Transcript Highlights:

• , interference with elections, tampering with voting machines, or vote tally systems.
• equipment in the state or been charged with tampering with any voting equipment.
• What we've had is some instances where felons have registered and tried to vote.
• We've just had some individuals who don't have voting rights attempt to register and vote and have been
• or interfering with someone's vote.

Committee: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• on it, so I'll vote yes.
• If you have the votes, vote. All right.
• Well, I accept the amendment and encourage people to vote yes. All in favor, say aye.
• And encourage people to vote yes. All in favor, say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed?
• So we voted on the proposed substitute.

Bills: SB6290 , SB6282 , SB5379 , SB6197 , SB6158 , SB6302 , SB5882 , SB6303 , SB6180 , SB6195 , SB6196 , SB6204 , SB6287

Committee: Senate Labor & Commerce

Keywords: liquor regulation, cannabis board, reorganization, state agency, governance, apprenticeship, behavioral health, construction trades, workforce training, wellness, interest arbitration, parks and recreation, public employees, labor relations, employee rights, SB 6197, plumbing contractor, plumber, contractor licensing, licensing enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• And by your vote, SB 1246 is reported favorably. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, committee.
• There's no requirement that you follow any sort of criteria when you vote yes or no on this.
• We’re forced to vote on whether or not we want a day of remembrance for Charlie Kirk.
• And by your vote, please see Senate Bill 194 reported favorably.
• Does any senator wish to be recorded as voting on bills before the committee today? I do.

Summary: The Committee on Education Postsecondary took up SB 1246, which would expand Florida’s LINE Fund for health workforce shortages beyond nursing to include broader health science education programs and students, allow matching funds from private contributions, and permit spending on scholarships, faculty recruitment, equipment, simulation centers, and facility renovations. Senator Harrell asked for more specificity about which career paths would qualify, saying the bill should be narrowed to target particular shortage areas. Senator Davis said the bill was intended to add flexibility while still focusing on health care and career technical programs, and noted the measure would not require additional state funding because the LINE Fund already has about $44 million, with another $30 million proposed. The bill was supported by several appearance forms and was reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 194, which would designate October 14 as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance in Florida. Senator Martin said the bill would recognize Kirk’s influence on civic engagement, youth leadership, and constitutional education without creating a state holiday or closing offices. Supporters, including Florida Voice for the Unborn and others, said Kirk was a significant advocate for free speech and unborn rights. Opponents from Equal Ground argued that Kirk had made racist and divisive statements and that the state should not honor him with a public commemoration. Senators also debated whether a statutory day of remembrance was appropriate and whether it could set a precedent for future requests. Senator Jones offered a late-filed amendment to add George Floyd to the remembrance, arguing that if the legislature was going to memorialize Kirk, it should not do so selectively. Senator Martin opposed the amendment as unfriendly, and it failed on a roll call vote. The committee then debated the bill at length, with Senators Berman and Jones opposing it as an inappropriate endorsement of Kirk’s views, while Senator Simon and Senator Martin defended it as a recognition of his role in encouraging public debate and civic participation. SB 194 was ultimately reported favorably on a party-line vote, with Senators Berman, Harrell, and Jones opposed, Senator Rodriguez and Senator Simon in support, and Chair Claudio voting yes.

Transcript Highlights:

• And by your vote, SB 1246 is reported favorably. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, committee.
• There's no requirement that you follow any sort of criteria when you vote yes or no on this.
• We're forced to vote on whether or not we want a day of remembrance for Charlie Kirk.
• And by your vote, please see Senate Bill 194 reported favorably.
• Does any senator wish to be recorded as voting on bills before the committee today? I do.

Committee: Senate Education Postsecondary

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I ask you to vote no on HB 129, thank you.
• I urge you to vote no on HB 129. Thank you.
• Please vote no on this bill, thank you for your time.
• So I I'm gonna vote up on the bill because I understand where you're going with this.
• You all would not vote for that Bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's urgent, it's timely, and I respectfully ask for your vote. Thank you.
• I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you. We have a motion and a second.
• And with that, I respectfully ask for your aye vote. Thank you, Senator.
• And I would respectfully ask for an aye vote.
• All have voted. That measure is still out.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several Senate bills focused on health care access, privacy, and public health data. SB 81 (Arreguín) would require health care facilities to create nonpublic areas and bar immigration enforcement from entering without a judicial warrant or court order, while also protecting disclosure of immigration-related information in medical records. The bill drew strong support from labor, immigrant-rights, health care, and patient advocacy groups, with committee members emphasizing patient safety and privacy; one member raised implementation concerns about how the restrictions would work in practice. The committee voted the bill out on a due pass motion to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee, with one no vote recorded. SB 250 (Ochoa Bogh) would add skilled nursing facilities to DHCS’s managed care provider directory so Medi-Cal beneficiaries can more easily identify covered facilities. Supporters said the change would help seniors and people with disabilities avoid confusion and rushed placement decisions, especially during hospital discharge, and would make existing information easier to use. The committee passed the bill to Appropriations on a unanimous vote. SB 717 (Richardson) would formally recognize California’s three regional cancer registries in state law to help preserve federal funding and support cancer surveillance data collection. The author and supporters said the measure would protect more than $15 million in annual federal support and strengthen cancer research and tracking; the committee approved it unanimously to Appropriations. SB 504 (Laird) would allow health care providers to disclose personally identifying information about previously reported HIV infections to state or local health officials when needed for disease control or care coordination. The author described the bill as a modernization of reporting and coordination practices, and supporters from the California Medical Association and Planned Parenthood backed it. The committee sent the bill out as amended to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee on a unanimous vote. The meeting also included routine consent-calendar action and multiple add-on votes, with the committee repeatedly holding the roll open to record additional members’ votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Would anyone like to change their vote? The Chief Clerk will record the vote.
• The Clerk will record the vote: 20 ayes, 22 nays.
• Would anyone like to change your vote? The Chief Clerk will record the vote.
• Members, you remember a few weeks ago, seems like a long time ago, we voted on some of the other budget
• Would anyone like to change your vote? The Chief Clerk will record the vote.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, for other projects that they hadn't put out to a specific vote, but are important to the school district
• bond monies for school districts, the school board was afforded some discretion in that they could vote
• Is there any merit to the bill being amended to put it out for a vote so that you don't have those, uh
• voted it down, did they not?
• Board members and then it was voted down. So that's not a very good example.

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> BY YOUR VOTE SHOW THIS PASSES. PLEASE REPORT CS FOR HOUSE BILL 6535 FAVORABLY. MR.
• . >> YES. >> TOMKOW. >> YES. >> REPRESENTATIVE TUCK. >> YES. >> WOODSON. >> YES. >> Chair: BY YOUR VOTE
• SURTAX TO REDUCE OR REPEAL THE SURTAX BEGINNING FOUR YEARS AFTER THE TAX IS LEVIED BY A TWO THIRDS VOTE
• MANY BUSINESS OWNERS LIVE IN NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES AND CANNOT VOTE IN THE COUNTY THEIR BUSINESS IS
• REPRESENTATIVE TUCK. >> YES. >> WOODSON. >> NO. >> Chair: BY YOUR VOTE, THIS PASSES.

Transcript Highlights:

• And by your vote, CS for SB 1528 is reported favorably.
• The vote: CS for SB 1528 is reported favorably.
• And by your vote, C.S. for SB 910 is reported favorably.
• And by your vote, SB 1464 is reported favorably.
• We have nobody who needs to vote? All right.

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The Military and Veterans, Space, and Domestic Security Committee met with a quorum and heard several bills focused on veterans, military families, and aerospace. SB 684 by Sen. Avila would let certain Florida Retirement System members buy military wartime service credit under updated eligibility dates and expand the definition of wartime service to include recent operations such as New Dawn, Inherent Resolve, Freedom Sentinel, and Enduring Sentinel. Veterans and first responders testified in support, and senators said the bill corrects an outdated gap. The committee voted the bill favorably. The committee then took up SB 1528 by Sen. Collins on educational opportunities for military children. The bill strengthens coordination between school districts and military installations and requires DOE training modules for school staff working with military families. An amendment removing a sunset provision was adopted, and three Hillsborough County students who helped develop the idea testified in support, describing research on military-family school transitions and the need for staff training on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. The committee reported the bill favorably as amended. SB 910 by Sen. Collins, on veterans benefit assistance, was amended and reported favorably. As amended, it allows veterans to work with professional claims advisors while adding consumer protections, including fee caps, bans on initial/nonrefundable and referral fees, required disclosures, and limits on use of veterans’ login credentials. Sen. Collins and others argued the federal VA claims process is too slow and confusing and that veterans need both help and safeguards. The committee also approved SB 1464 by Sen. Wright, which expands FDVA outreach through digital, print, social media, and in-person efforts and requires public events and annual reporting, and SB 1516 by Sen. Wright, which creates an international aerospace innovation fund administered by Space Florida to support partnerships with international aerospace companies. All measures were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned at the end of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the Constitution, a separate vote is required.
• Under the Constitution, a separate vote is required.
• Under the Constitution, a separate vote is required.
• On this matter, 5 members voted in the affirmative and none in the negative.
• Under the Constitution, a separate vote is required.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then concurred with a Senate referral of a petition by Joan B. Lovely to study discrimination in public accommodations for individuals with service animals, sending it to the Committee on Consumer, Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 for two petitions by Adam J. Scanlon: one asking CHIA to analyze eliminating or capping copays for mental and behavioral health services, and another concerning no-cost calls for incarcerated individuals, referring them to the appropriate committees. The House then took up a slate of bills recommended by the Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee and, after suspending Rule 7A, ordered several to third reading. These included Marnie’s Law on inflammatory breast cancer awareness in nursing education, Haverhill election bills, a New Salem election validation bill, Plymouth charter and digital legal notice bills, a Nantucket charter gender-neutrality bill, and a Nantucket land conveyance bill. The House also separately suspended Rule 7A for House Bill 2614 on medical parole and ordered it to third reading. On final passage, the House passed House Bill 4249 on vital statistics to be reenacted, adopted emergency preambles for House Bill 3388 designating September 22 as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day and for House Bill 1024 concerning sewer service in Sharon, and passed House Bill 23/Senate Bill 23 on alternate members to the Squabskine Conservation Commission. The House also engrossed Senate Bill 1830 on continued employment for Herbert A. Chafee II in Brookfield, House Bill 4109 on harbor line changes in New Bedford Harbor, and House Bill 4524 renaming Williamsburg’s Board of Selectmen as the Select Board. The session ended with adoption of an order to adjourn and the House standing adjourned to meet Wednesday at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your yes vote. That concludes debate. The vote will now occur.
• If you favor the measure, vote aye. If you oppose the measure, vote nay. Clerk, call the roll.
• I appreciate your yes vote. That concludes debate. The vote will now occur.
• If you favor the measure, vote aye. If you oppose the measure, vote nay. Clerk, call the roll.

Bills: HB3940 , HB3078 , HB3043

Committee: Senate Veterans and Military Affairs

Keywords: Oklahoma National Guard, compensation, education assistance, career technology, military benefits, veterans, donations, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, state agency, executive branch, HB3043, ODVA, seasonal employees, project labor, pro rata jobs, unclassified service, state personnel law, state employee benefits, paid leave, paid holidays

Summary: The committee took up three Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs-related House bills. House Bill 3940 was presented as a modernization and cleanup of Guard retirement-related provisions, with a confusing pay language removed; members noted it was similar to prior versions and that any fiscal impact would not occur until after 2027. After brief questions, the bill was advanced unanimously, 7-0. House Bill 3078 would allow state agencies and executive-branch entities to add voluntary donation options to payment forms so people could contribute to the ODVA Revolving Fund when paying for items such as licenses, registrations, and tax forms. Members clarified the donations would be extra, strictly voluntary, and not tied to tax proceeds. The bill passed 7-0. House Bill 3043 would authorize ODVA to hire PRN/as-needed staff as seasonal employees under defined limits to help staff veterans homes. Supporters said it would improve flexibility and staffing during peak periods, while the minority leader raised concerns about expanding temporary employment and reducing access to stable, benefit-eligible jobs. The bill passed 5-2. The committee then laid over another item pending Senator Woods’ availability and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that we remove item nine from the consent calendar to be voted on separately.
• Not voting. Arreguín? Ta? Not voting. Not voting.
• Voting: Arreguín, Ta, not voting; Garcia, aye; Gonzalez, aye; Irwin, aye; Rodriguez, aye; Sanchez, not
• voting; Zbur, aye.

Summary: The Rules Committee was called to order and a quorum was present. After roll call, the committee took up a consent agenda and a motion was made to remove item 9 for separate consideration. The remainder of the consent agenda was approved by roll call vote. Item 9, SCR 84, was then considered separately. A motion and second were made, and the measure passed by roll call vote, with several members not voting. No testimony or substantive discussion of the bill was included in the transcript. After the vote on SCR 84, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that we remove item nine from the consent calendar to be voted on separately.
• Not voting. Arons? Ta? Not voting. Not voting. Voting. Arons? Ta? Not voting. Garcia? Garcia, aye.
• Sanchez, not voting. Zabur? Zabur, aye. Motion passes. Rules Committee is now adjourned. Thank you.

Committee: House Rules

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that House Bill 1847 be voted due pass. No discussion. Okay, please call the roll.
• I move that House Bill 1961 be voted due pass. Is there any discussion?
• By your vote of 13 ayes and zero noes, you have voted House Bill 1961 as due pass.
• I move that House Bill 1644 be voted due pass. Is there any discussion?
• By your vote of 13 ayes and zero noes, you have voted House Bill 1644 as do pass.

Committee: House Economic Development

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I would certainly vote for... I would certainly vote for 408.
• Would you please, once again, the vote yes is to support the amendments and vote no will be to reject
• A vote yes means you're in favor of the amendments, and a vote no means you're...
• A vote yes means you're in favor of the amendments, and a vote no means you're against the amendments
• A vote yes means you wish to support the bill with amendments, and a vote no means you do not wish to

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 408 by Senator Myers, a major workers’ compensation overhaul centered on creating an all-claims medical database, requiring electronic reporting and billing, and modernizing fee schedule and claims data collection. Myers said the bill was designed to improve transparency, reduce disputes, address outliers and abuse, and help injured workers return to work faster. The committee adopted technical amendments, then considered a large amendment set combining portions of House bills 780 and 1101, which added preliminary determination procedures, fraud language, temporary total disability and supplemental earnings benefit changes, and a fallback deadline for the department to establish a fee schedule if no agreement is reached by 2029. Several members and witnesses objected that the amendments were dropped late and would turn SB 408 into an omnibus bill; supporters argued the package was the best chance for comprehensive reform. After debate, the committee adopted the amendments and reported SB 408 favorably as amended. Testimony on SB 408 was sharply divided. Supporters, including some providers and injured-worker advocates, said the bill’s core value was transparency through the database and that the system needed modernization and a better fee schedule. Opponents argued the added amendments would burden pro se claimants, expand litigation, and weaken injured workers’ rights, especially through fraud and preliminary hearing provisions. Committee members also questioned whether the combined package was germane and whether it should be allowed to move as a single reform measure. Louisiana Workforce Commission staff explained the timeline for data collection, electronic billing, dispute rules, and eventual fee schedule rulemaking, and said the department could execute the law as amended. The committee then turned to House Bill 585 by Representative Chasson, concerning workplace violence and safety plans for small-box discount retailers. The bill was revised through a substitute that required covered retailers to develop and submit a written workforce safety plan, or submit an existing plan if one already existed. Representative Glorioso raised concerns that requiring a written safety plan could create new civil liability under Louisiana’s assumption-of-duty doctrine and increase litigation and insurance costs. Chasson responded that the intent was simply to encourage safety planning and that businesses already had such plans. The committee discussed possible narrowing language, but the transcript ends before a final disposition on HB 585 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Roll call vote. A vote yes sends the bill to the floor. A vote no keeps it in committee. Mr.
• Think about what that vote means.
• And this would give us a right to vote for him or not vote for him.
• And this would give us a right to vote for him or not vote for him.
• vote a person in and out.

Committee: House Civil Law and Procedure

Summary: The committee first considered HB 446 by Rep. Boyer, a constitutional amendment to set eligible dates for local bond and tax elections. Staff said it would amend Article 6, Section 22, could not be done statutorily, and was scheduled for November 3, 2026 to maximize turnout. The committee adopted the 6.8A report and reported the bill without amendments. Members then took up several constitutional amendments and civil law measures, including HB 244 on constitutional conventions, HB 214 on a property tax exemption for rehabilitated blighted or derelict property, HB 514 on an additional senior homestead-style ad valorem exemption, HB 27 on how non-recurring state monies may be applied to retirement system unfunded liabilities, and HB 225 on gubernatorial term limits. HB 244 and HB 225 were amended before being reported, while HB 214, HB 514, and HB 27 were reported favorably without amendments. The committee also adopted SB 127, which allows limited curator donations on behalf of interdicted persons and narrows forced heirship in certain disability-related estate planning situations. The committee approved HB 1043, as amended, to raise the civil jurisdictional amount for the First and Second Parish Courts of Jefferson Parish from $20,000 to $35,000. It also approved HB 473 by substitute on custody and child support, with the substitute preserving language that physical custody should be shared equally unless the court finds that infeasible or not in the child’s best interest. HB 71, which extends certain self-defense liability protections to registered armed private security officers, drew opposition over training and public safety concerns but was reported favorably after a roll call vote of 8 yeas and 1 nay. The committee also advanced HB 1082, which would require the Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System to sue municipalities in the local parish rather than East Baton Rouge when it is the plaintiff. Supporters said the current venue rule burdens small towns with travel and litigation costs; opponents argued Article 84 provides a consistent statewide venue and that the litigation is largely about municipalities failing to enroll officers properly. Finally, the committee heard extensive testimony on HB 306, which concerns court costs and fees in domestic abuse cases; members worked through a concept amendment to restore “reasonable” attorney’s fees and add court-approved evaluation and expert witness fees, and the discussion continued with testimony about federal grant compliance and victim protections.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with that, I ask for an aye vote. Okay, well, thank you very much.
• So we will now move to vote on your bill. Senators, does anyone move?
• the votes for the earlier bills.
• And with those reasons, I ask for your aye vote.
• That's why I ask for an aye vote. Okay, thank you.

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 respectfully urge your aye vote. Thank you.
• Please vote yes.
• Please vote no on this bill. I'm Margaret Okuzumi.
• Please vote no. Thank you.
• I will get another chance to vote on this formally.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee held a special hearing on AB 715, with the authors presenting the bill as a response to rising anti-Semitism in K-12 schools. The authors said the measure is intended to strengthen protections for Jewish students, improve district accountability, expand the uniform complaint process, clarify protections related to religion and nationality, and create a state-level anti-Semitism coordinator. They emphasized that the bill was developed through collaboration with the Black, Latino, AAPI, and Jewish caucuses and argued it is meant to protect all students from hate while preserving legitimate classroom discussion. The hearing included extensive public testimony. Supporters, including students, parents, rabbis, Jewish organizations, and some educators, described harassment, biased curriculum, delayed or ineffective school responses, and fear among Jewish students and families. They urged the committee to act to make schools safer and more responsive. Opponents, including teachers, ethnic studies advocates, civil liberties groups, Palestinian rights advocates, and some Jewish parents, argued the bill was rushed, vague, and could chill academic freedom, censor discussion of Palestine and Israel, and expand complaints against teachers and school districts. Several witnesses said existing complaint and anti-discrimination systems already address these issues. Committee members then questioned the authors and witnesses about implementation, definitions, and possible effects on curriculum and school boards. The authors said the bill is still intent language and that details would be refined in further negotiations with stakeholders. Representatives from the California School Boards Association and California Teachers Association raised concerns about the new language and possible unintended consequences, while ACLU California Action said it had concerns but wanted to keep working on the bill. The transcript does not show a final vote or action taken on AB 715 during this hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I had two other committees meeting, and one of them was voting, and had to go there and vote.
• I had two other committees meeting, and one of them was voting, and I had to go there and vote.
• Let's back that vote count up. Members, the clerk will show Senator Middleton voting aye.
• We'll need to adopt that substitute before voting it out.
• During the months leading up to the ballot vote, During the months leading up to the ballot vote, we

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Summary: The Committee on Education K-16 heard several bills focused largely on special education transparency, school safety, and student support services. Senate Bill 1908, by Senator Zaffirini, would direct the Higher Education Coordinating Board to study the feasibility of a statewide system for coordinating clinical training placements, including regional portals for healthcare clinical slots, with a report due by December 1, 2026. A representative of the Texas Nurses Association and the Nursing Legislative Agenda Coalition testified in support. The bill was left pending subject to the call of the chair. The committee then took up Senate Bill 111, by Senator Hall, which in its committee substitute was narrowed to a reporting bill requiring school districts to disclose legal proceedings involving special education due process complaints when legal fees exceed $10,000, rather than capping spending. Several parents and advocates testified that districts spend large sums on litigation against families of children with disabilities and that greater transparency is needed; some senators raised concerns about unintended consequences, including possible pressure to settle cases. The committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1551 on automated external defibrillators in public schools, Senate Bill 865 on CPR instruction requirements for certain volunteers, Senate Bill 1032 on the Governor’s University Research Initiative, and Senate Bill 571 on school employee misconduct reporting and access to the Do Not Hire Registry; each was reported favorably after committee substitute adoption and roll-call votes. Additional bills discussed included Senate Bill 1884, which would formalize and expand dedicated staff support for the State Board of Education and give the board chair hiring authority over that staff; members questioned whether it duplicated TEA functions, while a witness argued the workload increase justified the change, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 625 would replace the current half-credit economics requirement with a half-credit in personal financial literacy; educators and advocates strongly supported making the course required, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 582 would make TEA settlement agreements in special investigations publicly available when sanctions are imposed, and Senate Bill 2600 would bar transportation fees for students living within two miles of campus unless districts do not receive state transportation funding; both were left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2751, which would require TEA inspections of non-public special education programs to consider medical standards of care and crisis-prevention training; testimony from a program operator described severe student behaviors and the need for more flexibility, and the bill was left pending after the substitute was adopted.