Transcript Highlights:

• Waiving in support.
• Stuart Rimmel and Broward County waiving in support. Thank you, Sir.
• Hurley from Collier County. >> Waiving in support.
• in support and then excuse me that this is a tough one.
• And with that, I'd ask for your support today and continued support.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• importance of the accounting profession to the state economy and the work that advances causes to support
• I too rise to support Senator King and Senate Resolution 15.
• President, members, and thank everyone for their comments and support for this.
• We have an opportunity to show our support.
• I too rise to support Senator Parker, Senate Resolution 17.

Bills: SJR36

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered an invocation, and approved the previous day’s journal. The chamber received a House message announcing passage of H.C.R. 54, and then took up a series of recognitions and resolutions honoring visiting groups, including Texas Society of CPAs Advocacy Day, the Texas A&M System Chancellor’s Student Advisory Council, Dimmit County officials, the Doctor of the Day, and Leadership Frisco. Senators also recognized the Senate’s memorial and ceremonial guests throughout the day. The main floor business centered on two commemorative resolutions. Senate Resolution 15 marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the start of Texas Holocaust Remembrance Week. Senators King, Menendez, Bettencourt, Perry, Hughes, Hinojosa, Campbell, Hall, Cook, Paxton, West, Parker, and others spoke in support, emphasizing Holocaust education, opposition to anti-Semitism and denial, remembrance of victims and survivors, and the importance of teaching students to stand up against hatred. The resolution was adopted, and the names of all senators and the lieutenant governor were added. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 17 designating January 28 as Sexual Assault Survivors Day. Senator Parker described the prevalence and underreporting of sexual assault, the impact on survivors, and the need for prevention, support services, and stronger responses; Senator Cook spoke as a survivor and emergency room nurse and highlighted rape-kit backlogs and the need for victim support. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 14 honoring Brazoria County Sheriff’s Deputy Jesus Jesse Vargas, who was killed in the line of duty, with Senators Middleton and Huffman urging action against violent offenders and stronger protections for law enforcement. Several additional resolutions were adopted, including SRs 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, and 12, and SR 54 granting permission for the Legislature to adjourn for more than three days was approved by roll call, 31 ayes and 0 nays. The Senate later adjourned until 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 29, 2025, in memory of Deputy Vargas and Sergeant Mark Allen Butler, whom Senator Kolkhorst also honored in remarks.

Transcript Highlights:

• Companies like Sepion and Silvitex will come online soon with state support.
• the notion. per se, I have supported the notion of regulations.
• Regulations almost always support one of three classes.
• Finally, Fremont's location and infrastructure really supports industrial activity.
• Finally, Fremont's location and infrastructure really supports industrial activity.

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on California’s industrial policy and manufacturing, with opening remarks emphasizing the state’s large manufacturing base, the need to retain and scale advanced manufacturing in California, and the tension between economic growth, climate goals, labor standards, permitting, and energy reliability. Senators and witnesses repeatedly noted that California has strong innovation assets, but companies often face uncertainty around regulation, power availability, and the cost of expanding here, leading some to locate manufacturing elsewhere. Senator Wahab highlighted Fremont as a major manufacturing hub and stressed apprenticeship pathways, community college partnerships, and good-paying jobs for both college-educated and non-college workers. California Forward’s Agon Turplin and Jake Higden argued for a durable statewide regional economic development system with ongoing funding, regional strategic plans, and sector-specific roadmaps. They said California Jobs First and related regional planning efforts created useful infrastructure, but the system remains fragmented and one-time funded. Higden focused on “green industrial policy,” especially batteries, bioeconomy, and other clean manufacturing sectors, arguing California often funds R&D but loses the manufacturing scale-up phase to other states. Priyanka Mohanti of the Center for Manufacturing a Green Economy said climate policy must be paired with industrial policy so Californians can actually benefit from the transition through affordable clean products, good jobs, and domestic supply chains. She pointed to international examples such as India, Brazil, and China, and urged tools like public investment, procurement, loan guarantees, and supply-chain planning. Industry witness Josh Richmond, drawing on experience at Bloom Energy and Cy Quantum, said energy and economic development are inseparable and that “time to power” is often decisive in site selection. He argued California needs better coordination among the state, utilities, universities, national labs, and economic development agencies, and that the state should be more proactive and creative in helping strategic industries scale. Committee members discussed the role of high energy costs, regulatory burdens, K-12 education, and cap-and-trade, with Senator Niello raising concerns about business climate, education outcomes, and the cost impacts of climate regulations. Witnesses responded that California should balance regulation with benefits, and that regional coordination and state partnership can help companies navigate red tape and stay in-state. The second panel, from labor, supported a worker-led industrial policy. Sarah Flox of the California Labor Federation said manufacturing jobs can be good jobs only when paired with labor standards, apprenticeship pipelines, and public support tied to worker protections. Tom Hincey of UAW Region 6 said California should use public financing, procurement, off-take agreements, and, where appropriate, public ownership or equity stakes to localize supply chains and create union jobs in batteries, offshore wind, and heat pumps. The final panel featured Fremont economic development director Donovan Lazaro, who said Fremont has become California’s top manufacturing city by preserving industrial land, allowing by-right zoning, reducing permitting delays, and building in-house technical expertise to support advanced manufacturers. He said the city’s approach has helped double its manufacturing workforce and strengthen its tax base. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with committee members indicating they would continue working on follow-up legislation and coordination efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• and is supported by the rest of the learning and curriculum environment.
• True transparency means each student feels supported.
• But I also know that we support the things that we create.”
• But how can districts provide this support for these students without the data to do so?
• We want to create districts that have the support that kids need.

Summary: The joint Senate and Assembly Education Committee hearing featured opening remarks from legislators welcoming students from the California Association of Student Councils and SABLE, with members emphasizing student voice and noting that several past student proposals had become law. The hearing then moved through multiple student panels presenting policy ideas, with members responding in a mix of support, technical questions, and cautions about cost, implementation, and tradeoffs in instructional time. The first panel proposed an annual civic engagement day for grades 7-12 to increase civic literacy and participation through flexible school-based activities. Members asked about costs, flexibility for sixth grade, voter registration, and how the proposal would fit within existing curriculum and standards. The second panel proposed amending Education Code Section 35012 to require at least one student board member in every unified and high school district, with added motioning rights and training on budgeting and LCAPs; members raised concerns about mandate costs, board size, and the scope of motioning authority. The third panel proposed middle school financial literacy instruction, potentially embedded in existing classes like math, with a 10-year phase-in for teacher training and curriculum updates; members questioned whether the state should wait for the already-approved high school financial literacy course to be implemented first. The fourth panel proposed expanding restorative justice by creating a CDE task force and authorizing PPS-certified staff to use restorative justice materials in discipline processes; members discussed prior legislation, confidentiality in expulsion hearings, and the likely cost of a state task force. The fifth panel proposed short, twice-a-semester mental health and life-skills sessions for grades 7-12, but members expressed skepticism that brief classroom sessions could meaningfully address mental health needs and suggested wellness centers or student-led awareness efforts instead. The hearing then began panel six on AI implementation in classrooms, with students arguing that districts need clearer guidance on AI use and that education must adapt rather than ignore the technology.

Transcript Highlights:

• and is supported by the rest of the learning and curriculum environment.
• True transparency means each student feels supported... ...to improve their well-being.
• But I also know that we support the things that we create. ...know that we support the things that we
• Which is on supporting students with disabilities.
• We want to create districts that have the support that kids need.

Summary: The annual joint Senate and Assembly Education Committee hearing featured student proposals from the California Association of Student Councils and SABLE, with opening remarks from legislators emphasizing student voice and the value of hearing youth ideas. Committee members noted the hearing was being streamed and that they would review the testimony even though some members could not attend because of fog-related travel issues. The first panel proposed an annual civic engagement day for grades 7-12, with flexible school-led activities such as discussions, mock elections, and voter registration-related events. Members generally praised the idea but raised concerns about costs, instructional time tradeoffs, how to evaluate effectiveness, and whether the proposal should better connect to existing civics standards and local curriculum. The second panel proposed amending Education Code Section 35012 to require at least one student board member in every unified and high school district, with added training and the right to make motions. Legislators supported student representation in principle but questioned whether the proposal should require one or two student members to avoid board tie issues, why some districts do not already have student trustees, and how the mandate would be funded if it became a state requirement. They also raised technical concerns about the scope of motioning power and the fiscal impact of converting a voluntary local practice into a statewide mandate. Later panels proposed adding middle school financial literacy instruction, expanding restorative justice practices, and creating more structured mental health education time. On financial literacy, students suggested integrating finance into existing middle school classes and teacher training over time; members worried about curriculum overload and suggested aligning the idea with the already-approved high school finance course. On restorative justice, students proposed a CDE task force and training for PPS-certified staff; legislators discussed prior related bills, confidentiality concerns in discipline hearings, and the likely cost of a state task force. On mental health, students proposed short, twice-semester classroom sessions focused on coping skills and awareness of resources, but members questioned whether such brief lessons could be effective and suggested that wellness centers, student-led awareness, and outside referrals might be more practical. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with encouragement for students to refine their proposals and follow up with legislators.

Transcript Highlights:

• and is supported by the rest of the learning and curriculum environment.
• and is supported by the rest of the learning and curriculum environment.
• True transparency means each student feels supported... ...to improve their well-being.
• But I also know that we support the things that we create.
• We want to create districts that have the support that kids need.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SafeFlight supports this concept of right to repair. We wholeheartedly support it.
• Thank you for your support.
• But that support won't happen by accident. It needs the strategic support envisioned in HB 4751.
• We would support that as well.
• We are in support of House Bill 3689.

Bills: HB106 , HB144 , HB145 , HB252 , HB1732 , HB2221 , HB2467 , HB2468 , HB2517 , HB2518 , HB2963 , HB3016 , HB3689 , HB3960 , HB4386 , HB4490 , HB4751 , HB5247 , HJR175 , HB2213 , HB106 , HB144 , HB145 , HB252

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund, production safety, leasehold operations, electric utility, distribution poles, inspection

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to testify in support of House File 1012.
• </c> support. Thank you for your testimony. support. Thank you for your testimony.
• Um, I believe AMC is not supportive of the bill.
• ><c> the</c><00:34:48.639><c> bill,</c> Townships does support the bill, Townships does support the bill
• </c><00:35:15.359><c> It</c> does that support local control? It does that support local control?

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 1012, as amended by the A1 amendment, and the author moved the bill to be laid over for possible inclusion in a future bill. The amendment, adopted on a voice vote, changed the timing for public input in trail planning, removed language on decommissioning trails, and combined the measure with another ATV-fee bill. The author said the bill would unify ATV trail signage policy statewide, align statute with DNR best practices, and not affect the forest trail inventory, existing ATV-accessible miles, or hunting exemptions. Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including representatives of the Minnesota Public Lands Coalition, tribal officials from the Max Band and Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, a retired DNR conservation officer, a retired wildlife manager, and the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, argued the bill would better protect wetlands, wildlife habitat, and culturally significant areas, improve transparency and tribal consultation, and make trail planning and enforcement more workable. The EQB said the amended bill’s rulemaking timeline was more workable, and the DNR described its existing multi-step trail review and consultation process. Opponents, including ATV Minnesota, county commissioners from northern counties, and a representative of the Minnesota Trappers Association, argued the bill would burden or restrict existing trail systems, increase costs, and threaten tourism and local economies. They said current trail development already involves DNR and local review, and that the bill could reduce access for riders, trappers, and other users. In member questions, the author and a Minnesota Association of Townships representative said the bill was intended to codify DNR best practices and bring local governments into the process earlier, while confirming that hunting exemptions were not removed.

Transcript Highlights:

• So thank you for supporting this bill.
• First, I want to acknowledge that we support the goal of the bill.
• </c> well as their families and support well as their families and support networks<00:14:24.720><c>
• </c><00:14:32.959><c> for</c> writing to express my strong support for writing to express my strong support
• </c> children and adult at risk supporting children and adult at risk supporting family<00:37:12.599>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Look forward to our debate and ask for your support. Thank you, Mr.
• I rise today in support of H. 4187. I ask you all to join me.
• It's a great honor to stand here in support of House Bill 4187.
• All those in support will stand. Division 1.
• Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this amendment.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and welcomed students from the Frederick C. Murphy School in Weymouth, along with other guests introduced by members. The chamber then suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow several petitions to be referred, including proposals on alcohol labeling for beers consumed on premises, parity in funding for regional vocational and traditional public schools, and legal protections for victims of childhood sexual abuse. The main floor business was House No. 4187, An Act Modernizing the Commonwealth’s Cannabis Laws, reported by Ways and Means as a substitute bill. Members speaking in support described it as a comprehensive overhaul of the Cannabis Control Commission and the state’s cannabis and hemp regulatory framework. The bill would reduce and restructure the CCC, expand options for cannabis businesses and social equity operators, raise license and ownership caps, remove the vertical integration requirement for medical marijuana, and create stronger rules for hemp and CBD products, including a ban on unregulated intoxicating hemp products and a new regulatory structure for allowable hemp beverages and CBD items. Several amendments were offered and adopted by roll call, including changes narrowing the hemp beverage ban from 11 ounces to 7.5 ounces, requiring out-of-state testing labs to be certified in good standing with the commission, and other technical revisions. After debate, the House passed H. 4187 to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 153-0. The chamber also passed to be engrossed two sick leave bank bills, for Andrew Satara and Dana Johnson, and ordered House No. 1590, establishing a sick leave bank for Eric J. Wenaka, to a third reading. The House then adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I wanted to thank this body in particular for their support on developing our overall proposal.
• We did have a letter of support from LADAC supporting the overall proposal to the FAA.
• So I just want to thank the state for their support in all of this.
• So what I would say is support will be needed, essentially, to kind of move that ball forward.
• So what I would say is support will be needed, essentially, to kind of move that ball forward.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Louisiana Advanced Aviation and Drones Advisory Committee met and was told this would likely be its final meeting because the committee sunsets after the 2026 regular session unless legislation reconstitutes it. Members discussed the need to reduce the committee’s size and adjust quorum rules so it can function more reliably, and they later adopted a motion supporting reconstitution of LADAC with a smaller membership and new appointments effective July 1, 2027. The committee also approved the June 2025 minutes and added a legislative briefing item to the agenda. Under subcommittee and project updates, members heard about the new counter-drone effort tied to House Bill 940 and the “Let’s Go” initiative, which would create a joint task force of State Police, sheriffs, and municipal police chiefs to develop training standards and equipment standards for counter-UAS work. The committee also received a briefing on the state’s advanced air mobility work from newly named Advanced Aeronautics Director Josh Deplanis, including Louisiana’s selection for the FAA’s eVTOL/AAM Integration Pilot Program, branded “Lift Off Louisiana,” and the development of a statewide strategic plan covering airspace integration, vertiport infrastructure, charging networks, economic development, education, and community engagement. Deplanis and members emphasized that Louisiana is among a small number of national EIPP sites and that the state’s proposal is notable for also addressing international airspace and “high seas” operations beyond 12 miles offshore, which could help inform FAA and ICAO policy. Members praised the state’s leadership, the work of DOTD, OMC, GOSEP, State Police, and legislative partners, and noted the potential economic importance for oil and gas logistics and other advanced aviation uses. No public testimony was offered, and the meeting adjourned after the committee’s votes and updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'd also support this legislation.
• Anyone else in support? Good morning. Katie Gamble here. Good morning.
• I don't think anybody would support that type of behavior.
• is why you've had unanimous support in both chambers.
• You are addressing something, which is why it's unanimously supported.

Committee: House Commerce

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please support that. Thank you. Thank you.
• Well, we are in full support of this bill.
• Please support the bill. Thank you. Thank you.
• Please support this bill. Thank you. Thank you.
• Well, we are in full support of this bill.

Bills: HB2487

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We stand in support of this bill particularly because it strengthens the communication of We stand in
• So with that, we're happy to stand in support of the bill.
• So with that, we're happy to stand in support of the bill.
• write grants for this program and supporting their content and curriculum needs.
• Not only do we support our future educators, we're also supporting current educators in the field through

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee heard testimony on House Bill 515, sponsored by Representative Chris Matthias, which would require school districts to adopt procedures for reporting suspensions related to bullying, harassment, intimidation, and related conduct to families, while removing a prior state-level reporting requirement. Matthias said the bill is intended to help families respond quickly and to keep the focus on local school-level accountability; he noted earlier versions had included language about limiting access to means of harm and notifying law enforcement, but those provisions were removed after prior defeats. Quinn Perry of the Idaho School Boards Association testified in support, saying the bill improves communication and trust with families and eliminates redundant reporting to the Department of Education. The committee then voted to send HB 515 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee also received a presentation from Brooke Blevins of the Idaho Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and the University of Idaho on educator preparation programs. She described collaboration among Idaho’s colleges and universities and said programs have expanded coursework and field experiences in classroom management, educator ethics, career and technical education, rural school preparation, literacy and the science of reading, and the ethical use of AI. Members asked about literacy instruction and the earlier state literacy funding, with several expressing concern that phonics and the science of reading had not been emphasized enough in the past. Blevins said higher education institutions are aligning with state literacy efforts and that the $50 million literacy initiative primarily funds Department of Education programs rather than universities. Committee members also asked about teacher preparation pathways and workforce readiness. Blevins said Idaho has multiple routes to certification, including traditional undergraduate programs, alternative authorizations, alternative programs, apprenticeships, graduate programs, and CTE pathways, and estimated that about 63% of current Idaho teachers were educated through institutions like those represented. She emphasized early field experiences to help candidates determine whether teaching is the right fit and said institutions are studying student success across different educational settings. No further action was taken on the presentation, and the chair adjourned the meeting after reminding members to review the rules in their folders for the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• In support of the bill, you can line up. Mr.
• the bill or not to support the bill.
• I should support the bill or not support the bill. I mean, presumably the FPPC, and this is a...
• I should support the bill or not to support the bill.
• I do support the bill today. I want to thank you. Thank you. support the bill today.

Committee: Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll take witnesses in support now, to have them choose in support of the bill. Support.
• Do we have witnesses in support of the bill?
• I know we've had it before us and most of us here supported it.
• I'll be supporting this, monitoring as it goes through the process.
• to support wildfire survivors going forward.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe we'll take three in support, any in opposition?
• We fully support the bill. We support the amendments as well. We appreciate the great work.
• Mexico Chamber of Commerce, standing in support of Senate Bill 1.
• We urge your support and thank you. Thanks for the indulgence, Mr. Chair.
• Alpark Hospital Association, we stand in support. Thank you. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:09.840><c> Uh</c> we're strong support HCR33. Got it. Uh we're strong support HCR33.
• De Minami from HHFDC has submitted testimony and support.
• Dan Orin Denker has submitted testimony and support.
• </c><00:04:23.040><c> Dan</c> submitted testimony and support. Dan submitted testimony and support.
• Is there anyone else wishing to support.

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs heard two concurrent resolutions. HCR 33 proposed asking the U.S. Postmaster General to relocate the Pearl City Post Office from Kamehameha Highway and Acacia Road to Navy property on the Pearl City Peninsula. Testifiers, including Pearl City Neighborhood Board chair Larry Verrett and resident Lena Ala Baiton, supported the move, citing severe congestion, narrow access, safety concerns, and the potential to improve traffic flow and support transit-oriented development. Members noted a similar Senate measure had already passed, and HCR 33 was recommended to pass unamended. The committee then considered HCR 157, which would establish a task force to simplify permitting for enhanced economic development and coordinate state and intergovernmental permitting processes. Testimony in support was submitted by representatives connected to DBED/HHFDC and others. In discussion, members questioned whether such a task force was necessary, what projects it would address, how often it would meet, whether it could include housing and local-level projects, and what the cost might be; the response was that the resolution would provide more structure, no similar project had been executed before, and costs were not yet known but could be addressed later. The committee ultimately recommended HCR 157 pass unamended, and the recommendation was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are very much in support of this bill.
• For these reasons, we stand in strong support of Senate Bill 170.
• Rarely do you have unanimous support on anything.
• Thank you very much for your support. Great, thank you. Good evening, Mr.
• We stand in support. Thank you. Great, thank you very much.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I rise in support of this rule and in support of the underlying legislation.
• </c> nuclear deterrent capabilities, support nuclear deterrent capabilities, support law<02:21:18.160
• This funding will support district.
• </c><02:42:55.439><c> You</c> they can support their families. You they can support their families.
• It supports the infrastructure.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 1012, house, all