Transcript Highlights:

• These brave men and their families endured immense hardship and service to a cause that shaped the course
• Madam Chair, and this bill is a bill to support United Hmong Family to support dance and cultural programming
• support what we opportunity to support support what we feel<01:26:55.199><c> is</c><01:26:55.400><c>
• With your support, I urge you to support House File 2508.
• With your support, I urge you to support House File 2508.

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Our family came here in 1803 to raise cattle, and I still raise cattle today.
• Our family came here in 1803 to raise cattle, and I still raise cattle today.
• Alphonse and Kathleen Sinati Healthcare Screening and Services Grant Program.
• , thereby expanding services in counties that do not have sufficient resources.
• The registry helps health care teams, patients, and families make informed decisions and support ongoing

Summary: The Health Professions and Program Subcommittee met for an introductory and oversight briefing from the Florida Department of Health on implementation of several 2024 laws. The committee heard first from Jennifer Winhold on practitioner-regulation measures, including SB 1716 and SB 1600, which expanded workforce pathways through foreign-trained physician licensure, area-of-critical-need temporary certificates for APRNs and physician assistants, graduate assistant physician licenses, interstate compacts, and a new universal licensure-by-endorsement process. She also reviewed HB 197 on massage therapy enforcement, HB 975 on broader background screening, HB 1561 on office-surgery and liposuction safeguards, HB 159 on pharmacist HIV post-exposure prophylaxis certification, and HB 1063 on chiropractic dry needling and foreign degree licensure. Members asked about compact scope, foreign graduate requirements, massage enforcement overlap with DBPR, and registration thresholds for liposuction procedures. Dr. Emma Spencer then outlined implementation of SB 76 and related programs, including changes to the FRAME and dental loan repayment programs, the volunteer health care provider program, the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program, the Health Care Innovation Council and revolving loan program, and the Andrew John Anderson Pediatric Rare Disease Grant Program. She said the department had updated portals, posted forms, launched or was developing public search tools, and submitted required reports and contracts. Members questioned whether loan repayment funds were reaching rural and underserved areas, how nonprofit applicants were being informed about the Alphonse screening grant program, the short application window for that grant, and how the department would evaluate whether the programs were improving recruitment and retention. A third presentation, delivered by Mike Mason standing in for Shea Holloway, covered maternal and child health and other public health initiatives. He reported on the telehealth maternity care program’s expansion from a pilot in Duval and Orange counties to 23 counties, the pregnancy-and-parenting resources website required by HB 415, CMV newborn screening requirements under SB 168, sickle cell registry and research grants under HB 7085, and the swim lessons voucher program under SB 544, which received nearly 10,000 requests for 3,500 vouchers and enrolled 86 facilities. Members asked about utilization, marketing, website launch timing, and how the department was promoting these services. No bills were voted on; the meeting concluded with the chair noting that more committee presentations and bills would follow and that briefing materials would be distributed to members.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do not charge for any daycare services or child care and any support services.
• On behalf of my family and the San Antonio Zoo, I'm here to testify in support of Senate Bill 2928.
• create a design calendar to support teachers, kids, families.
• I kindly ask you support Bill 2928 for the families, the education, ...to succeed.
• She earned her degree, supports her family, and contributes to our local economy.

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Summary: The committee heard several education bills, with most of the discussion focused on Senate Bill 1835, Senate Bill 784, Senate Bill 1049, Senate Bill 2942, and Senate Bill 2928. SB 1835 would raise from 5% to 20% the cap on nonresident students who can receive resident tuition and fees through competitive scholarships at certain regional universities in slower-growing workforce development areas, provided the schools have capacity as determined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Supporters, including West Texas A&M University, said the bill would help fill underused capacity, attract students who may stay and work in Texas, and support regional workforce needs. SB 784 would strengthen a prior law allowing peace officers’ children to transfer between public school districts for safety reasons by requiring both districts’ approval, making clear that districts of innovation are not exempt, and prohibiting tuition charges. SB 1049 would require districts and open-enrollment charters to excuse students, at a parent’s request, for religious release-time instruction for up to one hour per day and five hours per week; witnesses said the program is constitutional, voluntary, and already operating in other states and some Texas districts. Each of these bills was left pending after testimony, with no public witnesses opposing them. SB 2942 would expand and adjust the state’s adult charter high school pilot program. Senator Creighton said the bill is intended to help the estimated 7 million Texas adults without a high school diploma by removing barriers to expansion, aligning legal protections with ISDs, changing TEA’s disapproval window for expansion amendments to a 30-day period after receipt, and updating funding to reflect part-year attendance. A committee substitute kept the upper enrollment age at 50 and removed a proposed testing change. Testimony from New Heights students and leadership described the program as life-changing, emphasizing that it combines diplomas with career credentials, childcare, transportation, and other supports to help adults stabilize their families and enter better-paying work. TEA witnesses explained the expansion process and said adult charter schools are overseen by the commissioner rather than the SBOE. The committee substitute was adopted, public testimony closed, and the bill was left pending. SB 2928 would set a uniform school start date for public school districts at the third Wednesday in August, while preserving existing district-of-innovation flexibility for current DOI districts and allowing year-round systems to continue. Senator Creighton argued the bill would reduce the patchwork created by DOI exemptions, support students and families, and preserve summer employment and tourism revenue. A committee substitute was adopted. Testimony came largely from tourism, hospitality, and recreation interests, including hotel, water park, zoo, chamber of commerce, and camp representatives, who said later start dates would extend the summer travel season, improve staffing and revenue, and give students more opportunities for summer jobs and camps. Several witnesses cited large economic impacts from tourism and said early school starts reduce August business. Some senators raised concerns about charter schools being excluded and about year-round calendars, but the bill was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• And to kick off the overviews, we have the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to present, along with
• </c><00:03:45.280><c> Services</c><00:03:45.680><c> to</c><00:03:45.920><c> present</c> Health and Family
• Services to present Health and Family Services to present along<00:03:46.640><c> with</c><00:03:46.879
• that need additional support or adoptive families that need more intensive services.
• ><c> adoptive</c> need additional support or adoptive need additional support or adoptive families<00

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Capital Planning Advisory Board met for its first meeting of the year, confirmed a quorum, approved the prior year’s minutes, and welcomed new co-chairs and members. The board reviewed the capital planning timeline and a list of agencies that submitted plans but would not testify. Members were reminded to keep presentations brief because of a packed agenda. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services presented first, outlining priorities centered on public safety, infrastructure preservation, and preventive maintenance. Its requests included a $21 million maintenance pool, phase two funding for a new state public health laboratory, construction of an 18-bed children’s psychiatric hospital, and several projects at Western State Hospital and Western State Nursing Facility, including HVAC work, cooling tower repair or replacement, and chiller plant repiping. Additional projects covered elevator upgrades at Hazlewood and phased cottage renovations at Oakwood. Board members asked about vacant buildings, the cost per bed for the youth psychiatric facility, and the relationship between the CHFS youth facility and a separate DJJ facility; CHFS said the youth facility would serve DCBS-involved youth and be separate from the DJJ project. The Kentucky Department of Education then described its state-operated facilities, including the Kentucky School for the Deaf, the Kentucky School for the Blind, and the FFA leadership training center. Its priorities included additional funding for the FFA classroom and activity building, a rewrite of the SEEK education finance application system, renovation and repair of the FFA swimming pool, electrical upgrades, campus education enhancements, safety and security work, door and window replacements, and HVAC maintenance. Members asked about student outcomes, the size and cost of the swimming pool project, and construction cost assumptions; KDE said it tracks student outcomes through special education staff and that current estimates reflect higher post-COVID construction costs. The Education and Labor Cabinet began its presentation with 12 priority projects, including a state labor exchange system, renovation of the McDow Vocational Rehabilitation Center, and a new adult education and family literacy management information system. The cabinet said the labor exchange would connect job seekers and employers at no cost, while the McDow renovation was needed because the 30-year-old facility faces safety and code concerns. The cabinet planned to continue through the remaining priorities and answer questions at the end of its presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> certified service certified service providers<00:15:41.519><c> six</c><00:15:41.839><c> and</c><
• </c> definition of certified service definition of certified service providers<00:15:46.399><c> to</c
• :14.080><c> support</c><00:32:14.519><c> this</c> so please support this so please support this Bill<
• </c> going to face single mothers families going to face single mothers families with<00:43:09.720><c
• We have 200 dedicated team members who work together on a daily basis to support individuals and families

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the family businesses that call Burleson home.
• Mayor Fletcher has already spoken in support.
• I'm here today in support of House Bill 2289.
• I urge the committee to support House Bill 2370.
• This bill is supported by both of those cities.

Committee: House Ways & Means

Summary: The committee heard a long series of bills, most of them expanding or adjusting hotel occupancy tax or qualified hotel project authority for specific local governments. Measures discussed included HB 2404 for Childress County; HB 3066 for Allen’s Kalahari resort project; HB 4682 for Plano; HB 4683 for Anna; HB 3076 creating a project finance zone in Frisco; HB 3567 for Wichita County; HB 3715 for McAllen; HB 1039 for Alpine; HB 3182 for Burleson; HB 4926 for Grimes County; HB 4222 for Victoria County; HB 3377 for Katy; HB 4659 for Addison; HB 3241 for Georgetown; HB 4098 for Taylor; HB 3178 for Kerr County; HB 3179 for Mason County; HB 2289 for New Braunfels; HB 4412 for Kermit; HB 5165 for Monahans; HB 3500 for Bastrop; and HB 3169 for Carrollton. In each case, authors and local officials described tourism, convention, hotel, airport, or mixed-use development needs and argued the bills would help attract visitors, investment, and jobs. One non-hotel-tax bill, HB 4226, would exempt Texas food banks from sales tax on vehicle purchases and rentals, with testimony emphasizing the scale of food bank operations and the savings’ impact on meal delivery and disaster response. Testimony was generally supportive from city officials, economic development representatives, and industry groups such as the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association. Several witnesses described major private projects, including Kalahari in Allen, a proposed hotel and conference center in Addison, a mixed-use project in Georgetown, and a large development tied to Samsung growth in Taylor. For HB 4226, food bank representatives said the bill would help them purchase refrigerated trucks and other delivery vehicles, while an opponent questioned the fiscal note and the scope of the exemption. HB 4926 drew opposition from Camp Allen, whose representative argued a new county hotel tax would raise costs for guests and could hurt the retreat center’s operations. HB 3178 also drew an objection from a Kerr County resident who argued the tax would grow county government and pointed to event center losses, though the author said the revenue would support tourism-related county uses. The committee took no final votes on the bills in this transcript. After each bill was laid out and testimony concluded, the chair repeatedly asked whether there was objection to leaving the bill pending; in each instance, no objection was heard, and the bills were left pending. Several committee substitutes were offered and then withdrawn or noted as conforming drafts, but no bill was reported out or otherwise acted on beyond being left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm absolutely in support.
• We rely heavily on our federal partners at the Forest Service and the BLM, as well as our fire service
• The Forest Service ASQ is 400 million a year.
• The Forest Service ASQ is 400 million a year.
• Are we still supporting that?

Committee: House Resources and Conservation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Office of Family Representation is going to be able to hire 6 or 7 attorneys handling those family
• Serve the family, and the family has to scramble to get an attorney because they don't know that DHS
• At when they end up going back to the family, we realize it was everyone was getting paid, and the family
• This fund to the loan servicers.
• Our core values are integrity, excellence, and customer service.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, Representative Hansen talked about her interest in helping support solo families and/or solo
• You know, Representative Hansen talked about her interest in helping support solo families and/or solo
• Representative Hansen talked about her interest in helping support solo families and/or solo parents,
• So I think that this is a way that we can support families, and I hope that answers your question.”
• </c><00:40:09.680><c> and</c> supportive state for all families and supportive state for all families

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Our libraries provide impactful programs that support our families and students.
• Our libraries provide impactful programs that support our families and students.
• , along with federal support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by State
• </c><00:44:51.200><c> from</c> Services along with federal support from Services along with federal support
• And thank you for your support of libraries and for the service you provide to all Minnesotans.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They used to support us. I used to say all the time, our city loves us.
• We feel so supported by our city and our police department.
• And this is how we raise our family.
• Uh, Travis County Emergency Services for the bill.
• They're not tax-supported models and um.

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I urge support.
• support program.
• Anybody in support? Show three in support. Anybody on Zoom? Nobody on Zoom. Anybody in opposition?
• They provide the services.
• So I am in full support of this pilot.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Any more witnesses in support? Okay. Any others who would like to testify in support of SB 983?
• Any other key witness in support? Okay. Anyone in support of SB 1256 as a me too? Okay.
• I will support the bill. Thank you. It makes sense. I will support the bill. Thank you.
• services in the community.
• Okay, so no witnesses in support. Any witnesses in opposition? Okay, so no witnesses in support.

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:37.440><c> experience</c> boards or public service experience boards or public service experience
• the family.
• the family.
• </c><01:32:40.400><c> this</c> up and I um yeah proud to support this up and I um yeah proud to support
• </c><01:35:48.400><c> by</c> for accessible housing supported by for accessible housing supported by

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• support our law enforcement community.
• care services.
• Barney Bishop, Florida Smart Justice Alliance, waving in support. Denise Rock, waving in support.
• I appreciate your support.
• Thank you for your support.

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She's family.
• She's family. She currently serves as the election. has come back. She's family.
• In our family division, we file divorce petitions, child and spousal support, adoptions, paternity, change
• The child support depository department maintains the records for all court-ordered child support and
• services.

Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee met to review how county budgets are developed and how constitutional officers fit into that process. Davin Suggs of the Florida Association of Counties gave an overview of county budgeting, explaining the statutory framework, the role of property taxes and TRIM notices, the fiscal-year timeline, fund balances and reserves, and the Department of Revenue’s oversight. He emphasized that county budgets include the board’s budget plus the budgets of constitutional officers, and that relationships and communication are critical to resolving budget issues. A panel of constitutional officers then described their offices’ budget processes and responsibilities: Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons discussed law enforcement budgeting and the importance of negotiated agreements with county commissions; Alachua County Property Appraiser Aisha Solomon explained the June 1 budget deadline, valuation methods, and the appeal process for property assessments; Manatee County Clerk and Comptroller Angelina Coleniso outlined the clerk’s court and finance duties, the county-side budget process, and the clerk’s personal liability under section 129.09 for unlawful expenditures; Leon County Supervisor of Elections Mark Early described the cyclical nature of election costs, staffing, equipment, and the impact of turnout and election law changes; and Columbia County Tax Collector Kyle Keene explained that tax collectors’ budgets are reviewed by the Department of Revenue, with fee offices funding themselves through service charges and budget offices relying on county support. Members asked about personal liability for unlawful spending, conflicts between clerks and county commissions, property valuation and storm damage adjustments, reserve levels, and whether tax collectors can retain excess fees. Responses noted that clerks must refuse illegal expenditures, property appraisers use market-based assessments with VAB and court review available, counties should maintain healthy fund balances for cash flow and emergencies, and tax collectors generally must zero out year-end balances and distribute excess revenues to taxing authorities. The committee took no votes and adjourned after thanking the panelists for their testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and other crucial services.
• access service social Services internet access service social media<00:27:23.919><c> applications</c
• Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of House File 859, the Food Service Establishment
• Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of House File 859, the Food Service Establishment
• of an industry that remains in need of of an industry that remains in need of support support support

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They're, you know, supporting them.
• If compensation had allowed me to fully support my family, I would have stayed in that role.
• Had allowed me to fully support my family, I would have stayed in that role.
• We need to look at how we can expand the setting D services throughout our state to support the students
• And so when you have a category, but within a category, you have a huge continuum of services and supports

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to discuss special education funding and retention, beginning with approval of the prior meeting minutes and then hearing a presentation from North Dakota United on a statewide special education survey and retention rubric. Presenters described how the rubric and survey were developed from special educator input around four domains: paperwork and due process support, workload, student and staff safety, and paraprofessional management. They reported high levels of stress and burnout, including increased workload, difficulty taking prep and lunch time, concerns about mental health, and widespread difficulty filling special education positions. Committee members questioned the survey’s lack of a general-education comparison group, the interpretation of terms like “rarely” and “sometimes,” and whether results could be broken down further by district size, unit, or disability area. The survey results showed the weakest area was workload, with respondents reporting caseloads increasing without corresponding adjustments, little additional support or compensation when workloads rise, and few negotiated-agreement protections. Paperwork and due process also scored poorly, with many teachers saying they rarely receive dedicated time during the duty day, often work outside contract hours without compensation, and take work home on evenings and weekends. Student and staff safety scored somewhat better but still showed gaps in crisis follow-up, notification about violent behavior, protective gear, and leave options after incidents. Paraprofessional management also drew concern, especially low pay, insufficient staffing, limited administrative support, and the burden placed on teachers to supervise and train paras. Several teachers then testified directly about the practical impact of these issues. One special education teacher described the job as combining instruction, legal compliance, and paraprofessional supervision, often requiring work beyond contracted hours and contributing to burnout and turnover. Another testified that special education case managers are effectively doing three full-time jobs and that the paperwork and caseload demands are a major reason people avoid or leave the field. Committee members discussed whether the problems are primarily local or state-level, whether more funding would solve them, and whether changes to the funding formula or weighting for high-cost students might be needed. No formal vote or action was taken beyond a recess and return to order for the next presentation, which continued the discussion of possible special education study objectives and potential policy directions.

Transcript Highlights:

• and wildlife service can provide support,<02:36:28.880><c> the</c><02:36:29.280><c> intertribal</c><
• When we talk about juvenile justice and the departments of family service agencies, those are agencies
• justice and um the departments of family service<03:45:05.760><c> agencies,</c><03:45:06.800><c> those
• So, another thing to keep in mind is support services are so critical.
• So, another thing to keep in mind is support services are so critical.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Tribal Relations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm in support of this bill, House Bill 5263.
• And so I'm asking your support. of this bill. Mr.
• engaging environments, and early intervention services.
• over 500,000 students on supported.
• I'm here to speak in strong support of HB 1441.

Bills: HB 1178 , HB1411 , HB1441 , HB1773 , HB1813 , HB2107 , HB2598 , HB2911 , HB2967 , HB3672 , HB5263 , HB3797

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: education, temporary certification, out-of-state educators, teacher shortage, military spouses, personal leave, school holidays, employee compensation, overtime provisions, school safety, peace officers, mental health, de-escalation techniques, trauma-informed care, student trustee, school board, student representation, education policy, nonvoting position, school governance