Bills: SB325, HB513, SB357, HB513, HB626

Keywords: youth residential facilities, abuse prevention, law enforcement, video surveillance, civil penalties, record keeping, child rights, background check, criminal history, biometric identifiers, fingerprints, iris scan, palm print, photograph, rap back, NGI Rap Back, ALEA, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, AJIC, Alabama Justice Information Commission

Keywords: Joint Assembly - Judicial Retention - 2025-03-20 - 10:30AM, 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He probably checked, he, he checks it more than I do, I think.
• The chair lays out House Joint Resolution 35 and recognizes Chairman Craddock to explain his bill.
• Uh, at this time, House Joint Resolution 35 will be left pending. Thank you.
• Additionally, the Texas Strong Defense Fund proposed through, Uh, House Joint Resolution 487 and House
• The chair lays out House Joint Resolution 47 and recognizes Chairman Landgraf to explain his bill.

Bills: HB188, HB 265, HJR35

Keywords: emergency preparedness, flood-prone communities, Texas Rural Emergency Preparedness Fund, disaster relief, funding, youth camp, safety regulations, advisory committee, child welfare, health standards, summer camp, camp safety, child abuse reporting, child neglect, mandatory reporting, background check, criminal history check, sex offender registry, CPR training, first aid

Keywords: Public Health Joint - Room 216, 28 August, 2025; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Joint Resolution 1032 aligns Oklahoma rules with Senate Bill 1100, which went into effect in 2022

Bills: HJR1032, SB1273, SB1433

Keywords: HJR1032, House Joint Resolution 1032, Service Oklahoma, administrative rules, rule repeal, joint resolution, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 670:15-1-10, OAC 670:15-1-14, agency regulation, legislative oversight, Secretary of State, Oklahoma Register, rulemaking, permanent rules, administrative code, guidance transparency, administrative procedures, public inspection, state agency accountability

Bills: SB1165, SB1206, SB1212, SB1291, SB1347, SB1516, SB1554, SB1649, SB1689, SB1812

Keywords: breast cancer, screening services, health insurance, cost sharing, preventive care, storm damage, catastrophic storm, hail damage, wind damage, roof repair, roof replacement, post-storm repairs, insurance claim, property and casualty insurance, adjuster, public adjuster, contractor licensing, homeowner protections, deductible waiver, insurance fraud prevention

Keywords: Legislative Joint Code Committee - Room 216, August 12, 2025; 10:30 AM, 925, all

Bills: HB2

Keywords: disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license, volunteer management system, volunteer registration, criminal history check, background check, Texas Division of Emergency Management

Summary: The Senate Education K-16 Committee met to consider HB 2, the major school finance bill, with the chair explaining that the committee substitute would provide about $8 billion in new public education funding. The bill was described as including permanent teacher compensation increases, expanded teacher incentive allotment funding, support for early literacy and numeracy, teacher certification and residency pathways, special education funding, career and technical education, school safety dollars, and facilities support for charter schools. The committee adopted the committee substitute without objection after roll was called and a quorum was present. Members questioned the bill’s structure, especially the balance between across-the-board teacher pay and the teacher incentive allotment, the treatment of uncertified teachers, and differences in requirements between traditional public schools and charter schools. Senator Menendez and Senator West raised concerns about equity, charter-school parity, facilities funding, inflation, and whether the bill should include more support for fine arts and extracurricular programs. The chair responded that the bill was designed to direct most new money to traditional public schools while also preserving flexibility and that charter-school and public-school alignment would need further work. Invited witnesses Dr. Imelda De La Rosa and Val Acri testified in support of the bill, emphasizing that the Teacher Incentive Allotment helps recruit and retain teachers in rural districts and supports mentorship and certification pathways. Public witnesses also supported the bill but urged more funding for fine arts, local flexibility, and full restoration of House-proposed funding levels. Dr. Josh Jones supported year-long teacher residencies, Dr. Philip Morgan asked for more local control and restoration of fine arts funding, Rich Saina supported the bill but warned about hold-harmless reductions, and Dr. Greg Poole supported the bill while asking for flexibility for high-performing districts that already pay high salaries. After the invited testimony and some public testimony, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair so members could attend the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair continued checking the list, mentioning Robert Norris and Noah Jones.
• We'll follow up in writing, and I will just double-check my quick reading of the substitute.
• We'll follow up in writing, and I will just double-check my quick reading of the substitute.

Bills: HB2

Keywords: disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license, volunteer management system, volunteer registration, criminal history check, background check, Texas Division of Emergency Management

Summary: The committee continued public testimony on House Bill 2, which would make major changes to public school funding, teacher pay, special education, early learning, school safety, and related programs. Many superintendents and education advocates supported the bill’s overall direction but urged changes, especially a larger basic allotment and more flexible funding for rural and small districts. Witnesses from Paint Creek, West Hardin, Cushing, Blooming Grove, Mildred, Buffalo, Plano, and rural school groups said the bill’s targeted raises and new requirements would not fully cover inflation, TRS/Medicare costs, transportation, insurance, or support staff salaries, and several asked the committee to restore the House version’s higher basic allotment and small-school allotment. Charter school representatives supported the facilities funding changes and said charter schools need state help because they cannot levy taxes, while also noting the funding gap with ISDs. Fine arts advocates asked the committee to restore the fine arts allotment, arguing arts improve engagement, attendance, and academic outcomes, especially in rural and at-risk communities. Early learning and special education witnesses supported parts of the bill but raised concerns about pre-K restrictions, disability-related pre-K access, and the need to preserve or clarify special education provisions and mental health oversight language. Several witnesses praised the teacher pay raise, teacher incentive allotment expansion, and teacher preparation investments, saying they would help recruit and retain educators and improve student outcomes. Others, including counselors and support staff advocates, argued the bill should also include raises for counselors, nurses, librarians, bus drivers, custodians, aides, and other non-teaching employees who keep schools running. One witness from the Texas Counseling Association opposed the substitute because it removed a counselor pay provision, warning of counselor shortages and inequities. A parent and special education advocate said the bill’s structure creates too many strings attached and asked for a larger basic allotment instead of more targeted funding. Another witness from Mental Health America urged keeping the collaborative task force on public school mental health services through 2031, and a disability rights advocate said the committee substitute appears to omit some special education items that were in the House version. The committee also briefly took up House Bill 6, a school discipline bill. After questions about automatic mandatory expulsion for vape possession and concerns about younger students, the committee adopted the substitute and voted to report HB 6 favorably to the full Senate by a 9-1 vote, with Senator Menendez voting no and Senators West and Menendez expressing reservations but supporting further discussion. After that vote, testimony on HB 2 resumed. Senators used the hearing to ask about the bill’s cost, the difference between the basic allotment and the bill’s targeted funding buckets, and whether the permanent teacher pay increase shifts pressure off districts. The bill’s supporters emphasized that it represents an historic, roughly $8 billion investment and that many of the new funding streams are intended to be permanent or to address specific district needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're doing the joint legislative studies governing bill. Sorry.
• there was no Clebornne we just checked there was no amendment<00:32:12.559> submitted.
• And this one is modifying the definition of joint offices.
• And again it is the joint offices.
• I'd have to check back with you.

Bills: HF1151, HF1239, HF1240, HF2020, HF2514, HF2515, HF2451

Keywords: Compensation Council, salaries, state officials, judicial compensation, legislative process, public funds, misuse, law enforcement, accountability, state government, legislative auditor, compliance, transparency, retirement benefits, health insurance, dependents, state employees, Medicare, legislative studies, government oversight

Transcript Highlights:

• I ask unanimous consent to hold today's joint hearing before the House Committee on Small Business and
• welcome our colleagues from the Senate, both chambers of Congress, coming together to conduct this joint
• I am glad that we can hold this joint hearing of our two committees today to examine an issue that impacts
• In fact, according to a 2023 report by the Nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation, 55 percent of the
• Thank you. this joint hearing today on such a critical issue.

Keywords: joint hearing, small business, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, economic recovery, tax relief, job creation

Summary: In this joint hearing of the House Committee on Small Business and the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, the primary focus was on the importance of making the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) permanent. The chair emphasized that small businesses are crucial for the nation's economic recovery, especially in the wake of current federal policies perceived as detrimental. Witnesses shared their experiences and highlighted how the tax cuts facilitated job creation and business expansion, stressing the need for continued support through ongoing tax relief measures. The meeting included discussions about the economic implications of the TCJA's potential expiration, with members voicing their concerns regarding how this could impact small businesses and the broader economy.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can go back and check when that's specific language, but it's been there.
• Reading and final passage of committee substitute for Senate joint resolution 40.
• At this time, the committee substitutes Senate Joint Resolution 4.
• Check, check, one, two, three, it works.
• I think I checked with Patsy I think we're at about 73,000 or so. 73,000 considerably.

Keywords: legislation, Senate Joint Resolution 40, Senate Bill 871, constitutional amendment, emergency powers, governor authority, legislative oversight

Summary: The meeting focused on several crucial pieces of legislation, notably Senate Joint Resolution 40, which proposed a constitutional amendment to clarify the powers of the governor, the legislature, and the Supreme Court during emergencies. Senator Birdwell presented the resolution, emphasizing the need for legislative involvement during prolonged crises. It garnered broad support, passing with 29 votes in favor and only 1 against. Following this, Senate Bill 871, considered the enabling legislation, was also moved for discussion, with the aim of reinforcing the legislature's authority during emergencies while establishing clear guidelines for the governor's powers.

Keywords: Joint Assembly - Governor's Budget Message (J.R.S.7): 2025-01-28-1:00 p.m., 927, senate, all

Bills: HB462, HB8, HB8

Keywords: emergency medical services, military training, licensure, public health, veterans, tobacco regulation, vaping, sales restrictions, youth protection, tobacco compliance, education programs, electronic nicotine delivery systems, campus chaplain, chaplain, school chaplain, volunteer, public K-12 schools, public schools, public charter schools, education policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to make a motion that Senator Aird chair the Joint Commission.
• Joint Resolution for and back to the establishment of the Joint Commission via House Joint Resolution
• During that session, though, Delegate Krizek had the House Joint Resolution establishing this Joint Commission
• So, quite a broad mandate for the Joint Commission to oversee currently and prospectively.
• Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the Joint Commission.

Keywords: Cannabis Retail Market, Joint Commission to Oversee the Transition of the Commonwealth into a, 976, house, all

Bills: SB253, SB317

Keywords: massage therapy, licensing board, public safety, criminal background check, temporary permit, emergency order, Alabama Innovation Corporation, board of directors, staggered terms, economic development, entrepreneurship, 1136, house, all

Keywords: Joint Assembly - Governor's Inaugural Message; J.R.S. 3: Thurs., Jan. 9, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The joint session will come to order.
• The chair declares the joint session of the two Houses now dissolved.
• 02:33:30.160> chair<02:33:30.479> declares<02:33:30.800> the<02:33:31.040> joint
• <02:33:31.280> session<02:33:31.520> of The chair declares the joint session of The
• chair declares the joint session of the<02:33:31.840> two<02:33:32.000> houses<02:33:32.479

Keywords: Presidential address to the Joint Session of the United States Congress on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• [Applause] e [Music] The joint session will come to order.
• [Music] [Music] e for e e e for one e e e e for morning The joint session will come to order.
• breach of the quorum and the Chair is prepared to direct the Sergeant-at-Arms to restore order to the joint
• The Chair is prepared to direct the Sergeant-at-Arms to restore order to the joint session. Mr.
• The Chair declares the joint session of the two Houses now dissolved. Hold on.

Keywords: Presidential address to the Joint Session of the United States Congress on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Keywords: Joint Assembly - Election of Sergeant at Arms and UVM Trustees: 2025-02-20-10:30 a.m., 927, senate, all