Transcript Highlights:

• that they would have to start subpoenaing people again and said they should exercise their subpoena powers
• again yes we should exercise our people again yes we should exercise our subpoena<00:43:50.000><c> Powers
• Yeah uh do you want to subpoena Powers Yeah uh do you want to ask<00:43:52.000><c> a</c><00:43:52.160
• So DLNR would basically have no power in determining what is transferred or not, right?
• in determining what what is power in determining what what is transferred<01:13:26.120><c> or</c><01

Committee: House Water & Land

Summary: The committee on Water and Land met on February 13, 2025, and heard testimony on a series of housing, land, and resource bills. Early bills included HB 743 on fiscal sustainability, HB 1318 on affordable housing, and HB 1409 on the Transit-Oriented Development Infrastructure Improvement District Board. Testimony on the housing measures was largely supportive from agencies and advocacy groups such as the Office of Planning, Hawaii Housing Future, Hawaii Appleseed, Catholic Charities, and the County of Kauai, while the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) raised concerns on HB 1318 about public trust duties for ceded lands. On HB 1409, members questioned whether the bill needed updating in light of a separate bill changing the board structure, and witnesses said the measure did not change funding but only the board’s mission and scope. The committee also heard HB 1410, which would create a supportive housing special fund. Supporters, including Catholic Charities, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Hawaii Appleseed, argued that predictable dedicated funding is needed for supportive housing, social services, and long-term homelessness solutions. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed tax earmarks in general, saying they subvert the constitutional budgeting process. Members asked how the fund would be administered and who could access it; witnesses said HHFDC and the counties would coordinate the process, but DLNR noted the bill did not provide additional administrative capacity and suggested language to address that. Later bills included HB 528 on residential leaseholds, HB 1359 on flood mitigation, HB 1087 on historic preservation reviews, HB 868 on disabilities, and HB 1323 on transfer of non-agricultural park lands. HB 528 drew limited testimony, with a Catholic Charities/Hawaii Public Housing Authority representative offering a general example of leasehold development but saying the bill’s exemptions had not been discussed in detail. HB 1359 prompted discussion of homeowner and county responsibilities for drainage and flood damage, with DLNR saying private owners are responsible for drainage on private property and counties for county roads. HB 1087 was supported by DHHL, which said historic preservation reviews currently take about 165 days and the bill could improve timeliness, while Hawaii Historic Hawaii Foundation opposed it. HB 868 drew support from the Disability Rights Center and DCAB, with testimony focusing on beach access and the need for clearer legal authority. On HB 1323, DLNR opposed the bill, saying it did not reflect Act 90 and that some agricultural parcels should remain under DLNR for conservation, watershed, recreation, or fire protection reasons; DOA, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council supported the measure, arguing that productive agricultural lands should be transferred to agriculture to protect local food production and family ranches.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the governor already reduced it.
• And the governor already reduced it. I didn't say that. Oh, okay.
• And the governor already reduced that amount to 20.
• The lieutenant governor was present virtually for that.
• The governor requested to reduce the spending this year to $100,000.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• donations that may be received by the Division of Parks and Recreation without the approval of the governor
• We don't need to establish something with the governor to, uh, like some sort of contractual agreement
• to uh like some sort with the governor to uh like some sort of<00:16:00.880><c> contractual</c><00:16
• </c><00:24:23.120><c> Um</c> the governor and executive counsel.
• Um the governor and executive counsel.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• So this sort of a model, where we can offer training as an inducement to take cases, is powerful because
• The other change is that the governor, with the help of OPLC, has found... tell you what the point is
• </c> the other change is that the governor the other change is that the governor had<01:18:13.719><c>
• Yes, because they told us the same thing, because the governor rounded up when she put in her funding
• rounded up when she because the governor rounded up when she put<01:23:40.360><c> in</c><01:23:40.560

Summary: The committee first discussed a proposed increase to the annual elevator certificate fee in the Department of Labor. The commissioner said the fee had been $50 for years and generated just under $300,000 annually, while the Inspection Division’s broader revenue far exceeded its expenses. Members noted the fee only covered the certificate, not the inspection itself, which is billed separately at $100 per hour. After comparing the fee to neighboring states and discussing the department’s revenue and staffing, the committee agreed to rewrite the language to set the fee at $75 and to vote on an amendment later. The committee then took up Section 139, which would expand the list of labor-law violations that can be penalized without first issuing a warning. The Department explained the change was meant to align House Bill 157 with other chapters, including youth employment and workers’ compensation provisions, where immediate civil penalties are already allowed. The section was accepted unanimously. A longer discussion followed on the Second Injury Fund. The commissioner explained that the fund reimburses insurers for certain workers’ compensation costs tied to claims involving pre-existing conditions, is financed by assessments on insurers, and requires notice within 100 weeks of injury plus a $10,000 deductible before reimbursement. He said the fund currently holds roughly $16 million to $22 million, one full-time employee administers it, and total staff involvement is about five to six people. Members questioned whether the fund should be sunset, but the department said the current House Bill 2 language does not propose a sunset; instead, it addresses increased hearing and litigation burdens after a recent Supreme Court decision. Sections 140 and 141, dealing with hearings, were then accepted unanimously. The committee also briefly discussed fines for late insurance coverage reporting, with the department noting the current rubric allows up to $50 per day but uses $112 per day, and members suggesting a lower amount.

Transcript Highlights:

• This chart you see before you is based off the starting point recommended by Governor Dayton's housing
• </c><00:03:08.519><c> Dayton's</c> point recommended by Governor Dayton's point recommended by Governor
• This slide has something for everyone: Republican governors, Democrat governors, all with a very similar
• All of these governors have concluded that housing supply and housing affordability is an issue that
• This slide has something for everyone: Republican governors, Democrat governors, all with a very similar

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• This resulted in something simple but powerful. Alicia started coming to school consistently.
• This resulted in something simple but powerful. Alicia started coming to school consistently.
• Jackson said that is the power of collaboration.
• And that is what we believe in at Education Destination, and that is the power of yet.
• At the center of this conversation is one powerful word: supervision.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee first heard SB 206, which would require cardiovascular pre-screening and blood pressure testing for student athletes beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. Chairman Miller said the bill was prompted by concerns about undiagnosed hypertension and sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes, and Coach Marcus Scott testified about his own kidney transplant after years of untreated high blood pressure. Members asked about who would perform the screenings and how follow-up would work; the American Heart Association said existing athletic physical processes and referral networks could handle it. An amendment was adopted, and the committee reported SB 206 favorably as amended. The committee then took up SB 305, which would require a publicly available statewide career-alignment dashboard showing how degree programs connect to workforce outcomes, including completion, employment, wages, and high-demand jobs. Chairman Edmonds and student task force member Cruz Cassard said the goal was to help students understand job opportunities in Louisiana and reduce the number leaving the state after graduation. Workforce and higher education stakeholders supported the measure as a transparency and workforce-planning tool. The committee reported SB 305 favorably. Next, the committee considered HB 624, a school safety cleanup bill updating references from crisis management plans to emergency operations plans and aligning school emergency language with national standards. Representative Johnson and the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools said the bill would not create new mandates or costs, but would clarify existing requirements. The committee reported HB 624 favorably. The committee then heard HB 1022, as substituted, concerning school-based health care services. Representative Jackson said the bill was intended to clarify that medical decisions in school-based health centers should be made by licensed health professionals, not school staff, while preserving parental consent. Testimony from school-based health center providers supported the bill, but several members raised concerns about consent, parental authority, and whether the language shifted too much responsibility away from schools; the Charter School Association suggested adding more collaborative language. After discussion, the committee adopted the substitute and reported HB 1022 favorably by a 10-4 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's home was damaged as an arson attack.
• California Coalition for Women Prisoners, San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium, South Bay People Power
• We have to showcase the fact that this federal administration does not have the power and the authority
• Community Justice Center, Community Works, East Bay Community Law Center, Child Poverty California, Powered
• Community Law Center and Child Poverty California, Powered by Grace, In Our Care, SMC, Inside Outriders

Committee: House Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• opportunity just to say a few more words here, but I feel compelled to rise to lift up and concur with the powerful
• is passed to be enacted, passed to be enacted, will be signed by the President, laid before the Governor

Summary: The Senate first handled a House petition from John H. Rawlers and others seeking eminent domain authority for a parcel in Norwood; Joint Rule 12 was suspended and the matter was referred to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. The chamber then resumed debate on the literacy bill, with Senator Tarr offering a series of amendments focused on school district funding, teacher competency, reporting, waivers, and curriculum implementation. Most of Tarr’s amendments were rejected, but one requiring written, appealable denials of district waivers was adopted by roll call, and another amendment on reporting from the Early Literacy Fund, including provisions for English language learners and special education educators, was also adopted. A separate amendment extending the timeline for DESE to publish high-quality curricula was adopted, while several other amendments were withdrawn or defeated. The Senate also considered and adopted an amendment from Senator Comerford addressing rural and regional equity in education funding. That amendment expanded eligible uses of the Early Literacy Fund to include screening assessments, required DESE to prioritize geographic and funding equity, mandated a public hearing in Western Massachusetts before final grant criteria were finalized, and directed technical assistance to rural districts. Senators from across the chamber spoke in support, emphasizing chronic underfunding, declining enrollment, minimum-aid pressures, and the need for a broader review of the Chapter 70 formula and a Foundation Budget Review Commission. The amendment passed unanimously. Later, the Senate took up an amendment from Senator Moore on children’s vision care, which would have created a registry for vision screening and expanded eye exam requirements, but it was withdrawn after supportive debate. The chamber then adopted the Ways and Means redraft, ordered the bill to third reading, and passed An Act relative to teacher preparation and student literacy to be engrossed by a unanimous roll call. Final passage was also achieved for a separate House land-taking bill allowing the town of Hingham to use municipal property for a center for active living, which passed by the required two-thirds vote and was enacted. The Senate then adopted an order to meet again the following Monday and adjourned in memory of Donna Goldstein.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill also requires updates and outcomes of the pilot to be reported to the governor and the legislature
• But your testimony today here is so touching and powerful that I can't wait to vote on this bill so that

Transcript Highlights:

• bill also- Representative Sapp: requires updates and outcomes of the pilot to be reported to the governor
• But your testimony today here is so touching and powerful that I can't wait to vote upon this bill so

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it's powerful to be able to then look at the maps that I can follow up with you and share.
• specific transportation issues and safety issues and propose recommendations to the legislature and governor

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• If I had the power to make the change, I would use it.
• And again, let's hope that this is the year that it goes all the way through, all the way to the governor

Transcript Highlights:

• I will be curious what the thinking will be if it's a different governor in office, if that's the direction
• And that's one of our major concerns, is the Constitution defines that the power of taxation shall never

Bills: SB1180 , SB1215 , SB1270 , SB1290 , SB1292 , SB1294 , SB1430 , SCR1028

Committees: Senate Finance , Senate Senate Finance Committee of Reference

Keywords: income tax, conformity, Arizona Revised Statutes, taxpayer, federal regulations, firefighters, occupational disease, workers compensation, cancer presumption, police officers, hazardous duty, SB1270, Arizona retirement system, public safety personnel, defined contribution plan, correctional officers, corrections officers, retirement contributions, supplemental contributions, retention incentive

Transcript Highlights:

• Calm the cold and the wind that threaten us and turn our fears of your power into praise of goodness.
• Um, I've been around for a little time, and I was here when we had that horrible snowstorm under Governor

Transcript Highlights:

• lot of sense, and there is so much attack on media now because of our President and because of our Governor
• The real power in it is you get a lot of information, and you reduce uncertainty in regard to risk.

Transcript Highlights:

• You are legislators, and our senators have the power to act, not just with words, but with real change
• Department of Highway and Safety Motor Vehicles, which includes it in their annual report to the Governor

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Transportation Committee met and considered a series of bills, beginning with SB 266, which would exempt sales and use tax on electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft sold from manufacturers to operators. Senator Harold said the measure is intended to help Florida attract an advanced air mobility industry and create jobs. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying the definition of EVTOL aircraft and excluding drones, then reported the bill favorably. SB 350, by Senator DeSigley, was also reported favorably after a minor amendment; it allows local governments to permit vehicles to travel slowly on flooded streets without being treated as unlawfully impeding traffic. Supporters from the Florida PBA and Florida League of Cities waived in support. The committee next approved SB 706, designating part of U.S. 92/Gandy Boulevard as the Senator James A. Sebesta Memorial Highway. SB 628, Lucy’s Law, was heard with extensive emotional testimony from Lucy Fernandez’s parents and others. The bill strengthens boating safety by increasing penalties for reckless boating, requiring boating safety education after certain violations, and aligning some boating penalties more closely with motor vehicle laws. A substitute amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 872, dealing with county and municipal price controls for the removal and storage of electric vehicles, was also amended and reported favorably after testimony from towing industry representatives about the added costs and storage constraints posed by damaged EVs; the Florida Insurance Council spoke in opposition. The committee then approved SB 650, which expands hazardous walking condition criteria for elementary school students to include walkways along freeways, ramps, and interchanges, regardless of speed limit. SB 1318, the hands-free driving bill, generated substantial testimony from safety advocates and families affected by distracted driving; it would rename Florida’s texting law as a hands-free driving law and prohibit handheld use of wireless devices while driving. The committee also passed SB 994, increasing driver education requirements for standard and learner’s licenses, and SB 662, designating a portion of West Beaver Street in Duval County as Harry Frisch Street. Several senators recorded affirmative votes on bills after the roll calls, and the meeting adjourned after all listed measures were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• This, which is an 11-member body appointed by the Governor.
• So even with the levels that were provided at 2, 4, and 6, there There's still some buying power that

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Transcript Highlights:

• As an to us, the thank yous to the governor to this legislative body to approve the funding for this
• To give you the perspective of the power of the DNA database.

Transcript Highlights:

• The energy resiliency that's on Fort Knox, if you didn't know, Fort Knox can run off its own power, make
• , make its own water, and treat own power, make its own water, and treat its<01:30:31.040><c> own</c>
• He poked me in the chest three, four years ago and said, "You tell your governor that I will never come
• He poked me in the chest three, four years ago and said, "You tell your governor that I will never come
• He poked me in the chest three, four years ago and said, "You tell your governor that I will never come

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the August minutes, and heard a brief announcement from Senator Richardson about the Missing in America Project interring unclaimed veterans’ remains at the Western Kentucky Veterans Cemetery in Hopkinsville. He read the names of several veterans being laid to rest with military honors, and the chair thanked the volunteers involved in the effort. The main presentation was an update on Kentucky’s urban search and rescue program from the Department of Military Affairs and Kentucky Emergency Management. Officials said the program is being built around two regional task force hubs, a helicopter aquatic rescue team, an incident support team, and a rescue aid fund for local search and rescue units. They reported that the $8.3 million appropriated for the program in the 2025 budget was fully executed, that $482,670 of the rescue aid fund went to 29 local teams, and that $493,592 has already been allocated in the current year to 36 teams. They also described warehouse and equipment purchases, staffing with full-time and part-time personnel, and a new training site on state property for collapsed-structure and multi-agency exercises. Officials said the program has already been used in recent disasters, including flood response and urban search and rescue operations in several parts of the state, and claimed the effort has impacted more than 1,500 citizens through rescues, evacuations, and related assistance. They said the helicopter aquatic rescue team is fully operational, the task force roster should be finalized by January, incident support should be online by April, and the full program should be deployable by June 30 or July 1, 2026. Members asked about statewide response times, K-9 search capabilities, and the long-term cost of the program, including concerns about reliance on federal matching funds. The presenters said K-9 assets will be part of the task force, that pre-positioning during forecasted storms can reduce response times significantly, and that they would provide more detailed budget information later.

Transcript Highlights:

• We provide infrastructure solutions to the electric power, industrial, and communications sectors.
• you've got to understand there is some good work being done, and we can say you have got to make powerful
• We support it and want to thank Chairman Schwertner for his leadership and the Lieutenant Governor for
• We support it and want to thank Chairman Schwertner for his leadership and the Lieutenant Governor for
• And they took advantage of certain levers of power that they had at their disposal that I thought were

Bills: SB30 , SB517 , SB1313 , SB1314 , SB1316 , SB1541 , SB1698 , SB1845 , SB1860 , SB2420 , SB2429

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: gambling, criminal offenses, penalties, defense, electronic devices, tobacco advertising, youth protection, public health, criminal offense, retailer regulation, e-cigarettes, nicotine products, health, public safety, regulation, advertising restrictions, health and safety, elections, election audit, county elections

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs convened to discuss several critical pieces of legislation including SB30 and SB38. Senator Betancourt introduced a committee substitute for SB38 which underwent a smooth adoption process, moving it favorably toward the Senate. The meeting featured a mix of invited testimonies where both proponents and opponents took the floor. One notable highlight included a testimony from Melissa Casey, who criticized the current legal state as prone to fraud and detrimental to both insurers and the public at large, contending that it inflated insurance costs across the board. The discussions delved deeply into the implications of the bills on judicial processes and potential insurance ramifications, with spirited debates surrounding issues of non-economic damages and jury rights. The atmosphere remained engaged as committee members heard varied perspectives on the bills, showcasing a robust democratic process. The meeting underscored the importance of public testimony in shaping legislation, ensuring that multiple voices were considered as the committee pressed on towards making decisions that affect the legal landscape of Texas.