Transcript Highlights:

• It's a narrow process for certain medications that have serious safety risks.
• A bit of the process in the Senate and an even larger group in the House.
• Yes, Jonathan Mitchell, a very sharp lawyer, is involved in this process all along.
• Why would we trust this process if it took... if this much stuff came out of the bill?
• Why is this process trustworthy?

Bills: SB 2 , SB 5 , SB 10 , SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , HB17 , HB7 , HB7 , HB15 , HB15 , HB27 , HB1 , HB7 , HB15 , HB18 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , HB17 , HB27 , HB1 , SB8 , HCR13 , SB2 , SB5 , SB10

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:11:52.800><c> it's</c> throughout the entire process it's throughout the entire process it's
• As you can see, there are numerous steps in the process contributing to the time it takes to process
• </c> there are numerous steps in the process there are numerous steps in the process contributing<00:
• <00:46:34.319><c> a</c> process a process a case<00:46:37.119><c> figure</c><00:46:37.359><c> two</c>
• Figure 3 on page 18 shows case processing time through various stages of the commission's process.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on February 21 and first approved the January 30 minutes and the consent calendar, with item 2540 removed by the Department of Education and item 25057 set aside for discussion. The committee then took up FIS 25057, a Department of Transportation request tied to a federal grant for building information modeling and related data standardization across DOT systems. Transportation officials explained that the $2.405 million consultant-heavy request would connect surveying, design, construction, and asset management systems, improve efficiency and long-term asset tracking, and help the department catch up with other states. Several senators questioned the lack of immediate, quantifiable budget savings and the reliance on consultants, but the item was ultimately adopted. The committee next approved FIS 25054 for the Department of Health and Human Services after questioning a $16 million shortfall in the Children’s Health Insurance Program. DHHS explained the variance as a budgeting and accounting issue tied to separating CHIP from Medicaid managed care, pandemic-era continuous enrollment, and the new federal requirement for 12 months of continuous coverage for children. Members also approved a Cannon Mountain fee item, where park officials described a proposed price freeze for early-bird passes, a new in-season tier, and modest increases in off-season pricing, while noting operating cost pressures, strong snow conditions, and favorable customer value ratings. That item was adopted unanimously. The committee also approved the Department of Corrections item after discussion of staffing, retirement eligibility, overtime, and recidivism. Commissioner Helen Hanks said retirement-eligible staff had declined slightly, recruitment was improving, overtime hours were down, one housing floor had been closed because of lower population, and the department had reduced reincarceration by 8% over seven years, which she said produced substantial savings. The item was adopted. During informational items, the committee heard a Legislative Budget Assistant performance audit of the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights. The audit found the commission inefficient and ineffective in processing complaints, with average case closure taking 840 days, significant backlogs dating back decades, expired administrative rules, weak management controls, disorganized and outdated procedures, unreliable data, and unresolved prior audit findings. The audit included 25 recommendations, two of which may require legislative action. Commission staff said they appreciated the recommendations and expected the additional resources from the prior budget cycle to help address the backlog and improve transparency and efficiency.

Transcript Highlights:

• little bit about what the legislative requirement was for this particular study, what EIDBI is, the process
• employees and whether or not the statute is clear enough that certain employees cannot be contracted
• </c><00:20:10.400><c> that</c> they have a revalidation process that they have a revalidation process
• employees and whether or not contracted employees and whether or not um<00:21:01.039><c> the</c><00:
• and there is a clarification contracted and there is a clarification in<00:21:07.480><c> our</c><00:

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As I said, the weight loss drugs, we're finding that we had to update our managed care contracts as a
• um that's a smaller population process um that's a smaller population than<00:18:16.240><c> who</c><
• who were hired by the of of the process who were hired by the department<00:27:01.760><c> um</c><00:
• </c> just given a delay in the RFP process just given a delay in the RFP process and<01:36:33.440><c>
• </c><01:41:50.880><c> and</c> was just unsure of the process and was just unsure of the process and needed

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And finally, this bill removes parents from the decision-making process.
• I would state for the record TechNet wasn't part of the litigation process.
• Technology can't replace what we do here in the Capitol and do in the legislative process.
• Most states that have privacy laws require or allow processing only with consent.
• Most states that have privacy laws require allow processing only with consent.

Summary: The committee first heard AB 1159, which would update California student data privacy law for educational technology and college-level platforms. The author and supporters argued that students’ personal information is being collected and used far beyond educational purposes, including sensitive health and demographic data, and said the bill would limit misuse and add stronger privacy protections. Support came from privacy, labor, education, and civil rights groups, while opposition from college store and industry representatives focused on narrowing the definition of “operator,” preserving institution-related communications, and concerns about the bill’s private right of action. Members raised questions about how the bill would affect scholarships, financial aid, adult students, consent, and litigation; the author said the bill includes a right to cure and notice to the Attorney General. The committee voted 4-0 to pass the bill to Appropriations, with the measure placed on call. The committee then took up AB 1709, which would set a minimum age of 16 for social media accounts on platforms with specified addictive design features and create a youth safety commission. The author, pediatric and safety advocates, and several public supporters argued that social media companies intentionally design compulsive features that harm youth mental health, sleep, and development, and that the bill is a necessary product-safety response. Opponents argued the bill is overbroad, may be ineffective, raises First Amendment concerns, and could cut off vulnerable youth from important online support networks. Members focused heavily on possible amendments, especially a non-addictive feed option for younger users and strengthening the commission; the author said he was open to those changes and to further work with the committees. The bill was moved to Judiciary on a 5-0 vote and placed on call. At the end of the excerpt, the author began presenting a third measure, AB 2076, which would strengthen California’s Parents’ Accountability and Child Protection Act by adding nitrous oxide to the list of age-verified dangerous products, banning purchase with gift cards or store credit, and increasing penalties for large sellers. The author described nitrous oxide as increasingly accessible to minors online and cited enforcement gaps in the current law, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And finally, this bill removes parents from the decision-making process.
• I would state for the record TechNet wasn't part of the litigation process.
• Technology can't replace what we do here in the Capitol and do in the legislative process.
• Most states that have privacy laws require or allow processing only with consent.
• Most states that have privacy laws require allow processing only with consent.

Committee: Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and we've worked with a lot Contracting and we've worked with a lot of<00:19:38.480><c> property</c>
• I don't see anything about the timeline, transparency on the cost, or the process for how that would
• The thought process behind doing this is that, as we've had discussions in this committee and in the
• rather than the school to necessarily be the only one to be able to oversee the process.
• rather than the school to necessarily be the only one to be able to oversee the process.

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um and no process is perfect, proposal.
• It means being able to process evidence.
• </c><01:45:37.040><c> that</c> we're talking about is a contract that we're talking about is a contract
• So I think logs without any due process.
• ,</c> perpetrator and as part of that process, perpetrator and as part of that process, they<02:03:58.560

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• He described them as guardrails on the process, especially regarding fraud, so providers understand what
• DHS had made decisions on its own over the last year, and the bill would put up guardrails on the process
• Uh and finally, the staff process again.
• </c><00:19:51.840><c> all</c><00:19:52.080><c> over</c> through the application process all over through
• </c><00:36:30.079><c> of</c> state will take over the process of state will take over the process of

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a process, and there has been a process for 47 years, and that is a process that is run by NOAA
• There is a process and there has been a process for 47 years and that is a process that is run by NOAA
• The Zapata, now Omega, Menhaden Processing Facility in Abbeville.
• The Zapata, now Omega, Menhaden Processing Facility in Abbeyville.
• And so this is the due process component of it.

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 886 by Rep. Orgeron, which would make seasonal catch totals and related reporting for the commercial menhaden fishery publicly available by carving out an exception to confidentiality rules. The author said the bill was intended to align with the original intent of prior reporting legislation and to ensure the public can see how much menhaden is being taken from Louisiana waters. Supporters, including Louisiana Wildlife Federation, CCA, charter captains, and recreational anglers, argued the fishery uses a public resource and that transparency is needed for policymaking. Opponents said they did not object to transparency in principle, but one speaker asked that size-sampling data be removed, arguing it has no scientific value and is already handled through NOAA and Gulf States Marine Fisheries Council processes. The committee reported HB 886 favorably without opposition. The committee then heard House Bill 855, also by Rep. Orgeron, which would establish a 22-foot depth requirement for the commercial use of purse seines in the menhaden fishery. The author said the bill was based on a state-funded bycatch study showing red drum bycatch rises sharply in shallow water and that the current quarter-mile buffer is insufficient, especially in nearshore areas where recreational fishing and sensitive habitats are concentrated. Supporters emphasized the public trust nature of menhaden, the economic value of recreational fishing, and concerns about bycatch, beach fouling, and localized depletion. Several speakers cited the bycatch study, public comments opposing the recent reduction from a half-mile to a quarter-mile buffer, and the belief that deeper-water fishing would reduce impacts on redfish and other species. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries staff and the study’s principal investigator, Dr. Scott Rayburn, answered questions about the current buffer rules, enforcement, and the science behind the 22-foot threshold. They explained that the recent reduction to a quarter-mile buffer came from a commission directive and that the department had investigated complaints but found no violations. Dr. Rayburn said the 22-foot figure came from modeling red drum bycatch as a function of depth and that the study focused on red drum because of its economic and social importance, while not analyzing every species in the same way. Opponents of the bill, including West Bank Fishing and Ocean Harvesters representatives, said the rule of three is a standard confidentiality concept, argued the bill should not be framed as anti-transparency, and urged removal of the size-sampling provisions. The committee heard extensive testimony but no final action on HB 855 was recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• please identify yourself for the record, and then I will swear you in and then we will begin the process
• 02:12.599><c> we</c><00:02:12.720><c> will</c><00:02:12.920><c> begin</c><00:02:13.200><c> the</c> process
• the committee substitute, in summary, this would allow the Auditor of Public Accounts to set up a process
• to review whether or not process to review whether or not institutions<00:04:10.400><c> are</c><00:04
• with OCR with the our contract with OCR with the Department<00:15:23.920><c> of</c><00:15:24.079><c>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education met to consider House Bill 4, relating to postsecondary education. Before taking up the bill, the committee adopted a committee substitute. The substitute removed language creating a private right of action and immunity provisions, added a definition of “indoctrinate,” revised language tied to the Attorney General, and added a new section directing the Auditor of Public Accounts to review compliance every four years. If an institution is found out of compliance, it would have 180 days to cure the issue or become ineligible for formula funding increases in the following fiscal year, with an opportunity to petition the Attorney General. The substitute also added language barring licensing authorities from requiring diversity, equity, and inclusion training as a condition of initial or renewal licensure. Representative Decker presented the bill as an effort to end what she described as unconstitutional DEI practices in Kentucky’s postsecondary system and to refocus colleges on academic instruction, equal opportunity, and affordability. She argued that DEI offices and initiatives have cost taxpayers heavily and have not improved enrollment outcomes for low-income and underrepresented students. Michael Frasier, testifying in support, framed the bill as an equal-protection measure rather than simply an anti-DEI bill, saying it targets preferential treatment and discrimination while exempting traditional civil-rights compliance offices such as Title IX, disability, and other anti-discrimination functions. He also argued that the bill aligns with recent U.S. Supreme Court precedent and that Kentucky should shift toward socioeconomic-based approaches. Several members raised concerns about the bill’s assumptions and effects. Representative Willner questioned the claim that DEI initiatives caused enrollment declines and asked why the state would not make such programs more inclusive instead of eliminating them. Representative Stalker argued that the bill ignored decades of exclusion in higher education and asked what would replace DEI efforts aimed at closing achievement gaps and preventing brain drain. Supporters responded that the bill addresses unconstitutional preferences and that the state should move toward equal treatment and socioeconomic factors rather than race-based criteria. After discussion, the committee substitute was adopted, and the committee continued consideration of House Bill 4.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's what we're trying to do with this. contracted vendor.
• Senate Bill 1461 provides necessary updates to the OIG process.
• a formal appeal process as well.
• I personally see that in process. Again, I think it's worth accountability, right?
• There is due process.

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a life-altering disease that I contracted.
• I contracted meningococcal meningitis in April of my freshman year in college.
• But despite this, I contracted this disease and within hours, But despite this, I contracted this disease
• Carlson, Rep. ...to help in the process. Certainly look forward to doing that. Thank you, Rep.
• Well... to help in the process. Certainly look forward to doing that. Thank you, Rep.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee first heard HB 1079 by Rep. Boudreaux, which would allow charter schools to give enrollment preference to children who attended a licensed early learning center operated by the charter school or under an articulation agreement. An amendment expanded the preference to include children of active-duty military members, foster children, and children in court-ordered custody situations, and a second amendment clarified that the preference is permissive. Supporters said the bill would improve continuity from preschool to kindergarten and encourage more early learning centers. The committee adopted the amendments and reported HB 1079 as amended. The committee then took up HB 737 by Vice Chair Amedee, which would remove the state requirement that students show proof of meningococcal vaccination for school or post-secondary entry. The author argued the bill aligns state law with updated CDC guidance and preserves parental choice and physician consultation, while opponents, including pediatricians, public health advocates, and meningitis survivors, warned that removing the requirement would lower vaccination rates and increase the risk of severe illness or death. After extensive testimony and questions, the committee voted 4-8 against the motion to report the bill, so HB 737 failed. Next, the committee considered HB 628 by Rep. Landry, as substituted, to allow school boards and the Department of Education to work with licensed early learning centers to operate micro centers at schools, including dual licensing at one location. Supporters said it would expand access for three-year-olds, improve school readiness, and help families and the workforce. The substitute was adopted, and the bill was reported by substitute without objection. Finally, the committee heard HB 1008 by Rep. Owen, which would prohibit public post-secondary institutions from retaliating against faculty for disclosing certain violations or exercising academic freedom and free speech. The author and a professor witness said the bill would protect open inquiry and reduce self-censorship in higher education. The committee adopted two amendments to clarify academic freedom and tighten remedies; the transcript cuts off before any final vote on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• It creates a conditional exemption process for plans already providing comprehensive behavioral health
• , and it creates a more contracting, and it creates a more balanced<00:22:08.760><c> and</c><00:22:08.960
• We keep talking about assessment, but with this amendment they have a choice to either write contract
• <00:32:17.480><c> to</c><00:32:17.560><c> either</c><00:32:17.800><c> write</c><00:32:18.000><c> contract
• </c><00:32:19.120><c> with</c> choice to either write contract with choice to either write contract with

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We made some amendments to put in third-party contracting that needed to be negotiated from the House
• So in total, this process took So in total, this process took 70 days to identify the user because a
• Platforms must build and staff always-on hotlines, dedicated teams for rapid warrant processing, legal
• The false positives will harm reputations, careers, and families without due process.
• Platforms often cooperate with valid legal process.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires additional insurance coverage for bridge-related contracts over navigable waters.
• But we really believe it's more of an administrative process than a legislative one.
• So I will say that the department's utility relocation process works very well.
• So I understand the process you're going through, bringing the stakeholders in.
• It amends requirements related to the application process for motor vehicle registrations.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard and acted on a series of transportation, licensing, and memorial bills. The first major item was CS/SB 462, the Department of Transportation agency package, which included provisions on transportation trust fund revenue for electric vehicles, county project reporting, speed limits, workforce grants, procurement and utility relocation procedures, airport participation, metropolitan planning, and related DOT administration. The committee adopted a substitute amendment after extensive discussion, especially over utility relocation reimbursement, penalties, and whether the bill was too rigid while stakeholders continued negotiating. Testimony came from industry and utility representatives both supporting the need to address delays and opposing the bill’s prescriptive approach. The bill passed 8-3. The committee then approved several specialty license plate and memorial measures. CS/SB 1024 added a United States Military Academy plate alongside the Naval Academy plate. CS/SB 824 created a Florida Highway Patrol specialty plate. CS/SB 666 created a Miami Northwestern Senior High School alumni plate, with supporters emphasizing the school’s history and scholarship uses for the revenue. CS/SB 916 authorized indemnification and insurance arrangements for commuter rail operations on the Brightline corridor, modeled on SunRail law, and was reported favorably after technical amendments. CS/SB 1290 updated DHSMV rules to conform to IFTA and federal motor carrier standards, raised the crash-damage reporting threshold, and made other registration and email-notification changes; CS/SB 1292 created a public-records exemption for certain email addresses used in motor vehicle and vessel notifications. CS/SB 1408 designated memorial highways for fallen officers Jesse Madsen and Elio Diaz, and CS/SB 1502 authorized FDOT blanket permits for mobile cranes to travel at night under specified conditions. All of these bills were reported favorably. The committee also received a lengthy informational presentation from FDOT on aggregates and the state’s construction-material supply chain. The witness described aggregate sources, transportation methods, recycling efforts, the importance of the Lake Belt and out-of-state imports, and the department’s supply-chain grant program. Senators asked about long-term reserves, stranded reserves, pricing, and the impact of regulation on future supply, and requested the study and a summary of regulatory impacts for members. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The utilization process gets worse, not better, if we allow the QHP market to keep shrinking.
• In health care, in this room, we've had a consistent process to ensure that our hospitals maintain their
• that they moved the date out to... ...one that they moved the date out to January 1st, 2028, for contracts
• And so, we discovered in the process of looking at some of the health care information that both hospitals
• But this sets up a process for condominium developments and their governing boards to help people be

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• support that decision, we are providing $5 million to the Office of the Chief Inspector General to contract
• We made it a concerted effort as part of our review in the subcommittee process and in meeting with each
• I think that there Is more that we can do as we go through the process.
• Members, the amendment clarifies the budgetary process for this bill.
• It improves the process by which a golf cart may be converted to a low-speed vehicle.

Transcript Highlights:

• those three years of funding are exhausted, that program goes through an accountability evaluation process
• Chairman, I hope that's something that is really looked at as we go through the budget-making process
• it relates to class sizes and a few other areas, so their school board decided to terminate the contract
• Chair, members of the committee, the contract... The contractor in Gallup was Stride K-12.
• When we get back to the regular meeting, if there are any process-type things, please let me know.

Committee: Senate Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• has to determine that the student was carrying, and then they have to go through the disciplinary process
• I'm not quite sure everyone was here in 2016 when we adopted this legislation, what is the current process
• you would, that would be very helpful, I think, for the committee to understand what is the current process
• That bill was so transformational to shift the thought process that when a student gets in trouble at
• refusal may not serve as grounds for discharge or other adverse action affecting the employee's contract

Summary: The House Education Committee first heard House Bill 2246, which would update school discipline rules for firearm-related violations. Committee staff explained that the bill extends existing firearm expulsion and readmission provisions to charter schools, state tribal education compact schools, the School for the Blind, the Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth, and educational service districts, and would allow governing boards to deny readmission or limit participation in activities after a firearm-related incident. Representative Lowe said the bill was prompted by a local incident and was intended to give districts more flexibility and clarity while still ensuring students continue receiving educational services. Committee members questioned how the bill interacts with constitutional rights to public education, whether it applies to imitation firearms or social media threats, and whether the school board or administration should make the initial discipline decision. OSPI testified “other,” noting concern about limiting appeals to one reconsideration and citing 48 firearm-related expulsions and 198 suspensions in 2023-24. Team Child testified in opposition, arguing the bill would make reentry harder and could unnecessarily exclude students from extracurriculars after they had served their discipline period. The public hearing on HB 2246 closed with 246 pro, 7 con, and 1 other signed in. The committee then heard House Bill 2360, which would allow public and private schools to maintain stock albuterol under a statewide standing order for use in asthma or other respiratory emergencies. Staff described the bill as authorizing trained school personnel or nurses to administer school-supplied albuterol in certain circumstances, including on school property, buses, and sanctioned excursions, with limited liability protections and a refusal option for employees not wishing to administer it. Representative Donaghy said the bill was meant to address life-threatening asthma attacks, especially when a student’s own inhaler is unavailable or when emergency response times are long. OSPI and the Washington State Nurses Association/School Nurse Organization of Washington testified in support, emphasizing the prevalence of asthma, the bill’s permissive nature, and the need for a standing order. The Department of Health had sent a letter asking to strike one section, and some witnesses raised concerns about administering albuterol to students without a prior prescription or diagnosis. Opponents, including a school nurse, argued the bill should wait until the state has clearer protocols, more training, and better staffing, and said nurses should not be asked to diagnose or medicate without physician orders. Supporters, including a pediatric pulmonologist and school nurses, said stock albuterol is safe, can prevent emergency room visits and deaths, and should be paired with parent notification and follow-up care. The public hearing on HB 2360 closed with 113 pro, 2 con, and 1 other signed in.