Video & Transcript Research : 'third degree'
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jul 2nd, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We left 90-degree Sacramento, and we were greeted by snow flurries in the mile-high town nestled in the
- And although it was 22 degrees, the kind and thoughtful spirit of the people there was warm. ...degrees
- Please order the bill back to the third reading file. Without objection, such shall be the order.
- We run a legislator program, a young assembly member program, and this is my third year doing the Young
- He's a third-year student, and we were very excited to have him for the last several weeks, helping us
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jul 2nd, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And although it was 22 degrees, the kind and thoughtful spirit of the people there was warm.
- Degrees, the kind and thoughtful spirit of people there warmed our hearts and made us feel as if we were
- Please order the bill back to the third reading file. Without objection, such shall be the order.
- We run a legislator program, a young assembly member program, and this is my third year doing the Young
- He's a third-year student, and we were very excited to have him for the last several weeks, helping us
Summary:
The Assembly met with an initial quorum call, then proceeded through routine floor business, guest introductions, and several procedural motions. Members approved requests to suspend rules for adjournment-in-memory remarks and guest seating, removed some bills from the consent calendar, and re-referred or withdrew several measures. The chamber also took up a number of second-reading and concurrence items later in the day.
Two major bills drew floor debate. SB 762, a tax measure allowing eligible local governments to seek voter approval for transactions and use tax rates above the statutory cap, was presented as a response to local fiscal pressures and was described by supporters as giving voters local choice rather than imposing a tax increase. It passed with an urgency vote of 54-13 and was sent immediately to the Senate. AB 126, the education budget trailer bill, was presented as a major investment in TK-12 education, special education, community schools, and educator leave; one member supported many provisions but objected to policy changes affecting charter schools being included in a budget bill. The Assembly concurred in the Senate amendments on AB 126 by a vote of 56-1.
The Assembly also concurred in AB 35, an urgency environmental protection bill intended to speed implementation of Proposition 4-funded projects by narrowing administrative delay; supporters said it would accelerate wildfire prevention, water, and other environmental projects. The measure passed unanimously, 66-0. The consent calendar was then adopted, including AB 2796 on criminal history information, which passed 67-0. The session concluded with multiple adjournment-in-memory tributes, including remarks honoring victims of a B-52 test flight crash at Edwards Air Force Base, former West Covina Mayor Lloyd Johnson, civil rights leader Harold Brown, educator and activist Kiyoko Nancy Oda, and Auburn Mayor John Mike Holmes, followed by announcements of summer recess and adjournment until August 3.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate Chamber Jan 28th, 2026 at 11:26 am
New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We had to get to a third reading.
- She is also a proud third-year Yates Scholar, PY Foundation. Proud third-year Yates Scholar, P.Y.
- felony to a third-degree felony.
- felony to a third degree felony, and clear.
- felony to a third-degree felony and clarifying the definition of school premises.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and an Arizona native who earned his bachelor's degree
- and medical degree from the University of Arizona, Bear Down.
- and medical degree from the University. and Arizona Native who earned his bachelor's degree and medical
- degree from the University of Arizona, Bear Down.
- Third reading of bills: H.R. 2007. H.R. 2007, a resolution on the death of Sheila Mattox.
Summary:
The Arizona House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the March 18, 2026 journal, and recognition of Doctor of the Day Dr. Bradley Butler, an Arizona emergency physician and Navy Reserve captain. Members also introduced visiting carpenters, local officials from Show Low, World Down Syndrome Day advocates, and Giffords Courage Fellows. The House read and adopted a proclamation designating March 19, 2026 as ALS Awareness Day, with remarks from Representative Selina Bliss and testimony from ALS patients and advocates about the disease’s impact and the need for research, care, and support.
The House then adopted House Resolution 2007 honoring Sheila “Ginger” Mattox, with family and friends present and members speaking about her community service and problem-solving work in Phoenix’s FQ Story neighborhood. The resolution was adopted unanimously, followed by a moment of silence. The chamber also announced committee assignments and received Senate messages listing several bills on first and second reading.
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider HB 2680, which received a Commerce Committee amendment and a floor amendment before being recommended do pass as amended. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole report and referred HB 2680 to engrossing. Later, HB 1004 was withdrawn from the Education Committee and additionally referred to Judiciary. The House recessed, made several announcements, and then adjourned until 1:30 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2026.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Appropriations - S/C on Article III Feb 27th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Article III
Transcript Highlights:
- We're only. the only upper-level and graduate degree-granting institution in the state and one of only
- Because of our proximity to Fort Cavazos, the third largest army base in the nation, 50% of our student
- This investment has also allowed. to award over 11,300 degrees in our short 15-year history. has resulted
- persistence rate and 57 percent are first in their family to receive a university degree.
- , and maybe need that degree to pivot in their career.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 907, criminal law, third degree assault.
- printed for third reading. printed for third reading.
- , the third party, if it's a third party, the third party, if it's a third party, but<01:12:55.320
- that the third party could be a third that the third party could be a third party<01:13:14.440><
- to third reading. to third reading.
Summary:
The House met in session, opened with a prayer, confirmed a quorum, and then moved through a long series of concurrence items and committee reports. Early on, the House rejected Senate amendments to House Bills 14 and 573 and sent messages asking the Senate to recede or appoint conference committees. It also entered conference on House Bill 907 (third degree assault) and on several other measures where the chambers disagreed, including Senate Bill 233 (cemeteries) and Senate Bill 626 (sex designation on birth certificates and IDs). House Bill 501, dealing with sexual offenses by a person in a position of authority, was concurred in and passed unanimously.
The House then took up a large concurrence calendar and passed a number of bills with Senate amendments, including House Bill 613 on living shoreline waivers, House Bill 315 on income-based housing subsidies, House Bill 548 on development rights and the Maryland Housing Certainty Act, House Bill 571 on nonprofit housing corporation tax exemptions, House Bill 895 on predatory pricing and protected class data, House Bill 1430 on charter school facilities funding, House Bill 1076 on over-the-counter contraception access and reporting, House Bill 624 on hospital staffing committees and plans, House Bill 811 on aging-in-place and multi-generational third places, House Bill 939 on birth certificate filing time periods, House Bill 1151 on a Medicaid hospice reimbursement study, House Bill 1367 on the Commission on Reimagining Healthcare in Maryland, House Bill 828 on State Board of Education membership, House Bill 130 on deed fraud, House Bill 281 on child care provider background checks, House Bill 963 on appointment of personal representatives, House Bill 1326 on child abuse and neglect records, and House Bill 525 on phone-free schools. Several of these were briefly explained on the floor, including changes to shoreline waiver timing, housing and tax provisions, contraceptive access concerns, hospital staffing protections, and the school phone policy’s exemptions.
The chamber also received committee reports that advanced additional bills for third reading, including House Bill 1020 and Senate Bill 654 on the State Police Retirement System mandatory retirement age, Senate Bill 877 on Baltimore City stop sign monitoring systems, Senate Bill 940 on water quality testing, House Bill 44 on plain-language ballot questions, Senate Bill 215 on the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund, Senate Bill 627 designating Korean American Day, and Senate Bill 634 on county discrimination complaints. No final votes were taken on those reported bills in the portion provided; the report simply adopted favorable reports and ordered the bills printed for third reading.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 03/04/26
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- of a four-year degree. of a four-year degree.
- And third, the bill includes an important safeguard.
- <00:14:44.760>
an And third, the bill includes an And third, the bill includes an important - do not hold a social work degree. do not hold a social work degree.
- You know, four-year degrees and those types of requirements for 75% of state jobs today.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Higher Education Funding Review Committee Jun 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- , the board shall multiply the number of degree completions by $2,000 for each bachelor's degree...
- By the number of degree completions by $2,000 for each bachelor's degree, master's degree completion
- degree. by the number of degree completions by $2,000 for each bachelor's master's degree completion
- or every bachelor's degree, master's degree, doctorate, et cetera.
- There is a dollar amount for every associate degree or every bachelor's degree, master's degree, doctorate
Summary:
The committee met to discuss higher education funding and capital building policy. Members first heard an update from NDUS Deputy Commissioner Lisa Johnson on low-producing academic programs. She described a proposed board policy using a five-year rolling window and thresholds of fewer than 10 undergraduate graduates or fewer than 5 graduate graduates, with programs flagged for three consecutive review periods going to the board. Possible outcomes would include continuation, continuation with modifications, inactivation, or termination. Members asked about how the review would account for program costs, service to other students, workforce demand, and the difference between inactivation and termination. Johnson said the board would consider broader factors and that campuses already do detailed program analysis. Several members also asked about cost savings and staffing impacts from program terminations, and Johnson said the board would try to provide more information later.
The committee then received a report on the Capital Building Fund from Jamie Wilkie. He reviewed the program’s history, matching requirements, and recent uses, noting that about $334 million in state and matching dollars has been invested overall, with most going to deferred maintenance and extraordinary repairs. Members discussed whether the program is reducing deferred maintenance and requested updated systemwide data on deferred maintenance and campus space utilization. Wilkie said the board is considering a new study to update deferred maintenance figures, which are based on information more than 12 years old. He also reported that several institutions have used current biennium funds for projects such as residence hall renovations, health sciences housing, generators, and building repairs.
Later, the committee began a detailed walkthrough of a draft bill that would replace the current higher education funding formula with an FTE-based model and also revise the capital building fund structure. The draft would use fall enrollment FTEs, add completion incentives for degrees in in-demand fields, and create a separate research funding component for UND and NDSU tied to doctoral completions and external research expenditures. Members raised concerns about the use of older data in the formula, the treatment of waivers, the weighting of professional and health sciences programs, and the use of CIP codes to define CTE and education incentives. The bill draft would also combine capital building fund tiers, broaden eligible uses for deferred maintenance and legislatively authorized projects, change matching requirements, repeal the old formula chapter and the capital pool, and transfer funds from the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund into the capital building fund. No final votes were taken during the portion provided; the meeting was primarily discussion and review.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- to lead to a degree of value? And what have you seen along those lines?
- This is actually my third opportunity. to do that.
- The only time we go into closed session is when we are looking at honorary degree.
- And that's just a little bit of. of the value that I gained from my degree.
- Whatever they choose to do, our degree is of value.
Keywords:
higher education, curriculum review, governing board, faculty council, ombudsman, faculty governance, decision-making, transparency, public meetings, department head, employment approval, public institutions, institutional oversight, education, funding, accountability, state budget, school performance, employment, Texas legislation
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 21st, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- On to our Assembly third reading file, that's file items 5 through 535.
- One-third experience anxiety and, tragically, one in five students contemplate suicide.
- AB 1954 fixes this problem by requiring the operators of third-party reservation service platforms to
- CSUs do not offer associate degrees today. They do not.
- Today, about one-third of all new teachers leave the profession within their first five years.
Summary:
The Assembly met on May 7, 2026, after an initial delay due to lack of quorum, then proceeded through a long House of Origin deadline session focused mainly on floor votes for dozens of bills. The day opened with prayer, a moment of silence for victims of a hate-motivated shooting at an Islamic Center in San Diego, and a warning to visitors about disrupting proceedings. Leadership repeatedly urged members to be on time and at their desks as the chamber worked through a large daily file.
The bills considered covered a wide range of topics, including artificial intelligence, community college trustee compensation, transit camera enforcement and privacy, taxation and excess proceeds claims, HOA rules, hepatitis C treatment access, child care planning, greenhouse energy standards, consumer lending, housing and homelessness, pet spay/neuter access, local financing for workforce housing, student financial aid, DUI penalties, senior housing, foster youth, behavioral health licensing, transit stop data, disaster response for child welfare, elections notices, safe surrender for infants, college enrollment and leave policies, insurance regulation, fair funding, school safety, environmental labeling, cash rounding, park passes through libraries, grocery access, pregnancy protections in education, swatting, domestic violence protective orders, farmworker housing, juvenile justice, cervical cancer screening, Medi-Cal transitions, disability certification, and home protection products. Most authors described their bills as cleanup measures, consumer protections, access expansions, or targeted fixes to existing law.
Testimony from authors and supporters emphasized access, safety, affordability, and administrative simplification, while a few bills drew policy concerns or opposition, especially AB 1751 on townhome development and labor standards. That bill prompted extended debate over wages, prevailing wage, and stakeholder engagement, but it ultimately passed. Other notable discussion included AB 1628 to extend California’s safe surrender window for infants, AB 1902 on juvenile detention extension hearings, and AB 1925 on permanent disability certification, each framed as addressing difficult real-world gaps in current systems.
The chamber took many roll-call votes, with most measures passing overwhelmingly and several by unanimous or near-unanimous margins. A few bills were temporarily passed, retained on file, or moved to the inactive file, and AB 1534 required the call to be lifted and then passed on a 54-8 vote. Overall, the session was dominated by floor action on the daily file rather than committee reports or gubernatorial messages, and the Assembly advanced a large number of bills on a deadline day.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, March 3, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In the opinion of the chair, two-thirds In the opinion of the chair, two-thirds being<03:18:06.040>
- In the opinion of the chair, two-thirds In the opinion of the chair, two-thirds being<03:34:01.960
- In the opinion of the chair, two-thirds In the opinion of the chair, two-thirds being<04:09:24.120
- In the opinion of the chair, two-thirds In the opinion of the chair, two-thirds being<04:19:49.760
- Lack of or medical degree programs.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- He went to NMSU for a year after, could have gotten another degree there; he didn't, but that's his choice
- San Juan is stating that they do not need a third-party program management provider, and then Central
- So we're not saying that we're just going to water down everything; let those focused degrees be at those
- Third point, Mr. Chairman, we continue to work on school calendar issues.
- degree, or any other kind of professional or graduate degree.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- third graders through fifth graders. third graders through fifth graders.
- ordered passed for third reading. ordered passed for third reading.
- ordered printed for third reading. ordered printed for third reading.
- is on third reading for final passage. is on third reading for final passage.
- , rape second degree.
Summary:
The Senate opened with an invocation by Associate Pastor Justin Wills of Miracle Temple Church in Lothian, followed by remarks recognizing his family’s ministry and requesting that the prayer be journalized. The chamber then moved through several introductions, including Johnston Square Elementary students who were recognized for strong grades, education-related guests, and staff and family members of senators. After the roll confirmed a quorum, the Senate returned to business.
On third reading, House Bill 563, concerning emergency response animals, was amended to align the House and Senate versions. The amendment added self-defense as an affirmative defense, included horses used in search and rescue within the definition of emergency response animal, added a definition of law enforcement unit, and adjusted penalties. The bill then passed with 44 affirmative votes. The Senate also took up Senate Bill 159 on EMS vehicle supplies and neonatal care; the chamber refused to concur in House amendments and sent a message asking the House to recede or appoint a conference committee.
The Senate introduced House Bill 420 and referred it to Rules. In Judicial Proceedings, Senate Bill 791 on immigration enforcement prohibitions in correctional facilities was reported favorably with three amendments, including technical changes, limits tied to certain convictions, notice requirements for state facilities, and authorization for judges or commissioners to consider immigration detainers in bail decisions. The minority leader and others requested that the bill be special ordered for more time to review and prepare amendments, arguing the issue was controversial and had been fast-tracked; supporters of the committee report said the bill had already been heard and discussed. The debate over the special-order motion was ongoing at the end of the transcript.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Higher Education Funding Review Committee Jun 3rd, 2026
Higher Education Funding Review Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- The third category that we talked about, The third category that we talked about, just as recently as
- degree... ...by the number of degree completions by $2,000 for each bachelor's degree, master's degree
- Under Division C, $2,250 for each associate's degree completion, excluding degree relations in career
- or every bachelor's degree, master's degree, doctorate...
- There's a dollar amount for every associate degree or every bachelor's degree, master's degree, doctorate
Summary:
The Higher Education Funding Review Committee met to continue work on a draft higher education funding formula and related capital building fund changes. Lisa Johnson of the North Dakota University System updated the committee on the board’s developing policy for low-producing academic programs. She said the board is using a five-year rolling window, with thresholds of fewer than 10 undergraduate graduates or fewer than 5 graduate graduates, and that programs flagged in three consecutive review cycles would go to the board for review. Possible outcomes include continuation, continuation with modifications, inactivation, or termination. Members asked about how the policy would account for enrollment, program costs, workforce need, and programs that serve students outside their major. Johnson said the board would likely use an accompanying procedure to consider those factors. She also reported that about 200 programs could potentially be reviewed under current guidance, with 135 inactivated and 112 terminated, and said the process is intended to support quality and stewardship rather than simply cut programs.
Jamie Wilkie then reported on the Capital Building Fund. He reviewed the fund’s history, matching requirements, and use for extraordinary repairs, deferred maintenance, and some legislatively authorized projects. He said about $334 million in state and matching dollars has been invested overall, with roughly 78.7% going to deferred maintenance and extraordinary repairs. Committee members pressed for updated information on how much deferred maintenance has actually been reduced, and several members said they wanted clearer reporting on the return on investment from new buildings versus repairs. NDSU representatives said the tier funding has helped significantly reduce deferred maintenance and allowed demolition and renovation work on campus. The committee also discussed the need for updated five-year facility plans and space-utilization information from the institutions.
The committee then began a section-by-section review of a draft bill that would replace the current higher education funding formula with an FTE-based model and restructure the capital building fund. The draft would fund UND and NDSU differently from the other nine institutions, use fall enrollment rather than completed credits, add performance funding for completions in in-demand fields, create research incentives for UND and NDSU, and combine capital building fund tiers while changing matching requirements and eligible uses. Members raised concerns about the treatment of professional students, the use of CIP codes, incentives for waivers, and whether the formula should rely on more current data. The committee did not take final action on the draft during this meeting, but it continued detailed discussion and indicated more review would follow.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 3rd, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- She answered, yes, for the third time, what do you want?
- We've got to stop telling our kids that you have to get a master's degree or a bachelor's degree, when
- an associate's degree or trade degree might be perfectly great and acceptable.
- Where I'm at, at 125 degrees, people die in cars.
- The bill is ordered back to third reading.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Higher Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- Today, Fitchburg State, Fitchburg Public Schools: more than two-thirds of the students are of Latino
- They can't finish their degree, and they can't move forward in the workforce.
- I'm not sure if there's a bachelor's degree in library science. I'd have to double-check that.
- Well, I know there are bachelor's degrees in library science, but I don't...
- I know there are bachelor's degrees in library science, but I don't...
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Higher Education heard testimony on a wide range of bills touching student access, campus safety, and institutional support. Early testimony focused on H. 4544, which would create a state Hispanic-serving institution designation to replace a lost federal designation and potentially allow future funding. Representative Kushmerek and Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge described Fitchburg’s growing Latino student population, the university’s local commitments such as the Fitchburg Promise, and argued the bill would help the institution better serve its community. Committee members asked about how the tuition-free local program is financed, and the bill was described as having no immediate funding request but allowing for future appropriations.
The committee also heard support for H. 1421, a proposed John F. Kennedy Service Scholarship Program for Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and Commonwealth Corps alumni, with Representative Arena DeRosa arguing that student debt discourages service and that the program would help make citizen service more accessible to lower- and moderate-income students. Members raised questions about cost, take-up, and whether the program should be capped. H. 1449, dealing with transcript withholding, drew support from Representative LeBoeuf and USPyre’s Demi Stoltz, who said withholding transcripts over small balances or non-academic fees traps students and harms workforce participation; members discussed how schools could still collect debts without blocking transcripts. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to improve study-abroad safety reporting, with Carrie Pascarello urging a centralized data system after multiple student deaths and serious incidents abroad, and members asking about how other states handle similar transparency measures.
Another major topic was H. 4113 on higher education sexual misconduct. Laura G. and Ashley Freeman supported a proposal aimed at preventing “passing the harasser” by requiring disclosure of substantiated findings or departures during open investigations in hiring processes. They said the bill would improve transparency and campus safety while preserving due process, and noted Washington State has a similar law. Members discussed whether the bill should be expanded to K-12 settings and asked about the Washington model’s effectiveness. The committee also heard from Mike Canavan of AFT Massachusetts in support of a bill to create a grant program for librarians to earn a master’s in library science, noting the credential is required for the profession but is not offered by any public institution in Massachusetts. No votes were taken, and the hearing concluded after all scheduled witnesses testified.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- And we're seeing what degree goes where.
- Is it a majority or two-thirds to raise tuition? Yeah, I think it was the two-thirds vote.
- Two-thirds vote. It doesn't happen very often. That's my point.
- And while I have a lot of degrees, law is not one of them.
- And that's a two-thirds vote. And that is a two-thirds vote. Okay.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Higher Education Funding Review Committee Jun 3rd, 2026 at 09:00 am
Higher Education Funding Review Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- The third category that we talked...
- , the board shall multiply the number of degree completions by $2,000 for each bachelor's degree.
- For a health sciences degree, yes, nursing degree.
- or every bachelor's degree, master's degree, doctorate, et cetera.
- There's a dollar amount for every associate degree or every bachelor's degree, master's degree, doctorate
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Jan 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And then our third-ranking budget is our transportation and economic development silo with 15% of the
- And then our third ranking budget is our transportation and economic development silo with 15% of the
- The third item here is paying down tax-supported debt.
- they are completing those degrees, that they're able to utilize those degrees after completing them?
- Those degrees after completing it?
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee first took up SB 7010, which would authorize Roth contributions in state and local deferred compensation plans. Senator Mayfield explained that current law only allows pre-tax contributions, and the bill would let the Department of Financial Services and local governments offer post-tax Roth options. The bill had one support appearance card, no debate, and was reported favorably by roll call vote.
The committee then received a lengthy presentation from the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget on the governor’s recommended “Floridians First” budget, totaling $117.4 billion and $53.2 billion in general revenue. The presentation highlighted reserves, debt paydown, tax relief, and proposed reductions and efficiencies, along with major spending areas in education, health care, public safety, corrections, transportation, and economic development. Key proposals included higher K-12 funding, teacher salary increases, funding for Everglades and water quality projects, emergency preparedness, corrections staffing and facility funding, cybersecurity, law enforcement recruitment bonuses, and affordable housing and infrastructure investments.
Members asked extensive questions about property tax reserves, litigation funding, emergency response fund balances and spending, the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility and federal reimbursement, the Second Amendment sales tax holiday, animal abuse hotline funding, Hope Florida, corrections staffing, and teacher pay. A major portion of the discussion focused on the Department of Health’s planned changes to the ADAP HIV medication program, with senators and a public witness expressing concern about access to life-saving medications and possible misuse or redirection of funds. The committee did not take further action on the budget presentation, and the meeting ended after additional comments supporting the budget and the corrections funding, with SB 7010 already approved.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And so we're mindful of the degree to which we're shedding those now.
- She viewed the video, indicted him with the grand jury, they upgraded it to a third-degree felony, so
- degree as the arrest she viewed the video indicted him with the grand jury they upgraded it to a third
- I think there's a refresh position in A through F in the third year.
- I think there's a refresh position in A through F in the third year.
Keywords:
district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations
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.