Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to introduce and welcome students from the Young Entrepreneur Program at Kiyuki High School
• I would like to welcome students from the agricultural program at Wipahu High School.
• , which is a 12-week program that examines what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur.
• , which is a 12-week to Mck program, which is a 12-week program<00:04:07.680><c> that</c><00:04:08.000
• that examines what it takes to program that examines what it takes to become<00:04:10.319><c> a</c><

Bills: HB9 , SB2069 , SB2342 , SB2861 , SB3123 , SB2623 , SB585 , SB2211 , SB2446 , SB2919 , SB2125 , SB2116 , SB2999 , SB2656 , SB2001 , SB3169

Keywords: HB9, Hawaii Purple Heart state, Purple Heart, Purple Heart recipients, veterans, military, armed forces, service members, combat wounded, war veterans, military honors, state designation, symbolic legislation, honorary designation, Chapter 5 HRS, Hawaii Revised Statutes, military appreciation, veteran recognition, SB2069, Hawaii housing

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you are here for the Black History Program, will you please stand?
• So if you are here for the Black History Program, will you please stand?
• So members, You will have to head down to floor two to hear them after this program.
• Up there, we have a number of schools that are represented here with FCCLA programs.
• And this doesn't change the mission of the program.

Bills: SR29 , SB667 , SB1466 , SB1942 , SB1989 , SB1670 , SB1716 , SB1521 , SB1273 , SB1433 , HJR1032 , SB1969 , SB1953 , SB1277 , SB1287 , SB1061 , SB1916 , SB1589 , SB2178 , SB1444 , SB1438 , SB1501 , SB1873 , SB1364

Keywords: Black History Month, Black Oklahomans, civil rights, Tulsa Race Massacre, Greenwood, Jim Crow, segregation, all-Black towns, Boley, Langston University, Clara Luper, NAACP Youth Council, Oklahoma Civil Rights Trail, Black history, African American history, racial justice, commemorative resolution, Black excellence, state history, heritage month

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, and then spent much of the session on recognitions and floor introductions. The chamber honored the undefeated Jones High School Longhorns football team for winning the Class 2A-I state championship, recognized Miss Oklahoma 2025 Tessa Darrell, and celebrated the Murray State College bass fishing team for winning its second consecutive national title. The Senate also adopted SR-29, a resolution recognizing February as Black History Month and highlighting Black Oklahomans’ history, civil rights contributions, and achievements; the resolution passed without opposition. The Senate then took up several bills. SB 667, requested by the Board of Chiropractic Examiners, updates chiropractic licensure language, moves to an online licensure portal, and repeals an obsolete consultant position; it passed 45-0. SB 1466 extends the sunset date for the advisory committee on midwifery to 2036; it passed 41-4 and was advanced as an emergency measure. SB 1942, dealing with dental insurance and provider pricing for services not reimbursed by insurance, prompted extended debate over free-market principles, patient costs, and insurance contract limits; it passed 40-3. SB 1989 modernizes the Oklahoma College Savings Plan by allowing contributions through digital payment platforms such as Venmo, Cash App, PayPal, Zelle, and digital wallets; it passed 44-0. The Senate also heard gallery introductions for FCCLA students, including the Bristow chapter and Adair High School students, and welcomed former Senator Judy Easton McIntyre for Black History Month events. Committee and floor announcements followed, including upcoming meetings of Business and Insurance, Administrative Rules, and Technology and Telecommunications. The chamber then adjourned until Monday, February 23, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• guidelines and selection criteria necessary to effectuate or implement programs that are funded by the
• Program, or TIRCP.
• I think it would be very dependent on the specific program to which you are referring.
• In the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program, it's a competitive program administered by the California
• And the securitization of the loan is through the State Transit Assistance Program.

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you move down to production and programming, so we've the Duck Club production and talent, that's
• The A250 subcommittee, we've got our requests on there as a part of the ambassador program, and I will
• She will talk about the ambassador program because there are some updates there. Updates there.
• Funds related to the ambassador programs will be managed by the treasurer's office.
• But thank you, Representative Mitchell, and everyone who attended. program and it is already robustly

Summary: The America 250 and Idaho Advisory Council met to approve prior minutes and authorize several funding items tied to Idaho’s 250th anniversary celebrations. Members approved January 19 minutes and a reimbursement of up to $20,882 to the State Superintendent of Public Education for additional Spirit of U.S. box materials for schools. They also approved a broader America 250 budget proposal that includes the July 4 Capitol celebration, ambassador programs, and authority to solicit and accept private donations, with funds to be managed separately by the treasurer’s office and the A250 subcommittee. Representative Galaviz and Treasurer Ellsworth outlined plans for the July 4 celebration at the Capitol and Cecil Andrus Park, including a parade, concert, bands, family activities, and open Capitol offices and exhibits. They described cost-sharing with the We the People parade organizers, who are covering most parade-related expenses, and discussed related projects such as the Liberty Bell carriage, go bags for ambassador materials, the Veterans Mustang Ride, challenge coins, heritage fountain plans, flags across Idaho, Liberty quilts, and the service challenge. The treasurer reported strong statewide participation, including 1,100 ambassadors across cities, counties, businesses, schools, and veterans groups, and noted that service challenge participation had surpassed 11,000 acts. Director Gallimore gave a task force update on statewide and national America 250 efforts, including the Idaho Lottery’s planned scratch ticket, the Moments That Made Us downloadable exhibit, Reading the Republic, the Four Score exhibit opening, and a complementary exhibit later in March. She also noted coordination for events at Signature Point and the Old Pen, and said the museum would be open on July 4 with free admission. Hannah Laurie Hine reported on federal America 250 initiatives such as the White House’s Freedom Truck mobile museums, the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., a prayer-focused event, the Presidential 1776 Award civics contest, and other national story-collection and volunteer efforts. The committee agreed to meet again on March 9 and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you move down to production and programming, so we've the Duck Club production and talent—that's the
• That is something that the ambassador programs are already doing and the treasurer is already doing with
• She will talk about the ambassador program because there are some updates there. Updates there.
• Funds related to the ambassador programs will be managed by the treasurer's office.
• Any remaining funds and donated dollars shall be used for the continued support of the ambassador programs

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The America 250 and Idaho Advisory Council approved the January 19 minutes and also approved reimbursement of up to $20,882 to the state superintendent for additional materials for Spirit of U.S. boxes for schools. The committee then reviewed a financial update and heard a detailed subcommittee report on plans for Idaho’s July 4, 2026 celebration at the Capitol, including a parade, park activities, bands, family stations, and open Capitol access. Members discussed cost-sharing with the We the People group, with the committee approving a proposed America 250 budget of $196,600 that includes the July 4 celebration and America 250 ambassador programs, authorizes private donations, and directs how remaining funds should be used for regional and county events later in the year. Treasurer Julie Ellsworth reported on the ambassador program, including staffing needs, the growing number of Spuds appearances statewide, and plans for six “go bags” so materials can travel to communities even when the mascots are unavailable. She also described the proposed Liberty Bell carriage, which would debut on July 4 and then travel to every county, along with related efforts such as the Veterans Mustang Ride, challenge coins, a heritage fountain, flags across Idaho, Liberty quilts, and the “Bring Idaho’s Liberty Bell Home” fundraising effort. Committee members praised the work and noted strong public engagement and social media response. The Governor’s Task Force report highlighted the America 250 website, voice-recording project, Idaho Lottery scratch ticket partnership, downloadable “Moments That Made Us” exhibit, and the upcoming “Four Score” and “United We Celebrate” exhibits. Director Gallimore also noted coordination with the BLM and Transportation Department for events at Signature Point and the Old Pen. Hannah Laurie Hine provided a national update on White House and congressional commission initiatives, including mobile museums, the Great American State Fair, a prayer-focused event on the National Mall, the Presidential 1776 Award civics contest, and other reflection and volunteer projects. The committee agreed to meet again on March 9 and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our general fund is mostly funds are EPMO program.
• that are needed for all of the, you know, public programs that we have."
• It does not mandate new programs.
• It simply asks the state to study the issue and bring back..." "...mandate new programs, it simply asks
• The New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs, and various providers, law enforcement agencies,

Bills: SB132 , SM16 , SM17

Committee: Senate House Rules & Order Of Business

Keywords: SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement, technology funding, revolving fund, capital equipment, enterprise services, state IT budgeting, software budgeting, amortization, depreciation, State Treasurer, Department of Finance and Administration, New Mexico, information technology, IT infrastructure, fund accounting, legislative appropriation

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 132, a Department of Information Technology modernization measure sponsored by Senator Padilla. The bill would update state IT statutes to explicitly include software and cloud-based services alongside hardware and equipment, with the goal of improving planning, procurement, security, and efficiency. Secretary Manny Budettas said the change would help modernize secure services, reduce emergency fixes, and better align state purchasing with current software-as-a-service models. Members asked about centralized integration across branches of government, cybersecurity protections, the revolving fund, and agency billing; the bill was reported out with a do pass on the committee substitute. The committee then considered Senate Memorial 16, which asks Higher Education to convene a task force on parenting students in New Mexico’s higher education system. Senator Harmeo and witnesses described barriers such as child care, transportation, flexible scheduling, and financial hardship, and said the memorial would gather data and recommendations rather than create a new program. Members discussed how the survey would be administered, whether it would include full-time and part-time students, and how online or out-of-state students would be handled; the memorial was approved with a do pass. Finally, the committee heard Senate Memorial 17, sponsored by Senator Lopez, directing DPS and the New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs to study the current state of sexual assault examination kits. Witnesses reviewed the 2016 task force that addressed a backlog of more than 5,000 untested kits and said a new backlog of 1,419 kits is now beyond the 180-day testing target. Members expressed strong concern about the delays, asked about lab capacity, possible use of private or additional labs, and the lack of penalties for missing the deadline. The memorial passed with a do pass, and the committee then recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• But specifically, Florida law already directs patriotic programs in schools.
• We allow school districts to adopt rules to require programs of patriotic nature to encourage greater
• But specifically, Florida law already directs patriotic programs in schools.
• We allow school districts to adopt rules to require programs of patriotic nature to encourage greater
• It creates the Autism Education Loan Forgiveness Program, and I'm so excited about this.

Summary: The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee met with a quorum and took up several bills. SB 420, by Senator Burgess, would require George Washington and Abraham Lincoln portraits to be prominently displayed in social studies classrooms and K-5 classrooms, with the Department of Education selecting the portraits. Supporters framed the bill as a patriotic and educational measure tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary, while senators raised concerns about exclusivity, precedent, local control, and whether the measure could be expanded politically. Burgess said the bill was intended to be nonpartisan, historically rooted, and not to affect curriculum, and he committed to seeking funding so it would not be an unfunded mandate. The committee reported SB 420 favorably. The committee then considered CS for SB 206, by Senator Harrell, which revises teacher preparation and training related to autism spectrum disorder. The strike-all amendment requires teacher preparation programs to include autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities, requires ESE-certified teachers to complete an autism microcredential by August 1, 2027, creates an Autism Education Loan Forgiveness Program, authorizes salary supplements and stipends, and requires district professional development to include autism-specific training with local CARD centers. Senators asked about implementation timelines, grandfathering current teachers, and whether the endorsement requirement should include a grace period; Harrell said she was open to further discussion and wanted to make the bill workable. Public testimony was largely supportive, including from an Orange County Public Schools representative and a parent of a child with autism. The committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee considered CS for SB 556, by Senator Berman, which allows students with disabilities to satisfy the high school physical education requirement by participating in Special Olympics for one year if included in the student’s IEP. An amendment also clarified that two years of marching band participation satisfies both PE and fine/performing arts credit requirements. Testimony supported the bill as an inclusive option that could reduce administrative burdens and give students more flexibility. The committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also voted to recommend confirmation of appointees in tabs 4 through 7, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• and signed into law last year to allow Los Angeles County and Alameda County to implement a pilot program
• AB 647 is a rushed and premature expansion of a program that went into effect only 11 days ago.
• and before we understand the impact on our most vulnerable neighbors, AB 647 seeks to expand this program
• AB 647 seeks to expand this program from two county entities to over 100 local and state agencies.
• And through these pilot programs, what do you hope AB 1421 is going to do to move this issue forward?

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee met and first took up AB 1091 on consent, which passed without discussion. The committee then heard AB 647 by Assemblymember Gonzalez, a cleanup/clarifying bill related to last year’s AB 630 pilot program for Los Angeles and Alameda Counties allowing local agencies to dispose of low-value, inoperable RVs that are public safety or environmental hazards. The author and supporters said the bill would clarify which local jurisdictions can use the pilot and help address abandoned RVs, while opponents argued it was a premature expansion that could destroy people’s only shelter and create a patchwork of local rules. Despite the opposition, the bill was approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 1421, which would create a research and information process around California’s long-term transportation funding challenges and possible road user charge or mileage-based funding options. The author and sponsor argued that declining gas-tax revenue from more fuel-efficient and zero-emission vehicles is making the system less stable and less equitable, and that the bill would support a transparent, research-driven transition without imposing a new tax. Many local government, labor, business, and industry groups testified in support, while no opposition speakers came forward during the hearing. Members raised questions about equity, rural drivers, privacy, double taxation, and whether any future revenue would be dedicated to transportation infrastructure; the author said the bill was intended to inform future decisions, not set a tax policy now. AB 1421 passed on a 12-1 vote and was re-referred to Appropriations, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• we ensure that students are receiving the benefits of high quality, purposeful physical education programs
• So we began to do programs to get people active and healthy.
• What's worse, to survive financially, the meal program is forced to sell sugary drinks and ultra-processed
• , a voluntary program that presents key nutritional information on the front of packaging, facilitating
• Senator Miles, I know you're concerned about the school lunch program. Yes, ma'am.

Bills: SB 25 , SB 314

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: nutrition, health standards, food labeling, education, dietary guidelines, medical education, food safety, school meals, child nutrition, food additives, public health

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the program you just talked about, what is the average price of a house in that program that you
• They're piloting a program.
• They're piloting a program.
• So, the interlibrary loan program that I think you’re referencing is a federally funded program.
• loan program.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 733, a third-party litigation financing reporting bill. Representative Cole explained that the bill shifts reporting from the Secretary of State to the courts, which he said removes the fiscal note and helps insurers obtain information for underwriting and premium-setting. The committee accepted the explanation and voted ought to pass; the roll call was 8-0 in favor, with one member taking a pause. The committee then heard House Bill 219, dealing with the renewable portfolio standard and the renewable energy fund. Representative Bose argued the bill would reduce electricity costs by lowering the REC purchase obligation from 220,000 to 170,000, which he said would reduce payments into the renewable energy fund by roughly $1 million to $2 million and save consumers only pennies a month. After questions about timing and whether to wait for a DOE report, the committee voted to retain the bill for further discussion rather than advance it; the motion to retain passed 5-4. House Bill 365 was then discussed as an election-related bill intended to help verify citizenship for voter registration and create a voucher process for people who cannot afford a birth certificate. The sponsor said the Secretary of State may be able to use federal and state databases to verify citizenship, and if not, indigent applicants could receive a voucher reimbursed by the state, with a $25,000 appropriation included. Members raised concerns about the Secretary of State’s access to databases and the bill’s timing and cost, and the committee decided to hold the bill until Secretary Scanlan could come testify. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 552, which updates retiree health coverage rules so dependent children can remain on the plan until age 26, consistent with the Affordable Care Act. DAS officials said retirees pay the full cost for dependents, about $1,000 per month, while the state covers only the retiree and spouse. The committee voted ought to pass unanimously, 9-0. The committee then began discussion of House Bill 572, a housing bill aimed at missing-middle housing, describing a voluntary program to identify developable public land, support construction, and streamline review, but the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our biggest challenge legislatively has been how to fund the program.
• So it has worked well, and the program is successful down there.
• Like a captive insurance program through the state.
• The Commission decided that we could do this program in-house.
• Right now, Connecticut finally started a testing program.

Bills: S3091 , H5477

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Keywords: crumbling concrete, pyrite, pyrrhotite, homeowner assistance, financial relief, CEDAC, construction, insurance surcharge, foundation repair, Massachusetts

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a public hearing on two late-file matters, centered on S. 3091, a bill to create relief for homeowners affected by the crumbling concrete/pyrrhotite crisis. Senator Peter Durant presented the bill as a way to establish a crumbling concrete assistance fund, administered by CEDAC, to help replace failing foundations and reimburse homeowners who already paid out of pocket. He said the proposal follows recommendations from a state commission and would be funded by a $6 fee on homeowner/condo insurance policies and a $6-per-cubic-yard surcharge on concrete, with the goal of spreading costs broadly rather than placing them on homeowners alone. Several affected homeowners testified about severe financial and emotional harm, including expensive foundation replacements, lost equity, inability to sell or refinance, and long delays in getting help. Homeowners Karen Riani, Michelle Iglesi, Karen Bellotti, and Russell Dupierre described living with homes that became unsellable or unaffordable to repair, and urged the committee to move the bill forward. Committee members asked about inspection practices, whether pyrrhotite can be detected during home sales, whether the bill would ban pyrrhotite, and how much funding the program would need. Witnesses said the problem is broader than originally understood, affecting at least 52 municipalities, and that the only fix is full foundation replacement. They also said the bill includes training and education for inspectors, but does not ban pyrrhotite outright because the issue is now being addressed through quarry testing and material controls. Representatives of the concrete industry, including Craig Dauphinay, Karen Marshall, and Guy Glottis, said they support homeowner relief and the creation of a fund, but strongly opposed the concrete surcharge. They argued the industry has already taken significant steps, including supporting state testing and regulation of aggregate sources, and said the surcharge would unfairly assign blame, raise costs for residential, municipal, and infrastructure projects, and create cross-border competitiveness issues with neighboring states. They favored a Connecticut-style model funded primarily through insurance assessments, noting that Connecticut’s program has been successful and that Massachusetts could adopt a similar approach. No vote was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, is this program or in this resolution really called for if that program still exists, which could
• program program it<00:20:21.880><c> potentially</c><00:20:22.440><c> could</c><00:20:22.640><c> interfere
• For them maybe their lower cost program.
• So, you higher than this program costs.
• </c><00:44:41.760><c> that</c> like to see the previous program that like to see the previous program

Bills: HCR18 , HCR32 , HCR35 , HCR105 , HCR173

Committee: House Health

Keywords: hospice, health care, aging population, regulations, Medicare, working group, fraud prevention, quality of care, mental health, recidivism, civil commitment, Hawaii State Hospital, justice system, shelter, treatment pathways, biomarker testing, health insurance, precision medicine, healthcare access, medical necessity

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SCR 21 SD1, which asks Hawaii Health Systems Corporation’s East Hawaii Regional Health Care System to study the feasibility of a rural health clinic or similar access point for the Volcano community. Testimony in strong support came from HHSC representatives, Volcano residents, the Volcano Health Collaborative, the Rotary Club of Volcano, and others, who said the area has a clear need and that local primary and urgent care would align with regional plans. HHSC said it had already looked at the area, found no suitable temporary buildings, and would need a longer-term, capital-intensive solution, but that the study could help accelerate next steps. The committee then took up SCR 50 SD1, proposing a Hawaii Health Plan Working Group to design a basic affordable health plan for residents. Dr. Jack Lewin of SHIPTA said the state faces a growing uninsured population and argued for a short-term, lower-cost plan focused on preventive and primary care, drawing on the old State Health Insurance Plan as a possible model. Members asked about whether that prior program still exists and whether the working group should include the Hawaii Medical Association and Hawaii Primary Care Association; Dr. Lewin said the statute still exists but is unfunded, and that the group should be inclusive. The Department of Labor and other organizations also provided comments. For SCR 75 SD1, which urges a coordinated interdepartmental effort to reduce fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, Dr. Lewin and others said prevention, prenatal screening, and early intervention are needed because FASD is often hidden until later problems appear. Amanda from Hawaii FASD Action Group said current implementation under Act 192 is still largely a landscape analysis and that Hawaii lacks the infrastructure and specialists for a full system. Darlene Chance Govor urged adding the judiciary as a partner so juvenile justice and probation staff can be trained and referral pathways improved, while the Department of Health said it supports prevention but prefers a broader, systems-based approach focused on child needs and upstream care. The Disability Rights Center supported the resolution and asked for an earlier reporting date. The committee also heard SCR 149 SD1, which seeks an informal working group to address complex patients with multiple diagnoses involving substance use, mental health, or chronic physical illness. The Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition and Ke Nui Malo strongly supported the measure, saying current siloed systems leave people bouncing between medical, mental health, and substance use providers without coordinated care, often ending up in crisis, emergency rooms, or the justice system. They said integrated residential care and a coordinated working group could improve outcomes and align with federal funding opportunities. The transcript ended before any final vote or action on the measures was announced, and SCR 109 was noted as withdrawn from the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is why the Dogwood program is so important.
• It also requires the EDD... ...with the program and making it permanent.
• It also requires the EDD, which administers the program, to analyze the pilot program and make recommendations
• It's understood that this is a pilot program with the looming deadline.
• My coworker Wilfredo Cruz, who used this program to try. Future.

Committee: House Labor and Employment

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When he was a junior in high school, I did find a program—now programs—that did help him.
• When he was a junior in high school, I did find a program—now programs—that did help him.
• He did the same program.
• The device itself is only part of the program.
• Programs like this transform lives.

Committee: House General Laws

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on House Bill 3070, a firearms-related bill. Representative Koslow argued the bill was not truly Second Amendment friendly, saying it could block return of stolen firearms, expose taxpayers to large payouts, and harm firearm dealers. Representative Greg said local law enforcement did not support it. The committee then voted 3 ayes and 9 noes, and HB 3070 failed to be reported do pass. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 2904, which would expand animal mistreatment law to include starvation and add a House committee substitute addressing false reports of animal abuse. Representative Don Mayhew said the bill responds to cases of animals left chained and neglected, and supporters from the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Humane World for Animals, and the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation backed the measure. No opposition testimony was offered. The bulk of the meeting focused on House Bill 2933, which would allow school districts in St. Louis County to withdraw from the Special School District of St. Louis County through board action and a local vote. The sponsor and supporters, including Lindbergh officials, parents, and an attorney, said the current SSD structure is too rigid, lacks accountability, and can fail to meet students’ individualized needs; they cited service delays, litigation, and concerns raised by families. Opponents, including SSD administrators, superintendents, parents, and advocates, said SSD provides specialized services that many districts could not replicate, warned the bill could fragment services and create instability, and pointed to the countywide history and existing review mechanisms for SSD. The hearing ended without a vote on HB 2933.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's also an incentive program that Union Pacific has to contribute money to close a crossing.
• Four state-level programs are in place, and eight are in active development.
• Canada has a program both nationally and provincially and British Columbia, inspired by California.
• The monitoring programs are developed through our local air district's local rule process.
• The monitoring programs are developed through our local air district's local rule.

Summary: The committee heard SB 872, which would direct $150 million annually each for Central Valley subsidence repairs and Delta levee work. Senator McNerney and supporters from Restore the Delta, the State Water Contractors, and many water agencies, labor groups, environmental organizations, and local governments argued the bill is urgent to protect water delivery for 27 million Californians, safeguard levees and state assets, and address climate-related flood risks. There was no opposition testimony, and members asked about the bill’s focus on state-owned conveyance; the author said the distinction reflects the separate state and federal water projects. The bill was held while the committee lacked a quorum, with no vote taken at that point. The committee then heard SB 981, which would require CARB to include cost-of-living impacts in its existing regulatory analysis for major rules. Senator Niello and supporters from agriculture, manufacturing, business, propane, restaurants, and commercial property groups said the bill would improve transparency about how regulations affect gasoline, electricity, food, housing, and business costs. Opponents, including Coalition for Clean Air and the Union of Concerned Scientists, argued it would add delay, cost, and redundant analysis to CARB rulemaking and could not reliably measure the effects the bill seeks to capture. Committee members raised concerns that CARB already estimates costs, that the bill is burdensome and narrow, and that it does not fully account for benefits or the role of other agencies. No vote was recorded in the transcript. SB 887, by Senator Padilla, would require data center projects to undergo CEQA review while creating a streamlined path for projects meeting strong environmental, labor, and community-benefit criteria, including zero-carbon electricity, on-site storage, recycled water or water-efficient cooling, and full cost responsibility for grid upgrades. Supporters said data centers are rapidly expanding, can strain energy and water resources, and should be held to clear standards while still allowing beneficial development; labor and environmental groups backed the measure. Opponents from the Data Center Coalition, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, and business groups said the bill is overly prescriptive, discriminatory toward one industry, and could drive investment and jobs out of state. After discussion, the committee established a quorum and voted 3-1 to pass SB 887 as amended to the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee, with the bill kept on call. The committee also heard SB 1008, which would renew a CEQA exemption for the closure of at-grade rail crossings ordered by the California Public Utilities Commission. Senator Ochoa Bogh and Union Pacific testified that the measure would help the state act quickly on rail safety by removing redundant environmental review for crossing closures, while still requiring collaboration with local jurisdictions and the PUC. There was support from railroad and business representatives and no opposition. The committee voted 4-0 to pass SB 1008 to the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee, and the bill was kept on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• I support that program having a dedicated amount of funding under this bond.
• And in fact, if we don't pass a bond, then all these programs have no money, right?
• And there's really good work that is happening under that program.
• This is not a million dollar per unit subsidy in this program.
• We need to have more funding in these programs. It's how we fund them.

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• programs.
• Those are being addressed by our drinking water program or by our remediation program depending on the
• In terms of biosolids, it'll be a different program from the remediation program that is the basis of
• Are promulgated, that moves into our programs as well.
• The permitting program. Our program does not go out and take samples and do testing.

Bills: HB1341 , HB1674 , HB4028 , SB2321

Committee: House Environmental Regulation

Keywords: hydrogen sulfide, public health, environmental regulation, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, ground level concentrations, emissions limit, emissions limits, ground-level concentrations, air quality, PFAS, agriculture, environmental protection, health risks, criminal offense, chemical regulation, preproduction plastic, water quality, pollution control, industrial waste, emissions

Transcript Highlights:

• -hour internship at the end of their undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
• No one wants me setting curriculum for a welding program or an engineering program.
• I moved to Texas in 2012 to join a graduate program at UT Austin for software engineering.
• . to help the program get accreditation.
• I'm an affiliate of the Jewish Studies Program, and I've chaired two academic departments.

Bills: SB 37

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: fetal development, education, public health curriculum, middle school, age-appropriate instruction, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Military families already are able to be in the voucher program.
• They don't have to use the universal program. They can go into the first program.
• disqualify students who are currently participating in the program lawfully.
• The first thing I mentioned earlier is that the program currently has no income cap.
• people who already have the program?

Committee: Joint Legislative Council

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've done a lot of programs, put together a lot of programs to support our folks with disabilities and
• We've done a lot of programs, put together a lot of programs to support our folks with disabilities throughout
• waiver program, continues to exist.
• Is the student in a, does it matter what program the student is in?
• No, it doesn't matter which program they're in. No, it doesn't matter which program they're in.

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of bills, beginning with several measures that were amended and reported favorably, including a strike-all to SB 4 on child protective investigations and specific medical diagnoses, SB 1570 restoring a statewide missing-persons project for individuals with special needs, and SB 182 creating a teacher training and mentoring program for schools needing improvement. Members also advanced SB 794 on APD background screening and support coordination standards, SB 1168 on background screening for athletic coaches and related entities, and SB 214 to let rural special districts pay verified invoices directly for state- and federally funded work. Supporters emphasized improved child welfare investigations, help for families of vulnerable individuals, teacher retention, and better administrative efficiency; the APD bill drew especially strong testimony from waiver clients and providers about the importance of competent support coordinators and stable services. The committee also favorably reported SB 1376 on grants for genetic counseling education, SB 1574 requiring newborn screening for biliary atresia, SB 1510 as the DEP agency package with environmental, septic, water quality, solar, and permitting changes, and SB 598 updating funeral and cemetery licensing and consumer protections. SB 688, after a delete-all amendment, would create licensure for naturopathic doctors and a board of naturopathic medicine; it drew strong support from naturopathic advocates and sharp opposition from a critic who argued the bill would authorize diagnosis and treatment beyond appropriate limits. SB 1318 made a technical change to scholarship account reversion language, with senators clarifying that remaining funds would return to the scholarship funding organization for future use rather than to the state. Later, the committee approved SB 682 on domestic violence and protective injunctions, SB 130 on workforce training for current and former inmates, and SB 1548, the latest Live Local Act iteration expanding affordable housing options and limiting local barriers. It also reported favorably SB 536 on criminal gang membership criteria after extensive debate about constitutional issues and modern gang activity, SB 762 allowing cross-jurisdiction assignment of capital cases among regional conflict counsel offices, SB 1332 strengthening career offender registration requirements, SB 1742 creating a new offense for indecent exposure of sexual organs to a minor, and SB 1750 increasing penalties for serious sex offenses and child sexual abuse material crimes. The most contentious discussion came on SB 1226, which would overhaul Public Employee Relations Commission rules, require majority support for union certification, and impose new limits on union activities and dues-related practices; members debated constitutional concerns, differences between first responders and other public employees, and the bill’s impact on union representation and public-sector labor rights. Most bills were reported favorably by roll call, with SB 536 drawing several no votes and SB 1226 still under active debate at the end of the transcript.