Transcript Highlights:

• lease agreement and through a joint operating committee that I actually chair to ensure that the vulnerable
• 03:28:13.600><c> ensure</c><03:28:13.920><c> that</c><03:28:14.160><c> the</c><03:28:14.399><c> vulnerable
• </c> chair uh to ensure that the vulnerable chair uh to ensure that the vulnerable um<03:28:16.080><c

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the other thing that I wanted to point out is that for the littlest, the most vulnerable population
• out is that for the littlest<02:34:00.840><c> the</c><02:34:01.000><c> most</c><02:34:01.240><c> vulnerable
• </c><02:34:01.840><c> population</c> littlest the most vulnerable population littlest the most vulnerable

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 224, which would redirect most money from New Hampshire’s renewable energy fund back to electric ratepayers. The bill sponsor argued the measure would lower energy costs, noting recent utility rate increases and estimating annual savings of roughly $2.5 million to $7.3 million for ratepayers. Supporters said the fund has accumulated money that should be returned to customers rather than used for subsidies, and they emphasized that the state has already rebated similar funds from RGGI for years. Opponents, including Rep. Kat McGee, argued the renewable energy fund is a successful, nonlapsing dedicated fund that supports local clean-energy projects, energy resilience, emissions reductions, and private investment. McGee said the fiscal note overstated the benefit of rebates and understated the loss of investment, claiming the average annual rebate would amount to less than $10 per customer while the program has helped leverage significant private dollars and nearly 10,000 projects. She urged the committee to reject the bill as a poor deal for the state and ratepayers. Committee members questioned the fiscal note, the size of the rebate, whether the bill would set a precedent for other dedicated funds, and whether the program’s incentives amount to picking winners and losers. The Department of Energy testified neutrally, explaining how the renewable energy fund works, including renewable energy credits, alternative compliance payments, and the fund’s use for renewable energy initiatives. No vote was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome, Representative Vulner.
• welcome</c><00:57:31.880><c> representative</c> us welcome representative us welcome representative vulner
• 34.599><c> madam</c><00:57:35.240><c> chair</c><00:57:36.240><c> and</c><00:57:36.440><c> thank</c> vulner
• thank you madam chair and thank vulner thank you madam chair and thank you<00:57:37.039><c> for</c><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• recovery, although variations across source markets show the reliance on tourism has highlighted vulnerabilities
• Reliance on tourism has highlighted the Reliance on tourism has highlighted V<04:49:38.878><c> vulnerabilities
• 40.040><c> we</c><04:49:40.160><c> all</c><04:49:40.280><c> know</c><04:49:40.480><c> that</c> V vulnerabilities
• and we all know that V vulnerabilities and we all know that prompting<04:49:42.080><c> a</c><04:49:42.320

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Education on its budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. The Superintendent and staff described the department’s mission, enrollment and staffing scale, recent gains in NAEP reading and math, persistent attendance problems since the pandemic, and the need for resources to support student recovery, middle school math, and other strategic priorities. The department said its proposal is intended to be aligned with its 2023–2029 strategic plan, fiscally balanced, and reliable for schools, while also addressing inflation, workforce needs, and uncertainty in federal funding. Assistant Superintendent and CFO Brian Hallet reviewed federal grants, non-general funds, and the budget development process. He said federal funds make up about 11% of the department’s FY25 appropriation and warned that House budget proposals could threaten predictable funding for core programs. He also explained that the department began its biennial budget work in April 2024 and used an internal review group to identify possible reallocations. The department characterized its request as a “flat” budget proposal overall, with a large share devoted to continued funding for existing recurring needs, and noted challenges including a projected state funding decline, inflation, lingering pandemic impacts, recruitment and retention, and uncertainty about future federal support. A major topic was the department’s capital improvement program. DOE officials argued for a risk-based, proactive approach using lump-sum “buckets” to manage facilities and deferred maintenance across more than 21.5 million square feet at 268 sites. They said this would allow more efficient prioritization of projects and better coordination with complex area superintendents, principals, and legislators. Members asked about how legislative priorities would fit into the bucket system, county-versus-state property jurisdiction issues affecting school facilities, enrollment decline and staffing ratios, and how the department plans to adjust facilities and human resources to shifting enrollment patterns. DOE said it is studying enrollment trends, will brief the Board of Education next month, and is willing to provide further briefings to legislators. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I feel like that's a significant vulnerability if you have individuals in positions like that.
• I am proud to work alongside Representative Cheney on a bill that protects the most vulnerable, holds
• Guardian program hasn't had any slips or any issues in K through 12 where the children are most vulnerable

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and several recognitions, including tributes to former members and law enforcement. The chamber then adopted the special order report and moved to the day’s special-order calendar. Early bills passed unanimously, including CS/HB 401 on FDLE security details for major party nominees for governor and lieutenant governor, CS/HB 1063 on gubernatorial transition procedures, HB 593 on governmental agencies and personnel, CS/CS/HB 655 on confidential attorney-client meetings for local governments in pending litigation, and HB 6011 on ethics gift/honoraria reporting procedures. Each of these measures was explained by sponsors as transparency, security, or administrative process legislation, and each passed 115-116 to 0. The chamber then took up CS/HB 125, designating October 14 as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance. The bill drew extensive and sharply divided debate over whether a state remembrance was appropriate for Kirk, with opponents arguing he was a polarizing political figure and that the House should focus on affordability and other constituent concerns, while supporters framed the bill as a defense of free speech and opposition to political violence. A proposed amendment to replace the designation with a George Floyd remembrance was ruled not germane. After structured debate, the bill passed 82-31. Members also considered transportation designation measures. SB 628, substituted for CS/HB 885, included multiple road and bridge namings and an amendment designating a 124-mile stretch of State Road 80 as the President Donald J. Trump Highway; the amendment and bill passed 82-26. CS/HB 33 similarly designated portions of roads as Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue and President Donald J. Trump Boulevard, prompting another lengthy debate over the appropriateness of honoring political figures and the use of public roadways for such designations; it passed 82-30. The House then began debate on CS/HB 35, “Isaiah’s law,” which would add driving without a valid license to the habitual traffic offender list after repeated offenses, with sponsors citing a fatal hit-and-run and opponents questioning prosecutorial discretion and the bill’s practical effects.

Transcript Highlights:

• I feel like that's a significant vulnerability if you have individuals in positions like that.
• I am proud to work alongside Representative Cheney on a view that protects the most vulnerable, holds
• The Guardian program hasn't had any slips or any issues in K-12 where the children are most vulnerable

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You want to hurt people that are vulnerable, but if you don't know that someone else is around the corner
• You want to hurt people that are vulnerable, but if you don't know that someone else is around the corner
• You want to hurt people that are vulnerable, but if you don't know that someone else is around the corner
• You want to hurt people that are vulnerable, but if you don't know that someone else is around the corner
• Senator Cole continued: Vulnerable, but if you don't know that someone else is around the corner, maybe

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that we've done something in the state of New Hampshire to actually protect the victims, the most vulnerable
• And I've always thought that our children are the most vulnerable that are in care.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• traumatic brain injuries and chronic illnesses so she could study the effects of infectious diseases on vulnerable
• It is action against the epidemic of loneliness that leaves millions disconnected and vulnerable, a crisis
• that leaves millions<01:13:05.600><c> disconnected</c><01:13:06.800><c> and</c><01:13:07.199><c> vulnerable
• </c><01:13:08.640><c> a</c> millions disconnected and vulnerable. a millions disconnected and vulnerable

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, September 18, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• saying with this bill we want to be last in the region when it comes to energy policy, and the most vulnerable
• eliminate credits for solar and it would just give pennies back to ratepayers without addressing the vulnerabilities
• 06:53:16.240><c> the</c> rate payers without addressing the rate payers without addressing the vulnerabilities
• ><c> to</c><06:53:17.638><c> costly</c><06:53:18.638><c> natural</c><06:53:19.280><c> gas</c> vulnerabilities
• to costly natural gas vulnerabilities to costly natural gas price<06:53:20.798><c> spikes</c><06:53:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• domestic waterways making our supply our domestic waterways making our supply chain<01:13:45.120><c> vulnerable
• /c><01:13:45.760><c> to</c><01:13:46.000><c> Serious</c><01:13:46.520><c> disruptions</c> chain vulnerable
• to Serious disruptions chain vulnerable to Serious disruptions including<01:13:47.719><c> by</c><01:
• would give many New Hampshire and the nation's maritime workforce a pink slip, making us even more vulnerable
• would give many New Hampshire and the nation's maritime workforce a pink slip, making us even more vulnerable

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• adults who are still developing judgment and impulse control, and intoxication only magnifies that vulnerability

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This makes Minnesota the most vulnerable workforce in the Midwest and the 10th most vulnerable workforce

Bills: HF1316, HF4369

Keywords: HF1316, child support, new hire reporting, centralized work reporting system, independent contractors, payors, employers, payor of funds, withholding orders, income withholding, child support enforcement, Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families, gig economy, rideshare drivers, delivery drivers, 1099, W-9, W-4, newly hired workers, rehired employees

Transcript Highlights:

• Stress test their program, look for holes, see if there are vulnerabilities, um, and be proactive.
• see see if program, look for holes, see see if there<01:32:07.199><c> are</c><01:32:07.440><c> vulnerabilities

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You're moving us from a more vulnerable to a less vulnerable food supply setup.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I still take many other steps to minimize vulnerabilities.
• debate that we can go back and forth on, but I think the more important question is where are the vulnerabilities

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And this bill, as everyone said, makes them vulnerable to these lawsuits.
• the last seven years, my family has been advocating for the rights of some of our state's most vulnerable

Bills: HB2242, HB2446, HB2799, HB4502, HB2920, HB2790, HB5620, HB5060, HB5076, HB5080, HB5081, HB5128, HB5130, HB3847, HB5116, HB2969, HB4546, HB4202, HB5624, HB3964, HB4803, HB872, HB4775, HB4777, HB4961, HB5570, HB2988, HB4260, HB1375, HB5009, HB5411, HB5134, HB4388, HB3095, HB1387

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 4961, which would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages after a collision. The author said the bill is intended to create incentives to maintain insurance and to address what he described as an unfair system for insured drivers. Texans for Lawsuit Reform and Texas Eagle Forum testified in support, while the Texas Trial Lawyers Association opposed it, warning the bill could also affect pedestrians, passengers, children, and others who did not choose whether a vehicle was insured. The bill author clarified that passengers would be included in the bill’s coverage. No vote was taken and the bill was left pending. House Bill 5570 would extend a legislative attorney CLE exemption to attorneys appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate to boards or commissions. The author said the measure is meant to ease time burdens and encourage service, and a witness supported it as a modest incentive for public service. A committee member noted a discrepancy in the number of affected attorneys, and the author agreed to verify the correct figure. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 2969, which would restrict the State Bar from adopting rules or penalties that unreasonably burden attorneys’ religious exercise or free speech based on sincerely held beliefs. The author and several witnesses from Texas Values, Alliance Defending Freedom, and Cecilia Wood argued the bill protects lawyers of faith from an ABA model rule they described as a speech code. No one testified against the bill, and it was left pending. House Bill 4260, which would prohibit county judges and county commissioners from practicing law in courts over which they have jurisdiction, drew opposition from the County Judges and Commissioners Association, which argued existing ethics rules already address conflicts and that the bill would burden rural officials. The author said the bill was prompted by concerns about judges using their office to pressure others. The bill was left pending. House Bill 5134 would limit Rule 202 pre-suit depositions to people who have suffered or reasonably expect actual damages and would allow attorney’s fees against abusive petitioners. The author said the bill is aimed at preventing harassment and fishing expeditions, especially in family-law disputes. Questions focused on how the standard would work and how it differs from current law; the author said the main change is fee-shifting and a clearer legislative directive. The bill was left pending. House Bill 3095, a committee substitute version of a similar uninsured-motorist bill, would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages and limit economic recovery, with several exceptions. Trial lawyers argued it was unconstitutional because it capped economic damages and could unfairly affect innocent drivers, pedestrians, and older people who no longer drive. The author acknowledged constitutional concerns and said the bill would need further work; the committee withdrew the substitute and left the bill pending. Finally, House Bill 4388 would require all judges, including county judges who perform administrative duties, to remain subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct. Supporters said some elected judges avoid accountability by relinquishing judicial functions, while opponents argued the bill is too rigid and unnecessary because existing remedies already exist. House Bill 3964 would limit public nuisance claims to their historical role and bar such claims against lawful conduct, conduct already covered by other remedies, and products. The author and supporters said the bill is meant to prevent courts from using public nuisance to make policy, while opponents argued it would eliminate useful remedies and could affect local actions against environmental or product-related harms. The author said the bill would not affect statutory nuisance claims, private nuisance claims, or other causes of action, and would be amended to clarify some provisions. The bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• It addresses a real and immediate vulnerability in our current approach to family violence, establishing
• Without this time, many are left completely vulnerable to retaliation. And with that, I close.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2777 by Representative Rose, which would bar the death penalty for defendants who can prove by clear and convincing evidence that they had schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and active psychotic symptoms at the time of the offense. Rose said the bill would still hold defendants accountable through life without parole, would save money by avoiding lengthy capital litigation, and would address cases where severe mental illness was not adequately considered. Supporters from NAMI Texas, the Catholic bishops, and a forensic psychologist said the bill is narrowly tailored, consistent with neuroscience and moral principles, and would prevent executions of people whose psychosis substantially impaired reality testing. Committee members questioned how the bill interacts with existing competency and insanity law, whether the diagnosis is sufficiently defined, and whether the statute requires active psychosis at the time of the offense. An opponent argued the death penalty should remain available for juries to decide in all cases. The bill was left pending. The committee then heard House Bill 1221 by Representative Lozano, which would raise the cap on pretrial intervention program fees from $500 to $1,200. Lozano and a district attorney witness said the increase is needed because program costs have risen and the fees help make diversion programs self-sustaining, allowing first-time or low-level offenders to complete rehabilitation and potentially obtain expunction. Opponents from the Texas Fair Defense Project argued the higher fee could make diversion unaffordable for indigent defendants and undermine an important alternative to incarceration, especially where related supervision and monitoring costs already add up. Members discussed whether the fee applies only to PTI participants, how payment plans and waivers work, and whether ability to pay should be addressed more explicitly. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1738 by Representative Jones, which would repeal Penal Code Section 21.06 and related Health and Safety Code references concerning homosexual conduct. Jones said the law is unconstitutional under Lawrence v. Texas, remains harmful on the books, and has led to confusion and unnecessary costs even though it is unenforceable. Supporters said the bill simply removes outdated language and protects civil liberties, while opponents from Texas Values argued the statute still serves as a statement that homosexual conduct is unacceptable and should remain as a warning, even if unenforceable. Members debated whether the law’s remaining language is merely symbolic or still harmful, and whether other criminal statutes already cover conduct such as prostitution, incest, and offenses involving minors. The bill was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• here that it shows southeast Minnesota lit up with red and orange-colored colors, which shows vulnerability
• The heat map shows vulnerability over the drinking water standard.

Bills: HF2446, HF2878, HF2667, HF1795, HF2683, HF2916

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant