Transcript Highlights:

• the hallway outside of the committee.
• This bill is a work product of the Interim Select Committee on Protecting Texas LNG.
• committee that he chaired.
• And from that, from work with this committee and the Interim, from work with Representative Ardaz and
• Chairman, members of the committee for the- All right, at this time the chair withdraws the committee

Bills: HB5057, HB4519, HB5033, HB3997, HB 1237, HB1904, HB4400, HB 1227

Keywords: solid waste management, exclusive contracts, public agency, contract amendment, notification requirements, Texas Health and Safety Code, Texas Emissions Reduction Plan, TERP, air quality, emissions reduction, clean fleet, alternative fuel, natural gas vehicles, hydrogen fuel, hydrogen infrastructure, diesel replacement, fleet grants, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, clean school buses

Transcript Highlights:

• and State University interim president appointments.
• Chair Harrell Vice Chair Bradley and committee members.
• They're on different committees there on the Athletic committee.
• And during my time on this board have chaired a number of committees, including the Finance Committee
• , governance committees, academics committee in the marketing committee.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick asked our committee during the interim to find solutions to curb this
• And I do have a committee substitute. Chair recognizes committee. substitute for Senate Bill 1497.
• If your committee substitutes.
• Chairman and committee members.
• to come before the committee.

Bills: SB1281, SB1300, SB1379, SB1451, SB1497, SB1498, SB1499

Keywords: mail theft, postal theft, package theft, identity theft, negotiable instrument, check theft, mail receptacle key, mailbox lock, postal key, delivery service, courier, USPS, United States Postal Service, fraud, property crime, elderly victims, disabled victims, identity information, rebuttable presumption, felony enhancement

Transcript Highlights:

• 1877, which this committee did here. 1877, which this committee did here.
• <00:02:24.239> has article one which the committee has article one which the committee has
• Again, the committee has heard as well.
• Welcome to the committee.
• Gilk, welcome to the committee.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> This is a roll call for joint conference committee on House Bill 45.
• Committee, do we want to start with the bill or the amendment?
• Committee, do we want to start with the bill or the amendment? >> Mr.
• So, as we go through the interim, we'll probably come back to tidy this up afterwards one way or the
• . interim. interim.

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The joint conference committee on House Bill 45 met to reconcile changes to the long-term homeowner property tax exemption. Members reviewed the original bill, which removed the exemption’s sunset, adjusted the signup/reporting date and procedures, clarified treatment for homeowners who sold one house and bought another, changed valuation language from assessed value to fair market value, and added a $3 million cap. The committee also discussed Senate amendments and a proposed cleanup amendment intended to prevent stacking the long-term homeowner exemption with a separate voter-approved homeowners’ property tax initiative if that initiative becomes law. Members asked about the difference between using “shall not qualify” versus a repealer, and were told the repealer was removed to avoid creating a trigger-bill issue if the initiative does not pass. Questions also focused on whether the catch title’s “limitation” language referred to the $3 million cap, and it was explained that the language could apply both to the cap and to the restriction on using both exemptions. One senator asked what Senate language was being deleted, and the response was that the committee was removing language that had gone too far, including a 25% exemption provision that was outside the scope of this bill and would be handled later in the interim. After discussion, the committee moved to concurrence. A roll call vote was taken, and all six members present voted aye. The committee announced concurrence and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we do have a committee substitute. >> I have a motion and a second.
• Members, we do have a committee Members, we do have a committee substitute. substitute. substitute
• Chair Branscum, Vice Chair Huff, and members of the committee.
• And this legislation is 2024 interim.
• <00:23:19.440> on opportunity to vote yes and committee on opportunity to vote yes and committee

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:38 HB 576 discussion: 01:56 HB 576 voting: 06:54 HB 593 discussion: 08:25 HB 593 voting: 21:58, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Economic Development and Workforce Investment met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 576, which would create the Kentucky Talent Recruitment Grant Program. Representative Robert Duvall said the bill is intended to address Kentucky’s workforce shortage by funding local recruitment efforts for out-of-state talent, with grants of up to $500,000 to cities, counties, and nonprofits, a required 20% local match, and performance-based payments. He said the program is modeled on existing efforts already operating in Kentucky and cited projected economic and tax benefits. The committee substitute removed an appropriation and emergency clause so funding would go through the regular budget process, and members approved the committee substitute, the bill, and a title amendment with favorable expression. The committee then took up House Bill 593, sponsored by Representative Josh Bray, which addresses data centers and utility costs. Bray said the bill is designed to protect ratepayers from subsidizing data center infrastructure and to ensure projects either bring their own generation, use power purchase agreements, or pay upfront for any needed transmission or generation upgrades. He explained that the committee substitute made mostly technical changes, including giving municipal utilities more time to set tariffs, clarifying terms, adding exemptions for certain TVA- and DOE-related projects, and preserving existing contracts and net metering arrangements. Members asked about local control, the $75,000 prepayment, and TVA authority; Bray said the prepayment covers utility due diligence and screens speculative projects, local requirements must be certified before incentives apply, and TVA is federally regulated. The bill received supportive comments from several members, who emphasized protecting utility bills and ratepayers, and it passed the committee with favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and committee members.
• What it simply does is ask the Revenue Department to come before us during the interim session and give
• Thank you. well thank you Mr chairman and committee well thank you Mr chairman and committee members<
• What it simply does is ask the Revenue Department to come before us during the interim session and give
• It simply asks the Revenue Department to come before us during the interim session and give us a report

Keywords: Due to a technical issue in the room, the quality of the stream will be diminished. We apologize for the inconvenience. Meeting start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:02:00 SB 61 Discussion Only 00:03:25 SB 13 Discussion Only 00:07:19 SJR 25 Discussion 00:25:33 SJR 25 Vote 00:28:40 SB 61 Discussion Only 00:29:44, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 61, relating to swimming pools, but initially had no representative from the governor’s office or cabinet available to explain the fiscal estimate. Senators questioned why the executive branch’s estimate was $4.25 million to $8.5 million while the committee’s internal fiscal note showed little or no impact. When Department for Public Health staff later joined, they explained their estimate was based on a roughly $85,000 cost for a large outbreak investigation, using a 2014 outbreak as a benchmark, and said the bill could increase workload and outside laboratory costs if private swimming pools became more common as rental properties. They reported 822 waterborne cases in 2024, with 8 tied to private swimming pools, and later corrected an earlier figure to 14 private-pool-related investigations over five years. Senators pressed on the discrepancy between those numbers and the projected 50 to 100 incidents, and staff said the higher figure was a ballpark estimate. The discussion also clarified that private pools are generally excluded by definition, while pools held out for rent may be treated as public pools under current definitions. No vote on SB 61 was taken in the portion provided. The committee then heard Senate Bill 13, concerning the reprocurement of managed care organizations for Medicaid. Department for Medicaid Services officials said the bill would require work on a new RFP, system changes, and oversight improvements, and estimated the cost at $2.8 million based on prior procurement spending of about $2.5 million in 2018-2019, with a 10% growth adjustment. They explained that the work is administrative and therefore matched at 50/50 federal-state funding, not the 80/20 rate used for benefits, and said the expense would be incurred whether the bill passed or not if the state proceeded with an RFP. Senators discussed possible savings from reducing the number of MCOs from five to three, but agency staff said those savings were hard to quantify and that provider and member disruption could create offsetting costs. The committee later moved on to Senate Joint Resolution 25, which would ask the Revenue Department to report on the cost of issuing farmers a wallet-sized tax-exempt card instead of a paper certificate. The resolution was adopted by roll call, with all members present voting aye, and it was reported favorably to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and committee members. Good morning, Mr. Chairman and committee members, thank you.
• Good morning, Chairman and committee members.
• Over the interim, we've also had a couple asked to be as part of that interim, so this makes it clear
• There was a committee substitute. Chair lays out the committee substitute.
• Committee substitute is adopted.

Bills: SB480, SB767, SB790, SB971, SB1066

Keywords: water resources, interlocal contracts, local government, collaboration, planning activities, wildfire response, firefighting equipment, emergency services, state database, Texas Forest Service, customer complaints, Public Utility Commission, water service, complaint process, utility regulation, SB 971, Texas Water Assistance Program, Water Code, rural political subdivision, rural water

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met on Texas Water Day and limited public testimony to two minutes. The chair emphasized the need to move quickly because of scheduling conflicts with other committees and noted the importance of water policy and related stakeholders. The committee heard several bills focused on water administration, rural utilities, emergency response, and public works contracting. Senate Bill 790 by Senator Alvarado would let the Public Utility Commission create a simplified process for resolving tenant complaints over water or wastewater bill discrepancies; it was described as a way to avoid lengthy contested-case hearings for small disputes. Senate Bill 971 by Senator Sparks would clean up conflicting statutory definitions of “rural political subdivision” so Texas Water Development Board programs are applied consistently; Texas Rural Water Association testified in support. Senate Bill 767, also by Senator Sparks, would expand and improve a statewide database of fire-response equipment so departments, including volunteer and rural departments, can locate and share resources more effectively during emergencies; fire service witnesses supported the bill and suggested annual updates to keep the database current. Chair Perry laid out Senate Bill 480 to clarify that local governments and special districts may enter interlocal agreements for water-related planning and research, including aquifer management and flood/water planning. He also presented Senate Bill 1066, which raises payment and performance bond thresholds for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department public works contracts to $150,000, arguing the change would reflect inflation and help smaller vendors on lower-risk projects. Witnesses were heard on the bills, with no opposition recorded in the transcript. The committee voted out all five bills favorably. SB 1066, SB 480, SB 767, SB 790, and SB 971 each received unanimous committee approval and were recommended to the local and contested calendar, with SB 767 noted as amended by a suggested annual-update requirement for the equipment database.

Transcript Highlights:

• the time, we, had an interim study and interim hearings, and we came up with a recommendation in the
• Chairman, Vice Chair Zwiener, members of the committee.
• Chairman, members of the committee. My name's Rick Thompson.
• Thank you, Chairman Bell and members of the committee.
• Motion prevails, and the committee stands in recess.

Bills: HB158

Keywords: public funds, lobbying activities, political subdivision, government spending, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:46.680> he and chair of the finance committee he and chair of the finance committee
• <00:02:43.319> and to the members of each committee and to the members of each committee and
• Finance Committee and Senate floor.
• committee reports off the floors.
• <00:03:24.159> reports secretary all of the committee reports secretary all of the committee

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is our last committee that we'll be meeting as an interim committee.
• this interim.
• By, as Arturo mentioned, by the interim committee next year, having some recommendations for this committee
• this committee.
• I've presented on this in prior legislative interim committees last year, and we improved our fees, which

Transcript Highlights:

• I have one committee... Good morning, Chair Scheible and committee members.
• I've spoken about this before in this committee, but during the last interim, we launched an eviction
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 3 directs the Joint Interim Standing Committee on the Judiciary to conduct
• It must, again, study human trafficking, and the interim committee must develop a report and send that
• Same to the committee.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• evaluation for next interim.
• Chair, members of the committee? Absolutely.
• Chair, members of the committee, correct.
• Chair, members of the committee, the staffing.
• Chair, members of the committee. My name is Dr.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, uh, some committee work session.
• The science and tech committee wasn't even allowed to say climate change last year.
• The science and tech committee wasn't even allowed to say climate change last year.
• <00:28:10.559> study interim study interim study and<00:28:13.360> you<00:28:13.520>
• This committee room >> What a marvel.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the interim Business and Labor Committee. What is it? Business and Labor Committee.
• A lot of committee bills come out of a committee and then still go through a full committee process.
• By having some background in those areas and listening to our committee interim meetings the last few
• on that committee.
• Thank you, committee.

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am co-chairing this committee.
• this joint committee with Chair Bernowski.
• It's great to have our members from the joint committee all here.
• We want to make sure that the public and the members that serve on this committee, and then both committees
• And therefore, for every organ, there's a specific committee, a very big committee that meets twice a

Summary: The committee met to hear introductory briefings from the Department of Health and the Health Care Authority on agency priorities, federal changes, and implementation challenges. Secretary of Health Dennis Worsham said his department’s listening tour is focused on strengthening governmental public health, improving health care quality and access, and responding to federal funding disruptions and the shutdown’s effects on programs such as WIC. HCA Director Ryan Moran said the agency is prioritizing coverage preservation, oversight of major contracts, affordability, behavioral health integration, rural health transformation, and internal agency operations. Members asked about licensure delays; Worsham said the backlog had been reduced from about four months to six weeks and should be caught up by January 1, with possible further process changes if needed. A major portion of the meeting focused on H.R. 1 and its Medicaid-related implementation. Governor’s health policy advisor Caitlin Stafford, HCA staff, and interim Medicaid Director Trinity Wilson said the state is working with DSHS, the Health Benefit Exchange, tribes, and other partners to prepare for eligibility changes, work requirements, and six-month redeterminations. They said the state expects up to 30,000 Apple Health enrollees could lose coverage under the law’s non-citizen eligibility changes, and that the work requirement/redetermination provisions could affect about 620,000 adults, with roughly 80,000 also enrolled in SNAP. HCA said it hopes to automate most verification, but about 15% to 20% of cases may require manual review, with technology costs estimated at up to $30 million. Staff also said they are trying to keep H.R. 1 implementation mostly in budget language rather than statute, and that communication and navigator support will be important to minimize confusion and coverage loss. The committee also received an update on the Rural Health Transformation Program created in H.R. 1. HCA said Washington submitted its application to CMS on November 5 after extensive stakeholder engagement, including more than 310 written comments, webinars, and tribal consultation. The application centers on six initiatives: rural hospital innovation, community care and prevention, tribal investments, technology and data, workforce development, and rural behavioral health. HCA said the state is likely to receive less than the full $200 million annual amount assumed in the federal program, and that an advisory committee may be created to help guide spending over the five-year program. Members asked about palliative care, small business impacts, and communication with enrollees; HCA said it expects to share outreach toolkits and that no 2026 statutory changes are currently anticipated, though that could change. The final panels covered organ donation and transplant services. Department of Health staff explained the 2023 “Lights and Sirens” law for organ transport vehicles, including licensing, driver qualifications, insurance requirements, and use of emergency lanes and traffic preemption; the department said one company is currently licensed and there have been no complaints. LifeCenter Northwest described the organ procurement process, the legal framework under the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, and the rarity and complexity of deceased donation, noting Washington has seen strong growth in donation and transplants over the past decade. University of Washington Medical Center staff then outlined its transplant programs for kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas, and multi-organ transplants, describing the multidisciplinary evaluation and waitlist process and the coordination required with donor organizations and hospitals.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do not have to inform this committee that research paves the way for innovation, economic development
• And I know some of us serve on the federal committee finance stabilization committee, and maybe they're
• I've loved this interim traveling around because I've met a lot of new people, especially with this committee
• I want to thank you all for serving on this committee with us and for everything else.
• I just wanted to say that this has been a really important committee. Thank you, Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon and welcome to the House Education Committee. We have the House Education Committee.
• Committee. What is your pleasure? Okay. Committee. What is your pleasure?
• Chairman, committee. Um, I was in Mr. Chairman, committee.
• Thank you, committee.
• Thank you, committee. committee. committee.

Bills: SF0035, SF0090, SF0072

Keywords: education, cell phones, smart devices, school policy, student conduct, school property, rental fees, youth activities, education policy, Wyoming legislature, teacher licensure, teacher mobility, interstate compact, education compact, licensure reciprocity, reciprocal certification, teacher certification, professional teaching standards board, out-of-state teachers, military spouse

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs comes to order.
• Before we start, I'd like to introduce my committee staff.
• I hope to see many more of you over the interim. Thank you.
• We'll adopt committee rules and hear invited testimony.
• Thank you, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, committee members.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if this feels fast, yeah, we have to get it through committee.
• So if this feels fast, yeah, we have to get it through committee.
• Madam Chair and the committee, first I want to thank the tribes.
• Madam Chair, members of the committee, Damian Carpenter...
• Mortel, welcome to committee. A rare trait, Mr. Vice Chairman.

Bills: SB1086, SB1193, SB1318, SB1345, SB1346, SB1451, SB1496, SB1611, SB1630, SB1631, SB1632, SB1672

Keywords: reimbursement, healthcare, laboratory services, noncontracting providers, Arizona health care cost containment, personal identifying information, PII, privacy, confidential records, public records exemption, commercial disclosure, data privacy, licensure, certification, health professions, health care licensing, Arizona Department of Health Services, ADHS, emergency medical care technician, EMCT

Summary: The committee first approved the February 4 minutes and then heard Senate Bill 1086, which would require AHCCCS contractors to reimburse non-contracting providers for certain laboratory services when a member was referred by a contracting provider, and would bar prior authorization for diagnostic services and retaliation tied to such referrals. AHCCCS testified neutral but warned the prior-authorization ban could increase utilization and create fiscal and federal compliance concerns. The committee adopted the Warner amendment limiting non-contracting reimbursement to no more than contracting-provider rates, then passed SB 1086 as amended on a 4-2 vote. The committee next took up Senate Bill 1611, an emergency measure to require AHCCCS to contract with an administrative services organization for program integrity and case management functions for the American Indian Health Plan, while keeping AHCCCS ultimately responsible. The chair’s amendment expanded the ASO’s duties to include provider support, quality improvement, and data analytics, removed AHCCCS claims payment authority, added more tribal observers, and exempted IHS and tribal facilities. Testimony strongly supported reforming the system after fraud and overcorrection harmed Native members and providers, but AHCCCS raised concerns about the fast timeline, possible duplication of fraud-fighting functions, and the need for 45 days of tribal consultation. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1611 as amended on a 5-2 vote. Senate Bill 1630 would create a Medicaid-funded home and community-based services program for adults with serious mental illness, capped initially at 250 members under the Angius amendment, with semiannual reporting and a process for future expansion only if costs are reduced or neutral. Supporters said the bill would help the sickest SMI patients avoid repeated hospitalizations, jail, and homelessness, and could save the state general fund by shifting costs to federal Medicaid funding; AHCCCS was neutral and said it was finalizing the fiscal estimate. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1630 unanimously. The committee also passed SB 1193, protecting emergency medical care technician personal information from disclosure; SB 1318, repealing an outdated state dense-breast notification requirement to align with FDA language; and SB 1345, restricting anonymous complaints against health care institutions, though AHCCCS warned that federal law may still require investigation of complaints from any source and that the bill could reduce reporting and invite litigation.