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TX

Texas 89th 1st C.S.

State Affairs (Part I) Aug 4th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm Director of Government Relations for Texas Values, testifying in favor of Senate Bill 7, the Texas
  • And Texas women are safe. I go to the My wife is safe. My mom is safe. And Texas women are safe.
  • Central Texas.
  • to the SDC in Texas.
  • While many Texas cities have adopted these policies, the majority of Texas cities have not.
Bills: SB7, SB14
Summary: The Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on Senate Bill 7, the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, with the author and committee substitute explaining that the bill would require public facilities to designate multi-use private spaces by biological sex, restrict access to women’s restrooms, locker rooms, showers, sleeping quarters, shelters, and correctional facilities, and create civil penalties and enforcement mechanisms. Members asked about how the bill would apply to family violence shelters, children in mixed-family settings, venue layout, and venue for lawsuits; the author said the bill was similar to prior legislation but with stronger penalties and the 15th Court of Appeals as the exclusive intermediate appellate court for challenges, while clarifying that trial venue should generally be local except for state agencies. The committee also heard that the bill would be amended to better address local venue concerns and shelter-related issues. Invited testimony was largely in support of the bill from witnesses who described personal experiences in women’s sports, prisons, shelters, and public facilities, arguing that single-sex spaces are necessary for privacy and safety. Supporters included parents, former incarcerated women, a Republican county chair, a legal advocate, and a prison educator, who cited incidents involving transgender-identifying individuals in locker rooms, shelters, prisons, and restrooms, and said the bill would restore sex-based boundaries and protect vulnerable women and girls. One witness from Texas Values said the bill was needed despite the recently enacted Women’s Bill of Rights, and another ADF witness said the measure would protect privacy in schools and shelters. Opponents testified that the bill would harm transgender and intersex Texans, create harassment and “gender policing,” and expose cisgender women and children to invasive enforcement. Several witnesses argued there is no evidence that transgender women pose a restroom safety threat, while others said the bill would worsen mental health, employment, and school conditions for trans people and could conflict with prison standards and federal law. Family violence advocates urged changes to protect shelter operations and clarify that children can stay with parents, while other witnesses said the bill would create barriers for victims seeking help. The hearing featured extensive public testimony on both sides, but no final vote or committee action was taken in the portion provided.
TX

Texas 89th 1st C.S.

State Affairs (Part II) Aug 4th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • My name is Luis Soberon with Texas 2036.
  • I am Nikki Llewellyn with the ACLU of Texas.
  • Texas deserves better. We need greater transparency, not less.
  • Texas deserves better. We need greater transparency, not less.
  • I'm representing the Texas...
Bills: SB7, SB14
Summary: The Committee on State Affairs took up Senate Bill 14, which would create a confidential department file for law enforcement officers and jailers and limit public access to records involving unsubstantiated misconduct, while preserving access for hiring agencies, TCOLE, and certain criminal justice uses. TCOLE’s Gretchen Grigsby explained the current rollout of law enforcement recordkeeping reforms, including the distinction between the public personnel file and the confidential G-file, and answered questions about when TCOLE would request files during investigations. Senator Perry and other members focused on how the bill would interact with existing personnel-file rules, public transparency, and criminal discovery obligations. Public testimony was largely opposed. Critics argued the bill was drafted too broadly, could sweep in records beyond misconduct files, and would reduce transparency for the public, journalists, oversight bodies, and families seeking answers in cases such as Uvalde and jail deaths in Tarrant County. Several witnesses said the bill could allow small or single-officer agencies, including elected constables, to shield their own records, and some warned it could chill reporting and oversight. Supporters, including law enforcement representatives, said the bill would protect officers from false or unsubstantiated allegations, align agencies without civil-service protections with those that already have G-files, and preserve confidentiality for records that should not be public. Dallas County prosecutors and Harris County deputies supported the general policy but asked for clarifying amendments, especially to separate language they said could affect the Michael Morton Act and to preserve existing protections through in-camera review or protective orders. Committee members spent significant time questioning witnesses about how substantiated versus unsubstantiated allegations would be handled, whether body camera footage and case files would remain public, and how the bill would affect discovery in criminal cases. After hearing all registered witnesses, the chair closed public testimony. Senate Bill 14 was left pending, and the committee recessed.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Education K-16 (Part I) May 22nd, 2025

Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:
  • It will not change the requirements on how to become a school psychologist in Texas.
  • I’m the Director of Public Policy for Texas CASA, here in support of House Bill 1211.
  • Education and Workforce Policy at Texas 2036, here today to testify on House Bill 20.
  • Walker, my name is Carl Walker, a Texas Taxpayers and Research Association...
  • House Bill 824 seeks to strengthen civics readiness among Texas high school students.
Bills: HB4, HB20
Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 heard a series of higher education and K-12 bills, initially without a quorum and with several measures left pending subject to the call of the chair. Early bills included HB 1868, which would direct a study on lowering the dual-credit funding threshold for public junior colleges from 15 to 9 semester credit hours; HB 2598, which would replace statutory references to “licensed specialist in school psychology” with “school psychologist”; HB 3629, which would bar registered sex offenders from serving on independent school district boards of trustees; and HB 4361, which would require the Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt rules for timely emergency notifications at public institutions of higher education. Each received brief sponsor explanations, no opposition testimony, and was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4848, requiring public higher education systems to ensure at least one institution offers affordable competency-based bachelor’s degree programs in high-demand fields, and HB 1211, which would remove the age 25 deadline for former foster youth to use public college tuition waivers. HB 1211 drew extensive supportive testimony from Texas CASA, a former foster youth who benefited from the waiver, and a current student headed to medical school, all arguing the change would better match the realities faced by youth aging out of care. Members discussed the bill’s fiscal uncertainty and the argument that the waiver is an investment in workforce participation; the bill was left pending. Later, the committee heard HB 20, creating an Applied Sciences Pathway Program to let high school students earn certificates in targeted industries such as welding, plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing, and oil and gas while in school. Industry and workforce groups strongly supported the bill as a way to address labor shortages, while Texas 2036 raised concerns about allowing applied versions of core academic courses to substitute for traditional instruction. HB 4687, which would extend governmental immunity protections to certain campus/district charter schools and adult charter high schools, also received support from a charter-school attorney who said it would align statutes with existing case law and not expand charter rights. HB 4236, as substituted, would create a study group to examine the property value study’s effect on school finance and alternative valuation methods; it was adopted as a committee substitute and left pending. The committee also heard HB 824 on civics instruction in high school government courses and HB 2243, which would create a commission on teacher job satisfaction and retention; the latter prompted debate over removing “ethnic diversity” language from the commission’s makeup. After adopting the substitute for HB 2243 by roll call, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Education K-16 (Part II) May 22nd, 2025

Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:
  • test based on Texas TEKS, Texas learning, is very, very, very important.
  • test based on Texas Teaks, Texas Learning is very very very important. based on Texas Teeks, Texas Learning
  • What we're hearing from Texas classrooms and from Texas teachers.
  • The Governor's Office announced this week that Texas... ...to build a more globally competitive Texas
  • It's about the future of Texas.
Bills: HB4, HB20
Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2853, which would allow the UT System Board of Regents to adjust the University of Texas at El Paso student union fee above the current statutory cap, subject to student approval, to help fund a new student union building. Senator Blanco explained the bill and the committee substitute, there were no questions or witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending subject to the call of the chair. The committee then heard House Bill 610, which would limit severance payments for terminated independent school district superintendents to six months’ salary and benefits. Senator Paxton described large severance payouts and said the bill had passed the House overwhelmingly. There were no witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the bill was left pending. A lengthy hearing followed on House Bill 4623, which would waive school district immunity in certain cases involving negligent hiring, supervision, or employment of professional school employees who commit abuse or related misconduct against students. Senator Paxton and several witnesses, including survivors and parents, argued the bill was needed to address cover-ups, delayed reporting, and repeated failures to remove dangerous employees; some members raised concerns about liability caps, litigation, and how the bill would interact with the Tort Claims Act. The committee also heard from TEA staff and employee-group witnesses who discussed possible injunctions and stronger no-hire protections. Public testimony was then closed and the bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 4, an accountability and assessment bill that would restore A-F ratings, change the state testing system, and replace STAAR with shorter, more instructionally useful assessments. Senator Bettencourt explained the committee substitute, including annual ratings, limits on taxpayer-funded lawsuits, and a phased-in testing redesign with beginning, middle, and end-of-year assessments. Testimony was generally supportive from education and business groups, though some witnesses favored norm-referenced testing while others emphasized criterion-referenced, TEKS-aligned assessments; one witness noted social studies assessments were restored in the bill. The hearing concluded with additional invited testimony and no final vote reported in the transcript.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

S/C on International Relations Apr 14th, 2025

S/C on International Relations

Transcript Highlights:
  • in economic activity within Texas and the loss of over 32,000 jobs.
  • That would affect Texas and Arizona, but far more Texas than anywhere else.
  • Both Texas U.S. senators, as well as many others in the Texas congressional delegation on both sides
  • We're working with several developers from Mexico and Texas.
  • Taiwan is not just a global partner; it's a trusted Texas ally.
Bills: HCR108, HCR127
TX

Texas 89th Regular

S/C on Academic & Career-Oriented Education Apr 10th, 2025

S/C on Academic & Career-Oriented Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • 1876 seeks to establish a career and technical education reporting grant program administered by the Texas
  • Additionally, we believe it is equally important that those becoming Texas Teacher Certified in areas
  • Association of Texas, and you are testifying for the bill. Is that correct? Yes, that is correct.
  • With the knowledge that we do have a shortage of teachers in Texas, any incentive to bring qualified
  • So I work for the Texas Education Agency. I haven't been in contact with anyone from TRS. Okay.
Bills: HB 1057, HB1876
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Aug 22nd, 2025

Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select

Transcript Highlights:
  • , not just South Texas.
  • in Brownsville, Texas.
  • A different study from Texas A&M, looking at coastal counties in Texas, found that for every additional
  • Ken Flippin, Texas Chapter of the U.S.
  • Kenneth Flippin, Texas chapter of the U.S.
Summary: The committee met in special session to hear a series of flood, preparedness, and youth-camp safety bills, with members repeatedly noting that many of the measures were intended as planning, warning, or authority-clarifying bills rather than direct spending bills. House Bill 254 would expand eligibility for the Rural Infrastructure Disaster Recovery Program to include Kerr County and 18 other flood-affected counties by raising the GDP cap and lowering the poverty threshold; it drew no opposition and was left pending. House Bill 68 would direct a study of flood mitigation in flatland areas, especially in the Rio Grande Valley, to develop cost-effective drainage and infrastructure recommendations; local officials and advocates supported it, and it was also left pending. The committee then heard several youth camp bills tied to the recent Hill Country flooding. House Bill 75 would impose flood-aware building and site standards for youth camps near floodplains, and House Bill 71 would require camps and youth activity entities to submit emergency preparedness plans to TDEM, coordinate with local responders, and maintain readiness protocols; both bills were supported by safety advocates and camp representatives, and both were left pending. House Bill 171 would require campgrounds near flood-prone waters to give written flood-risk notice to campers and obtain signed acknowledgment; it was presented as informed consent and left pending. Testimony on these bills emphasized Camp Mystic and other recent flood tragedies, with some witnesses urging broader building-code and floodplain reforms. The committee also heard House Bill 117, which would let counties regulate impervious cover for flood mitigation in unincorporated areas. Supporters, including county officials, environmental groups, and residents, argued that rapid development in the Hill Country and other growing areas is worsening runoff and downstream flooding; opponents from the builders’ association said counties already have substantial authority and warned about overreach into rural property use. After extensive testimony, the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 18 would streamline permitting for certain flood control districts to repair dams and reservoirs and build small holding areas, and it was left pending after supportive testimony from Plum Creek Conservation District. Senate Bill 3 would create a state-backed outdoor flood warning siren program for identified flood-prone areas, funded through a grant program; witnesses generally supported it, though some cautioned that sirens are not sufficient by themselves and may not be heard indoors or in overnight storms. It too was left pending. The committee also began hearing House Bill 149 on public-safety radio interoperability, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s full testimony or action is shown.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session Mar 5th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • state of Texas in 2023.
  • Texas, just good old gritty, independent speaking.
  • Ambulance Association that have come from across the state of Texas to be here at their Texas Capitol
  • EMS in Texas.
  • Thank you for coming to your Texas Capitol and your Texas Senate.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN-HOU, AEN-EIG, AEN Public Hearings 03-18-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> services and you're just off the grid. services and you're just off the grid.
  • </c> electrical and plumbing. electrical and plumbing. Too. Too. Too.
  • </c> that is deposited into the electrical that is deposited into the electrical vehicle<00:39:39.240
  • Electric the largest household expenses.
  • For the charging associated the grid?
Bills: HB1736, HB1620, HB1695
Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1737, which clarifies allowable uses in agricultural districts for farm dwellings and farm employee housing, and HB 1604 HD2, which creates an agricultural workforce housing working group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Testimony on HB 1737 was overwhelmingly supportive, with county agriculture officials, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Farmers Union backing the measure; one witness asked for a definition of “affordable” to guard against misuse of farm housing. For HB 1604, the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Hawaii Farmers Union, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, with OHA requesting disaggregated data and a seat on the working group. Committee discussion focused on housing shortages, possible misuse, affordability, and whether innovative housing models such as modular, tiny, and container homes should be considered. The committee then took action on both measures. HB 1737 HD3 was recommended to pass with amendments that would limit farm employee housing to agricultural employees and their immediate family members actively engaged in the farm operation, add a grandfathering provision for existing permitted housing, preserve county zoning authority, clarify that ag tourism must be secondary and not occur in employee housing, delete a square-footage-per-acre ratio, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. HB 1604 HD2 was also recommended to pass with amendments adding OHA and a housing-shortage organization to the working group, expanding its scope to include modular, tiny, and container homes and permitting/zoning streamlining, and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. Both motions were adopted unanimously by the members present. The joint hearing then moved to HB 1736, which would establish a spay and neuter special fund and require sterilization and declaration provisions for cats, with some discussion of dogs. DLNR and the Hawaiian Humane Society supported the bill, while Pacific Pet Alliance objected to the broader requirements and the inclusion of dogs; the Hawaiian Humane Society and American Bird Conservancy supported cat-focused sterilization and the special fund, while some testifiers opposed mandatory sterilization as too costly or intrusive. Members raised questions about toxoplasmosis, trap-neuter-release, enforcement, neighbor-island access, and funding needs, and DLNR indicated additional funding and third-party contracting would likely be needed. The transcript then began HB 1620 HD2 on energy, which would increase the environmental response energy and food security tax and shift funds from the hydrogen fueling subaccount to EV charging infrastructure; state agencies generally stood on written testimony in support, while the Tax Foundation objected to special fund earmarks and noted the bill raises only one part of the barrel tax structure.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Transportation Jan 19th, 2026 at 04:00 pm

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • permits and franchises for use of highway rights-of-way for utility facilities such as water, gas, electricity
  • Again, for brief background, the Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council is co-chaired by the
  • You can't run to the gas station and get five gallons of kilowatts to run back to your electric car to
  • Before you is Senate Bill 5750 relating to fees for electric vehicle charging at state facilities.
  • There's a party down the street or I need some electricity.
Bills: SB5750, SB6148
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • hear from John Gangler, who's a current state employee, and from Joan Barish, who's a retiree with Texas
  • Because Texas does not pay us enough to really see a future in Texas. And that's just common sense.
  • If the Texas legislature really thinks that the people of Texas deserve a workforce that sees them as
  • It's about showing that in Texas we take care of our own.
  • It's about retaining the talent and experience that keeps Texas moving forward.
Summary: The committee meeting focused on critical issues facing Texas state employees and retirees, highlighting the need for increased compensation and improved benefits. Senator Sarah Eckhardt and Representative John Busey presented new legislation aimed at addressing these longstanding problems, including proposed House Bills 343 and 247, which seek a $10,000 across-the-board pay increase for state employees. Senator Eckhardt emphasized the growing wage gap between public sector jobs and private sector offerings, which has led to high turnover rates and the loss of institutional knowledge. Public testimonies underscored the urgency of the issue as retirees shared their struggles with stagnant pensions amidst rising living costs.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session (Part I) Jul 21st, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And today, Lord, we lift a special prayer for the people of Central Texas.
  • By the Governor of the State of Texas, to all whom these presents shall come.
  • I, Greg Abbott, Governor of the State of Texas, thank you.
  • Of Texas by authority vested in me by Article 3, Section 5(a) and Article 4 Section 8A of the Texas Constitution
  • to be affixed at my office in the city of Austin, Texas.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session (Part II) Jul 21st, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • , Central Texas, and North Texas.
  • The only difference is that it doesn't include SBOE, Texas House, or Texas Senate.
  • House or Texas Senate.
  • So we focus on South Texas or East Texas or wherever. Mr.
  • , meaning that a lot of people in urban Texas and rural Texas don't have access.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • of Texas.
  • Our children are Texas. My grandson and I are products of Texas public education.
  • It's in Texas?
  • Do y'all live in Texas now? We do. We live in Texas. What made you come to Texas?
  • The Texas DFPS failed me.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm the Executive Director of the Texas Private Schools Association.
  • Ivy Texas is a business, so you're self-employed there.
  • Mobility and prosperity for all Texas families is our goal.
  • So they are able to happen here in Texas.
  • to go through a Texas adoption process.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill would reduce strain on the Texas electrical grid and preserve local control and fiscal accountability
  • Texas has more of these facilities.
  • of Texas at Austin.
  • Members, across Texas, homeowners keep chickens on their property, and many more Texas families would
  • I'm the Lennar division president for Texas. We built over 20,000 homes in Texas in 2024.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • So members, our agenda this morning includes more than a dozen bills designed to make Texas safer for
  • House Bill 1666 would require the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to include the victim's last name
  • Senate Bill 2776, which supports the expansion of the credible. messengers program by allowing the Texas
  • Across Texas, peace officers, parole officers, and emergency personnel put themselves at risk daily while
  • Texas has a duty and a responsibility to strengthen. and protections for public servants by raising penalties
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Public Health Apr 14th, 2025

Public Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, where's Texas? Texas has no full practice authority. Well, guess what? We're ranked 48.
  • 2036, the Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals, AARP Texas, and the Texas Association
  • I grew up in a small town in West Texas, rural West Texas, the town of Sudan.
  • the state of Texas.
  • Texas? Texas Radiological Society, in addition to the Texas Medical Association and SELF. Yes, sir.