Transcript Highlights:

• Involving numerous levels of individuals in the chain of command of care, if you will.
• So does your policy have, like, a chain of command at an incident?
• saying, clear change. crisis teams so that there's a that exactly what you're saying clear chain of command
• And just one—so with your statement, just yes or no, your new policy now has the chain of command.
• There were not warning signs that went up the chain of command between the superintendent, the assistant

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The Joint State Agencies committee met to approve the October 8, 2025 minutes and then held an extended oversight discussion with the Department of Human Services about the death of Zachary Moore at the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center (later clarified in testimony as the Warren facility). DHS officials described Moore’s background, said he died after being restrained in a prone position for about 13 minutes, and reported that a nurse later administered a chemical restraint before CPR was attempted. They said the agency settled with the family for $725,000, terminated 13 staff members, changed facility leadership, and brought in consultants under a directed plan of correction from the Office of Long-Term Care to review policies, retrain staff, and conduct a root-cause analysis. Later testimony clarified that the death certificate listed the manner of death as homicide and the cause as physiologic stress associated with struggle and prone restraint; committee members also noted that six people had been charged with manslaughter and neglect of a vulnerable person. Members focused on restraint policy, staff training, chain of command during emergencies, family communication, and whether warning signs had been missed. DHS said it has written restraint protocols, annual restraint training, and a mortality review process, but acknowledged that the Warren facility had multiple failures, including use of a prone restraint, improper chemical restraint, poor supervision, inadequate communication, and problems with equipment and behavior plans. Officials said they were revising policies, creating clearer crisis-team roles, and retraining staff, and that the consultant work would be shared across the other human development centers. Several members pressed DHS on why the family had not been kept informed, why the agency was not prepared with basic facts, and whether a more formal independent audit of facilities should exist. The committee also discussed broader staffing and funding issues across the human development centers. DHS said CNAs start at about $39,000 a year, that the centers rely heavily on float and contract staff, and that there are about 2,000 people on a waiting list for services. Members argued that low pay, turnover, and rural staffing shortages contribute to risk and asked for recruitment and retention plans, possible regional pay differentials, and more legislative support. DHS said it is drafting a systemwide retention and recruitment plan and expects to bring it to ALC, while also implementing a separate rate study for certain PASS program services in January 2027. The meeting ended after comments from Zachary Moore’s mother, Angela Stevens, who said money cannot replace her son and urged the state to ensure no other family experiences the same loss; the committee asked DHS to keep members and Ms. Stevens updated on consultant reports and recruitment efforts before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Involving numerous levels of individuals in the chain of command of care, if you will.
• Does your policy have like a chain of command at an incident?
• And just one, so with your statement, just yes or no, your new policy now has the chain of command.
• There were not warning signs that went up the chain of command between the superintendent, the assistant
• to express representative Ray there were not warning signs that went up that went up the chain of command

Summary: The Joint State Agencies committee met to approve prior minutes and then focused on the death of Zachary Moore at the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center, later clarified in discussion as the Warren facility. DHS officials described Moore’s background, said he died after a prolonged prone restraint followed by a delayed chemical restraint, and reported that 13 staff were terminated, the superintendent was replaced, a consultant was brought in, and the agency entered a settlement with the family for $725,000. Members pressed DHS on the cause of death, restraint policies, staff training, supervision, family notification, and why the family had not been kept informed; DHS said a family-notification procedure exists but that communications during litigation had been handled through counsel. The committee also heard that six staff had been criminally charged with manslaughter and neglect of a vulnerable person, and that the death certificate listed the manner of death as homicide with cause of death tied to physiologic stress associated with struggle and prone restraint. DHS officials gave broader context on the five human development centers, their licensing and accreditation, resident population, mortality review process, and training programs. They said the centers serve highly medically and behaviorally complex residents, that annual restraint training and CPI-based instruction are required, and that the mortality review committee and Office of Long-Term Care review deaths and make recommendations. Members repeatedly criticized the agency for not having complete information at the meeting and for what they saw as gaps in oversight, staffing, and chain-of-command clarity during emergencies. DHS responded that the Warren facility had not been meeting the same standards as the others, that the consultant’s root-cause analysis identified multiple failures, and that new crisis-team and chain-of-command procedures were being drafted. A second major topic was staffing and recruitment. Members discussed low pay, turnover, use of float and on-call staff, rural staffing shortages, and a waiting list of about 2,000 people for home- and community-based services. DHS said CNAs at the centers start at about $39,000 a year, that a broader retention and recruitment plan is being drafted for all five centers, and that a separate rate study for PASS services will be implemented in January 2027 but does not cover CNA pay. The meeting ended with testimony from Moore’s mother, Angela Stevens, who said money could not replace her son and urged stronger training, background checks, and supervision so other residents would be protected. The committee asked DHS to keep members and Stevens updated on consultant reports, recruitment efforts, and follow-up on the family communication issue, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• learned quite a bit from the Uvalde fiasco in many respects, the chaos and the lack of control and command
• local police, work with DPS coming in, Sheriff's department to coordinate the effort to be able to command
• Freeman Martin: As events dictate, in Uvalde there was the lack of command and control.
• I was the incident commander at Sutherland Springs, and following the incident at Sutherland Springs,
• Because sometimes you've just got so many agencies that can respond to so many things, command and control

Bills: HB 33, HB 45, HB 48, HB 1261, HB 1465, HB 1778, HB 2596, HB 5238, SB 2969

Keywords: HB 48, oilfield theft, organized theft, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, DPS, Department of Public Safety, Texas, Railroad Commission, criminal justice, energy resources, theft prevention, organized crime, border region, El Paso, law enforcement task force, asset recovery, pipeline theft, drilling equipment, equipment theft

Transcript Highlights:

• organizations at the installation, military department, and Secretary of Defense levels, including command
• Most recently, Colonel Weldon was dean and commandant of the cadets at Tarleton State University, where
• Particularly, he is actually real military because he served with the Navy Facilities Engineering Command
• I'm a byproduct of understanding the chain of command and the delegation of authority, so I am a byproduct
• of understanding the chain of command and the delegation of authority.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Nominations met to consider several gubernatorial nominees and first approved a slate of nominees left pending from the March 31 agenda. The committee voted 5-0 to favorably report those nominees to the full Senate for confirmation. Public testimony was then opened and later closed, with some listed witnesses not appearing. The committee heard testimony on Jerry K. Weldon II for the Brazos River Authority Board of Directors. Senators focused on stewardship of the Brazos River, the authority’s relationship to the legislature and the public, Sunset review, water quality and nutrient runoff, impaired waterways, and possible uses of constructed wetlands for aggregate mine reclamation. Weldon emphasized collaboration, transparency, and keeping the citizens of Texas as the authority’s primary customer. Commissioner Robert Vaughn was considered for reappointment to the Texas Transportation Commission. Discussion centered on TxDOT’s management, rural funding, population growth, project delivery, and the commissioner’s role on the audit committee. Doug McCreakin was considered for the Texas Tech University Board of Regents, with questions about legislative priorities, compliance with DEI-related state law, workforce development, rural medical education, and university partnerships. Jody Giles was considered for reappointment to the University of Texas Board of Regents, and Bernadette Carrasco Coleman for reappointment to the Texas Woman’s University Board of Regents; both discussed higher education priorities, PUF funding, compliance with state law, and student support programs. John Rutherford was considered for reappointment to the Teachers Retirement System Board of Trustees, with questions about fiduciary oversight, investment understanding, and keeping the retirement system solvent. Brigadier General Michael Boyd was also considered for appointment to the Texas Military Preparedness Commission, where discussion focused on military retention, child care, spouse licensing, base infrastructure, and grant funding for Texas installations. The committee did not take final votes on these later nominees during the hearing and left them pending subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I also serve as the Internet Crimes Against Children Commander for the state of North Dakota, overseeing
• And I also serve as the Internet Crimes Against Children Commander for the state of North Dakota, overseeing
• us, or something that we have done well in North Dakota that other states have not, as the ICAC commander
• , several times a year I get to meet with all the ICAC ...commander from across the country, and one
• And in this program, it's a day-long program... ...where it's eight to ten hours, where we go over what

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• American Legion Department of California, AMVETS Department of California, the California State Commanders
• Joining me today and to speak in support of the bill is David Kuda, the State Commander for the VFW of
• I'm a disabled Army retiree and a commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars for California.
• American Legion Department of California, AMVETS Department of California, the California State Commanders

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• affairs officer, and then officer in charge, and then also being the advanced squadron deputy flight commander
• 01:25.439> flight the advanced squadron deputy flight the advanced squadron deputy flight commander
• 26.799> Please<00:01:27.040> make<00:01:27.360> Shay<00:01:27.759> feel commander
• Please make Shay feel commander of that. Please make Shay feel welcome.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee began with introductions of interns and then took up two bills. House Bill 34, presented by Representative Bant with testimony from Kentucky Professional Firefighters, would expand Kentucky’s presumptive cancer coverage for firefighters. The witness argued that occupational cancer is now the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths for firefighters and asked that additional cancers, including prostate, pancreatic, thyroid, breast, esophageal, and multiple melanoma, be added to the law. Members asked about the fiscal impact, which was described as indeterminable, and several members voiced support for the bill and for first responders. After discussion, House Bill 34 received a motion and second and was approved by the committee with favorable expression. The roll call showed broad support, with Representative Thomas voting no and the rest of the committee voting yes. The committee then heard House Bill 214 from Representative Wesley, which would create a disabled veterans account program to fund accessibility ramps for disabled veterans’ residences. The bill was described as covering pre-built or custom-built ramps for homes and defining eligible recipients. It also received a motion and second, passed with favorable expression, and the roll call again showed overwhelming support with Representative Thomas voting no and the remaining members voting yes. The meeting ended with an announcement about a National Guard Association legislative breakfast the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• As your adjutant general under our commander-in-chief here in Alabama, the commander and chief, Governor
• Space Command. >> Thank you, Lieutenant Governor.
• critical<01:46:21.840> role<01:46:22.639> in command plays a critical role in command
• to report today that we Space Command to report today that we Space Command currently<01:46:48.880
• <01:48:09.280> coming We're excited about Space Command coming We're excited about Space Command

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The 1% who don't, those are your actual base MPs or the base commander who uses personal privilege to
• <00:21:41.919> who<00:21:42.159> uses<00:21:42.480> personal the base commander
• who uses personal the base commander who uses personal privilege<00:21:43.120> to<00:21:43.280
• 00:22:04.960> range commissioned officers, and a range commissioned officers, and a range commander
• And then, of course, there's commander.

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 04:41 Calendar/2nd Readings 05:37 Orders of the Day 06:14 HB 312 06:41 Interrupted Stream 38:41, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation focused on the approaching storm and the need to check on neighbors, first responders, hospitals, and vulnerable residents. A quorum was established, absent members were excused, the rules were suspended for co-sponsorship and vote modification filings, and the journal from Thursday, January 22, 2026 was approved. The clerk also reported Senate passage of SB 13, 22, 46, 51, and 90 and requested concurrence. Under orders of the day, HB 258 was recommitted to the Transportation Committee. The chamber then took up HB 312, an act relating to concealed firearms and deadly weapons, which would create a provisional concealed carry license for law-abiding 18- to 20-year-olds. The sponsor argued the bill restores equal treatment for adults, aligns Kentucky with other states, and imposes training and background-check requirements. Supporters said the Second Amendment applies to this age group, that military service and other adult responsibilities are already entrusted to them, and that the bill would not change prohibited locations for firearms. Opponents argued the measure would increase gun violence and public safety risks, citing concerns from school district police, SROs, and empirical research about firearm-related assaults, homicides, and brain development in young adults. They emphasized that concealed weapons reduce visibility for parents, schools, and law enforcement and pointed to local youth-violence prevention efforts in Lexington as progress that could be undermined. Supporters countered that defensive gun use is common, that the CDC and other studies overstate gun harms, and that the bill is about constitutional rights rather than hunting or alcohol analogies. The transcript provided does not include the final vote on HB 312.

Transcript Highlights:

• soldier he served with the elite eightysecond Airborne division before being sent to Vietnam where he commanded
• rising to the rank of colonel from 1995 to1997 he served in Fort Leavenworth, the home of the army's command
• and generaltaff College as both the the garrison commander and dene for students and administration
• Captain, Ground Team One and Deputy Commander of Support.
• He is a Marine Corps Junior ROTC company commander and he went to the Junior Olympics on air rifle. team

Bills: SB1543, HB1933, HJR1088, HJR1090, HJR1091, HJR1092, HJR1093, HJR1095, SB1859, HB2988, HB3016, SB237, SB2065, HB3418, HCR1027, SB1641, SB1589, SB44, SB563, SB1403, HB1979, HB3075, SB2045, SB1653, SB1655, SB2030, HB2951, SB2028, SB2071, SB206, SB1849, HB3755, SB1509, SB1314, SB1561, SB1217, SB1618, HJR1096, HJR1099, HJR1100

Keywords: driving under the influence, felony offense, ignition interlock device, community service, criminal assessment, nitrous oxide, Maddix Bias Act, intoxication, underage sale, misdemeanor, drug paraphernalia, enforcement, education rules, administrative rules, joint resolution, Oklahoma State Department of Education, higher education, State Regents for Higher Education, Teachers' Retirement System, charter schools

Transcript Highlights:

• Trent Dilks was a representative from the Minnesota Commander Task Force. Mr. Tu Yang, Mr.
• Um, and we also will be working with county veteran service officers and the commander task force.
• <00:27:01.840> So,<00:27:02.000> the<00:27:02.080> veteran commander task force
• So, the veteran commander task force.
• service organizations of the commander service organizations of the commander task<00:27:04.240>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• gallantry that day, the Marines involved, including Corporal Boudreau, were recognized by their chain of command
• One hour ten.

Bills: HR308, HR309, HR310, HR311, HR312, HR313, HR314, HR315, HR316, HR317, HR318, HR319, HR295, HR296, HR297, HR298, HR299, HR300, HR301, HR302, HR303, HR304, HR305, HR306, HR307, HCR115, HCR116, HCR117, SCR71, SCR72, SCR73, HR73, HR118, HR144, HR196, HR237, HR249, HR260, HR267, HR272, HR273, HR276, HR278, HCR85, HCR100, HCR105, HCR107, HCR113, HCR114, SCR5, SCR29, SCR33, SCR37, SCR63, HB255, HB378, HB509, HB1090, SB80, SB131, SB143, SB251, SB254, SB279, SB367, SB384, SB388, SB389, SB398, SB408, SB431, SB468, SB469, SB496, SB25, SB132, SB155, SB157, SB202, SB295, SB433, HR179, HR223, HR225, HR274, HCR89, HR252, HR253, HCR96, HCR103, HCR108, HCR26, HB250, HB265, HB339, HB427, HB445, HB463, HB468, HB606, HB639, HB649, HB665, HB746, HB781, HB853, HB861, HB872, HB886, HB916, HB937, HB1054, HB1068, HB1117, HB1237, HB74, HB108, HB956, HB1085, HB1137, HB62, HB193, HB210, HB220, HB246, HB364, HB420, HB475, HB584, HB622, HB772, HB784, HB949, HB953, HB1043, HB1070, HB1092, HB1134, HB1162, HB1176, HB1196, HB1214, HB1199, SB268, SB283, HB782, SB149, HR84, HB646, HB998, SB56, SB163, SB197, SB97, SB326, SB341, SB518, SB123, SB353, SB479, SB495, HB901, HR20, HR74, HR168, HCR65, HCR71, HCR98, HB284, HB302, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB625, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1191, HB1240, HB1255, SB82, SB89, HB134, HB258, HB359, SB29, SB42, SB43, SB217, SB274, SB300, SB379, SB382, SB441, SB449

Keywords: HR 308, House Resolution 308, Pope Leo XIV, Catholic Church, Holy See, Vatican, commendation, resolution, Louisiana Catholic heritage, St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans, South Louisiana parishes, religious recognition, ceremonial resolution, faith leadership, pontificate, spiritual solidarity, human dignity, peace, mercy

Summary: The House convened with prayer, pledge, and a quorum, then spent much of the day on recognitions and commemorative resolutions. Members honored coach Jeffrey Craig Whittington, tourism and the Louisiana Oil Makers Association, Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, the Tangipahoa Parish Fair, Washington Parish festivals, ACOG’s 75th anniversary, Louisiana Tech women’s basketball, and Memorial Day. A major Memorial Day presentation commended Lane Frenchy Boudreau for helping recover the body of Army Sgt. First Class James H. Moore in Vietnam; the House observed a moment of silence and presented a flag to Moore’s family. The chamber also received Senate messages, enrolled bills, and committee reports, and introduced several new resolutions on topics including Pope Leo XIV, orphan wells, scenic rivers, Teche water quality, and the LaMelle family’s pilgrimage to Rome. The House then took up numerous resolutions and bills, often adopting them without objection. Among the measures adopted or advanced were studies on neighborhood crime prevention districts, parish solid waste and disaster resiliency in Washington Parish, the Louisiana Climate Action Plan, the Louisiana Maneuvers museum/trail, cash-rounding practices after penny production ends, residential construction costs and inspection practices, roundabout education, Taiwan relations, TSA worker loan assistance in Shreveport, human growth and development standards, and the state income tax credit for water utility customers. The chamber also adopted or concurred in several Senate amendments on bills dealing with financial disclosure, video voyeurism, personal information protections, online child safety, STEM advisory council changes, dual enrollment tuition, fleet vehicle registration, menhaden fishing rules, recording fees, amusement ride insurance, drone footage authentication, garbage and trash contracts, insurance prescription periods, retirement system changes, juror qualifications, fireworks, inspection stickers, employment discrimination, and inactive boards and commissions. Several measures drew discussion or division. H.B. 1199, requiring coverage for genetic testing and treatment for SCN2A-associated disorders, passed 94-0 after being discharged from Appropriations. H.B. 302, which would prohibit vape sales within 300 feet of schools, passed 86-4. H.B. 84, encouraging an interest-free loan program for TSA workers at Shreveport Regional Airport, passed 64-27. H.B. 1054 on self-authentication of law enforcement drone footage passed 78-12, and H.B. 1137 limiting employment discrimination protections to state employees passed 71-23. The House rejected Senate amendments on H.B. 468 (residential real property wholesaling), H.B. 1117 (insurance contractual payments and prescriptive periods), H.B. 956 (fireworks dates), and H.B. 74 (Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism), while concurring in or adopting amendments on many other bills. The session ended amid continued consideration of Senate Bill 56 on the West Bank/Lafitte levee governance structure, including an adopted amendment to ensure Lafitte-area representation on the board, with extended remarks about the history and accomplishments of the existing levee authority.

Transcript Highlights:

• second person on the list is a current or retired state certified municipal law enforcement manager in command
• list, but for those who always question perhaps the role of the trial bar, I only see one out of the ten

Transcript Highlights:

• But nine times out of ten, people don’t do that because the initial order of the court is, “You guys
• And that the court has a command from the policy makers here to make sure that that order is complete

Bills: HB40, HB1916, HB1973, HB2524, HB2530, HB3180, HB3421, HB3783, HB4170, HB4213

Keywords: business court, civil procedure, litigation, jurisdiction, arbitration, divorce, property division, family law, court jurisdiction, marital assets, parent-child relationship, birth certificate, identity proof, Family Code, court process, attorney fees, court costs, legal expenses, dispute resolution, child support

Summary: The committee heard several House bills, most of them relating to family law and court procedure, and left each bill pending after testimony. House Bill 1916 would clarify that the court that issued a final divorce decree retains exclusive jurisdiction over later actions involving undivided property. House Bill 1973 would require a certified birth certificate, if reasonably available, to be filed with a SAPCR petition or allow alternative proof of parentage while keeping the information confidential. House Bill 2530 would add qualifications and procedural safeguards for appointing amicus attorneys in SAPCR cases, including notice and hearing requirements, minimum qualifications, conflict rules, and limits on what amicus attorneys may do. House Bill 2524 would make Family Code references to attorney’s fees consistent by using “reasonable and necessary” language. House Bill 3180 would correct a scrivener’s error in the civil discovery rules by changing “settlement” to “statement.” The committee also heard House Bill 4213, which would change the interest rate on overdue child support from the current 6 percent simple interest to a fixed 5 percent and require the Attorney General to report on the impact of the change. Testimony was sharply divided: supporters argued lower interest could improve collections and help low-income obligors catch up, citing research and the size of child-support arrearages; opponents said lowering the rate would reduce incentives to pay and harm custodial parents and children. The Attorney General’s office raised implementation concerns about a House version that would have created a variable rate, while the committee substitute was described as restoring a simple fixed rate. After testimony, the bill was left pending. The committee also discussed House Bill 40, updating business court provisions and supplemental jurisdiction; House Bill 3421, streamlining probate procedures for original wills and copies; and House Bill 417, clarifying venue for lawsuits involving private transfer fees on real property. Each drew limited testimony and was left pending. Finally, House Bill 3783 drew extensive testimony on court-ordered counseling and reunification therapy in family cases. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would protect children and abuse victims from coercive, unregulated reunification practices, while opponents argued it was too broad, could interfere with legitimate therapy and judicial discretion, and might affect military families and other high-conflict cases. The committee heard testimony from judges, therapists, parents, survivors, and advocates, but took no final action and left the bill pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• appeared before the committee, just like this time, my son James, who's an active, talkative, rambunctious ten-year-old
• our incident command teams and it confirmed will you support will you not support a production plan including

Keywords: nuclear energy, permitting process, energy production, public lands, national parks, uranium imports, legislative bills, infrastructure development

Summary: The committee meeting was dominated by discussions on a variety of legislative bills including major topics such as nuclear energy advancement, the effects of regulatory hurdles on energy production, and proposals to improve national park staffing and maintenance. Members expressed concerns over the federal government's handling of uranium imports and the necessity for maintaining a robust domestic nuclear supply chain. Efforts to streamline permitting processes to facilitate more efficient energy project development were also a focal point, alongside public testimony from stakeholders in the energy and environmental sectors. The meeting highlighted the urgent need for infrastructure development to meet rising energy demands while addressing climate change impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• David Kuta, past commander of the VFW, supporting 85,000 veterans, combat veterans.
• And with me today, I have Patrick Henning, Chief Deputy Treasurer, and VFW State Commander David Kuda
• Commander David Kuda. And with that, I respectfully ask for your aye vote. Thank you very much.
• I speak not only for myself, but in my role as a Veterans of Foreign Wars commander of California, representing

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to be here, but he's testifying in support for the American Legion, Vets, the California State Commanders
• I've also been asked to relay that MVETs, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the California State Commanders
• I've also been asked to relay that MVETs, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the California State Commanders
• I've also been asked to relay that MVETs, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the California State Commanders

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have um we have with us now Command Sergeant Major Sylvester Tatum.
• We have um we have with us now Command<00:05:27.840> Sergeant<00:05:28.320> Major<00:05
• Command Sergeant Major Sylvester Tatum. Command Sergeant Major Sylvester Tatum.

Keywords: Veterans and Military Affairs - Room 210, 3 March, 2026; 1:00 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee considered House Bill 612, which had two main parts. Section one would expand an existing authority allowing state agencies, like counties and municipalities already could, to enter memoranda of understanding with federal installations to help complete projects. Section two would add Coast Guard medics to a prior law letting military medics use their training to sit for the LPN certification test. A member asked whether this changed scope of practice, and the sponsor said it did not, noting the applicants would still have to pass the test to be certified. After brief discussion, the committee adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill by voice vote, with the chair announcing that the ayes had it and the bill would be reported out. The committee then took up nominations to the State Veterans Affairs Board. Brigadier General Billy Lamar Pierce was presented for reappointment to represent the Third Congressional District, and Command Sergeant Major Sylvester Tatum was presented for reappointment at large, both for five-year terms. Both nominees spoke about their service and commitment to veterans, and members and senators offered supportive remarks, including comments about veterans’ services, state veterans homes, staffing, and compensation for staff. The committee voted to advise and consent on both nominations, and the chair said they would be reported. The chair also reminded members that the documents contained personal information and had to remain in the room to be shredded.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then shortly after the command, thou shalt not murder, is uh he God ordered the Israelites to go
• 00:03:53.840> shortly<00:03:54.239> after<00:03:54.879> the<00:03:55.120> command
• ,<00:03:55.519> thou And then shortly after the command, thou And then shortly after the command

Bills: HB0117, HB0126

Keywords: informed consent, abortion, civil liability, coercion, healthcare rights, fetal heartbeat, termination of pregnancy, medical emergency, Wyoming legislation, rights of minors, healthcare regulations, parental consent, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You've got a one-year, five-year, and ten-year rate.
• We were requesting salary funding for two FTEs to make up the ten.
• We're one of the top ten public funders of cancer research in the world.
• We're one of the top ten public funders of cancer research in the world.
• We're one of the top ten public funders of cancer research in the world.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard budget presentations for the Texas Historical Commission, the Pension Review Board, the Employees Retirement System (ERS), Social Security and benefit replacement pay, the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System (TESSRS), and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). The Legislative Budget Board outlined recommendations and major changes for each agency, including reductions tied to one-time projects at the Historical Commission, continued funding for courthouse grants, heritage trails, and Holocaust/genocide education, as well as new or modified riders and capital items. For the pension-related items, LBB described funding changes for PRB, ERS, Social Security, and TESSRS, including ERS health plan cost growth driven largely by pharmacy costs, the status of pension funding reforms, and TESSRS’s request for additional state support to address its unfunded liability and staffing needs. Members asked extensive questions about the Historical Commission’s one-time funding, unexpended balance authority, courthouse preservation, the Presidio La Bahia and National Museum of the Pacific War projects, and coordination of Texas history messaging across sites such as the Alamo, San Jacinto, Washington on the Brazos, and other heritage locations. The Historical Commission chair emphasized heritage tourism, economic development, and the need for continued investment in historic sites, staffing, IT modernization, and vehicles. On the pension items, senators discussed PRB oversight of local systems, including the Dallas police and fire pension situation, and ERS investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health costs. ERS officials said the plan remains well funded overall, noted a 2021 cash balance reform and a planned supplemental legacy payment, and explained that GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro are a major driver of pharmacy spending; they also said the agency is working with the Texas Pharmacy Initiative and that rebates are contractually returned to ERS. For TESSRS, LBB and agency staff said the system serves volunteer and part-paid emergency personnel, is facing an infinite amortization period, and is requesting additional appropriations, staffing, and IT funding, along with a statutory change to allow an actuarially determined state contribution. The agency said it may otherwise need to cut benefits for volunteer firefighters. For CPRIT, LBB reported about $600 million in recommended funding for the biennium and a 10-FTE increase, while the agency described its $6 billion voter-approved program, $3.75 billion in grants awarded to date, and $10.4 million in revenue sharing since 2011. CPRIT’s only exceptional item was a request for a 10% salary increase for two exempt positions. No committee votes or formal actions were taken in the transcript.