Transcript Highlights:

• They have the tech, they have the algorithm, they have the tools to do this in our grocery stores.
• Mariko Yoshihara, on behalf of Tech Equity Action, in support. Thank you.
• Mariko Yoshihara on behalf of Tech Equity Action in support. Thank you.
• The top two firms submitted nearly 50% of all the complaints and pre-litigation letters.
• Altogether, the top 10 law firms were responsible for 95% of all complaints and pre-litigation letters

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. AB 416 would allow emergency room physicians to initiate 5150 mental health holds, with supporters saying it would reduce emergency room bottlenecks and speed care for patients in crisis. County and behavioral health representatives opposed the bill, and some members raised broader concerns about the 5150 system and juvenile placements. The bill was ultimately approved on a do-pass as amended vote. AB 446, the Surveillance Pricing Act, drew extensive testimony. The author and supporters argued it would prohibit businesses from using personal data to charge different prices for the same product or service, describing the practice as discriminatory and exploitative. Business and industry groups opposed the bill, warning that its language was too broad, could affect discounts and loyalty programs, and would create litigation risk through a private right of action. After discussion about enforcement and possible amendments, the bill passed on a do-pass motion. AB 632 would give local governments a faster way to collect penalties for serious code violations, including unsafe housing, fire hazards, and illegal cannabis activity, by allowing certain fines to become money judgments and clarifying lien authority. It had support from county and city groups and no opposition was voiced in the hearing; the bill passed as amended. ACA 7, a constitutional amendment intended to clarify and limit misuse of Section 31A, also moved forward after brief support testimony. The committee then took up AB 649, which would extend protections for businesses that proactively obtain certified access specialist inspections and fix accessibility violations; the author, a small business owner, and others testified in support, while disability rights groups moved to neutral after amendments. Members discussed the balance between access enforcement and reducing predatory litigation, and the bill was still under consideration as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this bill will help us get through this and really diversify Hawaiʻi's economy to support tech
• I think this bill will help us get through this and really diversify Hawaiʻi's economy to support tech
• 01:48.880> support diversify Hawai's economy to support diversify Hawai's economy to support tech
• I<00:38:19.920> can't<00:38:20.400> off<00:38:20.640> the<00:38:20.800> top
• /c><00:38:20.880> of<00:38:20.960> my<00:38:21.040> head can't I can't off the top

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 449 relating to economic development, HB 1006 relating to the Agribusiness Development Corporation, and then began HB 1467 relating to housing resiliency. On HB 449, Director Wayne Enoy of the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation and several business groups, including the Chamber of Commerce and Hawaii Food Industry Association, testified in strong support. They said the measure would help local manufacturers and tech-focused businesses adapt to uncertainty around tariffs and federal funding pauses, diversify Hawaiʻi’s economy, and expand workforce training and apprenticeship efforts tied to innovation and manufacturing. The bulk of the discussion focused on HB 1006 and proposed agritourism authority for ADC. ADC, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and other supporters said agritourism can be a value-added tool that helps farmers diversify income while keeping agriculture as the primary use of the land. One testifier opposed the bill’s direction without stronger guardrails, urging that a high percentage of revenue or land use remain tied to actual agricultural production. Committee members questioned ADC and Farm Bureau witnesses about how much land should remain in production, whether agritourism could expand on public lands, how enforcement would work, and whether responsibilities should be shifted from the Department of Agriculture’s marketing functions to ADC. Witnesses said ADC currently has no tenants engaged in agritourism, but would support standards, annual reporting, site visits, and the ability to reclaim land if production requirements are not met. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided. After concluding HB 1006 testimony and questions, the committee moved on to HB 1467 and called the first witness, Luke Meyers, before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• by replacing a very complex formula with a flat-rate maximum of $5,000 per grant year that can be awarded
• It also allows awarded to candidates.
• > when<00:07:49.840> you're<00:07:50.000> trying<00:07:50.240> to on top
• of that, when you're trying to on top of that, when you're trying to figure<00:07:50.880> out<
• <00:09:44.399> this was losing hope, I was awarded this was losing hope, I was awarded this

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The top graph is school districts, the bottom is everyone.
• Our teaching partner is. is Texas Tech out of El Paso.
• And if you look at the top five, San Antonio area. actually occupy three of the top five positions on
• districts we want you to prioritize career. career tech.
• You passed the P-TECH bill.

Bills: HB19, HB30, HB851, HB1663, HB1681, HB1769, HB1937, HB1979, HB2428, HB2433, HB2825, HB3159, HB3424, HB3486, HB3487, HB3504, HB3605, HB3879, HB3994, HB4382, HB4752, HB5444, HB5446, HB5447, HB3199, HB4847, HB19

Keywords: local government debt, property tax, ad valorem tax, bond election, certificate of obligation, anticipation note, school district tax rate, voter-approval rate, debt service cap, municipal finance, county bonds, flood control district, hospital district, public works, tax transparency, property tax notice, November uniform election date, general obligation bonds, local debt reform, taxpayer notice

Transcript Highlights:

• The first grant was launched with awards beginning in August 2026.
• We get to pay top-tier stipends to recruit and maintain our teachers.
• There are problems at the top and we need to fix them starting at the top. Thank you. All right.
• We're in ERS, you're looking at a 20-year, you know, top in like that.
• They had awards—prestigious awards.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So TxDOT has increased the annual project award.
• I'm looking for a project related HG the top adjusted The gray line at the top is the annual projects
• award inflation.
• A lot of rural counties on top of Houston as well.
• Our business partners have shared with us how child care is a top concern.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The agency's budget by line item is at the top.
• Those are 100% pass-through awards.
• Top-notch, and so a lot of credit goes to her.
• And I'll show you the exact award that we get.
• So if you look up above, the award of the award, Child care and spend them.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first approved the December 10 minutes and then received a DEQ base budget summary and agency overview. DEQ staff explained that the agency is largely federally and special funded, with major ongoing costs in salaries, operating expenses, grants, and continuing appropriations. Director Dave Glatt and accounting director Beth Jacobson highlighted core programs, the move to a new chemistry laboratory, the new state fuel inspection program, wastewater-related funding from HB 1577, and implementation of SB 2267 for on-site wastewater rules. They also noted the agency’s spending patterns, possible federal EPA cuts, and the likelihood of some fee adjustments or program changes if federal support declines. Members asked about DEQ’s travel, field offices, future staffing, and how the agency would respond to reduced federal regulation. DEQ said most staff are based in Bismarck, with field offices in Fargo, Sawyer, and Gwinner, and that travel is driven by inspections and spill response. Glatt said the agency would continue to rely on science and law, and that any future federal retrenchment could mean more state responsibility but likely not a wholesale increase in FTEs. The committee also discussed a feedlot enforcement case in the Minot area, with DEQ explaining its role in ensuring compliance, permitting, and animal-waste management standards. The Department of Health and Human Services then presented on FTE block grant reporting, TANF balances, child care transfers, and the Rural Health Transformation Program. Donna Ockland explained that no line-item transfers had occurred yet for the new rural health work, but about 33 positions were planned and some current staff time could be reimbursed through approved cost allocation. HHS also reviewed TANF’s frozen eligibility and block grant structure, the transfer of up to 30% of TANF funds to child care, and recent program changes that increased benefits and raised the income limit. Staff said the department is using TANF more strategically to support child care and other allowable uses, while still carrying over unused funds as many states do. Finally, Pat and HHS staff gave an update on the Rural Health Transformation Program, saying the first funding opportunity was being posted and that the state is on track to obligate the federal funds within the required timeline. They described priorities such as workforce retention, preceptor development, technical assistance for critical access hospitals, community wellness projects, and ambulance upgrades. Members asked about rural versus urban eligibility, immigrant recruitment, evaluation of year-two funding, and how the program would address varied local workforce needs. The meeting then shifted to an Office of Management and Budget update on the new State Hospital project, where Lindsay Ashley reported continued construction progress, updated cost information, and selected alternates, with photos and details showing work underway in multiple building sections.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was awarded the National 2021 Vote Solar Doctor Espanola Solar Justice Award. 2021 Vote Solar Doctor
• Espanola Solar Justice Award.
• It with an award not to exceed the full cost of tuition and fees.
• Speaker and gentlelady, the lowest is in techs and sciences. Mr.
• And I think you could just say "awarded" because the next line of the bill says "was an award recipient

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:48:01.680> of a $220 million grant that was awarded of a $220 million grant that was awarded
• So how much in ag loans do you guys award per year?
• If this bill passes, how much more do you guys expect to award in loans?
• <00:52:31.880> in much more you guys expect to award in much more you guys expect to award
• the date to July 1st 2050 and Tech the date to July 1st 2050 and Tech amendments<01:09:13.080>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1294 HD2, which would create a workforce housing working group within the Department of Agriculture to address agricultural workforce housing shortages. The Department of Agriculture supported the bill’s intent but emphasized that the first step should be a study to determine actual housing demand, noting many farmers have very low incomes and may not be able to support housing costs. A DHHL representative said the department supports the measure as a first step but does not currently plan to expand housing on its agricultural lands; members also discussed the distinction between agricultural and pastoral leases and asked for follow-up information on lease numbers and ranchers growing feed. Testimony on HB 1294 was overwhelmingly supportive, with farm and farmers’ organizations saying housing is critical to sustaining agriculture and should be located near farm operations when possible. Members questioned how housing eligibility would be enforced and whether federal housing funds could be used. The committee reported 38 testimonies in support, none opposed, and two comments, then voted to pass HB 1294 HD2 with amendments, including a date defect to July 1, 2050; the motion carried with five in favor and the recommendations were adopted. The committee then took up HB 428 HD1, establishing the Hawaii Farm to Families Program to address food shortages and requiring reports before the 2026 regular session. The Department of Agriculture urged the bill’s continuation and appropriations, citing rescinded federal grant programs and a planned $1.1 million application to support food banks and kalo production. Food banks, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, the Hawaii Farmers Union, and other groups strongly supported the measure, describing rising demand for charitable food assistance, especially for fresh produce and protein, and noting that many families are struggling despite working multiple jobs. Witnesses also described school pantry and backpack programs, food rescue partnerships with retailers, and the need for more stable state support; one witness asked for at least $5 million in funding for farm families. Committee members asked about food insecurity levels, food safety, abuse of food assistance, and how the program would connect farmers with schools and food banks. Food bank representatives said they already work with DOE school pantry programs and inspect all donated food for safety, and they suggested a grant or escrow-style payment model could help farmers by reducing reimbursement delays. The transcript does not show a final vote on HB 428 before the excerpt ends.

Transcript Highlights:

• I couldn't off the top of my head, but thank you. Has there ever been a discussion, Mr. Chairman?
• And then the state is picking up the tab with career tech or with a local college or university.
• That's just an additional $6 million dollars for concurrent on top of what we already...
• I don't know if you're going to know this off the top of your head.
• The top of your head, so you may have staff here that we can consult.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• McAllen is among the top 10 best cities for small businesses to locate and for families to come and locate
• McAllen is among the top 10 best cities for small businesses to locate and for families to come and locate
• News and World Report named McAllen one of the top 50 best places to live in the United States and the
• Cyber Command and the local San Antonio tech community has made it the top destination for cybersecurity
• Over the past 19 years, the Chamber Foundation has awarded more than $600,000 in scholarships.

Summary: The Texas Senate convened with a quorum, heard the governor’s emergency message outlining priority issues for the session, including property tax relief, water supply and infrastructure funding, universal education savings accounts, teacher pay, career and technical education, creation of a Texas Cyber Command, and bail reform. The governor also submitted a State of the State message and several appointment nominations for Senate confirmation. The chamber then took up a series of ceremonial resolutions and recognitions for McAllen Day, UTSA and UT Health San Antonio Day, Wise County Day, and Houston East End Chamber of Commerce East End Day, along with visits from the Houston Realty Business Coalition, Cedar Creek Chamber of Commerce, Webb County/Laredo delegates, UT Dallas McDermott Scholars, Andrews County officials, and occupational therapy professionals and students. Several senators spoke in support of the recognitions, highlighting local economic development, higher education, public health, and regional history. McAllen was praised for its growth, business climate, and cultural significance; Laredo and Webb County were recognized for trade, the Washington’s Birthday Celebration, and cross-border ties; UTSA and UT Health were commended for research, cybersecurity, and health science work; and UT Dallas scholars were recognized for academic achievement and public service. Wise County, the East End of Houston, and Andrews County were also described in terms of their economic contributions and community heritage. The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 27 for McAllen Day and Senate Resolution 32 for UTSA and UT Health San Antonio Day without objection. It also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 11, which granted permission for either house to adjourn for more than three days between February 5 and February 11, by a recorded vote of 30 ayes and 0 nays. Additional resolutions listed on the calendar were adopted without objection, and the Senate recessed until noon on Wednesday, February 5.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are not complex, high-tech measures.
• Is this one of those—not your first goal, but in the top eight, let's say?
• We were just recently awarded another three-year grant totaling $1.2 million.
• And we are used to tech issues. So, do we have any other questions?
• Medicaid typically pays relatively little compared with other payers, but if you layer on top of that

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't remember any specific instances off the top of my head. I'm sure that if I went back...
• I don't remember any specific instances off the top of my head.

Bills: SB25, SB250, HB22, HB27, HB33, HB47, HB233, HB290, HB308, HB324, HB382, HB533, HB559, HB575, HB980, HB1157, HB1207, HB1236, HCR45

Keywords: registrar of voters, parish registrar, chief deputy registrar, confidential assistant, election administration, elections, salary schedule, compensation, merit evaluation, population-based pay, census-based pay, Department of State, Secretary of State, State Board of Election Supervisors, redistricting, senate districts, Senate District 33, Senate District 34, Senate District 35, precincts

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to ensure that our tech... the students are aware of the dangers and potential criminal consequences
• He was the scientific advisor for the Ford and Reagan administrations, earning a three-star award.
• So if you look at the top, sir, There's a hyperlinked title at the very top of each, each differently
• But, yes, so if you look at the very top, there's a bolded italic.

Bills: SB204, SB570, SB735, SB784, SB1207, SB1396, SB1447, SB2392, SB2540, SB747, SB875

Keywords: parental rights, education, school trustees, training, handbook, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district, open-enrollment charter school, student support services, school counselor, principal, administrator

Transcript Highlights:

• It's one of the top issues that police chiefs are facing in their communities, asking them to do something
• That's how much faith I have in our tech sector and the brilliant minds that we have.
• That's how much faith I have in our tech sector and the brilliant minds that we have.
• In our tech sector and the brilliant minds that we have.
• We'll go through the top for add-ons, and there's a couple on calls, I believe, as well.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• director and CEO of the Port of Brownsville, a political subdivision entrusted by legislature and tech
• Before using public Texas roads, Tech dot is the agency responsible for road maintenance and repairs.
• Um, Tech dot approves the highway crossing agreements.
• Uh, for 4 consecutive years, we have won the Truck Safety Award in our mileage division with the Texas
• And have won the Grand Champion Fleet Safety Award two out of the last 3 years.

Bills: HCR 114, HB 137, HB 283, HB 1398, HB 1960, HB 2153, HB 2431, HB 2638, HB 2699, HB 2999, HB 3208, HB 3389, HB 3413, HB 3510, HB 3642, HB 3859, HB 3974, HB 3986, HB 4142, HB 4173, HB 4174, HB 4542, HB 4605, HB 4663, HB 4731, HB 5064, HB 5216, HB 5218, HB 5332, HB 5453, HB 5577

Keywords: memorial, pedestrian bridge, Houston, Sergio Ivan Rodriguez, city council, oversize vehicles, transportation permits, Hidalgo County, port authority, highway routes, healthcare, insurance, mental health, treatment access, state funding, transportation, axle weight, aggregates, regulations, Texas law

Transcript Highlights:

• We serve primarily the top 26 counties of the state of Texas. Your campus is located where?
• Yes, if you know off the top of my head, I don't know it, but it's 75,000 I think is instructional days
• Not off the top of my head, sir, no, sir. Okay, all the questions I have. Thank you, Senator West.
• is really more like top five and a half.
• Since our founding, we've awarded over 11,000 scholarships to DREAMers.

Bills: SB1798, SB1835, SB1319, SB2942, SB2928, SB784, SB1049

Keywords: higher education, tuition rates, financial support, immigration status, Texas law, SB 1835, resident tuition, nonresident students, scholarship students, public higher education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Education Code Section 54.213, tuition waiver, in-state tuition, out-of-state students, higher education finance, enrollment cap, capacity limit, workforce development area, nonimmigrant visa

Transcript Highlights:

• it is for the Student Loan Authority to provide student financial aid-related services to Pulaski Tech
• it is for the student loan authority to provide student financial aid-related services to Pulaski Tech
• Could you just, off the top of your head, say what good this is if it's not going to change anything?
• I can tell you that right now our registered nurses and LPNs are under a special compensation award program

Summary: The ALC-Review Subcommittee reviewed seven methods of finance, including university projects at ASU Jonesboro and Mountain Home, Black River Technical College deferred maintenance, UA Batesville’s Farm Project Gateway Center, UAMS PET cyclotron equipment, a new allied health building at UAPB funded by a federal grant, and UCA’s multi-purpose arena design work. The committee also approved an alternative delivery construction project for UAPB’s Allied Health and Sciences Building, with East Harding Construction selected and AMR Architects as designer. Members then approved discretionary grants from the Department of Health and DHS, including support for a heart attack center designation, community health worker training, homeless services funding corrections, behavioral health transition support, and an enabling technology pilot. In the contracts section, the committee reviewed RFQs, construction-related contracts, intergovernmental contracts, and a large slate of out-of-state and in-state contracts covering topics such as seatbelt survey data collection, Medicaid and DHS systems, state hospital staffing and services, veterans’ services, education assessments, and state IT and procurement projects. Several contracts drew extended questioning. Senators and representatives pressed DHS and the Department of Veterans Affairs about heavy reliance on contract nursing and staffing costs, and officials said they were using pay incentives and recruitment efforts to increase state employee staffing. Members also questioned AEDC’s lithium supply chain study and the Department of Education’s security contract, with concerns about projected costs and repeated amendments. The committee held three in-state contracts—Department of Education security services and two DHS staffing contracts—until Friday, then adopted the remaining contracts and received informational reports on contract amendments, executed contracts, and emergency procurements before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, members, by way of background, Access has an internal committee called the Tech and Services
• being like a vendor bill because there's a few vendors that do this, and they're skipping over the Tech
• This affordability award today is going to someone who has not only fought for affordability by amending
• This Affordability Award today is going to someone who has not only fought for affordability by amending
• And so today's Affordability Award goes to Representative Volk.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The meeting was a caucus review of a large slate of House and Senate bills, with staff giving short descriptions and members flagging a few concerns. Topics included veterans’ services and courts, child care grants, midwife medication authority, home- and community-based services funding, EMS reciprocity, prescription monitoring, electronic monitoring in care facilities, pregnancy resource center funding, mental health transportation, Access coverage for mild obstructive sleep apnea, school spending requirements, mobile home park training, local government investment pools, task order contract posting, tourism improvement areas, child welfare and kinship placement, neglect standards, family court evidence, prostate cancer cost sharing, assisted living hearings, manufactured home installer licensing, supervised parenting time, vulnerable adult trespass penalties, uranium contamination monitoring, a gas and petroleum refinery study committee, and state park fee exemptions for veterans. Several bills were described as unanimous or on consent, while others drew objections or were noted as controversial. Members raised privacy concerns about electronic monitoring in nursing homes, due process and rural capacity concerns about restricting police transport for mental health patients, opposition to pregnancy resource center appropriations, concerns about environmental review for power plant replacement, and questions about the Access sleep apnea mandate as potentially favoring vendors. Some bills were noted as having committee amendments, including changes to appropriations, eligibility criteria, reporting requirements, and definitions. No floor votes were taken in the transcript itself; instead, the chair repeatedly noted whether bills were unanimous, on consent, or had split votes in committee. The caucus also heard brief announcements about an upcoming breakfast with the CAP director, a Latino Caucus meeting, and an Affordability Award presented to Representative Volk, after which the caucus adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• it happens, uh, the entities that want to bid and lease this land, they take a little haircut on the top
• He's now at New Mexico Tech finishing up his engineering degree and is working to UNM for his master's
• all other proposed aspects of it, including The 80 to 20% split between 80% of the allocation-based awards
• So at the top of your newsletter you have what we call bite size little news bits, some of these you
• Um, I want to use, uh, my growing knowledge in both fields to advocate for reformed healthcare and tech