Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, many researchers have declared it a form of child abuse and human rights violation.
• Overall, the research shows that gun buy programs can help if they're used in combination with other

Transcript Highlights:

• The substitute modifies the makeup and duties of the Research Security Council and clarifies the definition
• There's just individual language where there's one research security officer for Texas Southern, one

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met with a quorum and considered a long agenda of education-related bills, mostly from the House and several taken up in lieu of Senate measures. Early action included House Bill 27 on personal financial literacy for high school students, which was reported favorably and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also advanced House Bill 4 on public school accountability and assessment, House Bill 4687 on liability and immunity for certain charter school campuses or programs, House Bill 2598 on school psychologists, House Bill 3629 barring registered sex offenders from serving on ISD boards, House Bill 824 adding civics instruction to high school government curriculum, and House Bill 4236 creating a task force to review the comptroller’s school district property value study. Most of these bills were reported out unanimously or near-unanimously and several were certified for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also heard and advanced higher education and school governance measures, including House Bill 127 on protecting public higher education from foreign adversaries and trade secret theft; members adopted a committee substitute after explanation that it revised the Research Security Council, clarified definitions, adjusted gift restrictions, and removed redundant procurement language. House Bill 4361 on timely emergency notifications at public institutions of higher education, House Bill 1868 on studying dual credit funding and workforce capacity, House Bill 718 on restricting certain private partnerships for student housing, House Bill 4848 on competency-based/work-based/degree programs at public institutions, House Bill 2853 on student union building fees at UTEP, House Bill 100 on instructional materials adoption, and House Bill 2243 creating the Texas Commission on Teacher Job Satisfaction and Retention were also reported favorably, with House Bill 2853 drawing one no vote. One bill was held pending further clarification: House Bill 1105, concerning tuition and lab fee exemptions for certain paramedics, after a member raised questions about whether the exemption already exists and whether the bill merely clarifies coverage for EMS first responders. The committee also discussed House Bill 100 as a companion to Senate Bill 451 and noted that House Bill 27 and House Bill 127 were being used in lieu of Senate bills. Overall, the committee reported most measures favorably, often by unanimous vote, and several were placed on the local and uncontested calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• Meaning research has shown that these are effective at diverting people from further involvement.
• But we do find benefits of the program, or the state continuing to fund practices that research has shown

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We did, uh, vote writer's recent research shows that 1.3 million Texans who are US citizens of voting
• Also, our research shows Republicans would be more impacted than Democrats, with nearly 676,000 Republicans

Transcript Highlights:

• ideas to the committee, some of the feedback I received from Liz from Legislative Council on her research
• What it starts out as is a finding by the agency that says, based on our research and our investigation

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The subcommittee met on Senate Bill 2224 and reviewed the latest Legislative Council draft, version 1006, which incorporated prior changes including the Christensen amendment, the executive session language, and a 30-day deadline for the Attorney General to issue an order. The Attorney General’s office then explained its proposed amendment, which would clarify that hearings could be held under existing administrative hearing procedures, apply the same process to all violations, and preserve the current appeal structure. The office also raised concerns about the bill’s requirement that hearings be video recorded and broadcast live, noting possible technology and budget limitations. Representative Koppelman responded that the purpose of the bill was to ensure a timely, transparent process and avoid long delays before a sanctioned party could get to court, arguing that the Legislative Council draft better addressed due process concerns. Representative Henderson agreed and said the draft version improved transparency and established a clearer timeline. During discussion, a cross-reference in the appeal section was identified as incorrect and was corrected to refer to Section 28-32-49 rather than Chapter 28-27, with clarification that the appeal path should remain tied to the Attorney General’s administrative determination. The committee then amended the motion to include the corrected cross-reference and approved the Legislative Council version 1006 as amended. The vote was unanimous, and the bill was prepared to be taken back to committee the next morning for further action. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Research shows that every dollar invested in local food systems returns an additional $2.16.
• AB 1042 seeks to support our under-resourced beekeeping industry through grants and research to help

Committee: House Agriculture

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• While schools have a clear responsibility to support students who are targeted, research in violence
• And even if you believe none of that proven research, there are still ...loved ones again.
• And even if you believe none of that<00:59:36.400><c> proven</c><00:59:36.760><c> research,</c><00:59
• </c><01:28:11.000><c> but</c><01:28:11.160><c> also</c> the research, the information, but also the research
• </c><02:27:34.520><c> measure</c> a critical research-backed measure a critical research-backed measure

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pew<01:43:20.239><c> research</c><01:43:20.719><c> found</c><01:43:20.960><c> that</c><01:43:21.760><
• /c><02:10:22.079><c> and</c> be good researchers, interviewers and be good researchers, interviewers
• I'm not going to get into research it.
• I don't know if legal research.
• </c> any of my own legal research on this. any of my own legal research on this.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Research shows that too many doctors believe the lives of people with disabilities are not as good as
• We have reviewed research, available literature, and data on universal...
• We have reviewed research, available literature, and data on universal changing stations, including a
• We researched our options and spoke with human service agencies, lawyers, and trusted friends.
• of supported decision-making for people with mental health disabilities, and that includes research

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities held a hybrid hearing focused largely on DDS-related bills, with chairs Kennedy and Livingstone outlining strict time limits, accessibility procedures, and a 5 p.m. stop to preserve ASL and CART services. The committee heard testimony on several measures, including a bill from Sen. Mike Moore to create a centralized electronic education records system for students in out-of-home placements, which supporters said would improve communication, preserve IEP continuity, and reduce missed services. Paul DePaulo also testified in support, describing the educational and justice-system harms that can follow when foster youth do not receive coordinated records and supports. A major portion of the hearing centered on H. 242/S. 149, a bill to enhance standards of care for people with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Rep. Garballey and many advocates, parents, clinicians, and disability leaders supported the bill, saying it would require provider training, statewide standards, and better emergency department practices to reduce misdiagnosis, trauma, and unnecessary ER boarding. Testimony described sensory and communication barriers in medical settings, lack of provider training, and the need for continuing education and license-related requirements. Related testimony also supported H. 213/S. 111, which would improve access to behavioral health services for children involved with state agencies by requiring better discharge planning, coordination with hospitals and agencies, and more appropriate post-hospital placements. The committee also heard strong support for H. 256/S. 102, requiring universal changing stations in public buildings, from parents, advocates, and the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council. Witnesses said current restroom accommodations often force unsafe or undignified changes on floors, in cars, or in inaccessible spaces, and argued the cost of adding changing stations to new or renovated buildings would be modest compared with the benefits to dignity, safety, and community access. Another major topic was H. 261/S. 155 on supported decision-making agreements for certain adults, which supporters described as a less restrictive alternative to guardianship that preserves autonomy while providing trusted support. Finally, testimony on Tommy’s bill (S. 168/H. 282) described a preventable death after a hospital discharge and urged clearer communication and training requirements for residential staff handling life-sustaining equipment; the bill was presented as a safeguard for people with disabilities relying on such equipment.

Transcript Highlights:

• But then as I did more research and begin to look into it, I realized that was set up that way before
• </c><00:26:03.880><c> I</c><00:26:04.000><c> done</c><00:26:04.520><c> more</c><00:26:04.840><c> research
• </c><00:26:05.520><c> or</c><00:26:05.640><c> I</c> But then as I I done more research or I But then
• as I I done more research or I did<00:26:06.000><c> more</c><00:26:06.200><c> research</c><00:26:06.800
• and begin to look into did more research and begin to look into it,<00:26:08.360><c> I</c><00:26:08.480

Keywords: 00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 01:22 Overview/Impact of Executive Order 47:02 General Funds in Road Plan 50:37 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met for its first meeting and received an overview from Transportation Cabinet officials on the governor’s executive order responding to high gas prices. Deputy Secretary Mike Hancock and budget director Shawn McKiernan explained that the order declared a state of emergency, reduced the state motor fuels tax by 10 cents per gallon, froze the tax rate for FY27, and urged Congress to suspend the federal gas tax. They said the emergency regulation would remain in effect until the war in Iran ends or Kentucky gas prices fall below $3 per gallon, and that any transportation budget shortfalls could be covered by the state budget reserve trust fund if requested later by the governor. McKiernan estimated the 10-cent reduction would reduce the road fund by about $26.8 million per month, with roughly 44% flowing to county road aid, rural secondary, and municipal road aid. He said the immediate impact to counties and cities would be about $11.8 million for one month, while the cabinet would see about $15 million per month less available for its own use. He also said the freeze on the FY27 motor fuels tax rate would prevent a scheduled increase and, compared with the budget assumption, would produce about $42 million in net additional revenue, split between local governments and the cabinet. He added that if the reduction lasted through December, the major transportation programs could be down about 16.9% from budgeted levels. Members focused on the effect on local governments, the road fund, and the cabinet’s cash management process. Several senators and representatives criticized the executive order as short-sighted or political, while others emphasized the need for a long-term solution to transportation funding. Questions were raised about how make-whole payments to counties and cities would be handled, how the cabinet manages cash flow, and whether the state should continue relying on general fund transfers to support the road plan. Cabinet officials said they would work with lawmakers, explained that project authorizations are managed based on cash flow and seasonal spending patterns, and noted that construction and maintenance costs have risen sharply, making revenue adequacy a continuing concern.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we now know you're going to hear from Professor Gullner; you're going to hear about the research
• He's also the Director of the Climate and Energy Policy Program and a senior research scholar at Woods
• I am an associate professor and direct the Berkeley Fire Research Lab at the University of California
• , Berkeley. and direct the Berkeley Fire Research Lab at the University of California, Berkeley, where
• We might look at high-risk pilot programs where we know we'll have an impact and we already have research

Committee: Senate Insurance

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• opportunities and challenges for our institution, our state, and society, from how we teach and research
• In addition, through research and innovation, and in response to difficult and pressing problems, we
• Historically, our work has been characterized by specialized research at individual campuses, and we
• UC researchers, on average, create five new inventions per day.
• I don’t know the sequence for an optometrist, because that’s not the field of study I’ve ever researched

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• opportunities and challenges for our institution, our state, and society, from how we teach and research
• In addition, through research and innovation and in response to difficult and pressing problems, we will
• Historically, our work has been characterized by specialized research at individual campuses, and we
• UC researchers, on average, create five new inventions per day.
• I don’t know the sequence for an optometrist, because that’s not the field of study I’ve ever researched

Summary: The committee heard testimony on three education budget items: the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), differentiated assistance/statewide system of support, and universal school meals plus kitchen infrastructure grants. For ELOP, the Department of Finance described the Governor’s proposal to provide $4.7 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding and $62.4 million to set a minimum Tier 2 rate of $1,800 per pupil. The LAO recommended instead fixing the Tier 2 rate at $1,579, and committee members questioned how the rate was determined, how much funding is actually spent, and whether overlapping funding from ELOP, ACEs, and 21st Century programs is being tracked. CDE said ELOP is showing positive attendance and math outcomes, but some requested data will not be available until mid-2027; members also raised concerns about double-funding, transparency, and whether middle and high school students are being equitably served. On differentiated assistance, CCEE outlined the statewide system of support and the various tiers of universal, targeted, supplemental, and intensive assistance. Finance explained the Governor’s proposal to replace the current DA structure with a more stable universal and targeted assistance model, funded at $131.9 million ongoing, with a three-year support cycle aligned to LCAP and ESSA timelines and broader State Board authority to revise eligibility criteria. The LAO objected to considering the proposal before the State Board finalizes the new performance criteria, and committee members expressed concern that moving to a three-year cycle could delay support for LEAs that newly fall into need mid-cycle. There was also discussion about whether the proposal would weaken subgroup-based equity guardrails or give the State Board too much discretion over who qualifies for support. For school meals and kitchen infrastructure, Finance proposed $1.8 billion ongoing for universal meals and an additional $100 million ongoing plus $100 million one-time for a fourth round of kitchen infrastructure and training grants. The LAO recommended rejecting the new kitchen grant round because prior rounds are still being spent and the unmet need is not yet clear. CDE said prior investments have improved meal participation, efficiency, and menu variety, but many schools still lack the facilities for scratch cooking and face construction, electrical, and procurement barriers. Members asked for more data on how prior grants were used, which schools are benefiting, and whether funds could also support lower-cost food access strategies such as pantries, while noting federal restrictions on some meal-service innovations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Newsom, enacted legislation through SB 80 and SB 86 to expand incentives for promoting fusion and research
• This will cover every stage of development from research through commercialization, and this bill also
• Researchers in the Tijuana River Valley have now confirmed that once these and public health harm.
• Researchers in the Tijuana River Valley have now confirmed that once these toxic pollutants are released
• My name is Caitlin Moore, and I'm the research manager at the Center for Environmental Health.

Summary: The committee heard several energy, environmental, recycling, and land-use bills, beginning with SB 925 by Senator McNerney, which would direct the California Energy Commission to develop a statewide roadmap for fusion energy. Supporters said the bill would help California retain leadership in fusion research and commercialization, attract investment, and create jobs, while some members emphasized the need to avoid overregulation and keep the state competitive. No opposition testified, and the bill was later approved on a 4-0 vote and held on call. The committee also heard SB 1350, another McNerney bill, to expand the use of green hydrogen in the power sector by allowing renewable portfolio standard credit for turbines using renewable hydrogen. Supporters framed it as a way to support clean energy reliability, preserve tax credits, and create jobs, while opponents including TURN and Earthjustice warned about greenwashing, resource shuffling, and increased NOx emissions. The author and chair described committee amendments as adding guardrails, and the bill passed 4-0 and was held on call. Senator Grayson presented SB 1145, which would streamline CEQA and related review for qualifying projects in the Concord Reuse Project Area, part of the former Concord Naval Weapons Station. The bill is intended to speed a long-planned transit-oriented development with housing, commercial space, parks, and open space; supporters included local officials, labor groups, and business organizations, while a housing group raised concerns about affordable housing guarantees but still supported the CEQA exemption. The committee described the bill as balancing streamlining with retained environmental review and approved it 4-0, held on call. Senator Cabaldon’s SB 1341, dealing with CalRecycle processing fees for bag-in-a-box wine and spirits containers, also drew support from the wine industry and some environmental groups that wanted a workable recycling market, while glass packaging and other opponents objected to giving CalRecycle too much discretion; it too passed 4-0 and was held on call. The committee then heard SJR 13 by Senator Padilla, urging the U.S. to seek enforceable commitments to eliminate transboundary sewage pollution at the 2026 USMCA review. Supporters described severe public health and environmental harms from sewage and runoff in the Tijuana River and New River watersheds, especially for border and farmworker communities, and the resolution passed 4-0. Padilla’s SB 1033, requiring protein product manufacturers to test for and disclose heavy metals, drew support from consumer and public health groups citing Consumer Reports findings, while industry groups argued for narrower scope, QR-code options, and thresholds tied to health standards; the bill passed 3-0 and was held on call. Senator Ashby’s SB 1010, creating a manufacturer-funded system for refrigerant recovery from discarded appliances, was supported as a climate and enforcement measure but opposed by appliance manufacturers and recyclers who said existing law already regulates refrigerants and that the bill could raise costs and reduce recycling; it passed 4-0 and was held on call. Finally, Senator Caballero presented SB 1183, requiring a state study of the environmental, land-use, and economic impacts of industrial solar in the Central Valley. Supporters said the bill would help ensure solar development benefits local communities and farmland, while solar industry groups argued it duplicated existing work and should better reflect solar’s benefits; the bill was heard but no vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I had to close the in-person services to the Washington Research Library as well.
• We understand that you have a difficult budget, but higher education and research universities are facing
• We represent over 1,500 teaching and research workers.
• This strain limits both time and resources that members can allocate to research, negatively impacting
• The research is crystal clear.

Bills: SB5998

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: fiscal appropriations, budget, state funding, financial management, operating expenses, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I had to close the in-person services to the Washington Research Library as well.
• We understand that you have a difficult budget, but higher education and research universities are facing
• We represent over 1,500 teaching and research workers.
• This strain limits both time and resources that members can allocate to research, negatively impacting
• The research is crystal clear.

Summary: The Senate Ways and Means Committee heard an overview from OFM Director Katie Chapman See on Governor Ferguson’s 2026 supplemental budget proposal. She said the budget was built in response to higher caseloads and inflation, a roughly $390 million revenue forecast drop, new federal costs tied to H.R. 1, and a relatively small ending fund balance. The proposal would increase near general fund spending by about $1.1 billion and solve an estimated $2.3 billion two-year gap through about $800 million in reductions, revenue shifts and tax preference changes, use of other funds, and about $1 billion from the budget stabilization account. She also noted the budget is balanced over two years but not fully over four years under the state’s outlook rules. Chapman See highlighted reductions in Working Connections Child Care, including a soft cap on enrollment and holding subsidy rates at the 75th percentile, delays to long-term care and developmental disability-related changes, and across-the-board reductions to higher education and administrative spending. She also described investments in wildfire suppression and preparedness, affordability programs like utility rebates and home energy assistance, housing-related planning and permitting support, One Washington IT replacement, behavioral health workforce programs, and continued support for some K-12 initiatives such as ninth grade success and homeless student stability. In response to questions, she said some proposed cuts were based on the governor’s subjective judgment about what was critically necessary, that current child care enrollees would not be cut off immediately, and that the budget would maintain services for about 500 highest-acuity Medicaid clients who lost eligibility under federal changes. Public testimony was largely critical of the proposed cuts in K-12, early learning, and higher education. School officials, educators, nurses, and advocacy groups opposed reductions to Transition to Kindergarten, Local Effort Assistance, Running Start, MSOC, school leadership and support grants, and higher education funding, arguing the cuts would worsen existing funding gaps and harm student outcomes. Several witnesses supported restoring or maintaining funding for ninth grade success, Treehouse’s foster youth graduation program, homeless student stability, and Science on Wheels. In early learning, child care providers and advocates opposed the Working Connections cap and subsidy-rate reduction, warning it would reduce access and destabilize providers. In higher education, campus leaders and labor representatives opposed across-the-board cuts and fund shifts, while some institutions and advocates supported targeted investments such as behavioral health workforce programs and DigiPen aid restoration. In human services, Planned Parenthood advocates praised restored abortion access funding and Medicaid reimbursements. The committee took no votes or final action in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And when we think about it, there's actually been research done on what it costs to businesses for dealing
• And there's the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation that actually did a research report
• regulations, that money can't be spent on wages, expansion, hiring more people, and innovation and research
• /c><00:14:10.520><c> So,</c><00:14:11.400><c> it</c><00:14:11.520><c> bothers</c> innovation and research
• So, it bothers innovation and research.

Keywords: Meeting Start - 00:00 Roll Call – 00:34 KY Chamber of Commerce KY Business Perspectives – 01:50 COT Update on SB4 – 27:16 Adjournment – 48:18, 958, all

Summary: The 2025 Artificial Intelligence Task Force met for its first meeting of the year and heard updates on federal AI policy, state implementation of Senate Bill 4, and the business community’s perspective on AI regulation. Co-chairs noted that federal legislation could affect the task force’s work later in the year, but said Kentucky still has significant issues to study, including energy, land use, education, social media, and children’s engagement with AI. The task force had quorum and no votes were taken. Kate Shanks of the Kentucky Chamber said the business community supports continued discussion but favors a federal approach over a patchwork of state laws. She described the Trump administration’s new AI executive order as emphasizing innovation over regulation, noted the pending federal AI action plan, and discussed congressional action including the Take It Down Act and industry-specific changes to existing laws. She warned that state-by-state AI rules could increase costs and burden businesses, and said the Chamber would prefer incremental, flexible policy that avoids conflict with existing law and limits private rights of action. Members asked about uniform model legislation, education uses of AI, and civil liability; Shanks said a model approach could help avoid fragmentation and that liability should generally be handled through consumer-protection-style enforcement rather than broad litigation. The Commonwealth Office of Technology then reported on implementation of SB 4, saying it has worked with industry, agencies, other states, and vendors to build an AI policy framework now in final review. Officials said an AI Governance Committee has been established and will meet in July, and a draft RFP is being prepared to meet the bill’s tracking and documentation requirements. They said no major implementation challenges have been identified so far, but the impact of pending federal rules remains uncertain. Members also discussed the need to educate students and teachers about AI, with one member emphasizing that schools should teach both how to use AI and how to think critically about information online.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ed Allies did a lot of research on chronic absenteeism.
• According to their research, that means 3 million combined days of school are being missed and 16 million
• Ed Allies did a lot of research on chronic absenteeism.
• According to their research, that means 3 million combined days of school are being missed and 16 million
• According to their research, that means 3 million combined days of school are being missed and 16 million

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Have you or the governor's office, have you done any research that either confirms or refutes any of
• Yes or no, have you all provided any research?
• If it wasn't researched, if we hadn't taken the time to vet the proposal, newsflash, we have not done
• That last year, we actually put money in the budget to research what this type of property tax reform
• No one researched it. That's a problem. But here's what we do know.

Summary: The Committee on Appropriations took up SJR 2-F, a proposed constitutional amendment to reduce property taxes by lowering assessment caps on non-homestead property, expanding homestead exemptions over time, and allowing local governments to increase exemptions further. The sponsor argued the measure would provide broad property tax relief while requiring revenues to be directed to core services such as public safety, education, infrastructure, and natural resource projects, with a trust fund intended to help local governments transition. Senators raised concerns about the lack of a fiscal score, the effect on counties, cities, school districts, and special districts, and whether the proposal would shift costs to fees or other taxes. Several amendments were debated. Senator Polsky’s amendment to explicitly authorize user fees and non-ad valorem assessments to offset lost property tax revenue failed. Senator Avila’s amendment broadening permissible uses of ad valorem revenue to include county constitutional officers and other expenditures approved by local governing bodies was adopted after debate over whether the bill would otherwise underfund essential functions. Senator Smith’s sunset amendment, which would have made the constitutional changes expire after five years, failed. Senator Smith’s amendment to allow tourism development tax revenue to support public safety and education also failed. Senator Graal’s amendment removing the constitutional trust fund language was adopted, with supporters arguing the Constitution should not promise an unfunded account. Additional late-file amendments were considered. Senator Berman’s proposal to change the ballot title to more neutrally describe the measure as affecting property taxes and local community service reductions failed. Senator Trumbull’s amendment removing school board ad valorem taxes from the proposal was adopted, preserving school taxes. Senator Smith’s amendment narrowing the non-homestead assessment cap reduction to small businesses only failed. The committee then returned to the bill as amended and continued questioning the sponsor about eligibility, fiscal impacts, and whether the proposal could lead to local governments offsetting lost revenue through special assessments or other charges.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also voicing support for the Union of Concerned Scientists, the Watershed Research and Training Center
• More broadly, monarchs are deeply valued, and research from the U.S.
• Research conducted by the University of California, Berkeley found that rangelands protected through
• First, the vast majority of the data... ...two decades, and our research has found several things.
• To put it in perspective, based on an analysis by Bluefield Research, the food and beverage industry

Committees: House Water, Parks and Wildlife , House Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Keywords: 988, house, all