Transcript Highlights:

• </c> disqualifiers our board will not care disqualifiers our board will not care about<00:15:52.000><
• </c><00:25:27.760><c> we</c> and uh maintenance of the services we and uh maintenance of the services
• and cable services to the statute.
• emergency services, not to mention internet service to homes and businesses.
• not to mention emergency services not to mention internet<01:51:24.360><c> service</c><01:51:24.679>

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• President, I'm directed by the House to inform...
• Your service at TxDOT, you traveled all over the state.
• But thank you for your service to our state.
• What you’ve done here is real service.
• I'm directed by the House to inform... Thank you.

Bills: SB 8 , SB 1 , SB 2 , SB 5 , SB 10 , HB27 , HB7 , HB17 , HB1 , SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , HB20 , HB18 , HB7 , HB17 , HB1 , HB20 , HB18 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , SB1 , SR85 , SR87 , SB8 , SB5 , SB2 , SB10 , HB27

Transcript Highlights:

• Brett Hayes, Chief Deputy Counsel for Arkansas Department of Human Services.
• mean we are physically sending Legislative Audit teams to service providers to ensure services are provided
• Maybe Workforce Services needs to come to the table to answer that question.
• Is Workforce Services here?” “Good morning.
• So if there's only one, say, for example, it's workforce services.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Transcript Highlights:

• We care just as much, and we're within our power as a legislative body to direct our state employees,
• WE CARE JUST AS MUCH.
• This division doesn't even care to look at that issue. Just come here. We don't care.
• THIS DIVISION DOESN'T EVEN CARE TO LOOK AT THAT ISSUE. JUST COME HERE. WE DON'T CARE.
• care at this moment.

Summary: The Senate opened with routine proceedings, approval of the prior day’s journal, and several motions to restore previously passed bills to the third-reading calendar. Senate Print 2436A, an amendment to the Administrative Code of New York City, and Senate Print 7160, an amendment to the Elder Law, were both reconsidered and restored to the calendar by roll call. Amendments were also received on Senate Print 9960, which retained its place on the third-reading calendar. The chamber then paused to honor Madeline Wilson on her 100th birthday and Marilyn D. Mosley through previously adopted resolutions, with family members and guests recognized on the floor. The Senate also welcomed Columbia Kicks Cancer, a student-run East Greenbush fundraising team that raised more than $239,000 for blood cancer research and care. The Finance Committee reported Senate Print 9005C, a budget bill amending Chapter 268 of the Laws of 1996, directly to third reading, and the Senate accepted the report and the message of necessity. The bill was then taken up on the controversial calendar, leading to extended debate on Part LL, which focused on limits on state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, including 287(g) agreements, informal cooperation, masking rules for law enforcement, sensitive locations such as polling places, and the creation of an Office of Immigration Trust within the Attorney General’s office. Supporters argued the bill would keep state and municipal employees focused on their own duties, protect constitutional rights, and prevent New York resources from being used for federal immigration enforcement; they also said it would not bar all cooperation or prevent local police from responding to crime. Opponents argued it would hinder public safety, restrict law enforcement cooperation, and interfere with local discretion, while some raised concerns about constitutional issues and the practical effects on sheriffs, county jails, and police agencies. The debate also included a separate provision creating a civil cause of action for constitutional-rights violations by federal, state, or local officials, which supporters described as an accountability measure. Members further discussed the masking section, with supporters saying it applied broadly to officials and was intended to withstand constitutional scrutiny, while opponents cited a recent Ninth Circuit ruling striking down a similar California law. The Office of Immigration Trust and its complaint/referral process were also examined, including the role of the Governor and the State Education Department in reviewing alleged violations. No final vote on the controversial calendar bill was taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• If anyone has any questions, I'll direct those to him. If not, we'll call the roll. Chairman Deal.
• this legislature in 1976 for the purpose of making medical malpractice insurance available to health care
• Witness: At this point in time, the $150,000 a year would be to be able to service outstanding claims
• And a half a million bucks is going to take care of the stolen cars throughout the entire state.
• Well, that certainly is a step in the right direction, gentlemen.

Committee: House Insurance and Banking

Summary: The Insurance Committee met with a quorum and first went into executive session on House Bill 2874, which was approved 9-0 with one member present. The bill was described as a product worked on the previous year, and no substantive opposition was raised before the vote. The committee then heard House Bill 2071, which would allow the Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Association to suspend operations rather than terminate, because the medical malpractice market is now considered robust and the association has not written a policy or received a claim in several years. The sponsor and Missouri Insurance Coalition said the association still costs roughly $300,000 to $350,000 annually to operate, with projected savings if suspended, while preserving the ability to reactivate if claims arise within the remaining liability window. Some members questioned whether a sunset would be more appropriate and raised concerns about the open-ended nature of suspension and the handling of the association’s reserve funds. House Bill 1615 was then heard and would lower the statutory minimum number of directors for insurance companies from nine to five, while leaving maximum board sizes unchanged. The sponsor and supporters argued Missouri’s current requirement is outdated, out of step with other states and other regulated entities, and creates unnecessary barriers for smaller insurers without affecting solvency or consumer protection. Members questioned whether any insurers had avoided Missouri because of the nine-director rule; supporters said they had no specific examples but said the change would provide flexibility and align Missouri with modern governance practices. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2902, which would create a Motor Vehicle Threat Prevention Program and commission within the Department of Public Safety to fund grants and coordinate efforts against auto theft. The sponsor said Missouri ranks among the highest states for vehicle theft and argued the program would help local law enforcement, especially in rural areas, address high-tech theft methods and related crimes. Highway Patrol and NICB witnesses testified in support, citing rising theft rates, the use of stolen vehicles in other crimes, and examples from other states where similar task forces recovered stolen vehicles and made arrests. Several members questioned whether a new commission was necessary, suggesting the Highway Patrol or existing agencies could handle the work; no opposition testimony was offered, and the hearing was closed with no further business before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, this is directed at Representative Teresia. Um, I am sorry...
• Um, access to coordinated behavioral health services for children.
• </c><00:11:15.040><c> Families</c> health services for children.
• Families health services for children.
• </c> insurance companies to offer a service insurance companies to offer a service that<00:29:26.800>

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to start out with, this is a position of service, right?
• LLC, a water meter service company, and McCreekin Enterprises as well.
• Houston President's Award and National Legendary Service Award.
• , your community service, and your public service.
• Thank you for your service. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Nominations

Transcript Highlights:

• We fulfilling that promise of service.
• Consumers, as you know, are demanding care for the environment as part of product and service delivery
• </c> Consumers as you know are demanding care Consumers as you know are demanding care for<00:21:30.960
• Immediate jobs creation will generate... congressionally directed spending from congressionally directed
• </c> director at Natural Resource Services. director at Natural Resource Services.

Bills: HF2928 , HF2912 , HF2297

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• , social services, education, housing, and many others in the weeks ahead.
• My question... ...million to be directed to Cal Fire.
• We have very few people being processed in Care Court.
• The reports from where Care Court is operating are very positive.
• Part of that is because so much of our spending now is on direct payments to people or direct payments

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee heard opening remarks on the Governor’s 2026-27 budget, which the chair described as roughly balanced in the budget year but still facing large out-year structural deficits. The vice chair criticized the revenue assumptions as overly optimistic and stressed the need to review recent program expansions and address the state’s $20 billion federal unemployment insurance debt. The Department of Finance said the budget is a “workload” plan with about $350 billion in total spending, $23 billion in reserves, a projected $2.9 billion budget-year deficit, and out-year gaps above $20 billion, while the LAO warned of downside revenue risk tied to stock market volatility and urged earlier action on the structural deficit rather than waiting for May. Finance and the LAO discussed major budget components, including Proposition 98 funding, higher education base increases for UC and CSU, climate and wildfire spending, a new ZEV incentive, child care COLAs, and tax proposals involving marketplace facilitators, renewable aviation fuel, and an extension of the California Competes tax credit. Members raised concerns about proposed Medi-Cal and CalFresh changes tied to federal HR1 impacts, the MCO tax extension, hospital finances, county costs, and the decision not to backfill all federal funding losses. Finance said the administration is not in a position to replace all lost federal funds, but wants to work with the Legislature on priorities and timing before the May Revision. Several senators used the hearing to preview subcommittee priorities and request more detail on spending growth, reserves, and program cuts. Topics included homelessness funding, Care Court throughput, wildfire and climate investments, AB 617, data centers, the judicial branch’s facilities backlog, displaced workers, transit funding, and preparations for the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics. No budget action or vote was taken at this hearing; the committee mainly received presentations and member questions, with public comment scheduled later.

Transcript Highlights:

• > Commission,</c><00:10:26.720><c> also</c> And the Public Service Commission, also And the Public Service
• I know that you all care about that as well.
• I want us to care about affordability.
• I want us to care about affordability.
• </c> I've gone blind in service to my state. I've gone blind in service to my state.

Committee: Senate Natural Resources & Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> bill could disrupt valuable services bill could disrupt valuable services provided<00:03:28.480>
• ,</c> research, lawyer referral services, research, lawyer referral services, insurance<00:03:37.280>
• And we're very very careful ideology. And we're very very careful about<00:10:48.640><c> that.
• </c> is with efficient and effective services is with efficient and effective services delivered<00:14
• </c> impairment and it's an essential service impairment and it's an essential service to<00:15:44.079

Committee: House Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• So we also know that child care is expensive.
• and one toddler in care in Arkansas.
• My entire paycheck is going to child care.'
• So the grant does not translate directly to direct services.
• So the grant does not translate directly to direct services.

Committee: All EDUCATION- HOUSE EARLY CHILDHOOD SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then heard a presentation from Maddie San Juan of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas on the report “Holding It All Together: Working Moms and Child Care in Arkansas.” She said the research found Arkansas moms are working and want to work, but child care costs, inflexible schedules, inadequate paid leave, and the mental load of caregiving are major barriers. She cited survey and focus group findings showing flexible hours were the most requested workplace support, 69% of moms identified child care costs as a barrier, and many families spend a large share of income on care. Members asked about labor force trends, what flexibility means in practice, and the cost and age structure of child care assistance programs. The presenter also noted child care affects economic development and workforce recruitment, and mentioned a Department of Commerce option that may help pay child care for people seeking training. Department of Education and Office of Early Childhood staff then gave updates on internal dashboards for enrollment, applications, and provider participation in School Readiness Assistance (SRA), saying the tools are now live for internal use and should improve transparency and data access. They said CLASS transition funding from the PDG grant would be released soon to providers who completed observations, and clarified that OEP awards based on CLASS scores are separate from OEC’s work. They also warned providers about a payment interruption during the transition to a new system: June 26 would be the last day to submit SRA payments for processing, payments would stop June 30, and billing would continue without processing from July 1 to 13, with back payments expected when the system resumes around July 14. Members raised concerns about provider cash flow, early childhood special education funding, an overpayment appeal involving a child care center, and whether CLASS data would be public; staff said the data is FOIA-able but not used by the department to set current quality or rates. The department also said it is reviewing audit requirements tied to Head Start and SRA, that Early Head Start children remained in their facilities after a closure, and that a market rate survey/cost analysis is still in procurement. Staff reported that the QRIS process will begin with a June 23 webinar and that CLASS will be part of a broader quality system still being developed with provider and parent input. They also said the local lead network was re-competed and will cover all counties starting July 1 with 23 local leads, and that the PDG partner group has been formed to provide ongoing stakeholder feedback. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are such direct things to think about here. So because of that...
• You're limited to 20% of direct foreign ownership in a TV or radio station.
• Do you buy Chinese products and services, and do you think Americans should?
• We shouldn't care more about where our coffee comes from than where our t-shirt comes from.
• government has been directed at a state and local level.

Committee: Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• have in these counties, are able to get the relief they need while still being able to provide the services
• Thank you for your time and thank you for your service to the state. Thank you. All right. Mr.
• And for a long time, it was not considered a service-connected disability.
• And for a long time, it was not considered a service-connected disability.
• I've been here as a result of service.

Bills: SB524 , SB782 , HB42 , HB 1056 , HB2894 , HB3033 , HB3474 , HB3594 , HB4738 , HB5246 , HB42

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The committee heard Senator Flores lay out the committee substitute for HB 2894, which would expand state reimbursement eligibility for local governments disproportionately affected by the disabled veterans homestead exemption. Flores said the bill would add certain municipalities in Bell, Coryell, and Lampasas counties if lost ad valorem tax revenue equals or exceeds 10% of general revenue, while existing recipients would remain under the current 2% threshold. Lampasas and Bell County officials and the City of Killeen testified in support, describing significant revenue losses and urging adequate funding. One witness, Howard Avery, argued any reimbursement should be counted as property tax revenue for voter-approval rate purposes to avoid a windfall. The committee later adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably, with one nay. The committee also heard SB 782, which would create a temporary severance tax exemption for restimulated inactive oil and gas wells, intended to encourage investment in mature wells. The Comptroller explained the revised fiscal note as effectively zero because the wells are currently marginal and not generating meaningful tax revenue, while industry witnesses said the bill could extend well life, support local economies, and reduce orphan-well liabilities. Public testimony was supportive, and the bill was left pending. Members then heard HB 3033, a DPS-related grant program funded by voluntary $3 donations on driver’s license and ID applications to support nonprofits aiding injured or fallen DPS officers and their families, including memorial highway signs. The DPS Officers Association supported the bill, citing existing foundation assistance and the need for a steady funding stream. The committee later reported the bill favorably. The committee also considered SB 524, which would permanently extend the franchise tax and fee exemption for qualifying veteran-owned businesses for their first five years; testimony from a veteran business owner and veterans advocates supported the measure, and the committee adopted the substitute and reported it favorably. Additional measures were laid out and left pending or voted out: HB 3594, a local San Antonio retiree health care fund bill with agreed changes for contributions, spouse benefits, and remarriage rules, was supported by stakeholders and reported favorably; HB 4738 would repeal small administrative fees tied to certain loans and was reported favorably; HB 42 on HEAF funding and HB 5246 on the Texas Space Commission were heard and left pending. The committee also reported HB 3474, a cleanup bill for the Pension Review Board’s investment performance review schedule, and HB 2802, the Austin firefighter retirement fund bill, both favorably. Finally, the committee took up HB 1056, which would allow gold and silver held in the Texas Bullion Depository to function as legal tender through debit-card transactions. Supporters framed it as a way to use hard assets and expand financial options, while bankers and some senators raised major operational, consumer-protection, tax, and constitutional questions; the bill remained under discussion as testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yet we're doing crucial work without health care insurance from their employer.
• For districts and bargaining representatives, health care is something.
• They should be attended to and taken care of regardless of where they identify.
• They should be attended to and taken care of regardless of where they identify.
• work as soon as services are needed.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Same question with respect to 363A.12 regarding public services.
• Same question with respect to 363A.12 regarding public services.
• And I'll tell you employment services.
• The truth is that disability doesn't care about how much money you have, it doesn't care about where
• you live, it doesn't care about anything else.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been able to deliver um the Federal CARES grant.
• Um, I, I wanna talk a little bit about the Primary Care Capital Fund.
• I don't care who you are.
• I am actually very happy with the direction you're going.
• So we've not made direct investments into any company.

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 814, Residential Property Service Agreement Defunct Service Providers.
• </c> Does anyone care to change their vote? Does anyone care to change their vote?
• </c> health care providers. health care providers.
• I just do not think this is the right direction to go. Right direction to go.
• </c> anyone care to change their vote? anyone care to change their vote?

Transcript Highlights:

• and one toddler in care in Arkansas.
• My entire paycheck is going to child care.”
• We heard from one child care center...
• The grant does not translate directly to direct services.
• So the grant does not translate directly to direct services.

Summary: The committee first approved the prior meeting minutes, then heard a presentation from Maddie San Juan of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas on the report “Holding It All Together: Working Moms and Child Care in Arkansas.” She said the report found that Arkansas moms want to work, but child care costs, inflexible schedules, inadequate paid leave, and the mental load of caregiving are major barriers. She cited survey and focus group findings showing most mothers want full-time work, 69% identified child care costs as a barrier, and many said flexible hours were the most important workplace support. She also described county-level dashboard data, the high cost of infant and toddler care, and examples from working mothers about spending most or all of their paychecks on child care. Members asked questions about labor force participation trends, the meaning of the child care cost figures, and how flexibility could be implemented across industries. The presenter and members also discussed the broader economic-development impact of child care shortages and the need for public-private partnerships. The Department of Education then gave an update on early childhood programs. Officials said they are building internal dashboards to improve transparency and data access for school readiness assistance, including enrollment, application, and provider participation monitoring. They reported that the state is still moving forward with the CLASS transition and expects to release transition funding to providers in the coming weeks using Preschool Development Grant funds. They also clarified that OEP awards based on CLASS scores are separate from OEC’s work and that the data is FOIA-able. Officials warned providers about a temporary payment delay during the transition to a new system, saying payments will stop June 30 and resume around July 14, with any owed funds processed then. Members raised additional concerns about early childhood special education funding, overpayment recovery from a child care center, audit requirements for Head Start and SRA funds, the market rate survey, and the status of local leads after a recompete. Department staff said they would follow up on special education funding levels and audit rules, noted that the overpayment case is under appeal, and said the market rate survey is still in procurement. They also reported that 23 local leads will cover all counties starting July 1, with no major job-description changes, and described a new PDG Partners stakeholder group and an upcoming June 23 QRIS webinar to gather provider and parent input. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our research projects are primarily legislatively directed.
• We also saw direct subsidies.
• I'm the Vice President for Energy Services and Development.
• Mothers for Nuclear cares about human health, energy access, and fighting climate change.
• Mothers for Nuclear cares about human health, energy access, and fighting climate change.

Bills: SB5821 , SB6004 , SB6010 , SB5941

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: nuclear energy, energy strategy, advanced technology, sustainability, state policy, renewable energy, public entities, electric generation, contracting, SB 6010, Washington energy siting, EFSEC, Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, tribal consultation, government-to-government consultation, federally recognized tribes, energy facility siting, RCW, clean energy, alternative energy