Transcript Highlights:

• Now we're going to open up public testimony.
• Public testimony is open.
• Jerry's going to open up public testimony.
• That represents a clear conflict of interest.
• We'll move on in the interest of time.

Bills: SB312, SB945, SB946, SB1367, SB1861, SB2044, SB2337, SB2403, SB2819, SJR54

Keywords: public school funding, education, budget allocation, financial transparency, state law, local control, fiduciary responsibility, public retirement systems, investment management, proxy voting, financial factors, insurance, political shareholder proposals, fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions, environmental regulation, discrimination, credit extension, social credit, value-based standards

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 945, 946, 2044, 2819, 2403, 2337, and 312, with all bills left pending after testimony. SB 945 would restrict insurance companies from denying or limiting coverage based on oil and gas activity or ESG-related goals, and supporters argued it would protect Texas energy producers from politically motivated shareholder activism and insurance discrimination. SB 946 would bar creditors from using social credit, ESG, DEI, or religious/political affiliation as a basis for denying or limiting credit; witnesses said it would prevent viewpoint-based financial discrimination and protect access to capital for Texas businesses. SB 2337 would require proxy advisory firms to disclose when recommendations are based on non-financial factors or when they give conflicting advice to different clients; supporters said the measure would increase transparency and curb ESG-driven influence over shareholder voting. SB 312 would direct public retirement systems to focus on financial returns rather than social or political objectives, with the author saying the bill responds to activist pressure on pensions and would reinforce fiduciary duty. The committee also took up election and ethics measures. SB 2044 would strengthen electioneering restrictions for publicly funded education institutions and personnel, prohibiting use of official resources to promote political agendas; testimony focused on alleged school district electioneering in bond and tax elections. SB 2819 would prohibit county elections administrators from holding certain officer positions appointed by elected officials, addressing potential conflicts of interest. SB 2403, the Texas Ethics Commission sunset bill, would restructure complaint handling with a three-tier violation system, risk-based complaint prioritization, longer response times, bipartisan preliminary review panels, and expanded hearing options; members discussed amendments aimed at dismissing minor complaints, clarifying categories, and adjusting lobbying and penalty provisions, but the amendments were withdrawn during committee consideration. Across the ESG and finance bills, invited witnesses from the American Energy Institute, Heartland Impact, Consumers Research, ADF Action, Texas Civil Justice League, and related groups generally supported the measures, arguing that banks, insurers, proxy advisors, and asset managers have used ESG or reputational-risk standards to discriminate against energy, agriculture, firearms, and religious organizations. No opposition testimony was presented in the excerpt, and the committee closed public testimony on each bill and left them pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Minnesota Public Television Association. Minnesota Public Television Association.
• We support and work with state regulators, whose role is to protect the public interest.
• </c><00:20:52.880><c> interest.
• </c><00:20:53.920><c> I</c><00:20:54.080><c> can</c><00:20:54.200><c> tell</c> protect the public interest
• I can tell protect the public interest.

Bills: HF1458, HF2063, HF2164, HF1377, HF927, HF1059, HF1910, HF2232

Keywords: CPA, certified public accountant, public accounting, accountancy, licensure, license mobility, substantial equivalency, interstate practice, out-of-state accountant, NASBA, Uniform CPA Examination, board of accountancy, attest services, audit, tax preparation, financial advisory, consulting, accounting education, master's degree, bachelor's degree

Transcript Highlights:

• Public testimony will be limited to three minutes per speaker. If you wish... Mr.
• Without public safety, nothing else we do as a government. matters.
• It's interesting that you mention that.
• There was a lot of public pushback.
• Is there a public venue? To have that conversation.

Bills: HB336, HB554, HB849, HB 1033, HB1338, HB 1246

Keywords: law enforcement, sheriff, constable, contracts, county governance, HB 554, fireworks, Juneteenth, Juneteenth holiday, retail fireworks permit, Texas Occupations Code, Local Government Code, county commissioners court, drought conditions, Texas A&M Forest Service, fire safety, holiday sales, seasonal fireworks sales, Fourth of July, Independence Day

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and other unlawful uses of public and other unlawful uses of public funds<00:20:15.159><c> um</c
• </c><00:38:02.720><c> Safety</c> about the Department of Public Safety about the Department of Public
• </c><00:49:31.000><c> in</c> that's not correct I'd be interested in that's not correct I'd be interested
• I've had a nearly 40-year career in Minnesota as an environmental advocate, working for many public interest
• </c> governments from legal or public governments from legal or public backlash<01:41:53.040><c> about

Bills: HF25, HF1, HF428

Keywords: pregnancy support, women's health, maternity homes, nonprofit organizations, grant funding, abortion, family services, Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices

Transcript Highlights:

• change would be completely separate from the ethics commission potentially pursuing conflicts of interest
• and I see the number, I just, one of the most despicable things I see around here is conflict of interest
• trying to dig into what would be impacted because I mean I would certainly think our pensions have an interest
• their pensions and not farm them out to entities that might not be looking after the best pecuniary interests

Bills: HB3057, HB3279, HB4428, HB3420

Keywords: government reporting, information technology, child welfare, environmental policy, state agency compliance, employment restrictions, state officers, prohibited acts, government contracts, public service, public finance, pension, pension fund, retirement system, board of trustees, proxy voting, proxy proposal, shareholder vote, shareholder activism, fiduciary duty

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, members, we're open to questions. relating to public school land relating to public school
• </c><00:02:10.879><c> We've</c> State Public Library System. We've State Public Library System.
• </c> relating to public school land transfer. relating to public school land transfer.
• State Public Library System.
• </c> of my life to Hawaii's public schools. of my life to Hawaii's public schools.

Bills: SB2613, SB2147

Keywords: public school land transfer, Department of Education, DOE, land conveyance, fee simple title, tax map key, TMK, Act 307, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, Act 139, Board of Land and Natural Resources, BLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, DLNR, Kauai, Maui, Honolulu, Kaimuki Middle School, Wilcox Elementary School, school property

Summary: The committee heard SB 2613, a cleanup bill relating to public school land transfers under Act 307 (2022), which revises tax map key references and the conveyance process for properties transferred to the Department of Education. The Hawaii State Public Library System supported the measure, saying it would complete the long-unfinished separation of the library system from DOE property control and make future building projects more efficient and cost-effective. DOE also supported the bill and requested an amendment to remove TMK 43-62 parcel 10, the Wilcox Elementary School parcel, so that it could instead be transferred to the county for use with the adjacent park and tennis courts. Members focused heavily on why land transfers and construction approvals have been slow, especially the need for right-of-entry documents and an MOA for a library construction project. Library and DOE witnesses said the delays stemmed from site-control issues and confusion over property status, and that the bill would clarify which parcels are transferred by operation of law and remove the need for additional transactional documents in many cases. Several members questioned whether the bill actually changes authority or simply clarifies existing practice, and DOE said it wanted legislative clarity so the transfers are unmistakably effective on a date certain. The committee also discussed a separate section of the bill dealing with public use of school facilities after hours, including parking fees on property under DOE jurisdiction. DOE explained that any parking charges would apply only to property it controls, not county roads, and that fees are set through existing facility-use procedures. Members raised concerns about the pace of land transfers generally and urged DOE to move more expeditiously on pending parcels. The hearing then moved on to SB 2147, which would designate the first Friday in February as Love My Library Day; the library system testified in support as the committee began that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got a nice little agenda today, talk about a few different topics, three bills on for public hearing
• That's an interesting point. I'm certainly open to the conversation.
• It's such an interesting example that you bring forward.
• The list of authorized entities includes public corporations created by local governments, public housing
• A land bank may also enter into contracts to prepare property for public use.

Bills: HB1974, HB2265, HB2452

Keywords: land bank, land banking authority, affordable housing, housing crisis, housing supply, public corporation, public housing authority, nonprofit housing, tax-foreclosed property, blight remediation, redevelopment, anti-displacement, equity, redlining, racial segregation, deed restriction, affordability covenant, property tax exemption, excise tax exemption, predevelopment

Summary: The Housing Committee held public hearings on three bills. HB 2265, sponsored by Rep. Mena, would add tenant protections during extreme heat by allowing portable cooling devices, requiring landlords in the RLTA to provide cooling as reasonably required, and barring physical evictions during declared extreme heat periods. Committee members and the sponsor raised questions about how “reasonably required” cooling would be defined, how the eviction pause would work with sheriffs and unlawful detainer timelines, and whether the bill could raise rents or create liability and operational problems for landlords. Public testimony was split: supporters cited the 2021 heat dome, climate projections, and deaths from overheating, while opponents from landlord and property manager groups warned about costs, safety, building capacity, and eviction delays. Several witnesses asked for amendments, and the sponsor said she was open to further work on implementation details. The committee then heard HB 1974, a proposed substitute authorizing land banks in county urban growth areas to acquire, hold, improve, and transfer property for affordable housing, with tax exemptions and affordability requirements. The bill sponsor described it as a scaled-back version developed through an interim work group, and supporters from land banks, housing authorities, developers, youth shelter providers, and housing advocates said it would help assemble land, reduce costs, and support affordable and starter-home production. A counties representative also testified in support but said the grant program removed from the substitute would be worth restoring. One member asked staff about the bill’s priority transfer of tax-foreclosed property to land banks and whether that could affect surplus proceeds, and staff said the language applies to properties that have already gone through the auction process, though the terminology may need further review. Finally, the committee heard HB 2452, which would change service requirements for rent increase notices by allowing personal delivery, regular mail, or posting on the dwelling unit, instead of the current certified-mail-style requirement tied to unlawful detainer notices. The sponsor said the current system has led to notices not reaching tenants and unnecessary costs, and supporters from landlord, property management, realtor, and business groups said certified mail is expensive, inefficient, and often ineffective. Tenant advocates opposed the bill, arguing that mail-only service weakens notice protections and can cause tenants to miss time-sensitive rent increases; they said any reform should preserve door posting or personal service. The committee took no votes on any of the bills and closed the public hearings after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this is a bill we previously heard by Representative Guillen relating to public utility agencies
• The committee substitute adds that a public utility agency does not have the power of eminent domain,
• The TCEQ and the PUC are authorized to permit a public utility agency to serve as a temporary manager
• Additionally, they may request the Attorney General to appoint a public utility agency as a receiver
• Water and Sewer Utilities and the Public Utility Commission.

Bills: HB143, HB4530, HB4931, HB5559, HB5560

Keywords: election, bonds, authorization, financial governance, public funding, HB 143, bond election, debt authorization, November uniform election date, Texas Election Code, emergency election, voter approval, municipal bonds, local government finance, public debt, school bonds, special election, uniform election date, bond issuance, water rights

Transcript Highlights:

• But yes, there are many, many people that are very interested.
• We're going to close public comment. Public comment is closed.
• We're going to close public &gt;&gt; That's it.
• We're going to close public comment.<00:43:44.400><c> Uh</c><00:43:45.760><c> public</c><00:43:46.079
• Uh public comment is closed. comment. Uh public comment is closed.

Bills: SF0102, SF0123, SF0021, SF0099

Keywords: energy transmission, load growth, Wyoming energy authority, transmission planning study, public utilities, regional cooperation, energy, funding, grants, loans, coal, natural gas, mineral processing, economic development, stable token, liquidity, trust account, Wyoming, fund distribution, financial regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> I will close public testimony committee. I will close public testimony committee.
• </c> close public testimony. close public testimony.
• </c> best interest. best interest.
• I think he actually handles that publication. publication. publication.
• Any other public &gt;&gt; Thank you, Senator. Any other public testimony?

Bills: SF0102, SF0123, SF0021, SF0099

Keywords: energy transmission, load growth, Wyoming energy authority, transmission planning study, public utilities, regional cooperation, energy, funding, grants, loans, coal, natural gas, mineral processing, economic development, stable token, liquidity, trust account, Wyoming, fund distribution, financial regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• Behind me, my third cohort is a bunch of young adults interested in becoming home builders and interested
• And with that, we'll conclude our public testimony and public hearing on House Bill 2458, and open our
• Is that a private school or is that a public?
• Public institutions of higher education.
• So we'll move straight into public testimony.

Bills: HB2427, HB2458, HB2474, HB2540, HB2589

Keywords: ink of hope act, mental health, substance use, rehabilitation, community support, Washington college grant, postsecondary education, nondegree programs, student access, financial aid, consumer protections, school closures, educational programs, student rights, emergency medical services, EMT recertification, healthcare, first responders, public health, encampments

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several post-secondary and workforce-related bills. House Bill 2427 would require tattoo artists to complete annual human trafficking awareness training through the Department of Licensing. The prime sponsor and a trafficking survivor testified that tattoo artists may be in a position to notice branding or other signs of trafficking and connect victims to help. One opponent argued the bill would impose compelled speech and burdensome annual training requirements. The hearing closed without a vote. House Bill 2458 would expand Washington College Grant eligibility to approved non-degree credential programs. Supporters from community and technical colleges, workforce partners, and United Way said the bill would help students in short-term, job-aligned programs such as construction, CDL, IT, and other credentials that lead to family-wage jobs and better access to financial aid. House Bill 2474 would expand student consumer protections when a school or program closes, including required teach-outs or transfer options, refunds, and voiding certain student debt. The Student Achievement Council and student advocates supported the bill as a needed update, while independent private colleges raised concerns about financial penalties, program flexibility, and differences from existing accreditation standards. House Bill 2589 would regulate encampments on public higher education campuses by limiting them to registered student organizations or recognized bargaining units, requiring notice and institutional approval, and allowing removal of unauthorized encampments. The sponsor said it was a content-neutral campus safety measure that would not ban protest, while supporters cited recent campus encampments and safety concerns; opponents argued it could burden speech and should not apply to private nonprofit colleges. House Bill 2540 would extend EMT recertification intervals from three to six years for EMTs certified in Washington for at least 10 years, while keeping ongoing training requirements unchanged. Firefighter and EMS supporters said it would reduce administrative burden and costs. No bills were voted on during the meeting, and the chair reminded members of amendment request deadlines for the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, we'll suspend the public hearing on HB 2517 and open the public hearing on HB 2313.
• With that, we'll suspend the public hearing on HB 2517 and open the public hearing on HB 2313.
• Okay, with that, we can close the public hearing on House Bill 2313 and open the public hearing on House
• With that, we will close the public hearing on HB 2290 and open the public hearing on our final bill
• works budget that can be done by public employees.

Bills: HB2313, HB2451, HB2298, HB2566, HB2517

Keywords: grocery stores, public ownership, food accessibility, community services, economic development, tax increment financing, local government, municipal finance, public infrastructure, property title protection, land record fraud, county auditors, voluntary program, real estate, procurement, contracting, transparency, financial oversight, municipal permitting, transit projects

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2517, which would give regional transit authorities like Sound Transit more flexibility to seek permits before acquiring property, to pursue some permits before land-use decisions are final, and to better align local development regulations with high-capacity transit projects. The bill sponsor said the goal is to reduce delay and uncertainty for major transit investments, and Sound Transit testified that the measure could save as much as nine months. A city representative from Bofel supported streamlining but asked for an amendment requiring notice to property owners before permits are pursued on land not yet owned or controlled by the transit agency. The committee then took up HB 2313 on publicly owned grocery stores. Staff explained the bill would let cities create publicly owned grocery stores in underserved areas, use grants and tax increment financing, and report annually on finances and community food access; a proposed substitute would remove eminent domain, eliminate the tax increment financing option, and narrow some reporting and location provisions. The sponsor described the bill as a tool for communities like Lake City that have lost major grocery access, while supporters from Food Lifeline and Northwest Harvest said food insecurity is severe and local governments need more options when private grocers leave. Opponents, including students, grocery industry representatives, and the Washington Food Industry Association, argued the bill could undercut private stores, burden taxpayers, and may not solve the underlying problem; the sponsor said the bill is intended as an option, not a mandate. The committee also heard HB 2451, a major revision to Washington’s local tax increment financing law. Staff outlined changes including stronger notice and consultation requirements, mitigation and arbitration procedures for impacted taxing districts, tighter “but-for” findings, limits on where increment areas can be placed, and protections for certain taxing districts and future levy lid lifts. Local government, port, fire, library, and hospital district representatives generally supported the compromise as a way to preserve TIF while addressing unintended impacts, though some cities warned the changes could make the tool less useful for redevelopment. Spokane County asked for public safety projects such as fire stations to be included as eligible public improvements. Finally, the committee heard HB 2298, which would authorize county auditors to create voluntary title-protection programs to help prevent land-record fraud by delaying recording of suspicious title-transfer documents for up to five business days. Auditors and county treasurers strongly supported the bill as a proactive tool against rising title fraud, while title and foreclosure industry representatives warned it could interfere with legitimate transactions, not stop forged mortgages or deeds of trust, and create problems for foreclosures and surviving spouses. The committee also received a brief on HB 2566 concerning local government procurement, which would reduce differences between larger and smaller counties in county purchasing rules.

Bills: SB 30, SB 517, SB 1313, SB 1314, SB 1316, SB 1541, SB 1698, SB 1845, SB 1860, SB 2420, SB 2429

Keywords: gambling, criminal offenses, penalties, defense, electronic devices, tobacco advertising, youth protection, public health, criminal offense, retailer regulation, e-cigarettes, nicotine products, health, public safety, regulation, advertising restrictions, health and safety, vaping regulation, manufacturer compliance, directory listing

Transcript Highlights:

• I do have a question about the Department of Public Safety.
• There are published reports that the Department of Public Safety has already received about $7 million
• the same level of operation once that money gets deposited into DOC or under the auspices of the public
• thinking about the $38 million or when you add it all up, about $45 million going to the Department of Public
• So, I was wondering whether this budget would Perhaps deduct $45 million from the Department of Public

Bills: SB1177, SB1177

Keywords: education funding, mental health services, public safety, housing, state budget, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are intended to be come from Come from the ARP interest that has been set aside and earned over
• with 287g programs with different state organizations, including the Department of Public Safety and
• There's been a public RFP that's been produced.
• No, it's not anticipated that the capacity will change by going from public to private.
• I just have to say that because I think when we talk about public input, having that bill released on

Bills: SB1177

Keywords: education funding, mental health services, public safety, housing, state budget, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Judicial and public safety are approving the rules submitted by February 1st due date for the agencies

Bills: HJR1086, SB392

Keywords: judicial rules, public safety, state agencies, permanent rules, legislative approval, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's in the university's best interest to do that, right?

Keywords: Public Property - Room 210, 3 March, 2026; 1:15 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> bring</c><00:37:55.680><c> civil</c> An interested party may bring civil An interested party may bring
• Strike an interested party &gt;&gt; Yeah. Yeah.
• </c> and close public comment committee. and close public comment committee.
• I believe the interest that's accured.
• Committee, we'll close public comment.

Bills: SF0101

Keywords: Second Amendment, firearm regulation, state legislation, public safety, civil penalties, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They were very public. >> Yeah, I would agree with that. >> Okay. Right.
• They were very public. newspaper. They were very public.
• I mean, as a public administrator, I think a big important job as public administrators is to also represent
• I mean, as a public administrator, I think a big important job as public administrators is to also represent
• Of the public we serve.

Bills: SF0101

Keywords: Second Amendment, firearm regulation, state legislation, public safety, civil penalties, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The final bill that we will take up in public property, and I don't know that we will have another hearing
• 00:26:35.200><c> today's</c><00:26:35.640><c> meeting</c><00:26:36.000><c> of</c><00:26:36.120><c> public
• </c> will wrap up today's meeting of public will wrap up today's meeting of public property.<00:26:37.040

Keywords: Public Property - Room 409, 26 February, 2026; 11:00 P.M., 925, all