflation adjustments. The Commission also adopted a series of new recommendations addressing TEC customer service staffing, late-filing penalties, post-election reporting penalties, waiver of penalties when notice cannot be shown, review of the “substantial compliance” standard, review of the “principal purpose” definition, more prominent public posting of delinquent penalties, and clearer training and guidance on filing and lobby-registration requirements. The Commission also adopted two previously omitted Texas Department of Criminal Justice recommendations, 6.5 and 6.6. By recorded vote, the Commission unanimously forwarded all recommendations adopted during the biennium to the 89th Legislature, with nine ayes. Sunset staff then reported on implementation of 2023 Sunset recommendations, saying the State Auditor found 89% of selected management actions fully implemented and Sunset staff found 68% of statutory and related changes fully implemented, with the remainder mostly in progress. The Commission also noted receipt of a January 6 evaluation of the Texas Lottery Commission, including a study of potential regulation of lottery ticket courier companies, but no further action was taken on that item. The meeting concluded with closing remarks and a motion to recess subject to the call of the Chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• That smaller material, those type money.
• That smaller material, those type of<00:16:10.880> things<00:16:11.040> that<00:16:11.360
• particularly where we're trying to get those multiple-use benefits of a fuel break that may have material
• particularly where we're trying to get those multiple-use benefits of a fuel break that may have material
• And a number of cases will be paid by the cost from the private sector for that material to go back into

Bills: HB0078, SF0012, SF0013, SF0052, SF0069, SF0070

Keywords: forest health, grant program, state forester, wildfire prevention, environmental conservation, habitat improvement, military, national guard, reenlistment, extension bonus, funding, Wyoming, Wyoming National Guard, recruitment, referral bonus, military service, eligibility expansion, incentive program, wildlife management, environmental restoration

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we had to be very conscientious about the industry, about the supply of materials, the supply
• We have been utilizing our innovation, our resources, and our labs like State Materials Office, you know
• We've seen how numerous commodities and materials over the past five years have continued to rise in
• This is something we've started... ...to do for the whole supply chain, all materials.
• This is something we've started doing, understanding where the materials that we need come from, where

Summary: The Committee on Transportation received a presentation from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles on Florida’s camera-based traffic enforcement programs: red light cameras, school bus stop-arm cameras, and school zone speed cameras. The department explained how the programs work, including human review of recorded violations, issuance of civil notices to vehicle owners, and escalation to uniform traffic citations if unpaid or uncontested. Officials also outlined the fee structure and reported preliminary data showing 42 red light camera jurisdictions, 496 red light cameras, and more than 923,000 notices of violation in fiscal year 2024-2025, along with growth in school zone and school bus programs. Senators asked about camera placement, signage, review procedures, and whether reviewers or vendors receive revenue from citations; several questions were left for follow-up because the witness did not have all statutory or operational details. The committee then heard an update from FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue on the Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, funded by a $4 billion general revenue investment leveraged into a $7 billion program for 20 major projects. He said the initiative is advancing high-priority congestion relief projects across the state, with 80% of the plan expected to be underway by the end of 2026 and the remaining projects in 2027. Perdue highlighted new delivery methods such as modified phased design-build, voluntary acceleration, and structured acceleration, along with workforce and supply-chain efforts, including regional hiring events and aggregate planning. He cited projects such as I-4 congestion relief lanes, Golden Glades, I-95 at US-1, I-75 auxiliary lanes, and I-275 improvements as examples of the program’s progress. Members questioned FDOT about traffic management during construction, subcontracting opportunities for small businesses, public transit planning, contractor safety and fatalities, bridge strikes, logistics access near ports and airports, aggregate supply, local government coordination, and federal funding uncertainty. Perdue said FDOT continuously reevaluates traffic control plans, works with local governments and industry partners, uses small business participation targets, and requires contractors to be in good standing with OSHA and to implement corrective action plans after incidents. He also said Florida’s transportation revenues are flat, the state remains largely state-funded, and additional resources are the main need for future transportation delivery. The committee adjourned after the chair requested FDOT staff provide senators with district-specific project information.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the definition of burden of proof is not materially affected or immaterial.
• The misuse of AI to create non-consensual intimate visual materials, often called "deepfakes," has grown
• The bill addresses AI misuse in creating and distributing intimate visual materials.
• and fail to remove such material within 72 hours of a removal request.
• There is a 10-year limitation for filing lawsuits starting from when the victim discovers the material

Bills: HB4922, HB4713, HB4256, HB872, HB1571, HB4266, HB4559, SB251, SB441, SB1719

Keywords: healthcare liability, emergency medical care, standard of proof, negligence, legal reforms, Texas General Arbitration Act, arbitration, binding arbitration, statute of limitations, limitations period, tolling, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Section 16.073, alternative dispute resolution, ADR, civil procedure, lawsuit filing, court jurisdiction, Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence, procedural law

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:40:28.080> in to digital library materials in to digital library materials in Minnesota
• > State accessible education material State accessible education material State Services<00:42:55.400
• , accessible education materials, uh E A E E A M in formats of braille and audio materials.
• <00:58:27.120> that for material that for material that you<00:58:28.359> know,<00:
• Again, the exact same material, the exact same story that is being told, the exact same material being

Bills: HF4456, HF4544, HF3698

Keywords: data broker, data brokerage, consumer privacy, personal data, data privacy, Minnesota attorney general, registration, public registry, civil penalties, enforcement, special revenue fund, privacy rights, data sales, data collection, consumer protection, chapter 325M, controller, processor, data broker registry, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• had with the Arts and Creative Materials had with the Arts and Creative Materials Institute.<01:
• So the plated keys of the same material.
• And then also with regard to the artist materials that Mr.
• And following that materials to the EU.
• WEIMA, the Arts and Craft Materials WEIMA, the Arts and Craft Materials Institute<01:33:31.360><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We're an artist materials store in St. Paul on Grand Avenue.
• either way without matching materials either way without matching materials the<00:27:09.399>
• With regard to professional artist materials, you've heard Mr.
• <00:34:57.960> that uh with the with the uh material that uh with the with the uh material
• had requested a ban on artist materials had requested a ban on artist materials that<00:35:12.720

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have hazardous materials.
• We do have a revolving fund under the hazardous materials section of code.
• We have hazardous materials.
• We do have a revolving fund under the hazardous materials section of code.
• We have hazardous materials.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you so much for attending the Radioactive and Hazardous Materials Committee meeting.
• Well, good morning, Honorable Chair Steinborn and members of the Radioactive and Hazardous Materials
• How much material is stored now at the bottom of the facility?
• Regardless of where the material is coming from, it's basically with DOE.
• Thanks to Grant's Mining District for radioactive materials. We're cleaning up PFAS.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill creates and clarifies that only AA material biosolids can be applied in the state, removes the
• I think we've been working toward this goal of making it AA material for several years.
• The bill does not define what a reasonable cause is, so would that be if the subcontractor or material
• supplier, you know, there was defective work or... ...or material supplier, you know, there was defective
• work or the materials weren't to the specifications, etc.?

Summary: The Senate Committee on Agriculture received a presentation from Florida Forest Service Director Rick Dolan on the agency’s wildfire response, forest management, and emergency support roles. He described the service’s four regions and 14 districts, its year-round wildfire response, use of bulldozers, helicopters, and drones, and the current high fire danger due to drought conditions. Dolan also highlighted prescribed burning, fuels mitigation, state forest management, the pine seedling nursery, and the agency’s role in hurricane response and incident management. Members asked about equipment loans and whether more prescribed burning could reduce wildfire impacts; Dolan said Florida already leads the nation in prescribed fire and emphasized public education and fuels reduction. The committee then considered and unanimously reported favorably Senate Bill 386, which creates a farm-equipment consumer protection process similar to a lemon law, allowing purchasers to seek repair or replacement of defective major farm equipment at no cost. The committee also took up Senate Bill 290, the Agriculture and Consumer Services omnibus bill. The bill would modernize fair association rules, preempt local bans on gas- and diesel-powered farm and landscape equipment, allow surplus of certain state-owned lands for bona fide agricultural use while excluding parks, forests, and wildlife lands, create a veterinary loan repayment program, make Farmers Feeding Florida permanent, expand Forest Service training opportunities, criminalize signal-jamming devices, increase penalties for CDL and English-proficiency exam cheating, restrict certain door-to-door solicitation, protect food safety inspectors, clarify biosolids rules, and add criminal and vendor-list penalties for contractors who fail to pay subcontractors. The committee adopted three amendments to align dates and technical language and to authorize native seed research and marketing through the Florida Wildlife Foundation. Testimony on SB 290 included support from several industry groups, concerns from the Home Builders Association about the new contractor-payment criminal penalties, and opposition from a citizen worried about the new surplus-land process for conservation lands. Despite concerns, CS/SB 290 was reported favorably. Finally, the committee unanimously recommended confirmation of the appointees listed on tabs 4 and 5, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Only if the Department determines the proposed structure will materially harm wildlife, harm wildlife
• Material impact is a standard; however, it is certainly a standard.
• next to a wildlife refuge, I mean, at some point in time, would you admit that there might be a material
• It has a material impact.
• The fact of the matter is, where development is located that materially impairs migratory bird patterns

Bills: HB3129, HB3251, HB3556, HB3724, HB3887

Keywords: construction, wildlife impact, height restrictions, national wildlife refuge, environmental regulations, HB 3887, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Parks and Wildlife Code, performance bond, payment bond, contractor bonding, public works, construction contracts, public building, procurement, bid security, subcontractors, suppliers, contractor payment protection, project completion

Transcript Highlights:

• AS IT PERTAINS TO THE ISSUE OF IF THE RULE IMPERMISSIBLY REFERS TO MATERIALS THAT WERE INCORPORATED IN
• INCORPORATED WITH REFERENCE INTO THE RULE WHICH IS LIMITED TO THE MATERIAL AS IT EXISTS AT THE TIME
• AND CHANGES IN THE MATERIAL ARE NOT EFFECTIVE UNLESS THE RULE IS AMENDED TO INCORPORATE THE CHANGES.
• WITH OTHER RELEVANT STATUTORY MATERIAL.
• REQUIRED TO COVER THE COST OF THAT PROCESS AND THE OPERATING COST AND THE MEETING SPACE AND THE MATERIALS

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a training video and materials that is being created at no cost and will be provided to the
• Animal Control Advisory Panel, who is the governing body of all animal control, that way all the materials
• that um is being video and materials that um is being created<00:02:59.480> at<00:02:59.879><
• <00:03:12.920> are<00:03:13.280> together that way all the materials are together that
• way all the materials are together and<00:03:13.760> it<00:03:13.879> will<00:03:14.040

Keywords: This meeting will take place upon Recess of the Senate Chambers. There is not an exact time for this meeting therefore a placeholder time for the live stream has been set for 1:00PM est. Roll Call - 00:03 Discussion on HB 508 – 00:34 Vote on HB 508 – 03:52 Discussion on 805 – 05:00 Vote on HB 805 -09:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first adopted a Senate committee substitute covering House Bills 718 and 194, then heard testimony on House Bill 508, House Bill 805, and the committee substitute for Senate Bill 111. HB 508 would let applicants for the Kentucky Employee Child Care Assistance Program view and download the required agreement and submit it by mail, email, or online, codifying a change the Cabinet for Health and Family Services had already agreed to make. The child-protection portion of the committee substitute would require animal control officers to receive training to identify child abuse and neglect, with the sponsor saying the training materials would be provided at no cost to local governments. For HB 805, the sponsor said the committee substitute mainly cleans up last year’s juvenile justice legislation, including changing “plaintiff” to “victim,” narrowing language on confidentiality of juvenile records when information is disclosed in a civil suit, and changing a status offender provision from mandatory to discretionary charging for escape when absent without leave from a DJJ facility. The bill also incorporates “Baby Maya’s Bill,” requiring the Cabinet to physically locate a child within a set time and, in certain cases involving prior removals, contact law enforcement if the child cannot be found. A committee member asked whether the changes would affect public access to records for juveniles transferred to circuit court on felony charges, and the sponsor said they would not. The committee then voted on HB 805 as amended by the committee substitute and passed it 7-0 with favorable expression. A title amendment was also adopted. After brief thanks and comments from members, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• If it's asking you what your age is and blocking the child from seeing pornographic material, I'm not
• If it's asking you what your age is and blocking the child from seeing pornographic material, I'm not
• and the access point to the material and the access point to the material that<00:51:50.000>
• <01:03:00.319> on definitely being exposed to material on definitely being exposed to material
• ,<01:10:50.080> you the only way of sharing material, you the only way of sharing material

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee work session focused on House Bill 293, which would prevent minors from accessing obscenity on certain internet-connected electronic devices. Chair Pardell opened by noting the bill had been discussed several times and that the goal was to find language acceptable to the committee. Representative Coutab argued the bill is important for child safety, said parents vary in technical ability, and pointed to Apple as evidence that filtering tools can be implemented. He asked whether the other members saw a path forward and what it might look like. Representatives McFarland and Tur both said they support the underlying concern but questioned the bill’s structure and practicality. McFarland emphasized parental responsibility and individual liberty, said any final language should avoid infringing on rights or creating indirect pressure on corporations, and suggested looking at other states’ approaches and Apple’s closed ecosystem as a limited example. Tur said the bill may solve one problem while creating others, especially by placing the burden on device manufacturers and browsers rather than on the content providers; he cited the recent Texas Paxton decision as an example of a more targeted age-verification approach aimed at websites. Both expressed concern that a broad device-level mandate may be difficult to implement consistently across different platforms. Chair Pardell responded that the bill is intended to add protective measures rather than impose a blanket ban, and compared it to existing restrictions on minors accessing alcohol, tobacco, or pornographic magazines. She said the proposal is meant to ask for the user’s age during device setup, not to require identification or database checks, and stressed that parents would still be responsible for entering accurate information. Members also discussed whether Apple’s tools are generalizable to Android and other ecosystems, whether the market is already developing solutions, and whether a parent-facing filter or device-level controls would be the best route. Pardell said the committee had received public feedback and that another work session would likely be held in October; no vote or final action was taken.