Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the RFP and the original grant documents both gave until December 15th, 2026.
• original grant documents both gave until December<00:03:13.320><c> 15th,</c><00:03:13.800><c> 2026.
• </c><00:03:27.320><c> So,</c><00:03:28.120><c> um</c> were granted. So, um were granted.
• </c><00:04:11.120><c> this</c> that Ramsey County was even granted this that Ramsey County was even granted
• This bill makes changes to the Department of Corrections MinCorp program.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 1082, which was being handled as the committee budget bill. Members first reconsidered and then adopted the previously approved DE4 amendment so the bill could be updated with a new amendment package. The committee then adopted several amendments, including A4, a technical reviser’s amendment; A3, which added LELS representatives to a task force related to House File 3095; and A9, which extended a spending deadline for a Ramsey County appropriation tied to dual status youth/crossover youth programming. Vice Chair Feist said the deadline change was needed because the original grant timing had been shortened, and she also criticized delays in spending youth justice funds. The committee also adopted A11, which Chair Mohler described as language previously seen in the domestic violence policy/task force bill, narrowed from an indefinite period to 28 days and then to 14 days for the gun-on-arrival arrest provision. A12 was then adopted to continue work on Department of Corrections changes related to the MinCorp program from House File 4031. A Department of Corrections representative explained that a disputed provision no longer used a percentage but instead used a ratio, and that the language reflected stakeholder agreement; a member confirmed the relevant line numbers and raised no objection. After the amendments were adopted, the committee withdrew the DE4 version, adopted the DE6 amendment as amended, and then re-referred House File 1082 as amended to the Ways and Means Committee. All motions were approved by voice vote, with no recorded opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eligible for county conservation futures programs.
• So it's still up to local control for how much money is put into the program or even if the program is
• For taxes due in 2025, there were 131,000 individuals in the program.
• Moving on to the expansions to the property tax relief program, applicants who qualify for the program
• For the deferral program, the income threshold becomes 90% instead of 75%.

Summary: House Finance met in executive session on Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6346, the proposed “millionaires’ income tax” package. Staff reviewed the bill and a long list of amendments affecting the new income tax, related business tax changes, and several exemptions and implementation provisions. The committee adopted amendments to exempt diapers from sales tax, allow certain tribal income treatment clarifications, create an advisory group to help implement the tax, move up the repeal date for some business tax changes, and require the measure to go to the voters; several other amendments on federal conformity, agricultural income, pass-through entities, and the marriage threshold were rejected or withdrawn. The committee then adopted the striking amendment as amended and advanced the bill on a 9-6 do pass vote, with supporters arguing it would fund education, health care, child care, and tax relief, and opponents warning about competitiveness, capital flight, and the state’s spending growth. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 6097, which would add federally recognized Indian tribes as eligible entities for county Conservation Futures Program funding. Staff said the bill would not change the tax levy structure and would have no state revenue impact, while tribal witnesses said it would improve voluntary conservation partnerships for habitat, farmland, and open space. Members asked about the bill’s scope, and staff confirmed it applies only to federally recognized tribes. House Finance also heard Senate Bill 6162, a property tax reform measure that would consolidate the state school levy, expand senior and disability property tax exemptions, raise income thresholds, and simplify the application process with a standard deduction. The prime sponsor and county assessors supported the bill as a way to help seniors, disabled persons, and disabled veterans stay in their homes and reduce administrative burden, while several testifiers opposed it as a tax shift that would raise costs for others and potentially strain local revenues. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6113, an administrative and technical tax cleanup bill related to last year’s tax changes; the Department of Revenue supported it and noted a possible clarifying amendment, while nonprofits, schools, libraries, health care groups, workforce training providers, and trade associations asked for additional exemptions for live presentations and related educational activities. The chair announced that Senate Bill 6097 would be added to Monday’s executive session, Senate Bill 6114 was removed, and amendments for Monday’s bills were due by 5 p.m. that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• All these basic things that we kind of take for granted as something you know how to do.
• Page 2, line 14 through 15, page 2, line 22 through 25, no treatment programs at schools.
• grow, but it certainly has been a program that's.
• It's just a marvelous program.
• Rehabilitation Act or a similar program or plan.

Bills: HB6 , HB27 , HB123 , HB210 , HB213 , HB222

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: hemp, consumable hemp products, hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, cannabidiol, CBG, cannabigerol, Texas hemp law, hemp regulation, cannabinoid products, delta-9 THC, intoxicating hemp, hemp gummies, hemp vape, retail registration, product registration, QR code labeling, child-resistant packaging, youth access, minor sales

Transcript Highlights:

• “I mean, every program in the country that has some sort of the word vested restricts at some point,
• That’s not a current change; that was in 436.” that's I mean every every program in the that's I mean
• every every program in the country<00:40:42.400><c> that</c><00:40:42.599><c> has</c><00:40:42.839><
• I just want to know that it is a dedicated program, the purpose of teaching cosmetology, manicuring,
• So when you look at the titles on the section, there's audits of federal grants.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee reviewed selected House Bill 2 provisions, focusing first on the group two pension reform language and whether it matched prior legislation and the fiscal note. Members discussed two main issues: the treatment of extra and special duty pay in the pension calculation for employees hired before 2011, and the annuity multiplier after 15 years of creditable service. Several members said the HB 2 language was intended to restore prior law and protect against pension “spiking,” while others worried the draft and fiscal note may not have fully reflected current law, potentially affecting the cost estimate. The discussion repeatedly emphasized the need to avoid underfunding or double counting and to make sure Finance had the correct actuarial assumptions. No vote was taken; the committee agreed to flag the issues for Finance and to clarify the fiscal note. Members also discussed the vested-rights language, which was described as an explicit definition of vesting and a restriction on future legislative changes to compensation calculations after three years of service. Some viewed it as a policy protection with no immediate fiscal impact, while others noted it had been included in prior legislation and should be clearly understood before the bill moved forward. The committee also briefly referenced prior pension legislation, including House Bill 436 and House Bill 727, and noted that HB 2 was being used to carry forward related pension repair provisions. The committee then turned to an OPLC-related section transferring building, plumbing, electrical, and fuel gas inspector positions from OPLC to the Department of Safety’s Fire Marshal’s office. Testimony explained that the nine inspector positions are funded from the licensing fund, and that the move was justified as a public-safety function better aligned with the Fire Marshal’s mission because the inspections are statewide code-enforcement work rather than facility-specific licensing work. The discussion ended with a note that the remaining HB 2 changes run through 2034 and a brief announcement about memorial arrangements for C.J. Gerard.

Transcript Highlights:

• nonprofit technology organization, Emergy, has the expertise to expand the U of M's proven pilot program
• of M's has the expertise to expand the U of M's proven<00:03:20.640><c> pilot</c><00:03:21.000><c> program
• c><00:03:21.920><c> well</c><00:03:22.160><c> beyond</c><00:03:22.600><c> Morris</c> proven pilot program
• well beyond Morris proven pilot program well beyond Morris and<00:03:23.360><c> match</c><00:03:23.720
• grant from the<00:19:06.800><c> state.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen the fruits of this program and how it has created community and ecological resilience in the
• I'm the Port of San Francisco's Waterfront Resilience Program Director.
• Sustainable timber harvest, including through the advanced wood product grants made by the Governor's
• I started our program about four years after I came home.
• But in the next days, obviously these programs are effective also in reducing recidivism.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 1938, which would create a voluntary process for local governments to designate California surf reserves through the Ocean Protection Council. The author and supporters, including Save the Waves Coalition, the League of California Cities, and the California State Association of Counties, argued the bill would recognize surf breaks as important natural and economic assets. The bill received a due pass recommendation to Appropriations and passed on a roll call vote, with the measure left on call. The committee also approved the consent calendar, which included AB 1699, AB 1780, AB 1891, AB 1893, and AB 2566. The committee then took up AB 2051, which would convene a coastal resilience permitting working group to develop a roadmap for streamlining permits for coastal resilience projects. The author and supporters from the Bay Area Council, Port of San Francisco, and others said the bill would reduce duplicative permitting delays while preserving environmental protections. One member raised concerns about giving too much authority to the Coastal Commission, but the bill still received a due pass recommendation to Water, Parks and Wildlife and passed on a roll call vote. AB 2494, dealing with the management of demonstration state forests, drew substantial debate. The author said the bill would update outdated 1947-era management goals to emphasize biodiversity, carbon sequestration, wildfire resilience, recreation, research, and tribal co-governance, with strong support from Mendocino County, tribal representatives, and environmental groups. Opponents from the Farm Bureau, California Forestry Association, and others argued it would shift the forests away from sustainable timber production, create funding instability, and invite litigation. After extensive questioning about forest science, old growth, funding, and tribal co-management, the bill received a due pass recommendation to Appropriations and passed on a roll call vote. The committee also approved AB 2483, which would create a permanent certification pathway for formerly incarcerated firefighters who served on Cal Fire hand crews. Supporters said the bill would recognize their training and improve job prospects after release, and it passed unanimously to Public Safety. Finally, AB 1777, the California Clean Skies Act, was heard; it would affirm CARB’s authority to adopt indirect source rules to address pollution from vehicle-heavy facilities such as warehouses and ports. Environmental, health, and labor supporters backed the bill as a tool to protect public health, while trucking, business, port, and industry groups opposed it as costly and overly broad. The bill remained under discussion at the end of the transcript, with members debating whether it clarified existing authority or created new regulatory power.

Transcript Highlights:

• Collins, George Washington University Program on Extremism, if I’m saying it right. Yes, sir.
• I’m a senior research fellow at George Washington University’s Program on Extremism.
• I'm a senior research fellow at George Washington University's program on extremism.
• This bill grants the state authority to legislate against political... I oppose SB 1632.
• Chair and Senator, thank you for granting us the opportunity to come before you before your vote.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard a long agenda of bills, beginning with several probate, civil rights, and claims measures. Senators Burgess’s SB 326 on curators of estates was explained as a modernization of probate law; an amendment narrowing the bill was adopted, and the committee reported the bill favorably 10-0 after limited public testimony, including opposition from Ray Contreras. Burgess’s SB 1096, clarifying filing deadlines under the Florida Civil Rights Act, also passed unanimously 11-0. The committee then approved several claims bills, including SB 28 for Reginald Jackson against the City of Lakeland, SB 6 for a child injured after DCF’s handling of abuse allegations, SB 18 for the estate of McKenzie Navarre against the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, SB 26 for the estate of Mark Legata against FDOT, and SB 2 for the estate of Daniel Maudsley against DHSMV, with votes ranging from 10-1 to 11-0 and mostly no debate or opposition. The committee also took up trust and family-law related bills. Leader Berman’s SB 786 created a nonjudicial process for closing uncontested trusts and discharging trustees; after a technical amendment and testimony from Ray Contreras raising notice concerns, it passed 11-0. President Gates’s SB 50 expanded veterans’ courts statewide, drew broad support from veterans’ groups and advocacy organizations, and was reported favorably 11-0. Senator Simon’s SB 538 standardized extracurricular participation rules for public, private, virtual, and homeschool students; after multiple amendments on homeschool eligibility, fees, and coach compensation, it passed 11-0 with support and opposition from education-related groups. President Gates’s SB 1004, aimed at consumer protections in the sale of dogs and cats, also passed unanimously after testimony from humane organizations. The committee then considered broader policy bills. President Pro Tem Brodeur’s SB 1366 on claims against the government proposed raising sovereign immunity caps and adding CPI adjustments; local government, hospital, and school representatives supported the Senate’s lower-cap approach while warning against the House version, and the bill was reported favorably 11-0. Senator Jones’s SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools, as amended, would let head coaches provide limited personal support to student-athletes and require reporting of assistance; it passed 10-0. Senator Grohl’s SB 1178 on foreign influence and foreign countries of concern drew extensive supportive testimony from national security witnesses and was reported favorably 11-0 after a technical amendment and withdrawal of another amendment. Finally, SB 1632 on ideologies inconsistent with American principles prompted substantial debate and public testimony over domestic terrorism designations, Sharia law references, due process, and free speech concerns; the committee had not yet completed final action on that bill when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't matter if it's a Brian King program.
• Last year, $120 million was taken out of a one-time account to keep this program cash flowing.
• If you've got a program in the red, it doesn't matter what program it is, and it's underwater, it's not
• And we got in there, and he had this great idea for a 500-student test program in Pulaski County.
• If you’re underwater right now in a program, guess what?

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and in what ways might that impact the program?
• out, to even start the program, or it would delay it until we could do rulemaking, which is not a fast
• out, to even start the program, or it would delay it until we could do rulemaking, which is not a fast
• out, to even start the program, or it would delay it until we could do rulemaking, which is not a fast
• is in administrative rules um program is in administrative rules um it's<00:18:29.720><c> not</c><00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> talking about costing of that program talking about costing of that program today. today. today.
• Is there, you mentioned an... as the the program scales. as the the program scales.
• </c> are in the program. are in the program.
• ,</c> example, when we apply for IDA grant, example, when we apply for IDA grant, we've<01:09:48.560>
• </c> within those two programs, if you will. within those two programs, if you will.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission to study the cost of special education met, confirmed a quorum, introduced members and guests, and approved the minutes from the October 29 meeting. Members noted the commission’s mandate under Senate Bill 57 and emphasized the need to focus on recommendations and findings by July 1, 2026. The chair also distributed additional handouts, including materials related to the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program and administrative rules tied to differentiated aid and disability determinations. The main discussion centered on how students qualify for differentiated aid under the EFA program. Matt Sutherton of the Children’s Scholarship Fund explained that the organization, which contracts with the state to administer EFAs, accepts either school-district/IEP documentation or a medical certification of disability (MCD) from a licensed medical professional. Members questioned how this process relates to the state’s special education rules and whether the school-district examiner standards in ED 107/1107.04 apply to EFAs. Sutherton said the MCD form, created with the department, requires the medical professional to sign that they are qualified to make the determination and to identify the disability. Several members expressed concern that the EFA process is less rigorous than the school-district IEP process and may be inflating disability counts. One member argued that the administrative rules cited are primarily for school districts, not EFAs, and said the Department of Education may not know how many of the roughly 890 EFA students receiving differentiated aid came through school-district documentation versus the MCD pathway. Another member said the EFA system appears more generous than the school system and raised concerns about oversight, auditing, and whether the program’s data are accurate. Sutherton said the organization reviews signed documentation, credentials, and diagnosis information, and may request additional records to help adjudicate expenses. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the prior minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Maryland Energy Administration grant program, again relieving some of the ratepayer impacts.
• to a Maryland Energy DRIVE program to a Maryland Energy Administration<00:25:38.080><c> grant</c><00
• :25:38.560><c> program,</c><00:25:38.960><c> again</c> Administration grant program, again Administration
• We convert that DRIVE Act to an MEA, Maryland Energy Administration grant program, taking the burden
• We convert that DRIVE Act to an MEA, Maryland Energy Administration grant program, taking the burden

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, April 2, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• programs that actually work.
• , but often those programs were built without tribal input, resulting in barriers to access and programs
• by program instead of through a coordinated approach.
• a grant in California.
• With zero hope or expectation of it being granted today, we ask for a no vote on AB 1807.

Committee: House Governmental Organization

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• because of the $51 million back programs because of the $51 million back the<00:11:59.760><c> budget
• </c><00:16:39.680><c> So,</c> beneficiaries of voucher programs.
• So, beneficiaries of voucher programs.
• Chair, thank you for program. So, Mr.
• </c><00:18:07.840><c> and</c> there are some very good programs and there are some very good programs

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• so that the state realizes the value of it and allocates funds for grants.
• But if they work the program, they actually see their premiums go down.
• I had a couple sign up for this program. One did the program, one didn't do the program.
• because there are other parts of the same program.
• Programs and enhances grid safety.

Bills: HB106 , HB144 , HB145 , HB252 , HB1732 , HB2221 , HB2467 , HB2468 , HB2517 , HB2518 , HB2963 , HB3016 , HB3689 , HB3960 , HB4386 , HB4490 , HB4751 , HB5247 , HJR175 , HB2213 , HB106 , HB144 , HB145 , HB252

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund, production safety, leasehold operations, electric utility, distribution poles, inspection

Transcript Highlights:

• and services for motans as programs and services for motans as effectively<00:04:53.680><c> and</c><
• So we already have a robust training program for state employees, but we are focused now on trying to
• So we already have a robust training program for state employees, but we are focused now on trying to
• So we already have a robust training program for state employees, but we are focused now on trying to
• So we already have a robust training program for state employees, but we are focused now on trying to

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill establishes a grant program to facilitate the development of the innovation parks with the tenant
• well as incorporate the use of engineered wood products in state grant programs to incentivize their
• These programs work.
• Since 1997, the Whale Tail Grant Program has supported over 200,000 student field trips, reaching kids
• We're actually the ones that run the programs, operate the programs to try to help incentive programs

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a county employee myself, programs.
• </c><00:09:00.600><c> assistance</c> assistance grant for general assistance assistance grant for general
• Um MAXIS handles cash and food programs.
• ,</c><00:14:54.720><c> if</c> people who are using these programs, if people who are using these programs
• > their</c><00:25:27.640><c> program</c><00:25:28.560><c> integrity</c> can maintain their program integrity

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I move that the House grant permission for all committees and subcommittees to meet while the
• HR 473 by Thompson granting permission for the body of the Honorable Sylvester Turner to lie in honor
• We have so many freedoms that I think we take for granted as women.
• HB 986 by TOT relating to the state savings achieved through a budget savings program administered by
• Certain criminal defendant who has successfully completed his specialty court program referred to the

Transcript Highlights:

• degree program.
• want to start that program until we know that there's a licensure program in place, and so that's what
• This would alleviate the strain on registered nurse education programs.
• A two-year program?
• Institute of Minnesota, and I was then accepted into the Bridge Program in Minnesota in 2024.

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Heather Maitner from Evident Change, a program director, introduced herself.
• Whenever we've got this program, you've got this program, and it's my understanding that is contingent
• So you've got this program here that you have a contract that's come due at a later date.
• Whenever we've got this program, you've got this program, and it's my understanding that is contingent
• For example, the WIC program, school lunch program, and other programs have more nutritional requirements

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee reviewed three DHS service contracts: a $690,000-plus sole-source contract for DCFS with Evident Change for maintenance and operation of the Child Welfare Structured Decision-Making Assessment tools; a $1.2 million contract with Sifter Solutions for a SNAP waiver compliance solution and related app; and a $156,000 contract with Samaritan Integrative Services for psychiatric services at the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center. Staff said the Evident Change contract was needed to keep daily safety risk assessments, case planning, and reunification tools functioning, and that the vendor’s proprietary system made it sole source. Members questioned DHS about reliance on the vendor, the lack of an off-ramp, whether the state was paying more or less annually, and why the contracts were not aligned on the same cycle. DHS and the vendor said the new Evident Change contract was limited to maintenance and operations, that no additional services or employees were being added, and that the broader CQI/review contract would come up separately later. For the SNAP waiver contract, DHS explained that the waiver is intended to exclude certain unhealthy foods from SNAP purchases to improve nutritional value, and that Sifter Solutions would provide a dynamic list for retailers and an app for clients to check products by barcode. DHS said the contract is sole source because it is tied to the waiver implementation and because the vendor can provide the needed dynamic list and education features. Staff said the contract would be funded with remaining federal SNAP Nutrition Education dollars that would otherwise revert to the federal government, and that the University of Pennsylvania would conduct the evaluation at no cost. Members asked about the public benefit, future renewals, and whether the state would own the application; DHS said the two-year term was designed to match the waiver period and allow time to reassess future procurement options. Members also asked about the nutrition education component, and DHS said it is developing videos with a nutritionist on preparing budget-friendly healthy meals and plans to link them to the app and website. After discussion, no objections were raised, and the items were reported as reviewed. The meeting then adjourned.