Transcript Highlights:

• Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners: Donna S. Guthrie, Belair.”
• Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners: Donna S. Guthrie, Belair; Ms. Deborah J.

Bills: SB2

Summary: The Senate received a message from the Governor submitting appointments for advice, consent, and confirmation, including nominees to the Texas State Board of Accountancy and the Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners. The chamber also read Senate Bill 2 by Creighton and others, which would establish an education savings account program for K-16 education, and referred it to committee. A motion by Senator Zaffirini was adopted without objection to have all remarks made for the election of the President pro tempore reduced to writing and entered in the journal. The Senate then considered and adopted a motion to adjourn. No votes were recorded on the appointments or the bill in this transcript. The Senate adjourned until 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 28.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the examination fees are charged for examinations that are outside of their regularly scheduled
• So, for example, if we needed to do a follow-up examination or something like that.
• scheduled examination.
• So the non-depository income comes from new license applications, renewal applications, and examination
• And then all non-depository companies pay examination fees.

Summary: The committee began with roll call, introductions of a new fiscal analyst and a new member, and approval of the March 19 minutes. The first major presentation was from the Office of Management and Budget on the state’s general fund and special fund status through May. OMB reported general fund revenues were running below the legislative forecast by about $76 million, driven largely by weaker individual income tax and sales tax collections, though the projected ending balance remained positive and above the budgeted level. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap and would transfer excess earnings to the general fund, and the legacy fund balance continued to grow. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing revenue variability. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analyses, followed by discussion of a bill draft for the fixed-route city transportation network study. The draft would create a $15 million general fund grant program with a formula-based distribution to eligible fixed-route transit cities, intended to support operating and capital needs and help match federal transit funds. Transit officials from Minot and Fargo testified in support, explaining local fare and match structures and the difficulty of replacing aging buses and securing federal matching dollars. Several members questioned whether the program should be limited to the current four cities or broadened to future eligible urban areas, and whether local funding sources should be explored further. The committee did not finalize the bill draft at that point and planned to continue discussion at a later meeting. The committee also approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to approval of a bi-state authority with South Dakota, after staff explained that no agreements had ever been implemented and the provision appeared outdated. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried. Later, the Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site presented updates on uncrewed aircraft systems initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and efforts to build a revenue model for Vantis. Test site officials said FAA approval had been secured for the radar data program, replacement of noncompliant drones was underway, and future revenue could come from state and external users once pricing and intellectual property arrangements are finalized. Members asked about Chinese-made drones, supply chain issues, automation, and how the system would manage beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation then presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and a reentry housing study. Officials said the proposed facility would relocate the minimum-security prison to the penitentiary campus, reduce costs from an earlier estimate, and provide more beds and programming space, with construction potentially beginning in 2027 and opening around 2031. They also described staffing needs, the planned move of women to the New England facility, and possible expansion of men’s housing there. The parole and probation chief described a reentry housing task force studying housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with a goal of developing data-driven recommendations for subsidies and support services; a representative from Protection and Advocacy closed by expressing general support for fixed-route and paratransit funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the charges to the Weston County subcommittee was to examine the processes that were followed
• County subcommittee um was to examine County subcommittee um was to examine the<00:48:04.640>
• <00:48:49.920> they're<00:48:50.240> supposed county clerk examines they're supposed
• county clerk examines they're supposed to<00:48:50.720> examine<00:48:51.200> the<00:48
• the cast vote record with the to examine the cast vote record with the ballot<00:48:54.400> image

Bills: SF0069, SF0070, SF0016, HB0078, HJ0002, HB0085, HB0086

Keywords: wastewater, stormwater, infrastructure, environmental quality, public data, data collection, funding, study, water development, irrigation, public works, agricultural supply, municipal water, grazing lands, subleasing, non-owned livestock, state lands, rental fees, agricultural policy, land management

Transcript Highlights:

• If we would have time, if we would have support from the medical examiner when we have doctors that will
• The medical examiner won't, the county won't, and we can't get a doctor that will sign.
• The medical examiner won't, the county won't, and we can't get a doctor that will sign.
• We have to get permission from the medical examiner in order to cremate.
• They're supposed to register with the Board of Dental Examiners.

Bills: HB2118, HB2181, HB2308, HB2309, HB2402, HB2476, HB2682, HB2698, HB2875, HB2877, HB2903, HB2910

Keywords: mobile food vendors, licensure, food safety, statewide regulations, health standards, zoning, temporary vendors, HB2181, death certificate, death certificates, vital records, funeral establishment, funeral home, human remains, medical certification of death, death registration, state registrar, local registrar, county medical examiner, alternate medical examiner

Summary: The House Commerce Committee heard and advanced several bills. HB 2181, as amended, would extend the deadline for funeral establishments to submit death certificates from 7 days to a maximum of 14 days and clarify that a provider’s medical certification period excludes weekends and holidays. The sponsor and a mortuary owner testified that the current timeline is often difficult to meet because of weekends, holidays, doctor availability, county delays, and family circumstances. Several members said the bill did not fully address the underlying compliance problems, but the committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 6-4-1. HB 2682 would create a DES rental assistance program offering up to two months or $5,000 in aid, with a $5 million general fund appropriation for administration. The sponsor and a tenant advocate described the bill as a short-term bridge to prevent eviction and homelessness, while an industry representative said rental assistance is an effective early intervention tool. Some members raised concerns about limiting eligibility to households with children and about program administration, but the bill passed 7-4. HB 2698 would create a rental assistance study committee to evaluate program effectiveness and repeal in 2028; it passed on a 7-4 vote. HB 2476 would revise CPA certification and reciprocity requirements, creating multiple pathways to licensure and updating related rules and fees. Supporters said it would help address a CPA shortage and align Arizona with other states; after clarification from the sponsor and the State Board of Accountancy, the committee passed it unanimously, 11-0. The committee then heard HB 2308, which would bar dental insurers and certain holding companies from owning dental practices; the Arizona Dental Association supported it as a safeguard against vertical integration, while Delta Dental opposed it as overbroad and burdensome. The bill passed 8-0-3. Finally, the committee began hearing HB 2118 on mobile food vendors and local permitting, with the sponsor and food truck operators arguing for streamlined county/state licensing and reduced local duplication, while a vendor representative warned the proposal could affect existing local ordinances and private-property vendors.

Transcript Highlights:

• confirmation of the Senate with respect to the following appointments to the Texas State Board of Examiners
• McCall, Jr. from Grapeland, Texas State Board of Executives, Examiners of Psychologists, Mr.

Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB41, SB43, SB49, SB5, SB11, SB12

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas State Board of Examiners of professional counselors, Ms. Nadia M.
• Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists Mr. Brian E.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the first of two hearings convened by this committee to examine the department's implementation
• This is the first of two hearings convened by this committee to examine the department's implementation
• This is the first of two hearings convened by this committee to examine the department's implementation
• This is the first of two hearings convened by this committee to examine the department's implementation
• All right, Senator Abler. addressed, but this hearing examines, addressed, but this hearing examines,

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation, which seeks to eliminate the licensing examination requirement for licensed social
• to eliminate the licensing examination to eliminate the licensing examination requirement<03:26:
• Of performance examination to ensure people actually have the skills of the program, right?
• by re-examination by an examination entity approved by the board.
• That’s all existing, obviously, within one year of the first examination, and thereafter may be examined

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was an orientation-style overview from the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), led by Executive Director Deana Jurus and staff. They described the office’s mission to protect public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and the public trust, and outlined the agency structure: enforcement, licensing and board administration, operations, legal counsel, board counsel, and the hearings bureau. OPLC said it currently supports 57 boards, including seven advisory boards, and has about 104 filled positions out of 120 authorized. They also noted new voluntary certifications for doulas, lactation consultants, and community health workers that are in rulemaking. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on how boards and staff divide responsibilities under RSA 310:4. Staff explained that the office handles application processing, complaint intake and initial review, records retention, 91-A requests, and rule drafting, while boards make final decisions on licensure criteria, complaint dismissals or investigations, disciplinary actions, and some hearing matters. They also described the rule structure by chapter number ranges and the distinction between full licensing boards and advisory boards. The committee asked about complaint notifications, and OPLC said it is tightening policies so complainants are told whether a matter is closed or moving forward. The licensing process was discussed in detail, especially for nursing. Bethany Katrell explained that applicants apply through an online portal, may receive approval to sit for exams, can work under provisional authority in some cases, and then receive full licensure after exam results and criminal background checks are complete. OPLC said the portal now reduces back-and-forth paperwork and that, as of the latest biweekly report, 87% of applications were decided within the statutory 90-day period and 57% within 14 days. Members also raised questions about why some professions require board approval before taking an exam, and OPLC said that requirement varies by statute or board rule. No votes or formal actions were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair has examined the Journal of the last day's proceedings and announces to the House the approval
• THE CHAIR HAS EXAMINED THE JOURNAL OF THE LAST DAY'S PROCEEDINGS, AND ANNOUNCES TO THE HOUSE THE APPROVAL

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, February 26, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners: Donna S. Guthrie from Belair, Miss Debra J.
• Houston, Texas: Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners: Donna S. Guthrie from Bellaire, Ms.

Bills: SB2, SB2

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• establishing a sick leave bank for Kathleen Roderick, an employee of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
• establishing a sick leave bank for Kathleen Roderick, employee of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate first took up final passage of House No. 4009, an act authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to provide sewer services to a parcel of land in Sharon. Because the bill required an emergency preamble, a standing vote was taken, and the preamble was adopted by a vote of 2 in favor and 0 opposed. The chamber then considered House No. 4521, an act establishing a sick leave bank for Kathleen Roderick, an employee of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. After the bill was read a third time, the Senate voted to pass it to be engrossed, with the ayes prevailing. Afterward, a senator doubted the presence of a quorum. Court officers were directed to secure the doors and ascertain attendance, but the chair was unable to confirm a quorum. The Senate therefore adjourned forthwith and scheduled to meet again on Thursday at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I told this examiner, "Look, this is what they did to me."
• And that examiner said, "I can't take that risk.
• And I told this examiner, "Look, this is what they did to me."
• And that examiner said, "I can't take that risk. I'm not going to come forward." Madam Chair.
• <01:35:55.080> of the very least have an examination of the very least have an examination

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• There are a few things that need to be examined by the state's school board of the EFA program.
• <00:28:34.159> by<00:28:34.640> the<00:28:34.960> state's need to be examined
• by the state's need to be examined by the state's school<00:28:35.840> board<00:28:36.080>
• of the program's actual examination of the program's actual performance. performance. performance.
• What is conducted is a financial audit, an examination of accounting practices and financial controls

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They still are examined periodically for safety and soundness.
• They still are examined periodically for safety and soundness.
• You are examined as a state charter bank by both every 18 months or so. Thank you. Okay.
• So there is still examination and oversight of the institutions just to follow up.
• them as well as the states examining them as well as the FDIC.<01:13:11.600> Okay.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee took up HB 164, dealing with homeowners and certain service agreements tied to residential real estate. Much of the discussion focused on whether the bill should be framed as prohibiting “service agreements” or more specifically as banning “future right to listing” agreements, and whether the bill should mirror Maine’s newer law. Mike Padmore of AARP New Hampshire presented suggested edits, including clarifying that the agreements are unenforceable, striking a provision at Roman 6C, and adding language making clear that registry of deeds staff are not liable when they record documents they are statutorily required to file. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors said the bill and Maine’s law reach the same result, but he preferred simpler wording and argued the bill should not include a two-year time limit because legitimate listing agreements should not create liens at all. Members and witnesses debated whether the bill should simply make the practice illegal outright, whether the Consumer Protection Act is the right enforcement vehicle, and whether the lien-removal process should be modeled on the recent undischarged mortgage bill. A consumer protection official said the bureau supports the statute and explained that under RSA 358-A, consumers could seek damages and equitable relief to strike a lien, while also noting that the bureau often uses the Consumer Protection Act as an enforcement tool. The committee also discussed narrowing the bill to residential real estate, with the sponsor and witnesses saying the problem has been seen in residential transactions and that commercial property was not the focus. The testimony described the underlying problem as companies, often national rather than New Hampshire-based, using long-term or future listing agreements to impose liens or penalties on homeowners, sometimes in connection with estate transfers or home sales. Witnesses said legitimate real estate listings do not normally place liens on houses, but these arrangements can include hidden or unclear penalties, including a reported 3% charge on home value. No vote was taken in the excerpt, but the committee appeared to be working through possible amendments and whether to adopt Maine-style language or a simpler New Hampshire-specific approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• My concern is on line 2.28, the very first examination fees.
• In some of our smaller exam stations in the further reaches of the state, we have two to three examiners
• In some of our smaller exam stations in the further reaches of the state, we have two to three examiners
• In some of our smaller exam stations in the further reaches of the state, we have two to three examiners
• and we offer every single examiners and we offer every single appointment<00:19:09.240> that's

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Examined closely what other states are doing. Well, that would be part of the early research.
• Nine, Delaware should examine closely what other states are doing with respect to SMR development, including
• mean, my reaction was just trying to bring us back to, you know, the purpose of the task force is to examine
• And L, examine closely what other states are doing with respect to SMR and— And L, examine closely what

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Examine closely what other states are doing. Well, that would be part of the early research.
• Nine, Delaware should examine closely what other states are doing with respect to SMR development, including
• Nine, Delaware should examine closely what other states are doing with respect to SMR development, including
• mean, my reaction was just trying to bring us back to, you know, the purpose of the task force is to examine
• And L, examine closely what other states are doing with respect to SMR development.

Summary: The meeting focused on finalizing recommendations from the Delaware Nuclear Energy Task Force, with most of the discussion centered on how the state should organize itself to evaluate and potentially pursue nuclear power. Public commenters strongly supported nuclear energy, emphasizing energy reliability, economic competitiveness, data center demand, and the need for Delaware to act quickly. Several speakers argued that Delaware is falling behind neighboring states and should not delay if it wants to attract developers and preserve access to federal tax incentives. Members then worked through revisions to the recommendations, especially the section on state actions moving forward. There was broad agreement that Delaware needs a clearly empowered leadership structure, but disagreement over the best form: a cabinet-level energy agency, an expanded existing agency such as DENREC, a dedicated coordinator, an expanded Sustainable Energy Utility, or a separate quasi-independent authority. Some members favored a nimble, one-off entity with bonding and financing authority; others cautioned against creating a new body outside state government and stressed the need for coordination with existing agencies, public oversight, and cost discipline. The group also discussed adding responsibilities such as site identification, public engagement, coordination with PJM and federal agencies, and financing tools, while removing or folding in items that seemed duplicative or too broad. The committee also revised earlier modules to broaden the focus from small modular reactors to nuclear power more generally, while keeping the task force’s original SMR work in view. Members agreed to keep recommendations on state and local regulatory readiness, financial mechanisms, permitting coordination, and public engagement, and to add a recommendation for Delaware to participate as an observer in the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative through NASEO and NARUC. The committee approved the revised Module Four recommendations by vote, with one abstention from Tom Noyes. Minutes from the prior meeting were also approved with minor corrections.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Correction and the Law and Psychiatry Program at UMass Chan Medical School partnered to examine
• Department of Correction and the law and psychiatry program at UMass Chan Medical School partner to examine
• the potential for racial and ethnic biases these past. school partner to examine the potential for racial
• And also the department would always want to examine the facts of that offense for suitability criteria
• And we are partnering with the DOC to examine the accuracy of their classification tool and their process

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration met on January 12 to continue its review of DOC classification practices, with Senator Brownsberger and Representative Hunt co-chairing. After brief discussion of the prior hearing, members said there would likely be another opportunity for additional testimony, including possible video testimony from people inside facilities. The main presentation for the day was DOC’s classification system and a UMass Chan study of whether the system predicts institutional misconduct and whether overrides affect its accuracy or create racial/ethnic bias. DOC officials described the objective point-based classification system, its history, and the role of discretionary and non-discretionary overrides. They said the system is designed to balance public safety and reintegration, with initial classification emphasizing offense history and reclassification emphasizing institutional adjustment. DOC reported that, in the current population, about 16% are classified to maximum security, 74% to medium, and 10% to lower security. They also reviewed the non-discretionary restrictions that keep people out of minimum or medium security, and said discretionary overrides are used less often than the National Institute of Corrections’ suggested ceiling and are reviewed within six months. UMass Chan researchers said their analysis used historical DOC data from 2019 to 2022, focused mainly on about 7,600 male reclassification cases, and found that the scored custody level accurately predicted institutional misconduct. They said the tool performed well on standard statistical measures, but predictive accuracy declined after overrides were applied, with overlap appearing between minimum and medium groups. In a supplementary analysis, they said the loss of accuracy was driven primarily by non-discretionary restrictions rather than discretionary overrides. They also said the study did not find evidence of racial or ethnic bias in the tool itself, and that DOC’s current system is comparatively more lenient than many other states. Members and guests raised concerns about overclassification to medium security, the low share of people in minimum, the role of civil commitment restrictions, and whether the data captured historical bias or individual cases where overrides felt subjective. DOC and UMass Chan responded that the study was group-based, not case-specific, and that minimum-security rates are hard to compare across states because Massachusetts’ prison and county systems differ structurally. The commission did not take a vote or formal action, but asked members to send follow-up data questions by the end of the week for referral to DOC and the researchers.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're doing cross-examining witnesses.
• We're doing cross-examining witnesses.
• video, there shall be a full and meaningful opportunity for the person to be questioned and cross-examined
• be sworn under oath and then a full and meaningful opportunity for the person to be questioned or examined
• A full and meaningful opportunity for the person to be questioned or examined.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To address these concerns, the board examined internal processes, and the amended language reflects significant
• Assembly side to address the fiscal note, and I have to thank I think Joelle McNutt from the Board of Examiners
• Assembly side to address the fiscal note, and I have to thank I think Joelle McNutt from the Board of Examiners
• I'm the executive director for the state of Nevada Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists
• My name is Joelle McNutt, executive director for the state of Nevada Board of Examiners for Marriage

Keywords: 909, all