Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, I'd like to move House File 979. Okay, our next item of business is House File 979.
• File 979 and House File 1101.
• File 979 and House File 1101.
• File 979 and House File 1101.
• I'm here today to testify on House File 605 in support of House File 601 and House File 271.

Bills: HF601 , HF271 , HF1101 , HF979

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: agriculture, depredation compensation, livestock, crop damage, elk, wolves, wildlife management, skills path program, career and technical education, CTE, dual credit, postsecondary options enrollment, apprenticeship, apprenticeship readiness, dual training, work-based learning, career pathways, skilled trades, workforce development, high school to career

Transcript Highlights:

• The current authority permitting courts to conduct remote proceedings is set to expire at the end of
• It stays there with the house.
• permits.
• I'm the Director of Housing Services for the Sacramento LGBT Community Center.
• I'm the Director of Housing Services for the Sacramento LGBT Community Center.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The likely downstream effects are increased unemployment and housing instability.
• It stays there with the house.
• It stays there with the house.
• permits.
• I'm the Director of Housing Services for the Sacramento LGBT Community Center.

Summary: The subcommittee met to hear budget-related updates from the Judicial Branch and the Office of Emergency Services, with no votes taken. The Judicial Council supported the Governor’s proposed budget, highlighting $70 million for increased trial court operating costs, additional funding for court-appointed counsel, Court of Appeal case processing, and courthouse construction and facilities. Trial court representatives emphasized staffing retention problems, especially in counties like San Bernardino, and said stable funding is needed to avoid delays and maintain access to justice. Members also discussed the branch’s remote proceedings program, which has been used in more than 6 million hearings statewide since 2022 and was described as especially important in rural areas and for vulnerable litigants; several members urged making the authority permanent rather than extending it temporarily. A major portion of the hearing focused on Proposition 36 implementation. Finance said the Governor’s budget maintains the $130 million provided in the 2025 Budget Act for court workload and pretrial services, but adds no new Prop. 36 court funding. Judicial Council staff reported nearly 35,000 felony Prop. 36 filings in 2025, with most cases still pending and only a small share of treatment-mandated cases already dismissed after treatment. Witnesses said courts are using the funds for staffing, coordinators, clerks, and treatment-court operations, but that workload varies widely by county and that data collection is limited because courts report aggregate information rather than case-level outcomes. The LAO raised a technical concern about the Department of Finance’s Prop. 47 savings estimate and recommended revising the methodology at May Revision. The committee also reviewed the Orange Central Justice Center facility modification project, where the Judicial Council explained that hidden construction deficiencies and fire-life-safety issues caused costs to rise substantially after demolition began. The LAO said the project itself was supportable but recommended that the Legislature set an ongoing funding level for court facilities, require a long-term facilities plan, and consider more oversight of facility modification projects. Finance said it continues to fund courthouse projects individually and through the State Public Works Board, while acknowledging project delays and cost increases. Finally, Cal OES and advocates discussed victim services funding. Cal OES said it administers about $315 million annually for victim service programs, including VOCA-funded services, but federal VOCA allocations have fluctuated sharply and the state has used one-time General Fund backfills to maintain services. Trauma recovery center advocates warned that an 85% reduction in funding would sharply reduce services for survivors of violent crime, while human trafficking advocates urged reauthorization of the Human Trafficking Victim Assistance Program before funding reverts to pre-pandemic levels in July 2026. Members asked about federal and state funding stability, referral pathways, and the long-term value of these programs in preventing worse outcomes and reducing public costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> relative to accessible parking permit relative to accessible parking permit verification<00:54:53.920
• that does not require our house that does not require inspection?
• Now, because of that, we do have House Bill 2. I mean, 25 years, not 2020.
• House Bill 2. I mean, 25 years, not 2020. Since 2000, our fees have not changed.
• Uh, a House bill to allow fleet registrations... seemed to make sense.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing began with SB 12, which would let certain veterans who already qualify for a disabled veteran license plate use that VA disability determination to obtain a walking disability placard without having to undergo a second physical or submit additional proof. Senator Waters, the prime sponsor, said the bill was prompted by a constituent and would reduce redundant paperwork. Melinda Sims of United Spinal and Leo Pacquin of the State Veterans Advisory Committee both supported the bill, saying veterans already go through an extensive VA certification process and should not have to repeat it for the state. A DMV representative said the department had no known objection and explained that the change would let the placard travel with the veteran in another vehicle. The hearing on SB 12 was then closed. The committee then took up SB 40, which would allow safe boater education certificates to be completed and tested online, rather than requiring an in-person final exam. Representative Coker and Senator Tim Lang described the bill as a cleanup measure to make a COVID-era online process permanent and said it would improve convenience and keep more revenue in New Hampshire. Tom Praol, representing the vendor, said the state lost significant revenue when the online option ended and argued that online proctoring can verify identity and prevent cheating. The New Hampshire Marine Trades Association supported the bill, saying it would help boaters learn New Hampshire-specific laws and keep dollars in-state. The Department of Safety Marine Patrol was neutral: Captain Tim Dunlvy said the current system includes classroom and online coursework followed by an in-person proctored final exam, and he raised concerns about safety, exam integrity, and lower scores in computer-only testing, while noting New Hampshire’s strong boating safety record. Committee members asked about reciprocity, proctoring methods, costs, and crash data, but no vote was taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• For conduct that is permitted by law, is that correct?
• Are we talking about people who are buying houses? Thank you for the question. It's actually both.
• And so, is there any inherent danger to a non-citizen being able to buy a house?
• Having additional people interested in buying houses, does that drive the prices of houses up or down
• And so, eliminating the number of people who can buy houses, so that conceivably could decrease home

Bills: SB2030 , SB1926 , SB2170 , SB2151 , SB2166 , SB1213 , SB1381 , SB1824 , SB1876 , SB1728 , SB1582 , SB1286 , SB1386 , SB1708 , SB1618

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: expungement, record sealing, criminal records, clean slate, automatic expungement, expedited expungement, criminal history, OSBI, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, deferred judgment, delayed sentence, pardon, pardon and parole board, law enforcement records, sealed records, arrest records, conviction records, reclassification of felony to misdemeanor, reentry, second chance

Transcript Highlights:

• The House will be in order.
• </c> billionaires, but not veterans housing. billionaires, but not veterans housing.
• uh the house was made in the uh house uh the house natural<01:11:09.199><c> resources</c><01:11:09.679
• <01:19:05.280><c> House</c><01:19:05.520><c> of</c> enables this this House of enables this this House
• Speaker, my remarks and the House is not in order. >> The House will be in order.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, at the House? You're not? I'm here. I'm here. I'm here. Yes, no, that's... I'm here. I'm here.
• not I'm oh at the house you're not I'm here<00:02:52.959><c> I'm</c><00:02:53.200><c> here</c><00:02
• two months after OSK surveyed my house, because they said they weren’t able to use the data.
• permit only.
• We went to the person's house, um, and turned out to be a false alarm, thankfully.

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing focused on a bill reorganizing Hawaiʻi’s biosecurity and invasive species framework, including moving or renaming responsibilities within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and clarifying the role of the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council (HISC). Testimony from the Hawaiian Invasive Species Council, DLNR, Oʻahu and Big Island invasive species committees, the Sierra Club, farmers, and community members generally agreed that invasive species management is critical, but many opposed consolidating HISC or broader biosecurity functions into a single department. Supporters of the existing interagency model emphasized HISC’s statewide coordination role, its links to DLNR and other agencies, and its ability to fill gaps with federal funding and cross-agency collaboration. Several testifiers raised concerns that the bill could weaken existing authority or create unintended legal and operational problems. The Sierra Club and others warned about possible interstate commerce issues, loss of authority to regulate movement of infested material within an island, and the need to preserve HISC as an independent or elevated coordinating body rather than placing it inside one agency. Community testimony described real-world impacts from little fire ants, coqui frogs, and landscaping-related introductions, and argued that the current system has produced service gaps and duplication when funding or responsibilities shift. One testifier also urged removing hemp movement reporting provisions, saying they do not aid biosecurity and should be treated like other crops. DLNR and Department of Agriculture representatives said they support the overall goal of stronger biosecurity but stressed that invasive species work is broader than agriculture alone. They noted that DOA, DLNR, and other partners each have different missions and capabilities, and that staff safety, terrain, and training matter when responding in remote areas. The department said it was recruiting for new positions, with some of the 44 funded positions still being finalized, and that implementation would require phased rulemaking, standards, training, and outreach. Members asked about the bill’s practical impact, staffing needs, and whether inspectors are prohibited from hiking; the department said no blanket prohibition exists, but staff use judgment based on safety and terrain. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• over 1,300 farms in your area, 120 CSAs in Minnesota where they deliver produce or meat right to your house
• they deliver a produce or meat right to they deliver a produce or meat right to your<00:08:42.200><c> house
• and then uh 375 farmers your house and then uh 375 farmers markets<00:08:45.519><c> and</c><00:08:45.640
• <00:47:46.920><c> is</c><00:47:47.040><c> I</c><00:47:47.160><c> know</c> what the uh the cost per house
• </c> quarantine of the premises uh permitted quarantine of the premises uh permitted milk<01:18:55.280

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The House will be in order.
• If the House rules permitted, I would have offered the motion with an amendment to reverse the Department
• Not Democrats in the House, not Republicans in the House.
• </c> speaker of the House. speaker of the House.
• </c> buy a house. buy a house.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, September 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He was building bachelor officer quarters or housing.
• Using capital authority to build housing there is an incentive.
• It died in the House.
• Turning to page three, Item one, House Bill 1545.
• Okay, and the trend is... ...to build affordable housing.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard the Legislative Budget Board’s overview of the Texas Department of Public Safety’s 2026-27 budget, followed by extensive testimony from DPS leadership. The LBB presentation covered funding and staffing changes across driver license services, facilities, troopers and recruit schools, crime labs, vehicle and aircraft operations, and border security. The recommendations included added support for customer service staffing and trooper hiring, but did not include several DPS exceptional items such as major driver license staffing and technology requests, new regional headquarters in El Paso and San Antonio, and other capital projects. Members also discussed proposed rider changes, including a new rider to lapse unused trooper funding and require reporting after recruit schools. Much of the committee’s questioning focused on driver license operations, where senators criticized long call wait times, low call-answer rates, appointment delays, and what they viewed as an overreliance on adding staff rather than improving processes. DPS and LBB witnesses said the agency is pursuing some technology upgrades, including automation, online pre-population of applications, and appointment-system improvements, but acknowledged that the driver license division remains a major problem area. Senators also raised concerns about whether the 2019 efficiency study led to meaningful changes and whether the agency should consider broader process redesign or even a different administrative structure. Colonel Freeman and other DPS officials then defended the agency’s broader law enforcement and border-security work, emphasizing the need for the Williamson County training academy, the 500 additional troopers funded in prior sessions, and continued support for Operation Lone Star. They described DPS’s role in border interdiction, threat-to-life investigations, oilfield theft cases, Capitol and Alamo security, and highway safety, and said the agency is stretched thin by deployments and overtime. Members asked about border reimbursement possibilities, regional staffing differences, pursuit safety, fleet and aircraft replacement needs, and the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame museum. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Signs are not permitted in the hearing room or at the testifiers' table.
• Signs are not permitted in the back.
• Signs are not permitted in the hearing<00:01:44.320><c> room</c><00:01:44.560><c> or</c><00:01:44.880
• :14:42.160><c> um</c><00:14:42.399><c> service</c> they're housed at specific um service they're housed
• So they aren't only housed cooperative.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I call the House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee to order.
• Specifically, since 1997, state law has permitted DHS to impose sanctions for any reason for which an
• 55.600><c> has</c> Specifically, since 1997, state law has Specifically, since 1997, state law has permitted
• 56.840><c> to</c><01:31:56.960><c> impose</c><01:31:57.480><c> sanctions</c><01:31:58.840><c> for</c> permitted
• DHS to impose sanctions for permitted DHS to impose sanctions for any<01:31:59.280><c> reason</c><01

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> equitable relief as permitted by law. equitable relief as permitted by law.
• </c> representative from House District 61. representative from House District 61.
• So, um, House Bill 75 has passed, and we're moving on to House Bill 41. excused.
• <c> passed</c> House Bill 75 has passed House Bill 75 has passed and<01:41:02.880><c> we're</c><01:41
• Um, I, Joe Webb, from House District 19, am here with House Bill 41, which is to extend the surviving

Bills: HB0098 , HB0075 , HB0041 , HB0101

Committee: House Revenue

Keywords: gun control, Second Amendment, constitutional rights, misdemeanor, law enforcement, virtual currency, kiosk, financial institutions, regulation, Wyoming Money Transmitters Act, penalties, death benefits, retirement, survivor support, public safety, guardianship, monitoring, ward protection, financial independence, case management

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, most, if you're doing a remodel on your house, you might miss it by six months.
• I believe that this committee in the House made it better and more functional.
• Certainly had some good things in it, and I will say that I believe that this committee in the House
• Ensuring that we can bring those finances in-house makes sure that those costs are not being carried
• House Bill 3824 requires the adoption of fire safety standards.

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• off of like US Highway 421, which is a federal highway, go across a low-water bridge to get to their house
• bridge to get um go across a low-water bridge to get to<00:15:16.080><c> their</c><00:15:16.360><c> house
• </c> to their house because it'll be flooded. to their house because it'll be flooded.
• what 261 does is it clarifies that so everybody knows what the duties and responsibilities are, and permits

Committee: Senate State & Local Government

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:10 Attendance Roll Call: 00:15 SB 133 Discussion: 00:52 SB 133 Vote: 05:01 SB 226 Discussion: 06:10 SB 226 Vote: 09:36 SJR 62 Discussion: 10:22 SJR 62 Vote: 12:55 SB 261 Discussion: 13:42 SB 261 Vote: 18:19 SB 262 Discussion: 19:10 SB 262 Vote: 26:36 Adjournment: 28:02, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, Secretary McGrane can explain this process a lot better and in more detail than I, if the time permits
• Their song is created on Thursday, this Thursday in the House and the Senate.
• And with the White House Task Force and what is now called Freedom 250.
• The one thing I wanted to mention with regard to the White House and Freedom 250 was an activity that
• The one thing I wanted to mention with regard to the White House and Freedom 250 was an activity that

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee approved minutes from October 21, 2025, and after discussion and a recorded no vote from Treasurer Ellsworth, also approved the December 19, 2025 minutes. Members then received an America 250 financial update showing commemorative fund balances, grant spending, and remaining unobligated funds, followed by a subcommittee discussion about Jane Palacki’s contract. The committee clarified and then approved a motion to retain her on an as-needed basis at $125 per hour, not to exceed $8,600 per month, to help with approved projects by the committee chairs. Updates were provided on several America 250 initiatives. Secretary McGrane and Treasurer Ellsworth discussed Celebration Fund grants, the Foundations of Freedom Tour, and a proposed July 4th Capitol celebration tied to the Boise parade, with stages, exhibits, vendors, and performances planned around the Capitol grounds and rotunda. Treasurer Ellsworth also reported on ambassador programs, the Liberty Bell, flags, quilts, the Heritage Fountain, and a service challenge, and the committee extended $30,000 in spending authority for ambassador programs. The committee later approved grant disbursements for multiple counties and cities. The Institute for Advancing American Values presented a civics curriculum initiative with the State Board of Education and a public-facing “Reading the Republic” project using founding documents and student video responses. The America 250 State Agency Task Force reported on museum exhibits, an Initial Point event, and the Their Story oral-history effort. National updates covered America’s Field Trip, America Gives, federal merchandise and story-capture efforts, and a national time capsule. Idaho Parks and Recreation described America 250-related events at state parks, the Move 250 challenge, and volunteer tracking, emphasizing that it was using existing resources rather than requesting committee funding. The committee set its next meeting for February 5 and adjourned after noting written testimony from David Johnson.

Transcript Highlights:

• Housing was added as a qualified use, and non-profit housing developers were added as a qualified entity
• Yes, House Bill 20 that was passed creates the Office of Technology Innovation.
• So, we have beauty, we have good housing.
• But I guess it is an ongoing but temporary space of development before they can go find more permits.

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Committee on Poverty will come to order, and the clerk will call the roll.
• Chair lays out House Bill 1655.
• Members of the committee, I'm honored to lay out House Bill 1655 today.
• That teacher can assist a student in any way that the law permits currently to assist in educational
• I ask you not to advance House Bill 1655. for this panel. Thank you all for being here. 10 seconds.

Bills: HB1325 , HB1655 , HB3312 , HB5526 , SB13 , SB57 , SB207 , HB441 , HB591 , HB5019 , SB27 , SB843 , SB 13 , SB 27 , SB 57

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: student transfer, public servants, education code, peace officer, servicemember, judicial officer, school security, volunteer program, retired law enforcement, veterans, public safety, school safety, criminal background check, school libraries, library advisory councils, parental rights, library materials, educational content, challenging materials, emergency operations plan

Transcript Highlights:

• It permits an ambiguous reasonable opportunity before requiring parental consent for medical treatments
• And last, but not least, to my bill sponsor over on the House side, Representative Bartman, I just want
• to thank her for... ...over on the House side.
• Representative Bartman, I just want to thank her for also carrying this over on the House side.
• And I believe that's what the House bill says as well.

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Summary: The Pre-K-12 Education Committee took up a series of education, school safety, health, and student access bills. SB 754 on International Baccalaureate bonus funds was amended to clarify the theory of knowledge course and then reported favorably. SB 370 would allow routine non-invasive school health screenings, such as vision, hearing, and dental checks, to proceed with written notice and an opt-out process rather than active parental consent; supporters said it would improve participation and access, while opponents argued it was too broad and weakened parental rights. After debate over scope, funding, and consent, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also advanced SB 1070, which would require ECG screenings for student athletes under a phased rollout beginning in 2026, with religious and medical opt-outs. The bill was renamed the Second Chance Act in honor of Chance Gainer. Supporters described it as a life-saving measure to detect hidden cardiac conditions, while some members raised cost and implementation concerns. SB 508, the Family Empowerment Scholarship bill, would require private schools to disclose in writing what accommodations and services they will provide to students with IEPs, 504 plans, or ELL plans before enrollment; it was supported by parents, advocacy groups, and some school representatives and was reported favorably. School safety measures were also considered. SB 1470 would refine campus locking and supervision rules, create clearer exceptions, expand training and security options for school safety personnel, and allow district-employed law enforcement officers to use canines for threat detection. Witnesses from school safety and Parkland-related advocacy groups supported the bill but urged caution on exemptions and implementation details. SB 1472 would extend a public records exemption to certified school security guards, matching the protection already given to school guardians, and it was reported favorably. Finally, SB 248 would expand participation in FHSAA sports for private school and home education students at public schools when their own schools do not offer the sport, and SB 1618 made broad changes to VPK through grade 12 policy, including reading instruction, financial literacy, school funds restrictions, teacher certification, and advisory council rules; both bills were reported favorably. Several members later recorded votes in support of specific tabs before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• when we go to a constitutional concealed carry, um, everybody can carry a gun concealed without a permit
• when we go to a constitutional concealed carry, um, everybody can carry a gun concealed without a permit
• Um, everybody can carry a gun concealed without a permit, that's a factor.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity convened its first meeting of the 2026 interim, established a quorum, and introduced staff and a summer student intern. The chair explained that the commission’s first topic would be crime, public safety, violence prevention, and mentoring, and invited the police chiefs of Lexington, Louisville, and Bowling Green to discuss how the legislature could help them do their jobs more effectively. The chiefs described a shift in policing from a more enforcement-only approach to community policing built on relationships, trust, and prevention. They said community engagement and mentorship are central to reducing violence, and cited examples such as community engagement teams, youth programs, and efforts to build trust through regular presence in neighborhoods. Louisville’s chief said the department’s community engagement work has helped improve homicide solvability, while Bowling Green’s chief emphasized that juvenile crime and stolen guns are major concerns and that the state cannot arrest its way out of the problem. All three stressed that policing depends on cooperation with residents, prosecutors, and courts. Members then asked about recruiting officers who reflect the communities they serve. The chiefs said successful recruitment depends on personal relationships, officers serving as ambassadors, and reaching people through community presence rather than only traditional ads. Bowling Green described junior police academy and cadet programs that begin with youth and often lead to hiring, while Lexington said it uses social media, a community police academy, and outreach to keep local residents in the profession. They also said character matters more than background and that officers should be embedded in the neighborhoods they serve. A final exchange focused on immigrant and refugee communities and fear of police. The chiefs said they are trying to reduce fear through community police academies, multilingual outreach, neighborhood meetings, and clear communication that local police do not enforce civil immigration detainers. Louisville said it has marked SWAT vehicles more clearly and works with community organizations to spread accurate information. The chiefs repeatedly emphasized that their role is to keep people safe, protect constitutional rights, and make sure residents feel able to call 911 when they need help.