Transcript Highlights:

• What to write, how to write it, and that doesn't mean they're not a highly qualified, very smart person

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• transitioning service members, Tradeswomen Build Nation, and women's committees in many of our unions, Smart

Summary: The work session focused first on Washington’s apprenticeship system, especially building trades programs and support services. Labor and Industries staff explained how registered apprenticeship works in the state, including the role of the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council, the requirements for paid on-the-job training and classroom instruction, and the difference between apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship. Panelists emphasized that apprenticeship is tied to actual jobs and training agents, and that many waitlists reflect a shortage of job openings and employer participation rather than a lack of interest. They also discussed youth apprenticeship, the growth of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, and the use of Career Bridge and L&I’s database to help people find programs. Representatives asked whether the state should expand apprenticeship programs and how people can find openings. Speakers said more programs alone would not solve the backlog without more employers signing on as training agents and more apprenticeship utilization on projects. The panel also highlighted the Constructed Career Initiative, a grant-funded navigation and support program that helps people enter and stay in building trades apprenticeships through outreach, case management, and wraparound aid such as transportation, tools, and work clothes. A related nonprofit, Build Up, described similar support services, including prison-based boot and PPE programs and assistance for reentry participants. The panel said these services are especially important because apprentices often face unstable income, housing, food, and transportation barriers. The panel also discussed House Bill 2084 and the new Construction Training Pathway Oversight Committee, which is examining construction training in correctional facilities and how to create clearer pathways from prison-based training to apprenticeship, college, or work. Speakers said the committee is still in its early stages and will report to the legislature. The session ended with committee members thanking the panel and noting the importance of support services and referral networks for apprentices. The meeting then resumed at Renton Technical College, where college leaders and faculty discussed serving non-traditional students. The college reported strong enrollment growth, a median student age of 30, a diverse student body, and high job placement rates, while also noting significant budget cuts and program reductions from the prior year. Health care and early childhood education programs were highlighted, including efforts to expand access through hybrid scheduling, evening and Saturday classes, Spanish-language offerings, and in-person wraparound support for admissions, financial aid, and registration. Faculty said these changes were driven by student data and were aimed at helping working parents, English learners, and other non-traditional students complete credentials and enter family-wage careers.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what happens is they can be really smart, but they're just going to do what we say, and they won't

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• doctor and the patient both wanted— the doctor that our colleague, Representative Anchia, says is so smart

Bills: HB25 , HB48 , HB149 , HB254 , HB26 , HB192 , HCR3 , HCR4 , HCR5 , HCR6 , HCR8 , HCR14 , HCR16 , HR1 , HR2 , HR3 , HR4 , HR6 , HR7 , HR8 , HR9 , HR12 , HR11 , HR13 , HR14 , HR15 , HR16 , HR20 , HR22 , HR23 , HR24 , HR25 , HR26 , HR27 , HR28 , HR29 , HR30 , HR31 , HR32 , HR33 , HR45 , HR48 , HR49 , HR51 , HR52 , HR55 , HR56 , HR57 , HR59 , HR60 , HR61 , HR62 , HR63 , HR64 , HR65 , HR66 , HR70 , HR71 , HR72 , HR74 , HCR2 , HCR7 , HR10 , HR21 , HR35 , HR36 , HR37 , HR38 , HR39 , HR40 , HR42 , HR43 , HR44 , HR46 , HR47 , HR50 , HR53 , HR54 , HR67 , HR69 , HR75 , HCR 5 , HCR 6 , HCR 8 , HCR 14 , HCR 16 , HR 1 , HR 3 , HR 4 , HR 6 , HR 7 , HR 8 , HR 9 , HR 12 , HR 11 , HR 13 , HR 14 , HR 15 , HR 16 , HR 20 , HR 22 , HR 23 , HR 24 , HR 25 , HR 26 , HR 27 , HR 28 , HR 29 , HR 30 , HR 31 , HR 32 , HR 33 , HR 45 , HR 48 , HR 49 , HR 51 , HR 52 , HR 55 , HR 56 , HR 57 , HR 59 , HR 60 , HR 61 , HR 62 , HR 63 , HR 64 , HR 65 , HR 66 , HR 70 , HR 71 , HR 72 , HR 74 , HCR 7 , HR 10 , HR 21 , HR 35 , HR 36 , HR 37 , HR 38 , HR 39 , HR 40 , HR 42 , HR 43 , HR 44 , HR 46 , HR 47 , HR 50 , HR 53 , HR 54 , HR 67 , HR 69 , HB 25 , HB 48 , HB 149 , HB 254 , HB 26 , HB 192

Keywords: ivermectin, pharmacist authority, prescription-free, healthcare regulation, patient access, HB 48, Texas alert notification systems, emergency alerts, public warning systems, alert fatigue, notification fatigue, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Department of Public Safety, DPS alerts, emergency management, State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, STEAR, disaster notifications, weather alerts, Amber Alert

Transcript Highlights:

• Smart young man. I mean, I'm not saying he's not, because I have a son who's also on the spectrum.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a lot of smart people in this state that can figure this out, but you can't make it about money

Bills: HB2 , HB1 , HB18 , HB19 , HB20 , HB1 , HB 2 , HB18 , HB19 , HB20

Committee: House Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select

Keywords: emergency communication, interoperability, grant program, first responders, state council, disaster response, emergency management, mass fatality, justices of the peace, training programs, emergency manager license, volunteer management, justice of the peace training, criminal history checks, state health services, broadband, public safety, disaster preparedness, funding, flood disaster plan

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, some smart lawyers said, Well, what does that mean?

Bills: SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB9 , SB42 , SB15 , SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SCR1

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

Transcript Highlights:

• He's a very smart guy and a really good person, and may he rest in peace. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Bills: HB5560 , HB2 , HB24 , HB3233 , HB1397 , HB2067 , HB3133 , HB5696 , HB5680 , HB2885 , HB3966 , HB3556 , HB3595 , HB144 , HB26 , HB2038 , HB521 , HB4 , HB 1178 , HB42 , HB 1211 , HB783 , HB3963 , HB2240 , HB1690 , HB 1234 , HB3372 , HB27 , HB4211 , HB2243 , HB2853 , HB4638 , HJR7 , HB 100 , HB 126 , HB3783 , HB5138 , HB2512 , HB5616 , HB4751 , SB17 , SB1637 , SB1833 , SB2155 , SB21 , SB2778 , SB260 , SB8 , SB12 , SB37 , SB379 , SB441 , SB1566 , SB2878 , HB4112 , HB3866 , HB4749 , HB2844 , HB150

Keywords: groundwater, civil penalties, water conservation, drought contingency, environmental protection, public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, zoning, public notice, local government, residential development

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to be a boutique vineyard and winery, so stay smart.

Bills: HB223

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: municipal budget, county budget, local government finance, spending cap, expenditure limit, inflation plus population growth, taxpayer impact statement, budget transparency, property tax, fees, Legislative Budget Board, voter approval, disaster spending, fiscal restraint, Texas Local Government Code, city budget, county expenditures, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB2 incorporates smart, future-facing investments in teacher preparation designed to ease the financial

Bills: HB2

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's because they're both really good, smart men, and the state is lucky to have them, and we're

Transcript Highlights:

• There are proven examples of that. a smart, common-sense way to reduce energy demands and help our constituents

Bills: SB1468 , SB1612 , SB1789 , SB2530 , SB2571 , SB2717 , SB2967

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: utility systems, Texas A&M, regents authority, construction, improvement, construction contracts, trust funds, property rights, mechanics lien, contractors, trustee liability, mechanic's lien, liability, attorney's fees, windstorm insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, insurance regulation, administrative penalties, coastal counties, catastrophe year

Transcript Highlights:

• First, we have Barney Bishop with the Florida Smart Justice Alliance, a proponent.

Committee: House Commerce Committee

Summary: The committee first took up HB 703 on utility relocation, as amended by a strike-all. The sponsor said the bill would require government authorities that order communication service providers to move infrastructure to pay the relocation costs, clarify expedited timelines, and align the House bill with the Senate version. Supporters argued the communication services tax should help cover these costs, while cities and counties warned the bill would shift major unfunded costs to local governments and taxpayers, especially in fiscally constrained counties. After public testimony from local government and industry representatives and debate over fairness, coordination, and the tax’s intended use, the committee adopted the strike-all and then passed the bill favorably on a roll call vote. The committee then heard and passed CS/HB 379, a securities package updating Chapter 517. The bill and conforming amendment made several technical and policy changes, including expanding certain exemptions, updating foreign jurisdiction and exchange considerations, revising merger-and-acquisition broker rules, aligning fingerprinting requirements with FBI standards, and adding protections related to financial exploitation of specified adults. Industry and Office of Financial Regulation witnesses supported the measure, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably without opposition. Next, the committee passed CS/HB 867 establishing the Coastal Link Commuter Rail Service Act to create a legal framework for commuter rail operations along Florida’s coastal corridor and to help Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties secure insurance and indemnification for service on the Florida East Coast Railway right-of-way. The Florida Chamber supported the bill, and it was reported favorably without debate. The committee also passed CS/HB 1161, which revises Florida’s deepfake law to require covered platforms to remove altered sexual depictions and copies upon request by the victim; the bill drew emotional testimony from a student victim and broad support from members, and a severability amendment was adopted before the bill passed unanimously. The committee then passed CS/HB 453 on pool and spa contractors, which updates Chapter 489 terminology and scope-of-practice rules and, through amendment, limits certain equipment to commercially available products. Finally, the committee passed HB 955 requiring all private employers to use E-Verify for new hires, removing the small-employer exemption. Supporters framed it as workforce integrity and rule-of-law legislation, while opponents warned about labor shortages, burdens on small businesses, and impacts on immigrant workers. After debate, the bill passed 19-3. The committee then began hearing CS/HB 541 on minimum wage requirements, which would allow voluntary waivers of minimum wage for certain internships, pre-apprenticeships, and on-the-job training; the sponsor presented an amendment limiting the duration and clarifying minor waivers, and the committee heard both support from small business groups and opposition from labor, immigrant, and worker advocates before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Whereas being tough on crime also means being smart on policies that stop the cycles of crime and incarceration

Bills: SJR 12 , SJR 37 , SB 7 , SB 8 , SB 16 , SB 27 , SB 108 , SB 125 , SB 207 , SB 251 , SB 318 , SB 371 , SB 379 , SB 396 , SB 406 , SB 472 , SB 503 , SB 533 , SB 578 , SB 599 , SB 608 , SB 617 , SB 621 , SB 689 , SB 707 , SB 763 , SB 836 , SB 854 , SB 856 , SB 857 , SB 875 , SB 878 , SB 906 , SB 922 , SB 942 , SB 965 , SB 985 , SB 988 , SB 1021 , SB 1059 , SB 1084 , SB 1098 , SB 1185 , SB 1188 , SB 1202 , SB 1207 , SB 1307 , SB 1321 , SB 1330 , SB 1366 , SB 1388 , SB 1396 , SB 1453 , SB 1484 , SB 1497 , SB 1498 , SB 1535 , SB 1563 , SB 1596 , SB 1610 , SB 1619 , SB 1737 , SB 1738 , SB 1741 , SB 1816 , SB 1822 , SB 1841 , SB 1939 , SB 2188 , SJR 36 , SJR 12 , SJR 37 , SJR 81 , SJR 50 , SCR 22 , SCR 12 , SCR 39 , SB 875 , SB 318 , SB 707 , SB 765 , SB 62 , SB 666 , SB 888 , SB 687 , SB 847 , SB 1248 , SB 504 , SB 857 , SB 305 , SB 296 , SB 284 , SB 1497 , SB 1498 , SB 241 , SB 304 , SB 621 , SB 1023 , SB 371 , SB 204 , SB 609 , SB 670 , SB 850 , SB 854 , SB 413 , SB 1346 , SB 1033 , SB 1220 , SB 1073 , SB 810 , SB 1539 , SB 447 , SB 406 , SB 985 , SB 965 , SB 1119 , SB 1505 , SB 1215 , SB 1302 , SB 856 , SB 583 , SB 673 , SB 681 , SB 1172 , SB 608 , SB 955 , SB 957 , SB 1021 , SB 1120 , SB 251 , SB 541 , SB 1737 , SB 266 , SB 1415 , SB 125 , SB 599 , SB 1330 , SB 53 , SB 1352 , SB 785 , SB 472 , SB 1450 , SB 1502 , SB 1566 , SB 414 , SB 1062 , SB 578 , SB 711 , SB 746 , SB 942 , SB 1404 , SB 1448 , SB 1738 , SB 108 , SB 8 , SB 507 , SB 533 , SB 689 , SB 1026 , SB 1349 , SB 1355 , SB 1433 , SB 1434 , SB 1596 , SB 1403 , SB 763 , SB 667 , SB 1059 , SB 617 , SB 1567 , SB 503 , SB 16 , SB 310 , SB 311 , SB 396 , SB 505 , SB 1209 , SB 1210 , SB 1470 , SB 264 , SB 1029 , SB 1185 , SB 1358 , SB 1364 , SB 1569 , SB 1376 , SB 1228 , SB 519 , SB 878 , SB 1350 , SB 462 , SB 1535 , SB 827 , SB 1585 , SB 207 , SB 1207 , SB 1619 , SB 1396 , SB 920 , SB 1484 , SB 1273 , SB 1741 , SB 7 , SB 927 , SB 1227 , SB 1229 , SB 1353 , SB 1366 , SB 1464 , SB 1709 , SB 1729 , SB 1733 , SB 1744 , SB 1772 , SB 1816 , SB 1841 , SB 2188 , SB 1147 , SB 879 , SB 1008 , SB 1536 , SB 2016 , SB 1453 , SB 1173 , SB 1163 , SB 996 , SB 27 , SB 568 , SB 1370 , SB 1321 , SB 1101 , SB 906 , SB 860 , SB 1563 , SB 993 , SB 693 , SB 1610 , SB 1537 , SB 836 , SB 1332 , SB 1307 , SB 963 , SB 493 , SB 922 , SB 984 , SB 1084 , SB 619 , SB 1098 , SB 1122 , SB 455 , SB 522 , SB 1057 , SB 1239 , SB 1254 , SB 1255 , SB 1259 , SB 1341 , SB 1664 , SB 1877 , SB 464 , SB 1277 , SB 32 , SB 732 , SB 660 , SB 731 , SB 921 , SB 268 , SB 1822 , SB 1188 , SB 1939 , SB 1589 , SB 397 , SB 1388 , SB 2230 , SB 1058 , SB 1036 , SB 1267 , SB 2112 , SB 1930 , SB 532 , SB 1035 , SB 2155 , SB 508 , SB 29 , SB 292 , SB 291 , SB 901 , SB 1333 , SB 1436 , SB 1494 , SB 964 , SB 779 , SB 1378 , SB 2312 , SB 1719 , SB 1386 , SB 287 , SB 2143 , SB 1245 , SB 261 , SB 1247 , SB 1948 , SB 2406 , SB 2407 , SB 1882 , SB 1197 , SB 1814 , SB 618 , SB 38 , SJR 37 , SB 108 , SB 207 , SB 251 , SB 472 , SB 503 , SB 599 , SB 621 , SB 856 , SB 1021 , SB 1185 , SB 1207 , SB 1330 , SB 1497 , SB 1535 , SB 1619 , SB 8 , SB 16 , SB 371 , SB 396 , SB 533 , SB 965 , SR 338 , SR 350 , SB 2076 , SB 1498 , SB 8 , SB 16 , SB 318 , SB 371 , SB 396 , SB 533 , SB 707 , SB 875 , SB 965 , SB 2076

Keywords: parental rights, education, constitutional amendment, school choice, child education, voter ID, citizenship, election integrity, voting rights, water infrastructure, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, water supply, environmental sustainability, immigration enforcement, ICE agreements, sheriff grants, law enforcement, county jail, federal immigration law

Transcript Highlights:

• But and I think it was smart to hear that in attention on workforce to into the state college system

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think there are probably other options and, uh, there's a lot of smart people who can think about other

Committee: House Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• The process is very thorough, with many smart lawyers in that area coming together to produce nonpartisan

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with you, and so that's why I brought Katie and Matt, because they're really good people and really smart

Keywords: 00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:34 Economic Development Cabinet 27:51 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee met without a quorum, so the minutes from the last two meetings were not approved. Secretary Noel of the Cabinet for Economic Development then gave a broad overview of the cabinet’s work and an update on the Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPD), with Deputy Secretary Katie Smith and General Counsel Matt also present. He said the cabinet’s strategy is to focus on high-wage job creation, especially in automotive transformation, business and financial professional services, tourism, logistics, agri-tech, aerospace, and other high-tech sectors, while also supporting small and medium-sized businesses and existing employers. Noel highlighted several program results and examples, including average incentivized wages approaching $27 per hour, 877 jobs and $346 million in investment through hub operations, $90 million through Commonwealth Ventures, help for hundreds of companies through the Kentucky Intellectual Property Alliance, work with 220 companies through the Kentucky Science and Technology Council, nearly 3,000 students in Advanced Kentucky, and more than 1,100 participants in Kentucky Valor. He also cited 35,000 workers trained through Bluegrass State Skills, 177 businesses helped by the small business tax credit, and 77 entertainment incentive transactions totaling about $200 million and 7,400 jobs. On the grant side, he said the cabinet had approved 155 projects under a federal grant program, committing $99 million, with outreach aimed at smaller communities and all 120 counties. The main focus of the second half was KPD. Noel described it as a program that requires more than basic due diligence, emphasizing community readiness, local vision, title and mineral-rights review, sewer validation, and consultant review. He said 109 projects had been awarded in the earlier rounds, and in 2024 there were 45 requests for information seeking $81 million against $35 million in available funding, showing strong demand. He also said the cabinet has worked with local economic developers through five regions aligned with area development districts, and that the secretary, deputy secretary, or commissioner of business development must attend the regional meetings, with 100% attendance reported for the key three last year. In response to questions, he said Jefferson County’s lack of KPD projects so far likely reflects where local land and development strategies are in the process rather than a lack of interest, and he said the cabinet has not heard that Kentucky’s occupational safety and health rules are clearly helping or hurting competitiveness, though he offered to look into it further.

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to make smart decisions and really appropriately use taxpayer dollars such that, even if we just

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee held a panel discussion on Florida’s mental health and substance abuse system, with representatives from DCF, AHCA, two managing entities, and two providers describing how the state’s behavioral health network is funded and operated. Members focused on the implementation of prior legislative investments, especially the $50 million in recurring funding from Representative Maney’s bill and the earlier $126 million community behavioral health appropriation. Witnesses said the newer funds were used mainly for crisis beds, discharge planning, outpatient services, regional collaboratives, and a USF Marchman Act report, while the larger behavioral health appropriation supported CAT, FACT, FIT, forensic teams, residential and outpatient services, and crisis care, with most dollars going directly to services and only a small share to administration. A major theme was access to crisis care and the role of mobile response teams, 988, and central receiving facilities in diverting people from Baker Act admissions and reducing readmissions. DCF and providers said mobile response teams have expanded, are being used to de-escalate crises and connect people to care, and have shown strong diversion results and reductions in Baker Acts in some regions. Members also asked about waitlists, children in crisis, and how to handle people without housing or support; providers said discharge planning is individualized but often constrained by homelessness, transportation, and a lack of safe placements, and several witnesses identified housing as one of the biggest barriers to recovery and stability. The committee also examined provider sustainability, reimbursement, and funding gaps. Witnesses described delays caused by contract timing, cost allocation rules, and Medicaid reimbursement rates that do not always keep pace with labor and operating costs, especially for smaller providers and rural networks. DCF and AHCA said managing entities can provide advances, retroactive rate adjustments, and technical assistance, and that Medicaid managed care plans have network standards and complaint/dispute processes. Members raised concerns about a reported $7 million loss in federal non-sustainable funds, provider closures, and whether there is a formal ombudsman process for disputes; DCF said the federal reductions were known and tied to one-time funds, and that the department generally handles provider issues informally while working with managing entities to preserve continuity of care.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I rise today to recognize an exceptional Central Arkansan, Eddie Smart, and for his service

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, 1012, house, all