Transcript Highlights:

• In Section 5 of the committee substitute, there are— In Section 5 of the committee substitute, there
• Manufacturing Equipment Tax Credit in 2024, we aligned our law with federal language of a similar tax credit, Section
• As discussions continued throughout the interim, it became clear that decoupling from IRS Section 45X

Summary: The House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee met on February 3 and first took up House Bill 153, the Low Carbon Construction Material Rebate Act, with a committee substitute that added an Environmental Product Declaration program and shifted administration to the Environment Department. Sponsor Representative Dixon said the bill would create rebates for buyers of lower-carbon construction materials, support local manufacturers, and reduce industrial emissions. Support came from the New Mexico Home Builders Association, Sierra Club, and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. Some members questioned whether the bill would actually lower housing costs or instead create future price pressure once subsidies expire, and raised concerns about rulemaking and whether some materials would be incentivized even without state help. The committee voted 7-4 to do pass the committee substitute and do not pass the original bill. The committee then heard House Bill 154, which would broaden and decouple New Mexico’s advanced energy tax credit definitions from federal law and add fusion energy and related components as eligible advanced energy products. Representative Dixon said the change would give the state more flexibility to include emerging technologies while keeping the existing credit structure and cap intact. The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, a Santa Fe fusion company, a Los Lunas economic development official, and an online fusion company all testified in support, arguing the bill would provide certainty, attract investment, and help build a local supply chain. One member suggested future consideration of nuclear fission, while another questioned whether some renewable technologies were still appropriate, but the committee ultimately voted 9-2 to do pass HB 154. House Bill 184, a technical fix to the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund, was then presented by Representative Small. The amendment adopted by the committee delayed the three-year moving average for distributions by one year and extended the time to use funds from two years to three years, with the sponsor saying this would better reflect the fund’s growth and give projects more time to complete. Witnesses from Western Resource Advocates, conservation districts, and Conservation Voters New Mexico supported the measure, saying it would strengthen successful outdoor, watershed, and conservation programs. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill unanimously. Finally, the committee heard House Memorial 20, which would create a study group to examine barriers to renewable energy transmission and project development. The sponsor said the goal was to bring agencies, stakeholders, and possibly courts together to identify ways to speed up renewable infrastructure while preserving environmental review and public input. Sierra Club, Western Resource Advocates, Defenders of Wildlife, and the League of Women Voters supported the memorial, but several members said it should be broadened to include all energy infrastructure or more clearly address transmission, permitting, tribal, federal, and military coordination. In response to those concerns, the sponsor asked to roll the memorial for further discussion and possible revisions rather than advancing it that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• This may be in the weeds and it might be a get-back-to-me question too, but Section 7 deletes an expiration
• Section 7 strikes out the expiration of the Dementia Action Collaborative... ...for the sponsor.
• Section 7 strikes out the expiration of the Dementia Action Collaborative, essentially making it a permanent
• I was homeless from November 2022 until October 2024 due to having to wait on the Section 8 project-based

Summary: The Early Learning and Human Services Committee held public hearings on three bills. HB 2468 would update the Revised Code of Washington to match DSHS’s 2025 reorganization, replacing references to eliminated administrations with the new Home and Community Living Administration and Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration, and also removing a 2028 sunset on the Dementia Action Collaborative, adjusting advisory committee membership, and eliminating a staffing mandate tied to no-paid-services caseloads. The sponsor and DSHS testified in support as a technical cleanup bill, while members raised questions about possible amendments, including whether to keep or remove the Dementia Action Collaborative sunset. DSHS said it was open to changes and noted some statutory references still need correction. No vote was taken. HB 2529 would rename the DCYF Oversight Board as the DCYF Accountability Board, move it to OFM for administrative purposes, narrow some duties, require at least twice-yearly engagement with affected communities, allow the board to request ombuds reports, broaden some membership qualifications, and change the annual report to an every-other-year report starting in 2027. Representative Dent, a board member, said the changes were intended to make the board less political, improve attendance and membership flexibility, and focus the report on more useful recommendations. A union representative asked for language ensuring a DCYF caseworker board member can attend meetings as part of job duties rather than using personal leave. Members also questioned whether the reduced reporting frequency was appropriate given recent fatalities and near-fatalities at the agency. No action was taken. HB 2455 would create a two-year pilot program providing rental assistance and related housing fees for 50 youth in extended foster care who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness, beginning January 1, 2027, with a report due in 2029 and transition planning required before youth age out at 21. The sponsor and multiple youth advocates testified strongly in support, describing homelessness, instability, and barriers such as “double-dipping” restrictions that prevent youth from combining housing supports. Testifiers said the bill would help youth focus on school, work, and healing, and urged the committee to expand the program if possible. Members asked about the pilot timeline and whether an interim review might be useful. The hearing closed with no vote on the bill, followed by committee announcements about Friday’s 8:30 a.m. meeting and an agenda change removing HB 2200 from Friday executive session and moving it to possible executive session next week.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do believe that language that the great staff report recognized in Section 5 is really, really important
• and you were keying on it, ...I do believe that language that the great staff report recognized in Section
• I do believe that language that the great staff report recognized in Section 5 is really, really important
• . and you were keying on. that the great staff report recognized in Section 5 is really, really important

Bills: HB2104 , HB2348 , HB2454

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: aviation, wildland fires, funding, disaster relief, emergency response, timber sales, land sales, process efficiency, legislation, department language, regulatory burdens, small producers, infrastructure materials, economic growth, manufacturing, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It restructures Section 1A to improve clarity, and it adds a provision that the act shall apply retroactively
• Restructure Section 1A to improve clarity, and it adds a provision that the Act shall apply retroactively
• Brown's facility, and I'm contemplating putting in a data center, this all-encompassing section 111.11
• Section 1 of the bill amends 112.231 created by 484 to create a time-limited public records exemption

Bills: S0408 , S0986 , S0678 , S0800 , S1050 , S0484 , S1118

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Keywords: vaccine advertisement, manufacturer liability, harmful vaccine, healthcare, court action, smoking regulation, public health, vaping, marijuana, public places, Florida Statutes, alcohol distribution, tax deductions, extraordinary losses, warehouse breakage, regulatory compliance, veterinary, prescription, pharmacy, client rights

Transcript Highlights:

• In Florida preterm deliveries and primary C sections were agency calculated measures of focus in the
• Florida's rates, primary C sections have fluctuated but improved as well.
• So on the other side that a green section on the chart in the last slide really highlights opportunity
• And I think with the and section of this quality strategy that really is what sorry, that quality incentive

Transcript Highlights:

• Major Bill Holcomb, boating and waterways section leader, is here today from FWC, and you are recognized
• My name again is Bill Holcomb, and I'm the section leader for FWC Boating and Waterways.
• The Division of Law Enforcement's Boating and Waterways section is leading a multi-year effort to reduce
• Senate Bill 164 amended sections 823.11, 327.4107, and 327.4108, and created 327.4111, providing officers

Summary: The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee first took up the appointment of Joshua Kellum to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Kellum described his background in diversified land, agricultural, materials, and real estate operations and said he views himself as a conservationist. Senators questioned him closely about his development background, the balance of perspectives on the commission, his vote supporting the black bear hunt, and the use of Fish and Wildlife Foundation funds for the “Yes on 2” campaign. Supporters argued he is primarily a land steward and conservation-minded landowner, while opponents said the commission is already dominated by developers and lacks scientific or conservation expertise. After debate, the committee voted to recommend Kellum’s confirmation, with Senator Smith voting no and the rest of the voting members in favor. The committee then received a presentation from FWC on implementation of recently enacted boating and vessel laws. Bill Holcomb outlined changes under SB 1388 (the Boater Freedom Act), including limits on vessel stops and boarding, a new Florida Freedom Boater Safety Inspection decal, and revised rules for Springs Protection Zones. He also reviewed SB 164 on derelict and at-risk vessels, including new enforcement tools, a long-term anchoring permit, and updated penalties; HB 289, Lucy’s Law, which strengthens boating safety penalties and education requirements; SB 830 on the disposition of migrant vessels; and HB 735 on water access facilities and boating infrastructure. Holcomb said FWC is in rulemaking, training officers, and updating forms and permitting systems to implement the laws. Members asked follow-up questions about derelict vessel cost recovery and whether penalties go back to the state, and about the Springs Protection Zone standard. Holcomb said the state can recover removal costs from responsible owners and that the new springs standard requires “significant harm” and that vessel activity be the predominant cause, with subject matter experts and partner agencies helping make those determinations. He said Silver Glen Springs remains a proposed zone but was paused pending the new criteria and rulemaking. The committee took no further action on the presentation and adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'd like to really come to some resolution on Section C, and we look forward to continuing conversations
• DFPI Commissioner's ability to bring a UDAP claim against state licensees by amending Financial Code Section
• In compliance with federal law, that section requires DFPI to provide notice to the CFPB.
• In compliance with federal law, that section requires DFPI to provide notice to the CFPB.

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met to hear several bills focused on consumer and small business financial protections. SB 97, by Senator Grayson, would update and clarify California’s digital financial assets law; supporters from the blockchain industry and consumer groups said it would improve compliance clarity while preserving room to align with possible federal action. The committee passed SB 97 on a due-pass motion to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee, with the roll left open for absent members. The committee also heard SB 362, which would strengthen disclosure rules for small business financing by requiring clearer pricing information throughout the marketing process. Supporters said the bill would help small businesses compare offers and avoid harmful financing, while some industry groups objected to the bill’s treatment of communications and APR disclosures during negotiations. After discussion, the committee passed SB 362 to the Judiciary Committee, with several members voting aye and the roll left open. SB 784, a bill addressing predatory home-improvement and solar financing practices, drew extensive testimony. The author and supporters described scams targeting seniors, low-income homeowners, and non-English speakers, and said the bill would add safeguards such as confirmation calls, document access, fee transparency, and longer cancellation periods. Solar industry groups moved to neutral after amendments, while banks and other lenders raised concerns about overbreadth and impacts on legitimate lending. The committee passed SB 784 to Judiciary, with some members not voting or changing votes during the roll call. Finally, SB 825 sought to give the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation clearer authority to enforce existing consumer financial protection laws against its licensees, especially in light of reduced federal CFPB enforcement. Supporters argued California needs independent state enforcement tools, while banking and mortgage groups opposed the bill as duplicative and unnecessary, urging coordination with federal regulators and proposing narrower amendments. The committee passed SB 825 to Appropriations on a due-pass vote, and then adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, there is a page that says "Jobs policy sections for potential adoption May 18th, 2025."
• catching up on paperwork, let's make sure everybody has the A26, the A27, and the correct list of sections
• Yeah, I think the only difference between the list of jobs policy sections relates to the R67.
• Yeah, I think the only difference between the list of jobs policy sections relates to the R67.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• it does show how the appropriations are made and, to Representative Youakim's question, under the section
• representative Yukim's question um under representative Yukim's question um under the<00:10:29.519><c> section
• <c> is</c><00:10:30.560><c> titled</c><00:10:30.959><c> the</c><00:10:31.120><c> teachers</c> the section
• that is titled the teachers the section that is titled the teachers retirement<00:10:32.600><c> association

Bills: SF2884 , HF1889

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: pension, retirement, omnibus pension, MSRS, PERA, TRA, public employees retirement, state employees retirement, correctional employees, police and fire retirement, State Patrol retirement, teachers retirement, firefighter relief association, volunteer firefighter, state aid, postretirement adjustment, COLA, annuity, disability benefit, duty disability

Transcript Highlights:

• The southerly section is still a gravel roadway.
• This section is reaching. the end of its serviceable life and now needs to be reconstructed to a 10-ton
• The proposed project will reconstruct 5,200 linear feet of 13th Street to an urban section roadway with
• Right here, I actually brought in a section of our—this, believe it or not, is our freshwater pipe.

Bills: HF568 , HF433 , HF1689 , HF3135 , HF3137 , HF3145 , HF2887 , HF2819 , HF2802 , HF2664 , HF2267 , HF799 , HF800 , HF3049 , HF296 , HF580 , HF1438 , HF1237

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: special education, education funding, construction, Minnesota, regional educational programs, HF433, Cloquet Area Fire District, fire station, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, general obligation bonds, public safety, emergency services, fire protection, local infrastructure, Minnesota capital budget, DEED grant, municipal facilities, station construction

Transcript Highlights:

• The gamete donor anonymity section, which generated the most controversy when we heard the bill here
• The gamete donor<00:09:10.320><c> anonymity</c><00:09:10.920><c> section</c><00:09:11.320><c> which</
• c><00:09:11.560><c> generated</c> donor anonymity section which generated donor anonymity section which

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you are outlining people who cannot, were not approved, provide provision of training under this section
• Specifically, we're supportive of sections 2, 3, 5, and 6.
• Pruneda: We're on, and I think it's, we're favorable of sections 2, 3, 5, and 6, but since we don't have
• an opinion on the other sections of the bill, we registered on the bill.

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Summary: The Committee on Education K-16 heard testimony on SB 1635, which would give certain coastal, recapture-paying school districts a credit against recapture payments for mandatory windstorm and hail insurance costs. Senator Hinojosa said the bill is intended to offset unusually high insurance expenses for districts in Tier 1 or Tier 2 coastal zones, and he estimated about a $12 million impact to state revenue. Witnesses from Port Aransas ISD and Gregory-Portland ISD described sharp premium increases, reduced coverage, higher deductibles, and the effect on teacher pay and classroom spending. Senators asked about the number of affected districts, the accuracy of the fiscal estimate, and whether the bill might encourage districts to maintain coverage. Public testimony was closed and SB 1635 was left pending. The committee then took up several other bills and committee substitutes, adopting and reporting favorably SB 2786, SB 2623, SB 646, SB 843, SB 2392, SB 1998, SB 1418, SB 2788, and SB 2076, with most votes unanimous or near-unanimous. SB 2392 was amended to add improper relationship between educator and student to mandatory reporting offenses and to authorize an attorney general civil penalty for failure to report. SB 2623 was revised to clarify duties and exemptions related to the Safe Schools and Neighborhood Task Force and school proximity restrictions. SB 843 would create a TEA database of school district bonds and related projects, and SB 2788 would exempt certain PSAT scorers from the Texas Success Initiative assessment. The committee also heard SB 2929, which would allow referees and other officials at school athletic events to immediately eject disruptive spectators. The Texas Association of Sports Officials testified in support, citing abusive spectator behavior and a shortage of officials. SB 2929 was left pending. Finally, the committee heard a substitute for SB 2927 on 1882 partnerships and a substitute for SB 2619, which would require more transparency and accountability for failing school districts, superintendent hiring, trustee training, and takeover timelines. Testimony on SB 2619 was mixed, with one witness from Texas 2036 supporting parts of the bill’s accountability provisions. The committee adopted the substitute for SB 2619, left it pending, and then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in the further resolve section, paragraph number two, I'd like to amend the paragraph to replace
• And in the further resolve<00:27:47.440><c> section,</c><00:27:47.840><c> paragraph</c><00:27:48.400>
• <c> number</c><00:27:48.679><c> two,</c> resolve section, paragraph number two, resolve section, paragraph

Committee: House Tourism

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AT THEY HAVE A WHOLE SECTION THAT DOES THIS.
• I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT WE LOOKED AT THE WEBSITE FOR THE OFFICE AND IT HAS SECTIONS ON CHURCH, BUSINESS
• AND I GUESS THEIR QUALIFICATIONS OR LACK THEREOF. >> WHICH SECTION?
• DOUB BOOT WITH THE BUSINESS LAW SECTION OF THE FLORIDA BAR WAIVING IN SUPPORT.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's actually Section 9 of the bill.
• So Section 9 would allow school districts to Assess the appropriateness and feasibility of virtual learning
• safeguards that we currently have in, in, uh, uh, in our, our current virtual network, uh, by eliminating Section
• There are separate sections of Texas education code.

Bills: HB117

Committee: House S/C on Academic & Career-Oriented Education

Keywords: county regulation, impervious cover, land use, unincorporated areas, environmental management

Transcript Highlights:

• This is section 9 of the bill.
• Section 9 would allow school districts to... assess the appropriateness and feasibility of virtual learning
• of the safeguards that we currently have in place. in our current virtual network by eliminating Section
• There are separate sections of the Texas Education Code.

Bills: HB 117 , HB2196 , HB2689 , HCR64 , HB117

Committee: House S/C on Academic & Career-Oriented Education

Keywords: early childhood education, task force, governance, Texas Education Agency, child care, education policy, virtual education, hybrid learning, school funding, average daily attendance, education technology, remote learning, education legislation, workforce development, adult education, high school diploma, industry certification, pilot program, gifted education, education support

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill proposed amendment to Section 112.191 of the Florida Statutes.
• The state of Florida through constitutional amendment section 10, sorry, Article 10, Section 24 requires
• That is the public comment section, not to berate them from the dais.

Committee: Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Summary: The committee took up several bills and reported each favorably after brief presentations, amendments, and roll calls. SB 1760, by Senator Grall, would require certain elected officials and agency heads to reside in Florida, with agency heads also required to be U.S. citizens and live in the county where their agency is headquartered; it also clarifies the constitutional prohibition on holding more than one office. SB 1202, by Senator McClain, expands insurance benefits for firefighters who are totally and permanently disabled during official training exercises, and its amendment was adopted to avoid local fiscal impact. SB 582, by Senator Leak, increases penalties for unlawful demolition of historic buildings and limits the higher penalty to properties on the National Register of Historic Places or in a listed district; supporters included representatives of St. Augustine and the Florida League of Cities, while one opponent waived in opposition. SB 312, by Senator Gates, revises governance of the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition and allows affiliated nonprofit subsidiaries to enter agreements with universities; an amendment adding one public member to the board was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SB 676, by Senator Martin, which would allow employees to waive the state minimum wage right under a framework the sponsor said would help young or inexperienced workers gain entry-level experience. The bill drew extensive public testimony, with supporters arguing it could help small businesses hire and create opportunities, and opponents saying it would undermine the voter-approved minimum wage, invite coercion, and exploit vulnerable workers. Senator Martin’s amendment clarifying the Fair Labor Standards Act exception was adopted, and the bill passed on a favorable vote despite opposition from Senator Arrington and others. Finally, SB 440, by Senator McClain, was heard as an expansion of prior law to cover public employees and prohibit certain employment practices related to gender identity and pronoun use; after an amendment narrowing the bill by deleting references to training, instruction, or other activity regarding sexual orientation, the committee heard extensive testimony both for and against, with supporters framing it as protecting conscience rights and opponents calling it discriminatory. The committee ultimately reported SB 440 favorably as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• Naming this section of FM 1097 in Joey's honor allows future generations to remember his story and service
• So, what HB2566 does is strike the word "panel" in section 436.20. 5, granting the Texas Military Preparedness
• So, what it does is it clarifies the language in section 436.206 to be consistent with the changes made
• in Section 436.205 by removing the requirement that, in quotations, the words, "the panel shall submit

Bills: HCR92 , HB 114 , HB561 , HB 1171 , HB1894 , HB2026 , HB2143 , HB2337 , HB2564 , HB114

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: Tuskegee Airmen, commemoration, African American history, civil rights, military recognition, veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, defense, grants, local government, economic support, community development, health and wellness, outdoor recreation, state land use

Transcript Highlights:

• But on page 99 of your bill, section 29, in reading that, it's talking about the State Fair Commission
• House Bill 340 adds a new section to the DNA Identification Act.
• I The first thing that comes out under Section 1 is discrimination.
• President, I think that what we're reading in this particular bill with Section C or Item C on page 2

Transcript Highlights:

• Reference to our General Laws, Chapter 6, Section 15, paragraph L.
• It's known here in the Commonwealth as Autism Awareness Month, and that Section 15, paragraph L states

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, suspended the rules, and referred a petition to the Committee on Health Care Financing. The chamber also recognized guests from Kingsley Montessori School and presented a citation to their teachers for visiting the State House and showing interest in civic history, including Patriots’ Day-related history and artifacts from Lexington and Concord. The Senate extended best wishes to the school and its teachers for continued success. The Senate then adopted an order to adjourn and reconvene on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. A reference was made to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6, Section 15, noting April as Autism Awareness Month and the governor’s annual proclamation. The Senate also adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Ann Theresa Dwyer of South Boston, with remarks honoring her family, education, public service, and devotion to loved ones. Following a moment of silence, the Senate agreed to adjourn. The meeting ended with the Senate adjourning in memory of Ann Theresa Dwyer, and the next meeting was announced for 11:00 a.m. on Thursday.