Transcript Highlights:

• Cattle Growers is apprehensive about how the enforcement mechanisms will work in practice.
• you owe $3,400, up until the point where the hearings officer has found them guilty, they're not assessed
• you owe $3,400, up until the point where the hearings officer has found them guilty, they're not assessed
• infrastructure like that, there should be grace to allow that infrastructure to be fixed before that assessment

Committee: House House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the hospital assessment increased that year because hospitals were allowed to access increased reimbursement
• The hospital assessment again went up, which, remember, is based on net hospital revenue.
• So as hospital revenues are going up, the piece of that that they assess themselves for the upper payment
• I think practically, when you look at individual needs within the different agencies, some agencies..

Summary: The committee first received a presentation on the state general fund and the JFAC “green sheet” from Legislative Services analyst Christopher LaHosette. He explained the general fund’s main revenue sources, how appropriations and transfers are tracked, how the green sheet is used to reconcile projected revenues against expenditures, and how structural balance is measured. Members asked about continuously appropriated funds, federal dollars, sales tax exemptions, and cash reconciliation issues tied to the state’s Luma system and interest allocations. The presentation emphasized that the green sheet is a cash reconciliation tool and that the committee would use it throughout session to track budget actions and policy bill impacts. The committee then began its Department of Health and Welfare budget hearings with an overall agency presentation from analyst Alex Williamson. She reviewed the department’s size, structure, vacancy rate, five-year spending trends, and the role of continuously appropriated funds such as the Idaho Children’s Trust Fund and Rural Physician Fund. Members asked about personnel vacancies, unspent personnel dollars, and the department’s large trustee and benefit payments. Department officials later explained that vacancies reflected a department-wide review, hiring freeze, and reallocation of FTP to better match funding, with some positions being reverted and others moved to areas such as State Hospital South and Medicaid-related work. The committee then heard the first division-level budget presentation for Indirect Support Services. Williamson outlined the division’s administrative functions, its FTP and vacancy picture, historical spending, and budget changes tied to reorganizations, the ombudsman office, and IT consolidation. The division’s 2027 requests included a dedicated-fund irrigation project at State Hospital West, a background-check unit fund adjustment, removal of special transfer restrictions, and the transfer of 58 FTP to the Office of Information Technology as part of modernization. Members also discussed the new Rural Health Transformation Program, including Idaho’s $925 million federal award, the governor’s proposed 12 limited-service FTP and related spending, and whether the department could use AI or other efficiencies. Additional questions covered the definition of rural, the mechanics of the IT transfer, and a constituent question about bathroom upgrades, which the department said was handled by the Department of Administration rather than Health and Welfare.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the hospital assessment increased that year because hospitals were allowed to access increased reimbursement
• The hospital assessment again went up, which, remember, is based on net hospital revenue.
• So as hospital revenues are going up, the piece of that that they assess themselves for the upper payment
• I think, practically, when you look at individual needs within the different agencies, some agencies.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: JFAC began with a presentation from Legislative Services on the general fund and the “green sheet,” explaining how the committee tracks starting cash, revenue forecasts, transfers, appropriations, and ending balances. The analyst walked through general fund revenue sources, the difference between transfers and expenditures, structural balance, and how the green sheet is used to compare current-year collections against forecasts. Members asked about continuously appropriated funds, federal dollars, sales tax exemptions, and cash reconciliation issues tied to the state’s new Luma finance system and interest allocations. The discussion also covered the revenue monitor and how the committee can use it to track collections against forecasted amounts. The committee then moved into the Department of Health and Welfare’s overall budget overview. Legislative Services reviewed the department’s size, organizational structure, vacancy rate, five-year spending trends, and the role of continuously appropriated funds such as the Idaho Children’s Trust Fund and Rural Physician Fund. Members asked about personnel vacancy rates, reverted funds, and whether the department could provide a list of subgrants and trustee-and-benefit payments. Department officials explained that some vacancies reflected a department-wide review, hiring freeze, and FTP realignment, including moving positions to State Hospital South and reverting some federal spending authority. They also said the department was actively filling funded positions and would provide additional information on grants and other payments. The committee then heard the first division-level budget presentation for Indirect Support Services. The analyst described the division’s role in centralized administration, IT, legal, communications, and management support, along with its staffing, historical expenditures, and base budget changes. The division’s budget request included a one-time irrigation system project at State Hospital West, a fund adjustment for the background check unit, the transfer of 58 FTP and related costs to the Office of Information Technology as part of modernization, and a request to remove restrictive budget language on personnel and trustee-and-benefit transfers. The governor’s recommendation also included support for some replacement items and a major new item tied to Idaho’s Rural Health Transformation Program, including 12 limited-service FTP in 2026, ongoing FTP in 2027, and $294 million in one-time operating funds. Members questioned the need for the new FTP, the use of AI, the definition of “rural,” and the mechanics of the IT transfer; department and ITS officials explained the transfer was a budget shift of personnel and operating costs, not a net increase in staffing. The committee adjourned after members also raised broader concerns about public input on Health and Welfare budgets and suggested a joint public meeting with the Health and Welfare committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• The advisory warned that or assessment.
• ><c> plays,</c> assessments, sports, concerts, plays, assessments, sports, concerts, plays, graduation
• </c> instructional activity or assessment instructional activity or assessment that<00:08:57.600><c>
• </c> do an assessment is not reasonable. do an assessment is not reasonable.
• </c><01:16:37.360><c> Um</c> "Somebody down to do the assessment."

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're trying to assessment etc etc.
• </c><01:31:57.120><c> when</c> able to pay it through assessments when able to pay it through assessments
• </c> committee, it takes the assessment committee, it takes the assessment language<01:56:20.000><c>
• </c><01:56:44.000><c> reserve,</c> And then with the 4% assessment reserve, And then with the 4% assessment
• </c> being experiencing a massive assessment being experiencing a massive assessment mid<02:04:02.239

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee continued work on Senate Bill 297 and a new amendment dealing with pooled risk management programs and whether they should be regulated under the insurance department. Lisa Duket, executive director of SchoolCare, testified at length that the draft language could allow co-mingling of public entity risk funds, could trigger producer-licensing requirements for staff who are not actually brokers, and may not fit public entity risk pools because they are not insurance companies. She also raised concerns about the March 1 reporting deadline, the proposed uniform accounting language, aggregate excess insurance, examination costs being charged to the program, and confidentiality provisions that she argued may conflict with right-to-know principles for public entities. She urged the committee to slow down and consider a study committee or more time for review, saying the regulated entities were not adequately involved in drafting the proposal. Chairman Hunt and the department responded that the bill is intended to create a licensure-based regulatory model, similar to other licensed industries, and that the pooled risk management program would be exempt from producer licensing while anyone else selling or negotiating such coverage would need a producer license. The department said failure to comply would be handled through an administrative licensing process, with denial or nonrenewal of a license and appeal through the department process. On the reporting deadline, the department said March 1 is a standard filing date used for financial analysis and that the filing can be the most recent annual report, regardless of fiscal year end. They also explained that the confidentiality language was taken from existing RSA 5B, that aggregate excess insurance was included as a solvency measure, and that the draft was intended to preserve familiar language while adapting it for pooled risk programs. The discussion did not include a final vote or formal action on the bill in the portion provided. The committee appeared to be compiling follow-up questions for the insurance department and considering whether additional revisions or a slower process would be needed before moving the bill forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• assessed? assessed? &gt;&gt; Great<01:25:25.280><c> question.
• And then it isn't required to have an assessment of effects in some cases or proposed mitigation.
• And then it isn't required to have an assessment of effects in some cases or proposed mitigation.
• </c><04:38:28.561><c> So</c><04:38:29.119><c> I</c> that's what the assesses study did.
• So I that's what the assesses study did.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The task force held its first meeting, beginning with roll call and introductions of members and participants in the room and on Zoom. The chair emphasized Sunshine Law transparency, noted the meeting was on September 11, and opened public testimony on the orientation report. No one testified in person or on Zoom, and the chair observed a moment of silence in remembrance of 9/11 before moving into the agenda. The chair then reported on several orientation presentations given statewide between July 18 and September 5, including meetings with transit-oriented development, the Maui Chamber of Commerce, the Kona-Kohala Chamber, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce on Hawaiʻi Island, the Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce, the Hawaiʻi Island Native Hawaiian Chamber, and the Capo Chamber of Commerce. The main presentation item was a detailed overview from Kauaʻi County on its permitting process. County staff explained that zoning and building permits are handled separately on the outer islands, with zoning focused on form, character, and compatibility, and building permits focused on health and safety. They described a two-tier zoning system: ministerial permits that are automatically approved if not acted on within 30 days, and discretionary permits that go to the planning commission and can become lengthy contested cases if there is intervention. They also discussed special management area review in coastal areas, which can add time, and explained that building permits must conform to what was approved in zoning. Kauaʻi County staff also outlined the building permit process, including online and in-person submission, coordination with planning, engineering, water, wastewater, health, and fire agencies, and the county’s fully electronic review system using ProjectDox and related software. They noted that applicants are encouraged to check zoning, water, wastewater, and floodplain issues before hiring someone to prepare plans, especially for homeowners. The county shared permit and utility statistics and said the public can check permit history through Click2Gov. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided; after the Kauaʻi presentation, the chair opened a question period for members.

Transcript Highlights:

• 07:53.599><c> they</c> can only practice the skills where they can only practice the skills where they
• </c> current practicing current practicing CPA.<01:27:46.960><c> They</c><01:27:47.199><c> may</c><01
• So now you're practice theoretically.
• ,</c> commitment to ethical practice, commitment to ethical practice, safeguards<01:41:52.960><c> public
• I haven't done CLEs in a long time because I don't practice anymore.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, my instinct would be that if we had, we would strive to alter our spending practices in the state
• The bill also codifies the Administrative Health Insurance Assessment. That is the bill, Mr.
• If you back out a few sentences, it references best management practices.
• So I believe in best management practices.
• So this is just an attempt to calibrate spending practices...

Summary: The House convened on the final day of session, observed a moment of silence for the Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and for Representative Rosenwald’s father, then swore in and seated new members Boyles and Hodgers. The Speaker also outlined the chamber’s end-of-session priorities, including action on the budget and related conforming bills. The House then took up H.J.R. 5019, a constitutional amendment to expand Florida’s budget stabilization fund by raising the cap, requiring annual transfers, and allowing withdrawals for critical state needs. After sponsor explanations and questions about what would qualify as a critical need and how the fund might respond to possible federal funding cuts, the House adopted an amendment that added more flexibility for suspending transfers and withdrawals. The joint resolution then passed on final passage. Members next considered HB 7031, the tax package conference report. The bill repeals the business rent tax and aviation fuel tax, delays the natural gas fuel tax, creates or extends several sales tax exemptions and holidays, and makes changes affecting property taxes, local taxes, pari-mutuel taxes, and revenue distributions. Debate focused heavily on the new permanent exemption for ammunition and hunting-related items, the elimination of recurring housing trust fund and transit-related distributions, and the shift of some funding from recurring to nonrecurring status. Supporters argued the package provides tax relief and preserves annual budget flexibility, while opponents criticized the ammunition exemption and the reductions in recurring housing and transit support. The conference report was adopted and the bill passed. The House then passed HB 5017, which creates a debt reduction program funded by a recurring transfer from general revenue to retire state bonds early, and HB 5015, the state group insurance conforming bill, which directs DMS to develop a formulary management plan and codifies the administrative health insurance assessment. Finally, the chamber began explanation and questions on the General Appropriations Act conference report for fiscal year 2025-26, described as a $115.1 billion budget that is down from the current year and includes more than $12 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs summarized major budget areas, including K-12 education, health care, transportation and economic development, agriculture and natural resources, higher education, state administration, justice, and information technology, highlighting funding for school choice, Medicaid, housing, transportation infrastructure, Everglades restoration, workforce programs, cybersecurity, and technology modernization.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill amends the Asopathic Medical Practice Act. Will the House agree to the bill? Agreed to.
• This bill amends the Medical Practice Act. Will the House agree to the bill? Agreed to.
• I encourage an affirmative vote on this important amendment to ensure individuals seeking to practice
• If these individuals seek to practice in Pennsylvania, under the terms of the bill that's before us,
• That would be the practical impact of passing this legislation.

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved several journals, and welcomed a number of guests, including Irish dignitaries, scholarship winners, interns, student pages, and members of Omega Psi Phi. After confirming a quorum, the chamber received committee reports and referred new bills and resolutions, then recessed for caucuses and committee meetings before returning to floor action. In the afternoon session, the House considered several bills and amendments. It approved amendments to House Bills 426, 1127, 2551, and Senate Bill 146, while rejecting an amendment to HB 1127 that would have tightened background-check requirements for out-of-state dentists. The chamber also agreed to HB 2234, which creates a spent grain donation tax credit and updates the malt beverage tax credit, and HB 2551, which limits text-message notices by the Turnpike Commission and other agencies about unpaid fines, fees, or tolls. Senate Bill 146, creating the Veterans Trust Fund Board, was amended to add audit-related changes and then agreed to. The House then took final passage votes on several bills. HB 133, allowing a process to petition for reinstatement of parental rights, passed 191-11; HB 138, barring parental incarceration as the sole basis for termination of parental rights, passed 200-2; HB 2207, on capital development loans, passed 202-0; and HB 2224, dealing with utility rate and tax-related changes, passed 202-0 after extensive debate over affordability, consumer protections, and tax relief. HB 2473, repealing the Flood Insurance Education Information Act of 1996, also passed unanimously, and HB 2544, addressing school administrator rights and compensation disputes, passed 141-61. The most extensive debate centered on HB 2632, which reallocates educational tax credit caps and replaces the EITC and OSTC programs with a new options tax credit framework beginning in 2027-28. Supporters said it would improve transparency, accountability, and access for the poorest students, while opponents argued it would reduce scholarship opportunities, add burdens, and harm families and schools that rely on the current programs. After lengthy debate, the House passed HB 2632 by a vote of 105-97. The chamber then announced a Finance Committee voting meeting, recommitted several bills to Appropriations, and adjourned until June 23, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just for those of us who don't practice law? Have faced statutes, when do they apply?
• Just for those of us who don't practice law? They apply. Well, they apply.
• The practice of law is full of deadlines, and lawyers know they have to deal with those deadlines, and
• The practice of law is full of deadlines and lawyers know they have to deal with those deadlines and
• I can give you a practical example that applies from a very small matter that I just dealt with.

Committee: House Insurance

Summary: The House Committee on Insurance met on March 25 and took up House Bill 577 by Representative Glorioso, which would change Louisiana’s bad-faith insurance penalty language from a flat 50% to “up to 50%,” giving judges discretion to award a lower penalty in cases involving minor or technical delays. Glorioso argued the bill would correct an omission from the 2024 consolidation of the bad-faith statutes, reduce unnecessary litigation over nominal delays, and potentially help lower reinsurance and homeowners’ insurance costs. Committee members questioned whether the change would weaken consumer protections or reward insurer misconduct, especially in catastrophe claims after storms, and whether any real rate relief would follow. Opposition testimony came from the Louisiana Association of Justice and Real Reform Louisiana. They argued the current penalty provisions are important guardrails that help force timely payment and fair handling of claims, especially after hurricanes, and that the bill would reduce deterrence without producing meaningful premium reductions. They also said insurers already have substantial time and procedural protections under the law, and that penalties are rarely awarded but serve as leverage in settlement negotiations. Supporters and the Department of Insurance said Louisiana’s penalty structure is an outlier compared with other states and that the bill could make the market more competitive, though the department said it did not have court data on bad-faith judgments and could not quantify the bill’s effect on rates. After debate, Representative Glorioso closed by saying he was open to further language changes but asked the committee to advance the bill. The committee then voted 10 yeas and 6 nays to report House Bill 577 favorably. Afterward, the committee moved on to the next item, House Bill 955.

Transcript Highlights:

• In practice, this policy forces families into impossible choices: when you work more hours and lose the
• Counties see the impact of this policy and practice and the revolving door it causes for families.
• Counties see the impact of this policy and practice and the revolving door it causes for families.
• California should be able to create positive outcomes for our children using evidence-based practices
• Effective July 1, 2025, counties are assessed a penalty for each IHSS Community First Choice Option,

Summary: The Assembly Human Services Committee heard a lengthy agenda focused largely on CalWORKs, child care access, early childhood supports, and family stability. Measures discussed included AB 1655, which would protect CalWORKs benefits for families when a child or family member is temporarily absent due to immigration detention; AB 1746, which would require counties to give CalWORKs applicants the actual child care request form and respond within 10 days; and AB 1755, which would repeal the CalWORKs 100-hour work penalty for two-parent families. Supporters across these bills emphasized reducing poverty, preventing administrative barriers, and avoiding punishments that can destabilize working families. No opposition witnesses appeared on these items. All three bills were moved forward on party-line or near-unanimous votes, with committee amendments accepted where noted. The committee also heard AB 2072, creating a state contingency fund to keep CalFresh and WIC benefits flowing during a federal shutdown, with support from the California Retailers Association and anti-poverty groups; AB 2429, which would make targeted changes to the early childhood mental health consultation model by making one screener optional and reducing required observations; AB 1969, the "It Takes a Village Act," establishing a grant program for cradle-to-career place-based partnerships; and AB 2092, giving the Department of Social Services lead authority over an early childhood integrated data system and creating an interagency governance structure. Testimony on these bills stressed the need for coordinated services, better data, and more flexible implementation. Each advanced out of committee, with AB 1969 receiving the most discussion and a split vote before later being finalized on the record. Two additional bills addressed county administration and emergency aid. AB 2278 would authorize a Contra Costa County pilot to test technology to speed IHSS eligibility and reassessments amid heavy caseloads and penalties, while AB 2567 would let counties issue emergency CalWORKs aid without first requiring applicants to apply for all other potentially available income sources. Both were presented as ways to reduce delays and help families in crisis faster. The committee also approved a consent calendar containing several other measures. At the end of the hearing, the committee returned to open votes and finalized the roll on all items before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Local governments can designate parking and business improvement areas in which they can collect assessments
• best practice I think in this case would be to allow either residential or commercial within an area
• This is a practical solution that can help projects pencil, particularly... Requirements.
• This bill is a practical step toward addressing this gap.
• We are proposing a practical solution: allow cities that act before February 27 to rebalance at least

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on engrossed second substitute Senate Bill 6026, which would prohibit certain GMA-planning cities and counties from excluding residential development in commercial and mixed-use zones and would limit local requirements for ground-floor commercial or mixed-use space, subject to numerous exemptions and a possible study-based off-ramp. The bill sponsor and supporters, including the Lieutenant Governor, the governor’s housing policy advisor, Commerce staff, developers, labor/employer groups, and housing advocates, argued it would reduce barriers, reuse underutilized commercial land, and help address the state’s housing shortage. Cities including Bellevue, Kirkland, Bellingham, Redmond, Kent, Lacey, and Lakewood testified in opposition or with concerns, emphasizing local control, impacts on walkable neighborhoods and small businesses, implementation costs, and the need for more flexibility or clearer compliance options. Committee members asked about exemptions, the study process, and how the bill would affect existing local plans and incentives. The committee then moved to executive session on several bills. It rejected Representative Griffey’s amendment to Senate Bill 5820, which would have restored Clark County’s freight rail dependent overlay authority and added findings about greenhouse gas reductions from short line rail, and then passed SB 5820 out with a do pass recommendation. The committee also passed SB 5995, extending authorization for port districts to purchase zero- and near-zero-emission cargo handling equipment; SB 5552, directing rulemaking for kit home building codes; SB 5467, raising thresholds for water-sewer district surplus property sales; and SB 6189, removing the deadline for forming a public facilities district for regional aquatics and sports facilities. Each of those bills received a do pass recommendation, with some members noting support for housing, workforce, efficiency, or local flexibility and others expressing concerns about contracts, automation, or competitiveness. After executive session, the committee resumed testimony on SB 6026. Additional supporters, including the Lieutenant Governor, Commerce, developers, the Washington Roundtable, Microsoft, and housing organizations, reiterated that the bill would unlock housing on vacant commercial land and preserve some local flexibility through exemptions and height incentives. Opponents and concerned cities continued to argue that the bill would weaken local planning, reduce commercial space needed for complete communities, and impose costs and implementation burdens. The hearing concluded without final action on SB 6026, with the chair noting more testimony and work remained.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, I first learned about the beautiful practice of Falun Dafa through one of my... my constituents
• Two sessions ago, this body passed SCR3. decrying the practice of forced organ harvesting.
• It is about that ability to practice law, to advocate for those who need help, whatever their views may
• These two elements are basically already in practice.
• Practice, this is just going to put it in statute.

Bills: SB128 , SB203 , SB205 , SB317 , SB393 , SB397 , SB510 , SB582 , SB731 , SB801 , SB867 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1073 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1163 , SB1250 , SB1285 , SB1310 , SB1444 , SB1483 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1723 , SB1782 , SB1835 , SB1861 , SB1897 , SB1903 , SB1950 , SB2043 , SB2063 , SB2082 , SB2133 , SB2137 , SB2260 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2334 , SB2344 , SB2403 , SB2446 , SB2522 , SB2532 , SB2549 , SB2566 , SB2600 , SB2619 , SB2637 , SB2655 , SB2688 , SB2717 , SB2785 , SB2790 , SB2794 , SB2841 , SB2847 , SB2857 , SB2891 , SB2919 , SB2943 , SB2972 , SB3047 , SB3052 , SB3053 , SB3057 , SB3059 , HJR1 , HB9 , HB26 , HB37 , HB116 , HB334 , HB554 , HB913 , HB1109 , HB1151 , HB1899 , HB2081 , HB2809 , HB2890 , HB2970 , HB3012 , HB3307 , HB3809 , HB5092 , SB17 , SB314 , SB455 , SB509 , SB761 , SB963 , SB1023 , SB1968 , SB2122 , SB2371 , SB2420 , SB2544 , SB1 , SB260 , SB1506 , SB1637 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB2943 , SB510 , SB1835 , SB1950 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1163 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB511 , SB2309 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1359 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2972 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB2891 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB2532 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1285 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB2460 , SB2785 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB2994 , SB2747 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1861 , SB2043 , SB1367 , SB2857 , SB128 , SB3058 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3048 , SB3052 , SB3053 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3056 , SB3043 , SB3050 , SB3063 , SB3047 , SB3035 , SB2446 , SB1790 , SB1778 , SB2847 , SB2619 , SB203 , SB3061 , SB2600 , SB2799 , SB2790 , SB2688 , SB2515 , SB1230 , SB2522 , SB2639 , SB2403 , SB2459 , SB3051 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB582 , SB2617 , SB2751 , SB2928 , SB1310 , SB2566 , SB2344 , SB1897 , SB1749 , SB1361 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1782 , SB1705 , SB2696 , SB1944 , SB2215 , SB644 , SB1232 , SB2850 , HJR1 , HB1109 , HB1130 , HB1689 , HB2884 , HB1393 , HB2559 , HB26 , HB3012 , HB1327 , HB109 , HB1238 , HB2890 , HB9 , HB2081 , HB4215 , HB2970 , HB37 , HB1899 , HB3809 , HB334 , HB554 , HB1593 , HB2607 , HB3526 , HB3810 , HB5092 , HB388 , HB2809 , HB1151 , HB913 , HB3307 , HB879 , HB116 , HB12 , HB2703 , HB1610 , HB1615 , HB1620 , HB30 , HB21 , HB2712 , HB2692 , HB1633 , HB1318 , HB685 , HB630 , HB4753 , HB2742 , HB303 , HB198 , HB1535 , HB762 , HB148 , HB1520 , HB5061 , HB2286 , HB1606 , HB1041 , HB132 , HB11 , HCR7 , HCR75 , HCR86 , HCR92 , HCR93 , HCR126 , SB582 , SB1163 , SB2344 , SB2403 , SB2446 , SB2600 , SB2785 , SB3047 , HB334 , HB554 , HB1109 , HB2081 , HB3809 , SB510 , SB1835 , SB1950 , SB2943 , SB1073 , SB1310 , SB2532 , SB2619 , SB2847 , SB2972 , SR509 , SR512 , SJR87 , SB3072 , SB3073 , HB49 , HB229 , HB361 , HB700 , HB796 , HB1128 , HB1534 , HB1661 , HB1803 , HB1837 , HB1866 , HB2149 , HB2282 , HB2294 , HB2434 , HB2440 , HB2761 , HB2785 , HB2867 , HB3057 , HB3062 , HB3134 , HB3185 , HB3225 , HB3233 , HB3358 , HB3388 , HB3421 , HB3619 , HB3658 , HB3675 , HB3687 , HB3697 , HB3743 , HB3745 , HB3787 , HB3848 , HB3866 , HB3940 , HB3984 , HB4176 , HB4205 , HB4226 , HB4429 , HB4437 , HB4463 , HB4506 , HB4730 , HB4735 , HB4752 , HB4813 , HB4903 , HB4904 , HB5033 , HB5057 , HB5129 , HB5137 , HB5138 , HB5149 , HB5153 , HB5155 , HB5195 , HB5196 , HB5200 , HB5224 , HB5294 , HB5339 , HB5394 , HCR108 , SJR87 , SB3072 , SB3073 , HB49 , HB229 , HB361 , HB700 , HB796 , HB1128 , HB1534 , HB1661 , HB1803 , HB1837 , HB1866 , HB2149 , HB2282 , HB2294 , HB2434 , HB2440 , HB2761 , HB2785 , HB2867 , HB3057 , HB3062 , HB3134 , HB3185 , HB3225 , HB3233 , HB3358 , HB3388 , HB3421 , HB3619 , HB3658 , HB3675 , HB3687 , HB3697 , HB3743 , HB3745 , HB3787 , HB3848 , HB3866 , HB3940 , HB3984 , HB4176 , HB4205 , HB4226 , HB4429 , HB4437 , HB4463 , HB4506 , HB4730 , HB4735 , HB4752 , HB4813 , HB4903 , HB4904 , HB5033 , HB5057 , HB5129 , HB5137 , HB5138 , HB5149 , HB5153 , HB5155 , HB5195 , HB5196 , HB5200 , HB5224 , HB5294 , HB5339 , HB5394 , HCR108

Keywords: hospital reporting, child abuse, neglect, administrative penalty, medical ethics, child protection, student privacy, numerical class rank, education policy, academic programs, high school, fetal development, health curriculum, public schools, middle school health education, grade 7, grade 8, State Board of Education, school health advisory council, Texas Education Code

Transcript Highlights:

• 72 hours to be been involved in a critical critical incident and allows for cooling off period to assess
• They are practical, actionable solutions grounded in the operational capabilities of our state agencies
• 2 minutes. >> My name is Kerry fight and I'm an attorney with community Justice project and our practice
• question is it's paramount for your members of your association because they are employing best practice
• But we are actually getting to the practical ability to prove beyond a reasonable doubt include that

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• they need, the care they deserve, and is not adding an additional burden on our schools with this practice
• In 1982, my cousin, George Wade, died in basketball practice at South Plantation High School.
• In 1982, my cousin, George Wade, died in basketball practice at South Plantation High School.
• And he went to basketball practice... And I remember getting that phone call.
• So we're just aligning that with current law and practice. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions?

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Summary: The Pre-K-12 Education Committee took up a series of education, school safety, health, and student access bills. SB 754 on International Baccalaureate bonus funds was amended to clarify the theory of knowledge course and then reported favorably. SB 370 would allow routine non-invasive school health screenings, such as vision, hearing, and dental checks, to proceed with written notice and an opt-out process rather than active parental consent; supporters said it would improve participation and access, while opponents argued it was too broad and weakened parental rights. After debate over scope, funding, and consent, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also advanced SB 1070, which would require ECG screenings for student athletes under a phased rollout beginning in 2026, with religious and medical opt-outs. The bill was renamed the Second Chance Act in honor of Chance Gainer. Supporters described it as a life-saving measure to detect hidden cardiac conditions, while some members raised cost and implementation concerns. SB 508, the Family Empowerment Scholarship bill, would require private schools to disclose in writing what accommodations and services they will provide to students with IEPs, 504 plans, or ELL plans before enrollment; it was supported by parents, advocacy groups, and some school representatives and was reported favorably. School safety measures were also considered. SB 1470 would refine campus locking and supervision rules, create clearer exceptions, expand training and security options for school safety personnel, and allow district-employed law enforcement officers to use canines for threat detection. Witnesses from school safety and Parkland-related advocacy groups supported the bill but urged caution on exemptions and implementation details. SB 1472 would extend a public records exemption to certified school security guards, matching the protection already given to school guardians, and it was reported favorably. Finally, SB 248 would expand participation in FHSAA sports for private school and home education students at public schools when their own schools do not offer the sport, and SB 1618 made broad changes to VPK through grade 12 policy, including reading instruction, financial literacy, school funds restrictions, teacher certification, and advisory council rules; both bills were reported favorably. Several members later recorded votes in support of specific tabs before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're all really practical. This is extremely practical.
• They're all really practical. This is extremely practical. This isn't a talking point.
• </c><03:03:53.359><c> practical.
• </c> practical. This is extremely practical. practical. This is extremely practical.
• </c><04:05:28.160><c> These</c> safe gun handling practices. These safe gun handling practices.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• He loves to play out in the backyard and practice with his friend at the fields.
• She practiced a lot and made the freshman team.
• The First Amendment protects an individual's right to practice their religion freely.
• A Quaker who was hanged in 1660 on the Boston Common for practicing her faith.
• This country was founded on freedom to practice religion.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing on several vaccination-related bills, including proposals to eliminate non-medical or religious exemptions for school immunizations (notably H. 2554 and S. 1557), a bill to require or improve reporting and administration of immunization data and exemptions (described as the Community Immunity Act, S. 1618), and H. 2431, which would prohibit COVID-19, mRNA, or gene-altering vaccine requirements. The committee also heard testimony on H. 2463, which would classify funeral directors as public health workers for vaccine-priority purposes during emergencies. The chair reviewed testimony rules and repeatedly asked speakers to keep comments orderly and brief so the committee could hear as many people as possible. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony on H. 2554 and S. 1557 was sharply divided. Pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, public health advocates, and groups such as the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Massachusetts Medical Society, March of Dimes, Massachusetts Families for Vaccines, and several parents supported eliminating religious exemptions, arguing that vaccination protects medically vulnerable children and adults, improves herd immunity, and helps prevent outbreaks of measles, pertussis, and other diseases. They cited local school data showing pockets of lower coverage and incomplete reporting, and several speakers referenced outbreaks in other states and the need for stronger, more consistent reporting and exemption management. Opponents argued the bills would infringe on religious freedom and parental rights, force families to choose between faith and education, and unfairly target a small number of families; some also said Massachusetts already has high vaccination rates and that the real issue is incomplete data or the gap population rather than religious exemptions. H. 2431 drew testimony from supporters who said COVID-era mandates caused job losses, privacy concerns, and harm, and that the bill would prevent future requirements for COVID, mRNA, or gene-altering vaccines in schools, workplaces, and public settings. Supporters described personal experiences with alleged vaccine injury or mandate-related hardship. H. 2463 was supported by the Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association, which argued funeral directors work in infection-facing settings and should be eligible for vaccine priority during public health emergencies. The hearing featured extensive public testimony but no committee action beyond hearing the bills and taking questions from members.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, not fighting words, not fire in a crowded theater, but free speech has many practical benefits
• Free speech has practical benefits. If I'm wrong, I want to know about it.
• And Jim actually is, you know, you all are set pretty much as best practices for the other schools in
• I think Turning Point USA would disagree with your assessment of what young people feel today.
• Like, what does that practically look like when you're measuring where we were maybe five years ago to

Summary: The joint Senate and House Select Committee on Civil Discourse and Freedom of Speech in Higher Education convened for its first public hearing, adopted its proposed rules without objection, and framed the hearing as an organizational, invited-testimony-only session. Members repeatedly condemned political violence and the assassination of Charlie Kirk, saying the committee was created in response to concerns about civil discourse, intimidation, and hostility on college campuses. Several members emphasized that the goal was not to suppress speech but to protect open expression while maintaining order, due process, and institutional accountability. The first witness, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Commissioner Wyn Rosser, outlined implementation of Senate Bill 37. He described the General Education Advisory Committee, which is reviewing broad core-curriculum knowledge and skills and may recommend reducing the current 42-hour core, while leaving review of specific courses to individual institutions. He also explained the new Office of the Ombudsman, the board’s role in supporting it, and existing training and certification requirements for governing board members. Members asked about enforcement tools, transparency, and whether the ombudsman would investigate complaints involving censorship, retaliation, or political bias; Rosser said some enforcement exists in certain laws, but he deferred on the exact scope of the ombudsman’s investigatory authority and on issues outside the agency’s role. University of Texas at Austin President Jim Davis testified that UT Austin supports free speech, academic freedom, and civil discourse, and he described three areas of focus: speech on campus grounds, classroom discourse, and how people treat one another. He said the university enforces time, place, and manner rules, expects professors to present alternative views on controversial topics, and has created internal reporting and appeal processes for students and faculty. Members questioned him about heckler’s veto incidents, protests, off-campus participants, complaints about professors, hate speech, and whether the university would protect speakers and students from disruption or unfair targeting. Davis said the university would not tolerate disruptions, would use due process and factual review, and is working to align campus practices with the new law and regents’ expectations. Ricky Adam Jr. of Turning Point USA’s Club America described the group’s campus and high-school organizing, praised Charlie Kirk’s approach to open debate, and said the organization is expanding in Texas. He raised concerns about school administrators and a counselor at an Early College High School in Killeen allegedly interfering with a student club and withholding footage, and committee members said they would seek information and, if necessary, use legislative process to investigate. Members from both chambers reiterated support for free speech, criticized political violence and campus suppression of viewpoints, and stressed that future hearings would continue examining implementation and enforcement issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• What do you folks do as a business practice to guarantee the quality of the forests that are being asked
• I mean, those rules are extremely diligently... practice to guarantee the quality of practice to guarantee
• </c> to um their harvest practices. to um their harvest practices.
• ,</c><01:46:42.520><c> and</c> treatments, harvest practices, and treatments, harvest practices, and
• </c><01:49:55.680><c> for</c><01:49:55.840><c> the</c> and land assessment for the and land assessment

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with introductions, approval of the March 6 minutes as amended to add an attendee list, and a brief overview of the day’s agenda. The committee heard two presentations from carbon project developers, with the first from Dylan Jenkins of Finite Carbon. He described Finite Carbon’s work in improved forest management projects, its role in developing carbon methodologies and protocols, and its experience with projects in New England, Appalachia, Alaska, and Canada. He also outlined the difference between compliance and voluntary carbon markets, the role of registries and intermediaries, and the types of buyers in the market, including large corporate buyers and long-term off-take partners. A major focus of the presentation was how forest carbon projects are structured and how credits are monetized. Jenkins distinguished between removals and reductions, explaining that removals come from new forest growth while reductions are tied more closely to baseline assumptions and standing stock. He said improved forest management projects can generate both types of credits, and that removals generally command higher prices because they are easier for buyers to understand and verify. He also emphasized that carbon project commercialization can occur before, during, or after credit issuance, and that landowners may be paid through a variety of structures, including leases, advance fees, per-unit payments, or off-take agreements. Jenkins then addressed the committee’s tax-related questions, saying House Bill 123 appeared intended to treat carbon credit sales similarly to timber sales for local tax purposes. He argued that carbon credits are a forest product and that taxing them can be reasonable in principle, but he stressed that lawmakers should distinguish between commoditization and commercialization when deciding what event to tax. He noted that credits may be created but never sold, and that in some programs landowners retain timber and carbon rights while in others the developer has deeper control over those rights. In response to questions, he said the industry uses protocols, verification, and third-party oversight to address baseline and quality concerns, but acknowledged that baseline setting remains a major point of debate in the market.

Transcript Highlights:

• like cultural burning and practices like cultural burning and replace<00:26:16.640><c> stewardship</
• ,<00:26:34.080><c> hindering</c><00:26:34.720><c> effective</c> practices, hindering effective practices
• </c> um and how to and and pre best practices um and how to and and pre best practices um<00:32:45.279
• The dollars that farmers pay into the program through the fertilizer tonnage fee go toward practical
• the properties and we got assess the properties and we got numerous<01:11:53.840><c> calls</c><01:11

Bills: HF3898 , HF3957 , HF4372 , HF4350 , HF3692 , HF4085

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: pesticides, wild rice, environmental protection, agriculture, water quality, pollinators, training, management plan, fertilizer research, education grants, Minnesota Agricultural Council, technology transfer, agricultural productivity, HF4372, Minnesota agriculture, meat processing, meat processing training, retention incentive grants, grant extension, project deadline extension